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His body overflowed with heat. It flushed his face and made his skin sensitive to each caress dancing down his waist and chest, his hips and spread thighs… 

Something pressed inside him, inside a throbbing part of his body that opened up eagerly, wetly, the intrusion sliding in deep and with ease.

It burned, it ached, it feels so, so good. He’d never felt this good before and the sensations overwhelmed him. 

Moans tumbled from his lips, a voice that wasn’t his. Someone was moving between his thighs, large and warm and wonderful. 

“You feel good, Xuanyu.” 

This voice… He never heard someone call his name like that before, with desire. He loved it. He moaned louder, more desperate, clutching onto unfamiliar sheets. 

“Ah-ah~, La--Lan Zha--” 

No, not Lan Wangji. This man above him -- he had a handsome face, green eyes, thick curly hair spilling down his shoulders with a heavy, pleasant scent. Wei Wuxian held onto him tightly, toes curling, every thrust sating the heat engulfing his body while building it up at the same time. Pleasure crested through him, his dripping wet opening clenching, his hard cock weeping…

 “Yes, y-yes….! Yes, more! Please--!”

He was suddenly on all fours, strong hands gripping his waist. Wei Wuxian pushed his hips back, his hazy surroundings even more of a blur through the pleasure. It felt like the onslaught had continued for hours, that this flame had burned on and on, needing more--

“You’re doing so good.”

“Ahh~!” He trembled from head to toe. 

He never wanted this to end.

“Wei Ying,” murmured another voice, a familiar voice. The name was spoken lowly, the tone as smooth as velvet.

Wei Wuxian woke up gradually, a strange quivering between his legs. He pushed his hips back again, seeking the solid heat that had covered him, had pounded inside him so wonderfully just a second ago.

He was met with emptiness. He groaned, the sound disappointed and wanting. His dazed mind strung together that it was quite common for Lan Wangji to be up by now, and yet his fevered body protested that it should only be logical for his alpha to be here in bed with him. 

What kind of mate is he? he thought, panting against his pillow. 

Mate. His mate. Lan Wangji, his alpha…

Wei Wuxian was suddenly very awake, his shock overshadowing his sleepy state of arousal. 

My mate? Lan Zhan ? No way!

...The horrible thing was though, this wasn’t even the first time Wei Wuxian had thought of him like that. He sighed, slowly sitting up. 

This was the fault of that dream he had. No, not a dream. Rather… A memory. There were nights where he had vivid dreams of a life not his own. It wasn’t too often, but ever since he inherited this body, those kinds of dreams came to him. Wei Wuxian thought it was all nonsense at first, but the images were too familiar, too precise. They felt like reliving an experience -- including the rather exciting one just now. Those same images had ended up conjuring something from Wei Wuxian’s subconscious as well.

The heat returned to his face as he recalled Lan Wangji’s voice low against his ear. Quickly, he shook his head to get rid of the afterimages and feeling of large hands on his body.

Listen up, you weird omega hormones! Don’t get all excited now! Remember, Lan Zhan is just taking care of us until the pup is born. Then we’ll go our separate ways. 

He’s the valuable second young master of one of the most powerful sects, it wouldn’t be proper for him to just settle with us.

Even as Wei Wuxian gave himself the pep talk, his heart began to ache as if in protest. Wei Wuxian sighed and laid back in bed. At more than 7 months along, his belly was impossible to hide now, a plump hill that obscured part of his view when he laid down like this. 

Being an omega is such a troublesome thing. Not only did Wei Wuxian end up in a body that was already pregnant, he had no time at all to figure out how his new instincts worked. Most days he felt fine, but other days he could feel how something inside him yearned to be closer and closer to Lan Wangji. Some days, the back of his neck tingled when the alpha was near, and Wei Wuxian understood well what his omega was hoping for. It didn’t happen around any other alpha, only Lan Wangji. Only Lan Zhan makes me feel like this.

Bite me. 

Mark me. 

Mate me. 

Alpha--

Wei Wuxian closed his eyes, the trembling between his legs making itself known again. He didn’t even really have a chance to explore his new anatomy either these past few months -- and honestly, it wasn’t easy to reach down there anymore with his belly in the way. But the quivering heat below became harder to ignore the further along in his pregnancy he was. 

He let out a steadying breath, trying to suppress his arousal. 

The only thing to make his internal suffering worse was Lan Wangji himself suddenly stepping into the room. Even though he wasn’t doing anything incriminating, Wei Wuxian still shot up and gave him an innocent smile. 

“L-Lan Zhan, good morning!” 

“Wei Ying, you’re awake.” 

“Mm!” Wei Wuxian got up and hurriedly made the bed, shaking out the sheets to clear the air of the arousal he’d been trying to keep down. 

Lan Wangji froze. His expression didn’t change but Wei Wuxian wondered -- hoped -- he was imagining it when Lan Wangji’s nostrils flared a bit as the sheets fluttered back down. Wei Wuxian swallowed and quickly smoothed the sheets back out. 

“Ahaha, SO what do we have planned today?” 

After a heartbeat of silence, Lan Wangji said, “I spoke with Wen Ning.”

“Eh? You better not have fought with him.” Wen Ning might’ve been an unassuming beta in life, but Lan Wangji still got territorial around him as if his mate was being threatened. 

Lan Wangji shook his head. “He told me he saw my brother leaving the mountain with Jin Guangyao. I went back to the Cloud Recesses to investigate.”

Wei Wuxian was more alert at once and dropped the last corner of the sheets. “What happened? What did he do? Are the Cloud Recesses okay?” 

“Mn. Brother left a note for us.” Lan Wangji held up a scroll. 

The past two months had been quiet -- too quiet. They had almost been like a dream, the two of them removed from the chaos of the world. It had been a simple few weeks of a surprisingly domestic life by day and simple night hunts around the mountain by moonlight -- until both Lan Jinghua and Lan Wangji forbade him to the latter after his third trimester approached. 

Of course Wei Wuxian knew that this kind of peace couldn’t last. It was only a matter of time before Jin Guangyao started making moves. And it wasn’t as if the cultivation world would so easily let the Yiling Patriarch live quietly. 

“What does the note say?” Wei Wuxian came closer, watching as Lan Wangji unfurled the small scroll. On the page, Lan Xichen neatly summarized Jin Guangyao’s visit -- he’d made polite conversation but couldn’t hide his curiosity on whether Lan Xichen knew where Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had escaped to. Lan Xichen hadn’t once revealed their whereabouts since they fled from Lanling and he did not reveal it to his sworn brother today. 

According to Lan Xichen’s note, Jin Guangyao claimed that all manner of strange and evil things had been happening around Yiling the past few weeks. Now that the situation had come to a head, he and the other sects had a plan to “clean out the filth” at Burial Mounds before another tragedy like years ago could come again. 

Wei Wuxian sighed. “They think I’m the one doing this. But if Jin Guangyao is stirring things up, we can’t just leave it alone.”

Lan Wangji nodded. “Brother says that he will accompany the rest of the sects to Koi Tower. He wants me to investigate the Burial Mounds in the meantime.”

With a nod of his own, Wei Wuxian stretched. “Then let’s not dally. Let me get dressed then we can go.”

Lan Wangji frowned. “Not we,” he said pointedly. “Brother only specified me. Wei Ying, you remain here.”

He suspected he’d receive this disagreement. Wei Wuxian ignored him and gathered his robes, moving behind the partition to change. Once his bump started showing more, Lan Wangji had purchased him a new set of robes to give his growing belly more room. They were comfortable and still of the black and red colors that Wei Wuxian favored.

“I can’t stay here while all this is going on. I’ve helped you a lot in the past few months when it came to solving these cases. What will you do without my brilliant mind present?” 

“Take this seriously,” Lan Wangji said firmly. “The Burial Mounds have too much evil for an unborn child. It will be too dangerous.”

“Exactly!” Wei Wuxian stepped back in the room, fully dressed. “It’ll be too dangerous, so you need me to watch your back. And of course I know you won’t let anything happen to me and the pup. What’s the problem?”

Lan Wangji gave him a hard look. “You will not come.” 

Wei Wuxian challenged him with his own stare. “I will .”

Lan Wangji’s hands balled into fists, crumpling the tiny scroll in his hand. Although he hadn’t released his scent, the gesture coupled with his expression was enough to give Wei Wuxian flashbacks to those times he’d frustrated Lan Wangji in his youth.

“ Why ?” he asked.

Wei Wuxian went to him. “Because this has everything to do with me, Lan Zhan. I’m the only one who knows how to deal with what we’re up against. How can I possibly let this go? How can I hide away while Jin Guangyao is impersonating me and possibly hurting others while doing it? If this keeps up, then this pup will never know a peaceful life. I have to be there.”

As he spoke, Lan Wangji’s face became complicated, his eyes lowering as he thought. The frown on his brow eased slightly, but he still wasn’t fully convinced.

Wei Wuxian took his hand, gently pressing it over his bump. “Lan Zhan, trust me.”

Ever since he felt the baby kicking that first time, Lan Wangji had become less hesitant to touch Wei Wuxian. Many nights now he rested his palms over Wei Wuxian’s belly and rubbed over it tenderly, both of them delighting when the pup would respond with little movements. It had been a little embarrassing for Wei Wuxian at first, but he now treasured such moments and looked forward to Lan Wangji’s strong, gentle touch that made his chest rumble pleasantly with purrs.

Lan Wangji’s thumb rubbed tenderly over the bump. He finally exhaled. 

“I trust Wei Ying.” 

They made the necessary preparations and departed for Yiling that same day. 

Wei Wuxian painted a talisman and placed it under his robe. “When I was living in the Burial Mounds with the remnant Wens,” he explained, “there was a cousin who wondered to me and Wen Qing if it was possible for her to have a baby one day when we were better settled. We didn’t think it was impossible, but we thought even if a child of a few years is fine living there, a newborn was still too fragile to be born in such a place. I used a regular warding talisman and strengthened it enough to protect her future child from the Burial Mounds’ energy. She never got to use it but… It’ll protect our-- the pup.” 

If Lan Wangji noticed his slip-up at the end, he didn’t point it out. He only nodded in approval. “Resourceful.”

“I am, aren’t I? Hey, other people may think I was out of my mind and created only evil things, but I made some useful tools as well! Even some that everyone uses now.”

They remained discreet -- well, as discreet as a young master of Gusu and a pregnant omega in black could be. Wei Wuxian shamelessly took Lan Wangji’s wallet and purchased all manner of treats from the merchant stalls to eat. 

When he saw vendors with children’s toys, he paused. Oh, should I get something for the pup to play with? But a baby wouldn’t be able to hold a wooden sword and a grass butterfly would only be crushed. 

Then he saw a small rabbit in the corner made of black and white cloth. Babies liked soft things, didn’t they? And this one was so cute! With a large grin, Wei Wuxian bought it immediately.

“Lan Zhan! Lan Zhan, look! Isn’t this nice for the pup?”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji agreed with a warm look. “Very nice.” 

Pleased, Wei Wuxian began to play with the rabbit doll by bouncing it on top of his belly, imagining the pup cooing happily over it. 

They passed by a hothouse. When Wei Wuxian was an alpha, all the young boys including himself had stolen many curious looks at the flower houses on the outskirts of the towns -- places populated by omegas and betas where an alpha could spend their rut. It was more formal than a brothel and more accepted by society if one were to visit it -- but only slightly so. The companion to flower houses were the hothouses -- places where an omega could find a companion to share their heat with. He heard everything from feverish orgies to gentle lovemaking went on in these houses. Bond bites were forbidden and taking medicine was encouraged to prevent conception, though pregnancies weren’t unheard of. 

He watched one omega get escorted into the hothouse and disappear behind the door. Her flushed face and scent that became more tinged with sweetness reminded him of the state he’d been in during the memory he dreamed of and he quickly turned away, embarrassed. 

Their pace to Yiling was steady. Lan Jinghua couldn’t come with them, and so Lan Wangji visibly fretted over Wei Wuxian’s well-being. Halfway through their journey, Wei Wuxian finally decided to pity him and called Wen Ning over. 

The fierce corpse had been moving ahead of them to take care of any trouble that could impede them and his clothes were constantly stained with fresh corpse blood and dirt. Despite his appearance, Wei Wuxian recalled well that Wen Ning’s branch of the Wen Sect was proficient in healing and medicine. Caring after a pregnant omega was well within his capabilities. And so, after washing up, Wen Ning gave Wei Wuxian a check-up inside an inn. 

“Second Young Master Lan doesn’t seem pleased to have me in here,” Wen Ning whispered, casting an anxious look to the partition where Lan Wangji patiently sat on the other side for the examination to be over. 

Wei Wuxian waved a hand dismissively. “No, I think he’s actually rather grateful to you. With you being able to monitor the pup’s health, maybe he can finally relax.”

Wen Ning seemed doubtful, but he gave a small, corpse-stiff smile. As he felt over Wei Wuxian’s bare bump, he said, “I didn’t know how to say it before, but congratulations, Young Master Wei. You must be happy about this baby.” 

“Happy… More like I was shocked? But I guess I am excited to meet them. Children are fun to be around~ I really want to start playing with them soon.”

“Best not for Young Master Wei to immediately try planting them in the fields though.” Wen Ning pulled his hands away. “I wish...A-Yuan could’ve met the baby and played with them too.” 

Wei Wuxian’s heart stuttered at the sound of that name. As if it were only yesterday, he vividly recalled that child’s smile, his calf warm as he remembered small arms and legs clinging to it. 

A-Yuan… He’d be a little older than Jin Ling by now. He’d be so tall. I can’t even imagine it when he was so tiny...

Wei Wuxian placed a hand on his bump. It struck him right then just how fragile the life inside him was, not even fully formed. Would he...really be able to protect it? What if he couldn’t? When he thought of everyone he lost prior to his own death, it made all his hopes to protect another seem laughable. Impossible. Such a vow from him was almost like a certain curse for death. 

He wouldn’t know what to do if he ended up cursing this child growing inside him too. He already loved them so much. 

But if love alone could save people, then Wei Wuxian’s hands wouldn’t be stained with blood right now.

The thought ended up haunting him through the evening and the better part of the night. He remained awake as Lan Wangji slept beside him, arms around his waist and breathing evenly into Wei Wuxian’s hair. Every so often, he felt the baby move a little; not so big as a kick, but they twitched around, making his stomach flutter. 

Using his spiritual energy, he felt for the pup’s heartbeat. Without realizing it, the rhythm had become his solace when doubts shadowed over him. With Mo Xuanyu’s weak powers, he could only feel the heartbeats for a few precious seconds at a time. But it was still enough. Just knowing they were still there was the world to Wei Wuxian. 

As the strength of his spiritual power dissipated, Wei Wuxian kept his hand over his bump. At the same time, Lan Wangji’s hand came up to brush against his. The gesture, even if done during sleep, made Wei Wuxian smile a little. It reassured him and gave him some hope as he finally closed his eyes.

The first thing Wei Wuxian noticed when they arrived at the Burial Mounds was that the wall that once kept the resentful energy contained was broken. Of course, Wei Wuxian had done the same years ago, but this hole had been rebuilt, probably during his death, but now was broken again. He hobbled up the slope, carefully watched over by Lan Wangji who held his hand and had him rest periodically. 

The second thing he noticed once they were near the top of the path was the empty space full of ash and remains of a very small village. Although the space was nearly stripped and burned of everything, here and there Wei Wuxian could see pieces of broken tables, torn and weathered cloths, the pitiful skeletons of lanterns and shacks… 

Wei Wuxian had hoped never to see the remains of this place, this tiny village that was nothing more than a ghost town, a forgotten grave now. He tried to look away but at the same time, his eyes were drawn to everything. Wen Ning was in a similar state. 

Something crunched under Wei Wuxian’s foot and he looked down, withdrawing his step. Among the dirt and ashes was a small object made of brittle grass. Wei Wuxian thought about how to reach down for it before Lan Wangji came over to help support him while he squatted down to pick the object up. 

Sitting on his hand was a grass butterfly they both knew well. Wei Wuxian curled protectively over it, preventing Lan Wangji from looking at it any longer, this proof that Wei Wuxian’s deeds had killed that smiling boy that had brought them together for an afternoon. 

“...I’m sorry,” he whispered to the grass butterfly. His eyes began to sting, his vision going blurry around the edges. “I’m so, so sorry.”

After a moment, Lan Wangji took a step closer to him. “Wei Ying… There is something I must tell you.”

Before Wei Wuxian could wipe his eyes and ask what it was, they heard Wen Ning’s roar just a short distance away. While they had been standing there, corpse puppets had been closing in, quite a number of them. As Lan Wangji pulled out his guqin, Wei Wuxian touched his arm.

“Wait, Lan Zhan, there’s too many. Wen Ning, you too. If we go a little further up, there’s a cave we can go in--oh, whoa!” Wei Wuxian was startled when Lan Wangji suddenly scooped him up, arms solid under his knees and around his shoulders. He immediately circled his arms around Lan Wangji’s neck to hold on as they ran further up the path, much faster than if Wei Wuxian had waddled along. Wei Wuxian considered asking if he was too heavy but Lan Wangji didn’t look to be struggling in the least. 

“You mean you could’ve carried me this whole time but you made me walk?? You’re so cruel, Lan Zhan!” he exclaimed, though he was grinning wide as he enjoyed the exhilarating ride.

The three of them lost the corpses in no time and reached the large mouth of the Demon-Slaughtering Cave, the very cave Wei Wuxian had stayed inside for days at a time, experimenting and creating with demonic arts. For today, it’d be their safehouse. 

Lan Wangji put Wei Wuxian down gently. 

Disappointed to be put down, Wei Wuxian asked, “Will you carry me down the mountain when we leave? I’m so delicate right now, Lan Zhan, and my feet hurt from supporting this pup.” He pouted for good measure. 

Without a fight, Lan Wangji nodded. “Alright.” He remained close behind as Wei Wuxian led them inside the cave.

Soon enough, they heard voices and paused just behind the last turn that led to the main area of the cave. From where they stood in the shadows, they could make out the figures of a room full of young cultivators tied in deity-binding ropes. Wei Wuxian recognized a few of the ones in pure white Lan Sect robes, including Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui. Sitting close by them was a rather sullen-faced Jin Ling. 

“I heard you had the opportunity to catch Wei Wuxian with your sword back then in Koi Tower,” Lan Jingyi said, looking intently at Jin Ling.

“So what? You gonna yell about it like Jin Chan? I’ll bloody your face up too then!” 

“Shut up! That’s not what I was going to do!”

“So what if I didn’t take the chance to injure him?” Jin Ling continued to huff, looking quite conflicted about the matter himself. 

Well, they weren’t wrong about this incident. Back in Koi Tower when he was escaping, Wei Wuxian had locked eyes with Jin Ling once. Fire had burned in his gaze, a reflection of years of hatred and something like confusion and betrayal (you were him this entire time?) , his sword half-raised. 

But in the end, he hesitated. In the end, he dropped his father’s sword. 

In the end, he left Wei Wuxian unscathed. 

“I’m just saying,” Lan Jingyi went on. “You really hate that guy, don’t you?”

Jin Ling tensed. “I… I don’t know,” he said hurriedly.

Wei Wuxian paused at hearing this. Jin Ling should hate him with every fiber of his being -- and why not? He’d probably heard all his life was that the Yiling Patriarch and his Ghost General stole his parents away from him without a drop of remorse. Thinking of that, who cared if Jin Ling stole Wei Wuxian from this pup inside him? Some might even encourage that it was within Jin Ling’s right to stab Wei Wuxian clean through, pregnant or not.

Except I know that Jin Ling isn’t that sort of child. 

Lan Sizhui overheard all this and seemed to understand the same thing. His voice was gentle. “I think what Jingyi is trying to say is… That was very kind of you to let Senior Wei go.” 

Jin Ling’s face grew pink, though it was hard to say if it was out of embarrassment or frustration. He curled up on himself a little. “You two just shut up! Why should I care what happens to him? Or his child? I don’t care, not at all!”

Hearing enough, Wei Wuxian entered the room with a light-hearted smile. “Well, that’s not a very nice thing to say to the one about to save you.” 

The juniors lifted their heads, eyes wide. Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi wore bright, relieved smiles at seeing Lan Wangji close behind. “Hanguang-Jun!” 

Although the rest of the junior disciples in the room were confused, they remained still as Wen Ning cut them all loose of the ropes with Suibian, Lan Wangji doing the same with Bichen. Once they were all free, Wen Ning went ahead outside to start clearing out any corpses so that they could escape.

As he left, Wei Wuxian realized Jin Ling was staring at him. Wei Wuxian returned the stare, unsure of anything he could say. 

It’s because of Jin Ling that I realized I was pregnant. Jin Ling was also the one who let me go in Koi Tower . Didn’t that all mean that all this time he’d been looking after the man that was responsible for his parents’ deaths? 

Jin Ling also seemed at a loss of what to say. Then he murmured, “That child… Were you not joking after all saying that the sire is...is…” He glanced quickly over at Lan Wangji. 

Wei Wuxian almost choked. He had made that joke first himself and yet now it was being tossed around as a rumor everyone seemed to know. Wei Wuxian could stand for Lan Wangji taking care of him and the pup but he couldn’t stand much more of others saying he was the sire. Once they solved this whole mystery and cleared his and Lan Wangji’s names, it wouldn’t be too late for the alpha to still acquire a suitable mate.

He coughed. “You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, you know…”

Another junior overheard this exchange and timidly asked, “S-So that’s really a child right? Not another trick of demonic cultivation?”

Wei Wuxian huffed through his nose, offended. “Really, the stories they’re spreading… Listen up, don’t talk about my pup like they’re not here. In just a few weeks more, this will be a real baby.” He smiled, touching his belly. “My baby.”

The disciples were all stunned silent, something like curiosity and awe in their eyes. It must’ve been quite the adjustment to imagine the infamously evil Yiling Patriarch, an alpha, as a doting omega father. 

Lan Sizhui was the only one with a disapproving look and Wei Wuxian thought of how much he looked like Lan Wangji with such a cute furrow on his brow. “Senior Mo-- Senior Wei, you came all the way here in your condition? Will you and the pup be fine? There were corpses everywhere and the people that brought us here might’ve taken the chance to attack you.”

Lan Jingyi nodded. “Yeah, you gotta be more careful! Let’s get out of here quickly. You disappeared for so long, my aunt-- I-I mean, you need to have a physician take a look at you.”

Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but smile over how such young ones fussed over him. “Then everyone stick together, no lagging behind. I have talismans but I obviously can’t fight that well right now, so we have to stay close to Wen Ning and Hanguang-Jun.”

Some of the disciples were ones that had gotten caught up in the chaos of Yi City and so they recognized and respected Wei Wuxian’s direction. Even knowing who he was now, those juniors nodded along and urged the others to listen as they headed out of the cave. 

They hadn’t even made it past the mouth before their world exploded into chaos once more. 

In a single flash of Zidian’s lightning, the leaders of the disciples’ sects had appeared, battle-worn and bloody, and even more corpses were closing in upon the cave. In another cacophony of growling corpses and discordant melodies, they found themselves trapped back inside the cave without spiritual powers, a fragile array their only hope of survival. But even that barrier dissolved when Su She destroyed it and disappeared in a flash. 

Already, the corpses slowly piled inside, their rot reaching their noses. They were cornered.

Lan Wangji grabbed Wei Wuxian’s wrist and pulled him behind him. “Stay close!” he said, pulling out his guqin in a fluid motion. 

“Thanks, Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian said. He also made sure to watch the alpha’s back, pulling out talismans to fling upon the corpses when one came in too close. 

Many of the junior disciples had gathered their courage and began to fight to protect their weakened parents. Wen Ning remained close to make sure none of the teenagers were harmed. Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui charged forward as well.

“Be careful, Senior Wei!” 

“We’ll protect you too!” 

Although neither of them said anything, Wei Wuxian caught the urgent glances Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling kept giving him, making sure he was alright and gutting any corpse that dared to approach his direction.

The battle went on for quite some time, everyone letting out an exhausted, shaky breath when at last the last corpse fell and joined its bloodied-up brethren. The cave became full of cultivators collapsing to the ground to give their weary bodies some much-needed reprieve. Wei Wuxian hadn’t done much heavy lifting but his legs felt a bit shaky as he slowly lowered himself to the ground, leaning against the stone wall. 

Lan Wangji noticed and crouched on the ground. “Wei Ying?” 

“Don’t look so worried, Lan Zhan, I’m fine! We’re fine,” he clarified, hand on his bump. “Just a little tired. But don’t worry about me, look at you! Are you okay?”

Indeed, Lan Wangji was painted red from head to toe, the only thing still clean being his forehead ribbon. Wei Wuxian examined him, trying to see if he was injured anywhere after putting up such a fight. As expected though, his breaths and posture were steady and composed, and even with all the blood, his robes were intact. 

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi had also laid flat on the floor, but they sat up in alarm when they saw Wei Wuxian sit down. 

“Senior Wei, are you fine?”

“Those corpses didn’t touch you, did they?”

“Is -- is the baby okay?”

From a distance, Jin Ling and Jiang Cheng also glanced over.

Wei Wuxian waved his hand dismissively, showing a smile. “I’m fine, I’m fine! How could I be harmed with Hanguang-Jun and you all fighting so valiantly? You both were really taught well, weren’t you? Good boys, good boys.”

The two boys gave relieved, proud smiles. 

Their celebration was short-lived, however, the footfalls and growls of more corpses closing in. Fear filled the room like an icy wind and settled on their weary shoulders. One wave had been enough, but how could they possibly survive another? 

Wei Wuxian thought fast. He started to shed off his outer robes, soaked with blood, leaving him in his only slightly stained, white inner robes. “Lan Zhan, help me up! I have an idea.”

Lan Wangji did help him up. “What is it?”

“If the corpses have just one target to aim for, they won’t bother with anyone else. I can paint the lines of a spirit-attraction flag on my robes and have them drawn to me instead.”

Lan Wangji’s eyes widened, his brow furrowing as he shook his head. “Wei Ying, no!” 

“Lan Zhan, trust me! I won’t be completely helpless and you’ll help me too. We can do it together!” 

“Absolutely not. Not like this.”

He persisted, “I still have the talisman on me, it’ll be enough to protect the pup even when I’m wearing the flag. Look, we don’t have time to argue about it. Lan Zhan, please!”

“Wei Ying!” 

“Wei Wuxian!” To their surprise, Jiang Cheng staggered to his feet. Having gone through a whole battle without his spiritual power, every step seemed to take all his effort. Even so, the sharp look he gave Wei Wuxian as well as the thick waves of his rain and lotus scent remained as strong as ever.

“Fucking listen to other people for once,” he hissed at Wei Wuxian. “Your Hanguang-Jun is right, you’re being an idiot. Unless you really don’t care about your pup having a future?” 

Seeing that Jiang Cheng wasn’t going to attack him and was instead trying to reason with him, Wei Wuxian asked, “Then what do you two propose?”

“I will wear the flag,” they both said at the same time. Their eyes met one another’s as if sizing each other up. 

Wei Wuxian was stunned. “Hold on, hold on. Jiang Cheng, you don’t have any spiritual power.”

“Well the pitiful amount that vessel of yours has hardly makes you anymore capable, but that doesn’t stop you,” Jiang Cheng snapped back. “I can still stand and I can still hold my sword, what else do I need to take care of some corpses?”

Wei Wuxian struggled to think up an excuse. The last thing he wanted was more people involved. He could handle this. “It makes more sense if I stay and Lan Zhan fights.”

“ Your safety makes the most sense,” Lan Wangji said firmly.

“If Hanguang-Jun must stay and you must leave, then I’ll just fucking stay and we’ll both take care of those bastards.” Jiang Cheng met Lan Wangji’s gaze again. The challenge that had been burning in the two alphas’ stares had calmed some. Now they seemed to look at each other as if calling a temporary truce and nodded to each other.

Even though this was the most logical plan, Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but hesitate. He didn’t want to separate from Lan Wangji -- from either of them, really. He felt like if he took his eyes off of them for one moment, then history would repeat itself -- their blood would be on his hands.

He...wouldn’t be able to survive that. 

But the moment Lan Wangji met his eyes again, such a beautiful and unyielding gold, Wei Wuxian relaxed slightly. 

“Fine. I’ll go.”

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng shouted. “You… You better take damn good care of Jin Ling until I get out of here!”

Wei Wuxian glanced over to where Jin Ling stood, wide-eyed and confused, and nodded. “I will!”

The first corpses had entered the cave. Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi grabbed each of Wei Wuxian’s wrists and began to lead him away. With the corpses attracted elsewhere, they and the other cultivators were able to make it out safely. 

Outside the Demon-Slaughtering Cave, Wei Wuxian began to fret. He couldn’t tell if it was omegan instinct or something else but all he knew was that he desperately wanted to be fighting by Lan Wangji’s side, to defend the alpha. He could hear the spiritual might of Bichen slicing through the air and the heavy jabs of the weakened Sandu stabbing into a corpse’s body.

“They’ll be okay, right, Senior Wei?” Lan Sizhui whispered beside him.

“It’s Hanguang-Jun and Sect Leader Jiang!” Lan Jingyi pointed out, trying to reassure them. “They’ll be fine! ...Right?” 

Wei Wuxian watched the corpses pile inside the cave, drawn to the energy of the two alphas inside. Surely while the enemy’s back was turned to them like this, he could help out a little? 

Well, Wei Wuxian wasn’t known for remaining still. He pulled out some talismans from his sleeves and began to head back to the cave. “You boys stay here!” he said as he charged forward. 

“To hell with that!” came Jin Ling’s shout from right behind him. He tsked. “Uncle asking you to protect me… Then who the hell is going to protect you!?” 

His outburst had spurred Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui into action as well. No matter how Wei Wuxian tried to stop them, it looked like he caused a movement. Luckily, Wen Ning wasn’t far ahead of them and got a head start in destroying the corpses from behind. With this strategy of attacking from the front and behind, the army of corpses slowly got chipped away. 

But it’s not enough. We need more manpower, we need…

Before his thought could finish, his wish was granted in the form of the crimson-soaked corpses piling out of the blood pool. Those corpses fought the ones that had been attacking them as if they were warriors from hell -- and yet that wasn’t the most shocking thing about them.

Although covered in blood and their flesh rotting, both Wei Wuxian and Wen Ning knew these corpses well -- the bodies of the Wen remnants. Wei Wuxian’s heart stopped, waiting to see a tiny corpse crawl out from that blood pool as well but it never came. He couldn’t say if he was more distressed or relieved. 

At the end of it, the Demon-Slaughtering Cave had truly lived up to its name, smelling of decay and blood and overflowing with gruesome dead bodies. Ashes were added to the pile as the corpses of the Wen remnants, depleted of strength, crumbled to bones then to dust. Wei Wuxian watched as first Wen Ning then the junior disciples got on their knees to collect those crimson ashes into their pouches. He looked again at the stilled blood pool, but couldn’t decipher anymore bodies waiting to emerge from it. 

After such a nightmare, their party was more than happy to leave it all behind. Each one of them was shaken half to death as they gathered far away from the cave to ponder next steps.

“Wei Ying, are you alright?” Lan Wangji asked. He offered a soothing scent out to where Wei Wuxian sat on a nearby piece of rock.

Wei Wuxian glanced out at where the juniors gathered around Wen Ning. The Ghost General appeared worse than death, which was saying quite a bit. Lan Sizhui was in a similar state, with dazed eyes and a pale face. The poor boy was probably spooked after the bloody corpse of Granny Wen had approached him. But at least they were safe.

He gave Lan Wangji a small smile. “I’ll be fine. Nothing hurts and the pup’s energy is okay too.”

Lan Wangji’s expression relaxed. “Good.”

As they spoke, it seemed like the cultivators decided to head to Lotus Pier, the closest base, to recover their spiritual powers and rest. Jiang Cheng had really remained by Lan Wangji’s side back in the cave and made sure none of the corpses harmed him. When they left the cave, he continued to linger close, his arms crossed and a deep, thoughtful frown on his brow. When Lotus Pier was mentioned, Wei Wuxian glanced at Jiang Cheng.

“Do you think I could go too?” he asked. “Let’s face it, I’m the one that knows best what we’re dealing with. And if I’m perfectly honest, with the pup, I need a place to recover for a bit.”

Jiang Cheng didn’t look at him but he raised a brow as Wei Wuxian spoke. Eventually, he let out a dry laugh. “So you’re using your child as an excuse now?”

Wei Wuxian took the quip in stride. “Well, you were the one who said I need to worry about my pup’s future. What if I’m targeted while I travel alone? The Yiling Patriarch is a bit of a,” he laughed, hand on his round belly, “large target right now.” 

In the silence, it became apparent that the other cultivators were watching, awaiting with bated breath over Sect Leader Jiang’s answer. After another snort, Jiang Cheng just started to walk away.

“It’s up to you if you dare come back to Lotus Pier.”

Coming from Jiang Cheng, it was as good an invitation as any.

With their destination decided, the party finally made their way down the mountain. Wei Wuxian lingered behind the group with Lan Wangji.

Before they had gotten too far, Lan Wangji stopped Wei Wuxian and offered his arms out. “Let me carry you.” 

“Huh? Oh!” Wei Wuxian laughed. “Is this about what I said before? Don’t mind it, Lan Zhan, walking down is easier than walking up. I can survive this much until we get to the boats.” Although his body was aching and felt heavier than ever, Wei Wuxian didn’t need all those cultivators seeing Hanguang-Jun himself carrying him down the mountain. Not to mention that even though they were going to Lotus Pier, Jiang Cheng was also towards the back and not but a few meters away from them.

Lan Wangji didn’t look too convinced at his explanation but he put his arms down. Before long, they were joined by Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi.

“Senior Wei, are you feeling okay? It was really intense back there.”

“I should be asking you two that. I can even smell you now.” 

It was true. Like their seniors, the junior disciples of the Lan Sect were masters of completely masking their scent, even though these boys couldn’t have presented much longer than a year or so ago. But after the ordeal they just went through, it was understandable that they’d become stressed enough that their scents were no longer hidden. Even in Yi City, they had mostly remained safe and composed, so this was the first time Wei Wuxian could smell them. 

“So you’re an omega,” he said in wonder, looking at Lan Jingyi. His scent was of a fresh peach that still had the summer sun’s sweetness to it. 

Lan Jingyi blushed, covering his collar. “H-Hey, it’s rude to blurt it out like that!”

Wei Wuxian then turned to Lan Sizhui. His scent was subtle, but undeniably pleasant. He smelled of plum blossoms in the early morning, comforting and refreshing.

“You’re a beta,” he remarked. 

Lan Sizhui also looked embarrassed. “I am. I… I heard that Senior Wei was initially an alpha. Is it hard adjusting as an omega?” 

“I mean, he must’ve adjusted well if he’s…” Lan Jingyi glanced pointedly at Wei Wuxian’s pregnant belly. 

Ah, right. The juniors all thought that Wei Wuxian knew he was pregnant this whole time. Well, he wasn’t going to tell them otherwise yet. There was enough for them to think about as it was.

“Hey, hey, just who is the one being rude now?” Wei Wuxian said. 

“Yes, don’t be like that, Jingyi,” Lan Sizhui agreed. “He probably won’t let us do it now.”

“Huh? Do what?”

Both boys grew embarrassed again, seeming to mentally nudge the other forward to be the one to spit it out. Lan Sizhui was the one to eventually ask, “Senior Wei, feel free to refuse, but… But may we… May we try feeling the baby?” 

“Oh?” Wei Wuxian wanted to laugh all over again. “Was that all? Of course you can!”

They stopped walking for a few seconds and Wei Wuxian led both their hands to his belly. “This is where their feet are,” he said, “and here is where their little hands like to punch me. Hmm, they’re surprisingly quiet right now, what a heavy sleeper after all that ruckus. But they’ll definitely keep me up at night with all their tossing and turning, haha.” 

Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui’s eyes widened, mystified just by having their palms on Wei Wuxian’s bump. “Wow,” they breathed together. 

“Oh!” Lan Sizhui exclaimed. “I think I felt them? This is their hand, right, Senior Wei?”

“Really?” Lan Jingyi moved his hand over, bumping against Lan Sizhui’s. A blush formed on their faces as Lan Sizhui yanked his hand back to let his friend feel. “Ah! I think I felt them too!”

A small distance ahead, Jin Ling had also been walking close to Jiang Cheng. When he heard Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi asking about touching Wei Wuxian’s belly, he also slowed down, giving burning glances of curiosity. Wei Wuxian chuckled and gestured for him to come over.

“Hey, you can feel too, it’s fine, you know.” 

“I-I don’t want to touch it!” Jin Ling said, but he came closer anyway. 

The other two boys made room for him, withdrawing their hands. Jin Ling stood awkwardly for a moment before hesitantly reaching out a hand. Wei Wuxian was patient, letting him come at his own pace. 

Jin Ling pressed his palm softly over the same spot Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi had been touching, splaying his fingers out. His touch was uncertain but gentle and he was rewarded by the baby shifting again, beating their little fist against his palm. 

Jin Ling gasped, looking like he’d jerk his hand back but he remained in place. “I… I felt them,” he said quietly in wonder. "That… That's really a baby."

"Well duh,” Lan Jingyi said. “Senior Wei said they were."

"Shut up, I heard him!"

Wei Wuxian smiled, happy the pup was getting so much attention after they were cooped up the last few weeks. In the middle of that happiness though, a strange dizziness began to slowly close in on him. He shook his head.

Jin Ling was still feeling over his bump when he glanced up to meet Wei Wuxian’s eyes, his own gaze shimmering with a childish delight. But that twinkle faded, turning to concern. “Huh? H-Hey, are you okay!?”

His shout alerted the other juniors and even Jiang Cheng who turned just in time to see Wei Wuxian swaying on his feet. A few of the other cultivators that had been lagging behind heard the commotion and also paused to see what was the matter.

Under all those watchful eyes, Wei Wuxian was quick to wave the concern off, struggling to fight off the dizziness. “I’m fine! Fine! I’m… I’m just…” The rest of his sentence faded, as did his vision when his eyes closed and his legs gave out under him. Familiar strong arms caught him without fail, his head lolling against a warm, broad chest.

“Senior Wei!?”

“Senior Wei, what happened!?”

“Hey! Wei Wuxian!” 

Their voices were all so faraway, the words slowing down to meaninglessness. Wei Wuxian tried to hold onto that last urgent whisper of “Wei Ying,” before he slipped into the comforting lull of unconsciousness.

In his sleep, Wei Wuxian registered a faint sweetness. A familiar sweetness, one he hadn’t known in years. Even in the months before his death, he had been without it and the notalgia hit him all at once. When he opened his eyes, they lightly stung with tears. 

This is...the smell of lotuses. 

The smell of Lotus Pier. 

That wasn’t the only thing he smelled though. There was a slight bitterness in the air, like ginger tea that had been steeped for too long. Wei Wuxian recognized it for what it was -- an alpha in distress. He opened his eyes and turned his head, surprised to see Jin Ling hovering close by. 

Wei Wuxian slowly sat up, examining the room he was in. It was familiar but also not. That was to be expected; most of the rooms had to be remodeled after...after that night. But even if the structure wasn’t completely the same, the scent of lotuses and the daylight streaming through the windows was the same. 

Seeing him move, Jin Ling jumped, eyes wide. “Y-You’re awake!” 

“Morning to you too,” Wei Wuxian greeted. “This… I’m in Lotus Pier, right?”

“What, you don’t recognize it?” Jin Ling returned to his usual brattiness, even as he continued to hold worry in his eyes and in his scent. “Hanguang-Jun carried you here and Uncle set up the room for you. You’ve been out for the last three days!” 

“That long…?” 

Jin Ling nodded. “You got a fever and were in and out of consciousness. Your pup is fine though. Uncle had the physician keep a close eye on them.” 

Wei Wuxian placed a hand on his bump, feeling over the pup’s energy. They did indeed feel stable and Wei Wuxian let out a relieved breath. He also couldn’t help but pause over the fact that he was currently being housed inside Lotus Pier , that Jiang Cheng had apparently looked after him and his pup’s well-being this whole time.

He was...surprised. But also grateful. Warmth bloomed in his chest.

After glancing around the room, he asked, “Where is your uncle now? And Hanguang-Jun?” 

“They’re--”

The door slid open. As if the mention of their names had summoned them, both Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng stood at the door. 

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji came to his side at once, looking him over.

“So you woke up finally. I heard you fever broke.” Jiang Cheng also approached, carrying a tray with a large bowl and a teapot on top of it. He set it down on the nearby table then crossed his arms. 

“Yeah, I feel fine now. What did I miss?”

“Nothing. After you fainted, we put you in this room. The other sects stayed for the night then went their separate ways.”

“Have any new incidents come up? What about Su She and Jin Guangyao?”

Lan Wangji took a seat at the bed. “Uncle escorted the Su Sect disciples back to Moling. Upon their arrival, there was no trace of Su She. Brother is still in Lanling tending to Jin Guangyao’s injury.”

“Ha. Crafty men…” 

Jiang Cheng’s glare narrowed in thought. “So you really think Jin Guangyao has a hand in all this.”

“I don’t expect you to believe me,” Wei Wuxian said. He glanced at Jin Ling, concerned for the boy’s safety. It was for the best that he remain in Yunmeng for the time being. “If anyone suspicious invites themselves here though, you should just be cautious.”

Jiang Cheng laughed dryly. “Suspicious, huh…”

Wei Wuxian got his meaning loud and clear. “Hanguang-Jun and I will leave tonight. We won’t inconvenience Sect Leader Jiang for too long.”

Jin Ling was startled at the news and turned to Jiang Cheng. “Uncle! He shouldn’t… I mean, everyone’s after him, he should...he should stay!”

Wei Wuxian was surprised to be defended. Jiang Cheng only glared at his nephew. “Of course everyone is after him! His list of crimes surpasses your birth!”

Wei Wuxian winced. It was true, but he didn’t need to hear it… 

Beside him, dark clouds had come over Lan Wangji’s countenance. “Jiang Wanyin…” 

Paying no heed to the warning, Jiang Cheng’s voice lowered. “Which is why he should stay here, where I can keep an eye on him.” At the stunned silence he received, he smirked. “See? There was no point in you trying to escape back in Dafan Mountain, Wei Wuxian. You were going to end up here sooner or later. So don’t even think about running off now, you hear? You already look like you’re two seconds away from giving birth, so there’s no point in you moving around.”

“Jiang Cheng…”

The sect leader turned his steely gaze to Lan Wangji. “That said, these past three days, this invitation hasn’t been extended to Second Young Master Lan. And yet you’ve insisted on staying in my home of your own accord. Your manners truly are deteriorating.”

“I don’t need an invitation,” Lan Wangji stated firmly. “I stay with Wei Ying.”

Anger flashed in Jiang Cheng’s eyes at being defied, but he kept his temper under tight control. His gaze passed back and forth between the two of them on the bed. Even if he didn’t say anything, Wei Wuxian could see suspicion form into conjectures, wondering if those rumors about Hanguang-Jun and the Yiling Patriarch being mates were true . 

Luckily, Jiang Cheng didn’t speak his speculations out loud. He huffed, turning away and beckoning his nephew to follow him out the door. 

Jin Ling gave them a last glance. “You will stay, right?”

Wei Wuxian gave him an easygoing smile. “Hmm, your uncle’s right. Running away in this state would be pretty ineffective. Besides, the food here is better than in the Cloud Recesses.” 

Jin Ling relaxed a little at last. Something of a small smile spread on his lips before he quickly turned away and left the room as well. It seemed like, for now, Wei Wuxian was being allowed to stay in the place that used to be his home, by the man he used to call his brother. 

How...surreal. And relieving . Wei Wuxian began to laugh without knowing where the urge came from. When Lan Wangji looked at him, all previous anger at Jiang Cheng dissipated, all Wei Wuxian could do was pat his shoulder and continue to grin. “Poor Lan Zhan, you must’ve endured a lot while I was sleeping. Thank you for continuing to be civil towards him.”

Lan Wangji tilted his head, his expression softening to something like concern. “Do you feel alright?”

“A little tired still. But better.”

With this confirmed, Lan Wangji switched to chastising him. “Reckless.” 

“I know, I know… It might sound useless now but at the time, I was just trying to be efficient. I wasn’t intentionally trying to harm myself or the pup.” 

After a pause, Lan Wangji gave a short nod. “I know. Wei Ying was just being Wei Ying. You wanted to protect the others.”

“Mm. You’d think I’d know by now that my methods for that aren’t very effective.” He gave a slightly bitter laugh. 

All his life, he really was the reckless one, the goal-driven one, the stubborn one. He had quite the track record for putting himself in harm’s way if it meant he protected someone else. But this body wasn’t just some meat shield anymore. It was also the safehouse of his pup. He really couldn’t put himself in danger like that anymore. Thinking of how he offered himself up back there, he sheepishly realized how irresponsible he’d been. 

“It really makes me wonder,” he murmured, “if I’m cut out for this after all.” It wasn’t the first time he had such a thought. No matter what, he knew he wanted this pup. But as the reality of their birth and life being in Wei Wuxian’s hands approached, the more he wondered if he could really take care of them. Other than a few fuzzy memories with his mother and father, it wasn’t like he knew how to act like a parent. 

Before he could worry Lan Wangji any further, he put a smile on his face. Now wasn’t the time to fret over such matters. Wei Wuxian glanced at the tray Jiang Cheng had brought in and lit up. “Oh! Jiang Cheng brought food! I just realized how hungry I was.” He got out of bed -- carefully, since his legs still felt a bit unsteady.

He sat at the table. As Lan Wangji joined him and poured him a cup of tea (Jiang Cheng had only provided one cup and bowl, how petty!), Wei Wuxian removed the lid to the food.

The dish he saw inside made his heart clench. A familiar aroma wafted up, tantalizing and nostalgic. It was an aroma he didn’t think he’d ever get to experience again.

Lotus root and pork rib soup.

For a moment, all Wei Wuxian could do was look into the bowl, chopsticks frozen in his hand. Anyone else would laugh or question why he was getting so choked up over soup, but Lan Wangji understood. He was quiet, knowing what this dish meant to Wei Wuxian, the food he insisted that no cook could replicate. 

Eventually, Wei Wuxian grabbed first a bit of pork and then a piece of lotus root. As he chewed, familiar tastes filling his tongue, he pretended that the mistiness in his eyes was from the steam blowing in his face. 

The flavor wasn’t exact, of course it wouldn’t be. And yet it was far from ordinary soup. The soup took him back to the home he thought he had forgotten. Jiang Yanli’s soft hand brushing back his bangs, Jiang Cheng’s short laughter by his side. A warm taste. A taste that filled one’s heart.

He rubbed his bump, smiling. “Does it taste good? Yeah? You like it?” Eagerly, he took another bite. He picked up some lotus root and offered it out. “Lan Zhan, you too, have some.”

Lan Wangji stared at the offered root. Clearly, Wei Wuxian wanted to feed him. But proper as ever, Lan Wangji gently took the chopsticks and fed himself. Wei Wuxian carefully gauged his reaction as he chewed.

“Good, right? It’s not Shijie’s, but…”

“No,” Lan Wangji said. “It is good.”

At the affirmation, Wei Wuxian beamed. A small, delighted laugh left him as he went back to eating the soup. He continued to offer Lan Wangji bites but after awhile, Lan Wangji insisted he needed the nourishment more. He still sat at the table, seeming content to just watch Wei Wuxian eat and talk to the pup while tenderly rubbing his bump.

A tiny but no less warm smile bloomed on Lan Wangji’s lips.

It was no time at all before Wei Wuxian was out of bed and wandering the grounds of Lotus Pier, comparing the one from his childhood memories to the one Jiang Cheng had rebuilt over the years. It made some part of him a little sad to know most of that history was physically gone. 

“Everything is...so different,” he remarked absently. 

Jiang Cheng had claimed he was busy with the sect, especially after the business in Yiling. But in the end, he had left his study to join Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji’s stroll, saying that he wanted to keep an eye on them. 

“Obviously,” Jiang Cheng said. “Did you expect everything to stay the same?”

“You’re still the same,” Wei Wuxian couldn’t help but tease. It was just habit, and the air between him and Jiang Cheng wasn’t as tense as when they first met on Dafan Mountain. Teasing Jiang Cheng felt a little safer now. Just a little.

Sure enough, the resulting roll of Jiang Cheng’s eyes was more than familiar. “Everything was being rebuilt anyway. It makes sense for things to change.”

The disciples avoided him most of the time, quickly darting the other way if they saw him approach. Wei Wuxian wasn’t completely sure if they feared him or just felt awkward being around him. But the Jiang disciples were as loyal as ever -- Jin Ling told him that Jiang Cheng made them all swear to not blab about his whereabouts.

“ Or I’ll cut off your tongues and hang you upside-down until you choke on your own blood , is what he said.” 

It was hard to say whether Wei Wuxian felt endeared or not. 

When he asked about Wen Ning, Lan Wangji told him that he’d followed Lan Sizhui back to Gusu. Wei Wuxian was fine with it -- he’d wanted Wen Ning to be more free after all -- but he was confused why he’d trail after Lan Sizhui of all people. He wondered what he had missed between them after he fainted. 

“Are you really okay with him following them to Gusu? You don’t seem to trust him very well, even though he’s harmless.”

Lan Wangji appeared to be thinking. Finally, he said, “He’s...taken care of you so I trust him. And I also trust Sizhui.”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “You’re just happy that you get me all to yourself now! Confess it, Lan Zhan, that’s why you let him go.”

It was just some light teasing, but Lan Wangji didn’t disagree with it.

But even with the disciples avoiding him and Wen Ning gone, Wei Wuxian was far from lonely. At least in Lotus Pier he could listen to the liveliness of the sect and the nearby merchants in their boats. Jin Ling continued to remain in Yunmeng to his relief and often trailed behind him, much to Jiang Cheng’s frustration. Even if he didn’t know what to call his relationship with his ex-shidi, Wei Wuxian was at least glad his shijie’s son didn’t loathe him so intensely anymore. He was truly an interesting boy -- he had his father’s face and his uncle’s scowl. But Wei Wuxian could sense that the boy was emotional, and such a trait could only be so if he had a big heart. No one had just given it enough attention yet to fill such a space. But that heart reminded Wei Wuxian a little of Jiang Yanli.

And, of course, Lan Wangji remained by his side. Wei Wuxian thought about asking him if he was sure about not going back to Gusu with the rest of his sect. But he had a feeling that Lan Wangji had made his decision long ago. He decided not to question it.

Besides, it wasn’t like he disliked Lan Wangji’s company. More often than not, he craved it. Jiang Cheng had put them in separate rooms but it didn’t stop Lan Wangji from going into Wei Wuxian’s room each night. It made Wei Wuxian laugh; it was just like they were secret lovers! He often teased Lan Wangji about the scandalous behavior, to which the alpha didn’t even bat an eye, proceeding to lay with him and scent him as normal. 

During some nights, those dreams of another’s memories returned to him. Some nights held gentle memories of a mother’s warm embrace. Others held pain of fists on his body, or the pain of his first heat. And others more were a repeat of that time the man with green eyes and long curly hair had laid with him. It was after nights like the latter that Wei Wuxian was grateful that Lan Wangji woke up earlier than him and wouldn’t notice him quickly heading to the lakes to wash the scent of arousal off of him. 

“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan! Come in here and swim with me!” 

It was a clear afternoon and the sun was bright and hot. It was the perfect weather to wade in the river like he used to do in his youth with Jiang Cheng and the other disciples. Back then, Jiang Yanli would sit at the edge of the pier, dipping her feet in as she laughed at the antics of the boys soaking each other with water. Now, Lan Wangji stood at that same place, impassively watching over Wei Wuxian swim around among the lotuses. Their petals and stems tickled him. He gathered a lotus and brushed it gently over his belly, imagining it was touching the pup’s soft, chubby face. 

“I will remain here,” was all Lan Wangji said. He sat down on the pier, pulling out his guqin to play some melodies that mingled soothingly in the afternoon. Wei Wuxian happily listened to his playing, and the pup seemed to enjoy it as well, moving around in his belly. The space inside him got smaller as the baby grew, but it didn’t stop them from all their activity. Wei Wuxian awaited the day he could dip their little feet in the water with him, splashing around with the same kicks they were giving him now. 

After swimming around some more, Wei Wuxian got out of the water, a fresh lotus pod in his hand. In those last few months before his death, he had desperately missed the taste of lotus seeds and the scent of their blooms. He hardly had time to pick out the first seed before his outer robe that he’d discarded while swimming was hastily thrown over his body.

Lan Wangji pointedly looked away, his pink ears a contrast to his white, jade skin. “Cover yourself,” was all he said.

Wei Wuxian wondered what the big deal was. It wasn’t like he was naked or anything. But when he glanced down he realized the white, thin material of his inner robes were soaked through, clinging to his skin. When he first looked down, of course he saw his bump, but he also saw his newly swollen chest, the robes becoming see-through. 

Was -- was that why Lan Wangji was politely looking away? Wei Wuxian snickered to himself, shrugging his robe on.

Lan Zhan, you’re cute!

“You know, you don’t have to be so embarrassed, Lan Zhan. It’s a normal development during pregnancy.” Wei Wuxian laughed at how Lan Wangji continued to not look until he was properly covered up again. He continued to tease, “It’s really not sexy at all, either. Do you have any idea how sore they are? Sometimes I wake up and my clothes are all damp because my chest started leak--”

“ Enough ,” Lan Wangji said, starting to walk away at a brisk pace.

Wei Wuxian grinned, waddling along behind him. “Lan Zhan!” he pretended to whine. “Lan Er-gege~! Alphaaa, don’t leave meee!” 

"You’re really taking being an omega now in stride,” Jiang Cheng said to him. “It doesn’t weird you out that suddenly you can bear children? Well, that you are bearing one? Or that your instincts are different?”

“Of course it weirded me out at first, but what was the point in sweating the details? Besides, would you say I act like an omega at all?”

Jiang Cheng scoffed at that. “No. You’re still annoying whether you’re an alpha or omega.”

There were still some things that Wei Wuxian was getting used to though. 

For instance, he could quite get rid of this… Well, he didn’t even know what to call it except an itch . A strange discomfort that made resting in bed uncomfortable until he could correct the disturbance. 

The only thing that comforted him was Lan Wangji’s scent. 

There was another set of robes that Lan Wangji brought to change in, kept in one of his pouches. Wei Wuxian had managed to snatch it one day and at first just wrapped the robes around his body and snuggled into bed one afternoon like that. But soon it didn’t satisfy him as well as he wished. 

One night later, he spread the robes out around him instead and it felt a little bit better. When Lan Wangji came into his room and examined the scene, Wei Wuxian pleaded for him not to take back the clothes. 

“As a matter of fact, give me the ones you have on now!” he demanded. “I need them!”

Lan Wangji was slightly startled. “You have my clothes already.”

“But I need more!” Wei Wuxian huffed. “Lotus Pier is nice and it’s where I grew up but everything is so different now. Maybe we should go back to that safehouse in Gusu after all. It had more things that smelled like you!” 

“...I see.” Lan Wangji left the room with a purpose in his step. Wei Wuxian continued to arrange and rearrange the pitiful amount of clothes he had. But he had to keep trying -- if he could make this work, then he could finally be at ease. 

When Lan Wangji came back, he had a blanket and pillow with him. He set them neatly on the bed beside Wei Wuxian. He took off his outer robe as well and placed it beside the other items. 

“I need the robe back later but Wei Ying can use it for the nest for now.”

Wei Wuxian was in the middle of examining the blanket and pillow. They didn’t have as much of the nice sandalwood scent on it as Lan Wangji’s actual belongings would have, but he supposed they would have to do for now. When Lan Wangji deposited the actual treasure, his outer robe, Wei Wuxian immediately sprung into action and added everything to his pile. 

Only when he was satisfied with the arrangement and smiling did he realize what Lan Wangji had said about a nest . 

He was nesting .

Come to think of it… Wei Wuxian could recall feeling this itch back at the safehouse as well. He shrugged it off as nothing at first and ignored it. His pregnancy made him crave all sorts of things so who knew what on earth he was wanting now. What a fool he’d been! What a waste! That house had held plenty of things that smelled of Lan Wangji and the Jingshi hadn’t been far either if he ever wanted anything else.

Looking at the nest he’d made now, his first attempt of it as an omega and knowing in his heart that this wouldn’t even be where he’d give birth to his pup, Wei Wuxian felt an inexplicable dissatisfaction that made his eyes sting with hot, unshed tears. 

When he sniffed, Lan Wangji was at his side at an instant. “Wei Ying?”

“Sorry… Sorry, I’m getting emotional again. Ahhh, these stupid hormones!” Wei Wuxian scrubbed at his eyes, not knowing anymore if he was crying or laughing. “I’m sorry, Lan Zhan. It’s such a shitty nest, it won’t do at all! I’m sorry… Even if this is just a practice run, you and the pup don’t deserve such a half-baked nest like this…!” 

Lan Wangji hovered for a moment, clearly unsure of what he should do. It only put salt on Wei Wuxian’s wound, who already felt incredibly embarrassed to be seen like this. He tried to turn away, still wiping at his eyes.

Lan Wangji finally came close, sitting on the bed. “Wei Ying,” he said softly. “It is a good nest.” 

“It’s not!” Wei Wuxian protested.

“It is.”

“It’s not!” Feeling dramatic, Wei Wuxian flopped on the bed and curled up. 

He still faced Lan Wangji, and he watched as something like panic crossed the alpha’s expression. He seemed to be searching for an answer in how to comfort Wei Wuxian’s distress. Finally, he got up again, this time removing his second layer of light-blue robes then lastly his white inner robe, leaving him in just his pants and boots. Like this, the sun brand of the fallen Wen Sect that was on his chest was in clear view, as were the tips of whip scars on his shoulders. Even if one pretended not to notice those scars, it was impossible to turn a blind eye on the handsome and well-defined muscles of Lan Wangji’s arms and torso. 

Uncaring that his upper body was bare, Lan Wangji set the clothing on the bed. He looked at Wei Wuxian expectantly. 

Seeing how serious Lan Wangji had gotten over his tantrum, Wei Wuxian wanted to laugh. At the same time, his heart became full of a pleasantly warm fondness. He clutched onto the robes. 

“I can have these, Lan Zhan?”

Lan Wangji nodded.

“I can keep them?” He teased, “I might not give them back.”

“If it makes you feel better, then you can hold onto them for the time being.”

Happily, Wei Wuxian sat up and started arranging the clothes into the pile. It was far from the ideal nest, but it did look a lot better now. He could tell the scent he was releasing now was a lot sweeter than before, the scent of a happy omega. Wondering how far he could take this leverage, Wei Wuxian eyed first Lan Wangji’s pants then the forehead ribbon still tied to him. He reached out and lightly tugged the end of it.

“Lan Er-gege, can I have this too?” he asked sweetly.

Lan Wangji paused, staring at where his ribbon was curled around Wei Wuxian’s fingertips. It was only then that Wei Wuxian remembered that the last time he played with Lan Wangji’s ribbon like this, the alpha had gotten so angered that he snapped his bow into splinters and growled at him. He’d rather not have a repeat of such an event. Not now, anyway. 

Laughing it off, he released the ribbon. “Just kidding!” What a shame. Wei Wuxian felt like if he managed to add that ribbon, it’d be the perfect centerpiece for the nest. Well, for a first-timer, he supposed this outcome wasn’t too bad. He could see why omegas got so particular about this instinct now. 

As he settled into bed, he realized Lan Wangji was still standing up and not joining him as usual. How strange, since the alpha was usually so ready to begin their nightly ritual of scenting. Only then did Wei Wuxian realize Lan Wangji was waiting to be accepted inside. Omegas were quite territorial about who and what approached their nests, and even mates had to be invited inside first.

Wei Wuxian scooted back and patted the spot next to him. “Lan Zhan, hurry and come to bed!” With all the fuss of pregnancy, Wei Wuxian’s sleeping schedule had become all mixed up and now he fell asleep at nearly the same time as Lan Wangji. Who would’ve thought that the day would come when Wei Wuxian was urging Lan Wangji to bed first?

The alpha joined him, curling Wei Wuxian’s body against his. The gesture seemed more intimate than usual with Lan Wangji’s lack of clothes, his broad chest pressed against Wei Wuxian’s back. If Lan Wangji was uncomfortable by any of it though, he said nothing. And so Wei Wuxian indulged a little, nuzzling close. To his surprise and delight, Lan Wangji returned the gesture, nuzzling his nose over the back of Wei Wuxian’s neck. It tickled, making Wei Wuxian giggle, but it also sent a slight shiver of heat down his spine -- Lan Wangji was close to his scent gland. 

And yet neither of them pulled away.

Being surrounded by this alpha in every way felt right. Building a nest from his belongings felt right. The strong hand resting on his bump too -- it all felt so right . 

Whenever I feel alone and like I’m falling, he’s there to catch me...

Wei Wuxian fell asleep with a content purr filling his chest.

There was a certain place that Wei Wuxian had been avoiding. In the few weeks he spent playing at being Jiang Cheng’s prisoner, he went all around Lotus Pier. He played in the river, wandered the gardens, and went by the training grounds, showing Lan Wangji all the spots he used to play in. He was even invited in the main hall for meals each day. 

Part of him waited for the day that Jiang Cheng really would lock him up like all those other demonic cultivators and wondered what was stopping him from doing so. Surely just Lan Wangji’s presence wasn’t enough; Jiang Cheng was a prideful alpha that never backed down from a challenge. Even if Wei Wuxian was pregnant, Jiang Cheng could still shackle him to the walls without hurting him.

And yet Wei Wuxian was allowed a strange freedom, wandering where he wanted to so long as he wasn’t causing trouble. 

But even with such a freedom, Wei Wuxian could not bring himself to step into the ancestral hall. He passed it nearly every day, and could even smell the incense when he watched Jiang Cheng disappear into it during some nights. Although Jiang Yanli’s stone tablet would be beside her husband’s in Lanling, Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure he could face the ghosts in that hall. 

As the days went on though, he lingered closer and closer, until one night he finally opened its door and stepped a foot inside.

“Wei Ying.”

Wei Wuxian startled at seeing Lan Wangji appear behind him. It wasn’t like he had business anywhere else in Lotus Pier so it wasn’t uncommon for Lan Wangji to simply follow Wei Wuxian around. Tonight, his presence was even more welcome than usual, soothing the last of Wei Wuxian’s anxiety. 

He reached a hand out. “Come inside with me, Lan Zhan?” 

Lan Wangji took his hand and followed him inside. The image he had of ghosts crawling over his body receded, replaced by Lan Wangji’s warm hand, his sandalwood scent, and the flickering light of the candles illuminating the room. 

Wei Wuxian eased himself down in a kneeling position and quietly lit up some incense offerings. It was hard to prostrate with his over eight-months belly in the way and Lan Wangji noticed, looking like he might stop him. Wei Wuxian gave him a reassuring smile to show he was okay and proceeded to prostrate as well as he could. 

He sighed as he lifted himself up, examining the two stone tablets in front of him. 

“Uncle Jiang. Madam Yu. It’s Wei Ying, I’ve come to disturb you two again, sorry.” 

Some soft rustling sounded beside him as Lan Wangji also kneeled down, his expression solemn. Wei Wuxian laughed behind his hand. 

“What is it?”

“No -- nothing, haha. I just realized how confused they must be to see me now -- a pregnant omega, Hanguang-Jun right next to me. It’s like the world turned upside-down!”

“Is it that amusing?”

Wei Wuxian was still grinning. “You don’t think so? Is this how you pictured yourself now?”

Lan Wangji didn’t answer, but something was softly dancing in his eyes that couldn’t be named. Remaining silent, Lan Wangji lit some sticks of incense himself, carefully placing them before the tablets. Wei Wuxian always thought that Lan Wangji’s stiff and respectful behavior was funny, but at that moment he couldn’t help but think how handsome he was through the incense smoke, his expression returning to one of solemn respect, his golden eyes lowered. 

Really… Really he was a very fine and well-adjusted man. It was little wonder at all why so many looked up to him. 

I wonder… Uncle Jiang, Madam Yu, would you have approved of this man kneeling beside me? It’s sudden, but I’m already about to have a child. And even though they really belong to neither of us, these past few months, we’ve taken very good care of them. How can I not think that this pup is ours? Who else are parents except the ones that look after a child? Blood doesn’t always matter; I considered even you two my family once. Even if I brought ruin to it in the end...

He would make a really great father, I think. I have dreams where he holds this baby and smiles. He’d be so kind, very responsible… You both would approve of that, wouldn’t you? 

If it’s possible, then please… Help me reserve this man beside me. 

As Lan Wangji began to bow his back forward, Wei Wuxian said, “Can we do it together?”

Lan Wangji nodded. He patiently kept in time with Wei Wuxian’s bows, which were slower and more careful with his bump. With each of the two movements, Wei Wuxian had the image of the red candles being ones for a more happy occasion, burning bright, shining on Lan Wangji’s lips and eyes. 

One prostrate for the Heavens and Earth.

Another for the Father and Mother. 

A third for… 

They stopped after two prostrates and Wei Wuxian glanced over at Lan Wangji. He was surprised that those golden eyes were already staring back at him. Their color and gentle intent made Wei Wuxian’s chest feel full of butterflies -- or rather the candles’ flames, both warm and flickering. 

It wasn’t the only fluttering in his body. The pup had woken up and started to shift around, stretching their arms and legs. Wei Wuxian sighed, but it was full of amusement, placing a hand on his belly. 

“They’re moving again,” he explained to what he knew was Lan Wangji’s concerned look now. 

To his surprise, Lan Wangji shifted a little closer, reaching out to put a hand right beside Wei Wuxian’s. The baby moved under his large, warm palm in greeting. Wei Wuxian laughed softly, resting his head on Lan Wangji’s shoulder. The alpha didn’t shrug him off. His hand continued to rub tenderly over his bump.

“I think they really know you now.”

“What do you mean?”

“They get all excited when you’re close. They love Lan Zhan~” 

He couldn’t see it, but Wei Wuxian was sure Lan Wangji was giving one of his small smiles, the tender kind that was like the first rays of spring sun on frosted ground. He heard it in his throat and chest when Lan Wangji gave an approving hum, and it echoed in Wei Wuxian when quietly, he began to purr. 

“I have to think of a name for them soon. There’s too many to choose from though.”

“You will think of something. Something better than Suibian .” 

“Is Hanguang-Jun teasing me? Pfft, haha… Oh, and there’s the surname to think of too… Should they be a Mo, technically? Or shall I name them Wei instead? Oh, but that’s right,” he laughed, “I changed my surname to Lan back at Yueyang, didn’t I? Hahaha.”

“You really are shameless.” 

The voice filled the hall like a winter’s chill, immediately halting Wei Wuxian’s content purrs and laughter as he lifted his head from Lan Wangji’s shoulder and glanced behind them. 

Jiang Cheng stood at the doorway of the ancestral hall, arms crossed. These past weeks, he had been tolerant of Wei Wuxian’s presence. Some days, Wei Wuxian even believed that something was beginning to bridge between himself and his ex-shidi. Whatever the sentiment, it all seemed to crumble under the piercing weight of his glare at the pair of them. Jiang Cheng’s temper had always taken little to ignite but great strength to dampen.

He stepped inside, expression dark. “You really don’t consider yourself an outsider, do you? Just a short time here and you already think you own the place, going wherever you want and bringing whoever you want with you. You…” He clenched his fists so tightly that the bone threatened to break from under his skin. “Are you spitting in the face of my parents by bringing him here?” 

Wei Wuxian knew reasoning was useless. Still, he said, “This is my first time inside here and Hanguang-Jun was good enough to pay his respects as well. Other than my presence, we haven’t done anything offensive. Lan Zhan, could you help me up?”

As Lan Wangji helped Wei Wuxian to his feet, Jiang Cheng watched them with barely contained rage. His scent of rain and lotus had grown to a thick, oppressive storm. Wei Wuxian half expected his growl to follow like a thunder’s warning.

“Haven’t done anything offensive?” he hissed. “You protected him once and it led to the ruin of this sect! You played the hero and put his life above everything else and now you’re bringing him here to so kindly light incense for my parents. And worse still, you do it while carrying the pup of that same man! Just what are you trying to prove? Hah! How much happier you are as a Lan mistress than the Jiang you once were!”

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian could normally forget the words that sharp tongue delivered, but this time he wouldn’t let it go. Not when he was dragging Lan Wangji into this. He didn’t know for sure if Jiang Cheng bought into all the rumors of his pup’s sire, but it was clear he felt bold enough to make the claim because of his own loathing for Lan Wangji. 

Seeing that he’d managed to make a proper jab, Jiang Cheng scoffed. “Becoming an omega really has made you more shameless than ever, draping yourself all over such an upstanding alpha and showing him off wherever you go. Do what you want elsewhere, but in my home and before my parents, don’t you dare behave this way!” 

“Jiang Wanyin--!” Lan Wangji growled.

Before he could take a single step forward, Wei Wuxian stepped between them and exclaimed, “Jiang Cheng! You’re the one behaving like this in front of Uncle Jiang and Madam Yu’s spirits! And whatever crap you heard, this child isn’t Hanguang-Jun’s. They were already in this body when Mo Xuanyu gave it to me! Not that it’s any of your business, but Hanguang-Jun is just a respectable alpha, doing me this kindness of looking after me only until the pup is born! It's not like we're mates!"

Beside him, Lan Wangji froze. Wei Wuxian couldn’t even bring himself to look him in the face. 

Jiang Cheng didn’t look completely convinced, but neither was he lashing out. Zidian sparked slightly around his finger, but the whip wasn’t yet summoned. “Really now? Then what was that you said about changing your surname? Show me your neck, I bet you’ve been bitten by him already.”

“Watch your tongue!”

A cruel smirk crossed Jiang Cheng’s features. “Right. I bet you’re going to say it was just you playing around and pretending . Promising this and that to others but never following through. Hah. It’s what you’re good at.”

Wei Wuxian walked away, unable to take this tense air any longer. 

It felt wrong to call for Lan Wangji’s name after Jiang Cheng spoke those accusations -- what if Lan Wangji thought he was disgusting too? -- but Wei Wuxian didn’t want to leave and chance the two alphas going at each other’s throats. With a bracing breath, he went back and grabbed Lan Wangji’s sleeve to pull him along. 

But of course, Jiang Cheng couldn’t live without himself having the last word. He followed them as they left the ancestral hall. “Hey! Wei Wuxian! Where do you think you’re going? If you’re going to leave, don’t just head further in my sect, just get out completely!”

Don’t listen to him, don’t listen to him…

“I’m sure there’s plenty of other places you could go,” he continued. “The Cloud Recesses, for instance. I’m sure you miss the bed you share with Second Young Master Lan. Don’t think I haven’t noticed him sneaking into your room!” 

“Jiang Wanyin!” Wei Wuxian stopped in his tracks, gesturing at Jiang Cheng like he wanted nothing more than to tussle with him on the ground. The act would be reminiscent of their play wrestling in their youth, without all the laughter that came with it. “I might be pregnant right now but I’ll still beat you to the ground if you don’t apologize to Hanguang-Jun this instant!”

“Wei Ying…” Although Wei Wuxian stood in front of him, Lan Wangji moved like he’d shield him. Wei Wuxian ignored him and stood in front again, sharing a glare with his ex-shidi.  

Jiang Cheng barked out a laugh. “Beat me up how? You don’t even have your sword with you. Even now, you still pretentiously choose to not carry your blade around. Will your Hanguang-Jun defend you forever?”

“I keep saying to leave him out of this--! ” 

Before anyone else could charge forward, Wen Ning dropped down between them from one of the roofs, his boots and the chains around his ankles thudding heavily on the ground. He straightened up, ignoring Jiang Cheng’s incredulous glare to ask, “Young Master Wei, are you okay? You know musn’t endure too much stress right now.”

“...M’fine,” Wei Wuxian murmured. “Wen Ning, did you just get back?” 

“Yes. I planned to be out of the way, but then I heard...the yelling…” 

Jiang Cheng’s gaze became pure frost. “Who the hell let you in here? Hmph, still inviting whoever you want into my Lotus Pier as if it’s yours, Wei Wuxian!?” His gaze lowered, suddenly recognizing the object Wen Ning held in his hand. “He even has your sword.”

“Put it away,” Wei Wuxian told Wen Ning. “We’re done here.” The interruption had dampened the worst of his frustration. Now all he wanted to do was to sit alone somewhere. But Yunmeng didn’t have big dark caves to hide in like Yiling. 

He turned around, planning to just leave Lotus Pier entirely. It might’ve been a mistake to stay here after all with these naive hopes that something still linked him and Jiang Cheng other than regret. Leaving now would be for the best for both of them.

The next few seconds happened in the blink of an eye: Jiang Cheng made to follow Wei Wuxian but Wen Ning blocked the way. He held out Suibian parallel to his chest like a barrier. Jiang Cheng growled at him, reaching to yank the sword and toss it away, the sight of Wen Ning holding it creating an inexplicable fury in him. 

However, instead of yanking it away from Wen Ning’s hand, Jiang Cheng pulled out the sword from its sheath completely.

The sharp sound of Suibian being drawn sliced coldly through Wei Wuxian’s body. It pierced into a gaping hole within him that mirrored a certain barren space in his original body -- a space once filled with his golden core. 

The very air seemed to still.

“Wh… Suibian lifted its seal?” Jiang Cheng’s voice was quiet. Uncertain. “Wei Wuxian, shouldn’t you be the only one who can pull it out?”

Wei Wuxian kept himself turned away, knowing nothing could hide the terror on his face. 

“Hey! Why can I pull it out!?”

In the silence, Wen Ning evenly said, “Isn’t it obvious? No one else but Young Master Wei can unsheath Suibian. So naturally, Suibian took you for its master.”

Wei Wuxian meant to call out and make Wen Ning stop speaking , but the fright had stolen his voice. Out of everything, this is the one secret he had wanted to take with him to his grave. And he succeeded in that quite literally before this moment. When he glanced at Lan Wangji for strength, he saw a confused frown marring his beautiful jade features. He too was observing this scene for answers, staring at Suibian’s shining blade.

“How could it take me for him ?” Jiang Cheng demanded. 

“Don’t,” Wei Wuxian said. He knew Wen Ning was debating if he should break the promise he made to him. The situation was dire, but Wei Wuxian convinced himself it wasn’t enough to take Jiang Cheng out of the dark. Not now. Not now. “We’re leaving Yunmeng now, we won’t bother you any longer--”

“Did I say you could leave!?” Jiang Cheng snapped. His shout was enough to nail Wei Wuxian’s feet to the ground. He watched as Jiang Cheng grabbed the sheath from Wen Ning, placing Suibian back inside it before pointing the pommel at Lan Wangji. 

He ordered, “Pull it out.”

“Lan Zhan--” Wei Wuxian reached out to stop him but froze, pulling his hand back at the last second. The please don’t he was going to utter died on his tongue. 

Lan Wangji curled his hand around the hilt and gave an experimental pull, but as expected, the sword did not budge an inch. Because he was the only other person around, Jiang Cheng also shoved the hilt towards Wen Ning as well. But the Ghost General could not pass the test either.

Suibian was truly sealed, and only Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian could pull it out.

“What the fuck,” Jiang Cheng muttered, staring at Suibian. With slightly trembling hands, he pulled. Seeing the blade move just a few cun , he quickly sheathed it again. “Just what the fuck is going on? Wei Wuxian, you…! You know why this is, don’t you? What aren’t you telling me!?”

Wei Wuxian’s voice was quiet. “Who says I’m not saying anything? It’s just a sword, you pulling it out is as meaningless as its name.”

“Liar!” Jiang Cheng growled. “Don’t fucking lie to me! If it was nothing, then why can’t you look me in the eye right now, ah!?” 

“Jiang Cheng, just let it go already.”

Purple sparks began to fly around Jiang Cheng’s right hand. “I’m done with you telling me to let things go. Tell me! NOW, OR I’LL--!”

“It’s the core inside you, isn’t it obvious!?” came Wen Ning’s shout. He quickly intervened before a physical strike could be dealt.

Jiang Cheng was still. “My...core?” 

“No,” Wen Ning corrected. “I said the core inside you.” 

“And what else is inside me but my own golden core?”

Three pairs of eyes fell onto Wei Wuxian at the same time -- disquieted gold, merciless storm-blue, knowing death-white. 

It was a long moment before Wei Wuxian could gather both his voice and his courage again. He approached Jiang Cheng steadily, even though his hands were shaking, flashbacks of that day playing in his mind in a mess of unspeakable agony and blood, the only thing tying him to sanity being Jiang Cheng, giving Jiang Cheng his hope and life back, “protect Jiang Cheng even if it costs you your life” .

“My core,” he finally uttered in answer to Jiang Cheng’s question. 

It took a few heartbeats for the meaning of those simple, heavy words to sink in. But once they did, Jiang Cheng narrowed his eyes and said, “I don’t understand.”

Wei Wuxian took a deep breath. “Listen… That day… When I took you to see the teacher of my mother… There was a reason I had you put on the blindfold. It was because the one you met on top of that mountain wasn’t Baoshan Sanren. The woman you met with… It was Wen Qing, Wen Ning’s sister. The one that helped heal you back then. On that mountain, Wen Ning was there as well.” Wei Wuxian briefly wet his lips. “And so was I.”

“No,” Jiang Cheng said. “I didn’t hear you at all.”

“I came after she asked you the very questions I taught you how to answer. She led you along then put you to sleep.”

Jiang Cheng’s voice became hoarse. “I don’t know why you’re making up stories again. Do you really think I’ll believe you now? If you all were there and not Baoshan Sanren, then how the hell could my core be mended right now?”

“Didn’t you hear me? It’s not that your core is inside you, mended and whole. It’s that…” Wei Wuxian swallowed, wishing he could hold onto Jiang Cheng’s shoulders for support. “It’s that Wen Qing replaced yours with mine.” His voice lowered almost to a whisper. “There wasn’t a way to fix yours; it had already been destroyed. Such a method doesn’t exist to mend it. Treating it like an organ transplant, I asked this skilled doctor Wen Qing to carve out my golden core and give it to you.”

Several expressions came across Jiang Cheng’s face, each as painful for Wei Wuxian to witness as the last -- confusion, shock, horror, betrayal, anger. 

“Liar,” he finally managed to say. It seemed like the only thing his head could translate into words. “You’re lying.”

“I’m not. I’m not pretending this time. This is the reason why I stopped carrying around Suibian. Why would I carry a sword I can’t use? A lot of people hated me back then, what if one honestly tried to fight me?”

“Liar!” Jiang Cheng said again, louder. His hands clenched and unclenched, eyes wide. “Why… Why would you do that? Why the fuck would you do that and not tell me!? Didn’t I get to have a say in any of it!? No.” His voice lowered. “No, of course not. You just always have to be the hero don’t you, not even allowing this lowly shidi the chance to thank you for such generosity! Well, do I have it right!? Wei Wuxian!”

What could Wei Wuxian say that would really make any sense for Jiang Cheng? He supposed.... Even if he explained it, it wouldn’t matter. 

“I’m sorry,” was all he could pathetically whisper.

“Sorry? You’re sorry? Aha! Ahahaha!” Jiang Cheng laughed, unsteady and cold. He dropped Suibian to the ground and gripped the front of Wei Wuxian’s robes. Both Wen Ning and Lan Wangji tensed, ready to separate them, but Jiang Cheng did nothing more.

“What the fuck,” he also started to whisper. “What the fuck, what the fuck… This is just another prank of yours. I know you.”

Wen Ning stepped forward. “It really is the truth--”

“SHUT UP!” Jiang Cheng looked down at where Suibian laid and slowly bent down to pick it up. 

“If you don’t believe me,” Wei Wuxian said, “then just take that sword around Lotus Pier. Ask others to try and unsheath it. No one but you and I will be able to.”

They stood so close together that Wei Wuxian could pull Jiang Cheng into his arms if he wanted to -- and yet at the same time, he felt like a deep ocean of things they’d never said to each other had just opened up between them. And within that ocean were emotions they had willed themselves to drown away but had never truly vanished, only becoming an ever-churning current beneath the surface.

Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure what else he could say. “Jiang Cheng… I’m sorr--” 

Before he could finish, Jiang Cheng unsteadily turned around and did indeed run into the corridors of Lotus Pier, a desperate look in his eyes. Following his tracks was his scream of rage. It echoed into the approaching night and stirred the river. Wei Wuxian shuddered at the sound of it. 

He should take this chance to leave, to put as much distance between himself and this regret as much as possible. At the same time, he didn’t want to leave things like this. He couldn’t leave Jiang Cheng like this . 

By dying, one could argue that all the things that had been tied to “Wei Wuxian” were no longer his concern. In a way, he was reborn again and could live whatever life he wanted. But that wasn’t true. Only wishful thinking. Wei Wuxian still cared about all those things.

Cursing quietly, Wei Wuxian also made his way further into the Pier.

“Young Master Wei, where are you going?” 

“Back to my room. I want to be here when he calms down.”

Wen Ning shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. What if he tries to go after you and hurts you?”

“I know it’s hard to tell with how he is but… He won’t hurt me. Jiang Cheng has honor, if anything else, so he won’t do anything to me that would harm the pup too.”

Wen Ning didn’t argue any further, but he disappeared halfway through the journey back to the room, presumably to keep an eye around the perimeter to make sure Wei Wuxian would indeed remain safe. 

Lan Wangji also followed. He had been silent throughout this whole reveal, which wasn’t uncharacteristic. But the silence he had this time was oppressive, full of unspoken words behind tightly-pressed lips. Wei Wuxian waited for him to start asking questions, perhaps even chastise him again for his past recklessness. But when nothing came, the feeling was worse than when Lan Wangji normally stayed quiet. Wei Wuxian thought maybe he should say something instead, something light-hearted like always, or at least comforting. Maybe another apology.

When he looked over and saw that Lan Wangji’s eyes were wet and overflowing with soundless tears , the shock and guilt was enough to kill anything Wei Wuxian had been about to say.

In the end, they made it back inside Wei Wuxian’s room without speaking a single word.

It had been a chaotic night in Lotus Pier. Jin Ling had burst into Wei Wuxian’s room, distressed about his uncle that seemed to be losing his mind, demanding disciples left and right try unsheathing Suibian. 

“I tried to stop him but he only shoved me out of the way. Do you know what happened? Why does he have your sword anyway? How does he expect someone else to pull it out if only you can?”

Even if his progress with Jiang Cheng had been unclear, Wei Wuxian at least felt like Jin Ling respected him a little now. If he told him the truth, it might break the trust the teenager had just given him. It seemed like Wei Wuxian was good at that. 

He ended up not being able to answer. Jin Ling left with a slightly betrayed look in his eyes, having been shut out by both of his uncles now. 

The accompanying days were surprisingly quiet. Not even the usual bustle from the training grounds could be heard. The only noise seemed to come from the disciple that would deliver meals to Wei Wuxian’s room since he hadn’t left it. Lan Wangji had also remained inside with him. 

They still slept together and Lan Wangji still scented him. But for the first night, words escaped them. 

The image of Lan Wangji crying remained fresh in Wei Wuxian’s mind. He had only seen Lan Wangji cry once before when they’d been trapped inside that cave together in their youth. It had already been impossible enough to imagine Lan Wangji crying back then, to say nothing of how much more impenetrable and mature his composure seemed now. 

But Wei Wuxian knew the reality was that Lan Wangji felt many things, things he couldn’t hide. At that moment, he had felt sorrow. Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure of the exact reason, but he knew it had to do with what Lan Wangji had learned about his core. 

Wei Wuxian was soon unable to take the quiet and said, “Lan Zhan, come here. I feel like you’ve been wanting to ask about what happened. Let’s clear the air now, I can’t stand not being able to talk properly with you.”

Lan Wangji came over and they sat across each other at the table. Lunch had just been given to them so Wei Wuxian took his time to pour them each some tea. 

After they took the first sip, Lan Wangji lowered his cup. Quietly, he said, “Back then… I guessed something had happened to your spiritual powers. But I did not imagine…” He took an even breath. “Did you really give him your core?”

“I did.”

“I did not know that was possible.”

“It wasn’t. Until Wen Qing did it. It was all very experimental. To be honest, there was only half a chance of it succeeding, if even that. But Wen Qing was truly amazing. I can only imagine the good she would’ve done for this new world if she was still here.” 

Lan Wangji frowned slightly. “Only half a chance,” he repeated. 

“Mm. I bet my everything into it though.”

“Was it,” Lan Wangji seemed to hold down a wince, “painful?” 

Wei Wuxian gave him a tired smile. “Even if I say it didn’t, would Lan Zhan really believe me? It’s cutting out your core. It’s something deeper than an organ.”  

Even if you try to imagine the pain though -- it’s much, much worse.  

“And… To make sure the core wouldn’t be affected by anesthesia, I had to...stay awake for the operation.”

Lan Wangji sucked in a breath. His eyes seemed to be growing glassy again. It squeezed Wei Wuxian’s chest. He knew he wanted to be honest with Lan Wangji, but of course this truth was quite heavy.

Quickly, he moved to sit by Lan Wangji. “Wait, wait, Lan Zhan. It’s all in the past now, it’s too late to think to change it. Don’t be angry.”

“I am not angry,” Lan Wangji whispered. 

“But you’re shaking. I smell you.” But he supposed it was true the scent wasn’t angered. It was quiet but all-pervading. A lone stick of sandalwood incense upon a grave, its smoke filling a grey night.

Sadness .

“Wei Ying… You are always like this.” It didn’t sound like a part of Wei Wuxian that Lan Wangji hated though. It was said with the same inflection as when he knew Wei Wuxian put protection of others above all else.

“Well, I can’t be anyone else but me.”

Lan Wangji looked at him. Then, without warning, he pulled Wei Wuxian onto his lap and embraced him. The intimate gesture didn’t seem to bother him, neither did Wei Wuxian’s large bump pressing against his own firm abdomen. Lan Wangji rested his head on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder, still holding him.

“Lan Zhan…” 

Lan Wangji said nothing more and continued to hold him. The gesture alone spoke of warm comfort and tenderness. Wei Wuxian wondered if Lan Wangji was trying to comfort him, or if he was seeking solace himself. Recalling the tears he saw in his eyes, Wei Wuxian wrapped his arms around Lan Wangji as well. 

Back then, when Jiang Cheng had said all those things about them being mates, Wei Wuxian didn’t want to listen to it. He didn’t want Lan Wangji to get fed up with the misunderstandings. Their situation was messy enough as it was without emotions getting tangled up in them. And Wei Wuxian’s feelings were already quite tangled. 

Wei Wuxian lightly ran his fingers through Lan Wangji’s hair. Even with all the ups and downs of their journey, Wei Wuxian had felt happy. So happy. He was alive again which was terrifying, and he was pregnant which was terrifying -- and yet both were fine for him to be because he’d had Lan Wangji by his side. Even so, Wei Wuxian tried to remind himself that he was probably the only one to feel this happiness that soon bloomed to a tender affection. 

But then Lan Wangji took care of him and the pup so well, he indulged Wei Wuxian’s whims and gave him plenty of physical comfort and now even went so far as to shed tears for him. It made Wei Wuxian think that maybe he wasn’t alone in these feelings after all. 

Did he make Lan Wangji feel happy? Did he make him feel warm and wonderful and light? Did he make Lan Wangji feel like they fit perfectly together, in mind, soul, and body? 

This tenderness wasn’t mere instinct. It was deeper than biology. More confusing than any formula Wei Wuxian had ever encountered. 

And yet the truth itself was so simple. 

He rested his cheek on top of Lan Wangji’s head. Even if it was for just a few precious moments, Wei Wuxian pretended that this embrace was one full of love.

“I think this all would’ve been so much harder by myself,” he murmured, almost to himself. Standing alone. Like he used to be. “Thank you...Lan Zhan.” 

Eventually, Wei Wuxian was summoned to meet with Jiang Cheng at Sword Hall. He told Lan Wangji to remain behind -- this was something he had to deal with on his own and he didn’t want to risk Lan Wangji’s presence igniting Jiang Cheng’s temper again. 

When Wei Wuxian entered the hall, Jiang Cheng was already sitting on the lotus-shaped throne. Suibian was in his hand, his knuckles white around it as if it were a lifeline. Although his posture was still strong and dignified, his hair was slightly unkempt and his expression was dark with tired circles around his eyes. Wei Wuxian suspected that he hadn’t gotten much sleep the last few days, if any at all. 

Hearing Wei Wuxian approach, Jiang Cheng lifted his gaze to him. He picked up Suibian and thrust it out.

“Take it.”

“Jiang Cheng--”

“Take it! I don’t care what core is inside me, I will never be this sword’s master!” Jiang Cheng’s gaze was burning. “So take it. Whatever you do with it afterward doesn’t matter. Pawn it, toss it in the river, give it back to Jin Guangyao for all I care. It’s not mine.” 

Wei Wuxian thought that if Jiang Cheng really wanted to be rid of the sword that badly, he would’ve done all those things himself. If he was offering it out like this, then it was as good as him saying that Wei Wuxian needed to take better care of his belongings -- because like it or not, Suibian did belong to him. 

Wei Wuxian stepped onto the dais and took the sword carefully. 

Jiang Cheng scoffed lightly. He shook his head. “Why the fuck didn’t you tell me? I had every right to know.”

“I guess… I just knew you wouldn’t let me do it if I told you.” 

“So you were the selfless one that swallowed all the suffering, as always. Honestly, what a wonderful and heroic person you are.” Even as he spoke the words, the usual venom such a tone would have was absent. The bitterness was still well accounted for, however. “Hah. This is why you live and breathe the Jiang motto best, huh? I bet if you hadn’t slipped into demonic cultivation, you would’ve been a such great leader for this sect. Father would’ve been so proud.”

“Are you kidding?” Wei Wuxian snapped back. He gestured around them. “You rebuilt all of Lotus Pier and all I did in Yiling was litter a cave and fail at growing potatoes. Or were they radishes? I don’t even remember anymore. Besides, you were the only rightful heir, I was only ever meant to be your subordinate.”

Jiang Cheng laughed joylessly. “That’s right. The Twin Prides of Yunmeng. You had promised it, that you’d always be by my side. And yet here we are.”

Wei Wuxian glanced away. Jiang Cheng’s words from that night were still clear in his head: “Promising this and that to others but never following through. Hah. It’s what you’re good at.” At first, Wei Wuxian thought he meant all the flirting he used to do, but now he saw there were many things he once promised to Jiang Cheng. He didn’t know they mattered so much still. He didn’t know those promises being broken had hurt Jiang Cheng as much as they hurt Wei Wuxian, convincing himself that his ex-shidi was happy to have him gone.

Perhaps he had assumed too much about others as others had assumed about him.

“I swallowed my words. I’m sorry,” Wei Wuxian said. 

Jiang Cheng growled. “I don’t need your apologies. Here I am in the inferior position but you’re still the one taking the high road. What a delicate person I must be.”

“That’s not what I meant by it, I just…! Tsk!” They had come this far and yet Wei Wuxian saw that no matter what he did, it would only make things worse. He sighed. Using Suibian as a crutch, he slowly lowered himself to sit on a step of the dais, glad to get off his swollen feet. One hand exasperatedly went through his hair and the other rested on his belly from habit. 

“...I should have every right to hate you for what you’ve done to this family. For what you’ve kept from me.” 

Wei Wuxian was about to agree, until he realized Jiang Cheng said “should”. He should hate Wei Wuxian after everything that happened. Does that mean… He turned around, lifting his head to look at Jiang Cheng. 

From this angle, he looked even more worn-out. Even though his hands were fists on his lap, a deep frown on his brow, his eyes held a sort of vulnerability that Wei Wuxian hadn’t seen since the burning of Lotus Pier all those years ago. The expression of someone incredibly lost. 

“Why was the Jiang Sect not good enough for you, after all we gave you? You lied to me. You hid from me. From me . I thought I was your… You took away everything and then I learn you gave back my life. What the hell do I do? Why can’t I just hate you?” 

Jiang Cheng’s eyes filled with tears, spilling down like a dam had splintered apart. Wei Wuxian used Suibian again as a crutch to get to his feet and went over to Jiang Cheng. In such a short amount of time, the two people he expected the least to cry were shedding tears before him. It pained his heart.

“Sorry,” Jiang Cheng muttered. Wei Wuxian wasn’t sure if he was meant to hear that or not.

“You don’t have to be sorry with me,” he said. “Neither do you have to thank me. I didn’t want either of those things when I did what I did. But it’s too late to change it. Jiang Cheng.” He waited until Jiang Cheng’s teary eyes met his. “I know you won’t ever forget this, that’s just who you are. But I really think… It’s too heavy to continue keeping it inside you. It’s been so long and I...I really can’t stand you being dragged down and struggling with the past anymore. But I’m not just telling you this. It’s something I’m only starting to realize too, thanks to this pup. When you were raising Jin Ling, you knew it too, right? That time keeps going forward. For both me and you, I don’t… I don’t want to live with ghosts anymore.” 

As he spoke, Jiang Cheng’s cheeks became streaked with tears. Wei Wuxian had quickly wiped them away until he was gently cupping Jiang Cheng’s face. His touch wasn’t denied. 

After a moment of tense silence, Jiang Cheng muttered not unkindly, “You’re lucky you’re pregnant, otherwise I would’ve had a proper go with you by now.”

“Mo Xuanyu’s body isn’t the strongest,” Wei Wuxian admitted. “You’d knock me out instantly.”

“Can’t you use your demonic arts?”

“The dizi I made does the job but it’s not the best. Besides, I thought maybe I shouldn’t use it too much with the pup still inside me. They survived the sacrifice but I don’t want to risk anything happening to them.” 

Jiang Cheng scoffed in amusement. The corner of his lips coming up was more welcome than the tears and dark circles. “I really can’t fucking imagine you as a parent.”

“I couldn’t imagine you as one either, but Jin Ling has grown up really well, if I must say. He needs more friends though. I…” He tried to think of a way to phrase it that wasn’t an apology. “You were given the responsibility to raise him and I know that it’s my fault… But he became a good kid. A really good kid. Shijie… Shijie would be so happy and thankful towards you.” With this pup inside him, Wei Wuxian was realizing how terrifying raising a child could be; he had nothing but respect for Jiang Cheng, who had brought up their nephew.

He was still cupping Jiang Cheng’s face, his palms slightly wet from the salty tears. He gave Jiang Cheng a hopeful smile.

There was still pain in Jiang Cheng’s eyes. It was a pain that would possibly never be erased. Just like the whip scars on Lan Wangji’s back. Just like the touch of ghosts seeped into Wei Wuxian’s bones. But he at least hoped they would not remain prisoners to them forever. 

It was small, but he saw Jiang Cheng’s shoulders relax. 

At least once every few days, Jiang Cheng sent a physician to check on Wei Wuxian and the pup’s health. He did it at length as always, just like with the delivery of the food. But after their talk, he gradually invited Wei Wuxian to eat with him and Jin Ling again. He no longer seemed to have the energy to argue Lan Wangji’s presence anymore either.

“I don’t know what’s going on between you two,” he said, distaste tinged in his words. “But if you’re being watched over by anyone… I guess thank the gods it’s him. He won’t let you do stupid shit.” 

Wei Wuxian was mildly surprised when it turned out Jin Ling hadn’t just up and left for Lanling after how he and Jiang Cheng shut him out after their confrontation. Although Wei Wuxian wanted to explain it, he figured there was a time and place for that. Not to mention it was only half his story to tell. 

But Jin Ling remained at Lotus Pier and he noticed the different air between his two uncles and Hanguang-Jun. It wasn’t exactly normal and right, but it wasn’t fused with tension like it used to be. Encouraged by this, he went back to following Wei Wuxian around, occasionally asking about the pup.

“Jin Ling, I didn’t know you were the type to like babies. How cute.”

“I-I don’t!”

Wei Wuxian laughed. “You say that, but you’re actually really excited to meet my little pup, aren’t you? Be sure you’re only nice to them. That’s how you make more friends.” It didn’t escape his notice after all that Jin Ling didn’t spend time with the other junior Jiang disciples. It seemed he didn’t get along with them just like the disciples of the Jin Sect. 

Hmm, but he got along rather well with Lan Zhan’s juniors. We should’ve had Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi stay too. 

On the subject of staying in Lotus Pier… After his latest check-up was complete, the physician noted that he should continue to take it easy. He was in the middle of his final month, and both he and the pup were doing well, which was good news given all the stressors he’d endured the past few months. 

“I kept meaning to ask,” the physician, an alpha woman, began, “do you plan on the birth happening here in Lotus Pier? If so, we’ll have to start making the necessary arrangements. If not, then you should head over to where you’d like to have the pup as soon as possible. Of course, I don’t really recommend you traveling too long distance at this stage of the pregnancy.”

Wei Wuxian didn’t have an answer for her and continued to think about it even when she left. He knew from the start that he wasn’t going to birth the pup in Lotus Pier. It was too familiar while not being familiar at all. It didn’t smell right, didn’t feel right. Maybe once upon a time, this place was his home. And to some part of him, it always would be. But it wouldn’t be the home of his new family. 

But then where exactly was home? He had daydreams of living in a quiet and warm place but where would he find that when he was already this close to having the pup? 

Around him were still the pitiful remains of the nest he tried to build. He picked up one of Lan Wangji’s robes and felt over the soft fabric, tracing its cloud patterns.

The Cloud Recesses? Certainly not. Although there were kind Lans like Lan Jinghua and the juniors there, he couldn’t imagine the sect as a whole would take kindly to the Yiling Patriarch giving birth to his spawn on their sacred grounds. 

He thought of the safehouse. It wasn’t home but… But it had the right feel for it. Secluded. Peaceful. And when he visualized it, it made him remember his days there with Lan Wangji. 

And maybe that was why the safehouse seemed the most comforting and welcoming. Because Lan Wangji had been there.     

He didn’t have the answers to everything, but he at least knew he should think of how he should leave Lotus Pier. He’d just started to bridge something between him and Jiang Cheng; if he just up and left, it’d be the same as burning that bridge. 

The answer came that same evening. 

Jin Guangyao had been quiet ever since the incident at Koi Tower. On top of that, Lan Xichen had yet to return to Gusu and no one had seen Su She again. Tensions were high, but no one could break it and find out just what was going on. 

That was, until Lotus Pier received two visitors. Wei Wuxian didn’t know of their arrival at first, preoccupied with overseeing Jin Ling’s archery practice. The boy was truly gifted with a bow and arrow, but he begrudgingly listened to any pointers Wei Wuxian had and lit up when he received praise. Watching him shoot his targets made Wei Wuxian smile with pride. He found himself excited at the idea of teaching his own pup the basics of archery and sword-fighting.

A senior disciple approached them at some point, looking at Wei Wuxian in particular when he said, “Sect Leader Jiang has summoned you to Sword Hall.”

“Now?”

“Now,” the disciple confirmed. “Two unknown women have just come into the Pier. They’re not cultivators or from Yunmeng. We considered dismissing them, but it seems they have something important to discuss regarding… Well, and then Sect Leader asked for you to be fetched.”

Raising a curious brow, Wei Wuxian looked at Lan Wangji, who was also nearby. “Fine, but Hanguang-Jun is coming too.”

“That’s fine.”

“What’s going on?” Jin Ling noticed the gathering and came over.

Wei Wuxian patted his head with a smile. “It seems your uncle wishes to speak with us. We’ll be back.”

Jin Ling looked at them suspiciously, as if gauging if he should demand to join the meeting. In the end he huffed, calling for Fairy and making his way out the Pier. The moon would rise soon; he was probably off to blow some steam at some low-level prey. 

Jiang Cheng was waiting for them in Sword Hall. “Well,” he said, “you told me to be cautious if someone suspicious invited themselves here.” He nodded towards the two women standing before the lotus throne. “I thought you’d want an opinion on the nature of this visit.” 

Wei Wuxian looked at the two women; neither were familiar to him. One was a meek-looking beta, the other an omega with a scarred face. Although they both stood still and respectfully bowed their heads before Jiang Cheng, their scents were slightly distressed. Lan Wangji brought a chair for Wei Wuxian to sit on and he himself stood up, both of them beside Jiang Cheng. 

“You told me that this is regarding the recent events surrounding the Burial Mounds and Koi Tower incidents. So, which one of you wants to start?”

Night had fallen by the time the two women, Sisi and Bicao, were done with their tales. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian had thoroughly questioned them in between, but there truly seemed to be no fault to what they revealed to them. Afterward, Jiang Cheng arranged for the two women to remain in Lotus Pier for the time being. 

Wei Wuxian stepped out of Sword Hall, frowning in thought. Lan Wangji and Jiang Cheng soon joined him.

“If what they’re saying is true,” Jiang Cheng said, “then you were right about Jin Guangyao.”

“You don’t sound very surprised about it.”

“Hah. You weren’t here to hear all the rumors when he first started ascending to power and then became a sect leader. Honestly, I never liked him.”

Wei Wuxian chuckled at that -- because honestly, who did Jiang Cheng like? His smile waned some as he pointed out, “We’ll have to confront Jin Guangyao for real this time. He still has the Tiger Seal, after all.”

Jiang Cheng glanced at him. “We’ll have to let the other sects know about this too. The sooner, the better. Otherwise he’ll come up with some clever way to weasel out of this.”

Wei Wuxian nodded. He glanced off towards the distance where Jin Ling had run off to earlier. “I’m… I’m a bit worried about Jin Ling,” he confessed. “What will become of him after all this? The Jin Sect wasn’t very popular ever since his grandfather was the sect leader. Depending on how hard Jin Guangyao falls, then Jin Ling might be…”

Jiang Cheng scoffed. “Don’t make light of what my nephew can handle. I was the one that raised him, not Jin Guangyao and his silly servants.”

Wei Wuxian considered their next steps carefully. “We have to stop him before this gets any more out of hand. He’s already been too quiet, but I don’t think storming Lanling is the best idea. Like you said, he’s clever. Back at Koi Tower, in his treasure room, I spotted a deed for some property in Yunping City. That’s not far from here so it wouldn’t hurt to take a look at what’s there first.” 

“Yunping City, huh… Bastard is plotting in my territory?”

“I was thinking,” Wei Wuxian continued. “Me and Lan Zhan can go on ahead there first. As far as the rest of the cultivators and Jin Guangyao know, I went missing after the Burial Mounds incident.” His and Jiang Cheng’s explosive relationship was notorious, after all; who would think he’d actually remain in Lotus Pier all this time? “There aren’t as many eyes on us at the moment. We could get away with passing through there better than you can. In the meantime, you can alert the other sects of what we just learned.” 

Jiang Cheng frowned. “Going to Yunping City on your own? Wei Wuxian, you idiot, you’re due any day now! Or did this ,” he gestured at Wei Wuxian’s heavily pregnant belly, “somehow escape your notice?” 

“I didn’t forget! Really! But I’ve been thinking anyway that… It’d be inconvenient for you if I had the pup here. That and…” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “My instincts have been weird the further along I get. I should… I should be in Gusu for the birth. I just figured, Yunping City is on the way anyway, so we can investigate a little bit.” 

Jiang Cheng’s gaze grew sharp. “...I see.”

“Don’t take it the wrong way, I’m grateful for your hospitality and, well, not locking me in a dungeon or something--”

“Shut up, what the hell are you going on about?” Jiang Cheng scoffed, rolling his eyes. “I’m not so fragile that I care where you have the child. In fact, I’d prefer it if you didn’t bloody up my sheets. Besides, you think I don’t remember how Sis was when she was about to have Jin Ling? Just,” he gestured dismissively, “do whatever the hell you need to for your kid.”

Wei Wuxian smiled, grateful. 

He hadn’t gone but a few steps when Jiang Cheng said, “Hey! You know that Jin Ling is looking forward to meeting your pup, so… Don’t hog the thing to yourself. Bring them to Lotus Pier at some point.”

Wei Wuxian raised his eyebrows. “For… Jin Ling.”

“Yes. Jin Ling,” Jiang Cheng said. “Watch your damn back.” He waved dismissively again then disappeared back inside Sword Hall. 

As Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji made their way back to the room, a bit of embarrassment heated Wei Wuxian’s cheeks. He cast anxious glances at Lan Wangji. “Um, Lan Zhan, about what I said before… We don’t really have to go to Gusu for the pup’s birth. I, uh, just said that so Jiang Cheng wouldn’t chew me out.”

Lan Wangji shook his head. “No, Wei Ying is right. We should go back.” 

Something warm blossomed in Wei Wuxian’s chest. “Really? You don’t mind?”

Lan Wangji nodded. “For once, Jiang Wanyin had a point. We must do what is best for the child. If Wei Ying’s instincts lead him to Gusu, then I will not refuse taking you.” 

“Right.” The smile returned to Wei Wuxian’s lips. “Thank you, Lan Zhan.”

The tips of Lan Wangji’s ears went bright pink under the moonlight. “No need for thanks between us.”

“How else will you know I appreciate everything you’re doing for me then?” Wei Wuxian asked, generally curious. What did Lan Wangji get out of any of this if not even gratitude? 

Lan Wangji opened the door to their room, letting Wei Wuxian inside first. 

His expression softened. “Wei Ying just has to be happy. That is enough.”