Thread by @enigmatree

I have a tiny #omegaLWJseason idea to share. Does everyone here know what transmigration stories are/what transmigration means? I think theyre pretty popular in danmei so.

If you don't know what transmigration means; it's a genre of stories where the MC generally suddenly wakes up in another universe and/or in someone else's body and have to build up a new life there.

Okay: LWJ is a highly accomplished, famous musician who is living an incredibly rich but lonely life-- estranged from his brother, not talking to his uncle, unable to move on from the death of his one (1) crush five years ago. His only solace are his music and his memories.

Two years ago, in a desperate bid to realise his old dreams, he thought to adopt a child, perhaps-- but the adoption procedures grew longer and longer, 2 months, 6, 10, 15... A single man, gay, no close family, a history of mental illness... LWJ realised that it wouldn't happen.

The more LWJ wanted a family, the less family he seemed to have.

Then, on the eve of the day he officially pulled back his request for a child, his phone rang w/ an unknown number.

LWJ answered.

"HGJ," Said a voice that LWJ hated to his bones, "The wedding is next month."

"..."

"I know we've had our disagreements," He continued, "But Xichen-ge has been reminiscing about you these days. He'd be willing to forgive you, I believe, if you made some small concessions."

LWJ gripped the phone so hard it creaked.

"It's not just my marriage, HGJ."

From the background came another voice, one LWJ had last heard months ago-- before that, years ago. "A-Yao, are you doing business in our bed again?"

"No, Xichen-ge, it's just an acquaintance. I'm trying to improve our guest list. Right?"

Then,*as LWJ continued not speaking;

"Well. Think about it."

The call ended. Beep, beep, the hung up tone echoed in LWJ's ears, muffling out the sounds of nightlife, of taxis rushing by, people laughing as they walked around the city drunk, a baby crying quietly in a pram.

That night, LWJ packed everything he owned as aggressively as he could force himself to handle his belongings and bought himself a ticket to Shanghai.

Fine. Just---

fine.

It had been five years. LWJ could look into JGY's eyes and not crack his neck in one move.

LWJ missed his brother. There was no other reason. Even if his brother would never believe him, would marry JGY and live a beautiful life with that monster, would adopt three kids and raise them with the entire Lan family, LWJ still wanted to have him back.

The funny thing was, well. LWJ hadnt seen his brother in years. He had finally convinced himself to make up with him. Even if their relationship would never be like it used to be, LWJ had decided that he'd take whatever he got. He had wanted to.

And yet, NOW, it had to be NOW, that on the way to the airport he got mixed up in an accident.

LWJ didnt quite remember much; just the driver shouting, light flashes, horns blaring--

But he knew that by the time he woke up, he was achy and hazy and, certainly, in a hospital.

"Oh, A-Zhan, you're finally awake!"

LWJ's breath stalled. What? Why... "Xi-xiongzhang? You're... here."

"Of course I am, what are you talking about?" LXC's face appeared next to the hospital bed, smiling warmly but with a little worry, "I rushed over as soon as I got a call!"

"You... rushed over." LWJ's painkillers were too strong for this conversation. LXC rushed over from Shanghai to New York? But-- "The marriage?"

"What marriage?" LXC laughed, brows raised, "You only just presented and you're already thinking about marriage? Calm down, A-Zhan!"

LWJ completely lost the thread. He could only look up with wide eyes at his brother, who seemed to have gotten decades younger after moving in w/ JGY. He didnt even have those faint laugh lines at the corners of his eyes anymore.

"You must be confused," LXC nodded with a smile.

"Your presentation was truly terrible, your fever got so high you had to be rushed to the hospital," He explained slowly, walking away to pour some water, "The doctors said you almost even... nevermind. It's all over now! Shufu is also on his way here, so you can rest easy."

"Shufu as well..?" LWJ asked, throat burning. He hadnt thought his uncle would still be so worried after all these years... Their last fight was quite vicious too...

"Yes, yes, Shufu as well," LXC huffed, handing the glass of water to LWJ who sat up and bumbly took the water.

"Thank you," LWJ managed to whisper, holding the glass on his lap clasped in both hands.

"Ah, A-Zhan you scared us so much this time," LXC sighed. "You... if someone hadnt caught scent of your presentation and taken you out of traffic, who knows what might have happened?"

"Xiongzhang..." LWJ didnt know enough to even ask. "Presentation?"

"Oh, right! Congratulations, A-Zhan!" LXC beamed, "You've always taken after our mother, it's no wonder you presented as an omega. You must be so happy!"

LWJ kept looking at him.

What.

Huh?

What was an omega?

LWJ opened and closed his mouth for some time before he finally managed to settle on; "...omega?"

"Yes?" LXC too seemed to have finally realised the oddness of the situation. He paused. "That's what you wanted, right A-Zhan? To... grow your own family? Is there something wrong?"

"Xiongzhang, I..." LWJ started, completely lost, but before he could finish his sentence someone interrupted.

"Hey, ah, I see you're both busy so since your little brother is fine I'll get going now? Is that okay? Do you need anything else?"

LXC turned around to face the man peeking through the door, "No no, please feel free! Thank you so much again! If it wasn't for you, who knows what might have happened to A-Zhan!"

"To present as an omega on the busiest street at rush hour, he's quite unlucky!" The man laughed.

"Yes, indeed," LXC hurried to say, "We can't thank you enough. If you need anything--"

"Aiyah, there's no need!" The man laughed again, voice low and laced with a love --of life, of people, of everything pretty or strange-- that could never be replicated, "I'm happy to help!"

"I suppose... if you insist, we shouldnt keep you here. Please remember that if you ever--"

The shaking glass finally slipped out of LWJ's fingers.

It bumped off the bed and shattered on the floor.

LXC turned to look at him, alarmed, calling "A-Zhan?!" but--

--but LWJ only had eyes for one man. "Wei Ying," He said, voice tiny, "Wei Ying, Wei Ying."

He was alive.

LWJ stumbled out of the bed, blanket tangling around his uncoordinated legs. He didnt care that he fell, only scrambled back up to rush past LXC and grasp WWX's arms.

"You--" are alive. "How--" did you survive. "Why--" didnt you come back to me. "I don't--" understand. I don't care. I don't mind.

"Wei Ying--" you came back, you came back, you came back, you...

LWJ smothered the sob rising in his chest and gripped WWX tight enough to bruise.

"A-Zhan? What are you doing? A-Zhan!" LXC tugged at LWJ's shoulder. "That's, it's improper, A-Zhan!"

In response, LWJ pulled a frozen stiff WWX into his chest and buried himself in WWX's shoulder, marvelling at his warmth, at his smell of winter chill and spicy chocolate.

LWJ had heard so many news of his death; that he threw himself down a bridge, that he was left starving on a street by his brother, that a hitman finally got him... but not one that claimed he was alive.

LWJ had... LWJ hadnt thought he might live.

Tears burning his eyes, LWJ silently moved his lips where he was still hiding in WWXs jacket and mouthed around the words; I'm sorry.

He didnt say it. He didnt want WWX to know of it because he knew WWX would hate him for it.

I'm sorry I gave up, LWJ thought. kept to his heart.

Slowly, slowly, WWX raised his hands. Wrapped LWJ in them, rubbing hypnothic circles down his nape. In a reaction entirely too strange, LWJ's entire body softened at that, turning him into warm butter in his arms.

"Ah," WWX muttered, awkward, "Is this a new presentation thing?"

"...sure," LXC said from behind LWJ.

There was a small silence.

"Should... should I stay?" WWX asked, now basically holding up two armsful of LWJ.

"No, surely not, we couldnt possibly keep you here," LXC said at the same time as LWJ pulled back and dragged WWX to the bed.

LWJ used the same arm he was dragging WWX with to swing him onto the hospital bed with an exaggerated "oomph!" from WWX, and clambered up after him. While WWX looked up at him with wide eyes, LWJ curled over him, his warm and knobbly body.

Strangely, though, that wasnt enough.

LWJ pulled the covers around them, burying them under the blanket and then not liking it, tucking the sides into vaguely bunched up barriers. He turned to bury his face into WWX's neck under the collar of his jacket and the hem of his tshirt, warming his cold nose there. Perfect.

LWJ was never letting him out of these blankets.

"A-Zhan..?" LXC asked. Purely because having him here meant more to LWJ than anyone could guess, LWJ forced himself to peek out of his bundle of blankets and WWX.

"Hm?" He asked, looking at LXC's awkward face.

"Please... Please let the kind man go," LXC blurted out, "I-- I understand that it might be overwhelming, after having him protect you during such a hard time, but... you should let him go."

LWJ turned to WWX who was lying under him, warm and sprawled with his shirt riding up,

still looking up LWJ with those blinking silver eyes that LWJ hadnt seen in five years now, after the last anniversary --December 18-- passed silent and frost-lined weeks ago.

LWJ felt his own expression tilt and mellow at the mere sight of him.

No. He did not think he should.

He lowered himself over WWX to tuck himself into each space he could find, pulling him closer with his arms around his waist. In response, WWX only made a garbled, almost squeaky sound but didnt resist his predicament. LWJ grappled with the bizarre urge to bite him at the sound.

"A-Zhan..." LXC sounded so hesitant, so lost, that LWJ started feeling bad. But between WWX who he had lost to JGY's sweet smile and good reputation, and LXC who had left willingly for them... LWJ would never again let WWX go. Not for his family. Not for anyone or anything.

LXC should know this very well. After all, he hadnt once stopped trying until LWJ had made that clear. He just hadnt understood that trying with JGY by his side was counterintuitive, unforgivable, hateful--

LWJ buried his face back in WWX's neck and squeezed his eyes shut.

Perhaps this was why every time LWJ thought to give in and make peace, to try and regain his brother who he had never once faulted, he seemed to fail. He didnt have a WWX who's comforting smell could layer cool, tufty snow over his ever-burning anger.

"Ah, Lan-xiansheng... maybe I should," WWX muttered, his voice rumbling down his throat where LWJ was pressed, echoing inside LWJ's chest, "Uh, stay? Lan Zhan seems to want me to..."

"That would-- we couldnt possibly..." LXC cleared his throat, "Ah, you know A-Zhan's name?"

WWX's chest stilled for a second, which LWJ only noticed since he was laying on it, before he said; "Well you said I should call you Lan Xichen, and you call your brother A-Zhan."

"Oh, right. I must be distracted..."

"We haven't met before, if you meant that," WWX laughed.

"No, I didnt mean to suspect you," LXC was quick to assure, "A-Zhan's reaction was too odd, that's why. My apologies."

"I get it," WWX nodded. When LWJ shifted over him to glance up, his eyes were smiling. "I swear if I met someone so beautiful before, I'd remember! Forever!"

LXC laughed awkwardly as if to smooth over the situation they were in.

"So I couldnt have met him and forgotten him," WWX continued, his hand tracing those mind-numbing circles on LWJ's neck again. "We don't know each other, I just helped him once! This must be because of that."

LWJ closed his eyes, squeezing WWX as tight as he could until WWX let out a breathy "hrmh!" sound and stopped talking with LXC.

He had known. He had known that this all was too much, that it was too perfect. He got too happy to be able to keep it.

'We don't know each other'. Such an odd dream.

But just like LWJ had decided he could close his eyes to his rift with LXC, to LXC's husband, he could close his eyes to the reality.

Life had already smoothened off all of his edges until he no longer cut at every untruth nearby.

"I... suppose I wouldnt be able to pull him away," LXC sighed, "But if he goes into heat suddenly--"

"He just presented!" WWX protested.

"We can't know for sure," LXC said, final, "If anything happens, I'll call security to separate you. And if I have to go, you'll come along."

"Of course! Who do you take me for! I'm not some sleazy scum alpha," WWX huffed, "Right, Lan Zhan?"

LWJ nodded on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Lan Zhan."

LXC laughed again, this time more real. "I understand. Please forgive me for my overprotectiveness-- A-Zhan only just moved

out after university, and he was unpresented so late, for twenty three years. We honestly didnt think something like this would happen. I can't help but worry."

"Yeah, I get that," WWX murmured.

"Get some sleep, A-Zhan, WWX," LXC said, "I'll speak to the doctors."

"Well, it's been a long night," WWX said, very quietly, as if to himself. "Good night, Lan Zhan."

It really had been long. With out opening his eyes, LWJ curled closer and dug his fingers like claws into WWX, enveloped by the smell of his skin, LXC whispering to the side.

If this was all just a short, fevered dream...

Compared to a rented car alone with a driver he had barely spoken to, getting ready to finally allow the last standing wall of his justice collapse under JGY's hammer, LWJ wanted to die here in WWX's arms instead.

"Good night, Xiongzhang," He whispered.

LXC's smile was audible in his voice as he said, in between his conversation, "I'll see you in the morning."

LWJ hesitated. "Wei Ying," He said, even quieter, barely a breath, "See you in the morning."

LWJ woke up in the morning to a yellow ray of sunlight in his eyes, bundled up in the hospital blankets that still smelled of chilly snow and warm spice. He could hear his uncle's voice talking with LXC. His neck and abdomen still ached softly.

WWX was not there.

LWJ pushed himself on the bed, sitting up. He looked at the empty, sunlit hospital room around him. LQR's voice was rising behind the closed door, muffled, as he berated LXC for something.

So LWJ hadn't died.

"...you let some-- some strange alpha from the streets--!!"

@lwjrights ;) it's here!

LXC's voice answered, in that same soothing, cloying tone he adopted whenever he had to make peace between two irreconciable people. "A-Zhan was unconsolable, he needed his savior to stay for a while. His presentation was so difficult, I wouldnt want him to be traumatised--"

"That doesnt excuse me seeing some impertinent, lowbrow alpha parading out of his room! He's an unbonded omega now! You can't treat A-Zhan as a child forever!"

"That--" LXC's voice diminished, "That... ah, but--"

"What was he called? Wei Wuqian??"

"Wei Wuxian," LXC said, soft.

"Dont let him in again! We'll send him a few gifts in gratitude, but dont you dare let him near A-Zhan! What kind of an atrocious alpha agrees to stay in the same room as a vulnerable, newly presented omega they don't even know?!" LQR continued berating LXC, "That Wei Wuxian--"

LWJ continued staring down at his hands, folded on his lap under the morning sunlight. A droplet fell on them, then a few more, plip plip plip--

His chest rattling with the first clear, deep breath he had taken since he woke up, LWJ hurried to wipe the tears off his face.

He was still here. It hadnt been a passing dream.

Before that car crash, neither LQR nor LXC would ever speak of the name 'Wei Wuxian'. It had been a call for misfortune, a curse; around LWJ, who was grief-stricken and half mad, naming WWX was daring to face the consequences.

But here, in this strange place, where LXC rushed to the hospital for him, where LQR scolded LXC for not protecting his reputation, where WWX lived...

LWJ found that there was no sweeter thing to hear.

WWX lived. The how and the why did not matter. LWJ just needed to find him.

LWJ was discharged that day. He changed into the clothes his brother had brought him and followed them quietly to the car. LQR cleared his throat and congratulated LWJ on his presentation, before falling silent at the seat across them with a book to read while the driver drove.

Comparatively, LXC talked throughout of how LWJ would be staying at the family home until his body settled down, that he could resume his work for the family business, that his status as an omega would of course never be a barrier to his career-- not in their company.

LWJ listened obediently to all of this. When LXC was finally finished, having run out of things to say, he finally spoke up.

"Why did Wei Ying leave?" He asked.

"Uh," LXC said, "He... had some business."

"In the middle of the night."

"...yes."

LWJ looked at LXC. LXC sweated.

It must have been because of LQR's arrival, then. If LXC had asked WWX to leave, it meant that WWX did not necessarily want to leave.

LWJ tilted his head to LXC. "Where?" He asked.

"I don't know, A-Zhan. Probably to his home? You don't mean to go bother him after this, do you?"

Before LWJ could reply, LQR cleared his throat across from them. "The doctor recommended her colleague," He said, "A psychologist specialised in post-presentation health and trauma. A-Zhan is a bit older than their usual age-bracket but..."

"Oh that might be good!" LXC beamed.

LWJ hadnt even said anything before LQR gruffly told him to just think about it and went back to his book. LXC, too, immediately changed the subject and started talking about everything they could do at home instead.

It was as if they were afraid LWJ'd be offended by the offer.

Did they not remember LWJ's first on-and-off, then frequent patronage of his psychiatrist? It had been going on since he first quit his job at the family company--

LXC had mentioned that, hadn't he?

His job at the family business.

LWJ hadn't had one in more than eight years.

When they reached the family home, a sprawling traditional complex that LWJ refused to gaze too much at for fear of getting sick, the first thing LWJ did was hurry to his room and lock the door.

They were taught to avoid vanity, but also to look proper. So LWJ did own a mirror.

And he had never been more thankful for that full length mirror as he stood in front of it and gazed wide-eyed at his own reflection.

He thought that this did explain some things, at least.

Because he... he looked so young.

His face was unlined, still covered in a tiny bit of softness at the sides. His eyes were wider without exhaustion pulling them down. He had lost the excessive muscle mass he had gained at his late twenties, now leaner and fuller.

LWJ pulled a bundle of his hair over his shoulder, watching it spill down black and shiny all the way to his waist. He had cut it short when he he became vice-president, at age twenty five, after a huffed comment from a family elder. It had never gotten back to the way it was.

Numbly, he walked over to the nightstand where he had placed the phone LXC had given to him along with his clothes. He opened it and checked the date.

...he really was twenty-three again.

But he didnt understand one thing. LWJ, at twenty-three, had one single friend. Wei Ying.

LWJ had known WWX from highschool all the way to WWXs death. Not to mention how much LQR had used to complain about him, LXC himself had been the one to tease LWJ into finally allowing a friendship to sprout.

How could they not remember him?

How could LWJ be a stranger to him?

Unlocking the phone (the password hadnt been changed to tianzixiao after a coincidental dinner with WWX, and was still gentian97) LWJ opened up google.

He was twenty-three, so too should be WWX. Which mean that the Binding App that WWX had created at twenty should be--

0 results found.

LWJ stared at the screen with his breath caught in his throat.

Wei Wuxian.

0 results found.

Wei Ying.

0 results found.

Jiang family "Wei Wuxian".

0 results found. Search without quote marks?

Jin Zixun drunk fight "Wei Wuxian".

0 results found. Search w--

LWJ threw the phone aside. It struck the wall and fell down with a small crack.

Standing in the middle of the room, LWJ almost couldnt bear to hear himself, panting for breath like a maddened animal.

"A-Zhan?" A knock. "I heard a sound. Are you okay? Do you need anything?"

Forcing in a deep, shuddering breath, LWJ willed for his heart to calm down. "Xiongzhang," He called, as calm as he could force his voice to be, "Did you get Wei Ying's number?"

"A-Zhan, no," LXC sighed, "Of course I didnt. I was trying to save him from Shufu, I was a bit busy!"

LWJ went to open the door. LXC was standing there, watching him with worry.

"I wasnt even very successful!" He chuckled, clearly to lighten the air, "Shufu cornered him on the way out of the hospital. But he did manage to get away intact! Which is good enough, right?"

LWJ shook his head. "Do we not know him, Xiongzhang?"

"Wei Wuxian?" LXC asked, voice soft and confused, "I'd never seen him in my life before I met him in the hospital."

How could such a world be? LWJ didnt even remember what he was like, before WWX.

LWJ hadnt known he liked rabbits until WWX crowed excitedly that they were LWJ's favourite animal, when asked. LWJ hadnt known that he hated physics until WWX learned that LWJ studied it for two hours more than every other class. LWJ hadnt known his own hobbies, his own dreams,

how petty and vicious he could get, how low his alcohol tolerance was, how he so yearned for affectionate touch.

LWJ didnt know who he used to be before he was himself.

Going by how confused and out of sorts LXC seemed to be, LWJ guessed the answer was a very different person.

That evening, there was a silent meal with LQR and LXC and a whole lineup of distant relatives who had arrived to celebrate LWJs presentation. LWJ got through it blindly, already used to these cold celebrations of his success. Although, the subject matter was still very strange.

He was told to accept his courtesy name now that he had become an adult, which he did. He was told to serve tea to the elders who each nodded and handed a small present, solemnly praising his virtue, his beauty, his grace, his eligibility. LQR was nearly glowing with pride.

LWJ somehow managed to continue properly pouring tea until his third great-aunt, asked offhandedly about when exactly he was planning on marrying and bearing a child? After all, he had presented quite late and wasnt getting any younger!

Stunned, LWJ almost let the teapot slip.

"Third Aunt," LQR blurts out, clearing his throat, "Please. A-Zhan-- Wangji is not even being courted yet."

"Why not? He's the best omega I've seen since my wife passed away!" Third Aunt tutts, "Look how he pretty and virtuous he looks. Most kids these days don't even--"

Fifth Uncle, from next to her, interrupts her with a cough. "Aiyh Meiyi, stop that. It isnt Wangji's fault all those young alphas are after the vapid, brainless omegas. And Qiren hasnt even started looking for good alphas to match him."

"Qiren, you must hurry," Third Aunt said.

"My husband was only twenty when we had our youngest," Second Uncle, who had in the past grown three shades paler and shouted for fifteen entire minutes when he learnt that LWJ was gay, said with a nod. "Wangji might be too old to give birth to healthy children soon, Qiren!"

LWJ barely got through the celebration with his mind intact. When the evening ended and LXC saw him swaying towards his room, he even left LWJ with some kind words; saying that LWJ shouldnt yet worry about eligible alphas or giving birth, that he could just focus on his career.

His phone, with a crack on the corner, was still sitting on the floor.

Still not knowing what to think, LWJ closed the lights when curfew began and unlocked the screen to research.

When he searched the word 'omega' most answers seemed to be books, song names, movies.

But encyclopedias revealed other things. Secondary genders. Presentation, usually at late teens. Scent glands. Scenting. Mating.

Pregnancy, both for female omegas and males.

Hands shaky, LWJ watched his fifth video of an omega giving birth and crying as he was handed his baby.

When he came out of his fugue, it was already late at night-- not late enough to worry, for the LWJ who had given concerts at midnight and beyond, but late enough that this young, unaccostamed body was protesting.

Silently, LWJ closed his phone and got into the bed to sleep.

The next day, he woke up tired. It was late; seven am, nearing eight. LWJ got up and bathed, taking his time washing the long weight of his hair purely out of enjoyment, and dressed in the most formal suit he could find.

After a quick breakfast, he went outside.

He found one of the Lan family drivers and told her to please drive him to the main building of Cloud Co., not knowing whether that had changed places. Nodding, she opened the door for him and then entered herself, turning the keys with a quiet rumble of the entire car.

LWJ's entire body locked up from heel to head.

This was the first time LWJ was riding in a car alone with a driver, since the crash.

His heart was beating in his throat, up his mouth. He couldnt even imagine how far away the corporate building was. Hours, maybe, on the road.

Once they were inside traffic, they wouldnt be able to just pullover wherever they were.

The driver started the car, pulling out of the garage.

"Stop." LWJ ordered, hoarse, "Stop!"

The car stopped. The driver turned to look over her shoulder. "Sir? Is everything alright?"

"I changed my mind," LWJ told her, already getting out of the car, "I will go myself."

"But..." The driver hesitated, "It's quite far away. Will you be able to go alone on public transport, sir? Have you, uh... ever?"

LWJ had, in fact, used it often when he had only just left.

He didnt tell her that, though. "Please describe to me the way," He said.

Despite looking even more worried, she proceeded to tell him what lines to use, where to transfer, where to walk. It seemed that the company building was in the same place.

LWJ nodded in thanks and left.

Everything was fine until he reached the subway and everyone around him pulled on a facemask.

He didnt understand why until he entered the car, which was packed to the brim, and a terrible mix of a hundred scents surrounded him. Some flowers, fish, sharp mint and even... trash?

LWJ immediately covered his mouth and nose with his hand, stomach roiling in nausea. This was AWFUL. Had every passerby decided to roll around in various smelly piles? What was even happening? LWJ hated it here. He was going to brave the car ride instead.

Just when LWJ started thinking that he might actually throw up on the side of the subway car, an older woman approached him. "Did you forget yours?" She asked behind her mask, pulling out another. "Here. It'll smell like me but it'll be better than this whole thing, right?"

Unsure, LWJ took the mask and put it on. After so long nauseous, the smell of grass and yoghurt on the mask turned his stomach too. It also had a strange quality to it that raised LWJ's hackles, making him jittery in a bad way. It, oddly, made LWJ long for WWX's comforting smell.

"Sorry," The woman laughed, "I can't tell your smell in all this mess, but since I'm an unknown alpha, mine will probably bother you no matter, right? So if you think it's worse, just throw the mask away."

LWJ did not think it was worse. Presumably, nothing could be worse.

The moment he was out of there, though, he immediately bought himself a clean mask. Then he made his way to the company.

He was there by ten, and the receptionist let him know that his brother was just finishing up a meeting.

No matter. LWJ sat down at LXC's office and waited.

The moment LXC arrived at his office, he first wrinkled his nose. Then, when he spotted LWJ sitting primly on the chair in front of his desk, he let out a suprised smile. "A-Zh-- Wangji! What are you doing here?"

"I came to speak with you," LWJ said, nodding, "Please sit down."

"Of course!" LXC said, blinking as he sat down next to LWJ instead of at his seat behind the desk, "I... sorry, Wangji, what is that smell on you?"

LWJ tilted his head. "Public transport," He said.

"Huh? You used... why?" LXC asked.

"I wanted to," LWJ replied.

"You... wanted to," LXC said, though it sounded like a question.

"Xiongzhang," LWJ said, "I have a matter to discuss."

"Oh, right. Right," LXC smiled, "What could it be that brought my little brother all the way here on his leave?"

LWJ looked straight at him. "I'm quitting."

LXC's eyes widened. "Wangji," He said hesitantly, "If you... I can lengthen your sick leave! Right-- maybe you should take a break, or a vacation? This whole week has been stressful for you."

"No," LWJ said, "I do not want this job, Xiongzhang. I'm quitting."

"But-- but why?"

All at once, LXC looked so small, so young. LWJ was thirty three years old. LXC, twenty seven. He hadn't yet gone through the Lan family's fall and rise, through trying to calm the tensions between every major family and WWX, through LWJs betrayal.

He was so young.

Unwillingly, LWJ felt himself soften a bit. "Xiongzhang has always liked managing relations," He said, as gently as he could, "Helping something worthy grow bigger. The company is in good hands."

What LWJ didnt say was that, unlike LXC, LWJ had never liked those. Not once.

"Wangji," LXC said, sad and disbelieving, "You can't just quit! You don't have to be very good at it, we wouldnt fire you-- but if you quit, how will you earn money? You've earned your degree just for this! Why would you want to quit?"

LWJ shook his head.

He had hated this job so much that it had nearly killed him, last time. It had made him miserable, anxious out of his mind every time he had to wake up to go to work.

"Is this because of... of what the elders said?" LXC asked desperately, "Because you presented as an omega?"

Before LWJ could reply, LXC was talking again.

"You've barely started. I haven't even seen you in your office yet. Maybe you should just give it some time." He said, before admitting, "A-Zhan... if you quit, I can't keep you as my heir. Why don't you try another department?"

"I apologise," LWJ said, "I will not."

"Wangji..." LXC didnt seem to know what to say. "But then what will you do? Are you thinking of, um, becoming a househusband?"

LWJ blinked. He wasnt even dating, let alone married. Why was that LXC's first thought? It made no sense.

"I wish to pursue my music," LWJ said.

"Your music?" LXC seemed even more confused now. "But you havent written anything since highschool... And I don't think I've seen you play more than a few times this year."

"I wanted to," LWJ explained, voice soft, rotted, "But I couldnt."

In his previous life, LWJ had lost his ability to play the guqin so gradually that he himself had noticed too late, when he found he couldnt just force it back. It had only returned, just as slowly as, while he was all but in housearrest after he had quit and ran off to Yiling

for a month.

It had been quite a bit funny to him, when he realised that this skill that he had only regained due to his family's punishment was the same skill that would later allow him to break off completely.

He didnt want that, this time. Hadnt really wanted it then either.

"Okay," LXC said, quietly, perhaps seeing a certain emotion on LWJ's face, "Okay, of course, if that's what you want... A-Zhan, why don't you take some time off? You can slowly plan out your life, there's no rush!"

LWJ nodded, accepting his brother's goodwill. "Thank you."

Was there a rush? Yes.

LWJ was twenty eight when WWX died. He hadnt seen it happen-- had been half a world away at the time. So he didnt know how exactly it happened.

All he knew for sure was that it was caused, directly, by JGY.

He had never had enough proof. But that was fine. He didnt need to prove it. He didnt need revenge either.

All he needed, the one single thing, was for WWX to live comfortably, happily, and for JGY to stay as far away from his family as he could be sent.

After his resignation was finalised, LWJ wore his new mask and left for the city.

He would have to go home, eventually, but he wanted to delay it as much as he could. And more importantly, he had to find WWX. LXC had mentioned the street where LWJ presented-- that'd be a start.

So for the following days, LWJ woke up and cleaned himself up. Practiced with his guqin to get his softened hands to remember the notes. Ate. Left to search for WWX. Bore with grace the comments that if he wasn't going to be working, then he should agree to some blind dates.

He didnt agree to any blind dates. Especially not when he realised that being matched with young alpha heirs from respectable families meant that one of those arranged meetings might be Jin Zixun. Or Wen Chao, who should still be around at this time.

LQR, it seemed, was around every room LWJ went into. He had scolded LWJ for quitting so many times, in various different ways, that even he had gotten tired of it. Now he just stared at LWJ with helpless confusion.

LWJ carried him books and tea, obediently played any requested songs, made sure to let him know that he wasnt rebelling out of hate for his uncle-- hoping against hope this confusion wouldnt turn into frustration the way it had, before.

Even as LWJ refamiliarised himself with his guqin, with the compositions he had already written in another life, no one in the family seemed to be taking his change in career seriously. Music was an important aspect of the Lan life, but it was never considered a proper job.

Much like cooking, which every Lan child was required to learn even as the adults talked about cooks the same way they talked of drivers and secretaries; a necessary group of less elite people. Musicians, LWJ knew, were the same. It was shameful to sell your music, your emotions.

Most elders smiled a bit indulgently, trying to push a file on whichever new alpha 'theyd found to be worthy of him' over his guqin, while LQR gave him too many books about the corporate successes of omegas. All seemed intent on attributing LWJs change to his recent presentation.

LWJ didnt know how to correct them, so he didnt. He thought maybe this way they'd have an easier time.

Every day, his hands grew steadier, his notes clearer. The hopelessness in his heart seemed to rise with it, floodwater. He had started having nightmares again.

He couldnt find Wei Ying.

He couldnt find so much as a trace of his existence, beyond LQR and LXC having seen to him too.

Every day, LWJ went to that wide, busy street with its highend boutiques and lantern-lined noodle stalls. He stood there blankly, watching the crowds flow.

Beyond the muffling face mask, beyond the atrocious scent cloud formed by the ever-changing crowd, he seemed to catch a hint of that coldness, of that sweet and spice--

which had his heart slowing and muscles unwinding,

--but if he dared to look, LWJ never found anyone.

It had been a month since LWJ woke up in this strange world. WWX was somewhere, but LWJ couldnt even glance at him. WWX was somewhere, aware that LWJ was searching everywhere for him, and yet he played around with LWJ like this.

One MONTH. LWJ woke up angry, tired and achy.

He had had another nightmare. He couldnt even sleep properly. Knowing he was already out of time, too late, had been despair-- but knowing that time was running out burned like he was set on fire, blazing in place.

LWJ gritted his teeth as he went through his morning routine.

"Good morning," LXC said, smiling, drinking tea at the courtyard table, "How did you sleep?"

"Fine," LWJ snapped, pulling his hair in a low ponytail and walking out of the house. He had skipped guqin practice.

"Where are you going?" LXC asked after him, but he didnt answer.

At the street, crowded now with the morning work-goers, LWJ found the corner of the intersection where a bar and the lantern-decorated noodle store were. He patted down his coat, shaky with nerves, and stood there with the wind snatching at his coat, his hair.

The first tiny brush of WWX's scent --now all too familiar, near magnified after how long LWJ had chased after every trace of it-- came hours later.

It was muffled and blended in the crowd. LWJ couldn't pinpoint where it came from.

Frustrated beyond reason, LWJ held his ground.

Hours passed. At some point, LWJ ate noodles at the store and returned to his post. He caught WWX's scent lurking around twice more. He burned inside with every teasing flutter of snow and spice passing him by.

Night fell. The bar behind LWJ lit up in neons, the stall in red.

The crowd changed, at some point, from exhausted desk workers to laughing, swaying partygoers. The smell of alcohol was so common that it enveloped LWJ. And from amongst it, like a hesitant step towards him, that beloved smell.

LWJ ripped off his face mask and took in a breath.

His stomach turned, instantly. Everything smelled of-- too much. Too sharp, too greasy, too sour.

But LWJ ignored all that to turn around and shove his hand unerringly into the crowd, making two people scream and clasping firmly onto a clothed wrist.

LWJ tugged it to himself.

"Wh-wha-- LAN ZHAN!!" WWX was pulled out yelping and stumbling from the crowd like a prized fish from the sea.

He fought to tug his hand free, while LWJ grasped onto his other arm as well and started dragging him over to the sidewalk. WWX struggled in his hold, breaking LWJ's balance. LWJ, at the last moment, grabbed onto WWX's shoulder. They both fell, still struggling, to the ground.

"Lan ZHAN!" WWX growled, frustrated, and pushed LWJ down from where he was trying to catch hold of him. "What are you--"

From around them, a commotion began. "Whoa buddy! What do you think you're doing there?" Someone demanded.

In WWX's distraction, LWJ turned them around and

slammed him down, keeping him pinned under himself.

"Excuse me," Someone said, reaching a hand to LWJ's shoulder, "Is that alpha bothering you?"

"Back off!" LWJ hissed over his shoulder, throwing WWX back down by the shoulders when he tried to get up. "Leave!"

"Man, sorry, fine! Leaving now."

LWJ's sight fell back to WWX who was now motionless underneath him, illuminated by the neon colours and red lights, looking up at him over his mask.

"Lan Zhan..?" WWX asked, watching LWJ pant onto his chest, bowed down, "Are you... okay?"

"No," LWJ declared, holding tightly onto WWX's shoulders as he tried to get a hold of himself. Bent this close, he could only smell WWX's soothing scent. Breathing it in calmed his stomach, cooled the rushing heat under his skin, LWJ wanted to bury his face under WWX's clothes.

Slowly, WWX sniffed the air. His eyes widened. "Lan Zhan you--" He started struggling once again.

Seeing as holding him down was too hard right now, LWJ straddled him instead, tucking his face into WWX's neck.

"Lan Zhan!" WWX stammered, voice hushed, "You're-- you're in heat."

((I sleep :D With how often I use heat as a plot point, lots of people guessed it lol! But JieJie_AiNi gave the sudden heat idea this time so she gets 3 cookies! Everybody else gets 1 cookie of choice. See you soon! To the top: ))

https://twitter.com/enigmatree/status/1461359401617424385?s=20

"Oh," LWJ breathed into the fabric of WWXs jacket. So was that what this maddening itch under his skin was? How strange. No wonder the urge to dig into WWX's chest and curl up inside him was stronger today.

"Ah, don't be embarassed!" WWX soothed, "Don't be embrassed. It's okay."

He hurriedly tugged at LWJ who didnt resist in consideration of the fact that WWX wasnt trying to run away. When he swayed as he was pulled to his feet, WWX grabbed him by the arms.

Just two hands holding him, firm, and LWJ felt the untethered flutter in his belly dissolve away.

"Okay, okay, just let me call a cab." WWX pulled him over the street to a more secluded spot at the sidewalk. "It happens to everyone! Don't worry about it, okay?"

LWJ didnt say anything, just watching his eyes.

WWX's grin softened a bit. "Okay," He said to himself.

WWX leant back to dig out his phone, letting go of LWJ, and LWJ leant forward to clench fistfulls of his jacket, unwilling to let go of him. WWX blinked at him, awkward and confused, but then he just held his phone inside the limited space between LWJs arms instead of commenting.

Having WWX in his arms, pressed against a wall in the shadows of the tiny alcove WWX had found among the street's blinding nightlife, LWJ finally felt satisfied. He dropped his head onto WWX's shoulder and breathed out.

"Lan Zhan?" WWX asked. LWJ glanced up at him from the side.

"Everything alright?" WWX asked, and he continued hurriedly; "The cab will be here in a minute, then we'll go to your home right away. Do you need anything before that?"

LWJ's next breath caught in his chest.

WWX was coming to the mansion with him? After all this time...

But no. The WWX who had so vehemently refused to take a single step into LWJ's family home wasnt this WWX. And the LWJ who had so desperately believed he'd be saved once there was also not this LWJ.

That LWJ had already died twice; once with WWX, and then through NHS's schemes.

"No."

"What?" WWX asked, befuddled.

"No," LWJ repeated, pulling back to look into WWX's eyes. "We won't."

"...what?" WWX couldnt seem to understand. "Of course we will! Where else would we go? You need to go home, you're in heat!"

LWJ shook his head. "I won't go home."

"Lan Zhan you--" WWX's face was lit blue from the phone screen and he glanced at it to see the notification. He turned it towards LWJ. "Look the cab is already here! I'll take you to your home, you'll feel much better there."

LWJ grabbed his waist, holding tight. "To your home."

"To my-- my-- Lan Zhan!" WWX spluttered, trying to pull away. Even in the pale light of the screen and the city life nearby, his face looked pink, shocked. "You want to go to my house? Are you insane?! Be reasonable, Lan Zhan, you can't just go to a--"

LWJ refused to listen.

"What's your adress?" He demanded, checking the message from the cab calling app on WWX's screen and pulling him towards the cab by his wrist.

WWX's eyes were the size of dinner plates as he stumbled through the street after him. "We-- you can't-- I have to take you to your--"

LWJ stopped and turned around on the sidewalk so suddenly that WWX almost bumped into him, barely stopping in place when they were nose to nose. "Wei Ying," LWJ said, voice clear, slow, "What is your adress?"

Flustered, face flushed, WWX ended up rattling off an adress.

LWJ nodded and went back to pulling WWX to the cab.

"Lan Zhan?" WWX said, as LWJ walked through the crowds with his forearm pressed to his nose and mouth, "Lan Zhan!"

LWJ looked back at him. WWX came near him with a sweet smile on his face, pulling LWJ's hand off his wrist.

"Don't be like this, Lan Zhan!" He said, soft, very obviously coaxing LWJ, "You can't come to my house, it's so tiny. And it's all a mess. There's nothing clean to nest with! If anyone hears you stayed at an alpha's house during your heat, your reputation will go down the drain."

Throughout his speech, LWJ looked at him. So he changed tactics? Good. So be it. LWJ did not care about any of those at all.

WWX must have noticed that his words weren't affecting LWJ, because he exclaimed, "Lan Zhan you can't actually not care. Your family would be so mad!"

((gotta take 30 mins to walk the dog, be back soon!))

His family? They would indeed be mad. LWJ turned around and kept walking, hearing WWX scramble after him. The cab --with the plate number from WWX's message-- was right ahead.

"You really don't care?" WWX yelled after him, "You're not even going to listen to your family?"

LWJ didnt think that was a question that needed to be answered. He stepped towards the cab's back door, intending to open it and enter.

Instead, he was turned roughly around and pressed back against it, strong hands holding his wrists. WWX's shadowed face looked cold above him.

"An omega in heat, so desperate to get into my house," WWX whispered, his voice carrying an echo of the cruelty he had so often been capable of inflicting on LWJ, in that future. "I understand now. This is what you want right, Lan Wangji?"

The tone was so jarringly familiar that LWJ didnt even notice anything wrong with the words.

WWX yanked LWJ's wrists above his head to hold them in one hand, brushing his other palm against the side of LWJ's neck. LWJ shuddered and shifted, his neck so unexpectedly sensitive.

"You want an alpha to fuck you," WWX said, like a warning. An offer. "Is that what you want?"

LWJ froze in place, dazed as he looked at WWX. He was bending LWJ against a car, hands on his wrists, his neck, so obviously suggestive.

WWX was straight. When LWJ had finally broken and confessed he had been repulsed. He had yelled at LWJ to get the fuck out.

WWX was straight.

WWX was a straight alpha and LWJ was an omega.

When LWJ woke up from his daze, WWX was still pressing him down, still suggestive, still standing between LWJ's legs. The crooked, self-satisfied smirk on his face was infuriating.

Breathing lightly, LWJ spread his legs a bit more.

If it could be-- then it should be, shouldnt it? If LWJ was allowed to receive the chance, he would never squander it. He would cherish it.

WWX's mouth dropped in shock. "Lan Zh--"

BEEP!!

They startled apart, both flushed. The driver was glaring at them through the window.

"I am NOT being paid enough for this!" She grumbled at them, "Either get in and tell me where to go, or go get a room somewhere!"

Swallowing once, LWJ brushed a hand over his wrist --bruised, a little-- and leant down to open the door, sliding into the car. He glanced at WWX.

Carrying a pinched, complicated expression, WWX followed him in. He sat almost at the edge of the seat, despite his earlier claims, and didnt come closer to LWJ. When he closed the door, the car lights turned off.

"If you fuck in there, I WILL throw you out," The driver warned.

WWX's strange expression was wiped away by dramatic offense at that. Before he could protest her words though, she demanded, "Where?"

Trying to keep his voice still and even, LWJ told her the address WWX had given him. The car started with a rumble, joining into the traffic.

The driver didnt speak, but she did increase the radio's volume. LWJ leant back on the seat. The car smelled like car and perfume and people and, faintly now, WWX. But how could that be enought? The boiling inside LWJ wouldnt be satisfied unless he drowned himself in WWX's scent.

Without any fanfare, LWJ clambered over to WWX where he had sat on the far corner and tucked himself into the spaces left by his jacket, face finally pressed into the bare skin of his neck.

In a single breath, this new, tautly-wound and scent-obsessed body of his gave into WWX.

His entire weight collapsed onto WWX as LWJ found his muscles lost to his control, his head held by WWX's shoulder, eyes covered from the passing lights of buildings by the crook there.

Amid the crackling, indistinguishable droning of the radio on tea prices, WWX sighed quietly.

"Lan Zhan," He whispered, "What are you doing?"

Closest, LWJ's fingertips found WWX's thigh. "What you said," LWJ said into WWX's skin.

"Don't say what I said," WWX said, covering his face with a hand, "I thought you'd-- clearly I don't even know what I'm saying as I say it!"

LWJ froze, muscles tightening back straight. He hated it when WWX did this. This-- surprise reveal, this wrap-up of a performance. LWJ was that idiot who fell for them each time.

He pulled back a little, heart clamouring in his throat. "You don't actually want me," He said.

"No, I..."

A performance. For what? Did WWX think it would disgust LWJ? Scare him? Send him home?

LWJ almost wanted to smile. The LWJ that WWX held in his mind was incomparably pure, righteous. Unblemished by any ugly desires. It couldnt have been further from the real one.

"Lan Zhan--" When LWJ pulled back, WWX moved forward, "That's not it! I meant..." His face turned frustrated, struggling to speak, "Who wouldn't want you? They must be crazy! But I..."

"Wei Ying," LWJ said, eyes steady on WWX as his heart shuddered in pain. "Don't play around."

Hearing those words out loud, even he found himself a little ridiculous. He really said it so well, didnt he? As if should WWX want to play around, he wouldnt be helpless to do anything but let him.

LWJ closed his eyes. Sat back. "I won't go home," He repeated.

Just as he was about to turn around, a warm body sudenly crowded against his. A hand touched his jaw lightly, lips pressed against his own, soft and insistent. The smell of snow and spice and chocolate enveloped him.

"Mh--" LWJ let out against those lips, his eyes snapping open.

So near, WWX's face was magnified. His eyes were open just the tiniest sliver, as if to make sure he could see, and his brows were furrowed. LWJ had never thought he'd ever see such an expression on him.

LWJ pulled away to take a breath, to speak, but WWX leant back in again.

Unbalanced as they were, WWX ended up toppling him down, pinning him on the car seat with his own body. When his tongue touched LWJ's lips, LWJ couldnt hold back anymore and pulled him close by the waist, grip steel tight as he licked into LWJ's mouth, trying to devour his soul.

His hand slid from LWJ's jaw to his nape, burning on his skin, like an incessant nail scratching the nerves that were already so wired on his neck. LWJ couldnt stop shivering with that hand moving there, his body a live string vibrating, unable to contain the sounds within.

His body hadn't felt hot before, compared to the heat now. He hooked his leg over WWX's knee and dug his fingers into the meat of his waist, just to hold on. The arousal was almost painful.

LWJ pulled back and gasped for breath. His-- down in his pants-- why did it feel wet?

Before LWJ could figure it out, there was a loud braking sound and the car stopped at the side of a solitary road.

He glanced past WWX to see the driver thunk her head onto the steering wheel. "I fucking hate young couples," She hissed, "Out! OUT! Don't pay me, just leave!"

They were summarily kicked out of the car, WWX whispering shaky apologies and promises to pay anyways.

Then, as the cab sped away from them, WWX turned to LWJ with an awkward, brilliant grin. "Come on, my place is close by, we can walk," He said, tugging LWJ's hand. "Let's go?"

LWJ looked at where WWX had his hand wrapped gently around LWJ's fingers, such a light hold of LWJ's hand, compared to how he had been making out with LWJ just now.

What was want? Wasnt it the way WWX had kissed him? Wasnt it this question of a hand holding? Was this want?

WWX really did want him.

To LWJ, this kind of lovingly-dishevelled, wry-grinned WWX waiting for him below the dim streetlights, holding out his hand, wanting LWJ, wanting him this way, any way, even if it was without a shred of emotion, was worth every grievance of his past.

LWJ's heart lifted, and he carefully squeezed his fingers around WWX's palm. "Mn," He said, "Let's go."

WWX beamed at him, still faintly breathless. Flush high on his cheekbones. Jacket half fallen off one shoulder. He was lovely.

How could it not be worth it?

((I sleeeeep <3 feel free to continue to tell me anything you wanna see happening in this story, for inspiration! To the top: ))

https://twitter.com/enigmatree/status/1461359401617424385?s=20

The road to WWX's home passed in a rushed daze, and by the time WWX had turned the keys in the door with a click and pushed it open, LWJ was sweating underneath his shirt. He thought that his underwear was probably soaked, but didnt dare think about the state of his pants.

In his last life, he had genuinely never had any reason to wonder about the idea of anyone becoming wet. Especially not himself.

But thinking about it, since omegas could give birth, LWJ may have been too naive in not considering what other abilities they had.

"Come on in, ignore the mess!" WWX muttered, leading him through the stranded pieces of clothes and books and other odds; an umbrella, a bowl of keys on the floor, a pair of mismatched, wornout slippers thrown aside.

LWJ took in everything, hungry for each piece of WWX's life.

"The bedroom is worse," WWX laughed, standing at the door of the livingroom, "Just wait a bit over there, and I'll get it cleaner okay? You can use the bed to nest in afterwards."

Taking LWJ's silence as agreement, WWX went into the hall.

LWJ followed after him.

"Lan Zhan!"

LWJ stopped behind him as WWX turned around, an exasperated look on his face. "Hm?" LWJ asked.

"What 'hm?'! Didnt I just say wait?" WWX huffed, hands on his hips, "Why are you following? I told you I'll go clean it up! Do you want to see my mess?"

LWJ blinked, confused. "Yes."

When the hall fell silent for a few seconds too long, LWJ noticed the off look on WWX's face. Thinking that he had been too unclear, LWJ spoke again. "Of course."

"You... Unreasonable!" WWX puffed into a litany of complaints, turning around to march to the room, "Ridiculous! We

only met once before! And you were unconscious! Unbelievable! Why did you decide to get like this? How could you be this way? Too forward! Improper!"

LWJ raised a brow. Hypocrite.

"Just where did you learn to tease people like so," WWX muttered quietly as he went past the door.

Before LWJ could say anything --because he truly didnt know to tease, it was WWX who played with emotions so very easily-- WWX had already dived into the room to turn on a nightlight and gather dirty laundry in his arms. "Just wait over there! Do you need anything for your nest?"

When LWJ didnt answer, WWX paused to look up at him, a heap of clothes held to his chest.

"Lan Zhan?"

LWJ bit the inside of his cheek to avoid glancing away. "Don't know."

WWX looked at him, blank. "Huh?"

"I don't know," LWJ forced himself to admit. "I've never..."

Even if the LWJ who had lived in this world all of his life had known that, before, this LWJ didnt. He had only read briefly on omegas. He didnt know how to build a nest. Didnt know why he must.

But if WWX asked why he didnt know, how would LWJ explain? His heart raced silently.

"You've never built nests with your brother?! How did you two live your childhood!" WWX excaimed, dropping the laundry on the floor to bound towards LWJ, "You never slept in a nest with friends? Don't tell me the Lan family forbids children from playing with a nest! That's--"

LWJ didnt know the answer, so he didnt speak. WWX cut himself off to grab LWJ's two hands in his own palms, pulling him into the bedroom in two big steps backwards.

"That's not good," WWX huffed, a frown on his face, "You'll be uncomfortable without a nest! But I'll teach you."

LWJ felt himself soften, looking at those hands cradling his own. He followed obediently as WWX tugged him towards the bed.

"Just get in and think of how you want to pile up blankets and pillows," WWX told, pushing him onto the bed, "I'll bring you whatever you want to add!"

"Pile up?" LWJ asked, sitting on the bed.

"Uhh, we can make a border? Or pull up a roof!" WWX seemed to think hard, "Some people apparently just like it in a heap, that's fine too. Whatever you want!"

LWJ anxiously grasped the bed sheet. New skills were difficult to do so fast.

Within a minute, WWX had ran around enough to bring LWJ a veritable mountain of clean pillows and sheets. "I have a lot of people staying over," He laughed, embarassed, as LWJ watched, "It's rude to hand them scented blankets! I have a cupboard FULL of these, so don't hold back!"

"Oh damn I forgot to change the sheets!" WWX let out, then, suddenly realising, "Why didnt you tell me? Get off, I'll change it! You don't want to make a nest over my scent do you?"

At the thought, LWJ's shoulders slowly unwinded. A pile of blankets on a bed that smelled of WWX.

Suddenly, he seemed to understand what was meant by 'nest'.

He would build up a tiny house made of soft things, filled with the smell of those he loved, and cocoon WWX and himself inside it, safe and hidden. LWJ looked at the heap of pillows and saw them in a wholly new light.

"Yes," He said, turning a soft look at WWX, "I want to."

WWX was so startled he dropped the next stack of blankets. "It will be too hard to change it later! You really think my scent won't bother you? You've only known me for a month!"

LWJ hummed, "No."

"If you're sure..."

The actual building of the nest took more than an hour as LWJ nitpicked with a vehemence that surprised himself while WWX ran around trying to please him. LWJ had never been particularly picky. He hadnt thought a mere wrinkled corner could ever bother him so much, before.

After it was done, though --a raised circular border filled with pillows, blankets and a heavy duvet-- the sheer pleasure being in it brought LWJ was comparable to prescription-level sedatives. He couldnt help curling into the pillows, duvet pulled over him, practically boneless.

Everything smelled like WWX and his own clothes. It was warm and soft. WWX was sitting at the edge of the bed, watching from above.

Nevermind. LWJ understood the purpose of nests now. He was never going to be depressed ever again.

"Well someone sure looks happy," WWX laughed.

Now reminded, LWJ reluctantly pushed himself up from the nest and wound his arms around WWX. "Lan Zhan--?" WWX yelped before he was lifted up and dropped into the nest, and LWJ covered both of them in the duvet.

He wrapped himself around WWX. WWX's heartbeat echoed in his ears.

It was rapid at first, fluttering nervously past LWJ's ears, but then it slowly eased, turning into a calm, steady beat. WWX's hand went up to pet LWJ's hair, tangling his fingers through the mussed up ponytail.

"We're dirty," He whispered, "We're gonna have to leave to clean."

"No," LWJ said, voice muffled into WWX's hair where he had caught him like a starfish around prey.

"Lan /Zhan/," WWX laughed, "YOU don't care about being dirty? Isnt it bothering you?"

The discomfort was nothing, nothing at all. "No," LWJ said, holding WWX tighter, "No moving."

WWX didnt move.

Before too long, in the near darkness and the warmth of the nest, his heartbeats started slowing even further-- as if the steadiness from before had been a tense normal that had to be broken through to reach true relaxation. He smelled less sharp. More mellow.

LWJ soon found himself being lulled by him, his eyes closing, darkness washing him away like tidal water. He was already exhausted, from the difficult day, from the long month. He fell asleep.

For the first time in so long, he didnt have any nightmares.

When he woke back up, the room was lit grey from the bleak dawn light behind the curtains. WWX was asleep on his arm, each inhale an almost inaudible snore, his short hair sticking everywhere. His breaths over LWJ's bared collar tickled.

Suddenly, the discomfort was everything.

Itchy and aching and almost violently aroused, LWJ struggled on the bed to tug his uncomfortably sticky pants and underwear off. WWX shifted away as LWJ fought against his own clothes. Even being naked couldnt cool the bone-deep fever inside him.

"Mh, wha're you..?" WWX mumbled.

After hurrying to rip off his shirt, the final article of clothing on him, LWJ found himself face to face with WWX's half-lidded and sleep soft eyes, his cheeks plastered with messy hair, his lower morning voice. "Lan Zhan..?"

LWJ's mouth dried altogether. His heart thundered.

Before he knew it, LWJ had rolled WWX under him, pressing him down, pressing kisses to his lips. His entire body was strung up, desperate.

"Lan--" WWX started, before he was smothered by another kiss, "Lan," kiss, "Zhan," kiss, "Wait, you--" kiss, "Mhaha, hey!" kiss, "Lan Zh--"

"Wei YING," LWJ said, unable to understand why WWX wouldnt stop talking. LWJ was so desperate he was trembling above him, half a step from pleading outright, and WWX was trying to have a CONVERSATION.

"Mm, okay, you want something from me, hm?" WWX laughed when LWJ pulled back.

Since WWX wanted to keep talking nonsense, LWJ dove back to kiss him senseless. WWX tried to talk again, but LWJ licked past his teeth, sucked at his lips, nipped until WWX shivered underneath him. "Wei Ying," He panted in between, "Wei Ying. Wei Ying."

Finally realising that he couldnt speak like that, WWX's hands pulled LWJ off by a grasp of his hair, separating their lips. The sting tingled all across his scalp. LWJ couldnt lean back down, head pulled back as it was.

A low, wounded keen slipped past LWJ's throat. He flushed.

WWX didnt speak, for once, looking breathlessly up at LWJ's embrassed, lust-broken face with those same awed, fascinated eyes of the highschooler who had snuck porn into LWJ's school project just to watch LWJ yell at him.

He never changed, did he?

This WWX, that WWX, the older, the younger. All of them-- he refused to be satisfied until LWJ was so beyond desperation he couldnt even act like a dignified human being anymore. LWJ preemptively stopped resisting the urge to grind down on WWX's lap like an animal.

He rolled his hips and WWX sucked in a breath. He relased LWJ's hair to pet through it, shaky but gentle. "You want me to fuck you?" WWX said, "You do? Tell me."

LWJ shuddered, the light touch brushing across his skin more vibrant than any pain. Yes he wanted. Of course he did.

"Tell me, tell me, Lan Zhan--"

"Yes."

In an instant, WWX was pushing at his waist and grabbing his thigh, flipping them around by LWJ's own toppled center of gravity. LWJ's back hit the soft nest with WWX holding up his leg.

"Great!" WWX grinned, cat smug. LWJ loved him so.

Hooking the leg in his hand over his shoulder, WWX absently rubbed his palm over LWJ's bare thigh as he leant forward. His eyes moved over the rest, a true hunger in his gaze. LWJ felt nearly insane with desire, with self-satisfaction; he was so wet it could be smelled.

WWX's grin grew ravenous, clearly able to smell it as well. Unable to take the wait anymore, LWJ kicked at his back to force him down and started tugging at his pants the moment he was in reach.

"Ah ah, impatient!" WWX chuckled as he was freed of pants.

"Wei Ying," LWJ growled.

The moment his clothes were pulled off --but not thrown far, bc LWJ couldnt bear to, for some reason-- WWX pushed LWJ down with a hand under his raised knee.

"Lan Zhan, look," WWX said, sounding a little impatient himself, and fingers slipped across LWJ's ass, "You're so wet."

((😌sleep))