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Chapter Text

Lan Wangji hated working with other triads. He understood the necessity in theory. There were generations of alliances to uphold and respect. The 5 Great Clans had always worked to peacefully resolve territory and other disputes. There were balls and parties meant for the younger generation to mingle and tie them all together as a united front. That was fine.

Fine for Lan Xichen, that is.

Zewu-jun was known as a sociable and likable person. A great continuation of the righteous Lans that called Gusu their home. He was great with politics and had friends in nearly all the other clans, great and lesser. The Wens were an exception to the rule, but when were they not in recent years?

Lan Wangji was best suited to the inner workings of the Lan. He took care of training new recruits, organizing security and missions, and much of the 'dirty work,' as his juniors referred to it. He would agree, of course. There was nothing clean about violence and torture. It was a bloody business and while he hated being uncleanly, he had to admit he enjoyed his work.

He did not enjoy his brother's work. So when Wen Chao organized a meeting between him and Lan Xichen while the latter was a continent away, Lan Wangji was not amused. Even less so when the meeting was taking place in Qishan's red light district. The thumping music and flashing lights of the... business of ill repute already set him in an irate mood. Even with molded earplugs, he could hear too much noise, could feel the vibrations pushing against his lungs. Lan Wangji understood that most people did not feel the world like he did, but even still, how could anyone enjoy this?

"Hanguang-jun! Come here, take a seat!"

Lan Wangji didn't even try to hide his glare. He was here to keep the peace, but that didn't mean he had to mask his irritation.

Wen Chao smirked at him and motioned to the open space on the circular booth. It was another jab at him. A booth was perfectly comfortable for a hybrid with either no tail, or a smaller tail like the Wen foxes. It was downright terrible for a thick dragon's tail.

Still, he slid on the cheap pleather and settled on letting his tail stretch out on the booth. Lan Wangji told himself not to feel any kind of satisfaction over the large amount of territory he was now taking up, nor the scowl Wen Chao threw on when he realized the same. The constant flashes of colored lights made it easy not to focus on it.

Lan Wangji wanted to ask what this meeting was even for, but yelling over the music was a pain. Instead, he sat primly, back straight and shoulders wide, ready for whatever game the idiot had planned.

Wen Chao yelled again, waving over a waiter, "You should loosen up a little! Have some drinks."

He shook his head minutely and tried to find anything worthwhile to stare at. There were omegas of various species waltzing around. All were clad in little more than underwear, even the ones who seemed to be patrons instead of workers. Not that the alphas or betas were any better.

He could smell the synthetic alpha pheromones wafting off of drunk betas trying to get laid. They were by far the best prey for the workers. Not many patron omegas would want to sleep with them. He imagined many betas would wake up in the morning to find their tab was far more than expected.

Then, there were the alphas. All peacocking with bare chests and tight pants, anything to show off their muscle and let free their scent. The scents all mixed horrendously and he was glad they were at least in a corner.

Lan Wangji managed to order water before the waiter, a young, perhaps too young, calico omega, spun on the ball of one foot and prowled away. He barely glanced at her before turning back to Wen Chao.

"See any you like? I can get you a couple hours for free," he offered, already knowing to answer.

Lan Wangji let an aggressive huff out through his nose. Just a bit of smoke to warn Wen Chao of his mood.

"Fucking prude," he growled and knocked back the last of his drink, "You're just as horny as the rest of us under all those stupid rules. Lighten up and pick a couple."

Wen Chao grinned and waved over a ferret woman, "Jiao Jiao!"

The woman scampered right over and dropped herself in his lap, "How is my Chao Chao doing?"

"Better now that you're here," he nipped at her bare collarbone as she giggled.

Lan Wangji suppressed his groan and instead opted for a mood killer, "How is your wife?"

The women stiffened and squeaked at the comment, glaring daggers. Wen Chao growled but otherwise did much the same. He hoped that it would kill any erection that was forming. At least until he left.

"Is this how the Lan treat their elders?!"

"I am always ready to leave if my presence is not appreciated. I was under the impression you needed something."

Wen Chao rolled his eyes and tossed a folder over the table, "We found Lans trying to control our territory. Care to explain that?"

Lan Wangji glanced at the papers that had fallen out over the table. There were pictures and reports of Lan members encroaching on Dafan District. He remembered the supposed incident differently.

"I was unaware Dafan Hospital was no longer neutral ground."

"It's DafanWen," he sneered, "Our people, our resources. We know we have the best and we know you're dying to poach them. Fuck off."

Lan Wangji felt a knot form in his back. Whether it was from the uncomfortable sitting arrangement or dealing with the most arrogant and moronic of all the heirs, he couldn't be sure.

He left the papers as they were and slid back out the way he came, not seeing any more reason to speak. This was obviously a matter that would need to be brought up at the next inter clan meeting. Calling him here was a flex of power bordering on insult. Not that anything would come of it. Lan dragons had rules. They could not start a clan war for every infraction against them. There would be no other clans left, and the Lans couldn't be expected to run an entire continent's worth of criminals.

"Where the fuck are you going? I didn't say I was done!"

Lan Wangji turned back to him and gave a shallow bow, "Any redrawing of territory, neutral or otherwise, needs to be discussed at an inter clan meeting. I will ensure my people refrain from using the facility in the meantime."

Lan Wangji turned again and this time ignored the calls to return to his seat. He had enough of this farce of a meeting. He was an alpha much stronger than Wen Chao and had earned the respect people gave him. He didn't demand respect any other way than through worth. Wen Chao was a disgusting mongrel of the once distinguished Wen foxes. He was no one to Lan Wangji and wouldn't even be given the time of day if it weren't in the name of continued peace.

He kept telling himself it was for the greater good while the hungry dragon in him prayed for Wen Ruohan to step just a bit too far out of his place. His clan could cut the head off the problem in a mere 24 hours as soon as that happened.

Lan Wangji had nearly made it out when a sweet scent slithered in between the alcohol and sweat. His instincts made him take a deep breath, despite his want to flee from the cloying scents around him. His nose picked out the hints of lotus and spice. Like a calm summer's night by the docks. The light hints of sugar reminded him of the yearly festivals held by the river, sweet tanghulu and a fresh breeze over the water.

"Excuse me, handsome!"

Lan Wangji snapped his attention to a bunny squeezing by him. He was carefully balancing a tray of drinks and winked as he passed by. Definitely a worker here, and appropriately dressed in a sleeveless black leotard and red thigh high tights. He knew the bunny was in heels from the continued clicking of plastic on sticky floors, but he was already beyond caring.

It was instinct that made him reach out and grab the omega's free arm, skin incredibly soft under his calloused fingers. Impossibly so, he would have thought before feeling it. Were prey omegas always so soft? So vulnerable? It was suddenly little wonder why so many preferred them.

The bunny turned slightly and smiled cutely, "Can I help you, Alpha?"

Suddenly the knot in his back wasn't the only stiff thing on his body. He couldn't control the low growl and the bunny's smile only widened at the admittance of his attraction.

Lan Wangji looked him over more closely. His hair was in a high ponytail and had all the bounce of a slinky mid motion down the stairs. Soft black waves swayed slightly with the tilt of his head. Big doe eyes searched his face as thin, pink lips began to pout. The need to bite those lips red and puffy burned through him.

He barely got a glimpse at one light brown nipple peeking out from behind the too loose leotard top, but it was enough to give him vivid dreams. He wondered if the soft and tanned skin would melt in the heat of his mouth. He could almost taste the sweat on his tongue, hear the broken moan as he suckled the bunny's breast.

His gaze scraped lower. It was no surprise the top was a tad ill fitted. It wrapped perfectly around his small waist, but the edges dug into the fat of his ass. The outfit was clearly meant for more of an hourglass shape, but his pear body looked utterly delectable anyway. His thick thighs were begging to be bit and spread open. He'd have to spread them wide to get a good look because he had the opposite of a thigh gap. Lan Wangji just knew he was flexible enough to handle it.

"Mr. Dragon?" he cooed, "Can I get you anything? I really have to deliver these drinks..."

Lan Wangji flicked his tail in annoyance. What was he doing just staring at the omega and holding him hostage? He needed to let go and come back another time to take his omega away. He needed to mark him.

If he got permission, that is.

It was rare to find a non-dragon that was aware of their mating rituals. More likely than not, he would have to court him with gifts and food instead. Still, he began to dig his nails in, just enough to state his intentions.

Lan Wangji expected the omega to try and pull back, maybe hiss or yell at him for the stinging pain. What did not expect was for the omega to suck in a breath and meet his eyes. There was no fear or anger in his eyes, just a question that quickly gave way to acceptance. He bowed his head and relaxed his arm.

He gave permission. This bunny gave permission to mark him, to hunt and chase him. He knew.

Lan Wangji broke his skin with his nails. Relishing the low hiss the bunny voiced. Then, he pulled away and sniffed his blood covered fingertips. The smell was divine, a more potent version of the omega’s natural scent. He’d be able to track it easily now, so long as the wound he left didn’t heal.

The bunny took a step away and licked his lips, “If it’s bunnies you’re after, we have a few hanging around. I’m afraid I’m off the table.”

Lan Wangji glared hard. He hadn’t misunderstood, had he? The omega let him mark his arm. He hadn’t even mentioned it after he pulled away. What was he playing at?

The bunny glanced to the side. Lan Wangji followed his lead and saw Wen Xu drinking his fill across the floor.

“You see, I’m Wen Xu’s bitch, so you’ll have to choose someone else to accompany you tonight. I hope you have a very pleasurable stay!”

With that, he bounded off towards Wen Xu’s table, setting the tray down and sitting primly on his lap. They had some sort of exchange that left Wen Xu angry and the bunny pouting and dabbing a napkin on his wound. It was clear Wen Xu had no idea what had happened.

It appeared his bunny wasn’t only beautiful, but also very clever.

You’ll have to get through the Wens to have me.

He watched until Wen Xu forced the bunny under the table. If he watched any further he would not only break the 24 hour head start his bunny got, he would also start a war without some needed preparations.

Lan Wangji wiped his fingers clean on a handkerchief and finally left the damn place. The air outside was cool and crisp, a nice refresher from the damp interior. He waited only a couple seconds before his driver pulled up to him. In the privacy of the backseat of his car, he called up his Uncle.

“Wangji.”

“Uncle,” he murmured, “Wen Xu has mistreated someone I want.”

The call ended after an affirmative hum.

Chapter Text

Wei Ying was no fool. He could play dumb bunny any day of the week, and most days it helped him, but it was an act. He read like he was starved for knowledge every night. Books smuggled in by Wen Qing were kept hidden under piles of blankets and clothes. It was all he could do to keep the impending doom of mating Wen fucking Xu at bay.

The man was a monster only eclipsed in madness by his father. Where Wen Chao was spoiled and entitled, Wen Xu was calculating and sadistic. He and his father fully believed it was their right to take over the other crime families as the oldest clan, completely forgetting that the Lan go back thousands of years and have roots outside of common crime rings. They flexed their power by absorbing smaller clans and making more and more ridiculous demands from the other Big 5.

Wei Ying had been one of those demands, sold off to the Wen in a bid to get Yiling under control. They never actually kept their side of the bargain. Yiling was still a completely lawless slum. He was sure Madame Yu was utterly seething. It wasn't like they had manpower spare. The Jiang's had to keep the fires of Yiling from spreading into Yunmeng.

They would get theirs eventually. Wei Ying would make sure of it. For now, he was content to know that they were struggling to keep hold of their land.

In the meantime, he worked hard and played dumb. His brain worked on overdrive to plan, plan, plan, while looking completely fucked out by Wen Xu’s attempts at satisfying him. Wei Ying could barely call them attempts, really. The fox refused to actually fuck him. Nothing more than Wen Xu’s fingers could go in his cunt until they were bonded, and no one else was allowed to touch him. Wen Xu didn’t even think of playing with his ass. He’s spent too many mating seasons with a pulsing womb begging to be bred and nothing to show for it.

Wei Ying still played around with the other omegas. They helped each other manage heats with mouths and cocklets. One particularly brave one decided to take his ass virginity one mating season. It was small and barely helped, but it was better than nothing. He wasn’t sure he would have survived without the support of the other hostesses. It was teamwork and companionship that helped them all survive the Wens’ broodhouse.

In the end, he wanted to help all of them. Most really liked their job, but the isolation and heavy tax on their pay made having any part of a good life impossible. In his ideal world, he would murder the main family and take over the Broodhouse himself. His plans technically had that as the end goal, but the only partially solidified part was getting himself out. Even with friends on the outside, he was having trouble setting anything in motion.

It was actually a good thing all of his planning went to shit when that dragon grabbed his arm. Not in a bad way. In the perfect way. Wei Ying read all about dragons. They were possessive and powerful alphas. Legends said Lan An created rules for them just so they could actually mingle in society with other hybrids, as that was the only way to continue the bloodline. Nowadays they were seen as civil if not pliable. They put compromise above most things, including pride.

‘Most things’ didn’t apply to their hoard.

A dragon’s hoard was sacred. It was hidden and guarded like a lifeline. The treasures inside were all precious, whether in price or emotional value. Plundering one meant certain death to the thief and all they may have given or sold to. Dragons would stop at nothing to return their treasures to their rightful place. Even now, when dragons were considered to be pure pacifists, no one dared to touch a hoard.

Their hoard always had one crown jewel. Something they would do absolutely anything for. Something so priceless the dragon would kill themselves if they ever lost it. Something many have died for in the long history of their kind. Lan An himself being one to fall to it being taken for good.

Their mate.

A dragon’s mate was possibly the most protected and cared for thing on the planet. They ensured legacy and warmth, a family and joy. If a dragon did not please their mate, they deserved to sleep lonely outside the nest. No dragon mate was ever forced into marriage or motherhood. They had to accept the invitation to be courted. Of course, dragon courtings were short lived affairs. They marked their prey and gave them a full day to run and hide. Then, the dragon would hunt them down and bond upon catching them.

It was exciting, to say the least. Rabbits were similar in a way. Alpha rabbits chased omegas, but it was more of a playful ritual. The omega would push them away time and time again and be chased in circles until they allowed themselves to be caught and mounted.

Wei Ying thought that they could meet at a healthy in between as he walked away from the dragon, feeling his gold eyes weigh heavily the whole way. Dragons were more knowledgeable about others’ mating habits. It was a necessity for the only hybrid race that only had alphas. No doubt the dragon would research if he hadn’t already known how to woo him. Wei Ying was moving up in the world much more quickly than originally planned.

He schooled his grin into something more demure as he set the drinks down and passed them to Wen Xu and his guests. They all reeked of cologne and alcohol. Earlier in his life, it would have bothered his sensitive nose. Now he was too used to it to react.

Wen Xu grabbed his arm as soon as he saw the trickle of blood leaking down his forearm, “What the fuck happened?”

Wei Ying gave his best pout and picked up a napkin to clean himself, “I ran into an alpha by the door. He was in such a bad mood, Xuxu! Glared at me and moved me out his way.”

Wen Xu snarled but made no moves to even locate him, “Go to Wen Qing tonight. You can’t scar.”

What a sorry excuse for an alpha. His promised omega was bleeding from an attack and he had no inclination to even know who had done it. Well, it wasn’t like Wei Ying had any delusions about his care. Wei Ying was a trophy in all the ways he wouldn’t be with the dragon. Look pretty, play dumb, and serve.

He had done the first two and was prepared for the third when Wen Xu grabbed his hair and pulled him under the table. The order was clear and Wei Ying did as he was told.

---

“Qing-jie!” Wei Ying knocked on the doctor’s door in a happy pattern as usual. His visits to her office were usually to hide the evidence of his affairs or hide the evidence of Xen Xu’s temper. Either way, he couldn’t look upset to the cameras in the hallway or the one’s in her office.

“Enter,” she called out with a sigh.

Wei Ying hummed as he slid past the door and closed it behind him, “You won’t believe what happened to me tonight!”

“Doubtful.”

“Jiejie,” he pouted once more, “How could you be so unkind? I was mauled today!”

Wen Qing finally looked up from her medicine mixing and immediately zeroed in on his arm, “‘Mauled.’ Looks terrible.”

He laughed at her deadpan voice as he skipped to sit on her observation table, “I’m dramatic, I know, but I really was hurt out of nowhere! This dragon knocked into me and pretended that it was my fault. He glared at me and wouldn’t let go for a long while.”

Her hands stuttered while tearing open an antiseptic wipe, knowing what he was actually saying, before returning to their normal banter, “Sounds terrifying. How ever did you survive?”

“My intended, of course! I told him whose bitch I was and he let go,” a minor deviation of events, but necessary, “Honestly, those Lan dragons must be neutered entirely to not even fight for an apology. He knows Xuxu will take over their land if he steps out of line.”

Wen Qing hummed and focused on properly cleaning the marks.

“Ouch! Qing-jie! Gentle! I’m wounded and frail!”

She rolled her eyes and bandaged his arm, leaving out any healing ointment or poultice. They would scar over eventually and stand as proof of his permission given. Wen Qing wouldn’t dare try to remove them no matter what Wen Xu wanted.

“You’ll live another day. Go get food before you sleep.”

He hopped off the table and gave her a short hug, “Thank you!”

Wen Qing just grunted as he made his way out.

Almost everything they said had to be in code. It was a rare moment to be able to be honest. The only places that didn’t have cameras were the omegas’ personal bedrooms. They had a communal bathroom per floor that also had cameras to pick up every angle. Wei Ying knew it was perverted and not ‘for safety’ as they always claimed. It was an open secret among his housemates. They all knew some of the footage was edited into pornography sold by the Wens. The only completely safe time to bathe was when Wei Ying himself was in there. Wen Xu was adamant that no other alpha or beta see his bitch naked. He wasn’t into sharing.

Wei Ying made his way to one of the cozy cafeterias on his floor. Normally he would just go to bed regardless of Wen Qing’s pestering, but today she was more right than normal. He needed to prepare for a chase. There was, technically, a chance that the dragon would back off knowing who he was owned by. It was slim, he told himself again and again, but still there. His doubts were always louder than his faith. This time, he had to believe. No matter how crushing it would be wrong, he had to believe. He was suddenly at the finish line after years of grasping at straws.

“Are you going to stare at the sandwiches all night?”

Wei Ying jumped away from the voice and found a playful smile plastered on his friend’s face.

“Fuck, Sisi! You’re going to give me a heart attack one of these days!”

Sisi, a black cat omega, was one of the caretakers for the workers. In her prime, she was one of the most sought after omegas in the broodhouse. Now, she trained new employees and saw to the needs of everyone living on this floor. All of the caretakers were past workers, but none were quite as kind as Sisi.

She laughed and patted between his ears, “Maybe in the future, but this is hardly my fault this time. Is choosing a light snack so difficult for my A-Ying?”

He sighed and plucked out a caprese sandwich, “There, no struggle or anything, Aunty.”

Sisi hummed and grabbed a BLT for herself, “Good boy, I’m guessing our good doctor sent you here? You never eat so late.”

“Of course she did. Qing-jie is as against my eating habits as she is my sleeping habits. I decided not to test her patience today.”

“Good, you need less sugar and more greens,” Sisi steered them to a table, “You eat too many carrots.”

Wei Ying squeaked, “Do NOT tell me to eat less carrots! I need the sugar to keep me up for work!”

The cat arched a brow, “Really? And you don’t think munching hay throughout the day would help you more?”

It would, but it would also be inconvenient. Short snacks were way easier to fit while working the floor. It wasn’t his fault the hours were long on top of Wen Xu’s demands. Honestly, it was nothing short of a miracle he was still fully functioning between work, drinking, and servicing Wen Xu. Sisi knew that, but she always tried very hard to keep the housemates on her floor healthy.

“I promise to eat more hay and greens in the future, Aunty. I wish coffee didn’t give me anxiety or I’d just drink that instead.”

Sisi shuddered at the thought, “The last thing I need is another hyperactive rabbit to chase after curfew. The Cheng girls are already too much of a handful.”

Wei Ying laughed before digging into his sandwich, “They’re too young to need any help staying awake.”

“Oh? I was unaware you were an old man now.”

“I’m nearly 25!” he bemoaned, “My early 20s gone in a flash of the night! I’ll be dead soon, dust in an urn!”

She shook her head fondly, “I wonder what that means for me, hm?”

“Nothing at all. You haven’t and will not age a day past 22. A true immortal in our midst!”

“Flatterer.”

“Flattery, yes, but also just the truth.”

“The crows on my eyes say otherwise.”

He gasped and squinted, “Where? I see smooth skin and the shine of youth.”

Sisi giggled as if she were still a young maiden, “Oh fine. I surrender. I can’t argue with someone who refuses to relent to reality.”

“Good! I’m glad we cleared that up,” he polished off the last of his food, “Reality is too boring, anyway.”

Sisi caught his hand before he could get out of his seat, “Are you going to explain your arm?”

Wei Ying glanced at the bandages like it wasn’t the only thing he thought about since it happened. He feigned surprise and laughed, “Oh! That! Nothing to worry about. A drunk alpha grabbed me a little too hard to get some drinks. Wen Xu sent me Wen Qing’s way, but it’s really just a scratch.”

“A-Ying. I am a predator. I can smell the blood.”

“A scratch, a scratch,” he assured, “Wen Qing would never let me scar, you know that. If it were bad Wen Xu wouldn’t have let me leave, yeah?”

“And the alpha? Did they-”

Wei Ying sighed, “They had a great evening, I’d guess.”

Sisi looked like she wanted to say some harsh words, but held her tongue. She knew, as well as everyone else, that Wen Xu cared about him only as far as it affected his image. A small cut caused by an unknown alpha? That would heal. If he had been scarred, that would be a different story. He would have no choice but to go after the aggressor. There would be proof of the event.

“Well, I’m glad it’s only a scratch,” she finally relented, “Make sure you get a good night’s rest, and I expect to see you here for breakfast in the morning. Don’t think I won’t invade your room to make sure of it!”

“Yes, yes, Aunty, I promise to see you for breakfast,” he squeezed her hand, “Sleep well.”

Wei Ying bounced out of the cafe and hummed a soft melody to himself until he was in the safety of his room. He more or less collapsed against the door as soon as it was locked. It was just another exhausting day of being everything everyone else wanted.

He crawled into his bed, and prayed that this would be the last night like this.

Chapter Text

24 hours was plenty of time to organize a strike on the Wens' broodhouse. It helped that Lan Wangji had garnered undying loyalty from his men, a side-effect of diligent and careful planning to minimize casualties. They were all strong, even those not of dragon kin, and ready to help him catch his mark.

His brother, Lan Xichen, stayed up late into the night pulling record after record on Wen Xu and Wen Chao's dealings. They needed anything and everything to mount a full on raid in allied territory, even with tension already on the rise. They needed undeniable proof the raid was instigated by the Wen Heirs. His conversation with Wen Chao last night would certainly help.

It would be even better if they found incriminating documents at the club.

Maybe his rabbit would know where to look? Or perhaps be a first hand witness to the Wens undermining the other clans. No doubt he would help topple them, seeing as he took the first chance to escape.

Lan Wangji closed his eyes and pictured the perfect bunny again. Tanned skin, light stretch marks where his thighs grew to sumptuous levels too fast, that mischievous smile taunting him. He was going to devour him whole. He wondered what his fur would feel like against his cheek as he savored sweet slick. Would it be neatly trimmed? Perhaps completely waxed away? Would the bunny want to let it grow wild around his cocklet?

Gods, he hoped so.

He took a massively deep breath to calm himself. It was no use getting so worked up when he still had several hours to wait. Even with everything planned and in order, courtesy dictated a full 24 hours of a head start. Even if the bunny couldn't leave the broodhouse, he still had time to devise escape routes and hiding places. If the bunny was as clever as Lan Wangji thought him to be, it would be an exhilarating hunt.

And a fun chase, he reminded himself as he read up on rabbit habits and needs. They were playful creatures, loving to play with their friends, children, and mates. Chasing, jumping, pushing, nipping, and grooming were all things they liked to do to show care. They were high energy, but Lan Wangji was certain he could more than keep up.

They were vegetarian, the same as the Lans, and filled their diet with leafy greens, hay, and sugary fruit as snacks. Carrots were the stereotypical favorite, but overall the high sugar snacks were bad for them. Still, made an oath to himself to keep them stocked. His mate would be happy to have the treats every so often.

He had plenty of space for a mate and hatchling if they came. Much of his house was rather empty and bland. The bravest of his men often teased him about getting a bride just to liven up his living space. Lan Wangji had never needed it to feel 'lively.' It was a large home to rest and work in, but most of his things lived in his hoard, heavily protected from outsiders. Perhaps his mate really would redecorate and bring some warmth to the halls.

In the meantime, he had some shopping to do.

---

Lan Wangji glanced at his wrist watch again. The 24 hours were minutes away from being up. His men were stationed around the building, having already taken out cameras, security, and the bouncers. The line of clients wanting to go into the building had been shooed away easily. As had anyone who left within the past five minutes.

“Sir, are you certain we shouldn’t-”

A dragon under his command pulled the pigeon away wordlessly. Even a non-dragon clan member should already have studied their habits. This was not even a small matter. Lan Wangji gave a hand signal to make sure the pigeon was appropriately punished and taught.

Finally, the second hand ticked over to a new minute. It was time to begin.

Lan Wangji called out to his squads, “Glaucous, keep the roads clear. Azure, with me. Everyone else, start the raid.”

His men were instantly a flurry of movement. They all knew what needed to be done that night. All patrons would be chased out. All workers would be gathered on the main floor. Any enemy firing would be taken out. All evidence of betrayal would be gathered. Wen Xu would be captured, as well as Wen Chao if he was there. His rabbit would remain untouched.

It was mere seconds before people flooded out of the club en masse. His men in Glaucous diligently ushered them away, clearing the street efficiently. It wouldn’t do to have any innocent person caught in a violent crossfire.

The steady stream or people fleeing died down in only a few minutes, allowing Lan Wangji and the four men of Azure to enter the building. Much of the work had been completely tidily. Some of his men were already returning from the housing floors with groups of omegas on their heels. He noticed several bunnies among them, but none were his. A very good thing for his men. If they interfere with his hunt, he would be very upset.

“You fucker! Lan Wangji!”

He turned in time to watch his cousin kick Wen Xu’s stomach. The fox doubled over in pain and continued a torrent of obscenities.

“Cursing is forbidden,” he mumbled offhandedly. Dealing with him could wait.

Lan Wangji sniffed the air for traces of summer nights. It was there, under the alcohol and synthetic pheromones. More than enough to track. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and left it in the hands of his second.

Halfway through loosening his tie, the scent bloomed. It was much closer and fresh. He froze in his movements and zeroed in on the source. Just above the stage, in one of the many dancer’s balconies, was his bunny.

He let a ribbon of dirty bandages flutter to the floor while never breaking eye contact. Suddenly, the world around them didn’t matter. It was just the two of them in rotation around the universe. Lan Wangji felt his muscles coil, ready to pounce on his prey.

The rabbit grinned down at him. In an instant, he was gone from the balcony. Likely enacting whatever plans he had to get away during the hunt.

Lan Wangji wasted no more time before springing into action, ripping his tie off. Rabbits were quick and this particular one had a home advantage. He must have known every hall and hideaway the broodhouse had to offer. All of which, or at least most, were cleared of bystanders. The building was a full five stories and the only thing that he knew for sure was that the bunny wouldn’t make it to the bottom floor.

He knocked the door to the employee staircase off its hinges. It may or may not have been locked, but that didn’t matter. He wasn’t taking the chance of it slowing him down. Not when his prey was on the run.

Practically flying up the stairs, he burst onto the fourth floor. His bunny was on that floor. He knew it with every fiber of his being. He slammed open doors until he came into a bedroom just in time to see a pair of bare feet sitter into a hole in the wall.

Lan Wangji slid to a stop to look in. The bunny's barely clothed ass, complete with a fluffy tail black tail, was swaying back and forth as he crawled away to safety. There was no way a dragon could possibly fit in the tunnel. He even wondered how the bunny had slipped inside.

He growled and ignored the laughter coming from the tunnel. There wasn't a tunnel system in any of the blueprints he had looked over. There were air ducts, but they clearly didn't match the tunnel layout. Nothing the Wen's had on the building had mentioned tunnels. In fact, they looked haphazardly made. The hole was cut in a jagged, amateurish way. Probably not even with proper tools. There were scratches on the floor where the wardrobe had been moved aside, as well.
This tunnel was a hideaway for the omegas who worked here. A way to get to each other's rooms or run if need be. They made it themselves and kept it hidden from the Wens for years. Maybe decades.

While unexpected, it would only slow him down a bit. Lan Wangji listened intently for the consistent banging of knees on wood. The bunny was heading upwards, according to the creaking of the walls. Fine. He could play this game and rip him out from the walls if need be.

He moved quietly this time, slinking up the stairs and following not only the scent, but the creaking of floorboards. He knew he had been too hasty in his initial chase. Speeding towards his prey worked perfectly in an open field, but horribly in a multifloor housing building. It was better to be silent and lure him out of the walls.

The noises slowed and quieted. His bunny realized what was happening, but it's a lot harder to be quiet crawling on poorly built crawl spaces. He couldn't be silent unless he stopped moving, and if he stopped moving Lan Wangji would already know exactly where he was. He couldn't stop moving entirely, and also couldn't risk leaving the protection of his tunnel. In a normal hunt, he would simply keep moving until the predator got bored or found easier prey.

This was not a normal hunt. This predator would never grow bored and leave. Eventually, his patience would run out and he would tear down every wall standing between him and his prize. While the tunnel had been a good ploy to initially get away, it was now a prison.

Lan Wangji stayed close to his prey, toying with his food. He had the upper hand and they both knew it. It was only a matter of time-

Squeaking followed by a louder bang shocked him from his internal pride. He punched a hole through the wall and ripped out the drywall enough to see his bunny sticking his tongue out a full two floors lower. There was a pulley system to get up and down quickly, along with the ladder he had assumed to be the only method of travel between floors.

The bunny winked and disappeared between the walls.

Lane Wangji broke the rules and cursed. He could repent later, but right now all he wanted to do was slap himself for so badly underestimating both his bunny and the omegas of the broodhouse. They all had to be clever and crafty just to remain safe. Of course there would be quick ways to get down and out of the building in an emergency. More than that, his bunny had predicted he would gloat on his victory. He drew him away from the stairs and played him for a fool.

In any other situation, Lan Wangji would want blood. In this case, he wanted nothing more than to breed the soul out of that beautiful, clever, amazing bunny.

He didn't have time to make his way quietly to the stairs. No doubt the bunny was trying to get out of the tunnels and into a better spot. If he didn't hurry, he would miss a perfect chance to capture his prey. He couldn't let that happen to him twice in one hunt, no matter how much that kind of intelligence hardened his cock.

Sure enough, he saw a glimpse of his bunny turning a corner as soon as he reached the third floor. He ran after him at full speed, diving towards him as he threw himself into another hole in the wall. Lan Wangji caught his ankle before he could disappear again. The bunny squeaked as he dragged him out into the open. He flipped him on his back but purposefully didn't pin him. They looked at each other, one startled, both panting. Lan Wangji waited. His instincts shouted out to pin and claim him. He won the hunt. He deserved to follow through, to mate and bind them. It was the dragon's way, but it wasn't the rabbit's way.

So, he waited as the bunny looked on in confusion, stock still as if he had been physically pinned. A spark started in his eyes and he slowly broke into a shining smile. He rolled his head to one side and kissed Lan Wangji's wrist. Taking the moment of surprise, he kicked up with both of his legs. It wasn't strong enough to hurt him, although he had no doubt the kick could have if wanted, just enough to urge him back.

His bunny was on the run once more. This time, he set a playful pace down the hallway, skipping and jumping as he went along, always making sure Lan Wangji was following. It was a slower paced chase, but filled with giggles and laughter from the bunny.

He took them to a large cafeteria where he could really run in circles. Every time Lan Wangji got close, he would be pushed away and forced to chase again. The bunny took them over benches and under tables, keeping his suitor at arms length all the while. This was the rabbit's mating game. Jumping, spinning, playing, and being able to choose when and if his alpha gets him.

"What's your name, handsome?" he breathed as he rounded another table.

"Lan Zhan, Lan Wangji."

"Ah!" He pushed him away again, "Hanguang-jun! No wonder you were able to shut this place down in a day!"

"Wen Xu touched what was mine," he replied simply.

The bunny pulled up close, "Mn, your Wei Ying."

Lan Wangji's ears flushed with the closeness but it was a fleeting moment. He bounced back and continued the chase.

"Tell me, Lan Zhan. What are you going to do if I choose you?"

He growled at the 'if.' By dragon rites, Wei Ying had already chosen him. Then again, he relinquished that when he allowed the chase to occur.

"Take you home."

"What if I don't like your house?"

Lan Zhan sidestepped a chair to follow his dancing steps, "I'll buy a new one."

Wei Ying laughed, "So I get whatever I want?"

"Everything you want," he purred.

Just when Lan Wangji thought he would have to vault another table, Wei Ying spun around and jumped off it into his arms. He had to scramble a little to catch the airborne bunny, but managed to hold them flush.

Wei Ying wrapped around him like an octopus, "You caught me.”

Lan Wangji swallowed, soaking in the wonderful scent of them both, “Mn.”

Wei Ying grinned until his eyes crinkled, “What are you going to do now?”

“Mate you,” he nipped at his chin, “Bond you.”

His eyes twinkled, “Fuck me? Are you going to fuck me, Gege?”

“Mn, going to fuck you,” Lan Wangji held him tighter and kissed along his jaw, “Going to break you.”

He purred deep in his chest, “Oh no, I’ve attracted a merciless alpha! Is he possessive, too? Green with jealousy?”

Lan Wangji growled, “The most possessive.”

The bunny gave a full body shiver, “Going to break me in front of you men? Show Wen Xu what he could have had?! My reputation will be in shambles!"

It wasn't what he had planned, but he knew an order when he heard one. Lan Wangji certainly had no reservations about showing off his prize. Even better if it pissed Wen Xu off. Most people were more talkative when angry, more likely to give good information in the heat of the moment.

“Mn.”

He hoisted Wei Ying up over his shoulder, completely ignoring the halfhearted protests, and headed for the stairs for the last time.

“I am your mate! Carry me properly! I can’t believe you’re going to manhandle me like this and force me to cum infront of everyone! Mean alpha! Cruel!”

His fists beat helplessly on his back, but his hips ground into his shoulder. Wei Ying, as much as he protested, was hard and smelled of slick. Still, it wouldn’t do for anyone to see him even play-struggling once they reached the main floor.

Lan Wangji smacked his ass, “Quiet.”

The bunny’s entire body stiffened. Then he squirmed even more, “How dare you treat me like this! So rough for no good reason! This is abuse!”

He hummed and rubbed his free hand over the thin fabric covering his labia. It was wet and warm already, soon to be soaking. That was good. More than good.

He pulled his fingers away as Wei Ying curled his legs and moaned, “Your cunt is dripping. I don’t think you will be fooling anyone with this tantrum.”

“Such language?! Aren’t dragons supposed to be perfect gentlemen?”

“Hm.”

Wei Ying laughed at that and pinched his butt, “So rude! What am I ever going to do with you?”

Lan Wangji stepped over the broken door he had left before, “Take it.”

There was a little commotion when the other omegas saw a captured Wei Ying. He was quick to wave them off as Lan Wangji found a somewhat clean table. It still wasn’t clean enough to put his mate down on it, but that was fixable.

“Jacket,” he called out, “Bring the fox, too.”

His jacket was returned and he laid it over the sticky table before finally depositing his bride on the clean surface.

Wei Ying was quick to wrap his legs around his waist, “Lan Zhan! You’re really going to fuck me in front of him?”

“Mn,” he confirmed, “No one leaves. Send anyone who wants to go upstairs.”

His men got to work clearing out any unwanted voyeurs. Some of his own switched jobs to vacate, leaving the only unwilling participant as Wen Xu. He was still struggling against his bindings and cursing every name he could think of. He was far too noisy.

Right before Lan Wangji could order him gagged, Wei Ying forced him to look at himself, “Let him talk. Make me brown him out.”

Lan Wangji growled and ripped off the tank top and shorts Wei Ying had on. There was no other clothing to deal with, leaving him bare and beautiful. His skin was evenly tanned all over. The glimpse of nipple he had seen the night before was nothing compared to the fully bare chest. It was nothing but smooth skin and twin perky nipples begging to be touched. Oh, how he wanted to touch.

Still, he lowered his gaze over the lean stomach to his fur. It was straight, black, and neatly trimmed. It looked softer than he imagined. He wanted to be buried in it for the rest of his life. He might have lost himself staring at the tuft if Wei Ying’s cocklet hadn’t given an impatient twitch.

Lan Wangji forced Wei Ying’s legs away and folded the omega in half to get a better view of his privates. The cocklet, only a couple inches in length, was fully hard and dripping a thick, clear liquid. He ran his finger over the little pool, purposefully grazing the cock head and earning a small mewl. He groaned as the flavor hit his tongue. It was warm and sour. A wonderful contrast to the sweet scent rolling off of him.

“Please,” he whimpered and pitifully humped up, “Please, Gege.”

“Hm.”

Wei Ying whined more urgently, “Gege, Alpha, please! Touch me! Don’t leave me lonely!”

Lan Wangji caught his wayward hands. It wouldn’t do for his mate to interrupt like that. Having a spectacular idea, he moved Wei Ying’s arms around his folded legs. Then, he pulled his forehead ribbon free and deftly tied his wrists together, forcing him to hold himself in half.

“Cruel!”

“Behave,” he ordered and knelt. He took a deep inhale and growled. It was perfect. He was perfect.

Wei Ying continued to do his best to misbehave. He couldn’t do much besides rock back and forth in an attempt to get closer. He wanted to be touched badly, but Lan Wangji was having much more fun denying him. Well, it was fun to deny him but also fun to drown in his desperate pleas.

Still, the thought of tasting his prize outweighed any enjoyment that came from denial. Lan Wangji licked between his glistening folds, the omega’s deep moan music to his ears.

“Yes, Alpha!”

He hummed and glued his mouth to the omega’s cunt, quickly lapping and sucking at the sensitive area. Wei Ying let his pleasure be known to everyone on the floor, wailing even louder than Wen Xu’s threats of retribution. Lan Wangji could completely ignore the other alpha by zoning in on his mate’s voice.

“Lan Zhan! Deeper! Touch me more, gods, touch me more!”

Lan Wangji could do nothing but oblige. He moved his mouth to kiss Wei Ying’s cock head. At the same time, he slipped two fingers as deep as he could into the recently abandoned hole. They slid in with only a little difficulty. It was still a tight fit, especially as Wei Ying clenched around his fingers.

He curled his fingers and sucked the cocklet into his mouth. The hard member twitched and leaked sterile precum on his tongue.

“Fuck, Lan Zhan!”

Lan Wangji groaned and worked his fingers and mouth in tandem. The omega writhed underneath him, trying and failing to free his limbs from their bindings. It wasn’t long before Lan Wangji found his g-spot and curled his fingers into it with each thrust.

“C-cum! Cumming!”

For a second, Lan Wangji wanted to suck the cocklet dry and swallow every morsel. They thought of his omega wrecked and messy with spend made him pull away, just using his fingers to milk out the orgasm.

It was a good choice for multiple reasons. This way, we got to watch Wei Ying’s eyes roll back, watch his body coil and arch with pleasure. Ribbons of his cloudy cum shooting over his stomach and chest. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever witnessed, and this was just the beginning.

It was as his body slackened and a goofy grin spread across his face that Lan Wangji realized their prisoner had grown suspiciously quiet.

Wen Xu was slack jawed staring at Wei Ying. Lan Wangji wanted to rip his eyes out and tape them open all at the same time. He wanted him to see the high he could bring Wei Ying, but he also wanted him to never lay his disgusting gaze on his mate again.

It took a moment for Lan Wangji to understand why Wen Xu was so shocked. They had barely gotten started. Surely he had seen Wei Ying nude and moaning, right?

Turning back to Wei Ying was all it took for it to click.

Lan Wangji kissed his shin, “He has never made you orgasm, has he?”

The bunny shook his head lazily.

“Liar!”

Wei Ying rolled his eyes, “He thinks his fingers are a gift to this world.”

He continued to ignore the fox’s insults, “He didn’t know you came with your cock.”

“Son of a bitch! Of course I-!”

“Of course not,” Wei Ying laughed, “He would have known I was faking if he did.”

“Fucking-!”

Lan Wangji glared at him. Wen Xu received a strong knee to his face. There was a nice crunch, but he didn’t look at Wen Xu long enough to know just what was broken. He had more important matters to attend to.

“Wei Ying.”

The bunny bit his lip, “Lan Zhan?”

He licked the slick off his fingers, “I’m going to fuck you now.”

Wei Ying’s ears twitched and his scent flooded the room, “Alpha.”

Lan Wangji growled and shoved his pants down just enough to release his cock. It was painfully hard and dripping. He pounced on the bound omega and ground across his slick folds.

Wei Ying whimpered, “Please, please Alpha! Fuck your omega! Don’t tease me!”

Lan Wangji ground slowly, loving how Wei Ying always spoke opposite of what he wanted. It was clear how much he wanted to be undone. The bunny really wanted to be teased until he was incoherent and Lan Wangji wanted to put him there.

He leaned over, pressing Wei Ying’s knees to either side of his head, and nipped his lower lip. Lan Wangji pecked those lips a few times before invading the mouth with his tongue. His hips never stopped their slow roll, meaning he got to swallow sweet moans and even sweeter pleas for more.

“You’re driving me crazy,” Wei Ying breathed and tried to hump up.

Lan Wangji bit his lip harshly, reveling in the pained hiss, “Good.”

“Mean!” he kicked helplessly, throwing his head back to offer up his neck, “My alpha is cruel!”

“Mn,” he bit and sucked a trail of marks down his neck. It felt vicious, indenting the prey’s skin with his teeth, but he found he didn’t care. He wanted to taste his delicious skin and blood again.

Wei Ying hissed and ground his teeth as the dragon’s canine’s broke skin just above his mating gland.

“You missed,” he complained through his tears.

“Hm,” Lan Wangji licked the drops of blood and felt up Wei Ying’s luscious thighs, “Patience.”

Without warning, he aimed and trusted in, not stopping until he was fully sheathed.

Wei Ying let out a strangled cry and curled his toes. His cunt spasmed around him in another crashing orgasm. Even his cocklet gave a valiant attempt at shooting cum, but only actually managed to dribble over his stomach.

He was tight and warm and yielding. So pliant and enthusiastic. Lan Wangji was glad he came just from penetration. It was a good excuse to stay seated inside as he willed his own premature orgasm away.

Wei Ying eventually opened his bleary eyes, “Lan Zhan, wanna touch.”

“Hm?” he started to hump lazily.

“Touch, lemme touch you.”

Lan Wangji quite liked his mate forcibly tied and folded in half. Still, he couldn't deny Wei Ying anything he truly wanted. He wasn't a cruel mate as he had already been accused of.

He pulled the knot free, but made sure the ribbon remained tied to one of the bunny's wrists. Almost immediately, he clawed at Lan Wanji's shirt and brought them flush, legs spread wide and a show of flexibility.

“Alpha, Baby,” he moaned, “Knot me. Breed me. Make me yours, only yours!”

“You're mine,” he growled and fucked into him in earnest.

“Yours! Yours!,” he gasped in time with each thrust. His cries changed to babbling nonsense, once again about to crest.

Lan Wangji readied his fangs, nibbling and sucking at the scent gland. He knew he had to wait, but his mouth was watering. It would hurt if he bit now. That's not what he wanted for their mating. He wanted to white out anything anyone else had ever done with Wei Ying. So, even as the urge itched in his gums, he only nibbled and thrust.

They were both so strung up that he didn't have to wait long. Wei Ying tensed and came, screaming Lan Wangji's name. In the next thrust, his knot inflated and he spilled his seed deep inside.

It was only then, with them both at the peak of pleasure, that he sunk his teeth into Wei Ying's mating gland. The taste flooded his mouth, making him forget everything. His name, his family, his job; all washed out by a constant stream of weiyingweiyingweiying!

Lan Wangji had no idea how much time had passed when he unlatched his mouth. Not long enough for his knot to deflate, that was evident. Wei Ying still looked fucked out and had slow moving, fresh tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Alpha,” he sighed.

The dragon nuzzled his ravaged neck and placed soothing kisses and licks over the bite mark. His saliva would clean and help the wound close. At least until they got cream and a bandage on it.

Wei Ying purred, “Lan Zhan, Baby.”

“Wei Ying,” he mumbled, “Mate.”

“Mhm,” he nodded, “Mate. Mine.”

Lan Wangji could only agree, “Yours.”

“Look at me?”

He pulled back to stare at those stunning gray eyes and nearly whimpered at soft hands cupping his cheeks. It was a tenderness he hadn't had since his mother passed. He barely held himself together as one thumb caressed his lips.

“So beautiful,” he murmured, “Strong, handsome, powerful.”

Lan Wangji rumbled low in his throat, “Mn.”

“I have a request, a mating gift?”

“Anything.”

“Give me your gun.”

Lan Wangji felt his men tense around him. He himself wasn’t expecting such a request, especially while he was still knotted. If the omega wanted to kill him, it would be easy. Now that he thought about it, Wei Ying had his freedom. He was ruined for Wen Xu and the Lan’s would never hurt him now that they’re mated. Even if he killed him in cold blood. Wei Ying must know that.

Still, he found he didn’t care. If Wei Ying wanted to kill him now, it was because Lan Wangji wasn’t a good enough mate. He wasn’t satisfactory in some way. If that were the case, it was his fault.

With less thought than the choice should have gotten, he pulled out his pistol, released the safety, and cocked it. He held it out to his omega, barrel pointing towards himself.

Wei Ying took the gun and held it in place for a moment, barrel almost touching Lan Wangji’s chest. Right over his heart. Neither flinched until Wei Ying’s laugh bubbled over his lips.

His arm fell to the side and he looked over at Wen Xu, blood still trickling out of his broken mouth. On seeing the gun pointed his way, he tried to shuffle backwards. There was a bang and a spark against the ground, right below Wen Xu’s groin.

“Tch, I missed,” Wei Ying pouted and went to aim again.

Lan Wangji had to let his mind process what was happening. His bunny, his mate, his Wei Ying was trying to... Ah. What a wonderful gift this man is.

He hoisted Wei Ying up off the table, receiving a startled moan as his knot shifted. Wei Ying was quick to wrap his arms and legs around him. The gun pressed flat against his back for only a moment. He pecked his mate’s lips and ran a hand down his arm, making it extend back to Wen Xu. They held the gun together and he aimed for him.

Wei Ying bit his lower lip with his slightly longer front teeth as a smile stretched his cheeks. His eyes sparkled with utter delight. He was the very image of manic, and it was gorgeous.

They both turned to look at Wen Xu, now being held in place by his men. They kept a foot on each leg so he couldn’t squeeze them shut.

Land Wangji felt Wei Ying’s finger curl around the trigger.

“Don’t you fucking dare you sl-!”

This time, the bullet struck true, cutting off the fox’s tirade with a scream. He slumped over and banged his head on the ground, “Traitorous whore! You stupid fucking bitch!”

Wei Ying cackled and let go of the gun completely, letting Lan Wangji press the safety and holster it. He smacked kisses all over his face in between peels of laughter and hugged him tightly around the neck.

“I’ve dreamed of doing that for years!”

Lan Wangji hummed and kissed his sensitive nose, “What else does Wei Ying dream of?”

“So much, Er-gege,” he cooed, “I want Wen Xu alive.”

His men moved into action without needing to confirm to stop the bleeding. Their furen wanted something and they would be fools not to grant it.

Wei Ying smirked at the pitiful fox before returning his full attention to his mate, “I want a luxury bath and shower.”

“We will renovate,” Lan Wangji pecked his nose.

“Mm, I want a garden,” he nuzzled his cheek.

Lan Wangji nipped the bottom of one floppy ear, “We have a large yard. It's yours.”

“But in winter? It's cold in Gusu.”

“A greenhouse, then.”

His eyes sparkled, “I want a massive nest! Nothing in it but the most plush padding and soft fabric.”

Lan Wangji couldn't help the small quirk of his lips, “We'll buy whatever we don't have.”

“Shoes? And clothes? Jewelry and makeup?”

“If you want it, it's yours,” he guaranteed.

Wei Ying kissed him deeply, tongues sliding around each other, before asking more, “Take me home?”

Lan Wangji picked up his suit jacket and draped it over Wei Ying’s shoulders, “Of course.”

Chapter Text

When Wei Ying passed out in the car, still seated on his mate’s cock, he expected to wake up in the morning in a cold and foreign bed. Maybe he would be jostled awake at the ass crack of dawn by a maid trying to clean up the room. He imagined an affluent breakfast to be ready and clothes to be set out for him to be changed into. Maybe a bath to be drawn?

What he did not expect was to slowly come to in a pair of warm arms and hushed voices around him.

Wei Ying curled into the pleasant scent of gentians and pine. He nuzzled the source and tried to press as close to the warm body as he could. He didn’t want to be awake just yet, but he also knew that his body disagreed. It was past the point of no return. He was waking.

The chest he was held against let out a soothing purr. He responded in kind and couldn’t help but smile. This was one of the best ways he had ever woken up. Perhaps the very best? Was this his life now?

Wei Ying finally cracked his eyes open but kept himself nuzzled against his alpha’s neck. The aroma of sandalwood and snow enveloped him entirely. It was like a cocoon of safety. Entirely separate from the actual cocoon he was wrapped in.

“Lan Zhan,” he muttered and wiggled his body against the soft blanket.

“Wei Ying, are you hungry?”

“Mm,” Wei Ying kissed the scent gland, “Pancakes.”

A maid stationed in the corner bowed and exited the room without so much as a wave from Lan Zhan. It was as if Wei Ying had the authority to order the staff around. Then again, the enforcers had been quick to save Wen Xu after he said he wanted it. Maybe he did have that authority as Lan Zhan’s mate.

The thought made his purr rumble deeper.

“What else was found?” Lan Zhan asked the room at large.

It was only then that Wei Ying realized he was seated in Lan Zhan’s lap before a large table. Each chair around the oval was taken with Lan clan members. Some were dragons, but many other hybrids were present as well. A real mish-mash that other triads avoided. He wondered idly if this was a choice to be inclusive, or just a necessity as there weren’t enough dragons to pad out the ranks. Either way, he liked it.

A projection screen on the wall beside him switched slides, “Detailed fund reports. These were meticulously kept and differ greatly from what Wen Ruohan released at the past few inter-clan meetings. Without proof of what they say, they can be denied as forgeries, but they paint a damning picture.”

Wei Ying recognized the handwriting and knew they were accurate. More accurate than any other clan.

“Wen Qing made those in secret,” he said before he could think better of it.

All eyes turned on him and he blushed. This probably wasn’t something he could speak on. He was only here to warm his alpha’s lap, so he should have just stayed quiet.

“Sorry,” he muttered and buried his face once more.

“No need,” Lan Zhan coaxed his face out of the blanket, “Your knowledge can only help us.”

“Oh... Well... how?”

“We need a reason to have broken the treaty and raided the brood house.”

Wei Ying blinked and grinned, “Oh, so procuring a mate from another clan isn’t reason enough? That’s exactly what Wen Xu did with me and no one seemed to care then. Still, I suppose it was more that no one in my clan mentioned it.”

Lan Zhan’s eyes darkened, “You were sold?”

“Mhm, traded,” he amended, “I was a ward of the Jiang. Raised alongside Jiang Wanyin and Jiang Yanli. They traded me so the Wen’s would fix all the bull shit in Yiling.”

One of the Lan dragon’s snorted, “They just gave you away then. The Wens refuse to touch Yiling. Letting anarchy reign works in their favor.”

“They will be dealt with,” Lan Zhan promised, “What do you know about Wen Xu’s dealings?”

Wei Ying hummed, “Plenty. I was under the table for most of his meetings at the club. The reports you have were kept by my doctor friend. She hoped that the other clans would one day have enough and attack, or that she could trade the information to keep her family out of the fallout. I don’t know much about what she kept track of, but I know she has a whole lot more back in Dafan. Even orders with Wen Ruohan’s seal that were supposed to be burned after arrival.”

A few hybrids at the table took notes as he spoke.

“Where is she, by the way? You didn’t hurt her, did you?!”

“No, she is confined to her room for the moment, but remains unharmed.”

“Wait, you mean she’s here?”

Lan Zhan nodded, “She claimed to be your friend. She is under surveillance until you confirm.”

Wei Ying laughed, “Well, I confirm! I can get you a list of all my friends and who are the spies in the brood house. Some managers are just average people but others work directly for the Wen brothers.”

“That would be appreciated.”

He felt like he could rant for days about all the corruption Wen Xu and Wen Chao wrought, but before he could continue and large stack of pancakes with assorted fruits arrived just for him.

They were thick and fluffy, with a small metal pitcher of syrup. A soft dusting of powdered sugar covered the stack. It looked and smelled amazing!

Wei Ying shifted to sit forward and quickly dug into his meal, “Fuck, this is good!”

The maid hid her smile with a polite bow, “Is there anything else I can serve you?”

He licked his lips free of syrup, “No, this is perfect!”

Lan Zhan had other plans, “Tea for the group.”

She bowed and left once more.

The slide on the wall changed when she left, “Besides the fund reports, we received several testimonies from the employees. Poor treatment, contracts broken, misuse of funds. They all told similar stories.”

Lan Zhan hummed, “They have no reason to lie.”

Wei Ying swallowed a large bite, “Of course not! No one liked working for the Wens. When I got there, there were already tunnels in the walls so we could sneak to each other’s rooms for heats. I made some improvements but they worked well!”

“Employee treatment, no matter how bad, is not grounds for a raid,” an uptight bird said. He couldn’t peg the exact species, but he assumed swan with his white wings and attitude.

Wei Ying took a large bite of his breakfast just to make him wait a bit more for a response, “No, it isn’t. But Wen Xu meeting with Jin Zi... fuck. Not Zixuan. The worse Jin Zixuan.”

“Zixun?” Lan Zhan offered.

“Yeah, that fuckface!”

“Language,” the bird from earlier huffed. He instantly froze up from what Wei Ying assumed was Lan Zhan’s best glare.

“More importantly,” another bird, maybe a raven, began, “What were they meeting about?”

Wei Ying polished off his breakfast right when the maid returned with several teapots on a cart. She went about pouring tea and setting out snacks while they continued.

“Lots of things. Depended on the week. Can you go back a slide? To the reports? Thanks!” Wei Ying passed his plate and utensils to the maid, “And thank you, too. That was fantastic!”

He was having fun annoying the impatient hybrids in the room, but how could they find being kind to staff rude? At least most of Lan Zhan’s team was relaxed.

“Anyway, see that payment for 500k five months ago? That’s hush money that was provided by the Jin. It went out to who knows where, but it’s a yearly amount that the Jin foot. Not sure they know where it goes either, but Wen Xu is paying someone to keep their mouth sealed.”

“That sounds like speculation,” a female dragon hummed. It wasn’t so much a dig as a comment.

“Nope,” Wei Ying popped his ‘p’ for effect, “Wen Xu said it outright.”

“Well what good is it if we don’t know who it’s going to?”

Wei Ying gave the annoying bird a flat look, “What did you expect me to do? I was expected to be a dumb bitch, not a spy. I barely got to leave the brood house and never without a whole horde of foxes on my tail!”

The bird didn’t look satisfied, but held his tongue. Likely because a certain alpha would rip it out if he couldn’t control it.

“Besides,” he shrugged, “All those random amounts dedicated to ‘X’ on Qing-jie’s accounts match up to the official ones. They called it ‘Cleaning Service.’ Load of B.S. I mean, some of you saw the state of that place. You might get rabies just from being barefoot. No one cleaned it that often.”

“I wouldn’t suppose you know what ‘X’ means?”

Wei Ying grinned and snuggled back into his mate’s chest, “Xue Yang.”

That got their attention fully.

“Xue Yang?!”

“He was executed!”

“Apparently not!”

“And we’re just going to believe him?”

“He is our leader’s mate!”

Lan Zhan’s growl quieted the cacophony immediately.

Wei Ying traced circles in his chest and looked demure, “You don’t have to believe me. I told you Wen Qing has proof. To hiring Xue Yang, to disposing of allied triad members, to murdering Clan Leader Nie-”

“WHAT?!”

Another round of whispered shouts erupted. Well, not erupted, as they were all fairly quiet in their outbursts, but something like it.

Lan Zhan held up his hand and everyone quickly gave their attention, “Lan Shu, take a small group with you to escort the doctor to Dafan. Stay obscure.”

The dragon to his right stood, bowed, and left.

“Adjourned.”

The rest of the meeting members stood, some more grouchy about it than others, bowed, and followed after Lan Shu. Wei Ying made to get off of Lan Zhan’s lap, but his alpha’s arms clamped down to stop him.

“Finish your tea.”

Wei Ying hummed, “Why? I have no doubt you’ll give me plenty of fluids soon enough.”

Lan Zhan purred, “Yes, so you must hydrate to keep up.”

Well, if that wasn’t a good reason to chug warm tea, he didn’t know what was. Sadly, as soon as the cup was down, Lan Zhan refilled it.

“One more.”

“Tsk,” he clicked his front teeth, “Fuddy-duddy. Where’s my mean lover when I need him.”

The dragon gave the barest hint of a smile, “Waiting for his bunny to behave.”

“He’ll be waiting a very long time! I have never once behaved in my life!”

Still, he downed the glass and wiggled free, keeping the blanket wrapped around him. He was clearly dressed in one of Lan Zhan’s crisp, white shirts and a pair of boxers. He hoped they were Lan Zhan’s, too. Preferably used. The blanket was just too warm to give up at the moment, even though he could drop it.

Lan Zhan got up behind him and ushered him to the door, “Would you like a tour?”

Wei Ying bit his lip, “Maybe?”

He quirked his brow slightly.

“Maybe I want to run off and see where my feet take me.”

Lan Zhan shook his head and gestured through the open door.

Wei Ying stuck his head out and looked for anyone remaining in the hallway. As soon as he was sure it was all clear, he glanced back at Lan Zhan to make sure it was alright. More than permission, he received a dare from the intensity of those golden eyes. He couldn’t help but feel giddy at the match he had found himself.

He ran down the hall at a playful speed, knowing full well Lan Zhan could keep up. This wasn’t a real chase or hunt, after all. Just a fun way for him to get his bearings in a new house.

The hallway was an interior one, with no windows to the outside. There was wood paneling from the ground to about halfway up the wall, the top section covered in plain eggshell paint. Now that he thought of it, the meeting room was much the same. Very bland, but also an empty canvas. Given permission, he could really make the walls pop!

He turned the corner and found himself headed for a banister. Wei Ying slowed down and gripped the railing to stop himself. Under him was likely the main entrance of the house. Staff was busy at work with cleaning the floors and tending to potted plants. Some were scurrying up the wide staircase with laundry or papers. Those that passed him gave a bow to both alpha and omega before carrying on with their duties.

Wei Ying ran his fingers along the banister as he walked towards the stairs. It was polished to perfection and gave him a very fun, and very bad, idea.

“Lan Zhan!” he grinned.

“Hm?”

“Do you know the best way to get down a staircase?”

His eyes widened a fraction, “Wei Yi-”

The bunny hopped onto the banister and let his bum slide down, blanket falling away. There was barely any friction to slow him down. He cackled at wind in his face but made damn sure to jump off the railing before he could smack his side against the newel post at the bottom. He landed with a small skid and threw his arms up in victory.

Wei Ying turned around laughing, “I’ve wanted to do that forever!”

Lan Zhan was halfway down the stairs looking close to a heart attack. That, at least, made Wei Ying fold his ears back and look sheepish.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to worry you.”

Lan Zhan sighed and stepped the rest of the way down the stairs. “No need. Please be careful in the future.”

He held up three fingers and stood up straight, “I promise.”

Barely an hour of being awake and he was already making his mate have regrets. That had to be some kind of record, right? One that he would have to rectify quickly.

Lan Zhan took his hand and guided him to the left. There were a wide set of double doors that opened into a large dining room. The outward side was lined with windows, letting in fresh light and casting shadows over the table. More potted plants sat in boxes just outside each window and some were kept in vases along the table center. The opposite side had a large fireplace with what Wei Ying assumed to be a family painting of the young Twin Jades and a woman. Probably their mother. The room was somehow quaint while being spacious and lavish.

“You like flowers a lot.”

Lan Zhan hummed an affirmative and took him to the far side, through a single door. The hallway here was wide and also bustling with movement. More than he would have guessed for an average day in the household. There was more staff than seemed necessary as well. Yet, they were all moving about with arms full of this or that, only stopping to give bows and smiles.

“This wing is all sleeping quarters,” Lan Zhan explained, nodding back to everyone who passed them, “For a rotation of trainees and guards. The other side is the same for staff. The layout is mirrored.”

Wei Ying was surprised to hear clan members stayed in the house. He supposed that was why there was staff everywhere. They had not only the master of the house to clean up for, but also countless trainees and bodyguards. He didn’t really want to count the number of doors in the hall, and it even wrapped around a corner so he couldn’t see all the rooms.

“There is also a kitchen on either side.”

Wei Ying skipped down to where the kitchen door was labeled, still holding tight to Lan Zhan’s hand, “Is upstairs all meeting rooms then?”

“Recreation and training as well.”

He opened the door to see a large industrial kitchen with pots bubbling away, “Ah, so, like, a gym and stuff?”

“Exercise rooms, gun range, leisure spaces, and the like.”

Wei Ying hummed and shut the door before he could distract too many cooks, “What about bathrooms?”

Lan Zhan blinked slowly at the odd question, “Each dorm has a water closet and showers are in the center of the hall. On the other side, they are more private as the staff is more permanent.”

“Wow,” he breathed and let himself be led back to the main foyer, “This place is more like a compound than a home.”

“It is both,” he agreed and took them behind the grand staircase.

Oddly, there was a quaint cottage door standing there. It didn’t lead outside either, but into the back of the staircase. It was hardly the right door for basement access, but Wei Ying wasn’t going to judge. It was a cute door, after all.

Lan Zhan placed his hand over the handle and waited for a soft click. Then, he opened the door. Before Wei Ying could bound down the stairs to see what secrets awaited him, he was hefted up bridal style and carried down. The door shut softly and locked behind them.

“Wha- Lan Zhan! I’m not going to slide down this rail! There’s not even enough room to!”

Lan Zhan nearly smiled but didn’t respond. He just continued down the stairs until they were in front of another pretty cottage door with a floor mat reading ‘Home Sweet Home” in neat cursive. This one had a standard keyhole instead of whatever high tech lock was on the other. Lan Zhan unlocked it without even setting his mate down and took them both into a small living room.

“Welcome home.”

Wei Ying was in shock. He had fallen down the stairs instead of landing it perfectly and entered a dream state. Either that, or Lan Zhan, Lan Wangji, the feared Hanguang-jun, lived in a small cottage built underneath a sprawling mansion.

He was finally set down in the entrance area and slipped on a cozy pair of slippers before taking off to explore. There was a living room, kitchen, dining room, a master bedroom and a patio out the back. How there was an outdoor patio when they were in the basement eluded him. At least until he remembered he could just go outside and check.

The patio, as it turned out, was just part of a full back yard with a white picket fence and all. There was already a small garden with blooming gentians and a small shed in one corner. The patio had a table for four with an umbrella and even a charcoal grill.

Surrounding the yard were trees. They hid the incline where dirt the ground had been dug out to allow the yard. He could still see where the main building attached, but the trees did a very good job obscuring the fact they were in a man made valley of sorts.

Wei Ying turned to Lan Zhan, who was standing anxiously at the door, “You live here?”

He lowered his gaze to the slippers he had traded his work shoes for, “We live here, so long as you like it.”

He laughed again, realizing this was the most he had actually laughed in years, “Lan Zhan! Oh my Lan Zhan! I like it! I love it! I mean, I want to decorate a bit more but you- no! I live, we live in a cute cottage with a private yard! It’s almost like we’re in the woods!”

Lan Zhan released a long and slow breath, tension easing from his shoulders, “Good. I’m glad.”

Wei Ying bounded over to him and threw himself into his arms. Lan Zhan had great reaction speed and caught him with his hands under his rump.

“This is amazing! It must have taken ages to get this made!”

“The initial refurbishment was quick, but the yard came some years after.”

Wei Ying flopped his head to the side, “So you lived here without sunlight or fresh air for a couple years?”

“I was not born yet.”

“Oh! You know, that makes more sense. At least that no one lived here for the hole digging time. It must have been a dreary place even with lamps.”

Lan Zhan didn’t comment more on the history of the secret basement cottage. Instead, he took Wei Ying back to the cozy master bedroom. He curled his toes thinking they were about to have some real fun, before the bed itself folded up against the wall.

“Another secret basement?! Put me down! I want to see!” he patted Lan Zhan’s shoulder as if that would get him out of the hold any quicker.

“Patience.”

This staircase, what Wei Ying hoped was the last, was sturdy and simple. The hallway at the end was just the same. All plain white tile and walls. Lan Zhan took his time stepping deliberately but confidently. The door at the other end, a solid metal with handprint verification, slid open silently after Lan Zhan unlocked it.

The room on the other side was not as sterile and plain as the hallway before it. In fact, it was nearly the opposite. The room itself was huge, lit with warm chandeliers of varying design. Tapestries and paintings were hung all over the walls, with more stored in shelves erected almost like a library. In fact, there was definitely a library as well as a jewelry store, fabric shop, museum, bank, and vault all in one room. And everything smelled like Lan Zhan.

This was the hoard.

Wei Ying was set down only after the door was tightly sealed behind him. With slippers on warm wooden floors, he bolted for the books first. His ears and nose twitched as he peered over them all. They were ordered by age rather than alphabet. It made sense considering the books were in several languages, many that Wei Ying couldn’t even identify. What began as shelves of relatively new books slowly turned into bamboo scrolls preserved behind glass. They were obviously extremely old, maybe even ancient.

Wei Ying kept his fingerprints off the glass and turned his attention to the artwork next.

He felt breathless looking at the first scroll in a glass box, “This is... Is this Wood and Rock? Like the original?!”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan sounded smug, but he hardly cared.

The next was a European painting of a gruesome scene depicting two women beheading a man, “Artemisia, right? Also original?”

“Mn. They all are.”

“Fuck,” he breathed and moved on to the jewelry on display. Surprisingly, these weren’t tucked behind glass, but they were still polished and shining. Considering where they were, that would mean Lan Zhan cleaned them himself whenever necessary.

A silver hairpin caught his attention. It had red gemstones like teardrops hanging off a silver phoenix . He picked it up to look at it closer.

“That piece was made nearly 200 years ago and hoarded by my great-grandfather.”

Wei Ying set it down gently so he didn’t risk breaking it, “Is everything here handed down?”

Lan Zhan made a low grumble, “No. I have collected a great amount on my own.”

He widened his eyes , realizing the insult he just gave. A dragon’s hoard was their pride and joy. To only have heirlooms was a failure. It showed a dragon was incapable of providing for itself, much less for a mate.

“I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to say- It was just curiosity!”

Lan Zhan’s hand came softly to the small of his back, “You are forgiven.”

“But I just!” he bit his lip to silence himself.

The dragon dragged his thumb over the abused lips, “You had no malicious intent. You did not know.”

“I did know,” Wei Ying confessed, “Somewhere in my stupid mind.”

“A lapse then. You are still forgiven, and you are anything but stupid.”

“Keep complimenting me like that and I’ll never leave you alone,” he teased to bring attention away from his growing blush.

“That is my intent,” Lan Zhan said with the smuggest glint in his eyes.

Well, so much for hiding his blush. It was going to be a lost cause anyway when his mate loved to fluster him with sincerity and kindness. Oh boy, he was not about to unpack how someone could possibly fluster him with the barest bit of kindness.

“Well, don’t regret saying that! I’m going to cling to you like gum in your hair! Now show me how to get down here safely by myself!”

He stomped back towards the entrance, not wanting to see the tiny smile that accompanied the ‘mn’ he heard in response.

Chapter Text

Wei Ying was both everything he dreamed of and nothing he could have ever guessed. The rabbit was near nonsensical with his contradictory nature. While he was caring and kind to the staff and trainees, he also spoke words sharper than knives and was willing to kill at any point.

Lan Wangji supposed it depended on what he deemed the other deserved. The pleasant staff received pleasantness in return. The rowdy trainees received rowdy teases back. And We Xu... Well.

He was all around much quieter than he had been before Wei Ying visited him the day before. It was a welcome change from the non-stop torrent of threats and half unintelligible shouts from the day before that. He was almost docile muzzled and chained to the chair.

“I was not expecting this from your reports,” Lan Xichen commented, standing on the opposite side of the room from Wen Xu, “I believe you said he was ‘unruly’ on the phone?”

Lan Wangji nodded once.

He had been uncooperative during their initial questioning. Wen Xu didn’t have the decency to keep his mouth shut, either. Instead of providing any useful information, he hurled obscenities and swore that his father would bring the Lan Clan to its knees.

Now, he was little more than a tamed dog. Or fox, in this case.

“What did your mate do to him?”

Lan Wangji closed his eyes and savored the memories of Wei Ying’s ‘fun time.’ He had ordered for tools and coverings to keep everything tidy. He knew his way around certain torture devices, but applied them clumsily. It wasn’t much of a mental leap to know Wei Ying had been present for many questionings without ever having done anything himself. He was probably present in the room just to be eye candy or be used as a satisfactory break.

The latter idea put a bitter taste in his mouth. No one would dare lay a finger on Wei Ying again. If Lan Wangji were any less of a dragon, he would have already torn Wen Xu limb from limb for how he had treated the rabbit. Still, it was Wei Ying’s revenge. So he watched and waited for Wei Ying to be finished before scooping up his mate and ravishing him in their marital bed.

Lan Wangji opened his eyes, “He castrated him. Slowly. Among other things.”

Lan Xichen was not one for extreme violence. It was why Lan Wangji was appointed enforcer over him. Still, he chuckled and shook his head, “You’re purring, Didi.”

He coughed and swallowed his unintentional purr. It could hardly be helped after seeing Wei Ying nude on their bed, flecks of blood still staining his skin and hair. Lan Wangji would have licked it off his body if it hadn’t been Wen Xu’s.

“I’m glad you have found a compatible mate. Has Wen Xu said anything of import since?”

“Mn, though almost everything he said was proven when my men returned with Wen Qing. Her documents are upstairs for your review.”

“Good, it’s about time we handled the Wen. Twiddling my thumbs while we wait for them to mess up was tiring. You believe there is enough to spur the others into action?”

“Of course,” Lan Wangji gave the barest hint of a smirk, “We have proof of Clan Leader Nie’s murder.”

“Ah,” Lan Xichen glanced at his brother before standing up, “You should have led with that.”

“Apologies, Xiongzhang,” he led Lan Xichen out of the cell.

“No need,” he sighed, “If I didn’t know you so well I might think you just wanted to brag.”

Lan Wangji made no comment to confirm or deny that suspicion. He and his brother both knew whether or not it was true anyway.

“I am going to meet him soon, right?”

“Mn, he has been busy redecorating,” he waved over a random maid, “Take him to Conference Room C and lock the door behind him.”

Lan Xichen grinned but didn’t ask about exactly what was being redecorated, “I’ll look over the documents while you fetch your mate. I will need to speak with Wen-guniang as well.”

Lan Wangji nodded to the maid who responded in kind, understanding the unspoken order well.

She bowed and led Lan Xichen down the hall.

Luckily, Wei Ying had been adamant to begin his redecorating in their own cottage. He was also going to paint the walls and change things within the mansion proper, but not until after his home was ‘properly colorful.’ This was only lucky because it was easy to find him at any given time, even with his propensity to wander and get distracted.

Lan Wangji made his way down to find the living room furniture pushed towards the center of the room, one wall covered in test colors still drying. They were all shades of light blue but had various tints to them. Some warmer, some colder, some lighter, or darker. Wei Ying wanted to eventually paint a scene of clouds and mountains on an accent wall, so he needed the perfect sky blue to start with.

The living room, however, was abandoned. Thankfully, the paints were closed and no brushes were left to dry on a ruined palette. He hadn’t minded buying another set of... everything, but that mess was the first he had ever made in the house. He couldn’t deny it left him a bit anxious. Wei Ying apologized and promised to do better right away.

It appears he meant it.

Lan Wangji searched the rooms but found each one empty, as was the patio. That left only the hoard. He hoped his mate hadn’t gotten any of the artifacts out of their protective cases. Most were very fragile and would be ruined if touched.

He lifted the bed and finally found Wei Ying looking through his fabric stash. There were already a number of white and black bundles on the floor, tightly wrapped and stacked surprisingly neatly. It warmed his heart that his omega was taking care with his hoard.

Wei Ying nuzzled his cheek against a black silk with gold threads woven into a smoke pattern. His face scrunched and his tongue poked out with a disgruntled noise. The fabric was wrapped up tight and set with the others on the floor. The next fabric chosen was also mainly black, but had red butterflies dancing around each other. The rabbit scrutinized the bundle but ended up setting it down without even trying to nuzzle it.

It looked like he had been at this for a long time already. Lan Wangji had countless fabrics in all colors and designs packed away. The shelving holding them rotated to hold as much as possible. He wasn’t sure if Wei Ying had discovered that capability yet but he didn’t want to interrupt the scene. His brother could be patient and had plenty of documents to scour through.

This pattern continued for a few more minutes before one silk passed the cheek test by making him purr. The next test had Wei Ying unraveling a long portion and wrapping it around his waist. He swished and spun, eyes focused on how the silk moved and settled over him. He grinned as it flowed freely and draped loosely over his form. After being rolled back into its bundle, this fabric was set aside in its own pile.

It wasn’t until he turned to put away the discarded fabric that he finally noticed Lan Wangji was there. The bunny jumped back and yelped, hitting the shelf and knocking loose a few bundles.

Lan Wangji moved quickly to protect his mate from the falling bundles. They weren’t heavy or particularly dangerous, but his instinct took over nonetheless.

“Lan Zhan!” Wei Ying hit his chest, “How dare you scare me like that! I didn’t even hear the door open!”

Lan Zhan petted his head softly, “Apologies. You were too cute to interrupt.”

Wei Ying blushed and hid his face behind his hand, “Lan Zha-n! We’ve been mated for so little time and yet you have already weakened my heart. How will I survive like this? These compliments will be the death of me!”

“Wei Ying is strong. He will be fine,” Lan Wangji slipped the bundles that fell back into place, “What are you looking for?”

Wei Ying narrowed his eyes and began picking up after himself, “It's a secret.”

“Hm?”

“Yup, secret. I've been sworn to silence!”

“By whom?”

Wei Ying grinned, “Myself, obviously! You wouldn't make me break a promise to myself, would you?”

Lan Wangji gave the barest hint of a smile and hugged his bunny close, “Never.”

“Good,” Wei Ying booped his nose like he wasn’t a 188cm dragon. Then again, he was a tall omega himself at 180cm. “Did you need me for something?”

“Xiongzhang is here to review all the information we have on the Wen. He also wants to meet you.”

“Meet me?!” he pulled away and lowered his ears, “So soon?!”

Lan Wangji considered that. Wei Ying had only been in the house for a few days. Their relationship was completely new and in a longer courting, he wouldn’t even suggest Wei Ying meet his family. This was not a long courting. They were already mated, even if Wei Ying had yet to bite him back. Still, he wouldn’t force him to meet his brother if he didn’t want to.

He would just pout about it.

Wei Ying started running his fingers through his ponytail, “I can’t meet him like this! Look at me. I’m all sweaty and in pajamas!”

Lan Wangji had to blink several times for the complaint to be computed. Wei Ying never looked awful, even when completely disheveled. Especially not when completely disheveled. He wasn’t all that sweaty and his scent was still fragrant and sweet. He wore one of Lan Wangji’s undershirts, tied up so it only reached his waist, and a pair of soft shorts one of the maids had gone out and bought for him. It wasn’t safe for him to run out on a shopping spree just yet, but soon his wardrobe would be bursting.

“You look wonderful.”

Wei Ying rolled his eyes, “He’s not only your clan leader but also your brother! I have to make a good impression and the best clothes I have are your oversized suits.”

“I promise he will not care if you are dressed comfortably in your own home, but you may always wear one of my suits if you wish.”

“That was a joke, Lan Zhan!” he whined, “I would look even sillier in one of your suits. I want to tell him to wait, but that’ll just give him a bad impression, won’t it?”

Unlikely, but Lan Wangji got the feeling saying so would not help.

“Wei Ying, my tuzi,” he rubbed the base of his ears to help calm him down, “Xiongzhang wants to meet my mate, as my brother. Would you feel better if he joined us for dinner in the cottage?”

Wei Ying leaned into the touch and moaned quietly, “Mmmmmmaybe. Yes. I’d like that.”

“I will invite him, then. Any requests for the cooks?”

He bit his lip with a small grin, “Can I cook?”

Lan Wangji raised a brow, “If you wish. Your groceries came in, and anything else you may need can be bought by staff.”

“Oh, I noticed,” he wrapped his arms around his neck, “Thank you for letting me borrow one of your runners.”

Lan Wangji took the hint happily and sealed their lips tightly. Wei Ying's lips parted before he even had to prod them. That should have been his first clue something was amiss. Wei Ying liked to be pinned down and man handled until he gave in. It really shouldn't have been a surprise when his tongue started to tingle, then burn.

It was already starting to be a familiar pain. One that he quite enjoyed so long as it was coming from Wei Ying's mouth directly. Still, his tongue was sensitive and he had to pull away with a short hiss too soon.

“Wei Ying.”

“Lan Zhan,” he grinned, “Still too spicy? I ate a jalapeño right before I came down here.”

Lan Wangji had already gone over how sensitive a dragon's tongue could be, and that his was more sensitive than most. He had to after Wei Ying made an inedible pasta dish as a surprise lunch a few days back. While it certainly looked delicious, even with the sinister red flakes clinging to the noodles, he couldn't get more than one bite down without possibly breathing actual fire.

Wei Ying apologized profusely and now made sure to separate their food before spicing his up. Lan Wangji did the same when it was his turn to cook dinner.

Looking back at his mate's dangerous lips, he dove back in with a barely mumbled, “Worth it.”

Wei Ying laughed into the kiss but smacked his back until Lan Wangji relented and pulled away.

“You are insatiable! What did you even do before me?”

“Toys,” he answered honestly.

Wei Ying sighed, “I've been on the receiving end of your cock every day since we met, so know that I will know if you lie to me. How many toys did you go through in a week?”

The dragon looked up at the ceiling. It would not be a lie to remain silent. In this case, it would probably be for the best. Wei Ying's imagination may be outrageously wrong but that would be better than the confirmed truth of countless broken sex toys thrown away.

“I bet,” Wei Ying continued, “You tried high end sleeves and milkers. Ones that pump and twist around you with all kinds of ribs and promised tightness. I bet you broke every single one of them and resorted to simple models because you are nothing practical. Still, they only lasted a little bit longer and only left you marginally satisfied. Right?”

Lan Wangji growled and squeezed his supple ass hard.

“Ah! And then- mhm- and then you had me. And all the money in the world couldn't buy you a toy that could match my cunt!”

They were too far from a flat piece of wall to slam the bunny against and the shelving would hurt in a less than fun way. They already picked up the mess of fabric that would have shielded any tackle to the floor. He wanted nothing more than to ravish his tease of a mate but the sleek and clean design on the hoard room was not made with mating in mind. Now he could only curse his younger self for being so shortsighted.

“Nail on the head, hm?” Wei Ying pressed his stomach against his hard cock, “And what a hard head it is. It's really such a shame you have to go invite your brother to dinner instead of staying with me.”

Unacceptable.

Lan Wangji yanked Wei Ying's head back by his ponytail and bit his exposed neck, “On your knees.”

Goosebumps erupted on Wei Ying’s skin, “Gege! We don’t have time for this. Your brother is waiting, isn’t he?”

He hissed and pulled Wei Ying where he wanted him, “He’s a patient man. I am not.”

“Oh, I know that much,” he teased, slowly unzipping his slacks, “You'd probably love it if I was chained to you naked to be used whenever you'd like.”

He groaned at the lovely image. Wei Ying would crawl at his side on a leash like a good little bunny. He could dress him in nothing but thick paws so he couldn't use his hands. His only choice for relief would be to hump pitifully against Lan Wangji's leg in front of everyone.

Wei Ying giggled at the site of his cock, already hard and flushed, “I thought you might like that, even if you'd never act on it. Your such a gentleman when you want to be,” he licked up the back of his cock, “And such a beast at the same time.”

“Shut up.”

“Hm? No, I don't think I will. How about I tell you a secret instead?” Wei Ying spat on his sack and popped one nut in his mouth only to push it out with his tongue far too soon, “If you came at me with a leash, I'd go belly up for you “

Lan Wangji felt any sanity he had been clinging to snap. His hands went to either side of Wei Yings head to hold him steady. On command, Wei Ying's mouth fell wide open and he wasted no time shoving himself balls deep inside.

He prayed he would never get used to the feeling of this throat spasming around him, nor the choked gargle that Wei Ying couldn't hold back. He was warm and wet and so willing. Sure, he needed to be pushed into place, but Lan Wangji was more than willing to play that game with him. He liked being rough as much as Wei Ying liked being treated rough.

The dragon waited until Wei Ying's hands were balled tightly in his pants before pulling out enough to let him breathe. He sucked in through his nose, knowing damn well he wouldn't be given long. Lan Wangji thrust back in and set a leisurely pace, each grinding thrust making his omega gag wetly.

The tears squeezed from his shut lids as he managed the length and girth forcing its way down. Honestly, Lan Wangji was impressed how well he took the cock. Too much pride was against his principles, but he was well aware how he was endowed. He had also seen the only other cock Wei Ying had pleasured and while it wasn't lacking for a fox, it was nothing compared to his. Still, Wei Ying swallowed it down like he had been doing it for years.

“Perfect for me,” he groaned.

Wei Ying whined at the compliment.

Lan Wangji tightened his hold of his hair, “Look at me.”

His eyes shot open to obey.

“Good boy. I'm going to come down your throat and you're going to milk me dry, understood?”

Wei Ying made a few punched out gargles in between thrusts. He assumed they were something along the lines of ‘Yes, please' and sped up. It took him only a short time to finish completely sheathed in his omega. He growled when Wei Ying actively swallowed around his cock, properly milking him like he was told.

Lan Wangji pulled out his softening cock, reveling in the fucked out expression on his lover. The gods themselves couldn't have found him a more perfect mate.

He let go of Wei Ying's hair and rubbed his filthy member on the bunny's borrowed shirt, “I need to meet with my brother and Wen-guniang. I expect you to be good and not touch yourself. Can you do that for me?”

His legs squeezed together and he whined sharply, “No! Please, Er-gege! At least once now!”

“No. You will be patient until my brother leaves,” he squatted down to be eye level, “And then I will make the wait worth it.”

Wei Ying squirmed and nodded his head, “OK, alright! I'll be good and cook dinner and ignore how wet and uncomfortable I am, but you better make it worth it.”

He kissed his forehead, “I won't disappoint.”

Chapter Text

“That horrible, stupid, beautiful man and his perfect golden eyes, with that damn smirk!” Wei Ying took his anger out on the dough in front of him, “Who does he think he is?! Taking his pleasure and leaving me wet and desperate! Just because he has a big dick and delicious muscles he thinks he can abuse me like this? Thinks I’ll agree to anything that smooth voice says?!”

Wei Ying slammed his hand into the dough and kneaded it with all the fervor he could muster. The frustration was coming straight from his neglected groin. Even several hours later he was still horny and unable to think about much else besides Lan Zhan’s promise. He was about ready to cum untouched from his imagination alone. That, or the smell coming from his shirt. The one he had conveniently forgotten to change and was continuing to forget to change after it was soiled.

He really should just masturbate and get it over with. It wasn’t like he couldn’t hide any evidence of disobeying. There was a shower, clean clothes, and plenty of ventilation to clear out any tell-tale signs of sex. If his mate wasn’t going to take care of him, then he could and would take care of himself.

Only, his mate was going to take care of him. Lan Zhan promised. He had done nothing but take care of him since they ran into each other.

Wei Ying released the poor dough and ran his finger over the healing fingernail wounds on his arm. He shivered remembering the heated look in the dragon’s eyes. In a matter of seconds, Lan Zhan had scanned his whole body and knew they would match. He somehow knew what Wei Ying wanted from body language and scent alone.

Lan Zhan was a sadist. Sure, he pampered Wei Ying and promised even more pampering and shopping as soon as it was safe to leave the compound’s grounds, but he was a sadist nonetheless. Worse, Wei Ying told him, in only slightly guarded terms, that he was a massive masochist. He wanted his face pushed into bed, ass raised high and bright red. He wanted to be fucked through orgasms mercilessly until he blacked out completely. Even better if he woke up still being fucked. Denial only made his cunt pulse strong with need. Lan Zhan, in all of a few days, had figured that out and was using it to drive him insane.

That’s what made it all the more frustrating!

He shaped the dough into a ball and left it to prove while he got to work chopping vegetables. The plan was to make baozi so he could easily spice his own dish to his content without poisoning the dragons. Wei Ying had spent enough time with the cooks in the brood house to know the basics. He was no master chef but he really wanted to feed his kin. What use was he if he couldn’t have a nice meal on the table to fuel their late night breeding?

Wei Ying scrolled through the next steps of the recipe on his new tablet. The dough was the hardest part and there was nothing he could do there for a while. What he needed now was a lot of chopped up vegetables and a preheated wok. He grabbed a few long pieces of hay to munch on as he searched the kitchen for a shredder or food processor. Really anything to make it a bit easier. His search yielded a high end food processor, which was not a surprise at this rate. It was still taped shut and completely unopened. All he could assume was it was a house warming gift that he never bothered to use. Most things in the kitchen were the same or similar.

Lan Zhan was a work-a-holic. He probably took his meals in his office or in meetings. Wen Xu often had prospective allies or business partners meet him for dinner and drinks. It was standard practice to ease any tension and show good intentions. Still, trying to imagine his mate making small talk over some cocktails made him laugh. There was no way he would enjoy anything about schmoozing.

Maybe Wei Ying would take over the schmoozing. They could go to parties and he would drink while making friends with other clans. Maybe he'd get a little too friendly and his dragon would have no choice but to drag him off to the nearest abandoned hallway and fuck him so hard the whole gathering heard his wails.

Well, that was not helping his situation at all.

Wei Ying opened all the windows to air out his frustrated scent. He couldn't very well meet Lan Zhan's brother in a house that screamed ‘take me, god dammit!’ He also needed something proper to wear. Casual, but put together. Not a cum stained t-shirt.

Wei Ying made himself busy searching his mate's wardrobe and pulled out two identical dark blue button ups. He could Frankenstein them together to make a casual dress if there was any type of sewing kit around.

The next half hour was spent stirring vegetables and locating the kit that Lan Zhan absolutely had, but had absolutely never been touched before. If there was one thing to be learned from his house, Lan Zhan was always prepared for even the most unlikely circumstances.

After filling and sealing the baozi, he wouldn't call them ugly per se, he curled up on the couch to alter the shirts. When his brother-in-law arrived, all he would have to do was steam them. All in all, Wei Ying thought he could play homemaker well!

---

The dress was done, the baozi were in the fridge, the table was set, and the kitchen was a mess.

It didn't look like a mess when he was cooking. It looked normal with pans sizzling and water boiling. A kitchen in use! Now that the other chores were done, though, it looked like a tornado had turned the whole room over. Wei Ying froze trying to figure out where to start. He had to get it cleaned up before Lan Zhan came home. He hated messes. He almost had a mechanical breakdown over paint that was still, technically, in a perfectly logical spot. Oil splatter on the wall and a piece of bok choy that somehow got stuck to the ceiling was not going to fly. Not to mention the crusty bits of vegetables stuck solid on the pans he used.

He should have set them to soak right away, but he had to make the dress. Then he had to clean all the thread and cloth scraps off the couch. Then the floor. Now he had about 10 minutes to clean the kitchen or ban his mate from stepping foot in it. Well, he needed to clean up enough to use one burner or he couldn't actually steam the baozi.

“Fuck.”

He scrambled to throw the pans into the sink, only to take them all out again so he could stopper the drain. The pans went back in with a healthy spurt of soap and hot water. More utensils joined the pans until Wei Ying had to jump at the faucet to stop it from overflowing. He did now have the burners free, but the walls, and ceiling, were a mess. A quick wipe down wasn't going to cut it, but he didn't have time for scrubbing-

“Wei Ying?”

He flung a cutting board full of scraps in surprise. The board clattered to the ground and doubly spooked him, making him jump to the corner counter and squeeze himself under the cupboards.

Lan Zhan rushed to him, but stopped dead and backed away some steps with his palms out.

It was only then that Wei Ying realized his scents were going crazy. The dragon probably keyed into the stress as soon as he entered the house. Now there was fear alongside it.

He took control of his breath, forcing long inhales and exhales. Wei Ying had really let the prey take over with the stress of the evening. Being snuck up on in a moment of weakness made his instincts take over in a visceral way.

The bunny slowly crawled out from his hiding spot and slid his feet to the floor. His eyes still snapped around the room looking for any danger, but he tried his best to laugh it off. It came out wet and he scrubbed his leaking eyes.

“Fuck, Lan Zhan! I'm so silly, getting scared so easily!”

He was wrapped in strong arms before he could uncover his eyes, “Not silly.”

Wei Ying laughed another sob out and shook his head, “It is though! I was so focused on getting everything clean I didn't even hear you! Then I jumped on the counter because of a plastic thing that I dropped!”

“Not silly,” he repeated and rubbed his back, “You are stressed. Why?”

“Why?” he asked, incredulous, “You see the state of this kitchen right? I ruined it and I know you hate messes but I still made a huge one and didn't even give myself time to scrub the walls or soak the pans!”

Lan Zhan did look around the room and even frowned at the bok choy still stuck to the ceiling, “I will clean. You cooked.”

“No! That is not right! I made your kitchen a disaster and made you upset! I need to clean it all!”

The dragon's jaw tightened, “I... am uncomfortable. Not upset.”

“You're glaring at the sink.”

“Uncomfortable,” he sighed through his nose, “Perhaps upset at the situation, not you.”

“I caused the situation!”

He cupped the rabbit's cheek, “Wei Ying, you are precious to me. This will not change that. I am unused to chaos in my home. I will get used to a certain level of it.”

“No, you shouldn't have to get used to it! I'm the one who's invading your home.”

“Not my home,” he smiled, “Our home.”

Wei Ying took a deep breath of sandalwood and crisp frost. Lan Zhan had a lovely clean scent that eased the tension and worry from his bones.

“Our home,” he mumbled.

“Mn,” Lan Zhan kissed his crown, “Go wash your face. The kitchen can wait until after dinner.”

“Hmm, alright, let me just-”

“Wash your face, the warm water will calm you. What do you need done?”

“Need a pot boiling. The steamer is in the fridge ready to go.”

“I will get it started then.”

Wei Ying grinned and kissed his mate's cheek, “Thank you.”

He bounded off to their bedroom to freshen up for dinner. It wasn't until he heard a soft discussion in the living room that he realized Lan Xichen must have been either in the house or just outside the door for his meltdown. His face heated up again but he punched the feeling down. Any further meltdowns could wait until he was curled up in bed with his alpha.

Slapping on a smile, he walked around the corner and jumped to Lan Zhan's side, “I'm back!”

Lan Zhan hummed and snaked his arm around Wei Ying to hold him close.

Wei Ying nuzzled in before remembering who else was in the room. Lan Xichen was just as tall as Lan Zhan and looked nearly identical. Lan Zhan had told him that much already, but also said they were actually born a few years apart. The starkest difference was Lan Xichen's openly amused smile.

He grinned and pulled away just enough to introduce himself, “Hi, I'm Wei Ying!”

The elder dragon bowed in turn, “My name is Lan Xichen. It is good to finally meet my new brother-in-law.”

“Likewise,” he laughed and stuck himself back to Lan Zhan's side, “But I wish it was under better circumstances.”

Lan Xichen shook his head, “I can hardly think of better. I'm sure you're well aware of the Wen Clan's arrogance. You've given us invaluable information and an opening to cut Wen Ruohan down.”

“I hardly did anything,” he argued, “All the information was at the nightclub that Lan Zhan planned to raid. I just confirmed and translated it.”

“Perhaps, but as far as everyone else is concerned, you leaked information to us that caused the raid.”

Wei Ying scrunched his face in confusion before it clicked. Then he nearly doubled over in laughter, only held upright by Lan Zhan's strength.

“Isn't that a lie? Lying is against the rules, Clan Leader Lan!”

“A reordering of events, yes, but a necessary one. We already called a meeting with the other major clan leaders for tomorrow.”

Wei Ying wondered where all his confidence came from. No one in the household acted like they were about to be at war with the biggest clan in the Jianghu. He knew dragons were stronger than other species, but didn't guns even the playing field? And bombs? All the old, hoarded armor in the world wouldn't save them from a building crumbling down on them.

It wasn't his place to question it, so he just went with the calm flow, “I'm sure you've had enough work talk for today, then! Let me get some tea going, unless you'd prefer wine?”

“Tea is fine, thank you. Alcohol does not agree with us.”

“Ah, I thought that was just a rule, not a medical thing.”

Lan Xichen smiled wider, “Our rules were all created for a reason, whether for our health or instinct. We couldn't live alongside other clans if we didn't abide by them.”

“Hm, sounds like there are some interesting stories there! You'll have to tell me over drinks! Or, well, over my drink and your tea.”

“Wangji told me you enjoy wine. I brought a bottle as a gift. I believe he fairies it off to the kitchen for you.”

Lan Zhan nodded once, “Mn.”

Wei Ying's eyes lit up, “Thank you! I'll pop it open, then!”

Lan Zhan let him go, but not without the tiniest pout. The man was really too adorable.

In the kitchen, the pot he had set up was nearly to a boil and the kettle was already filled and set to keep warm. A tray with three glasses and a pot was just to the side of it with loose leaf already portioned into the pot. His wine was chilled in an ice bucket as well. He could have cried from how thoughtful Lan Zhan was.

Wei Ying poured the boiling water into the pot and filled one of the glasses with the unmarked wine bottle. He considered leaving the rest of the bottle in the kitchen, but who was he trying to fool? The bottle would be gone in a few hours whether he kept it in here or brought it out to the table. He set it next to the pot on the tray. After setting the steamer over the boiling pot, he grabbed the tray and carefully made his way back to his guest.

“Alright boys, sit and get comfortable! This isn't a fancy dinner party,” he knelt at the table on a cushion and made himself busy pouring tea for them.

Lan Xichen knelt across the table while Lan Zhan snuggled up next to him. Wei Ying leaned into his warmth and relaxed his ears back.

“I'm glad to see you so settled here. I imagine it's a large departure from your previous life.”

Wei Ying traced the edge of his glass, “It's basically the opposite. I used to work constantly and never on anything fun. Customer service is the worst! And all the patrons were drunk and expected services I never provided.”

Lan Xichen blinked. It looked like cogs were whirring to find an appropriate response to such a statement.

“Ah, well. I imagine that would be unpleasant.”

“You’d imagine correct,” Wei Ying scowled, “I always smelled like stale beer and fake pheromones. It was nauseating at first.”

Lan Zhan tightened his hold and growled low in his throat.

The rabbit nuzzled into his side, “But I’m here now! And Lan Zhan is giving near free reign over the house! This room is going to be cloudy and calm. The wall behind you is going to be a mural for ancient Gusu. Like, the actual Cloud Recesses. Lan Zhan’s been showing me references.”

That lessened the tension in the room, “Ah, I look forward to seeing it when it’s finished. Have you decided on a base color?”

Wei Ying shook his head and finally took a swig of his wine. His mouth lit up with the smooth and sweet alcohol.

“Holy shit, that’s fantastic!”

Lan Xichen bubbled with laughter, “I’m glad you think so!”

“What kind of wine is this? The bottle doesn’t have a label!”

Lan Zhan rubbed his side, “Emperor's Smile.”

“I’ve never even heard of it before, and trust me that is hard to do!”

“Our non-dragon members have been distilling it for centuries. It was, of course, against the precepts to drink in the Cloud Recesses themselves. We continue to uphold that rule among the dragons, but other species are more than welcome to drink so long as they are off duty. Emperor’s Smile was once made by the people at the foot of the mountain. The clan continues that tradition.”

Wei Ying refilled his glass, “Wow, so this is some secret wine from ancient times, then? It’s amazing! I’m sorry you’ve never had any.”

Lan Xichen sipped his tea, “I have never found myself jealous of those who have tried it. Especially after Wangji had his experience with it.”

Lan Zhan was glaring harshly at his brother when Wei Ying turned up to him.

“Lan Zhan, my alpha, you must tell me about this!”

He sighed through his nose, “I do not remember.”

“How much did you drink?”

“One glass. Roughly 4 oz.”

“And you can’t remember a thing? Is that why alcohol is forbidden?”

“Yes,” Lan Xichen confirmed, “Even a small amount poisons us. Wangji passed out right away, then he woke up several minutes later and couldn’t be reasoned with. I barely stopped him before he stole some rabbits from the local shelter.”

Wei Ying covered his mouth, “Oh! He wanted rabbits so bad he couldn’t wait for morning?”

“Correct. I had to promise him that we would go first thing in the morning to adopt the lot of them. Now our childhood home has a growing brood that Uncle must take care of.”

“Xiongzhang bought them while I was bedridden the next day.”

“I bet you were very confused,” he snorted, “When you saw all those fluff balls hopping around!”

“He was so embarrassed but also so happy,” his brother leaned forward, “Wangji never admitted it, but he has always loved small and cute things. Rabbits were always at the top of that list. I used to get him notebooks and pencils with rabbit and duck decals. Ah! I have pictures!”

“Xiongzhang, ple-”

“Oh! Look at you! You have such chubby cheeks and a stern face! Your expression hasn’t changed much, has it?”

“If anything he’s become more relaxed. Here,” he swiped to some baby pictures, “Even as an infant he was scowling!”

Wei Ying squealed and stole the phone to look through the album, “Lan Zhan! How can you be this cute! Is this what our babies are going to look like? Oh, I hope they’re an army of little Lan Zhans!”

“He was a biter, though. He bit my childhood friend when he was six.”

“He is a biter! Trust me!”

Lan Zhan disappeared while they laughed and cooed over more photos and stories. Wei Ying smiled at him when he returned with plates and their meal.

“Thank you! The bottom level is mine. It has all the spices that you can’t handle. The bao are filled with a couple different vegetable mixes. I promise I did not add hot peppers to yours!”

“I appreciate it. Welcome to the family, Wei Ying.”

“I’m happy to be here,” Wei Ying raised his glass with Lan Xichen before downing the last of the wine.

Chapter Text

“So, you’ve always liked bunnies, hm?”

Lan Wangji paused in his drying. He knew Wei Ying would never let that topic drop, but he was glad he waited until the kitchen was nearly clean. All that was left was putting the dishes away. He supposed that was as good a blessing as he was going to get.

He finished drying the last dish and put it in the clean pile, “Mn.”

Wei Ying swung his legs from his perch on the far counter. It took time to convince him to stay put and not help with the cleaning, but eventually he had given up and entertained himself by chatting the next hour away. The only moment of silence was the ominous one before his question.

“What do you like most about them?”

He put the last of the cookware away while avoiding Wei Ying’s eyes, “They are small and cute.”

“Mhm! What else?”

“They... petting them calmed me. I like their fur.”

“Their fur? Reasonable, it is very soft.”

Lan Wangji swallowed.

Wei Ying hopped off the counter and crowded into his space, “So you like soft fur? Do you like them bouncing about?”

He was hyper aware they were no longer talking about animals. Lan Wangji pulled him close by his waist, “Mn.”

Wei Ying guided his hand under the hem of his dress, “What about their tails?”

He growled low and groped around his tail and ass.

“Ah! I guess you like it!”

Lan Wangji threaded his fingers into his hair and yanked his head back. He relished the surprised moan and licked up his neck, “Wei Ying.”

“Lan Zhan,” he sighed and relaxed into the hold.

He nibbled the bottom of his rabbit ear, “You’re in my clothes.”

Wei Ying whimpered, “Mhm.”

Lan Wangji squeezed his supple bottom, “Teasing.”

“Always,” his voice was breathless.

“Do you know what I'm going to do to you?”

Wei Ying hopped up with little prompting and locked his legs around his waist, “What are you going to do to your bunny, Gege?”

Lan Wangji slipped two fingers under his panties and scissors them shallowly into his wet cunt, “Guess.”

Wei Ying mewled and sank himself onto the fingers as best he could, “Gonna fuck me, Gege? Wreck me against the fridge? Get my cum all over the walls?”

He growled. All good suggestions, really, but not what he had in mind. He promised to take good care of Wei Ying and a quickie in the kitchen was not going to cut it. No, he had something better in mind.

Lan Wangji curled his fingers to coax slick onto his hand as He walked them to the bedroom. Wei Ying rut against his stomach the whole way, chasing little bits of pleasure.

“My mate is more creative than that,” he said and sat himself on the bed, Wei Ying in his lap.

He wiggled and whined, “Deeper, Er-gege! I need more!”

“Your alpha wants you to guess,” he pulled his fingers out completely.

Wei Ying cried out at the loss and ground pitifully on nothing, “Alpha! Take pity on your bunny! I've been waiting all day for you to ravage me!”

“Hm,” Lan Wangji trailed his fingers up the cleft of his ass, “Impatient.”

“Patience is NOT a vir-” his complaint cut off with a squeal.

Lan Wangji pressed his fingers deep in his hole. It twitched around the intrusion but felt warm and pliable. Wei Ying’s legs tighten their hold with each slow thrust. It took a long minute for him to regain his senses.

“Lan Zhan!” he gasped at a particularly deep thrust, “You’re going to fuck my ass?!”

“To wreck you,” he growled out, nibbling down his neck.

“Fuck! Baby! Yes!” he bounced on the fingers, “I love it up the butt!”

Lan Wangji smirked, “You’ve never had it like this.”

Wei Ying shook his head and left a sloppy kiss on his temple, “You know I have, and you know I love it!”

He yanked his ponytail back harshly and bit at the bared neck, “Do you think those pathetic cocklets can ever compare to me? They couldn’t even begin to stretch you.”

Wei Ying moaned and slick dripped onto Lan Wangji’s lap. Sweet and spicy pheromones filled the room. It filled his nose and mouth, making him groan deep in his chest.

He wanted so much more, but wrangled his instincts back long enough to not rip his mate out of his new dress.

“Strip.”

Wei Ying shook his head fervently but made no comprehensible reply.

“Wei Ying. Strip. Or I’ll rip it off you.”

He winced and finally started to undo the buttons. His hands were shaking and he didn’t bother trying to look. Wei Ying was clearly much too focused on keeping his neck bared to care about getting buttons undone.

Lan Wangji bit and sucked marks over any clear skin he could see. His free hand trailed up and down the rabbit's side, feeling every shiver and jolt as Wei Ying fumbled the dress off.

As soon as he managed to toss the clothing away, Lan Wangji turned them and threw Wei Ying on his back. He had to break physical contact to get him centered on the bed, but he quickly remedied that by kissing up his right leg as he crawled on top of his mate.

“So unfair,” he breathed and started with the buttons on Lan Wangji's shirt, “I need you naked, too!”

The dragon had no further patience for buttons and care. He growled and ripped through the thin strings holding the buttons on before throwing the ruined shirt off the bed. He could easily afford another to replace it. Same with his slacks, as he's pretty sure he ripped the zipper clean off in his haste.

He bent Wei Ying in half, legs wide and chests flush together. He thrust himself fully inside Wei Ying's vagina, groaning at the soft and yielding flesh inside. It was incredibly wet, more than enough to slick his cock for what was next.

“Gege!”

“Beautiful,” he murmured, forever enamored by the way Wei Ying’s eyes watered and his jaw relaxed open when they mated.

He ground in small circles until his cock was completely coated in the sweet slick. He pulled out despite his mate’s mewling and watched the slick drip from one hole down the other. It was a mesmerizing sight, and his staring only made Wei Ying gush more.

“Er-gege, Alpha, please,” he whined, “Fuck me, fuck my ass until I can’t walk!”

“Patience,” he breathed and lined himself up with the twitching hole.

His instincts wanted nothing more than to bury himself balls deep in one snap of his hips, but that would definitely hurt the bunny. Regardless of what Lan Wangji had said, he understood Wei Ying had experience with anal. Other omegas had taken him through heat to ease some of his pain. His ass was used to some intrusion.

However, he was no omega. He had several inches on Wei Ying and girth besides. Lan Wangji knew he couldn’t knot at this point, and had to take things slowly. No matter how much Wei Ying begged or cried.

Lan Wangji pressed the head inside. Wei Ying’s hole gave way beautifully, already warmed up from his fingers. It clenched down and twitched even with so little inside.

“Oh!” Wei Ying curled in towards him, “So big!”

He couldn't help the little snort that escaped his nose. Lan Wangji pushed a little deeper but stopped himself with Wei Ying's sharp keen.

Wei Ying liked a certain amount of pain. He may even like this sort of pain. It was still not the safest way to give him the pain he wanted. He had read more than enough articles after discovering this particular kink to know. If he was not careful, Wei Ying could tear. Thankfully, he knew an easier position.

Against his mate's best attempt to keep him in, Lan Wangji pulled out and away just long enough to flip him over. Even loudly complaining, he presented himself properly and shook his ass.

“You're Wei Ying is so cold, Er-gege! How can you tease me so mercilessly?”

His whines were as sweet as his moans, and even better mixed together. La Wangji pushed back in an inch and pinned Wei Ying down on the bed, “I’ll do whatever I want to you, however I want to.”

“Mean man! You said you w-!”

Lan Wangji slipped in further and his hole clamped down on the intrusion. It sent a shudder through his whole body, but he couldn’t miss the way Wei Ying’s body went rigid.

“Sh, breathe through it,” he murmured in his ear, “You can take it.”

Wei Ying let out a shaky breath and let his chest fall to the bed, “You’re ot even halfway in, are you?”

He hummed and kissed from one shoulder to the other, “No.”

“Oh,” he moaned, “You really are going to wreck me. Open me up until I’m too loose for anyone else to use! One look and they’ll know the shape of your dick.”

“Wei Ying!” he growled and started rolling his hips. Each thrust pushed him slightly deeper, slightly closer to bottoming out.

“Oh fuck! You’re carving me out, Gege! I’m going to be molded to you! Ah, ah!”

Lan Wangji snapped his hips more forcefully, fighting for his last strands of control. Wei Ying’s mouth made it all the more difficult, but he quickly devolved into babbles and cries the deeper he got. Hid knot was already filling by the time it hit the stretched out hole.

He nipped the nape of Wei Ying’s neck and kept his shallow thrusting, “I’m in.”

Wei Ying shook his head and mewled into the pillow, “Too deep, too much!”

Lan Wangji covered his hands in his own and laced their fingers together, “You’re perfect, so good for me.”

“No, I can’t, I really can’t!”

“You can,” he cooed, “You are.”

“Alpha,” he breathed and started to relax.

“Good, so good, my omega.”

Lan Wangji thrust deeper, dragging his cock in and out across his prostate. He nuzzled against his scent gland to drown in his spice. The bunny melted under him, drooling on the pillows.

He went harder, knocking his knot against the plush ass with each thrust. Wei Ying was tight and warm and relaxing into each thrust. He tightened his stomach to hold off cumming too quickly. He didn’t want it to end ever.

“Cumming, cumming!”

Lan Wangji grabbed the base of his cocklet to stop at least part of it. He wailed through his ruined orgasm. He was able to make out the words ‘cruel’ and ‘bully’ between hapless babbles and soggy whines.

He was barely able to hold back his own cresting orgasm. Wei Ying clenched down tightly, making it hard to move and nearly pushing him over the edge. Lan Wangji managed to reign himself in and resume his brutal pace once Wei Ying had calmed down marginally.

The rabbit still sobbed and dug his nails into the sheets. It was all he could do besides take what he was given. It was almost a shame all Lan Wangji could see was his trembling back. A tear streaked face and weeping red cocklet made for a wonderful view, but was relegated to his imagination.

Next time, he promised himself. Tomorrow, even, if Wei Ying was amenable.

His own orgasm quickly built back up, knot swelling larger. He couldn’t hold out any longer, so he seated himself as deep as he could without knotting and came. His hand moved to massage his neglected knot, spilling more cum.

Wei Ying shook and moaned with a second, unruined orgasm. His whole body went boneless with the force of it. It wasn’t long before both of them collapsed to the side.

For long minutes they simply cuddled and breathed in their mixed scents. Lan Wangji relished the soft purrs Wei Ying let out only to realize he was purring, too. The day had been good and the night had been near perfect. Now, cuddled with his mate, he felt a pure sort of ease sink into his bones.

After several calm minutes, Wei Ying suddenly bubbled up with laughter. His body shook with the force of him trying to control it, but he lost the battle quickly.

“Wei Ying?”

He shook his head and tried desperately to catch his breath, “Lan Zhan! Oh, Lan Zhan! You had me take off my dress so carefully but tore out of your clothes like a wild animal! Your pants are ribbons!”

Lan Wangji glanced over Wei Ying's shoulders and found them worse off than he had initially thought. The zipper was ripped, but the inner seams had also busted. He didn't know how much other damage he had done, but it was clear they were irreparable.

“Mn, it's fine.”

Wei Ying giggled and pressed his back closer, “But why? You should have just ripped mine off too.”

Even naked and burrowed to the knot in his mate's bottom, Lan Wangji still felt a warm wave of embarrassment wash over him. He buried his face in Wei Ying’s mussed hair, “You made it.”

“Hm? I can't hear you, Baby.”

He sighed and spoke slightly louder, “You made it.”

“I made it?” Wei Ying squeezed his hand, “I mean, yeah, I made it. But it’s shitty. All the edges I cut are raw and the stitches are uneven as fuck. It’s probably going to fall apart with a couple washes.”

“I will not destroy your things.”

Wei Ying hummed, “What if I want you to?”

Lan Wangji kissed the back of his head, “I will not destroy your things when you are not in the right mind to give me permission.”

“Silly man,” he snorted, “Are you going to hoard it when I’m done wearing it? It’s not a treasure.”

He imagined setting up an area for Wei Ying’s creations in his hoard. He would need custom mannequins to display clothing and wall dividers for any artwork. What other skills did Wei Ying have? Perhaps he needed to upgrade his camera and add a theater. Wei Ying knew how to dance and that was the only sure way to keep a record of it.

“Lan Zhan!”

“Hm?”

“I know that silence! You’re considering it, aren’t you?”

“Planning it,” he corrected.

“No! You can’t just collect my trash and put it in with all the treasures down there!”

“Not trash. Wei Ying’s creations are one of a kind. No other dragon can boast having them.”

“You’re dick is still in my ass so just imagine me rolling my eyes, kay?” he huffed, “If you’re going to hoard my creations then at least wait until I make something worthwhile.”

Lan Wangji could do that easily. He already had. The plaque would read, ‘Wei Ying’s first dress.’

“Mn.”

“Why do I feel like that shitty shirt-dress is going to be hanging soon?”

Lan Wangji smirked and nuzzled into his hair, “After the Wen problem. Good night.”

Wei Ying sighed, “And are you going to pull out tonight?”

He made an exaggerated snore and didn’t make any effort to move.

Wei Ying laughed and shook his head, “Goodnight, Lan Zhan.”

---

Wei Ying was generally an energetic person. He bounced from activity to activity and had a penchant for slipping out of bed after Lan Wangji fell asleep to continue entertaining himself late into the night. He made up for it by sleeping in, and normally Lan Wangji was all too happy to let him.

Today was a, hopefully rare, exception.

“Are you ready?”

Wei Ying whined from the bed. He was already washed, clothed, and put together, all courtesy of his dragon mate, but he had yet to do more than grumble.

“I made breakfast,” he tried again.

Wei Ying mumbled something into the pillow and squirmed like a fussy infant.

“There are loquats and an omelet. And the lotus tea you like. It will get cold if you wait.”

Not that they had time to wait. The conference between the clans had finally been scheduled. They were typically an all day affair even though Lan Wangji could find no good reason for it. Everyone important was expected to show up for morning tea. Most everyone else used the time to gossip and play politics, something Lan Wangji had no patience for. After lunch, the highest ranked of each clan would meet for several hours to go through a laundry list of issues. Once the business talks were over, they had a feast and entertainment that stretched long into the night.

Lan Wangji was well known to be one of the first to excuse himself after the dinner. He couldn't drink and didn't care for dancers or shared courtesans. The utter debauchery wasn't entirely unappealing, but the thought of being anywhere near some of the other clan members’ genitalia gave him hives. Actually going near them may give him far worse.

Still, perhaps this day would be different. Wei Ying had a way of being the only entertainment needed to make his days full. Parading him in front of the Jiang's would be even more entertaining than usual. Railing him in front of jealous voyeurs would be the cherry on top.

Ah, maybe that was what everyone loved about it all these years? Then again, most chose courtesans and sent their own partners, if they existed, to bed early. So maybe they were merely degenerate scum. Wei Ying would still make them boil with jealousy.

“Omelet?”

Lan Zhan rubbed his back and hummed, “With fresh tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.”

“Caprese,” he mumbled and finally pushed himself up to kneel, “Caprese.”

“Caprese,” the dragon nodded back.

“Caprese,” Wei Ying mumbled over and over as he zombied his way to the table. He mostly collapsed on the cushion before messily starting his meal.

Lan Wangji covered his lap and collar with a napkin and set about redoing his hair. For morning tea, they decided a simple and clean ponytail would do. They spent many hours with a tailor and jeweler, invited into the mansion of course, coordinating outfits to occasion and each other. He wore a pair of beige slacks with a crisp white button up. His cufflinks were silver with red accents to match Wei Ying's hair ribbon, something that would become his signature as much as Lan Wangji's forehead ribbon was.

Wei Ying had similar slacks and shirt, but added a fitted waistcoat. His earrings were silver and white and the look was finished off with a thin chain necklace. Simple but elegant, and stuck to the Lan Codes even if the ostentation rules did not apply to non-dragon hybrids.

They stood unquestionably united.

Lan Wangji combed through his hair again and tied half of his hair back. It had been a debate between this and his normal ponytail. He had been adamant that the ponytail was less formal and would therefore work best with the more casual tea. Then, he learned of the events that often occurred after the formal dinner and decided the ponytail was easier to grab and pull if they decided to join the debauchery.

“This is fucking incredible,” Wei Ying groaned and leaned back into his chest, “I can't believe you can cook so well!”

“It is a hobby my brother and I enjoyed when we were younger,” he said honestly, “This recipe is from one of my favorite cookbooks.”

“Mm! Well, it made waking up at the ass-crack of dawn more pleasant. If I wake up early more often, will you cook breakfast for me?”

“No need. I will make you food whenever you'd like.”

“You’re going to spoil me rotten, you know? Feeding me as soon as I ask and not even making me work for it.”

Lan Wangji blinked slowly, “You’ve worked plenty for it.”

Wei Ying puffed out his laughter, “I know I’m good in bed but I can’t be this good. I’m not even pregnant yet!”

“You are not simply a baby factory,” he frowned.

“Of course not,” he chirped, “I’m also equipped with 3 different cocksleeves and a plush lap to take a rest on!”

He huffed, “Wei Ying is intelligent, creative, and multi-talented. You are far more than a warm body.”

Wei Ying whined, “It’s too early to say such things! What will you even do if I faint before we can leave?!”

Lan Wangji kissed his temple and coaxed him to his feet, “You will be fine. It’s time to head out.”

He lowered his ears and stayed heavily leaning on the alpha, “You know this is going to be a shit show, right?”

He smiled at the thought, “I think it will be fun.”

Chapter Text

Wei Ying couldn’t stop tapping his freshly manicured nails against the arm of the car door. The maids assigned to him had insisted on pulling out all the stops to beautify him for the inter-clan meeting. More likely, Lan Zhan had insisted. Besides the tailor and jeweler coming in, a manicurist, masseuse, hair stylist, and fashion coordinator all worked to make him look and feel the part of the Lan Furen. He would have been a little offended if Lan Zhan wasn’t going through the same process.

His nails were natural, just shaped, cleaned, and french tipped more for protection than anything else. The pedicure and massage had been phenomenal, especially with Lan Zhan at his side for both. Really, he was by his side for the whole thing. It seemed to be the first time his alpha put so much effort into one of these meetings.

He couldn't tell if that was because he wanted Wei Ying to be happy or because he didn't want the other clans to shame him.

Either way, his nerves weren't nearly as frazzled as they might have been. He still felt a tight coil of dread in his stomach. The idea of seeing his old family left him terrified and excited. Wei Ying always said he would make them pay for tossing him to the side, but was he ready for that? To stare Madame Yu down and show off his own power?

He twitched as a hand covered his own.

“Wei Ying?”

He grinned at his alpha, “Lan Zhan?”

“You are unsettled.”

“Just a little, don't worry about me!”

Lan Zhan frowned and squeezed his hand, “If you do not wish to associate-”

“Uh-uh! We're doing this together. You hired so many people to make me look proper and I won't let it go to waste!”

“Nothing is wasted on you,” he purred.

Wei Ying gasped and turned to his mate, “Are you flirting with me? When we'll be at tea in less than 10 minutes?!”

He hummed and pulled away.

“Bad dragon! I'm not supposed to publicly suck your dick until tonight but here you are riling me up! How am I supposed to be a proper Lan-furen when you keep making me wet, hm?”

Lan Zhan side eyed him with a slight smirk, “You are proper as you are.”

He rolled his eyes, “You may think that but everyone else begs to differ.”

“The Lan do not. The other clans may, but they are ignorant fools.”

Wei Ying scooched over to lay against his side, “That was a whole lot of venom in your voice.”

Lan Zhan wrapped his arm around his shoulders, “I do not care for them. They are pompous and flex their power like it is absolute. Power like theirs is a fickle thing, entirely dependent on loyalty and fear. They do not act like their power comes from those below them, and so they will fall.”

“Is that not the same with the Lan? I mean, I see you treat your underlings well but they still follow through loyalty and fear, right?”

He hummed, “Some do fear, I suppose, but most are loyal simply because they are valued as they should be. That is the main difference, and something that must never change.”

“Meanwhile Jin Guangshan sits in his gilded throne and sends his men to die without a backwards glance?” Wei Ying sighed, “Almost all the clan leaders stay out of altercations. You and the Nie are the exceptions. I can see the difference just that makes.”

“I would never give an order I was not prepared to follow myself.”

Wei Ying curled his toes as the car came to a stop in front of the Jin Manor, “You might be the only one like that.”

Lan Zhan cupped his cheek so their eyes met, “Are you ready.”

He puckered up and stole a brief kiss, “Ready as I'll ever be.”

Jin Manor was, perhaps, gaudier than he remembered. It was always a place of extreme opulence with marble floors and real gold accents in the shape of peonies climbing the walls and pillars. Maybe if they were sparse, it would feel more elegant. However, where there wasn’t gilding, there were oversized portraits of past leaders or delicate pottery on display. They were even given a crystal flute of champagne as they entered the manor. Other than the maid guiding them to the back courtyard, they had seen now other staff bustling about, as if the ones who run the household should never be seen.

It was a fever dream of greed and disrespect, and exactly what he always expected from Jin Guangshan.

Wei Ying took a swig of his champagne, “The Jin certainly spared no expense, hm?”

Lan Zhan held his own glass stiffly, “Mn.”

“I suspect there will be alcohol all day, and I can’t say I’ll complain about that. I think I’ll need it.”

His alpha exchanged his empty glass with the full one, “Enjoy yourself.”

Wei Ying grinned and wrapped his lips around the top of the flute. He went bottoms up and let the mimosa flow down his throat easily. He winked at his alpha before popping off the glass and licking his lips, “I think I will.”

Lan Zhan growled, startling the maid just before they reached the yard. It took her only a second to compose herself. As soon as she did, she motioned them to step ahead of her and whispered to the well dressed man waiting just to the side of the entrance. She took her leave and disappeared as quickly as she could.

“Heir to the GusuLan, Lan Wangji and his omega.”

Wei Ying felt his alpha immediately stiffen at the introduction, but he patted his arm and gave him a small grin. This wouldn't be the last time an omega was insulted by the Jin, and it certainly wasn't the first time. Jin Guangshan had broken bonds and bastard children all over the country, if not the world. His own wife, while they remained married, had broken their bond herself once an heir was born. She wanted no part of him or any other lover that may try to woo her.

Lan Zhan dutifully led them to the Lan table where his brother was already waiting without kicking up a fuss. They both bowed to Lan Xichen before settling in themselves, Lan Zhan pulling the chair out for Wei Ying before sitting himself.

“Good morning, Xichen-ge!”

“Good morning, Wei Ying, Wangji. I must say I did not expect you to be so early.”

“I have to be honest, I thought we wouldn't either,” he laughed, “Lan Zhan had a heavenly trial this morning getting me out of bed but I'm happy to tell you he did, in fact, ascend!”

Lan Xichen chuckled and made an exaggerated bow in his seat, “It is wonderful that he still deems us lowly mortals worthy of his presence, then.”

Lan Zhan’s tail swished only once through the hole in the back of his chair before he took control of it. His red ears gave him away, though.

Wei Ying scooched his chair closer so he could lean into his space, “Mhm, my god truly is the most righteous and heavenly of them all.”

“Wei Ying.”

“Hm? His majesty, Waker of the Dead Sleepers, has words for his high priest?”

His eyes narrowed dangerously.

“Oh fine,” he slapped his chest playfully, “I'm done for now. At least until I'm too drunk to control myself.”

“You plan on drinking so much?”

Wei Ying fought to keep his elbow off the table as he leaned towards Lan Xichen, “Of course! Lan Zhan told me to enjoy myself. As soon as my part in the conference is done, I plan on following that order beyond his wildest imagination.”

“Mark your words,” Lan Zhan grumbled and squeezed his thigh under the table.

Wei Ying gaped at him and whispered right back, “And you call me shameless! Your brother is right here!”

Said brother was staring at some fascinating flower arrangement at one of the many empty tables around them. Or maybe looking off towards the middle distance to give them a modicum of privacy.

“I do not believe your drinking is indecent conversation between family.”

Wei Ying puffed out his blushing cheeks, “You're a menace.”

Lan Zhan had a sharp gleam in his eyes that told how proud he was of that fact.

Their conversation was interrupted by the announcement of more guests. Clan Leader Yao and his wife sat at a table far from them, but that didn't stop the leader from recognizing and panicking at the sight of Wei Ying.

The bunny just smiled sweetly as the man ushered his wife away.

“Dixi, what was that?”

“That, Xichen-ge, was a man caught between a rock and a hard place.”

“I am not sure that is a proper answer.”

He laughed and waved it off, “Clan Leader Yao is a ‘frequent flier’ as we called them. He comes to the brood house often, apparently without his wife knowing. I don't think he has any real business with the Wen, but he certainly likes tasting young delicacies.”

“I should hope he hadn’t had any business with the Wen, or else I would have heard of this before now,” Lan Xichen said.

Wei Ying spoke over his mate’s low growl, “You would have, rest assured. You’ll find I’m incredibly loyal to those who’ve earned it. If no one else, your brother has earned my loyalty in spades.”

Lan Xichen brightened and seemed to ignore the fact he had not declared his loyalty to the Lan Clan itself, “As it should be.”

“Either way, we’ll be seeing plenty of highclass adulterers today. Far more than Clan Leader Yao.”

Lan Zhan glared at the man's back, “Pathetic.”

“Everyone at the brood house agrees on that,” Wei Ying sighed, “But it's more common than anyone would like. Really dragons are the only species we never really saw, until you. Wen Chao really fucked up with that one.”

Lan Zhan hummed his agreement as more guests started to trickle in. So far, they were the only representatives of any of the big 5. That made sense considering how early the Lan's started their day. Only a few other minor clans, mostly offshoots of the Lan, had been there before he and Lan Zhan. The Jin would come in last as they were the hosts. Wei Ying had no idea when the Nie were expected to show, but the Jiang would be there soon.

Part of him thought to run and hide in the nearest bathroom until they were seated, but then all eyes would be on him the moment he returned. It was far better to be seen with his new clan, safe between the dragon brothers. That didn't mean it wasn't nerve wrecking.

Lan Zhan kept a firm hand on his thigh to ground him, “Wei Ying?”

He smiled as best he could, “I'm okay, no worries.”

Lan Zhan blinked slowly and leaned closer, “You are Madame Lan. No one here has any power over you, not anymore.”

Wei Ying's smile relaxed, “So I'm on par with Madame Yu? She's going to hate that.”

“You are above Madame Yu,” Lan Zhan's eyes sharpened, “Your mate chose you, respects you over himself.”

Something warm spooled in his gut and his heart shuddered in his chest, “She's going to absolutely loathe that.”

Lan Zhan gave a conspiratorial nod and sat upright in his chair. He didn't remove his hand, so Wei Ying took advantage and held it tightly as they waited.

“YunmengJiang clan leader, Jiang Fengmian, wife Madame Yu, daughter Jiang Yanli, and heir Jiang Wanyin.”

Wei Ying had to remind himself to keep his head up and not hide at the announcement. He was Madame Lan now. He had political power and sway in his own right and didn't need to cow himself for the Jiang wolves. Never again.

The brothers stood first to greet the other great clan, Lan Zhan holding out his hand to help Wei Ying stand after. It wasn't Something they rehearsed or even talked about, but it felt right in the moment. A small motion of deference to Madame Lan, and statement of where he stood in the family.

He didn't meet any of their eyes until he rose from the appropriately shallow bow. The first thing he noticed was the surprise on their faces. Jiang Fengmian quickly stifled it but the others weren't so practiced. Jiang Yanli had her eyes on the ground while Jiang Cheng looked like he had just bit into a lemon, peel and all.

Madame Yu was simply livid.

Wei Ying was fairly sure she hadn’t even greeted them before her glare set itself on him. She may have even chipped a tooth with how hard she was clenching her teeth. She spun the Yu family ring around her finger, the sure sign she wanted to hurt someone. SHe wanted to hurt him.

But he was untouchable now.

Wei Ying felt the smile split his face before he thought better of it. He couldn’t help himself. Lan Zhan had been right when he promised a fun time.

Lan Xichen took point on the conversation, “Clan Leader Jiang, Madame Yu, we plan to announce this a bit later, but my brother has found his mate. I’m told you know Wei Ying already, but please allow me to introduce the new Madame Lan.”

Wei Ying took Lan Zhan’s arm and grinned, “It’s a pleasure to see you all again.”

It was surprising that he meant it, even if it wasn’t in the way propriety wanted. This was a pleasure to witness specifically because the pleasure was one way. What a rush!

Jiang Fengmian nodded and put on a strained smile, “I am glad you’re well, A-xian-”

“Madame Lan,” Wei Ying quickly cut him off, “I have no courtesy name.”

He flinched at the reminder, looking for any proper response. There were a few Wei Ying could think of, but none of them would save the Jiang Clan any face.

Madame Yu finally unlocked her jaw but still completely forewent bowing or greeting them, “I wish you luck, Clan Leader Lan, that child is uncontrollable.”

Lan Xichen chuckled, but it had a razor sharp edge to the slight, “Thank you for your consideration, but I do not look to control my family to such a degree.”

Madame Yu narrowed her eyes but clicked her mouth shut once more.

Jiang Fengmian finally caught up with the situation, “Ah, well, congratulations on your mating. I wish you a long and happy partnership.”

Lan Zhan gave his ass a only slightly hidden squeeze, making him squeak, before glaring the wolves down, “Thank you. I’m sure we will be harmonious in our union.”

Jiang Cheng let a strangled gag out and rushed to the Jiang table. Madame Yu equally stormed away, while the other two seemed to scuttle more than anything. Jiang Yanli was the only one to look back and give him a small smile.

Wei Ying returned it. He couldn’t put undo blame on her, really. She had more power than she knew, but what real sway did she have against Madame Yu’s storm? She was a meek woman raised to become a housewife. A tragedy considering she was intelligent in her own right. That could have been cultivated instead of smothered.

They sat down to wait for the next announcement, but Wei Ying couldn’t contain himself.

“Lan Zhan! You- I need a dictionary! I can’t keep calling you a menace! I need more words!”

Lan Zhan smirked at him, “I will add one to the list for when we go shopping.”

Wei Ying laughed and leaned heavily on his mate, “I can’t believe you did that! Scandalous!”

Lan Xichen huffed and shook his head, “A bit overboard for an event such as this. Please try to keep yourself under control. I imagine things will only get worse from here.”

“I don’t know, Xichen-ge! I think things will only get more entertaining from here. At least for me! I thought Jiang Cheng was going to vomit then and there,” he couldn’t stop grinning as the conversation replayed in his head, “And ‘harmonious’! What a beat down!”

Lan Zhan crooned under all the compliments and nuzzled into Wei Ying’s neck, “They deserve worse.”

Wei Ying hummed and petted his head, “Worse is coming, hm? Even if they leave the conference content, they won’t be for long.“

Lan Zhan raised his head and rubbed behind his alert ears until they settled back and relaxed, “You have all the information to topple them, Tuzi.”

Wei Ying blushed and trilled his delight.

“QingeNie Clan Leader Nie Mingjue and heir Nie Huaisang.”

Lan Xichen grinned at the Nies' and stood quickly, “For now, let’s enjoy tea. The conference will start soon.”

Wei Ying glanced at Lan Zhan for any explanation for his excitement, but his mate only rolled his eyes and stood to greet them.

Chapter Text

The Jin only swept in after everyone else was seated and waited for an annoying amount of time. Annoying to Lan Wangji, at least. Other groups seemed to have some sort of enjoyment from idle chatter and gossip. His brother and mate even discussed home decor while glancing at the doors to see when the wait would be up.

Lan Wangji had no qualms about boring a hole straight through the golden thing until it finally pulled open to reveal the Jin main family.

Jin Guangshan looked as pompous as every, with his traditional gold hanfu and smirk. His wife, walking next to him, with a noticeable distance between them, was just as lavishly dressed. She looked about as annoyed as he felt, however. Behind them was their son, Jin Zixuan, not draped in gilded robes. Though, he did wear a suit in his clan’s colors and stood out just as badly for it.

A few cousins and high ranking members strode in behind and they all took their time walking to their seats. Everyone in attendance had to stand until the greeted them, so clearly Jin Guangshan would take the most leisurely walk of his life to prolong their attention on him.

If Lan Wangji did swear, he would definitely call him a prick. To his face. It would cause an inter clan incident, but it may just be worth it.

He counted to ten instead and placed a grounding hand on Wei Ying’s lower back.

His mate chuckled and leaned against his side, “Truly a flock of peacocks, hm?”

He hummed quietly in agreement. Even if the Jins were, technically, lions, Jin Guangshan had lost his bite years ago. The man was a poor excuse for a lion, really. He had no pride or shame in betraying his lioness by seeking out younger company. Lan Wangji was fairly certain he hadn’t even done work for the clan in a decade or more.

Household and clan management was always solidly in the hands of the patriarch when it came to lions. Just as full lionesses went out to hun, the matriarchs and other birth givers provided for their families. Madame Jin should have been in charge of training and mission planning. With her husband refusing to take on his roles, Madame Jin instead had to be both mother and father, handling her household and politics while training her clan members and son. Her seal was on every correspondence Lan Wangji had seen from the Jin, leading him to wonder what the clan leader even did besides hold the powerful title.

They finally reached their table and stood in front of their seating position.

Jin Guangshan raised his hands in a wide, welcoming gesture, “Friends, thank you for traveling here this morning. I’m sure you all are ready for the day’s events, so I will not take too much of your time. There are a few announcements I must make before we begin with a light meal.”

Lan Wangji felt his eye twitch. If there were announcements to be made, he could politely greet them first and allow them to sit before making them.

“Firstly, I am pleased to announce that the marriage between my son, Jin Zixuan, and Jiang Yanli has been scheduled for next spring. While there are many preparations to make, we are all very excited to see our clans flourish under their union.”

Well, this was the definition of ‘this could have been an email.’ Only the email would be a save-the-date that will undoubtedly be sent out anyway.

“Second, there is another happy betrothal between my second son and my good friend, Clan Leader Qin’s, daughter.”

“Second son?” Wei Ying whispered in confusion.

“The man that announced us, Jin Guangyao,” Lan Xichen replied.

Lan Wangji suppressed a growl, “He is an illegitimate child that was born earlier on the same day as Jin Zixuan.”

Wei Ying coughed over his surprise, “‘Second’ son? And given the character for the previous generation? It’s an insult and boon at the same time considering how many bastards that man has. Just what did he do to be legitimized?”

Lan Xichen glanced at him with a tight face, “He is in an unfortunate situation within the family.”

Wei Ying let the topic drop but scanned the reactions of the crowd. He noticed something, but Lan Wangji would ask him about it later.

“Finally, I am pleased to announce that today’s entertainment will be provided by the Zhulong Dance Troupe. I know you all have heard of these talented women and most have not had the honor of viewing their performance. I hope you all will thoroughly enjoy them after dinner tonight.”

“Expensive,” Wei Ying hummed.

Closely tied to Qishan as well. They were a hard act to book simply because Wen Ruohan himself had to allow all of their shows outside of the Wen Clan’s borders. This would help them prove Jin Guangshan’s involvement with the Wen’s, but it was more likely meant to scare them off of making claims. Anything said here will definitely be in Wen Ruohan’s ear by the end of the night.

They would have to have a slight deviation in their plans, move up a couple things, but it was no matter. Their victory would be swift.

“Now, please enjoy the fruits of our labor. The tea we will be serving today is a jasmine mix from the Jin Clan’s own farms, hand picked at the freshest time and dried naturally to preserve flavor. Along with that, we will have light appetizers suiting the tastes of each clan. Of course, more champagne will flow for... most of our guests,” a few chuckled at the barb thrown to the dragons, “Welcome to the interclan conference, and please indulge yourselves!”

Finally, they were allowed to sit without being rude. The Lan rules flowed too deeply in his veins for him to neglect them even when faced with the lowest form of intelligent life.

Wei Ying leaned over in his chair as the servants began to serve various bamboo steamers to each table, “If looks could kill Jin Guangshan would lay cold and dead five times over just from today.”

“Mn,” he had to agree.

“Ah, please bring some champagne and a glass for me,” Wei Ying asked the servant as she was pulling away from the table. She gave him a surprised look but bowed quickly.

“Now, what do we have here?” Wei Ying snapped up his chopsticks and filled his plate with all kinds of dumplings and pancakes, “Oh! Sesame seed balls!”

Lan Wangji moved that basket closer to him, knowing Lan Xichen wouldn’t complain.

His brother simply grinned, “It will all be vegetarian, but if there are any special allergies or needs, ask the staff before you eat.”

“Well, I shouldn’t eat too much dairy or egg... or a lot of things if I’m honest. My diet is mostly hay and greens,” he explained and pulled open his purse, “I brought my own snack pack and there are more bags in the car for later.”

Lan Xichen blinked at the purse busting with dried hay, “I see.”

Wei Ying zipped it closed and tried his first dumpling, “Lan Zhan and I have plans to add some hay cubbies to the house to keep the mess a bit contained. I tend to forget to eat if food isn't right there in front of me.”

Lan Wangji huffed, “He was not allowed to make good habits previously.”

“It’s hardly practical to have hay hanging out my mouth on the floor,” he joked and tried the tea.

“Nevertheless.”

“I have you to help me now,” Wei Ying pinched his cheek lightly, “Now eat! Enjoy the hospitality while they still marginally like us.”

He swung around in his chair and accepted the glass and champagne bottle, “Thank you so much!”

---

It was two bottles later that the meeting portion finally began. Wei Ying seemed to have a pleasant buzz and was idly chatting until Jin Guangyao stepped to the front of the courtyard.

“Honored guests, I hope you all have enjoyed this morning’s tea and hors d'oeuvres. Tea and drinks will be available for the entirety of the discussion for your enjoyment. At this time, we will begin with any announcements from each clan.”

He motioned to the closest table, the Jiang. They had been given the place of honor likely due to the upcoming wedding between their firstborns. Any Announcements they had would be first, and then go in order of clan importance. In this case, the Lan would go next, being the only other major clan that didn’t openly hate the Jin. The Nie had to go after, then the minor sects. Though, Lan Wangji imagined it wouldn’t get past the Lan.

Jiang Fengmian stood and bowed shallowly to Jin Guangyao, the kind of bow that was little more than an acknowledgement of presence than respect to a clan leader’s son, “Thank you. I would like to join in Clan Leader Jin’s celebration of our children. We look forward to the happy day and wish nothing but joy for their union.”

He sat down quickly. Usually, clan leaders scrounged for more happy announcements. It bolstered their perceived strength to always have a multitude of pleasant news. Not having more to say was odd, but fit with everything Lan Wangji had been hearing about the Jiang Clan. Jiang Fengmian was a man who thrived on peace, not conflict. With Madame Yu as a wife, his home was filled with conflict he did not want to handle. He supposed that was to be expected when a beta male marries an alpha woman.

Lan Xichen stood with little urging, “I thank the Jin for taking the time to host us on such short notice. First, I would like to announce that my heir and brother, Lan Wangji, has found his mate. Allow me to introduce Wei Ying, Madame Lan.”

Lan Wangji stood and helped a blushing Wei Ying stand. They bowed together and sat primly once the light clapping died down.

“A wedding will be held in the future, and the dragon’s mating traditions have been followed. It is wonderful to have the role of Madame Lan filled once more, especially with such a capable and intelligent omega. My brother has chosen well.”

Madame Yu couldn’t hold her scoff in the face of pure praise. Step one: complete.

Lan Xichen smiled congenially at her, “Do you have something to add, Madame Yu?”

She glared hard at Wei Ying, “That mongrel is neither capable nor intelligent. He’s a whore!”

“Dancer,” Lan Wangji growled.

“Excuse me?” she sneered.

“I was a dancer, Madame Yu,” Wei Ying leaned against the dragon’s arm, “If you’re going to insult my profession then you must get the right one.”

Madame Yu leapt to her feet, “You are nothing but Wen Xu’s whore! Do you really expect us to believe this farce?!”

Murmurs broke out at the mention of Wen Xu. Everyone already knew about the raid so it wasn’t hard to connect the dots. They were all too predictable.

Jin Guangshan hummed and swirled his wine glass, “I have heard some worrying news about the brood house being raided out of the blue. Wen Xu was even taken hostage. What led to such drastic actions?”

Lan Xichen addressed Madame Yu first, “Yes, Wei Ying was sold to Wen Xu previously. However, he has been working with us to gain information on the Wen Clan’s plans for the future. He has been a true asset to nearly every clan here, considering what we found.” He let that statement sit for a moment before turning to Jin Guangshan, “As for the raid, Wei Ying was the reason we acted. With his help, we’ve found damning evidence of Wen Ruohan and his sons making moves to take over all of our territories.”

Lan Wangji was always impressed with his brother’s way with words. There wasn’t a single lie in his statement, only insinuations of order. Meanwhile, Lan Wangji could barely muster up a full sentence to those not worth his time. It was fortunate he had no aversion to gore, or he might not have a place in the clan at all.

So far, the reactions of the clan leaders attending were about what they expected. Some were incensed, already feeling the pressure from Wen Ruohan, while others were paling rapidly, likely wondering just what information was found.

Jin Guangshan huffed and grinned, “I doubt the situation is that serious. Surely Wen Xu should be returned. You are young, but this grievance is a serious one regardless of naivety.”

“Wen Xu has been returned,” Lan Wangji cut in.

“Indeed,” Lan Xichen sighed, “I received confirmation he was dropped off a few minutes ago. How long it will take for anyone to notice, I couldn’t tell.”

“Well, your ‘evidence’ couldn’t be too damning for him to have been released, hm?”

Madame Yu sneered at them, “The worthless creature tricked you. All he brings is misery and destruction!”

Lan Xichen calmly waved his servant forward, “We have brought copies of everything we’ve found. A copy for each clan.”

The servant passed out a folder to each table quickly.

“Ha!” Madame Yu snatched the folder and flipped through it, “Hardly proof of anything! Anything can be forged and, as I said, the vermin is always plotting.”

“Enough!” Nie Mingjue growled, “Clan Leader Lan wouldn’t call us all here for nothing! What have you found?”

Lan Xichen looked at Nie Mingjue with a completely real sympathy before hardening his gaze, “We have proof Wen Ruohan orchestrated the death of the late Clan Leader Nie.”

Chapter Text

The glass Nie Mingjue was holding shattered in his hands.

Jin Guangshan was quick to interject with an amused huff, “Come now. Nie Haoran regrettably passed of heart failure. We all are aware that it runs in the family.”

“I told you he was murdered as soon as it happened!” Nie Mingjue growled out.

“An accusation made in adolescent grief-”

“Wen Ruohan has been assimilating clans left and right! You’re telling me that he wouldn’t try for the Nie once our borders clashed? What kind of fool do you take me for?!”

Lan Xichen found his moment to cut back in, “Indeed. We’ve all known for some time that the Wen Clan were making moves towards power. We all have followed the peace agreement for generations, ensuring that no one Great Clan oversteps another. How we deal with our allied Lesser Clans is up to us, however the assimilation happening in the Wen Clan was worrisome on its own. Since the death of the late Clan Leader Nie, the Lan Clan has been investigating all we can.

“We now have records substantiating Clan Leader Nie’s accusations. While heart disease does run in his family, late Clan Leader Nie was near famous for the care he took when it came to his health. The culprit was poison.”

“That SNAKE!” the table the Nie’s were sitting at flipped into the nearby wall as he stood, “I’ll burn him alive!”

Lan Xichen bowed low, “The Lan Clan offers further condolences for this betrayal. We also offer our full aid. It is clear to us that Wen Ruohan is a danger to us all. His rule cannot stand.”

Nie Mingjue nodded stiffly, “What of the rest of you cowards?!”

Wei Ying almost snorted as most other clan leaders put their heads down to glance through the packet. He felt bad for the lesser clans. They would have to follow whichever great clan they belonged to. The one’s under the Lan had already known, and Wei Ying could guess which were under the Nie by glares alone. It really was just up to the Jin and Jiang.

The Jin would follow the gold, in the end. Whichever side brought them more money. The Jiang were a bit more precarious. They enjoyed more isolation and made money mainly on other’s using their docks. No real alliances needed. Still, they were soon to be tied through marriage to the Jin. With no other alliances, they might have no choice but to follow whichever way the Jin go.

Jin Guangshan nearly kicked his ‘second’ son into the middle of everyone.

Said son put on a pleasing smile, “With this new information, the Jin would like to call a recess. There is much to go over before more talks can be beneficial. Please, everyone, feel free to use our spaces for private conversation and deliberation. Maids will be around to serve you anything you may need.”

He bowed to the guests.

Some scattered immediately to private rooms indoors while others chose to gossip with their neighbors. The Jiang and Jin both made a quick exit, with Madame Qin following quickly behind. Nie Mingjue stalked over to the Lan table, closely followed by his brother.

“How long have you known?”

Lan Xichen smiled sadly, “Just over a week now. We had nothing undeniable until the raid, then it was sorting and translating and forcing Jin Guangshan to schedule.”

“And you-”

“Da-ge,” Nie Huaisang whined and pulled at his sleeve, “It’s too hot to stand out here! Let’s go inside and cool off. I’m going to melt!”

Nie Mingjue glared hard at his brother and yanked his sleeve back. Still, he jerked his head to the nearest door and stalked off once more.

“We’ll join you,” Lan Xichen nodded at Nie Huaisang and went after the other bear hybrid.

Wei Ying smiled at his mate, “I suppose that means us, too.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan looked like he would rather not, but what choice did either of them have?

“Wonderful! Give me just a second!”

Wei Ying hopped over to the Lan servant Lan Xichen had brought, “I’m sorry, what was your name again? I’m terrible with them!”

She looked down and bowed, “Hua Mei, Madame.”

He grinned and shifted a bit closer, “May I assume you have some training other than service, Hua Mei?”

She glanced up and nodded shortly.

“Good,” Wei Ying pulled away and put on a concerned pout, “There was another madame that didn’t look too good. I think she may be sick. Would you mind checking up on her? She left just after the Jin but I didn’t see her own maid follow.”

Hua Mei bowed again, “Of course Madame. I will find you when I have finished.”

“Thank you for your help.”

Wei Ying walked back to the table and wrapped himself around Lan Zhan’s arm, “Ready to go?”

---

The room was silent when the three of them arrived. Nie Huaisang had spent the short walk fretting over his brother’s temper and what was sure to be his own death when they returned home. It was kind of funny, but it wouldn’t fool Wei Ying. He knew the act too well. Nie Huaisang probably already had his own spy hot on Hua Mei’s heels to get the same information.

The room they ended up in was lavishly furnished, just like the rest of the mansion, with plenty of shelving and trinkets to hide cameras and bugs. It was hardly more private than outside.

Lan Zhan settled him on a couch and pulled out a small box but hesitated, “This may make you feel uncomfortable. It is not dangerous.”

He clicked a button and set it on the table.

Immediately Wei Ying felt eyes on him. He cuddled up closer to his alpha and curled up to make himself as small as possible.

Lan Zhan crooned and rubbed held him close, “It is not a pleasant feeling, but the frequency disrupts technology. Even our phones will not work with it on.”

Wei Ying shivered, “It’s awful.”

Nie Huaisang whined but spoke softly, “I know! It feels like I’m about to be pounced on at any second.”

“It is a necessary evil,” Lan Zhan pulled Wei Ying right into his lap.

Lan Xichen sighed and crossed his legs, “Remember to speak softly. There are always rats in the walls.”

“Xichen,” Nie Mingjue looked like he would rather burst than whisper, “You didn’t tell me anything.”

The dragon looked down at his lap, “A-Jue, you know that’s not fair. I only put together the evidence a few days ago.”

He snorted, “Yeah, and him? I thought we were working on this together. I never kept details from you.”

Wei Ying rolled his eyes and mumbled, “Are you a clan leader or a cub?”

Nie Mingjue bristled, “The fuck did you just say?!’

He narrowed his eyes, “Are your feelings hurt? Gonna cry about it?”

The bear looked scandalized, “You-”

“I’m not pouting while my father’s murderer runs free,” Wei Ying cuts him off, “Xichen-ge did you a favor and you’re acting like he took your favorite dolly away. Are you a clan leader, or are you a cub?!”

The whole room was staring at him like he grew a second head, but Wei Ying didn’t say anything all that surprising. When the information was passed on didn’t matter nearly as much as what they were going to do about it.

Nie Huaisang bubbled up with laughter. He tried to hide it behind his hands but it came out anyway. He had fear in his eyes but soon doubled over completely.

His older brother shot to his feet, “Huaisang!”

He shook his head as he tried to pull himself together, “He’s right, Da-ge! You are pouting!”

The clan leader’s face turned red and he started several sentences that didn’t get past the first syllable.

Then, it was Lan Xichen’s turn to struggle with laughter. He only let out a huff, but it was more than enough for Nie Mingjue to notice.

He whorled his head around, “Xichen!”

“Sorry,” he smothered another laugh, “Sorry! I’m trying!”

Nie Mingjue collapsed back into his seat, “Fine! I get it! There’s more important things to talk about!”

It still took a few minutes for everyone to calm back down, but the tension was gone when they could start again.

“Tell me everything.”

Lan Xichen spoke softly and told a shortened version of events. It was more truth than he had given to the rest, so Wei Ying could only assume the Nie were very close friends and also very trustworthy. Especially considering Lan Zhan didn’t stop him even once.

“Why the Hell did you let him go after all the shit he admitted to?” Nie Mingjue growled.

Nie Huaisang rolled his eyes, “Da-ge, they’re forcing the matter. The information didn’t come from being nice. They sent Wen Xu back tortured and broken to make Wen Ruohan respond right away.”

Ah, so Nie Huaisang was the brains of the Nie hidden behind Nie Mingjue’s brawn.

“Those who are on the fence will have to choose quickly.”

“Seems like a big ass risk,” Nie Mingjue said, “Fear could align them with the Wen just as easily as with us.”

“Then they will fall, too.”

“Watch it, that was almost arrogant,” he laughed.

Lan Wangji nearly smirked, “It is forbidden to lie.”

Wei Ying bit his lip, seeing the glee in his eyes that most others couldn’t, “Gods you’re so sexy when you do that.”

The alpha raised his brow a bit in question. Although, the question was not ‘when I do what?’ but ‘do you want to fuck about it?’ The answer was a very obvious yes.

“There are other rooms for that,” Lan Xchen said with a flat smile.

“Mn,” he hoisted Wei Ying up and strode confidently to the door, as if he hadn’t just announced to his brother that they were going to mate enthusiastically as soon as possible.

Wei Ying could only cackle in their wake.

Chapter Text

For once in his life, Lan Wangji was late. No one could possibly blame him for this. He was but a man in the orbit of the sun. He had no choice but to worship it thoroughly. Time meant nothing in comparison.

He knew some would call it the walk of shame, but he could hardly find anything they did shameful. So he walked, fashionably late, into the garden arm and arm with his mate. While people certainly started, no one commented on his undone top button that had been ripped as Wei Ying fumbled the shirt open. Nor did they comment on the blossoming hickey on the nape of his mate’s neck, only visible now that Wei Ying had had to hastily put his hair into a ponytail.

Lan Wangji would have preferred to leave the mark on his jaw or just above his adam’s apple, but Wei Ying insisted on being taken from behind. Doggy style he called it. ‘In honor of the Jiang,’ he had added with a wink. How could Lan Wangji refuse such a request? His claim was still on display anyway.

It was good that they honored the Jiang during the break. As it was, the purple clad clan had nothing but glares for them. Well, the members that were looking at them as they sat down, at least. They would be getting no further honor from the Lan.

Jin Guangshan looked ready to burst. He had likely also arrived late, only to find the person they all needed to question not there.

Lan Wangji hoped they all knew exactly what they were doing.

“Good of you to join us, Lan Wangji, Wei Wuxian,” he grimaced.

“Wei Ying,” the rabbit swiftly corrected, “Or rather Madame Lan to you.”

Jin Guangshan’s eyes glinted, as if he found a weak spot, “You deny the courtesy name so graciously given by your old clan? Hardly respectful of Madame Lan.”

“Regardless of how or why it was given, that name was rescinded the moment I was reduced to a broodmate. It is not mine, and I do not want it.”

“Being a clan heir’s partner is hardly a step down,” he cooed, “You are still one, afterall.

“I have zero doubt you believe the two to be the same,” Wei Ying grinned, “But I think it is clear to most that being Wen Xu’s little plaything is incomparable to being loved and respected by my Lan Zhan. Besides, isn’t there more important things to discuss than my previous ties to the Jiang?”

“I simply find it hard to trust an omega with so little loyalty. It seems to me you have already betrayed two of the clans. What’s one more should you be offered something better?”

Lan Xichen stood up before Wei Ying could respond and bowed shallowly to the lion, “Clan Leader Jin. Although I will not claim to have run a clan for as long as you have, I will say that I’ve found loyalty in those treated well. While it certainly won’t stop betrayal entirely, support, respect, and care go a long way to stabilizing a clan. Because of this, I have no reason to suspect Wei Ying would simply flit off to the next halfway decent offer. We plan to give him no reason to.”

Madame Yu shot to her feet, “Are you implying that we did give him reason? After we fed him from our plates and wasted precious resources to train him? After we found a more than favorable match for that mongrel?!”

“Apologies, Madame Yu, I did not mean to imply anything. Allow me to correct that,” he hummed, “What I meant was that food and water are simply necessities to be given when one takes in a new person. Training them is in the best interest of the clan. Selling them into the servitude of a known abuser is nothing more than a loosely guaranteed alliance. Nothing you did should garner trust or loyalty and therefore it did not.”

The whole garden was speechless as he bowed to her, almost mockingly, “I thank my elder for the lessons of what I should avoid in the future with my own nieces and nephews.”

It took a quiet moment for anyone to find their footing. Lan Wangji knew his brother was at the end of his patience, something that rarely happened. Insulting a dragon’s family was certainly the best way to make sure it snapped, however. Lan Wangji was only holding on to his because of a grounding hand on his upper thigh. Hard to think about murdering everyone when your mate was reminding you of the bliss you just received not 10 minutes back. Or, perhaps this was a promise of the future, with his thumb lightly dragging up and down his inner thigh. He was definitely going to get hard at this rate.

Wait, when did everyone start shouting?

Glancing around, he saw his brother still standing. This table seemed to be the only beacon of propriety as every other table had, at some point, erupted into chaos. Lan Wangji pulled a tight rein on himself before he growled at the volume of it all and went back to focusing on the steady warmth of his mate.

He could pick out lines being drawn and sides being taken. The smaller clans were already wanting to beat the Wen back. Even the few that were allied to the Jiang were voicing their distrust. The only two not vying for blood were both under Jin rule. He never liked dealing with the Yao and Qin clans anyway.

Wei Ying suddenly leaned heavily on him. He sighed, “I don’t get how Jin Guangshan thinks he can wrangle this crowd. It’s too clear where his loyalties lie.”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji wrapped an arm around his waist.

“ENOUGH!” Nie Mingjue shouted over the cacophony, “This bastard murdered my father! Any of you cowards can lay down and lick his boots if you want. I refuse to! Join those Wen bastards if you’d like! Your families will peel your skin from the walls!”

“How dare you call us cowards!” Madame Yu growled.

Nie Mingjue scoffed, “You are willing to give your clan away for your own survival! You already let them get away with ignoring Yiling. You let them make a fool of you!”

The reminder made her eyes go wild, “YumengJiang will never lay down!”

“San-Niang-!”

“Never!” she cut the clan leader off, “We’ll cut down anyone who tries!”

Only then did Lan Xichen speak up once more, “Then the Great Clans are in majority. Clan Leader Jin?”

Jin Guangshan shifted in his chair, glancing around at the expectant faces. They were all ready to call the Wen Clan to heel, so why was he hesitating? The folders given to everyone were specially curated to show Wen Ruohan’s plans of domination. Wasn’t the Jin Clan part of that? Every clan was every clan... unless?

Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji spent many hours putting together information in a way that shed no suspicion on any other clan that may or may not be involved. They could have added the payments given, but then Jin Guangshan could oust his nephew and feign ignorance. So that instead decided to let the lion sweat. Force him into a corner and let his own actions slowly damn him. It was similar to the plans Lan Wangji had for the Jiang, though that was less consolidated for the moment. Wei Ying would have final say over everything he did on that front.

Jin Guangshan cleared his throat and took a swig from his glass, “The Great Clans are in agreement. The crime is grave, however I find myself concerned over our response. Are we going to storm his mansion and take his head without a word?”

“What would you suggest? This is an open floor.”

“Clan Leader Lan, would it not be more appropriate to petition the Wen Clan? Perhaps this situation isn’t so black and white.”

Nie Mingjue scowled, “Are you saying my father deserved to be poisoned? Deserved to be murdered?!”

“Not at all,” he placated, “Merely that we do not have the full truth. It would be rather hypocritical if we automatically attack him. Not to mention against the codes.”

False, Lan Wangji couldn’t help but think.

What Wen Ruohan had done was against the treaty, or codes as Jin Guangshan liked to say. He instigated. Actually, the raid on the brood house was also against the treaty. It wasn’t being called into question because of the slight reordering of events, but in reality he had acted on no real information to obtain his mate.

Retaliating, however, was an ironclad part of the treaty. It's what guaranteed every other part of it. Any clan, when attacked without provocation or proof of wrongdoing, had the right to defend. If they didn’t, how could anyone be held to the treaty?

Jin Guangshan was arguing the validity of who threw the first stone. It was obvious what Wen Ruohan was doing to most everyone in the room, but if he wanted to play this out, they could.

Lan Xichen acquiesced, “Very well. It would behoove us to draft and send our official request, then.”

Lan Wangji closed his eyes and let out a breath. He was no longer needed for this meeting. At least not in mind. Politics was not his place. If they were to plan an attack, he would have no choice but to take point. Writing a missive from one clan to another? Not his duty.

He had more important things to focus on.

Wei Ying reached into his purse and started chewing on a few pieces of hay. He slowly munched the pieces into his mouth as his gaze became unfocused. Wei Ying was suddenly someplace far away that was much more interesting.

It was a skill he envied, really. The ability to let his mind wander on command.

He was adorable.

Lan Wangji wrapped an arm around his waist and let the meeting continue in the back of his mind. He had to listen to some degree, but how could anyone blame him for getting caught up in his beautiful bunny?

Chapter Text

Wei Ying tried very hard to care about the details. His mate was going to have to fight in this war, so he should see how it all shapes up. He should listen in and poke and prod until he was certain Lan Zhan would be safe. Normally, he would have.

The Lan’s nonchalance seemed to be rubbing off on him. Neither Lan Zhan nor Lan Xichen seemed any kind of worried over potential loss of life. Dragon hybrids were known to be tougher than the others, but this borderlined arrogance. If Lan Zhan weren’t such a stickler for the rules, Wei Ying would be sure it was incredible arrogance. As it was, the Lan just knew something no one else seemed to.

Wei Ying decided to ask as soon as they were alone in their guest room.

He grabbed the weird device from earlier and turned it on with only a little shiver. After, he launched himself into Lan Zhan’s arms so he could whisper and be cuddled.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan held him up easily.

“I have a very important question for you, Lan Zhan.”

“Hm?”

Wei Ying kissed his cheek, “I’m not sure you’re going to answer it.”

“I hold no secrets from my mate.”

“None? What if you want to surprise me with a gift?”

“Wei Ying should not ask if he wants to be surprised.”

“True!” he laughed before putting his lips right next to Lan Zhan’s ear, “Why are you so calm about fighting this war?”

The dragon didn’t flinch, didn’t even tense, “Ah.”

“Ah?”

“Mn,” he laid Wei Ying down on the too plush bed, “Wei Ying will have to wait for his answer.”

He pouted, “I’m not very patient with trivial things. How impatient do you think I am with my mate’s safety?”

“Very, but not here. I will show you in a week.”

“A week?!” he hissed, “Not when we get home? Not even if we go to your hoard instead?!”

“Mn, I do not want to keep a secret, and this is not one. Not to you,” Lan Zhan nuzzled his claim, “However, this must remain unspoken. I need to show you.”

Wei Ying huffed and rolled them over so Lan Zhan was on his back, “You won’t be fighting before you show me?”

“No. Unless the Wen decide to try and attack us in that time.”

“Well, at least that’s unlikely,” he shove his face into Lan Zhan’s chest and took a deep breath, “Okay. I can wait a week then. I want to make sure you’re safe, but that means making sure clan secrets are safe, too.”

“Thank you,” he said, “Would you like to nap before the after party?”

Wei Ying popped his head up, “There are few things I would like more!”

---

He woke up a few hours later suspiciously naked. He remembered stripping to his briefs and goading Lan Zhan to do the same for their nap, but now he was completely naked. More than that, he was no longer wrapped up in soft blankets or toned arms. It was overall a terrible way to wake up. He would not recommend it to anyone.

“Pet.”

A very different kind of shiver went up his spine.

Oh?

His mate was fully dressed in pristine white. His crisp button up, fully buttoned once again, had the cuffs rolled just over his forearms. The bottom was tucked into tight pants that hugged his legs like a second skin. Instead of his usual dress shoes, he wore thick soled boots that ended a few inches below his knees. The buckles holding them were a shining silver. Now that he looked closer, all of his accessories were silver. From his earrings, cufflinks, pocket chains, and all. Any gems were blue, likely real sapphires from his collection.

Wei Ying zeroed in on his lips as he spoke, “Get on the floor.”

Oh.

This was actually a very good way to wake up.

He scrambled to his knees and slid to the floor, not caring about anything else but following the order.

Lan Zhan nodded curtly and turned to the table on the other side of the room, “Do you remember your safe word?”

Yes, of course he did. How could he not? They had yet to do an actual scene, but Lan Zhan was hardly a sweet lover. Moreover, Wei Ying was hardly one to play nice. He wanted to be forced and degraded until he was a sobbing, sloppy mess on the floor. So, there was only so many times he could scream ‘no’ before Lan Zhan needed a word to actually mean ‘no’.

“Apple,” he breathed.

“Good,” he hummed, “I have some rules for tonight. I will tell you mine, then you may negotiate if you wish. Understood?”

“Yes!”

Lan Zhan huffed, “Eager.”

He turned to face Wei Ying once more, “You must ask my permission before you do anything other than follow me and my orders. I will control what you eat, what you drink, and what you do. If you wish to dance, you ask me. If you wish to touch yourself, you ask me. If you wish to pleasure me, you ask me. Understood?”

He nodded, “Yes!”

“Good. You also answer only to me. Anyone who tried to speak to you before they have my permission will be ignored. I do not care who they are or what rank they have. Understood?”

Oh, he was going to ignore everyone so well!

“Pet?”

“Ah, yes!”

Lan Zhan raised a brow but didn’t comment, “I may ask you to dance for another person. This does not mean that they can touch you, or that you can touch them. You may also refuse someone at your will. Is that acceptable?”

That was... Hm, a maybe?

“What if they break the rules?”

“Then I break their hands.”

“And I can deny whoever I want?”

“Yes.”

Wei Ying nodded, “Acceptable.”

“Finally, you will be fucked in front of all those people. You will pleasure me. You will touch yourself. You will embarrass yourself, should I order it. If you wish to deny any of these types of orders, you will either safeword to end the night, or say ‘yellow’ so we can talk about it, understood?”

Wei Ying curled his toes, “Yes, I understand.”

“Good. Is there anything you’d like to add?”

“I won’t do anything in front of my old family.”

Lan Zhan nodded, “They usually do not show, but tonight they may. Do you want to leave the moment they show?”

“Yes, unless it’s Madame Yu.”

He chuckled, “Noted.”

“Other than that, we’ve already talked about my limits.”

“Mn. Very well, I will dress you how I see fit, then allow you to do your makeup. Stand.”

Wei Ying stood quickly and T-posed to make sure he was ready for clothes. He got a teasing smack to the butt for his efforts, probably for being too damn cute, and giggled.

“You are already hard, Wei Ying. Are you really so easy?”

“Only for you, Er-Gege!”

“Good, arms up” he said, and draped a short gold and black dress over him. The back was cut out all the way to his butt, just barely letting his tail poke out over it. It was chilly against his skin, a product of actually being made from gold, and made him shiver. The black dotted in-between was some sort of black gemstone, inlaid everywhere. It was less dress and more massive jewelry.

He was swivelled to look in the mirror, “Oh.”

“Mn.”

Wei Ying's eyes were wide as he stared at his reflection. The gems pressed against his every curve in a mesmerizing display. It left very little to the imagination, even laying suggestively against his hardon. The only thing not on display was his currently soaked pussy, soaked enough to soon be dripping.

“Gege...”

“Mn?”

He swallowed, unable to take his eyes off the reflection, “What... the gems?”

“Jadeite,” he rumbled and stepped close behind him and ran his hand up the bottom hem of the dress.

Owned by the Second Jade, or just a jade in his own right, then. A claim, a statement. He purred and leaned back into his alpha.

“You forgot panties, Er-gege.”

He huffed, “You won't be needing any. Now sit.”

Wei Ying half collapsed on the stool in front of the vanity, his mind completely enthralled in the game.

“I picked out the palette to use, do your makeup.”

Wei Ying got to work with the crimson color scheme provided. He gave himself a smokey eye and cut his cheeks with contour. What he really wanted was a dangerous vibe, to be untouchable. His normal cute bunny face was not going to send that message.

Lan Zhan pulled his hair into a high pony and slicked back his bangs. His hair became sleek and easy to pull around. He finished tying the ribbon right as Wei Ying finished applying his lipstick.

Lan Zhan admired him in the mirror, “Beautiful.”

“Only the best for my Er-gege,” he sighed.

“Mn,” he hummed and ran his hands down his bare sides, “All eyes will be on you.”

“They're going to be so jealous.”

“As they should,” Lan Zhan kissed the side of his head, “Come. A-Ying deserves to be seen.”

Wei Ying let himself be pulled to his feet and out the door. The mansion was once again a maze of gilded halls, but Wei Ying felt more lavish than the Jin could ever be in his dress. Every wall had specks of light reflected from the gems he wore. He was essentially the prettiest disco ball to exist, and he had far more fun functions.

They walked leisurely through the halls until they hit a set of stairs.

“You know,” Wei Ying chuckled, “I should have guessed it would be in the basement. Is there a whole sex chamber down there?”

“I don’t know.”

“No? Ah, well, you did say you never had a reason to show up before. It’ll be a fun surprise for both of us!”

Lan Zhan slipped in some clear ear plugs as they approached the guarded door. Music was already bumping from the other side, and a cloud of booze and pheromones wafted towards them.

Wei Ying leaned heavily against Lan Zhan, “People really don’t change, hm?”

Lan Zhan quirked his brow in question.

“All the money that went into this, and it still stinks like the broodhouse,” he teased.

The dragon shrugged lightly, “Mn. Do you want earplugs?”

Wei Ying shook his head, “I’m used to all this stuff. Honestly, it feels great when the music is all encompassing when I dance.”

“A-Ying will still be able to hear me?”

“Well,” he kissed his cheek, “I will if I get real close. How does that sound?”

Lan Zhan gave his ponytail a quick yank, “Behave.”

Wei Ying winced and pouted, “Yes, Er-gege.”

Chapter Text

Lan Wangji had never set foot in the basement club previously. It was the epitome of everything he disliked: loud, dirty, smelly, bright, and Jin. He supposed he could have guessed that the personal club would be large. The same way he could have guessed that the many poles were plated gold or that the main stage would be filled with women of various species. All prey, of course. Jin Guangshan would only go so diverse with his entertainment.

Thankfully, there were many other stages throughout the floor, including somewhat private ones almost surrounded by circular booths.

He hailed a waitress and ordered one cleaned and emptied for him. There were a few empty already, so he didn’t need to throw his station around too much. All he really needed was a thoroughly cleaned booth and pole to use, and he was never going to trust Jin Guangshan to have things thoroughly cleaned.

Jin Zixun sidled up to him, far too close, and scowled at the cleaning going on, “You think we’re diseased or something?!”

Lan Wangji felt no need to respond, so he kept his attention on running his fingers up and down Wei Ying’s spine.

The bunny shivered and snuggled closer, “You know, I’ll have to be careful up there. Too much slick on the pole is dangerous.”

His hand twitched at the reminder, as if he hadn’t been smelling it on him the entire way here.

“We have towels.”

“Don’t fucking ignore me!” Jin Zixun growled and moved in front of them.

Wei Ying glanced away, following the rules for the moment.

“You are not qualified to speak with me,” Lan Wangji said, “Move elsewhere.”

“Uppity bastard.”

Jin Zixun took the advice and stalked after one of the waitresses once they were done cleaning the area. No doubt they would see more of him after he licked his wounds.

“I bet he has itchy junk.”

Lan Wangji suppressed a grin and gripped the back of Wei Ying’s neck, “Do not speak of other men.”

He purred low in his throat, “Yes, Sir.”

They sat, Wei Ying happily in his lap and tail wrapped around his waist, as ladies made their way from table to table.

A pretty deer set a pitcher of water and a tray of cups on the table that edged the small stage for the pole, “Welcome to Peony, Hanguang-jun, Madame Lan. How can this one serve you tonight?”

“A pot of white tea and a bottle of baijiu,” he began before turning to Wei Ying, “Pet, what would you like to drink?”

Wei Ying bit his lip, “A long island, please!”

He hummed, “And a Long Island iced tea.”

“Do you have a preference for the baijiu?”

He hummed, “The best LanlingJin has to offer. One shot glass only.”

“Right away!”

“Gege, what do you have planned for that bottle, hm?”

Lan Wangji nipped at his lips and rubbed up his leg, “You enjoy alcohol, do you not?”

“Mhm... But I’m also going to be dancing and showing off my assets to everyone. What if I do something stupid?”

“Do you trust me?” he asked. He meant it, too. They could do many things sober and have a wonderful time together. The bottle could end up as a gift if Wei Ying didn’t want it.

“Of course I do. I trusted you enough to come down here in nothing but gemstones. Will Er-gege protect me?”

“Mn, nothing bad will happen to you, no matter what you choose to drink,” he nuzzled into his neck and kissed down to his clavicle, “Just enjoy.”

Wei Ying’s toes curled and his thighs squeezed together, “Yes Sir~”

The deer woman set down their drinks on the table, “Please feel free to flag me or any of us down when you need anything.”

Lan Wangji grunted in response and let himself get lost in his mate’s scent. Even with all the sex and alcohol in the air, he felt himself drowning in a sweet summer breeze. He licked up Wei Ying’s neck and nibbled on his chin.

He reached for the bottle without looking and knocked it against the glasses. Although frustrating, he still got his goal without pulling away even a small margin. More frustrating was the necessity to pull away to bite the cork out of the bottle.

“Thirsty?”

Wei Ying laughed before opening his mouth and sticking out his tongue.

The baijiu flowed in a little stream down his throat, just enough for a shot, before Lan Wangji set the bottle down again.

Wei Ying hummed and licked his lips happily, “Thank you, Er-gege!”

He hummed and slipped two fingers inside his love while he was distracted. His whole body jumped with a yelp but quickly relaxed. His thighs even spread just a bit to make more room for his hand.

Wei Ying mewled and wrapped his arms tighter around Lan Wangji’s neck, “So slow, Lan Zhan. Go faster!”

He didn’t change the slow drag of his fingers in and out. He did, however, yank the base of Wei Ying’s ponytail with a growl, “Is that how you ask nicely. Pet?”

“Oh!” his eyes teared up and he pouted, “Er-gege, Wei Ying is sorry. May this omega have more?”

“More what?”

He squirmed, “More fingers in my cunt, faster, please...”

“Hm, you haven’t done much to earn it.”

Lan Wangji took a quick glance around to see the beginnings of an audience. Good.

Wei Ying whined when the fingers left him, but was quick to lap them clean, “So cruel to your Wei Ying.”

“Only when he misbehaves,” he waved to his bodyguards and one handed him a basket of supplies. Lan Wangji had no knowledge of what was needed to pole dance. He had needed to ask Wen Qing for the information and was worried with how many options she gave. Eventually, he found what Wei Ying liked best, or at least what Wen Qing saw him use.

So, the basket had a few hand towels, a jar of I-Tac, a bottle of Dry Hands, and a spray bottle of alcohol, just in case. The recent cleaning should mean the alcohol was unnecessary, but why chance it? He also had knee pads, grip gloves, and sticky ankle wraps in the bag. Those were not Wen Qing’s recommendations, but he read that some liked them. Whether that was for a profession or simply exercise was not mentioned.

Wei Ying smiled at the basket and kissed his cheek.

Lan Wangji silently revelled in the small gesture before coming back to himself, “Entertain me, if you want more.”

“Right away, Er-gege.”

With another short kiss, he slid off his lap and took only the dry hands and two hand towels. The first, he wiped his slick with, giving the towel and deep inhale before he winked and tossed it to Lan Wangji.

The dragon missed the preparation and even him climbing up to the stage with how focused he was on the sloppy towel that smelled perfect. It would be unfair for anyone to expect better, really. His mate just gave him a wonderful gift, so he enjoyed it until he heard Wei Ying’s heels clack on the stage.

Wei Ying was rubbing his hands together and did a few quick finger stretches. After shaking his hands out, he did a twirl and took hold of the pole.

The routine started slow, almost like a warm up as one song ended. He walked once around the pole, hips swaying with the beat. The next lap he hoisted himself just above the floor and walked on air effortlessly.

Lan Wangji knew the bunny had muscle. His legs alone were strong enough to ride for several rounds of sex. He had yet to see the end of that stamina. At the same time, Lan Wangji knew very well what it took to do a pull up. While he trained and typically did 50 in a set, he had no idea that Wei Ying could do any, much less while making it look like floating. His arm strength, not to mention grip strength, was incredible.

After another round floating, Wei Ying tapped off the ground into a fan kick. His inside leg bent around the pole, his other leg bent at the same angle but free from the pole. He blew a kiss as he spun passed, ever the flirtatious bunny. His knees softly touched the floor and he bent backwards, reaching out behind him at some other audience member.

Now on his back, he curled his knees up and clacked his heels on the floor. His legs windmilled to one side, then the other, before splitting apart. Everything was on display for Lan Wangji. It soothed the part of him that was instantly jealous that he reached for someone else.

Wei Ying’s legs snapped back together and fell away from the pole. He shifted over and up until he was seated back against the pole. His hands went to either side just above his head. He pulled himself up and around in a back walkover, landing bent over for the crowd to get a good view of his ass. He shook it as he rose to standing again.

“Horny bunny,” Lan Wangji heard muttered from the crowd.

Well, muttered as well as it could be in such a loud room. Many shouted back and forth about the dance and how clearly wet and hard Wei Ying was.

“Madame Lan really was a whore, huh?”

“No, no, I’ve seen him at the broodhouse before. Definitely a dancer!”

“You only say that because he rejected you! Doesn’t mean he did put out.”

“Didn’t Wen Xu kick you out for asking? Honestly, you’re lucky to be alive. Bet Hanguang-jun won’t be so forgiving if you come on to his wife.”

“They aren’t even married!”

“Just mated, asshole. What’s the difference?!”

Lan Wangji ignored the random conversations as best he could.

Wei Ying climbed the pole elegantly and leaned his whole body back, leaving the crook of one knee, and the hand yanking it tightly closed, to hold him up. The dress slid back to expose his stomach. It nearly came off, but fell back in place the moment he was upright again.

The dragon noted the issue for future performances.

In the meantime, his bunny pulled his upper body close and swung his legs behind him. Using the momentum, he twisted his hips and swung both legs to one side. Soon he was upside down again, legs spread wide and vagina dangerously close to slicking up the pole.

The crowd whistled and jeered as he spun. Wei Ying looked to be enjoying himself greatly, the only plus to having so many people ogle his mate. This game was a double edged sword through and through. He was beautiful and in his element on the stage, but Lan Wangji wanted the sight all to himself.

He pulled in a growl and kept his whole focus on Wei Ying. The bunny had hooked one leg around the pole and pulled his other down. It was almost touching the back of his head and pulled his labia in a way that let slick drip down his thigh. He was spinning a tad too fast to appreciate it fully, but the smell was all around him.

Finally, Wei Ying released his leg and held back on to the pole to roll himself back upright. The dress clicked against the pole and he slowly circled his ass against it. He lowered into a squat and leaned forward to crawl towards Lan Wangji.

“Have I done well, Er-Gege?”

Lan Wangji took a steadying breath before he grabbed the bottle of baijiu, “Roll over.”

Wei Ying laughed as he complied and opened his mouth wide. The baijiu went down easily and Lan Wangji decided to give him another shot before corking the bottle once more.

“Good boy. Stay there and spread your legs. Touch yourself.”

Wei Ying bit his lip and spread his legs wide.

“I’d rather you be touching me,” he said as he slowly pulled up the hem of his dress, “Will you, Er-gege?”

“If you’re good,” he growled, “Don’t cum.”

Wei Ying pouted as he began stroking his cocklet, “Please, touch me? I want you to make me cum!”

“Keep going.”

He whined and prodded his pussy with his other hand, “What if I’m close?”

“Then you stop, and start again when you come down.”

“Cruel,” he moaned and shifted his back to a more comfortable position.

“Are you going to be good?” he clasped his hands behind his back.

Wei Ying whimpered, “Yes, Er-gege! I'll be good!”

He hummed and stepped around to view his bunny from the side, “Wider. Make it easier to watch.”

Wei Ying pulled his knees up and to the side. Slick dribbled out of his cunt as he scissored in deeper. Now everyone could see his slutty holes, pulsing with need.

“Good tuzi,” Lan Wangji muttered. He wanted to shove himself deep into his mate, or maybe jerk himself off until he painted his face in cum. That wouldn't do, though. Not here.

He needed to be in full control of everything while others were watching. Losing his wits while Jin Guangshan was leering in the crowd was not an option. So he stood stiff instead and watched as Wei Ying picked up speed, only to obediently slow with a loud whimper.

“Er-gege, please! I'm so close!”

“I will not repeat myself.”

Wei Ying gasped and pulled his fingers away, his hole twitching and dripping almost angrily at being abandoned.

He hummed and unzipped a small compartment in his bag. Lan Wangji had bought and prepared, washed and scented, a decent sized dildo with a suction cup base. He wasn't sure the ground at the party would be a good place to use it as intended, but at least it would fill Wei Ying appropriately. With the stage cleaned for his use, though, there would be no issue.

Land Wangji leaned over and gave his bunny's rump and good smack before sticking the dildo just in front of his pussy. Wei Ying was still reeling from the spank so he had to give a verbal order to refocus him.

“Ride this, but do not finish without permission.”

Wei Ying mewled and struggled to get up. His legs were a tad shaky, but he managed to get himself seated on the cock. He slid easily down it’s length and moaned as he bottomed out.

Lan Wangji could feel the phantom twitches he knew his bunny’s cunt was making. He would be clenching and fluttering around the cock as his slick dribbled out. Really, he already had made a mess of the stage. It was no longer safe to dance on, but they were done with that for now.

“A-Ying, what did I tell you?”

He blinked open his eyes and looked guilelessly at him, “Er-gege?”

Lan Wangji approached and wrapped his pony tail around his hand, “What did I tell you?”

“You... you said...”

He yanked his head back, “Think.”

Wei Ying hissed and grabbed at his hand, completely tangled in his hair, “Er-gege!”

“What. Did. I. Say?”

He whined, “You! You said to ride!”

He let go of his hair, “Then what are you waiting for?”

“Er-gege, I-”

“You are a bunny. Bounce.”

Wei Ying whimpered but started moving. It was only pitiful humps, nothing like what Lan Wangji knew he was capable of. His bunny was very naughty. That couldn’t stand.

Lan Wangji frowned, “Lazy. You can do better than that.”

Wei Ying shook his head, “No, I can’t!”

He slapped the top of his thigh, “Do not slack. People are watching you. Do not disappoint.”

His bunny yelped as more smacks came down on both his thighs. It was enough motivation to get him moving, though.

Wei Ying pulled himself nearly off the dildo, leaving the shaft shining with his slick, before falling back on it. He set a good rhythm this time around and only began stuttering as he got close to orgasm.

Lan Wangji did not need to remind him to slow down. He raised and circled his hips with just the tip inside him, “Alpha! Can I cum? Please? Let me cum!”

The dragon hummed and glanced at their spectators. A few cocks were out, one just came prematurely, but most people were still palming themselves in their pants.

“No. Keep going.”

Wei Ying groaned and arched himself back, arms holding himself up as he slowly increased his speed again, “I'm so close, Er-gege!”

“Hm.”

His movements were exaggerated for the crowd, long drags that let the dildo leave him twice before he got the perfect rhythm. He whined loudly both times and rubbed the tip across his labia before shoving it back in.

By the time he was showing signs of cumming again, Lan Wangji himself was white knuckles with his arms behind his back to keep from touching himself. He couldn't see anyone in the crowd with the same restraint. They were done pretending another show might live up to this. Lan Wangji's mate was the best, the series, the most obedient, the most enthralling. They would cum with him and no other omega in attendance would compare.

“Er-gege! Please! Let me-”

“Cum,” he growled, splitting the skin of his palm in his efforts to remain composed.

Wei Ying dropped himself on the dildo, angled to ram and drag across his g-spot. Clear ribbons of cum shot across the stage as he screamed with the force of his orgasm. Groans from the crowd even crept over the sound of the music. A perfect show.

His bunny wasn't even done just yet. He ground his hips and chased the high for a long moment, shuddering through his extended orgasm. Was it for show? Wei Ying was used to giving a show. The weak perks of his cocklet seemed to say he was just enjoying himself that much.

Lan Wangji knew one touch would send his own cock spasming the same way. What a magnificent picture Wei Ying made.

He snapped his metaphorical, only metaphorical because of how tense he kept his body during the whole play, jaw off the floor and caught his love before he slumped backward on the stage. The dildo popped out of him with a whimper and he curled into Lan Wangji's hold.

“Er-geg,” he breathed, “A-Zhan.”

He pulled Wei Ying close and crooned, “My Wei Ying.”

“Was I good?” he looked open and earnest.

Lan Wangji scooped him off the stage to cuddle on the booth, “Perfect. Wei Ying is always incredible.”

His smile was incandescent, and worth the mess in his pants when the squirming bunny found the most comfortable position on his lap.

Chapter Text

Warmth coiled in his belly and music buzzed over his skin. He was uncomfortably sweaty and wet, even though his mind was pleasantly numb. It felt like cotton candy swaddled his brain, protecting him from everything but the strong arms holding him.

He purred and snuggled into the closest nice smell. That turned out to be a lovely neck that he mouthed and licked at. It tasted so good, like sweat and soap. Like his mate.

Ah, it was probably his mate. That’s good. He wouldn’t want to be doing this with anyone else. He would rather bite their jugular out than be held by anyone other than Lan Zhan.

“Lan Zhan,” he sighed happily.

“Wei Ying,” his mate whispered in his ear. The rumble easily broke through the thumping bass and party music.

Wei Ying giggled and nipped his mate’s scent gland.

Lan Zhan groaned deeply, “Behave.”

“Don’t wanna,” he mumbled, too busy mouthing over the delicious skin.

A small laugh rolled through his chest, “Is my Tuzi done with orders?”

He peeled his eyes open and squinted at the sharp jaw in front of him, “Maybe.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan turned and kissed his nose, causing it to twitch, “Would Tuzi like a drink?”

Wei Ying grinned and nodded quickly, “Yes, please!”

They leaned together for a moment and then there was a glass with a straw in front of his face. He reached out with his tongue and got the thing in his mouth fairly easily, if he did say so himself. It tasted delicious. So much so that he remembered he ordered it himself a while back.

“Good?”

“Mn!”

“I’m glad,” he said, “Hold the cup.”

Wei Ying took it without question and closed his eyes again to savor it. He hummed as large hands groped his ass and thighs. He hummed and stretched his legs out.

“Comfortable?”

Wei Ying popped the straw out of his mouth, “Very! Er-gege’s lap is the best place to be!”

A hand slipped between his thighs, fingers digging into the meat there.

Wei Ying kissed Lan Zhan’s cheek, “Hungry?”

His chest rumbled, “Always.”

Wei Ying bit his lip as two fingers slipped into his cunt.

“Don’t spill. That would be a waste.”

Wei Ying nodded and sucked down the rest of the drink. He knew better than to trust his fine motor control under duress. Their bodyguard more caught than took the glass as he flung it out of his grip.

“Good boy,” Lan Zhan huffed and scissored his fingers.

Wei Ying mewled and tried to relax his legs. He couldn’t curl up and make things more difficult for his Er-gege. That would make things worse for both of them.

Lan Zhan kissed his jaw line slowly, taking his sweet time to enjoy Wei Ying’s body, “So pretty.”

“Gege, please...”

They were interrupted by a haughty laugh, “Already up again? Bunnies really are best for breeding.”

Wei Ying both hated and loved ignoring him. Normally, he could out sass him and call it a day, but he was under order not to acknowledge him. It was made easy by a third finger stretching his walls.

Lan Zhan nipped his neck, “Your opinion was not asked. Leave.”

The man scoffed, “You brought the bitch here to share. I’m coming to share.”

Lan Zhan pulled out his fingers and rubbed them over Wei Ying’s lips until he opened them. He purred as he suckled his own slick off of them.

“I do not share, and I do not repeat myself.”

He sneered, “The Jin and Lan have been allies for generations. Is one fuck really worth throwing it away for?!”

“Wei Ying,” he pulled his fingers out, “Emasculate Jin Zixun.”

Wei Ying furrowed his brow as the man started shouting at him.

“Who?”

“The loud man,” Lan Zhan nodded towards him.

Jin Zixun cursed at them, “Oh fuck off! You wouldn’t dare!”

“But I don’t have a knife, Sir.”

Lan Zhan traced his lower lip, “I do not believe you need one.”

Wei Ying grinned and nipped at his fingers with two front teeth, “I don’t!”

He stood and let the jewels of his dress drape around his hips. Jin Zixun took a step back when he smirked, “Stay right there. We’ll be done in a minute!”

Finally, the Jin Idiot decided it wasn’t worth the risk of them being serious and he turned heel. The crowd quickly absorbed him.

Wei Ying pouted, “Should I chase him?”

“No need. He will not return. Come back, I’d like to fuck you.”

Wei Ying bounded a couple steps back and straddled him immediately, “I’d like that too, Er-gege!”

He smirked, “The toy wasn’t enough?”

“Never!” he gasped, “How could it possibly?!”

“You seemed to have plenty of fun with it.”

“Only because Er-gege was watching me so intensely,” he purred, “How could I not give it my all?”

Lan Zhan pushed him to his back on the booth, “It was a satisfactory performance. My mate deserves a reward.”

Wei Ying wiggled before his hands were pinned above his head. It only took one of Lan Zhan’s hands to hold them steady, a very sexy fact Wei Ying loved entirely too much. A beast of a man was holding him down like it was nothing. Wonderful!

Lan Zhan settled himself between his thighs and unzipped his pants. His cock was hot and heavy, but also sticky. Surprisingly sticky. It looked almost like...

Wei Ying grinned, “Er-gege... Did this bunny’s show make you happy?”

Lan Zhan’s eyebrow quirked up, “Very.”

“Hm,” he chuckled and pulled his mate close, “So very happy... that maybe you couldn’t hold yourself back?”

“Wei Ying!” he growled and shoved himself in.

Wei Ying cried out in surprise and clutched onto his broad shoulders.

“Shameless tease,” he continued and started rocking into him, “When I am through with you, you won’t have a single thought in your pretty head.”

Well, his brain was already at 50% and they were just beginning. Lan Zhan would be able to keep that promise no problem.

---

Finally, a week had passed.

A week since the conference and the party. A week since Wen Xu was left, mostly dead, for his father to find. A week since Lan Zhan had told him to wait for the big secret that couldn’t be spoken.

Instead of getting a written answer or some sort of video or picture explanation, he woke up to a road trip to Lan Zhan’s Ancestral Lands. It would take all day to drive, but he was assured the answers, and his own uncle, were there waiting for him.

“I’m meeting the family patriarch?” Wei Ying said after finally waking up fully with a half drunk coffee in his hands.

Lan Zhan rubbed his thigh, “He is looking forward to it.”

The car they were shook over a bump in the road, “A mountain... And there’s a whole town up there?”

He hummed and continued to rub slow circles with his thumb, “No a town so much. A residency or perhaps manor? There are homes and meeting halls. Everything needed for a Sect.”

Wei Ying breathed out slowly, “Right. I forget how old your clan really is.”

“How do you feel?”

He shrugged, “Somewhere between terrified and excited! I mean, I really want your uncle to like me but also the Cloud Recesses... Like, the real life CLoud Recesses! Not just your new compound, which is also nice, obviously.”

Lan Zhan grinned, “It is beautiful. I believe you will enjoy it.”

“It’ll be cold though, right?”

“I have brought sufficient robes for the both of us.”

“Robes?”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan moved his hand to lace their fingers together, “Once we’re passed the gates, we must wear specific hanfu. We will change before we begin the climb.”

Wei Ying nibbled his bottom lip. On one hand, wearing historic garb on an old mountain while living in buildings hundreds of years old was like stepping into a dream. On the other... Climb? Huh?

“And by climb, you mean?”

“A staircase, no mountaineering,” after a moment’s thought, he added, “I can carry you if you’d like.”

Wei Ying laughed, “We’ll see! I have a lot of energy to work off!”

---

The mountain air was crisp and fresh as they walked up the winding steps. Wei Ying wanted to pout and tease until he was carried up the thousand steps but the mood around him was so solemn he decided against it. This was obviously something sacred to them, even if the silence was a little suffocating.

A group of elders, most but not all dragons, had met them at the base of the steps. There was a small shack used to change clothes and an ox cart to take their bags up. It was all so ancient, but also wonderful.

Lan Zhan held his hand the entire way up. No one gave the gesture a second glance, even though he knew some of the elders were embarrassed by any form of PDA. No doubt one glare from Lan Zhan would stop any nasty comments either way.

They came to a halt at the top of the stairs and faced a massive stone wall. Wei Ying was trying his best to hide his panting and focused on the writing. It was all in a script he didn’t recognize, much less could understand. His head tilted as he regained his breath.

“It is our Wall of Discipline,” Lan Zhan murmured, “Written in Draconic Seal Script.”

Wei Ying snapped his head towards his mate, “All 4,000 are there?”

His lips quirked up, “4,209.”

He rolled his eyes, “Ah, yes, how dare I suggest you only follow 4,000.”

“An oversight,” he hummed and squeezed his hand gently.

After another moment, they continued further into the compound.

“So, your ancestors lived here?”

“Mn, some still do.”

“Really? Do you even have plumbing or electricity up here?”

“No.”

Wei Ying huffed, “So some Lans just prefer freezing on a mountain without Wifi or a hot bath?”

“There is always fire,” Lan Zhan said, “They live as we used to. Even I maintain a home here.”

He grinned at that, “We have a summer home in your ancestral lands?”

“We do. Though we also have to boil water for a hot bath.”

Wei Ying laughed through his hands, “Noted! Noted! Must we also haul water from the streams?”

“Yes.”

He kept smiling even though he knew Lan Zhan wasn’t joking about that. He had no wish to live that kind of life, but there was certainly something charming about tending to a house in the middle of nowhere. He could imagine them a millennium ago farming the land for their community in the mountains of Gusu.

“Come, we’ll get settled before dark.”

Wei Ying skipped next to his mate and took in the stone paths and garden spaces. Everything was well manicured, but felt entirely natural. There weren’t any boxed in beds or fences, just plants, paths, and wooden buildings.

“This is wonderful! I can’t believe you just have this all hidden away! How does no one know that all this is here?”

Lan Zhan squeezed his hand, “You’ll know tomorrow, after we greet Uncle.”

“When are we doing that?”

“Breakfast. It will be earlier than you’d like.”

Wei Ying grimaced, “6:00 AM?”

“I bumped it to 7:00.”

He shivered, “Is being a morning person genetic? I don’t understand how all of you enjoy being up before the sun!”

“I’m not sure, I was born into the schedule,” he stopped in front of a small residence, “This is our summer home.”

Wei Ying’s eyes roved over the exterior. It was pasted straight out of a historical drama with a raised entry and all. The home was even labeled, though he did struggle to read the faded text.

“Jing...shi?”

“Correct.”

Lan Zhan scooped him up without further warning and slid open the door.

Wei Ying yelped and hugged him tight, “Lan Zhan! You need to stop doing this every time you show me a new home!”

He pouted, “I must carry my bride over the threshold.”

“You’ve already done that!”

Lan Zhan ignored him completely as he entered the Jingshi, “Welcome home.”

Wei Ying rolled his eyes and kissed his ridiculous husband, “I’m home.”

Their bags were already placed at the foot of the wooden bed. A decent fire was warming the place up and the windows were opened to air the place out. Firewood was stacked neatly to the side.

“Lan Zhan, are there maids here? I thought we would have to get everything ourselves.”

Lan Zhan set him on the bed, “No maids. Uncle likes to make sure everything is ready when Xiongzhang or I visit. Since retiring, he spends most of his time here with the other elders.”

“He retired from a life of crime to manually do... everything?”

“They it’s a peaceful existence,” he explained, “The best way to center oneself after the hard decisions that had to be made.”

“Have they ever heard of a resort?” Wei Ying joked, “I look forward to vacationing here, but I don’t think I’ll ever want to hermit my life away.”

“I would also rather travel. We are well matched.”

“Good for us! Did your uncle already haul the water for us?”

Lan Zhan shook his head, “Stay here, I’ll fill the tub.”

Wei Ying hopped off the bed, “I’m helping you! And I don’t need a full bath, just a wipe down is enough.”

Lan Zhan nodded, “Clean, then bed. It gets very cold here.”

“Hm,” Wei Ying picked up a bucket, “I think we’ll find a way to warm up!”

Chapter Text

Lan Qiren was every bit the man that raised Lan Zhan. Lan Xichen was honestly questionable at this point, but he most definitely raised Lan Zhan. He had a stern face and matched it with perfect posture and a rare elegance to his movements. Even though his clothes were fairly plain, they were still silk. He was a quiet type of rich, while still maintaining a minimalist lifestyle.

His gaze was just as intense as Lan Zhan’s, only it lacked the heat and fondness. That was the main difference between them at that moment. Lan Qiren looked at him with ice. Then again, Lan Zhan looked at nearly everyone else with the same chilly glare. It’s not like Wei Ying would want Lan Qiren to look at him the same as Lan Zhan anyway.

Some sort of acceptance would do nicely, though.

Lan Qiren laid out a few plates of sweet cakes and prepared the tea in silence. Wei Ying wanted nothing more than to break the quiet but knew Lan Zhan would let him know when it was appropriate to do so. In the meantime, he counted the minutes until the tea was ready.

“Allow me,” he offered quietly and took up the porcelain tea pot. It was his job as the youngest to serve it and it was something he could show off. Wei Ying used all of his customer service experience to pour three perfect cups, not a drop spilt. He set the pot down with a clink.

Lan Qiren took his cup and sipped it, letting out a soft sigh as he set the cup down.

“Wangji. Please introduce your mate.”

Lan Zhan bowed, “Uncle, this is Wei Ying, a rabbit previously employed as a dancer. Wei Ying, this is my uncle, Lan Qiren. Until recently, he led the Lan Clan.”

Wei Ying bowed and tried hard to push down the blush the mention of his old career brought on. Did Lan Qiren need to know about the club? Did he already know about the club?

Lan Qiren hummed, “It is good to meet the one responsible for my retirement.”

Wei Ying shot up from his bow, “What?!”

“Excess noise is forbidden,” he said absently.

Lan Zhan placed a calming hand over his lower back, “Uncle passed down the title to Brother when I found you.”

Wei Ying looked down, “Ah, then... I’m sorry?”

“Don’t be. My brother should have taken the mantle, not me. I am a scholar, above all else.”

“Okay... you’re welcome, then,” Wei Ying gave a half smile and tried his own tea. It was a bitter blend that was no doubt good for meditation or something. He swallowed it down and fully smiled to hide his distaste.

“Indeed,” Lan Qiren said warily, “Are you prepared for the ritual tonight?”

Wei Ying’s ears perked up, “Hm?”

Lan Zhan nodded once, “I will take him to the murals once we are finished here.”

“Good, there are three dragons scheduled for tonight so we cannot dawdle.”

“Ah, what exactly is this ritual?” Wei Ying started, “Lan Zhan told me it was very important to fight the Wen but he said it couldn’t be talked about down the mountain.”

Lan Qiren was quiet as he ate a cake and stalled. He even took another sip of his tea before clearing his throat, “It is not for me to tell you. Wangji will explain soon enough.”

Wei Ying glanced to his mate who nodded solemnly, “Okay, I’ll hold you to that. I’m seriously wondering what kind of secret could be so terrible considering your, our I suppose, profession.”

Lan Qiren looked like he almost cracked a smile, “Moving on. You pour tea far better than the average service worker. I doubt such training was given at your previous place of employment.”

Wei Ying perked up, “No, but there was a small group of broodmates who got into tea ceremonies as a hobby. I learned some etiquette from online videos. We even had little competitions on our off hours, even though none of us knew the actual rules for judging.”

“Resourceful,” he hummed, “Do you intend to continue?”

“Eh?”

“With tea competitions,” he elaborated, “A hobby does one well. Perhaps you can take my nephew with you? He is lacking in that department.”

Lan Zhan huffed, “I have a hobby.”

“Oh, what did you pick up since we last talked in leisure?”

“Uncle, I play guqin.”

He waved it off, “Not as a hobby. You need something outside of work and health. Something to do to relax.”

“Music is relaxing,” Lan Zhan tried not to grumble, “And I enjoy work.”

Wei Ying stifled his laughter as best he could. This was not how he thought the conversation would go at all. His mate was being scolded instead of him. His perfect Lan Zhan. Not the bunny with a sex work past. It was like his Uncle really didn’t care.

“I don’t think I’ll try for any tea competitions, but Lan Zhan’s back yard is perfect for gardening! And he’s already let me do some redecorating and painting. We haven;t been able to go out yet and he still manages to get me everything I need or want. Honestly, his hobby is spoiling me rotten!”

Lan Qiren actually rolled his eyes, “As he should! That is a given, not a hobby.”

“Uncle, please.”

He sighed, “Very well. Tell me more about yourself.”

Wei Ying laughed freely this time and happily talked about himself and their plans for the remainder of tea.

Once the scheduled time was up, he ushered them out as quickly as he had ushered them in and slid the door closed.

Lan Zhan slipped their hands together and tugged him away from the small house.

“Lans really do keep a tight schedule, huh?”

“Mn,” he hummed, “It is important to him to have quiet time. I imagine that is his next time block for the day.”

Wei Ying chuckled, “And what’s our next time block?”

Lan Zhan used his free hand to motion down a side path, “The murals. They depict the story of our grandmaster, and will answer many of your questions.”

“Oh? Is there a family curse or something? Should I be worried for our children?” he teased.

“No, our children will be happy and healthy for as long as I breathe.”

“Good! So, then it must be some deep dark secret. I know you all have to strictly follow the rules... Was he a savage? Killed a thousand men on the battlefield?”

Lan Zhan laughed lowly, “He was a monk.”

Wei Ying started, “A monk?! Well, I guess that does explain the rule book, but I can work with that! He betrayed his monastery in a war and fled into the night, eventually founding this sect while forever living with the guilt of his betrayal.”

“It is not a tragedy.”

The way opened to a wide path leading to a much larger building. It was nearly plucked out of a drama, made of sturdy light wood and a clay tiled roof. The windows sparkled in the afternoon sun, small squares of thin shells. It was a technique he didn’t expect to see so high in the mountain and must have cost a fortune to make a millennia ago. The building had to be three stories high.

“This is the library. It houses countless works as a sort of communal hoard. When a dragon passes without having another to pass anything on to, any books in their collection come here. Other treasures are either hidden away in our sect treasury or possibly auctioned.”

“They aren’t given to other dragons?”

“We may participate in the auction,” he explained, “But only family may receive a hoard for free. There can be no pride in a treasure stolen.”

“Wow,” he breathed, not knowing what else to say. Who knew what knowledge he could gain from the literature inside. Only if he was allowed to peruse, of course.

“This way,” Lan Zhan tugged him inside, “The murals are on the first floor. This way.”

Technically, the murals were on the first floor. In reality, the murals were two stories tall. The walls housing them spanned the entire side of the building, with the second floor being cut back a large distance to showcase them. They were clearly very old and very well maintained. Also beautiful.

Lan Zhan took a deep breath before showing off the first one. It depicted a white dragon, not a hybrid, coiling in the air above what Wei Ying could only assume was a monastery. The mountains cut sharp lines in the cloudy background.

“Our founder, Lan An, was a dragon unlike the others. He grew from an egg found by human monks and remained at their side for much of his life.”

The next mural showed a hybrid dragon with flowing white hair and slitted yellow eyes. He wore plain monk’s robes and smiled gently at the young men around him.

“At first, he was unable to properly live among them. As he cultivated his pearl, however, he was able to mimic those around him. While some found his reptilian tail and antlers odd, most did not even know what he truly was.”

Wei Ying looked at the next mural. The dragon was standing with a beautiful bird hybrid. Their hands were clasped together as they looked deeply into each other’s eyes.

“On a mission to cleanse a local village, he met the love of his life. The only name we know of her comes from his personal journal. A-ming. According to the journal, he left the monastery the same month they met in order to marry her.”

Wei Ying grinned, “A love story.”

“Mn,” Lan Zhan smiled, “They were married on the first auspicious day.”

The next mural showed the couple with children, some birds, some dragons. Wei Ying couldn’t quite tell if this was the mythos behind dragon hybrids or the actual history. Either way, he could guess the next bit.

The mural was red with flames. Multiple dragons of various colors swarmed the ashy skies. The monastery was on fire, as were the hills and some people. Wei Ying cringed at the sight.

“Other dragons found him and hated what he had achieved. They didn’t believe in cohabitation with lesser beings. Dragons are apex predators, not made for weak communities. They attacked where it hurt most. His monastery. His home. His wife. He was lucky to have saved his children.”

The second to last mural showed Lan An standing before multi-colored dragons, all in human form. All bowing to him.

“He fought them and won. He might have killed them all, perhaps even thought of it. Instead, he made them swear to remain in human form and follow his ironclad principles. Only then could they survive. Once he had their word and his two dragon sons were of age, he sealed his pearl so he would grow old and return to his love.”

Finally, twin dragons twisted round each other. They were painted like gods with a golden light surrounding them. Just under them were two dragon men smiling peacefully ringed in the same light.

“His eldest dragon son took over once he was in permanent seclusion. Then the next dragon son, then the next. All the way until now. We remain tied to our principles to keep dragons alive, and to keep humanity safe.”

Wei Ying clapped after he finished the story. He knew Lan Zhan hated to talk so much at once and deserved some reward.

“What a wonderful origin story! No one really knows what happened to dragons, but it makes sense the blood was diluted through generations.“

Lan Zhan shifted, “The blood does not dilute.”

Wei Ying blinked, “Well, not anymore I guess.”

“It never did.”

“It never... I mean, dragons aren’t just flying around mountains nowadays. There are only hybrids now.”

Lan Zhan looked at him closely, “Lan An created a seal to hold a dragon in one form. We have a ritual to unlock it in times of need.”

Wei Ying sucked in a breath and searched his eyes, “A seal? Ritual?”

They stared at each other for a long second.

“Wei Ying,” he whispered, “There are no dragon hybrids.”