[while the message jiang cheng sends through enchanted butterfly doesn't say the words 'i am dying' directly, the panic in his husband's voice leaves dread spreading through lan xichen's system. the alpha in him, the creature the lan precepts make simple instinct and nature out to be, snarls.
something is wrong and the fact the other man doesn't clarify has lan xichen doing something he has not done since resuming his duties as sect leader, following his seclusion. his duties and meetings are handed off to his uncle, wangji can handle anything else that comes up in the mean time on his behalf.
both his brother and uncle nearly earn a snapping growl from lan xichen when they ask the reason behind it, but something has the alpha unwilling to share. his husband is in trouble, xichen cannot linger. husband -- he thinks, pushes down instinctual panic that his logical mind knows is unnecessary -- only because jiang cheng's beta biology will not let a mating bite take hold and the bite fades after each of xichen's ruts. in truth, xichen does not care but this is one of the last catch-ups of their marriage.
xichen doesn't think to pack clothes with him, driven by instinct to join jiang cheng in the inn in yunmeng that the other sect leader sent the message from.
when he arrives, he notices that jiang disciples stand guard at the entrance and when he is let inside the inn is emptied. the staff have been dismissed, the owner looks panicked as he greets him and tells lan xichen where to go. the fact no one will head to up to the third floor which make up the rooms given to the jiang sect is--- it's strange.
there's no reason for it, not that xichen can think of as he rushes up the stairs. when he reaches jiang cheng's rooms, two things have him stopping in his tracks. first, the door is warded meant to keep anyone from entering. second, despite the warding, xichen can smell his husband scent leaking out form under the door. it's sweet, a mix of lotus and something electric that xichen can never quite place but makes him feel at home as he presses his nose to the crook of jiang cheng's neck and tries to mix their scents together without overpowering the beta's altogether.
which is--- well, not supposed to be possible. just as they possess a weaker sense of smell, a beta's scent is never quite as powerful as an alpha's or omega's. it's not a strange thing, not when a majority of the population are betas but a rarity amongst the gentry.] Jiang Cheng? [he calls out, knocking on the door. it's gentle at first, then firmer knocking and a call with voice raised. something must be wrong.]
[ None of this is rational, and none of it fits the things that Jiang Cheng had been taught as a child.
He had been born a beta - a waste in the eyes of his family, not powerful enough in nature to inherit the clan outright and not a suitable partner to match with someone else for proper breeding. Stuck somewhere in the middle he had tried his best to overcome, to prove himself, to attempt the impossible and be someone strong enough to prove his worth to his mother and father. The problem is, of course, that it was never good enough for either of them - and then they were gone and it didn't really matter anymore.
Waking up that morning had felt as though his entire body was on fire, as if some illness had taken him in the night. It was rare for cultivators to get any kind of real sickness with their cores and the access to medicine, but no amount of cool water or focus had left him able to to push back the strange heat. It felt as though he had a lead weight in his stomach, as if something was attacking him from the inside out, and his first instinct was to suspect poison, some kind of underhanded attack.
(Who in Cloud Recesses or Lotus Pier would dare poison their Sect Leader's mate, though? It seemed impossible to imagine it).
He feels wrong, as though there is something he is missing, something whispering in the back of his mind that he should understand the reaction that his body is having, but he simply doesn't. The only thing he can think to do is to send a message to his husband and demand that the floor be evacuated, that his guards set themselves up outside. They seem in a rush to do it, no questions asked, which confuses him even more - do they know something he doesn't?
It's only when he hears the knock at the door and the familiar sound of his husband's voice that Jiang Cheng emerges from the pile of blankets and robes he had wrapped around himself, seeking some kind of relief in the cool silks. It barely helped, but it was something, easing some of the strange fuzziness in his head before he makes his way over to the door. The yearning he has felt for Xichen for the last several hours feels overwhelming now, desperate to touch him and not being able to explain why.
Opening the door, Jiang Cheng's face is flushed, his eyes damp from unshed tears, his hands shaking as he reaches for Xichen. ]
[ out of everything that xichen expect on the other side of that door, the scent that hits him and the sight of jiang cheng's current state is not it. he looks disheveled, flustered with a fever. he looks sick, yes, but he doesn't smell sick. no, he smells good. better than good. he smells like he always has, like everything xichen has every wanted and yet more.
which leaves him looking at his husband in shock, baffled as he steps into the room and casts a silent spell to redo the wards which had been set. the wards are stronger now, not allowing anything to seep through.
protectiveness flares in his chest, relief at the fact that while the room behind him is a mess, jiang cheng is not confined to a bed with an injury too grave to recover from. despite the words spoken to him the moment the door opens. ]
Jiang Cheng. [ not chiding, no, but there is relief in his voice to see him standing. he wants to wipe his tears, to soothe and protect. to right whatever wrong has caused this, even if something in the back of his mind is screaming that there is a rightness in what is before him. ] What's happening? [ which is a foolish question perhaps, but the spike and crash of adrenaline have him nearly as disoriented as the need to get closer and touch, touch, touch. it's natural to wrap his arms around jiang cheng's waist, to pull him close into his hold. ]
[ The words come out sharply, a bitter sound, but as soon as Xichen reaches out to touch him he feels a thousand times better. It's as though he has been given a cool drink after hours out in the summer heat, and he lifts himself, shoving his face into Xichen's neck and breathing deeply. The complete scene of alpha and home makes him feel at ease, some of the tension falling from his shoulders as his arms wrap around his husband.
None of this makes sense, none of this is rational, and he doesn't understand what is going on. The only thing he can imagine is that there is some kind of sickness that's attacked him and, really, he shouldn't be rubbing himself all over his spouse - but there's nothing he wants more, and nothing has ever felt as good as the feeling of strong arms wrapped around his body and the calming aura that Xichen gives him.
Leaning up, he nuzzles into Xichen's neck, squeezing him. ]
I'm feverish and my stomach is aching. The disciples practically ran away from me, so it could be infectious. I don't know what it is.
[ xichen's hold on jiang cheng remains firm, balancing the two of them as the other man moves and nuzzles against his neck. it's instinctual to tilt it to the side, to allow his husband this comfort.
except it isn't something that he's sought before and it would be natural to offer it to a mate. but--
oh.
but.
xichen blinks, taking in the scent and what jiang cheng has told him compared to what he's seen. disciples would clear away from such a scent if it were linked to an omega, would steer clear of their alpha as they approached. there were books about this, xichen has read them. is sure that his uncle left him for jiang cheng as well when he had realized how committed they were to a marriage between alpha and beta, books that covered what a marriage to an alpha could entail.
but nothing had happened and xichen hadn't considered the possibility at all of what a fever, such pain and this scent could mean. he tilts his head, presses a gentle kiss to the side the other man's head. ] a-Cheng. How do I smell to you? [ and then a pause, tentative, as xichen's slides a hand up and down the curve of jiang cheng's spine. ] You're scenting me.
[ It feels better to let himself shove his body into Xichen as much as possible, to sink into his body and feel completely at ease there, to allow himself the knowledge that he's finally safe.
It's not something he can put into words and it doesn't feel as though it makes sense to him, the sudden calm and comfort that washes over him, but Jiang Cheng refuses to overthink the comfort that his partner is bringing him when he has felt so on edge for such a long time.
Lifting his head, he nuzzles into Xichen a little more, letting arms wrap around his strong body and his own weight lean into him. It takes him a little while to recognise that he is being spoken to, that Xichen is even saying something, and he tilts his head up to look at him with lidded eyes and a hazy gaze, cheeks flushed and warm, his skin heated from what is thrumming through him. It feels like he is burning. ]
How do you smell? [ He huffs, shaking his head as he nuzzles into his neck more, hands gripping at his clothes. ] You smell good. You smell like home.
[ xichen hasn't seen that look before, not on his husband's face. not quite like this.
instinctively though, he knows. he knows what this means, that they need to get away from the door at least and somewhere safer. his hold on jiang cheng tightens, pulling him more firmly into his chest as if there were any closer to go. ] Have you made a nest?
[ it's difficult to still speak with jiang cheng barely giving him room to inhale, but he doesn't want to stop him. not when he's calmer, not panicked even if there's still a sense of frenzy building. ] We need to go there.
[ Jiang Cheng shakes his head, scoffing a little absently in the midst of his nuzzling and attempting to practically climb into Xichen's clothing. ]
I don't make nests.
[ Because he isn't an omega, so he has no reason to. It's better now, having Xichen this close, feeling safe and comfortable in the middle of the safety of their rooms, letting himself curl around his husband.
It feels better, he feels contained, and he hums a little softly. ]
[ 'by the heavens, if it is a nest...' xichen thinks but knows better than to voice. ] Can you show me the bed then, my heart?
[ if he glances in the direction of where the bed is positioned in the room, he can tell the bedding has been removed and it is not being used.
he does loosen his hold on jiang cheng's frame, reaches for one of his hands to interlace their fingers so they are still connected even if they must move. ]
[ He doesn't much want to let go and shuffle to their bed, but with Xichen leaning back and away Jiang Cheng can't do much more than nodding, moving back and letting himself stay connected. He tugs gently on his husband's palm and moves them back towards the bedroom space.
It's not necessarily a nest, but it's clear that it's something close to it.
Some of their robes have been wrapped up, a handful of blankets tucked around them, and Jiang Cheng motions absently as he turns his head and smiles fondly at his husband. ]
[ it takes decades of self control not to take a deep breath, to hold it for a few seconds and release it before calling that nest exactly what it is.
he takes the hand that jiang cheng used to motion toward the nest and lifts it to his own lips, smiles back because the smile on the other's lips makes something in the alpha's mild melt. ] It is very nice, a-Cheng. [ a very nice nest. he doesn't say, but there's pride in his voice over what he's been shown.
he glances at collection of robes, notices his own are amongst them though he had not planned to join his husband on this trip for some time. he wonders how long this has been brewing for jiang cheng to have brought both of their clothing along, if he'd thought about it. ] Do you want to add the robes I'm wearing to it?
[ The fact of the matter is that it cannot be a nest because Jiang Cheng isn't an omega, doesn't go into those sorts of moods where nests and curling up is a necessity. He was never raised to know how to build one, so he simply accepts the fact that it simply cannot be such a thing and it's just a warm, comfortable bed instead.
At least Xichen is happy, which is a relief after how much pain and discomfort he had been in for the last few hours. Drawing his husband close, Jiang Cheng leans up to steal another kiss, their noses brushing for a moment before he huffs a little noise and shakes his head. ]
If you want.
[ Which means absolutely yes, especially with the way that his fingers begin to sink under his husband's robes, as if prepared to strip him layer by layer. ]
[ it is very much like jiang cheng, to deny himself something and turn it into something xichen wishes. it would be something xichen blamed on omega natured but that is simply his husband's nature, when it comes to his own wants and needs.
he lets out a soft sigh, but presses his lips to the corner of the other's mouth and along his jaw. he takes the opportunity to nip at his ear, then right below it as he brushes his nose against his neck and inhales a smell that has always felt like home and all he's wanted.
it's stronger now, settles over him and makes him lightheaded. nearly enough that he forgets what he'd asked and why jiang cheng's answer worried him. it's jiang cheng's hands that remind him. ] I would like that. [ he says, not realizing that his voice is a bit slurred from pheromones he's inhaled.
he lifts his hands from jiang cheng's hips to help him peel off the layers, half expecting them to be batted away. ] I would also like to join you in -- in the bed.
[ It's impossible not to lean into all the kisses, to press himself up and into Xichen and lean into his embrace. Everything inside of him is demanding that he wrap himself around his husband and not let go - a familiar feeling, but more intense than usual.
Shifting he takes the outermost layer of Xichen's robes and turns to the bed, beginning to tuck it all into the spots it best fits. It takes him a moment to be happy about it, to get it just right so that it looks as good as he can make it, and only then does he turn back to Xichen.
His expression remains heated, and there's a new intensity to him as he crawls back over to his husband. ]
[ while jiang cheng is dealing with the outer layer, xichen strips himself of the others until he's left in just the pants that make up his inner most layer.
he sets the pile right inside the nestbed, in case his husband wants to add that to the pile.
but at the invitation he crosses the threshold, joins jiang cheng amongst bedding, robes, and whatever else he's squirrel away. he reaches for him, drawing him to his chest again before burying his nose in his husband's neck. it starts as kisses to his skin, then he's leaving a love bite behind. ] You smell, you taste so good.
[ Jiang Cheng does seem to reach out and fiddle with the new layers for a moment, but it seems the attention from his husband is far more distracting and he turns to Xichen almost without pause, shifting to move closer and lift his head to offer a small smile.
He's happier now, safe and contained in their bed, surrounded by the way his husband smells and the contentment that comes hand in hand with it. Lifting himself up a little, he wraps his body around the other man and finally relaxes, closing his eyes and offering a small smile. ]
You smell good as well. [ And there's no hesitation as he presses up to try and get more. ] I missed you.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
omegaverse | change is in the air
something is wrong and the fact the other man doesn't clarify has lan xichen doing something he has not done since resuming his duties as sect leader, following his seclusion. his duties and meetings are handed off to his uncle, wangji can handle anything else that comes up in the mean time on his behalf.
both his brother and uncle nearly earn a snapping growl from lan xichen when they ask the reason behind it, but something has the alpha unwilling to share. his husband is in trouble, xichen cannot linger. husband -- he thinks, pushes down instinctual panic that his logical mind knows is unnecessary -- only because jiang cheng's beta biology will not let a mating bite take hold and the bite fades after each of xichen's ruts. in truth, xichen does not care but this is one of the last catch-ups of their marriage.
xichen doesn't think to pack clothes with him, driven by instinct to join jiang cheng in the inn in yunmeng that the other sect leader sent the message from.
when he arrives, he notices that jiang disciples stand guard at the entrance and when he is let inside the inn is emptied. the staff have been dismissed, the owner looks panicked as he greets him and tells lan xichen where to go. the fact no one will head to up to the third floor which make up the rooms given to the jiang sect is--- it's strange.
there's no reason for it, not that xichen can think of as he rushes up the stairs. when he reaches jiang cheng's rooms, two things have him stopping in his tracks. first, the door is warded meant to keep anyone from entering. second, despite the warding, xichen can smell his husband scent leaking out form under the door. it's sweet, a mix of lotus and something electric that xichen can never quite place but makes him feel at home as he presses his nose to the crook of jiang cheng's neck and tries to mix their scents together without overpowering the beta's altogether.
which is--- well, not supposed to be possible. just as they possess a weaker sense of smell, a beta's scent is never quite as powerful as an alpha's or omega's. it's not a strange thing, not when a majority of the population are betas but a rarity amongst the gentry.] Jiang Cheng? [he calls out, knocking on the door. it's gentle at first, then firmer knocking and a call with voice raised. something must be wrong.]
no subject
He had been born a beta - a waste in the eyes of his family, not powerful enough in nature to inherit the clan outright and not a suitable partner to match with someone else for proper breeding. Stuck somewhere in the middle he had tried his best to overcome, to prove himself, to attempt the impossible and be someone strong enough to prove his worth to his mother and father. The problem is, of course, that it was never good enough for either of them - and then they were gone and it didn't really matter anymore.
Waking up that morning had felt as though his entire body was on fire, as if some illness had taken him in the night. It was rare for cultivators to get any kind of real sickness with their cores and the access to medicine, but no amount of cool water or focus had left him able to to push back the strange heat. It felt as though he had a lead weight in his stomach, as if something was attacking him from the inside out, and his first instinct was to suspect poison, some kind of underhanded attack.
(Who in Cloud Recesses or Lotus Pier would dare poison their Sect Leader's mate, though? It seemed impossible to imagine it).
He feels wrong, as though there is something he is missing, something whispering in the back of his mind that he should understand the reaction that his body is having, but he simply doesn't. The only thing he can think to do is to send a message to his husband and demand that the floor be evacuated, that his guards set themselves up outside. They seem in a rush to do it, no questions asked, which confuses him even more - do they know something he doesn't?
It's only when he hears the knock at the door and the familiar sound of his husband's voice that Jiang Cheng emerges from the pile of blankets and robes he had wrapped around himself, seeking some kind of relief in the cool silks. It barely helped, but it was something, easing some of the strange fuzziness in his head before he makes his way over to the door. The yearning he has felt for Xichen for the last several hours feels overwhelming now, desperate to touch him and not being able to explain why.
Opening the door, Jiang Cheng's face is flushed, his eyes damp from unshed tears, his hands shaking as he reaches for Xichen. ]
I am dying.
no subject
which leaves him looking at his husband in shock, baffled as he steps into the room and casts a silent spell to redo the wards which had been set. the wards are stronger now, not allowing anything to seep through.
protectiveness flares in his chest, relief at the fact that while the room behind him is a mess, jiang cheng is not confined to a bed with an injury too grave to recover from. despite the words spoken to him the moment the door opens. ]
Jiang Cheng. [ not chiding, no, but there is relief in his voice to see him standing. he wants to wipe his tears, to soothe and protect. to right whatever wrong has caused this, even if something in the back of his mind is screaming that there is a rightness in what is before him. ] What's happening? [ which is a foolish question perhaps, but the spike and crash of adrenaline have him nearly as disoriented as the need to get closer and touch, touch, touch. it's natural to wrap his arms around jiang cheng's waist, to pull him close into his hold. ]
no subject
[ The words come out sharply, a bitter sound, but as soon as Xichen reaches out to touch him he feels a thousand times better. It's as though he has been given a cool drink after hours out in the summer heat, and he lifts himself, shoving his face into Xichen's neck and breathing deeply. The complete scene of alpha and home makes him feel at ease, some of the tension falling from his shoulders as his arms wrap around his husband.
None of this makes sense, none of this is rational, and he doesn't understand what is going on. The only thing he can imagine is that there is some kind of sickness that's attacked him and, really, he shouldn't be rubbing himself all over his spouse - but there's nothing he wants more, and nothing has ever felt as good as the feeling of strong arms wrapped around his body and the calming aura that Xichen gives him.
Leaning up, he nuzzles into Xichen's neck, squeezing him. ]
I'm feverish and my stomach is aching. The disciples practically ran away from me, so it could be infectious. I don't know what it is.
no subject
except it isn't something that he's sought before and it would be natural to offer it to a mate. but--
oh.
but.
xichen blinks, taking in the scent and what jiang cheng has told him compared to what he's seen. disciples would clear away from such a scent if it were linked to an omega, would steer clear of their alpha as they approached. there were books about this, xichen has read them. is sure that his uncle left him for jiang cheng as well when he had realized how committed they were to a marriage between alpha and beta, books that covered what a marriage to an alpha could entail.
but nothing had happened and xichen hadn't considered the possibility at all of what a fever, such pain and this scent could mean. he tilts his head, presses a gentle kiss to the side the other man's head. ] a-Cheng. How do I smell to you? [ and then a pause, tentative, as xichen's slides a hand up and down the curve of jiang cheng's spine. ] You're scenting me.
no subject
It's not something he can put into words and it doesn't feel as though it makes sense to him, the sudden calm and comfort that washes over him, but Jiang Cheng refuses to overthink the comfort that his partner is bringing him when he has felt so on edge for such a long time.
Lifting his head, he nuzzles into Xichen a little more, letting arms wrap around his strong body and his own weight lean into him. It takes him a little while to recognise that he is being spoken to, that Xichen is even saying something, and he tilts his head up to look at him with lidded eyes and a hazy gaze, cheeks flushed and warm, his skin heated from what is thrumming through him. It feels like he is burning. ]
How do you smell? [ He huffs, shaking his head as he nuzzles into his neck more, hands gripping at his clothes. ] You smell good. You smell like home.
no subject
instinctively though, he knows. he knows what this means, that they need to get away from the door at least and somewhere safer. his hold on jiang cheng tightens, pulling him more firmly into his chest as if there were any closer to go. ] Have you made a nest?
[ it's difficult to still speak with jiang cheng barely giving him room to inhale, but he doesn't want to stop him. not when he's calmer, not panicked even if there's still a sense of frenzy building. ] We need to go there.
I think-- I know what this is.
no subject
I don't make nests.
[ Because he isn't an omega, so he has no reason to. It's better now, having Xichen this close, feeling safe and comfortable in the middle of the safety of their rooms, letting himself curl around his husband.
It feels better, he feels contained, and he hums a little softly. ]
I made our bed.
no subject
[ if he glances in the direction of where the bed is positioned in the room, he can tell the bedding has been removed and it is not being used.
he does loosen his hold on jiang cheng's frame, reaches for one of his hands to interlace their fingers so they are still connected even if they must move. ]
no subject
It's not necessarily a nest, but it's clear that it's something close to it.
Some of their robes have been wrapped up, a handful of blankets tucked around them, and Jiang Cheng motions absently as he turns his head and smiles fondly at his husband. ]
See?
no subject
he takes the hand that jiang cheng used to motion toward the nest and lifts it to his own lips, smiles back because the smile on the other's lips makes something in the alpha's mild melt. ] It is very nice, a-Cheng. [ a very nice nest. he doesn't say, but there's pride in his voice over what he's been shown.
he glances at collection of robes, notices his own are amongst them though he had not planned to join his husband on this trip for some time. he wonders how long this has been brewing for jiang cheng to have brought both of their clothing along, if he'd thought about it. ] Do you want to add the robes I'm wearing to it?
no subject
At least Xichen is happy, which is a relief after how much pain and discomfort he had been in for the last few hours. Drawing his husband close, Jiang Cheng leans up to steal another kiss, their noses brushing for a moment before he huffs a little noise and shakes his head. ]
If you want.
[ Which means absolutely yes, especially with the way that his fingers begin to sink under his husband's robes, as if prepared to strip him layer by layer. ]
no subject
he lets out a soft sigh, but presses his lips to the corner of the other's mouth and along his jaw. he takes the opportunity to nip at his ear, then right below it as he brushes his nose against his neck and inhales a smell that has always felt like home and all he's wanted.
it's stronger now, settles over him and makes him lightheaded. nearly enough that he forgets what he'd asked and why jiang cheng's answer worried him. it's jiang cheng's hands that remind him. ] I would like that. [ he says, not realizing that his voice is a bit slurred from pheromones he's inhaled.
he lifts his hands from jiang cheng's hips to help him peel off the layers, half expecting them to be batted away. ] I would also like to join you in -- in the bed.
no subject
Shifting he takes the outermost layer of Xichen's robes and turns to the bed, beginning to tuck it all into the spots it best fits. It takes him a moment to be happy about it, to get it just right so that it looks as good as he can make it, and only then does he turn back to Xichen.
His expression remains heated, and there's a new intensity to him as he crawls back over to his husband. ]
You can. Please.
no subject
he sets the pile right inside the
nestbed, in case his husband wants to add that to the pile.but at the invitation he crosses the threshold, joins jiang cheng amongst bedding, robes, and whatever else he's squirrel away. he reaches for him, drawing him to his chest again before burying his nose in his husband's neck. it starts as kisses to his skin, then he's leaving a love bite behind. ] You smell, you taste so good.
no subject
He's happier now, safe and contained in their bed, surrounded by the way his husband smells and the contentment that comes hand in hand with it. Lifting himself up a little, he wraps his body around the other man and finally relaxes, closing his eyes and offering a small smile. ]
You smell good as well. [ And there's no hesitation as he presses up to try and get more. ] I missed you.