"Rich-gege! Here, this tastes really good!"

A-Yuan extended a spoon toward Lan Wangji, a huge grin plastered on his little face. Wei Wuxian laughed, lifting the boy onto his lap.

"Aiyah, don't bother him. Rich-gege doesn't like spicy food anyway." He said, ruffling his hair. A-Yuan buried his head affectionately into his chest, letting out a quiet sigh. Lan Wangji smiled silently, watching the child try to stay awake. Wei Wuxian seemed to notice his behavior too, giving him a kiss on the forehead.

"Alright little one. Time to go to bed, I think."

Wei Wuxian stood up, cradling the boy in his arms. He glanced at Lan Wangji, motioning to a small hut just outside of the large cave in the center of the Burial Mounds.

"I think that A-Yuan wants Rich-gege to come with."

The youngster nodded sleepily, reaching his tiny hands for him. He gave a pout, beginning to look quite like the man holding him.

"A-Yuan wants Rich-gege to come with" He echoed, resting his head on Wei Wuxian's shoulder. Lan Wangji closed his eyes. Who was he to refuse such an invitation?

Wei Wuxian tucked a blanket around an already sleeping A-Yuan. Though he was in a deep slumber, the boy held an iron grip on Lan Wangji's hand, refusing to let go. No matter how hard he tried to pull away, he simply would not release him. Spotting the befuddled expression on the other's face, Wei Ying tried desperately to stifle his laughter.

"What a shame." He whispered, leaning into his broad chest. "I guess I'm no longer the favorite. He never does that to me."

Rubbing his eyes, Wei Wuxian sought to muffle a yawn.

"Aiyah, I guess I'm more tired than I thought..."

He snuggled down next to A-Yuan, gathering him up in his arms. Feeling a tug at his sleeve, Lan Wangji lay beside the two, turning to face Wei Wuxian.

"Wei Ying."

"Hm...?"

"You didn't eat anything. Do you feel okay?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm a little nauseous is all. I'll be fine."

Noticing the worried look Lan Wangji still wore, he waved his hand in a carefree manner.

"Aiyah, don't look so worried. Here, gimmie your hand."

Following his request, Lan Wangji presented his hand to Wei Wuxian. He grabbed it and placed it on his stomach.

"If you really are worried, you can just transfer some spiritual to me from time to time."

Wei Wuxian leaned over the sleeping child, kissing his cheek.

"Night, Lan Zhan. You don't have to stay if A-Yuan lets go of you."

And with that, he fell asleep, curling around the little one alongside him.

Lan Wangji didn't move an inch. His hand remained on Wei Wuxian's stomach, stroking it gently. He did send the occasional pulse of spiritual energy to the younger man, though, judging by the expression on his face, it had hardly any effect. After one particularly strong dosage, he paused. Moving his hand lower, he found the familiar sensation of a golden core. Though...golden cores resided in the upper torso, not the lower abdomen, and Wei Wuxian had transferred his to Lan Wangji. There was no known way to re-form a core which ruled that out as a possibility. However...

His eyes widened, palm pressing into Wei Wuxian's stomach. There was only one explanation left. Sometimes, if their cultivation level was high enough, male cultivators had the ability to impregnate other men. Admittedly, this was still ridiculously difficult. Even Jin Guangshan would struggle with such a task, despite the fact he could probably build an army with the amount of illegitimate children he'd fathered. To do such a thing during the first time they'd ever had sex, let alone completely inadvertently, was virtually unheard of.

If a person was pre-destined to possess a golden core, it usually formed around 4 weeks after conception. At some point, it was discovered that these newly developed cores sent out energy in a way similar to a heartbeat. This became a fail-safe way of detecting pregnancy in noble families. Lan Wangji had been taught this technique to prepare him for a future marriage, but he had a feeling this was no longer necessary. As of now, Wei Wuxian was in a dire situation, and A-Yuan was already a handful. Bringing an infant into this would only serve to heighten the consequences if a sect decided to invade the Burial Mounds.

That being said, abortion was extremely risky. Doctors would usually refuse to perform these procedures due to the potential harm it posed to the mother. He doubted Wen Qing would be willing to operate. Admittedly, Wei Wuxian didn't seem to be one to die easily, but it still could harm him beyond repair. This was all his fault. He knew full well he couldn't control himself while drunk, especially around Wei Wuxian. His uncle would be absolutely furious with him when he found out.

"Lan Zhan...? Are you still awake?"

Wei Wuxian's sleepy voice broke the silence.

"What's wrong? You're shaking." He mumbled, pulling him into a hug. "Did you have a nightmare or something?"

"No."

"Are you cold?"

"No"

"Then what's up?"

"..."

Lan Wangji couldn't bring himself to tell him the truth. He stayed silent, staring at Wei Ying with the sort of look you'd expect from a guilty puppy. A-Yuan remained asleep, still keeping hold of his hand.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Asked the younger, brushing the hair out of the older's face. Lan Zhan flinched slightly, unintentionally recoiling from his touch. Wei Wuxian's eyebrows pinched.

"You're... Are you angry with me? What's wrong, tell me?" Wei Wuxian said, withdrawing his palm, afraid that Lan Wangji did not like his touch.

Before he could withdraw his palm, Lan Wangji seized it and lay it on his stomach, sending a burst of energy through it. Sure enough, a little beat was sent right back. The colour left Wei Wuxian's face.

"Wh-what...? Was...was that...? I'm...?"

Tears started to form in the corner of his eyes. Lan Wangji wanted desperately to comfort him, but he had no idea what to say.

"I can't be! What've I done?! I'm so sorry! Lan Zhan! I'm sorry!"

Holding him quietly, Lan Wangji began to worry that A-Yuan may wake.

"Wei Ying, it's okay. We'll figure it out, but please try to calm down." He chided, carefully untangling them from the child's clutches. He lifted Wei Wuxian up, setting him down outside the hut and hugging him tightly.

"Lan Zhan." Wei Wuxian sniffed, slumping against Lan Wangji's chest. "What are we going to do...? If your uncle finds out..."

"Mn."

If Lan Qiren discovered Lan Wangji had impregnated someone before official marriage, that someone being a man, he would certainly show no mercy. Although all the past misunderstandings have been cleared, Lan Qiren still did not like Wei Wuxian much. In fact, he had never liked Wei Wuxian in his whole life. Lan Wangji would most likely be barred from ever seeing the child, but not before being heavily punished. He could even be banished, leaving his and his brother's reputation in shambles. It truly was a situation no man wanted to find himself in.

"I will take responsibility for whatever happens." Lan Wangji said, raising Wei Wuxian's head to face him.

"Y-you will?"

"Mn. They are my child too."

"You d-don't have to..."

"Mn. I know."

Wei Wuxian looked down at his stomach, rubbing it gently.

"They're going to have a weird start in life, huh?" He giggled, leaning on Lan Wangji's side.

"But that doesn't matter. I know they already have a great father. And a great big brother, too!"

"No."

"Huh?"

"Two great fathers."

"Yeah..."

"Two fathers who'll give them more love than they know what to do with."

"Lan Zhan,"

"Wei Ying."

"I love you."

"I love you too. And our babies."

"Yeah...!"