Chapter Text
Mythical even among the mythical, the three remaining heirs of the ancient Lan Clan were the oldest and most powerful vampires in the world. Lan Qiren, Lan Xichen, and Lan Wangji.
Though the trio as a whole were known for their wealth and power, individually they each had a mythos of their own.
The oldest, and guardian uncle of the other two, Lan Qiren, was reclusive and seldom sighted. Rumors suggested that it was because he was what was known as a ripper, and that he had turned to a mostly secluded lifestyle when he brutally murdered his brother and his wife shortly after turning, the parents of Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji.
Lan Xichen was the de facto head of the Lans, since Lan Qiren turned to isolation and was too unstable to manage their needs- especially when it came to dealing with humans. Lan Xichen is known for his charm, diplomacy, and a distinct and vicious lack of forgiveness for disloyalty.
More mysterious than even the reclusive Lan Qiren is the youngest of the clan, Lan Wangji. Very little is known about him to the point where the rumors regarding him were many and varied. Some suggested that he was a ripper like his uncle, and he remained in seclusion, or even that he left the clan and name entirely to rip in peace without bringing dishonor.
Another vein of rumors gave the idea that he was a pacifist and disliked drinking human blood, even hating what he was and his brother and uncle in kind.
Every rumor that reached him seemed to just graze an aspect of truth, Lan Wangji would note.
The only thing every rumor would agree upon was that he was of a surreal beauty, but that could be said of his brother, or even his uncle. He didn't count that toward the accuracy of a rumor.
The truth is that Lan Wangji is Jupiter and does not know how to keep his dick in his pants or his teeth behind his lips.
Humans, vampires, even werewolves have all made the rotation in his bed. He has journals filled with the names of vampires he sired (some on purpose, some in the heat of the moment).
Lan Xichen scolded him one time about excessive siring, he responded with something along the lines of "it's really not that many over the course of the centuries... And you know full well only a few live to complete the transition."
"Then what's the point of doing it at all, Wangji?"
Lan Wangji never gave Lan Xichen an answer, but the honest to god truth? The sight of a human with their lips fastened around his wrist and drinking hungrily from him as though they were a desert traveler and he were an oasis was just hot as fuck .
And in the almost 1500 years of his immortality, through every attempt at finding meaning and gratification in it, Lan Wangji always found himself, both physically and spiritually, in the carnal pleasure that came with sex, particularly dirty, bordering-demonic sex with beautiful people.
"Have you considered maybe taking one of your sires as a partner?"
Of course that would be Lan Xichen's suggestion. He had 2 partners that he had turned and kept: the muscle-bound DILF Nie Mingjue and a weasel-y little twink named Jin Guangyao. There was love there, and his sexual needs were certainly met, but
"It's not the same."
"Why not?"
There's no love.
And after over 1400 years, Lan Wangji thought there never would be.
Though he had slowed considerably after the first few centuries of his immortality, he stopped siring vampires as technology advanced. Partially for the sake of discretion, partially to appease his brother. It was a dark time.
When he was living, he had the utmost restraint. It monopolized his life.
What use was there in practicing restraint as an immortal abomination? He had tried, early on in his immortality, to continue to practice restraint. He thought he could continue to live as a human... Until Wei Ying.
He lost control. Between the feeding and frenzied fucking, Lan Wangji fed him his own blood on pure instinct, then he died.
Horrified by what he had done, Lan Wangji fled before Wei Ying even woke. He didn't even know if he completed the transition.
He knew then that could never be human and decided that it would be best to stop trying and follow his family.
They had returned to Gusu a few times over the centuries, usually in passing, never staying long. Until late one evening, after a rather lackluster meal, Lan Wangji received the first word he had gotten from his brother in about a decade. A text.
Lan Xichen: I bought a place in Gusu.
Lan Wangji blinked a few times at the message, wondering if he had somehow misunderstood something in the single, 6-word sentence.
Lan Wangji: And?
Lan Xichen: Shufu and I will be moving in at the end of the month. We would like it if you would join us.
Lan Xichen: At least for a little while.
Lan Wangji stared blankly at the messages. This had to be some kind of joke.
Lan Xichen: I know you like your independence, but we were thinking it would be nice to reconnect. Be a family again.
Lan Xichen: We miss you, Wangji.
Lan Xichen: Zhan-di?
Sitting in the parking lot of his upscale, Manhattan apartment, Lan Wangji gave a sharp and exasperated sigh. "Fuck."
Lan Wangji: I'll go.
Lan Xichen: :)
---
The house Lan Xichen had purchased looked far too modern for its surroundings, standing alone amidst the mountains, lakes, and fields. The sun had been set for a few hours by the time Lan Wangji pulled up in a black luxury rental. Lan Xichen was outside waiting for him, dressed in a dark suit and tie like he was on his way out.
"Wangji!" Lan Xichen greeted him cheerfully as he stepped out of the car and popped the trunk.
"Xichen." Lan Wangji replied. He started to retrieve his luggage, but in a flash of speed, Lan Xichen had snatched it from the trunk, darted into the house, and returned with empty hands, still smiling.
"How was your trip?"
"There were no problems."
"The rest of your things?"
"They will arrive within the week."
"Are you tired?"
"No."
Lan Wangji found Lan Xichen's smile, line of questioning, and general behavior suspicious and quickly learned why.
"Great! Because we're going to a party tonight. Just you and me."
Lan Wangji raised an eyebrow as he looked over the invitation that had appeared in his hands.
Yiling Louzu cordially invites you-
"Who's this supposed to be?" Lan Wangji asked with a measure of distaste.
Lan Xichen's lips tightened. "A very influential character around here, Wangji, so we're going to be polite and go."
At that point Lan Wangji knew he didn't have a choice. "Mn," he said with a sniff. "What about the others?"
Satisfied he had gotten his way, Lan Xichen's smile eased again. "The altitude didn't agree with A-Yang so the others will stay behind and keep him company."
"A-Yang?" Lan Wangji asked dryly.
"A human A-Yao is fond of."
Lan Wangji rolled his eyes. Of course he acquired another one. "You didn't turn him?"
"I'm leaving that up to A-Yao."
"What about Shufu?"
"He's been doing well, but should the worst happen, A-Yao has been feeding him his blood regularly so it's in his system just in case. It's actually been quite an interesting little experiment."
Lan Wangji nodded his understanding. "Mn."
"Now get back in the car! Let's go!"
Lan Wangji raised both eyebrows, taken slightly aback. "Right now? I need to shower. Change."
Lan Xichen shook his head and opened the passenger side door. "You're fine, Wangji. We're already late. The party started 2 hours ago."
The address engraved on the invitation was of a large mansion on the other side of town, built in a very similar, modern style to the one they were now occupying.
Outside the entrance was a card propped up on a table with "Come in!" handwritten on it in black ink and elegant script.
"I don't think that counts as an invitation inside, ge," Lan Wangji said, his tone dull and dripping with irony.
Lan Xichen puzzled quietly for a moment then shrugged and knocked on the door.
It opened almost immediately to a small young woman wearing… very little… with a bright smile that made her eyes crinkle. "Can't you guys read the sign? Come in!" She reached through the door, grabbed Lan Xichen by the arm and, with surprising strength, yanked him over the threshold and into the house. Then she vanished back into what they could both now see was a massive thrall of people drinking and dancing to the pulsating music in every corner of the building.
Lan Xichen stumbled a little before standing up straight. His demeanor had changed just slightly enough for Lan Wangji to notice. He was suddenly on his guard.
"Xichen… was that…?"
Lan Xichen turned to look at him, still smiling but there was tension. "I guess we're good. Be on your guard and behave. I'm going to see if I can find our host." He disappeared into the crowd with purpose and Lan Wangji followed him inside.
If the scene at the threshold wasn't alarming enough, it didn't take long amidst the partygoers for Lan Wangji to realize something was off.
Through the darkness and the flashing lights and the deafening bass and the smells of what must have been a whole store's stock of beer and liquor and the sweat of hundreds of humans, Lan Wangji's extra sharp vampire senses were dulled, but he had a feeling, something like a sixth sense. There were other vampires here. More than the girl they met at the door.
The sea of people parted easily for him as he cut across the entrance hall and into the west wing of the house, opposite of where he saw Lan Xichen go. He could handle himself.
Lan Wangji found himself in what could have been a small ballroom. It was empty except for a small assortment of attendees and, on the far side of the room, beneath a black marquee, what could only be described as a throne, upholstered in velvet as red as blood beneath a spotlight and shaped like a blossoming lotus. At least 3 people were entwined on its seat. Looked appropriate for a young, overconfident upstart vampire that called himself "Yiling Louzu".
Lan Wangji approached cautiously, slipping through the crowd of people, and froze maybe 6 feet short of the dais, his heart pounding faster in his chest than it had since he died.
Three people sat on the lotus throne. One man sat in the center and on either side of his lap sat a young man and a young woman, both wore lacy lingerie and were notably beautiful. Lan Wangji hadn't been able to see the man in the center because his face had been buried in the neck of the young woman, with one hand fondling her breasts and the other drawing sharp, black, almond-shaped nails across the man's inner thigh, then he drew back, blood dripping from his lips and down his chin. He met Lan Wangji's eyes and smiled.
That's when Lan Wangji froze.
"Lan Wangji." The memory of that voice burned like daylight on his soul upon hearing it again.
"Wei Wuxian."
A complex sort of turmoil raged inside Lan Wangji as he stood rooted before the lotus throne and the greatest regret of his immortality. A mixture of shock, of shame that he had buried for over a millennium exploding from the earth, and, strangely, anger. A sharp twinge of rage that made him want to snap the necks of the humans there right in front of Wei Wuxian, DRAG him to the floor and-
Wei Wuxian was standing right in front of him, his effortless smile sharp and dangerous. It was difficult for Lan Wangji to meet his gaze, but he defiantly did so anyway. He thought he might burst into flame with how those dark eyes burned.
"It's been a long time," Wei Wuxian said, brushing a lock of his long dark hair from his face, the rest was tied back with bright red ribbon. He looked the same. OF COURSE he looked the same. But he was also so, so different…
Unable to find his voice amidst his internal chaos, Lan Wangji only nodded.
"You have nothing to say to me?" Poison edged Wei Wuxian's voice like an assassin's dagger.
His throat suddenly arid, Lan Wangji swallowed with difficulty. "You have changed."
Wei Wuxian laughed, but it was harsh and without mirth. "Immortality and an eternal thirst for blood will do that to a person, but you… you somehow seem exactly the same."
"What do you want me to say?" It didn't escape Lan Wangji's notice that the room had begun to empty.
Wei Wuxian's eyes narrowed as he sneered, the wicked look made more unsettling by the blood smeared across his mouth and chin. "What do you fucking think?"
Gritting his teeth, Lan Wangji took a deep breath and said words he hadn't uttered in decades. Maybe a century. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry for what?"
The shame needled at Lan Wangji again. "I'm sorry for turning you."
"Ha! Wrong."
Lan Wangji could feel his hands shake, clenched at his sides.
Wei Wuxian shook his head slowly with a scornful look. "I don't care that you turned me. In fact, being a vampire is great! No, what really fucking gets me is that night. You told me that you loved me, then you fucked me, fed on me, turned me, and left. You LEFT, Lan Zhan!"
Lan Wangji could feel another presence beside him. It was Lan Xichen.
"Wei Gongzi." Lan Xichen's voice was cool and calm, but his eyes were wide with shock. He remembered Wei Wuxian quite vividly from before, as well as his brother's seemingly reluctant attachment to him. He looked to Lan Wangji, trying to find an explanation, but his brother's eyes were fixed on Wei Wuxian.
"Zewu-Jun!" Wei Wuxian smiled again and saluted with mock formality. "It's an honor to see you again."
Lan Xichen prickled at that, not returning the salute. Not even Lan Wangji or Shufu had called him that in centuries. Resentment and hostility rolled off Wei Wuxian in waves. This was a dangerous situation they had found themselves in. They had no age advantage over Wei Wuxian and he had been powerful before ever turning. There might be two of them, but there were at least a couple dozen other vampires in the building, very likely loyal to Wei Wuxian. If this turned into a fight it would be ugly…
"Likewise," Lan Xichen replied coolly. "You have something on your chin, Wei Gongzi."
Wei Wuxian gave an amused "hm" as he reached up with one finger and touched his chin, still slick with blood, and it came back red. With a smirk, he returned his attention to Lan Wangji, jutting out his chin. "Would you like a taste? Eh, Lan Zhan?" He winked theatrically.
Lan Wangji only stiffened in place and remained silent.
Wei Wuxian pushed out his lower lip into a pout. "How boring," he said with an almost childish tone as he wiped the blood and licked it from his fingers.
Lan Xichen could see Lan Wangji's ears burning.
"Wei Gongzi," Lan Xichen addressed him again. "What is this? Why haven't I heard of you being active before? How long have you been based in Gusu?"
Wei Wuxian gave him a withering look. "So many questions, Zewu-Jun. A bit rude if you ask me."
"Yiling Louzu," Lan Xichen tried again.
Wei Wuxian's eyes flashed dangerously.
"Your setup here is impressive. I'm surprised I haven't heard of it until now. May I ask how you achieved it?"
Wei Wuxian's lips curled into a half-smirk. "I've owned this town since, oh, 1946? I have everyone compelled. It's quite simple really. No one leaves, no one speaks to outsiders, and when new people come…" He paused, throwing a meaningful look at Lan Wangji then back to Lan Xichen. "I throw a party. You didn't know of me because I didn't want to be known."
"Why reveal yourself now?"
Wei Wuxian chuckled. "I saw that you bought up that place near where Cloud Recesses once stood. I figured you should know your neighbors." This time, he spoke to Lan Xichen, but his eyes were glued to Lan Wangji.
The house was bait. It had to be.
Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji could both feel eyes on them. Other vampires.
"Do you have ill intentions, Yiling Louzu?"
Wei Wuxian really laughed at that. "Not at all, Zewu-Jun. No need to be paranoid."
Lan Xichen nodded affirmatively. "Then I think I will take my leave. Wangji?"
Lan Wangji shook his head without removing his gaze from Wei Wuxian. "I'm staying. I need to… speak with Yiling Louzu."
Lan Xichen closed his eyes and gave a long-suffering sigh before nodding at Lan Wangji, glaring at Wei Wuxian one more time for good measure, and sweeping from the empty ballroom and through the crowd of vampires that had gathered just outside the door, leaving Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian alone once again.
Watching Lan Xichen leave, Wei Wuxian had a smile on his face that was difficult to decipher. He didn’t say a word, but did 2 things. The first was to pull out a cellphone. Whatever he did with it took about 20 seconds. After sliding it back into his pocket he then withdrew a small, flat wrapper and tore it open.
From it, he pulled out what looked like a wet wipe and swept it across his chin, wiping away the pink residue that still clung to his skin after the show. He hmmed with amusement as he crumpled the wipe and the wrapper in his fist and dropped them in his other pocket.
"Hmm?" Lan Wangji repeated, questioningly.
"Zewu-Jun considers me a threat. It's funny."
So far that night, Wei Wuxian had shown Lan Wangji 3 attitudes, each one more alien than the last, but this 4th one felt almost familiar. Lan Wangji felt somewhat emboldened. "Are you? A threat?"
Wei Wuxian's gaze finally turned to him. His mischievous smile widened. "To whom? Your brother, your clan, or you?"
"Any of them."
Wei Wuxian rolled his eyes and pivoted to face the door, now standing perpendicular to him. "I have no interest in your brother or your clan."
Lan Wangji's chest tightened. "What do you want from me, then?"
Wei Wuxian leaned back a few degrees and twisted his head to gaze at him with wide eyes and pursed lips. The sounds of guests had dissipated and the pounding music came to an abrupt stop leaving silence beneath the party lights. "You wanted to talk. Let's talk. We can chat in my office…" He smirked, glancing back at the lotus throne. "Unless you'd rather sit on my lap."
It was Lan Wangji's turn to roll his eyes, but he couldn't help the heat that had built up stirring in his gut. He gestured for Wei Wuxian to lead the way.