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Weeks flew by, battles fought with some casualties but never more than 1 or 2 because they wouldn’t listen.
Wei Wuxian was curled up under thick blankets, ever since he’d given up his golden core for his shidi he was always cold. The yin running through his meridians of course didn’t help - but that was to be expected.
The sound of the tent flap opening had him groaning internally under his breath, Jiang Cheng and him and gotten into it earlier about the Nie Sect Leader. Even if Sentinel and Guide were rather sacred - he was still part of Yunmeng and he’d been neglecting his duties; or at least that’s what Jiang Cheng thought.
Moving to get up, he’s stopped by a voice that instantly makes him relax, his lashes fluttering open. “Mingjue?”
“Go back to sleep.” Nie Mingjue said gruffly, slipping Baxia in the stand next to the bed.
Wei Wuxian frowned, immediately reaching for him instead of going to bed like the older had told him too.
“Can’t sleep, too cold.” He uttered back, a shiver wracking his frame with his words.
Nie Mingjue paused, before softening as he undressed to his trousers, and climbed into the bed with the younger.
If this had been before the war, neither of them would’ve probably done this - but as it was, they were so incredibly close that it was next to normal. Wei Wuxian immediately turned around into the warmth the larger man exuded; sighing contently as he buried his face in the other’s chest.
“Better?” Nie Mingjue huffed, throwing an arm over the other’s waist.
Wei Wuxian smiled slightly against his chest before moving just a bit closer. “Mhm! So warm…” He sighed happily, relaxing.
They were quiet for a few moments, the tension from earlier bleeding out of their bodies as they relaxed into each other.
“Huaisang said you had an idea about the Nie Sect cultivation.” Nie Mingjue murmured, causing Wei Wuxian to stir from the warmth induced haze he was nearly falling into.
“I do, I know you said the Lan Clan had done some okay work but that it hadn’t completely worked.” He mumbled, reaching up to rub an eye as he tilted his head back to look up at Nie Mingjue.
The sect leader nodded, reaching to brush the other’s hair back before settling his arm around his waist again. “Xichen plays, but it doesn’t have quite the same effect as your cultivation does.”
Wei Wuxian smirks, a wickedly pleased little thing before huffing. “I’d hope not, otherwise I’d have some serious questions for the Lan Clan.”
Nie Mingjue snorted, rolling his eyes as he pulled the younger man close after another shiver shook his frame.
“So?” Nie Mingjue murmured, his hand trailing lightly up and down Wei Wuxian’s spine as the man hummed softly in response.
“Musical cultivation stays the process, but it doesn’t entirely eliminate it. I know you don’t wish to entirely change your cultivation because you don’t wish to be unfilial. Which is why I came up with another solution, adding a charm to your Sabre’s to filter the resentment - and including fan cultivation for those like Huaisang that can’t wield a sabre but wish to be in Qinghe Nie. I’ve already started on a prototype for Huaisang.” Wei Wuxian murmured sleepily, one of his thighs hitching over the larger man’s hips.
“Fan cultivation?” Nie Mingjue furrowed his brows, tilting his head down to look at the other.
“Mn! You’re still able to protect yourself efficiently and you can keep your weapon hidden. It’s a win-win. Plus you’re still able to build your golden core and have all of the added benefits.” Wei Wuxian’s voice softened near the end, a hitched breath leaving his chest.
“A-Xian.” Nie Mingjue murmured, pressing his forehead to the other’s.
Wei Wuxian gave him a weak smile, shaking his head. “I’m okay, don’t mind me!”
They both knew that was a lie, but Nie Mingjue didn’t call him out on it this time. “It’s a good idea, but you and Huaisang will have to come up with the style for it.”
“Of course, we’re already working on it.” He grins softly, his form had grown slightly stiff speaking about golden cores, but now he relaxed back into the other’s embrace.
“I expect nothing less from a genius such as yourself and Huaisang’s creativity.” Nie Mingjue murmured, watching as that tempting blush slid across the younger's cheeks at the compliment.
“Mingjue…” He whined quietly, pressing his warm face against Nie Mingjue’s chest.
It caused the other to laugh, his body shaking with the boisterous sound; it was a good thing there were silencing talisman’s all around them.
Quiet surrounded them again after that as Nie Mingjue watched Wei Wuxian’s form begin to relax once more. The urge to keep him safe from all those that had their eyes on him and those that wished to hurt him with rumors was strong.
“A-Xian.” The larger man said quietly, his arm tightening slightly around the other’s waist.
Tilting his head back, his lashes were lowered but he kept his gaze on the bigger man. Their emotions were content; no spikes of anything but something sweet.
“Will you let me take care of you?” He asked quietly, watching as Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in surprise.
Sucking in a soft breath, the other’s eyes began to water at the question, worrying Nie Mingjue as the man leaned up on an elbow; worried he had said something wrong.
“But I’m broken.” Wei Wuxian whispered, his voice barely louder than the wind.
It had the other frowning, his brows furrowing with a look of disbelief. “You’re not broken, if anything you’re the strongest person I know and if I could, I'd give you every part of me if it meant you’d give me a chance.” Nie Mingjue said quietly, eyes fierce as he gazed down at the other.
If anyone had told Nie Mingjue a year ago that he’d meet his soulmate - he’d have laughed in their faces. But now? Now he’d pay them all the money in the world for being right.
Choking on a sob, Wei Wuxian threw himself into the other’s arms, breath hitching and the crack in his voice not going unnoticed. “I only want you, have from the start. My soul belongs to you, A-Jue.” He whispered, causing Nie Mingjue’s heart to race in time with the other’s.
With that quiet declaration, Nie Mingjue rolled and settled between the other’s thighs as he leaned in, kissing the other senseless. Wei Wuxian’s arms wound around his shoulders, holding on with everything he had in him.
The kiss was slow, unhurried but deep and it spoke of things they’d been holding back for weeks. Hands slid along each other and grips tightened, tongues fought for dominance - Nie Mingjue’s winning.
Wei Wuxian’s hands tangled in Nie Mingjue’s loose hair, pulling him impossibly close as the kiss deepened. Nie Mingjue’s own hands opened Wei Wuxian’s robes, hands gliding along scar marked skin. Grinding against the other, they both let out nearly obscene groans before pulling back to breathe roughly.
“I won’t dishonor you.” Nie Mingjue growled quietly, though his hips had a different idea as he ground against the other, Wei Wuxian’s head falling back as his back arched at the contact.
“You’re a tease, A-Jue.” Wei Wuxian whispered, licking his lips as he sucked in a quick breath.
“Karma then for all your sass.” The other returned with a wicked grin on his lips, causing Wei Wuxian to laugh softly, still breathless.
Leaning in, Nie Mingjue pressed another kiss against the other’s lips before they moved to their sides wrapped in each other.
“Does that mean I’ll be Qinghe Nie soon?” Wei Wuxian teased quietly, his forehead pressed to the other’s chest.
“You already are, it’ll just be official afterwards.” Nie Mingjue murmured, arms tightening around his Guide.
“You’ll have to talk to Jiang Cheng and Shijie.” Wei Wuxian said softly, feeling the other’s thigh press up between his own.
“I will. Jiang Guniang is reasonable, and she knows how I feel about you already.” Nie Mingjue confessed in a quieter voice - the silence of the night beginning to really envelop them.
Wei Wuxian’s eyes widened in surprise before huffing a laugh, “She knows how I feel too.”
“Then that’s already half the battle.” Nie Mingjue grins slightly.
Nodding against his chest, Wei Wuxian curls tighter into him. “We leave for the front tomorrow, but before that there’s something I need to tell you.” He whispered quietly.
Nie Mingjue frowned, before tilting his head down to look at the other who looked worried but hopeful.
“Is it bad?” He asked.
“Not bad, I just… I don't know if you’ll like it. A life debt, one I want to repay.” Wei Wuxian responded gently.
Nie Mingjue frowned, before realizing what the other meant. “The siblings?” He didn’t sound happy, but he didn’t sound entirely angry either, and that had hope swirling through Wei Wuxian’s chest.
“Will you at least hear me out?” He responded, not denying or accepting.
Thinking it over, he sighed before tugging lightly on Wei Wuxian’s hair. “Yeah, tomorrow.”
Feeling the smaller relax into him at that, he knew he’d made the right choice. “Thank you.” Wei Wuxian said quietly, a soft smile on his lips.
“Lucky I’d do anything for you.” Nie Mingjue retorted, huffing fondly.
“Lucky indeed.” Wei Wuxian teased back, before they both finally gave into sleep, content.