"Thread of the Unseen Bond" *WangXian* Chapter ³

Warm, safe—but wrong. The wrong scent. The wrong hold. The wrong heartbeat. The infant’s fingers curled tight around the edge of his blanket. His thoughts—still shattered pieces—refused to settle. A voice whispered in his head: You already died. But then why could he see? Why could he feel this familiar ache in his chest every time Lan Wangji turned his gaze? Why did he know his name? He was no blank slate. He remembered steel under his ribs. He remembered shrieking ghosts clawing for his soul. He remembered—

Wei Ying whimpered.

Wei Changze/Enigma

(Bent closer, brushing fingers over his damp forehead.)

Wei Changze/Enigma

(softly) “Too bright? Let’s cover the cradle.”

But it wasn’t light that hurt him. It was memory. It was knowing.

Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha

(Turned his head from the bed, watching his son’s trembling lip.)

Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha

(softly) “He’s not just fussy. He’s… aware.

Wei Changze/Enigma

(didn’t argue.)

Not when the baby looked through him, not at him.

Lan Wangji/Enigma/7

(Lingered at the door, his hand still faintly clenched.)

Lan Wangji/Enigma/7

“May I visit again tomorrow?”

Jiang Fenmian/Dominant Alpha

“You may.”

Lan Xichen/Enigma/12

“We’ll stay three nights, then return to Gusu.”

Wei Changze/Enigma

“We’ll prepare rooms for you.”

As the Lan brothers stepped out, Wei Ying’s chest tightened. He didn’t understand why the sight of Lan Wangji’s retreating form made him want to scream. But he did not cry. The door closed softly behind them.

Wei Changze/Enigma

(Leaned down and kissed the baby’s forehead.)

Wei Changze/Enigma

“You’ll grow strong, little one.”

He meant it as comfort. Wei Ying heard it as a sentence. His lashes fluttered. He blinked once, slow. I was strong. I fought a war. I died for it. But now his voice was gone. His body, small. Trapped. And yet—no talismans pulsed at the door. No knives raised in anger. No betrayal behind the smiles. Just warmth, light, and quiet. He didn’t trust it. He couldn’

Wei Wuxian/infant

(Turned his head and saw Jiang Yanli peeking from behind the curtain.)

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

(She had returned with a piece of sweetcake hidden in her sleeves. She crept in, her braids bouncing.)

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

(whispering) “A-Ying? Are you asleep?”

Wei Wuxian/infant

(Blinked up at her.)

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

(She Grinned)

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

“You remember me, don’t you?”

Wei Wuxian/infant

(Blinked again)

And something in his chest cracked. She wasn’t his Shijie. Not yet. But she felt like her. She knelt by the cradle and held out the sweetcake.

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

“Can babies eat sweetcake?”

Wei Changze/Enigma

Wei Changze’s voice rang from the hall.

Wei Changze/Enigma

“No!”

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

(Stuffed the cake back in her sleeve with a giggle.)

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

“Then I’ll save it. When you grow up, I’ll make you lots.”

He Watched her, still. He didn’t understand this life. He didn’t understand why Jiang Fengmian called himself Papa Feng now.

Or why everything smelled like home but wrong. He knew only this: He wasn’t supposed to be here. He’d already died. And yet—

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

(Jiang Yanli leaned close and rested her hand gently over his.)

Wei Wuxian/infant

Warmth surged through his tiny palm, Not spiritual, Just her, Jiang Yanli

Jiang yanli/Omega/Six

(gently) “Don’t worry, A-Ying. We’ll keep you safe.”

Wei Wuxian/infant

Didn’t understand why they made his throat tighten.

But he believed her. Even if everything was broken. Even if nothing made sense. He believed her. The wind outside stilled.

Wei Changze/Enigma

(Wei Changze returned, lifted him, and cradled him against his chest.)

The baby’s eyes slowly closed, lashes still trembling. And for the first time since waking in this body— Wei Ying slept.