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When Wen Ning arrived, the party was already in full swing. He surveyed the room, not seeing the target anywhere.
Being a reaper, nevertheless THE Grim Reaper, was not even remotely a normal or even easy job. But, alas, it was Wen Ning’s job and he liked to think he took it very seriously. Even if he was now at a college frat party reeking of beer and weed that made his nose wrinkle of all places.
He nudged his way through people making out in front of the door and looked around. Tonight’s target was going to be incredibly hard to find, especially between costumes and the sheer amount of people. He sighed. Time to get started.
He scrounged the whole party to no avail. The thought of his target just managing to get away from him every time he might’ve even gotten close just made him want to wait. But he wanted to get this over with. He didn’t usually have to take care of soul collecting, and this was a favor to his sister. And his sister’s wrath was terrifying enough to kick his ass into gear.
A loud commotion drew his eyes to the front door of the party again. Someone in a…… Glitter Spring(?) costume was exchanging verbal blows with someone in a maid dress, being disruptive enough that they could be heard over the music. At least their voices, he couldn’t make out what they were seeing. However, he noticed the former was, in fact, his target and tried to push through the crowd forming. By the time he made it to the front, the man had disappeared, leaving the other man there rubbing his eyes. The party people got bored, dispersing, which made it easier for Wen Ning to try and leave. He, however, was stopped by the maid dress man.
Despite his red eyes from crying, the man was undeniably gorgeous. The type of man mortal Wen Ning might’ve had a hallway crush on in different circumstances.
“What do you want with my brother?” The man asked, hands on his hips and blocking the front door.
“Huh?” Very eloquent, Wen Ning.
“The man who left, I saw you watching him.” The man responded. The nametag on his maid uniform read out “Wei Wuxian”.
“Do you know where he went?” Wen Ning asked.
“You didn’t answer my question.” Wei Wuxian raised an eyebrow.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I did.” Wen Ning rolled his eyes.
“Try me.”
“I’m the Grim Reaper and I need to get your brother’s soul, now move please.” If he had been thinking straight, Wen Ning would’ve realized that saying that would cause troubles considering most sibling’s never wanted their sibling to actually die. He was just thinking about how he could have someone erase this man’s memories of him saying what he was.
“And I’m the Queen of England.” Wei Wuxian responded sarcastically.
“See?” Wen Ning pointed out. Wei Wuxian stopped, but rolled his eyes in defeat.
“Okay, if you’re the Grim Reaper… Why are you wearing a kiss the cook apron? And what’s with the pan? Aren’t you supposed to have a scythe?”
“I needed to blend in.” Wen Ning shrugged.
“I don’t think you’re blending in.” Wei Wuxian snarked, looking his outfit up and down from the kissy faces on the apron to his pan.
“I don't want to hear it from someone in a maid outfit.” Wen Ning deadpanned. “Now I need to know where your brother went.”
“I…” Wei Wuxian paled, “I can’t tell you.” Wen Ning sighed and awkwardly rubbed his arm as if he was cold.
“That’s not exactly how it works. I will eventually find him and have to take his soul, I’m sorry.”
“You don’t get it! My brother deserves too much to just die tonight.” Wei Wuxian snapped, making Wen Ning’s eyes widen.
“Didn’t you just argue with him?” He asked, gently. The man, Wei Wuxian, sheepishly nodded.
“It wasn’t an actual fight, he was just worried about me. Besides, fight or not, he’s still my brother and I love him. He’s a great brother, actually, and he’s already so unhappy…” He looked down, sadly, “If he died, our sister would solely have to watch over me now on top of her grief and the cost of funeral things and she has better things to do, she’s about to be married. And he has someone that loves him, he just hasn’t figured it out. You can’t kill him…” Wen Ning sighed.
“I can’t come between fate…”
“Take my soul instead.” Wei Wuxian glared directly at him. Wen Ning choked.
“Excuse me?!” He asked, incredulously. Never before in his entire life (or death) had he ever had someone offer to trade their soul. Then again, he had never been interrupted.
“Take my soul instead. My brother can live his life and fall in love. My sister doesn’t have to watch him like me, but I would have to figure out funeral arrangements…” The man trailed off, obviously thinking of plans. Wen Ning sighed exasperatedly.
“Of all the options…” He muttered to himself. Unfortunately, Wei Wuxian heard him.
“There’s more options?” He asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Only 3.” Wen Ning corrected.
“I want to hear the other option!” Wei Wuxian looked offended that he hadn’t already.
“You’d have to create a contract with a reaper…” Wen Ning trailed off awkwardly, knowing exactly what that was entailing.
“Then let me do it!” God this man. Wen Ning knew he had no clue what he was trying to sign up for, but he should think humans should be a bit more cautious.
“It’s a bit more complicated than that…” He trailed off again.
“What, do I have to marry you?” Wen Ning stayed silent. Wei Wuxian, who had been laughing, stopped. He then pondered it before shrugging.
“Fine, wife me up.” Wei Wuxian held out his right hand, causing Wen Ning to stare at it.
“What?”
“Marry me.” Wei Wuxian demanded.
“You’re serious.” Wen Ning said, surprise all over his face.
“Very.” He crossed his arms over his chest to be sassy for a second, before going back to holding his hand out.
“It doesn’t even concern you to have to marry me?” Wen Ning looked down at himself and then up at him again.
“You’re cute and you’re nice, it could be worse.” Wei Wuxian shrugged.
“Gee thanks.” Wen Ning replied sarcastically.
“It’s fine, you can have a harem if you don’t like me.” Wei Wuxian assured him, causing him to gape like a fish.
“I don’t want a harem! I want to be in love with who I marry.” He argued defensively.
“Then allow me to romance you.” Wei Wuxian dropped his hand to rest both of them on his hips. It was a bit funny with the maid costume.
“Huh?” Wen Ning responded, confused.
“Give me until Yanli’s wedding to try and romance you. I can also try to help my brother in the meantime. If it doesn’t work, take my soul anyway instead of his.” Wen Ning was floored by the statement. First of all, this man going through so much effort for his brother was incredibly admirable and did plant a seed of empathy in his dead heart. Second of all, this man was extremely bold.
“....How many months until the wedding?”
🎃
“And yeah, that’s how we met!” A smug Wei Wuxian, this time in an even skimpier maid dress than the original somehow, finished, happily perched in Wen Ning’s lap. The Grim Reaper himself was wearing the same (but now more faded) kiss the cook apron, his pan most likely somewhere in the kitchen. Shiny diamond rings adorned both of their right ring fingers.
Jiang Cheng, Nie Huiasang, and the rest of their little group just looked at each other, confused, before accepting it and moving on, changing the topic to the baby nestled in Jiang Yanli’s arms. Wei Wuxian giggled to himself.
“Do you think they believe us?” He asked his husband, winding his arm around his neck and cuddling more into his embrace.
“Not even remotely.” Wen Ning answered.