acrookedpath | [pfsb] it's so FLUFFY

I do not want to go, either.

If only he could pout as effectively in this body as he can when he's human! Even as he thinks that, he catches himself in another yawn, and sulkily hides his face in Saxifrage's fur. But Lan Zhan must sleep soon, I think.

(Yes. Just Lan Zhan. Absolutely not Wei Wuxian, because he is not tired.)

I promise I will return soon. And when I do, I will have all manner of talismans to test, so we may keep talking to one another. He lowers his voice, conspiratorially. Perhaps I may even transform into a rabbit again. I ate a bite of cursed food, so if I ever ate it again...

Surely Lan Zhan will let him transform again when he sees no harm came about!

Saxifrage’s ears perks up in hopeful delight and he nuzzles at Wei Wuxian’s shoulder. Soon?

Soon, he promises. I would never abandon my new friends so quickly!

Good, says El-ahrairah. We will look for you again soon.

He wriggles his tail, nose twitching rapidly: if he were a human, he'd be beaming.

Gently, he butts his head against Saxifrage, scooting back just far enough so they can touch noses. Bearberry and Cloudfoot are next as he hops a slow circle around the rabbits, bumping noses and murmuring his good-byes. Even Rabscuttle gets a playful nudge, and a further promise that he and Lan Zhan will have much to talk about once the talismans are done.

When he reaches El-ahrairah, Wei Wuxian bumps their noses together as well -- and then steps back enough to stretch into a bow, just as he did when he first arrived.

Thank you again, my new friend, he says. Until next time!

And with that, he turns and clambers into Lan Zhan's lap.

With gentle care, he scoops Wei Ying up and gets to his feet. Lan Wangji offers a bow to the rabbits, especially the star-eared one, and carries his most precious one back toward the inn.

“You seemed happy. I am sorry we needed to go.”

He nods. Nosing at the fold of Lan Zhan's outermost layer, he worms his way underneath as if burrowing under a blanket.

Ah, Lan Zhan, it's all right. He leans close, listening to the steady thump of Lan Zhan's heart. I know it will soon be time for you to sleep. Wait until I can tell you of all my plans! Maybe I will convince you to become a bunny with me next time.

Another yawn hits, more expansive than before, his tiny pink scrap of a tongue curling.

Chuckling sleepily: I know you will probably refuse. But I think you would have fun, Lan Zhan. I do.

He cradles Wei Ying close against his body as he walks, moving with quiet grace.

It does not take all that long to reach the inn.

Wei Wuxian keeps up his sleepy mumbling the whole time, much like he does whenever he is close to nodding off. Idle musings on how to shape a rabbit-to-human translation talisman. A list of stories he will tell them whenever they visit next. Wondering aloud, in between yawns, if El-ahrairah has actually met Chang'e. He would not be surprised. The rabbit-wangye is a very strange, delightful creature.

By the time they are halfway up the stairs, he has settled into a light doze, safe and warm and comfortable in Lan Zhan's hold.

He carries him into their room and over to the bed, where he takes one of his inner robes and makes a nest of it on one side. Carefully, he settles Wei Ying into it.

Lan Wangji takes a few minutes to set up the necessary things for a rabbit’s care, just in case, before he settles himself beside him.

He rouses himself when he notices they have stopped moving. Muzzily, Wei Wuxian cracks open one dark eye to watch Lan Zhan.

No sooner has he settled onto the bed than Wei Wuxian clambers partway out of the nest: just enough to curl closer to him.

The gentle smile softens the lines of his expression. "Very well." Lan Wangji picks Wei Ying up in his hands and brings him to rest on his upper chest, where he can curl comfortably and safely between Lan Wangji's neck and shoulder.

He nuzzles Lan Zhan's cheek, ending it with a small lick, and cuddles into the proffered spot.

Goodnight, Lan Zhan, he mumbles. Hopefully I will be able to kiss you in the morning.

He strokes a hand over the sleek black fur, then curves his fingers around him protectively.

“Sleep well, Wei Ying.”

His whiskers twitch once, in a small, drowsy smile.

Secure next to his zhiji, it does not take Wei Wuxian long at all to slip into sleep.

He wakes at the usual hour in the morning and finds Wei Ying, still in rabbit form, asleep in a limp bundle on his chest.

Lan Wangji sighs and kisses the top of his head.

His sleep was pleasant, filled with dreams of no consequence. In most of them, he ran -- not to escape, but for the sheer pleasure of it. Even now his legs twitch in his sleep when Lan Zhan kisses him.

Not too long after Lan Zhan wakes, though, his eyes flutter open.

Ah. Still a rabbit. That is... slightly more concerning than it was yesterday, but Madam Bar did say it could take a full day for the curse to pass.

He stretches his paws up Lan Zhan's chest and lets out a long, expansive yawn. Good morning, Lan Zhan.

He rubs behind Wei Ying’s ears, both gentle and thorough. “Good morning,” he murmurs. “Are you hungry?”

He will worry if the full day passes and Wei Ying is not restored. Lan Wangji is already mentally reviewing transformation curses and possible arrays, just in case, but for now he will wait and see.

Wei Wuxian leans into the touch, tail wriggling happily, and remembers to nod after a moment or two of proper luxuriating.

He is so close that it only takes a little more stretching to bump his nose against Lan Zhan's.

He smiles a little at that and cradles him closer for a moment before he shifts and rises.

Lan Wangji places Wei Ying back in the makeshift nest and quickly dresses for the day.

He makes himself comfortable; with no robes to don, Wei Wuxian starts grooming himself instead, smoothing his fur with his tongue and rubbing his paws over his whiskers. There's an odd little itch along his neck, and he quickly scratches at it, thump-thump-thump as his back leg strikes the mattress.

There! All presentable. As presentable as a rabbit can be, anyway.

Lan Wangji kneels down beside their bed so that he can be on as close to the same level as possible with Wei Ying and asks, "Do you wish to go downstairs for breakfast? Or for me to bring something up for us to have here?"

A marked advantage of being so small: whether staying in bed or going downstairs, Wei Wuxian will remain bundled up and comfortable.

Only one of those options has him bundled up close to Lan Zhan, though.

He hops out of the nest of robes and nudges Lan Zhan in clear pick me up! fashion.

His choice is very clear. Lan Wangji picks him up and snuggles him into his robes as he had done the night before.

Together, they leave the room and settle at a table downstairs.

The entire way down, Wei Wuxian shifts in constant, tiny increments here and there -- not squirming, exactly, but not as placid as he'd been the day before. The itch at his neck feels like it's spreading. He did not catch fleas while they were in the forest yesterday, did he? Ah, please say he didn't!

As soon as they're seated, he hops onto the table to start scratching. It does little to help. Indeed, he realizes with horror, it seems to be making things worse. By now the itch is nearly to hise nose, and --

He lets out an explosive sneeze. Then another.

And another.

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