[pfsb] it's so FLUFFY

[acrookedpath]

In Wei Wuxian's defense, it isn't as if he forgot one should never eat free food unless it came from Madam Bar or the waitrats. It's simply that after nearly a year where he has -- only on occasion, mind you! -- accepted food and drink from strangers with no ill effects, he may have let his guard slip. Just a little.

Besides, he was so absorbed in his work that for all he knew, a waitrat had deposited the little bowl of animal-shaped desserts on his table. It wouldn't have been the first time he failed to notice one of them trying to get his attention.

So when he absently picked up a cracker to nibble on it as he worked through a particularly thorny set of talisman calculations --

Well.

The little black rabbit that now sits on the table, a red ribbon looped around one ear, just wants it emphatically known that this was not his fault.

Comments

[acrookedpath]

"So when Saxifrage suggested a story about a dog, when I already do not like them, and when I was so small -- !"

He laughs again, the same strained, rueful sound as before.

"Anyway. I did not mean for my own fright to startle all the others so badly."

[lightamidchaos]

“They will have understood, I am sure.” He rubs his thumb over Wei Ying’s hand again.

“Which one is Saxifrage?”

[acrookedpath]

He smiles, faint but real. "Rabscuttle did say I should not apologize for having the good sense to fear such beasts," he says. "And Saxifrage is the one nearly as bold as El-ahrairah -- he stayed close to me the whole time and did not want us to leave when it grew late."

[lightamidchaos]

“Ah. That one.” Lan Wangji smiles very slightly. “He liked you very much.”

[acrookedpath]

"He did!" Already, his good cheer has returned in force. "And it was quite mutual. If I cannot transform again, I promised him I would craft a talisman to translate from human to rabbit speech and back, so we may continue sharing stories on our visits."

At that moment, the waitrat scampers back bearing their order. (Wei Wuxian can eat things besides vegetables again! And he has taken full advantage of that.)

[lightamidchaos]

He helps the rat lift everything to the table and sets it out for them, making sure to serve Wei Ying first.

“That would be a useful talisman.”

[acrookedpath]

"I thought it might be!" He beams. Reaching across the table to prod Lan Zhan with his chopsticks, "Even if I also think you would be adorable as a little white bunny, Lan Zhan."

[lightamidchaos]

He endures the prodding without resistance, even as he gives Wei Ying a slightly wary look. "Me?"

[acrookedpath]

"Yes, you. Lan Zhan. Hanguang-jun. My love."

As if my love were as grand as any of Lan Zhan's other titles.

"Are you not even a little curious what it would be like?"

[lightamidchaos]

"I am," he has to admit. Lying is forbidden.

[acrookedpath]

"So if you transformed, we would not need a translation talisman for you to speak to Rabscuttle! And," he adds, as if it were obvious, "I would happily transform alongside you, if you ever ate a piece of cursed food. So I could understand you and the forest rabbits."

[lightamidchaos]

"But then I could not protect you as well," Lan Wangji points out.

[acrookedpath]

He wilts slightly: Lan Zhan makes a good point.

But then, struck by a new mental image, he buries his face in his hands and starts to laugh. "Lan Zhan," he wails, "now all I can think of is you standing before me, brandishing a tiny rabbit-sized Bichen if anyone comes too close! It is too cute!"

[lightamidchaos]

He waits through the laughter, taking the opportunity to serve up Wei Ying's breakfast for him, selecting choice bits to ensure he has the best.

"Mn."

[acrookedpath]

He wrests himself under control, the giggles petering out little by little -- and when he lifts his head, ah! There is his breakfast! His whole expression softens to deep fondness.

"All right," he says, as he fetches the jar of chili oil from the table's center. "How about this: I will design a translation talisman, and should either of us turn into rabbits, the other will swear to stay human, protect him, and keep the talisman close. And should we ever wish to be rabbits at the same time, we will stay where it is safe!"

...Maybe he could design some protection talismans as well, that would remain active even if they are not human. Then they could still have adventures in the forest! Hmm.

[lightamidchaos]

"I am certain you will be able to accomplish it," Lan Wangji tells him, and pours their tea.

[acrookedpath]

"Hopefully it will be easier than the energy-revealing array," he laughs.

When Lan Zhan sets down the tea, Wei Wuxian catches his hand in a squeeze, briefly linking their fingers. Just because he can.

[lightamidchaos]

The faintest hint of a smile, nearly invisible to everyone else but clear as calligraphy to Wei Ying, curves his mouth.

[acrookedpath]

"I will groom whiskers that aren't there, as I grow used to being human again," he murmurs, "and I will do this every chance I get."

He kisses Lan Zhan's knuckles.

[lightamidchaos]

“You will,” he agrees. “You already rub your nose when you are thinking.”

Even as he says it, he touches Wei Ying’s cheek, just for a moment.

[acrookedpath]

"I do? ...I suppose I do," he says with another quiet laugh, as he casts his mind back to his times of deep thought. "I have never really noticed before. Perhaps because I am too busy thinking, eh?"

He tips his head into Lan Zhan's caress.

[lightamidchaos]

“Perhaps.” He runs his thumb over Wei Ying’s cheekbone, then pulls his hand back.

“Eat,” he suggests.

[acrookedpath]

As if just remembering his food is there: "Right! Yes."

Wei Wuxian picks up his chopsticks and digs in.

After a few bites, he adds, "So would you like to hear how El-ahrairah got his name? Or how he and Rabscuttle outsmarted the cruel king who kept them from his lettuce garden?"

[lightamidchaos]

Without hesitation: “Both.”

[acrookedpath]

Midway through taking a sip of his tea, he sputters, quickly clapping a hand over his mouth.

Once he has swallowed: "Lan Zhan, how did I know you would say that!" His eyes sparkle merrily. "Which would you like to hear first, then?"