[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

[lightamidchaos]

An answering spark lights his own glance, and he nods at Wei Ying. "He would like that. I am certain of it. And you could illustrate it, too."

[acrookedpath]

"Yes!" He beams. "Of course, I will have to show the illustrations to the rabbits first to ensure they approve of how I've rendered them. Especially El-ahrairah -- I am certain he'd insist he has a reputation to maintain!"

[lightamidchaos]

"... I had never thought that rabbits might appreciate pictures," he says, somewhat struck by the idea. "I suppose we should."

[acrookedpath]

"I could take my ink and paper to the field and draw them as they play," he says. "If they are as bold as they were yesterday, I could even draw more pictures of you cuddling them."

[lightamidchaos]

His expression softens, enchanted by the thought.

“Yes.”

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian melts. "Ah, Lan Zhan, how is it possible for you to be so adorable all the time?"

He reaches across the table to touch Lan Zhan's cheek, his thumb alighting on the corner of that barely-there smile.

"I will stop suggesting you should turn into a rabbit as well. You are cute enough just as you are."

[lightamidchaos]

He considers this carefully. “Would Wei Ying find me cute as a rabbit? And wish to see me as one?”

It appears to be a serious question.

[acrookedpath]

"I think you would have fun," he says. "And yes, you would be very cute."

Gently, he traces his thumb along Lan Zhan's cheek.

"But you should not transform unless you wish to as well."

[lightamidchaos]

Across the room, hidden in a dark corner and lounging in a tub of water near the warmth of the fireplace, an alligator with golden horns perks up, listening.

Lan Wangji leans into Wei Ying’s touch. “I have never deliberately accepted a curse before. But I admit I am curious.”

[acrookedpath]

"It is not only that you would be adorable, or get to speak to the forest rabbits yourself," he says. "It is an entirely new way of seeing the world. A rabbit's ears, a rabbit's eyes and nose -- they sense so much more than us big lumbering humans! I would not be so selfish as to experience that, and never leave you the chance as well."

Rising from his seat a little, he leans over the table to kiss Lan Zhan's brow, just above the silver medallion of his ribbon.

"Think on it, if you wish. It does not have to be today."

[lightamidchaos]

“Mn.” It is very soft, and unusually thoughtful as he looks up at his beloved.

[acrookedpath]

(Unheard by either, a muted splash sounds from the same darkened corner as the alligator slithers from its tub.)

Wei Wuxian's smile is warm, and gentle. He does not move his hand from Lan Zhan's face right away. They are close enough that he cannot resist: as if to capture that soft, thoughtful hum, he presses his mouth to Lan Zhan's in a small kiss.

[lightamidchaos]

They are in public, and he could not care less. He returns Wei Ying’s kiss with a sweetness that somehow also simmers with desire beneath the surface, leaning into him, heedless of the world around them.

[acrookedpath]

(Golden eyes -- and horns -- gleam from the shadows as the alligator skitters from table to table, drawing ever closer to their booth.

Bringing about a curse through trickery and deceit is a fine way to go. But to explain precisely what he's doing, and have the human curse itself willingly to become a helpless mammal, just before he crushes it beneath his scaly feet? Ah, that is even sweeter.)

When they finally part, Wei Wuxian is smiling. His eyes are a shade darker; he chuckles, lowering his glance to the table to collect himself. Lan Zhan will soon have to leave for the day, after all, and --

Wait.

He blinks.

In the center of Lan Zhan's empty dish rests a single, innocuous-looking bunny cookie.

[lightamidchaos]

It is only with the trained self-control of years that he is able to remain coolly collected - at least outwardly. He looks at Wei Ying, meaning to say something, and forgets it entirely as he sees the expression on his face.

His gaze follows the other man’s to settle on the small cookie. Lan Wangji blinks.

“Wei Ying?”

[acrookedpath]

"I don't know," he says, foolishly. "I did not do it."

He settles back into his seat, eyes locked on the animal cracker as if it will come to life and hop straight into Lan Zhan's face.

[lightamidchaos]

His gaze travels slowly around the room, seeking whoever had been paying such attention. Certainly this can not be a coincidence.

[acrookedpath]

From beneath a table not far from theirs: a soft hiss, another glint of gold.

The alligator's tail flicks into view as it turns and scuttles away.

[lightamidchaos]

“The alligator.” He nods after it quickly, in time for Wei Ying to turn and spot it as well. “The one who created the transformation curse.”

His glance flicks from it, to the cookie, to Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian turns, catching a glimpse of a swath of green scales before the creature vanishes back under a table. He squints after it a moment, as if it might re-materialize; when the shadows remain stubbornly dark and featureless, he shakes his head and turns back to Lan Zhan.

Wryly amused: "I would not have ever thought you'd say those words in that order, Lan Zhan. 'The alligator who created the transformation curse.'"

His gaze drops to the cookie. Gentler now, he adds, "What do you think?"

[lightamidchaos]

Slowly, thoughtfully, while studying the cookie, he says, “No one will miss me. I am traveling, and no one expects me at a particular time or place.”

His gaze flicks up to Wei Ying. “Would you like it, if I did?”

[acrookedpath]

He smiles.

"I would enjoy cuddling you in my robes as you did for me," he says. "And taking you back to meet the forest rabbits, with ink and paper so I could draw all of you together."

[lightamidchaos]

It is enough for him to hear that Wei Ying would enjoy it. Lan Wangji picks up the cookie, reminding himself that the curse is a familiar one, limited to a day, and that if something were to go wrong that Wei Ying is an accomplished cultivator.

Without further hesitation, he bites into it.

Moments later, after a dizzying whirl, a pure white rabbit blinks up at Wei Ying in startlement, his eyes wide beneath the Lan forehead ribbon that is sliding down over his long, silky ears.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian has tried to prepare himself. When he first transformed, everything was very loud and very overwhelming, and he does not want to add to any discomfort Lan Zhan might feel as he adjusts to his new senses.

But.

He claps both hands over his mouth to stifle an exclamation of utter delight, staring just as wide-eyed back at the little lop-eared bunny. "Lan Zhan! Ah, look at you! You are even cuter than I imagined -- how will I survive! How do you feel? Is everything all right?"

Carefully, he reaches to extricate the silk ribbon from Lan Zhan's ears.

[lightamidchaos]

The world is suddenly so much bigger and louder and overwhelming —

He huddles down on the table as Wei Ying squeaks, then bolts for his hand as he reaches out. Or would have, save that he tangles his feet in the ribbon and does an unceremonious flip over on the table, tumbling into a heap.