[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]

Wei Wuxian spins, tracking Lan Zhan as he dashes around him --

He dives for the ground as the flash of white comes around again.

[lightamidchaos]

Rabbits are incredibly quick and can change direction in a flash, he discovers, doing just that. He ducks between Wei Ying’s feet, under his robes, and dashes back to sit up in front of him.

[acrookedpath]

"Oof -- "

He hits the ground hard enough that he needs a beat to catch his breath. Once he does, he looks up -- and splutters a laugh to see Lan Zhan sitting placidly in front of him as if to ask what all the fuss was about.

"How has anyone ever managed to catch a rabbit?" he asks, propping himself on his elbows. "You are too quick!"

[lightamidchaos]

There’s no question but that the rabbit looks smug as it stretches out its neck to nose at him.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian squinches up his face, playfully, and leans forward to touch his nose to Lan Zhan's.

"It is so nice to see you happy," he murmurs. "Enjoying your adventure."

[lightamidchaos]

The white rabbit licks his cheek and nudges its way under his chin to curl up against him.

[acrookedpath]

With care, Wei Wuxian arranges his forearms into a loose nest around Lan Zhan, smiling absurdly as the soft fur tickles his chin.

"Are you tired, after all that running?" he teases gently.

[lightamidchaos]

He snuggles down into the makeshift nest with a tiny squeak. Not that he would admit to being tired, but perhaps catching his breath would be no bad thing.

[acrookedpath]

He chuckles, so soft it is more felt than heard, and kisses the top of Lan Zhan's head.

"Then we will rest a moment," he says. "And once we're done, you can explore the grounds some more -- or we can venture into the forest, if you'd like to see how marvelous that can be with rabbit senses."

[lightamidchaos]

He is spoiled with choices, it is certain, but at the moment he feels no need nor desire to move. Lan Wangji rolls onto his back and stretches to his full length, paws forward and back.

[acrookedpath]

Oh, no. There is a soft rabbit belly right there.

Wei Wuxian valiantly resists the urge to bury his face in it. He does not, however, resist the urge to give Lan Zhan a belly rub.

[lightamidchaos]

He makes another squeaking sound of delight as Wei Ying pets him, and is startled when one back leg kicks at the air repeatedly of its own accord.

[acrookedpath]

Every time he thinks Lan Zhan cannot get any cuter like this, lo and behold, it happens.

"Lan Zhan!" It's perilously close to a squeak of his own. "What is this?"

He catches Lan Zhan's back foot.

[lightamidchaos]

He flattens his ears against his head and looks wide-eyed at Wei Ying.

[acrookedpath]

"I will not survive the day if you keep being this adorable." Grinning, he lets go of Lan Zhan's foot. "You are enjoying yourself, aren't you!"

He resumes scritching Lan Zhan's belly.

[lightamidchaos]

Even though he tries to prevent it, his foot starts kicking again. If it is possible for a rabbit to look sheepish, Lan Wangji does. He rolls to the side, into Wei Ying's hand.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian cracks up. As gentle as ever -- despite the laughter that shakes him -- he scoops Lan Zhan close and rolls over in the same movement, ending up on his back with Lan Zhan cradled atop his chest.

[lightamidchaos]

He curls up in a loaf-shape on top of Wei Ying, his ears slicked down beside his head, and watches him contentedly.

[acrookedpath]

He picks up his soft scritching again, this time behind Lan Zhan's ears, as the laughter subsides into a fond smile.

"Did you ever think it would be like this when you found me?" he asks. "Spending a day as an entirely different creature? Even by the standards of an impossible place such as this, we discover new impossibilities every day."

[lightamidchaos]

He nuzzles at Wei Ying's robe, since he cannot shake his head without dislodging his hand.

As a rabbit, he cannot speak, of course, but if he could he would remind Wei Ying that the greatest and most wonderful impossibility of all was finding him again in the first place. All else pales beside that.

Still, he has a point.

[acrookedpath]

"And if we found this today, what do you think we'll find tomorrow, eh?" He grins. "I have heard stories of people climbing the mountains you can see in the distance. What if there was a whole other inn high on the cliffs, full of even stranger people to meet?"

[lightamidchaos]

He narrows his gaze. Lan Wangji turns his head - carefully - to look in the direction of the mountains, then turns back to Wei Ying and swats at him with a paw.

[acrookedpath]

Wei Wuxian breaks into more laughter.

"Not today!" he manages. "And I would not go up there alone! You have my word, Lan Zhan."

He raises three fingers in a salute. (While continuing to scratch behind Lan Zhan's ears with his other hand.)

"I will never wander so far that you cannot find me."

[lightamidchaos]

Mollified, he crawls a little further up Wei Ying's chest and stretches out to his full length, lying on top of him.

[acrookedpath]

His smile warms further.

Without hesitation, he wraps both arms around Lan Zhan to cuddle him close.