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Lan Zhan and Wei Ying were on their way home from a nighthunt. On their way home they cross paths with a mischievous spirit in a forest near a small village. What they didn’t knew was that the spirit was waiting for someone to come to fall in his trap. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji are sensing some kind of strange energy. „somethings off here don’t you think so Lan Zhan?“ „Mhm“ Wei Wuxian looks around to see from where or who this energy is coming from but can’t detect anything. Due to the fact that the energy doesn’t seem to be harmful, they don’t pay it any mind, walking further.
That’s when Wei Wuxian steps into the trap of the spirit, due to the fact that they realize this too late there is nothing they can do.
The spirit appears laughing and clapping visibly happy that someone fell into his trap. Lan Wangji draws his sword ready to fight the spirit, but the spirit quickly disappears again. That is when Lan Zhan realizes that his husband is no longer by his side. „Wei Ying?!“ „Wei Ying where are you?“ he shouts looking around seeing a little black fox. Realisation hits him his husband has turned into his child animal form. „Wei Ying? Wei Ying?“ he tries to wake his Husband up. The later doesn’t react. Panicked he picks him up and rushes back to Cloud Recesses.
As he arrives at Cloud Recesses he rushes (definitely not running) to the Healers Pavilion. Lan Bo who was drinking his tea startles when suddenly Hanguang-Jun bursts in. „Hanguang-Jun how can I help you?” the Chief healer asks „It’s about my husband” he answers as he reveals the small unconscious form of his husband. „I tried to wake him up but he did not react” „I will take care of this” as Lan o said that he carefully took the little fox to the ack to examine him. „It’s best if you wait here Hanguang-Jun. I will take care of him.”
After what seemed like an eternity Lan Bo came back. „You can go see him.” Lan Zhan wasted no time and went to see his husband. „It seems like your husband is under some kind of spell that turned him into child again. Physically his body seems to be fine, he probably lost consciousness due to the shock. He will wake up soon. I will leave you alone.” As Lan Bo leaves the room Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi enter the room. „Hanguang-Jun we heard that you where hear did something happen?” they ask „Mhm. Wei Ying got under a spell.” He answers and steps away so that the juniors can see the little fox. „Senior Wei? Is he alright?” Sizhui asks meanwhile Jingyi takes a look at the little fox. „Is that Senior Wei?” he asks. Lan Zhan nods „Wah he looks so cute” Now even Sizhui is looking at the sleeping form of his Father. Both Juniors in awe, because it is not everyday that you see a fox shapeshifter in his animal form even rarer to see Wei Wuxian the famous Yilling Patriarch in his most vulnerable state. „Look how small he is” Jingyi coos. As Sizhui observes the sleeping fox he notices something really important. „He only has one tail”
After coming back in a different body Wei Ying dedicated a lot of time and energy into cultivating to regain his tails. With Lan Zhans help he managed to cultivate 5 out of 9 tails.
„He got transformed into a child” „WHAT?” the juniors exclaim in disbelieve
It seems like they were loud enough for the little fox to wake up.
Wei Ying woke up due to the loud noises. He yawns and stretches, he looks around visibly confused.
„Wei Ying” „Senior Wei”
The little fox looks up at the people talking to him.
„How are you? Does anything hurt?” Lan Zhan asks, the fox only tilting his head. Just in this moment Lan Bo comes back. „Healer Bo, Senior Wei woke up” Lan Jingyi informs him.
Lan Bo examines his patient again, throwing Hanguang-Jun and the Juniors out of the room.
After being done he walks over to the Juniors and Lan Zhan.
„It seems like not only his body but also his mind turned back into being that of a child. He seems to have no memories of the last 20+ years” Lan Bo informs them „He doesn’t know where he is nor what happened, what he remembers is his name. From what I can say is that its due to the curse, so if the curse is lifted everything should turn back to normal. However I can’t help you more due to the fact that if never seen something like this in my life before. Good luck on breaking this curse Hanguang-Jun” He bows and leaves.
„What do we do know Hanguang-Jun? How do we break this curse?” Lan Sizhui asks „No curse. Spell” he answers. The Juniors looking at him a little bit confused. Meanwhile Lan Zhan is already on his way to see his husband again. The Juniors of course following him.
Wei Ying the little fox that he is at the moment playing with something in his paws. An adorable sight to see, so Lan Wangji takes a moment to enjoy this moment. Stepping forward the little fox notices, his ears twitching and eyes watching him. „Wei Ying, let’s go home” he tells him stepping forward ready to take the fox in his arms again. After a moment of consideration the Fox answers with a Yelp jumping in Lan Zhans arms. The later making sure that the little fox is safe departs to their joined room the Jingshi. The Juniors of course following them.
As they arrived at the Jingshi Lan Zhan moved his arm telling the little fox that he can get off. Wei Ying jumps down with practice ease taking in every little detail of the room. „What are we going to do with Senior Wei?” Sizhui asks. „First make sure he is safe here, no one can know. I’m going to the library pavilion for research. You should watch over him.” Lan Zhan informs them. Knowing his husbands nature he would surely not sit still in the Jingshi and wait for him, so he is letting the Juniors watch over him.
So as he leaves for the library pavilion he leaves his husband in the juniors care.
In the Jingshi:
„So how do you entertain a small fox?” Jingyi asks thinking out loud „I don’t know” Sizhui answers. Meanwhile said fox is already starting to get bored and so searches for something to entertain himself. That is when he sees something shimmering on top of the bookshelf. He is curious so he starts to climb the bookshelf. As he jumps on the bookshelf it starts to wobble and a few books fall to the ground. The fox yelps as he cries for help.
Jingyi and Sizhui notice due to the noises. „What are you doing?! Come down.” Jingyi scolds him „Why can’t you sit still, you are making a mess out of Hanguang-Juns room.” He continues. „Jingyi..” „What?! It’s the truth” he says.
Wei Ying is scared. He was just curious and wanted to see what it is that’s sparkling and shining there, he didn’t know that he did something wrong. Seeing the two dragons argue makes him even more scared. He jumps down carefully. Head low, tail between his legs he is scared of getting another scolding. His instinct telling him to run, so he runs. Without thinking where to he just runs.
They made a mistake, a big one. Hanguang-Jun told them to watch Senior Wei, they should stay in the Jingshi. But the Person they should watch just ran away.
„Shit” Jingyi exclaims, not to loud cause first of all loid noises are forbidden and second no one else should know what happened. But if they don’t manage to find their Senior Wei then they need to tell Hanguang-Jun. „We need to find him, he probably couldn’t run far” Sizhui says. „But where could he have run to?” Jingyi asks ruffling his hair. „When we don’t find him we need to tell Hanguang-Jun in time” Sizhui says.
They search Cloud Recesses as discreetly as possible, so no one would notice. One thing they know is that foxes have extremely good hearing so they don’t need to shout.
„Senior Wei!” „Senior Wei! Where are you” „Come out” – no reaction, no little fox in sight. Sizhui sighs. „Wait a moment Jingyi” he says „Healer Bo said that not only his body but also his mind is that of a child, so maybe we should try calling him like we would call a little kid.” Sizhui says „Now that you mention it, it does make sense.” Jingyi replies.
So now they try it again, differently „A-Ying, A-Ying where are you? Come out. No one’s gonna hurt you.” Sizhui says.
Meanwhile Sect Leader Jin and his uncle Sect Leader Jiang have arrived at Cloud Recesses. Sect Leader Lan had invited Sect Leader Jiang to Cloud Recesses to discuss something, Jin Ling just tagged alone and secretly wanted to see his friends again. As they arrived the guards at the gate welcomed them saying they should wait inside as he informs Sect Leader Lan of their arrival. As they wait inside Cloud Recesses they spot the two Juniors looking anxious and searching for someone or something.
„Jingyi!, Sizhui!” Jin Ling calls them and walks over to them.
„Sect Leader Jiang, Sect Leader Jin greetings” they bow and greet them in union. Sect Leader Jiang bows in return, greeting them back.
„What are you two doing? You seem to be searching for something.” Jin Ling asks his friends. „Yes, we are searching for someone.” Sizhui replied. He tried not to reveal that Wei Wuxian turned into a child again and run away, but due to their clans rules he has to tell the truth (Lans just can’t lie even if they try to you can tell) so he decided not to tell them the whole truth which practically means he is not lying.
„So who are you searching for ?” Jin Ling asks. He is curios and knows that if he asks the Lans only have two options – telling the truth or not saying anything, but not saying anything could be considered rude so either way they have to tell him.
„We are looking for someone important” Sizhui says avoiding eye contact. „Someone important huh” Jin Ling replies.
„And who may that someone important be?” asks Sect Leader Lan, Lan Xichen. „Zewu – Jun” the little Lans greet their Sect Leader as they bow. „Sect Leader Jiang and also Sect Leader Jin it’s good to see you. I hope that you’ve been well.” Lan Xichen greets his guests. „Sect Leader Lan. Thank you for your invitation.” Jiang Cheng replies. Lan Xichen nods. „So back to the beginning, who are you two looking for?” Lan Xichen asks the little Lans. Both of them know that they can longer avoid this question so they tell them, but again not the whole truth. „We are looking for Senior Wei.” Jingyi says. „Why didn’t you tell from the beginning?” Jin Ling asks. „He is probably with your Hanguang – Jun.” Jiang Cheng answers. „No he is not and he should not know-“ Jingyi spills. Sizhui Face palming internally. „We should go now. We still have to look for Senior Wei. Sect Leader Jiang, Zewu-Jun.” Sizhui says quickly grabbing Jingyi and Jin Ling and quickly makes his way, not running.
Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen still standing in the courtyard don’t know what to say. „Shall we go to the Yashi?” Lan Xichen asks Jiang Cheng. They both make their way to the Yashi.
„What was that about?!” Jingyi asks, Jin Ling looking like he wants to ask the same question. „You almost told them everything” Sizhui replies. „So…, what is going on? No secrets, the truth, the whole truth this time.” Jin Ling states. Jingyi and Sizhui looking at each other before telling Jin Ling the truth, the whole truth.
„So, what you’re telling me is that the Wei Wuxian was turned into a child in his animal form?! What the hell-?” Jin Ling says in disbelief „That sounds so unrealistic.” „But it’s the truth.” Jingyi replies. „Whatever. So he ran out of Hanguang-Juns room and know you don’t know where he is and you are scared to tell Hanguang-Jun. Right?” Jin Ling asks. Both Lan nod. „So what is your Plan? Surely you have a plan right?” „Not really. First of all we wanted to look around hoping to find him hiding somewhere.” Sizhui replies. „Then let’s go, I really don’t want to know what Hanguang-Jun is going to do when he hears the news.” Jingyi says, Jin Ling and Lan Sizhui agreeing.
They search everywhere they can think of but nothing, no little black fox in sight. It’s now afternoon and they still haven’t found their Senior Wei. „We need to tell Hanguang-Jun.” says Sizhui „Are you nuts?!” Jin Ling replies. „He is going to punish us.” Jingyi says whiningly. „If someone can find Senior Wei that’s definitely Hanguang-Jun.” Sizhui says. „So you still haven’t found him?” Sect Leader Jiang asks. The Juniors startle „Sect Leader Jiang” „JiuJiu!”
„No we still haven’t found him” Jingyi answers. Suddenly Jin Ling grabs Jingyi and Sizhui by their shoulder and drags them to the back „If we can’t tell Hanguang-Jun then my uncle can help us find him!” Jin Ling explained. They look over to Jiang Cheng, the later with the usual scowl on his face, waiting for an explanation. „I don’t know… are you sure he will help us?” Jingyi asks „I think he will. He does still care for Senior Wei even if he won’t say it.” Sizhui replied. Jin Ling nods. They turn around, Sizhui inhales and explains the situation to Sect Leader Jiang.
„So you are telling me that Wei Wuxian got turned into a fox pup again and while you were meant to keep an eye on him he got scared and ran away?” he confirms. The Juniors nodding in union. Jiang Cheng sighs, the Juniors still a little anxious, waiting for Jiang Cheng’s answer. „So where did you search?” he asks them. „Does that mean you will help us ?” Jin Ling asks his uncle „Obviously. Or do want to go to Hanguang-Jun and explain this Situation to him?” The three young cultivators shaking their heads. „Thought so.” Jiang Cheng states.
„Where should we search next?” Jingyi asks. „Don’t. He will come out of his own.” Jiang Cheng stated. The Juniors looking at him in disbelieve. „Something like this has happened when he was younger and living at Lotus Pier. He usually hid either on a tree or near our Sisters quarters. One time he shifted unknowingly at night. He got scared of the thought that someone finds out and scolds him for that, so he ran away.” Jiang Cheng tells them. „How did you find him?” Sizhui asks. „We didn’t. A-Jie and I took a break from searching to eat some sweet Lotus seeds, he probably was hungry and smelled the sweet Seeds and came out of his own.” Jiang Cheng continues and chuckles. „So my guess is that if we set up a trap to lure him out, he will come. Bring some sweet fruits and a plate.” He demands. The Juniors hurry of to the kitchen. They quickly come back with a big plate of various sweet fruits, they hand over to Sect Leader Jiang. The later placing the plate on a rock. „Are you sure he will come out on his own?” Jin Ling asks his uncle „Do you trust me or not?” Jiang Cheng argued „He will come out. First of all I’m sure he is hiding somewhere here since there are no trees here he could climb in his state, he is not in the back hills and we are near the kitchen and second since he is gone since morning he’s probably hungry” he explains. As he set up the trap he goes back hides slightly, gesturing the juniors to follow him.
They hide and wait. They didn’t need to wait long, after a little while they heard leaves rustle. „Sshh” gestures to the Juniors who go deadly silent.
They observe how the little fox slowly and wary makes his way to the fruit plate. Sniffing it before he takes a bite then another. While the little fox eats he doesn’t hear Jiang Cheng who slowly and carefully makes his way to him.
As Jiang Cheng carefully makes his way to Wei Wuxian he observes him and watches his steps as not to startle Wei Wuxian. The later eating the sliced fruits. But when Wei Wuxian looks up he sees how Jiang Cheng tries to come closer. He gets scared and tries to run away again, but Jiang Cheng is quicker and catches him with practice ease. „Got you” Jiang Cheng exclaimed. Wei Wuxian who didn’t expected this squirms and makes noises clearly trying to free himself.
„JiuJiu” „Sect Leader Jiang” the Juniors exclaimed. „How did you managed to catch him this fast?” Jin Ling asks his uncle as he Jingyi and Sizhui make their way over to Jiang Cheng „I already told you. Situations like this often happened when he was younger.”
„A-Ying, we’re sorry everything’s all right. You did nothing wrong. No need to be scared.” Sizhui tries to reassure the little fox to make him feel save. The later looking at him with big round grey eyes, not struggling anymore. Instead it seems like he feels safe in Jiang Cheng’s arms. „I’m sorry for scolding you” Jingyi also apologizes and bows to the little fox. „Yip” the little fox answers and sticks his nose up in the air. Jiang Cheng strokes Wei Ying between his ears, and the little foxes relaxes even more in his arms.
As they make their way back to the library pavilion they can see Lan Zhan stepping outside. „Hanguang-Jun” the Lan disciplines greet him.
Lan Zhan makes his way over to the group „Sect Leader Jiang, Sect Leader Jin” he greets Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling, who return his greetings. He frowns as he spots his husband in Jiang Cheng’s arms. He is sure that something must have happened otherwise his husband wouldn’t be outside in Sect Leader Jiang arms. „What happened?” he asks Sizhui and Jingyi. The two junior’s seemingly uncomfortable answer „There was a little accident and Senior Wei ran away. As we were searched for him Sect Leader Jiang noticed and offered help.” Lan Zhan’s frown still present. Seeing this Jiang Cheng intervened „Nothing serious happened, no one got hurt everything’s all right so let it be Lan Wangji.” Lan Zhan sighs, letting it go. He looks at his husband. „Wei Ying” he says. Said person looking sleepy at the one who called him.
After everything that happened today Wei Ying got sleepy, with Jiang Cheng petting him he slowly drifted to sleep, trying hard to resist. He nearly missed it when the new face called his name. He feels safe and secure so he lets himself drift off to sleep. He curls himself in to little fluff ball and falls asleep.
Jiang Cheng noticed Wei Yings movement and looks down, seeing how the little fox curled himself in to sleep. „I guess it’s getting late. I should go and find Sect Leader Lan to ask for a room to be prepared.” He says with the intention of handing the fox over.
Lan Zhan seems to understand and opens his arms to take the little fox in. He nods „Thank you” he replies bevor turning around and leaving, probably heading to the Jingshi.
Lan Sizhui and Jingyi follow them. Jin Ling stays with his uncle looking at him. „What are you looking at brat?” „I just wondered how you knew all these things.” Jin Ling asks. “Your quick reaction and the way you handled him.” Jiang Cheng sighs and replies „It’s experience. Contrary to now Wei Wuxian was rather shy and scared when he came to Lotus Pier. On top of that he hated baths but got dirty often. He still had to learn to shift when he wanted to he had to take baths in his fox form. In order for us to not get hurt we had to learn how to react quick so he doesn’t scratch us and we don’t hurt him.”
Telling his nephew this Jiang Cheng gets a flashback of a time they were younger.
Wei Ying got himself dirty again in his fox form, still not able to shift probably he had to take a bath in his animal Form. A servant tried to get him into the bathtub, Wei Ying clearly displeased spread all his limbs from him, holding onto the tub he tried as best as he can not to get into the tub. At the end the servant succeeded in getting Wei Ying into the water, Jiang Yanli came to help wash Wei Ying. Jiang Cheng also helping, dried his brother off. „Stop wriggling or do you want to catch a cold” He scolded him back then.
They often fought in their animal form so Jiang Cheng knows that fox scratches and especially fox bites hurt like hell. Of course Madam Yu caught them and punished them by kneeling in the ancestral hall.
„One thing I can tell you is fox scratches and especially fox bites are painful as fuck, so you better avoid them” Jiang Cheng tells his nephew before he makes his way to Lan Xichen.
The next day Wei Ying is still in his fox form, now more comfortable with the people around him. They play with him all day long, Lan Zhan goes to the library again. Jiang Cheng joins Lan Xichen for tea and join the Juniors in watching over the fox, it’s a peaceful day.
Lan Zhan returns from the library without any useful information. They all go to bed in hopes to the break the curse soon.
The next morning Lan Zhan wakes up to a sudden weight on his body. He opens his eyes to see what’s on top of him. He sees his husband in his human form. „Wei Ying” he says breathless. Said person waking up due to the shift in position „Hm? Lan Zhan” he mumbles sleepy. Lan Zhan still unsure if what he sees is real hugs his husband to confirm that its true. „Lan Zhan” Wei Ying giggles „Mn” he answers. They spent what feels like an eternity together cuddling hugging each other and Lan Zhan pampering Wei Ying with kisses.
Lan Zhan explained what happened the last two days because it seems like he doesn’t remember.
„Whoah seems like a lot has happened and that I caused a lot of trouble again unwillingly.” Wei Ying says and laughs. „Mn” Lan Zhan answers.
As the day went on Wei Ying apologized to everyone for causing trouble. The Juniors and him spending time together (Lan Jingyi saying that he would have enjoyed spending more time with the little fox, everyone laughing at this comment) even Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen joined them in the afternoon for tea.
At the evening in the Jingshi, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan cuddling in bed. „Lan Zhan?” he asks „Hm?” Lan Zhan answers. „This accident of the past two days made me remember a memory of when I was younger. When I was younger, I had troubles with shifting which caused me to get dirty often in my fox form. At that time I really hated baths. Shijie and a-Cheng often helped me to hide this from Madam Yu. There was a time where I was really scared and hiding in my room. They searched everywhere, a-Cheng finally found me hiding in my room. He picked me up and delivered me like a package to Shijie and the bathtub. Shijie was really gentle while washing my fur. She immediately noticed I was cold when she put me outside. Her hands were very gentle all the time taking her time. After the bath Shijie and even A-Cheng rushed my tails, it was so nice, so relaxing. I felt so good that I fell asleep. Shijie giggling at this and A-Cheng only letting out a huff while smiling.” Wei Ying tells his husband. Lan Zhan listens to husband, gently running his fingers through Wei Yings hair.
They spent the rest of the evening cuddling, basking in each other’s presence until they fell asleep.