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When a huli jing was amongst the guest cultivators to the Cloud Recesses, everyone was surprised that the Jiang Sect kept him a secret for so long. Out of all the hybrids, huli jing were the rarest of them all. Most hadn’t seen one in the last decade or so.
Wei Wuxian was the Jiang Sect’s first disciple and therefore sent with the Jiang heir and other disciples to the Cloud Recesses. True to huli jing reputation, Wei Wuxian was a troublemaker. Challenging elders during their teachings, speaking loudly during meals, sneaking out, drinking alcohol, and even sneaking animals into the Cloud Recesses. Just to name a few rules he broke during his first week in Gusu!
His most egregious offense was harassing Lan Qiren’s youngest nephew, Lan Wangji. The huli jing seemed obsessed with the second young master, seeking him out whenever he could. Even after Lan Wangji caught him sneaking out and reporting him to Lan Qiren for discipline. Nothing seems to deter him.
The Lan Sect was full of dragon hybrids. Dragons that were reluctant to opening their gates to the other sects due to their private and elusive nature. They lived in the high mountains of Gusu. Close to the clouds.
It had been decided that they would share their knowledge with the sects during the last cultivation conference. The other sects would follow suit.
Majority of the Sects were intimidated by the dragons and respected them immensely. This huli jing did not.
Wei Wuxian could be found tailing the young Lan dragon, poking fun at his reserved nature and asking unnecessary questions about dragon habits and such.
No one would have guessed he would have somehow wormed his way into Lan Wangji’s heart. The Second Jade of Lan, the pinnacle of restraint, the model Lan disciple for everyone to follow. The one that Lan Qiren would send to watch over that wild huli jing during detention.
It was precisely those detentions that led to this strange friendship.
No one, especially Lan Qiren, would have expected this outcome.
It was the soft “Wei Ying” that was heard one day that shook the whole Sect. To hear the usually stoic face, icy voice dragon speak in such a gentle tone to anyone, let alone Wei Wuxian, shocked the Lan elders. Especially Lan Qiren.
“Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian calls out to the young dragon when he emerges from a building, having been waiting for the second young master. His nine tails were put away, replacing with just one wiggling tail as he bounces towards Lan Wangji.
“Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji approaches his new friend, face softening.
Nearby disciples gasped, whispering to themselves. Lan Wangji turns to them, eyes narrowing. “Do not gossip,” he warns them icily.
“A-Apologies, Lan-shixiong!” They bow and scurry off at a Lan pace because running was forbidden in the Cloud Recesses. No one had the guts to point out to Lan Wangji that Wei Wuxian had just broken a rule by calling out to the dragon loudly.
“Aiya, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian admonishes playfully, touching his arm. Another surprise. Everyone knew that Lan Wangji hated any kind of touch. Keeping everyone at a distance. The only person he seems to tolerate any kind of touch was his older brother.
Until now, that is.
“Don’t be so harsh on your shidi!”
Lan Wangji doesn’t react to the touch. Doesn’t tell Wei Wuxian to remove his hand. He lets it be. In fact, as they begin walking, he allows Wei Wuxian to cling to him even!
If Lan Qiren saw this brazen display of affection, especially with his youngest nephew, he’d Qi Deviate on the spot!
To get away from prying eyes, the pair disappear to a small meadow just outside of the Cloud Recesses. Wei Wuxian had found a crack in the tall walls of the Cloud Recesses and led Lan Wangji to it, both able to sneak wedge through it. It was a tight fit for the young dragon, but he manages it.
They didn’t want to be detected leaving the Cloud Recesses.
What everyone didn’t know is that something else blossomed between the two. Something more than a friendship.
Finally alone, Lan Wangji presses a kiss to the huli jing’s lips. It’s a soft, chaste kiss. A kiss shared between two innocent teenagers just starting out in a relationship.
They settle in a quiet little meadow of blossoming flowers. As they sit, Lan Wangji’s long dragon tail coils around the two. Almost as if acting like a protective barrier to surround his beloved.
“Er-gege,” Wei Wuxian flutters his eyelashes, his nine tails springing forth and dancing around him in delight. Lan Wangji adores the way Wei Wuxian lets his tails out around him. A huge sign of trust from the fox.
“I’ve corrupted you, haven’t I?” he teases the dragon as he leans into his personal space. “Before you would scold me and drag me back by the scruff of my neck! Now, you’re sneaking out with me!” Wei Wuxian throws his head back as he laughs as Lan Wangji’s face softens.
“Mn,” Lan Wangji hums in agreement. “I have been corrupted.”
Another bright laugh falls from the huli jing’s lips as he collapses into the dragon’s lap. Wei Wuxian curls into his lap, his fluffy tails wrapping around Lan Wangji’s waist. Lan Wangji’s arms find their place around the fox’s body and pulling him close.
With Wei Wuxian’s influence, they were able to find quiet moments like these more often. At first, Lan Wangji was a bit trepidatious about breaking his Sect’s rules. Rules that had been drilled into him since the moment he could understand words.
Then, the huli jing awakened something in him. Something he didn’t know what was missing in his life and he clung to it.
Clung to it so tightly, afraid to let it go.
It’s said that dragons only love once and Lan Wangji knows this to be true after spending so much time with Wei Wuxian.
He’d do everything within his power to keep the huli jing by his side. Even going against his own sect’s rules.
“You must truly like me to break your sect’s rules!” Despite his teasing tone, Lan Wangji has picked up on these little mannerisms. Wei Wuxian’s need for his attention. His need for validation.
And Lan Wangji was more than happy to give him everything he wanted.
“Mn,” he hums in agreement, ears glowing red.
Wei Wuxian buries his face in his hand. “Lan Zhaaaan!” he whines dramatically, wiggling in the dragon’s lap. “Agreeing so easily to this one’s teasing! My heart can’t handle your sincerity! You have to be careful! My heart is too delicate for your honesty!”
“Apologies,” Lan Wangji murmurs, lips twitching into the smallest of smiles. “I’ll do better to take care of Wei Ying’s heart.”
To this, Wei Wuxian lifts his flushed face and giggles. His cheeks a perfect shade of pink, spreading all the way down his neck. It almost makes the dragon curious. Curious to see how far his blushing goes.
“You better!” Wei Wuxian’s eyes twinkle with mirth as he taps at his dragon’s chest. “If we are to be mates then I can’t have my mate tormenting my poor heart!”
Lan Wangji’s eyes flash at the thought. They were young, their relationship still fairly new, yet Lan Wangji knows in his heart the fox was his future mate.
Apparently, Wei Wuxian knew it, too.
“I’ll take good care of my future mate’s heart,” Lan Wangji reassures him.
Wei Wuxian brightens at his words. As if waiting for the dragon to confirm what he wanted to hear.
“Er-gege, you spoil me so!” Wei Wuxian rests his head on his chest.
Lan Wangji holds his beloved close, wishing they could stay like this forever.
Wei Wuxian’s fox ears tickle his chin, flickering against his skin every so often. The huli jing’s tails stay securely wrapped around the dragon’s body.
Wei Wuxian knows that this dragon is his. Just like dragons, huli jing will only mate once in their life. Once they know they found their fated one, they will refuse to let them go.
It’s one of the few things he remembers his parents telling him as a child before they had died. His parents loved each other. They were nothing like Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan. That’s how he knew what they said was true.
When they first met, Wei Wuxian felt such a strong pull towards the dragon that he knew. That Lan Wangji was his fated person and he couldn’t leave him alone after that.
Knowing the dragon feels the same delights the huli jing to no end.
“I wish we could stay like this forever, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian murmurs into his chest.
“Me, too, Wei Ying,” Lan Wangji kisses the crown of his head.
Lifting his head, Wei Wuxian smiles at his dragon before he brings himself close enough to press their lips together. His eyes flutter shut as Lan Wangji returns the gentle kiss.
Wei Wuxian’s heart pounds against his ribcage, body tingling all over as Lan Wangji’s hold on him tightens.
“Lan Zhan, Lan Zhan,” the huli jing says breathlessly, breaking their kiss to beam up at the dragon. “I like you so much!”
Lan Wangji’s eyes soften as he gently caresses his beloved’s face. The fox nuzzles his hand. “I like you so much, too, Wei Ying.” The dragon’s heart flutters in his chest. These feelings are still so foreign to him yet he welcomes it.
Being with Wei Wuxian was the easiest thing he’s ever done.
Both lean in again, never tire of kissing one another.
They know they don’t have a lot of time right now. Soon they will have to return to the Cloud Recesses before someone goes searching for them.
Until then, the two happily exchange chaste kisses. Soaking up this little bit of paradise they created for themselves.