Chapter Text
The air of the Cloud Recesses was crisp and invigorating, and the gentle breeze wrapped Xie Lian in the comforting scent of nature. The soil crunched under his steps as he leisurely hiked up the hillside. It was a picturesque landscape that rivaled the most sacred cultivation spots during the time of Xianle.
The young man in front of him bounced along, and his tightly bound black hair swayed from side to side with his every step. He was the picture of youth, whistling as he went without a care in the world.
It was almost enough to make Xie Lian forget that moments earlier, he’d been “kidnapped” by that very person – a young man named Wei Wuxian. He was a flirtatious, crude cultivator he’d met and befriended thanks to some mysterious transmigration magic that temporarily allowed their worlds to overlap.
Earlier that day, Wei Wuxian had shown up at Puqi Shrine entirely unannounced by using the magical dice that he’d conveniently “borrowed” from Hua Cheng during his last visit. It was quite fortuitous that he’d arrived when Hua Cheng was away, otherwise he’d likely have been pummeled to pieces.
He eagerly took the opportunity to steal Xie Lian and give him a gracious tour of his home.
Their first stop was a wide patch of lush grass, nestled under the cooling shade of a large magnolia tree. Spring was in full force, and thousands of delicate blossoms bloomed along the branches.
Beneath the protective cover of the tree’s swooping limbs, dozens of bunnies nestled up amongst the dew-dropped blades of grass. Some hopped about, some munched on the grass, and others lazily rolled out from the tree’s cover to bask in the sun.
Xie Lian froze. His eyes twinkled with life, and a rosy hue enveloped his fair cheeks. He’d never seen so many bunnies, let alone up close!
He repressed the overwhelming urge to jump in and become one of them. They looked like fluffy little dandelions, fluttering about in the wind. They were clearly well-fed, and their pudgy little bellies begged to be pet.
Xie Lian secretly wished he had more arms so he could snuggle them all at once.
The beautiful moment was interrupted by none other than Wei Wuxian, who loudly clamored about as he did what Xie Lian could only dream of and nose-dived into the pile.
The bunnies quickly scattered amidst his terrifying entrance, except for one. Its fur was jet black, and it boasted a proud expression as it confidently hopped towards Wei Wuxian.
“There you are!” Wei Wuxian said, giving it a few scratches under the chin. He picked it up and squished its chubby stomach.
It was only then that the rest of the herd settled down a bit, seeing that their unwelcome visitor had found his victim.
“You guys have been busy,” Wei Wuxian said with a whistle. The mass of bunnies surrounding him blanketed the grass like a field of snow.
He then spun around to face Xie Lian, who was still completely frozen in place.
“Xie Lian? What’s wrong? Get over here and play with these rascals!” he said, motioning to the empty spot next to him.
Xie Lian hesitated for a few moments, then daintily approached, using every effort to silence his already quiet footsteps.
“What the hell are you doing? They’re not poisonous,” Wei Wuxian said with a cackle. “Wait – don’t tell me. You’re not afraid of these little guys, are you?”
He shoved the black bunny in Xie Lian’s direction to test his theory. But Xie Lian continued to approach with gentle footsteps, and he gracefully settled himself down next to Wei Wuxian.
“They just look so peaceful,” he said with a soft smile. “I’d hate to disturb them.”
“Don’t worry – it’s fine,” Wei Wuxian replied casually. He continued to relentlessly poke and prod at the black bunny in his clutches, laughing as it desperately squirmed around.
Just as Wei Wuxian moved in for another tickle assault, a large white bunny suddenly leapt out and tackled his outstretched hand. It landed squarely on the ground and stared darkly at Wei Wuxian.
Seeing the white bunny come to its rescue, the black bunny began twitching feverishly, and it forcefully wriggled itself out of Wei Wuxian’s hands. It then eagerly nuzzled up against its companion, wiggling its tiny tail back and forth.
The white bunny leaned into the black bunny’s touch, and a faint blush spread to the tips of its long pointy ears. It gave Wei Wuxian one last stern glare before hopping off into the bushes with its partner.
Wei Wuxian laughed as he watched the rabbit couple scurry away, rattling the bushes that they’d landed in. He then laid down on the plush blanket of grass and glanced back up at Xie Lian.
“Well? Whaddya think?”
Xie Lian sat in perfect silence, as still as a statue, not daring to lift so much as a finger.
“It’s amazing,” he whispered, his eyes poring over the massive field of bunnies. “How did the Lan Clan come to acquire so many of them?”
Wei Wuxian kicked his legs up and down and echoed a carefree whistle.
“I found a pair of ‘em forever ago, back when I studied here. I gave them to Lan Zhan as a prank, but that little softie actually kept them! There were only two when I left. Imagine my surprise when I came back from the dead, and there were hundreds more!”
He suddenly shot back up and beamed a bright smile.
“Anyway, don’t just sit there. You came all this way - don’t you wanna hold one?”
He plucked a nearby bunny by the ears like a carrot and offered it to Xie Lian. The bunny desperately protested in Wei Wuxian’s grasp and eventually freed itself, escaping into the protection of the group.
“Can… Can I really hold one?” Xie Lian timidly asked.
“Of course! They won’t bite. Probably.”
Xie Lian nervously glanced around, and his outstretched hands trembled with anticipation. There were so many bunnies to choose from, and he wouldn’t dare offend any of them by picking favorites.
As he muddled about with indecision, a small bunny peeked its head out from behind the tree trunk. It had a long coat of beautiful white fur and stood an ear’s length shorter than all its companions. Its long, pointy ears bobbed up and down as it bounced towards Xie Lian’s feet.
“If it’s alright with you, m-may I hold you?” Xie Lian quietly asked. He didn’t dare pet it until he had received clear consent, though he wasn’t sure what that would look like coming from a rabbit.
Wei Wuxian clutched his sides and rolled around a few times in laughter.
“What’s with the formalities? Are you asking for its hand in marriage? It’s just a damn rabbit!”
But Xie Lian remained still, patiently waiting for the bunny’s answer. His eyes widened with disbelief when the white fluff ball happily jumped up to nuzzle his hand, offering a positive response.
“T-Then, please excuse me,” he said as he crouched down and gingerly swept the bunny into his arms.
He cradled it close to his chest, taking utmost care to hold it properly. From a glance, it looked like he was holding a piece of fine glass, and he trembled slightly at the mere thought of dropping it.
With the grace of a creaky ghost moving in slow motion, he lowered himself to a seated position.
After a few moments, he felt secure enough to finally touch the precious animal. He slowly ran his fingers along the bunny’s back, enjoying the soft sensation of its pillowy fur. A delightful smile danced across his face as the bunny leaned into his touch.
Though Xie Lian had ascended to heaven three times, he’d never actually gotten the chance to hug a cloud. He was convinced that it must’ve felt just like this.
“Wei Wuxian, does this little one have a name?”
“Mm, I gave that little guy a really good one. Don’t tell Lan Zhan, though. He doesn’t agree with my taste in names. You gotta keep it secret, ‘kay? C’mere. I’ll tell you,” he said, wagging a finger.
Xie Lian obediently shuffled over, carefully protecting the precious cargo in his arms. He was so focused on the little bunny that he failed to notice the mischievous twinkle in Wei Wuxian’s eyes as he whispered in his ears.
“I see,” Xie Lian said with an honest smile. “It’s a perfect name. It suits him.”
A little bubble emerged from the rabbit’s pink nose as it dozed off in Xie Lian’s tender embrace. However, the bubble popped at the sound of a sudden clamoring in the distance. The bunny shirked and nuzzled into Xie Lian’s chest.
A small group of young men, all garbed in pure white robes, huddled around the two of them. They excitedly chattered as they eyed Xie Lian up and down.
“Wei-qianbei! You’re back!”
“Who’s this? Does Hanguang-jun know you brought a guest?”
“Is he a cultivator like you?”
“Alright, alright. Settle down, boys,” Wei Wuxian said, waving them off. “This guy here is your senior. He’s a world-renowned cultivator from far, far away. Show him a little respect, OK?”
The junior cultivators straightened their postures, unaware that they’d been in the presence of such an important individual - though they couldn’t hide the confusion creeping on their faces.
This so-called esteemed, world-famous cultivator was delicately scratching the ears of a bunny without a care in the world. He looked more like a young maiden than a renowned fighter.
However, they couldn’t betray their innocent, curious nature, and they immediately surrounded Xie Lian, eager to appraise their interesting new guest.
“Daozhang, which sect do you come from?”
“Daozhang, can you give us a demonstration of your abilities?”
“Daozhang, where is your sword? What kind of cultivation do you practice?”
Xie Lian blushed bright red from all the attention and awkwardly hid his face behind the bunny. Wei Wuxian immediately swooped in to defend him.
“Alright, everyone settle down. No clamoring, remember? Unless you wanna spend the rest of the week upside down?” he said, gesturing towards the menacing wall of rules looming in the distance.
The children immediately hushed themselves and stood rigidly, frozen by the familiar fear of the Lan Clan’s punishment. But their young, curious eyes still gazed at Xie Lian expectantly.
Though he had scolded the young men for pestering his guest, Wei Wuxian was probably the most eager out of all of them to see Xie Lian’s skills. He’d known that Xie Lian was a cultivator but never actually had a chance to see him in action.
He leaned over and gave him a playful smile as he cupped his hands together. “Well? What do you say? A little show for the kids? Pretty please?”
Xie Lian smiled softly and exhaled a light sigh, then he carefully shifted the bunny into one arm.
“I suppose a little bit won’t hurt,” he muttered, a faint blush still lingering on his cheeks.
With the bunny safely tucked under his arm, he raised his other arm towards the sky, and a long silk band darted out from underneath his sleeves.
The children – Wei Wuxian included – watched with awe as the band danced and twirled about in the sky, bending itself into various shapes. First a flower, then a sword, then a rabbit.
The silk band swirled around a few more times before it wound itself around a large tree branch, gently shaking it a few times. The stunned crowd of onlookers suddenly found themselves blanketed in a light shower of blossoms.
“A-Amazing!”
“I’ve never seen cultivation like this!”
“Daozhang, please! Show us more!”
“Please, it’s nothing much. Just a simple little trick. I’m not that impressive, honestly,” Xie Lian said as he gently waved off their excessive praise.
The children clapped and stared in awe, running over to inspect the magical ribbon. They eagerly prodded Xie Lian for more, and he indulged them with a few stories - tales of subduing a ghost bride, fighting a water demon, and rescuing a young boy from certain death. His audience listened intently, some even scribbling down notes.
With his quick demonstration, Xie Lian had become the new celebrity of the Cloud Recesses.
As he tried to fend off the next wave of compliments, he felt something gingerly grace the top of his head. When he reached his hand up to investigate, he was surprised to feel the soft petals of a flower.
“It’s a flower crown,” one of the boys bashfully admitted, kicking the dirt around his feet. “Daozhang, you’re like a real-life prince!”
Xie Lian couldn’t help but smile. There had once been a time when he was showered with flowers everywhere he went, though those days had long passed. But strangely, he much preferred this intimate scene better. The flower crown atop his head carried more weight and value than any crown of gold.
The juniors tried to huddle around him once more, but Wei Wuxian shooed them away.
“Alright, that’s enough. Story time’s over. Get moving. You boys think you can get away with anything just because Hanguang-jun isn’t around. Go back to your studies. All this clamoring is going to earn you 50 days of punishment,” he ordered with a smile.
The boys quickly realized the error of their ways and bowed to their seniors before reluctantly shuffling back to their study hall, casting a few glances back towards their esteemed guest as they went.
Wei Wuxian brushed a few pink petals from his dark sleeves before turning to his companion. He wanted to laugh out loud at the sight of the dainty crown sitting on Xie Lian’s head but barely managed to rein it in.
“Alright, where were we? Should we move on to the next spot?”
Xie Lian nodded, but then hesitated as he looked down at the bunny in his arms. It had already fallen back asleep and lay limp against his chest. Though Xie Lian wanted to follow his eager host, he was loath to part with the tiny creature.
Wei Wuxian looked him up and down and quickly understood. “Wanna take that little guy with you?”
“If it’s not a bother…would that be OK?” Xie Lian asked.
“Of course! C’mon, let’s go.”
***
The next stop on their tour was the Library Pavilion.
Gentle light spilled in from the massive windows facing the well-maintained courtyard. Assorted books and scrolls lined every shelf. The room was impressively quiet and inspired deep stillness.
As Xie Lian spun around and admired the scenery, his thoughts weren’t of the books. Though Xie Lian was a glutton for knowledge and would spend days reading if he had the chance, all he could think about was his San Lang.
He pictured him curled up with a book beneath the warmth of the window, his vibrant red robes shimmering under the soft pools of light. Hua Cheng would beckon him over with a sly smile, and they’d snuggle up together and lose themselves in the worlds beyond those pages.
The beautiful vision was enough to make his cheeks go pink. Wei Wuxian’s teasing voice blew into his ear, yanking him out of his tender daydreams.
“Xie Lian, what kind of naughty things are you imagining?”
“It’s nothing like that,” Xie Lian replied bashfully, hiding his peach-twinged cheeks behind the bunny’s long white fur.
Wei Wuxian poked him in the side a few times, giving him an exaggerated wink before guiding him over to a sitting area beneath a large window. He ran around the room, carelessly tossing books out of the shelves.
Xie Lian settled himself onto a cushion and scratched the bunny’s ears a few times. In response, the little rabbit wiggled around and buried its tiny face between the waves of Xie Lian’s robes. After a few brief moments, its breathing slowed and steadied as it happily drifted into dreams.
Wei Wuxian plopped down next to them and eagerly waved a book in Xie Lian’s face.
“Finally found it! A naughty book for the naughty Xie Lian,” he said with a wink. Xie Lian dismissed him with a stern glance, yet he couldn’t hide his curiosity.
Though Wei Wuxian had wanted to show his guest some of his more erotic wares, they’d all been destroyed by the esteemed Hanguang-jun.
Wei Wuxian had pleaded with all his heart, arguing they’d make for great reference materials for their personal time. But Lan Wangji’s refusal was resolute.
After some sly prodding and teasing, Wei Wuxian had eventually learned that Lan Wangji wasn’t embarrassed – he just didn’t want his husband looking at other people’s nude bodies, real or art. That made Wei Wuxian happier than a clam, so he let the issue go.
So, without any tantalizing erotica to share with his friend, he settled on the next best thing he could find – a secret book filled to the brink with crude jokes.
He’d cleverly stored it away in a hidden compartment all those years ago, during his first stay at Gusu. The well-worn pages of the book were covered in lewd scrawls and drawings, courtesy of his younger self.
Xie Lian’s eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the things written within the book, but he couldn’t help but chuckle. He’d grown accustomed to Wei Wuxian’s humor and had developed a soft spot for his young companion.
Enveloped by the warm rays of sunshine shining through the windows, the two of them sat shoulder-to-shoulder, laughing together like young boys. The little bunny cozied comfortably into Xie Lian’s lap and occasionally wiggled its ears at the sound of their loud voices before drifting back to sleep.
As they chatted and flipped through the pages, Xie Lian caught sight of another group of young disciples walking past the large windows.
Though they were diligent Lan Clan members, their eyes still sparkled with childlike innocence and wonder. They excitedly talked amongst themselves with hushed voices, away from the watchful, judging eyes of their mentors.
Xie Lian silently watched them with a wistful gaze.
As a crown prince, he’d lived a sheltered childhood. Though he did once share a close companionship with Feng Xin and Mu Qing, they were ultimately his servants. As such, he’d never had the chance to live the raucous life of a schoolboy.
For Xie Lian, class meant solitary reading, or intense 1-on-1 tutorship with the most esteemed teachers in the land.
He’d sometimes secretly sneak out to get a glimpse of the other young men his age as they made their way to class. He’d watch them with envy as they ran amok, teasing each other with loud voices and playful roughhousing.
Though he’d felt immense gratitude and honor in his role as the Crown Prince, he’d always wondered what it would be like to live like them, even for just a single day. He yearned to be mischievous and to laugh under the sun as he shared snacks with friends.
He snuck a quick glimpse at the man giggling away next to him. Though he was clearly no longer a child, his every-present smile and cheeky laughter gave him the air of a boy at that pinnacle of youth.
In this little piece of paradise, safely tucked away in the comforting realm of the Cloud Recesses, Xie Lian smiled to himself. He'd finally gotten close to that long-gone dream.
“Wei Wuxian, did you spend much time here when you were younger?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Mm. Lan Zhan and I got into all sorts of trouble here.”
Xie Lian tilted his head and quirked an eyebrow. “Somehow, I have trouble believing Lan Wangji would allow such a thing.”
“Heh. You’d be surprised at what he lets me get away with,” Wei Wuxian replied with a mischievous, nostalgic gaze. What hadn’t he done in this room?
He pulled Xie Lian in by the shoulder and pointed towards the towering mountains in the distance.
“See that? From that cliff way up there, you can get a perfect view of everything. And over there is the best spot to catch pheasants. Oh, and that’s the best place to sneak out,” Wei Wuxian excitedly shouted, showing off the intimate knowledge that could only be gained through his role as the #1 troublemaker in the Cloud Recesses.
Xie Lian watched with fondness as his friend talked. It was easy to picture a young Wei Wuxian scampering about without a care in the world.
They huddled up close together and happily chatted. They were so engrossed in their conversation that they failed to notice the soft opening and closing of a door behind them.
***