Xiantober 2023 - Day 2: Dragon!Xian
Word Count: 3,814 Pairing: Wangxian Tags: Immortal Dragon Wei Wuxian, Sacrifice Lan Wangji, Misunderstood dragon
“The sacrifice has been chosen.”
“Old man Lan isn’t going to like this.”
“He doesn’t have to like it. All of us suffer for this beast!”
“...Right you are.”
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“What?! Wangji? But why? I-” A pause.” I am older so I should be the sacrifice!” Lan Xichen looked at his uncle in disbelief. Of course, no one wanted to be sent to the beast, but he couldn’t stand the idea of his little brother dying at the hands of the old God.
“You know that is not how it works, Xichen.” Lan Qiren mumbled sullenly, his head hung low as his gaze remained unfocused on his tea. He knew it was a chance. Every family that had two or more children were always hit. But his nephews were well past the normal age of sacrifice.
He thought… He thought that they had lucked out. He thought that his nephews were safe. Of course he had been too hopeful.
“We can’t just let them take him, Shufu! We… We can’t… I don’t want to lose him…”
“I know.I do not want to either.”
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Lan Wangji watched his brother and uncle for a moment before he did something that the Lans never did. He stepped forward and pulled them both into a tight hug. “Everything will be okay.” He said softly.
There were tears and lasting embraces before Wangji finally stepped back and bowed to his family before beginning the trek up the winding mountain stairs.
It took almost the whole day for him to reach his goal.
The gorgeous mountain pass had almost made him forget about his impending death. He paused in front of the gorgeous moon gate, noting the delicate plants and twinkling chimes that decorated the entryway.
A soft mist gathered around the gate, swirling mystically as Lan Zhan stepped forward, chimes echoing around as he passed through the archway. As soon as he passed through, the thin air from the mountain top suddenly felt much more breathable, and instead of a mountain top, Lan Zhan found himself standing in a massive field with thick, luscious grass, and wild flowers speckled all throughout the field. The starlit sky was now bright and blue with a blazing sun high above.
In the far back of the field were dozens of trees, speckled across the horizon in a beautiful forest, but just in front of the trees was a beautiful cabin. He briefly wondered what it was for.
In the center, however, was the object of his concern.
Larger than any creature he had ever seen, coiled around itself like a snake, was a massive, black dragon that glittered with flecks of red in the brilliant sunlight. Red horns and a mane trailed along its back. The creature was absolutely stunning. Despite his massive size, the dragon seemed much smaller as he coiled around himself, head resting on top of his own body as he slept.
Lan Wangji remained frozen, watching it for several long moments, but the creature never stirred. So all he could do was sit patiently and wait for it to wake so he could fulfill his role as the sacrifice.
He waited for some time until his own tiredness won out. With arms folded across his chest and his head tipped forward, he fell into a deep sleep, somehow, he didn't feel in danger despite his circumstances.
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Lan Wangji woke when the sky had shifted from a beautiful blue, mid-day, to a shimmering array of blues and purples and pinks. Stars began to freckle the sky and he was sure that he had slept for several hours, though given the shift of time when he passed through the moon gate, he wasn't sure how time worked here.
But his main focus was not on the glittering sky or the fireflies that began to flicker around the field. No. His golden gaze was focused on the massive dragon laying in front of him. His head, easily the size of a horse drawn carriage, rested mere inches away from him.
Large, beautiful silver eyes watched him curiously, never once blinking for fear of missing a movement. The dragon was breathing very slowly, very carefully, as if to not blow the poor human away with his breath.
Somewhere far behind the dragon, there was a heavy sound of something dragging through the grass, and it wasn't hard to piece together that it was the dragon's tail, slowly sliding from side to side in a lazy fashion.
For a moment, Lan Wangji sat very still, his gaze locked on the large silver eyes.
This dragon… really was magnificent, and he was sure fearsome, but the only feeling the human was getting from him, was curiosity.
"...Hello. I… apologize for falling asleep. I did not wish to wake you." Lan Wangji wasn't sure if the old God could understand him or not. But he felt awkward having been asleep.
The dragon huffed a large puff of air through his nose, his two long, red whispers blew out, tickling either side of Lan Zhan.
Then, without warning, a voice emitted from the dragon. It was thunderous, yet somehow gentle at the same time. The timbre was lovely, but Lan Wangji could feel a sense of… resignation… Loneliness, in his voice.
"You did not run?"
"No. I was chosen, so I will fulfill my role."
The dragon lifted his head, easily towering over Lan Wangji.
"Surely, you do not wish to die."
"...I do not, but death comes for all of us. If my death keeps my family safe, then I will accept it without complaint."
The dragon hummed, standing up onto his feet before a bright light emitted from him, quickly followed by a gust of wind. Lan Wangji had to shield his eyes, but when he opened them, he was no longer face to face with the dragon. Instead, in front of him was the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on.
"I will allow you to leave." He said quietly, "but you will have no recollection of your life up to this point."
Confusion and shock flickered through Lan Wangji's golden gaze. "What?"
He took a few steps forward and crouched down in front of him. Lan Wangji could see the same, beautiful silver eyes with dark slitted pupils. His tanned skin was freckled with black and gray scales reminiscent of his dragon form.
He truly was the same as the magnificent beast he saw.
"You will travel through the forest behind me until you reach the moon gate. When you pass through, you will have no memory of your life up to this point. But you will be alive and safe." He stood and turned to leave, but without thinking Lan Wangji grabbed his hand.
"Why would you just let me go? You demand these sacrifices and yet–"
"I demand nothing." The dragon said simply. "Many years ago, a mortal came to my realm and asked for me to aid in battle. I saw through his lies, painting himself and his people as victims, when in truth, they were the villains. So I destroyed their armies. As thanks, tributes were made to me. At first they were reasonable things, like food or money."
He frowned. "But eventually, they began to send humans. My existence began to warp to the humans of your world. They pray to me for protection, and offer me humans as sacrifice, I do not require any such thing. But I also do not align with any one kingdom in the mortal realm. I protect who is deserving of it."
"Then why not tell the humans?! Why accept the sacrifices and then make us lose our memories?"
"I have tried, but they still believe that I will change sides unless they provide sacrifices." He sighed. "Once a mortal passes through the moon gate, they cannot return to the mortal realm without sacrificing something. It signifies birth and renewal. The birth of a new life, in this case." He pulled his hand free.
"So go… you are free to leave."
"...and what will happen if I do not leave?"
"Then you stay here. Just as you are. But what kind of life would that be? A life of solitude is not one I would wish on anyone."
"...do you live a life of solitude?"
He glanced over his shoulder at him before he turned away again. "The path to the second moon gate is straight through those woods. You should go."
The dragon shifted once more, returning to his massive form before he took off to the skies.
Lan Wangji watched him go before he hesitantly stood and headed towards the woods.
It took him an hour of walking before he found the gate in question, yet, he could not bring himself to walk through.
He did not wish to forget his family, but also, he would be lying if he said the dragon did not ignite a curiosity inside of him…. So he turned around and returned to that field, stopping at the cabin near the forest. He could see smoke coming from its chimney, and he wondered if the dragon lived here.
A quick peek through the window confirmed his suspicion and he decided to leave him be for now, making his own make-shift shelter nearby.
The next morning, the dragon exited his home to find Lan Wangji nearby, and his silver eyes widened. "You are still here?"
"Yes. I do not wish to lose my memories."
"..." the dragon watched him for a moment, never before had a sacrifice chosen to stay. But he would not get his hopes up. He was sure the man would leave shortly. So for now, he invited him into his home.
Lab Wangji learned that the dragon's name was Wei Ying, and he learned that he was very good at hiding who he was.
He spoke distantly, as if trying to keep a wall between them, but when he wasn't careful, glimmers of his true self would slip through.
He got excited when he learned about things from the human world. He grew angry when he learned of wars, no matter how distant.
He spoke fondly of humans, but there was always a twinge of sadness.
With his makeshift home forgotten, Lan Wangji began to live with the dragon. Slowly, he chipped away at that wall, each day growing a little closer to the creature.
He was lonely.
Thousands of years he was confined to this realm, only permitted to leave by the other Gods when he received enough prayers. A punishment for the war he aided in, some several thousand years ago. The war that started the offerings.
When you finally got him talking, Wei Ying really never stopped. He talked about his realm, his cottage, his garden. Oh he was so very proud of his garden. He talked about the humans he has met in the past, he talked about his skills and abilities. He talked about flying, and how feeling the wind in his mane is the most wonderful feeling in the world.
Lan Zhan found himself enchanted by the dragon. The beautiful, lonely dragon, who is surprised to see Lan Zhan there every morning. He loves to listen to him speak, to hear him describe his centuries of life, or to ramble about his plethora of knowledge.
But most of all, Lan Zhan loves when the dragon smiles. Or when he laughs. Both make Lan Zhan feel lost in a sea of adoration.
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By his calculations, he has been in the dragon's realm for three months now, and every morning, he hides a smile as Wei Ying gets excited when he sees Lan Zhan has once again, not left the realm.
The look of surprise that is quickly replaced by a soft happiness and a barely concealed giddiness is what makes Lan Zhan feel weak in the knees.
Lan Zhan takes to making their food for them, delighting in the way his dragon preens and praises his cooking.
There was even a day where Lan Zhan sat there with a brush and brushed out every inch of the dragon's magnificent red mane.
As more time began to pass, the dragon and the human began to grow closer together, relishing in each other's company.
They spent most nights laying in the field, watching the stars as Wei Ying stayed curled up around Lan Zhan, allowing the human to lay comfortably on him.
The more comfortable the dragon became, the more Lan Zhan realized… he was falling in love with him. With his smile, with his laugh, with the adorable little pout he got when Lan Zhan scolded him for talking while eating.
Lan Zhan got to see a side of him that he was certain no one had ever seen before.
There were times he would wake in the middle of the night and find his companion missing from their shared room, and when he would go look for him, he would find him dancing amongst the fireflies, or singing under the stars.
One time, when the human caught him dancing, Wei Ying pulled him into the field with him, spinning around with him and laughing as they swayed to a music that no one but them could hear.
Then one day, Wei Ying seemed to change. He became quiet and distant. Lan Zhan wasn’t sure what was wrong.
He fed the dragon his favorite food, making sure to add extra spice. He warmed him a bath, offered to brush his mane, tried to coax him for a walk… But Wei Ying denied all of it.
Wei Ying even went to bed before Lan Zhan did. In the morning, Wei Ying was nowhere to be seen.
Lan Zhan searched the forest behind their now-shared cabin for hours, he kept his eyes on the sky, hoping to find his sweet dragon, but he saw no sign of him. It wasn’t until much later in the evening when he finally found him.
Wei Ying was sitting against the wall beside the moon gate that Lan Zhan had originally entered through. His dark robes had blended into the deep green foliage around the gate, but he rested against the wall with his eyes closed. He looked… sad.
Lan Zhan didn’t know what was troubling his dragon, but he wanted so badly to take away whatever pain he was feeling. “Wei Ying…” His voice was full of relief upon seeing him. “I have been searching for you, what are you doing over here?”
Slowly, the dragon opened his eyes, letting the silver orbs rest on the human for a moment before he stood. “I was waiting for you.”
“Waiting for me? Here?”
“Yes.” He closed the distance between them, stopping a mere few inches from the human. “Lan Zhan,” He asked gently. “Do you know how long you’ve been here?”
“I… do not.” He shook his head.
“Almost a year now.” Wei Ying said lightly, and Lan Zhan was struck by the realization.
“Has it really been that long?”
“...It has.” He nodded before carefully taking Lan Zhan’s hand and pressing something small and cool into his palm.
“This is for you, Lan Zhan.” His gaze remained on Lan Zhan’s, but it wasn’t hard to hear the way his voice echoed with something that the human hadn’t heard from him in some time.
He was sad.
He was lonely.
Wei Ying pulled away from Lan Zhan and stepped around him,walking back towards the cabin before he paused and turned back to face the human.
Lan Zhan whirled around to face his dragon, confusion in his gaze before he looked down at what was given to him.
In the palm of his hand was a small jade token with an elaborate carving of a dragon. He closed his fist around the cool stone and looked back at Wei Ying, clearly confused. “What is this for?”
“That token will allow you to pass through the gate behind you. The one you came through. Unlike the gate in the forest, no one can pass through it once they enter my realm. Unless they have that jade token.” He gestured lightly to his hand. “You can return home, Lan Zhan.”
“Return… home…?”
“Yes. You can see your family. You can tell them I do not require nor want any more sacrifices.” He gave him a smile, but it was not the smile he had come to love. It was small and full of sorrow. “I know your family will be excited to see you. You should go. I believe it is early morning on the other side of the gate.” He urged gently before turning, his body shifting into his long, serpent like form before he took off towards the sky, not giving Lan Zhan a chance to ask any further questions.
For a moment, all Lan Zhan could do was stand there. He watched as his dragon flew off, weaving slowly through the air. His golden gaze landed on the token once more before he frowned. Why was Wei Ying so sad?
He shook his head and hurried through the gate. He had a lot he needed to do.
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Lan Zhan’s return to the village was… unexpected. The confusion and surprise that etched itself into everyone’s expressions was somewhat comical.
“You’re alive!”
“The beast didn’t eat you?”
“Have you slain the creature?!”
“Was he dissatisfied with our pick?”
“What sort of hell will he unleash upon us?!”
The accusations and slander itched at Lan Zhan’s nerves, irritating him more than he had ever felt before. How dare they think that Wei Ying would harm anyone! “He is no beast.” He said flatly. “He has no intention of harming anyone here. But he does not want any more sacrifice.”
“What?”
“He does not want you sending any more of your family to him to appease him. If you want to appease him, send him food or wine. But he said he does not even need those. So please,
no more sending your family to him.”
Confusion swept over the crowd, but the people were quickly ushered aside as two figures hurried forward.
“Wangji!”
“Did!!”
Lan Zhan’s features relaxed and he stepped forward to meet his uncle and his brother, hugging them both tightly as he had the day he left.
Lan Qiren hurriedly ushered his nephew back home, setting him down with tea. “You’re home.. Oh thank the heavens.”
“Wanji, we have missed you so much, we thought… We thought we would never see you again.”
“Mn. I have missed you both as well.” He nodded lightly. “But, I am not here for long.”
“...What?”
“I came to visit, and to get some things, but I need to return to Wei Ying.”
“Wei Ying?”
“Yes… Wuxian the dragon.”
“... You are returning to him?”
“Yes. He has been upset the past few days, and I am not certain why, so I wish to bring some things to him.”
“Wangji, but… you’re… you’ve been returned to us, why would you go back to him?” Lan Qiren frowned, not understanding what his nephew was thinking.
Yet, Xichen seemed to understand. “...Will you return to visit again?”
“Mn. I believe so. Wei Ying did not explain how my token works fully, but I do not think it is a one time use. So I will try to visit once a month moving forward.”
Xichen nodded and gently squeezed his brother’s shoulder. “I am happy for you, didi. You seem happy.”
“I am. Wei Ying makes me very happy.”
Qiren glanced between the brothers, still unsure, but the relief that his nephew was alive and well sated him for now, as well as the promise of future visits.
For the night, Lan Zhan stayed with his family, telling them all about Wei Ying. Then in the morning, he gathered some supplies and made his way back up the mountain.
Stepping through the moon gate this time was as surreal as the first time he had done it. The dark evening sky shifted to the clear blue of early day and the luscious field welcomed him with a gentle breeze.
His gaze scanned the field until he found the large, coiled figure he was searching for. Sound asleep in the sun just as he had been the first time he arrived. How nostalgic.
He heard the gentle chimes from behind him, signifying someone had entered the realm, but the dragon did not stir.
Deciding he should let him sleep, Lan Zhan made his way to their cabin and set his belongings down before he began to prepare Wei Ying’s meal for when he awoke.
When his dragon did not come in by the time the food was done, Lan Zhan went to fetch him, stopping just a few feet in front of him, still sound asleep.
The human took a moment to admire his dragon. His large, imposing form that looked so small when curled up like this, yet still larger than a house. His glittering scales, and magnificent mane. He really was stunning in all forms.
Carefully, he stepped forward and pressed his hand to Wei Ying’s snout. “Wei Ying, it is time to wake up.”
The dragon stirred lightly, shifting in his sleep until his eyes opened slowly, pupils dilating slightly as his vision came into focus.
“Lan Zhan?”
“Mn. It is time to wake, sleepy head.”
“You… came back?”
“Of course. I only went to see my uncle and brother. I also brought a few things for you, but I can tell you about my visit later, come, it is time to eat.” His hand stroked gently over the creature’s large snout.
For a moment, the dragon was silent, simply watching him before he pressed forward lightly, pressing his snout against the human, nuzzling him gently before he shifted back, his arms wrapping around Lan Zhan tightly.
“...Wei Ying?” He frowned, carefully wrapping his arms around his dragon’s human form, holding him close.
“You came back.” He said much softer this time. Lan Zhan finally understood.
Oh.
That was why he had been upset. He expected Lan Zhan to leave and never return.
He gave him a precious token to make the decision for himself. To decide if he wanted to leave. Wei Ying thought he would be alone again.
His hold tightened around Wei Ying and he nuzzled his face into that soft, black hair of his. “Mn. Will always return to Wei Ying.”
He heard the dragon’s breath hitch before he pulled back slightly, looking at Lan Zhan cautiously, his gaze searching for something.
Thankfully, this time, Lan Zhan understood, and without a word, he closed the gap between them, pulling the dragon into a soft, loving kiss.
Their first of many to come.
From now on, dragon nor human would ever be alone again.