#another wangxian sketch for you

[autisthottygoth]

Stolen moments

[mitchmotch]

my friend @revalito and i made an anastasia inspired au =]!

[indanmei]

Hi, and welcome to the New Year! Here’s a cute little Wangxian sketch for you—I hope you enjoy it!

Now, a few words from me, as it seems I’ve somehow become a center of controversy. Some people have voiced concerns about me using AI in my workflow, and while I understand their perspective, I don’t think it’s as big of an issue as it’s made out to be.

This particular sketch was drawn entirely in Procreate—no AI involved, for anyone wondering. But yes, I do use AI sometimes. I have a busy life and severe ADHD, which makes it hard to finish long projects. To help, I trained an AI model on my own art. I use it for things like corrections or coloring, allowing me to create more efficiently and, frankly, enjoy the process more.

Is it “cheating”? Maybe some think so, but I remember hearing the same arguments about Photoshop years ago. To me, AI is just another tool. It’s fun, it’s helpful, and it lets me finish work I might otherwise abandon.

Of course, I understand concerns about AI models trained on others’ art without consent—that’s a valid issue. But using a custom model trained on my own work? That feels perfectly fine to me.

What about you? Do you think AI in art is problematic or helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts—even if you think I’m in the wrong here. Let’s have a discussion about it!

Wishing you all a creative and joyful New Year.

[sasukimimochi]

So...i'm getting very attached to this Traveler LWJ LMAO

to explain tho these are the lan wangji designs for the two mermay au's cuz i have a bunch of little prompts to write and wanted some better mental visuals so i really wanted to do some designs haha- they're from the same worlds but the only difference is he's human in one and not in the other so i can get more creative with prompts. if i need to i might create a human counterpart for merji later but i dont think i need one yet.

i wanted to draw Traveler LWJ with merxian but i got too tired (i'm also supposed to be up by 1 and its past 9 am now i'm gonna die)

i couldn't get quite happy with merji but ehhhh? i think its just not my fav sketch. i dont dislike the design i think i just dont like the way i drew him (mainly his hair it's always his hair lmao)

but anyway i made two au's for all those mermay prompts-- the merji one has no development and its only aesthetic so maybe i'll get ideas after writing some about it. i wanna do some loose coloring for it before i do write any of them but for now this is enough for the first one i wanna write later lol

if you wanna see the process i streamed these on twitch!! these are the vods (i had to stop and start again cuz another crash happened, but luckily people were there to catch it this time!)

anyway that's all thank you guys for coming to the stream!!

im too tired to think of more things to say lmao (the au's don't have a name...time to think)

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Merji/Travelerji WIP (You are here). Wangxian Prompt 1 WIP Merxian sketch / Merxian 1 (nudity & wips included) Merxian 2 (sfw) / Merxian 3 (B&W) Wangxian Prompt 1 cont. sketch

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I created these two mermay au's for the mermay prompts i'm going to write.

Check out more art of this/other MDZS Projects on my masterpost! ❤

[pyjamacryptid]

artists self rec! when you get this, reply with your favourite five arts/sets/edits/gifs that you've done, then pass on to at least five other people. time to shine and spread some self-love and appreciation 🥰 <3

oh my god sia i am SO SORRY i am only just now seeing this ask it's been so long i am so so--

Sia!!!

This was so hard to choose wow.

FANVIDS FIRST:

I'm Sorry | Merlin & Arthur from BBC Merlin [tumblr link] [direct yt link]

This took me over 2 months and, so far, it's the best fanvid I've ever made. I'm ridiculously proud of it and I only have a tiny bit of shame in saying so XD. The finished product ended up far better than the original concept I had in my head. I wanted to make a video that focused on how Merlin and Arthur forgave one another; Merlin, since the day he met Arthur, and Arthur when he learned the truth. Because the core of their relationship was unconditional love, to their own strength and detriment. I cried almost each time I worked on it.

2. I Became Greedy | Kurosawa & Adachi from Cherry Magic [tumblr link] [direct yt link]

This took me about .. I want to say a month? I'm also proud of this one. Cherry Magic is a light-hearted BL j-drama that - at its core - is about the importance of reaching out to others, and the bravery of reaching out and accepting someone else's outreached hand. I eventually want to edit a video on the overarching meaning of the show. But I... am a sucker for pining lol and I was so taken in by Kurosawa's pining. It was so poignant, I was literally clutching my chest in sympathy pangs. So, I wanted to edit a vid that emulated that and focused just on that feeling. And I think I??? did!

3. it's not living if it's not with you | Wei Wuxian & Lan Wangji from The Untamed/CQL [direct yt link]

This was the second fanvid I had posted to my youtube channel and I used a lot of editing techniques I had never tried before, so I learned a lot! I wanted to show as many aspects of wangxian's story and relationship in one video as I could without mucking up the pacing or making it messy in general. I love the colour palette and font I chose. Something else I really wanted to achieve was using a light-hearted song with a sad meaning over both sad and happy scenes, because that's a recipe for EMOTION. And judging by the comments I got on this vid, I dare say I succeeded XD I had a lot of fun making this! Even if I got stuck on it for a month and then thankfully could finish it when I was hit with an epiphany. I also cried quite a bit while making it shkgjhdf

Listen. I have. Emotions.

ART:

4. A Favourable Misunderstanding | Merlin & Arthur [link to full comic here]

A meme re-draw turned into a fluffy comic because it took on a life of it's own and Merlin & Arthur are a force to be reckoned with when being idiots in love. I was also super proud of this! Despite the many styles in one comic (which is fine, I was just worried about nothing looking like it matched) I was happy with how I drew them! Especially as I find Merlin's face very difficult to get a grasp of, for some reason. And I was also proud of their characterisations! I still get so happy to see how well-loved it is, and so perhaps it doesn't need its own rec but what the hell. I love it, too hehe.

5. Balls the Unfathomable | a comic about a weirdly wholesome demon summoning [link to full comic here]

My friends and I, while on a call, fell into doing a bit. That lasted a really long time. And during it, I became a summoned demon nicknamed "Balls". No, I'm not joking. It was ridiculous and hilarious.

Thankfully, I remembered most of it and immediately tried to commit it to paper for - what I thought - was going to be a short, half-assed sketch comic. Nope. I ended up with a multi-page comic with clean lines and everything.

Funnily enough, I hadn't actually ever finished a multi-page comic before this. Not one so polished anyway. Balls has that effect on people, I suppose. skjdhjkfdg

So yeah, I was proud of finishing it, and of choosing a cute, simple style and sticking to it (cute, "less realistic" styles don't come easy to me, so I struggled more than you'd think trying to figure out how I was going to draw this skdjhkfg) and of how I structured the panels, especially when I really was just winging it. I do not know how to panel (yet).

Basically; I adore my friends and the fun we have together and I had to share this particular shenanigan and Balls themself. They've become a beloved character amongst my friends and I.

_________

That's it! Long-winded commentary and all.

Thank you again for the self-rec, Sia! 🥺💕💕💕

psst hey, you should go totally check out Sia's blog - she does amazing edits and gifs

[rnmyn]

But he looks like a bunny!!

This was a silly doodle I kept working on between tasks — just something soft and just really silly (except I did only find out that cinna was a puppy like less than three years ago??)

I miss drawing Wangxian and personal art in general ;-;

—

support me on ko-fi ☆

Bonus

[pakhnokh]

~ House of Gentians || Wangxian AU comic ~

~Synopsis~

An Alternate Universe set in canon MDZS world where Yiling Laozu Wei Wuxian admitted defeat and surrendered to the other sects of the cultivation world. However, hearing Lan Wangji's confession, which he doesn't care much for, he proposed to make a deal with Lan Wangji – he will return with him to Gusu just like the other always wanted to, and even marry him, all in order to have Lan Wangji’s word that the Wen remnants will stay out of harm.    

Wei Wuxian, being legally married to Lan Wangji, is now a member of Gusu Lan sect, and thus Lan Wangji can keep him out of harm. However Lan Wangji is bound to another contract as well: he promised to Lan Qiren and to the other sect leaders that the Yiling Laozu will stay confined in one place and never leave for the rest of his days. Thus, Wei Wuxian stays in the house that belonged to Lan Wangji’s mother, who shared almost the same fate as Wei Wuxian in the past.

Shattered, weak, defeated, golden-core-less and hopeless, Wei Wuxian takes what he believes to be his punishment, not believing that Lan Wangji actually wants to shelter him from harm, and not believing that he really loves him, thinking this all is some cruel joke.   Lan Wangji will have to deal with all that, earn Wei Wuxian’s trust and prove him his feelings are true.   

~Background of this project~

This comic started out completely randomly with just a quick sketch of Yiling Laozu (first drawing in the first arc). I imagined him confined in Lan Wangji’s mother’s house, married to him out of contract, and agreeing to do “wify-papapa” stuff with him with ambivalence, thinking it’s his part of the deal. The next few sketches are depiction of various scenes from that idea, but then slowly I started developing it into an organized continuous plot, and now I have ideas for the rest of it!  

People on twitter and beyond seemed to like it and it really motivates me to continue!  

~DISCLAIMER~  

“House of Gentians” is a non-profit fan comic uploaded publicly and has no claims for owning the characters, names, settings or any other parts of the original story. Printing and distributing this work is strictly forbidden!

Please support the original work by purchasing the Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation novel from the official publisher 

~ SUPPORT ~ You can support this project on my Patreon, where you will get each new part one week before it’s posted publicly. You can also participate in HoG chat room and see WIPs, sneak peeks, and share your thoughts. At the end of each arc supporters will get extra art and mini comics not posted publicly as well as a complete PDF of each arc :)

~START READING HOUSE OF GENTIANS~ ARC 1 ARC 2

ARC 3

[trans-yllz]

hmmm I want to finally do another one of my cql quote comics but I have like a million ideas so besties and beloveds I need your input here are the options:

- old summer reckoning by the blasting company for wei wuxian and wen qing

- mama by mcr for wei wuxian

- the "if you tame me" quote from the little prince for wangxian

- is there something in the movies by samia for yunmeng bros

- hello my old heart by the oh hellos for yunmeng bros (this one is actually already like half sketched and lined lmao)

- the mending of the gown by sunset rubdown for wei wuxian

- the "whether you come as a lover or an executioner" quote for wangxian

- tea, milk, and honey by oh pep for yunmeng bros

- milk by samia for jiang cheng/yunmeng siblings

[warandpussy]

WIP folder xoxo

Rules: post the names of all the files in your WIP folder regardless of how non-descriptive or ridiculous. Let people send you an ask with the title that most intrigues them and then post a little snippet of it or tell them something about it! And then tag as many people as you have wips.  I have deemed that this isn’t just for writing either. Sketch titles? Comics? Dnd campaigns? If you have an unfinished project, it counts!!

(Tagged by @ichabodcranemills thank u ana!)

Art WIPs

I guess I could post a preview of the final image? Idk idk 😂 I’ve been drawing more than I’ve been writing recently

Missy in oils (this one is sooooo close)

Another KP screencap redraw (vegaspete edition)

Ummmmmm porsche but he’s been tied up 😵‍💫

Writing WIPs

Some of these are originals rather than fanfic!

Wartican city (toad pope)

Jongle (he’s my personal homegrown meow meow - a jester who falls in love with the king)

Sad fake dating (wangxian edition)

Chess AU (also wangxian)

I just found something titled “nie sect” that I don’t remember writing

“Whumptober presumed dead” wow I also don’t remember that one

“13 missy swordfight”

“Aliens at the playboy mansion”

Ok tagging @meluisart @cactuswithacamera @riversofmars @sircarolyn @might-be-a-zygon @concernedlily @toraziyals BUT you don’t have to if you don’t want to

[jengarie]

#showyourprocess !

From planning to posting, share your process for making creative content!

To continue supporting content makers, this tag game is meant to show the entire process of making creative content: this can be for any creation.

RULES — When your work is tagged, show the process of its creation from planning to posting, then tag up to 5 people with a specific link to one of their creative works you’d like to see the process of. Use the tag #showyourprocess so we can find yours!

Thank you, @rinielle for tagging me! She chose the piece above (original post), and oh boy this one was a whole ass rollercoaster ride! Unfortunately, I hadn't turned on the timelapse feature for this but I'll try to go through each part of the process as best as I can!

The photos I'm gonna upload are gonna be a mix of screenshots and literal photos of my screen, because I'm taking some of them from my updates to friends, since a lot of the steps got lost in my painting process.

But before that, let me tag some other amazing creators!

@dragonji: this gif art!

@candicewright: this yibo painting!

@wendashanren: this gifset!

@mylastbraincql: this gif!

I haven't been able to keep track of who's been tagged so apologies if you've already done this! Also, no pressure to do it at all if you would rather not! <3

Planning

Sometimes, I get an idea first and find reference photos to go with that idea. But for this one, I sought out a reference photo first, and built an idea on top of it!

After that, I roughly sketch out the base pose. Usually, this looks very messy, but it doesn't really matter as long as I understand which part goes where!

The idea for the background didn't really come until the creation process because I don't think I really planned this to be a full piece.

Creation

Sketching

Honestly, from this point on, it's more of trial and error.

So, I redid the the initial base pose—made it cleaner and a little bit more detailed. See: the added definition in their arm muscles, the rearrangement of Wei Wuxian's legs, and Lan Wangji's hand on Wei Wuxian's back. If you look at the second photo, I also changed the pose a bit midway—I tend to edit as I go sometimes when I change my mind. (For this, I thought, given the Lan arm strength, it would be better to make Lan Wangji look more at ease carrying Wei Wuxian. This gets covered by the robes anyway though, so it didn't matter much in the end.)

I also started adding details to the base! I usually start with the face and then the hair! I usually go for the clothes next, but I dreaded the robes in this piece so I guess that's why I ended up with a basic idea of what I wanted for the background instead LOL I also figured out how I want the final crop to look like, so I blocked out all the other areas with an extra layer!

Okay, onto the part that killed me like ten times: the robes. There are a lot of interactions between their robes here given their pose, and not to mention they also have layers upon layers on each of them! So, to maintain my sanity and to keep track of which part is which, I color coded them into the most colorful sketch I've ever made.

Another reason why I filled in each layer of robe with a solid block of color, is so that all the lines underneath gets covered. Without all of the colors, the actual outline actually looks like the one on the right. What a nightmare!

I also ignored the crop again for this part, because it's always better to draw past your borders, in case you decide to rotate or tilt or whatever your piece later on. I didn't do the feet anymore though, because that I was sure wouldn't show in the final piece anymore.

After that, I did the sketch one more time and then started adding the base colors. (I didn't have a screenshot of just the base colors, and the final CSP file is a nightmare so I copy pasted the layers into a new canvas to show you guys :') )

By the way, I drew their robes flowing this way, because I wanted it to frame the lower arch of the moon behind them for the composition. It was a little frustrating that I couldn't get Lan Wangji's robes a little higher because of Wei Wuxian's legs but I later filled in the empty space with his forehead ribbon anyway, so it all worked out in the end!

Painting

Because apparently, I was a masochist back then, I merged the base colors all into one layer and started adding shadows to the robes. (These days, I add shadows first and then, merge. It's much easier this way.)

And then, I started painting! Again, I did the face first and then the hair, before finally the robes. This was my first time painting side profiles and honestly it was quite a pain to figure out LOL but !!! I think I did a good job and I'm proud of how it turned out. I again used reference photos for this one but I can't link any because they were just several random Pinterest photos that I didn't save.

Another thing to note is that I use the mesh transform tool a lot, especially on faces. That's largely why Lan Wangji's face looks so different in the latter two!

And then I went with the robes. Somewhere along the way, I realized I didn't like how I planned to do Lan Wangji's sleeves and the flowy part of Wei Wuxian's robes and I... decided, with much dread, to do them over. So I sketched on top of the painted layers and redid the robes, again.

It was at this point that I decided to take a break from this piece because it was honestly very draining! I think it took about three weeks before I decided to open the file again and continue it.

When I did, I just finished painting the rest of the robes and their hands. The blue details on Lan Wangji's outer robes were painted on a separate layer that I put on Multiply. I probably did more adjustments to the face and hair and stuff, because my painting process is honestly a mess :')

Final Adjustments

I added some correction layers on certain areas to fix some of the colors. See: Lan Wangji's sleeve becoming much brighter and paler; Wei Wuxian's legs having less contrast. And then I merged all of the layers (excluding the background) and added a bit of blur. See: Wei Wuxian's ponytail; the entire lower part; the flowing forehead ribbon. My reasoning for this is so that most of the detail (and therefore the flow of the eye) goes to their faces and expressions!

And then, I put a blue Overlay layer on low opacity to make Wangxian blend better with the background, added a bit of shadow on the inside and the lower sections and added the glowing details for the added flair. I initially wanted sparkles and/or stars but they didn't turn out as well as this did. I also upped the contrast by a little for the entire piece!

Aaaand, that's it! In truth, I did a bit more color adjustments to the whole piece, but I was a dummy who forgot to turn them back on before posting so ... oh well.

Posting

Before posting, I upload it either on my spare private Twitter account or on a drafted Tumblr post so I can check the colors on my phone. This is because the colors on different devices can look very different, and I would at the very least want all my pieces to look nice on both of my devices!

And then, once I deem it satisfactory, I just try to think of a caption and post! Some artists wait for a certain time where most of their followers are active, but I didn't have a lot of MDZS followers at this point so it didn't really matter to me.

It still doesn't really; I haven't actually been able to figure out when my MDZS followers are awake even now.

[the-nonchalance-draws]

From the way I painted the stars you can tell I had a couple of drinks tonight 

don’t drink and draw kids! or dont paint and share it lol *ignores her own advice*

As usual thank you to my lovely (and sometimes anonymous ) supporters on Ko-Fi!  (´▽`ʃ♡ƪ)

Another mdzs mini-comic is coming pretty soon, meanwhile I’m in love with pretty screens from the cql live action! Ah, casual reminder that if you support me you can ask for a reward sketch! I draw a lot of stuff.. *drunk wink*

Aaaaand bonus legendary animal WangXian (if you ever wrote a ff with dragon!LanWangji and Fox!WeiWuxian I probably read it and I love u):

[mxtxbb]

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need to write a crossover/for multiple MXTX works?

Nope! You only need to write about one MXTX work - for example, your work can be 50k Wangxian, with no featured characters from any other MXTX novels.

Q: Why is this event so long?

The schedule in the interest check was tentative. Here is our updated schedule:

April 1 - May 1: Writer signups

April 1 - July 1: Artist and beta signups

June 1: Writer check-in #1, fic header due (think a fic summary; we explain in detail later on!)

July 1 - July 14: Artist and beta claims

July 14: Artist and beta assignments given

August 1: Artist check-in #1

September 1: Writer and artist check-in #2, 30k wip minimum due

November 1: Writer and artist check-in #3

November 30: All works due

December 1 - 14: Posting period

We’re condensing the event so posting happens during December. This gives writers a ~6 month period to write. Since we’re requiring a 50k minimum fic, we want writers who may have other commitments (work, life, other fandom events) to have plenty of time to write.

Q: How can we join the Discord server?

A link to the Discord server will be given to participants at the end of the signup form! :)

Q: What if I already have a beta reader or artist I want to work with?

You can sign up as a pair, and let us know if you are welcome to other artists drawing for your work/beta reading your work or not.

Q: Can minors participate?

We have decided that minors will not be able to participate in our Big Bang event, due to turnout and the nature of MXTX’s works.

Q: What if I’m 17 now but 18 before July 1?

You can participate!

Q: Can it be something we’ve written already?

It cannot be something that is already posted. Otherwise, we cannot control the progress status of your work, although we would like you to keep in mind that it will be affiliated with our event.

Q: Will beta readers include sensitivity readers, or is that something the writer should figure out themselves?

Beta readers do not include sensitivity readers; we will not have signups or provide sensitivity readers for this event specifically. However, we will have resources for writers to have access to, linked both on the AO3 collection and in the Discord server.

Q: What if there is content I would rather not draw/beta for?

Artists and beta readers will claim their top 3 fics based on the writer submitted fic headers; you have control over fics you would rather (and rather not) work with.

Q: Will we need to show an art portfolio?

No, an art portfolio is not necessary. Do be aware that the first check-in for artists is in August, and make sure you are able to commit to the check-in schedule.

Q: What do fic check-ins consist of?

The first check-in, about two months into the event (June), will require a fic header from writers. Headers include fandom, ALL ships (main and side), the rating, content warnings (including any “spoilery” info), and a general summary of the fic’s plot. At this point, writers should have decided and started a fic they are committed to. This header will be for claims by artists and betas in July.

The second check-in will be a little past the halfway point, and will require a 30k+ rough draft. This will be in September.

Q: What do artist check-ins consist of?

There will be three check-ins. The first, on Aug 1 (1 month after claims start) will require the rough draft/sketches for all pieces. The second, Sep 1, will require lineart for all pieces, or at least 40% competition of the overall load depending on the artist’s preferred style. E.g. 1 roughly coloured piece, 2 drafts. The third, Nov 1, will be for all pieces to be colored or at least 90% completion. Any edits beyond this point will be between artist and writer.

Q: Can I, a writer, collaborate with another writer in this event?

Unfortunately not, as this is not a collaborative challenge between writers.

ETA: After some discussion, we have decided to allow collaborations between 2 writers only. Collabs will have 1 signup & be treated as 1 unit. i.e. one writer dropping out will be taken as both writers dropping out. Mods will not be facilitating communication between the writer pair.

Q: Can I write a crossover between MXTX’s works?

Yes :)

Q: Are there any other limitations or requirements for the story?

Besides being MXTX-related and 50,000 words, not at all. You can write whatever pairing, rating, etc. you want.

Q: Who are the mods?

We have five mods! This account follows them all. They are @tamakomarket​ @aroceu​ @soursoppi​ @catasstrophui​ and @/littlebasketbun (on twitter)

Q: Can artists change the number of works we commit to after claims?

Yes! Life happens. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to scale back so we can assign pinch-hitters appropriately.

Q: Will I be penalized for dropping out?

No. If you need to drop out, you will not be barred from this event or from any future events. Please let the mod team know ASAP if you are going to drop out so we can find alternative assignments for your collaborators. 

Q: Do I need to be familiar with all three MXTX works to participate?

Nope! You only need to create content/beta for the work you choose - e.g. a Scum Villain-only fan is just as welcome as someone who loves all three MXTX works equally!

Q: Can I write my fic focused on my OC?

For this exchange, fics should be focused around canon MXTX characters. OCs in minor roles (e.g. Wangxian solve a case fic brought to their attention by an OC) are welcome. 

Q: Can we write a fic that is also part of another event (like the kinkmeme?)

Yes. Keep in mind that the fic will be part of both collections. 

Q: Can I write my fic in a language other than English?

Due to the mods being English speakers and to ensure ease of communication between writers, artists and betas, fics are required to be written primarily in English. As this is a Chinese fandom, writers are allowed to use Chinese in their fics as long as the majority of it is in English.

Q: Is there a central theme we have to adhere to, or are we allowed to choose what to write about?

As long as your fic focuses on canon MXTX characters, writers may explore whatever themes and settings they like. AU, canonverse works, and anything in-between is welcome.

[sasukimimochi]

i drew on the full page and so i couldn't not get my thumb in there sorry LMAO another merxian/travelerji drawing related to this scene for this prompt (🧜‍♂️🌩🎼)

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Merji/Travelerji WIP Wangxian Prompt 1 WIP Merxian sketch / Merxian 1 (nudity & wips included) Merxian 2 (sfw) / Merxian 3 (B&W) Wangxian Prompt 1 cont. sketch (you are here).

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I created these two mermay au's for the mermay prompts i'm going to write.

Check out more art of this/other MDZS Projects on my masterpost! ❤

[angstymdzsthoughts]

wangxian loveless au where during that one drunken night wwx and lwj slept together and wwx didnt come out of the situation unscathed. he began having nauseous bouts and experiencing fatigue and after a couple months his stomach grew bigger. he's absolutely terrified bc not only are he and lan zhan just 16 and 17, he would absolutely bring shame to yunmeng jiang if people knew their lead disciple got pregnant out of wedlock like some common whore.

if there is anything more strange than ruckus in the cloud recesses, it is wei wuxian being silent and obedient. it has been a couple months since something just changed in wei wuxian like a switch being flipped and he just.. stopped being a troublemaker. he stopped talking back to the lan teachers, stopped sneaking out at night, stopped nipping at lan wangji's heels and giving jiang cheng headaches. instead he gives jc a different kind of headache with how skittish and mousy he acts. wwx still does well in his studies and sword practice, but he's a lot less reckless, a lot less free, a lot less wei wuxian, and jiang cheng can already feel his a-jie and father's disappointment weighing on his shoulders.

wwx uses talismans after talismans to conceal his growing bulge and with the thick winter robes, no one suspected a thing. he just has to be a lot more careful and avoid the healers at all costs, lest they find out about his secret. instead of going out and hunting pheasants, he spends his free time reading huaisang's romantic novels and keeps a sketch book filled with his everyday paintings. lan qiren is equal parts content, intrigued, and horrified. if his teachers couldn't manage to keep changse still, what had he done so terribly wrong to make the boy change so abruptly?

lan wangji got his peaceful silence back. wei wuxian had been mildly entertaining for a while, but now that he's gotten bored of getting rebuffed, he had stopped and lan wangji didn't miss it too much. lan xichen is a little disappointed that wei wuxian didnt manage to crack down wangji's walls, but it would be unfair to expect the boy to do so for him.

before they knew it, the snow is thick in the cloud recesses and the disciples were let to retire earlier in the evening. their study would soon end when the frost melts. wwx slipped out of his room when he felt the contractions coming. the moon hung high, its light illuminating the serene white and lan xichen went on his night patrol shift as usual. he was walking on one of the watch towers when his tranquil was broken by a muffled shriek of pain.

wei ying stumbled into an empty room, doubling in pain and hurriedly put on silencing talismans. the pain and pressure seemed to last forever and when its over, a shrill cry brought much anticipated relief.

wei wuxian picked the baby- his baby- off the floor, shielded only by his hastily discarded outer robe from the cold wooden floor. the baby is laid on his chest, blood and slime staining his white robes but wei wuxian doesn't see anything past the scrunched little face and he couldn't believe he had ever thought of getting rid of this being in his arms. he only got a short tender moment before the door slammed open and to his horror, zewu-jun staring at him with mirrored terror on his face.

lan xichen followed the sounds and found himself in front of an empty classroom. the door pulsed with spiritual energy and he could tell the silencing talisman put on was only half installed. he raised his hand to knock and- is that a baby's cry? his hand moved itself and slammed the door open. "wei gongzi?!" wei wuxian laid on the floor, the bottom of his robes open and in his hold is a tiny wailing baby still connected to him through the umbilical cord.

"ze-zewu-jun, i-" wei wuxian clutched the baby tighter to his chest, as if afraid lan xichen is going to take him away. "please let me help you," the older interrupted, shuffling in to begin helping wei wuxian. he took out spare cloths from his qiankun pouch and wrapped them around the boy and his baby. wei wuxian couldn't look at lan xichen. no wonder he has been laying low, if he's keeping such a secret.

poor boy, did someone force him? is that why he had to hide? "wei gongzi, are you-" his hand accidentally brushed over the meridian on the child's head and felt a familiar signature. the baby is a lan. wei wuxian's eyes goes wider if that was possible. lan xichen tugged slightly to reveal the baby's face. his tiny golden eyes are open and all xichen could see was wangji's childhood face. wangji's son, oh god wei wuxian gave birth to wangji's son.

but how did wangji ever- it can't be- wangji drunkenly bedded wei wuxian and now he has a son! lan xichen trembled and stood. "zewu-jun?" the first jade just ran, but not before slapping on a silencing and locking talisman on the room. "zewu-jun, i can explain!"

.

class was cancelled the next day. not with lan qiren so close to a qi deviation with the news from xichen that wangji has a son, just born last night and by a guest disciple, no less! he sent wei wuxian along with his baby into seclusion, telling jiang cheng that his shixiong sneaked out again and will be put into solitary for a few days. immediate invitation was sent to jiang fengmian and yu ziyuan, insisting that it is urgent that both of them come.

lan wangji stands in front of the room wei wuxian is detained in. he had been content with uncle and brother as family. it never crossed his mind that he would get married or have a child- much less with wei wuxian. but the boy is in this room right now, with a child that is his. his son. he should come in- should at least see the child. he should take responsibility, even if he didn't mean to. he shouldn't push his son onto someone else, he shouldn't-

"lan zhan? is that you?" wei wuxian's voice sounded nervous. he probably saw lan wangji's shadow in front of his door. "i- can i come in?" lan wangji replied hesitantly. "please do," he answered.

lan wangji opened the door and stood face to face with wei wuxian, whose usual mischievous expression is replaced entirely with one full of worry and guilt. "lan z-, lan wangji, i'm sorry," he started.

the second jade didn't know what to answer and they stood in silence. "i'm here to see the baby," he began, cursing himself for sounding colder than he intended. "of course.." wei wuxian led him inside, to his bed where the sleeping baby is swathed in thick white blankets provided by zewu-jun.

wangji does see himself in the baby, and for a split second he hated it more than anything. "what is his name?"

wei wuxian doesn't answer. "wei- wei ying?" he was instead staring at the baby. "oh- i'm sorry. what did you say?"

"his name?"

"baobao doesn't have a name yet. i don't know.."

-------

yu ziyuan's face is red with anger. behind her jiang fengmian is filled with worry. of course that no good son of a servant will churn yet another trouble that will bring smear to the yunmeng jiang name all because jiang fengmian has always been too useless and too soft to discipline him properly. lan qiren and lan xichen was already waiting for them.

"sect leader lan, zewu-jun," she greeted them.

"madam yu, sect leader jiang," lan xichen bowed back. "please come inside. we have.. important matter to discuss,"

she notices the silence talisman plastered wall to wall in the meeting room and she could only wonder what had happened for the lans to need such discretion. the tension between them was so thick it could be cut with a knife. "what has that brat done now? i swear if he continues to be unruly i will whip him with zidian until he repents," yu ziyuan started.

lan qiren chokes on his tea a little bit. "that would be unnecessary, madam yu," xichen winced, " i believe it would be highly inappropriate to subject him to corporal punishments considering his.. delicate condition right now,"

"delicate..? is a-xian sick? is that why you called us here? then- can we see him now?" of course jiang fengmian would worry about that useless boy first before he ever thinks about her son. "shut it, jiang fengmian!" yu ziyuan barked. "i bet you he just fell from the mountain and broke his bones while sneaking out to do god knows what! this is the boy you keep spoiling! that good for nothing son of a servant!"

lan qiren and lan xichen both shriveled in their seats at her tone. what happened to wei wuxian was much, much worse. "madam yu," lan xichen tried. "wei wuxian.. gave birth to a son two nights ago,"

yu ziyuan's face flashed an angry shade of red, then white, and then green before she shred the table in front of her into splinters. "he.. gave birth?"

lan xichen solemnly nodded.

the chuckle that left her mouth terrified everyone in that room. lan qiren tried his best to not vomit blood. "don't tell me, that boy now has a kid.. like some whore?"

lan qiren looked at jiang fengmian. the man's face was paper white and tongue-tied. he pitied him, having to bear the brunt of yu ziyuan's wrath on top having to process this information.

"does he even know who the father is? or did he sleep with everyone in gusu?"

"third madam!"

lan xichen looked like he is going to start crying, so lan qiren chimed in.

"the father is wangji,"

.

the negotiation was dreadful. jiang fengmian tried to get wei wuxian and his baby to go back to lotus pier. yu ziyuan refused to bring that disgrace back to lotus pier. lan qiren insisted that wei wuxian and lan wangji must marry, now that their child is the third heir to gusu lan. news will be let out that the lead disciple of yunmeng jiang and the second young master of lan had been engaged for a while and will soon marry. their altercations during the length of the study had just been because they had an ongoing squabble. the child will be announced one year after his actual birth.

lan wangji chose the name lan yuan for his son, which his uncle and brother approved. wei wuxian's heart fell that they never asked for his opinion on the name.

wei wuxian had to go back to yunmeng jiang when the disciples disperse after their year's study. he couldn't bring baobao to lotus pier without alerting everyone and wei wuxian never cried harder than when he had to part with his baby for the first time. even jiang cheng couldn't console him. he endured the torture for two months. two torturous months without his baby where madam yu only spoke in a cold tone and his shijie's soup no longer comforted him. the last two months yunmeng jiang would ever be his home.

the expensive red robes hang heavy on him. everyone congratulated him on his marriage but all wei wuxian felt is cold. he couldn't look at lan wangji without knowing that he forced the second jade to a marriage he didn't want. lan wangji couldn't look at wei wuxian without wondering what if it had been someone else, someone he had consented to marry. they live in the jingshi, but sleep in different bedrooms. their interactions are polite at best. wei wuxian spends his time cultivating and inventing talismans while raising his son, and lan wangji spends his time cultivating and attending to sect duties.

lan yuan grows to be a smart and strong disciple who excels among his peers. no wonder, people say, his parents are two of the most powerful cultivators of their generation. lan xichen replies to comments of 'lan yuan looks so grown up already' with 'my nephew is tall for his age'. he will no doubt become a fine sect leader one day, people say.

lan wangji and wei wuxian are married, everyone knows that, but they never act like they are. they act like parents to their son, but never like spouses to each other. gusu lan's no gossipping rule never stopped people from talking. lan yuan knows that he is older than his classmates. lan yuan knows why he barely ever see his parents together. he knows they love him, of course, but they don't love each other.

poor lan yuan, people say, trapped in his parents' loveless marriage.

lan yuan knows that he is trapped between a father whose anger kept simmering at having to marry someone he didn't want and a mother who felt like his marriage was a mistake.

[hellas-himself]

The margins of the page are littered with sketches of flowers Lan Wangji has never seen. Words in a language he does not know, written in Wei Ying’s terrible script- until he finds the talisman he’s been tasked with copying. Because of course, Wei Ying would invent a talisman for translation. His handwriting is still terrible, but at least the words now make sense.

To the most honorable, most righteous Hanguang-jun,

Do not be too angry with our son and A-Ning. They introduced me to Merrill, the elf (AN ELF LAN ZHAN), and I made the choice to accompany her back to her home and sent A-Yuan back to you. If they decide to return with the help of the sect, that is up to you and your uncle, I suppose. 

I miss you. I miss our son. I am down to my last jar of Emperor’s Smile and the wine here is alright, but it is not the same. I wish I could have sent you a proper letter before boarding the ship, but there was no time. Merrill had helped the captain with an injury, and she owed him a favor. I paid my fare with work and music- no spiritual energy necessary, I promise! 

Merrill had travelled to Yungmeng, daring to come all this way alone seeking help with strange magic and elvhen artifacts I’ve never seen or heard of! But that is not why I left. Merrill spoke of troubles for her people, the elves, and for those wielding magic- like us, Lan Zhan. Could you imagine cultivators being forced to live in towers under guarded watch for all your life? To be considered evil solely for being born with a golden core? I had to come, to see. I made a vow, and I intend to keep it- no matter where it leads. 

Ferelden is a strange place. There are curious plants called ‘elfroot’ and potions of ‘lyrium’ that made me feel like I’d never lost my core! Merrill and I spent the weeks at sea experimenting- it seems this weak core of mine responds to the lyrium just fine. But I have been warned only to use it when I’ve used too much spiritual energy, or mana- as Merrill calls it. She’s a delight, Lan Zhan, we have to invite her to the Cloud Recesses! 

Merrill and I travelled to the village of Redcliffe, where years ago a Blight took over the land and a great battle was won. These Fereldens are odd, Lan Zhan. They honor their hero, a cultivator-mage, like us, but would see her people dead. I suppose I understand. We did what we had to, what was right and still- ah, Lan Zhan, I won’t speak of sad things. The day is far too lovely for such thoughts. But I hear talk of a conclave- I suppose Ferelden’s version of a cultivation conference. The mages and their hunters, Templars, will be there. Their Chief Cultivator, rather, the Divine as she is called, will lead it. It’s funny, Lan Zhan. I’ve run into a few Templars. They use magic, too, even if they do not have a core. They are not mages but still cultivate. Curious, no? But Merrill has warned me not to use my cultivation unless necessary. She is a rogue cultivator herself, but they call them apostates here. And apostates are hunted down and taken away. 

Lan Zhan! I wish you were here. But I couldn’t ask you to leave your brother or sect behind. Merrill says we’ll meet her friends soon enough. Another apostate mage named Hawke and her husband- Merrill says you and I remind them of her. It was enough for her to write them. How sweet is that? When I told her we weren’t married, oh the face she made, Lan Zhan! She reminds me of Wen Ning, at times. I won’t be alone, at least. But, I promise no one’s company is quite like yours. I leave for the conclave in the morning, but I promise to write soon. 

Don’t miss me too much, Lan Zhan- we will meet again soon enough!

Yours,

Wei Ying

Lan Wangji smiles, and readies himself to read the letter again. There is a knock at the door and Sizhui enters the Jingshi, pale. Sect Leader Jiang is at his heels, looking haggard. 

“It’s Wei-qianbei,” Sizhui says, and Lan Wangji freezes. 

“I don’t know what the fuck he got himself into,” Jiang Wanyin grits out. “But he’s in trouble.”

There won’t be a schedule to this. It’s mostly self indulgent “I want to see Wei Wuxian as the Inquisitor” and draw about it. I have plans for it, though. The thought of Wangxian with FenHawke and Zevliel and Merrill and everyone is just too good. There won’t be a full blown fic, just like “letters” and the occasional little one shot maybe. But it will all have art. 

[cultivatethis]

 Read on AO3

Wangxian, 2k, Not Rated

Wei Ying is back. 

Wei Ying is back and Lan Wangji’s hands almost shake sometimes, with the effort required to keep them folded quietly in his lap, pour tea, rest lightly on his guqin. Not to reach out for Wei Ying, not to check his pulse a dozen times a day just to feel the strong, even beat of the blood in his living veins. 

Not to reach out and pull him into an embrace, to crush him against Lan Wangji’s chest. Not to tip Wei Ying’s lovely, impossible face up to his, and kiss him breathless. 

He’ll never forget it, the moment of sliding Mo Xuanyu’s mask off to reveal a face he’d last seen against a backdrop of blood, fire, and despair. 

He doesn’t know what the ritual did, why it took Mo Xuanyu’s body and changed it to match its new soul. It doesn’t matter, he would have loved Wei Ying in any shape, any form. But to see his face again? After mourning him for so long? 

And then, after the temple, after everything. He’d had to let him go. Lan Wangji would not be his father. He wouldn’t fetter Wei Ying’s bright spirit to a regimented existence in Cloud Recesses. 

Letting Wei Ying walk away from him after all that had happened is not the hardest thing he’s ever done. That was picking himself up to continue on, for A-Yuan’s sake, after his soulmate’s death. No, seeing Wei Ying off was not as hard as that. But. 

Wei Ying has been wandering for almost a year. Lan Wangji lives from letter to travel-worn letter. He pores over them, and folds them carefully into a lacquerware box that he keeps under his bed. Wei Ying writes as he speaks, flying from thought to thought like a kestrel on the wing. Sketches of far-off places, descriptions of local food and alcohol. Blithe, too-cheerful accounts of night hunts. 

If Lan Wangji would let himself worry, it would consume him utterly. Fortunate, then, that he is so accomplished at meditation. 

But now the leaves are starting to turn, and frost spreads a glittering coat over everything in the mornings. Loud skeins of wild geese have begun to cross the skies overhead.

And Wei Ying is back. 

Back and tired around the eyes, but smiling. The real kind of smile, Lan Wangji believes. Not the bright, brittle grimace Wei Ying uses to deflect. His clothes are worn, just this side of disreputable, and Lan Wangji aches to drape him in new robes. Black and scarlet, whatever he likes, in the softest, warmest silks the merchants in Cayi can produce. 

The urge he has to care for Wei Ying frightens him sometimes in its intensity. It gnaws on his insides, and he wonders if his father—- but no, no. Lan Wangji had let Wei Ying go. And he will not keep him now. While he is here, however. While he is here, Lan Wangji can allow himself to care for him.

When he’d first arrived Wei Ying had spouted some utter nonsense about guest quarters and such, but Lan Wangji had pretended not to hear and had asked for fresh bed linen and a warm bath to be brought to the Jingshi. 

“Aiyah, Lan Zhan, I can’t just impose like—” he had started to protest, and Lan Wangji had just looked at him. In that way that only he seems to be able to, Wei Ying had understood. He’d smiled, quieter, gentler. “Alright then, Lan Zhan,” he’d said. “Alright.” 

He’s perched in the window now, jar of illicit Emperor's Smile dangling dangerously from one hand. He’s rambling on about the type of sesame shaobing that they make in a tiny nowhere village to the north, and Lan Wangji feels the beloved cadence of Wei Ying’s voice resonate through him as though he were a plucked guqin string. 

He busies himself with taking his hair down so that he does not stand and go to him. He takes out each piece of his guan with infinite care, and lays them in the chest he keeps them in one by one. He’s untying his hair from its intricate tucks and twists when Wei Ying leaves the window and kneels at the table, across from him. 

“You have the prettiest hair,” Wei Ying says, and Lan Wangji aches. Don’t, he wants to say. Don’t say that sort of thing to me. I can’t bear it. 

He has to untie his forehead ribbon to fully take down his hair. Wei Ying’s eyes follow it as Lan Wangji carefully folds the ribbon and sets it on the table, the metal ornament making a soft clink against the polished surface. 

Uncharacteristically quiet, Wei Ying continues to watch as Lan Wangji pulls back part of his hair as he always does at night, then ties the ribbon back on with practiced motions. 

“Crooked,” Wei Ying says, with a half-smile. He points at the ribbon but doesn’t touch it. Lan Wangji wishes he would. 

“Fix it for me,” his mouth says, without his permission. Wei Ying goes very, very still. His mobile, expressive face for once gives away nothing. 

Still silent, he shuffles over on his knees and reaches up. Lan Wangji closes his eyes. Wei Ying smells of the night air and Lan Wangji’s soap. He touches the ribbon’s ornament gently, with only the tips of his fingers. Reverent. 

When his hands fall away, Lan Wangji can still sense him there, taller up on his knees like this than Lan Wangji is, seated. He opens his eyes, looks up into the face that the ritual made of Mo Xuanyu’s. 

Wei Ying has a beauty mark, right under the swell of his bottom lip. Lan Wangji has wanted to press his mouth to it since they were fifteen. 

Wei Ying touches him again, brushing back a strand of hair from Lan Wangji’s face. 

“Ah, sweetheart. I’ve missed you so,” he says, and Lan Wangji’s insides bloom. 

Wei Ying lays one thin, long-fingered hand along Lan Wangji’s cheek, thumb brushing softly back and forth in an unconscious caress that almost undoes him. 

“I’m so selfish,” Wei Ying says, his voice cracking over the words. “I can’t— I want—” 

Absurd. The absurdity of this man.

“You are the least selfish person I have ever met,” Lan Wangji tells him. “If you want something of me, take it. Please, take it.” 

“Fuck,” Wei Ying breathes, and rests their foreheads together. “I don’t think a day went by on my travels that I didn’t think of you. Miss you.” 

Lan Wangji trembles with want. Stay, his heart cries out. Please, stay. He will not say it. He will not be his father. 

“Wei Ying,” he says instead. “I missed you as well.” 

“Ah, Lan Zhan,” he says then, leaning back to look at him, cupping Lan Wangji’s face in both of his hands. He smiles gently and it is a heartbreaking, sorrowful thing. “You spent so long missing me. I’m sorry.” 

Lan Wangji shudders, and wraps his hands around Wei Ying’s wrists. The beat of his heart thrums under Lan Wangji’s fingers. Here. Alive. 

“Oh—” Wei Ying says, and on a ragged inhale Lan Wangji realizes that his own cheeks are wet with tears. He turns his face into Wei Ying’s hand and helplessly presses a kiss to his palm. 

Wei Ying makes a wounded noise. “Did you want, all this time—” 

“I would not keep you here.” Lan Wangji’s voice is a rasp. “Not if you wanted to go. I would not do as my father did.” 

“But you wanted,” Wei Ying says urgently. “You wanted me here? Even after everything?” 

Lan Wangji does not know how to convey the enormity of his desire. “Wei Ying. For thirteen years I have wanted nothing else.” 

Wei Ying makes another hurt sound and then he is close, even closer, Lan Wangji can feel the warmth of his body— and then, his lips—

His lips are so, so soft on Lan Wangji’s. Lan Wangji buries his hands in Wei Ying’s thick, beautiful hair and pulls him in even closer, straddling Lan Wangji’s lap. Wei Ying drops frantic, beseeching kisses onto Lan Wangji’s cheeks, his forehead, his eyelids. Then, a spot just by the hinge of his jaw that steals Lan Wangji’s ability to breathe. 

“Wei Ying,” he sighs, and it holds almost all the worship in his raw, aching heart. 

“I’m here,” Wei Ying answers him between kisses. “I’m here, I’m here, I’m here.” 

Lan Wangji surges forward, he tightens his hold, he plunders Wei Ying’s pretty, clever mouth. There is a storm breaking in him and he doesn’t think he can dam it up any longer. 

They’re on the floor, somehow. Wei Ying is beneath him, eyes bright, bright, bright. 

His mouth is bruised red, and his chest heaves. There’s a kiss mark blooming in the lovely hollow of his throat. Lan Wangji has done this to him.

“Lan-er gege,” Wei Ying says, and laughs, airless and dreamy. He touches his fingers to the mark. “You’ve left a bruise. Everyone will know—“ his breath hitches. “Will know we did this.”

Good, Lan Wangji thinks, and it must show on his face because Wei Ying throws his head back and laughs. “Now look who’s shameless!” 

Wasted time, Lan Wangji thinks. Wasted time worrying about things like shame. What use is that now? What worth does it have in the face of such blinding happiness? 

“Am I yours, Lan Zhan?” Wei Ying asks. “Do you want to keep me?” 

As answer, Lan Wangji leans down and sets his teeth, gently, to the other side of his throat. The mark he left needs company. It doesn’t do, to be alone. 

“Please, Lan Zhan,” Wei Ying says, and Lan Wangji raises his head to try and understand what he’s asking. The bright shimmer in his eyes has turned manic. 

“I want you,” Lan Wangji says. “Here, with me. Beside me every day, in my bed every night.” 

Wei Ying closes his eyes with a sigh. “You want me.” There’s a deep relief in his words that knifes painfully through Lan Wangji to hear. 

Ah. That’s what this is about. 

“I want you so badly it frightens me,” Lan Wangji confesses. 

Wei Ying opens his eyes, frowning. “You are not your father. I know you, Lan Zhan. I know you, sweetheart.” 

Lan Wangji shudders at the endearment and Wei Ying grins, sharp and devilish. “Did you like that? Sweetheart. Lan-er-gege. Baobei.” 

In a lifetime of fantasizing about this man, Lan Wangji had never imagined what it might do to him to hear soft, sweet names drop from Wei Ying’s lips for him like so much honey. 

“Stay,” he croaks, not sweetly at all. “Stay, my love.”

Wei Ying’s eyes are so wide, and shining so with tears. “All that time wandering,” he says. “All that time wandering and nowhere felt right. Nowhere felt like home. Nowhere you weren’t.” 

Lan Wangji groans into their kiss. And he asks. 

“Stay?” 

“I’ll stay, Lan Zhan. I’ll stay.” 

Lan Wangji’s mind goes blank in the white-hot fire of his joy. 

His free hand works at the ties to Wei Ying’s robe. And Wei Ying is laughing, and tearing at his in turn.

“So many layers, Lan Zhan, even to sleep! Aiyah—“

Skin. Finally. He is able to kiss his way down Wei Ying’s naked chest. And one of Wei Ying’s hands has made its way under his robes and slides to his back. 

His back. He freezes. 

“Baobei?” Wei Ying says. “What is it?” He circles his hand reassuringly on Lan Wangji’s shoulder blade, and Lan Wangji can see his face when he hits the scar tissue. Anger contorts his face for half a heartbeat’s time. 

“Ah, Lan Zhan. What am I to do when every part of my beloved is so perfect?” He smiles again, and his smile says everything else Lan Wangji needs to hear. Both of Wei Ying’s hands are on him now, and they sink into each other, lost in each other’s bliss. 

***

The Jingshi’s second bed stays empty. And Lan Wangji does not sleep flat on his back, as he usually does. He lies on his side, folded around Wei Ying, with an arm around Wei Wing’s waist, with his nose buried in Wei Ying’s hair. 

He is too happy to sleep. 

Wei Ying yawns, and nestles sweetly back into him with a sigh. “I think,” he murmurs, syrupy with tiredness. “I’ve loved you for a very, very long time. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize.” 

“No apologies,” Lan Wangji says, and runs a thumb over his forehead ribbon, where it’s looped around Wei Ying’s wrist. “Rest. I love you, as well.” 

Wei Ying raises their joined hands to his lips and kisses them softly. 

“See you in the morning,” he says, and then they sleep.