#untamed fall fest 2020

[rosethornewrites]

T & G reading since 10/30

Finished

Teen:

a Ghost and a Requiem, by 7potato (🔒)

Wei Wuxian was dead.

He didn't remember much, but that's nothing new. He had mere flashes of reality that broke their way through the fog of... wherever he was.

His clearest memory was of a song.

Or: Wei Wuxian remembers what happened to him while he was dead. Things change accordingly.

The Nerd and the Jade Prince, by Asmayi

Best friends Wangxian drift apart as they grow older Or so Wei Ying thinks.

A fic created from a threadfic

you and me, by googiefvcks

lan wangji is hiding wei wuxian in cloud recesses and they're safe, for now. but the weight of the world is on their shoulders and some friendly banter can quickly turn into some deep, painful, emotional talks.

major plot spoilers warning!!

Demonic Possession and other Misconceptions, by LegacyWorks (🔒, 3 chapters)

Wei Wuxian knows from a young age that he’s a spirit. It’s the only thing that makes sense. This body clearly isn’t his, there’s no way. It doesn’t look right. Every so often he sends a quick thanks and a prayer to the Wei Ying who died all those years ago, the one whose body he’s inhabited his entire conscious life. He hopes that the original Wei Ying’s parents are with him now, even if Wei Wuxian misses them.

It takes meeting Huaisang to realize that maybe Wei Wuxian isn’t actually possessing his body. What even is gender.

this river runs to you, by sundiscus

Framed by the soft morning light, sleek hair swept back and pale blue robes not even slightly rumpled, he looks almost inhuman.

He looks like the last person who should be knocking on Wei Wuxian’s door.

In which Wei Wuxian is a curse worker secretly searching for a lost dragon, Lan Wangji is his new assistant, and the two things may not be entirely unrelated.

And The World Went On, by GrapefruitSketches

Day 12: Rebirth (Untamed Spring Fest 2020)

Lan Xichen leaves seclusion. Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji persuade him to talk to them about it.

Wei Ying has a very weird day and Wen Chao gets threatened, by Backwards_and_forwards_unpredictively (2 chapters)

In the middle of the Wen Archery competition, the Yiling Lazou drops in. Literally.

(AKA Various drabbles where Older!Wei Wuxian drops in on 15/16 year old Wei Ying)

General:

Loving You From Where I Stand, by GusuBunnie

It hasn’t been long since Wei Ying moved into his new apartment— a mere 6 months, but nonetheless, he loves it. The place was cozy and suitable for a single person like him. Every convenient stop was within walking vicinity and it was a very nice neighborhood. But the most alluring thing, for Wei Ying, was the handsome man who lived in the complex across from his.

Or

Wei Ying is helplessly and deeply in love with his neighbor even though they have never talked.

Jin Zixuan Does the Time Warp, by marigold_sigil (🔒)

Happy endings are not created by wet noodles like Jin Zixuan. Maybe if Lady Fate pushes him two decades into the past hard enough, he’ll actually manage to pull it off. Neither of them think this will really work. Jin Zixuan should have more faith in himself.

Or : How Jin Zixuan trips and stumbles his way into making friends, subsequently keeping everyone alive except the people who don’t deserve it.

Painted Fans, by LaenaEverwood

There are rumors of cultivators randomly falling unconscious in this remote town near Qishan, the victims passing away within a few weeks.

Recently it had claimed another victim.

"Hanguang-jun, I have been given news that may be of great importance. It is from the head disciple Lan Sizhui, regarding Senior Wei."

The brush in Lan Wangji's grip nearly snaps within it's strength.

Or, wwx is found unconscious under an unknown spell, and everyone isn't stopping until he wakes up from his sleep.

redemption, repentance, by stiltonbasket

Five months after the Sunshot Campaign, Jin Zixuan travels to Lotus Pier to ask for Jiang Yanli's hand in marriage.

Waiting on the Night Hunt, by JustAWanderingBabbit (🔒, 10 chapters)

A few post-novel pieces wherein Wen Ning gets some respect. Though he has to work for it.

C1: The Abyss Looks Back

C2: Finding a Use for Stray Dogs

C3: Stepping out of Isolation

C4: Blissful Ignorance, Wretched Knowledge

C5: The Dead Travel Fast

C6: An Arrow's Flight

C7: Learning Experiments

C8: Hide & Seek

C9: The Price of a Thing (read before Pieces of Us fic if you're reading that one too.)

c10: Home is the Hunter

there's a world inside where dreamers meet each other, by harborshore

Lan Zhan dreams. And waits.

Lan Zhan gets glasses…and Wei Ying sees things differently…, by Liebing

This fic is inspired by this adorable art that @kunogi drew from my suggestion on Twitter!

Lan Zhan in glasses

One day Lan Zhan comes to school wearing glasses and Wei Ying loses his god damn mind…

painted in light, by curiositea (🔒, 2nd in a series)

Sometimes Lan Qiren wonders if his nephew resents the rabbits, even if only a little, for making it impossible to completely bury his grief. Are they companions or yet another reminder? Lan Qiren has always prided himself on knowing his nephews, understanding A-Zhan’s reserve and A-Huan’s polite façade. But, without the rabbits, he wonders if he would know just how deep—how down to the marrow, the very atom—A-Zhan’s grief goes.

—

or, a small meditation on a loved one's grief.

I Tried to Be Nice, But My Boyfriend's Bunnies Want To Beet You Up, by katje (🔒, 2nd in a series)

If you had told Wei Ying a few months ago that he would be desperately trying to hold two twenty-five-pound rabbits (who were far heavier than they should be because of their indulgent fathers who were incapable of refusing them treats) back from completely decimating Awful Su She’s stock of bok choy while trying to run his own booth at the Farmer’s Market, he would’ve laughed at the absurdity of the mental image of that statement.

But, dear reader, that was not only a mental image, but Wei Ying’s reality every week for the entire summer season.

OR

Wei Ying and his continuing battle to have one (1) moment of peace at the Farmer's Market

since then i am because you are, by sarahyyy

Lan Wangji nods. “If you must marry,” he says again, “don’t let it be with anyone else.”

“I don’t think you understand the concept of marriage, Lan Zhan,” Wei Wuxian says with a smile. “I don’t think I can marry myself.” He lets out a laugh at the thought, before Lan Wangji’s words click in his head. “Unless you mean…”

Lan Wangji holds his gaze.

“Jiang Cheng?” Wei Wuxian asks incredulously.

Unfinished

Teen:

Rabbit Charm, by aoeros (🔒)

“You gotta promise me that when you’re back home and settled in, I’ll be the first you come to see. Because I’m going to miss you more than anyone else will, Lán Zhàn. Except your brother, of course.”

“Of course. I promise to come find you first after I’ve settled back in.”

“Great! Then I promise to call you whenever I can. And, I will definitely not forget you.”

I got kidnapped by a model???, by yamadori (Katsumi27)

In retrospect, it was only a matter of time. As much as he wanted it and believed it to be possible, it was silly to think he could get through art school on Madame Yu's dollar. No, it's definitely better this way.

Wei Wuxian finally gets kicked out of art school. In the past three months not a soul from his old life has heard from him and he'd like to keep it that way thank you very much. And although it's been far from easy, things are starting to look up for him. That is, until he's dragged bodily into a world of vanity and flashing lights that he has no business being in and shoved into the arms of the worlds most gorgeous man (or at least man-shaped heavenly being, Wei Wuxian is convinced he can't be mortal).

Lean On Me (An Anthology of Jin Ling's Uncles), by thesassyredvulpes

Six months after the events of the Guanyin Temple, the sixteen-year-old Jin Ling rises to his new role as Clan Leader Jin. As the youngest clan leader in history, he faces challenges and looks to different figures in his life for guidance.

Six men individually offer their insight to the young man, and through him, recall their own stories and identities.

A collection of short stories, inspired by the song lyrics of "Lean On Me" by Bill Withers. Borrows both canons of the Untamed and The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation, but leans more towards the live-action.

Story One: Sorrow (Jiang Cheng)

General:

An Unforseen Shift, by Remma3760

Wei Wuxian found a resentful sword deep in the bowels of a famed beast. He took it. That turned out to be fortunate since, it would seem, the sword had more than one purpose. That sword was the key to their escape from certain death trapped in the cave of the Slaughter Xuanwu.

The Unintended, by Indelible_Faith (TheWaterGoddess), Thedivinewriter_20

Jiang Cheng and Nie Huaisang have a perfect plan. Get Lan Wangji to confess how much Wei Wuxian annoys him out loud. And Jin Zixuan to confess his ill-treatment of Jiang Yanli in a similar manner.

Perhaps “confess” was the wrong word used here… because this is not turning out how they imagined it, at all!

[wangxianficrecs]

Follower Recs

~*~

I short post canon fic where junior quartet night hunting with WWX and has to jump of the cliff to survive. And a little warning, in this fic LSZ call WWX mother

Drenched

by Valeska (@bluebleedingmoon)

T, 3k, Wangxian

Summary: Written for fytheuntamed’s Untamed Fall Fest 2020: Day 10 - Rain (It's a little late but better late than never, right?) Right now, surrounded by trees and fierce corpses, the rain was making his life rather difficult, Sizhui thought, making every surface a death trap and reducing their sight to vague shapes (thank the gods the corpses weren’t also wearing something colorful). Jin Ling had already nearly killed himself, when he slipped in the mud and just so missed the sharp end of a branch conveniently pointed at his neck. Zizhen had grabbed the back of his robes and pulled him upright just in time to rescue him from his demise. Or, that time they went night hunting and Wei Wuxian made them jump down a cliff. (It went swimmingly...)

~*~

(Please REBLOG as a signal boost for this hard-working author if you like – or think others might like – this story.)

[needtherapy]

Xichen smiles...at Wangxian

Happy Birthday Zewu-Jun! 

part 1 / part 2 / part 3 / part 4 (all)

(For @fytheuntamed Untamed Fall Fest 2020, day 8, Xichen’s birthday.)

[bloody-bee-tea]

BeeTober 2020 Day 3

Divine Harvest

It's day 3 of BeeTober and the Untamed Fall Fest and those two words in combination really screamed for a continuation of my LXC is a god and JC is his trusted chosen disciple. Finally some backstory as to how the gods were forgotten. Plays after Worthy of a god and before not dead, just forgotten.

Jiang Cheng is getting more and more worried with each passing day. There are rumours in the air, conversations held behind closed doors and in hushed whispers and which each speculation that Jiang Cheng catches his worry grows.

War is in the air, and Lan Xichen won’t tell him about it.

But Jiang Cheng wants to know—he needs to know in order to protect his god—and so he goes looking for Lan Xichen.

“You’re keeping secrets from me,” Jiang Cheng opens the conversation with as soon as he finds Lan Xichen in front of his house and the guilty look on Lan Xichen’s face is enough confirmation for Jiang Cheng. “You promised to never keep anything from me,” he quietly tacks on and Lan Xichen sighs.

“How do you know?” Lan Xichen asks him and Jiang Cheng gives him a look.

“I’m not stupid. There’s talk all over the place. No one quite dares to say it out loud yet, but I caught something about a Divine Harvest?”

“Oh, my beautiful heart, you have always been so clever,” Lan Xichen says with a slight smile and beckons Jiang Cheng to his side.

Praise from Lan Xichen is nothing new; it’s almost like he makes it a point to praise Jiang Cheng at least once a day, but it still never got easier for Jiang Cheng to accept it. To accept that maybe Lan Xichen means it, that he is awed by Jiang Cheng.

It’s been at least seven decades with Lan Xichen now—Jiang Cheng finds it increasingly difficult to keep track of the time—and even though that should be more than enough to make up for only eighteen years of his father’s callous words, Jiang Cheng still struggles with it.

“Stop it,” Jiang Cheng grumbles, like he always does, but dutifully goes over to his god. “Just tell me what’s going on.”

Lan Xichen tucks him into his side, close and protected, and this is something else Jiang Cheng has noticed in the past. Lan Xichen’s need to keep him close and to touch him often.

He guesses it’s because Lan Xichen’s last disciple died so violently, but he never dared to ask Lan Xichen directly. Jiang Cheng isn’t even sure if he wants to know, if he’s just filling in some empty space in Lan Xichen’s life; a replacement for someone Lan Xichen loved dearly but lost.

“Don’t do that,” Lan Xichen chides him gently and rubs a thumb over the worry lines in Jiang Cheng’s forehead. “You shouldn’t worry.”

“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t have to if you could just tell me the truth,” Jiang Cheng shoots back, diverting his thoughts to the much more pressing issue at hand.

“I had hoped to keep this from you for a little bit longer,” Lan Xichen admits. “Because once you know that worry line will be permanent and I didn’t want that for you,” Lan Xichen explains and then sighs. “But you’re right. I promised to never keep secrets from you.”

“So tell me,” Jiang Cheng urges and he’s already prepared to do anything for Lan Xichen if he should need to.

If this Divine Harvest is something that is worrying Lan Xichen this much, Jiang Cheng better get prepared for a fight sooner rather than later. He’s already thinking about doing more training session, even though amongst the disciples there is only Wei Wuxian who can match him now.

“The Divine Harvest is a very ancient technique. Maybe even more ancient than any of us,” Lan Xichen starts his explanation, and though he keeps his voice light, Jiang Cheng can tell that he is nervous.

This seems to be more serious than he originally thought.

“What does it do?” Jiang Cheng asks but he can tell by the tension in Lan Xichen that it’s nothing good.

“It harvests the power of the gods, leaving them unable to do anything but exist in the most basic forms, and then it uses that power to erase the knowledge of the gods from the mortal plane. Humans will forget us and all knowledge about us will be swiped from the records.”

Dread pools in Jiang Cheng’s stomach, because that doesn’t sound good at all. It sounds like something that can never be allowed to happen.

“I don’t like it,” Jiang Cheng says almost petulantly and just like he hoped it brings a smile to Lan Xichen’s face, no matter how small it is.

“I don’t like it either, my heart. We all don’t like it. But it seems like Wen Ruohan unearthed that technique and we’re all just waiting to see what he’s going to do with it.”

“It’s not going to be good,” Jiang Cheng knows that much, because Wen Ruohan is one of the cruellest, most power-hungry gods Jiang Cheng has ever seen.

“Of course not,” Lan Xichen agrees and squeezes Jiang Cheng one last time before he puts some distance between them. “But nothing happened yet, so let’s not think the worst. Maybe he’ll just sit on the knowledge and not actually do anything with it.”

Jiang Cheng scoffs at that, because they both know that that doesn’t sound like Wen Ruohan at all. If he has the chance to destroy the gods, then he’s going to take it. He makes no secret that he would like to rule the humans alone, after all.

“Yeah, let’s hope,” Jiang Cheng still whispers, because maybe, just maybe they will get lucky.

~*~*~

They do not get lucky.

They are incredibly unlucky, is all Jiang Cheng can think when he sees the fire spread further and further in the place he had called his home for the last centuries.

Wen Ruohan has taken his time, has chosen to spread unease and growing worry amongst the gods instead of using the Divine Harvest immediately, but it seems like he finally tired of that as well.

There’s a fluttering panic in Jiang Cheng’s belly because he hasn’t seen Lan Xichen since it all started and Jiang Cheng’s entire being aches with the thought that maybe it’s already too late for Lan Xichen. That maybe he died without Jiang Cheng by his side.

But then he reminds himself that he still remembers Lan Xichen—still remembers their time together—so Wen Ruohan can’t have completed the ritual yet. And Lan Xichen is too formidable a fighter to simply die in hand-to-hand combat.

“My heart,” Lan Xichen suddenly says from behind Jiang Cheng, and when Jiang Cheng turns around to look at him, he sees that Lan Xichen must have been fighting already.

There’s sooth all over his usually so white robes and a speck of blood mars his cheek.

“Are you hurt?” Jiang Cheng breathes out, rushing forward to check Lan Xichen over but he only breathes easier when Lan Xichen shakes his head.

“I’m not,” he reassures him and that finally allows the anger to take root in Jiang Cheng.

“Then what the hell is going on? I should be fighting with you, why did you go out alone?” he demands to know, because he is still Lan Xichen’s disciple and it should be on him to fight for Lan Xichen.

To fight with him.

“You’re not going to fight,” Lan Xichen tells him, and his voice is all steel.

Jiang Cheng has never heard him sound like that before.

“What is going on?” Jiang Cheng whispers, as he fists his hands in Lan Xichen’s robes.

“He’s performing the ritual. He’s going to erase us.”

“Then let’s fight him!”

“No,” Lan Xichen says and covers Jiang Cheng’s hands with his own. “I’m sending you down to Earth.”

“Absolutely not,” Jiang Cheng immediately snaps back, but Lan Xichen doesn’t seem like he is even listening to Jiang Cheng.

“He’s killing the disciples,” Lan Xichen says, a faraway look in his eyes. “He’s killing them all, and I’m not going to lose you, my beautiful heart. He’s coming for you, especially. He’s afraid of you.”

“If he’s so afraid of me, then let me fight!”

“No.”

“Xichen,” Jiang Cheng chokes out, because Lan Xichen seems seconds away from crying and Jiang Cheng cannot take it. “Let me stay by your side.”

“You can’t. You’ll be safer on Earth.”

“I will forget you, if you send me down there,” Jiang Cheng argues, because even though it has been so many years since they last talked about the Divine Harvest, he still remembers that.

Everyone on Earth will forget about the gods.

“It doesn’t matter,” Lan Xichen says with a shake of his head. “You’re my most wonderful disciple, loyal down to the single last atom of your very being. You will remember me.”

“What if I don’t?” Jiang Cheng whispers, because that grain of self-doubt still sits deep within him. “What if I don’t?”

“You will,” Lan Xichen says with conviction. “You will remember me.”

“What if Wen Ruohan finds me first?” Jiang Cheng goes on, because he cannot bear to leave Lan Xichen behind.

“He will not. He forgot that he is divine, too. The ritual harvests the power of the gods. Of all the gods. And at the end of the day, no matter how highly he thinks of himself, he is just a god as well. He’ll be powerless and the people will forget about him, too.”

Jiang Cheng likes that thought, likes that Wen Ruohan can grab for power all he wants, but that he is still bound by the rules as well, but it doesn’t do anything to make this situation right now any less awful.

“Please don’t make me leave,” Jiang Cheng begs and startles when Lan Xichen rests their foreheads together.

“I cannot let him kill you, I cannot go through that again. Wangji already sent Wei Wuxian down, and I think Nie Mingjue sent Mo Xuanyu away as well. You’ll find them again and then you’re going to remember me, no matter how long it takes.”

“What are you going to do without me?” Jiang Cheng asks, and he hates how his voice shakes, he hates how desperate he feels at just the thought of being separated from Lan Xichen.

“I’ll be waiting for you, my heart,” Lan Xichen easily replies. “I’ll wait for you to find me again.”

“Please don’t,” Jiang Cheng tries again, but then he can hear yelling and he knows their time is almost up. “Come with me,” he urges Lan Xichen but he shakes his head.

“There’s still a slim chance that we can stop him. I have to stay. But you, my beautiful heart, you’re leaving now,” Lan Xichen says and Jiang Cheng can’t help the sob that breaks through.

“I will find you,” Jiang Cheng promises, his voice already shaking with his grief and Lan Xichen smiles at him.

“I know that you will,” he whispers as he brushes his lips over Jiang Cheng’s. “And I will be waiting for that day.”

It’s the last thing Lan Xichen says to him, because immediately afterwards Jiang Cheng finds himself in the middle of a field down on earth.

He’s crying freely now, tears streaming down his face, but when he turns his gaze upwards to the Heavens there is no sign of the turmoil, of the war up there.

Jiang Cheng thinks that’s monumentally unfair, and he tries to ascend by himself, but nothing his happening.

Lan Xichen and the others must have done something to prevent the disciples from coming back and if Jiang Cheng only cries harder at that, then no one is around to see.

“Xichen,” he whispers, hoping that at least his voice will reach his god, but he doesn’t know if it works.

“Xichen, Xichen, Xichen,” he repeats, over and over again, hoping to keep on to his memories but by the fifteenth time, the name doesn’t make sense anymore.

Jiang Cheng doesn’t know a Xichen, and he also can’t remember why he’s out at night, in the middle of nowhere.

He thinks something must have happened at home, because he has been crying, but even that memory escapes his grasp.

“Xichen,” Jiang Cheng mutters again, the name foreign and strange on his lips and then he shrugs.

Better not think about it anymore.

On the way home his gaze keeps wandering up to the sky as if he should be able to see something there, and that doesn’t make sense at all.

The old gods are dead, after all.

Next part

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[foularcadebanana]

Keeping Your Promise

Prompt for Day 21 ‘Rustle’ and Day 22 ‘Warmth’ for the Untamed Fall Fest 2020. Listen, I spent like two days trying to make this readable, so enjoy the feels-storm!

Summary: Wei Wuxian may not have kept his promise, but Jiang Cheng makes sure to keep his.

Wei Wuxian knew that he had lost all rights of calling Jiang Cheng his brother. He had broken the promise that had meant most to him, and so he couldn’t expect Jiang Cheng to keep all of his, even after 16 years, could he?

He knew he was too old for this particular fear, that it had been too long, so long since Jiang Cheng had protected him from it. But he hadn’t been able to help himself. His reflexes and mouth had worked before his brain had, in thinking and stopping himself.

Wei Wuxian had known his day would go bad. There was a feeling in his chest that he had learned to trust from experience. It was in the rustle of the leaves in the wind, the way all of the shopkeepers paved the way for Wei Wuxian and his posse. His posse included his gorgeous Lan Zhan, his precious son, Lan Sizhui, that one Lan Wei Wuxian adored, Lan Jingyi, the romantic, Ouyang Zizhen, his sensitive yet bratty nephew, Jin Ling, and the bratty nephew’s ‘jiujiu’, Jiang Cheng. Wei Wuxian didn’t know how he had managed to gather so many people in one place, but they were going on a night hunt.

The hunt was for a ferocious monster so none of the senior members of their teams had let the juniors go on the night hunt alone. Even Jin Ling, being a sect leader as he was now, knew better than to argue with Jiang Cheng about this. So, things were going peacefully so far. They had the Jin Clan, Jiang Clan and Lan Clan disciples with them. There had been no need for them to think that any other clans would join them, but they had been wrong, apparently.

“That’s quite the search party you have there,” A familiar voice said. As all heads turned, a figure appeared, waving a fan close to his face.

“Ah, Nie-xiong!” Wei Wuxian delightedly clapped him on the shoulder.

“It’s nice to see you too Wei-xiong,” Nie Huisang smirked. Then he looked at Jiang Cheng. “Jiang-xiong,” he said with a nod of his head.

“Huaisang,” Jiang Cheng nodded back. Nie Huaisang’s lips twitched slightly at the greeting as he stepped forward.

He bowed to Lan Zhan first. “Hanguang-Jun.” Then to Jin Ling. “Sect Leader Jin.”

Jin Ling glanced over at Jiang Cheng and Jiang Cheng gave him an imperceptible nod of the head. Jin Ling blinked and turned to face Nie Huaisang, greeting him with a bow too. “Sect Leader Nie.”

It turned out that the Nie Sect had heard about the hunt too. The monster had entered all of their clans’ territories which meant that all four of their clans had a reason to be on the night hunt. Wei Wuxian felt like the entire family was finally together, and he couldn’t be happier. Some of the rest of the people in their group didn’t seem as happy as him though.

He watched as the Jiang clan and Nie clan walked together, with Nie Huaisang chattering with Jiang Cheng, while Jiang Cheng eyed Lan Zhan and his disciples warily. They kept their distance from the Lan disciples. The Jin clan walked behind Jin Ling, who was in an animated discussion with his friends but staying in close range of Jiang Cheng. So, the Jin disciples walked close to the Jiang and Nie disciples.

Wei Wuxian observed as most of the Jin and Jiang disciples talked to each other with easy familiarity, and the Nie disciples seemed to join in with the flow of the conversation too. Wei Wuxian wished the Lan disciples could socialise too. But he was sure there had to be rules against that too, especially during night hunts.

He knew of the strict rules against men and women mingling during night hunts so it made sense that the Lans stayed separate since the rest of the three clans had no such rules and there were several women on the night hunt. Wei Wuxian also realised that he had been unknowingly drifting towards the Jiang clan. A gentle tap from Lan Zhan brought him back to their group. He swallowed heavily and shook his head, trying to pull his attention away from Jiang Cheng, and his conversation with Nie Huaisang. But then he began to focus on the discussion of the juniors instead.

“Wei Ying?” Lan Zhan enquired.

“I’m fine, Lan Zhan, it’s fine.” Wei Wuxian tried to smile for Lan Zhan, before a sound stopped him. “Wait. Does anyone hear that?”

His voice had been loud enough to silence the rest of the voices.

“Wei Wuxian, what are you hearing? Are you beginning to hallucinate now?” Jiang Cheng asked with a scowl. Well, at least he was talking to Wei Wuxian, he would take that as a step closer to reconciling with him.

“I don’t hear anything, either,” Jin Ling said, crossing his arms and wearing a similar scowl to Jiang Cheng. “You must be going deaf.”

Before Wei Wuxian could respond, he heard the sound again. His eyes widened, and he glanced over at Jiang Cheng before he could help himself. Jiang Cheng was staring back at him with an undecipherable expression on his face. “I’ll go take a look at it,” he said, his voice surprisingly soft.

“Jiang Cheng!” Wei Wuxian stepped forward, reaching out and grabbing a hold of his sleeve. “I’m coming with you.”

“Wei Wuxian—” Jiang Cheng started.

“Don’t. I’m coming.” Wei Wuxian spoke firmly.

“Me too,” Jin Ling spoke up.

“A-Ling,” Jiang Cheng tried, but to no avail.

“No, Jiujiu. I’m coming with you.” Jin Ling said, just as stubborn as both of his uncles, Wei Wuxian mused.

“Alright then, let’s go!” Wei Wuxian suddenly piped up. “The rest of you, stay here,” he added for the junior disciples’ benefit, “and wait for the signal, which will probably be one of our screams.”

With that Wei Wuxian cheerfully joined Jiang Cheng and Jin Ling, catching both of their eyerolls in the process. As they cautiously walked ahead, Wei Wuxian strained his ears to hear the sound. The three of them had disappeared from the view of the rest of the people on the hunt when they heard the sound again.

It was a sound that made fear crawl up Wei Wuxian’s spine and a cold sweat break out across his forehead. His chest rose and fell fast, his heart beating louder and faster. A dog. It was a dog’s bark. He could recognize it anywhere.

Suddenly, all Wei Wuxian could see was a dog chasing him across one of the docks of Lotus Pier, and Jiang Cheng stepping in front of him before he could fall into the water. Wei Wuxian could still remember the scolding the owner of the dog had received from Jiang Cheng. Nobody had dared to make the mistake of even being seen with a dog anywhere near Wei Wuxian after that.

Wei Wuxian had clung onto Jiang Cheng so tightly, sobbing so hard, that it had taken Jiang Cheng hours to calm him down and finally let go of his robes.

Thoughts of what the dog could do to him and the ways he could tear into Wei Wuxian and his robes, made him scream out loud. “A-Cheng! A-Cheng, A-Cheng, A-Cheng!!!” Tears welled up in Wei Wuxian’s eyes and purple robes swam into his vision seconds later. He clutched those robes tightly before he could think otherwise. “Save me, please, A-Cheng. Please! He’s going to— going to kill me. I— I—”

“A-Xian.” Those familiar arms wrapped around him, keeping him upright, and that familiar voice reassured him. “A-Xian, I’ve got you. I’ve got you. I’m here. You’re safe. You’re going to be alright, okay?”

Wei Wuxian tried to take deep breaths in as he heard Jiang Cheng ratting off instructions to Jin Ling. “Take the dog away from here. Make sure he doesn’t come anywhere around this area again and take a few people with you when you go. Take your Lan friends and the Ouyang kid.”

Jin Ling nodded his head and made a quick work of calming down the dog Jiang Cheng wouldn’t let Wei Wuxian see. But Wei Wuxian took a peek at it as Jin Ling passed by him, and the dog looked wild, with saliva dripping down it’s slightly open mouth, showing its sharp, pointy teeth. Wei Wuxian hid his face in Jiang Cheng’s shoulder, shaking again. He tried not to imagine the dog sinking its teeth into his own—

“Wei Wuxian,” Jiang Cheng said, in that gentle tone that Wei Wuxian had missed so, so much. He felt a sudden warmth in his chest. One that he had missed for months and months.

“Jiang Cheng,” Wei Wuxian replied, his tone, thankfully, not wavering. Before either of them could get another word in, they heard the sounds of several dozens of footsteps. They both looked towards the source of the sound.

It turned out that Jin Ling would not have to go to his friends to get rid of the dog, since his friends had come to him, along with the rest of the disciples and sect leaders.

“Wei-xiong, are you hurt?” Nie Huaisang asked.

“We heard your scream,” Sizhui said. Ah, his thoughtful son.

“You seem fine,” Lan Jingyi observed.

“Wei Ying,” Lan Zhan said.

Wei Wuxian forced himself to stand up straight behind Jiang Cheng. “Ah, don’t worry. I’m fine.”

Jiang Cheng pointed to the dog, his gaze on Nie Huaisang as if explaining only to him. “It was a dog.”

“Oh.” Understanding dawned on Nie Huaisang’s face. And Lan Zhan’s shoulders relaxed just a tiny bit. Even Sizhui, who had a slight idea of Wei Wuxian’s fear sighed with relief.

So as the junior disciples went to go get rid of the dog, along with Nie Huaisang, who insisted on accompanying them for their safety, the rest of the people stood silently staring at each other.

Jiang Cheng cleared his throat as soon as Jin Ling disappeared from his view, turning to Wei Wuxian. “Are you better now?” He kept his face carefully blank, Wei Wuxian noticed.

“I feel much better!” Wei Wuxian said, trying for a smile, but failing. He froze as he felt Jiang Cheng’s hand gripping his arms.

“Do you mean it?” he asked, searching Wei Wuxian’s eyes. Wei Wuxian felt his heart skip a beat.

He nodded his head seriously this time. “I do. I feel much better now that the dog isn’t here. I know that the juniors have probably already chased it off.”

“Good,” Jiang Cheng replied. He tried to hide the relief showing on his face, but Wei Wuxian saw it anyway. So as Jiang Cheng cleared his throat again, let go of Wei Wuxian’s arm, and awkwardly began to walk away from him, Wei Wuxian seized the chance.

He used those few moments of openness and vulnerability that he got from Jiang Cheng to hold onto his robes. “Jiang Cheng,” he said, and Jiang Cheng stopped in his tracks. “Thank you, for keeping your promise, even when I couldn’t keep mine.”

Jiang Cheng pulled away and didn’t look at Wei Wuxian for the remaining part of the night hunt.

READ ON AO3

[aki-rei]

Untamed Fall Fest 2020: Day 3

Hello! I continue to be fabulously late, but I am working on contributions for this fest whenever I am able. Here is Day 3: Harvest, I hope you enjoy it!

---

Wei Wuxian swiped his arm across his forehead and sighed. He’d never realized how absolutely back-breaking farming could really be. And they only had a small plot here, just enough to feed their little makeshift village at the Burial Mounds. He couldn’t imagine having to work an entire farm.

He turned to look past their attempted farm and saw the crude houses, and the aunties and uncles who walked in between them, taking care of laundry, preparing meals, mending clothes. He smiled, watching a little toddler running away from his grandmother. The work was tough, but it was all worth it.

As the child ran by, Wei Wuxian reached out to snatch him around the middle.

“Ah-ha! Look what I’ve caught!” Wei Wuxian tossed Wen Yuan over his shoulder and moved further into the field, delighting in the boy’s laughs and squirms. 

“Brother Xian, let go!” Wen Yuan squealed, giggling as he swayed on Wei Wuxian’s shoulder.

Wei Wuxian stopped and gently plopped the boy down in a trench in the soil, and began covering him with fresh dirt.

“If I plant this little boy, we’ll get a whole crop of radish-flavored children,” Wei Wuxian grinned, and Wen Yuan squealed again.

“No, no! Don’t bury me, Brother Xian!” he exclaimed, but eagerly helped Wei Wuxian pile dirt over his legs. 

“Why not? We’ll grow more children for A-Yuan to play with, an entire harvest of little ones.” Wei Wuxian smiled, letting the child play in the dirt for a few minutes, listening to him chatter on about growing playmates. 

Yes, it was hard work. Not just the farming, of course, but everything. And Wei Wuxian wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world, as long as he got to keep enjoying this boy’s smile.

[phoenixrisesoncemore]

Drawtober Day 31

Happy Birthday, Wei Wuxian! Digital. Procreate. 3hrs.

for @fytheuntamed Untamed Fall Fest Day 31 “Wei Wuxian” | @mdzsnet MDZS 5th Anniversary Day 1 Wei Wuxian, “smile”

[sketchyscribbles]

First day of untamed fall fest!! A doodle of NHS lighting up a lantern for the mid-autumn festival.

[xiaosean]

untamed fall fest 2020 day 6: foliage

“the mountains cease to change, the rivers continue to flow, we will meet again”... and they did

[ithappensoffstage]

Untamed Fall Fest 2020: Gather

[fytheuntamed]

🍁 Untamed Fall Fest 2020 🍁

Content creators and appreciators alike are invited to partake in a month-long celebration of Mo Dao Zu Shi in its many forms. For the entire month of October you are welcome to use the above list of prompts to create the MDZS-related content of your choice! Reblogging this post is greatly appreciated, as this will spread the event to more people, meaning more content for everyone! Rules and a written list of the 31 prompts can be found under the read more.

Rules;

You are welcome to participate in as many or as few of the days as you like. Late entries are okay, so If you miss a day but still wish to post your creation for that day, go for it! Just make sure you’ve included the day # somewhere in your post so that I may tag it appropriately.

Although the prompts are fall-themed, creations need not be fall-themed. So long as a connection can be made, it’s fair game.

While this event is titled “Untamed Fall Fest,” any content deriving from any of MDZS’s adaptations is welcome. Content can take the form of a gif, art, video, mp3, fanfiction or other text, edit, meme, or anything else you can think of!

You are free to create NSFW content for the fest, I simply will not be reblogging it to the fyuntamed tumblr as I would like to keep it SFW. I also reserve the right to not reblog any creations I deem offensive, inappropriate, etc.

Do not repost other’s work, regardless of credit given, as the point of this event is for everyone to make their own creations! Additionally, if your creation involves content not directly from the drama, donghua, or manhua, please source it!

Tag your creations as #untamed fall fest within the first 5 tags so that others and myself can easily find it. If you would like to send your posts directly to me, that is also fine.

Have fun!! Any remaining questions may be directed to my ask box!

Prompts;

Mid-Autumn Festival (click here for information on the holiday)

Family

Harvest

Thankful

Lantern

Foliage

Reunion

Lan Xichen (his birthday!)

Nostalgia

Rain

Layers

Change

Fruit

Savor

Golden

Bundle

Falling

Crisp

Windy

Spice

Rustle

Warmth

Letter

Gather

Ghost

Remains

Fright

Decay

Carving

Trick or Treat

Wei Wuxian (his birthday!)

If you liked my original post about the possibility of a fall fest, I’ve tagged you below:

@calystarose, @silverstark, @xiao-powerbottom-xingchen, @chaerinspires, @natstarbuck, @pawsnread, @tegdirbk, @bonnes-the-horse, @yiling-gaytriarch, @sailor-alli, @crow-n-prince, @iwannabearobin, @vilinglaozu, @rainbowegg, @k8srapunzel, @pippn-frodo, @lunatasha96, @ashenlights, @dewdrop07, @literally-a-five-headed-dragon, @highwarlockkareena, @cinnamonmagick, @siochaile, @paragayyy, @lamujerarana, @lolacouldnotcareless, @rapa-onoff, @thirdofjune, @yiqiie, @cherryblossomshadow, @aheartfullofjolllly, @manhasetardis, @needchocolatenow, @martybaker, @rinielle, @agendratum, @glittertimes, @yokohamasonebraincell, @professor-severus-snape, @donna-dot-paella, @vestigialstell, @significanceofmoths, @ricoavalee2, @upowlnight, @explodingsynapses, @2oblivion, @thats-what-sidhe-said, @ahlaishepherd, @fluffyrabbitofdoom

[needtherapy]

The Nie family, for the Untamed Fall Fest 2020 @fytheuntamed

You can't get to them unless you get through me. You fuck with them you fuck with me.

~Mother Mother, Family

Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3 / Part 4

[bloody-bee-tea]

BeeTober 2020 Day 31

Thunder - Wei Wuxian

Day 31 comes with some brotherly feels between Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian, who decide to let Jiang Fengmian know just who is the one securing deals in the company, with a bonus side of Mingcheng. This also marks the last day of BeeTober and I thank everyone who stuck with me through it! <3 

Jiang Cheng just settled down tackle the essay he still has to hand in, when Wei Wuxian barges into his room.

Jiang Cheng sends him a murderous glare, because Wei Wuxian promised to be out today—it’s the whole reason Jiang Cheng decided to get started on this today, after all—and Jiang Cheng is not liking this one bit.

Especially not when he sees the thunderous expression on Wei Wuxian’s face.

“What’s going on now?” Jiang Cheng asks with a sigh and turns around to Wei Wuxian.

He won’t get that essay done today, Jiang Cheng already knows it, and so he mentally says goodbye to it. He’ll have to buckle down on that tomorrow.

“I just talked to Uncle Fengmian,” Wei Wuxian says, and he immediately starts pacing Jiang Cheng’s room.

It wasn’t a nice talk, then, and Jiang Cheng can already guess what it was about.

His father informed him first, after all.

“What about?” Jiang Cheng still asks because he guesses that Wei Wuxian needs to get it all off his chest first before Jiang Cheng can tell him the good news.

“He congratulated me on a job well done,” Wei Wuxian seethes, “you know with the production of the new phone.”

Jiang Cheng nods, because of course his father did.

“So what?” Jiang Cheng wants to know because when Wei Wuxian is worked up like this, he usually needs a little prodding to spill it all and not just sit on it and let it fester.

“He congratulated me,” Wei Wuxian says and he sounds so angry about it that Jiang Cheng has to hide his smile.

It’s always good to know that at least his brother is on his side, even if his father—parent’s really, if Jiang Cheng is honest—is not.

“Me,” Wei Wuxian hisses and throws his hands up. “The audacity! As if I could have ever wrangled those deals for production. I’m good at inventing crazy shit and you’re the one doing all the important people work. And he wouldn’t even listen to me!”

“Oh, really,” Jiang Cheng replies, still so very calm, because his father has already gushed to him about Wei Wuxian’s achievement and how well he did, handling everything on his own.

Jiang Cheng had his time to be upset over this already, and he’s past it.

“Yes, really. Fuck, I really hate this. He didn’t listen to me when I tried to explain, and even when I showed him the deals that had your signature on them he was just like ‘Ah, I guess he had to sign them at the very least’ and then continued right on telling me how amazing I am.”

“So?” Jiang Cheng asks and watches as Wei Wuxian wrings his hands in front of his body.

“I wanted to strangle him so badly! How can he even say that? All of the important work was done by you! I had nothing to do with all the contract talk! I was just in my lab, inventing things that shouldn’t work, counting on you to make them presentable!”

“I see,” Jiang Cheng says, still entirely calm about this and by now he wonders just how long it will take Wei Wuxian to realize that.

It’s almost fun.

“And then!” Wei Wuxian yells on, clearly not picking up on the fact that Jiang Cheng is trying to hide his smile. “He offered me a raise. A raise! I’m an intern, or at least I should be until I have a degree. And he offered to pay me according to the things I did. Which really means he’s going to pay me for the things you did and what do you get?”

“I get paid like an intern,” Jiang Cheng mildly says and only seems to make Wei Wuxian more angry with that.

“Exactly,” he spits out. “How dare he? You’re the one who is doing all the important work and I’m just a crazy inventor. We would get nowhere if I am left to my own devices and Uncle Fengmian should know it!”

“He will,” Jiang Cheng says, absolutely certain about that, since he did just resign mere hours ago.

“Yes, he damn well will,” Wei Wuxian hisses and then plops down on Jiang Cheng’s bed. “I’m resigning. I already decided. I will resign and then I will change my major to something like—like—fuck, if I know, teaching or something and then Uncle Fengmian will see what amazing work you do.”

Jiang Cheng has half a mind just letting Wei Wuxian, just to show his father that he can’t treat them like this, but it would kind of take away from his own act of rebellion and Jiang Cheng is petty enough to admit that he wants his father to see that Wei Wuxian is not the perfect saint he seems to think he is.

Besides, Wei Wuxian loves inventing things and while he wouldn’t be entirely unhappy as a teacher, it wouldn’t make him as happy either.

“You’re remarkably calm about all of this,” Wei Wuxian suddenly says and he narrows his eyes at Jiang Cheng. “Why are you so calm about this?”

“Because father talked to me first,” Jiang Cheng says with a small shrug. “A few days ago, actually.”

“He did what?” Wei Wuxian yells again and Jiang Cheng sighs when he starts pacing again. “What did he say? How dare he? Tell me exactly what he said!” Wei Wuxian demands and Jiang Cheng sends him a pointed glance to sit the fuck back down again.

Thankfully, Wei Wuxian does.

“He came to me a few days ago, to gush about your achievements,” Jiang Cheng says, and he’s very proud of himself when there’s no hint of bitterness in his voice.

Wei Wuxian is brilliant and he deserves all the praise. Jiang Cheng simply wishes it wouldn’t come at the expense of his own praise, but he learned to accept that and he knows that it’s not Wei Wuxian’s fault.

He never tried to take this away from Jiang Cheng; it’s completely and utterly Jiang Fengmian’s fault for offering everything to Wei Wuxian and keeping nothing left for Jiang Cheng.

“He did not,” Wei Wuxian says in a horrified whisper, but Jiang Cheng only shrugs.

“Of course he did, you know him. He didn’t fail to mention my shortcomings though, so no worries. I’m slacking off and not living up to my full potential and I should take A-Xian as a good example and follow his lead,” Jiang Cheng recounts and watches as Wei Wuxian’s eyes get bigger and bigger. “And then he said how disappointed he is that I am not even trying to do my best and that I am instead unloading everything on your shoulders. Do I never think of the kind of stress that puts you under?” Jiang Cheng goes on and he almost has to laugh as he says it now.

Wei Wuxian couldn’t even function without stress and pressure and really, if anyone should think about anyone, it’s Wei Wuxian who should think about Jiang Cheng’s poor heart.

It’s not Jiang Cheng who comes barging in in the middle of the night, yelling about a new invention that’s most definitely too expensive to bring to the market and then begging Jiang Cheng who makes it work somehow.

Jiang Cheng kind of wonders if Wei Wuxian will barge into his parent’s room at night now, mostly because Jiang Cheng will not tolerate his shit anymore now that he resigned, but also just to show Jiang Fengmian what Jiang Cheng has been dealing with all the time.

Jiang Cheng can probably bribe Wei Wuxian to do that when Madam Yu is out of town.

��I am going to strangle him!” Wei Wuxian says again, and Jiang Cheng even believes him.

It’s not Wei Wuxian’s fault that they are in this position and he never asked for all this attention, either.

“You will do no such thing,” Jiang Cheng chastises him and Wei Wuxian pouts at him.

“But we have do to something!” he declares. “I cannot believe he would say that to you.”

“Please, Wei Wuxian, of course he would,” Jiang Cheng says and rolls his eyes. “You know that he never appreciated all the work I did for the company.”

“I know,” Wei Wuxian bitterly says. “And nothing I said or did helped with that either.”

“I know that you always had my back,” Jiang Cheng reassures him, because for all that he used to be horribly envious of Wei Wuxian and the ease with which he captured Jiang Fengmian’s attention, he also knows that Wei Wuxian did everything he could to praise Jiang Cheng as well.

“What are you going to do?” Wei Wuxian wants to know, before his eyes go wide in his panic. “You can’t change your major, you love business!”

And strange as that realization had been, Wei Wuxian is right about it. Jiang Cheng loves business. He is good at it, and he likes doing it, too. There is no way he’s going to change his major.

“You can’t change your major either,” Jiang Cheng says. “The poor kids don’t deserve a teacher like you,” he teases and laughs at the outraged huff Wei Wuxian lets out.

“They would be lucky to have me,” he argues and he is probably right.

But still.

“You love engineering,” Jiang Cheng says with a sigh. “If you don’t get to invent shit in a controlled environment, I don’t even want to image the damage you’ll do to every unsuspecting electrical device in your vicinity.”

“Rude,” Wei Wuxian says and then, after a moment of deliberation, “but probably true.”

“It’s why I’ll go on with business and you’ll go on with engineering. It’s just that I won’t be working for father anymore,” Jiang Cheng finally says and Wei Wuxian stares at him.

“You quit?”

“Yes. A few hours ago actually, not that he seems to have noticed yet. I gave my resignation to his assistant and I guess it got lost in the paperwork. But I have proof that I handed it in, and so it’s valid.”

“I can’t believe you did that! What are you going to do?” Wei Wuxian wants to know, but his eyes are shining and Jiang Cheng hates to admit that he blushes when he identifies the emotion on Wei Wuxian’s face as pride.

“I talked to Huaisang, who talked to his brother, who invited me for a meeting,” Jiang Cheng says, trying for nonchalant and failing miserably. “I’ll be working at Nie Corps starting Monday.”

“Mingjue-ge, huh?” Wei Wuxian says, a knowing smile on his face.

“Shut up,” Jiang Cheng snaps but he’s blushing, he just knows it. “It was a business meeting and I got in because I’m good at what I do.”

“Sure, sure,” Wei Wuxian says, clearly not believing Jiang Cheng at all. “And did that business meeting end with a heated kiss? Some office sex?” he asks, wriggling his eyebrows in a truly revolting and suggestive manner.

“Do your meetings with Lan Wangji usually end like that?” Jiang Cheng shoots back and then realizes his mistake a second too late. “Don’t! Don’t answer that! I don’t want to know!”

Wei Wuxian couldn’t answer him even if he tried though, because he’s laughing so hard he fell back onto the bed, clutching his sides.

“There was no kiss nor anything else,” Jiang Cheng finally just snaps out, and it’s enough to calm Wei Wuxian down again.

“And when will that finally change? We’re all tired of your pining.”

“Like all of us were tired of you pining after Lan Wangji? How long did you torture us again?”

“That was nothing like that,” Wei Wuxian protests and then shakes his head. “And even if it were, we’re not talking about me.”

“We’re always talking about you,” Jiang Cheng shoots back but he can’t help that he blushes slightly.

“Oooohhhh,” Wei Wuxian says. “Something did happen!”

“Mingjue made it very clear that I am not working under him, but under Nie Zonghui in a branch that Mingjue is not involved in at all.”

“Giving you some heavy hints there,” Wei Wuxian said with a nod. “I hope you picked up on them.”

“I’m not as dense as you are,” Jiang Cheng bites out and then sighs. “I did pick up on them. We’re going out for dinner tomorrow.”

“A date! I can’t believe my didi scored a date!”

“Shut up!” Jiang Cheng hisses and then buries his face in his hands.

He can’t believe he scored a date either, least of all with Nie Mingjue, but he’s not about to tell Wei Wuxian that.

“Well done,” Wei Wuxian says, suddenly serious again. “And I don’t just mean the date.”

Jiang Cheng dares to come out of hiding at that, and he goes warm all over, knowing that his brother is proud of him.

“Thank you.”

“Now I can’t wait for Uncle Fengmian to realize that you truly did quit—I bet he’s believing you will be back in no time—and that I’m useless without you.”

“You’re not useless,” Jiang Cheng immediately denies and then sighs. “You just need someone to reign you in.”

“Maybe I’ll go to Nie Corps, too. You think they have space for me?”

“I think Lan Wangji is going to kill Mingjue if he snatches you up and Lan Wangji doesn’t even get a chance. Besides, I kind of want father to see how much work I did do. If that’s okay with you?”

“Oh, absolutely,” Wei Wuxian nods enthusiastically. “I am so ready to make him see that it’s not me who’s the genius. And when he’s completely desperate I’ll offer to leave. And then do it, like you did. It will be perfect.”

“Family dinners are about to be a catastrophe,” Jiang Cheng groans.

“But you have other dinners to make up for that,” Wei Wuxian leers at him and then shrieks when Jiang Cheng tackles him into the bed.

Jiang Cheng is glad they still get to be like this even after all the bullshit his father puts them through and Jiang Cheng couldn’t wish for a better brother.

Link to my ko-fi on the sidebar!

He’ll have to warn Nie Mingjue so that he doesn’t fall victim to Lan Wangji’s wrath just to do Jiang Cheng a favour, though. It wouldn’t do to lose him just after they started dating after all.

Next part

[foularcadebanana]

Food, Fights and Brotherly Love (Part 1)

Prompt for Day 20 of the Untamed Fall Fest 2020 is ‘Spice’.

Jiang Yanli stood in the kitchen in Lotus Pier, watching her brothers fighting out of the window. Just as she put the spices into the lotus root and pork ribs soup she had prepared; she remembered all of the times Wei Wuxian had attempted to prepare Yunmeng’s traditional dishes in the past years.

It had begun, as most quarrels between them did, with something insignificant. Wei Wuxian may have given Jiang Cheng a tug too many or Jiang Cheng pushed Wei Wuxian away one too many times, but the next thing Jiang Yanli knew, they were fighting each other and shouting at each other.

Their words started off meaningless, not really hurting each other, until they did.

“Why do you always act so foolish?” Jiang Cheng asked, pushing Wei Wuxian roughly on the ground, against the grass. “You’re always messing around, not taking anything too seriously.”

Yanli knew that it had been a particularly strict day of training for them both, and the sun had been unrelenting, its rays heating up the ground and shining straight on her brothers’ heads. Yanli knew how restless and irritated Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian got when they had trained especially hard or when it was humid around them, and this was one of the days when it had been both.

“Well, maybe if you were competent enough to actually get things done, then I wouldn’t have to behave that way!” Wei Wuxian replied. And even Yanli could see, from as far as she was standing, the immediate regret and guilt that shown on Wei Wuxian’s face.

Jiang Cheng staggered backwards, the pain and hurt clearly showing on his face in a few seconds of vulnerability and openness. For a few moments, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng just stood there in shock, silently facing each other.

Then Wei Wuxian stepped forward, reaching out to his brother. “Jiang Cheng,” he softly spoke, his voice cracking on the name. He knew that there was no coming back from this.

Yanli watched Jiang Cheng’s eyes widening as he stepped backwards, flinching at Wei Wuxian’s words. Tears welled up in his eyes and he ran faster than Yanli had ever seen him run in his entire life. Wei Wuxian couldn’t hope to follow him that fast.

Jiang Yanli walked over to Wei Wuxian after giving him enough time alone. “A-Xian.” She gently laid a hand on his shoulder.

Wei Wuxian was trembling, sobbing hard. “What should I do, Shijie? I hurt him so badly. What can I do to make things better? I shouldn’t have said those things. He hates me now. He’ll never forgive me. I’m the worst brother ever!”

“A-Xian, A-Cheng doesn’t hate you. You’re his brother. He will forgive you. We are family, aren’t we? Just go apologise to him.” Yanli told him, rubbing a reassuring hand on his back.

“No. It’s not enough. It won’t be enough. I have to— I have to do something more. Like maybe bring him a gift. What does he really love? Just as much as he loves dogs?”

Yanli watched her cute little brother pout, deep in thought. Sure, he wasn’t a child anymore, he was a teenager now, 13 years of age, but to Jiang Yanli, Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng would always be children, no matter how old they got.

“Oh!” Wei Wuxian’s face suddenly lit up. “I know. Shijie, can you teach me how to make A-Cheng’s favourite dish?”

Yanli smiled and nodded her head. That was something she could do.

By the time their meal was prepared, Wei Wuxian had several cuts and bruises on his hands. He had never cooked before; he only entered the kitchen when he was hungry and wanted to steal some food from the cooks, or when he wanted a taste of Yanli’s famous soup.

But today, he had insisted on doing all of the work himself, wanting his apology to Jiang Cheng to mean something. Yanli was happy that Wei Wuxian had worked so hard on his apology for his brother, although she was concerned about how red the food was looking. Wei Wuxian had most certainly added too much spice to the meal, but she wasn’t going to tell him that.

As Wei Wuxian carried the food out of the kitchen, with Yanli right behind him, he stopped at the entrance to the dining hall. Yanli knew it was because he was searching for Jiang Cheng. He brightened up when he spotted Jiang Cheng, running up to his brother, who was sitting alone at a table, staring into nothingness.

“Jiang Cheng!” Jiang Cheng tensed up at the sound of Wei Wuxian’s voice and looked away quickly. Wei Wuxian stumbled close to him and kept the meal in front of Jiang Cheng. “Look what I made for you, Jiang Cheng!”

Jiang Cheng peeked at the meal from the corner of his eye, still frowning as he looked away again. Wei Wuxian poked Jiang Cheng. “Jiang Cheng! I cooked your favourite food for you. Look. Look at my hands, look how much I cut and bruised them trying to make your favourite meal for you.”

At this, Jiang Cheng blinked and turned to face the meal. “You made this?” He asked his mouth now in a straight line.

“Yes! I felt so horrible, and I knew you’d hate me and never forgive me, and I’m so sorry for what I said, A-Cheng.” Wei Wuxian blurted out all at once. Yanli shook her head fondly at her brothers.

“You are?” Jiang Cheng was poking at the food with a fork now.

“Of course, I am! I didn’t mean any of the things I said to you. I don’t know why I said them.”

“You didn’t?” Jiang Cheng stopped poking at the food and was frowning at it. “Because you were right, you know. Maybe if I was as smart and intelligent and strong as you, then I wouldn’t—"

“No! That’s not true,” Wei Wuxian immediately shut him down, wildly gesturing around him. “You’re the most competent person I know, Jiang Cheng. You’re going to become the best Sect Leader the world has ever known when we grow up. Everyone is going to know your name, and they’re going to know better than to mess with you and the Jiang Clan. That’s how good I know you’re gonna be.”

Jiang Cheng played with the food in front of him. “You’re just saying that because you don’t want me to be mad at you anymore.”

“I’m not. I really mean it, I swear!” Wei Wuxian spoke sincerely.

Yanli watched as Jiang Cheng’s anger immediately melted. He turned to Wei Wuxian and nudged him. “Did you really cook this? Or are you taking credit for A-jie’s work again?”

Wei Wuxian dramatically clutched his chest and gasped, “Jiang Cheng. How dare— Shijie, tell Jiang Cheng who made this tasty dish for him.”

Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian both faced Yanli. “It was A-Xian, A-Cheng. He felt terrible about what he had said to you and he wanted to give you a gift as an apology.”

“See! I told you.” Wei Wuxian crossed his arms and smirked at Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng didn’t say anything for a few moments, searching Wei Wuxian’s eyes for something, and then he dug into his food. He wordlessly scooped up spoonfuls of the meal, downing it so fast that Yanli felt worried for him. She knew how much spice Wei Wuxian had put in the meal, but she hadn’t had the chance to warn Jiang Cheng about it.

But Jiang Cheng didn’t seem deterred from eating the food for even a moment, he ate it all until his plate was completely empty. Wei Wuxian waited impatiently, tapping his foot as he stared at Jiang Cheng.

“What?” Jiang Cheng asked, irritated.

Wei Wuxian blinked at him expectantly. “Come on. Tell me how it was? Was it good? It must have been good because you finished it all so fast.”

Jiang Cheng scowled, looking down at his empty plate. “It’s the best meal I’ve ever had,” he said, his cheeks flushing.

Wei Wuxian’s jaw dropped. “Even better than Shijie’s soup?” he dared to ask.

Jiang Cheng chanced a glance at his sister before looking down at his hands, his cheeks tinted darker. He nodded his head.

Wei Wuxian’s eyes turned comically large before he threw himself at his brother.

“Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng screamed as he toppled backwards.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Jiang Cheng! I love you so much. You’re my favourite sibling, you know that? Sorry, Shijie, but I love Jiang Cheng the most.” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, wrapping his arms tightly around Jiang Cheng.

Jiang Cheng melted into the hug, not pushing Wei Wuxian away as he hid his reddened face in Wei Wuxian’s shoulder, and Yanli could hear Jiang Cheng’s muffled mumble. “You’re my favourite sibling too.”

[aki-rei]

Untamed Fall Fest 2020: Day 1

I’m behind, but I do plan on participating in at least some of this fest! I’ll be several days late all month, probably, since real life is getting in the way, but I’m doing my best!

Here is my entry for Day 1 - Mid-Autumn Festival. I hope you enjoy!

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Lan Wangji sat at a low table, sipping on his tea. The inn room was spacious and comfortable, and frankly more than he really needed. But the rounded window gave a spectacular view of the rising moon, and for once he allowed himself the time to indulge in its beauty. 

A sigh from his right made him pause, and he turned his head. Another young man sat at the other side of the table, a cup of wine in his hands. 

“It almost seems like fate, sitting with you here.” Wei Wuxian smiled at him. “I think the last time we were together at a festival like this, we were students, right?”

“Mm.”

“But we weren’t friends back then. You never would have shared a drink with me,” he laughed and downed his wine before refilling the cup. “And I didn’t get to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Cloud Recesses, either. I’ll bet it’s lovely to spend a night in those mountains under the moon.”

Lan Wangji remained quiet and simply watched him. Wei Wuxian wore the dark robes he’d begun wearing when he took on the name Yiling Laozu (though Lan Wangji was still unsure if he gave the name to himself, to be dramatic, or if he just accepted the name from others). Chenqing was at his waist, and his hair was flowing down his back. Lan Wangji had always preferred it to be up, the way it used to be, but the circle of moonlight from the window did give the loose strands a lovely glow. 

He looked away, embarrassed by his thoughts. “Is Wen Qionglin nearby?”

Wei Wuxian chuckled softly. “No, not tonight. It’s just me, Lan Zhan.” He slid a cup across the table. Lan Wangji could smell the strong alcohol before it even reached him. “Why don’t we share a mooncake and some wine? For old time’s sake?”

The lanterns on the table gave the room a warm light—it was so very different than the last time he’d seen Wei Wuxian, leaving the Burial Mounds with that toddler at his feet. It had been overcast and windy and so very lonely as he walked away from them. He’d wanted so badly to turn around, to grab Wei Wuxian and the boy and just spirit them away, somewhere safe, somewhere away from the rest of the world. But he didn’t, and now he couldn’t. 

Lan Wangji turned to face him. “Please come to Gusu.” 

“Please?” Wei Wuxian grinned and propped his chin on his fist. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say please. How very earnest of you, Lan Zhan.”

“Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji could hear the crack in his voice, the longing. The desperation. He didn’t care. “Wei Ying, please come back with me. I can’t lose you again.”

The smile Wei Wuxian gave him nearly broke his heart. “Again? Lan Zhan, what do you mean?” 

Lan Wangji reached out to grab his wrist, and his fingers closed around cool night air.

Wei Wuxian wasn’t there. 

He never was, no matter how many times Lan Wangji saw his spectre on the cushions. 

Lan Wangji looked around himself. The lanterns had blown out, leaving the room dark save for the moonlight. Dark, and cold, and empty. 

He took the wine cup he’d poured himself, wishing he could see Wei Wuxian’s fingers around it as he had just moments before. He’d lost count of how many times he’d seen Wei Wuxian’s on nights like this, but he had no intention of trying to stop it. Aside from A-Yuan back in Gusu, this was his one solace. The only way he could speak to Wei Wuxian ever again. 

Lan Wangji closed his eyes and tipped the burning liquid down his throat. 

“Happy Mid-Autumn, Wei Ying.”

[watch-grok-brainrot]

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

May people live long lives, so we can watch the same moon across a thousand li.  

For @fytheuntamed ‘s Untamed Fall Fest. Day 1: Mid Autumn

Oct 1st 2020 is this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival -- supposedly the fullest moon of the year. This is a time for families to gather and for people to miss their loved ones. Traditionally, we eat moon cakes and stare at the moon. I hope you get something round (and maybe even sweet) and eat it with someone dear. 

I took the last two lines from《水调歌头》by Song Dynasty Poet Su Shi (Su Dongpo)  宋·苏轼 for my gif set because it’s iconic as a Mid-Autumn festival mood.

I think wwx and lwj have appropriate yearning for this. Rough translation of the full poem below cut. Enjoy! <3

明月几时有？把酒问青天。

When will the bright moon be? Raising my wine I ask the deep blue[1] sky.

不知天上宫阙，今夕是何年。

I don’t know for those officials in heaven, what year is it tonight.

我欲乘风归去，又恐琼楼玉宇，高处不胜寒。

I wish to ride the wind home, but fear the jade palaces[2], the exceeding cold of high places.

起舞弄清影，何似在人间。

As I dance my shadow follows, how great it is to be on earth[3].

 转朱阁，低绮户，照无眠。

Rounding the red towers, hanging low through the window, the moon shines on those who cannot sleep.

不应有恨，何事长向别时圆？

If not driven by hatred, why is the moon round when people are separated?

人有悲欢离合，月有阴晴圆缺，此事古难全。

Humans experience sorrow, joy, separation, and reunion. The moon has overcast, clear, full, and crescent days. Since ancient times these things have never been perfect.

但愿人长久，千里共婵娟。

May people live long lives, so we can watch the same moon across a thousand li [4].

[1] Depending on period, this is green or blue but if it’s blue, it’s the dark blue that you think of a stereotypical Chinese vase. 

[2] The jade palace is referring to the palace on the moon -- supposedly a desolate place.

[3]amongst humanity is another way to put it. i chose on earth b/c fewer syllables. 

[4]Li is a unit of measure that’s about ~1/2 a km or ~1/3 of a mile.  婵娟 refers to the woman on the moon. It is oftentimes used as another way to refer to the moon itself. 

Note: I haven’t started the other gifs I wanna make so updates are unlikely to be early or even on time after this. Oof. Also, it’s Oct 1st for GMT + 8 so good enough. I’m GMT -5 but whatever.