Chapter Text
There had been three days of discussion, though Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian had not been a part of it. For them it had been three days of trying to support a small community on a mountain that had previously only been home to one person. Luckily, packages of food and blankets soon started arriving bearing the sigils of several sects including some of the smaller ones who had been under the bribery and threats of Jin Guangshan. Those who were more physically capable had helped Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji to better stack the various treasures to make room for the makeshift camp, Lan Wangji taking the opportunity to catalogue everything so that it could be reported to the sect leaders below should it be required.
Though he had never made an inventory of the treasures he had stopped from being used as bribes over the years, he knew, as the catalogue grew that more than the few treasures Wei Wuxian had pilfered before Lan Wangji had caught him were missing. It had been the night when he had voiced his suspicions in the little curtained off area that served as a sleeping area for the two of them that Wei Wuxian had pulled aside a rock to show the small alcove filled with treasure beyond, black feathers intermingling with the jewels and gold.
‘Just a little something if we need it,’ said Wei Wuxian with a wry smile, ‘We still need enough to buy passage for everyone and then a new home. I didn’t take much and most of it is of lower value except for a few of the pretty ones.’
Lan Wangji shook his head with a small laugh, ‘No one could deny your nature, either as a man to care for those in need or as a crow to ensure your nest is well feathered.’
‘Our nest,’ said Wei Wuxian, ‘If you still plan to come with us.’
‘If there is no place for you and the Wens here then there is no place for me,’ said Lan Wangji, ‘But the news from below has been favourable so far. I have not yet given up hope that a solution for us will be found.’
‘So long as it involves neither of us giving up our autonomy for the sake of peace.’
‘I do not doubt that other sects have members who are shapeshifters as well, we cannot be the only ones in the world,’ said Lan Wangji, ‘Perhaps they are waiting to come forward now that the light on us is more favourable.’
‘Xian-gege?’
The small voice from the curtain preceded the small child stepping around it, A-Yuan rubbing his eyes as he blinked sleepily up at them.
‘Can’t you sleep?’ said Wei Wuxian, crouching down to him, ‘It’s very late.’
‘I’m scared in the cave,’ said A-Yuan, ‘I need to be protected.’
Wei Wuxian laughed softly, his gaze meeting Lan Wangji’s with a now familiar amusement.
On the first night after they had exposed Jin Guangshan, they had all been anxious that the peace the sects had promised would be revoked and, in the end, the only way anyone found any rest was when Lan Wangji had transformed into his largest dragon form and encircled them all within the cave. A-Yuan had chosen to nestle himself between Lan Wangji’s giant front claws, unperturbed by his scales. It had been an odd night with the child at his feet and Wei Wuxian in his crow form making some sort of nest between his horns but he had rested more peacefully for it. It had been the whim of a child though that, having slept thus one night, it was to be the norm and Lan Wangji had slept each night since in a much smaller draconic form, wrapped around the child and Wei Wuxian.
‘Come then,’ he said, ‘We should sleep.’
‘I’m on the watch tonight,’ said Wei Wuxian, waiting for Lan Wangji to transform before pressing a kiss to his muzzle much to A-Yuan’s delighted giggles, ‘But I will be back before dawn. Sleep well.’
A-Yuan clapped as Wei Wuxian transformed and flew from their room before tugging on Lan Wangji’s fine blue whiskers. ‘Sleep now, gege.’
It was not yet dawn when a soft voice against his ear woke Lan Wangji from his slumber, Wei Wuxian’s face veiled in the darkness of the room.
‘The sect leaders are here.’
Lan Wangji tried to rise but A-Yuan had him pinned, his only escape making himself as small as possible and slithering out from under his arms.
‘Perhaps you should see the sect leaders like that, then they won’t think you’re so intimidating.’
‘Perhaps not,’ said Lan Wangji, in human form once more, ‘What has happened?’
‘They asked to see us along with the senior Wens so Wen Ning and Wen Qing are representing them,’ said Wei Wuxian, ‘They don’t seem hostile and were happy enough to wait when I said I had to come and wake you.’
Lan Wangji spared a glance back at the child still asleep on the bed, ‘I have to trust that they are mainly good men,’ he said, ‘If anything happens though…’
‘They would be fools to try to take on a dragon alone,’ said Wei Wuxian, ‘Come on, our own thoughts will turn against us if we wait.’
The treasure chamber glittered with the candles set around it, their guests sat upon the floor for want of chairs. He wondered if any comment had been made about the riches he held but kept his questions as everyone rose and the pleasantries were observed before they returned, inelegantly in some cases, to the floor.
‘What urgency brings you so early?’ said Lan Wangji, ‘The sun has not even reached the cave.’
‘A desire to return to our homes after several long days of conference in a makeshift camp,’ said Lan Xichen.
‘Then your talks have reached a conclusion,’ said Lan Wangji, wishing he could reach for Wei Wuxian’s hand.
‘They have,’ said Lan Xichen, looking around the other’s gathered, receiving nods in return as their chosen spokesman, ‘In regards to Jin Guangshan and Jin Guangyao, that has been left to the Jin sect but I have assurance that Jin Zixuan will make an adequate replacement for his father as the leader of the sect.’
Lan Wangji swiftly elbowed Wei Wuxian as he took a breath to speak, a hiss from Jiang Cheng also silencing his former martial sibling.
‘Having spoken to the leaders of many sects, it seems we were all under a great deal of threat and persuasion from him which has caused many to act as they have done and to follow his instruction, including in his persecution of Wei Wuxian and the Wen. For that, we can only apologise and hope to make further reparations to you all,’ continued Lan Xichen, ‘The Wen are pardoned for the crimes they have been accused of, no longer will they be thought of in association with Wen Ruohan. If they wish to remain, a safe haven will be found for them. If they wish to still leave, they will be allowed to, unhindered. Wen-gongzi, Wen-guniang, no answer is required now, we will give you time to discuss with your people.’
‘Thank you,’ said Wen Qing, sharing a look with her brother, ‘We will discuss with the others when they wake.’
‘And us?’ said Wei Wuxian, ‘What about Lan Zhan and I?’
‘I will admit that the subject of you and Wangji has formed the larger part of our debate,’ said Lan Xichen, ‘I will not go into detail about the arguments both for and against, I am sure you can fathom most on your own. As it stands though, the both of you have demonstrated that you only act for the common good and do not abuse the power that your abilities give you. You will…’
‘Xiongzhang?’ said Lan Wangji as his brother’s voice faltered.
‘You will not be permitted to be part of any particular sect or to form one of your own but, if you wish to stay, again you will be offered a safe haven. If you wish to leave…’
Lan Wangji’s heart ached, knowing that he had always wished for a chance to return to his home but, as he met Wei Wuxian’s gaze, he knew his family would still be a part of him even as he built a new one of his own.
‘You know,’ said Wei Wuxian, ‘When I stumbled upon this place I realised that it was outside of the jurisdiction of all the sects surrounding it, no one has ever claimed the land. Perhaps, this could be the safe haven and would ensure we show no particular allegiance to anyone.’
‘A home, here?’ said Jiang Cheng, ‘There’s nothing.’
‘There’s wood and earth and a stream from the mountaintop,’ said Wei Wuxian, ‘Enough to begin with.’
‘Haven’t we all had to start almost afresh in recent years?’ said Lan Xichen, ‘And it has had us all beholden to someone who used that vulnerability against us. We too now have the undertaking of completing the remaining tasks of our sects without the financial backing we have come to rely on.’
‘Perhaps, I can assist there,’ said Lan Wangji, gesturing to the room, ‘How Jin Zixuan wishes to proceed with the riches I liberated from Jin Guangshan’s plans, I will leave to him, but at least half of what is before you comes from Wen Ruohan. If it would help the sects, I would be happy for it to be distributed amongst them. I have everything catalogued.’
‘We will discuss the offer,’ said Lan Xichen, ‘And leave you to have your own conference. Shall we agree to meet again later this evening?’
Lan Wangji looked amongst those he was responsible for, all of them nodding in response. ‘This evening will be suitable,’ he said, ‘I am sure we can all come to a suitable arrangement that will be beneficial to all.’
****
‘Another letter?’ said Lan Wangji as Wei Wuxian opened the door into their small house, returning the bright smile that had become a familiar greeting.
‘From Jiang Cheng,’ he replied, ‘A family has come forward with their daughter. A waterborn shapeshifter it seems.’
‘When are they coming?’ said Lan Wangji.
‘About ten days or so,’ said Wei Wuxian, ‘When the weather improves, though perhaps our newest resident won’t mind so much travelling in the rain. She’s fourteen, so her parents will be with her.’
‘The new houses will be finished in the next couple of days,’ said Lan Wangji, taking the letter that was held out to him and scanning it, ‘I will ask Wen Qing to set one aside for them. I have news as well.’
‘Oh?’ said Wei Wuxian, sitting down beside him and pressing a kiss to his lips.
‘Dragons,’ said Lan Wangji, ‘Distant relations of my mothers. They live far from here but have heard about our mountain and wish to visit.’
Wei Wuxian smiled, taking Lan Wangji’s hands in his own. ‘That’s wonderful news, Lan Zhan,’ he said, ‘I can’t wait to meet them, show them what we’ve built here.’
‘It is wonderful,’ said Lan Wangji, getting to his feet and pulling Wei Wuxian up beside him, ‘In fact, it is worth another look, don’t you think?’
He headed for the door, transforming into his dragon form as Wei Wuxian followed behind in a flurry of black feathers. They took to the air, surveying the settlement that was steadily growing on the mountain that had become a safe haven not only for the Wens but for the shapeshifters who had been kept hidden for so many years. A few with the ability to fly soon joined them, making a strange flock in the air but Lan Wangji wanted it no other way. His solitary life given happily away for peace and harmony with so many with stories similar to his own.