Mischief in Gusu

Chapter 4: Return to Form, Unchanged Hearts

The sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the Cloud Recesses, and the elders were finally converging on a solution. Lan Qiren, Lan Xichen, and several other senior cultivators had spent hours consulting ancient texts and pooling their collective wisdom to devise a ritual that would reverse the effects of the Mysterious Incense Burner.

Meanwhile, Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were in their own world, playing and exploring the grounds as though it were an endless wonderland. The sight of these two notorious cultivators reduced to innocent, carefree toddlers had injected an unexpected sense of warmth into the sect, and for a brief time, everyone could set aside their worries.

As the elders prepared the ritual site, Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi watched over the toddlers, who were now sprawled on a grassy knoll, basking in the last of the day's sunlight. Wei Wuxian was animatedly recounting a tale of a made-up adventure, complete with exaggerated gestures and wild sound effects. Lan Wangji, despite his usual stoic nature, was listening intently, his small face betraying hints of amusement at Wei Wuxian’s antics.

Lan Sizhui sat beside them, his heart full as he observed the bond between his two seniors. Despite their current forms, the essence of their relationship remained unchanged. Wei Wuxian's vibrant energy and Lan Wangji's quiet support—it was as though nothing could ever sever the invisible thread that tied them together.

Lan Jingyi, sitting nearby, let out a soft chuckle. "It's kind of amazing, you know?" he mused, keeping his voice low so as not to interrupt Wei Wuxian’s impromptu storytelling. "Seeing them like this… it’s almost like peeking into their pasts."

Lan Sizhui nodded, his eyes softening as he watched Lan Wangji gently adjust Wei Wuxian’s crooked flower crown. "It makes you wonder… what kind of children they were. And why it took so long for them to find each other."

As the sun dipped lower, the call came for everyone to gather. The ritual was ready. Lan Sizhui gently lifted Lan Wangji into his arms, while Lan Jingyi scooped up the ever-wiggling Wei Wuxian, who was still babbling about some daring escape from an imaginary monster.

"Wei-gongzi, it's time," Lan Sizhui said softly as they made their way to the ritual site. Wei Wuxian looked up, his expression briefly clouded with confusion before he nodded, his small hand reaching out to Lan Wangji’s.

Lan Wangji took Wei Wuxian’s hand without hesitation, the simple gesture filled with unspoken promises. The two toddlers were led to the center of the courtyard where the elders had arranged a complex array of talismans and incense, their faces serious and focused.

Lan Qiren stepped forward, clearing his throat as he looked down at the two tiny figures. His gaze softened for a brief moment, his stern expression easing as he took in the sight of his nephew and Wei Wuxian in their small forms. "This ritual should return you to your proper selves," he began, his voice echoing in the quiet courtyard. "You must remain still and hold onto each other. The connection between you may be what allows this to work."

Wei Wuxian nodded, his grip on Lan Wangji’s hand tightening. "We’ll be okay, right, Lan Zhan?" he whispered, his voice suddenly small, the bravado slipping away in the face of the unknown.

Lan Wangji gave a tiny nod, his eyes never leaving Wei Wuxian’s. He squeezed Wei Wuxian’s hand, a silent promise of steadfastness. They stood there, side by side, their tiny frames dwarfed by the elaborate setup of the ritual.

The elders began to chant, their voices weaving together in a low, rhythmic cadence that filled the air with a resonant hum. The talismans flickered with light, and the incense swirled in thick tendrils, wrapping around the two toddlers in a gentle embrace. A warm glow began to build around them, growing brighter with each passing moment.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji stood still, their hands clasped tightly as the light intensified. They felt a strange pull, as though the very essence of their beings was being lifted and reshaped. There was a brief moment of disorientation, a flash of something old and familiar—memories, sensations, fragments of a life they had once known.

And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the light dissipated. The courtyard fell silent, the chanting ceased, and the air seemed to settle back into its usual calm. Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi held their breath, eyes wide as they stared at the spot where the toddlers had stood.

Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji were no longer children. They stood in their adult forms, their robes once again fitting perfectly, their expressions a mix of relief and bemusement. Wei Wuxian immediately checked himself, patting down his robes and wiggling his fingers as though to make sure everything was where it should be.

Lan Wangji, ever composed, simply turned to Wei Wuxian and raised an eyebrow, as if to ask, Are you alright? Wei Wuxian grinned, wide and unrestrained, throwing an arm around Lan Wangji’s shoulders in an exuberant hug.

"We did it, Lan Zhan! We’re back!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed, his laughter bubbling over in the quiet courtyard. Lan Wangji endured the hug with his usual stoic grace, but there was a light in his eyes that spoke of his own relief and contentment.

Lan Sizhui and Lan Jingyi approached cautiously, their expressions filled with awe. "Senior Wei… Hanguang-Jun…" Lan Sizhui began, but he was at a loss for words. Seeing them restored to their proper selves was both a relief and a strangely bittersweet ending to the day’s surreal events.

Wei Wuxian, sensing the juniors’ emotions, turned to them with a bright smile. "Ah, don’t look so sad! It was fun being small again, even if just for a little while." He ruffled Lan Sizhui’s hair affectionately. "And you two were great babysitters!"

Lan Wangji nodded in agreement, his gaze softening as he looked at the juniors who had managed the day’s chaos with remarkable composure. "Thank you," he said simply, his voice carrying the weight of genuine gratitude.

Lan Qiren cleared his throat, drawing everyone’s attention back to him. "While this situation was… unexpected," he began, his tone regaining its usual sternness, "it has reminded us of the importance of vigilance and caution. Let this be a lesson to all of you."

Wei Wuxian gave a cheeky salute. "Yes, yes, Uncle Lan. We’ll be more careful next time." He shot a playful wink at Lan Wangji, who merely sighed, though the corners of his mouth twitched in a barely restrained smile.

As the group began to disperse, Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian lingered in the courtyard, taking a moment to themselves. The sun was nearly set, the sky painted in soft hues of orange and pink. Wei Wuxian stretched his arms above his head, letting out a contented sigh. "Well, that was an adventure, huh?"

Lan Wangji nodded, his gaze thoughtful as he looked at Wei Wuxian. "Mn," he agreed softly. There was a quiet comfort between them, a shared understanding that went beyond words. They stood there, side by side, just as they had in countless battles and quiet moments alike.

Wei Wuxian glanced at Lan Wangji, a warm smile spreading across his face. "You know, Lan Zhan… even when we were small, it was still you and me against the world."

Lan Wangji turned his head slightly, meeting Wei Wuxian’s gaze. "Always," he replied, his voice steady and sure. In that single word was a promise that transcended time, space, and form—a promise that, no matter what, they would always find their way back to each other.

As they made their way back towards the Jingshi, their steps in sync, the Cloud Recesses once again fell into the familiar rhythm of evening routines. The juniors resumed their duties, the elders returned to their studies, and life continued on, marked by the quiet resilience of those who call it home.

But for Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji, the day’s events were a reminder of the enduring simplicity of their bond. Whether as men or as mischievous toddlers, their hearts remained unchanged—forever intertwined, forever unwavering, forever together.