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llycaons · 1 year

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Section One: The heart of it all

I. The name of the song: that sweet sweet postcanon getting-together content

II. To be in the world again: wei wuxian (or others), relearning how to live

III. From then on, he was unable to look away again: postcanon wangxian

I. The name of the song: that sweet sweet postcanon getting-together content

*I hope that you will come and meet me* by feyburner

summary: a classic. one of the first postcanon getting-together fics I’ve ever read. although not without its flaws, this is sweet, reliable, romantic, and has lovely writing. it remains a staple in fic recs for good reason work issues: lwj’s dialogue is very awkward, edging towards caveman speak in some of the more egregious lines author issues: genderbends, fuck or die

*And Yet Here You Are by cosmicmilktea

summary: a wonderful postcanon work. wx’s parallel goals for justice are heavily featured, lwj truly cares about and does well in his cc role, wwx addresses the pain his actions have caused in the past with actual nuance, there’s some excellent teaching going on, the characterizations are great, and it’s one of the only fics that I think really understands how lwj relates to the rules work issues: none author issues: A/B/O

*second person* by theherocomplex

summary: this is one of the most stunning and beautifully written fics I’ve ever read. in one timeline, wwx is grappling with being in mxy’s body, slowly healing and coming to terms with his traumas while traveling solo after leaving CR. in another timeline set some time in the future, a wwx reunited with lwj races to save his life after an assassination attempt both parts of the story interweave with each other; at times aching, at times terrifying, at times introspective. with a wonderful ending after an intensely compelling showdown. the second person pov was so engaging and unusual. cql for most things except wwx being in mxy’s body. I dislike when the post-temple travels are longer than a year, but the characterizations are so good, and the writing is so gorgeous, and the time for healing is needed so clearly that I don't mind see author notes for warnings. wwx's new body is written as if it's a discrete entity from him and they are both talked about as if they have their own desires and goals. there are some allusions to wwx’s suicidal ideation early into his travels, as well as a semi-graphic description of torturing a character to death work issues: none author issues: xicheng, 3zun, dubcon, and sex pollen

how you hold my name by detention_notes

summary: a nice and gentle postcanon getting-together work work issues: none author issues: none

*This House of Ill Repute* by Jo Lasalle (Jo_Lasalle)

summary: postcanon wwx and lwj seek shelter from a storm at an inn they quickly realize offers more services than they expected. honestly, the setting really just made their getting-together very…sweet? all the original characters were so lovely and the atmosphere was very friendly. this fic makes me a smile a lot. work issues: none author issues: has written fuck or die

*this must be the place by here_perishing

summary: a four-part get-together series starting with a sex scene just after the fade to black in ep43. it fits beautifully into canon because they just. don’t talk about it the next morning and do everything exactly as they did in the show. the characterizations were excellent in this one, and I loved how tender and funny it was. cql only, and easily one of the smoothest transitions from canon to fanon I’ve ever read. maybe lwj calling wwx an idiot is ooc but I thought it was very funny in context and it made sense for their dynamic here the grammar was a bit shaky, but the writing was otherwise good enough that I could ignore it work issues: none author issues: none

everything you think you had by gusuvibes

summary: post-guanyin temple, wwx and lwj go back to gusu and yearn. it’s a bit sad because it does follow cql canon and wwx leaves anyway, but I like the writing and atmosphere, and I find the ending satisfying in the way the promise at the end of cql was work issues: their first kiss is when lwj believes wwx to be drunk, but he stops them and feels awful when wwx wants to escalate things. wwx isn’t actually drunk, but it was a bit of a weird choice imo author issues: has written genderbends

In the Cold of Spring by dollydoodledoo

summary: absolutely lovely character introspection/getting-together fic that grapples with wwx’s self-worth issues while remaining very positive and warm. I love the style and atmosphere, and the dialogue is realistic and engaging. lwj in particular was given lines where he actually says things and doesn’t just repeat the same three or four sentiments over and over again. work issues: none author issues: none. this is a mutual’s fic, go read it!

*Linger in the Sun* by etymologyplayground

summary: postcanon getting together casefic! the lwj and wwx in this just Know each other so well and love each other so much, so even though they take things slowly you can really feel the romance and tenderness. lovely, humorous, and satisfying work with a nonbinary oc. firmly cql characterizations I find the jc and wwx relationship here to be very obnoxious, in the sense that wwx feels the need to tell lwj not to be so protective of him and jc being rude and aggressive towards him is just…brotherly bonding. sigh. I skip his scenes. work issues: none author issues: has written genderbends

*Wearing Down Every Bone by CSHfic, VSfic

summary: getting-together casefic with a time loop twist. there was a lot of drama and emotion in this one, the worldbuilding and plot were well-crafted, the characterizations were on point, and the conclusion was deeply satisfying in a way most fics on here aren’t (having its own plot helps). the ending made me want to cheer and I thought the wwx was just wonderful work issues: none author issues: none

let me hold it lightly by Phlogistics

summary: that brief interlude of wwx realizing lwj won’t travel with him in ep50, and what comes after. cql characterizations, and I really loved how thoroughly the author understood them and the show’s finale. the imagery and style were also lovely. a little wistful, but sweet and hopeful as well. work issues: none author issues: none

*awake for the sunrise by occultings (microcomets)

summary: half of this is just smut but honestly it’s a really lovely postcanon get-together. short, but their chemistry was just so natural and their joy together was just palpable ahh I love this one work issues: none author issues: genderbends, allusions to cnc, sex pollen

flowers boldly blossoming over withered grass by LilyMaxwell

summary: a lighthearted, loose narrative describing wwx’s life postcanon. not much of a plot besides wwx traveling and then returning to lwj, but a really lovely romance and a lot of writing about flowers work issues: none author issues: idk if this counts are rpf but they wrote a fic of lwj/another character wyb played and tagged it wyb/wyb so???

a safe pair of hands by occultings (microcomets)

summary: I don’t usually like fics with physical curses that lead to get-togethers bc I always feel weird about like, freedom of choice but this one is really good! pretty straightforward - postcanon wwx and lwj are traveling together, lwj gets hit with a touch-starved curse, and things go from there. it’s really sweet and tender and yeah these are definitely some good sex scenes imo work issues: none author issues: genderbends, sex pollen, allusions to cnc

the hidden source is the watchful heart by o_honeybees

summary: lwj pov post-cql get-together. somewhat corny, but very sweet. they're in love, they come together, they ease into intimacy. low-drama and very tender. I like how thoughtful and responsible lwj is in this one work issues: none author issues: none

my heart skips a beat (so my gut can feel the punch) by seularen

summary: postcanon get-together for cql. wwx finding the balance in his life and what he really wants was really nice to read, and I thought the characterizations were excellent work issues: distressingly faithful to novel sexual dynamics, so this one has a few lines that vaguely reference cnc. not graphic or even really explicit, but only read if you’re prepared for that. author issues: cnc (see above) and xiyao

Devoutly to Be Wished by yunitsa

summary: a short collection of wwx’s fantasies about lwj in cronological order from CR schooldays to the jingshi snow days. not all of them are sexual. I think it tracks his state of mind really well at different points of the story and the finale was just really tender and sweet. I feel like we get a lot of young lwj Yearning but not wwx so much. cql canon

work issues: none author issues: none

I’m Going Out (Gonna Make A Name For Me And You) by cosmicmilktea

summary: postcanon, wwx travels and works as lwj’s legs on the ground to enact change for the world and help people in need. fun and interesting character and political work exploring wwx’s recovering reputation, concept of home, teaching, and relationships with others sect disciples. the romance was in the background, quiet but nice. technically a getting-together work, but less focused romance than other fics on here jc was kind of annoying but not terrible. the juniors shipping wx were honestly a little funny. a few of the names sounded off because the author sometimes didn’t use honorifics for the disciples work issues: none author issues: A/B/O

II. To be in the world again: wei wuxian (or others), relearning how to live. healing and recovery from grief, suicidal feelings, loss, trauma. etc.

*the earth remembered me* by remux

summary: my very first fanfic 🥺 still unfinished, but this beautiful and contemplative work follows wwx on his travels postcanon as he comes to terms with what happened, works with his hands, offers aid to any who need it, experiences the kindness of strangers, and begins to think about his future. his travels are so lovely to witness, and his coming back into himself is so…tender? he does some healing. idk what else to say. he needs this. this is one of the few fics that’s pure cql and I love it so, so much. I don’t even need it to end, tbh, I know he’ll get back to lwj eventually. work issues: none author issues: none

*fish & wild geese* by impossibletruths

summary: loosely based on the film little forest, this fic follows modern AU lwj through four seasons after he returns for a visit to his mother’s home in the countryside. he finds a grounding and peaceful escape from his busy and empty life as a law student and he reunites with his old friend wwx, who had moved back to help on his grandmother’s farm. lwj’s connection to his mother is so beautifully explored, and I also loved how lqr and mama lan’s relationship was portrayed wwx’s unique family unit of himself, bssr, sl, and xxc is also warm and wonderful, and I enjoyed the background songxiao. the writing is gentle and evocative, and includes poetry for each season. a worthwhile fic full of food, warmth, family, grief, home, romance, and closure. technically either canon but I feel cql for it work issues: none, it’s such a comfort to me author issues: none

*总有一天; a place to hide (can’t find one near)* by yiqie

summary: ah, this fic. I LOVE this fic. modern AU - wwx’s nearly successful suicide attempt, and what comes after. emotionally rich, well-crafted in language and character, accurate to culture, thematically resonant, and faithful to canon characterizations, this has been one of my favorite fics for a long time. I like how all the characters are written, especially lxc, jc and jyl. I love what a good person jxz is here, too, although he’s not a major character. I appreciate the emphasis on continuous and enthusiastic consent wrt the sex scenes. the author is chinese so the details and atmosphere feel very grounded and realistic. strictly cql characterizations on the flipside, it does have quality issues. it sometimes gets caught up in its own flowery language and the lines end up nonsensical. some of the sex scenes are a little goofy since lwj is so formal, and there’s a slightly annoying emphasis on wwx being panicked about being a bad partner and needing reassurance from a saintly lwj, which he immediately believes with no other hangups despite his terrible sense of self-worth and not thinking he ‘deserves’ anything good. also, there are a few characterization choices that made me go “no!” for example, wwx is DEFINITELY a crier and this fic claims he isn’t. but yeah I love it anyway lmao the suicide attempt is described in detail at the beginning of the work, so check the notes if you want to skip it. suicidal ideation and chronic depression comes up later in the story. there’s canon-typical emotional and physical child abuse in flashbacks to wwx’s childhood. there are also flashbacks to lwj’s mother’s death in the hospital. implied to have been from cancer work issues: not a huge issue, but at one point lwj brings wwx flowers and someone asks lwj if they’re for his girlfriend and he says yes which like??? nothing close to that happens again but why was that a thing author issues: has implied jl/lsz in one of their fics (To the Yiling Laozu, the Great and Powerful)

*feast and famine by luckymarrow

summary: a rape recovery/aftermath work. I took a long time deciding to add it in, but it’s really good, I think it could be cathartic for people, and on a second read it’s strangely comforting. modern AU, NYC. leaning more towards novel characterizations. wx are married. wwx is roofied and violently sexually assaulted at a party, and then deals with the aftermath with the support of his friends and family. check author notes for specific warnings, but obviously it’s rough. this is probably the least fanficcy of any work on my list. it is unflinching in its depictions of survival after horrific violence in ways other fics tend to mine for angst or romance points, or gloss over for hurt/comfort. but this depicts not only the immediate before and after of the assault itself, but the continued pain and humiliation of medical examination, homophobia faced by victims of rape even from supposed supporters, caregiver fatigue, homophobia from the assailants, and effects of lifelong trauma. there are also brief references to sinophobia. imo it also has good politics in validating a survivor not pressing charges, which I think is really refreshing. unlike others I’ve read, it takes into account social/cultural forces at work, and things like class and privilege that can really matter in the context of SA despite the premise and the very dark scenes, there were many legitimately joyful parts of the work, and as wwx starts healing in more significant ways, the breakthroughs he makes in his journey are so touching to read about. this is a painful story, but it makes so many beautiful points about how life is worth living after a violent trauma, and how things can still be good afterwards even if they’re different. this was a huge theme in the show and I enjoyed seeing it resonate here as well. it’s a slow journey, and one not finished by the end of the work, but it does have a gentle and hopeful conclusion I don’t really like how this author writes them pre-assault, but the way wwx and his relationship with lwj is explored the rest of the work is amazing, and the way they renegotiate their relationship in the aftermath is genuinely very interesting and even romantic to read even if it’s painful why they have to do so. the side characters also have a lot of richness to them - I love jyl in particular, she gets a ton of screentime and pov scenes, and her chronic illness matters without being her only character trait. lwj is pretty good; his backstory with his mom is one of the scariest I’ve ever seen and I think it’s really compelling. jc is written really well! wwx and jc have their adolescent playfight banter that goes a little far sometimes, but wwx gives just as good as he gets and jyl and lwj always back him up when jc goes too far, so it didn’t feel unbalanced or unfair to wwx while letting jc off the hook like other fics do. jc grows as a person during this work, becoming more selfless and closer to his siblings. and I really liked how jxz was handled at the end finally, this fic has, bar none, the best jfm I’ve ever read. he clearly loves wwx but he doesn’t treat him very well - he’s foolish, ignorant, self-centered, weak-willed, delusional. absolutely perfect. but they all love wwx so much and they work together to support him in the aftermath in very gratifying ways reclaimed q slur is used a few times, including by a straight character? she was referring to a gay character and not using it as a slur, but it was a little odd anyway work issues: references jgy and nmj potentially hooking up, mentions of xy and ‘his boyfriends’ (sl and xxc), and references to cnc (which is discussed, but not shown in the fic itself). pretty mild on the whole and it’s only talked about to I moved it to this section author issues: cnc smut and A/B/O

*places under the sky by narie

summary: during his travels after leaving gusu, wwx stumbles upon a village where he meets his paternal grandmother and learns more about his lost parents. this fic is raw and tragic, but it was in-character and so beautifully written and offered a realistic, if bittersweet measure of healing and closure for wwx. the way the romance was handled was lovely, even though lwj wasn’t present. cql canon work issues: none author issues: none

the work of spring by wrrms

summary: modern AU wwx tries to grapple with his grief over jyl’s death, jc’s estrangement, and lwj’s absence by starting a garden. the wx in this was long-distance but their relationship was super sweet, as was the nhs and wwx friendship. it did make me cry a bit but it was also really cathartic and lovely. lwj was genuinely hilarious and I loved his personality and dialogue in this one. either canon warnings for depression and heavy grief work issues: none author issues: none

how the body can be both greenhouse and graveyard by molerein

summary: postcanon, wwx drags lxc and himself into a better place through his very determined visits to the hanshi. sort of a character introspection/relationship study. I like their dynamic, and the background wx was very comforting as well. the style was lovely. either canon works, tho tags say novel verse check notes for references to depression and suicidal ideation work issues: none. the every day thing is mentioned, which continues to piss me, off but it’s not like an actual issue author issues: none

*come for a while by Joana789

summary: a meandering, plotless little introspection from wwx about being alive again, and how he handles the joys and sorrows and changes from his previous life. very gentle and satisfying. I feel cql for it work issues: none author issues: none

*the soft animal by cafecliche

summary: postcanon wwx, learning to live in his new body and be kind to himself as he adjusts. this one gave me all sorts of disability feelings. novel canon work issues: none author issues: none

*a kind of emptiness by ScarlettStorm

summary: wwx works towards gaining weight postcanon after his lifetime of food insecurity, with the support of lwj and the lans. it’s nice to see him take one step after another as he relearns how to have a healthy relationship with food, and progressively feels better and stronger as he puts on weight. a really lovely, affirming fic with a solid and satisfactory ending. either canon, but characterizations lean towards cql. unfortunately the author's attempts at eroticism are about as unsexy and painfully generic as they come warnings for disordered eating and references to starvation work issues: none author issues: this author has written some really weird things feminizing wwx

*somewhere they live, somewhere they multiply by perilously

summary: one of the few horror fics I’ve enjoyed. postcanon wwx struggles with his past and some parts of his life in CR, and the gift of a large, creepy mirror exacerbates issues. the quasi-argument between himself and lwj is quite raw and feels well grounded in their characterizations, and the atmosphere is extremely well-crafted work issues: none author issues: none

*grow by cafecliche

summary: wwx is hit by a curse during a night hunt with the kids that reverts him to the physical, mental, and emotional state of his six-year old self. the juniors take care of him while trying to find ways to undo the curse, which is really cute because they just adore him and they want to make sure he has a nice day. a character study for both wwx and lsz, with supporting roles from jl, ljy, and oyzz, and later on, lwj and lxc. the writing was wonderful, the relationships well-crafted and very sweet, the commentary on wwx as a child was straightforward but rewarding, and the characterizations as a whole were just excellent. I really loved seeing little wwx getting all the care and affection and protection and validation he so desperately needed back then, so it’s a bit of a comfort work as well. novel-verse, but imo it doesn’t matter expect canon-typical child neglect and everything else that comes from being a homeless 6 year old. lwj does interact with de-aged wwx but I promise it’s not weird I have age regression blacklisted because I don’t trust anyone, so many thanks to my mutual who specifically recommended it :) work issues: none author issues: none

touch like a river, smoke by autoclaves

summary: lwj pov. atmospheric reflections postcanon, about grief and love. just so tender and full of gentleness and healing. cql specific. I love how easily wwx cries in this one work issues: none author issues: song lan/xue yang

here comes your ghost again by yuer (vintageblueskies)

summary: wwx mourns wen qing postcanon. that’s all work issues: none author issues: dubcon

take the words by phnelt

summary: an angsty postcanon oneshot set immediately after wwx rescues an abducted lwj. I really like the interpersonal drama between them, and the ending makes my heart hurt in a good way work issues: none author issues: has written genderbends, cnc. A/B/O, and sex pollen

a heart (i forgot about) by pink_fluff

summary: meandering little postcanon work about wwx settling into his body with lwj's help. gentle and tender and romantic. either canon for characterizations, but wwx in mxy’s body work issues: none author issues: none

III. From then on, he was unable to look away again: postcanon wangxian

*after night by detention_notes

summary: a peaceful postcanon work depicting wwx and lwj’s married life over the years as they run their own sect and grow older. not very flashy, but comforting and gentle, and I think it offers something close to a perfect cql postcanon life for them. see the previous works in this series, from season to season, for more work issues: none author issues: none! this author is one of my alltime favorites and many of their works are on this list. I’ve followed them on twitter for years and read all of their fics, and I can confirm they’re a safe author to read.

*Close Your Soft Eyes* by timetoboldlygo

summary: even after they’re married and settled in the jingshi, wwx occasionally gets restless at night and leaves to wander around CR. lwj gets jumpy if he wakes up alone, so wwx starts leaving him little gifts to reassure him. no other plot, just a meandering and really lovely fic about growing older together and becoming closer and communicating and letting old hurts heal. they’re so respectful and caring of each other in this 🥺 I love it so much work issues: none author issues: none

*Where the Lonely Ones Go by CSHfic, VSfic

summary: casefic where a married wwx and lwj work on solving a mystery surrounding a seemingly abandoned, universally distrusted, and definitely cursed toddler. the wx in this is very sweet, the baby girl is adorable, and while parts of this story are sad, it’s a lovely work and I really enjoyed seeing them as parents. cql canon work issues: none author issues: none

*梅雨 | rain month by astronicht

summary: a very gentle, no-drama little cursefic. wwx and lwj are in love. the young kids get a lesson on water divination. it’s raining, and wx are cozy in bed together. the atmosphere in this was so rich with love and comfort and safety and tenderness I could have cried work issues: none author issues: genderbends

in all my dreams i drown by idrilka

summary: pretty classic h/c smut. postcanon wwx struggling with nightmares and guilt and all the things that followed him into this life, and lwj comforting him through it. it was really sweet. made me smile. it’s also really nice to find sex scenes that don’t incorporate any cnc at all. cql canon work issues: none author issues: sex pollen, genderbends, jl/lsz

And all the ways we meet (and meet again) by Aerlalaith

summary: wwx and lwj try to get into roleplaying for sex reasons and fail for one reason or another, and honestly most of it was just very funny. it’s so charming to watch them try to pretend. lighthearted, not much more of a plot, and overall a fun time. either canon, but cql leaning there is a sex worker rp midway through that doesn’t go anywhere because one of the characters is uncomfortable with it work issues: wwx and lwj are each jokingly referred to as 'brides' at different points in the story author issues: has written dubcon

Set my sail straight, bridge the sea by feyburner

summary: essentially hurt-comfort boiled down to its most basic essentials, in which wwx is non-fatally injured on a night hunt but must endure an incredible amount of pain, and lwj is there to comfort him. this is so self-indulgent, but since I really love hurt/comfort, I enjoyed it a lot. some of the lines of dialogue really hit home for me so I consider it a good work for characterization work issues: none author issues: has written fuck or die and genderbends

Soft Arrangements by Jo Lasalle (Jo_Lasalle)

summary: wwx and lwj are together, yay! now they must learn how to sleep together. literally. work issues: none author issues: has written fuck or die

Talismans by brooklinegirl

summary: this one doesn’t rly have a plot it’s just postcanon wwx being really good at talismans and lwj being horny about it and then they fuck and it’s really fun? I like the style a lot work issues: there’s a couple of vibes to some of the sex scenes that are a bit weird iirc but overall nothing major author issues: age gaps, lsz/jl, and sex pollen, also sex worker wwx tho idk how it’s treated

shadows in the sun rise by Yuu_chi

summary: postcanon casefic where lwj is cursed to slowly lose his senses while on a night-hunt with wwx. I really liked the atmosphere and how their relationship was written here work issues: some of the lines in this were ableist. like one went something like ‘oh he wasn’t his full self' like ??? author issues: none. I read their other fic and it’s fine. nothing remarkable imo, though it’s pretty popular

to you I offer my hull and the tattered cordage of my will and *let him find honey (let ruin end here) by dustbottle

summary: not much plot, just some well characterized, atmospheric, and romantic married smut. the opening scenes don’t feel like a setup to porn, it just reads like a natural day in the life. full of imagery and emotion. more cql than anything else. really lovely. these two aren’t technically in the same series, but they’re basically two sides of the same coin - both postcanon married smut, one wwx pov, and one lwj pov. work issues: none author issues: none

ordinary bodies by messier45

summary: a moody and introspective fic where postcanon wwx dwells upon his dissatisfaction and grief involving his new body, and the things he never got to do with his old one. not very warm and fuzzy, but cathartic and very raw and I really liked the way it handled wwx’s body issues. the romance in this was not the main focus, but it was excellent - even though the grief and discontent there was a lot of love and gratitude, which feels more realistic and honest than ‘wwx is married and everything is happy forever!’ trans author, which tracks work issues: none author issues: none

friendly fields, open roads by queensmooting

summary: postcanon wwx and lwj come upon a mysterious, ghostly toddler, and must solve the mystery of her life and death. this is one of the only fics I’ve read that really take the massacre of the wens seriously, and is therefore quite upsetting and difficult to read. I definitely cried reading this and I don’t know if I could read it again, but it was very good this fic deals with child death, cannibalism, and mass murder/genocide work issues: none author issues: A/B/O

every word a love song by milkcrates

summary:

work issues: none author issues: none technically, but their ‘magical uni AU’ feels perilously similar to the harried podder setting

As You Like It by cosmicmilktea

summary: wwx realizes that lwj never got a chance to develop any real preferences for teas, books, foods, etc. and embarks on a quest to discover what he actually likes. the characterizations were really good for this one. wwx sneakily introducing lwj to all sorts of things he’d never seen before and then collecting data about it was really sweet either version of canon works - plenty of references to lwj’s golden eyes, which I always find jarring and unappealing, but also to things that happened in cql. they do talk about what lwj likes in bed and it’s somewhat based on the novel but there’s no reference to cnc or rape fantasy. overall I’d say more novel leaning though work issues: they dropped the pronoun “I” from lwj’s dialogue in one of the scenes, but it’s not as bad caveman speak as I’ve seen in other fics author issues: A/B/O

the low sky, raining over by chibilwj (thelogicoftaste)

summary: an unique postcanon kid fic. lwj and wwx become close with a curious, stubborn new member of the lan sect, a foundling toddler. wwx’s worries about his suitability due to his reputation make sense, and lwj’s interactions with all the young kids, especially the new baby, are really neat. in-character, engaging, and nuanced. light on plot, but the mystery is compelling the wx is somewhat annoying, but not the worst. individually, wwx and lwj are really good. jc has a new wife and baby. which is weird, but he's not sanitized or glorified. the toddler had to do a minor penance as punishment which was definitely strange to read about but didn’t come off as cruel. and the author dropped in a ton of ocs that no reader would know about, so the passages are at times a bit confusing work issues: sex scenes vibes were a bit weird author issues: none

Far away on the cold mountain by chajatta

summary: for all the wwx-making-CR-his-home enthusiasts out there. a beautifully domestic and peaceful work about their nighttime routine work issues: none author issue: RPF

empty as the sky by incendir

summary: lwj and wwx investigate a cursed pot, which sends wwx into another reality in which he holds a powerful political position, retained his golden core, and is still in the lives many of his loved ones, some of whom don’t even exist in his old life. his subsequent dissatisfaction pushes him to reflect on his original life and where his true happiness lay.

I really like stories where canon wwx interacts with alternate versions of his story, and this is a nice examination of a world that wouldn’t be out of place in a fix-it fic, but with a balanced and thoughtful portrayal of what that would still be lost in that world as a result. there were joys and sorrows in both lifetimes, which imo follows the themes of canon well. cql verse, except wwx is in mxy’s body. lwj isn’t actually there for most of this fic, but their relationship is ever-present work issues: bit of ableism treated poorly? a wheelchair user’s chair is grabbed without his permission in the style of wwx’s boundary-pushing in CR. other than that..wwx is nicer to jc than he would be in canon imo but this is years after the temple showdown and they appear to have reconciled author issue: nhs/nzh, sl/xxc/xy (get him OUTTA THERE!), jl/lsz

the evenings and the inbetweens by occultings (microcomets)

summary: a short and quiet little anniversary fic. the celebration of the day wwx has been married to lwj longer than he’s been dead. ft. peace in aging, tender morning sex, references to yunmeng bros reconciliation, the adoration of young children, and the juniors all grown up work issues: wwx playacts and calls himself a wife, and there's a bit of a weird vibe to the sex scene but nothing major author issues: allusions to cnc, sex pollen, genderbends

Back to Start || Section Two

#ficblogging #fic recs #posting em all now. why fucking not #recs-1

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watch-grok-brainrot · 4 years

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Jin Guangyao's Violation of 忠孝仁义

So I had written about WWX and his strong sense of 忠孝仁义 last week. While I was writing it, I kept on thinking about JGY and how he managed to violate all of these virtues. I wanted to go into this characterization of him because I find it so interesting how opposite he is to WWX in the decisions he made. (Warning: i’m not nice to JGY here so if you don’t want him dragged, don’t read?)

忠- loyalty, devotion, fidelity (usually for country or monarch)

(Can I take a moment to talk about how much I LOVE THIS SHOT?! The blood of WRH on the camera lens, WRH falling over, the sudden shift to brightness that mirrors the scene in ep 50 where JGY obscures the sun in his bow (picture above the read more cut)! I can’t get over how much I LOVE the lighting and the way WRH collapses, making way for JGY to become the new sun. Foreshadowing much CQL Crew?!)

This one might be a stretch depending on how you read JGY. I fully believe he went to work for Wen Ruohan as Wen Zhuliu did -- seeking someone who will value his skills. However, WZL died for WRH and JGY just bided his time. (Note: While we know very little about Wen Zhuliu, we know he was at least 忠 and 义. He died for WRH and Wen Chao and refused to let WC desecrate Jiang Fengmian and Yu Ziyuan’s bodies. For that, I have to give him respect. He, despite everything, still had that jianghu sense of 义. Also, the man can count. And knows what a golden core feels like.)

So we know JGY gave Lan Xichen the maps, but he also lured them to Nightless City where the puppets were waiting. Had WWX not brought out the Stygian Tiger Amulet, would JGY have murdered WRH? Or would he have stayed in the shadows forever? As a viewer I have no idea what JGY is thinking, what he’s doing, or what he’s hoping for. He hides so well his intentions that there is debate about if he really was helping with the Sunshot Campaign or not! That isn’t something you can say about someone with loyalty.

What upsets me further is that Nie Mingjie, having been JGY’s superior officer, sees JGY more clearly than LXC can. NMJ has seen JGY murder and has seen the level of self-serving vindictiveness JGY is capable of. In the case of the Sunshot Campaign, this self-serving attitude made JGY become a double agent uncommitted to either side. Too bad NMJ could not convince LXC of JGY’s duplicity. I’m gonna blame those dimples.

The fact that we do not know JGY’s intent really shows his lack of 忠. If You Stand For Nothing, JGY, What Will You Fall For? (Answer: Himself and that is not 忠)

孝 - filial piety (deference to your lineage)

So for 孝, you’re supposed to respect your parents, honor your parents, and defer to your parents. What are you not supposed to do? Kill you father. That’s what.

So this should’ve been a really short section because that’s pretty cut and dry. But I want to look at what JGY says to JGS when JGY brings in Sisi and the other women.

(He’s so creepy in this picture! *shudders*)

“父亲,我给你找来了你最爱的女人. 有很多个. 你高兴吗?”

“Father, I have brought you your favorite -- women. There are many. Are you happy?”

(Translation note: you can translate the line as your favorite women or your favorite -- women. I chose to translate it as the latter due to the context.)

First of all, the tone. JGY’s voice is breathy. I can almost hear a smile. He has zero moral qualms about this. He addresses his father as father, not dad or anything close. But he does acknowledge that relationship. And then he says he’s brought JGS’s favorite. There’s a slight emphasis on the favorite there. And it’s creepy. JGY adds the next line and goose bumps start to form on my skin. He knows his father’s sins and he’s punishing his father with it. Why are you doing this JGY?! And at the end, when it asks “Are you happy?” his voice is so sinister I want to scream. JGY clearly knows what he’s doing. He knows exactly what it means to be 孝 and chooses to make a mockery of 孝, to make a mockery of his father, and to kill his father.

And then, after he watches JGS die, he tells Sisi and the other women to continue -- to desecrate JGS’s body. This is about as un-孝 as one can get! Remember, WWX and JC were willing to die to get JFM and YZY’s bodies back so they could be cremated and honored. The difference here is night and day! Yes, JGY was very good to his mother, including building a Guanyin Statue in her likeness and sparing Sisi who was a friend of his mother’s, but I cannot get over how much of an abomination he was toward JGS (even if JGS deserved an awful death).

仁 - benevolence, humanity, love of man

JGY has no 仁. Does JGY love anyone other than himself? Maybe his mom. (He might have some 仁 towards Su Sh*t She but that’s only suggested by the last couple of episodes.) That’s really it. He might have loved Jin Ling as his nephew. He might have loved LXC for LXC’s kindness and brotherhood. He might have loved Qin Su as whatever relationship he thinks they had. But when push comes to shove, JGY has zero benevolence towards anyone. He’s willing to kill Qin Su, take Jin Ling hostage, and take LXC hostage. (He also has no 义 but that’s the next section!)

And there’s ep 23. When LXC, JGS, and NMJ were discussing what to do with the Wens, JGY suggested the Wens be imprisoned at QiongQi Path. Since WRH had ordered the slaughter of multiple clans, including the Jiangs at Lotus Pier, doing the same to him would not be considered unreasonable. Ruthless, yes, but a good show of might and order. This acceptance of murder is due to the concept of 诛九族. 诛九族 (zhū jiǔ zú) is one of the most severe punishments in ancient China. The character breakdown makes it fairly self explanatory:

诛 - to execute, kill, put to death

九 - nine

族 - family, clan,ethnic group, or tribe

诛九族 condemns you and your entire family to death (Depending on the source, some say it’s you + 8 types of relatives. Some say it’s everyone related to you from 4 generations above to 4 generations below).

By suggesting the Wen remnants be imprisoned and not slaughtered, JGY presented himself as 仁. However, by turning around and slaughtering the people per JGS’s wishes, JGY knowingly chose the immoral path where blood flowed like rivers.

(Also! The way this shot pans down makes me think about how JGY is descending into a hell of his own making...)

义- righteousness and code of brotherhood

Good god, 义. I have so many feelings about 义. Let’s start with some history because CONTEXT is so important. So when you ask a chinese person on the street to give you an example of 义, I’m willing to bet one of the most common answers you will get is 桃园结义 (tao yuan jie yi, or peach garden/grove establishment of brotherhood). This is THE story of fraternal love between non-blood related men.

So quick and dirty synopsis of 桃园结义 and the three kingdoms story (I actually haven’t read it and it’s been a while since I actually tried to figure out the plot… so hopefully this is all correct!). Three men (刘备、关羽、张飞/ Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei) met on the streets, fought each other, became besties, and decided to start a rebellion. They took over one third of the country with the oldest (刘备) being the monarch and the other two working at his side (a little Yunmeng bros feel there, right? You’ll be the leader, I’ll be your right hand man). And they died for each other. 关羽 was the first to go. To seek revenge, 张飞 worked his men to the rebellion. Two of 张飞’s subordinates ultimately decapitated him while he was sleeping and brought it to their enemy. 张飞’s head and body are buried in two different cities in China (doesn’t this make you think of NMJ’s fate? Because it did when I was thinking about this and I wanted to cry. Also, 张飞 started out as a butcher. SERIOUSLY CQL/MDZS, can we pretend to be SUBTLE!?). 刘备 continued seeking revenge. Prior to 关羽’s death, the three kingdoms were in semi-equilibrium where the two smaller ones were allied against the larger. However, 关羽 being killed by their kinda-ally destroyed the delicate balance between the three kingdoms. 刘备 could’ve tried to make peace but he wasn’t going to let his sworn brother’s murder go unavenged. They all died in the end but with honor and brotherhood intact. 刘备 and 张飞’s determination to avenge 关羽’s death epitomizes the virtue of 义. They are willing to die for eachother.

In CQL the parallelism to the 桃园结义 imagery is obvious to anyone who has a cultural background that screams Romance of Three Kingdoms at you. Let’s take a look, ok?

A quick Google image search yields these images (I couldn’t choose):

You know what they look like? This (from ep 40):

You know what 桃园结义 looks like when mainland China made a live action? This:

And you know what that reminds me of in CQL (ep 23)?

Are you freaking out now about the visual parallels? Ok. Good. Because we’re moving onto a tiny bit of text comparison because i’m excited and i can.

Per Romance of Three Kingdoms (note: historically inspired novel, not history), 刘备、关羽、张飞 swore the following oath:

“念刘备、关羽、张飞，

Hope that Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei

虽然异姓，既结为兄弟，

Even though we have different last names,since we have sworn to be brothers

则同心协力，救困扶危；

Then let us unite our hearts and efforts towards helping the needy

上报国家，下安黎庶。

Repaying our country, bringing peace to the people.

不求同年同月同日生，

We do not ask to be born on the same day of the same month of the same year

只愿同年同月同日死。

But hope to die on the same day of the same month of the same year

皇天后土，实鉴此心，

Heaven and earth, verify our hearts

背义忘恩，天人共戮！”

If we turn our backs to righteousness and forget charity, may we be slaughtered by all.

Now, let’s look at the oath said by the 3zun:

“神明在上。

Brilliant gods above,

今日我兄弟三人在此立下重誓，

Today, we three brothers swear a solemn oath here

上报仙门，下安黎庶，

To repay our cultivation sects, To bring peace to the people.

天地同证，如有异心，

Heaven and earth be our witnesses. If we become disloyal,

千夫所指，天人共怒”

May a thousand men point their fingers at us and may we be incite the anger of all

Even some of the wording is verbatim. The parts I bolded are what I was excited by since they’re either parallel or verbatim.

The first set of lines: 上报国家，下安黎庶 and 上报仙门，下安黎庶 . (Remember when I guessed in my WWX post that since there are no countries, the cultivation sects are the target of 忠? This is my proof that I was right!) My hubris aside, this is the part of their oath where they swear to be both 忠 and 仁 together. The wording is verbatim except for the part that doesn’t apply to the CQL universe!

The second set of lines: 天人共戮 vs 天人共怒. The sentence/phrase format and message is identical-- betray this oath and incur wrath. (I can’t help but headcanon NMJ wanted to say 天人共戮 because it’s so much more metal but JGY was like, that’s really severe and convinced LXC to side with him to get it changed.)

Even the structure of the oaths are similar. Both oaths start with an introduction (we are three who want to be brothers), both oaths ask the heaven and earth to see them (Heaven and earth, verify our hearts & heaven and earth be our witnesses), and both oaths call upon the wrath of the people for vindication in case of betrayal. The CQL version is an abridged version of the three kingdoms oath and the writers set that up along with all the imagery because they want us to be constantly thinking about the three kingdoms bros and their amazing “even after death we’re still brothers” sense of 义. They want us to compare JGY’s 义 with that 义 and find JGY lacking.

The obvious betrayal of 义 is NMJ’s death. Not only is JGY the cause of NMJ’s death, he butchers (i’m cringing at my own pun... but it’s so accurate) NMJ’s body so that NMJ’s spirit cannot rest.

But, to me, what JGY does to LXC is betrayal on par with what he does to NMJ (and not dissimilar to what Xue Yang does to Xiao Xingchen). As we went over in the section about 仁, JGY says one thing so that LXC suggest JGY handles the matter. When everyone leaves, JGY does the un-仁 thing, essentially with LXC’s blessing. JGY kills NMJ but he does it by asking LXC to teach him how to play guqin. LXC becomes an unknowing accomplice (like XXC who becomes the killer of tongueless victims of corpse poison).

So remember in my WWX post how I said WWX took on what he perceived as JC’s debts so JC doesn’t end up 不仁不义? JGY says one thing and does another in front of LXC. He knows LXC cares deeply about being righteous and kind. He knows LXC wants to do good. And he leads LXC down a path of self doubt and regret. LXC ends up teaching JGY the techniques that kill NMJ. LXC lets JGY handle the Wen remnants. Thus, unlike WWX who tries to absolve JC, JGY intentionally puts LXC into the position of 不仁不义.

Can WWX and JGY be more diametrically opposed (foes)?

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jabberbeans · 4 years

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Wangxian Coffeeshop AU: First encounter

I put Wangxian, coffee, urban magic, fluff and slowburn into the melting pot and crossed my fingers - read at your own risk. I’ll be updating this story in shorts before revising and posting a full length version to A03 (somewhere in the distant improbable future).

Featuring confused pining over magic tea and magic sweets, cafe shenanigans and baker/patissiere(?) WWX and LWJ.

Tranquility turned tea from pear-green to a deep sea foam. Lan Wangji felt this was appropriate - water was the most tranquil thing he knew. His uncle disagreed - as he often did - and had attempted to shift the colour back to its original green many times. That one was a failed experiment - it reduced the efficacy of tranquility and made the tea taste like grass.

“That’s not green tea,” Lan Qiren had scowled, pointing an accusatory finger at the perfect sea foam brew. “It isn’t traditional.”

Was magic traditional? Lan Wangji had been tempted to ask, but held his tongue. Using their energy to shape the natural order of things into something else - perhaps that betrayed tradition, or at least some law of nature. But magic ran as deep as blood, and the healing teas were so much more healing when they used magic, so sea foam it was.

They still called it green tea on their menu. It was very popular.

Gusu had been a traditional Chinese tea house, once. Lan Qiren would have been quite content to keep it that way too, but even he couldn’t shout gentrification into going away. Gusu was dying. So he turned the shop over to his nephews with the vague hope that they could reassess its business model and bring in some customers. Then he went on a long vacation.

When he returned, Gusu was transformed. Literally. Its dark wood finishings were gone, replaced with snow-bright walls. The tea was unrecognisable. There was a dessert menu. And a bar counter.

But there were also customers. So many, in fact, that Lan Qiren was forced to don his apron and help out not five minutes after walking through the door. Lan Wangji had never seen his uncle so disturbed as he’d been that day, trapped behind the counter while teenagers pointed their phones at his hands and cooed over the quaintness, the rarity, the sheer aesthetic - of hand brewed tea.

It wasn’t that Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji had betrayed their uncle and tradition. It was more accurate to say that they took his best ideals, put them in the proverbial blender and stood by silently to receive the scrambled results.

Floor seating and low tables remained - but there was also a large communal table and benches, and of course, the dreaded bar counter with its stools. The tea menu was largely the same, just tweaked to look and taste better. Ice blended options were now available, to their uncle’s everlasting horror. And there were traditional desserts - almond soup, sesame balls, milk pastry, cakes - all arranged artfully and minimally on little porcelain plates.

And so Gusu was preserved, albeit not quite in the shape their uncle would have preferred. But four years on, the cafe continued thrive - building a solid reputation among locals and visitors. Lan Qiren had mostly adapted to the teenagers with their phones and the cakes by now, but he still eyed the green tea with deep suspicion.

Lan Wangji was doing the very same that morning, as he regarded Lan Jingyi’s practice brews. The teen had arranged the tiny glass cups from dark amber to pale yellow. Perhaps he thought he might get points for neatness.

“Again,” Lan Wangji said with finality, eyes sweeping down the line. “When you make clarity, the oolong should lighten to parchment.”

Jingyi wilted first at again and segued quickly into bafflement at parchment.

“Parchment?” The boy repeated, unsure if he heard right. Lan Wangji paused to think it over, then nodded.

“Like paper white, tinted with yellow or tan. Parchment.”

Jingyi looked exasperated then, eyes wide and swivelling in their sockets to catch Lan Sizhui’s, who pretended not to see. Finding himself without allies in the kitchen, Jingyi’s shoulders slumped with defeat. “Yes, Hanguang-jun.”

Lan Wangji didn’t blame him. Clarity was difficult to make. Oolong got particularly stubborn when energy was channeled into it. If one had poor magic control, the colour could turn almost violently, from amber to walnut to black.

He left Jingyi to continue his oolong studies and approached Sizhui instead, who had finished divining the difference between parchment and white the day before, and so was allowed to move on to desserts. Lan Wangji approached from behind silently, but Sizhui’s hands remained steady as they attempted to transplant a sesame ball onto a spun sugar base. It wobbled unsteadily when he drew back.

“I’ll do it again,” Sizhui said before Lan Wangji could. “The base is too brittle. It must have been the temperature.”

“Mn,” Lan Wangji approved. “Continue.”

The boys were young, only fifteen, but they were fast and eager to learn. Their progress came at no little effort however, if Jingyi’s growing army of oolong cups was any indication. But Lan Wangji was not worried. His uncle had handpicked them himself from some branch or other of their very, very extended family, and they were proving to be dedicated workers. It had been less than a month since they began training, but they would soon be ready to work the counter.

There was a loud rattling sound from Jingyi’s corner of the kitchen, a hastily bitten off curse, and then Sizhui was abandoning his station to fly over with a towel. Lan Wangji pointedly did not turn around to look. Perhaps not /too/ soon.

Jingyi’s cups were no closer to parchment by the time Lan Xichen poked his head in. “Wangji,” he called. “Would you check outside? The customers say there’s an obstruction near the entrance.”

“The deliveries?” The deliveryman occasionally left their parcels at the front, if he was busy.

“He would have called if he wasn’t coming in.”

“I’ll check.”

It wasn’t a parcel. Lan Wangji spotted the problem the moment he stepped out - it was taking pains to make itself known, actually.

A little stickman was drawn onto the walkway in what looked like chalk. Someone had magicked it to life so that it danced about - harmless, but an annoyance regardless. It surged towards Lan Wangji’s foot, circling playfully and attempting to slide onto his shoe. If it succeeded, the chalk drawing would transfer to the leather.

Lan Wangji stepped briskly out of its path and tried to trace its spiritual source. It was strong, and he followed it easily out the gate. The little stickman raced to stay close, its arms waving about.

He was so preoccupied ensuring it didn’t touch him that he nearly tripped over the problem’s source.

“Careful!” The man squatting on the pavement said, flinging an arm up in reflex. His hand was covered in chalk dust. Lan Wangji stepped back to look at him. Then he looked again.

“You…” He had no words for what he was witnessing. The man was surrounded by chalk drawings that stretched all the way up the pavement, past the neighbouring lot. They were wriggling with life - little stick figures dancing, animals prowling, scribbled phrases vibrating - and food - so much of it, all moving.

It was a simple matter to implant spiritual energy in the drawings - small children could do it with enough practice. But that was precisely the problem, it was a trick for children, not adults.

“You’re blocking my sun, do you mind…?” The man said, not unkindly. He still hadn’t turned around, eyes focused on his next drawing. Lan Wangji did not move.

“This is vandalism,” he told him.

“It’s only chalk. It’ll wash away with the rain. Or a good sweep.”

The man looked up then, and…Lan Wangji did not know what he was expecting - he had no preconceived notions. But he felt a flicker of surprise. The man’s mouth was curved like he was laughing, though no sound passed his lips. His smile was sun-bright. For a brief moment Lan Wangji allowed himself to notice the rest of him - his impish features, his haphazard ponytail, and the red ribbon that tamed it, just barely.

He looked away.

“You’re obstructing our business,” he told the air in the middle distance. He sensed the man was staring at him but he kept his gaze averted. There was a small gasp, like the man realised something.

“Oh! You run the cafe?” Lan Wangji let the weighted silence speak for him, and the man continued to speak as if he’d received a proper reply. “I didn’t notice I was in front of your shop. I started drawing and I had so much inspiration that I forgot -“

“Please remove yourself and the drawings. You are inconveniencing the customers.”

The man pouted. “I want to save the drawings first…but I don’t have paper. That’s why I’m drawing out here. You see, I had this amazing idea for a triple tier reverse lava cupcake and I needed to sketch it out before the idea got away from me but all I had was this chalk in my pocket so -“

Lan Wangji was quite finished listening to him somewhere around paper. He said sternly, “If I give you paper will you stop?”

“And a pencil too, please!” The man said shamelessly, as if it was perfectly normal to make demands of strangers that he was inconveniencing.

Lan Wangji unfolded his wallet, and ran his fingers through it briefly. He kept some useful things inside - stationery, a first-aid kit, a spare apron - and his notebook. It was twice the size of his wallet and the man hummed with interest when he extricated it.

“Handy trick,” he commented, eyes twinkling.

Ignoring him, Lan Wangji carefully tore three pieces of paper from the spine. Then he glanced at the chalk drawings and tore another piece. The man was gleeful as he accepted them.

“I drew a lot, didn’t I,” He sounded pleased with himself. “Thank you.”

“Hm.”

He stood aside while the man lay the paper sheets on the ground, spreading them neatly. Then he wriggled his fingers and whistled once, sharp. The doodles froze where they were, some in the midst of sneaking onto the street. When the man tapped the paper with his finger they began to slide along the pavement very quickly, shrinking as they went, until they were paper drawings. Lan Wangji was surprised by the sheer number of doodles of cake, sweets and desserts - each one elaborately drawn and unusual.

Unbelievably, there was a reverse three-tiered cupcake - just like the man had described. A long string of untidy handwriting accompanied it, jostling the cupcake as they both slid onto the last empty spot. Then it was over, and the pavement was clean once more.

Almost.

“You forgot one.” The little chalk man was still trying to climb his foot despite the slight energy field Lan Wangji had put up to rebuff it. It hopped around the toe of his shoe, waving indignantly.

“Hm...” the man crooked a finger at it, and when that didn’t work, he whistled sharply. The little chalk man appeared to toss its head rebelliously at his efforts, marching away until it was behind Lan Wangji’s shoe.

The man only laughed, “You should keep him, I think he likes you.” Then he winked and turned away, his ribbons flying as he did. Like they were taunting him.

“You...!”

“Take good care of him,” the man called back, already walking away.

#mdzs fanfiction #mdzs #mo dao zu shi #fanfiction #the untamed #wangxian #coffeeshop au

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