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Wei Wuxian huddles over the dragon egg, kneeling to place it in the vee of some large tree roots. He has no idea how to care for an egg, but keeping it warm surely can't hurt. The snow falling through the trees makes it all the more important. Wei Wuxian runs a finger down the side of the egg. Deep red with black swirls, the egg hasn't grown from the length of his forearm since he found it. It has been getting warmer every day, though. Wei Wuxian needs to reach the Lan enclave atop the mountain soon. What if it hatches out here?
It's only been a week since he found the egg in the woods outside his home but it's been the most stressful week of his life. Knowing the scattered Wen dragons had left behind an egg is one thing; the egg starting to warm itself in preparation for hatching is something totally different. His heart breaks thinking of the little hatchling wandering around the woods until some angry cultivator kills it. The Lan aren't too far away, but every minute counts. He's almost to the top of the mountain. Now he just has to survive encountering the dragons long enough to explain.
The wind picks up, blowing hard enough through the trees to chill Wei Wuxian through his coat—and his warming talismans. He picks up a soft noise overhead and looks up. A dragon, beautiful and frightening, circles above the forest. He can’t pick out much detail, but the dragon looks white with a slight blue tinge. Definitely Lan.
Wei Wuxian sits frozen as the blue-white dragon lands, curling around him and the tree with ease. The great head lowers until it rests only a bit above the forest floor. Wei Wuxian still feels small next to it. Once his muscles unlock, he picks up the egg—carefully—and presents it to the dragon.
"I come bearing gifts?"
The dragon stares at him, unamused.
"I found this in the woods near my house. It's obviously a Wen egg, but I wouldn't have any idea where to find Wen dragons to return it. The Lan are the closest. I know it's not safe for dragons right now, especially babies, and this egg has been getting warmer every day."
That gets a reaction. The dragon's head moves closer until their snout is pressed against the egg ... and Wei Wuxian's hands by extension. Warmth seeps through the point of contact up Wei Wuxian's arms. Something is clearly happening, though Wei Wuxian has no idea what that could be. A hum starts soft and low at first, rising to encompass the whole clearing. Wei Wuxian almost thinks his ears will fall off.
It cuts off abruptly. The dragon pulls back. In a flash of white, the dragon's entire massive body disappears. It its place stands the most beautiful man Wei Wuxian has ever seen, maybe a meter away. He wears blue robes with no coat, an intricate hairpiece, and no other jewelry. He doesn’t need any.
"That egg is going to hatch."
"You—what—it is? Like, now?"
"Soon." The dragon—man?—turns toward the peak of the mountain. "Come."
Wei Wuxian cradles the egg to his chest as he follows the dragon in man's shape. "Why am I coming with you? Shouldn't you just take the egg? Is there something I can call you, by the way?"
"Lan Wangji. You have bonded with the egg; separating you could harm it."
"Bonded ..."
Wei Wuxian decides not to ask Lan Wangji more questions in favor of puzzling over how he got into this situation. Lan Wangji doesn't seem like the talkative type anyway. So, what does "bonded with the egg" mean? The little hatchling inside likes him? Or is it some kind of magic ... how is that even possible with the difference in their species? Wei Wuxian cultivates, yes, but surely it's different.
The enclave seems to soar above their heads as they get close. While the building is on the ground, the design is clearly focused on flight. It’s beautiful. Wei Wuxian spots some structures built directly into the mountain, some higher ledges probably designed for taking off, and a few smaller places that appear human-sized. He wonders how many dragons shift shape like Lan Wangji.
Lan Wangji changes back to his dragon form as they approach. He must have some way of communicating with other dragons, because while Wei Wuxian hears nothing the two guarding the gates move aside. They barely look at Wei Wuxian. The inside is just as beautiful as the outside, light and free. The air warms distinctly once they are through the gate. Wei Wuxian takes a moment to soak it all in.
Lan Wangji nudges Wei Wuxian onward with his snout. They walk until they find a place that seems like a nursery, albeit not exactly made for humans. It’s massive, to say the least. An older dragon—Wei Wuxian isn’t sure how he knows this, but he does—waits curled by the entrance.
“Ah, this is who Wangji has brought home.” The voice is feminine and ancient, despite its smoothness. “Come here, child.”
Wei Wuxian bites down on the urge to complain about being called a child and carries the egg closer. Like Lan Wangji earlier, she brings her snout close to the egg and hums. It was nicer when Lan Wangji did it.
“I assume Wangji has already told you of the bond you share with this egg.” She pulls back, head hovering over him.
“A little? I’m not sure what it means, though.”
“Dragons imprint on the people who care for their eggs. Usually it is our parents, sometimes with a secondary caretaker.” She gestures at the nursery behind her with her tail. “I have bonded with several in my time. Such bonds are strong and lasting. They are vital for a hatchling’s development. You, by finding and caring for this young one, have formed a strong bond; that is why Wangji brought you back here.”
Wangji shifts behind Wei Wuxian, but doesn’t speak.
“How is that possible? I’m human.”
“That does not matter. We can sense the outside world while in the egg, not everything but enough to know love, fear, sorrow. A loving caretaker is a loving caretaker, no matter the species.” She points at the egg with her tail. “He loves you already. You are not required to raise him to adulthood—we can handle that ourselves—but you must stay until he hatches at least.”
“He?”
The dragon dips her head in a massive nod. “He. I can sense that much. I also sense he was separated from previous caretakers. Losing another could be disasterous.”
Wei Wuxian hugs the egg closer to his chest. “I won’t leave him if it’s going to hurt him.”
“Good.” She turns to the nursery. The gate opens slowly. “You need to stay with him every moment of the day. He can rest here with our own eggs. But you must visit for at least a few hours every day.”
They’ll have to drag him away. Wei Wuxian isn’t sure when he got so attached, but with formal permission … this is his baby now. He enters the nursery, followed by Wangji but not the older dragon. [describe].
Wei Wuxian chooses an open spot by the wall, about halfway back. He settles the egg in the empty nest and stands. No, that’s not right. It’s warmer up here than Wei Wuxian expected, he’ll be fine, but the egg looks lonely. He shrugs out of his coat and tucks it around the egg. Much better.
“You have good instincts.”
Wei Wuxian jumps straight into the air when Lan Wangji speaks behind him. “I didn’t think you were a talker,” he jokes as he turns.
“I am not.” Lan Wangji blinks down at him. “But it is true. You are a good caretaker.”
Wei Wuxian feels even warmer for some reason. Especially around his face. “Thank you. Do you know how long it will be until he hatches? You said soon, before.”
“No. It could be tomorrow or a week. But it will be soon.”
“Okay, okay.” Wei Wuxian bounces on the balls of his feet. “So, what else is there to do around here? If I’m not supposed to hang out in the nursery all the time.”
“Come.” Lan Wangji’s head swings away toward the nursery gate. “I will show you.”
Wei Wuxian jogs to keep up, fighting down a grin. It isn’t the end of the journey he expected, but the start of something new and promising.