Work Text:
Xie Lian saw a small curious orange creature scurry behind a tree. He’d never seen anything of its sort before. “Hello there!” he called, coming around the tree where the animal was hiding.
It was a fox. A chubby fox. It was San Lang! Xie Lian giggled, he was sure it was Hua Cheng. He could tell by just the little frown on the fox’s face. What was he up to though?
The fox stared back at him innocently, but Xie Lian could see right through him!
He crouched next to Hua Cheng. No. Hua Cheng was not a fitting name for such a chubby fox. Xie Lian pursed his lips, thinking of a name. Chongus!
He crouched down, scooping the fluffy thing off the ground. “You’re heavy arent you!”
If Hua Cheng wanted to mess around with him than Xie Lian would do the same back. He hugged the fluffy thing tightly, nuzzling into its soft fur. He almost expected for Hua Cheng to become flustered and shift back into his normal form but as he suspected, Hua Cheng’s resolve was strong.
Xie Lian would just have to try harder.
He walked back home, fluffy fox sitting calmly in his hands.
When he reached Puji Shrine he rested the fox on a cushion before going about with his chores. He peeked at Chongus every few minutes but the fox just sat there, looking content. Xie Lian sighed. He hoped he’d bore Hua Cheng enough for him to expose himself but none of the sort was happening.
“I’m so lonely,” Xie Lian lamented, “I wish someone was here to hug me.”
He glanced at Chongus, but still, there was no reaction.
It looked like Xie Lian would have to resort towards more drastic measures.
He went out to the lake to gather water for a bath. Chongus watched him curiously from his spot on the floor. Finally, when Xie Lian had finished he began to unrobe himself, in plain sight of the fox. He kept his back to Chongus, scared he wouldn't have the resolve to continue if he looked at him.
It wasn't until he was pulling off his undergarments when he heard a little puff.
He turned around and sure enough, there was a Hua Cheng sitting on the floor, cheeks red.
“Ha! I got you!”
Hua Cheng collected himself, standing up and brushing at his clothes. “You’re merciless,” he mumbled.
Xie Lian covered his face, giggling. “I’m sorry!”
“How did you know it was me?”
Xie Lian stepped forward boldly, cupping Hua Cheng’s cheeks. “Most foxes don’t wear eyepatches.”