Thread by @cerbykerby

🐉🦊au headcanon: dragonji can shapeshift into any animal he wants (although he will retain dragon-like qualities, such as his horns and blue-colored fur/scales).

the catch? there's a bit of a 'loading screen' period where he has to adjust to the gain/loss of senses and limbs.

dragonji strongly dislikes the 'loading screen' period in between shifts—because that is when his new instincts run at their highest, and his consciousness goes bye-bye for a little bit as he adjusts to his new body.

so, in general, he doesn't shift.

then a new class year at the cloud recesses starts, and with it comes new disciples—particularly a fox disciple from the jiang snake clan.

from day one, foxxian has been PLEADING for dragonji to try and shift into a fox form.

"I just want to see what you look like, Lan Zhan!" foxxian wails dramatically when dragonji says no for the umpteenth time. "I've never met another fox before! I have no fox friends." he harrumphs. "I'm going to die alone, without ever meeting another of my kind."

eventually dragonji caves, even if mostly to just shut him up (it's not just to shut him up). they head to the back mountains. foxxian shifts into his fox form and waits, tail wagging furiously in anticipation.

dragonji takes a deep breath, leans forward, and shifts.

shifting is every bit as unpleasant as he remembers; his bones grind together as they move around and change shapes. he itches all over as his scales simultaneously shrink and grow fur. his hands and feet soften, claws retracting into paws. his new senses overwhelm him.

it's evening, and there's so much to *see* through a fox's eyes, and so much to smell and hear! the forest is alive around him, beneath him. he feels light and nimble; he could run after any of the scurrying creatures around him, and he—

—there's a pretty fox in front of him.

foxji blinks. foxes are territorial, yet the presence of this fox oddly does not set off any alarms. the fox doesn't seem territorial either; he's prancing around foxji, yipping with joy and bumping his head against foxji.

there is only one explanation: this is foxji's mate.

that is a little odd; foxji does not remember having a mate. but the fox's scent is familiar, and his actions imply a level of prior intimacy, so…

foxji splays his front legs out in a play bow, inviting more interaction.

the other fox goes WILD.

meanwhile foxxian is vibrating out of his mind as he lets foxji chase him around a tree. who knew dragonji would be so fun in fox form? he even wants to play! dragonji *never* wants to play!! oh, this is so fun, dragonji should be a fox more often—

foxji bites him on the bum.

foxxian yelps—more out of surprise than pain, but foxji instantly lets him go. foxji makes a little chuff sound and repeatedly blocks foxxian's attempts to leave.

foxxian is now confused—and a little annoyed. what is *up* with foxji? he's acting like a fox in rut—

uh.

oh.

the thing is, it's *not* fox mating season. heck, it's not even dragon mating season (do dragons have mating seasons? foxxian is unsure). there's no reason for foxji to be acting like this.

foxji keeps following foxxian's bum; foxxian panickedly sits down to protect his rear.

foxji makes a quiet sound and leans against him. foxxian stumbles and his butt nearly leaves the ground, but no!! he will not let foxji mount him!! (is that even what foxji is trying to do? maybe he's just interested in foxxian's tail, but foxxian is taking no chances!)

in the end, foxxian doesn't have to hold out for long. foxji settles, looking around, then carefully peels himself off of foxxian and sits, tail curled around his paws.

foxxian gives a cautious yip and sniffs at foxji's snout. his tongue darts out to lick at foxji's nose.

foxji startles, then makes the fox version noise equivalent of, "Shameless!" and stalks off.

foxxian chases after him, still confused about what happened, but nonetheless relieved (disappointed?) that foxji is no longer trying to court him.

when they turn back human, foxxian tells dragonji about his odd behavior.

foxxian: and we played together! you chased me!

dragonji, hollow: I chased you

foxxian: yeah, but you were so rough about it 😔😔😔 you probably thought I was in heat.

dragonji:

dragonji: i wHAT

foxxian: oh, lan zhan~ 😩😩😩 who knows what could have happened if you hadn't stopped~ 🥺👉👈 I could have gotten pregnant, you know~ 😳😳 maybe even given birth to little white, black, and blue fox kits~ 🥺🥺💕

dragonji:

dragonji: I am never shapeshifting again