Chapter Text
Moran searched for Xunxian around the preschool's playground. It's an odd thing that hehad not been dragged frocefully by the arm to go play on the see-saw outside like every day before. Xunxian is always full of energy and he has designated Moran as the person with whom he can discharge it all.
But, now, he finds his friend kneeling and hunched over near the bushes, completely quiet, his back to everyone, and Moran worries. He walks hastily towards him with a worrisome expression. "Xunxian, are you okay? Did you trip?" He asks in a small, soft voice.
"Moran, look, a baby!" And at the strange exclamation, Moran peeks around his friend's shoulder and sees tiny bird nestled in his lap, cupped at each side by Xunxian's chubby hands.
"I tried finding the nest or other birds, but I didn't find any, and I don't want to leave it all alone. Will you help me?" Moran is taken aback. He knew Xunxian was a good boy, they remained friends for a reason, but he hadn't expected him to be so gentle. "Yes. You can use your shirt like a hammock if you lift it and then we can take it to Laoshi."
Xunxian copies his example and nestles the bird on the lower part of his shirt carefully before they start walking back to the classroom as slowly as they can to not disturb the bird. Moran wants to grab Xunxian's hand to cheer him up, but he can't right now. His slightest disappointment doesn't compare with his pride over his best friend's valiant rescue. So kind!
"Laoshi! I found this baby bird but I didn't find its nest or family. What can we do?"
"Oh, Xunxian! Let me see if its hurt. Ah, the wing doesn't open, that 's what's wrong. I can take it to the vet so they can take care of him-," as his teacher reaches out to take it in her hands, Xunxian turns around and buries the bird further in his rolled-up shirt, "No! I want to take care of it! I found him!" Tears are beginning to brim in Xunxian's eyes and Moran looks at him in shared sadness. He hates it when Xunxian tears up, even if only as a joke or a way to get what he wants.
"Only Moran and I will take care of it! It's our baby!" That's true, they were responsible, they will help the bird. "Aw, we'll talk to your parents when they come pick you up, okay?"
...
"Mama, baba, Xunxian and I have a baby and we will take care of it together," states Moran as serious as he's seen his mother can be. "Moran, you can be the mommy!" Xunxian quips in with an excited shout.
"For being the second son, he is the most mature one," whispers the teacher. "The difficult one, you mean," whispers Mrs. Beitang.
"It's alright. we are Xunxian's neighbors. I bet they can help eachother with the bird. It's good to see them being protective of animals, a really good quality." Moran's father smiles down at him. "You may take turns and have the bird stay one week at a time at each house. We will help you with what you need. I'll talk with A-Xian's parents. Now, let's go home boys."
The two are led into Moran's parents' van, bird now tucked safely into a padded shoe box without a lid. "What are we going to name it, Xunxian?"
He pouts towards his friend in resentment, "I will help with the name... if I can be the dad." He crosses his arms petulantly and thinks he hears his dad huff a laugh behind the wheel.
Xunxian merely stares in thought, blinking a few times before saying, "I don't mind. I can be the mom or we can both be dads. All that matters is that it's ours!" He cheers.
"Okay, we're both dads, then. What about Límíng?"
"I love it! Do you love it too, birdy? Moran baba is awesome, isn't he? You'll love him, too!" Moran couldn't help but blush while Xunxian chattered animatedly with their new baby.
Decades later, Moran will realize that the dawn he though about at that moment was born from each of Xunxian's smiles.