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Chapter Text

Spring 2020

Wang Yibo was in a period of recuperation. It wasn’t necessarily chosen by him but he wasn’t going to turn it down when it was presented to him. He was informed by his entertainment company that he could opt for different projects if he wanted to. Something other than the usual period dramas. Or even the ones where he typically played a cool youngster with a heart of gold. Though he’d only filmed a few dramas so far, he guessed that was enough for a lifetime for most actors.

Time to mix things up.

So he’d gladly taken the given time period and finally decided on an audio drama. He had been sent the script a while back; even the directors of The Untamed had remarked on his tone of voice and asked if he wanted to try his hand at the art of dubbing.

He’d turned it down back then, not confident in his own ability and far too busy in his role of actor and idol to do much else. Now though, that prospect was intriguing and interesting.

A few weeks ago he’d gone into the studio to run a few lines and the director had been impressed enough so he was to take a few weeks off to train his voice.

But that meant staying in one place. So now he was settled in his apartment in Beijing, with plenty of free time on his hands.

It was a quiet Sunday afternoon and he’d woken up shamelessly late; staying up late at night to play games was becoming a habit but he was just glad to have the time to do it.

But he’d never thought being free was going to be this boring. He’d better schedule some time round the track now or it was going to get too busy over the weekend soon.

Wang Yibo picked up his cellphone, thumbing through his contacts to send a text message when his screen already flashed with a new one.

It was Zhan-ge, he noticed with some surprise and sat up straighter.

The last time the two of them had any contact was over WeChat where they’d been sending each other increasingly ridiculous memes of each other. Wang Yibo wasn’t ashamed to admit he’d been sending back some of his latest selfies too. So what, he enjoyed tormenting the man.

It had been ages now since they last saw or met each other. It was probably at the beginning of the year at the awards ceremony. But he’d had to catch a quick flight and they’d barely exchanged any words thanks to annoying higher-ups. It wasn’t their fault their fans had the wrong idea! 

There was nothing like that between him and Zhan-ge, though Yibo would rather eat his motorcycle helmet than admit he’d hoped there to be. 

Of course, he wasn’t infatuated with the man and his politeness and sensitivity. He was definitely not in love with his breath-taking smile and crinkling eyes. He was also not obsessed with everything the man did, from cooking with such passion to taking care of his beloved cat. And no, Wang Yibo definitely did not hunt out old videos of the man so he could keep on looking at that gorgeous face. Wow.

Yibo had been denying himself the giddy happiness of a first love. It wasn’t a first love because it wasn’t returned. And Yibo wasn’t the sort to hang around and mope endlessly for a person who would never see him more than a little brother.

He took a deep breath, thinking back to the summer they’d spent together, where Yibo had irrevocably and irreversibly fallen in love.

When Xiao Zhan hadn’t made any moves, he’d backed off, not wanting to force his friend into anything. Heartbroken though he was, he felt just as lucky to have Zhan-ge in his life as a close friend. The man was enigmatic and Yibo was slightly embarrassed to admit he was gone so far for him.

Focusing on the phone in his hand, he clicked open the text. 

Xiao Zhan

I need your help

You

???

Yibo frowned when another notification popped up from WeChat. It was Zhan-ge. He rolled his eyes, why didn’t the man just message him there earlier?

Xiao Zhan

Yibo

Where are u

You

home why

Xiao Zhan

I don’t know what to do

But I doubt you know what to do either

You

zhan-ge ur not makin sense

lol no sense buy it 

Xiao Zhan

Shut up 

And you know I already bought the physical copy

Wang Yibo’s cheeks flushed as he grinned down at his phone. The man knew how to make him feel special, he’ll give him that. But back to the problem,

You

lao xiao knows how to make me blush

what did u want to do anyway

Xiao Zhan

You’re distracting me!

Listen 

So there’s a baby

You

uhhh 

what 

Xiao Zhan

pic_47382927.jpg

You

what the fuck

who is that

no wait whose is that

Xiao Zhan

Not mine!

Well actually

I’m confused

You

what do you mean ur confused???

how do u not know

zhan-ge!!!!

Yibo was freaking out, it was rare for Xiao Zhan to lie or even joke about something like this, the man was too pure for his own sake. He examined the picture carefully. It looked like a bundle of white blankets with a little face peeking out of it. He could barely make out the features but it was definitely a real sleeping baby. The picture was bathed in the low afternoon sunlight, with a shadow standing over it. That was definitely Zhan-ge, Yibo surmised.

So he wasn’t being pranked? No this was far too much of a serious thing to be pranked about. It was a baby! But how - 

You

ok srsly 

tell me again

slowly this time exactly wat happend

Xiao Zhan

Why do you type like a heathen

You 

ur face is a heathen

Xiao Zhan

Alright alright I don’t wanna start

Yibo snickered; a familiar warmth settled in his gut. He’d missed conversations like these.

You

back to the topic?

Xiao Zhan

Yes yes

So someone dropped off a baby

You

someone? who?

Xiao Zhan

No I mean it was a lawyer and a social worker

They said she’s related to me

You

who? the baby?

Zhan-ge

Yeah and I asked for info

They informed me my eldest cousin on mom’s side passed away 

It was a car crash

You

zhan-ge im sorry

Xiao Zhan

Thanks didi

I hadn’t seen her in forever 

Idk I always thought I’d get time to catch up with her

Didn’t even know she’d already been married and divorced

Or that she was expecting

You

so the baby is your niece?

Xiao Zhan

Yeah

You

zhan-ge im sorry but is there no one else to take her?

Xiao Zhan

No

Mom injured her hip last week

I can’t do that to her

You

no one on her dad’s side?

Xiao Zhan

He’s a runner

You

asshole

Xiao Zhan

Exactly

For the time being I’m her only support

I can’t turn her away you know how much jiejie supported me through uni

You

ofcourse

besides shes your blood relative

Wang Yibo didn’t know what else to add. He sat there staring blankly on the blinking cursor on his phone until the backlit screen shut off. If this was a load of information for him, he can’t imagine Zhan-ge was doing any better.

In fact, the man’s nature was to plan and pre-plan everything. This must’ve thrown him off.

Add to that that he lost his jiejie and never got to say goodbye, he mentally added.

His heart ached at the thought. Xiao Zhan was first and foremost a family man. He loved his family and was devoted to them. When Yibo had met the man’s parents he was shocked and horribly endeared to see the way he’d still lean on his mother’s shoulder and openly give his father big hugs.

Yibo can’t remember the last time he hugged his father. But that's another story.

Wang Yibo mentally rifled through his plans for the day. Today was mostly free for him, the recording for the new audio drama was scheduled early next morning. He did want to spend some time on the track; it had practically been ages since he got onto his motorcycle.

Yibo bit his lip indecisively; he unlocked his phone and the first thing he saw was the picture of the baby. Unbidden, a mental image formed in his mind. Zhan-ge struggling to deal with the baby. Zhan-ge wondering why Yibo never replied. Or somehow worse, Zhan-ge holding the baby and cooing at her. His heart wouldn't be able to take it. 

Mind made up, he started typing. 

You

where are u right now

Xiao Zhan

Home 

You

which one

The question would make any average person roll their eyes and complain about rich people but only they knew the truth. With filming locations so far apart, it was impossible to be able to return home every few weeks. So they’d all established at least two apartments in different locations, one in Beijing and the other would be wherever it was easily accessible by family. It made flying off to several locations much easier.

Xiao Zhan

I’m in Beijing

You

wtf? you didnt tell me?

Xiao Zhan

Now you know

You

ur insane

anyway wait for me im coming

Xiao Zhan

Yibo you don’t have to 

This is my problem I’ll deal with it

You

are u rly going to stop me from seeing u

ok seeing as how u didnt reply im gonna take that as a no

im dressed im coming in 15

He desperately wanted to take his motorcycle, limbs itching to feel the power vibrate under him, wind shooting through his hair. But that would attract far too much attention on the daylight-streaked streets of the city. So he settled for calling his driver and hoped he was nearby. Yibo remembered where Xiao Zhan lived thanks to that one time he’d called over almost the entire cast to his apartment for dinner and drinks.

He took a moment to breathe. Yibo was ready to support his friend. Someone as sweet and larger than life like Xiao Zhan couldn’t be made to go through this alone.

He didn’t know a thing about babies but at least he’d be there for his friend.

Zipping up his jacket, he reached for his wallet and phone, instinctively slipping on a black face mask and cap. He needed to be careful and not get recognized stepping into Xiao Zhan’s apartment building.

Chapter Text

Xiao Zhan always knew he was a nervous person. His anxiety was always warring with his need to be onstage and confident in all roles. That was why his onstage persona was so dissimilar to his real-life self. Not that he was deceiving his fans. He tried to be as open as he could about himself with them. But sometimes nerves would overtake him. His OCD tendencies would flare up.

So he was a little particular about everything in his life; he liked to plan for every eventuality. He liked to know which way his day was going. 

He never expected to go through such emotional turmoil on the morning of a lovely Sunday. 

Not that the weekend mattered to him; he was on a month-long vacation thanks to his manager. She'd approached him and reprimanded him for doing too much in little time. 

Xiao Zhan knew he was close to burning out and he didn't need that so he'd begrudgingly accepted the days off and gone to Beijing. 

That was when he'd gotten the fateful phone call and eventual visit.

They said her name was Zhao Meihua.

Plum blossom , that had made him smile at least. 

But he couldn't bring himself to look at her just yet. Not properly at least. 

All he knew from a quick glance was that she was pink and healthy and had dark brown hair peeking out from under her cap. 

Xiao Zhan had operated under shock and called his mother automatically. She was just as devastated and stunned if not guilty that she couldn't take the baby on her own. 

"Poor baby, never knew her mother," she'd said, "and what after this? Once I'm better I'll take her from you. But we need to find her a family. Or find her father."

Xiao Zhan had gritted his teeth, "No. No way is she going back to that undeserving man. We'll find someone, Ma!"

They'd then shared some more comforting words before his mother left him with some sage advice about babies and hung up reluctantly. 

Somehow his heart had felt heavier after that. 

So he'd unthinkingly dragged the one person into it he'd wanted to avoid thinking about. 

Wang Yibo. A man, sometimes a literal kid, he'd worked with endlessly and tirelessly. A man who'd burrowed himself stubbornly into his heart. A man so endearing and annoying and caring and hard-headed. 

Xiao Zhan would be lying to himself if he didn't admit to having some feelings there. Some feelings, he insisted mentally. He was adamant to end these feelings at the cusp of a crush. Nothing else. 

Yibo was only 22, compared to his 28 was ages away, literally. He was nowhere near what Yibo would have in mind for a romantic partner, let alone the fact that he was probably straight.

Sure they'd flirted relentlessly but it was in the heat of the moment, for sure. They couldn't work it up to anything, his heart reminded him painfully. That summer had been full of fond and dear memories for him, but at the end of it all he’d had to leave behind a piece of his heart. Once he’d arrived back in Beijing, in the peace and quiet of his apartment, he’d realised the depth of his feelings. He wanted Yibo around him, beside him, poking him and annoying him, with his deep voice teasing his ears and enveloping his senses.

So, yes he was definitely struggling.

Xiao Zhan glanced at the baby carrier seat his niece was in and thought, "If he was ever interested before, he's definitely not going to be interested now."

Then he scoffed and shook his head at himself for such bitter thoughts. No, Yibo was actually coming over to help him out. It was unfair of him to believe the worst in his friend. The fact that he'd responded to Xiao Zhan after he was contacted was enough for him. 

Maybe he just needed some support to get through this. 

Two months was all the time he needed. Then the baby would be with his mother whilst he figured out where to get her placed.

The lawyer had been adamant he sign the papers himself. She had on a stern frown despite her calm demeanour.

“We can’t get in contact with the father. We believe he abandoned the two long before she was born. That’s the reason we want to keep investigating him before giving him the baby. You understand, I hope?” 

Xiao Zhan had hoped to understand nothing of the situation. He was still shaken by the news of his cousin’s death. Anger rushed through him at the thought of that man abandoning his family like that. Was nothing else pure in this world? Was family not important to people anymore?

Reluctantly, he nodded. “Please make sure the man is caught and apprehended first. I don’t want my niece in a dangerous man’s arms.”

The lawyer nodded once; it was evident of his own grief that he never even recalled her name. She’d given him a card along with some documents to go over and sign in front of her. He’d barely noticed another assistant coming in with his niece and dropping off her things.

In the end, the lawyer had taken note of his silence, “I’m sorry for your loss, sir. I know being in your position is difficult, seeing as you’re busy and well-known. But we had no other better candidate for her, other than your mother, of course.”

He’d already shaken his head, “No, my mother is too weak to take care of a newborn right now. Thank you for thinking of me. I would never turn away family.”

She’d smiled sympathetically, promising to come back in a few days to analyze Meihua’s condition and his own handling of everything. From there they would speak about possible foster families and other options.

His heart thumped at the thought of his own niece being handed off to strangers. But their hands were tied. His mother couldn't handle a baby at this age and he could never provide a stable lifestyle for her, never mind that he was single. 

With such warring thoughts swirling in his mind, he almost missed the tentative few knocks on his apartment door. At first he was confused as to why Yibo was knocking then he glanced at the baby and instantly felt gratitude for having the boy in his life. He was obviously being quiet lest he wake her up.

And suddenly he couldn't wait to see that familiar face with its shit-eating grin and sparkling eyes like he was always up to something. 

Xiao Zhan rushed to the door of his apartment and swung it open unceremoniously. 

Yibo's hands were clammy for some reason. Though there was a reason, most definitely. This was the first time he was seeing Xiao Zhan since the awards ceremony happened. Back when they'd been unable to say a goodbye that would suffice months of not seeing each other or properly having a conversation. He was itching to claw through the door and see the man. To stand in his light once more. To gaze into that sunshine filled face and not look away. 

His thoughts were so cheesy and embarrassing; Yibo ran a hand over his exasperated face, he needed to get through this visit without giving himself away. Which reminded him to remove his face mask, he wanted Xiao Zhan to see his face.

Hesitating, he knocked quietly a few times, wanting to avoid ringing the bell. Who knew if the baby was asleep or not?

It was only seconds before the door was swinging open, with Xiao Zhan standing there before him. And he was—

Wang Yibo's mouth went dry. 

The man was sporting his laziest outfit, sweatpants and an old T-shirt, hair soft and unstyled, settling into a fluffy mess over his forehead. His eyes were red and there were signs of stress over his face but he was so achingly familiar that he couldn't help but reach out. 

Before Wang Yibo's brain could come back online he'd already reached out and touched Xiao Zhan's face with his fingers. 

He flinched as the other man moved. 

In a flurry of quick movements, he was tugged inside by the same hand and the door was shut behind him. 

"Zhan-ge—" he began to say, but he didn't know what to say just that he needed to comfort his friend somehow.

But before he could continue speaking, he was wrapped up in a tight but warm hug. 

Shocked and stunned into silence, Wang Yibo could do nothing but stand still for a few moments. His heart thumped loudly against his chest and he hoped the other man couldn't feel it. With how the two were pressed, it was a good chance he could. 

But no, he wasn't here to tend to his complicated feelings. He was here for his friend. He raised his arms to return the hug, the touch familiar and nostalgic. 

Xiao Zhan was a man who loved to touch; he’d discovered this quite early in their friendship. Yibo had especially observed this of him when they were filming together. He'd lean on some of his co-stars and initiate elbow fights with some of them or ruffle their hair to annoy them. 

Most of all, he'd torment Yibo with his friendly touches. He'd often lean his head on Yibo's shoulder during a break in the shoot, claiming he was the only other person on set who was close to his height to do that. One time he'd even wrapped Yibo up in a hug from behind. Arms snug around Yibo's waist, Xiao Zhan had propped up his chin on his shoulder. It had taken all of him not to self-combust then and there. 

But now, with no eyes on them, Yibo would gladly return the affectionate touch. His friend needed a comforting hug and he was going to damn well give him one. 

He could feel the man's face buried in his shoulder so he squeezed the man tighter and felt him melt into his arms even more. 

God, he thought achingly, he must be feeling awful right now. 

They stood there a while, until Yibo felt he should maybe say something. But he wasn’t someone good with words. He knew Xiao Zhan was aware of that so he settled for some gentle pats on his friend’s back.

Xiao Zhan seemingly shuddered, with grief or something else, he didn’t know. The other man pulled back and looked at him.

“Thanks for coming, Yibo.” A small but genuine smile graced his lovely face and Yibo could barely react other than to smile back.

Then Xiao Zhan laughed a little sheepishly, stepping back from their embrace. “Sorry to attack you like this, I just needed to see someone I guess.” 

His expression was apologetic and so painfully typical of him that Yibo could feel fondness creeping into his own. “No need to apologize, Zhan-ge. I’m here for you.”

He was quickly ushered into the living room and Wang Yibo noticed signs of some disturbances. There were several official-looking documents strewn on the coffee table, a few unopened envelopes too. On a single sofa in the corner, he noticed a bright purple baby bag along with a few grocery store bags. But there was no sign of the baby herself.

Yibo frowned at that and turned to ask, noticing Xiao Zhan was already in his kitchen preparing tea. He huffed a quiet laugh, the man was so domestic and homely.

So he edged towards the kitchen area, “Hey Zhan-ge, where’s your niece?”

Without looking up from the cups, he answered, “Oh she’s in my bedroom. I didn’t want to disturb her sleep so I left her there.”

Yibo nodded at that. 

Then, a thought occurred to him. “Uh Zhan-ge?”

“Mn?”

“Uh— “

Yibo tilted his head, awkward as to how he could ask that question.

Xiao Zhan noticed the lapse in his speech and looked up, eyebrows raised.

Yibo continued then, “Do you— that is if you have any experience— like with babies?”

The other man only looked amused at the question. “Of course I have some experience. I do have a lot of cousins on my Dad’s side and whenever I visit home all my nephews come visit.”

Yibo raised his eyebrows, “ All your nephews?”

Xiao Zhan chuckled, “Yeah I’ve got four of those. But no nieces. Only have her now.”

Yibo was still dubious. “But taking care of them. Do you have experience with that?”

Xiao Zhan had a thoughtful expression but was nodding his head, “Mn I guess so. The social worker dropped off her milk formula as well as enough diapers for a week.”

“What about her medical check-up?”

“Mn, I’m going to contact the social worker for more information on that. For now she’s given me Meihua's basic information. It’s all in her file.”

Wang Yibo heard all that but he focused on one thing. “Meihua is her name?”

Xiao Zhan hummed again and Yibo absorbed it in. “It’s cute. We could call her 'little flower'.”

Xiao Zhan's head snapped up to look at him, and Yibo realized his slip-up. 

“We?”

Yibo laughed awkwardly, “Sorry. I meant you can call her that. You know, as a cute nickname, because she's tiny and her name means—”

Then to escape the awkwardness of the situation he’d created he removed his cap and ran a hand through his hair, hoping to keep his hands busy.

Shit shit shit.

Xiao Zhan could only stare at the man as he slowly walked away back into the living room. He said ‘we’. His words resonated in his mind. ‘Little flower, Xiao Hua’. That was what he called his niece.

It was cute, he’d give him that. But there was something quite odd about the whole thing. He’d called Yibo in a fit of grief-stricken panic. He didn’t know how to handle the situation and had instantly felt calmer after the man got here.

He could sense Yibo’s usual sense of challenge coming in. He had asked all the right questions, absorbing the information like it was his purpose. The young man he’d seen grow so much in the past two years was never without his innate sense of competition. He wanted to be the best at everything, always learning and always trying. That was what had attracted him to Yibo at first.

Wang Yibo had taken one look at him and completely skated his eyes off and over him and moved on. Everyone that Xiao Zhan had met since he entered the industry had always wanted something from him. Some wanted to talk, some wanted advice, and some just wanted evidence that they’d met him. His co-stars would always approach him with some enthusiasm and awe. So it was a most refreshing moment when on a hot summer’s day, his new co-star actually managed to ignore him.

This had only solidified his resolve to get to know Wang Yibo more.

And man was he glad to have done so. He was a whirlwind and then some.

So to hear him take such interest in his life and his niece shouldn’t have been surprising. Wang Yibo took everything as a competition. Even friendship with him.

Oh well, Xiao Zhan was going to take every bit he could. He needed all the help he could get.

Swiping up the cups of tea, he left the kitchen and went to find Yibo. He expected him to have been moving around his apartment, maybe even snooping into things to find material to tease him.

But surprisingly he was sitting still on the long L-shaped sofa, talking on his phone. He seemed to be just finishing up his conversation.

“Right, right I’ve got the script with me anyway it’s going to be quicker that way. Right yeah I’ll have a talk about that. Sure. Yup I know tomorrow sharp at 8 I’ll be there. Okay see you.”

He hung up just as Xiao Zhan handed him his cup and settled down on the opposite end with his own.

“Your manager?”

Yibo nodded, “She was just making sure I’ll be on time to the studio tomorrow.”

Xiao Zhan frowned and tilted his head, “New drama?”

Yibo smirked, “Audio drama.”

He gaped at the smirk for a bit before realizing what he’d just been told. “ Audio drama? Wang Yibo!”

“What?”

“You didn’t tell me you got an audio drama! That’s amazing, Lao Wang!”

Xiao Zhan noticed with some measure of fondness the way Yibo’s cheeks pinked slightly at the compliment. They’d very quickly discovered that while Xiao Zhan was borderline allergic to praise, it was Yibo’s bread and butter. The young man practically got off on it. And that was a thought he didn’t want to entertain while he was sitting in front of him.

“Yeah I finalized it a while back.”

Xiao Zhan nodded to himself, giving Yibo the time to sip some of his tea. 

“Wow! Xiao-laoshi’s tea is still amazing.” Yibo grinned at him.

Wordlessly, he kicked at the little gremlin’s outstretched leg, laughing when he dodged it.

“Wang Yibo, behave yourself.”

The conversation directed into filling each other in on what they’d been doing all this time. Wang Yibo let him know the plot of his new drama and he shared how he was settling down to write some new songs, hopefully for a full album by next year.

Most of all, he was surprised to learn that both of them were free and in the same city for a long time.

“Wow, this has almost never happened.”

“See, this is how I’ll be able to help you with Meihua,” said Yibo.

Ignoring the way he’d dodged the nickname, Xiao Zhan resolutely shook his head. “No Yibo you concentrate on your job and time off. I’m gonna be fine. If I need your help I’ll call.”

But the boy had his signature battle expression. “Zhan-ge I didn’t give you a choice. I’m helping you, that’s it.”

“Why are you so disobedient? Be a nice boy and listen to your elders.”

“Who said I’m a nice boy? I’m a bad boy, baby!” Yibo snarked back, speaking his last sentence in perfectly-accented English. It did absolutely nothing for Xiao Zhan, nope, no weird feelings there.

He breathed deeply and let it out; he needed to get a hold of himself. Wang Yibo was nothing if not intuitive especially when it came to his own expressions and moods.

He tried to change the subject.

“Anyway what do you want for lunch?”

“Anything home-cooked is fine. Can’t remember the last time I had something from home.”

Xiao Zhan perked up, “You’ve come to the right place then! Pork okay with you?”

Yibo shrugged so Xiao Zhan mentally went through the ingredients he had at home and mentally concocted the type of dish Yibo would enjoy.

He didn’t know how long he’d zoned out for, because a loud cry broke him out of his trance. He looked at Yibo who was looking back at him, phone in one hand.

They both shared a stunned look for a beat, before Xiao Zhan reacted.

“This is the first time she’s woken up since being here,” he let Yibo know as he jumped up from the sofa and hurried towards his bedroom.

Zhao Meihua, his niece, was awake. She would open her eyes and see him for the first time. She would open her eyes and see the world where she was motherless, a cruel world where her father had abandoned her.

Xiao Zhan didn’t know how to feel about any of that, all he knew was that he had to get to her.

Entering his bedroom, he noticed how dimly lit it was, so he flicked on a light as he went. The carrier she was in was on top of his bed, right in the middle to ensure her safety.

But it was only then when he saw her crying and squirming did he realize with a pang to his heart, how uncomfortable she must be in it.

With one knee on his bed, his arms reached out to gently pry her from the carrier. At the touch, she seemed to somehow wail louder, but he persisted. She was probably hungry or something.

He’d heard Yibo enter after him so the man must be extra quiet, standing in the corner. Were it anyone else, he would’ve asked them to leave and give him privacy. But somehow Wang Yibo’s presence made the whole experience much more bearable.

He stood back up slowly, Meihua bundled up in his arms and her single white blanket, still crying with her eyes screwed shut. Instinctively, he started to bob up and down, shushing as he went. 

At the low shushing, she seemed to start to calm down. Behind him, Yibo approached slowly and peeked over Xiao Zhan's shoulder. 

The two men watched in awe as the baby finally settled down but she didn't fall back asleep. Instead she opened her eyes. 

Two collective, barely audible gasps echoed in the quiet bedroom. Brown eyes stared back unknowingly at them and then clenched shut as she yawned widely. 

At this, Xiao Zhan chuckled and broke the silence. "Maybe she's just bored."

He turned his head to look at Yibo and froze. The man was well into his personal space, of course he was, he wanted to look at the baby too. But Wang Yibo was shorter than him only by a few inches, which put his face around the general area of Xiao Zhan's shoulder right now. 

The man was up on his tippy toes, peeking over his shoulder at the baby. His messy hair from the cap was now falling over his forehead and into his eyes. His skin was bare of makeup making him look even younger than he usually looked. 

Curiosity was sparking in his eyes and the smallest smile was gracing his face. 

If Xiao Zhan wasn't a goner then, he sure was now. 

"Hm?"

Wang Yibo had been saying something but in his daze he heard not one word. 

The man sniggered, "Are you so captivated by her beauty? I said I want to hold her."

Captivated by someone else's beauty that's for sure, he mentally chided himself. Xiao Zhan straightened up and instinctively put some distance between him and Yibo. 

"Yeah sure, but you need to know the stance first."

"There's a stance ?" Yibo asked incredulously. 

Xiao Zhan scoffed, "Of course there is, otherwise she won't let you hold her and will cry until you put her down again."

Wang Yibo was staring at Meihua again, this time nodding his head like he was absorbing everything.

Carefully and meticulously, he started guiding Yibo. 

"Okay so put out your elbow like this, no, this side or whichever side you're comfortable with. Okay now I'll put her head and chest on this side so hold her with your hand and use your other arm to support her— like this!"

Xiao Zhan slowly moved back and stared at the image in front of him. Wang Yibo dressed in his fashionable casual, hair fluffy and face bare, holding a month-old baby girl. He chuckled, gossip sites and fans alike would pay millions for a picture of this. 

This had Yibo frowning at him, "What are you laughing about, old man?"

"You two look great. I'm gonna take a picture!"

Yibo looked back down at Meihua, this time allowing Xiao Zhan to stare some more. Why was this doing so much for him? He was a weird man like that, he guessed. 

Xiao Zhan felt around for his phone, thumbing open the camera app and aiming it at Yibo and the baby. The boy wasn't even paying any attention to him, far too absorbed in the baby. 

He kept up a running commentary though. 

"Whoa Zhan-ge she has better skin than both of us. Her eyelashes are so long I'm kind of proud. Look! She's got the tiniest fingernails I've seen on a person. Ow! Really sharp too."

Xiao Zhan felt fondness rush into his blood like a lethargic drug. He was high on love. 

Clicking pictures after pictures, he saved them all onto a personal folder, going as far as to protect it with a password; he couldn’t be too careful these days. Finally, Yibo looked up from his latest spiel on her fine hair. 

"Hey Zhan-ge come here take her, I'll take a picture of you both."

Xiao Zhan was already shaking his head but the stubborn boy wasn't taking no for an answer. He dragged him forward by the wrist, surprisingly holding the baby with one arm. 

Then he turned around and called back to him, "Come on take a selfie with all of us now!"

Xiao Zhan huffed but readily took his cellphone out from his pocket again. The next few minutes were spent posing with the baby and taking snaps here and there, with Xiao Zhan expertly guiding Yibo towards the natural light streaming in from the light curtains on the window.

Soon, the photoshoot had gotten enough for the baby, who opened her mouth wide to loudly complain about the injustice being put upon her.

Yibo panicked, not used to hearing such a loud, shrill voice coming from something so tiny. He looked up with wide eyes at Xiao Zhan who laughed at his comical expression then turned away to prepare a bottle.

He kept on laughing at his friend’s comical expression, as he hurriedly fumbled to get the formula into the bottle. A quick run-through the instructions on the box and he’d managed to prepare the whole thing. The entire time, though, Meihua had voiced her displeasure quite loudly.

Xiao Zhan winced at the loud noise and sent a quiet prayer for his neighbours.

He retraced his steps back into the bedroom, where Wang Yibo was trying and failing to calm down the screaming baby in his arms.

He looked up with wide eyes at Xiao Zhan once he entered.

“She has better lungs than you, and you’re a singer.”

Xiao Zhan burst into laughter, and took the baby from his arms.

“Maybe we should all scream like this when we’re hungry, so we’d all have better singing power.”

Wang Yibo snorted with laughter, “Then I should start screaming now because I’m getting very hungry.”

He cackled when Xiao Zhan kicked out a leg at him and jumped out of the way.

Soon, they settled on the living room sofa again, this time with Meihua snuggled into Xiao Zhan’s arms as she fed hungrily from the bottle, and Yibo sitting close by, watching them like a hawk.

Xiao Zhan noticed this and smirked, “You know it’s rude to stare when someone’s eating.”

Yibo’s eyes snapped up from the baby to him, “She’s just so fascinating I can’t help it.”

The bald truth in his voice had him pause for a second. Here was Wang Yibo, an enigma, a superstar, a man with nearly four successful careers, someone who had more talent in his little finger than he could ever have. And the man was fascinated by a baby?

Xiao Zhan shook with suppressed laughter. Wang Yibo, felled by a baby.

He looked back down at the baby. It was the truth, though, she really was fascinating. Her round eyes were reminiscent of her mother, but her little button nose and fine hair was all her. She blinked sleepily up at him as her mouth worked fervently over the bottle. She snuffled now and then, and moments later closed her eyes.

Xiao Zhan looked up at Yibo who was still enthralled by her.

By now, Meihua had gone slack in his arms, breathing deeply, mouth open but the bottle was still inside. He eased it out and noted proudly that she’d practically devoured all the milk in it.

He smiled gently down at her. Sweet dreams, baby .

Suddenly his smile froze, “Uh— “

Yibo looked up, “What? Something wrong?”

“She’s asleep.”

Yibo looked back down at the baby, “Yeah, she is. Uh, is she not supposed to be?”

Xiao Zhan observed his confusion and was endeared by it, but now was not the time.

“I think babies are supposed to burp first.”

Wang Yibo raised his eyebrows and looked at the baby, his mouth a perfect ‘o’ at the information.

Xiao Zhan bit his lip. It wasn’t that big of a deal, of course, her not burping. But it was just—

“If babies don’t burp before they sleep, they’ll usually get stomach aches and sometimes it’s worse than that.”

Yibo asked, “What’s worse than stomach aches?”

“Sometimes the undigested milk comes right back up. And I really don’t want her to choke on that.”

Yibo’s face scrunched up as Xiao Zhan laughed at him.

“Why do you even know all this, ge?"

Xiao Zhan shrugged, being mindful not to jostle Meihua too much. “Like I said, I babysat my nephews a lot. Also when you’re surrounded by family with little ones, you’ll find that’s all they talk about. That and the cost of baby prams.”

Yibo snickered at that, “Wow. Is that what a life with a baby is like? That’s crazy.”

Xiao Zhan sat in silence and observed as Yibo shook his head in wonder.

Something compelled him to ask.

“Would you ever want kids? Like in the future.”

Yibo looked him in the eyes, “Yeah I like the idea of a family. But I’m far too young right now.”

Xiao Zhan forced a laugh. “Yeah of course, you’re a baby yourself.” 

A smack to his knee had them both laughing before it died down into a comfortable silence.

Meihua slept soundly, bundled up in her usual blankets, oblivious to the situation at hand.

“Well she’s sleeping. So I think we can get started on lunch.”

Yibo nodded, slumping lazily on the sofa beside him.

Xiao Zhan laughed and shook his head, “You don’t get to lay around and be lazy, Lao Wang. C’mon help me with the baby at least.”

Yibo raised an eyebrow, “How? She’s asleep.”

He rolled his eyes at his belligerent behaviour, “Yes she is, but there’s nowhere I can lay her down safely right now. Not until I can have her crib delivered.”

Yibo looked uncertain; Xiao Zhan could understand why, he’d be uncertain too. Here he was, a responsible 28-year old asking his 22-year old friend to hold his baby while he cooked.

Doubts began to arise once again within him. Maybe this was a bad idea. Yibo had obviously come rushing to comfort him but he hadn’t been of the mindset to take care of a baby. Maybe he was better off calling Xuan Lu. He figured she was free enough to help him out for a day. They could catch up and—

All his thoughts screeched to a halt as he felt two warm hands on his own.

“Zhan-ge? Where are you lost now? C’mon give me her and get your butt in the kitchen, you have no idea what my appetite is like nowadays I’m so hungry—”

On and on went the man. God, he couldn’t believe the world thought Yibo was a quiet person.

Xiao Zhan laughed shortly and with a few careful maneuvers had Meihua settle into the crook of Yibo’s elbow.

And just like that he was silent.

While a minute ago, he was ranting endlessly about everything and nothing, suddenly it was like a switch had been turned off.

He smiled at the two of them; Meihua lost in her slumber and Yibo was absolutely spellbound by the little lady in his arms.

Xiao Zhan made sure the two of them were comfortable, and it was adorable the way Yibo barely flinched as he moved away from them and walked towards the kitchen.

Glancing back now and then, he moved quickly yet quietly.

Wok. Onions. Pork. Spice? Maybe just a little. Seasoning. Fry it all. Taste test. Tasted pretty good. Rice is ready. Dish up.

Cooking was therapeutic to him and now that he had the time to take out, he had taken to recreating all his mother’s signature dishes. Chongqing dishes. Dishes he had in other countries and would love to get a taste again.

There was something about the sizzle of oil and medley of ingredients in a pan that quieted all the stressful thoughts in his mind.

And even now, he felt like everything had been set back into its proper place.

The pain of losing jiejie was still fresh in his chest but it was replaced by the warmth of seeing her child. The excitement of seeing Yibo after so long.

The uncontained bubbling in his gut at seeing Yibo hold his niece.

In that chunk of time, Xiao Zhan’s thoughts veered dangerously. What if?

What if this was his life permanently? What if he took care of a baby all day, then around lunch time Yibo would come and take over while he cooked lunch. Then they’d have their meals and talk leisurely until the baby woke again. They could spend a whole day doing just this. Existing around each other. Around the baby.

Xiao Zhan shook himself free of the clutch of his thoughts. Where was he going with this? Was the grief and shock finally getting to him?

Taking a deep breath, he carried the dishes to the table. After one last trip to the kitchen for bowls and chopsticks, he looked over at Yibo and Meihua. 

They seemed to be doing more than fine. Xiao Zhan took a minute to just watch them.

Meihua hadn’t moved an inch while Yibo had his head ducked down to look at her. It was as if he was entranced. 

Xiao Zhan smiled as Yibo lifted a tentative finger to trace through her fine eyebrow hair.

Still asleep, Meihua smacked her lips and snuffled a little bit. Yibo grinned at that and Xiao Zhan could do nothing but melt at the sight.

In a hushed voice, he called Yibo over, “Hey! Come let’s eat.”

Lunch was the quietest affair Xiao Zhan has ever engaged in. With the baby still burrowed into Yibo’s elbow, they quietly but hungrily ate.

Xiao Zhan thought it was the best lunch he’d had in a long, long while.

Chapter Text

Wang Yibo was having the time of his life which was the biggest surprise to him. Never had he imagined that he would spend an afternoon having lunch with Xiao Zhan sitting in front of him and a baby in his own arms. 

His mind desperately wanted to concoct its own fantasies based on the scene but he worked hard to keep his composure. Today was the first day he’d met the baby and a long time since he’d met Xiao Zhan; he didn’t want to ruin that by coming on too strong or seeming creepy about the situation.

Each mouthful of tender, melting pork had him swaying in ecstasy; it’d been the longest time since he had a home-made meal prepared for him, the only person other than his own mother was Han-ge who insisted on making him a meal every time he visited him.

Now it was Xiao Zhan.

There was something about these older men wanting to feed him all the time, he chuckled mentally.

His gaze strayed over to Xiao Zhan; the man looked lighter than he’d looked when Yibo first came. Was that because of him or just because of another comforting presence? Either way he was happy to take it.

Yibo glanced down at the baby whose mouth had now scrunched up into an adorable pout. He felt his own mouth tick upwards in a smile at the sight; what a fascinating baby.

A startling shutter and click had his head whipping up just in time to see Xiao Zhan nonchalantly putting his phone away.

Yibo narrowed his eyes at the man, “Did you just take a photo of me?”

Xiao Zhan widened his eyes innocently and shrugged, “I may have.”

Yibo grinned, “Xiao-laoshi really likes taking pictures, he’s so talented as a photographer after all. Can’t wait to see your pictures Xiao-laoshi, they will be of the utmost—”

“Alright alright shut up!” Xiao Zhan snapped, but there were lingering traces of an exasperated smile on his face, so Yibo knew his mission was accomplished.

I’m only here to make you smile Xiao Zhan, your smile means everything to me , he thought.

Something must have shown on his face, because Xiao Zhan suddenly stopped and stared. The man stared intensely like he was taking a peek into Yibo’s soul and Yibo would guarantee him a look if only he wasn’t so terrified of losing himself in those eyes.

Yibo averted his eyes back to his plate; it was silent between them. He didn’t know if Xiao Zhan was still staring at him so he ignored the other man and went back to eating his pork and rice.

The peace didn’t last long; from the living room, Yibo’s phone lit up in a cacophony of ringing and he almost leapt up to go answer it when he remembered the baby.

He looked over questioningly at Xiao Zhan, who took Meihua from him as he went over to answer his phone.

Seeing as it was his manager, he ducked into the bedroom Meihua was in to quickly take it.

Five minutes later, he emerged with a dark cloud hovering over him and a pinched expression on his face. He was needed somewhere. They demanded him to go. He didn’t want to.

There was only one reason he didn’t want to go.

The reason was staring at him, eyes filled with trepidation and questions. The other reason was thankfully still sleeping.

Yibo’s mouth twisted with frustration, “I have to go, some interviews came up. Manager wants me to be done with those before sunset.”

Xiao Zhan looked at the clock; it was late afternoon.

He took a deep breath and stood up, “Of course Yibo, it’s your job. You should get going now you don’t wanna be late.”

But Wang Yibo just stood there, near his living room sofa, phone still clutched in hand with an angry look on his face.

“Yibo.” Xiao Zhan whispered. What for, he didn’t know but that snapped the other man into action.

“Okay, alright I’m leaving.” This wasn’t the bright, loud voice from before. It was subdued now, almost whiny like Xiao Zhan was the one making him leave.

He scoffed mentally; like he would ever make Yibo leave him deliberately. There was just something about being around him, being on the receiving end of his smacks and loud commentary on unnecessary things. Xiao Zhan would never admit it but he could spend a thousand hours in Yibo’s presence and not tire of him. So the expression the man was wearing now was so out of place, he couldn’t help but step up.

With Meihua in his arms, he went over to Yibo and held onto his shoulder, “Hey, you wanna come over tomorrow? Same time, we can have lunch again.”

It had the exact effect of announcing to a child that they were going to Disneyland. 

“Really, Zhan-ge? You don’t mind?” Yibo’s voice was full of doubt but his eyes were twinkling with glee.

Oh my, thought Xiao Zhan, he actually wants to spend time here? Maybe it’s because I made him a home meal. Maybe because of the baby? He quite likes her. Either way I’m not going to stop him from coming.

Xiao Zhan smirked, “If you promise to help me with Meihua, of course you can come.”

Wang Yibo grinned his happiest smile yet, “Okay! I’ll be here tomorrow, same time. Bye Zhan-ge!”

And with that he shouldered his backpack and ran off to the front door.

Xiao Zhan smiled at his retreating back but frowned in confusion when the man paused in his steps.

He watched bemusedly as he backpedaled and in a flurry of motion, bent down and pressed a feather-light kiss to Meihua’s cheek. He stood up, grinned at Xiao Zhan in a way that definitely did not render him breathless and hurried off.

There he goes.

In the minutes after Yibo left, Xiao Zhan stood still. Meihua breathed softly from within his arms and the only other sound was the clock’s ticking in the living room.

With Yibo gone, he felt the emptiness of his home as it was since the morning. A small part of him desperately wished Yibo would cancel his interviews and return to his side but Xiao Zhan tamped those thoughts down until they withered away.

He knew how demanding the entertainment industry was and especially towards someone as young and talented as Yibo. Xiao Zhan would end his own career than knowingly sabotage someone else’s let alone Yibo’s.

Yibo who had wormed his way into Xiao Zhan’s heart. Yibo whose bluntness and undesirability to be amiable had charmed him. Yibo whose smiles and grins and smirks and expressions did something terrible to his gut every time he saw them. 

Xiao Zhan exhaled loudly and ran a free hand over his face in exasperation. He really needed to curb his thoughts and feelings if he had to be in Yibo’s presence so often now. His heart had all but melted when he saw Yibo’s reluctance to leave, so inviting him over again was the only solution he could think of.

Still, he’d be here tomorrow so he didn’t need to fret so much, so early.

Xiao Zhan went over his itinerary for the week in his head, and figured he’d need to call his manager and get everything rescheduled. There was no way he was leaving Meihua with anyone else so soon. He also needed to inform his studio, lest he be spotted somewhere with a baby in his arms. But announcing it like that might gain the attention of a certain runaway asshole, who might demand money.

No, he needed to think this through, maybe plan something with his lawyers.

God, he needed to talk to someone right now.

The only person he could talk to was sitting miles away, sick and probably worried for him and his niece.

“Mama!” He smiled at her gentle expression, gritty and grainy though the image was through his laptop screen, her smile immediately eased all his worries.

As long as his Mama was there, he could do anything.

Xiao Zhan had taken his time to change Meihua, and was absolutely delighted to discover she could sleep through an entire diaper and clothes change session. That gave him enough time to figure out the diaper with its sticky tabs and what-not. But she hadn’t moved an inch, even when he struggled to get the soft onesie’s neckline over her head.

He smiled down at her; what a resilient baby, just like your namesake.

“How is she?” His mother’s voice was hushed and he shook his head and smiled at her to let her know it was alright to speak louder.

“You can speak louder, Mama, she sleeps like a log.”

At his mother’s answering laugh, he continued, “She’s doing so well, Ma. I’m so proud of her. And I’m so proud of jiejie for making her.”

He could see the lines of grief pronounced over his mother’s face, jiejie was after all her sister’s daughter.

Xiao Zhan ducked his head down to avoid seeing her tears.

“She was such a good child, our Junhui. She was quiet, just like her daughter now, you know? Oh, my sister had so many dreams for her. Both of them gone too soon.”

Xiao Zhan sat in silence as his mother gathered herself, “Ma, tell me some stories.”

“Hm, stories?”

He smiled and nodded, “About jiejie ?”

At this, his mother chuckled, “You and your jiejie were inseparable since childhood. She had taken one look at you after your birth and adopted you as her own!”

His grip on Meihua tightened as he felt the meaning behind those words.

“You were so naughty Zhan-Zhan, Hui'er would come running to us in tears so frustrated at you.”

Xiao Zhan laughed with his mother, blushed when she told him of the time he ran out of his bathroom while showering, of the time he accidentally got his head stuck in between the railings of the stairs, his jiejie shouting in distress whenever he tried to pull it out by force.

Xiao Zhan could barely recall those memories, but the ones that he could would never be removed from his own mind.

The time she’d stood up for him when he wanted to take a chance in the entertainment industry. 

The night he’d called her in distress over discovering his sexuality in his last year of university.

Her unwavering, unending support when he admitted to liking boys.

She was there for him, at every turn.

Which was why he felt such shame that he never knew she married and was expecting. What had she gone through in the months before Meihua was born when her good-for-nothing husband left her? Did she ever miss him? Why didn’t she call him?

Then he recalled how 2019 was the busiest year of his career, how he barely had time to himself before he was flitting off to photoshoots and interviews and what-not.

Time that he would never get back now that his jiejie was gone.

And so he sat there, spending the rest of his evening away in tears with his mother, before they were both heavy with loss and pain. He’d get up occasionally to change and feed Meihua, taking note of the two-hour gap between each feed and change.

His own tears soaked the front of Meihua’s blanket and he felt guilty enough to end the video session with his mother, promising to call her again soon.

It was only 8pm, far too early to turn in, but Xiao Zhan’s life had been changed today, he figured he could get to be early one day without feeling any guilt for it.

He quietly constructed a haphazard bed made out of blankets and cushions atop his own bed for Meihua. The last thing he wanted was to roll over in his sleep on top of his niece.

With both of them settled, he took a few deep breaths before checking his phone.

Some e-mails and messages from his studio, a couple from his manager and one from Yibo.

He thumbed Yibo’s text open.

Yibo

hey hows it going

hows meihua

i miss watching her :(

lol sorry sounded creepy

Xiao Zhan laughed, despite the heavy feeling in his chest.

You

She’s fine

Sleeping right now

He clicked a quick photo of Meihua tucked into her cocoon of blankets and sent it to the man.

Yibo responded with a flurry of emojis and memes that were too cute to belong to his photo gallery.

With a quick goodnight, he locked his phone and left it on his side-table.

Something made him pause and pick his phone back up. He doesn't know what compelled him to do it. Maybe it was the desperate idea of keeping the few moments of happiness he felt today close to him.

He thumbed through his photo gallery and clicked open the second to last photo in it. Before he could think much of it, Xiao Zhan quickly set it as his lockscreen picture and locked his phone and set it back down.

He lay there staring at the blank, white ceiling until sleep finally claimed him. 

In the dark of the room, Xiao Zhan's phone lit up with notifications again, but he was already asleep. As the light of his phone dimmed down, so did the serene picture of Yibo holding Meihua and smiling down at her as she slept in his arms.

Chapter Text

Wang Yibo woke from a gentle sleep; that didn’t happen often since most of his sleep tended to be dreamless. Still it was a pleasant dream that coaxed him into the waking world. Something about pink. There was a lot of pink in his dream. And laughter. Full, rounded, belly laughs. The kind to put a smile on any person listening in. What was it, though? What was his dream exactly? And who was laughing that way?

Yibo rubbed his eye with a knuckle and pushed himself up off his bed. No use lounging about trying to catch a dream that slipped like silk through his fingers. Maybe it would come to him later.

He trudged off to his bathroom and washed up, wanting to begin his day quickly. He would get to see Xiao Zhan and Meihua again!

Just that thought was enough to put a spring in his step as he struggled into his jeans and shirt and finally capped the whole thing off with his jacket and baseball cap. Yibo paused to pick up his phone. Two short interviews and a photoshoot.

Would I be done before lunch? Yibo bit his lip in thought.

It would have to be done, there was no way he was missing lunch with his favourite person. It was 10am now, and if he urged his manager he knew he could make it until late afternoon for his lunch date.

Lunch date with the Xiaos, his mind provided. Yibo huffed out a laugh, Meihua wasn’t a Xiao. But would Xiao Zhan consider adopting her? She was practically family anyway.

“We’re here, Yibo.” His manager’s voice had him shaking out of his reverie.

“Yeah.” He snapped his cap back on tight and ducked out of the car.

Time to work.

Thankfully, it didn’t turn out to be one of those bizarre photoshoots he despised; the stylists had enough of a mind to put him in comfortable and familiar clothing. They wanted him to freestyle so they could take pictures of him in motion. 

Shaking his limbs loose, he began to dance to the music thumping out from the speakers. Flashes and clicks erupted all around the studio as the photographer shouted his praise.

Yibo chuckled inwardly; wow this guy sounded excited . Maybe the pictures would turn out really well. Once they stopped, he gulped down a few swallows of water from his bottle and politely asked to see the pictures.

Yibo nodded at the photographer; they really were well done. Right, time for interviews. But before that—

He called his manager over, “I have an important lunch to go to. Can I be done in an hour?”

The way her expression twisted into a grimace told him that was near impossible. But he stood firm.

“Where do you have to go anyway? Who are you meeting for lunch?” She gave him a side-eyed glance.

“I have to meet a family.” Yibo replied, succinctly. The less details he gave her, the better.

She was obviously not buying it. Raising an eyebrow, she asked, “You? Meeting a family? In what universe?”

Normally, he wouldn’t bat an eye at the questions but right now he felt irritation crawl up his spine. Finally, he snapped, “Listen you wanna call my mom and tell her you don’t want me going there? I’m sure she’ll give you a nice lecture on how to respect elders and be filial— “

“Alright okay!” She frowned but looked surprised he was doing this for his mother. “You can go just as the interviews are done.”

Yibo sighed in relief, sending his mother a mental apology. 

You’ll know one day, Mama, why I lied about this. When I’ll bring them to meet you, he smiled and glided off to the conference rooms on his skateboard.

Before he entered the room, he turned back to his manager, “Oh and can you send someone to get me a bag full of snacks? Just include all kinds of potato chips and chocolate bars.”

His manager looked appropriately confused but Yibo shrugged and said, “They’ve got kids.”

The second that Xiao Zhan opened Yibo shoved the bag into his face and stepped in close. There was a certain morose atmosphere inside the apartment and Xiao Zhan’s reddened eyes reflected that. Yibo kept his small smile pinned into place; he would figure out what was wrong later.

Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow at him, “What’s this?”

His voice was rough and deep like he hadn’t used it since he woke up, and Yibo had to casually hold onto the door jamb so he wouldn’t go weak in the knees at the sound.

Keep it together, man, he chided himself mentally.

“Snacks.” He proclaimed simply. “Are you not gonna invite me in, Zhan-ge?”

The man’s ever-present manners kicked in, “Oh god I’m sorry. Come in, Yibo. Watch the mess of clothes.”

Xiao Zhan moved further inside and away to the kitchen, where he was presumably storing the snacks. Yibo skirted around two full baskets of laundry near the store room, which he assumed Xiao Zhan had fashioned into a laundry room. It was the first room to the left when entering the apartment.

“What’s with all the clothes?” He asked the man, calling out to him.

Xiao Zhan’s voice floated back to him from the kitchen, “Oh, turns out Meihua loves to spit up milk all over herself and me. So uh, yeah, that’s one night’s worth of clothes.”

Yibo’s eyes widened and he hurried to the kitchen. “Are you telling me she threw up that many times?”

Xiao Zhan looked at his face and laughed, but it was a sad and tired one. “Yeah she kept herself and me up all night. We’re obviously not adjusted yet.”

Yibo frowned, “Zhan-ge, you need help with this.”

Xiao Zhan pressed his lips closed and shook his head. Then, “I can’t just invite any person into my house and let them take care of her, Yibo. Even if I did, how can I guarantee her safety? You’ve seen what people are capable of.”

Yibo’s mind went to the way some paparazzi would hide themselves in bushes just to get a picture of them, the way some fans would climb over their cars to get a glimpse of them. He shuddered to think of a fan getting their hands on Xiao Zhan and his niece, or worse, doxxing them.

Slowly, he nodded, “Yeah I get it. But Zhan-ge, you could have a friend live over with you.”

Yibo hoped the man would accept that but he looked even more miserable. “Yibo-ah. You know what happened with my old friends, right? Besides all my new friends are from the industry and I don’t think any of them are willing to drop their work lives to help me right now.”

Yibo took offence to that; he raised both eyebrows at Xiao Zhan. “I am.”

Xiao Zhan looked startled at that, “What?”

In the few minutes between them, Yibo had seen the desperation glaze over Xiao Zhan’s face, the way his eyes darted around nervously like the walls were closing in on him.

This won’t do , he thought sourly.

He would never leave Xiao Zhan alone like this. And so, he made a decision.

“I said I am willing. Zhan-ge you know I won’t stop coming over every day right?”

The man still looked confused and nodded.

“Why don’t I help you out?”

Xiao Zhan tilted his head in a way that flipped something over in his chest.

Yibo huffed in frustration, then simplified it for him, “Why don’t I move in with you for the time being? Help you out with Meihua. In return, you give me a place to sleep and your amazing home-cooked meals.” He finished it off with a brilliant grin, the kind he’d flash someone if he wanted something from them.

But the other man still stared at him with his mouth open. Then he laughed and shook his head.

“You almost had me there, Yibo.”

Yibo scowled at him, “I’m not joking, I can help.”

Xiao Zhan turned to him, something like fire in his eyes, “No you can’t. You’re far too busy and I’m not going to let you add something else to your already busy schedule.”

Yibo could be stubborn, too. “That’s for me to decide, Zhan-ge. And like I said you’d be helping me out as well. My mother says I’m far too thin but you know I can only make instant ramen for myself.”

With that last sentence, he hoped to spark something within Xiao Zhan. The man had protective tendencies a mile wide. When they were working together, he’d make sure not just Yibo but everyone else was well-fed, hydrated, and taken care of. It was terribly endearing, if it didn’t do all these things to his heart every time.

Yibo knew he was being unfair, he was emotionally blackmailing the man. But he was far too stubborn and bull-headed for his own sake. Xiao Zhan was too polite to ask for help and Yibo knew he would burn out before he’d admit to struggling. Besides, this was good for Meihua as well.

Xiao Zhan’s eyes were averted but what he could see of the man’s face, he was doing some serious thinking.

He decided to have some mercy. “Zhan-ge, this is just an offer, okay? You don’t have to decide and tell me now. I can just keep coming over for lunch.”

Yibo kept his voice gentle, like he was talking to an injured animal. Xiao Zhan nodded at his words.

Yibo cast him a half-smile, “Now what did you make for lunch?”

It snapped them out of the tense mood and Xiao Zhan laughed and shook his head at him.

Remember, Zhan-ge, anything to make you smile.

Just as soon as their lunch wrapped up, Meihua decided to grace them with her presence. And she let them know quite loudly.

Yibo got up and jogged over to the bedroom, “Wow, I’m coming I’m coming, Your Highness!”

Behind him, he heard Xiao Zhan laugh out his ridiculous giggle.

He entered the dimly-lit room and something in him itched to turn on the lights. Meihua was laying in a bundle of blankets, probably fashioned by Xiao Zhan to resemble a bed until her crib arrived. She was also crying miserably as if someone had wronged her terribly. He switched on the lights.

“Ah that’s better isn’t it, Meihua? Eh? Still crying? C’mon your favourite person is here, how can you still cry?”

Meihua was crying and struggling with her blanket, the soft fabric twisting around her body and caging her down. Yibo cooed at her and she calmed down once she noticed a presence in front of her.  Her cries died down to desperate whimpers, hands fisted in her blanket. She opened her teary eyes and gazed up at him. Her mouth turned down into a pout.

Yibo felt his heart stutter; this girl really knew how to charm him. He laughed and bent down to untangle her from her prison. Meihua was silent now, only her tears were evident of her crying. She still looked up at him with wet eyes and cheeks. Yibo gently extracted her and using muscle memory, picked her up. He was careful to angle her over the bed in case he did the worst thing ever and dropped her.

He let out a triumphant exhale as he succeeded in holding her. Up close, Meihua could probably see him.

He wondered if she recognized him from yesterday, then laughed at his silly thoughts. Yibo doubted she remembered anyone other than her mother. His heart ached at the thought; he was holding an orphan. A motherless child. A father who was as good as dead. His jaw clenched; no, she wasn’t alone. She had Xiao Zhan and him. And Xiao Zhan parents. They would be there for her and look out for her.

Unbidden, an image popped into his mind.

A young girl, full of laughs and dreams, running about in a field full of flowers. She would be happy, so happy she wouldn’t know what to do with all that happiness. He smiled down at her; Meihua stared back at him, not blinking.

Yibo bent down and pressed a light kiss to her nose, causing her to blink in surprise. Another tear dropped down her velvet-soft cheek.

Carefully, he settled her into the crook of his elbow. She barely made a sound when he wiped away her tears with his thumb.

His chest was tight with a feeling he couldn’t recognize. Bending down again, he nosed through her baby-fine hair, reveling in the scent of baby powder and milk formula. Yibo chuckled, what a combination of scents. If someone had told this to him a month ago he would’ve scoffed and made fun of them.

But now , he thought as he let his lips glide over her forehead, this scent was almost addictive.

Unbeknownst to him, Xiao Zhan stood in the background, shoulder propped against the door jamb, watching them quietly. The gentlest of smiles touched his lips, his own heart full of love and adoration. He looked away finally and walked off, not wanting to disturb the scene.

Xiao Zhan had some thinking to do; and he did just that as he tidied up the dining table and the kitchen. He was wiping down the kitchen counter when Yibo walked out with Meihua.

“Zhan-ge? I think she’s hungry?”

He looked up and nodded at him, “Yeah she took a feed quite early this morning so she definitely must be hungry right now. Give me a minute I’ll prepare a bottle for her.”

With a quick ‘okay’, Yibo settled down on the sofa in the living room, fiddling with the TV remote to switch on a sports channel. Xiao Zhan observed him for a moment.

From the kitchen, he had a perfect view of the living room sofa and Yibo’s side profile. He looked at the way Meihua barely blinked in his presence and smiled. Seems like another fangirl has been born, he chuckled inwardly. Every now and then, Meihua would let out a whimper as if suddenly remembering her hunger and Xiao Zhan raised his eyebrows at the way Yibo would start rocking her in his arms, shushing and cooing as he did.

He could never have imagined that Wang Yibo would be natural with babies. Or maybe it was just something about Meihua that struck him that way. He’d observed them quietly in the bedroom, and the way Yibo handled her was perfect but her reaction was more than telling. His baby niece was absolutely taken by Yibo. Who wasn’t in love with Yibo, anyway?

His own heart answered with a stutter, he was too far gone himself.

Xiao Zhan shook himself off and went to prepare a fresh bottle for Meihua. He thought back to the words Yibo had said.

Of course, coming out of his mouth at that moment they sounded ridiculous, and it didn’t help that Yibo barely suggested and mostly demanded.

Still, it wasn’t like it was a bad idea , his mind quipped treacherously.

Yes, he needed help. But the sort of person he’d imagined had more experience with babies than Yibo. His old friends had decided they wanted nothing to do with him, since fame had entered the picture. The only other person he could think of was, Xuan Lu. But Xiao Zhan knew she was busy shooting another drama, a role that was more main than it was secondary. She needed to give it her all, and he didn’t want to bother her with his domestic troubles. He capped off the bottle and shook it; right now it seemed Yibo was the best choice. And anyway it looked like he was just as taken with Meihua, he genuinely seemed to care for her.

As far as he knew, Yibo only had his audio drama and occasional track practice to worry about.

Xiao Zhan himself needed to work out his itineraries for the next few weeks. Flying out of the city right now was completely impossible. He needed to contact his studio right away to let them know and maybe get in touch with his lawyers as to the location of Meihua’s father. He was terrified the man would come knocking and take Meihua from him, or demand something equally ludicrous from him.

And of course, the funeral. His heart stuttered to a stop; jiejie would be flown to Chongqing and buried there in a week. The lawyer who’d given him Meihua had let him know they had to perform an autopsy.

**

“I’m sorry, an autopsy? Is that what you said?” Xiao Zhan knew in the back of his mind he was coming across quite aggressive. His anger once it came out was a force to be reckoned with, and it didn’t help that he towered over every other person in his six-foot tall frame.

But this was just ridiculous.

“You’re going to put my sister through so much? Hasn’t she already suffered enough?”

His incredulous tone did nothing to budge the lawyer; she was clearly well-trained.

Well-trained to handle aggressive criminals, his mind supplied and he instantly felt ashamed.

Emotions or not, this was no way of speaking to someone who was just doing their job.

He ducked his head, “I’m sorry.”

The lawyer sighed and shook her head, “No I’m sorry, sir. I understand you’re dealing with a loss. It’s just her husband, he left her prior to her giving birth and only weeks later she’s dead. The police are not overly suspicious but they want to investigate this completely. Otherwise her body would have to be exhumed and that can be even more painful for family.”

She looked up at him with kind, searching eyes and he nodded reluctantly.

“Alright. But please contact me as soon as they’re shifting her. I’ll be there to receive her in Chongqing.”

**

Xiao Zhan stood with a bottle of formula in his hand and stared at his office door; there was so much to do, and he would love to start now. He gazed over at Yibo who was more than content holding a fussy Meihua and bit his lip; with his mind made up, he approached the sofa.

“Here,” he said presenting the bottle to Yibo, “feed her this, then prop her up onto your shoulder and she’ll burp in the next few seconds. Just be careful of her spitting up milk, though she won’t do it now it’s more of a night thing.”

Wang Yibo gaped up at him from his slouched position on the sofa and it took everything in Xiao Zhan to not laugh at him.

“Uh, you want me to do all this?” Yibo’s voice was hilariously high-pitched.

“Yeah,” and here Xiao Zhan wanted to test him, “didn’t you want to help out? I need to take a shower and get in touch with my manager and studio. Can you take care of her for the time being?”

Yibo’s jaw snapped shut and he nodded eagerly. Xiao Zhan hesitated, giving him a mock suspicious look. 

“You sure?”

Yibo rolled his eyes, “Zhan-ge!”

The man swiped the bottle from him and fed it to Meihua. As she started earnestly sucking on the bottle, Yibo looked up at him with a triumphant smile.

“See? I told you, we’re fine! Go and do your thing, Zhan-ge, I have it handled.”

Looking every bit like the cat that got the cream, Yibo settled down with the baby and smiled smugly at him.

Xiao Zhan laughed at him and reached over to pinch his cheek. Yibo yelped and scowled at him; he hated being called or alluded to anything cute . Xiao Zhan walked off to his bedroom, cheeks flushed, either with happiness or embarrassment.

Later, in the privacy of his office, he would stare at his hand traitorously, wondering why he ever did that. Nothing could take his mind off the feeling of touching Yibo’s soft cheek.

Aihh ~, he let his head fall back on the cushioned office chair, why was love this difficult?

Back in the living room, Wang Yibo had successfully fed and burped Meihua. He considered himself and wondered how he was doing so well. Meihua’s eyes fell shut and she drifted off to sleep. Yibo smiled down at her, gently tracing her nose bridge with a light touch.

He thought back to his own childhood and wondered if his mother would play like this with him for hours. If he sat here for five hours staring at her, he didn’t think he could get bored. He slumped backwards and surfed through the channels. He left a random music channel on and bopped quietly to the songs on it.

Suddenly, a whimper startled him. He sat up as gently as he could and looked down.

It was Meihua; her face was scrunched up like she was in pain and she was whimpering. But her eyes were shut. Yibo could only look on in utter confusion as she continued to cry and whimper, her lips curled into a grimace. This continued on for a minute. Then the sobbing started.

Yibo was more than worried, he was alarmed. Her sobs wracked through her tiny body and her face still registered pain, but he couldn’t figure out what was wrong or why she wouldn’t open her eyes.

“Eh? Meihua? Baby, open your eyes. What’s wrong with you?”

He felt like he himself would start crying. Just then all the noises stopped.

Meihua stilled and went back to breathing deeply and snuffling now and then.

Yibo stared down at her in horror, what the fuck just happened? He could feel his own tears in his eyes; his body felt cold all over and he stood up on shaky knees and went over to Xiao Zhan’s office and knocked. He chided himself just as soon as he knocked but it was instinctive; he needed Zhan-ge.

From behind the door, he could hear the man approaching, talking in a hushed voice like he was on the phone. Yibo would feel terrible later for promising him to handle things then running away like a scared child in the next moment.

Xiao Zhan opened the door and gaped at him for a full moment. “Yibo? What’s wrong?”

Yibo opened his mouth to say something but then looked down at Meihua.

“What’s wrong? Is something wrong with Meihua?”

Yibo only shook his head like an idiot. God, he felt so stupid.

Xiao Zhan quickly took Meihua into his own arms, and that stung but Yibo deserved it. He promised the man he would take care of his baby, but clearly Meihua was in pain and he didn’t know what to do.

After a few tense moments, Xiao Zhan breathed a sigh of relief.

“She’s fine, Yibo. God, you scared me.”

“But,” Yibo frowned in confusion then looked up at the man, “she was crying just now like she was in pain and her eyes were closed and I didn’t know what to do, Zhan-ge, I’m sorry.”

He spoke in one entire breath and was gasping by the end of it.

Xiao Zhan looked at him in shock and grasped his shoulder, guiding him backwards to the sofa.

“Sit here, and now explain it to me.”

Yibo began, “She was asleep and all of a sudden she started crying and whimpering and I thought she was in pain but she wouldn’t open her eyes?” He looked up at Xiao Zhan who was listening carefully.

“Yibo,” Xiao Zhan began slowly, “did you talk to her when she started crying?”

He thought back then nodded, “Yeah I called her name and everything and after that she stopped all of a sudden.”

Xiao Zhan continued to stare at him, causing his neck to heat up.

“Yibo,” the man addressed him gently, “she was having a nightmare.”

“What?” Yibo’s eyes narrowed, a nightmare? That’s preposterous, she was only a baby.

Xiao Zhan understood the look on his face and laughed, “Babies can have nightmares too. Nothing too violent, it’s just them hearing their parents but not seeing them that distresses them.”

“So how do they go away?” Yibo asked carefully.

Xiao Zhan shrugged, “You just talk to them and sing until they quiet down. It’s nothing serious, Yibo.”

Suddenly, he felt like an idiot.

“God,” his head fell into his hands as he folded over onto his knees, “I freaked out so bad, Zhan-ge I’m so sorry.”

The man only laughed again, “Yibo it’s fine these things happen all the time. And it makes me feel better that you were so worried about her, anyway.”

“Really?” Yibo looked up.

Xiao Zhan nodded, “Yeah. It tells me that you care for her as much as I do.”

Yibo blushed and looked away, he didn’t like discussing and talking about emotions too much. Thankfully, Xiao Zhan knew that about him and stood up, holding Meihua.

“Here,” he bent down and plopped the baby back into Yibo’s arms, “I still have work to do.”

Yibo looked up at him incredulously, “You’re fine with me still taking care of her?”

Xiao Zhan scoffed like he was being ridiculous, “Of course, didi. Besides, now you know. Next time she cries, just sing to her and she’ll fall asleep.”

He smiled wide at Yibo who looked like someone had punched him in the head, and walked off to his office.

Wang Yibo sat there, still shaken from the experience; there was a faint flush over his cheeks and ears as he thought back to how Xiao Zhan familiarly referred to him as ‘didi’ or how he alluded that Meihua loved his singing voice.

He blew out a frustrated breath; these Xiao's were going to end him.

Xiao Zhan chuckled a bit to himself in the privacy of his office. Seeing Yibo panicked and pale had taken at least ten years off his life but when the man had shakily explained the situation, Xiao Zhan didn’t know whether to smack him or hug him. A third option had whispered in his mind to kiss him but he’d tamped it down right away.

Meihua was fine, just a bit fussy from the changes around her and missing her mother which was why nightmares were common for her. Anyway, he remembered his mother telling him about them.

He turned back to the situation at hand; he’d managed to inform his studio and speak to his lawyers. Now it was time to inform his manager, who was definitely going to chew him out. They had a pretty decent work relationship but that was because he always said yes and nodded to everything she said; this time he didn’t think she was going to take everything in stride.

He blew out a frustrated breath; time to get it over with.

Fifteen full minutes of arguing, heated conversation, and him ruining his hair in clumps, he finally ended the call.

God, he never wanted to do that again.

She was obviously not happy but Xiao Zhan had explained how the situation couldn’t be helped by him and how discreet the lawyers and police were being so it wasn’t like it was about to be leaked. She warned him of nosy fans and persistent paparazzi and he’d snapped at her to do something about it for once. There was only so much he, as a sole person, could do when his own entertainment company was being this stubborn. Maybe they needed a challenge like this.

Xiao Zhan shook his head and walked to his office door, swinging it open.

“Yibo—“

He paused in his tracks.

The sight before him was too lovely to be real life. 

Xiao Zhan stared as Yibo and Meihua napped on the sofa; Yibo was sleeping sitting up with his head plopped back onto the sofa. Meihua was snuggled up all nice and warm on his chest, her little fists sitting under her chin, mouth pursed in a cute pout.

Yibo had one hand on her back and another right under her butt. Xiao Zhan snickered at the cute way Meihua’s legs were sandwiched against Yibo’s stomach. She was practically plastered to him and he was comfortable enough to have fallen asleep that way.

Easing his phone out, he quickly snapped a few pictures, hoping to share them with his mother later.

He tip-toed around the coffee table and went over to stand in front of the adorable duo. Xiao Zhan bent over and was suddenly overcome with affection, so he quickly ducked down and pressed a feather-light kiss to Yibo’s cheek.

He then moved downward to grant Meihua’s cheek with a kiss, as well, involuntarily taking in Yibo’s cologne. Did the man have to smell this good while holding his baby?

Xiao Zhan stood back up, shaking his head. He was letting his thoughts wander again and he couldn’t let his feelings get in the way. Not when it could jeopardize Meihua’s safety and well-being.

Anyway, Yibo could never feel that way for him, he thought as he turned around and walked away.

As he went, from behind him Yibo opened his eyes and smiled fondly at him.

Turning his head back, he nuzzled the top of Meihua’s head and went back to sleep.

Chapter Text

Xiao Zhan clicked the button on the lamp, eyes gazing directly into the orange bulb, the colour of burning embers. In the next second, he clicked it off, feeling the burn of brightness behind his eyeballs. 

It was probably not healthy looking straight into the light like that, but wasn’t that what he wanted?

He wanted to be in the spotlight, have enough fame to make it big, do his parents proud, fulfill his dream. So where had he lost his way?

Xiao Zhan had lost people along the way; his old friends, his university mates, even his family members. He’d been stubborn about wanting to go into the industry; jiejie had supported him and he felt like that was enough. 

When everyone else had turned away, he’d felt incensed; wasn’t he doing good? He was doing better than he’d presumed he ever would. The world would know his name and he’d make everyone back home proud.

So, why weren’t they proud?

Xiao Zhan clicked the lamp on again; maybe it was because he stopped paying attention. 

He rushed through work, through life for so many years, he forgot there were people waiting for him. They were waiting and eager to talk to him just like old times. They wanted to know how he was doing, if he was coping.

Yes, he was fine.

Yes, he was busy this weekend.

No, he couldn’t make it to the party, he had an event scheduled.

No, he was too busy to attend the call, his manager had arranged a photoshoot for him.

Was that all that his life had come to? Did he not wrong the most dear people in his life?

But most worryingly, was this how it was going to be for the next few years? Who else would he lose like this? 

Xiao Zhan shuddered out a breath; hot tears fell down his cheek.

He admonished himself for crying; what use was crying now that she was already gone? What use was this crying for if he couldn’t even fit his niece into his schedule? What use would tears be when he finally faced his jiejie and told her he had to give Meihua a babysitter so he could film a series? What use would crying be when Meihua grew old enough to understand disappointment and dejection thanks to him?

He clicked the lamp off, darkness descending all around him.

It had been more than a week since Meihua came into his care. Since his jiejie died.

Xiao Zhan had called his manager and studio every day to make sure the news didn’t leak or that Meihua’s father never got wind of it. Yibo had taken to coming around every day just like he’d promised. The two of them would have lunch then Yibo would spend time with Meihua, giving him the opportunity to adjust his schedule a bit more.

But that all came crashing down once his manager called him and tersely demanded for him to return to his scheduled itinerary.

They didn’t have any more room to give him, she said.

Bitterness rose up inside him; all they cared about was money. They were leeches, all of them. He was used to being not treated like a human and more like a commodity but this was pushing it. 

Did he really have no room for grief? Why did the world want to move on when he was so stuck? Couldn’t they give him more time?

His thoughts veered back to Meihua.

Xiao Zhan shook his head; this won’t do. He wouldn’t stand by and let his family take the fall once more. He wasn’t going to jeopardize his family again.

Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.

As much as he despised Yibo’s plan of him moving in, Xiao Zhan had to see the appeal of it. It worked for him, because if he absolutely needed to follow his scheduled events then he wouldn’t mind leaving Meihua in the care of Yibo. He was less skilled at babysitting than himself but Xiao Zhan knew how much Yibo cared for his baby niece. The two had somehow bonded over the past few days and he wasn’t about to dismiss that.

Thankfully, everything else had worked according to schedule; her crib had arrived four days ago, allowing Meihua to finally rest and sleep in her own space. 

It was made of wood that had been painted a pristine white, with bedding that had small, pink flowers all over it. It suited her name really well and he was glad some of his contacts from his old job still delivered the best materials. He had half an idea to paint little flowers over it but he worried that the smell of paint wouldn’t go away in time and they desperately needed the crib for her.

The crib also had wheels and stoppers underneath it so it could be moved around and Xiao Zhan had to more than once suppress his laughter as he saw Yibo gleefully moving Meihua around the living room, so he could sit and play his video games and watch her at the same time.

That didn’t stop the man from spoiling Meihua too much and letting her nap on his chest now and then. Xiao Zhan knew Meihua loved the physical contact, especially when she was asleep.

He’d also managed to give her her first bath. 

**

Yibo hovered nervously, just outside the bathroom door. 

Xiao Zhan heard him and laughed, “You know you could just come inside.” 

He carefully wiped Meihua’s head with the washcloth, his other hand holding her neck up carefully. Along with her crib, other supplies had arrived too and he’d taken the chance to quickly break out her bathing seat and give her a refreshing bath.

From outside, Yibo called, “I’m not coming inside Zhan-ge, she should have the privacy of a bath, at least.”

Xiao Zhan snorted, “I’m not bathing a 20 year old woman, Yibo. She’s a baby, it’s fine.”

He thought he heard Yibo saying ‘wouldn’t let you’ but it slipped his mind once the man called out again.

“How old is she, anyway?”

Xiao Zhan hummed thoughtfully, “She was born March 18th, so around two months? Actually, less, maybe around one and a half?”

Yibo fell silent again, so he went back to his task of running the washcloth over her skin. But that must’ve been enough already for her since she let out a sharp cry of irritation.

Suddenly, from behind him he heard heavy footfalls and Yibo stood by him in the span of a few seconds.

“What’s wrong?” His face was alarmed, eyes creased with worry.

Xiao Zhan smirked, “Worry much? I think she’s gotten tired of the bath and just wants out.”

Yibo heaved a breath, “Oh. God, that scared me.”

Xiao Zhan looked up at him, “No confidence in my baby-bathing skills, Yibo?”

Wang Yibo stuttered for a while until he realized he was being teased. He huffed and would’ve reached out to smack him if he wasn’t holding a wet, slippery baby in his hands.

“Get her towel, please?”

With the baby safely bundled, Yibo took her out to the bedroom while Xiao Zhan cleaned the bathtub and removed her soiled clothes to the laundry basket. He’d finally decided on the bath when a faint whiff of old milk had started seeping into her skin. No baby of his smelled like that.

Xiao Zhan entered the bedroom and noticed how concentrated Yibo was on the clean diaper in front of him. He was fiddling with the sticky tabs and flipping it around, wondering where the front was.

He chuckled as he approached him, “Here, let me show you.”

The next ten minutes were spent gently lifting and tugging at Meihua as they dressed her together in a pink shirt and trousers set.

Yibo held up the matching cap, “What about this?”

Xiao Zhan shook his head, “No, let's wait for her hair to dry a bit more, then you can put that on.”

Yibo nodded his head then pulled out a pink comb from one of the bathing sets they’d received.

With the air of a professional stylist, Yibo meticulously combed each strand of her hair to fall neatly on top of each other, even going as far as to give her a side part.

Xiao Zhan put a hand over his mouth; he was going to squeal unattractively if he didn’t.

Yibo sat up, smiling triumphantly down at Meihua who was long asleep by now.

“Now, a picture.” 

He watched bemusedly as Yibo pulled his phone out and began clicking pictures of Meihua from all angles.

He scoffed, “As if your phone gallery isn’t already full of her pictures.”

Yibo shrugged unapologetically, “I helped to dress her today, so it’s a special one.”

Xiao Zhan fondly shook his head, then stood up. “C’mon then, just put her in her crib and help me with lunch.”

Yibo groaned long, “Wow suddenly I’m tired.”

Xiao Zhan laughed and smacked at the man who was now running out of the bedroom, no doubt to assume his lazy position on the sofa.

**

Xiao Zhan should’ve been terrified of the way Yibo fit so well into their routine. The way they worked each other around Meihua and how not even for a minute she was left alone, reminded him of how strong they were together.

Even before they’d started filming together, Xiao Zhan had understood Yibo well. He had observed and learned the way Yibo handled himself and worked around it. In turn, Yibo had seen the way Xiao Zhan acted so polite and worked to break him out of it. Granted, he’d used hitting and fighting to do it but Xiao Zhan had to admit, it worked.

Before they even knew it, they’d been close friends. Best, even.

So, it didn’t surprise him when Yibo and him were a great team in taking care of Meihua. And since Yibo was so attached to her, Xiao Zhan didn’t bother to hesitate in his decision anymore.

Rubbing his sore eyes, he picked up his phone to send a single text.

You

When can you move in?

He received only a single reply,

Wang Yibo

im ready give me tmrw

Xiao Zhan huffed out a laugh; never one to mince his words or impulses, he wasn’t surprised Yibo was already ready to come.

He exited his office and went over to his bedroom. The wall clock read 12:15 am and he winced at how late he’d messaged Yibo. He quickly checked over Meihua.

Her eyes were tightly shut and her mouth was slightly open, which told him she was deep asleep. Xiao Zhan stood there for a long minute, gently tracing her eyebrows with his finger.

He willed himself to move, to get to bed. Bending down, he pressed a kiss to her brow, reveling in the way her breath brushed over his face. Tucking his nose into her blanket covered chest, he took a quick sniff, then froze.

Underneath the powdery scent, there was a faint whiff of something familiar.

Yibo’s cologne, his mind prompted.

Xiao Zhan smiled as he caught a note of his own scent too. Without thinking much of it, he sent off another text.

You

She smells like us right now 

 

Later, once he was already asleep, his phone lit up with a reply.

Wang Yibo

😊

Wang Yibo woke up surprisingly early the next day. He knew the reason and though he didn’t want to overdo it, nothing could make the giddy feeling go away from his chest. With light steps, he worked through his morning routine; working out then taking a shower before grabbing some fruit for breakfast. He dressed in a pair of jeans and a white tee shirt, paired with a light jacket on top. His hair had dried by then and he noticed the way they fell flat compared to his skin.

Yibo made a mental note to mention it to his stylist; the black was beginning to come back in his hair and he wanted it to be light brown all over. 

From his closet, he grabbed a duffel bag and started shoving various things in there. 

He selected a few clothes, folding them over quickly and piling them on top of the toothbrush and underwear already in the bag. Yibo thought hard, then reached over to his bed’s side table and grabbed his charger and powerbank and shoved those in there as well.

Slipping his airpod case into his pocket, he took a quick look around his room.

Shoes! , he nearly slapped his forehead. If he was taking things for at least a week then he’d need his shoes. So he grabbed a second bag, and chose some of his favourite daily shoes to wear as well as a pair of house slippers, because he wasn’t about to walk around the house all day in his socks.

Last night, when he’d received Xiao Zhan’s text he’d been playing video games in bed. The lights outside his room and in his bathroom had been switched on, as well as the television. Yibo had been over-the-top to hear from him and had promptly sent his reply. Hopefully, he hadn’t come on too strong and the man hadn’t changed his mind about allowing Yibo in his house.

He thought about living in Xiao Zhan’s house; always being around him, being able to talk to him whenever he wanted, eating food he made, taking care of Meihua. Honestly, Yibo couldn’t ask for more. 

Nothing more? A voice whispered snidely in his mind.

Of course, he’d take it all if he could, but the man was going through a difficult time in his life and Yibo wasn’t about to prey on that, he respected him too much. Even then, he wasn’t even sure if Xiao Zhan liked men.

Yibo’s thoughts interrupted when his phone buzzed loudly. “Hello?”

It was his manager, Hao Wanjing. “I hope you’re ready, Yibo. Xia Ping is almost there to pick you up.”

Yibo looked around his apartment again then replied, “Yeah I’m ready. I just need to make a quick stop then I’ll head straight to the studio.”

The other end was silent for a while. Yibo bit his lip nervously and waited for her to say something.

“Yibo,” she began, and he noted the way her voice was gentle like she was carefully coaxing an answer out of him, “where do you have to stop? You know there’s not much time, right?”

“Right, yes I know. Jing-jie, it’s just a quick stop to give something to my friend, please?” He put on his best pleading voice and hoped she’d drop it. Besides, he’d been up early for the very reason that he’d have enough time to drop off his things at Xiao Zhan’s apartment before he went off to work.

Jing-jie huffed loudly, “Fine, fine. But make it quick!”

Yibo nodded, “Yes, fine don’t worry it’ll be done soon.”

Hanging up on her, he quickly dialled Xiao Zhan, hoping the other man was already awake by now.

Luckily, he picked up on the second ring, “Yibo?”

Yibo practically melted at the way his voice sounded deep and husky in the morning; he must’ve just woken up.

“Zhan-ge hope I didn’t wake you.”

Xiao Zhan, always the polite one, replied, “No of course not, I had a good, long sleep, don’t worry.”

A part of Yibo was relieved he was getting enough sleep. The other part of him, however, was itching to tease the man. “Oh? Of course, Zhan-ge gets his beauty sleep every night. That’s why no one can be as handsome as Zhan-ge.”

Xiao Zhan was already groaning, “Oh my God what have I done to deserve this torment?”

Yibo cackled, “Now this torment is coming to live with you.”

Xiao Zhan’s tone changed, “And I’m very grateful for that. Seriously, Yibo, thanks.”

Yibo scoffed in disgust, “My friends don’t thank me, Zhan-ge, don’t make me feel like a stranger.”

“Alright, alright Lao Wang, just get here.”

Yibo laughed, “Yeah, I’m leaving now I just wanted to let you know I’m dropping my things off then later I’ll join you for lunch.”

“Okay, see you.”

With that, Yibo quickly grabbed his things and made sure to pack his house keys as well before closing all the doors in his apartment. Sighing, he looked around; he wouldn’t be back here for the next few days and if he did come back it would only be to get more things.

No more living alone like he’d gotten used to. Sharing a space had never been difficult for Yibo but over the past year he’d gotten used to living alone, having his stuff all around him and not worrying if he was encroaching on anyone else’s territory.

Of course, moving in with Zhan-ge meant he couldn’t take his beloved helmets, several skateboards, and his Lego sets.

Still, it could be worse. And anyway, he was in a way sacrificing having these things to spend time with Xiao Zhan and Meihua. In time, he’d learn to let go of materialistic possessions.

Reaching Xiao Zhan’s building, Yibo quickly ducked in through the back entrance and took the lift up to the fifth floor. He knocked on his door a couple of times but it was opened fairly quickly. There was a five o’ clock shadow covering his upper lip and chin, and he was dressed in ragged sweatpants. His hair was also a mess, testament to him waking up just then.

But Xiao Zhan still managed to look beautiful.

Yibo smiled at him, “You look terrible.” He said the exact opposite of what he meant because he didn’t want to lose the easy camaraderie he had going on with the man. It would be awkward for them both if Yibo managed to hit on Xiao Zhan on the very first day he moved in.

Muttering a quick word to his bodyguard who stood behind him, suspiciously sneaking glances inside, Yibo quickly moved into the house and shut the door behind him. He deposited his bags onto the floor near the laundry room.

“Hey.” He greeted Xiao Zhan properly who chuckled at him and offered him his cup of green tea.

Yibo shook his head, “No, I have to head out quickly. But there’s something I need to do first.”

He ignored Xiao Zhan’s ‘what?’ and hurriedly stepped out of his shoes near the front door and practically ran to the bedroom. Moving silently, he pressed a kiss to Meihua’s cheek, who stirred a little before settling, before running back out to put his shoes on.

Xiao Zhan was huffing with laughter, “Yibo, are you even human?”

He flashed Xiao Zhan a grin before standing up, “Make something tasty.”

Yibo heard the man scoff behind him as he opened the door again and Ping-ge stepped back hastily like he hadn’t been trying to listen. Yibo pursed his lips and nodded at him, “Let’s go.”

“Bye Zhan-ge.” He called to the man who waved at him once before closing the door.

Wang Yibo knew his team would never ruin his reputation but they would try their best to limit any damage to him that could come out of personal relationships.

Ping-ge had been with him for many years but he was still working for Yibo’s manager, and not Yibo himself. So, he needed to be careful.

They arrived at the studio where Yibo would be filming a new advertisement, and he was disappointed to see the way fans were flocking the area. There were so many of them Yibo wondered how they didn’t manage to come under his car. 

Shaking his head, he adjusted his black face mask and lowered his cap over his eyes.

When would his fans have some sense? He hated putting out posts on Weibo to let them know what they were doing was wrong, but maybe they needed a reminder now and then.

His car pulled down into the underground parking where, thankfully, security hadn’t allowed any fan to enter.

Exiting his car, he speed-walked straight into the building, wanting to be done with the day already.

His mind flashed back to the time this used to happen with him in Korea. Then, there had been four supporting brothers walking hand-in-hand with him and when it got especially tough Yixuan-ge would hold onto him extra tight, like he was afraid they’d take Yibo away.

Yibo smiled fleetingly behind his face mask; God, he really missed his brothers. He should get together with Wenhan and Xuan-ge soon.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Yibo greeted the filming crew and directors before he was swept away by the stylists and make-up artists.

Xiao Zhan stood there for a minute after Yibo left, shaking his head at the hurricane that had just visited him. He smiled at the now-closed front door and turned around. 

Yibo’s bags were still there and Xiao Zhan hesitated before setting his cup of tea down at a table nearby before transporting both bags to his bedroom.

He hated doing this but he figured Yibo wouldn’t mind, especially since he’d left the bags in his house. Unzipping one of them, he found it full of Yibo’s shoes. 

He chuckled and shook his head, “Mr. Nike sponsorship, I see.”

Xiao Zhan opened his wardrobe’s doors; it wasn’t too massive and nothing like the flashy wardrobe rooms that some people tended to have. He only needed some space for his clothes, shoes and accessories and the rest were packed away into storage because he didn’t need them.

He got to work; bending down, he made some space for Yibo’s shoes and set each pair down neatly in rows. Next, he worked on Yibo’s clothes, unfolding them and hanging them using the extra hangers. Xiao Zhan willed himself not to blush when he set Yibo’s underwear on an empty shelf next to his own. Finishing off, he set the duffel bags on the floor of his wardrobe, closing the doors.

Stepping back, he bit his lip and looked around the bedroom.

Meihua’s crib had its own spot against the far back wall of his bedroom, well away from the window. His own bed was in the middle of the room, allowing enough space on either side of it.

But Xiao Zhan had clearly not planned for one eventuality; he would have to share his bed with Yibo.

Of course, his bed was king-sized, which was a splurge he’d indulged in a year ago. He was thankful for that now. He can’t imagine sharing a bed with Yibo that was far too small for them both.

Thanks to his height, he’d had it custom-made so it could fit two people quite comfortably. Even if Yibo sprawled in his sleep with all his long limbs, they would barely reach him.

Closing his eyes, he took a breath, held it, then exhaled; it would be alright. Yibo was comfortable with him and he never wanted that to change, so he would act as if being close to him didn’t make his heart beat loudly in his chest.

Besides, he should worry about space.

Xiao Zhan looked around his bedroom again and realized there wasn’t enough space for Meihua’s things. She would need a wardrobe of her own, a changing table, and enough space to keep her supplies nearby.

He worried his bottom lip with his teeth as he thought hard. An apartment change would be good, but he couldn’t move everything into yet another apartment. The entire process was tedious and took too long. He would just have to store some of her things in his office while he worked out a solution. Maybe eventually he could refurbish the office into a nursery. She would have enough space for a couple of years - 

His thoughts froze; what was he thinking? A couple of years?

Xiao Zhan huffed, wasn’t he giving her away to his mother? A family? 

His chest tightened dangerously at the idea. But, he shook his head.

No, his niece deserved to have a wonderful life with wonderful parents who loved her and supported her. She didn’t need an absent uncle and his friend who were obviously far too busy in their own careers.

Before Meihua came into his life, Xiao Zhan knew his priorities were his career. Make it big and make enough to settle down comfortably. But Meihua - 

Xiao Zhan scolded himself mentally. Right now, his priority was to take care of jiejie’s funeral and make sure Meihua was doing alright. That was step 1. Everything else was secondary.

Taking a deep breath, he exited his bedroom, intent on getting some work done.

Wang Yibo stretched his neck to the side and exhaled. He was finally done. He was grateful not to have any interviews this time, he was tired of being awkwardly polite in each and every one of them. He thanked the filming crew and directors, bowing to them once collectively before he headed out. Cap firmly on his head, he adjusted his mask and settled into the car.

Yibo turned to his bodyguard, “The fans?”

Ping-ge shook his head, “We had security cordon them off.”

Yibo sighed; he was always protective of his fans, he never wanted security to handle them or hurt them in any way. But sometimes they just made it so difficult for him to work, he wished they could understand him.

Lifting his shirt, he edged out his phone and checked it.

Xiao Zhan had left him a few messages.

Xiao Zhan

Hey hope you’re done with your work

I talked to a paediatrician that Meihua’s social worker recommended

Her office had done a check-up on her after the accident

She’s missing a few vaccines so I want to go tomorrow to get them done

Will you be available?

 

Yibo bit his lip as he read through. It was worrying that Meihua was missing some vaccines and he agreed that Xiao Zhan should go right away. But he was confused as to what the man was asking of him. Was he inviting Yibo along? Or did he mean for him to wait for them to return?

He typed out his question.

You

ok so u want me there?

or do u want me to go with u?

Xiao Zhan

I’m working those details out

Just wanted to know if you’re free tomorrow

You

yeh dont wry 

im mostly free

 

Xiao Zhan

Thanks Lao Wang😊

 

You

😉✌🏼

Yibo locked his phone and set it down on his thigh. He turned his face to the window and thought hard.

Then he faced Xia Ping, who was sitting patiently on his left.

“Ping-ge?” 

Yibo waited for the man to face him.

“If I wanted to go somewhere off-work could you accompany me?”

Xia Ping raised an eyebrow and Yibo hurried to explain himself.

“Say I want to visit my dentist or a doctor, could you take me there?”

Xia Ping looked at him for a moment before nodding, “Of course. You have my number.”

Yibo nodded and smiled at him, “Thanks ge.”

His bodyguard nodded at him then turned to look forward.

Yibo sighed in relief; if he had to take Xiao Zhan with Meihua to the doctor’s, then he was glad to have at least one bodyguard with them, in case they were recognized.

Recognizing the street they were on, Yibo quickly prompted the driver to change his directions.

Beside him, Ping-ge flashed him a suspicious look. Yibo knew the man probably recognized the place from this morning.

He flashed him a generous smile, “My friend made me lunch today, can’t miss it.”

Digging through the backseat, he hefted his skateboard over his shoulder; he barely got to play on it today since filming meant he had to stay in one place quite a lot.

Just as he did in the morning, Yibo went in through the back and before he knew it, he was finally in Xiao Zhan’s apartment, a place that was beginning to smell more like home for him than his own apartment.

Xiao Zhan opened the door, looking slightly annoyed.

Fearing something was wrong, Yibo asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Zhan shook his head, “I need to get you a key so I don’t have to get up every time you come over.” But the man was smiling as he turned away so Yibo laughed at him.

“Xiao-laoshi’s bones are hurting every day. He needs extra care and attention in his old age.”

Just as he said it, he had to dodge a badly-aimed fist in the form of Xiao Zhan’s surprisingly small hand.

Yibo cackled throatily before throwing himself onto the sofa.

“Where’s my baby girl?” He demanded quite loudly at Xiao Zhan, who raised an eyebrow at his tone.

Yibo instantly softened his face into an innocent smile, “Please, ge?”

Xiao Zhan shook his head, “Menace. She’s in her crib, as usual.”

Then, the man leaned back to look at the clock in the living room. “Actually go wake her, it’s time for her milk otherwise she’ll miss it.”

“Okay!” Feeling energized, Yibo sprang up from the sofa and entered the bedroom.

Behind him, Xiao Zhan grimaced at his endless energy. Then, he broke into quiet laughter when he heard Yibo exclaiming, “Whoa, look who’s up already! Wow, you’re already so grown up, you don’t need me anymore do you—"

He turned and walked away to the kitchen to set the table, as Yibo continued to endlessly rant about his day to Meihua.

Chapter Text

They were finally done for the day; Xiao Zhan sighed as he settled next to Wang Yibo on the sofa, the TV playing some random movie, the plot of which he lost a long while ago. Yibo was surprisingly serene next to him. He had Meihua tucked into his elbow, bundled in her soft, white blanket, eyes glazed over yet staring at the screen.

Xiao Zhan bit his lip and held in his laughter. Yibo was clearly sleepy and tired and was barely awake at this point. That might have to do something with the huge meal of sauced beef ribs that they had, Yibo’s favourite.

His lips twitched at the memory of Yibo stuffing his mouth so he resembled a squirrel more than his human self.

All too soon, the late hours of the night had creeped up on them. Yibo cracked his jaw open on a yawn and Xiao Zhan decided that was enough staying up. They had to figure out the sleeping arrangements too.

What sleeping arrangements? You’ll be sleeping next to him, that’s arrangement enough, whispered a voice that sounded suspiciously like Xuan Lu in his mind.

He unintentionally cleared his throat out loud, causing Yibo to sit up from where he was slouching on the sofa end.

“Zhan-ge?” He mumbled sleepily, his grip on Meihua secure.

Xiao Zhan huffed in amusement at the bleary look in his eyes, “Yibo let’s get to sleep okay? It’s been a long day for you.”

He expected Yibo to protest and exclaim how he was still young but the man barely managed a nod. After that, it was quick work to get Meihua back in her crib while Yibo attended to himself in the washroom.

The washroom door clicked open slowly behind him, as he readied the extra blankets and arranged them side by side on the bed. Xiao Zhan turned around and immediately regretted everything. Yibo’s face was obscured; he was wrestling with a white t-shirt and struggling to put it on. The situation gave Xiao Zhan a full view of his abs, tight against his lightly tanned skin. For a moment, Xiao Zhan openly stared at the way those abs flexed as Yibo moved, the way his sleep trousers rested dangerously low on sharp hip bones, the way Yibo’s skin was so smooth and hairless—

“Zhan-ge?”

He jolted and snapped his eyes to Yibo’s and found amusement lurking in them. Pink lips twitched like he was trying hard not to smile. “You okay?”

“I’m—” Xiao Zhan’s voice cracked embarrassingly, “I’m fine, Yibo. Uh yeah, just uh— thinking.”

“Thinking?” Yibo walked over to him and was Xiao Zhan really that delirious or did the other man’s voice get deeper?

“Mn.” Xiao Zhan turned back to arrange the blankets a little more, unnecessary though it was.

There was silence in the room, save for Meihua’s soft breathing and the wall clock’s sharp ticking.

Then Yibo spoke, “So, which side should I take?”

Xiao Zhan looked at him in surprise, it wasn’t often Yibo would give up on teasing him so quickly.

He blinked for a moment then answered, “Oh, take any side. Usually I sleep in the middle since it’s all me. But I’ll have to get up in the middle of the night to give Meihua her bottle so maybe you should take the far end.”

Yibo shook his head, “I said I was gonna help, didn’t I? I’ll help you then too.”

Xiao Zhan snorted, “If you can get up. You sleep like the dead, don’t you?”

Yibo bared his teeth at him while Xiao Zhan laughed and settled on the side closer to Meihua, like the stubborn man that he was.

Yibo shook his head at him again then sat down on the other side.

He heard shuffling behind him and a click. The room darkened but not completely like Yibo expected it to be. He turned around, surprised, then spotted a large dolphin night-light mounted on the back wall of the room. It emitted a soft, orange light that was mostly soothing but did the job of lightly illuminating every corner of the room. Meihua didn’t make a sound, so Yibo allowed himself to silently appreciate the night-light as he laid down next to Xiao Zhan.

The man’s eyes were closed, the blanket only up to his waist. His whole body was twisted so his face was hidden in his arms on the pillow. Yibo smiled and turned himself around as he propped his head up on his hand. He stared unashamedly at Xiao Zhan, whom Yibo could feel hadn’t completely fallen asleep. He was proven right in the next minute.

“What are you doing?” His voice came out muffled from where his face was smushed against the pillow.

Yibo snorted, “Just admiring Xiao-laoshi’s night visuals, wow, the glow under his skin—”

Xiao Zhan whined, “Yibo~ stop, please! Just go to sleep, you monster.”

Yibo laughed to himself for a moment before quieting down. 

He whispered, “Goodnight, Zhan-ge,” then laid down flat against the bed and closed his eyes.

Sleep claimed him rather quickly but not before he felt a fleeting touch against his forehead.

The next day he had just wrapped up another recording when his phone buzzed with a new message.

Xiao Zhan

So I talked to her doctor and some people

And they all suggested a home visit

They have Meihua’s history so they know which vaccinations she’s missing

I think it’s safer to have a nurse and doctor come to her

Especially now with the fans situation

Yibo pursed his lips at the thought of Meihua getting fan attention at such a young age.

You

yh ofc

do whats best for her

when is the visit

 

Xiao Zhan 

As soon as possible

We’ll have to fly to Chongqing after a few days for the funeral

I want her vaccinations done before it

Is tomorrow fine?

 

You

yh that works

Yibo fiddled nervously with his jacket. There was one thing he couldn’t help Xiao Zhan with, no matter how hard he tried. There was no way he could accompany them both all the way to Chongqing, and even if he did it would raise several eyebrows, Xiao Zhan’s family included.

The last thing he wanted for Xiao Zhan was more stress. He’d noticed the way sometimes his eyes would get that faraway look, like he was reliving memories. Sometimes, he’d look at Meihua so gently it made Yibo turn away to give some privacy. The man was clearly aggrieved and conflicted and needed all the closure he could get through the funeral.

But Yibo couldn’t help but worry for him. 

The funeral was scheduled to be in a few days which meant Xiao Zhan would fly out with Meihua the day before. Altogether, that was four days the two would be gone, and Yibo wasn’t comfortable with living in someone else’s house without them being there.

He raised the issue during lunch the same day.

Xiao Zhan raised his eyebrow, “What are you saying?”

Yibo crunched on some cucumbers before answering, “I’ll go back to my place for the week then come over on the weekend with more stuff.”

Xiao Zhan’s tone was strange when he said, “Meihua and I come back on Thursday. You won’t come to us, then?”

Yibo’s chopsticks came to a stop as he looked up at the man. Xiao Zhan was avoiding looking at him, and was studiously staring at his sour noodles. He didn’t know how to answer that.

Yibo swallowed his bite and carefully answered, “If you want me to.”

Xiao Zhan’s eyes snapped up to his, “Do you want to?”

Yibo stared at him incredulously, “Of course I want to, when have I never wanted to see you two?”

Xiao Zhan broke his gaze and looked down, his shoulders relaxing minutely. 

“Sorry, Yibo, I didn’t mean to say it like that.”

Yibo shook his head and reached out to cover Xiao Zhan’s hand resting on the table.

“Zhan-ge, stop doubting that I’ll be here. Of course I’ll be here. If it makes you feel better I’ll go home for a day then come back here so when you two get home I’ll be here.”

Xiao Zhan looked at him self-consciously then shook his head, “No, Yibo what am I saying? Of course you can go home and do whatever you want. You deserve to have some time on your own. A full night’s sleep would be good for you and - “

“Zhan-ge,” Yibo interrupted him, “I’ll get plenty of sleep here, just like I got last night. And don’t worry about my own time, I’m gonna visit my UNIQ brothers when you’re gone so I won’t be alone.”

Xiao Zhan sighed heavily and nodded, “Okay, good. And—”

But Yibo stopped him with a tight grip on his hand, “Stop worrying about everything else. Just worry about yourself, please.”

He expected Xiao Zhan to get mad at him but he just slumped his head over defeatedly. The hand under his own turned and gripped back, fingers intertwined with each other. Yibo knew he was crying, that happened quite often nowadays.

“Thank you, Yibo.”

“I said no thanks between friends.”

“Yeah well I have manners.”

Realizing the moment was over, Yibo retaliated with a kick under the table as Xiao Zhan sprung up with a laugh, tears long forgotten.

Xiao Zhan sniffed loudly, “Okay c’mon help me with the dishes. Meihua should be up soon.”

Yibo followed the other man into the kitchen with the dishes and he rinsed while Xiao Zhan packed the rest of it away. It was quiet between them until Xiao Zhan broke the silence.

“Is tomorrow fine with you? Though I can totally handle the whole thing on my own, that’s fine.”

“I’ll be there.” Yibo didn’t bother to look up from his washing.

He heard Xiao Zhan laugh softly, before replying, “Okay.”

A cry from the bedroom alerted them.

Xiao Zhan frowned, “She’s up way too early.” Even as he said it, he rushed out of the kitchen, leaving Yibo to follow soon after.

When Yibo entered the bedroom he saw Xiao Zhan bouncing gently on his feet, swaying Meihua from side to side. Her blankets were left in the crib and she was clad in a soft blue onesie. Yibo could see her fists flailing around as she cried earnestly.

He frowned, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Zhan looked worried but shook his head, “I don’t know. Usually this calms her down.”

“Sing to her.” Yibo suggested and Xiao Zhan looked confused before realizing what he meant.

Yibo smirked, only someone like Xiao Zhan could forget he was a nationally-renowned singer.

Xiao Zhan continued his swaying, but began to hum a familiar melody.

Yibo listened for a while before recognizing it to be the opening notes of Satisfied, a song Xiao Zhan had released a while back. It was perfect for such a situation, his voice was gentle, the notes were soothing. Unknowingly, Yibo started swaying to the song, too.

He stepped forward and leaned into Xiao Zhan’s space. Meihua’s eyes were half-closed and Yibo started speaking in a hushed voice, “Your singing really did -”

But before he could complete his sentence, Meihua snapped her eyes open and looked directly at him.

Yibo could only stare in shock as she began whimpering, all the while staring at him. He looked at Xiao Zhan who was also staring at Meihua with his jaw open. 

“Did she just—?”

“Recognize you? Yeah.” Xiao Zhan replied, his voice strained.

Yibo stared a little more. Meihua continued her whimpering, but this time her eyes were wide open, sleep forgotten.

She seemed to be looking directly at Yibo and he leaned back up to his full height in surprise.

At that, she seemingly lost sight of him, as brown eyes darted around, whimpers turning into a full cry.

Xiao Zhan suddenly let out a sharp ‘ah!’ and Yibo turned to look at him.

“I think I know what’s happening here.”

Yibo tilted his head in question.

“Babies have terrible eyesight. So she didn’t know you were standing behind me until you leaned in. Then she saw you and woke right up!”
Xiao Zhan laughed, his voice laced with shock still.

Yibo started, “So she—?”

Xiao Zhan completed his sentence for him, “—wants you to hold her, yes.”

Yibo tried to hold it in but he still managed to preen for a few moments before stepping up.

“Oh my God, look at your smug face.” He couldn’t hide it since Xiao Zhan guffawed at his expression.

Childishly, Yibo stuck out his tongue, before taking Meihua from him.

Xiao Zhan giggled, “So mature, look at you.”

Yibo smirked and walked to the bed, sitting down. “Leave the room, Zhan-ge, only young people are allowed here.”

Xiao Zhan made a face at him and turned to walk away, “Oh ha-ha. I’m leaving because I’m an adult and I have work to do.”

Yibo grinned, “You mean like arranging your music records alphabetically?”

Xiao Zhan turned around and hissed at him, “That was only because you replaced it in the wrong section!”

He ignored Yibo’s teasing laughter and walked away with a huff.

“...and so the little rabbit went off to his little burrow with his mother, and everything about the unpleasant fox was all forgotten. The end! Eh? How’d you like that? Good enough? Or should I tell you the really boring ones that have got moral stories in them? I doubt you’ll like those, Xiao Hua. They’re too boring for an intelligent girl like you. And so gorgeous too.”

Yibo heard Xiao Zhan’s laugh resonate in the room, and settle around him so deliciously, that he had to curl away from the sound to protect himself.

Xiao Zhan noticed him moving, though, and called out, “Look, even Uncle Yibo is up.”

Yibo realized the voice was coming from his right, and both Xiao Zhan and Meihua were on the bed beside him. He smiled and stretched, opening his eyes to the soft, morning light.

Xiao Zhan was staring at him, and when Yibo looked back, he quickly looked back at Meihua beside him.

Yibo smirked at his reaction then turned his attention to the baby next to him.

“Morning, Xiao Hua,” emphasizing the nickname just to see Xiao Zhan flush prettily, “why are you two on the bed this morning?”

“Because we have a busy, long day ahead of us and we’re getting an earlier head-start.” Xiao Zhan stated, giving Yibo a pointed look.

Yibo rolled his eyes and sat up on the bed, “I’m not a morning person, Zhan-ge. Besides, what long day? I thought we had nothing to do today.”

“Wang Yibo!” Xiao Zhan practically screeched, eyes wide. “Did I not tell you about the vaccinations?”

An expression of realization passed over Yibo’s face. “Oh, wait, that’s today ?”

Before Xiao Zhan could answer him, Yibo reached across the bed and took Meihua into his arms.

“My baby will be in pain today~” he lamented loudly, ignoring Xiao Zhan’s incredulous expression.

“If I could I would take the pain from you.” He continued and quietly whispered to her, pressing a kiss against her forehead. Xiao Zhan was quiet from across him as he observed them.

Yibo looked up at him and he wore the gentlest of smiles. “You really care for her, huh?”

Yibo nodded hesitantly, not sure where the conversation was leading.

He licked his lips nervously and asked, “Is that a problem?”

Xiao Zhan frowned and shook his head, instantly easing the worry in Yibo’s chest.

“No, no. That’s never a problem. I’m just happy Meihua has people to worry over her like this.”

“She’s not an orphan, Zhan-ge,” Yibo chided him gently, “she never will be as long as we’re around. Even if her mother’s gone, she still has people in this world to take care of her. In time, you’ll realise how precious that is.”

Xiao Zhan stared at Yibo before lowering his eyes to the bed on which they were sitting. The man blinked furiously and Yibo realised he was probably trying to hold back tears.

Xiao Zhan pursed his lips and nodded, “Yeah, you’re right.” Here, he looked up, “She has us.”

Yibo nodded assuringly, even though he’d been speaking of Zhan-ge’s mother as well being in Meihua’s life, he was more than happy to be included in their little team of Meihua protectors.

He clutched the baby in his arms a little more firmly and looked down at her, smiling. There was no doubt he’d do anything and everything to keep her safe and healthy.

Speaking of which, he looked up at Xiao Zhan who’d moved on from the moment and was now folding up Meihua’s blankets that were strewn messily around on the bed.

“Hey, when does the nurse and doctor get here?”

Xiao Zhan looked up then looked around the room for a few moments before reaching for a watch sitting on the side-table; it was Yibo’s.

“Ehh, it’s pretty early now anyway, but they should be here before lunch.”

Yibo nodded, “Alright I’m gonna go get ready then.”

The next hour or so was spent washing up, then getting his daily morning fixings done. Yibo had pilfered a box of cereal from one of the kitchen cabinets and was crunching lazily on his breakfast. In the background, he could hear Zhan-ge flitting about nervously, propping up cushions the right way, making sure everything on display was clean, fussing over Meihua’s outfit like it mattered what she wore. He smiled into his bowl of cereal, then instantly frowned when he realized how much Meihua would cry today.

At the thought, he called out, “Zhan-ge, have we thought of how we’re gonna calm Meihua down after the vaccination?”

He heard Xiao Zhan halt in his tracks and sigh, “Yibo, you know there’s no way of doing that until the baby calms down herself. We can’t take away her pain, she'll have to go through it.”

The sodden cereal in his gut turned to lead and Yibo forced himself to breathe through the nausea. He nodded without answering and looked back at his bowl of cereal that had gone soggy by now. He hated the idea of Meihua in any sort of pain, though he’d barely known the baby a few days now, he’d already vowed to himself to protect her from the world.

But it was necessary.

It was necessary for her health, he repeated to himself as he watched the doctor administer her vaccine into her thigh. He watched helplessly from the corner of the room, lips bitten raw, as Meihua cried loud and shrill from the pain. Yibo flinched like he’d been the one with the needle in his thigh. 

He stood several feet away from where Xiao Zhan was currently cuddling Meihua and bouncing her to make her stop crying. It was working very poorly. But the man was focused on the doctor’s words of advice and nodding gratefully. Yibo felt incensed; first the doctor had the audacity to stab his baby girl with a needle and now he was telling Zhan-ge how to take care of it? He glared unapologetically at the doctor, all the way until the man and the nurse with him left the apartment.

Yibo heard Xiao Zhan snort just as the door closed behind them two and he looked over to see the man wearing an amused expression while carefully holding a bottle to Meihua’s mouth. He finally walked over to them and observed Meihua closely.

Her skin was a little flushed, probably from the excessive crying and it broke Yibo’s heart to see tears still clinging to her lashes. He tutted and cooed at her and wiped her tears away, feeling Xiao Zhan’s gaze on him.

“What?” He asked the man, bitingly.

Xiao Zhan’s lips quirked up, “Nothing. You’re really amusing when you turn into Papa bear.”

Yibo looked up at him incredulously, “Eh?”

Xiao Zhan laughed gently and shook his head, “You were over there looking so mad at the doctor that I didn’t want to call you over in case you bit his head off.”

Yibo glared at Xiao Zhan as the man chortled at the mental image that would make. He made an irritated noise and bent down to kiss Meihua softly on her cheek.

“I don’t like anyone hurting my baby girl.” He scoffed and pouted as Xiao Zhan quieted down and smiled at him.

He looked into Xiao Zhan’s eyes; Yibo was bent at his waist to be on his eye level as the other man was sat on the sofa with Meihua in his arms. Xiao Zhan blinked slowly at him, still smiling lazily like it was the one thing he wanted to do all day.

Yibo took a deep breath in and stood up again, “Right, that’s done then.”

Xiao Zhan blinked rapidly like he was waking from a dream and shook his head, “Uh yeah. So lunch after this, and do you have any plans?”

Yibo shook his head and smiled, “My whole day is for you both. So let’s make the most of it.”

“And you’re sure you have everything?”

“Yes, Mother.” Xiao Zhan muttered before yelping as Yibo’s hand smacked on his arm.

“Be nice to this gege, Yibo or I won’t bring back anything from Chongqing.”

Yibo turned away from him and his open suitcase set up on the bed, whispering something to himself. Xiao Zhan stood up from bending over the suitcase and frowned at him.

“Did you say something?”

Yibo scratched his neck like he was nervous, “Yeah I-uh-I said just bring yourselves back, that’s enough for me.”

Xiao Zhan was silent for a panicked moment before he whooped, “Whoa Yibo-ah! What a line, eh?” He teased the other man hoping to alleviate the tense moment but Yibo frowned at him.

“It wasn’t a line, I mean it. Just come back safely.”

Xiao Zhan sighed and clamped a hand on Yibo’s shoulder. “I heard you Yibo, and we’ll come back safely, don’t worry. Both of us.”

Yibo swallowed and nodded then moved away from him and walked over to where Meihua was still peacefully napping in her crib.

It was late evening and they’d had an early dinner so Xiao Zhan could do his final packing, which wasn’t much since he was only staying for two days. His team had scheduled an event with one of his sponsoring brands and he really couldn’t delay it, not even for a funeral which pissed him off. But it was what it was, so he vowed to be back before then. His flight left early in the morning and he wanted to be there beforehand so he could get the extra documents for Meihua processed in time.

But Yibo had been increasingly nervous the past few days, even more so now that his time to leave came closer. He’d assured the other man that everything was safe and he’d even taken extra precaution by making his team place him in another city doing an event that didn’t exist, so he’d be able to travel with Meihua without being spotted. But Yibo had been antsy; he hadn’t even completed one whole bowl of rice before giving up on dinner.

Xiao Zhan guessed he was nervous to be alone after a whole week of living with someone, but that seemed impossible since Yibo had lived alone for years now.

He cleared his throat, catching Yibo’s attention, who was standing next to the crib watching Meihua.

“You okay?”

Yibo nodded absently at his question and glanced away.

“Yibo,” he began, not knowing how to put it in words, “if something’s bothering you, please tell me. If you want to go back to your apartment you know I’m fine with that, right? I don’t want you to be alone in a place that isn’t familiar to you.”

Yibo’s mouth twisted as if from frustration and he looked down, rubbing fingers over his forehead.

“It’s not that Zhan-ge,” he admitted in a low voice, “it’s just I’ve gotten used to being around you two and I don’t know.” He shrugged. “I’m gonna miss both of you.”

Xiao Zhan stood stock still, unsure of what he was feeling. He felt elated that Yibo would miss him so much but also dismayed that he couldn’t take Yibo with him to Chongqing. Seeing him in obvious distress made Xiao Zhan want to rectify the situation somehow, but how ?

He pursed his lips with frustration but Yibo straightened up, “Don’t worry about me. I told you to just worry about yourselves and make it back here safe. Please Zhan-ge, that’s all I want.”

Yibo pouted and Xiao Zhan melted instantly. “Okay.” He whispered as Yibo smiled gratefully at him.

The moment passed as Meihua squirmed, a telltale sign she was waking up, and Yibo’s attention was completely diverted. Xiao Zhan quickly rummaged around in the bedside table to look for his charger, making sure to keep his glasses and some cash, just in case.

Since he had to leave for the airport in the A.M. he decided to forgo sleeping, and just focus on whatever he was taking. He sent off a quick text to his bodyguards who’d help him board the flight and from there on it would be just him and Meihua off to Chongqing.

***

Leaving a sleep-deprived Wang Yibo at the doorstep of his flat had been far more difficult than he imagined. He’d never seen the man look so soft, ruffled, and grumpy at the same time.

“Bye-bye.” He’d pathetically waved at Xiao Zhan and Meihua, who was in her carrier, as they’d walked off to the elevator.

Xiao Zhan sighed just as soon as he’d sat down in his plane seat, setting Meihua’s carrier gently beside him. He was glad to have chosen business class seats since a flight attendant came to him right away and helped secure Meihua down for the flight. Speaking of the baby, he was glad to see Meihua’s calm nature show up during the flight. She barely made a sound, content to lazily suck on her pacifier as Xiao Zhan fidgeted in his own seat. He was eager to see his parents again, and for them to see Meihua. Hopefully, she’d take a liking to them since they were likely to be her future guardians. He ignored as the thought swirled nervously in his gut.

After a smooth landing, Xiao Zhan took a deep breath and a moment to himself. It was time to say goodbye to his precious jiejie .

Back in Beijing, Wang Yibo had taken a long nap, exhausted due to staying up so late to see Xiao Zhan and Meihua off. When he awoke, he immediately felt off-kilter. Everything in Xiao Zhan’s flat felt still, the air was the same but there was a silent quality to it that he never noticed before. The man was adorably obsessed with cushions and plush pillows and stuffed toys, so they were strewn about everywhere, propped up on various surfaces. They all seemed to absorb any outside noise, which was great for a flat with a baby in it, but Wang Yibo felt himself slowly losing his mind. He could hear his own heartbeat thundering nervously in his ears and his breath hitched as he realized he’d overslept and it was almost sunset.

Swallowing roughly, he pushed himself up and flitted through the flat, nervously clicking on all the lights and going as far as to switch the TV on, just for some background noise.

He flicked through his phone, ignoring any social media notifications and looked up his group chat with his UNIQ geges.

After a little chatting, he found Yixuan-ge and Wenhan-ge were currently free and in Beijing so he quickly made plans to get a barbeque dinner with them. Yibo ran to the wardrobe, choosing a quick outfit, ignoring the mess in the crib that was Meihua’s washed clothes from yesterday. He’d taken them out of the wash and left it in her crib, not bothering to fold or put it inside yet; he was afraid he’d spend the whole day just sniffing her clothes and he was not going to let himself spiral into that side of creepy yet.

So he ignored everything in the flat, left the lights on and went out, grabbing the key on his way.

Yibo didn’t realize how desperate he’d looked, since Xuan-ge had taken one look at him and said, “So do we need alcohol for this?”

Yibo had paused just as he sat down opposite them both. They were in Xuan-ge’s choice of restaurant which did amazing barbeque and the owner had booked them a quiet, private booth at the back of the place.

“Uh no? Alcohol for what?” Yibo’s eyes darted between them both.

Wenhan leaned in and whispered, “Are you having love troubles?”

Yibo scrunched up his nose in distaste, making Yixuan laugh, “God, don’t say it like that and no, no love troubles at all.”

Yixuan nodded and smiled at him and Wenhan hummed like he was disappointed there was no juicy gossip to be had. Yibo snorted at the man’s fallen expression and thought he should share a new tidbit from his life. But of course, he wanted to drag it out first.

He cleared his throat, “Well actually—”

Wenhan’s head snapped up comically fast and Yibo was surprised they didn’t hear a whipping noise.

“Is there something? I know there is, Yibo-ah, I’ve known you since you were a baby,” Yibo rolled his eyes, “I knew something was up when you wanted to meet.”

“I thought we were meeting because we missed each other or something?”

Wenhan rolled his eyes and flapped a hand dismissively, “Cut the cute shit, tell me the real deal.”

Yixuan slapped Wenhan on the arm, making Yibo laugh as he yelped in pain. “Can we order first? Then you can gossip like a little old lady, Wenhan.”

They quickly ordered enough food to feed an entire family and as soon as the door was shut, leaving them in peace again, Wenhan leaned in, “Now tell us.”

Yibo bit his lip to stop himself from smiling at the ridiculous situation. Back when UNIQ was still a thing, he’d unknowingly and sometimes knowingly be part of several pranks, that mostly were all pulled on poor Xuan-ge. But right now seemed like a nice time to bring that back. He needed a mood booster anyway.

“There’s this girl.”

At that, Wenhan whooped loudly, and Yixuan frowned at him. 

Oh how typical of them, Yibo wondered and stared with a neutral look.

Wenhan was reaching all over the place, naming every girl they’d ever come into contact with, and Yixuan was still frowning thoughtfully at Yibo.

Yibo realized he must be super confused since he’d ended up coming out to Xuan-ge years ago, during an emotional conversation.

“Yibo…” Yixuan started, unsure of how to approach, but Wenhan completely took over the conversation still rambling on about random girls.

“Her name’s Meihua.” Yibo stated, rather smugly because it wasn’t at all a lie, just an omission of important details.

“Whoa, she sounds pretty.” Wenhan’s eyes bugged out and Yibo cackled at his and Xuan-ge’s expression. The latter of the two was trying his utter best to seem interested without looking questionably suspicious.

He decided his excitement to tell them about Meihua far outweighed his eagerness to prank them. Yibo pulled out his phone, tapping it once to make it light up on his lock-screen and set it in front of them on the table.

The lock-screen was a picture of Meihua he'd taken the day they'd bathed and dressed her. Her face was peaceful with sleep, skin flushed red from all the warm water and soap and hair wispy with fragrance. She looked like an angel and Yibo had quickly set it as his lock-screen. He didn't care who saw it.

The two men stared at it for the longest amount of time he’d seen them be silent.

Then, together they exploded into a cacophony of questions and yells making Yibo almost worried they’d be kicked out of the restaurant. Yibo laughed and explained the whole past week to them, leaving out details such as sleeping beside Xiao Zhan or sharing daily meals with him or even being grossly infatuated with him.

He didn’t, however, leave out any detail about Meihua, unknowingly rambling on and on about her little antics and behaviour and what makes her tick.

Time passed and their server brought their food to their table and left, but Yibo never stopped talking about his baby girl.

Finally, Wenhan snapped, “I think I liked it better when we thought you were talking about a girlfriend.”

Yibo’s mouth clamped shut in surprise and he looked down with embarrassment. He caught Yixuan elbowing Wenhan roughly.

“Yibo,” he looked up at Yixuan, “you really care for them, right?”

He swallowed his bite and nodded nervously.

Wenhan smiled at him, “Yibo I didn’t mean it like that. I was just surprised because we’ve never seen you talk about anyone that much.” He exchanged a glance with Yixuan. “Well no one but your Zhan-ge.”

Yibo blushed and cleared his throat nervously, as Wenhan giggled and Yixuan shook his head in amusement. His crush on Xiao Zhan had been made painfully obvious when he met them for the reunion concert and he’d been ribbed mercilessly for finally falling in love. He never thought they’d still remember about his feelings but here they were.

Wenhan went on, “So I guess it’s no surprise you fell for his daughter, too.” He snorted into his noodles as he said it, making Xuan-ge slap him again and Yibo flush.

“He’ll be back soon in a few days. Do you guys wanna meet her?” Yibo asked them, hopeful his geges would take interest in meeting Meihua and smiled triumphantly as they nodded enthusiastically. He’d ask Xiao Zhan first, of course, but Yibo wanted to show Meihua off to the world. She was the most intelligent baby he’d ever met and sure, he hadn’t met that many but still. Meihua was the prettiest, smartest baby, ever. And Yibo has never lied about anything in his life, so he knew.

Chapter Text

Wang Yibo was not sulking, he wasn’t , alright. He may be tipsy on his way back to Xiao Zhan’s flat, but he wasn’t sad or sulky or miserable like Wenhan had been teasing him about. Sure he was pouting and sure he made a mess of the living room once he entered and sulkily threw his stuff down without cleaning up. 

But he had a good reason, he thought blearily, as he lay in the vast bed that was custom-made to hold a six foot tall man. His eyes strayed over to the crib, empty but full of baby clothes. A pang of his heart had him reaching for the TV remote and soon the entire room was set up in the way he liked; the television was on but on low volume, the door cracked just the bit to let light in and in a fit of sentiment Yibo had switched on the dolphin night-light on Meihua’s side of the room.

The alcohol was now getting to his head with a pounding ache, and he regretted that he drank with his friends after dinner was done. But it was easy to get lost in the fun of it all. Yibo groaned as he shifted over to his side, he really shouldn’t have drunk that much. With his last thought the fleeting image of Xiao Zhan smiling at him, he finally fell asleep.

The next morning he was well acquainted with the toilet bowl and reminded quite painfully why he didn’t drink as often. His stomach had always been weak and alcohol really brought that out in him. He quickly threw himself into a pitifully cold shower, scrubbing yesterday’s filth away from his skin and his mouth. Yibo grimaced at the taste of his mouth and reached for his toothbrush. God, one day apart from Xiao Zhan and he was already coming home drunk.

In the midst of his violent brushing of teeth, he realized with a jolt that today was the funeral. The day they’d finally bury Meihua’s mother.

Yibo paused for a moment before deciding to speed up his routine. Maybe he could call Zhan-ge before they left.

And say what? Yibo’s mind inquired.

He was horrible with words and even worse with sentiments and emotions. What could he possibly tell Xiao Zhan to make him feel better before the burial of his cousin sister?

Yibo’s gut clenched with a burp and he grimaced at the feeling. Quickly dressing in his usual pants and T-shirt outfit, he made his way to Xiao Zhan’s office. The computer was powered on and soon he was video-calling the man, hoping he’d pick up.

The call went through a couple times unanswered and Yibo deflated, realizing he was probably late and missed them. He was about to turn away when finally the call accepted and Xiao Zhan’s beautiful face appeared.

Yibo grinned, “Zhan-ge, hey.”

Then realizing the man was mourning he turned down his relief at seeing his face and put on a solemn expression. Xiao Zhan smiled gently at him, though it didn’t reach his eyes, Yibo noticed.

“Hey Yibo. You okay?”

Yibo gulped as he thought back to his misadventure just last night but nodded, intensifying the ache in his head. Something must’ve shown on his face since Xiao Zhan sat up, alert.

“Yibo, you don’t look okay. What’s wrong?”

Even when he was mourning, he was worried about others.

Yibo smiled and shook his head, keeping his expression as controlled as possible.

“I’m alright, Zhan-ge. I called because I wanted to see you before, you know.”

Yibo swallowed nervously, eyes darting all over Xiao Zhan’s face on the grainy screen.

He noticed the haggard expression, the dark circles, the unhappy tilt to his lips, and wished intensely that he could take it all away and replace it with the sunshine-like expression he always carried.

Xiao Zhan looked down and away before looking back up at Yibo through the screen. “I’m fine as I can be, Yibo. And anyway, there’s someone here who misses you a lot.”

Yibo raised his eyebrows, he knew who Xiao Zhan was talking about but part of him wished to ask, Is it you?

He pasted on a crooked smile, “Where is my beautiful, baby girl?”

Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes good-naturedly and tilted the camera a bit so Yibo could make out the bundle of cloth in which Meihua was wrapped in.

Yibo cooed at her and even though she was asleep, his heart somehow felt lighter after looking at her.

Xiao Zhan laughed gently and the sound reverberated through Yibo’s aching heart. God, he really was turning into a sap. Only a week around these two and he was losing it.

Yibo shook himself out of the moment when Xiao Zhan angled the camera back up to his face with an apologetic expression.

“Sorry, Yibo, we really must be going now. I’ll send you some pictures of Meihua later okay?”

Yibo nodded and said, “Take care, Zhan-ge.” 

When they hung up, neither man would admit out loud that they somehow felt better about the rest of their day.

Wang Yibo vowed to be busy for the rest of today. He rummaged around the kitchen for a quick snack then left the flat, keys in pocket and went out for a light stroll and ride on his skateboard. Whilst he was cruising down an empty pathway, he went over his itinerary for the week. He was expected back at the studio soon and he’d need to contact his manager for that. Until then he was free to form his own schedule for the days to come. 

Yibo bit his lip and maneuvered his skateboard around the edge of a park before turning to head back to the flat. He figured he’d use the time to go back to his own flat and get more of his stuff. And maybe even do the laundry. His thoughts flitted back to Meihua’s crib, a mess with her unfolded clothes. Yibo felt appalled at his own behaviour, how could he prove to be a good roommate and flatmate to Xiao Zhan if he couldn’t even take care of the little things around the flat.

Speaking of which, the flat lacked a lot of the stuff needed for babies or children. Yibo should call up Wang Han and maybe ask him; he was a father after all and knew what to get for babies.

Mind made up, he quickly returned to the flat and attacked the bedroom first. He managed to get the bedsheet back under control and everything else cleaned and tucked away before turning to Meihua’s crib.

Folding her clothes was a difficulty, adults had more fabric to work with but how could he fold something that was already a few inches long to begin with? Yibo huffed but did it anyway, carefully tucking away her clothes into the small section of the wardrobe assigned to Meihua. 

Yibo looked around the room; save for Meihua’s crib, nothing else stood out in the room to suggest that a baby lived here. There were no cute wall motifs or fairy lights or any of that shit that Yibo was used to seeing in babies’ rooms or corners.

His mind went back to that one episode of Day Day Up where they’d discussed interior designing and a designer had talked about the best way to set up a baby’s room. 

Make it happy and cheerful, they’d said but nothing in Xiao Zhan’s room was that way. In fact, they didn’t even have the basics of baby equipment. He was pretty sure there was a lot that new parents bought for the arrival of their babies but-

Was it right for him to do this? If he, Wang Yibo, went online right now and bought a bunch of baby stuff for Meihua, would that be him overstepping his boundaries or would Xiao Zhan not mind and appreciate it?

Yibo slumped on the sofa in front of the television.

He pulled out his phone from his pocket and called Wang Han. He, at least, wanted to know what he could get for her. Maybe he wouldn’t go through with it, but maybe he would.

But as soon as he started the conversation with ‘So Xiao Zhan has a baby now’, Wang Han was quick on it.

“And how do you feel about that?”

“Ah?” Yibo was confused by the question.

“I meant, Yibo-ah,” Wang Han’s tone was gentle, “how do you feel now that your Zhan-ge has a baby. I thought you liked him?”

“Han-ge!” Yibo gasped and looked around the flat like Xiao Zhan would appear at an instant and demand to know what Wang Han meant.

The man laughed throatily, “I know you like him but he has a baby now, Wang Yibo. And with whom, we don’t know—”

“No no, Han-ge,” here Yibo palmed his face in consternation at himself for not explaining the full situation, “it’s not like that, she’s his niece.”

Of course the man would’ve jumped to the supposed conclusion if he started with ‘Xiao Zhan has a baby’. His heart panged at the thought of it; what if Xiao Zhan had actually had a baby of his own. Yibo would’ve spent the next decade nursing a broken heart, most probably.

“Ah,” Wang Han hummed knowingly, “why didn’t you say so before? I’m sure he’s a responsible uncle.”

“Mn, he really is.” Yibo said with a smile no one could see.

“So you wanted to ask something?”

“How did you know?” Yibo asked, surprised.

Wang Han laughed again, “Yibo-ah Yibo, I know you don’t call this old man if not for advice on something.”

Yibo felt himself blush intensely, “No Han-ge it’s not like that!”

“Aiyah, it’s fine, dear boy. It’s nothing. I’m happy that you call me out of all people for help. Come tell me what it is and I’ll try and help you.”

Yibo explained the situation to him, even asking him whether he should go ahead and buy her the things.

“Yibo,” Wang Han began, in his sage tone that he often adapted when explaining something to him, “I cannot tell you whether to buy her the things or not.”

Yibo’s heart sank, he’d really hoped someone would make the decision for him.

Wang Han continued, “But I can say this: I know you follow your heart a lot more than your mind. I know gut instinct is very important to you. You use it in competitions, you use it when you’re racing. And you’ll use it here too. Wang Yibo, I cannot tell you whether to buy these things for her or not. But I think deep down you already know you’ve made your mind up.”

Yibo swallowed roughly and blinked. Yes, he knew. And he’d hoped or even expected that someone would come by and knock that decision out of his mind. But Wang Han knew him too well.

Yibo chuckled, embarrassed. “You know me too well, Han-ge.”

“Mn mn, of course I do, my boy. Now go, use the websites I told you about, they have very good products there. And let me know how your experience goes. Maybe we’ll do a whole episode on shopping for babies, eh?”

Yibo laughed again and thanked the man profusely before hanging up.

Well then, here he goes.

To say Xiao Zhan was exhausted would’ve been an understatement. He felt like he was broken, defeated. The fact that his mother had to dress Meihua in her pretty white dress, which was to signify her mother’s passing was all too much for him. He’d forgone the white for a simple black suit while his own mother chose white as well. Getting there seemed to take forever, but soon he was stood in front of jiejie’s grave, saying his goodbyes. Meihua couldn’t even say her goodbye, she didn’t even know her mother had left the world, he thought with tears choking his throat.

Life was unfair, was something he’d been told a long time ago. But today he genuinely realized that life was short. It was too short to be spent worrying about regrets and what-ifs. There was so much his jiejie had wanted to do before her 35th birthday, something she would never grow old enough for. She would never hear Meihua’s first word or see her first steps. She would never see her smiles and hear her laughter.

But Xiao Zhan would, a voice that sounded too much like Wang Yibo reminded him.

Wang Yibo, that name alone could make him smile in any situation. But now he was incapable of smiling, though he still felt the shameless relief of knowing he had someone to go home to. Someone who would tease him and annoy him but also take care of him and Meihua. And maybe he was selfish to expect that of him or to take from him, but Xiao Zhan was a weak man. Weaker than most when it came to love. And if from the goodness of his heart, Wang Yibo took to caring for him and his niece, he would welcome that with open arms.

But what of Meihua?

He already loved the baby too much and the thought of having her so close to him and taking care of her day in and day out just to give her away tore something inside of him. It didn’t help that every time he thought of caring for her, an image of Wang Yibo playing with her in his living room popped up into his head.

He brought up the conversation during a solemn and silent dinner. They’d gotten takeout which was something his mother frowned upon a lot, but none of them felt like cooking today. Meihua slept soundlessly in her carrier behind them on the sofa. Xiao Zhan played idly with his noodles before looking at his mother.

“Ma,” he began, “what if I took care of Meihua for longer?”

Sluggishly, his mother looked at him, “What do you mean?”

He swallowed and looked at his father who was also waiting for his answer. “I meant if I had help with Meihua I could keep her for longer.”

“Zhan-Zhan,” she began with a disappointed expression, which hurt him more than he admitted, “you know that’s not a good environment for a baby. You’ll be in and out of the city, then what.” She sounded like she was adamant about keeping Meihua but the image in his head of Wang Yibo with Meihua was harder to shake.

“I have Wang Yibo to help with her and—”

“And what?” His mother cut in ruthlessly. “What can you and a boy you barely know do? Can you be parents? Can you do that for her?”

Xiao Zhan’s eyes flooded with tears once more at her tone. She’d never snapped at him that way before, and it was a shock.

He looked down at his noodles, vision blurring with tears, and pursed his mouth closed. Maybe now was not the time.

“My dear—” his father began, coaxing his mother to calm down but she wasn’t having it.

“No, tell me Zhan-Zhan, how long can you care for her? How can you do that for her when you don’t even visit your parents so often anymore?” His mother’s voice wavered with emotion and soon she burst into tears. The sound hit his chest hard, making him heave and gasp with emotion. 

“Maybe—” she whispered through her tears, “maybe I should keep her here with me. Maybe you should go back alone. I’m better now, I can do it.”

Xiao Zhan’s chest caved with loss and grief. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t leave her behind here. He couldn’t go home to an expecting and smiling face waiting for him to hand over Meihua to him. He couldn’t do that to himself and Wang Yibo.

But in the face of his mother’s grief and conviction, he was powerless.

Shakily, Xiao Zhan stood up, tears falling down his cheeks, and briefly bowed to his parents in apology.

Without another word, he fled to his room, and threw himself into bed, sobs muffling into his pillow.

Yibo would be lying if he said he didn’t have fun browsing through the baby category and absorbing all the different products and gadgets they were selling. It was all too much but also not enough for his Meihua. She deserved the best after all. He giddily added stuff to his cart before wondering if his manager would flip out on the amount of things he bought. 

Ah fuck it, he thought to himself and went on clicking some more. Most of these things would arrive before Xiao Zhan and Meihua returned so he’d have them set up in their place for a pleasant surprise. Fleetingly, he thought of how Xiao Zhan would react to Yibo doing all this.

He shrugged the thought away and continued on shopping.

His day concluded rather happily and he went to bed, more peaceful than yesterday. Tomorrow he’d head out to the track, and take his beloved motorcycle around for a much-needed spin.

The rest of his days passed by in a slow blur. Work had him busy far more than usual as his manager had booked a few interviews and appearances around and he was glad for it; gave him less time to think about how Xiao Zhan was faring, how he was grieving and whether Meihua was giving him a hard time or not.

The day they came back sneaked up on him and before he knew it, an alarm sounded on his phone. Confused, he pulled out his phone. 

‘Flight Landed’ was all it said. Yibo’s heart thumped with realization and he quickly looked around. Currently, he was having lunch with his motorcycle friends, Yin Zheng being one of them. Yibo shovelled the last of his food into his mouth and gathered his things.

“Hey what’s up?” Yin Zheng was looking curiously at him.

“Sorry ge, I need to get home soon. I’m expecting someone.”

Yin Zheng was still looking at him like he wanted to ask more questions but Yibo didn’t know how to explain his feelings. He wanted to throw himself into Xiao Zhan’s arms and cuddle Meihua for a full day. His friends said their quick goodbyes and he went off, mask and cap on so he couldn’t be recognized in daylight. Yibo reached the flat in no time and went about making sure everything was set up. Meihua’s things had arrived in increments over the past few days and he’d taken to meticulously unpacking and setting everything in its rightful place, storing the packaging into the small laundry room.

He was on pins and needles for the next hour, hoping to hear the beep of Xiao Zhan’s door soon. Yibo was so lost in his thoughts in the shower that he almost missed the telltale sound of the door opening and feet shuffling. Fumbling with a towel, he wrestled himself into his clothes and burst out of the bathroom into the bedroom, making Xiao Zhan jump up from where he was setting Meihua down in her crib.

“Zhan-ge.” Yibo breathed in wonder, eyes hungrily drinking in the sight of the man standing in front of him.

Xiao Zhan looked like he’d been through a battle. His expression was drawn and his eyes were dull with exhaustion and grief but Yibo felt instantly relieved when he saw them light up.

For a stagnant moment, they stood staring at each other.

Yibo didn’t know who moved first but he launched himself at Xiao Zhan’s open arms and engulfed him into a tight hug.

Yibo’s nose was buried into the folds of Xiao Zhan’s hoodie, the feeling of the man’s arms around his back an imprint. The two men breathed in tandem for a moment, then another and another. Until they felt they couldn’t move.

Yibo felt Xiao Zhan turn his head and lips pressed against his left ear. He didn’t know if it was a kiss or just a fleeting touch of skin against skin, but Yibo’s nerves lit up with joy.

He was here, he was home.

They were home, he was reminded when Meihua in her sleep, squirmed and produced a noise that had them both springing apart to look at her. She was peaceful in her sleep, though, but Yibo’s attention was diverted.

He smiled and went to stand over her crib, sole finger tracing her features.

Slowly, he bent over and pressed a kiss to her nose bridge, “Welcome home baby.”

Behind him, Xiao Zhan made a strange noise and he looked up at him. The man had unshed tears in his eyes but he was smiling, like he was relieved Yibo was right there.

What a ridiculous thought, he wondered and scoffed, as if he could be anywhere else when two of his favourite people were here.

Yibo quirked his eyebrows at him, “You wanna get changed?”

Xiao Zhan nodded then slouched his shoulders like a huge burden had been taken off of them. Yibo felt the emotion mirror inside of him, he was so relieved they were home and in front of him again. He guessed Xiao Zhan was too exhausted to notice anything and all the new gadgets and tools he’d bought went unnoticed. He shrugged mentally, and went back to staring at Meihua as Xiao Zhan moved to the bathroom for a shower and change.

Yibo almost missed the echoed incredulous shout from inside the bathroom, “Is that a rubber duck? What the fuck?"

Yibo snorted out a laugh and in her crib, Meihua’s brow creased with irritation and she pouted in her sleep at the noise.

It made him laugh even more and he bent down again to press another kiss to her cheek.

In between laughs, he whispered to her, “I love you both so much.”

It was the middle of the night when Xiao Zhan allowed his mind to wander back at the conversation he’d had with his mother the day after the burial. His bedroom was awash with the gentle blue light of the dolphin and both Yibo and Meihua were sound asleep, as if they had no burdens to bare.

Xiao Zhan felt relieved; he would bare the entirety of their burdens if he could for the rest of his life if they were by his side. He slipped onto his side, looking directly at Yibo sleeping next to him, hair a mess on his pillow and mouth open. The infuriating man had insisted on sleeping on the side closer to Meihua so he could handle her during the night, giving Xiao Zhan a well-needed rest. He was grateful for the thought but Xiao Zhan couldn’t sleep. His mind was a mess. He reached over and gently pushed aside the hair on Yibo’s forehead, happy to see the way he slept on.

He breathed in and thought back to the conversation with his mother.

Xiao Zhan didn’t know how long he lay miserable, covered in blankets and his own messy tears. He closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep as soon as the door to old room clicked open. Feet shuffled into the room heavily, and he realised it was his mother. Xiao Zhan held back the emotion welling up and lay absolutely still.

A sharp rap to his forehead had him snapping his eyes open in surprise.

His mother stood over him, fists clenched over her hips and a stern but fond expression on her face.

“Don’t tell me you were sleeping, Zhan-Zhan. I’m your mother, you can’t pretend with me, you know.”

Xiao Zhan gulped and sat up in bed.

His mother sat in front of him and grasped his hand, “Zhan-Zhan forgive your mother for being so harsh with you.”

“Mama,” he squeezed her hand but another rap to his wrist had him shutting up.

“Let your mother speak. I know I was harsh but I was feeling too much then. You’re my baby, Zhan-Zhan you know I only want the best for you. I don’t want to burden you with the responsibility of a baby when you yourself are so wrought with your own responsibilities. How can I, as your mother, give you the responsibility of a baby, in good conscience? I want to see you fall in love first, then I want to see you build a family and live happily. Zhan-Zhan, that’s all I want for you.”

Xiao Zhan had started crying again but this time he didn’t hide his tears.

“Mama, you don’t understand.”

“What is it, my son? Tell me, tell Mama.” 

Xiao Zhan leaned over and let his head fall into his mother’s lap, and she soothed a comforting hand over his head. He closed his eyes and leaned into the touch.

“I don’t know how to explain it. It’s that—”

His mother hummed above him, gently stroking his hair.

He clenched his eyes shut and breathed deeply. Finally he opened his mouth, “I think I’m in love.”

His mother’s hand paused on his head before continuing its motion. Her voice was careful when she asked, “You only think? You aren’t sure?”

“I’m —I think— I think I’m sure. But I’m afraid.”

“Zhan-Zhan, it’s okay to be afraid. Being in love is scary but telling her is even scarier, trust me.” His mother chuckled but his heart sank. She thinks he loves a girl. Oh god.

He felt the nausea rising up his gut so he sat up quickly, wrenching his mother’s hand away from his hair.

“Zhan-Zhan?”

“Mama, it’s Yibo.” He blurted out, heart thumping wildly in his chest.

His mother looked fairly confused at the mention of the name at first, but he saw as she connected the dots and realization flashed across her face.

Xiao Zhan expected harsh words and disappointment but his mother only sighed. “How long?”

In his daze, he shook his head, “I don’t know.”

“Does he know?”

Another shake of his head.

“Are you planning on telling him?”

Another shake of his head.

This time, his mother twisted his ear painfully, “Aiyah Ma! Ow that hurts!”

His mother released his ear but had on a stern look, “Don’t plan on telling him! How will you get anywhere in life like this? I don’t want my grand-niece to grow up without knowing her parents care for each other.”

Xiao Zhan’s head whipped up to look at her in surprise.

His mouth slid open as she smiled at him, “I want to meet this boy. I want to know if he’s worthy of my son.”

Xiao Zhan scoffed, “He’s more than worthy of me, it’s me who’s not worthy of him.”

“Do you want a slap?” Xiao Zhan yelped and jumped out of reach of his mother’s hand.

“Mama!” He whined and pouted, like he was still a little child. But his heart felt lighter. His mother didn’t hate him for who he loved. His mother wanted to meet Wang Yibo.

"You're not mad?"

"Mad because my baby is in love? Of course not! Who do you take me for?"

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you before, Mama."

Her hand patted his head gently, "I don't want to hear a word of apology. I only want to know more about this Yibo boy of yours."

Xiao Zhan smiled at her then smiled as Jianguo jumped onto his bed behind him. The bell collar around her neck jingled familiarly and he soon felt right at home, and at peace.

He looked to his mother and saw emotion shine in her eyes.

Before Xiao Zhan knew it, she’d roped him into telling her more about Yibo. Xiao Zhan could speak forever about him and so the two spent the night talking relentlessly and endlessly.

***

Back in his bedroom, Xiao Zhan smiled at a sleeping Yibo. With the back of his fingers, he traced Yibo’s full cheek, reveling in its softness. How he didn’t grow facial hair as often astounded him. In his sleep, Yibo sighed and leaned into his touch, making Xiao Zhan smile wider.

In the darkness, he whispered, “I will keep you both very happy, I promise.”

Chapter Text

The next morning, Yibo awoke and stretched with a low groan, keeping his eyes shut against the streaming light from the late morning sun. But then he paused, he never kept his curtains open. Unless in the mornings, Xiao Zhan—

With a flash, he snapped his eyes open and looked around. Xiao Zhan’s side of the bed was predictably neat and folded and Meihua wasn’t in her crib when he looked to the other side so he figured both of them were awake and out. He grinned and ambled his way over to the bathroom to get started. He couldn’t wait to spend a whole day in the company of his favourite people, finally back from Chongqing. 

Yibo didn’t think there would ever be a day full of house chores and activities and that those would actually appeal to him. 

“Zhan-ge!” He shouted as he exited the bedroom, scratching his hair and looked around for Meihua. She was prettily perched onto her new carrier seat that he’d bought for use inside the house. It wasn’t garishly pink like the other ones he’d seen but a happier yellow with cute stickers and smiley faces all over it. Meihua was napping, wrapped in her light pink lace blanket. She looked like the fanciest little lady and Yibo could only grin and swoop in to press a kiss to her chubby cheek.

Meihua merely snuffled in her sleep and he heard a voice behind him, “She’s been sleeping a lot lately, but I think it’s because she’s finally relaxed in her new surroundings.”

Yibo turned around; Xiao Zhan stood near the kitchen, lost in his thoughts and crunching on an apple.

He frowned, “Hey! Did you eat breakfast without me?”

Xiao Zhan’s eyes snapped to his own and surprisingly he smiled gently, “No, I prepared some for us but I was waiting for you to wake up.”

Yibo lost his frown but felt a little taken aback. Xiao Zhan made breakfast for him? Wow.

“Oh. Yeah. Good. Let’s go have it!”

The two sat down at the small table and Yibo scarfed his food down quickly, listening to Xiao Zhan ramble about what had gone down in Chongqing during his visit. Thankfully, no fans had caught on that he was even there.

As they neared the end of their breakfast, Xiao Zhan suddenly sighed and set his spoon down.

Yibo asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Zhan shook his head and was silent for a moment before he said, “I feel like I should be taking on more projects. I know we have Meihua now but still I feel kind of useless lately.”

Yibo shrugged at him, “So talk to your manager, have them set something up.”

“Hmm I guess. For now I feel like I won’t get any song written because there’s this block in my mind. Maybe a project might help inspire me?”

Xiao Zhan watched as Yibo chewed thoughtfully and resisted the urge to tug at his chipmunk-like cheeks. 

“But—”

Xiao Zhan blinked, “Ah?”

Yibo looked at him, “But if you take up a new drama or something, won’t that mean you’ll have to be away from Meihua for weeks on end?”

He felt bad for bringing it up just as Xiao Zhan’s expression withered considerably; but it was a genuine question he had. He had no such dramas coming up, not that he’d signed any. But if Xiao Zhan happened to accept a new drama, what would that mean for Meihua? Would Xiao Zhan be comfortable in leaving her here with Yibo?

He bit his lip and stared at the man in front of him, as he mulled over his thoughts.

Then, Xiao Zhan nodded decisively, “I won’t take any dramas until Meihua is old enough to understand what daycare is or what being left with a nanny is like. I don’t want her to get any idea that it’s because we’re leaving her forever or something.” He wrinkled his nose, “Doesn’t sit well with me, you know?”

Yibo didn’t want to point it out loud, but there was something different about Xiao Zhan. Like he’d made a decision in Chongqing that was now affecting the way he thought of Meihua being here in the future. He didn’t want to come out and ask about it, in case it triggered something. But it was almost like Xiao Zhan was thinking of Meihua’s future, here with them.

Yibo decided to drop the issue but then halted, “Wait does this mean you won’t take on a project for a year? Zhan-ge! A year is too long!”

Xiao Zhan looked miserable and shrugged, “Can’t do anything else about it.”

Yibo sighed, “Zhan-ge, c’mon. Be reasonable. Don’t stop any projects that come your way and I won’t stop mine.”

The man frowned, “How is that going to work?”

“We can rotate duties!” Yibo said, triumphantly. “When I have a drama or something you can take some time off with Meihua, or even take her to your parents for a visit. When you have a drama I’m more than happy to stay here and take care of her until you get back.”

But then Yibo paused, “Unless—”

Xiao Zhan looked up, “Hmm?”

Yibo worried his thumb in between his teeth then said, “Unless you’re not okay with leaving Meihua with me. Alone.”

Xiao Zhan jolted up in his seat and frowned. He looked at Yibo who looked nervous and afraid, like he was about to be told some bad news. He promptly shook his head, “Of course not, you idiot. I’d rather not leave Meihua with anyone else and I completely trust her with you.”

Yibo grinned and shot back, “You’re the idiot.”

“Are we starting this again, Lao Wang?” Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes and reached over to land a hit on Yibo’s arms.

Soon, the two dissolved into bouts of hitting, giggling, arguing, and kicking.

Yibo shushed Xiao Zhan loudly when Meihua started squirming and grimacing in her sleep.

Still giggling, Xiao Zhan asked, “So what did you do the entire time?”

Yibo stuck his tongue out at him and landed one last kick before answering, “Met up with my UNIQ brothers. I also went skateboarding a little around the park in front of your building. It’s a nice place and I didn’t get recognized. When Meihua is a little older we can take her down there in a pram.”

Yibo paused in his rambling as he realized he’d talked about Meihua being here in the future. There it was again, the taboo topic; He was pretty sure it was still decided that Xiao Zhan’s mother would take Meihua once she was better. But Xiao Zhan had not told him of any changed plans.

He chanced a look at Xiao Zhan, who looked thoughtful but happy. He nodded at Yibo.

“I think that would be nice. Get some fresh air for her.”

Yibo swallowed nervously and nodded. He quickly wanted to change the subject.

“Anyway, I saw that you already found her new carrier seat.”

Xiao Zhan hummed, “Yeah I saw that and somehow I knew it was you who bought it! Thank you, Yibo but you didn’t have to.”

He waved a dismissive hand at his gratefulness but then smirked, “That’s not all, though.”

Xiao Zhan blinked at him, “What do you mean?”

Yibo snorted, “I mean that’s not all I ordered. Also you should see the state of your office.” He stated nonchalantly, inwardly laughing at Xiao Zhan’s bemused reaction.

“What’s wrong with my office?”

Yibo laughed, “I ordered more stuff. A lot of it.”

Xiao Zhan’s eyes widened before he laughed, “Is that where the rubber duck came from?”

“Yes I thought you’d notice that last!” Yibo cackled and stood up, leading Xiao Zhan to his closed office door.

He could barely control his glee and bubbling laughter when Xiao Zhan edged the door open and realized boxes and packages covered each tile of his office floor.

“Wang Yibo! What did you do?” Xiao Zhan asked, horrified as Yibo cackled behind him.

The next few hours were spent unpacking, tearing through, and opening boxes. With each package opened, Xiao Zhan would barely manage to control his excitement in order to admonish Yibo for spending so much money on baby products. The other man only shrugged and proceeded to tear through a new package. All in all, there were too many things to count, but Xiao Zhan was glad to see not all the items were frivolous purchases.

There was the bottle warmer and sterilizer which meant Xiao Zhan wouldn’t have to hand wash and sterilize each bottle of Meihua’s. There were several packages of clothes, cute but functional for rotation during the day. He could vouch for any new parent that more clothes was never a bad thing. There was a basic baby bag, black and, nondescript in design and as Yibo showed him all the little pockets and extra space, he quickly transformed the hand-held bag into a shoulder bag, easy for carrying. It looked like any other backpack that they carried for their travel use and Xiao Zhan was impressed by it.

Yibo had even gone as far as to buy a formula maker. Xiao Zhan goggled down at the large box with a picture of what looked to be a small coffee machine.

“What is this?”

Yibo leaned in to see. “Oh yeah! This is the new formula making machine. See you have all these settings on here and how much formula to make so you feed the powder there, and then press this button here. It’s like a coffee machine! So instead of a coffee mug, you place Meihua’s bottle here and boom! Bottle is ready.”

Xiao Zhan stared at Yibo for a full ten seconds. “You know I can do all this myself, right?”

Yibo rolled his eyes and plucked the box out of his hands, “Duh, but this makes your job easier. And it’s even easier during the night.” He grinned winningly at Xiao Zhan who shook his head and muttered something like, “Gen Z’s.”

That earned him a hard slap to the arm and he giggled.

Yibo soon spotted another box, “Oh! This one’s also all clothes. But there should be another one. For furniture.”

Xiao Zhan stared at him in shock, “You ordered furniture? Yibo! There’s no space in this apartment!”

But Yibo frowned, “So what? Where will Meihua’s clothes and things be kept? You can’t expect her to live out of her crib. Meanwhile we have so much space in our wardrobes.”

Xiao Zhan relented when he heard that and it echoed with a pang in his heart. Yibo was right. Meihua barely had many things for her but there was zero place for them. While Xiao Zhan had an entire office for his things and hobbies, Meihua only had a corner in his bedroom.

Yibo bit his lip as he saw guilt in Xiao Zhan’s eyes. It made him feel terrible. He didn’t want to guilt trip the man for not having a baby-friendly apartment. He wasn’t ever prepared to deal with this eventuality.

He reached over and tapped the man’s knee, “Zhan-ge, hey it’s fine. I have an idea where this small cabinet can go. It will barely take up a lot of space and Meihua’s things and clothes can easily fit inside here. Trust me.”

Yibo lowered himself to make direct eye contact with Xiao Zhan, then repeated himself, “Trust me.”

Xiao Zhan blinked away his unshed tears and nodded, smiling gratefully, “I trust you.” With that, he placed his own hand over Yibo’s where it was resting on his knee.

The two sat there staring into each other’s eyes as Xiao Zhan rubbed his thumb over the back of Yibo’s hand.

A chime from the clock in the lounge had them blinking out of it. Yibo felt the back of his neck burn with embarrassment and Xiao Zhan laughed nervously. 

“Uh, hey can you check on Meihua?”

Yibo took the opportunity to leave immediately, “Yeah sure!”

He got up from where they’d been sitting on the office floor and shook his numb leg off. Yibo limped out to the lounge and made his way to Meihua’s carrier seat on the sofa. To his surprise, he found her awake, wide brown eyes blinking and staring around her.

“Ah? Look who’s up! Xiao Hua, I missed you!” With deft fingers, Yibo quickly freed her from the seat and swooped her up into his arms, pressing kisses to her cheeks and forehead.

He leaned in close and smiled down at her, letting her peer up into his face. Yibo swore he could see the moment she recognized him; her eyes lit up and stretched wide as her arms started flailing energetically. Yibo laughed heartily, observing Meihua’s newfound vigour and the way she reacted to his voice and to his face. His baby could recognize him! 

This made him press more kisses onto her soft skin; Meihua seemingly reciprocated the affection by rubbing her spit-soaked fist onto his face. Yibo grimaced at the wet feeling but appreciated the gesture all the same.

Xiao Zhan had creeped up on them in the last few moments, just as Yibo was done wiping his face. He leaned over Yibo’s left shoulder to stare down at the baby, laughing as she resumed her uncoordinated flailing. Yibo looked at Xiao Zhan’s face, so close to his own.

There was peace on the man’s face. Like he’d finally started to let go of all the sorrows that he’d drowned in, in the past week or so. He smiled openly at the baby’s antics, dimples twinkling tantalisingly at Yibo.

Yibo mirrored the smile onto his own face. Then Xiao Zhan turned to look at him. Yibo thought they might have a repeat moment of what had occurred in the office only minutes ago. But Xiao Zhan smiled softly at him, reaching out a thumb to brush fondly against his cheek. Yibo blushed as Xiao Zhan’s thumb traced a single line from the corner of his mouth to the high of his cheekbone. Then the man turned back to the baby and started babbling at her, making funny faces. 

Yibo felt numb as he stood there; Xiao Zhan’s warmth pressed heavily onto the left side of his body and Meihua was a pleasant, warm weight in his arms. He wanted to stop time at this moment, and press himself and his two precious people into a frozen bubble, never to be disturbed again.

After a while of being in the moment, Xiao Zhan decided they should give Meihua her bath and so the two men squeezed once again into the bathroom and leaned over the bathtub, suffering through wet clothes and a slippery baby.

It was just after lunchtime that Xiao Zhan remembered that there were still packages left to be unpacked from Wang Yibo’s impromptu shopping spree.

Yibo munched on his salad and explained, “I thought it would be nice to decorate her side of the room. So I got some, what do you call those, fairy lights?” At that Xiao Zhan’s eyes lit up and he nodded. Yibo continued, “Yeah so those fairy lights and a new mobile to hang over her crib. I got one of those that has a detachable plushie. Apparently that plushie can be warmed in the microwave and it smells like lavender or something. Knocks the baby right to sleep.”

Xiao Zhan raised an amused eyebrow at that, “You really did your homework huh?”

Yibo was carefully avoiding his eyes, “Uh yeah I, uh, took the help of Han-ge.” Xiao Zhan bit his lip against laughing at Yibo’s sheepish expression but decided to let it go. He’d been shocked yet so grateful that Yibo had thought to do so much for him and his niece, who was a stranger to him.

Who knew Wang Yibo and babies would not spell disaster? Maybe it was because they were so close in ages, Xiao Zhan chuckled mentally and kicked Yibo playfully with his toe. Yibo didn’t move to hit him back but menacingly bit into a large lettuce leaf, making Xiao Zhan choke with laughter on a cherry tomato.

They quickly cleaned up and headed to the bedroom to set up Meihua’s side. Her crib, where she was resting, had been wheeled away towards the bed so they could safely mount the LED lights and work out the inner workings of her new mobile.

The two whispered instructions to each other, giving suggestions now and then but keeping their voices low. Meihua didn’t stir behind them and Xiao Zhan could feel the softness of the moment permeate the air around them. It made him feel sleepy, for some odd reason. And happy, so happy.

Xiao Zhan grinned at Yibo who was frowning over the mobile, trying to work its buttons out, and the man had the cutest pout he’d seen on him yet. His eyes traced over his beautiful face, and he sighed inwardly. Oh Yibo, did you have to be this perfect?

Once they were done setting everything up, they carefully wheeled Meihua back into place and put the stoppers on the crib so it wouldn’t move. Yibo left the room, probably in search of his cellphone, so Xiao Zhan took some time to study Meihua. He traced her eyebrows gently, watching her breathe deeply. There was something comforting about observing her this way, knowing she was safe and warm and loved. Xiao Zhan smiled at that; she was definitely loved. She had lovely grandparents who would always welcome her into their arms and hearts. She had him, her uncle who would provide for her every wish and request. And — another uncle. Who was obsessive over each detail that involved her; her safety, her happiness, her comfort.

He leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead, murmuring words of love to her. He hoped for every day that she grew into being a wonderful person, there was someone always around her to tell her how precious and loved she was. Inside his heart, he knew he wanted those people to be himself and Yibo. Always.

Life went on for them all. Him and Yibo decided to babysit while the other was away to film or make an appearance. And it was during this busy time for them that Meihua showed strong signs of growing up.

The two men had rotated their baby duties around the whole day, settling in for a late-night movie after their dinner with some soft drinks. Xiao Zhan had set strict rules about alcohol in the house around Meihua and Yibo had been in agreement of them all. 

“I think they said this is a pretty good one, but I don't know.” Xiao Zhan said, frowning dubiously at the plot summary.

Wang Yibo shrugged at him, while tucking Meihua in between them on the sofa, “If Xiao-laoshi says it’s good, then it’s good.”

“You’re a menace,” Xiao Zhan shot back, without missing a beat. He’d gotten clever with his comebacks now that he was faced with Yibo’s sharp-tongued compliments round the clock. A thick face, he called it. Yibo teased that he was beginning to become shameless like him.

He pressed play and looked to his side where Yibo had finished tucking the baby in. They’d been unable to put her to bed, since it wasn’t that late and thought it would be great for her if she sat with them in the living room. So Yibo had concocted a bed made of her blankets and pillow taken from the crib, and Xiao Zhan had prepared a bottle to keep at hand in case she began to fuss halfway through the movie.

But she actually remained awake; Yibo goggled down at her, as her wide, brown eyes actively followed the moving pictures on screen. He doubted she could see what was going on but nonetheless was enraptured by it.

The two spent more time admiring her excitement and curiosity more than they did actually watching the movie. It was pleasant enough.

As they were nearing the end of the movie, the plot twist was revealed. It was distasteful, with jokes that really weren’t that funny. Xiao Zhan grimaced but kept on watching. Yibo, on the other hand, was more vocal about it.

“Ugh, really? That was their biggest twist? Could they not have written it another way?”

Xiao Zhan made a non-committal noise in response.

“Seriously you don’t think so? What a shitty script, I would never do such a movie if I was offered. You have to agree, Zhan-ge.”

A noise that sounded much like agreement resonated from between them.

At first, Yibo thought it was Xiao Zhan, but it was oddly high and shrill for the man so he frowned and turned to look at him. But Xiao Zhan was staring wide-eyed at Meihua.

Yibo looked down as well. She was rapidly waving her fists around, as if playing with a toy dangled close to her face.

Her lips stretched wide open, as if she was about to yawn, but then - 

A coo. 

Meihua cooed softly in the silence around her. 

There was a beat, and then—

“Did she just—?”

“Oh my God, she—”

They both looked up at each other with wide grins.

“Spoke!” 

“Made a noise, yes oh my g—”

The next few moments blurred together in excitement as they arranged themselves down on their knees in front of the baby, asking her to make the noise again, as if prompted.

Meihua sounded out a distinctive ‘guh’ and ‘ah’ but it was the proudest Xiao Zhan had ever felt in his life. This baby — his baby — was now making noises. Amazing.

Yibo giggled giddily and pulled out his phone, “Wait we need to film this! Zhan-ge, make her do that again.”

“Okay, okay— “

The movie played all the way through the credits but went unwatched as the little family gathered at the foot of the sofa, exchanging smiles, and laughs, and coos.

But there had also been that one instance of her changing behaviour and abilities, which Yibo ended up missing. 

Xiao Zhan had had an early start to the day; a month in Meihua was beginning to get regular hours of sleep during the night, which meant he was able to sleep well and get work done during the day. He’d spent some time in his office, taking care of some details with his team before heading back out to tend to lunch. Which was easy, since he was only cooking for one.

So of course, he dipped into his stash of instant ramen.

Meihua was content with her mobile in her crib; Xiao Zhan had noticed the way she’d try to grab at one of the hanging toys and delightfully coo and garble words at the soft music that played with it.

At a particularly loud gurgle, he smiled over at her.

He put his phone down on which he was browsing through Weibo and approached her crib. 

“Hey baby,” he cooed down at her, loving the way her eyes would light up at recognizing him, “are you loving your new mobile? Uncle Yibo got it just for you!”

She cooed back at him and he felt joy flutter through his heart. He was having a conversation with her, it seemed. And so he continued talking to her.

“Yeah? Wow he has good taste, right? Hmm, I wonder what you would call me when you grow up. Would it be uncle? I don’t mind that! Ha, do you know my Mama? She’s your Grandma! She seems to think you should call me Papa! But that’s not right, you know? Because I’m not really your Papa. I would love to be, don’t get me wrong, baobao. But only after everything gets resolved with your actual Baba, hm?”

He smiled gently down at her, the worry of her case niggling at the back of his mind. It had been long enough now that her biological father had been on the run; he should probably contact the lawyer and ask for any new details. But for now, he shook his head.

“No more sad things. We won’t speak of it. Oh right! What would you call your Uncle Yibo? If I fully adopt you, then he would be—"

Xiao Zhan trailed away thoughtfully; frankly, he didn’t know if Yibo would get any title change if he ended up fully adopting Meihua. It would probably remain ‘uncle’. Unless he grew balls and somehow changed that.

He snorted, “Wouldn’t that be interesting, baobao? If I was your Papa and Wang Yibo was your, what? Dada? Dad? Can’t have one more Baba, you know.”

At the realization that he was projecting his romantic ideals to a baby, Xiao Zhan clenched his eyes shut and started laughing. 

“Aiyah Meihua ah Meihua, why do I sound so loveless huh?” He leaned closer to her, “What do you think? You want a Dada? A Dad? Hm?”

Meihua seemed to recognize she was being talked to, so she grew restless in her movements and began cooing loudly as if giving him a serious answer. He chuckled at her antics until he stopped dead in his tracks. She was—

Meihua’s lips were stretched wide open, but not in a yawn or a cry or even a coo, but in a smile. He could see her gums as she smiled at him, cooing simultaneously. It was the most animated he’d ever seen her and he laughed, this time with unshed tears in his eyes.

Xiao Zhan then realized something and laughed even harder, tears slipping out of his eyes and down his cheeks. “All this for a Dada, huh? You really want another Dad? Aihh, little girl you’re putting me in an awful position.”

He continued laughing, noticing she was grinning alongside him, as if sharing in his humour of being stuck in a co-parenting situation where he was absolutely stupid in love with the other parent.

He couldn’t wait to tell Wang Yibo. The edited, more discrete version of course.

Xiao Zhan gathered Meihua up into his arms, enjoying her voice and her smiles, but felt it was terrible that Yibo was missing out. So on his way to the bedroom, he grabbed his phone and quickly video-called the man, hoping he was free to pick up.

Predictably, he was sitting in the makeup chair getting ready for set when he picked up.

The camera was aimed at his chin as his eyes were closed and a makeup sponge was attacking his skin.

“Everything okay Zhan-ge? Sorry we’re getting ready to film now.”

“Oh oh yeah sorry for disturbing—” Xiao Zhan spoke but then halted. It would be bad form to tell him like this on a video call, where everyone could hear. Heck he was risking a lot by just conversing with him while he was on set. Fans of theirs were still high and mighty about knowing about their ‘relationship’. Xiao Zhan wanted to scream at them. Not because he was irritated, but because it was the farthest from the truth. He wished they’d been dating this entire time, or even married as some sources claimed.

He shelved his thoughts quickly, “Uh actually—"

Wang Yibo hummed like he was waiting for him to go on.

Xiao Zhan awkwardly looked down at Meihua who was laying in his arms, rapt with attention on the screen, as if waiting for him to say something.

He must’ve taken his time to think because Yibo suddenly whispered, “Is everything okay?”

“Um, yeah actually it’s all fine it’s just, she—"

“Wait,” Yibo told him, and the camera went blurry for a moment before he heard him again, “ jiejie please give me five minutes I’ll be right back.”

Xiao Zhan inwardly cringed at causing a whole scene just because he couldn’t hold his excitement in. He decided to quickly tell him and end the call in case Yibo got shouted at by someone on set.

“Yibo! No need to take time away, just wanted to tell you she smiled.” He quickly whispered into the call and just as he’d finished talking he heard a massive crash and several people shouting Yibo’s name.

“Yibo! Wang Yibo? What happened?”

“ SHE WHAT?”

“Yibo, don’t shout!”

“Sorry, ge, no wait. I’m fine I’m fine, give me five minutes alone. No you said she what? Smiled ? When, how ? And I missed it? Oh my God!”

Finally, the screen cleared and a flustered Wang Yibo appeared. Xiao Zhan grinned at him and nodded.

“Seriously yeah she just smiled!”

Yibo’s expression dropped, “Aw I missed that!” He whined and pouted but Xiao Zhan giggled at him. He angled the phone lower so Meihua’s face was all he saw.

“Meihua! Xiao Hua! My little flower baby! Please smile! Show me those beautiful gums, please?” Yibo rambled, pulling a few funny faces here and there making Xiao Zhan chuckle.

Maybe it had been his chuckle or indeed some of the silly faces Yibo pulled; but Meihua smiled brilliantly at the camera. As a result, Xiao Zhan heard loud whoops and a lot of noise, like Yibo was storming around the studio causing a ruckus. 

“Her smile , Zhan-ge, oh my God, this is what they say when they mean that ‘her smile lit up the room’!”

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily as Yibo continued on rambling and exaggerating about the baby’s smile.

“Wang Yibo, your five minutes are now ten minutes!”

Xiao Zhan gasped, “Go, go Yibo we’ll talk later!”

But Yibo looked too forlorn to hang up, “I miss her so much!”

Xiao Zhan calmed him down, “Just one more day then you come back. Right now you’re working so remember, work first. She’ll be here when you get back.”

Wang Yibo pouted for a second before lowering his face to his phone, whispering into it. “By the way I miss you both. Can’t wait to get home to the both of you!”

Clearing his throat loudly, Xiao Zhan dispelled the sudden tension that suddenly enveloped their happy moment. Trust Wang Yibo to be so honest and sappy in front of everyone.

“Uh yeah bye, we’ll see you when we get back.”

Yibo sniggered like he’d caught Xiao Zhan in a lie, “Okay, okay bye!”

Chapter Text

Like all good things, Xiao Zhan knew, even this had to come to some sort of a standstill. He thought they’d been making good progress with Meihua and living out an uncertain yet comfortable co-parenting situation. But with their packed schedules, it was beginning to take a toll on them both.

Xiao Zhan was endlessly grateful for Yibo’s help but even he was reaching his wit’s end; Yibo had to leave every now and then to go film in Changsha and then Hangzhou for his new drama. He was proud of the young man but was also desperate for a full night’s sleep. Even at two months, Meihua’s sleeping pattern was irregular at best. She’d be wide awake during the entire night and sleep it all off during the day, while he stumbled and staggered about trying to get his shit together.

The final nail in his proverbial coffin came with his manager’s call. It seemed they had reached their limits too, not being able to allow him any more time off, since project offers were lining up. It would be summer soon and Xiao Zhan knew this was when the best drama offers came in. He’d been mailed a few scripts but they were only the coffee table’s decor for the moment. He’d barely touched them because he was too busy swamped with taking care of a baby.

“I know I know, manager-jie, it’s been too long. I— no I haven’t read it yet, but I will soon, don’t worry!” 

Xiao Zhan bit his lip as he walked back and forth in the length of his entrance hall, trying to keep his voice down because it was day time and Meihua was taking her much-needed nap. 

“Okay okay, got it! Yes I can make it, of course I’ll have to. Okay jie, thank you, bye bye.”

He ended the call and quickly made his way to the lounge to collapse on his sofa. His head was in his hands as he tried to breathe through the panic and stress; it was all coming to a head now. He’d been all but summoned by his manager to make a few appearances and give several interviews.

But Meihua was still a problem. No, he shook his head, she wasn’t a problem, never a problem. The real problem lay with him trying to get everything in order. Maybe he would need to hire a babysitter, after all. The kind who was used to following celebrities like him around on set and through other events.

He shook his head; that seemed contrary to the fact that he was trying to keep Meihua safe and away from a celebrity’s spotlight. God knew how many like him in the industry were struggling to keep their families, especially children away from the hungry clutches and eyes of media and fans alike.

Xiao Zhan decided to text Yibo to see where the man was; maybe he could help him out.

You: hey where are you rn

 

Yibo: hey ge im in a meeting

 

Yibo: but dont wry its rly chill

 

Yibo: image_387487384289.png

 

Yibo: its actually a meeting for a new show cant wait to tell u details

Yibo had attached an image of his eyes, quirked in mystery with his hair adorably ruffled up, like he’d barely dressed up for the day. Xiao Zhan felt a pang of envy at that, then instantly felt guilt flood through him. He couldn’t fault Yibo for working hard and getting offers and being able to accept them; he wasn’t a father, really. Sure, the man was in a co-parenting situation with him but Xiao Zhan knew at the end of it all, it really came down to his responsibility over Meihua. And he didn’t want to let her down.

He took a few deep, grounding breaths; there was no use envying others, let alone Yibo. The man was swamped with work but still came back to help Xiao Zhan out. Anyone else would’ve taken weeks away from him and his niece but the man was devoted. Right so—

Xiao Zhan called his manager and okay-ed a few meetings and auditions, meanwhile also asking his assistant to hire an on-the-clock babysitter, who would be shadowed by his team obviously. There was no way he was leaving Meihua in the hands of a random person, even though that would be their job.

He sprang up from the sofa and rushed to his bedroom; it was a long day ahead of him.

Wang Yibo bounced his knee nervously as he looked around; he was equal parts terrified and excited. He chanced a look at the others who looked perfectly calm, so maybe he needed to project the same coolness he usually encompassed as an idol. He took a deep breath in, but then bit his lip. God, he couldn’t believe they offered and he had the chance to accept.

He looked around the table they were sat on, with the producers of the show and the other three artists joining him. Jackson seemed distracted but Yibo could see he was still listening to what was being said, Zhang Yixing was giving the producers all his attention as was Zhong Hanliang. Yibo couldn’t believe he would get to share the same platform as all these people. Street Dance of China was really going to be his calling, he just knew it. And he couldn’t wait to showcase the skills he’d learned in the past few years.

When Xiao Zhan had texted him, Yibo had nearly wanted to send a picture of all the others sitting primly around the table, just to see his Zhan-ge lose it. But then he decided to send a simple cut-off selfie, taking care not to reveal too much, since he wanted to tell him in person. It was SDC and another show that was going to be taking his entire time for the upcoming months, and he needed to discuss the situation with Meihua.

Soon the meeting ended winded down, and they were directed to a room full of snacks to nibble on as they chatted. Yibo licked his lips and reached for a bowl of steaming noodles, his favourite.

Zhang Yixing soon approached him, “Hey Yibo, long time bro!” He reached out a hand and Yibo carefully maneuvered his bowl out of the way as they shook hands and exchanged a bro hug.

“Last time I saw you, you were still starting out in the world of acting, now look at you!” Zhang Yixing grinned at him and Yibo mirrored it with a sheepish one of his own.

“You worked with Xiao Zhan right? That one project that went so big for you both?”

Yibo nodded, taking care to keep his expression neutral. 

“How’s he doing now?” There it was.

“Zhan-ge is fine, I think. He’s busy with his own projects.” Yibo shrugged like he was completely unaware of what the man was upto. Like he wasn’t practically raising a baby with him. Yibo bit his lip to stop himself from grinning.

Zhang Yixing nodded like he could relate and soon the rest two joined their group as well. They all excitedly chatted about the potential dancers they could be getting this season and what strategy would work well for each round. 

Yibo felt his chest fill with warmth; he was finally in a place he felt he deserved and where he could completely be in his element. He thought of Xiao Zhan and wished the man would go ahead and accept a new project as well. The situation with Meihua could be complex if they both were working, but it was an inevitable thing. He was willing to be there for his baby girl and his Zhan-ge.

They quickly finished up the day, since all four had other commitments, and Yibo headed back to his hotel. He needed to call his manager up about something else, too. It had been bothering him for a while now. Xia Ping was an excellent bodyguard, he wasn’t head of security for no reason and since Wang Yibo was the company’s star power, they’d upgraded his security to the sole best bodyguard they could find. But it wasn’t like Yibo had wanted that, he’d been just as happy with Lele and Yanyan, even more so. He missed those two like his own blood brothers. They’d taken care of Yibo for years now, practically watching him grow up. He wanted his brothers back. Not just for himself but for also Xiao Zhan and Meihua now. He knew that logically Xiao Zhan was able to afford and keep bodyguards round the clock, but Yibo knew they just couldn’t trust any bodyguard with Meihua. Who better to trust than the men who practically raised him?

He had both their numbers saved in his phone and he knew it’d only take a phone call for them to respond, but he needed to play this right if he didn’t want his manager catching wind of something suspicious. He didn’t want his company knowing about Meihua, since they could use that as leverage to get him to do things he didn’t want to.

Above all, Wang Yibo valued his artistic freedom.

By the end of the night, Yibo had managed to call everyone and make the necessary changes. From tomorrow, Yanyan and Lele would be joining him and he could take them back to Beijing and have more security for Meihua. That night, he grinned sleepily into his hotel bed’s pillow. Tomorrow he’d be going back to Zhan-ge and Meihua, and he couldn’t wait to tell his Zhan-ge the news. Pressing a kiss to his phone's wallpaper of Meihua sleeping, he tucked into the unfamiliar bed and fell asleep.

Back in Beijing, Xiao Zhan was struggling. He felt like these days were a struggle anyway but now was especially difficult for him. He’d requested an on-the-job babysitter which he’d thankfully been granted but the constant moving about was clearly taking its toll on Meihua. She’d gone from her comfortable, homey life to being carted here and there in a stranger’s arms, being fed lukewarm formula instead of the warm bottle at home. Not to mention he knew she could sense that Yibo wasn’t there, as he’d take care of putting her down for naps. Frankly, Xiao Zhan could relate to that last point; he missed Yibo terribly. How fast he’d gotten used to having the man around for the last month should’ve been scary, but it was almost understandable. From the moment they’d met on the set of A-ling to now, Yibo had his own special place inside Xiao Zhan’s heart. He was tucked into every bit of him, his soul, his bones, so when he was not there Xiao Zhan felt his absence keenly. As did his niece apparently who’d been crying on and off constantly.

He watched the poor babysitter rocking and shushing her as he walked into the room full of producers and directors for a potential new drama. When he found out the drama was backed by the government, he almost didn’t accept. He wasn’t the sort of actor that the general public would appreciate in such a drama, but the producers had been adamant on him. They’d wanted him to audition and even had a character in mind for him. Xiao Zhan was thoroughly flattered and thought that an audition would be the least he could contribute, but it came as a big shock once they announced that they preferred him for a main role.

“Y-you’re sure?” Xiao Zhan blinked slowly at them. The two men in-charge nodded and chuckled.

“Yes of course, Xiao-laoshi your audition was perfect for the main role of this drama, we would love for you to accept it.”

Xiao Zhan nodded dumbly, “Okay, yes. That sounds good.” He mumbled a few more words of gratitude but then kept sitting there; he couldn’t believe it. They’d chosen him, specifically him, for this role. A government-backed project.

The two producers chatted a little bit before one of them addressed him again, “We will start filming soon, Xiao Zhan. Your manager can share your schedule so we can plan out the shooting dates.” 

“Yes sir of course. Uh, may I ask where we’re going to be filming?”

The man replied and Xiao Zhan thought again as to how most filming locations were set far away from Beijing; the kind where several plane rides were warranted in a week, just to make it on set in time. It was frustrating but then that was why many actors had taken to moving around the country to have easier access to filming locations.

He looked down at the script in his hand and pursed his lips in thought. Would it be too presumptuous to move across the country for the time he was filming the drama? He hated being away from Meihua for too long, and from the sounds of it, it seemed this drama would take him away for long weeks. He couldn’t do that to her or to Wang Yibo, who had also taken on a new project from the rumours he was hearing.

Xiao Zhan wasn’t upset that he heard rumours about Wang Yibo’s new project from others and not the actual news straight from the man. But if it genuinely was true, their situation had become truly complicated.

Meihua deserved a parent who was present at all times, not two strange men who faded in and out of her life.

That evening, Xiao Zhan sat down on his lounge sofa, bone-tired and desperate for a solution to his problem. He had Meihua cuddled in his arms; though he technically could put her down since she was napping, he really didn’t want to, having spent the entire day away from her and her being in someone else’s arms. She was dressed in her pale yellow onesie which reminded Xiao Zhan of how Wang Yibo had described it, (“She looks like a little chick, Zhan-ge, the cutest little chick I’ve ever seen!”).

He chuckled under his breath, that man was ridiculous with his love for the baby. 

A traitorous part of his mind piped up to remind him that he could be a fixture in their lives if Xiao Zhan really had the guts.

But he didn’t, he admitted to himself. He really didn’t have the guts. How could he, when a possible outcome was Yibo rejecting him? Yibo moving out and away from him and Meihua? Yibo not being the other parent for Meihua like his brain had cooked up, in a fantasy of his own.

The idea was frightening to him, and he selfishly wanted, needed, to keep Wang Yibo close to him. 

But that was not possible. 

Yibo had once confided in him how he despised being ‘kept’.

Xiao Zhan could never do that to him. Would never do that to him.

He didn’t know when he’d started crying, but Meihua’s beautiful yellow onesie was now dotted with the shameful blots of his tears. God, look at him, he chuckled bitterly.

Here was a nearly 30-year old Xiao Zhan, with a baby who was as good as his daughter, crying over someone he’d never had the guts to confess to.

This was his life now, he thought deliriously, as the clock ticked over to midnight, jingling melodically in the quiet of his flat. 

Outside the night-life melted away, as streaks of rain battered the streets and everyone scrambled to find shelter.

Xiao Zhan rocked Meihua in his arms, though it was useless since she was already deep asleep. But the rocking motion seemed to calm him down. His tears dried on his cheeks as his eyes drooped with tiredness. 

Did he really need to make a change to his life? Was moving to Shanghai really his last option? Maybe he ought to move closer to home, so his mother could help him out.

Images of Yibo playing with Meihua flashed in his mind.

Yibo struggling to get her clothes on as she wriggled continuously, Yibo cooing at Meihua and her cooing back, Meihua looking adoringly at Yibo and the man being just as smitten with her.

It was as if his brain was punishing him.

Look, here it is. This is what you can’t have. Because you’re not brave enough, Xiao Zhan. You only run away from your problems.

Xiao Zhan clenched his eyes shut and prayed silently. Did he deserve a happy ending? Had he been good enough of a man in his life until now to deserve the happiness he dearly wished for?

Sitting there wasn’t going to solve his problems so he stood up on shaky legs and made his way to the bedroom. Wang Yibo would be back soon in a few days, and then Xiao Zhan would let him know that he was probably going to move by the end of the month. Away from Beijing. Away from Yibo.

Yibo hid his grimace under his medical mask, hoping that they would get the clue and back off, but there was something about these fans that never made them back down. He wondered how they’d react if he ever told them to stop taking pictures; they’d probably laugh and continue doing whatever they were doing.

But Yibo was a professional; he’d experienced stuff like this for far too long. It was just right now, that these fans were holding him up from getting to his car safely. That meant that Yanyan and Lele weren’t letting him out until security had cleared a path for them. Landing in Beijing had always been arduous but it was even more tedious now that he wanted to get home so bad. Home was where Xiao Zhan was, waiting with his precious baby girl. He hadn’t seen the two of them for a week now, with Xiao Zhan being too busy to even send a selfie. Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it made Wang Yibo nearly feral with the need to see his two people. His most favourite people in the world. His, dare he say , family.

Finally, the time came and Yibo ducked out of the airport and practically sprinted to the waiting car, with his bodyguards flanking his every move.

“Whoa, that’s insane,” he intoned, once he was in the car.

Lele turned to him from the front seat, “Don’t worry, boss, we’ll get you home safely. Your flat, right?”

Wang Yibo blinked at him then realized they both hadn’t been briefed onto his living situation as of recently. So, he quickly remedied that by going over the bare details.

Yanyan looked at him knowingly from beside him, “A baby you say?”

Yibo bit back a cackle and nodded at him.

“Hmm,” was all Yanyan said before he and Lele exchanged a look.

Yibo rolled his eyes at them and switched his phone on. It was an hour ride to Xiao Zhan’s flat, and he needed to catch up on all he missed.

You: zhan-geeeeeeee

You: ge

You: zhan-ge im back did u miss me

You: ofc you did

Xiao Zhan: hello gremlin

Xiao Zhan: are you coming here?

You: on my way

You: want something?

Xiao Zhan: no just get here 

Xiao Zhan: we need to talk

Wang Yibo wasn’t an expert in relationships, not even close to a newbie in romance, but he was pretty sure from all the romantic movies he’d consumed in his lifetime, it seemed this sentence was rather frightening.

In those movies, they’d always say this to a significant other they needed to break up with.

But Xiao Zhan and him weren’t dating; right? Yibo chewed on his bottom lip in thought then turned to Yanyan next to him.

“Ge, is it possible to break up with someone you aren’t dating?”

The incredulous stare he received was an answer enough and Yibo nodded to himself and turned back to his phone.

You: everything ok?

Xiao Zhan: yeah just get here

You: ok i’ve grown wings im flying to you

Xiao Zhan: your comebacks are getting worse

You: shut up

 

Yibo grew antsy just as they neared the flat but he steeled his back for any inevitable confrontation. He'd wracked his brain for anything that he'd messed up on but couldn't come up with anything, and when he left Beijing Xiao Zhan had been in great spirits. Did it—

Oh no. Yibo's heart sank with realization. Did it have something to do with Meihua? Were they taking her away? Was Xiao Zhan giving her to his mother? Or up for adoption? He had half a mind to fight him on it, but really, what right did Yibo have? As far as anyone knew he was helping a friend out that was all. No one had to know how he'd fantasized about having this family in his life for the rest of time. 

He rubbed his fingers over his palms anxiously; why did he have a bad feeling about this?

Xiao Zhan fluttered around the flat, desperately trying to look like he was keeping himself busy but he didn't know who he was doing this for. He was trying to fool himself into believing this was going to be just another conversation. Just a casual conversation between friends. 

Hey Yibo, I'm moving away. 

Hey Yibo, you can go back now. 

Hey Yibo, drop everything in Beijing and move with me to Shanghai. 

Hey Yibo, I lov—

The doorbell rang, jolting him out of his wayward thoughts. 

Fuck, here goes something.

Yibo fidgeted as he waited for Xiao Zhan to open the door; technically he could’ve gotten in, since he knew the code, but his hands were laden with bags of steaming food. Xiao Zhan opened the door with an inquisitive look, and Yibo lost himself in the familiar beauty of his face.

To be honest, Xiao Zhan looked terrible; he had dark circles and his expression looked drawn and gaunt like something was haunting him. But to Yibo, he looked beautiful. Always.

Yibo grinned at him and jiggled the two plastic bags in his hand as Xiao Zhan let him in.

“I’ve brought food, Zhan-ge, because I know you wouldn’t have eaten anything yet. Because, you know, you obviously missed me so much—”

Xiao Zhan huffed loudly behind him and aimed a smack at his arm, making Yibo cackle.

“Whoa,” exclaimed Xiao Zhan as Yibo took out numerous containers of duck; sauced duck over rice, Peking duck with wrappers and condiments, duck necks in light soy sauce—

He looked incredulously at Yibo who beamed back at him. Well, then. After dinner then.

***

The two quietly set the table for dinner; Meihua was asleep in her carrier on the sofa, and had already received her share of Yibo kisses for the night.

Yibo worried at his lip as he looked at Xiao Zhan. The man was quiet, unusually quiet like he had far too many thoughts on his mind. He didn’t know how to remedy that in any way so he did what he does best; he talked Xiao Zhan’s ear off about all the new things in his life.

“Let me tell you Zhan-ge, this is gonna be an amazing opportunity! I can show my dance skills and I get to meet amazing dancers and legends from across the world? I jumped at this opportunity so quick.” Xiao Zhan nodded along, chewing his rice like he was trying to digest whatever he was hearing. After a hard swallow, he reached for his glass of water, but was stopped by Yibo’s hand on his.

“Zhan-ge.” Xiao Zhan looked up and was instantly shocked by the seriousness in Yibo’s eyes.

“Is something wrong? What has happened?” Yibo continued in his sombre tone, looking dead serious.

Xiao Zhan gulped the rising anxiety down and sat back from the dining table. So it was now or never.

“Yibo I—” He looked up and noticed that Yibo had mirrored his position, away from the table and food now.

The man continued to stare at him expectantly so Xiao Zhan finally unglued his tongue, keeping his gaze lowered to his fiddling hands.

“There have been offers, well, one particular offer that was really interesting to me. It’s a government-backed drama.” Xiao Zhan looked up at Yibo who had surprise in his eyes but was smiling at him.

“Zhan-ge, that’s great! I’m happy for you. See I told you amazing things will happen for you, and why shouldn’t they? Zhan-ge is an amazing actor, what a visual wow he’s—”

“I’m thinking of moving to Shanghai.”

Yibo stopped his teasing rambling abruptly. Xiao Zhan heard him take a sharp inhale then—

Silence.

Absolute silence.

“What do you mean, you want to move to Shanghai?” Yibo asked, through the buzzing in his mind. No way, Zhan-ge didn’t mean forever , he was probably saying that for a few weeks’ time. And Yibo could totally visit his Zhan-ge there of course, there was no way he wouldn’t.

Xiao Zhan’s lips trembled and Yibo saw his eyes fill up with tears.

No, why was he crying?

“Yibo,” whispered Xiao Zhan, “I’m thinking of moving permanently to Shanghai, with Meihua.”

The numbness entered his limbs, slowing his blood down to the speed of molasses. There was a rushing in his ears like he’d stuck his head under a waterfall. But he felt blind, he felt mute. He felt like the water was taking him down and he had no other choice but to go with it.

Yibo shook his head jerkily, “Why Shanghai? Zhan-ge what do you mean Shanghai? You live in Beijing!”

He raised his voice in the end, watching Xiao Zhan flinch with a sick satisfaction. Good. Let him feel what he felt.

“You live—” Yibo cut his words off. WITH ME, he wanted to shout. Xiao Zhan lived with Yibo. Right?

He shook his head in disbelief at what he was hearing. This was—

No. Absolutely not.

Xiao Zhan let his tears fall; the tears were a permanent fixture in his life at this point. They were his only friend, constantly there, constantly aware of his weaknesses.

He watched Yibo’s face go through several expressions of disbelief and utter shock. What was he doing to him? What did Xiao Zhan do to this man? This beautiful, funny, smart, annoyingly gorgeous, lovely man.

Xiao Zhan loved him so dearly, and yet. And yet he could see that just being in his life, Xiao Zhan was tearing it all up for Yibo.

He was ruining everything.

Xiao Zhan hid his crumpling expression in his hands and he sobbed. 

He wept loud enough for Yibo to jolt out of his shock and jump out of his seat.

“Zhan-ge! Zhan-ge, no why are you crying? What’s wrong, please tell me. Something is so so, wrong and I hate that you’re not telling me—”

And on and on he went. This darling boy, Xiao Zhan huffed mentally.

The world thought of him as proud and quiet but he was the loveliest person Xiao Zhan had ever had the grace to fall in love with.

He deserved so much, and Xiao Zhan wasn’t worthy to give him all that.

Yibo left his chair and went over to kneel in front of Xiao Zhan and grasped the man’s wrists with his own shaky hands. He was trembling all over, and so was Xiao Zhan. Yibo was so thoroughly confused as to what was happening with them, everything had been perfect. But now it seemed like Xiao Zhan was pulling away, deliberately leaving Yibo, but why?

“Xiao Zhan!” Yibo shook the man’s wrists but he didn’t move from his curled up posture on the kitchen chair and continued to sob.

“Why are you leaving me?” He demanded of Xiao Zhan, unbidden tears springing up in his own eyes. 

But this seemed to get through to Xiao Zhan who jolted up, throwing his arms around Yibo’s neck, babbling nonsensical words.

“No, no I swear I don’t want to but I have to, Yibo, this is for the best you don’t know it’s my drama and I can’t stay here it’s not good for the baby you know that you know how we care for her right so I can’t I have to go I have to move there—”

Yibo sat there in shocked silence as he listened. Xiao Zhan didn’t want to go, he didn’t want to leave Beijing, leave him but he had to? Why?

By now Xiao Zhan’s tears had worsened into hyperventilation. Yibo could see the panic attack that was creeping up on him and pulled the man off his chair down and the two sank onto the ground in an embrace.

Yibo arranged Xiao Zhan’s long, awkward limbs around him so the man sat on his lap, in his arms and he swayed them back and forth. Xiao Zhan instinctively tucked his face, tears and all, into the crook of Yibo’s neck.

For the next few tense minutes, Yibo sat there with Xiao Zhan, running a hand up and down the man’s back until he felt his breathing come down a notch. He didn’t stop the swaying. But his mind was still a tangle of emotions.

Xiao Zhan and Meihua permanently not in his life anymore. 

The idea was so repulsive to him that he was shocked at his own mind discarding it violently. There was no way. He would never let that happen. They were too important to him. Yibo realized, with little surprise, that he would move the Heavens itself to keep both people in his life.

He felt more than heard Xiao Zhan come down from his attack. Heaving breaths slowed down to calm, deep inhales and his tears dried up in the collar of Yibo’s shirt.

Yibo let himself fall into the comfort of their position. The warm weight of Xiao Zhan on his legs, his arms wrapped around his back, the comforting pressure of Xiao Zhan’s head against his neck. It was all too familiar, and intense, and intimate. It was everything Yibo wanted in his forever.

Xiao Zhan sniffled and pulled back eventually. Yibo saw his eyes were turned down and his expression meek. 

“Sorry,” he whispered in a wrecked voice.

Daringly, Yibo reached his hands up to cup Xiao Zhan’s face. His thumbs subconsciously began wiping any remnants of his tears, like he was desperately trying to erase any sign of sadness on his beautiful face.

“No thank you’s and sorry’s between us.” He whispered back at him.

Xiao Zhan finally raised his eyes to look at Yibo’s, and tried to smile assuringly. But it faltered, and a fresh wave of tears sprang up.

Using his hands that were still pressed against the man’s cheeks, Yibo shook Xiao Zhan’s head gently. “And there’s no need to pretend you’re doing okay when you’re not. It’s me Zhan-ge, you can tell me anything.”

Xiao Zhan swallowed roughly and nodded, eyes flitting back to staring at Yibo’s collar instead of his eyes.

Xiao Zhan placed his hands tentatively on Yibo’s shoulders, then they slipped down to his shirt’s collar where the man began to fiddle nervously with it. Yibo could tell he was doing it subconsciously since there was no aim to it. Still, he felt the warmth of his fingers tingle around his neck and chest, and decided he needed to feel this everyday for the rest of his life.

For forever. 

Yibo felt a curtain of quiet serenity descend over him. There was no going back now. He wasn’t a stupid man, and he knew it, he knew how to read people. Zhan-ge was the one man he’d always known how to read. His little expressions of annoyance would actually hide another truth. Sometimes he’d laugh but really he would be crying on the inside.

And right now, Xiao Zhan was hiding from him. He was hiding his feelings. He’d confessed he didn’t want to leave and currently he was sitting comfortably on Yibo’s lap, in his arms.

He took a deep breath, he sincerely hoped he was right about this.

“Zhan-ge, look at me.” Yibo kept his voice even, but low. He didn’t want to spook the man.

Tentatively, warm, brown eyes inched up to his own. There it was, Yibo thought. Hidden in the fear and doubt in those eyes was fleeting hope. Xiao Zhan was hoping that one word from Yibo would change something. He needed to do it. He needed to be the brave one.

Yibo swallowed his own nervousness down, “Zhan-ge, I don’t want you to leave.”

He let the statement hang around in the air, and saw Xiao Zhan’s eyes widen. They both stared at each other.

Moving slowly, Yibo once again placed his hands on Xiao Zhan’s cheeks, this time watching the man react to them with a sweet blush.

“Zhan-ge,” he waited for Xiao Zhan to look into his eyes again, “ wo ai ni .”

***

Xiao Zhan felt a ridiculous giggle rise up from his gut but he tamped it down. A blush overtook his face instead but he let it linger. He stayed there frozen with Yibo’s hands on his cheeks, leeching warmth hungrily from his skin. He never wanted to move again.

But then—

He saw the fear and doubt of his own mind just a minute ago, reflected in Yibo’s eyes. It was only then that Xiao Zhan realized he’d never answered his confession, he hadn’t even acknowledged it. He was so happy and content in the realization of their feelings that he’d forgotten to reciprocate.

Still perched on Yibo’s lap, he stirred excitedly. Xiao Zhan wrapped his hands around Yibo’s wrists and smiled. He beamed at Yibo, tears forgotten, letting all his love and care and warmth and joy suffuse in it. 

Yibo’s mouth quirked up in an answering grin, “Yeah?” He asked of Xiao Zhan and all the man could do was blush and nod like a simpering teenager.

But then a teasing glint shone in the man’s eyes and his grin disappeared. “Say it.”

Xiao Zhan blinked in surprise but then realized what he meant. Say it. He wanted Xiao Zhan to say it back.

So Xiao Zhan draped his arms lazily around Yibo’s neck and leaned in. He saw the way his eyes widened and, oh yeah he was gonna enjoy doing that.

Xiao Zhan put on his best smile, “Yibo.”

Behind him, he could feel Yibo’s arms snake around his lower back. It felt like security and love.

“ Wo ai ni .” Xiao Zhan whispered and dropped a fleeting kiss on Yibo’s nose, watching the adorable way his eyes crossed to track the kiss.

Yibo blinked for a few moments after Xiao Zhan pulled back then with a swift, smooth move he pulled Xiao Zhan closer to him with a hand on his neck. 

All Xiao Zhan felt in the next few moments was the sweet brush of Yibo’s lips against his own, the warmth of his cheek against his nose, and the deep, heavy breaths between them.

It was mellow, and cozy, and fiery all at the same time, and Xiao Zhan was addicted. 

They spent a whole minute, or maybe several minutes, exchanging honeyed kisses, wandering hands soothing each other’s aches, ruffling their hair, fingers suffusing warmth along their skin.

And then a sharp cry had them jumping apart.

Yibo looked at Xiao Zhan’s frenzied expression and knew it was mirrored in his own. Both were red in the face, swollen lips and fluttering fingers as they tried to grasp reality once more.

The men turned to look at the source of their interruption.

Meihua was up, wide eyes lazily blinking about, as if trying to spot where her parents had gotten to.

Xiao Zhan cracked first; the giggles overtook him as he shook with the ferocity of his happiness. He didn’t know what his face was doing but he couldn’t stop laughing and Yibo huffed in mock annoyance.

“Meihua, let your Dada and Papa make out some more, please?”

He then tried to return to kissing Xiao Zhan but the man dissolved into more giggling, this time eventually joined by Yibo as the two let go of their worries and fears, sinking into each other’s embrace.

Chapter Text

“What are you staring at, Lao Wang?” Xiao Zhan asked in a teasing tone, looking back from his place in front of the stove.

A pot of soup was simmering on one side and the rice cooker was beeping quietly in the corner. Xiao Zhan stirred the chicken he was frying when he noticed a particular person tracking his every move around the kitchen. Looking back he’d spotted Yibo unabashedly staring at him from his perch at the dining table. Arms crossed under his chin as he propped his head up, his eyes were full of unmasked adoration and concentration.

Xiao Zhan giggled as Yibo said nothing in answer, just continued staring. 

“Lao Wang,” he teased further, “you’re gonna make me blush soon. Don’t be cruel to your gege like this.”

“Why do you call me Lao Wang?” The infuriating man finally spoke. 

Xiao Zhan frowned in confusion down at the chicken, now adding some veggies to the pot, before turning around. “What do you mean? Thought you liked the nickname.”

With a put-upon pout, his boyfriend (boyfriend, he got to say that now) shook his head, “No I want something like darling or sweetheart or love of my life or moon of my heart.”

Xiao Zhan choked on air before he laughed incredulously, “That’s a long list. Which one do you want me to call you anyway?”

“Any one that my gege likes best.” Yibo fluttered his eyelashes at him and he giggled in answer. Silly man, he thought fondly.

“Okay then,” he plated up the dishes and brought them to the table, as Yibo wordlessly got up to dig out some rice into two bowls, “love of my life, will you please make sure Meihua is sleeping still?”

Wang Yibo blinked down at the rice in his bowl before turning to Xiao Zhan, “That’s hotter than it should be.”

Xiao Zhan laughed loudly despite wanting to be quiet for Meihua, “What do you mean by that?”

His incorrigible boyfriend only shook his head and put the bowl down, “Just saying, gege, keep saying that and I’ll find a dark corner somewhere in this flat where Meihua won’t hear.”

Xiao Zhan squawked in embarrassment, flapping a hand to smack Yibo as he passed by, cackling like a demon.

Once he left the room, Xiao Zhan put his hands on his cheeks to somehow cool them down from burning embarrassment. It’d been two days since the big confession between them, and with a baby who still slept sporadically, they’d barely gotten any time in between.

Time to, and here Xiao Zhan terribly hoped Yibo couldn’t guess what he was thinking, romance each other or whatever it was the kids called it these days. He shook his head and made sure all the dishes were set, just as Yibo exited the bedroom - their bedroom, now.

Xiao Zhan cleared his throat louder than was needed and sat down at the table, where Yibo joined him.

“All good,” he declared regarding Meihua and the two soon dug in, settling into a comfortable silence, occasionally bumping chopsticks and laughing quietly.

Yibo was the one to break the silence, “So I need to get started on my training soon, you know.”

“Mn?” Xiao Zhan hummed while chewing his food.

Yibo nodded, “For Street Dance. I need to get started on practicing a few routines they’ve sent me. But there’s no place at this flat or even mine so I’ll be at the studio more often now.”

Xiao Zhan mulled it over and nodded, “I’ll take Meihua then. I have a week off now to get familiar with the script before we’re called for the reading next week.”

“Okay, good, that’s set then.”

Xiao Zhan then watched Yibo shovel more food in his mouth, chewing voraciously and felt his lips pull up in a fond smile. He then made a low, satisfied sound.

“I’ll never get used to any food other than Zhan-ge’s homemade food. Whoa, the flavour.” Yibo shook his head as if in disbelief, making Xiao Zhan giggle at his antics.

“Eat as much as you can, Lao Wang.” Xiao Zhan was about to turn back to his own food when Yibo’s head whipped up, eyes shining with betrayal.

He realized his mistake a moment later, “Oh sorry, moon of my heart, eat all you want.”

Yibo shot him a smug grin before practically burying his face into his bowl again.

A while after they’d finished up, Yibo stepped in to help Xiao Zhan with the dishes but was deftly blocked. Yibo looked at him in confusion but Xiao Zhan put on his best smile.

“Yibo, there’s a huge pile of washed clothes on the bed, can you please take care of those?” For added effect, he fluttered his eyelashes dramatically as Yibo caught him around the waist with one arm.

“What will I get for doing that?” He teased Xiao Zhan as the man raised an eyebrow at him.

“Equal standing in this relationship, Wang Yibo.”

Yibo huffed and turned his cheek to Xiao Zhan, “First a kiss.”

Xiao Zhan made a low noise, “You’re kind of really gross right now, Wang Yibo.”

“Only for Zhan-ge.”

Xiao Zhan placed a gentle kiss on Yibo’s cheek, soft and plush that it was, it reminded him so much of Meihua.

He chuckled at the mental comparison, which made Yibo throw him a curious glance.

Xiao Zhan shook his head and pushed Yibo towards the bedroom, “Dada and Meihua are the same, both have really soft, chubby cheeks.” With that, he hightailed back to the kitchen, laughing as he listened to Yibo curse about how he was handsome and not cute.

***

It was later in the lazy afternoon, that they sat down and discussed the details of their moving. Yibo decided to keep his Beijing flat so as not to raise too much suspicion with his company.

He shrugged, “It’s best that way. If I ever come to Beijing for work, it will help too.”

Xiao Zhan nodded thoughtfully as he played with his shirt cuffs. They were sitting across each other, each end of the sofa occupied by them. 

“I should start looking into properties in Shanghai, then.”

Yibo kept one eye on the sports channel playing on the TV as he replied, “Mn, make sure it’s a gated community. Each community comes with its own park so it’s good to have that privacy for Meihua.”

Xiao Zhan smiled momentarily then paused, “That’s another thing to think about.”

“Mn?”

“Meihua,” here Yibo’s attention diverted completely to Xiao Zhan as he continued talking, “I need to think about her future, maybe even adopt her completely. But I can’t do that unless her useless biological father turns himself in.”

Yibo’s face hardened in disgust, “I don’t want her near him, at all.”

Xiao Zhan shook his head, “No, me neither. I will fight ‘til the end on that.”

There were a few minutes of contemplative silence between them, as they thought over every avenue that they needed to consider now.

Yibo broke the silence, “Ge.”

“Hm?” Xiao Zhan looked up at him. Yibo slid over the distance between them and took one of his hands in his own. 

“I need to leave for a few days again, there’s some meetings for the dance show and a photoshoot as well.”

Xiao Zhan looked closely into Yibo’s eyes; there was some hesitation there and trepidation even. He realized the other man was being wary, in case he had a repeat of the waterworks from a few days ago.

He was suddenly struck by how silly it all had been and laughed. Yibo stared at him inquisitively.

Xiao Zhan shook his head and squeezed Yibo’s hand, “I don’t mind wherever you go, as long as you come back to me.”

Yibo smiled winningly at him, “Zhan-ge doesn’t need to worry about that, wherever he goes I will follow him.”

Xiao Zhan leaned in teasingly, “Anywhere? Even Shanghai?”

Yibo screwed up his face in mock-seriousness as he pretended to think it over, “You know what? Even Shanghai.”

They both giggled as Yibo leaned in for a kiss, or maybe two, or even more.

***

It was the next day that things became a lot clearer to Xiao Zhan. It was real, it was actually happening. They were really doing this.

Yibo had woken him up early in the morning, before he left, planting a few kisses on his mouth and murmuring something that Xiao Zhan frankly couldn’t understand but he just nodded and went back to sleep. He assumed Meihua had gotten the same treatment, because when he woke, he noted that her outfit and diaper had been changed and she was tucked in differently, much like how Yibo preferred to position her.

It hit him, then. They were parents to the most amazing little girl ever. They were planning to move to a place that would hopefully be their forever home, where they could raise Meihua as their own and give her all the love and attention that she deserved.

It energized him; all the thoughts running through his head made him all the more charged for the day. So he started with a deep cleaning of the apartment, taking care to note what they needed to pack once the house was finalized.

When Meihua woke, he took care of her needs, taking some time to bathe her and talk to her, listening to her babbles among splashes. 

It was later in the afternoon, when he was going through his script and making notes, that the doorbell rang. Which was odd. Not just because he wasn’t expecting anyone, but that anyone who knew him would always call, unless it was Yibo. But the man knew the code to the apartment.

With trepidation, he approached the door and looked out the peephole. Xiao Zhan almost jumped back in surprise, it was Lele.

He threw open the door and greeted him excitedly, “Lele! You’re back?”

Lele frowned at him in confusion, “Laoban didn’t tell you? Yanyan and I are back working for him.”

“Oh, yeah he didn’t tell me,” he nodded at the man, only then noticing the amount of bags in his hand, “come in, come in!”

Lele shook his head, “Just wanted to drop these by, Laoban wanted you to have these. Oh and,” here he took out a box from his jacket pocket, “he also said this was for the baby.”

Xiao Zhan blinked several times before taking everything from the poor man, who only gave him a respectful nod and walked away without a word. He shook his head once he figured out that most of the bags were filled with various snacks, most of which were his favourite, but the box remained a mystery.

It seemed to be a pretty, formal looking thing, a plush leather box, that didn’t seem too heavy. What could it possibly be, that was for a baby?

Xiao Zhan snapped open the box and instantly burst into shocked laughter. Sitting in the cushion of the box was a small pacifier, green and black in colour. Most notably, however, was the large logo of ‘Tracer 85’ printed across it. Yibo had gotten their baby a pacifier with his MotoGP logo on it.

Xiao Zhan covered his face with his hands and muffled his giggles. What would he do with this man? He was utterly and hopelessly silly.

“Wang Yibo, I’m telling you, this is the role for you.” 

They were in the van on their way back to their hotel rooms. His manager was talking his ear off about the new acting role that popped up, that many producers of the show had shown interest for Yibo in. Today was his last day of training for Street Dance and tomorrow he was finally headed home.

Yibo chewed his bottom lip absently and nodded at his manager. He knew it was a good role, he could tell it by the first glance at the script. It was a cop drama that would bring a lot of honour to his role in it; he would need to train quite a lot but he was willing to do it.

But now he’d been away from Meihua and Xiao Zhan for a week, and he missed them achingly. He longed to throw himself into Xiao Zhan’s arms, and to cuddle Meihua into his own. He wanted them all three to pile onto the miserable sofa and stay there for hours. He wanted to sleep.

Training for Street Dance had taken up most of his time this week, and while his routine was set and ready for shooting, he himself felt completely banged up and drained. And so he would head back home for a few days before the filming happened in Beijing.

“Okay fine, I’ll do the audition. When do I go there?”

The van had stopped at the hotel entrance which was thankfully void of any fans. His manager stepped out with a relieved smile, as if he was about to refuse such a worthy project, “I’ll let you know the details, but don’t worry it’ll likely be in Beijing. Oh and you need to fly to Changsha—”

“—directly after, yeah I know, jie. Can I go now?” Yibo tiredly asked her, climbing out as well.

She was quiet for a few moments and pursed her lips before saying, “Yes you can go home. But come back fresh alright? I don’t want you falling sick again.”

It was the most concern she’d shown for him since his collapse back during filming of A-ling. He smiled gratefully at her and nodded wordlessly.

***

Yibo had barely had any time to recover from his dance-related exhaustion when he was called in the next day for his audition. He fretted nervously as he readied for the day, noticing Xiao Zhan observing him from over the rim of his tea cup.

“Baobao,” Xiao Zhan called out, voice raised high over Meihua’s nonsensical babbling, “you know you’re gonna get it, right?”

Yibo shrugged on his over-shirt and bit his lip but didn’t answer. Frankly, all the confidence his manager had gassed him up with only yesterday had all but washed down the drain. This was a first for him, feeling this nervous. Out of them both, Xiao Zhan was the worrier. Yibo was more the kind to take things as they come. 

But for some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling of restlessness from his gut.

He was jolted out of his thoughts when he felt arms snake around his shoulders from behind him.

“What’s the real issue here?” Xiao Zhan’s warm breath tickled his ears, making him sigh in relief.

“I don’t know, something about this makes me nervous. It’s a big project, baobao.” He turned around in Xiao Zhan’s embrace to look at his face. “I feel like I need to be perfect or I’m not getting it.”

Xiao Zhan’s eyes twinkled as he huffed, “And who knows perfect better than my man, hm?”

Yibo quirked an eyebrow at him teasingly, “Your man huh?”

Seeing his boyfriend nod knowingly and with such surety made the warm feeling in his chest burn hotter. Yibo smiled widely; maybe that was all he needed. A boost of confidence from his favourite person.

Without a word, Yibo grasped Xiao Zhan’s waist in his hands and pulled him in for a long kiss. He pulled back when Meihua started screeching.

But she only giggled when Yibo threw her a mock-stern look. 

“Aiyah, this baby,” Xiao Zhan laughed and shook his head, “learning manners from the wrong parent, I see.”

It took Yibo a minute to understand and until then Xiao Zhan had moved safely behind the kitchen counter, giggling furiously as he tried to bat away Yibo’s slaps.

The reality of their domestic bubble truly set in, in the coming days. Yibo’s initial audition had gone perfectly and was due for a callback soon for confirmation. Xiao Zhan gloated all day at him, resulting in play fights that Meihua decided she absolutely despised, and graced them both with a whole hour of shrill crying. Her feelings were only mollified with hours of cuddling and watching movies.

 In the meantime, Yibo continued to work hard for his Street Dance routines while it was Xiao Zhan’s turn to be in and out of the city for his new drama. Their baby was flourishing under their care but both men worried how long it would take for her to realize their absence and tire of their schedules.

She was a healthy four-month old by the time they began looking into properties in Shanghai. It was about time too, since she’d eventually need her own room, as she began growing up.

But Xiao Zhan knew, before taking that final step, they needed to do something far more important and urgent.

He fiddled nervously with his glasses, absently bouncing a cheerful Meihua as she tried to swipe her sticky fingers onto his computer’s keyboard. He was on a video call with his mother in Chongqing and all was going well, but he knew she would eventually ask The Question.

She popped a few nuts into her mouth, chewing them before she finally asked, “So, where’s Wang Yibo?”

Xiao Zhan cleared his throat loudly and opened his mouth to finally admit the truth when Meihua let out a sharp cry.

On the screen, his mother leaned in, concerned. So did Xiao Zhan.

He leaned over to see that she was not distressed and assumed she was just playing. He smiled down at her and turned back to his mother.

“Uh, so, Wang Yibo.”

His mother smiled and inclined her head, though there was a telltale knowing look in her eyes.

This time Meihua let out another noise, again. Xiao Zhan looked down at her, confused.

But on his computer screen, his mother perked up and grinned.

“Mama?” He asked, wondering why she was smiling like he’d announced he won the Olympics.

“Wang Yibo!” She screeched into the microphone, which jolted Xiao Zhan out of his skin. Why was she screaming his boyfriend’s name? Oh no, was she disapproving of him? He thought he was past it all, he thought the conversation had been done with—

Meihua leaned over to one side dangerously, and he quickly caught her with an arm around her body.

“Meihua!”

“She’s looking for him!”

Xiao Zhan looked up at his mother again. “Ah?”

“Whenever I say the boy’s name, she looks for him! Zhan-Zhan, what have you been hiding from me?”

Xiao Zhan gulped audibly, why were mothers so intuitive? It was almost scary the way she’d sussed him out in under a minute thanks to his traitorous baby and her absolute adoration of her Dada.

He cursed Yibo mentally, hoping he was sneezing violently during his dance practice. But he was also a weak man, so he sent some mental kisses too, in apology.

“He’s yeah, he— we— uh. So, we—”

His mother made an impatient sound, “Are you both together or not? Tell me I have a son-in-law, Zhan-Zhan!”

Xiao Zhan blushed at the moniker she gave Yibo but nodded despite himself. Then he giggled as his mother made a loud racket in her room, causing his father to burst in as if to fight off a burglar. Her excited shouts overpowered his disbelief, making Xiao Zhan laugh harder and Meihua giggle like she totally knew what was happening.

He laughed for much longer after that, when his Dad was made to leave the room so his mother could wheedle all the details out of him.

There was a moment when it felt all surreal to him. Here he was, with a baby on his lap, telling his mother how he’d finally confessed to the love of his life.

Several miles away, Yibo was cursing his luck as he sat in the first live stream for SDC’s new season. He’d gotten ready just like they’d wanted; his own style which was hip-hop so he’d chosen to go with whatever he’d brought with him from his wardrobe. But maybe he should’ve taken the time to get ready or even given his shirts in for dry cleaning.

He cursed himself over and over when Jackson approached him with an odd look in his eyes, and asked him why he smelled of baby powder.

Chapter Text

Wang Yibo had had to learn the hard way what beard burn was; Xiao Zhan’s face hadn’t sported a beard in the morning but there was definitely some days-old stubble that had scratched up his face when his boyfriend felt far too affectionate. He was leaving for Shanghai soon to get started on his filming and also to look at some properties for their house.

Although Yibo didn’t appreciate getting scratched in the face by bristly kisses early in the morning, he grunted and allowed Xiao Zhan to do it. He was too incoherent to respond to the kissing or even to the soft words of goodbyes whispered to him and Meihua.

All too soon, he’d fallen back asleep with a sleeping Meihua placed next to him, periodically suckling on her pacifier.

It was the best sort of sleep he’d had in a long time; his muscles still held the phantom ache of being used far too much, the dance routine for his introductory episode in Street Dance imprinted onto his brain even in sleep. He stretched his arms up beneath his pillow and wiggled his toes to loosen up. Beside him, Meihua barely stirred, but Yibo knew she’d be up in an instant once she felt the pangs of hunger. Moving slowly to the side, he nuzzled into her downy soft hair and breathed in her scent. He grinned at the memory of Jackson having caught the scent of baby powder on him, and him explaining in awkward, stilted stutters how it was probably a mistake.

Just then his phone vibrated on the side table, so he moved gently away and reached for it.

>>Yibo, new episode on Changsha street food

>>you need to be here soon

>>yes han-ge got it

>>me and meihua will be there by tmw

Yibo bit his lip as he sent off the messages. Wang Han had been completely supportive of him being in Xiao Zhan and Meihua’s lives but he’d yet to meet the baby. In fact, the rest of the crew hadn’t met the baby either. He could imagine their over-the-top reactions once they saw her, though.

>>See you soon

>>You will be staying with me and LeLe, we won’t hear any excuses

Yibo grinned down at his phone and sent off a message of acceptance and thanks. If no one else stood with him, he knew his onstage father would. He’d already let the man know how he’d worked things out with Xiao Zhan and had received warm messages of congratulations, with invitations for them both to eat dinner with Wang Han’s family. One of these days, Yibo would take the man up on it, introducing his own new family to his old.

He placed his phone back onto the table and trudged off to the bathroom to prepare for the day. Today was going to be spent quietly with Meihua so he wasn’t in a hurry, but he still needed to have her bottle ready.

Yibo left the door wide open as he went about his business and snorted at the thought of someone knowing that he used the toilet with his door open in case his baby woke up.

“ Aiyah , a day in the life of a Dad.” He whispered to himself as he washed his hands.

Yibo knew the unnamed feeling he’d get whenever he looked at Meihua was likely something paternal, but it felt so much deeper than that. He would gladly look anyone in the eye and admit that he was weak for his baby. His daughter .

The feeling was back now as he mulled over that word. Daughter. What constituted Meihua to be their daughter? She could only be legally adopted by Xiao Zhan since he was related by blood, but what about Yibo? He knew he would always love her despite having no biological or legal connections to her, but would she be happy with the same? Once Meihua grew up and learned of her origins, would she still bestow the role of father onto Yibo? Or would she see him differently then?

He vigorously shook her bottle to cool it down a bit as his thoughts consumed him.

Yibo had talked to both Lele and Yanyan to book his flight tomorrow as well as hire an assistant who would care for Meihua in-flight. He didn’t like the idea of it but Xiao Zhan had brought up the possibility that he’d be spotted during the flight or after it holding Meihua, and while Yibo didn’t care for the implications that would have on his public image, he really didn’t want to subject Meihua to any sort of scrutiny.

Paparazzi and stalker fans were the sort of breed that wouldn’t even spare a baby for their own purposes.

And anyway, both Lele and Yanyan were taking their job seriously now, having Meihua to protect as well. 

“We’ve sorted it out, Lele will lead you guys and Princess will be with Zhu Ke up ahead of us so we won’t lose track of her. We’ll let Princess board first, then follow close behind.”

Yibo had stayed silent, smirking at Yanyan who refused to make eye contact with him.

“Princess?” He asked, leaning in and smirking at Lele in the passenger seat who seemed to be blinking too much.

Yanyan cleared his throat loudly, “Meihua, code-name Princess is the priority right now, of course.”

Yibo snickered under his breath, “Of course.” But a big part of him was relieved to know she was well-protected and taken care of. This was the first time that she’d be flying out with him and Yibo wanted to somehow prove to his boyfriend that yes, he could be an excellent father to Meihua. So of course, the absolute best for her. Even if he had to stay away to ensure that.

It was for this very reason he kept his eyes clenched shut as he heard Meihua fuss behind him. They’d gotten through the airport to catch the flight fairly easily, since it had been an AM flight and Meihua had been fast asleep for the entirety of it. Yibo still had the lingering feeling of wanting to snatch the baby back into his own arms from the assistant but he reigned it in.

It was just as they’d begun taxiing and taking off that Meihua had likely realized she wasn’t safe at home with her Papa and Dada. Or even that Dada was right there but he couldn’t even look at her.

Wang Yibo felt frustration well up inside him as her whimpering began; he could see it in his mind’s eye, the way her fists would clench in frustration, the way fat tears would roll down her chubby cheeks, the way her rosey lips would turn down in despair. Yibo turned his head away and to the window as he held a hand over his mouth. Tears were now springing up in his eyes as Meihua really got into it. Her wailing had the attention of everyone in the vicinity and even the flight attendants were rushing about trying to find something to soothe the baby.

Lele, who was next to him, kept a hand on his arm as if Yibo was in danger of jumping up and taking Meihua into his arms.

He could hear the poor woman, Zhu Ke, fussing over the baby and trying to calm her down. To anyone else it looked like Wang Yibo, the superstar, wasn’t bothered by the drama that a single mother and her baby were raising.

But only a few people there knew how his heart was breaking as he heard his baby sob.

He was grateful for the mask over his mouth and his cap low over his eyes as he turned to Lele and whispered hoarsely, “Can I at least get a moment with her? To calm her down or something?”

Lele sighed next to him, “Laoban, there’s only an hour left in the flight, it’d cause too much attention if we changed seats or had Princess be moved.”

Behind them, Meihua’s fussing had begun tapering out as she suckled furiously on her milk bottle. But Yibo knew she’d start up again, if she didn’t feel her bed beneath or familiar arms holding her.

She was usually a wonderful baby, but being outside and in unfamiliar surroundings had clearly done her in.

By the time the plane landed, Yibo had so much restless energy he could probably run from the airport to Wang Han’s place holding Meihua. He hefted his luggage over to Lele and Yanyan helped Zhu Ke with her own things as she carried a sleeping Meihua in her travel seat.

As soon as he exited the airport, Yibo could hear the shouts and screeching of stalker fans waiting to take his picture so of course, Zhu Ke had to wait for a taxi instead to take her and the baby to a rendezvous point elsewhere.

It felt like she took a piece of Yibo’s heart with her as she carried the baby away and Yibo held onto Lele’s arm tightly as soon as he got into the car, “Please keep an eye on her. Please don’t lose her.”

He must’ve sounded desperately panicked enough for Yanyan to turn around and sternly tell him, “We’ve got a tracker on Princess, Laoban, don’t worry for a second.”

This tidbit of information eased Yibo’s hackles slightly, though he kept his eyes fixed on the car’s rear window for a glimpse of Zhu Ke’s taxi.

The rendezvous point where Zhu Ke would hand over Meihua was an abandoned park near the airport where no vehicles had any reason to stop by. As predicted, no one was there when their car stopped, alongside with the taxi right behind them.

Yibo all but jumped out of the car running to the taxi and taking up Meihua’s carrier from Zhu Ke. The baby was still asleep when Yibo peeked in and he must’ve murmured some words of thanks since Zhu Ke sent him a sympathetic smile.

The entire ride to Wang Han’s house, Yibo kept Meihua in his arms. He turned her face into his neck, which was how she preferred to nap, and her body propped up on his chest. Meihua sighed through her pacifier, likely sensing the familiarity of her Dada’s arms.

Yibo tucked his nose into her hair and kept it there, taking in her comforting scent to soothe his anxiety. He’d never been so anxious as he’d been today, but even more so he was nervous to relay the details of their disastrous experience to Xiao Zhan. Would he forbid Yibo from taking Meihua again ever? He hoped not, he thought as he nosed into the soft hairs at her temple, he would likely stop going anywhere if it meant he couldn’t take his precious baby with him.

Yibo could tell Wang Han sensed that something had gone wrong, since he greeted the man and his wife as politely as he could manage before excusing himself to the room he always used whenever he stayed there.

His bodyguards dumped his things in the room and bid him goodbye, with Lele passing a loving hand over Meihua’s head that Yibo appreciated with a small smile.

The door shut behind him and Yibo all but collapsed onto the made bed, placing Meihua on her side on it, as she slept soundlessly. He noticed his hands were still trembling and he couldn’t put a stop to it, even as a soft knock sounded on his door and Wang Han peeked inside.

“Yibo, you alright?” 

And just like that Yibo dissolved into a mess of tears. He buried his face into his hands and shook his head. Wang Han entered the room and closed the door quietly behind him. Then, Yibo felt his shoulders being encased into a firm hug. Wang Han patted him several times on the back. 

Yibo sniffled into his hands then managed to speak, “I’m sorry—”

“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. Can’t I do this for my didi, eh? Let it out, c’mon.” Wang Han kept on patting him and maintaining the hug. Yibo felt some stability come back into him; the trembling stopped, as did his tears, leaving him exhausted and drained. He pulled back from the hug and looked up at the man.

“Thank you, Han-ge.”

“What happened?” Wang Han asked without missing a beat. Yibo shifted to the side, allowing Wang Han to sit on the bed. Behind them, Meihua was still lost in her peaceful sleep. At least the soft sound of her breathing was calming to him.

“Let’s just say, the flight was terrible.” Yibo admitted with a wry laugh, tears still slipping out of his eyes, even as he wiped them off with his hand.

“Ahh—” Wang Han nodded knowingly, “every parent has to go through this experience. How bad was it?”

Yibo shook his head, “Not bad as it could’ve been, but I uh— I panicked.” He licked his lips nervously and continued, “She cried during the flight and that put me on edge because I don’t like hearing her cry. And then on the way back we got mobbed by fans so the assistant had to take her separately.” He cut himself off and shook his head deprecatingly. 

“I panicked then, too.” He admitted quietly, not making eye contact with Wang Han like the man would judge him for it.

“ Aiyaah , you silly child, listen here. It is your job as a parent to panic.” Yibo looked up at him in surprise and he nodded sagely, “Trust me, it’s true. If you don’t panic, that’s when you should be worried. It shows you care for your child and her well-being. What is wrong about that?”

Yibo shook his head again, he was doing this a lot, and asked confusedly, “Isn’t it my job to protect her?”

Wang Han nodded in agreement, then looked behind him at Meihua. The man frowned as he looked at the baby then asked Yibo, “Is that a mosquito bite on her face?”

Yibo’s eyes widened and he whirled around on the bed, nearly jostling the baby awake as he examined her face up close, “What? Where?”

Wang Han snorted. Yibo blinked down at Meihua then up at Wang Han. The man raised an eyebrow at him. “What about your behaviour shows that you’re not a responsible father?”

For the first time in a long time, Yibo flushed with embarrassment. He’d been played by a smart man, after all. With a sigh, Yibo settled back down on the bed beside Wang Han, who patted his thigh comfortingly.

“If there’s any comfort in knowing this, I should tell you about the time I nearly lost Xiao Mu at the mall one time. I was almost about to call my wife in a panic, when the security guard walked up, holding my crying son. And you know what my son told me?”

Yibo leaned forward, interested.

“He only cried and said he missed me and he was scared. Do you know now? Your child will never blame you for losing them, or letting them get hurt. All they want from you, is your love and support. Give her that, Wang Yibo, and you’ll be a better father than many.”

Both men had tears in their eyes by the end of the conversation but this time Yibo smiled at the man gratefully, accepting another hug from him.

Wang Han stood up, “Good! Now, it’s a little late and you haven’t had dinner yet. Let me bring you a bowl of some noodles and you can sit by your daughter and enjoy them, alright? I’m going to bed after all this crying, aiyaah my children exhaust me—”

Yibo laughed, listening to the man grouch as he left the room, feeling the warmth of being referred to as Wang Han’s son, in his chest.

He gave himself a minute then laughed at his own morose attitude. It was true what Han-ge said, there were going to be so many more obstacles in his life as a father, but Yibo was absolutely ready to face them head on.

Nothing would hurt his baby girl, not on his watch. He bent down and gave Meihua a kiss. Then he went to the bathroom to wash up.

Dinner wasn’t as quiet as he’d hoped. Wang Han had gone to bed with the rest of his family, it being nearly midnight now. Wang Yibo had graciously accepted his bowl of homemade noodles and settled in bed to eat. But of course, Meihua had chosen that exact minute to blink herself awake, eyes wide and refreshed. Yibo had groaned through his bite, but eventually managed to distract her with a chewing toy, as she sat sandwiched between his thighs.

The baby couldn’t sit up without proper support so Yibo made sure she didn’t fall from between his legs. The position gave him easy access to eating his noodles while video-calling Xiao Zhan, who’d returned from filming fairly late.

Xiao Zhan looked tired, but Yibo could see the glow from having had a successful and productive work day. It was the same as he was, after filming a vigorous episode for Street Dance. It was for the same reason he didn’t bother regaling the man with the happenings of that day; he himself had gone through it in such detail, he didn’t want to worry his boyfriend anymore. The man was currently cooing and laughing at Meihua who’d recognized Papa and giggled at him through bites of her toy. She flicked the toy, now coated generously with her drool, at Yibo’s phone a couple of times, likely hoping Xiao Zhan would pick it up and come to her. But in vain, Yibo watched as she gave up and went back to mercilessly gnawing on her toy.

Their conversation veered towards the few potential properties Xiao Zhan had decided on in Shanghai. Yibo was fine with any of them as long as they had enough room around for himself and Meihua, as she grew. His lovely boyfriend was the one who focused on how much natural light the house received or whether it faced towards the east or the west, details that frankly gave Yibo a slight headache.

“Oh right, I talked to Meihua’s handler and she let me know something interesting.”

“Mn?” Yibo adjusted his hold on Meihua and listened.

“Yeah so Meihua’s biological father, the S-C-U-M-B-A-G, was spotted last in Shanghai. The police want him now, for a hit-and-run case. It’s unrelated to jiejie or Meihua so they’re not going to question us, but they thought we should be careful.”

Yibo swallowed nervously at the thought of moving to a city where Meihua’s shit father was, and how he could pull a trick on them and take the baby from them. Pulling Meihua close, Yibo kissed her on the head.

“Hey,” Yibo looked up at Xiao Zhan’s voice, “we’ll be okay, baobao, alright? We’ll make sure our house is secure and that Meihua is as safe as she can be.” 

Logically, Yibo knew they both would do anything to keep their baby safe, but the thought of anything happening to her or even Xiao Zhan made him nauseous with worry. Still, he nodded to appease his boyfriend, and soon Meihua redirected their attention to herself.

Xiao Zhan sighed and said a few sweet words to her, but Yibo suddenly fixated on the man’s head. For the entirety of their call, Xiao Zhan had been wearing his hair stuffed into a beanie, which wasn’t uncommon, but the man was back in his hotel room now.

“Zhan-ge, take your beanie off, don’t you feel hot?”

“Ah? No, no, it’s actually really cold here.” Xiao Zhan answered, laughing awkwardly. But his eyes showed Yibo that he was hiding something. He snorted, yeah right, it was the peak of summer.

“Zhan-ge…” He began in his usual teasing tone, when the man let out a frustrated noise and ripped his beanie off.

Yibo’s mouth dropped open at the shorn haircut he was sporting. A moment later, he burst into laughter. Wang Yibo cackled loudly at his boyfriend’s new military-style haircut while said boyfriend whined back at him about being mean and unsupportive.

“—you’re such a mean boyfriend, I know I look ugly but—”

Yibo immediately dropped his teasing laughter, “Whoa whoa whoa. What did you say? You’re not ugly, Zhan-ge, there’s not one part of you that’s ugly. You’re so beautiful you nearly blind me sometimes and that’s not something I say lightly. I’m lucky you chose me to be your boyfriend, and now I’ll never let you go.”

He finished his speech to a flustered, blank Xiao Zhan whose jaw had slackened in his shock.

There was silence, then, “Wang Yibo, you’re not human.” Xiao Zhan squawked as he pressed his hands to his blushing cheeks. Yibo cackled at the look on his boyfriend’s face.

He had some noodles left in his bowl and swung his chopsticks up for another bite. But his aim had been knocked off a bit, since one single noodle landed on top of Meihua’s head.

Yibo stared at it. Xiao Zhan stared at it, too.

The baby had no idea and continued to ruthlessly bite her toy to death.

Leaning down ever-so-slowly, Yibo slurped up the noodle from her soft, fuzzy head. On the call, Xiao Zhan burst into shocked laughter, nearly falling off his hotel bed.

Soon, Yibo joined him in laughter and the two choked on air as they relived the moment over and over. 

Yibo looked down to see his poor baby’s head had a slight smear of oily sheen from the noodle and reached for the packet of baby wipes. On his phone’s screen, Xiao Zhan was wiping his tears. “You’re incorrigible, Wang Yibo.”

Yibo stuck his tongue out at him, “Whatever that means.” 

Xiao Zhan sobered up from his laughter, throwing him a sweet smile, “But I love you, anyway.”

He stared at that beautiful, dear face of his then threw himself back dramatically, “Whoa, a love confession from the very only Xiao Zhan. Wah, how will my heart recover from this?”

He went on and on as Xiao Zhan screeched at him to shut up.

Ignoring them both, Meihua launched her chewing toy into the distance, deciding that she was done with that toy and clearly wanted another. Too bad her parents were busy being silly with each other to cater to her demands.

So, she unlocked her jaw and let out unholy screams until they paid attention.

The next day kept Yibo busy; it was the day before shooting for the latest Day Day Up episode, so all the brothers had to gather together to go over the script. It was also the day that Meihua would finally meet the rest of her uncles, so Yibo had to dress her up for the occasion.

Under Xiao Zhan’s instructions, he’d packed in his luggage, her fluffy multi-coloured frock and the matching bow to go around her head. Though, he knew she would likely fuss only an hour into wearing the frock so he equipped his backpack with two changes of outfits for her, alongside some diapers and miscellaneous things.

Wang Han’s son Mu-Mu had been acting the perfect big brother ever since he woke the next morning to discover that there was a little baby in his house. Calling her ‘mei-mei’ he accompanied her throughout her breakfast bottle, taking care to introduce each cartoon character on the TV’s screen in great detail.

Wang Han laughed delightedly at the sight, as Yibo took the opportunity to take a long shower, which was something he hadn’t had the time for, for a few days now.

For the actual filming of the episode, Wang Han’s wife, Le-jie, had offered to babysit Meihua, who was more than happy to go along as long as Mu-Mu was around. For today, however, they were meeting at their studio where they would do a dry-run of the script in casual clothes. So Yibo threw on some pants and a random T-shirt, but dressed his baby up in her pretty frock and bow. He stood back and clicked some pictures; he was proud to see how his baby was dressed to impress.

He sent a few snaps off to Xiao Zhan who responded instantly with a flurry of heart emojis and some to his UNIQ group chat, all of whom proceeded to lose it over the cuteness of his baby. He grinned at some of their over-the-top wild responses, cackling wildly when Seungyeon sent over a small clip of him singing something for Meihua.

Show it to her, so she knows how talented her new uncle is! , read the message attached to it.

Yibo rolled his eyes at his brothers and locked his phone. It was only a few hours until noon and they needed to sort through before then. Wang Han had invited Da Zhangwei back for lunch, so they’d have plenty of time to chat and catch up.

Yibo stuffed a cap onto his head, picked up Meihua and slung his backpack into the car where Wang Han was waiting. 

Meihua took to staring at her uncle, and not out the window like Yibo had predicted.

He laughed at her unblinking face then at Wang Han who raised an eyebrow at her in question. The baby continued staring and Yibo kissed her cheek because she was just far too cute for her own good.

To remedy the fact that she wasn’t getting any social contact lately, Yibo plopped her quickly into Wang Han’s arms. If she got to know this man soon, then the better it was for them all.

But Meihua clearly disagreed.

Even as Wang Han began humming songs to her, bouncing her cheerfully in his arms, she looked at Yibo in shock. She was likely in disbelief at the fact that her own father passed her onto a stranger. So, Meihua began wailing. With tears.

Yibo’s heart nearly broke again. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” With words of apology, he took her back, cuddling her and bestowing kisses to make her stop crying. Which she did, instantly.

Wang Han laughed uproariously, slapping his thigh in mirth. “ Aiyaah Wang Yibo-ah, she has got you completely wrapped around her.”

Yibo didn’t even have the heart to appear annoyed, he was just happy his baby was quiet again.

They’d soon be approaching the studios where they would, thankfully for Yibo, be taking the underground parking. From there, Yibo would take Meihua up to their studio, where she would meet the rest of the crew at Day Day Up.

Meihua meeting Da-laoshi was a hilarious moment in itself. Yibo could hardly hold in his cackles as Da Zhangwei tried his best to communicate with the baby and interact with her. He even shook hands with Meihua who stared at him with her mouth open. Yibo laughed to his heart's content at that as Da-laoshi complained about not knowing how to do 'this'.

He wasn’t a kids sort of person, anyway.

Soon, they had to cut their antics short and settled down after a stern scolding from Wang Han. Yibo juggled holding Meihua with one hand, and with his other he held the script, nodding every now and then when he was cued. The director and a few assistants also joined them in the room for the script review, in case, anything needed to be added.

Soon, however, the baby was exhausted from being held that way, and once she began fussing Yibo realized she hadn’t fed since morning. She must be starving, his poor baby. 

He placed his script on the table in front of him and Wang Han stopped speaking his lines to focus on him. Yibo waved him off, “Keep going, I’m just getting her bottle.”

Wang Han continued and Yibo retrieved her ready bottle that he’d prepared in the morning before leaving, slipping Meihua gently but smoothly down to the crook of his elbow and fed her it.

Unbeknownst to him, Wang Han had stopped going through the script and the rest of the people had paused to stare at Yibo with varying degrees of shock and amused fondness. He only realized this once he’d stopped smiling at his baby and looked up to see their gobsmacked expressions. He croaked out a laugh, signalling for them to continue.

“Alright, alright, our little didi is all grown up and a father now. Now, c’mon let’s finish this otherwise Le-Le is going to kill me if we don’t make it back for lunch in time.”

This snapped them all out of their reverie and soon everyone went back to work. Amidst them, a baby fed quietly and contentedly in her father’s arms.

Several miles away, Xiao Zhan roamed the expanse of an empty house. The furniture would be decided by him, eventually. But this was the last house that he had to view for the day, and honestly, he could already see in his mind’s eye, the three of them living out their lives here.

The back room he knew would make an excellent studio for Yibo to dance, with added soundproofing in the walls and the door. The upstairs had several rooms but in particular one master bedroom and a nursery attached to it, that he knew Meihua would live out in for a few more years at least.

He knew both Yibo and him were loath to separate from her just yet. 

The grounds outside the house itself weren’t as extensive but large enough to accommodate enough activities for them all. Especially Yibo, who Xiao Zhan knew got cabin fever quite often. He smiled fondly as he imagined his boyfriend’s reaction to the long path beside the garden outside, which he knew would be excellent for his skateboarding.

The bushes outside provided enough coverage so they couldn’t be spotted by anyone wandering by. Still, Xiao Zhan would contact the best security firm that came recommended, since he didn’t want to take any chances with his family.

A small part of him still gasped at the thought that he now had a family to call his own. A partner who made his days better every day and loved him unconditionally, and a daughter who never failed to put a smile on his face and make him feel proud of her achievements as she grew.

He looked around one last time, admiring the way the sun slanted into view from the front porch’s windows, and turned to the agent, “I’ll take it.”

Chapter Text

Xiao Zhan stretched his painful neck side to side, wincing at the pull of his overworked muscles there; turns out it wasn’t easy training for a military role as it was for a historical role. He had undergone a week-long training that had resulted in more than one sore body part and several painfully strained muscles. 

Palming his phone in his pocket, he felt it vibrate with notifications. His own crew had gone back to the hotel an hour ago and he’d finished up and was headed back with his assistant. Sighing heavily, he took his phone out of his pocket and quickly checked his notifications. Yibo had sent him cute selfies of Meihua with all the Day Day Up brothers and even Wang Han’s little son. She looked annoyed in some of them, he noted with laughter, but all in all it was clearly a happy trip.

One such picture caught his notice where Yibo was kissing her chubby cheek and luckily she was smiling at the camera. Xiao Zhan quickly saved the picture to his special folder, also making it his homescreen wallpaper.

There were also a bunch of messages from his past crew members and many, notably, from Xuan Lu, his former onscreen shijie .

He grinned at her messages and sent her a few back in greeting. Though he did feel some guilt at skipping the yearly anniversary party. On the occasion of when their show aired last year, the cast and some of the crew had thrown a huge bash, and mostly everyone had attended. But the two main leads were missing from said party, Xuan Lu wrote.

He winced at that; it was one thing for one of them to be missing and a whole other for them both to not be there. At the time, he was going through a tumultuous situation, juggling his own grief and shock at having to care for a baby.

It was probably for this very reason that Yibo, too, didn't attend.

Xiao Zhan wrote back to her, apologizing profusely and wanting to explain.

i will only listen to you if we meet up

starbucks soon?

yes ofc

not in beijing right now, let me get back then we’ll go

 

see you!

Xiao Zhan pursed his lips as he locked his phone; there was bound to be a time where he and Yibo would’ve to open up their lives for people to know that they’d been co-parenting a baby. Or even that they were in a relationship now.

He was closest to Xuan Lu from the production, and he knew Yibo was close to a couple of the guys who acted alongside them. So why not let everyone know altogether? In a huge house party, he wondered.

Quickly making up plans, he looked up the dates. That was it. Yibo’s birthday was coming up, and while he was busy filming Street Dance, Xiao Zhan knew he’d get a day or two break in between filming his drama and the show.

It would be Yibo’s first birthday with Meihua, so why not surprise him? Smiling to himself, he quickly typed a few messages to Yibo’s manager; a bold feat on his part since Yibo liked to deal with everything himself, but he needed some discretion this time.

Yibo’s manager texted back at lightning fast speed and let him know what days he was off. His birthday was free. So was the day after, which was perfect. A day alone with the three of them for Yibo’s birthday and then a party the day after sounded like the perfect way to cap off the celebrations.

He opened Xuan Lu’s chat;

free for the 6th?

surprise for yibo

count me in!

Xiao Zhan smiled triumphantly, feeling his plans coming together. Now if only he could get everyone else involved as well. He was playing a dangerous game here, of course. Planning a surprise for Yibo with their friends, whilst also surprising their friends with the fact that they were in a relationship with a baby!

He chuckled to himself, unable to keep it down inside the car. His assistant threw him a strange look from the front of the passenger seat but he ignored her. He just needed to sleep and then he was going to be fine. 

Yibo watched the two for a moment in silence; Xiao Zhan had his tongue sticking out just a tad bit as he clipped Meihua’s nails who wasn’t quite as happy about it. He laughed when she batted at her Papa’s face, trying to get away from getting her nails clipped.

“Tsk, aiyaah , stay still, baobei , Papa is making sure you’re clean and happy and—” Xiao Zhan murmured to her, bent over her little hand in concentration.

Yibo felt such a surge of affection well up in his chest for them both that he ended up blurting out, “Zhan-ge, I have to go visit my parents soon.”

The moment shattered and he berated himself mentally for doing so. Xiao Zhan looked up at him with his mouth open, blinking. Then he nodded, “Sure, go ahead. I have the next few days free so you can go and come back in time.”

Yibo nodded slowly as Xiao Zhan turned back to his work, thinking the conversation over. But a thought niggled in his mind. He really wanted to take both Meihua and Xiao Zhan to his parents. He wanted his new family to meet his parents.

He bit his lip then mustered up the courage, “Zhan-ge?”

“Mn?” came the absent reply. 

“Zhan-ge, come with me.” Yibo held his breath as soon as he said it. This time Xiao Zhan put the clippers down, allowing Meihua to finally escape and grab something off the sofa into her mouth. Neither of her parents cared as they stared at each other.

Xiao Zhan cleared his throat, “So like a meet-the-parents situation?”

Yibo nodded nervously in reply, lips pursed. Xiao Zhan sighed at noticing his boyfriend’s nervous expression and grunted as he stood up.

Without another word, Xiao Zhan folded Yibo into his arms, carding his fingers through Yibo’s soft, freshly washed hair.

“ Baobao , of course I would love to meet your parents. Meihua should get to know her new grandparents, right?”

All of Yibo’s worries heaved out in a choked breath as he grabbed the back of Xiao Zhan’s shirt with both his hands. “Yeah, they should,” was all he could manage and the two stood there, wrapped around each other for a long minute.

“When do you want to go see them?”

“Whenever you’re free, Zhan-ge,” Yibo sighed into his neck, “just want you two there, that’s all.”

Xiao Zhan smiled and rubbed his back, “Okay, darling. Let’s go this week then.”

Yibo hummed his assent and closed his eyes, continuing to enjoy the embrace. He’d worry about the impending visit later.

When they pulled back, Xiao Zhan gazed into Yibo’s eyes, “I know you’re worried that one day Meihua and I will be gone from your life. But Wang Yibo,” he laughed and went back to retrieve a Meihua who was wrestling with the TV remote, “we’re here to stay.”

Yibo laughed softly at the sight they made; a cheerful Xiao Zhan struggling to hold up a Meihua who was bending down to reach her Papa’s nefarious belt buckle that clearly needed a good chewing. His laughter intensified once she nearly succeeded in upending herself out of her Papa’s clutches as Xiao Zhan screeched at her to stay still.

Alas, the baby was unsuccessful in her endeavours and stared challengingly at the belt buckle, promising its defeat.

Yibo snagged her away from Xiao Zhan, who slinked away to the kitchen likely to cook up a storm of a lunch. Meanwhile, Yibo put Meihua on his skateboard and gave her a (safe) ride around the living room. With one hand, he supported her back and with the other he guided the skateboard around. At first, she looked rather unimpressed which made Yibo complain loudly about her boring genes from Xiao Zhan. Said man wasn’t happy about the slander and nearly launched a spoon at Yibo’s head from the kitchen.

He cackled and continued giving Meihua a ride, after a while of which she began enjoying. Giggles erupted out of her once Yibo made the experience enjoyable as he made believable vroom-vroom noises and made the skateboard vibrate like an authentic motorcycle would.

“See, Zhan-ge! I’ll make a motorcycle racer out of her!” He called excitedly to Xiao Zhan who likely shouted back something like ‘over my dead body’ but Yibo ignored him and continued pulling Meihua around the living room.

Unbeknownst to them both, Xiao Zhan was taking a sneak video as he giggled at their antics. He quickly edited the whole video with heart stickers and captioned it ‘Dada and daughter time’ before sending it off to some of the people close to them. He sent one to his parents as well, and his mother replied with so much text screaming he had to mute her notifications. Then Xiao Zhan thought for a moment, before sending it to Wang Han as well.

He placed his phone down on the kitchen counter and with one last fond smile thrown at his babies, he turned back to making lunch.

Wang Yibo was not fretting, of course he wasn’t. But he was probably over-packing for Meihua, just a bit. He was alone with her again this time as Xiao Zhan had to go back to film for a few more days and had left the last-minute chores to Yibo, before they flew to Henan to meet his parents.

All he’d informed of his trip to his parents was that he was going to visit for two days and was bringing over a friend. His mother was ecstatic, thinking he was bringing over a boyfriend but he didn’t know what his father thought of it.

Yibo grabbed Meihua’s clothes from the dryer and went back to the bedroom, shaking each tiny piece of her clothing out before folding them up neatly into his travel luggage.

His poor green suitcase was now up to the brim with Meihua’s things, because Yibo would rather travel light but have everything he needed for his baby.

Xiao Zhan had all her important documents which would allow her to travel with Xiao Zhan but legally she had no connection to Yibo, so unfortunately they would have to take separate flights off to Henan. 

Whatever, Yibo would rather take separate flights than be the cause of massive crowds in his home city’s airport. They would land at Luoyang only a few hours apart. Yibo would wait outside in a rental and the three of them would drive off to his childhood home together.

He stacked Meihua’s clean towels and let out his breath in a nervous whoosh. He just wanted everything to go alright; Xiao Zhan had already told him about the warm response of his parents to them getting together so now he just needed his parents to be on the same track as well. 

Besides, he thought as he went over to check on Meihua sleeping, his baby girl deserved the best grandparents in the world, and Yibo knew his parents could be it. 

He traced her eyebrow, fondly watching her face twitch in sleep, before he pressed a kiss to her nose bridge and left to pack the rest of his stuff.

Later, that day as he guzzled down some instant noodles (much to the consternation of his dear boyfriend), he pondered on his upcoming birthday. Yibo chewed as he absent-mindedly watched some random old race of Rossi’s, listening with one ear as Meihua babbled whilst stuffing her mouth with a toy.

Soon, she tired of it and launched it across the room, where it landed with a miserable clatter on the tiled floor near the office door.

Yibo snorted at her feistiness, wondering where she’d gotten it from; he turned to look at her and found her staring at him with bottomless brown eyes, sucking wetly on her fist. He scrunched up his nose playfully at her and removed her hand from her mouth with his left hand. She took it right back in and kept staring at him; this time it felt more like a challenge.

Yibo chuckled at her, worries forgotten, and set down his bowl of noodles at the coffee table before taking her in his arms. He positioned her higher than his own head, letting her use his face to rest against. Yibo tickled her tummy with his lips and tilted his head back to observe her reaction. She was too taken by what she saw.

Meihua loved this change of position. It gave her a wider view of the back of the living room where they barely took her, since it led down the hallway to the main door or left to the laundry room. 

Yibo watched with mesmerization as Meihua’s beautiful brown eyes, much like her Papa’s, scanned the entirety of the apartment. A thought rose to his mind: how would she react to their new house? Would she love it? Would she love the space? Would she learn crawling just to go sneaking past them through all the new and strange hallways? He grinned and brought her down for a kiss on the cheek, he couldn’t wait to start a new life together with her and Xiao Zhan.

Her little, soft hands came up to his cheeks, fingers grabbing at his skin with no purpose, and he removed one of her hands to give each finger a little kiss and love. But soon, Meihua began to fuss and Yibo swept her up and went over to the kitchen to prepare her bottle. 

The TV was still left playing and he never finished his bowl of noodles, but Wang Yibo was just as content knowing his baby was fed and happy.

The flight probably wasn’t as nerve-wracking for Yibo as it was for Xiao Zhan, who was covered head to toe in nondescript clothing with a baby carrier in his hand. While his trip was nowhere on his professional itinerary and therefore difficult for fans to track, he still was a giant, hulking figure dressed in all black, weaving in and out of the crowd at the airport.

He garnered a few glances but they looked away just as soon; he figured the baby carrier had thrown them off: there was no way a celebrity dad was travelling through here, even if he did look so familiar to them.

Xiao Zhan sighed behind his black mask for the umpteenth time; having his luggage checked as well as hefting a sleeping Meihua through the line was tough. He sent a prayer for all mothers and fathers who had to travel with a baby at any time. Soon enough, he exited the airport with his suitcase in one hand, and Meihua in the other and spotted Yibo’s silver rental in the parking area.

Yibo lifted a hand out of the window to signal at him and Xiao Zhan hurried over.

“Whoa, that was horrible.” He lamented as soon as he sat in the passenger seat as Yibo strapped Meihua’s carrier in the back. He heard the man coo at the baby and kiss her, so he threw him a grin.

“ Baobao , any day now c’mon, you two can cuddle at home.” Xiao Zhan teased him, but then tensed at the word ‘home’. 

Oh shit, he was really about to do this; he was going to meet Yibo’s parents. As a boyfriend.

“Okay, let’s do this!” Yibo said, as he plopped into the driver’s seat and started up the car. When his hand landed on the gear, Xiao Zhan covered it with his own and sat there for a bit.

Yibo noticed his silence; he looked at him over his sunglasses sitting on his nose, and for a moment Xiao Zhan was endeared with the sight he made.

They both were dressed in their casual clothes but Yibo looked like a dad on vacation. An open, loose collared shirt over a simple tee and pants and a baby in his backseat, he looked like the perfect dad who was taking his family home to meet his parents. 

Xiao Zhan gave an inward chuckle at the thought; of course he looked like that because he really was taking his family to meet his parents.

In the time he took to gather his thoughts, Yibo reached over and cupped his cheek tenderly.

“Hey, there’s nothing to worry about, okay?”

Xiao Zhan leaned into the comforting touch and closed his eyes, “I know. I’m not worried. I’m just scared they’ll react badly.”

He opened his eyes to see Yibo licking his lips nervously. Oh great, his own anxiety had rubbed onto his boyfriend.

Suddenly, he felt like a fool. Shaking his nervousness off, he sat up straight, “But, Meihua deserves to get to know her grandparents, just as much as any other baby. Whatever issues they have with us, I’m sure it won’t affect her.”

Yibo eyed him closely with pursed lips, then nodded, “Okay, let’s go?”

Xiao Zhan mustered up all his courage and smiled at him. “Let’s go.”

Driving from the airport and up to the small hill where his parents’ house was situated didn’t take long. Secretly, Yibo wished it did, so he could enjoy Xiao Zhan’s singing more, so he could enjoy Meihua’s coos as she tried to join in on the singing. But soon, everyone in the car quieted down. Xiao Zhan’s hand was now on Yibo’s thigh, a comforting pressure on his frayed nerves.

Ever since he’d returned from South Korea for the first time as a fresh idol trainee, Wang Yibo had known and realized several things about himself.

First, that he was very determined to make it to the end. There were many things keeping him from his dream of dancing and singing on a big stage but he didn’t want to let any of those win, not even his own heart.

Secondly, Yibo realized that his affections towards a potential partner were of a different nature. He liked all the girls that approached him, with their glossy lips and long hair, but none of them sparked something in him. Not the way he noticed the boys. His own hyungs aside, there were plenty of boys who danced with him and studied with him, and Yibo couldn’t help but have his gaze drawn to them.

And then it hit him. He was never going to present a wife as a spouse to his parents. No, Wang Yibo was only going to present a boyfriend. Never a husband. Because that would never be allowed.

It had taken him aback then. How could he do this to his parents? Did he not promise to be good? Was this a bad thing? He didn’t know. And he didn’t want to know because that would mean telling his parents.

So he’d kept that part of himself shut, shrugging off any questions or sneaky remarks about his dating life from his mother. His father mostly kept to himself and wasn’t very forthcoming about that aspect of Yibo’s life, which he counted as a blessing.

Ironically, it had been after meeting Xiao Zhan that his mother had sussed out the truth from him. 

He was in love. With a man.

And his mother was completely floored by the information. 

They’d shared a long conversation in his childhood bedroom, and while Yibo had begged his mother not to tell his father, she insisted that he ought to know. So the day Yibo had left to go back to work, she’d promised to tell his father.

Upon returning, Yibo had been shocked to note that his father’s behaviour towards him was completely unchanged. Either the man didn’t care that he was gay or he simply didn’t care.

Yibo didn’t know which possibility to believe so he’d asked his mother.

And her answer was the reason why he was nervous to bring Xiao Zhan and their Meihua today.

His father had been disappointed.

Yibo parked the car in front of his parents’ house and then sat there, staring at the steering wheel. Xiao Zhan looked at him nervously, and squeezed his thigh in an effort to give comfort. He didn’t know how to help Yibo; his own parents knew of the truth, of Meihua, of Yibo. But he knew that while Yibo’s parents knew about his sexuality, they weren’t privy to the fact that Yibo was now in a relationship, with a baby as well.

Xiao Zhan chewed on his bottom lip nervously. Maybe showing up to his family’s house in tow wasn’t a good idea, after all. 

But they would never know until they actually met the couple.

So, Xiao Zhan squeezed his hand on Yibo’s thigh again, “ Baobao , do you want to go in?”

Yibo had opened up to Xiao Zhan about his father’s indifferent behaviour towards him and his sexuality, so he was reluctant to push Yibo into meeting him again.

Yibo blinked and nodded slowly, like he was just coming out of a trance. Xiao Zhan’s heart ached in sympathy for him, so against his own better judgement he pulled Yibo by the neck into a quick fervent kiss.

He squeaked against Xiao Zhan’s lips which made him giggle and pull back. Yibo’s full cheeks were now flushed with colour and he looked a lot better than he did a moment ago.

Yibo blinked at him, “You don’t play fair, do you?”

Xiao Zhan fluttered his eyelashes at him teasingly, narrowly dodging the ensuing slaps with laughter.

Behind them, Meihua began fussing.

With a jolt, Yibo realized they’d been sitting in the car for a long time. The baby was strapped to her seat and likely beginning to get frustrated with her lack of movement. With a flurry, he unsnapped his seatbelt, and got out of the car, taking the keys with him.

“Let’s go,” he called to Xiao Zhan who looked surprised but still scrambled out from his own door. Yibo unstrapped Meihua from her confinement and she looked like a happy baby under the early morning sunlight. They’d dressed her in her sparkling white onesie with the bunny ears hood, which was down for now. Yibo had even painstakingly brushed all her hair to one side and attached a small bow clip to it, though Xiao Zhan knew from experience that it’d be lost soon enough.

Her brown eyes sparkled at her surroundings and Yibo couldn’t help grin at her and drop a kiss onto her chubby cheek. He looked over at Xiao Zhan who was standing awkwardly in front of the car, his hands in his pockets.
“I bought them this house a while ago,” he began, catching his boyfriend’s attention, “they told me to save the money for myself but, since my grandfather passed away, I needed to do this for them.” 

Xiao Zhan blinked at him in wonderment, then his expression cleared as he threw a smile at Yibo. “It’s a good house.”

For some reason, Yibo grinned back at him, “It really is.” Xiao Zhan chuckled at him and Yibo took the opportunity to reach out his hand, “Come on baobao , let’s go in.”

After a moment of hesitation, Xiao Zhan accepted his hand with a grateful smile, and Yibo trudged up the path with his new family, about to meet his old.

Yibo’s mother must have been on the lookout for his arrival, since he heard her voice shouting out from the front door already, “Yibo, baobei , is that you?”

“Yes, Mama!” He called back just as she came into view. Meihua’s attention was caught by his shouts and she swivelled around to see where they were going. 

The whole thing stopped his mother short of her steps. Her mouth dropped open in shock. Yibo knew the sort of sight they made: him holding Xiao Zhan’s hand out in the open and clutching a baby with his other arm. A baby who was flailing around and patting Yibo’s cheeks and playing with his hair.

He stopped in front of her and Xiao Zhan pulled away from his hold. Yibo didn’t have a moment to be offended since the man bent down into a respectful bow.

“Hello, ayi .”

Yibo smiled and quickly followed suit, holding Meihua with both hands so she wouldn’t fall.

“Mama,” Yibo smiled and greeted her warmly. He looked into her eyes and underneath the shock all he could see were tears of happiness.

“You’re home,” she said in a slightly wobbly voice, which was a familiar phrase between them, and said each time he would return from his training.

Her mouth opened and closed a few times, eyes flitting over Meihua intensely then over at Xiao Zhan who was trying his best to smile charmingly despite his nervousness.

Yibo decided to bite the bullet here in his parents’ garden and flipped Meihua in his arms so she was facing the front, “Mama, meet Meihua. And you already know, this is Xiao Zhan.”

Meihua flailed her arms in greeting, as Xiao Zhan bowed again, ever the respectful son.

Yibo’s mother still looked at them with uncertainty, blinking back tears all the same. “Of course, I know Xiao Zhan, nice to meet you, dear. And the baby—?”

She trailed off, staring at the baby again. Yibo opened his mouth to reassure her, but then he heard a door banging from inside the house somewhere and his father’s familiar voice called out, “Is he home?”

All the confidence he’d gathered in the few minutes on his parents’ porch was now gone. He gulped at the voice, his fear of his father surfacing up again. 

His mother snapped out of it and called back, “He is! And he brought his guest.” Then she turned back to them and warily called out, “Uh guests.”

Beside him Xiao Zhan snorted, and Yibo held back a smile; his poor mother was probably confused about the sight in front of her but was trying her absolute best to judge the situation.

“Come, come, come inside quickly.” She waved at them impatiently from the small wooden gate and Xiao Zhan bowed again and hesitantly stepped forward. Just as he stepped up behind him, his mother pulled him aside and hissed, “ You better explain ,” at him before accompanying ‘her guest’ inside.

Yibo winced at her tone, but he figured it was warranted. He finally showed up months later without any such news but with a man who used to be his co-star, and a baby.

Soon enough, they were in his parents’ living room, his father entering through the glass doors that led to their garden. Yibo could see a lot of plant life flourishing there, secretly happy that his father’s new hobby was doing well for him. He felt Xiao Zhan stand straighter next to him, and instinctively moved closer to the man. Meihua then noticed her Papa and reached for him, her pudgy fingers catching on Xiao Zhan’s travel jacket. For a moment, the two were distracted as the baby exchange happened.

Yibo felt eyes on them and saw his father staring level-headed at Xiao Zhan. He gulped nervously. Oh fuck.

“Baba,” he greeted with a tentative smile, and bowed to him at waist-level. He saw Xiao Zhan beside him bow in greeting as well, but his movements were obviously hindered with the baby.

“Yibo,” his father began, looking between both men inquisitively, “did you both have a safe flight?”

Yibo nodded just as Xiao Zhan moved forward, Meihua still in his arms, and bowed once more, “Hello, uncle. I’m Xiao Zhan, Yibo’s friend.” He was proud to note the way his boyfriend’s voice barely wavered with nervousness, firm and assured as if he were reciting from a script.

To both the men’s relief and surprise, Yibo’s father stepped forward and patted him on the shoulder, “Nice to meet you, son. Both of you should get settled soon.”

With that, the quiet man turned away after throwing Meihua another curious glance.

“Mn,” Yibo’s mother repeated, humming not unlike Yibo himself, “come, get settled both of you.”  They noticed his father had returned out to his garden, content to be out in the sun. Xiao Zhan turned to look at Yibo in concern, but he smiled reassuringly; the reaction from his father meant he had no problems with what was happening here. 

It didn’t take long for the two of them to heft their bags up to Yibo’s room, where they’d be staying. That bit of information made Xiao Zhan feel guilty; they really ought to let Yibo’s parents know as soon as possible. He was so sure they’d change their minds about letting him stay with Yibo, if they knew the actual nature of their relationship.

Yibo didn’t seem to share his concerns. “ Baobao , come on don’t worry so much. You’re gonna give me a headache.” When it looked like Xiao Zhan was about to throw punches, he giggled and moved away, “No seriously, come on. Let’s just go down for lunch now, and after the meal I’ll tell Mama on my own, okay?”

Xiao Zhan bit his lip and shook his head, “We should tell her together.”

Yibo paused and looked at him; Xiao Zhan stared back defiantly. It was Yibo who broke with a long sigh, throwing his head back dramatically, “You’re really stubborn, baobao , has anyone told you that?”

Xiao Zhan merely threw him a sweet smile and remarked, “My speciality.” Plucking Meihua from his arms, the man went off to the corner of the room, setting her down and checking her diaper.

Yibo blinked for a moment before shaking his head, “I’m so gone for him,” he whispered to himself but felt no remorse at that. 

This was his life now and he fucking adored it.

Telling his mother was no difficult feat. The actual lunch, on the other hand, was pure torture for Yibo. He was a simple man in love. There they were, sitting and having lunch, while Meihua napped peacefully, and Xiao Zhan decided it’d be best to show his appreciation and reaction to his mother’s cooking with low, satisfied moans and squeaks.

It was confusing Yibo’s body to the point where he didn’t know if it made him hungry or horny. He figured it was likely both.

Still, he had to maintain a facade of absolute calm, because his father had taken to glaring daggers at him, as if he’d done something wrong.

Yibo squirmed in his seat as he tamped down the urge to shout “IT WASN’T ME” which would be a ridiculous thing to do since denying his and Xiao Zhan’s relationship would defeat the purpose of their visit.

His father clearly wasn’t an idiot; he knew more than he let on, or rather said. His mother on the other hand was busy being charmed by Xiao Zhan guzzling down her food like it was his last meal. But the sight did warm his heart a bit.

The meal was over soon, and Xiao Zhan chased Yibo’s mother into the kitchen, heavily insisting on washing the dishes with her, and for a moment Yibo and his father were left alone at the table.

Yibo glanced over at his father, who was sighing into his glass of water.

“Baba,” he began tentatively, gaining his father’s attention, “how’ve you been?”

His father smiled at him, “Good, you should see the garden soon.”

Yibo grinned at him, “I can already see a part of it.”

Without missing a beat, his father asked, “What’s her name?”

Yibo licked his lips nervously, “Meihua, meaning is—”

“Plum blossoms.” His father completed for him, nodding to himself in thought.

After a moment of silence, in which Yibo wondered if this was the right moment to break it to his father first, his father pushed himself back from the table and stood up to go.

A small part of Yibo’s heart sank in disappointment; not that he wanted to tell his father first, not without holding his mother in front of him as a shield, but rather he missed their little moments of conversation. Ever since he’d left home for training and later for work, Yibo always felt like his relationship with his father had suffered the worst of it.

As he was lost in thought, his father’s voice filtered through, “For what it’s worth, she’s a beautiful baby and I’m happy for you.”

Yibo blinked and his jaw gaped in shock. “H—how did you know?”

His father cocked an eyebrow at him with a very familiar smug and knowing expression, “She has his eyes.”

Yibo spluttered at him some more, when his father spoke up again, “Yibo, take care of them, with all that you have. Be there for them. They need you.” There was something unreadable in his eyes that he wanted to question, but he was too paralyzed with shock and wonder to come up with something. His father patted him on the shoulder as if to console him, then turned around and went back out to his garden through the back.

Yibo didn’t know how long he sat there, or when he’d started crying, but he jolted up when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

“Yibo, baobao, what’s wrong?” Xiao Zhan’s eyes held concern as he took in his tears and lost expression. The concern in both his eyes and voice somehow tipped him over into crying some more.

“Hey, whoa, what’s wrong?” Soft hands held his cheeks as Xiao Zhan bent down to look into his eyes. Yibo couldn’t explain all the emotions he was feeling so he broke free of the hold and wrapped his arms around his boyfriend’s waist, burying his tear-streaked face into his stomach.

Yibo sniffled and breathed in Xiao Zhan’s scent, calming down as his boyfriend carded his fingers through his hair, speaking in low, soothing tones.

Suddenly, a voice from behind them spoke, “ Aiyaah , finally done with those dish— Yibo, what’s wrong, you’re—?”

Yibo froze in Xiao Zhan’s embrace just as the man above him did too. Fuck.

Steeling himself, he pulled back and Xiao Zhan moved away from him, both men facing Yibo’s mother who stood in the doorway that led out of the kitchen. Yibo hurried to wipe the tears off his face. His mother didn’t seem overly shocked but had a contemplative look on her face. She looked down for a moment before putting on a smile.

“Did you have a talk with your father? Hm? Is that why you’re crying again?”

She walked over to him and began wiping away his face for him. Despite feeling emotionally raw, Yibo’s ears reddened with embarrassment.

“Mama, not here.” He whined and waved away her hands, knowing full well Xiao Zhan was probably laughing at him.

“And why not here? We’re all family here, aren’t we?” She asked, with her arms on her hips, a stern look in her eyes as she darted her eyes between him and Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan’s mouth dropped open as Yibo looked up at him with wide eyes. It seemed like half their work was already done here.

Yibo frowned at his mother, “How did you know? In fact, even Baba had an idea. But how?”

His mother raised an eyebrow at him, “It’s not every day my baobei shows up with a baby, holding another man’s hand, now is it?”

Yibo chuckled and nodded knowingly, as his mother continued, “Besides, a-Zhan here isn’t as sneaky as he thinks he is.”

Xiao Zhan began laughing nervously and fiddling with his earlobe, “ Ayi , what do you mean?” Yibo smirked up at his panicked expression and reached out to hold his hand.

His mother let out a mock-sigh, “ Aiyaah , the way this man’s eyes twinkle when he talks about this boy named Wang Yibo-”

“ Ayi ! No, no what do you mean I’m not-”

Yibo’s face broke out into a wide grin as he stood up, “Mama, please continue. His eyes do what now?”

Xiao Zhan yelped beside him and broke free of his hold, “No, no nothing. Ayi must have seen something wrong, you know it’s so dusty nowadays, something must be in my eyes.”

His mother laughed knowingly as Yibo nodded, “You’re right, must be something in your eyes.”

Xiao Zhan eyed him warily just when Yibo leaned in, “It must be LOVE.”

Both Yibo and his mother broke out into boisterous laughter as Xiao Zhan groaned and hid his face in his hands. Yibo could see his ears turning red and tugged teasingly at his wrists, “Aw Zhan-ge, no need to hide your love for me~”

Yibo’s father didn’t make an appearance again until late evening. Xiao Zhan and him were spending time with Yibo’s mother in the living room, her having unearthed all kinds of horrible photographs of Yibo from his childhood. Xiao Zhan was red in the face and holding his sides as he cackled at yet another issue of ‘model’ photos of a seven year old boy. Yibo grinned through the pain of having his worst childhood moments out in the open, just because seeing Xiao Zhan in a good mood did that to him.

Meihua, who had been napping upstairs in his old bedroom, decided it was time to be up. Her wails echoed down to them so Yibo bounced up from the sofa and made his way to the stairs. Just off the stairs was a corridor that led down to his parents’ bedroom and a spare room that was used as a store. 

Yibo was on the first step, heading upstairs, when his father burst out of his bedroom, frantically running.
Alarmed by his behaviour, Yibo asked, “Baba, what’s wrong?”

His father ignored him and turned wide eyes up the stairs, “What’s wrong? Why is she crying? Is she alone up there ?”

Yibo blinked at him, “Yeah, I’m going to get her, she just woke up.”

This seemed to make his father angry, “Go quickly, aiyah , why leave her alone like this? You could have used our bed downstairs too, go, go quickly.”

Yibo was nudged by his father and he continued up the stairs in a confused haze, picking his baby up who had run out of breath to cry and was just laying there observing the strange room around her.

“You like the room, baobao? It was Dada’s old room when he was a kid. I’ll bring you here again when you can walk so we can play with my old toys, eh?” Yibo grinned at her, peppering her little face with kisses that made her giggle despite her eyes being wet with tears. He cooed at her as he wiped her tears and headed back downstairs.

Surprisingly, her father was still waiting at the foot of the stairs. He looked anxious which confused Yibo further so he sent him a questioning look. 

His father ignored him and peered at the baby’s face to observe her. After a beat, he tsk-ed, “See, he made you cry for too long. Aiyoo , come here we’ll go out to the gardens.” 

Then without another word, Yibo’s father plucked the baby gently from his arms, and turned to go to the gardens through their back door. Yibo was left blinking in the wake of whatever just happened.

Not only had his daughter not cried at being taken away, Yibo’s father had initiated contact with the baby. Was this—?

“They say there’s nothing like the bond of a grandfather and a granddaughter. I’m seeing it today.” 

Yibo turned around to see his mother standing behind him, a photograph album still clutched in her hands, and Xiao Zhan a little ways behind her. His boyfriend was giving him a wondrous smile, eyes full of love and understanding, and his mother was sporting tears in her eyes yet again.

Only then did her words hit him.

Yibo choked on his words, “Grandfather? You mean—?” 

His mother laughed, looking over to the back doors that gave them a view of the gardens. Yibo could faintly make out the outline of his father, standing with his back to them and his daughter was clearly mesmerized by the view around her.

“I think,” Yibo looked back to see his mother look contemplative, “there’s a similar picture of you and your dad just like that.”

He noticed a flurry of movement and saw Xiao Zhan take out his phone, and angled it around a few times to take pictures, which brought a smile to his face.

The three stood around watching Wang Sr. holding his granddaughter for the very first time, and not a single word was needed to be said.

Going back home to Beijing was always difficult for Yibo; for the longest time his home was in Henan so leaving it felt like an arduous task. This time felt different, however, like a bittersweet note. He was leaving his parents but he was leaving with his family.

Early that morning, Yibo slipped out of bed, taking Meihua with him. Xiao Zhan was still sleeping so Yibo left him with a kiss on the cheek and went downstairs.

“Mama,” he called to his mother, who was sitting at the table with her tea and her phone, “morning.” Without waiting for her to reply, he plopped Meihua onto his mother and headed to the kitchen to forage for breakfast.

“ Aiyah ,” he heard his mother fumble with the baby and chuckled, “why is your father so shameless?”

Yibo grabbed a bowl of congee that was conveniently sitting on the stove top and headed back out to see his mother talking to Meihua who was propped up on the dining table, facing her. The baby listened with rapt attention and Yibo grinned, leaving them alone and going to the living room to eat.

The back doors were open yet again and he knew his father was in his gardens again. Shovelling his food quickly into his mouth, Yibo decided to join him.

The gardens were a relatively new addition to the house’s property, but a gorgeous one at that. His father had painstakingly planted and weeded and finessed the whole back yard into looking like an expensive garden that belonged on a magazine’s front cover.

He craned his neck to see where his father was, and found him fervently digging at a spot towards the front of the house. Still clad in his house slippers, Yibo creeped up the stone path to observe him better.

“Baba, what are you doing?”

His father grunted back without stopping his digging, “Making space for a new type of flower.”

Yibo ‘ahh-ed’ and nodded; it was silent for a bit before he felt he should ask, “What type of flower? I thought you had most flowers,” he said, looking around, then realized, “oh wait you don’t have sunflowers, right?”

His father’s little trowel hit the ground with a thud as his father heaved himself up, “No, child. Not sunflowers, they’re notoriously difficult to grow. I’m growing a batch of plum blossoms.”

Without a second word to him, his father walked past him, leaving Yibo in a daze.

After at least five minutes, he took deep gulping breaths to calm himself. Was he ever going to survive this trip home?

Surprising Yibo, had been the easiest birthday party Xiao Zhan had ever organized on his own. It was easy when he woke up to Yibo and Meihua still sleeping; it was easy to cook up a breakfast fit for a king for his dear boyfriend. It was also easy to convince Yibo to take Meihua down to the square within their apartment’s complex, which featured a park just for children. He remembered to throw in words like ‘daddy-daughter bonding’ which was enough for Yibo to put Meihua into a carrier strapped to his body, and the two were off.

It was only late afternoon, so Xiao Zhan quickly cleaned up and texted Xuan Lu for the all-clear.

Giggling to himself, he realized it was quite devilish of him to surprise both parties: Yibo for his birthday and their former cast members with the news of their baby.

Everyone came dressed in green; Xiao Zhan himself put on a green and black jumpsuit, buckled with a belt around his waist, and the rest of their friends showed up similarly. Xuan Lu had guaranteed the attendance of several members, and indeed their modest apartment was now brimming with the cast of Chen Qing Ling. 

Downstairs, Yibo was having the best time of his life, watching Meihua just experience everything. She watched the other children play without even blinking, and observed the flowers around her in the garden. Once or twice, a butterfly hovered around her and Yibo instinctively shielded her just as she reached out to grab it. He chuckled at her open curiosity and promised himself to bring her here again.

“You like the park, huh?” He whispered to her, getting a slobbery fist to the face in return. Yibo tickled her neck with his lips, and in seconds she was laughing deeply with her gut, making him laugh in return.

Soon enough, he noticed the stares he was getting. Yibo instinctively adjusted his black face mask, and turned Meihua further into his jacket so her face wouldn’t show. He knew the stares he was getting were probably not of recognition but of intrigue. He thought he heard a group of women whispering about him and giggling and decided that was enough public interaction for the day.

Hefting his baby further up, Yibo took long strides back to their apartment building. He took the time to bounce Meihua in his grip, enjoying her little laughs and giggles. Just as he was keying in the code to the apartment, he thought he heard someone squeak inside.

Frowning, he let himself in, taking note of the fact that the lights were off. 

“Zhan-ge,” he began calling out when suddenly all the lights came on and what he felt were a hundred people flooded his vision shouting something at him.

Yibo felt the frisson of fear shoot up his spine as he froze in his tracks, holding Meihua really tight. A few seconds later, when the haze of fear lightened, he noticed familiar faces, and that they’d all shouted ‘happy birthday’.

Realization flooded him as his eyes sought out Xiao Zhan who was standing near the kitchen entrance, laughing to himself and likely taking pictures on his phone.

Yibo grinned at him, widening his eyes to throw him a warning look as everyone cheered. Xuan Lu was there as were Haikuan-ge, Yubin, Zhuocheng, and Ji Li. In the frenzied moment of it all, he’d completely forgotten about the fact that there was a baby strapped to his front and that she’d begun crying. 

Wailing, in fact, as Xiao Zhan flung his phone onto the sofa and ran for her.

“Oh shit, shit, shit I completely forgot that you’d freak out, baobei , oh shit—” Xiao Zhan’s hands fumbled with the straps of the carrier and Yibo butted in to help. Soon, the baby was free of her reins and snuggled deep into her Papa’s embrace, crying her heart out. 

To Yibo’s amusement, she turned to glare at the party of their friends in accusation through her tears before turning back into her Papa’s chest and continued crying.

Cackling to himself, Yibo removed his jacket and the remnants of the carrier, discarding them somewhere near the laundry room. Xuan Lu and Wang Zhuocheng stood with their eyes as round as saucers, surveying Xiao Zhan bouncing their baby to calm her down.

Ji Li and Yubin, who were already holding beer bottles, cheered each other and talked about winning some bet he had no idea about.

Haikuan was the only one who had enough brain cells left to ask, “Is this your baby, guys?” His usual calm tone that was tinged with polite curiosity made Yibo and Xiao Zhan finally lose it. They laughed until their guts hurt, with Yibo sporting tears in his eyes as Xiao Zhan admitted that it was, indeed, their baby.

Xiao Zhan controlled his laughter and admitted to them, “I wanted to surprise both of you. Yibo, for his birthday, and you all with the baby.” 

At that, Yibo felt a shot of affection for the man. In two long steps, he’d reached Xiao Zhan and pulled him in for a long kiss. He was grateful for the man to be in his life, and the only added charm was the baby who came with him. Unfortunately, she didn’t enjoy being squished in between her parents and squawked in offence. Yibo grinned into their kiss just as Xiao Zhan laid one last kiss on his lips and pulled away with a gasp. He was proud to note he’d made his boyfriend breathless.

The whole scene was, of course, witnessed by their friends who made loud, rude noises at being subjected to PDA, all of which Yibo was more than happy to flip them off for.

The day went on like that; their small party continued their celebrations late into the evening, with Meihua only managing to be friends with her Aunty Lulu and no one else, because she clearly didn’t trust the rest to be quiet around her.

Once everyone had enough wine and finger food in them to settle down around the cozy living room, Haikuan was the one who asked them, “So, how did everything come about?”

Xiao Zhan had made his place right next to Yibo on the sofa, snuggling back into the man’s chest, with his arms around his waist.

After a beat, he looked back at Yibo and shrugged at their friends, “It just kind of fell into place.”

He felt Yibo’s lips trace his temple and sighed, “It started off horribly, but it ended well, I think. So far, at least.”

There were eyes on them still so Xiao Zhan felt the need to clarify that Meihua was biologically his niece, but was soon going to be adopted by him. This piece of information seemed to gobsmack everyone except for himself and Yibo.

“Wow,” Ji Li remarked, “so it’s actually real for you guys.”

Xiao Zhan threw him a beatific smile as he felt Yibo’s arms tighten around him, “Yeah, it is.”

That night, after making sure Meihua was sound asleep in their room, Yibo had cornered Xiao Zhan into his office and thanked him thoroughly, secretly grateful for the thick walls of the office room, for all the noises Xiao Zhan made well into the night.

Of course, life had its ups and downs; Xiao Zhan remembered well how his grandfather used to tell him stories of fantasy lands far far away, where trouble would brew in every kingdom now and then. One time, instead of listening to the whole story, a seven year old Xiao Zhan had frustratedly asked his grandfather, “Why do bad things always happen in these kingdoms?”

His grandfather had serenely smiled at him, and leaned back in his creaky chair, “Because, a-Zhan, that is life. Life is full of ups and downs, just like the hills you see around in Chongqing. Sometimes you go up and you feel happy, but sometimes you go down and you feel sad. But a-Zhan, always remember one thing,” here his grandfather had leaned in, piquing his curiosity, “life will always find its way back up. Don’t ever doubt that.”

The seven year-old boy had nodded politely but hadn’t understood a thing. Later, when he’d asked his mother about it, she had flashed him an overwhelmed smile and remarked that his grandfather would say anything due to his old age.

Now though, Xiao Zhan understood every word.

Even as his heart thundered in residual terror and even as he clutched his family in his arms, he felt the caress of his grandfather’s advice.

Life will find its way back up.

Chapter Text

That day started off pretty sane and normal for Xiao Zhan; he stretched his arms into his pillow, reaching a hand out to trace Yibo’s back as he slept facing away. The man barely budged from his fetal position so Xiao Zhan rolled out of bed and headed for Meihua’s crib.

As he’d expected, he found her bright and awake, playing with her feet as she babbled lightly to the little plastic animals on her baby mobile.

Xiao Zhan smiled down at her, taking in her perfect gummy smile, and leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Morning, baby.” He whispered to her, laughing as her persistent little fingers grabbed onto his nose and cheeks. He dropped little butterfly kisses onto her fingers and detangled himself from her surprisingly strong grip.

Easing her out of the crib, he murmured to her, “Go wake Dada up.”

On the bed, Yibo had sprawled onto his back, blankets up to his chest, still snoring. 

Without much ceremony, Xiao Zhan plopped a squirming baby on top of Yibo’s chest and left for the bathroom with a kiss on his forehead.

He heard Yibo murmuring to their baby as he brushed his teeth and came out to see Meihua sitting safely in the circle of Yibo, who had gone back to sleep. Xiao Zhan snorted and went to prepare Meihua’s bottle.

When he made it back to the bedroom to give his daughter the bottle, he saw Yibo prop her up against his raised legs, her bum on his belly.

Meihua wiggled around, throwing lethal kicks to her Dada’s face with her legs, giggling whenever Yibo made mock-wounded noises. Xiao Zhan stopped in the doorway, and watched them play for a bit. He smiled at the sight they made, against the pure, unfiltered light streaming through the thin curtains, and the slight chill of the morning still hanging over them.

Finally, the moment broke when Yibo spotted him. “Hey look, Papa’s got your milk.” He picked Meihua up off him and heaved himself out of bed. Xiao Zhan greeted him with a smile as he passed by, to which Yibo pressed a dry kiss to his cheek. 

The whole thing had Xiao Zhan sighing in contentment, head already shaking at how life had taken such a turn for him. He fed Meihua the bottle after he tucked her against his arm, watching her bright eyes dart across the shapes the morning light made over the ceiling. 

He fondly shook her bottle to remind her to keep sucking, such a curious bug his little baby was. She was easily distracted by everything shiny and noisy or even remotely interesting. Xiao Zhan wondered if these were the musings of every parent: my daughter is the most creative, the most observant, they’d all probably said at any point.

By the time the last dregs of milk were finished off by Meihua, Yibo was done in the bathroom, coming out with a towel draped across his shoulder.

“What’s the plan for today?” His voice was raspy in the mornings, and eyes slightly swollen with sleep, yet he was still the most beautiful person Xiao Zhan had ever seen.

He smiled at him, “I think we can have a chill day today, eh Meihua?” He sat the baby up on his lap and gently thumped her back to burp her. But Meihua had plans; she inched her arms over to her Dada standing next to the bed, eager to get up and be in his arms as was her favourite position to be in, whenever he was home.

Xiao Zhan wondered with a chuckle, if that was the one thing that tied Dada and Meihua together in a bond that didn’t need to be biological: their clinginess. 

Yibo hummed, “A chill day. So that means after breakfast I’ll take her down to the park with my skateboard.”

Xiao Zhan nodded his acquiescence with a smile aimed at his boyfriend; lately it was Yibo’s favourite task to take Meihua down to the small park in their complex. It hosted a small driveway-like lane for bicycle enthusiasts that Yibo loved to scale over several times with his skateboard. Meihua would be parked carefully to the side in her pram and in complete view and reach of Yibo. Later, when he would tire of doing tricks on the board, he’d wheel Meihua’s pram over to the small garden in the middle, with its butterflies and flowers and birds chirping in the tree that overwhelmed the baby’s senses.

It was, as Yibo said, more interesting to watch Meihua’s reactions to the world around her, rather than the small garden itself.

“Okay, that’s good,” Xiao Zhan said, easing Meihua up over his shoulder as she’d burped, “that gives me time to straighten the house a little and get some work done.”

Yibo scrunched his nose adorably at him, “Work, ugh,” he gave a mock-shudder, “why work when you can play?” The light shone in his eyes and glinted off, giving him a particularly naughty look as he winked teasingly at Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan made a face at him but then laughed as Yibo leaned in to press kisses to his mouth, minty and breathless. 

They pulled away and Xiao Zhan led them out of the bedroom to their small table. He left Meihua in her baby playard (given to her by her amazing Auntie Lulu who was horrified to note that she had a niece she could’ve been spoiling all this time) on the living room floor with some of her toys, that made noises and lit up much to the delight of the baby.

Yibo slumped on the chair at the table, phone in his hand as he scrolled through some of the messages he received that morning. Xiao Zhan took his time plating up their breakfast, and brought it to the table, it being peaceful and quiet as they dug in.

The couple had only just made it halfway through breakfast when a faraway jingle interrupted them. Yibo looked up from his phone in confusion even as Meihua chirped in the background. Xiao Zhan instantly recognized the sound as his FaceTime call on his computer. He frowned, “Who’s calling at this time?”

Yibo inclined his head, “Go take it, could be important.”

With hurried steps, Xiao Zhan walked to the office room. It was the lawyer, that one on jiejie’s case. Despite himself, Xiao Zhan felt the bottom of his stomach cave through. Her calls never meant a good thing.

“Hey, good morning.” He sent her a curt nod, voice tight with tension. She sent him back a greeting with a grim smile.

“Xiao-laoshi, I’m really sorry to disturb your morning, but I wasn’t sure when else to contact you.”

He shook his head and relaxed minutely, “Not your fault. I’m free and at home right now if that’s what you were asking. Is, uh, is everything okay?” He almost didn’t want to know why she’d called. There was something so fragile about the morning he’d just had, he didn't want it to shatter with the weight of something he couldn’t handle.

On the grainy video, the lawyer laughed albeit nervously, “Oh everything’s fine. Just wondering about you and Meihua doing well.” 

Then before Xiao Zhan could nod and update her, she continued, “Well, actually, there’s an update I wanted to share.”

There it was, Xiao Zhan held his breath; this couldn’t be good. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Yibo standing at the door of the office, out of frame but listening in. Somehow his presence eased something inside Xiao Zhan. Of course, he wasn’t alone in this. He wasn’t Meihua’s only parent, there was someone who could share his burdens, whatever they may be.

Without moving his gaze from the video, he reached a hand out of shot towards Yibo, who stepped forward and clasped it firmly.

The warm weight of his hand against Xiao Zhan’s own, made him ask, “What is it?”

“The investigator who’s working on Junhui’s case said the suspect was last spotted in Shanghai, which I informed you of last month.” Her voice was now crisp and professional, nothing like the gentle questioning from earlier and Xiao Zhan was almost grateful for it. He nodded at her to keep going.

“I have been informed that since then the suspect has fled from Shanghai, now in the vicinity of Beijing.” Xiao Zhan felt Yibo’s grip on his hand become tighter even as his gut swooped in fear.

“We have no reason to believe he’s after Meihua, but we’re also not ruling it out. I suggest you tighten your security measures and keep everyone informed at all times wherever you go.”

Xiao Zhan let out a shaky breath, “So you mean he could come to us? Come for Meihua?”

The lawyer maintained a plain expression, from what he could make out of her on the video, but then shook her head, “We don’t know whether he’s aware of Meihua’s custody or what Meihua even looks like. We don’t believe he’s coming for her but we’re also not ruling out the possibility.”

He shook his head in frustration; that told him practically nothing.

Yibo’s grip on his hand pulsed twice, warning him off. 

Xiao Zhan calmed himself down, “Okay, we’ll keep on the lookout for anything weird. I already had- Yibo actually had our security tightened, it’s the best we have for Meihua right now. We barely go out as it is and Meihua is always with either of us at all times.” He carefully left out the part where Yibo was now a part of his life just as much as Meihua and was living with them. They didn’t need to know that but from the relieved smile she gave him, he wagered she had an inkling.

“That’s good, Xiao-laoshi. I’ll keep you updated on everything as soon as I hear more from the police. We believe he’ll be caught soon if he’s in Beijing.”

With a few more words exchanged, the call ended. Xiao Zhan whooshed out his breath and held his hands over his face as he bent over in his swivel chair. He felt more than saw Yibo join him on the floor in front of him, bending to look at his face. He wanted to hide away from it all, the horror of it, the sadness he felt, the helplessness that encountered him.

Large hands rubbed comfortingly up and down the length of his thighs. It made him nearly sob with the tenderness of it. Moving his hands aside, he gazed down at the loving expression on Yibo’s face.

He was the best, he was honestly the absolute best.

Xiao Zhan leaned down and touched his forehead against Yibo’s. “Thank you.”

Yibo made an inquisitive sound. Xiao Zhan shook his head against him, never breaking the contact or opening his eyes, “Thank you for being here for us.”

Yibo tsked, reaching up to caress Xiao Zhan’s cheek with a long-fingered hand. “None of that now. Why are you thanking me when it’s my job to be doing this?”

This made Xiao Zhan crack a smile, “A job to you, is it? Is that all we are?” He opened his eyes to throw him a teasing look, the moment lifting as Yibo grinned back.

“Oh actually,” Yibo made a mock-thoughtful expression, “I suppose it’s because I love you both as well.”

Despite the teasing nature of the moment, Xiao Zhan smiled through his tears, “And we’re lucky to have you in our lives.”

Yibo’s expression sobered up again as Xiao Zhan’s tears began falling. “ Baobao ,” he whispered in an agonized voice at the sight of tears on his face, and pulled him into his arms.

Xiao Zhan clung to Yibo with both arms around his neck, tucking his nose in the loose collar of Yibo’s T-shirt, taking in his scent to comfort himself. All the while, Yibo’s hands roamed the expanse of his back gently, tracing the line of his tense posture as if he wanted to physically take his stress away.

It made Xiao Zhan finally smile and pull away. He was being so silly.

Wiping his eyes, he laughed at himself, “ Aiyah , why did I ruin such a nice morning with my crying?”

“Xiao-laoshi looks beautiful even when he’s crying.” Yibo parrotted almost instantly. 

There it was. He shoved at the cackling man and got up out of his chair. They’d left Meihua out here for far too long, but as he re-entered the living room area, he spotted that she’d not even moved from her place. There she sat, gnawing furiously on her donkey plushie, a gag gift from Yibo who thought it’d be hilarious for her to have a Li’l Apple doll, staring dead into the sun from the balcony windows.

Xiao Zhan snorted at her fixation just as Yibo followed him out, swatting his hand away from his butt. He threw his boyfriend a warning look, even as he appreciated the man’s interest. It’d been months now they began dating, but with a baby to look after and their harrowing schedule to keep up with, the two hadn’t had any chance to be alone on their own.

Maybe they could visit Chongqing, and drop Meihua off for a day as they explored Xiao Zhan’s hometown. And maybe, just maybe, Xiao Zhan thought, they could book a lovely suite just for the two of them. Sleep in the same bed without a baby in a crib somewhere.

Xiao Zhan felt his traitorous cheeks heat up at the thought and loudly called over to Yibo, “Okay I think it’s time you take her out. Look at her, she’s so desperate.” He laughed as Yibo leaned out of the laundry room to take her expression in, with a grin.

“Okay, let me get ready. Then the two of us will be out of your hair for a while.” Yibo threw back at him with a pointed expression.

Xiao Zhan rolled his eyes and grinned at him, “I miss you both already,” and laughed as Yibo made a face at him, before leaving to get changed. 

Xiao Zhan giggled, feeling a little silly as he checked on Meihua’s jacket and then double-checked Yibo’s mask and beanie. He felt as if he was sending his two kids off to kindergarten and dodged a kick from Yibo when he voiced it. Before they left with Yibo hefting Meihua’s pram in one hand and the baby in the other, he pulled Yibo’s mask down, planting a short but sweet kiss on his lips. Moving aside, he dropped a kiss on the baby’s cheek as well.

“Alright, you both can go now.” He said, fixing Yibo’s mask but ignored his tell-tale smirk.

Getting into the groove of his work was simple. He felt assured that Meihua was with Yibo and that the both of them were safe inside the limits of their complex. Tidying up the worst of the mess in the bedroom and other rooms, Xiao Zhan sat down at his office computer, quickly rifling through all the tasks his manager had set for him. Scripts, events planned, new endorsement deals, and song offers.

He grinned as he answered Yixing’s texts about the man wanting to write a song for him. Xiao Zhan would’ve been honoured, his inner Exo-l jumping out at the opportunity to sing something written by an EXO member, but his priorities lay in acting at the moment.

He knew Yibo would love to snag up a song written by Yixing, however, and let the man know of the possibility. Just for good measure, he sent over Meihua’s latest picture, her wearing her bunny onesie at the party. Xiao Zhan laughed at the dramatic response he got, and made a mental note to ask Yibo to invite the man over, once they were shifted to Shanghai.

Speaking of which, he contacted his agent and let her know of everything they’d need prepared once they arrived. With their lives being as busy as it is, Xiao Zhan knew neither of them could think of planning to furnish the house themselves. That’d be a nightmare project, even for Xiao Zhan to take on. So he’d hired the best interior designer in the city and commissioned them for a mural for Meihua’s room.

Only the best for his baby girl, of course.

Xiao Zhan groaned as he got up out of his chair, a good hour later as he finished off his work. Checking the time, he noted there was still enough left before he started lunch so he grabbed his script for Ace Troops, hoping to memorize more of his lines for next week’s shoot. His slippers squeaked against the kitchen tiles as he took his tumbler of green tea out and headed for the living room sofa. Something in him made him stop and head over to the balcony.

Crisp autumnal air greeted him as he slid the doors open, stepping out shivering slightly in his short-sleeved T-shirt. He took a deep breath of the clear, fresh air, a rarity for a city like Beijing.

Xiao Zhan chanced a look down, and with delight noted that the balcony gave a perfect view of the small garden that Yibo and Meihua liked to frequent. It was mostly empty save for the two of them, which was expected since most residents had left for work and the few stragglers here and there were mostly maintenance workers, going over the park to comb out any trash.

Currently, the two were in the middle of the garden, with Meihua’s pram cushioned on the soft grass and Yibo on the concrete path with his skateboard, attempting a new trick over and over to achieve perfection.

He felt dizzy with love for a moment as he watched them. Yibo with his concentrated face as he did the trick repeatedly, glancing up now and then to keep an eye on the baby. Meihua was far too preoccupied with everything else to even look at her father’s tricks. The baby was leaning out of her pram, arms hanging loosely over the safety arm, legs bouncing about as soon as she spotted a butterfly.

He grinned at the two of them, but then turned back to the house when he heard a chime from his phone.

Figuring it was Yixing, he dropped his script on the sofa to free up a hand for his phone. But it wasn’t him.

Xiao Zhan frowned as he read the message and dreadfully studied the picture attached to it.

Sorry to disturb you on your day off, Mr. Xiao. Your lawyer must have informed you of our new findings. Please be on the lookout for the suspect. I’m attaching a picture. Please stay safe and call me for any emergency.

It was from the detective who was handling jiejie’s case. It was mostly a closed case but the police still needed to question the man to rule out any suspicions. Staring down into his eyes, Xiao Zhan felt a wave of revulsion.

This was the lowlife who’d left jiejie pregnant on her own, to give birth alone, and then Meihua, a helpless newborn all out in this world without a father.

He clamped down a wave of emotion; it was all for the better now. Meihua finally had parents who loved her completely, who would always make sure she had nothing to want for, whether it be love, attention or material.

Convincing himself of this was easy, but Xiao Zhan still felt restless to go back to work now, so he took up his cold brew green tea and went back out to the balcony, to watch Yibo and Meihua play around.

Xiao Zhan took a few sips from his tumbler and absently played with his phone, watching Yibo stumble and nearly land on his knee. He cursed under his breath and then relaxed as Yibo balanced himself out. Xiao Zhan laughed at himself; no wonder he could barely watch Yibo’s motorcycle races. The slightest hitch in a move would prove disastrous and he doesn’t want to think about what that could possibly mean.

Xiao Zhan swallowed a few more sips and watched as Yibo finally abandoned his skateboard to pull Meihua out of her pram. He grinned as Yibo took selfies with the baby, eventually putting his phone away to bounce her up into the air. The wind carried their giggles and whoops from down there and if Xiao Zhan could bottle that bliss up, he would.

Xiao Zhan was swirling his green tea when he noticed it.

A man on the northern edge of the garden, just standing there and staring. Staring at Yibo and Meihua. Staring at his family, but not moving an inch.

It was almost like he was transfixed on them. Xiao Zhan stopped breathing for a moment.

The man looked inconspicuous enough: black pants and a black jacket over a buttoned shirt, a grey cap stuffed onto his head. His posture seemed loose but his hands were twitching from where Xiao Zhan could see. 

He immediately began hyperventilating reaching into his pocket for his phone, not taking his eyes off the man. Xiao Zhan could make out his features clearly so he held up the picture the detective had sent not even ten minutes ago.

His stomach plummeted to the depths of his body; it definitely could be him but Xiao Zhan was so far up he had no way of confirming it. If he went down now, that would mean taking his eyes off his family and who knew what that man would attempt in so much time.

Xiao Zhan’s fingers trembled as he quickly dialled Yibo.

“Hey baby,” his boyfriend’s voice began but Xiao Zhan cut him off, “At your 6 o’clock, Yibo, check him, who is he ?”

“What,” there was a crackling sound as Yibo handled his phone with one hand and reached for Meihua’s pram with his other. Xiao Zhan watched as Yibo swivelled around to face the man, who was now but a couple of yards away from them.

“Shit.” He heard Yibo mutter and watched as his boyfriend pulled Meihua out of her pram, clutching her in his arms and backing away.

Xiao Zhan echoed Yibo’s curse as the man took a step forward. He felt the rising panic as he dropped his tumbler on the balcony floor, not caring to hear as it cracked open. With shaky limbs, he stuffed his feet clumsily into his shoes, grabbing something out of his drawer that he usually kept locked, and dialled the detective with his other.

The whole way down was a mix of panic and adrenaline, his limbs moving on autopilot as he took the stairs down. He dictated the whole thing to the detective on-call who assured them that the nearest unit had been dispatched and would likely be there in five minutes.

Five minutes was too long, was something Xiao Zhan refrained from screaming at her. Five minutes and it could all be over. His family could be gone.

Ignoring the door attendant’s panicked cry, he burst out of his building in his ratty sleep clothes, not caring a bit that his face wasn’t covered up.

There were questions racing through his mind: how did this man get here? How was he able to infiltrate their complex? Did the security fail them? 

And the most important: what was that man going to do to Yibo and Meihua?

His legs pumped as he ran towards the garden, glimpsing a view of Yibo’s back to him as he held onto Meihua, slowly backing away from the man who was now edging over to them.

In a flurry of movement, he reached his family and firmly shoved a startled Yibo back behind him, aiming the small device in his right hand at the man.

“Don’t come any closer or I swear I’ll deploy it.” Xiao Zhan shouted at the man, heaving and panting as he pushed Yibo and Meihua behind him further with his left hand.

“Xiao Zhan—” Yibo gasped behind him but he paid him no mind.

The taser was still aimed at the man, though he was too far away for it to do any damage.

He was shaking terribly, he could feel that. Yibo’s hand was now clamped on his shoulder and he could feel his warmth through the thin T-shirt he wore.

“Why are you here?” Xiao Zhan demanded, watching as something other than that creepy, blank stare took over his face. The man’s face showed naked fear as he began shaking his head.

“No, listen I just—”

“You just what, huh? Thought you could come here and take her? Hurt my family?” Xiao Zhan took a menacing step forward, relishing the way the shorter man flinched away from him, his arm up as if he was bracing for an attack.

“Xiao Zhan, calm down.” Yibo’s voice filtered through the angry buzz in his mind. “ Baobao ,” he whispered into Xiao Zhan’s ear, “we’re okay, we’re unhurt. Put it down.” Yibo rubbed his shoulder comfortingly just as Xiao Zhan heard the sirens.

The police were here.

And just like that all his strings were cut. Xiao Zhan’s limbs felt like jelly as his arm dropped and his knees nearly buckled. Two police officers ran towards the man and forced him onto the ground.

Yibo caught him with an arm around his shoulders just as a woman in a professional suit came bounding up to them. She had her gun drawn and quickly stuffed it back into her holster, watching the officers cuff the man and stuff him into a police car.

Xiao Zhan was barely aware of his own senses but saw her nod towards, “Xiao-laoshi, it was good of you to contact me directly. He’s going to be in Beijing custody but we’ll transfer him over to Shanghai police. Thank you for helping us out.”

But Xiao Zhan couldn’t respond. His tongue felt heavy in his mouth even as his limbs shook.

Yibo grasped his shoulder harder, and Meihua, his sweet Meihua didn’t make one sound. She looked inquisitive at all the people around her suddenly, feeling safe in her Dada’s arms.

“Oh no,” murmured the detective, “let’s get him inside.” She was probably talking about him, he figured, as Yibo steered him back towards the building. He felt fingers pry away the taser from his hand, which he willingly let go of.

He nearly attacked that man back there. He nearly lost his family. He nearly lost this whole dream he spent months building. Xiao Zhan shuddered with residual fear and adrenaline. He could feel the slump taking over and wondered how Yibo was able to handle it so easily.

Yibo felt like he could run a marathon with how jittery he was; he deposited Meihua’s playard in their bedroom, leaving her there with some of her toys but not before divesting her of her tight outdoors jacket and hat. He passed a loving hand over hair, marveling at its softness and the warmth of her skin. He swallowed his fear; it was over now, the worst of it. What shocked him the most was Xiao Zhan’s reaction. He’d behaved like a cornered animal, like he’d do anything to protect him and Meihua.

And while his heart only grew with love, it also rattled him how carelessly Xiao Zhan would behave in the face of fear. Throwing himself like that in front of them was a stupid move. Yibo had been dead set on backing away slowly to their building where he would’ve signalled their doorman, who was always on duty.

That phone call from Xiao Zhan had warned him well, even though the panic in his voice had chilled Yibo to the bone. He’d worked quickly to grab Meihua’s pram close to him but the situation clearly called for him to grab her and run. And so he did. Or at least, he tried until his boyfriend nearly barreled into him, wielding a taser with a manic expression.

Yibo had been torn between wanting to keep Meihua safe behind Xiao Zhan and himself or tackling Xiao Zhan and putting himself forward to keep him safe.

He’d warred with the two sides until he’d heard the police sirens coming closer. And then it was all over.

The nightmare that had interrupted their peaceful morning was nearly dealt with. It was the aftermath that was terrible to experience. Yibo knew that.

He had Xiao Zhan sitting on the living room sofa and watched with muted concern as the man folded himself over into his hands, much like he’d done earlier. Yibo knew it was his way of hiding from the world, of hiding his pain and not being too unbearable for others.

But Yibo wanted Xiao Zhan to be open with him, to share his pain with him.

“ Baobei ,” he whispered to him, hoping to get some reaction. He didn’t.

The detective had stationed two police officers at their entrance which he appreciated, but he knew they’d be back later to take Xiao Zhan and his statements.

Another harrowing ordeal to go through, to watch Xiao Zhan give his statement, having to go over every minute detail of the way he must’ve felt so helpless.

On the sofa, Xiao Zhan made a low sound that seemed wrenched out of him.

“Yibo,” he finally voiced out, the sound raw and punched. Without a word, Yibo reached for him. The apartment was empty for now, and with the main door firmly shut and guarded and Meihua safe in their bedroom, Yibo decided they could let down their guard.

Moving to the sofa, he swiftly pulled Xiao Zhan, long limbs and all, onto his lap, where the man wrapped himself tightly around Yibo, like he was scared he’d run away.

“I’m here, I’m okay, we’re okay.” He repeated over and over to his boyfriend, running his hands up and down his back, placing tender kisses on his hair.

In his arms, Xiao Zhan made another low sound, “Meihua?”

“She’s fine, baobao , absolutely fine, just busy playing with her toys,” Yibo rushed to assure, keeping his voice gentle like he was dealing with a spooked animal.

And he surmised, that was exactly the way Xiao Zhan was acting. Like he’d been cornered into a cage, like he’d been tested to his extremes.

But it was over. And that was what Yibo kept repeating to him, until they were interrupted by two unhurried knocks on the main door.

Yibo quickly pulled Xiao Zhan away, who wasn’t teary-eyed anymore but still looked dazed, as if he’d woken up from a bad dream just now. He let the man arrange himself on the sofa as he got up to answer the door. It was the detective again.

“So sorry to bother you so soon. But I’ll need statements.” She looked apologetic, which Yibo appreciated. This wasn’t an easy situation for anyone.

Yibo nodded curtly at her and returned to the sofa, where Xiao Zhan looked slightly better, there was more colour to his cheeks and the lost look in his eyes had been replaced by something lighter and softer. Something more like Zhan-ge, Yibo thought.

Yibo gave his first, and then Xiao Zhan began his own, much more detailed than Yibo’s. He listened with a heavy heart as Xiao Zhan retold the whole thing, stark and horrifying as it was from his side. Halfway through he wavered; his strong, beautiful boyfriend faltered. Without much thought, Yibo reached out to clasp his hand, only then realizing how stupid that move was. He flinched away from the hold, as Xiao Zhan threw him a dismayed look. 

Fuck, Yibo was in a tough position here.

But of course, nothing could move past the observant detective. She gave him a look which reminded him a lot of his mother.

“Don’t worry, Yibo-laoshi. I’ve worked with many families in my time in the police force. I’ve met all kinds of people.” At that, she paused and gave him a pointed look.

Oh, she knows. Yibo gulped at that thought; her knowing wasn’t all that bad but it could affect the way she handled Meihua’s case. What if she deemed them unfit to be parents just because they were together and in love?

“So,” she continued, oblivious to his internal panic, “I wouldn’t mind at all, if any of my victim’s families needed support during statement-giving. Even from spouses .”

Her emphasis on the word lifted Yibo’s heart. He felt elated as he smiled gratefully at her, slipping Xiao Zhan’s hand back into his own, this time intertwining their fingers. His heart thumped loudly in his chest.
I’m here for you, Zhan-ge , it said. I’ll always be here.

Life moved on for them. All around them everyone went back to their work and their lives and routines like nothing had transpired. Meihua didn’t act any different, either, which along with their grueling schedules helped push the two back to their normal lives.

Xiao Zhan felt silly after it all; how he’d worried and panicked and gone into an absolute daze. He’d reacted far too much over something that had an easy fix. The fear was still present at times but nothing was soothing like the balm of being around loved ones.

His mother had been the first who had found out; she’d threatened them both with traditional Chinese medicine if they didn’t take care of themselves. Yibo had laughed like she’d been joking but Xiao Zhan knew the post was already on its way.

Xuan Lu had re-entered his daily life with much gusto, hell-bent on becoming the best Auntie, Meihua had ever had. 

Xiao Zhan had grinned at them when they came back from their little date with matching shirts. Only Yibo had grunted at her and taken Meihua away, muttering something about “hogging his poor baby.” It had made Xuan Lu giggle uncontrollably but Xiao Zhan had only shaken his head at his boyfriend. The jealous idiot.

The incident had sparked a greater fervor towards their move to Shanghai. Xiao Zhan spurred on the designers and renovators, adamant on bringing Yibo and Meihua there as soon as he could. He didn’t care if his Beijing apartment’s lease was up or not; he knew he’d be travelling enough in the near future to make enough use of it. He just needed to get his family away from there.

The joyful echoes of Meihua’s laughter and Yibo’s excited whooping was worth it all. 

“Zhan-ge,” Yibo gasped, his grin full and wide on his face, as he danced his feet over the dark tiles of the bathroom floor. “These are heated !”

Xiao Zhan giggled and nodded, “I knew you would enjoy this the most, Mr. I-can’t-stand-cold-feet Wang.”

Yibo went as far as to sit down on the heated floor, rubbing his butt back and forth like a gleeful puppy. Meihua, on the other hand, was out in the corridor, in her pram, shrieking at the lights all around her as they bounced off the gleaming new tiles. Everything was shiny and new to her and Xiao Zhan was relieved to see she was taking in her new surroundings well. This would be her new home and her future after all.

Later, that day, when all the renovators and estate agents had left them well alone, Xiao Zhan had set up a small corner in their huge house, stuffed it up with pillows and sheets and let Meihua roll around in it as Yibo ordered them takeout.

It was the sweetest sort of bliss he’d experienced in a long time. Tucked into the suburbs of Shanghai, their baby shielded from prying eyes, the two men had their dinner sitting on the floor, facing each other. Xiao Zhan smiled when he thought about how this was kind of their first sitting-down date, in their new home, with their daughter.

Wang Yibo couldn’t believe his luck, or rather the way Fate brought Xiao Zhan back into his life, one Sunday. And along came all the feelings he’d repressed, all the happiness he’d thought to be one-sided, all the love he’d missed out on. And a beautiful baby who was most definitely the best daughter in the entire world, not that he was biased or anything.

Xiao Zhan had been there for him as much as Yibo had been for him. He truly felt the way they both were in an equal partnership. A partnership that was absolute bliss, Yibo mused.

They settled into their new home with assured vigour; their careers were just as busy but they knew that taking out the time to be a family now and then, was really the essence of it all. Yibo’s win on Street Dance of China 3 had thrown Xiao Zhan into a frenzy, with the man preparing an entire feast for Yibo, once he returned from his race.

But Xiao Zhan had no idea the race would go terribly; so he and Meihua were rushed to Changsha, where they would meet up with a slightly injured Yibo. Xiao Zhan had been shaking uncontrollably when it happened, horrid flashbacks from that particular day coming back to him.

He hadn’t said much to his crew before going home, packing his and Meihua’s bags and taking the earliest flight.

Yibo, unsurprisingly, had been shocked to see them there. But Xiao Zhan could see the tell-tale signs of the man forcing his body through enduring pain and exhaustion. Still, Xiao Zhan had let him shoot the episode for Day Day Up, before he whisked the man away, much to the approval of Wang Han.

Their little family had spent an entire day, recuperating and tending to wounds and a damaged ego. But at the end of it all, Yibo had sunk into Xiao Zhan’s embrace without question, seeking out comfort from the one person who’d give it all to him.

But bliss it absolutely was. Yibo couldn’t remember a time he looked forward to being home. Gone were his days of lazing about the apartment, not doing much. His life now kept him busy, and Meihua even more so. But he wouldn’t trade it for the world. There was something quite comforting about a child needing him to be there for her, and he damn well was going to provide that.

Yibo grinned down at Meihua, who was busy trying to get her toes into her mouth, fighting the resistance of her sleep onesie as it prevented her from doing so. She was the best, his heart thumped, and he thought back to when Xiao Zhan had first planted this idea in his head. The idea of fatherhood.

It was far too quiet in the afternoon once he got back to the flat. The sun was beating down relentlessly on the streets and the poor people who were unfortunate enough to be out at the time. Wang Yibo was grateful for the company car’s A/C working on full capacity to chase away the heat. 

Wrestling his jacket off, he ventured further in, wondering where Xiao Zhan was. It was usually around the time of Meihua’s nap hours so he figured the man would be somewhere in the kitchen or the lounge. But he wasn’t there.

Wang Yibo quickly noticed the silence around him; the wall clock in the kitchen ticked loudly and a faint sound was heard from the bedroom.

Bingo, he thought and moved slowly with socked feet over the plush rug in the lounge towards the bedroom door.

Inching it open, he was greeted with a whoosh of crisp, cold air. Even though Meihua wasn’t Xiao Zhan’s daughter biologically, she’d definitely inherited his propensity to sweat and feel hot all the time.

She would refuse to sleep or exist anywhere that was hotter than room temperature.

Xiao Zhan was more than happy to offer his air-conditioner up for the job. But Yibo knew how the man secretly enjoyed having the air-conditioner on at all times. 

The room was also shrouded in darkness; the double window covered with the thickest curtain Xiao Zhan could find. The darkness would’ve bothered him but a few stubborn rays of sunlight had still managed to peek through, lighting the room up in a dim glow.

Smiling at the sight before him, he took a step into the room.

Off to the side, Meihua was well tucked in and asleep in her crib. Xiao Zhan, on the other hand, was sprawled carelessly across the bed, still in his jeans and shirt. Yibo snickered at the man’s blissed-out expression and relaxed posture. His Zhan-ge was obviously in his perfect heaven.

The low sound of laughter had caught Xiao Zhan’s attention who raised his head to look at Yibo.

With a lazy arm, he beckoned Yibo forward into the room. Soon, Yibo had closed the door behind him and joined Xiao Zhan on the bed. He didn’t make a move to lie down, unsure of whether he could do that.

But it seemed Xiao Zhan already had ideas. With a swift motion and a surprising amount of arm strength, he’d pulled Yibo down beside him in the same listless position he’d been in.

Yibo grinned and settled in beside Xiao Zhan; he noted the way his heart seemed to ease with the situation at hand. On his right, Meihua was fast asleep, probably dreaming of cute things babies dream of. On his left, Xiao Zhan was relaxed and quiet, which was something he knew was the man’s ultimate de-stressed form.

Yibo himself willed his body to do the same. The meeting at the cafe had taken a slight toll on his nerves; he was still uncomfortable with doing interviews alone.

It was then that he noticed what was on the ceiling. Yibo snorted with suppressed laughter.

Beside him, Xiao Zhan noticed and huffed in exasperation.

“I got nostalgic,” the man defended himself in a whisper.

“I can tell,” Yibo returned with a grin, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away from the view.

Despite there existing six years between the two, Yibo had always worked tirelessly to relate to his former co-star. At first it was under the pretense of wanting to get along with the new cast, but later it became his sole purpose. 

He was used to being seen as the young one or the baby of the group, and it never bothered him. It was only when Xiao Zhan looked at him that he suddenly wanted to be the mature one, the one his Zhan-ge could look at and see him as his equal. 

That was why Yibo had been surprised to learn that sometimes even someone like Xiao Zhan could have his childish moments. He could be unnecessarily petty and sulk in the corner. He would resort to childish gestures to benefit himself and even, on occasion, act like the young one to earn his colleagues’ sympathies.

Yibo had also discovered that the man’s occasional childishness also seeped into his hobbies. Xiao Zhan was as much of a fan of video games as him, often challenging him to one.

Wang Yibo was even more delighted to learn, in that one moment in the late afternoon, that him and his Zhan-ge also seemed to share some fond memories of childhood.

Warmth filled his chest as he smiled widely at the little glowing stars scattered across the ceiling. An image of his own childhood bedroom ceiling popped up into his mind.

“I had these too,” he admitted to Xiao Zhan. The other man hummed in answer, and all was quiet for a few minutes.

Xiao Zhan broke the silence, “I wanted her to have that too.”

Yibo smiled slightly, “You’re a good father, Zhan-ge.”

“Not a father yet.”

“Yet?” Yibo frowned, not moving his gaze from the ceiling.

“Mm. We’re only her guardians right now, Yibo. To earn that title of father, we’ll need to do so much more.”

Yibo’s heart thumped loudly in his chest. His head turned to finally face Xiao Zhan.

“We?”

Xiao Zhan didn’t look at him; he breathed deeply and blinked slowly before asking, “Want to take a nap? This air-con is too good.”

Wang Yibo huffed a laugh, despite the tightness in his chest. 

The two didn’t partake in any other conversation as Xiao Zhan settled onto his pillow and promptly fell asleep. 

Yibo stayed awake and stared at the stars for a long time before getting up and walking to Meihua's crib.

He took in her delicate features; the wisps of her baby-fine hair, her long eyelashes, her small button nose and a cherry-red pout coated in drool.

He smirked and reached down with a careful finger to wipe it off on his shirt. 

God, if someone could see me right now, he pondered.

The cool, unflappable, and careless Wang Yibo wiping drool off a baby’s mouth. 

Not just any baby though, he told himself, his baby. This was his baby. His and Zhan-ge’s baby. No one else.

Standing there, in the quiet hours of a hot afternoon, Yibo promised himself to be worthy of the title ‘father’. He wanted to be the parent that Meihua deserved.

Leaning down, he thought he should start showing her that right away. With a careful kiss pressed against her brow, he murmured, “I love you.”

Meihua kept on sleeping, but in her dreams, she was wrapped in warmth and two unbelievably bright smiles.

Standing here now, he felt he finally was worthy. Worthy of her love and adoration whenever she looked at him with a gummy smile. Worthy of the affection her other father showered them in. Worthy of this surreal life he had now. 

Yibo sighed and pressed a kiss to Meihua’s forehead, feeling the comforting warmth of her skin. Scooping her up, he began working through the motions of putting her to bed. Him and Xiao Zhan had planned to watch a movie that night, but Meihua needed to stick to her sleeping schedule. The next day Xiao Zhan would be flying out to Chongqing to see his parents, and a few days later Yibo would follow behind. There, Xiao Zhan had planned a surprise for him. He’d relentlessly teased and wheedled the man, but his boyfriend hadn’t budged. Impossible man, Yibo huffed out a laugh through his nose, ignoring Meihua’s irritated look at him.

There was an all-encompassing silence around them; only the low hum of the television buzzed around them, the hour being late and Meihua well-settled into deep slumber. 

Yibo felt the arms around him tighten and curved his lips up into a barely there smile. Xiao Zhan had wrestled him onto the sofa to watch a movie he wasn't really interested in. But still, Yibo bore the consequences of wanting to spend time with Xiao Zhan and once the man was absorbed into the scintillating plot, he’d whipped out his phone and was already browsing through his Instagram. 

Only a quarter of the way through the movie, Xiao Zhan beside him had shifted, spreading his long legs across the length of the sofa they shared, causing Yibo to scoot and adjust around the offending limbs. But when he turned around to admonish the man, he found a pair of mesmerized eyes, hooked onto the blue light of scenes emanating from the television. Yibo pursed his lips against another smile, choosing to shift and deliberately lean back against his boyfriend, hoping that would snap him out of it. 

But Yibo had clearly underestimated his opponent for Xiao Zhan had merely accepted his weight and gone as far as to wrap his warm arms around Yibo's midsection. 

Now Yibo was well versed with the fleeting touches between them but something about the act of Xiao Zhan holding him, for no other reason than to be reminded of his presence, sent something sizzling down his spine. Why was this so terribly sexy to him?

Yibo bit his lip and palmed Xiao Zhan's hands over his belly, patting them now and then and feeling the soft skin over fine bones. As moments passed, the overwhelming desire faded into assured affection. Yibo breathed in deeply and as he exhaled he let more of his body weight rest on his boyfriend. Xiao Zhan accepted it yet again. 

Yibo felt dizzy with the knowledge that Xiao Zhan could easily hold him and not complain. Xiao Zhan would let Yibo climb over him in bed and use him as his personal pillow. And the man wouldn't even notice anything amiss. Suddenly, bedtime sounded delicious to him. 

"Zhan-ge?" Yibo's voice was hoarse with disuse; the movie was almost over and he'd been so content in his boyfriend's arms that he'd barely felt the time slip away. 

"Hmm?" Xiao Zhan distractedly rubbed his cheek against Yibo's hair, reminding him of cats that often needed reassurance and comfort. 

"Sleep?" Yibo freed one of Xiao Zhan's hands from their hold on his waist, playing with the wrist then rubbing unending circles into his palm. 

Xiao Zhan made a curious noise, "If you want to rub my palm, rub the right one I might as well get some money out of it."

Yibo snorted and leaned his head back to rest on his boyfriend's shoulder, his collarbones pressing sharply into the back of Yibo's head. "Why do you need more money? I'll make all the money for you, baby."

He only meant it jokingly but he didn't expect Xiao Zhan to retaliate by leaning forward and biting his ear. All the muscles in Yibo's body spasmed as he yelped and tried to escape Xiao Zhan's grip. 

"What the hell, Zhan-ge?" He rubbed his probably reddening ear furiously. It didn't hurt terribly but the jolt had been enough to snap him out of his relaxed state. 

Behind him, Xiao Zhan sniggered relentlessly. Yibo pouted. 

He moved to get up, "I'm going to my daughter, she's better company than you."

"She falls asleep around you, how is that company?" Xiao Zhan snarked back, tilting his head to look at Yibo. 

The movie had ended just as their banter had begun, so now the screen was barely lit with colour and the darkness around them had closed in further. Despite himself, Yibo felt fear creep up his spine. He scratched his arm jerkily, feeling goosebumps arise. "Yeah okay I'm going now."

Something in his voice must have signalled Xiao Zhan, "Okay baby, you go in and I'll switch everything off behind you."

And with that Yibo fled to their room, sneaking a look at Meihua to assure her comfort before plunging head first into the duvet on their bed. 

By the time Xiao Zhan joined him in bed, he was mostly asleep; his brain ticking long enough to feel his boyfriend's presence behind him. Familiar, warm arms wrapped yet again around him and this time Yibo didn't hesitate to slowly let go. 

Xiao Zhan pressed a smile into Yibo’s neck, feeling the dead weight of the man’s body in his arms and quickly rifled through his plans for the next few days. He would drop off Meihua at his parents’ in Chongqing and arrange a few days off for Yibo.

From there on, they would enclose themselves in a luxurious honeymoon suite at a hotel and spend quality time together, as boyfriends and not necessarily as parents.

Xiao Zhan knew the surprise would be well-received by Yibo. The man had been talking about taking a vacation with him and Meihua for a long time now. Meihua would join them later on, of course, but Xiao Zhan needed her absence for two things. Quality time alone with his boyfriend, and asking a question. A question that would be accompanied with something precious in a box. Xiao Zhan felt a shiver of anticipation at that, hoping to hear the answer he knew it would be. He closed his eyes and drifted off soon after, to the lullaby of Yibo’s deep breathing and Meihua’s snuffling. 

Little did he know, an almost similar such box was encased into the lining of Yibo’s suitcase. This one, had a question his owner had to ask too. 

fin.