Chapter Text
Morning coffee would probably taste better of your dad didn’t walk out of his room, ninety-nine percent still asleep, stumbling blindly and with a slight limp. Lan Sizhui had learnt early on that this seemingly bad injury of his dad’s, seen most prominent in the great bright hours of early morning, were not in fact dangerous. The poor boy had been left horribly scarred since his parents sat him down to give him ‘the talk’, especially when his dad concluded it saying, “that’s why I have a limp in the mornings *wink*!” Baba couldn’t do much besides hissing “Wei Ying!” and lowering his head in shame as his ears glowed a tell-tale crimson.
It has been almost two years since that happened and Sizhui still remembered that day like it was yesterday, even though he really did not want to. Now despite all this he was in an especially good mood today.
“Sizhui! You seem to be in a good mood today! Anything special happening?”
But of course, his dad would be able to read him easier than any picture book.
“Nothing dad. You carry on with your day and I’ll carry on with mine, I’ll be home late today though.”
Watching his dad dramatically gasp, and sag against the wall while clutching his chest, Sizhui could do nothing but roll his eyes. Honestly his dad should be on Broadway for natural flair for the dramatics, he will never understand how he became a highly sought-after cardiologist. Actually, he did know. His dad may seem immature, but no one could come close to him in an academic debate including those regarding philosophical notions, he had witnessed his own baba be struck unable to say something, not out of choice or because of indulgence but because he couldn’t think of something to refute his husband’s point. This from his baba, a celebrated neurosurgeon in his own right. Getting back to this particular day:
“My little baby bunny, my A-Yuan, has grown up so much that he no longer needs me! He no longer wants to tell me anything! What will I ever do! Oh, woe is me!”
“Dad get off the floor. I might tell you later but before that you have to behave and leave me alone for the rest of the day first. It’s pretty important and I don’t want to mess up.”
“And what is this very important thing that you do not wish to mess up? And why can you not tell you dad about it?”
“Lan Zhan!!! Can you believe this our baby doesn’t want to tell me things anymore!”
“Wei Ying, we will respect Sizhui’s privacy if he does not wish to tell us. But I won’t’ lie, I too am curious.”
Cornered by his baba, who just returned from an early morning walk with the mail and newspaper, and by his melodramatic dad, Sizhui couldn’t help but cave into telling them.
“Baba, it’s fine I’ll tell you. I will just be with Jingyi afterschool today. We, um, have something to do that requires our utmost focus and I do not wish to be interrupted by da- either of you, but especially dad. I should be home by 8, if I’m running a bit late or end up sleeping over, I’ll let you know.”
“Jingyi? That is fine Sizhui, we would never have any qualms with you spending the afternoon with your childhood friend.”
“Yeaaa..but why were you trying to be secretive about it A-Yuan? It seems a bit sus if you asked me, but since it’s Jingyi, I’ll let it slide. Like Lan Zhan said we respect your privacy and we trust you, but you do know that you can come to us for anything right baby?”
He knows it’s serious when his dad’s face goes from his jokingly bright expression to the more subdued concern which completely takes over his face when he gets serious talking to him. What did he ever do to deserve such loving parents? He will never know, but he will be eternally grateful for it.
“Yea of course dad, I know that. I’m your son. It’s just..I’ll tell you later if I feel up to it.”
With that Sizhui decided it was time that he stopped dawdling and got out of the house before his dad got another chance to say something. He quickly grabbing the last piece of his toast, shoving it in his mouth while grabbing the warm thermos of green tea, to last him through the rest of the school day, from the kitchen counter before grabbing his backpack and wallet with his keys and slipped right out the door.
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