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If you asked anyone around cloud recesses who was the best with children they would point you in the direction of the infamous Lan Wangji. The notoriously stone-faced golden disciple of Gusu Lan, surprisingly had a knack when it came to caring for kids. Who would have guessed?
The answer being: Jiang Cheng, Jiang Wanyin maybe even more notorious, sect leader of Yunmeng Jiang and Lan Wangjis partner of nearly four years now. Jiang Cheng was one of the few parties privy to this small truth about Lan Wangji because he had seen it for himself on several occasions.
In the days of their relationship being nothing more than the occasional bump in the night, the thought of introducing one another to the kids had been unimaginable. Seeing as they had both adopted the father role in two young boys’ lives they had every intention of playing that role to the best of their abilities. And Jiang Cheng believes if there were a stand-in-father handbook it would most likely say: don’t introduce the kid to your fuckbuddy, dumbass.
Of course, their relationship evolved past that. Turning into a little something more before turning into a lot something more. Still, Jiang Cheng recalls, taking that step had required a few small pushes.
-
Waking up next to Lan Wangji was something Jiang Cheng was never going to get entirely used to. Something about the way that Wangji, despite having an inch or so on him, would cling to Jiang Cheng in a way that made him seem smaller had Jiang Cheng feeling an overwhelming urge to never let anything bad happen to the man in his arms. it was so sappy and gross and Jiang Cheng wouldn't say it out loud even if his life were on the line but it was true.
All that being said, no matter who he was waking up next to he didn't appreciate waking the sound of someone impatiently banging on his door.
He knew whatever it was had to be important to be waking him and his guest at these hours of the night so he threw on an inner robe haphazardly and answered the door. He was been met with a man he vaguely recognized, a guard who was meant to stand at the entrance and ward off unwanted guests. Said man, Li Wei, Jiang Cheng recalls his name to be, had practically run the whole way to Jiang Chengs quarters and was out of breath as he relayed the information he was sent to inform the sect leader of.
Not far from Yunmeng in Lijiang cultivators seemed to be going insane, attacking their loved ones laying waste to their own homes. It was a problem of great scale and not one the authorities in Lijiang could handle themselves, of course, they called upon the largest sect nearest to them. Jiang Cheng would on any normal occasion send a group of ten to fifteen of his best cultivators to handle the problem but this sounded serious, something he himself had not heard of so he wanted to see it first hand.
In his haste to get ready, he’d almost forgotten about Lan Wangji who had shifted to his back in his sleep. He had been spending more time in Yunmeng as of late and it was evident in the way his normally pale skin was becoming the slightest bit sunkissed. Jiang Cheng wished he had the time to admire but instead moved to wake Wangji as gently as he was capable.
“Wangj,” Jiang Cheng spoke as softly as the touch of his hand to Wangjis cheek as he brushed his fingers ever so lightly against his skin. He repeated his name again this time nudging his shoulder.
Wangji woke with an ease Jiang Cheng still found amusing, transitioning so smoothly from blissful unawareness to his usual alert self in mere seconds. They only way one would know he had even been asleep would be his mused hair and his voice that dropped an octave and became rough where it was still entangled with cobwebs of sleep.
“Wanyin, has something happened?” He asked sitting up swiftly a tint of worry in his voice.
Jiang Cheng explained the situation with haste and as expected had to restrain Wangji from instantly getting out of bed. He reminded him of his duties in the morning, that he would be needed back in Gusu. with Jiang Cheng not knowing the severity of the problem he couldn’t keep Hanguang Jun from his duties for god knows how long.
It took some convincing and reassurance in the form of skin to skin contact and silent promises to return unharmed and Wangji agreed to rest until morning and return home as planned. Jiang Cheng bid him a final goodbye before shutting the door firmly behind him and leaving Wangji sitting under the moons rays alone.
-
Wangji had fallen into a fitful sleep after that, as worry settled in the pit of his stomach. Being grown and both of importance in their own sects, he knew that they would both occasionally face dangers that the other couldn’t be there to take on with them, but that didn’t make it any easier when such dangers came up.
He lies in a bed that was all too familiar to him now without one of his soul comforts present and he began to wonder if he should just make his journey back home early just to clear his head when through the privacy screen Wangji saw the door slide open just an inch. Barely enough to see through. It had been only a few short hours since Jiang Cheng had left there was no way he was back so soon, the trek alone to Lijiang from Yunmeng was an hour or so by the fastest methods.
With an air of ease and stealth, he grabbed up bichen in a mere moment.
As he crept towards the door he was on high alert, ready to attack if need be. Having spent many nights in this same room he knew that this was very much out of the ordinary.
As he advanced on the door it suddenly slid open further to reveal a sight that was eerily familiar to Wangji in a way that both warmed and caused his heart to ache.
It was Jin Ling. His eyes were puffy as if he had just woken up or just cried - or maybe both - he was dressed in his sleep attire and it looked as though he had walked all the way from his room all by himself.
It reminded Wangji of his own son of sorts, it also reminded him how similar his and Wanyins situations were. A-Yuan also suffered from what Wangji presumed this was. Bad dreams.
With his extensive training, he was able to sheath and conceal his blade before frightening Jin Ling even further.
“Jin Ling.” He spoke moving forward to kneel in front of him, giving the boy space to step in and slide the door shut. Jin Ling seemed relieved with the darkness of the night firmly on the opposite side of the door from him, another thing he had in common with Wangjis A-yuan - scared of the dark. He was indeed sniffling on closer observation and had definitely been crying. “Is something the matter?”
“Jiujiu.” He said pitifully sniffing a few more times as tears welled up in his eyes again.
“Your Jiujiu has gone away but only-”
Wangji was cut off by Jin Ling who seemed frustrated with his little eyebrows furrowing and his cheeks tinted red in his irritation.
“A-ling knows!” he said, wipping at his eyes furiously trying to get rid of the tears. “Said bye-bye to me.”
Wangji ‘mm’d’ nodding, Jin Ling was quite different from A-Yuan. He wasn’t entirely sure how to handle the boy in front of him but he did know one thing-
“It is rude to interrupt people when they’re speaking,” He reprimanded, his voice still tender. Jin Ling looked as though he wanted to protest but Wangji didn’t give him the chance. He set Bichen down gently on the ground and used both his hands to stop Jin Lings’ smaller ones as they roughly wiped his tear-stained cheeks. Instead, wangji took the soft corner of his inner robe to do so. “Tell me what is wrong.”
Jin Ling huffed and puffed for a moment still pouting his bottom lip jutted out and his cheeks still rosy from the semi tantrum he’d been gearing up to.
“Jiujiu not here,” He mumbled.
Wangji waited for him to continue, confused. Had Jin Ling not just said he knew his uncle wasn’t here?
“You-”
“It is r-rude to interrupt others,” he said still sniffling but now he had a pleased little smile on his face and if Jin Ling had not reminded Wangji so much of his uncle he would have reprimanded him again.
“I apologize, continue please,” Wangji said bowing his head slightly. Jin Ling was thoroughly pleased with this.
“I wasn’t scared,” He insisted firmly. “Had a bad dream but I wasn’t scared at all.”
From the way he had been trembling Wangji knew this to be false but of course he humored the boy in front of him nodding.
“What does that have to do with your uncle?”
“I .. was coming to check on jiujiu to see if maybe he’d had a bad dream too,” Jin Ling nodded as he spoke, proud of the tale he was spinning. “So I came all the way here,” Jin Ling animated ‘all the way’ stretching his little arms out as far as they would go before dropping them to his side in exasperation. “‘Fore I remembered Jiujiu wasn’t home… and its dark outside yanno.”
His speech had trailed into a mumble as he mentioned his missing uncle and the darkness of the night and it clicked with Wangji that the boy in front of him was frightened of the dark, missed his uncle, and didn’t want to be alone. Jin Ling was just a bit older than A-Yuan had been when he’d ended up in Wangjis care and maybe it was for that reason or because this was Wanyins nephew but he found himself standing and offering an outstretched hand to Jin Ling.
Jin Ling was hesitant but took his hand with haste after considering his options (walking back outside all the way to his room alone or stay with hanguang jun, there was no other choice really.)
Jin Ling went without question Wangji supposed he must be getting tired again, his eyes were dropping and his steps were heavy. Wangji helped him up into the bed and helped to remove the shoes he’d put on before he’d left his room.
“What’re you doing?” Jin Ling asked curiously and for the first time since they’d spoken, he didn’t sound frustrated or scared.
“You can sleep here tonight,” Wangji said pulling back the covers for Jin Ling to climb under. The bed smelled like the soaps Jiang Cheng used and if it was overwhelmingly comforting to Wangji he hoped it could also be so to Jin Ling. “I’ll keep you safe for tonight until your uncle is back to take care of you.”
Jin Ling smiled drowsily his eyes falling completely shut as soon as he hit the pillow. He said something in his slurred half-asleep state that was hard to catch but Wangji thinks he heard ‘thank you gege’ somewhere in there. He smiled himself as he stood walking to the empty desk just a few paces from the bed.
It was moments later when Jin Ling opened his eyes, they were alight with curiosity.
“Gege,” He said before yawning. “Were you here to check on jiujiu too?”
Wangji at that moment realized that he’d never really met Jin Ling as his uncle’s partner. He’d only met him in passing as ‘Hanguang Jun’.
He pondered the question for a moment. His morals wouldn’t let him lie but wasn’t his every trip to Yunmeng to check on and be with Jiang Wanyin? He wore a tender smile as he replied walking back to Jing Ling only to sit on the edge of the bed and tuck the covers more firmly around him.
“Yes, I came to make sure your JiuJiu would be safe Jin Ling.”
Jin ling smiled again and undid Wangjis tucking work just to wrap his arms around his neck in a tight hug.
“Thank you gege.”
This time it was loud and clear. Wangji felt as though this was one of the times his voice would only fail him so he ‘mn’d’ and held Jin Ling as soft as he could before he felt the boy go limp with sleep. Finally, when he was down and asleep for the night, Wangji laid out his guqin on the empty desk not far from the bed and began playing something off the top of his head, peaceful and sweet to lull Jin Ling into an easy rest.
-
It took Jiang Cheng a whole two days to return from Lijiang and when Wangji heard the word of his arrival in Yunmeng he made his way as soon as he was able. He left A-Yuan in his brothers’ capable hands and departed early in the morning.
By the time he made his arrival it was around lunchtime. On the way to wash pots and pans Baozhai, the head cook ran into Wangji and offered to escort him to Wanyin who was dining with his nephew.
Wangji was pleased to hear he would be seeing Jin Ling, the boy had been on his mind since the night of the Lijiang incident and Wangji was worried for him.
He found the two of them on an outlook that gave one a nice view of a lotus pond. When Wangji got there Jin Ling was trying to climb the railing to get a better look and Jiang Cheng was telling him to get back to his seat so he could finish his food. The moment called forth only warm and loving thoughts but what really touched his heart was Jin Lings’ look of excitement when he recognized him.
“Gege,” He exclaimed, running as fast as his legs could take him before crashing into Wangji. “Did you come back for me and jiujiu!”
Wangji looked between Jin Ling and his uncle who looked content to watch the two interact.
“I did,” Wangji took Jin Ling to the table telling him not to speak as he ate his food. Jin Ling took to Wangji much better than he did his uncle eating his food without a peep in his spot where he should be. Wanyin watched with a raised eyebrow.
“I see you’ve met.” Wanyin with one of his most carefree smiles, the ones reserved for Jin Ling and Wangji.
Wangji hummed before finding Wanyins hand under the table. He was feeling oddly sentimental and felt the words bubble up in his chest before he could stop them.
“You’ve done well with Jin Ling, your sister would be proud,” he said hushed to avoid little ears. Wanyin paused momentarily and Wangji could see his struggle to keep his emotions in check. He knew though, that what he said was well-received when Wanyin squeezed his hand ever so lightly under the table where their fingers were entwined.
-
That had been Jin Lings subtle introduction to Wangji and Wanyin as a unit. He’d come to enjoy and anticipate Huanguang Juns visits almost as much as his uncle. Yet still some more effort was needed seeing as A-Yuan had yet to be introduced to their dynamic.
-
Jiang Cheng hated these things. Jin Guangyao, however, thought they were an integral and important part of a young boy’s life.
It was Jin Lings’ birthday. Well not really it was his birthday party, his date of birth had been a small occasion at Lotus pier between Jin Ling and himself. Jiang Cheng would have been fine if that were it but Guangyao had all but insisted.
Now all of Carp tower was full of important sect leaders, cultivators, and - Jiang Chengs least favorite - kids. Don’t get him wrong, he was good with kids, when he was close to them it came naturally. When he was younger his mother always said despite being the youngest he had a knack for looking after his siblings. Jin Ling too, Jiang Cheng was amazing with him, but when it came to other peoples kids Jiang Cheng hit a roadblock.
Jin Ling however was pleased that he had friends to run around with.
The kids were all of roughly the same status as he was and all the heirs to some title or another and Jiang Cheng wondered if they were as snobby as Jin Ling could be. It made him snort chuckling to himself as he scanned the garden trying to keep an eye on Jin Ling who seemed to be playing a game of hide and seek with the other boys and girls.
Jiang Cheng was about to step away, leaving Jin Ling in his other uncle's care, when he noticed a little boy sitting crisscrossed behind a large pillar. He was so small Jiang Cheng would surely have missed him if his eyes weren’t so sharp. Jiang Cheng recognized the robes immediately and glanced around for the familiar figure before going to stand in front of the little boy not saying anything until he looked up with eyes wide. His face was still round with baby fat and when he stood he bowed politely and addressed Jiang Cheng formally.
“What are you doing here by yourself,” Jiang Cheng inquired. “You can go play with the other kids you know.”
“I don’t really know them…” He was soft-spoken but Jiang Cheng still heard him even over the chatter of the party.
“Ah,” Jiang Cheng said, presuming the kid was shy. “What's your name little Lan.”
“Lan Yuan.” He said and suddenly Jiang Cheng felt like an idiot. Because how had he connected that this was a Lan hence attending with Lan Wangji and not connected that this was Lan Yuan, Wangjis son.
Jiang Cheng took a moment to collect himself but made it fast so as not to confuse this little Lan before him.
“You don’t want to play with the other kids?” he asked for clarification.
“Not really, if that's alright.”
Jiang Cheng wasn’t surprised a Lan was so polite and eager to please, especially such a young one. When he questioned the boy on where his dad had gone he was met with a shrug and Jiang Chengs heart couldn’t take it because he was a child sitting alone unused to the chaos that usually came with Jin Lings birthday parties and no father in sight. In a split second, he made a choice clearing his throat to catch Lan Yuans attention.
“Why don’t I show you somewhere while your baba is away,” Jiang Cheng suggested.
Yuan looked hesitant but nodded, he had no reason not to trust a respected sect leader as he was highly intrigued by the offer.
“Where?” He inquired.
“Somewhere nice, it’s Jin Ling and I’s favorite place here.”
Yuan looked quite interested at that and nodded like he was giving Jiang Cheng the go-ahead to lead him. It didn’t take them long to come upon a small but flourishing lotus pond in the heart of the Jins tower. Yuan, of course, having never been to Yunmeng and having grown up in Gusu had never seen anything of the sort. When he saw it for a moment he looked less like a Lan disciple and more like a carefree child as he hastened his step to get a closer look.
“It’s so pretty,” He said, mystified by the sight.
Jiang Cheng hmmed but ultimately said nothing taking his own time to admire the work Jin Zixuan had done so many years ago.
“Did you do this?” Yuan asked spinning to look up at Jiang Cheng with admiration. Jiang Cheng smiled, shaking his head.
“No, someone I respected did though,” He replied a little wistfully. He looked down at the little Lan who was still fascinated with a sight he’d never seen before. “You should see the ones in Yunmeng though,” He said casually. “If you like these you’ll love them there.”
Little Lan gasped looking at him expectantly like Jiang Cheng would scoop him up and take him there now.
“You’ll take me?” he asked excitedly, bouncing back on the balls of his feet.
Jiang Cheng knew he properly shouldn’t make promises regarding a child that wasn’t his responsibility but this was Wangjis son and if Jiang Cheng was a sucker for those eyes then Wangji must have been a goner.
“I’ll have to ask your baba but-”
“A-Yuan!”
Jiang Cheng spun around as he heard the voice and had barely processed it before Lan Yuan was being swept into Wangjis arms. For a moment Jiang Cheng felt he’d ruined everything, and Wangji had never wanted his son and Jiang Chengs paths to ever cross. A fear like no other struck his heart but when Wangji finally let little Lan go a bit he could see a hint of mischief and guilt in his eyes.
“I told you to wait for me while I found Wanyin,” He said, his voice back to its normal cadence.
Upon hearing his name Jiang Cheng stepped forward, placing a hand on Wangjis shoulder.
“You were looking for me?”
Wangji snapped his eyes from his son to his - boyfriend? Lover? Both? Wangji wasn’t sure but he still blushed under his attention.
“Yes,” Wangji said after clearing his throat discreetly. “I wanted to introduce the two of you but it seems you’ve already met.”
Yuan mumbled something that sounded like ‘sorry baba’ but Jiang Cheng couldn’t tell because the child had thrown himself onto Wangji, hugging him tight most likely to evade punishment for disobeying. He smiled for a moment incredulously before laughing finally.
“Stop sucking up,” he said, teasing, patting Little Lans back, he retreated from his father looking a little bashful.
“I found him!” Yuan said, pointing at Jiang Cheng. “So you didn’t have to baba!”
Jiang Cheng could tell Wangjis initial worry had ebbed away to something softer, and the warmth in his eyes when he looked at his son was undeniable. Yuan thought was quite young, he didn’t see that yet, so he was still worried about possibly being scolded.
Instead, Wangji sighed, almost inaudible, and kissed Yuans cheeks tenderly, undeterred by his audience, expressing such emotion in front of his son and Jiang Wanyin who he trusted above all would never be a problem.
“Baba,” Yuan spoke excitedly. “He said he’d take me to see the-” Yuan realized he didn’t have a word for the lotus pound yet, instead he pointed at them until Wangji looked. “He’ll take me to see an even prettier one!”
“Mn, I will join you,” He replied. “If Wanyin would be alright with that.”
“You’re always welcome.” Jiang Cheng said with sincerity. “You too.” He said smiling at Yuan who smiled back, and for an adopted child he sure did look a lot like his father.
-
They returned to the party as though they had never left, except now Jiang Cheng held little Lan and Wangji wore a rare smile. Jin Ling pointed at them as soon as he saw them and reached his arms up towards Hanguang Jun when he realized his uncles arms were occupied. He eyed the other boys skeptically before glaring at Wangji and Jiang Cheng.
“You left on my birthday.”
“We just stepped away you brat,” Jiang Cheng laughed.
“Gege!” Jin Ling all but shouted. “JiuJiu called me a brat, I'm not a brat!”
Wangji shook his head at the two in an all together fond way that made Jiang Chengs heart twinge.
“Jin Ling,” Wangji said before Jin Ling descended into a tantrum. “this is Lan Yuan.”
Both boys were set down to greet each other properly unaware of the curious pairs of eyes on them. A-Yuan was timid at first but Jin Ling was having none of it. With his big personality, it was hard for even a Lan not to warm up to him quickly.
“Why weren’t you playing with us earlier?” Jin Ling inquires after ceasing his chatter for a moment. Yuan looked a bit bashful but eventually explained it was because he didn’t really like large groups of strangers.
Jin Ling thought in it for a moment before taking Yuans hand in his.
“Well it’s my birthday,” he said. “if I just wanna play with you I can!”
“Really?” Asked Yuan with a surprised smile forming on his face already.
Jin Ling nodded and was off to show Yuan the new toys he’d been gifted.
As Wangji and Wanyin watched them go they both felt it even if the children hadn’t yet. An undeniable shift from four individuals to a makeshift family. They would have to explain it to the kids but for now they were content by each other’s side watching Jin Ling and Yuan get to know each other.
-
Fast forward both Wangji and Wanyin were very much regretting letting Jin Ling and A-Yuan get to know each other.
“Thats mine!”
“I bought it!”
“I lent you the money!”
“Boys,” Jiang Cheng intervened. “I’ll buy you both ten if you shut up.”
The teens were startled to hear his voice but began to sulk right after avoiding eye contact and generally being the moody teenagers one would expect. Jiang Cheng liked to think he showed his love best by not strangling them when they were like this.
“But ge-“ Sizhui started, and Jiang Cheng almost missed when he was too timid and shy around him to talk back.
“Behave please,” Wangji said, his voice much calmer than his partner. “if you can’t be respectful to one another maybe you’re not mature enough to come on night hunts with us.”
This snapped the two from their mood and had both of them mumbling apologies, eventually the four of them caught up with the rest of the group and this really fixed the boy’s attitude.
Wangji and Wanyin allowed themselves to fall behind their sons and the other young cultivators as they observed.
“If I didn’t know them so well I’d say they were practically enemies.” Jiang Cheng scoffed as he watched Sizhui and Jin Ling banter, teasing each other along with their other friends.
Wangji cast a warm glance to the kids and to his partner.
“You know they’re as close as brothers.” He replied.
“They fight like it too.” was Jiang Chengs only response to which Wangji could only laugh.
-
Later that night they had scoped the area of the night hunt and deemed it too risky to do in the dark with cultivators in training. Wangji and Wanyin took the juniors to an inn where they all took rest while the adults further investigated.
When it was sometime past midnight Sizhui woke sluggishly rubbing his eyes. He was about to return to sleep when he realized his roommate was nowhere in sight. He dressed in a hurry grabbing up his blade before bounding down the stairs. It didn’t take him long to find Jin Ling, he was sitting right at the entrance of the inn on the steps.
“A-Ling.” Sizhui spoke quietly to avoid waking those still asleep or disturbing the peace of the night. “what are you doing?”
Jin Ling jumped when he heard Sizhuis voice but relaxed as he sat down.
“Thinking.” Jin Ling replied with no further elaboration. Sizhui was used to Jin Lings ways though, he knew he just needed a little nudge to open up.
“About what?”
Jin Ling mulled over his options in his head and after a moment he exhaled dramatically. When he replied it was one rushed word and Sizhui didn’t catch what he said so he asked again. And again he was unintelligible.
“I can’t understand you-”
“Jingyi!” Jin Ling practically shouted, grimacing at how loud his voice carried.
Ah, Sizhui thought. He had seen this coming. The two of them were always at each other's throats, it sometimes even reminded him of Wangji and Wanyin.
“What about him?”
“He makes me so mad!” Jin Ling huffed. “But I don’t know now even when he's being a dick I don’t wanna push him off a cliff like I used to,” He looked at Sizhui expectantly. “What does that mean?”
“Don’t ask me, I usually want to push both of you off a cliff.” Sizhui shrugged only to get elbowed.
Jin Ling was about to say something when they saw two familiar silhouettes emerged from the direction of the woods.
“Jin Ling, Sizhui, is that you?” Jiang Cheng asked as they approached. He looked worried as to why they were both up at this hour and not inside.
“Ge, baba,” Sizhui started. “Jin Ling likes Jingyi.”
Jin Ling gasped like he had just experienced great betrayal and looked as though he were about to challenge Sizhui to a duel when Jiang Cheng intervened again.
“Ah ah no hitting, can you two do anything without hitting?”
“Why couldn’t this wait until morning?” Wangji asked, taking a seat next to his son.
“I’ll have to see him in the morning.” Jin Ling pouted.
Jiang Cheng could only smirk as he sat down bumping Jin Lings side.
“Wuss,” he mumbled.
“You were no better yourself Wanyin.”
This time it was Jiang Chengs turn to act betrayed, casting an incredulous look to Wangji who seemed pleased with himself. Jin Ling and Sizhui seemed wildly amused too.
They sat in comfortable silence, frustrated silence on Jin Lings behalf. Sizhui was about to suggest they go inside to talk when an idea came to mind. He looked between Jiang Cheng and his father, catching Wangjis attention before continuing.
“How-” Sizhui started, wondering aloud. “How did you two end up together?”
“How is that going to help me?” Jin Ling asked exasperatedly. “I’m not even sure I like him yet!”
“Interrupting someone is rude!” Sizhui snarked back only to be settled with a look from his father. Sizhui smiled a touch bashful before continuing with his train of thought.
“You can learn from your JiuJius hardheadedness.” Sizhui proposed only to be met with Jiang Cheng reaching over to flick him in the side of the head. He flinched away laughing, happy to hear Jin Ling laugh a little too.
“I practically raised you little Lan, show some respect.” Jiang Cheng scolded, but it was fond and Sizhui knew there was no real heat there.
“Are you all finished?” Wangji asked, looking at his boys amused.
“Yes, tell me how you and JiuJiu fell in love.” Jin Ling insisted.
“Would you like to help?” Wangji asked, eyes soft as he looked at Wanyin.
Jiang Cheng smiled and Wangji knew that was a yes. They boys watched with wide eyes when the two began their epic tale. They found it hard to believe they’d once actually hated each other and more than a few times they were scolded for interrupting. By the end Sizhui was feeling the pull of sleep, beginning to lean heavy into Jin Lings side. Whereas Jin Ling seemed both enlightened and confused.
Wangji could see Jin Lings head spinning with a million questions so he did what any parent would do at half-past midnight. He stood taking the boys with him placing a kiss to each of their foreheads and sending them to bed. Being at that age both of them, even Sizhui in his half-asleep state, squirmed under the affection but accepted it before bidding Jiang Cheng and Wangji goodnight.
Watching them go called to memory the first time they’d met so many years ago as Jin Lings birthday party and Jiang Cheng felt a burst of that sentimental feeling he’d grown used to in Wangjis company. Being not the type for pda he waited until they were alone in their room to wrap his arms around his partner. Wangji was caught off guard but never unwelcoming of Wanyins affections.
“Have I done something?” he asked when Wanyin made no effort to move.
Thinking back, all the times spent with bunnies at cloud recess or chasing two little boys out of the ponds in Yunmeng, Jiang Cheng had come to the realization all his happiest memories included Wangji. Still, after all these words, he couldn’t quite find the words to say so. Instead, he settled for a chaste kiss.
“Just love you.”