Chapter Text
“In my defense,” Tianlang-jun says as he elegantly lowers himself to sit cross-legged on the floor of the Holy Mausoleum, “I’ve never brought anyone back from the dead before. As far as complications go, this is relatively manageable. Wouldn’t you agree?”
The question is directed towards a young child swimming in black robes far too elaborate and spacious for his minuscule size. The child simply blinks his big, dark eyes in response. It’s a familiar mannerism, and one that has only gotten cuter amidst accidental age regression.
“Is Zhuzhi-lang angry with me?” Tianlang-jun leans his elbow on his knee, casually resting his cheek in his palm. “Or does your current age prevent speech? I admit to my ignorance regarding children and when their mouths start making intelligible sounds.”
Zhuzhi-lang tilts his head, remaining silent. And Tianlang-jun has a sudden…well, perhaps not fear but an emotion just shy of worry.
“You remember your favorite uncle, don’t you? Stunningly handsome, brilliant wit.” He trails off in the face of Zhuzhi-lang’s blank stare, an intangible obstruction materializing in the hollow of his throat. Then, because he can do nothing else, Tianlang-jun smiles. “That’s fine, that’s perfectly all right. The only thing you need to know is that you call me jiujiu. Always have. Keep that in mind, will you?”
He scoops Zhuzhi-lang onto his lap, ignoring the way his joints twinge at the movement. His nephew is so small now but still undoubtedly the same boy who stood by his side for decades. A smattering of moss green scales dash across Zhuzhi-lang’s cheeks and jaw and the backs of his tiny hands. Visible evidence that Tianlang-jun’s demonic powers have yet to regain their previous luster. He was warned by the monks to avoid strenuous usage, but he couldn’t stand the thought of Zhuzhi-lang’s bones being left alone in this dreary place any longer. Loyalty should be rewarded, not punished. Though clearly his haste has been detrimental in returning his nephew to human form.
“Children have to grow up eventually.” Tianlang-jun sighs as he arranges Zhuzhi-lang’s robes into a makeshift swaddling cloth. He will need to find more appropriate clothing for his nephew to wear. “You’ll be back to normal before you know it.”
Zhuzhi-lang’s wide, curious eyes slide up to meet Tianlang-jun’s mild gaze. He’s unable to move much, wrapped up as he is, but his round face peeks out from the fabric. A tuft of deep black hair covers his forehead and Tianlang-jun carefully brushes it aside.
Never one to hold back his desires, Tianlang-jun wastes no more time in poking at his nephew’s chubby cheeks. The scales don’t hinder the satisfying squishiness one bit.
“It’s disgusting how adorable you are.”
Perhaps Tianlang-jun’s indifferent tone is too much for a child because Zhuzhi-lang finally squirms, his tiny mouth scrunching into a pout.
“What?” Tianlang-jun prods. “Are you still averse to praise?” He pinches his nephew’s cheek between forefinger and thumb. “Or is it this you don’t like? Because if that’s the case, then I have dreadful news for you. I’m not going to stop.”
Zhuzhi-lang manages an expression somewhere between confused and wronged. Tianlang-jun can’t help but laugh.
“Oh, those are some shameless eyes.” Tianlang-jun gives his nephew’s face one last gentle squish. “I’m only teasing. You’ll get used to it.”
The underlying fondness in Tianlang-jun's words must get through to Zhuzhi-lang because he relaxes once more. But his wiggling has loosened the robes bundling him up; the tips of his fingers poke out of the cloth. Tianlang-jun rests his hand over Zhuzhi-lang’s chest, patting a couple of times in a way he hopes is reassuring. Zhuzhi-lang slowly wraps his hand around one of Tianlang-jun's fingers, eyes heavy-lidded and trusting.
And there is suddenly a feeling in Tianlang-jun's chest that he has no name for; a trembling, fluttering, sort of emotion.
He swallows. Once, twice. Then: “Don’t worry, jiujiu will take care of you.”
He just has to figure out how.