Thread by @Jessxiehua

Gen kid!fic with slight #Xicheng at the very end

JL and LSZ are the first to find the child. They are night hunting in the forests near Gusu when it happens.

One minute, energy is crackling in the air, powerful dark energy swirling past them into one concentrated area. +

The next minute, a rip is torn in the space in front of them. Wind roars around them, powerful gusts that they have to fight against just to stay standing. Only seconds later, the rip disappears. +

In its place, sitting on the ground, is a young child.

The child looks very young, with wide, innocent eyes and round, chubby cheeks. He has on the signature purple Yunmeng Jiang robes and from his waist hangs a Jiang clarity bell. He is very small, maybe 1 or 2 years old. +

He is also scrunching his face, a tell-tale sign that he is about to start wailing. +

Unexpectedly, the child barrels into JL, crying the whole way. JL leans down to pick him up, trying to shush him the way he’s seen the aunties do in Yunmeng. He sends a panicked look to LSZ, but LSZ is equally clueless. +

Thankfully, the child seems to calm down in JL’s arms, loud sobs turning into gentle sniffles. JL continues to bounce the child up and down, using the chance to take a closer look at the child. +

“He doesn’t seem cursed, or malicious.” LSZ observes.

“He’s definitely human. And just as confused as we are. But where did he come from? And why?”

“You know, he looks like…” LSZ trails off uncertainly.

“....jiujiu.” JL finishes. +

JL vaguely noticed it before but it’s even clearer now that the child has stopped crying. The slope of the nose, the sharp mouth, plus the hair bun, all bear an uncanny resemblance to the feared leader of Yunmeng Jiang. The child was also wearing his +

jiujiu’s clarity bell. Was this his jiujiu as a child? If so, why was he here? At this age?

They bring the young child back to Cloud Recesses. LSZ reasons that it is closest and WWX/HGJ could give them some guidance on what might have happened. They meet up with LJY and head back. LJY takes things in stride, making silly faces at the baby during the entire flight. +

When they return, LSZ and LJY find some fresh clothes to dress the baby. JL declares he will do it. The baby blinks wide eyes at JL as he ties layer after layer of soft white cloth on him. The clothes are a little big and hang off the baby’s arms. It’s adorable. +

They also ask for food to be delivered to JL’s guest room. During mealtime, everyone inwardly coos at how small he is and how his fine motor control is still developing. The food ends up all over his face. It’s unbearably cute. +

After the meal, they bring the baby to the Jingshi. WWX is shocked. A small JC is right before his eyes! He asks the young JC a question but JC doesn’t answer. WWX grabs the baby’s little hand and asks again. The child stays silent. Did he not know how to talk? +

WWX studies the child’s face closely. The baby really looks exactly like JC but the eyes are a lighter color. They must have darkened when JC grew up. WWX feels delighted to learn something new about JC. WWX pinches the baby’s cheeks. +

The baby stares at him in shock. Then his eyes start to water. WWX notices and swoops him up into the air.

“Aww A-Cheng! Don’t cry! Xian-gege is here to play with you!” The baby shrieks with laughter, his grievance already forgotten. LWJ looks on with a strange face. +

He reaches over to an aged chest filled with toys and brings out a worn butterfly. SZ recognizes it immediately.

“Do you want to play with this, A-Cheng?” WWX asks, putting the baby down. The child grabs it and waves it around, staring transfixed at the flapping wings. +

Meanwhile everyone makes plans for what should be done. JL remarks that he is going to send a letter to his jiujiu to tell him about the situation. +

Sizhui hesitatingly asks “Should we tell Zewu-Jun?” LWJ shuts that idea down. LXC was still in seclusion. It was unnecessary. But he does remark that they should tell LQR. Jingyi pokes the baby’s cheek.

“Where will he sleep tonight?” +

“With me, of course!” Says two voices at once. JL glares at WWX.

“What do you mean? Obviously xiao jiujiu should sleep in my room.”

“But I know Jiang Cheng the best as a child! And he likes me! He laughed so much before.” +

“That doesn’t even make sense. You didn’t even know jiujiu at this age!”

WWX is about to retort when his husband puts a placating hand on his shoulder.

“Let him decide.” LWJ says.

Both WWX and JL whip their heads around to JC in Jingyi’s lap.

“A-Cheng!”

“Jiujiu!” +

They call at the same time. They are both soundly ignored.

They call him again. The baby looks around curiously. Jingyi lifts the baby and sets him down on the floor facing the two. The baby cocks his head at them, confused about what they are doing. +

JL opens his arms wide. WWX starts clapping his hands to get his attention.

“Come here jiujiu!

“A-Cheng! Come to Xian-gege.”

The baby gets on all fours before pushing himself up to standing position. He takes a few hesitant steps..., then toddles straight into JL’s arms. +

JL picks him up and swings him around, happy about his victory. WWX feels disappointed, but he can’t help cooing at how cute JC is when walking. Such a cute little waddle. +

It’s decided. The baby will go with JL at the end of the night. The baby rubs his eyes. Then he pats JL’s arms, seeming to ask to be put down. JL complies, wondering what xiao jiujiu wants. +

The baby pulls on JL’s clothes. JL is still confused. He bends down. The baby frowns and shakes his head, pulling at JL again. +

“What is it?” JL sits down cross-legged, about to pick up xiao jiujiu and place him in his lap. But he doesn’t need to, because the baby climbs into his lap and settles down to sleep.

There is a moment of silence as everyone takes in the scene. +

WWX melts. “Awww A-Cheng needs a nap!” JL swats WWX away and walks away quickly, taking the baby back to his room. +

Once JL arrives at his guest bedroom, he bathes the young child and tells him a story before bedtime. Xiao jiujiu stares up at him sleepily.

JL waits, but the baby won’t close his eyes. JL tells another story. Xiao Jiujiu waits. It’s already past time for the child to sleep. +

JL is lost. It’s been such a long day; shouldn’t jiujiu be tired by now?

An idea pops into his head. He lays down next to jiujiu and gently starts singing a lullaby from long ago. The baby’s eyes slowly slide shut, breaths evening out as he falls asleep. +

JL smiles, eyes a little watery as he recalls memories of this song being sung to him long ago.

“Sleep well, Xiao jiujiu.” +

~~~~~

In the morning, LJY and LSZ come by to help with the baby, knowing that JL has a hard time waking up so early. They amuse the baby as JL gets himself ready. WWX shows up just as they are getting ready to eat breakfast. +

They don’t talk during breakfast, some because of their rules and others because they’re watching the young child happily getting food all over his face. +

When they are done eating, WWX announces his proposal: he wants to take care of JC in the early afternoon and give JC back to JL in the late afternoon. Afterwards, WWX can use the time to research any texts that mention de-aging, or time travel. +

LWJ has also agreed to fit in some research time alongside his classes and other sect duties.

JL is about to argue but WWX continues, saying this would be beneficial because WWX can still spend time with A-Cheng and JL can complete his sect leader duties during the afternoon. +

JL frowns. He doesn’t want to give up his time with jiujiu, but WWX’s proposal makes sense. He can’t slack on his responsibilities just because he wants to take care of his xiao jiujiu. He grudgingly agrees.

“Perfect! Thanks! See you later!” WWX grabs baby JC and runs. +

“Hey!!” JL shouts but WWX is already gone, laughing as he absconds with A-Cheng.

WWX plays games with the baby all afternoon. The baby laughs at his antics and likes playing with all of SZ’s old toys. +

LWJ comes back to find his husband taking care of the child. What a sweet sight.

Until JC accidentally breaks one of the toys. The baby’s face scrunches up. Just as expected, the baby starts wailing. +

“It’s okay! Look, you can play with the other toys!” WWX hurriedly shoves other toys in front of A-Cheng. The baby’s sobs don’t subside. WWX starts panicking. He picks up the two pieces and jams them back together. They fit. Barely.+

“Look! I fixed it! You can still play with it! A-Cheng look!” The baby takes one look at the misshapen toy and cries louder. LWJ frowns. The child’s cries would draw unwanted attention if they didn’t stop it. He thinks back to what helped Sizhui calm down when he was younger. +

He goes to sit next to his guqin and strums a chord.

The baby stops crying immediately, staring at LWJ in wonder. WWX sighs in relief. LWJ strums again. A-Cheng toddles over and grabs his hand, staring at it confusedly. +

Then he lifts it up, looking for the source of the sound. WWX chuckles.

“He’s playing the qin, silly baby. Look! Lan Zhan, play a song!” LWJ complies, playing a simple melody as JC giggles in delight. WWX smiles and brings JC into his lap so that they can listen together. +

He cuddles A-Cheng, thinking of how the young child is so sweet but a bit of a crybaby. WWX doesn’t quite remember JC crying this much. JC probably just lost his crybaby tendencies as he grew up; his adventures with WWX making him braver. +

WWX smiles wistfully. He really missed his shidi. +

When JL comes to pick up his xiao jiujiu, LQR accompanies him. LWJ bows respectfully.

“Shufu” he greets.

WWX bows sloppily. A-Cheng stands up and bows clumsily as well. A ghost of a smile flits across LQR’s face. +

“So this is the young sect leader Jiang.” He bends down to take a closer look. A-Cheng blinks his wide eyes, mesmerized. Then he reaches up and tugs LQR’s mustache as hard as he can. +

Everyone gapes in shock. LQR’s face transforms immediately, a reprimand on the tip of his tongue. But before he can say anything, the baby puts two pudgy hands on the sides of LQR’s face. +

“Ju-fu” he slurs out, mouth unused to the word. JL makes a confused noise and WWX walks forward to pick A-Cheng up.

“So you can talk, you little rascal.” A-Cheng giggles as WWX swings him into his arms.
LQR takes a moment to compose himself. +

“Has young master Jiang not spoken before this?”

“He has not, shufu.” LWJ answers for WWX. LQR strokes his beard.

“Strange but not unheard of. You were quite similar when you were younger, Wangji.” LWJ’s face darkens at the comparison but he holds his tongue. +

“He is healthy and he is well-taken care of. I believe word has been sent to Sect Leader Jiang?”

JL confirms it. +

“Then there is nothing left to be done. Continue taking care of the child and we will make new plans as soon as Sect Leader Jiang arrives.” The crowd bows as they are dismissed. A-Cheng does his best imitation of everyone around him. +

His arms are at the wrong angle and all he ends up doing is holding one chubby hand with another chubby hand. WWX hugs him closer, utterly charmed by the adorable child. +

“That’s enough. It’s my turn.” JL takes JC out of WWX’s hands. A-Cheng snuggles into his hold like it’s his favorite place in the world. +

JL goes through his nightly ritual with JC. But this night is a little different. He shows JC his prize that he’s worked the whole day to procure: a storybook. JC’s little eyes light up at the book. +

JL can’t help but smile. He settles down and reads the story to JC, just as his jiujiu had done many years ago. It’s a beautiful story of a couple who sacrifice themselves to save their child. When JL is done, he looks down at JC, only to see JC frowning. +

“What’s wrong?”

JC doesn’t look up. He stares at the open page of the book and raises a hand to touch the book. His hand lands on the picture of the father. JL’s heart breaks. +

“Do you miss your a-die?” The child looks up at JL, tears gathering in his eyes. JL immediately picks him up, hugging him as the boy quietly cries. JC falls asleep like that, tiring himself out from crying. +

~~~~~~~~

The days pass like this. LSZ and LJY take care of JC in the morning while JL gets ready. Then they pass the baby off to WWX, who takes him for some afternoon adventures. Sometimes they go exploring, sometimes they play with toys, sometimes they splash in the little pond that +

WWX and NHS played in as a young disciples. The baby then takes a nap before JL picks him up. JL takes him at night to bathe and feed him before bed time.

A couple of days later, they get a notice that Sect leader Jiang will arrive soon. +

WWX takes JC for the afternoon and brings him to the bunny field. A-Cheng’s eyes light up when he sees the bunnies. WWX sets him down gently. JC bends down, curious about the furry little creatures. He tentatively pats one. The bunny’s nose twitches but it stays still. +

Getting bolder, A-Cheng reaches out and grabs the bunny’s ears.

The bunny flinches and kicks out. A-Cheng lets go immediately. He rears back in fear. The bunnies, now in a frenzy, start hopping around. A-Cheng toddles away from the bunnies chasing him, crying out in fear. +

WWX starts laughing. He knows he should help, but A-Cheng is just too cute. His little teary face as he runs away from the bunnies is just too precious.

“Don’t be afraid, A-Cheng!” WWX says as he wipes tears from his eyes.

When he looks up, JC is gone. +

~~~~~~

“A-Cheng!”

“Jiujiu!”

WWX and JL cry out as they search for the young child. It’s only been a couple of minutes, but they can’t seem to find him. For someone who can barely walk, he seems to have toddled into thin air. +

“Anything?” JL asks as they meet up with SZ and JY. JY shakes his head.

“There!” WWX cries as he sees a hint of purple running down a stone path. JL and SZ follow. SZ is distressed. This was the way to… +

WWX arrives at a quiet house with gentians in front. A-Cheng is still teary-eyed, fear making him run in search of safety. WWX gets closer, only to see a shocked LXC outside the house. This must be the Hanshi. WWX runs faster. +

He zeroes in on A-Cheng and is about to swoop him up, but then the child spots LXC.

The baby bursts into tears and runs toward LXC.

“Baba!” +

WWX freezes.

What?? +

The child runs towards LXC. LXC picks up the crying child, long forgotten uncle instincts kicking in. He tries to soothe the child, bouncing him up and down while making shushing noises. He glances helplessly at the crowd in front of him. +

“Zewu-jun” everyone greets politely, their expressions mirroring LXC’s confusion. WWX’s brain is working a mile a minute. The baby had called LXC “dad.” Was A-Cheng mistaking LXC for JFM? WWX’s heart breaks a little. +

“Baba! Baba!” A-Cheng is still sobbing, hugging LXC tightly.

“A-Cheng, that’s not your baba.” WWX says gently. He is about to reach out for A-Cheng when swirling dark energy rushes past him. It condenses at a point behind him, wind roaring all around. +

LXC covers the child, protecting him from the sudden energy spike. Energy crackles around them. The air shifts and splits open with a loud crack. Swirling energy pours out and out steps a tall man in purple. +

“A-Ming!” The man cries, reaching over and plucking the child from Lan Xichen’s arms. He swings the baby around before hugging him tightly to his chest.

“Baba!” The baby cries out, recognizing the familiar figure and immediately hugging his neck. +

WWX and the juniors were ready to attack, but they stop to gape at the man dressed in Yunmeng Jiang robes. He cuts an imposing figure, wearing brilliant purple robes inlaid with delicate blue embroidery. There is a gleaming clarity bell hanging from his waist, +

along with a familiar sword and xiao. An immaculate forehead ribbon completes the picture. Standing in front of them is an older Lan Xichen, dressed in the signature Yunmeng Jiang purple. +

“What?” LJY exclaims. He rubs his eyes. Was this an illusion?

“A-Ming! Are you okay? Are you hurt?” The older LXC, decidedly not an illusion, looks worriedly over the child in his arms. A-Ming laughs, +

babbling unintelligibly while reaching up to tug on Lan Xichen’s forehead ribbon. The young child has already gotten over his fear, safe in his father’s arms. The man’s face softens. +

“Thank goodness you're okay.” He breathes out, before pressing a soft kiss to the baby’s forehead. Finally, he turns around to address the crowd.

LXC is frozen as the purple-clad LXC thanks them for taking care of “A-Ming.”

JL snaps out of his stupor. +

“What are you doing to Xiao jiujiu?”

The other LXC makes an odd face, as if he’s about to laugh. Right when he opens his mouth to speak, they hear the sound of approaching footsteps.

“What is going on here?” JC demands as he arrives in a flurry of purple robes. +

“A-die!” shouts the baby as he makes grabby hands at JC. JC stares at the young child, confusion and shock written on his face. +

“Ah.. no, A-Ming. This is a different A-die. Not ours.” LXC looks up at JC. His face softens noticeably. ‘Not yet,’ his face clearly says. LXC walks slowly over to JC and brushes a stray hair out of his face. +

“You look well, A-Cheng.” LXC’s voice sounds almost wistful. His fond gaze puts JC on edge. JC knows for a fact that this LXC is looking right through him and seeing someone else. It makes him inexplicably pissed. +

“You have a lot of nerve calling me that, Zewu-jun.” JC spits out the title as if it’s a curse. Lightning sparks as JC reacts, confusion and irritation boiling over at this strange man holding a child that looks exactly like him. +

It only stops when the A-Ming reaches out to tug at JC’s lapel, gurgling happily. LXC just smiles, full of love for the younger version of his husband. +

“You still haven’t explained anything!” WWX interrupts. Everyone jolts, so entranced with the moment that they had forgotten everyone else.

LXC looks down at A-Ming, who is still preoccupied with tugging on JC’s clothing. LXC pats his back fondly. +

“Ah, I don’t have much time here. The Wei Wuxian of my time said this portal would only last for a short time.” He adjusts the child so that he can rest more comfortably in LXC’s arms. +

“I am Lan Xichen, husband of Sect Leader Jiang Wanyin. This is our son, Jiang Ming. According to the WWX of our time, we are from the future.” +

There really is no proper way to react to such shocking news. Everyone just stares, trying to process that the baby they had been taking care of the last few days was not Jiang Cheng, but Jiang Cheng’s (future?) child. +

LXC just stares. He can’t take his eyes off his older self and the child in his arms. Was this some kind of trick? How much could he trust this man who claims to be from the future? His eyes stray to JC. LXC has never had any desire to marry into the YMJ, +

no matter how handsome their sect leader was. Had JC seduced him somehow? But he was in seclusion! He isolated himself to reflect on all of his mistakes, to atone for all the lives lost because of his ignorance. How was it possible for him to look so happy in the future? +

He just couldn’t believe it.

“What..” he starts to ask. But he cannot finish his question, too many thoughts running through his head. The older LXC sends a knowing smile his way. +

“You are feeling too much right now.” There is a sad knowing look in the older LXC’s eyes. But his eyes warm as he turns to look at JC.

“But be patient. Your happiness will come.”+

JC doesn’t hear this exchange, too busy looking down at the young child in front of him. He has a complicated expression on his face as he thinks about what this older LXC has revealed. In this so-called future, was he actually a good father? +

JC knows that he is harsh and unyielding. He had had no scrap of affection from his own father and so he did not know how to give scraps of affection in turn. But in this future, he has a husband and a son. Was he good to A-Ming? +

How come he wasn’t the one who came through that portal? Was he actually a bad father? He feels a strange and terrible fear swirl in his stomach.

Suddenly he feels two small hands on the sides of his face.

“Diedie!” +

The little child smiles up at him, his eyes creasing into thin lines, as if trying to contain all his happiness. It feels like sunshine is radiating from this child. HIS child. +

A longing rises up within him. JC suddenly feels overwhelmed. He swallows back tears and his hands tighten at his side. He wants this. He wants this future. +

“Are you really from the future?” WWX asks curiously. The juniors turn curious eyes at the older LXC, wanting to know but also not wanting to ruin the moment.

“That’s what the other you said. The one from my time. But we can’t be sure.” +

Suddenly, resentful energy swirls again and a rip appears in the space next to the older LXC and A-Ming. LXC hoists A-Ming up and walks towards the portal.

“Wait!” two voices shout. LXC and JC step forward, desperation lining their beings. +

They thought they had more time. They need answers! Was this real? Were they really allowed to hope for a future with A-Ming?

The older LXC only smiles.

“Take care.” +

He jumps through, and then is gone. LXC and JC are left clutching at empty air. The last thing they see is a tiny hand, grasping at them over a broad shoulder.

~~~~~~~~

-In the Future-

As soon as LXC steps out of the portal, his husband scoops up A-Ming from his arms. JC clutches the child tight as the child giggles and hugs him back. +

“Was he alright? Did anything happen to him?” JC fusses over his baby boy. LXC chuckles before pressing a soft kiss to the side of JC’s head.

“He was well-taken care of.” Then LXC looks mischievously at JC. JC is unnerved.

“What?” +

“You looked so cute when you were younger.” JC turns red.

“What are you talking about! I was never cute.” LXC just laughs, picking up his husband and his son and bringing them back to their room in Lotus Pier.

They were home.

End

**For anyone interested, this is the first part of the series:

https://twitter.com/X1chengisms/status/1272200458363383810

**This is the second part of the series:

https://twitter.com/X1chengisms/status/1275150310403641345

Extras/ Background:

1. Silly baby frowns when he hears “A-Cheng.” He looks around for his dad but he isn’t there.

2. Baby thinks shufu is LQR’s name.

3. A-Ming climbing into JL’s lap was was highly discouraged but A-Ming does what he wants.

4. Which is in no way connected to JL plopping down and placing A-Ming in his lap every chance he gets.

5. Past Xicheng do eventually get together but the events with A-Ming altered their timeline. They end up with the same wishing object but to their astonishment, the lotus unfurls and nestled in its petals is a little baby girl.