Thread by @suddenlyapples

beauty&the beast concept but it’s little JL getting lost in the forest and getting rescued by a monstrous canine looking beast more than eager to keep the child out of his estate by the lake

lumbering giant beast swathed in furred robes that blends with his own coat, cradling a tiny boy in his arms, finally setting JL down again with a gruff, “for the last time, go home, i will not be held accountable for your safety.”

“but what should i call you?”
“you will not return here.”
“i’m jin ling, in the future it will be jin rulan!”
“...”
“thank you for saving me, i’ll return with a proper thank you gift!”
“that won’t be necessary—“
“until next time!”
...sigh

when JL tells his parents of his day, they smile and nod at the right time and ask the right questions. their son is so imaginative. something tingles in the back of their minds though, at the mention of an estate by a lake, but soon forgotten, distracted by JL enthusiasm

.
from the first glance, JC knows who JL is even without the boy introducing himself. his heart swells with adoration at the sight of him and his chest tightens in pain all at once. he can’t believe nine years really has passed without him

the nine-petaled lotus in full blossom mocks him from its place in the waters within his private pier, counting down the time to his demise. as if the years he’s lived through in solitude is not suffering enough, he scoffs, refusing to acknowledge the small hope in him

.
JL returns the next day with a small basket of fruits and very carefully tucked in container of soup. his mom said to share them with his newfound friend and he intends to! this time, fairy is also trotting along with him, woofing in excitement to be venturing out together

it took JL a bit longer than he wanted to retrace his steps back to find his friend. his giant friend who seems to be... buzzing at the sight of fairy
“fairy’s not dangerous!”
“...fairy?”
“uhuh! fairy’s her name!”
“...good name.”
JL beams