Thread by @suddenlyapples

thinking about a time where maybe while they didn’t reconcile completely, it’s at least awkward polite conversation between WWX and JC, and that’s good enough for JC. he tries not to care too much about it when he’s still trying to help JL stabilize his foothold as a sect leader

but of course, nothing is ever smooth sailing for JC, it’s just a curse on his family it seems, because a curse hit his nephew during their nighthunt together. JL had the nerve to protect him?! (he ignores the fear that choked him at the sight of JL covering him from the attack)

it’s at least, not the worst curse, he sighs as he picks up the very familiar wriggling bundls
JL, squealing: jiujiu!!!
yes, his teenaged nephew is hit with a deaging curse and now he’s 5years old again
JC: i’m too old for this
JL, squealing:

JL, clambering on JC: jiujiu!!!
JC, has done this before can do it again, holding JL a little tighter because he misses this: what is it, a-ling?
JL, squealing: is xiao-shushu coming later for tea with us? i miss him!
JC, isn’t so sure about this anymore:

JL, hugging fairy: fairy!!! how did you get so big?! jiujiu! jiujiu did you know xiao shushu found her??!!!?
JC, rubbing his temples:

WWX&LWJ, arriving at LP to take a look at JL
WWX, cooing: oh! a-ling so precious!
JC, rolling his eyes: wei wuxian...
JL:
JL, smacks WWX’s hands away: !
WWX: ?!
JC: a-ling!??
JL, hides behind JC’s legs, then changes his mind and stands in front of JC, arms spread defensively: 😡

JL: WWX! you make jiujiu cry!
JC: A-LING?!
JL: jiujiu always cries when jiujiu says your name!
JC, sputtering and picking him up: that’s enough, a-ling!
JL: i’ll protect jiujiu! no wei wuxian will bully my jiujiu!
JC, touched and mortified at once:

JC, rushing off: alright, i-uh, we’ll talk later!

JC remembers all the motions to take care of his little nephew, but he’s forgotten all of the sleepless and tear filled nights he’s spent on his own crying for his family when he thinks his nephew is asleep

JC: this is a mess...

yes my hidden agenda of JL guilt tripping WWX and mortifiying JC as JL reveals JC’s true feelings the way kids do. who knew his nephew was a light sleeper? did he really cry that much?! this curse better break soon or whatever small reconciliation they have will be ruined!

JC: a-ling, please, we need him to take a look at you so we can, uh, make you... feel... better(?)
JL, pouting and puffing his cheeks: NO! a-ling won’t let him make jiujiu cry!!!
JC:
JC, holding back tears and pinching his cheeks: yeah, alright, maybe tomorrow, okay?

JC, with napping JL on his lap:
WWX: i’m impressed he could ride fairy like a mount so skillfully
JC, snorting: he’s always wanted to ride the big horses, he trained on fairy since he was little
WWX: mn, i didn’t know that
JC:
JC: you don’t know a lot of things
WWX:
WWX: i don’t

WWX, fumbling: in the past, did you... really cry-
JC, tensing up and jostling JL: don’t. you said it before, it’s all in the past
WWX: that’s not what i meant!
JC, hissing: then what did you mean?
WWX: i-
JL, whining and burrowing into JC’s lap: jiujiu, don’t cry...
JC, sighing:

JC: go back to your husband, wei wuxian, i bet hanguang-jun’s itching to fight a five-year-old for distressing his husband
WWX: lan zhan would never!!
JL, whimpering and curling up:
JC:
JC: leave
WWX, sighing: tomorrow then