Thread by @lianziyun

Father’s Day #jiangcheng & #jinling (&xicheng)

Modern AU

“Jiujiu look!” jl bounces up to him when preschool lets out. He still doesn’t move his arms when running, so it always makes jc laugh, as he does now when he picks up jl, swings him in a circle & settles him on his hip.

“What do you want me to look at my little star?”

“I drew you a picture!” jl has it clutched in a fist, hopelessly crumpled. “For Father’s Day!”

“Ah.” jc’s heart pinches. “Why didn’t you draw one for daddy?”

“I did. It’s in my bag,” jl says, as if jc was being incredibly dumb.

“Good. We’ll go give it to daddy now, shall we?” jc’s already bought flowers for the cemetery.

“Jiujiu,” jl says impatiently, stuffing the paper into jc’s face. “Your picture.”

jc rears back, taking the paper from jl. It’s 2 stick figures, one big and one small.

They have huge smiles on and there’s a smiling sun in the corner. Across the top is a shaky “Happy Jiujiu Day!”

jl is horrified when jiujiu doesn’t smile like he does with all his drawings. Jiujiu’s eyes are red, his chin is trembling, and he’s frowning.

jl dims.

“Jiujiu don’t like?”

“I love it,” jiujiu says. “Your best work yet.”

jl beams, flopping down to hug jc tight around his neck.

——

(xicheng)

lxc watches from the doorway of the school, waving off his tiny students as they run to their parents. He sees jl run up to a fierce looking young man.

lxc inhales sharply when the man’s face transforms completely at the sight of jl, arms stretched out and laughing as he swings the boy into the air. lxc inches closer, and he thinks his heart is going to explode when that beautiful, beautiful man calls jl his little star.

This must be jl’s beloved jiujiu.

The kids had been quite harsh when it came to their art activity today, and jl had quickly burst into tears. lxc had spent quite a long time explaining why it wasn’t ok to be mean just because jl has a jiujiu take care of him instead of a dad,

and when he was comforting jl, the boy had spent a solid 10min detailing all the amazing things his jiujiu does for him. If his adorable packed lunch is any indication, jl is clearly loved and well cared for, by the only parent he’s ever known.

The next morning, lxc makes sure he’s front and centre when jc drops jl off and flashes his best smile. “Good morning.”

“G’morning Mr Lan!” jl chirps as he enters & runs off.

“You’re the new teacher?”

lxc can feel himself go starry-eyed. “Yes. You’re jl’s jiujiu?”

“Clearly.”

jc gives him a scrutinising look over. “jl told me about yesterday.”

“Ah. Children can be difficult, but I will do my best to open their minds.”

“You’re not going to tell him to suck it up?”

“Of course not!” lxc is offended now.

But then jc smiles, and lxc melts again.

“You’re already doing better than the last one, then.”

“I’ll do my best not to disappoint in the future.”

jc gives him another look over but this time it sends a rush of heat through lxc and he finds himself standing straighter, taller, blushing when jc smirks.

“We’ll see. Later, Mr Lan.” jc gives him a casual wave as he turns and leaves.

lxc’s brain is busy catching up when his eyes drop to watch jc walking away. He stands there dumbly until the school bell rings and startles him out of his dumb gaze.

He has a strange feeling that he might just be eaten alive.

====

(end)