Thread by @yallahabiba

For #BabyLWJSeason, a post-canon de-aged Babyji ficlet/threadfic. Or the one in which LWJ is cursed to revert back into his six year old self.

*
I.

Of course this happens.

Of course this happens ~now~.

It’s all Wei Wuxian can think as he watches the curse hit Lan Zhan.

Time moves in slow motion. Lan Zhan had turned just slightly to the side. To protect the juniors who had been knocked over by the resentful energy of the yaoguai.

Who would have thought such a small, insignificant nighthunt would be what takes the incomparable Hanguang-jun.

WWX should have known. He should have known. It was the same with his parents after all.

Life was always looking for ways to humble him, to remind him to never get too comfortable.

Last night, as he laid in bed next to his husband, he’d curled next to his warm form and just stared, feeling indulgent.

His husband was so beautiful when he slept. WWX feels greedy in moments like this. Secretly thrilled that he was allowed to have this.

That he was allowed to bear witness to this vulnerable side of Lan Zhan, that no one else got to see.

He had pressed a kiss to his husband’s forehead and sent a brief internal thank you to Mo Xuanyu for giving him this second chance.

For allowing him this time, to feel safe and loved in a way he hadn’t felt since Shijie...

Now, WWX can hear himself scream as he watches the light of the curse envelope his husband’s body.

And then, within a blink of an eye, LWJ is gone.

His husband's body shrinks away and his finely made silk robes fall to a pile on the dirt road.

No.

No. No. No.

Please.

Not him. Please, not him.

WWX feels as if he’s watching from outside of himself.

He observes as darkness explodes from his body, the resentful energy eviscerating the yaoguai in an instant.

And then, he’s moving forward, dropping to his knees in front of the place where LWJ had stood, strong and solid, just moments before.

LSZ and LJY are already there.

“Wei-qianbei, I don’t understand. What sort of curse is this?” LJY whispers shakily, his eyes wide on WWX

He moves slightly to the side to reveal a small figure huddled in the robes.

A young child, no older than 5 or 6, looking around in both confusion and fear.

They appear to be naked and LSZ hurriedly helps to pull up LWJ’s robes around them to protect them from the chill.

“This curse, it must have just-- switched places with Hanguang-jun and this boy, right?” LJY looks at WWX for answers.

But WWX can’t breathe.

Because the little boy has a Lan clan ribbon dangling loosely around his neck.

The boy attempts to pull it back up to its place on his forehead but it’s much too big, so he gives up and just clutches it. He stares around with wide eyes and as soon as he makes eye contact, there is no more doubt.

WWX feels a strange dual feeling of horror and relief.

“Lan Zhan?”

The boy's eyes snap back to him, looking at him with mistrust. There is no recognition in his gaze.

“It’s alright, don’t be afraid,” WWX whispers softly. He doesn’t know if that’s true or not but he can’t bear witness LWJ looking so small and vulnerable.

WWX moves forward, opening his arms to this child-sized form of his husband.

To do what, he doesn’t know. Lift this boy in his arms? Help him secure his clothes? All he knows is that this is Lan Zhan and he will do anything to keep him safe.

Except the boy flinches away from him, hiding further behind LSZ, clutching at the sleeve of LSZ’s robes.

WWX idly feels his heartbreak once more before he goes numb..

He doesn’t recognize him. LWJ doesn’t recognize him.

“I want Shufu,” LWJ whispers, looking up at LSZ.

LSZ just tucks the boy more securely in the overly large robes before sending a pleading look at WWX. “Wei-qianbei, what should we do?”

“Send a signal for Zewu-jun. We need to take him back to Cloud Recesses.”

WWX gets up, pacing a parameter around the area. “Help me mark this with the detection talismans I taught you,” he orders to the cluster of juniors, who are still huddled together looking in horror at LWJ.

He can see LJY send up the firework signal to summon Zewu-jun.

“Wei-qianbei, is that boy Hanguang-jun?” One of the juniors asks nervously, glancing at LWJ.

“Be silent and do as I say,” WWX orders curtly. The young girl practically flinches away from his tone but WWX doesn’t even notice, too fixated on getting to the bottom of the curse.

He works to encompass the entire area, to gather as much residual traces of energy from the curse as he can.

It’s minimal and hard to detect under the smoking smell of ash from his own resentful energy but it should hopefully be enough.

He works without speaking, doing what he can to focus on the origin of the curse. Everyone else sits in silence, shocked and frightened or staring in disbelief at the small form still clutching LSZ’s sleeve.

WWX is not sure how much time passes.

But soon there is a gust of wind and the familiar form of his brother-in-law is stepping off his sword and striding over to them.

“I saw the signal, what’s happened? Where is Wangji?”

Zewu-jun had gone with them to Caiyi Town. He treated their small contingent to lunch before heading to the tailor to get measured for new robes while the rest of them went off to investigate rumors of a yaoguai haunting down the river.

Zewu-jun only recently reemerged to public life after his seclusion, he’d been there and smiling at the tea ceremony that Lan Qiren had insisted he and Lan Zhan have after their elopement.

“Zewu-jun--” LSZ starts, standing up only to bow deeply at his adopted uncle.

(sry for the pause, had a client come in)

He looks unsure of how to break the news. But he doesn’t get the chance-LWJ breaks away from him, racing to his brother, his overly large robes sliding off the side of his little shoulder.

LWJ clutches and pulls at his elder brother’s robes, a silent demand to be lifted up.

“Oh--” Zewu-jun blinks down at the little boy.

He bends to pick him up, unable to refuse the boy. LWJ immediately tucks his face into his brother’s shoulder, holding on tightly to Zewu-jun’s robes.

His little body shudders and WWX feels his heart splinter when he realizes that LWJ is silently crying.

“...Wangji?”

Zewu-jun looks baffled as he turns to look at WWX, he’s gently rocking the boy seemingly unconsciously.

WWX feels a brief and irrational spike of jealousy that LWJ has turned to him for comfort.

“Wei-gonzi, what has happened to Wangji?”

WWX sighs, his body deflating a little.

“A curse. Lan Zhan dove in front of it to protect some of the juniors. I’ve detected the source of the curse but I’ll still need to do some research before attempting a counter spell. I think I’ve heard of something similar to this before--

so I’m hoping there will be more information in your libraries. Luckily from what I can sense, the curse itself doesn’t seem to be malignant. It’s just... Just…”

He waves as the small form of LWJ.

Zewu-jun adjusts his grip on LWJ, his hand coming to cup the back of LWJ’s head. His hand looks huge in comparison to LWJ’s small frame.

“I suppose he must recognize you in some way. I’m not sure how it works,” WWX looks at LSZ. “Did he talk anymore to you?”

LSZ frowns, shaking his head.

“Unfortunately, no. He didn’t recognize me either. He just kept asking for his uncle and Zewu-jun…”

“I have heard of a similar curse as well,” Zewu-jun says looking thoughtful, as he gently bounces his little brother.

“It fades after a short period. It’s intended to force the victim back to a vulnerable form. For most it tends to be infancy, if I recall correctly--

But there is more information in the library,” he looks at WWX with growing confidence and WWX feels some form of relief, some of the muscles in his neck releasing from where they had been tense.

At least there is a possible solution already known.

The majority of their group mount their swords to head back to head back to Cloud Recesses immediately.

WWX requests a small group of juniors to remain behind to continue taking notes from their detection findings. The more information the better.

He leaves LJY in charge of them who tries to protest but one look from Zewu-jun has the boy backing down and barking orders to his remaining shidis and shimeis.

WWX pauses for a moment as they all mount their swords.

While he’s been able to work on growing Mo Xuanyu’s golden core these past few years, he’s never tried to fly on a sword by himself, as he’s always just flown with LWJ.

“Xian-gege can fly with me,” LSZ whispers quietly, offering his sword to him without further comment.

WWX nods stiffly, climbing on and allowing himself to hold on to the boy’s shoulders as they lift off and make their way back to Cloud Recesses without delay.

He loves LSZ but ... he hates this. He hates flying with anyone not LWJ. It feels wrong in a way he can’t articulate.

When they land, Zewu-jun sends the group of juniors off to the library to collect the texts they need before he nods at WWX, gesturing for him to follow him down the path to the living quarters.

LWJ appears to have relaxed some in this time, recognizing his surroundings.

He still clutches at Zewu-jun’s robes but he’s looking around and appears to not be afraid anymore. His eyes cast around as if searching for someone.

Despite everything, WWX can’t help but notice how cute he is. And of course he is. He is still LWJ after all.

LWJ's hair is a little tousled from the flight and one of his cheeks is pink from where it had been resting on Zewu-jun’s shoulder.

“I’m glad he seems to recognize you,” WWX murmurs quietly, speeding up his pace to match Zewu-jun’s unusually brisk pace.

“He doesn’t… He…I asked him, while we were flying...” Zewu-jun shakes his head, looking white in the face.

This gives WWX pause, he hasn’t seen Zewu-jun look so unwell since after the events of Guanyin Temple.

“Lan Zhan, you don’t recognize who's holding you?” WWX asks quietly.

LWJ turns to look at him, his brows furrowed in an adorable frown.

“Mn. Fuqin.”

This stops WWX in his tracks, stunned.

Zewu-jun closes his eyes for a moment before setting off again, picking up his pace, heading toward Lan Qiren’s quarters without another word.

/ pause for now. I’ll post part II this evening. Only a little more 🔪 before the fluff takes over.

Also omg idk how y'all threadfic this more difficult that it seems to do the formatting.

de-aged babyji thread con't let's do this!

part ii.

LQR is already waiting for them outside, an out of breath junior by his side, who bows deeply at Zewu-jun at their approach.

Upon setting his sights on LQR, LWJ is immediately squirming to get down from Zewu-jun’s arms-

and tripping over his too long robes to get to his uncle.

“Shufu!”

LQR blinks before rushing forward to lift the boy into his arms. He looks at LWJ in wonder, pulling the too large robes tighter around him.

“Please collect appropriately sized robes for him from the nursery,” he instructs to the young junior. They bow once more before scurrying off, looking relieved to have a task.

LQR exchanges a look with both WWX and Zewu-Jun before he nods at them to come inside.

WWX notices LSZ hovering behind them, his eyes still fixed on the small form of his adopted father.

WWX pats his shoulder. “Don't worry, A-Yuan. I won’t rest until he’s himself again.”

LSZ sighs, bowing slightly to WWX.

“I trust you to see it done. Please let me know how more I can be of help. I will join those in the library to see what we can find.”

With that he nods and takes off in the direction of the library.

As WWX makes his way into LQR’s quarters, he is abruptly aware at this moment that he's never been inside them before.

He’s called Cloud Recesses home for nearly two years now, ever since he returns from his travels, lovesick and missing LWJ more than he could bear.

LWJ took tea here every morning with his uncle and brother before WWX woke, so the opportunity to join them never came about. Plus, WWX had always wanted to let LQR have some time alone with his nephews.

WWX would normally be curious to look around LQR’s rooms but he can’t focus on anything besides where LQR has gently placed LWJ on his bed.

He’s attempting to adjust LWJ’s forehead ribbon, which hangs comically low on LWJ’s smaller form.

He pulls LWJ’s hair back in a top knot and works the ribbon through it, winding it through several times to help with the length.

LWJ sits quietly, holding still to allow his uncle to work. His eyes keep wandering back to WWX and over to LXC, who hovers by the door --

still looking a little pale in the face.

“Fuqin is here,” LWJ whispers into the silence, looking at LXC and back up at LQR who freezes.

“Wangji, what are you--” LQR stutters, exchanging a confused look at LXC and WWX. LXC just shakes his head, looking away.

“I’m not Wangji. That is fuqin’s qin.” LWJ frowns at his uncle, looking a little fed up.

WWX would find this adorable if this whole situation wasn’t so utterly unnerving.

“He doesn’t remember anything from our current time,” WWX jumps in at LQR’s alarmed expression.

“At his age, he would not have been given his courtesy name yet so…” WWX trails off, exchanging a look at LXC, who still looks determinedly away.

“And, well, he…. --

believes Zewu-jun to be Qingheng-Jun, it would seem.”

LQR shares a pained look in LXC’s direction. “You do resemble your father quite a bit,” he sighs.

“W-- A-Zhan, what is the last thing you remember?” LQR asks cautiously.

“Was playing with gege outside. Hide and seek.” LWJ suddenly sits up, looking up at his uncle with a concerned expression. “We must find gege! He might still be looking.”

This appears to be too much for LXC to handle, with a muttered “excuse me,” he takes off out the door.

WWX is not sure which is worse, to not be recognized at all or to be mistaken for their absent father.

LQR watches LXC go with a contemplative expression.“A-Zhan, your xiongzhang is fine, do not worry. It would seem you are under a spell. We will fix it soon, do not worry.”

LWJ blinks at that. “The spell made my clothes too big.” He holds up his arms as if both to illustrate his point and make a complaint.

WWX snorts a little at that, unable to help himself.

This draws LWJ’s attention back to him.

“Shufu, who is that man? He is not a member of our Sect.”

Before LQR can speak, WWX steps forward, unable to help himself, “Technically I’m a member of your Sect by marriage--!” but at LQR’s extremely disapproving look he stops himself from saying more.

Right.

LWJ is currently six years old.

Probably not the best time to inform him that he is actually his husband.

And yet, the thought of LWJ looking at him as if he is a stranger is not something he can endure

So he speaks, without meaning to, “My name is Wei Ying, you don’t remember me right now but you are my…” LQR’s glower increases, as if daring him to speak further.

“You are my zhiji, my favorite person in the world.” Wei Ying adds the last bit softly, taking in LWJ’s wide-eyed expression.

“Zhiji?”

WWX nods.

“But you are old.”

WWX throws his head back in a laugh.

Oh, how he loves him. In any shape and size, it would seem.

“Yes, very old! A-Zhan, how old do you think I am, try and guess?” WWX puffs his chest out at LWJ, who watches him skeptically.

“Twelve.”

“Twelve! Wow, A-Zhan, so old…. Actually, would you believe that really you are older--”

“I believe that is enough for now,” LQR interjects. “We don’t want to overwhelm him.”

WWX sighs, nodding in understanding.

He is reluctant to part from LWJ but he is also starting to feel antsy that no one has come with any findings from the library yet.

“I will take my leave to help with the investigations,” he bows in exaggerated formality to LWJ, who continues to frown at him in disapproval.

*

They eventually discover more information about the curse but they have to dig deep into library archives to find it.

The curse itself is intended to weaken the victim. While it causes no harm to the individual, it reverts them physically back to a vulnerable physical form.

For most, it takes the form of an infant or perhaps to a time of great sickness or injury.

The curse itself fades after several days, the longest recorded instance being less than one moon cycle.

It is usually meant to give the attacker the upper hand and is not intended for long term use. This is a relief, yet still, WWX does what he can to research to see if he can counter the spell sooner.

“It is odd, though, isn’t it?”

WWX can hear LJY whisper to LSZ.

“Why wouldn’t it change him to a baby? Or, you know, after his back…” LJY catches hold of WWX’s gaze and quickly shuts up after that.

The thought of LWJ having to live through his discipline whip wounds again makes WWX feel physically ill.

They have spared that at least.

But LJY has a point, why this age?

He gets his answer two days later.

He’s spent most of his time since LWJ was cursed in the library, plotting out potential spells to counter attack the curse.

He doesn’t want to risk doing anything to harm LWJ when it’s not necessary but the entire sect seems to be at a stand still with LWJ in this state. With LQR occupied looking after the boy and LXC looking like he’d prefer seclusion once more. For WWX to sit around and NOT try to -

research solutions seems incomprehensible.

At his core, WWX suspects he just doesn’t want to feel helpless. The empty space where LWJ’s presence had filled his life feels so vast.

LWJ has been staying with LQR these past few days, and LQR hasn’t emerged with him in that time, taking their meals in his quarters.

WWX hasn’t visited him again, not knowing what else to say or do with this little version of his husband, who doesn’t even recognize him.

It’s snowing a little this evening, as he trudges back to the Jingshi. It’s just before curfew and he’s feeling a little hungry and miserable.

He’d spent all day pouring over research and failed talisman experiments.

LSZ had made sure to have food sent to him throughout the day but WWX has become used to his husband’s cooking, who made everything just to his liking. Everything else tastes bland in comparison.

At this point he is just eager be home and help himself to some Emperor’s Smile.

WWX stops short when he sees a small figure kneeling in front of the Jingshi doors up ahead.

WWX blinks, uncomprehending at first before he realizes--

Oh.

Oh no.

This.

This is why LWJ has been reverted back to this age, isn’t it?

How foolish of him to not have made that connection before. He suspects LXC has figured it out, which is why he’s been so melancholy over this whole ordeal.

WWX looks around for a sign of anyone else. Where is LQR? Isn’t he supposed to be watching over LWJ? How could he let him slip away?

From the look of the snowflakes in his hair and the state of his robes, it looks as if the boy has been there for some time.

WWX shakes his head, trying to steel himself for what he has to do.

“A-Zhan, what are you doing here?” he attempts to ask softly but LWJ startles anyway.

LWJ recovers quickly, his drooping, dejected form straightened back to attention.

“Waiting for A-Niang.”

WWX sighs.

His heart breaking once more for his beloved.

“A-Niang, huh?” WWX sits himself next to him.

LWJ throws an irritated look in his direction before he straightens once again, turning his unwavering attention back at the Jingshi doors.

“I’m--I don’t think she’s home right now.” WWX murmurs, cringing at himself as he cowardly avoids the truth.

“She is there this time. The lights are on. Not like before. But I don’t know why she doesn’t see me,” LWJ frowns, clenching his fist. His little voice shakes at the end.

Well... shit.

WWX keeps the lanterns lit using talismans, so he’s not stumbling in the pitch darkness when he returns home.

He’s not sure what he hates more about this scenario, that he’s given LWJ false hope or that LWJ thinks he’s being ignored.

“A-Zhan, your shufu has told you you are under a spell, yes?” WWX murmurs. He takes out Chenqing, twirling it in his hands, in need of something to fidget with, to channel his anxious nerves.

“Mn. I’m supposed to be old. Like you. And Ge.”

WWX chuckles a little at that, he feels some relief to know that at least LQR has put Zewu-jun out of his misery and LWJ actually knows who he is now.

“Yes, so it’s been a long time. Your A-Niang doesn’t live here anymore.” WWX tries to break the news gently.

LWJ just stares up at him in confusion. “No.”

“No? A-Zhan thinks I’m lying?” WWX teases a little, he can’t help it.

“A-Niang isn’t supposed to leave. She has to stay here.”

“Ah, well, a long time ago she was able to leave. She’s… with her family now.”

WWX hates himself for this.

But what can he do?

LWJ is only going to be in this form for several more days. Why break his heart?

“Family?” LWJ seems even more confused now. “A-Niang doesn’t have family, just me and gege.”

“Ah, well everyone has family, A-Zhan. You’ve got to come from somewhere, you know? I tell you what, when you are back to normal. We’ll go visit her, just you and me, okay?”

WWX thinks of the tablet down by the coast that LWJ had made for her many years ago. She had always talked about how much she loved the beach, so he thought she would like it there. He’d picked out a beautiful, serene spot not too far from Gusu.

The two of them would also stop by to prepare offerings when passing by the area.

WWX, who had no tablet or grave for his parents to speak of, made two tablets for his own parents there too. The three of them rest side by side, overlooking the beautiful blue shoreline.

LWJ just blinks up at him for a moment, “You are my husband.”

WWX is so taken aback he nearly chokes on his own spit.

“LAN ZHAN! Your shufu really told you this? I’m so surprised!”

LWJ just shakes his head. “Heard shufu and gege talking about it.”

“Ohohoho, A-Zhan, isn’t eavesdropping against your rules, hm?”

LWJ frowns, “Didn’t eavesdrop. They spoke near me.”

“Oh, I see, I see,” WWX grins hugely, feeling light for the first time in days. It’s strange to see parts of the man he loves in this small little form.

“You are my husband. You said you were my zhiji, but you have not come to see me.” LWJ pouts and WWX is struck by how similar he is to when he’s drunk.

He is so cute, WWX wants to pinch his soft little cheek.

“Aiya, Lan Zhan, forgive me. I’ve been trying to research this spell you are under. I didn’t want to scare you, I thought you didn’t recognize me.”

LWJ just continues to pout, refusing to respond.

So it’s like that, WWX smiles to himself.

“What do you say you and me go see the bunnies tomorrow?”

LWJ perks up at that, “Bunnies?”

WWX beams, “yes! There is a family of bunnies that live in the meadow. They love you. We can bring Sizhui-xiong and Jingyi-xiong if you like?”

From what WWX has heard, the two juniors have spent time looking after LWJ when LQR was busy trying to do some work. LJY had been in raptures the previous evening, recounting how LWJ allowed him to carry him around LQR’s garden as he counted the different types of colors he saw.

Now that WWX wasn’t feeling such total despair about the situation, he is envious that they have witnessed such cute behavior. And he is now eager to spend some time with little A-Zhan too.

“No, just Wei Ying.”

WWX just smiles.

“Okay, just you and me then. And the bunnies!”

LWJ nods seriously, as if he is pleased with their negotiations.

“Alright then, let’s get you back to your shufu’s before he has my head. I can’t believe they haven’t noticed you snuck away yet. What a little sneak you are A-Zhan.”

“Not a sneak. Just walked out the door.”

WWX cackles loudly at that. When he tries to take LWJ’s had to lead him along down the path, LWJ resists. Instead he holds his arms up to be held.

“Oh, A-Zhan wants to be carried?” WWX teases, sweeping the boy up easily in his arms.

Delighted by how small LWJ is in this moment.

It feels a little indulgent, all this, now that he knows not to fear for LWJ’s recovery.

LWJ is normally so self-sufficient, always the one doting on and caring for WWX. Having the opportunity to carry him around and baby him -

makes WWX more delighted than he cares to admit.

LWJ takes the opportunity to study WWX’s face up close, as WWX carries him down the familiar paths back to LQR’s.

“A-Zhan, you’re staring at me so seriously. Do I have something on my face?” WWX teases-

bouncing the boy a little as they walk.

“No.” LWJ responds, not elaborating further but just continuing to stare with perseverance.

“Are you disappointed by your future husband then?” WWX laughs, smiling at the boy with his eyebrow crooked.

“No. Wei Ying has a pretty smile.” LWJ pats curiously at WWX’s cheeks.

“Lan Zhan! Always such a flirt, even now!”

Anything more he was going to say is cut off by LQR, who rounds the corner looking frazzled and borderline like he is attempting not to run.

LQR lets out a noise somewhere between exasperation and relief when he sees LWJ in WWX’s arms.

“I had a feeling he was with you, thank the heavens. I forgot how quietly he used to slip away when he was this age.

If not for my cultivation, I would have lost several years of my life in fright at the times he used to do that.” LQR grumbles.

WWX can’t help but laugh. “Ah, well, I thought I’d give you a bit of a break tomorrow and take Lan Zhan. I can come collect him after breakfast?”

LQR just sighs. “Very well then,” he then struggles to pluck LWJ out of WWX’s grasp. LWJ refuses to let go for a moment, his fist determinedly wound around WWX’s red hair ribbon.

“Aiya, Lan Zhan, don’t make me tickle you,” WWX threatens, gently tickling LWJ’s belly.

He sighs in relief when LWJ releases him with an affronted gasp.

WWX takes his chance to dart away and secure his freedom after awkwardly being trapped bent over to the side for longer than what anyone could deem comfortable.

LQR appears to be completely done with both of them. He mutters something about seeing WWX in the morning before taking off with LWJ in his arms without another word.

WWX laughs to himself, feeling a little hysterical at the change in mood this night has brought.

It’s only once he’s back in the Jingshi, that he realizes that little A-Zhan has taken his red ribbon with him.

/ that's it for tonight. i will post the next part tomorrow ~

WWX: sad, lonely, missing his husband, not wanting to overstep
LWJ, age 6: 👁👄👁 wei ying is mine?

And we're back with more de-aged Babyji ~

part III.

The next morning, WWX wakes up on his own. His body awake and thrumming with anxious excitement. He’d sent a note to LZS before going to bed, requesting that, in the event that he sleeps in, LSZ come wake him.

He doesn’t want LWJ to wait for him too long.

Before he heads over to collect LWJ, however, WWX impulsively rifles through the small trunk in the corner of their bedroom.

Where LWJ has kept some of LSZ’s childhood things.

There, sitting on top of LSZ’s children sized robes and stacks of papers containing crude attempts at calligraphy and some sweet little drawings, is a small blue rabbit toy with floppy little ears.

LWJ had made this toy for LSZ himself while he was in seclusion.

He had taken up sewing and embroidery in those years, a skill that his mother excelled in as well.

LWJ had said that though he may have not been able to visit the rabbits with A-Yuan himself during that time, he still wanted to have that connection.

LSZ admitted with a shy smile that he used to sleep with that toy every night up until he moved to the juniors dormitories. And for several years after that, snuck it under his pillow.

Now, WWX smiles gently as he lifts the little rabbit out of the trunk and gazes down at it.

It looks as if it was made of old blue robes that LWJ must have no longer worn and is weighted with dried rice, giving it a light but comforting weight.

It even makes a pleasant sound when you move it around that makes the back of his neck tingle pleasantly.

WWX wonders if he should ask LSZ’s permission before he brings it along. Yet, for little A-Zhan, he can’t imagine LSZ would mind.

So, with a small smile, he tucks the toy into his robes and heads out the door.

When he arrives at LQR’s, LWJ is already there on the porch waiting for him.

He’s sitting primly but his little feet swing just slightly from where they hang off the steps.

He is so cute, WWX wants to scream.

“A-Zhan!” He calls cheerfully, jogging down the path to get there faster. He’s perfected the art of not /exactly/ running over the last few years.

LWJ perks up at the sight of him, hurrying to sit up and re-adjust his robes to lie flat.

This ends up being a fruitless gesture, as WWX quickly scoops him up and spins him around in the air, his little feet flying akimbo.

A-Yuan used to love it when WWX did that with him.

And now, all the little Lan babies that he helps teach basic drawing and painting skills line up to not-so-patiently wait for their turn for Xian-gege to toss them in the air.

LWJ just gasps, clutching tightly to WWX’s robes once he’s properly settled back in his arms.

WWX laughs for him, feeling joyful.

He feels more relief now, compared to yesterday, as he spent another few hours in bed last night reviewing his notes for LWJ’s curse.

At this point, he felt there were enough instances of this type of magic to conclusively say that LWJ isn’t in any real danger.

And, with LWJ’s strong qi and cultivation, he would likely only be trapped in this form for a few more days if not less.

So why not try to have some fun, eh?

“Lan Zhan! Are you ready to see the bunnies?” WWX asks with glee.

“Mn.”

LWJ squirms in WWX’s arm in an effort to either get comfortable or to express excitement, WWX is not sure which.

But does know he wants to bite his mantou cheeks.

WWX is about to turn and set off without delay but a quiet clearing of the throat stops him.

LQR makes his way down the porch followed by a smiling Zewu-Jun.

“We had some fresh herbs and vegetables prepared for you to take with you, to feed the rabbits,” Zewu-jun says as he hands over a small woven basket.

LQR harrumphs. “Purely the stems and left overs, nothing wasteful,” he insists.

WWX nods indulgently at him.

“Have fun, A-Zhan, I will send some lunch down for you both later today,” LXC says lightly.

He says this while combing away some of the hair that had flown in LWJ’s face during WWX’s antics.

He’s standing much closer to WWX than he normally ever would, seeming to be too delighted fussing over his miniature didi to notice him.

LWJ nods seriously, reaching out to pat LXC’s cheek.

“Okay, bye, gege. We will have dinner and tea later.”

With that, WWX exchanges a smile with him before he trots off down the familiar paths to the meadow.

They get quite a few curious looks as they make their way through Cloud Recesses.

Normally WWX pays no mind to these things, but he’s feeling a little protective over LWJ being seen like this.

So he adjusts his cloak to drape over them, to keep the boy mostly covered.

LWJ huffs in complaint. “Cannot see.”

“Well, A-Zhan why don’t you count for me and we’ll see how far you get until we get there, huh?”

WWX used to do this with A-Yuan as well.

There wasn’t much fun for a child in the Burial Mounds, so when in need to entertain the boy, they would prompt him to count or sing.

This whole ordeal has made WWX think about A-Yuan a lot.

LSZ has taken up more responsibilities in the past year. So between that and his visits to his “Ning Shushu”, he has been kept occupied.

LWJ and him haven’t been able to spend as much time with him as they first had when WWX first returned to Cloud Recesses.

WWX resolves to make more time to spend alone with the young man.

If LWJ can be convinced, maybe he’ll take them both down to the waterfall together tomorrow to have some fun.

A-Zhan counts to 30 before he decides that’s far enough and restarts from 1.

By the time they make to the meadow, WWX has switched tactics, pointing to random plants and birds, explaining what each of them is.

LWJ is an excellent audience, as always. Listening studiously as with his little brow furrowed.

As if making a physical effort to memorize this information.

WWX can’t help but pinch his cheek a little for being so cute. He’s resisted temptation long enough.

LWJ is not amused in the slightest. Glowering up at WWX for this affront.

He’s annoyance melts away, however as WWX carries him down the bamboo steps to the meadow.

From there, LWJ stares in wide-eyed wonder at the little white bunnies that cluster together in the field, peacefully nibbling some flowers.

At the familiar sight of WWX, however, they hop their way over, knowing to inspect him for food.

LWJ gasps quietly as WWX lowers them down the ground. WWX sits in lotus position, setting their little basket of vegetables next to them.

LWJ clamors into his lap, staring at the bunnies in amazement.

He holds out a hang cautiously for one to sniff and it immediately bounces into his lap, nudging for pets.

WWX laughs in delight. “Lan Zhan, they recognize you!”

WWX then guides him on how to gently pet and correctly hold the rabbits.

WWX can’t help but shake his head a little in amusement at this, thinking of all the times LWJ has chastised him about his improper rabbit handling techniques.

After no time though, LWJ sits content, petting the two rabbits snuggled in his lap and feeding them coriander leaves.

LWJ doesn’t speak for a while after that besides the occasional gasp whenever one of the rabbits does something particularly cute.

WWX is content to fill the silence. He continues his point and explain game a little longer until he gets bored and switches to recounting tales and legends from some of the different towns he visited during his travels.

Time passes by in a contented haze.

In what feels like no time at all, he spots LSZ and LJY coming down the path with a basket full of their lunch.

WWX has just gotten to the climax of this story.

The two juniors seem to sense this and wait with indulgent smiles.

Watching with indulgent smiles as LWJ looks with baited breath as WWX acts out the last scene.

He finishes with flourish, bending down on one knee in front of LWJ. And after a quick flash of a talisman, the little blue bunny toy pops out of WWX’s sleeve.

He presents it to LWJ, who snatches it, looking awe-struck at WWX for a moment before cuddling close to his face.

It’s the sweetest thing WWX has ever seen in his entire life.

WWX makes a pained noise, collapsing on the ground as if wounded, unable to withstand it.

LWJ pays him no mind.

“Who’ve you got there, A-Zhan?” LSZ smiles down at the boy as he and LJY settle down next to them on the grass.

WWX exchanges a quick glance at LSZ, who just nods head in acceptance before smiling brilliantly at LWJ.

The boy holds out the little bunny toy for LSZ’s inspection.

“This is Didi.”

“Didi, huh?” WWX smiles.

“Mn."

"Will take him home with me to be with Gege and A-Niang.” LWJ continues simply, taking the toy back into his cradling arms.

LSZ and LJY both throw bemused glances in WWX's direction, but he just subtly shakes his head in response.

WWX just gives LWJ’s cheek another gentle squeeze before he sets his sights on unpacking their lunch.

/ end for the night.

sorry folks, i wanted to write more but it was a pain medication type of night and ya girl is looped.

will try to finish this tomorrow, even if i'm updating while lying on the floor lol

! 🤴🏻➡️👶🏻 !

back with de-aged babyji.

a shorter update for this afternoon as i unexpectedly got called into work 🙄

“Zewu-jun said that he liked being carried at this age,” LSZ whispers to WWX as they watch LJY stride ahead with LWJ proudly in his arms.

“Yes, I noticed,” WWX laughs.

The four of them head back, to return LWJ to LQR’s after lunch, so that WWX can teach his advanced talisman making class to the older Lan disciples that afternoon.

The two boys have prompted LWJ to recount the things WWX showed him on the way here.

LWJ diligently points at the different birds and plants he sees, looking very serious indeed. LJY nods eagerly along as he tucks LWJ under WWX’s cloak.

LWJ is perhaps at the age where he’s a little too big to be carried around so much. But no one has the heart to deny him.

Especially now.

Not even LQR, it would seem.

“Shugong said that since he will likely turn back soon, it’s best to not upset him and risk destabilizing his qi," LSZ says, looking amused.

WWX can’t help but laugh at that.

If that’s what you need to tell yourself, LQR, he thinks to himself.

WWX has no such qualms about spoiling LWJ, curse or no curse.

He’d been tested though, when it was time to leave the meadow.

LWJ had /not/ wanted to go and had simply laid on the ground, refusing to move. Ignoring their pleas to get up.

LJY and LSZ looked at WWX torn between looking concerned and like they wanted to laugh.

WWX had sighed, attempting to pry the boy up off the ground.

LWJ had resisted with his full dead weight.

WWX had tried to use the little rabbit toy to coax the boy up, making it tickle and kiss LWJ’s face.

But LWJ just glowered and turned his face into the dirt.

WWX eventually was able to heft the boy enough to turn him around but the boy was pouting mightily, looking close to tears.

WWX shook head as he wiped the dirt off his face, thinking of what LQR would say if he returned LWJ to him in this state.

“Lan Zhan, what’s wrong? I know we’re having fun but we’ll come back tomorrow, alright? I have to go teach a class now but I will stop by to see you before dinner. You are supposed to have dinner and tea with your gege, remember?”

“Wei Ying must come,” LWJ insisted, “and have tea with Didi, Gege, and A-Niang.”

“Oh, very well then,” WWX agreed with a smile.

He made a move to grab for LWJ’s cheek again but the boy scuttled away to hide behind LJY and glare at him.

Now, as they make their way through CR they watched as LJY trotted ahead happily with LWJ in tow under WWX’s cloak.

LWJ would occasionally peek through the fabric to check to make sure he and LSZ were still following behind them.

“Xian-ge, what did A-Zhan mean when he said he wants you to have tea with his gege and A-Niang?”

WWX sighs.

“Ah, A-Yuan, I don’t really know. Did you know he tried to look for her at the Jingshi last night? I found him there waiting for her. It nearly broke my heart.”

“He didn’t seem to understand that she wasn’t there,” WWX continues. “So I may have fibbed and told him she ‘left to go live with her family’. It wasn’t technically a lie but… do you think that was wrong of me to do?”

“Ah. Well. Like Shugong said, it’s best to not upset him."

"Zewu-jun thinks that since Hanguang-jun was really sad at this time in his life, that may be why he was reverted to this state, so..”

“--So if we make him happy then the curse would undo itself faster?” WWX posits.

LSZ nods, “that is Shugong and Zewu-jun’s theory.”

“It is a sound theory,” WWX says consideringly, “It can’t hurt to spoil him a little. I certainly don’t mind. Making Lan Zhan happy is my goal in life always. We’ll just have to tread carefully… about mentions of his A-Niang.”

LSZ nods thoughtfully.

WWX hesitates for a moment before he says, “A-Zhan overheard Zewu-jun and his uncle mention that we were married…”

WWX isn’t sure what is prompting him to bring it up, to be honest but he’s suddenly unable to stop the words from spewing out of his mouth.

LSZ just chuckles. “Ah, that would make sense. He would not stop asking us questions about you yesterday.”

“Oh?”

“Mn. He wanted to know your favorite foods and things you liked.”

“Aiya, Lan Zhan, so sweet. The best husband even when he’s a baby.” WWX tuts, twirling Chenqing to distract from how touched he is by this.

In this instance, he misses Lan Zhan fiercely. As much as he’s enjoying this little baby version of him, he misses his husband.

After another pause, WWX asks cautiously, “you think it’s fine that I am spending time with him? It’s not… confusing him? Lao Lan didn’t seem to object…”

“Well, the goal is to keep him happy. So if he wants to see you, how can he object? And everyone knows he’s safe with you.”

WWX smiles.

“Say, A-Yuan, has anyone told him about you, yet?” WWX asks. During their playtime today LWJ didn’t seem to look at LSZ as anything other than a shixiong and babysitter.

“Ah, well, I didn’t want to overstep,” LSZ demurs, looking away.

WWX can see his jaw clench a little though.

“Well he seems to be fine with me and his gege looking like an adult, so if you want us to tell him…”

“I don’t want to upset him,” LSZ responds quietly.

“Why would he be upset to know he has the best son in the entire world?” WWX tugs a little at LSZ’s sleeve.

LSZ just shakes his head a little.

“I get it, it’s hard for me to have a six year old husband so I imagine it must be just as hard to have a six year old father,” WWX teases lightly.

He doesn’t want to push the boy if he’s feeling reluctant, but he doesn’t want him to hold back either...

“But, if you like, you should tell him. A-Zhan may give you extra hugs.”

LSZ just smiles a little at that.

“I will consider it.”

“Very well! I was thinking... how about the three of us head to the waterfall tomorrow? It’s a little cold for swimming but he always likes to go out there to play his qin. We still have your little children’s qin for him to try if he wants. Perhaps you can help him play?”

LSZ smiles gently at that thought. “Yes, that would be nice. I will need to request it with Zewu-Jun, though, I’m supposed to oversee some training for the younger juniors.”

“I’m sure Jingyi won’t mind taking charge of your lessons tomorrow.”

They turn to examine the teen, who is delightedly singing a children’s song to LWJ.

Off-key.

After enduring this for a gracious amount of time, LWJ’s little hand floats out from under the cloak to simply cover LJY’s mouth.

(a visual, for reasons)

/ pause for now.

Got called into work... so I will try to post more tonight.

!🤴🏻➡️👶🏻!
de-aged babyji incoming:

WWX makes his way to LQR’s that evening just as the sun is starting to set in the sky.

He’s both eager to see little A-Zhan and also feeling a looming sense of dread.

LWJ was so insistent that WWX have tea with his brother and mother. WWX worries that the boy will be upset when they have to dance around his mother’s absence.

WWX thought that LWJ handled his explanation last night quite well, all things considered.

Yet, he worries now that the boy didn’t take it to heart.

His Lan Zhan has always been rather stubborn, after all.

However as LQR lets the door open for him and he murmurs “you are right on time” as WWX slides his shoes off.

There sitting at LQR’s table is LWJ, Zewu-jun, and three little stuffed animals.

One is LSZ’s little blue bunny, the other two a worn looking panda bear and a lumpy looking kitten.

LWJ nods, looking pleased in his own subtle way at WWX’s arrival.

He indicates formally for WWX to sit on the mat closest to him.

“We are having tea.”

/Oh my goodness./

WWX exchanges a helpless look at LXC who fails to contain his amused smile as he nods to WWX silently in greeting.

“Wei Ying knows Didi and Gege but he has not met Kitty-Gege or A-Niang.”

LWJ refers to LXC and the kitten doll as the “Geges” and the panda as “A-Niang”.

WWX allows himself to feel a brief moment of relief for this reveal--

that LWJ has been referring to his toys and not actually his mother.

Yet still, the biggest concern is how WWX will get through this tea and dinner with his sanity intact.

As this is just too cute for him to possibly survive.

WWX bows formally to the Kitty-Gege and Panda-A-Niang in greeting, to which LWJ nods in approval.

The boy then picks up the small children’s tea set in front of them and pretends to pour them their tea. There is nothing in it, of course.

WWX has to clench his fists to resist screaming over how adorable this is but he doesn’t want to interrupt LWJ’s clear demand for formality.

The little boy even takes care to pretend to pull his sleeves aside, just as he would as an adult, though his sleeves are cuffed.

LWJ clears his throat in a way that reminds him of LQR. WWX realizes with a wave of crushing affection, that LWJ is imitating his uncle's mannerisms.

WWX darts a quick look at LQR who has busied himself reviewing his student’s assignments behind his desk across the room.

WWX thinks he spots a small quirk of a smile on the man's face but it’s quickly covered up as he strokes his beard.

After he and Zewu-jun finish their pretend tea, a young servant arrives with their dinner. They look curiously at the scene in front of them--

biting their lip to restrain themselves from exclaiming at the adorable sight.

LQR comes to join them then and LWJ graciously allows him to sit in the seat which housed his stuffed animals. He assigns Kitty-Gege to sit with Zewu-jun for dinner and Panda-A-Niang to WWX.

He sits the little blue rabbit next to himself.

“You’ve done very well, A-Zhan,” LQR praises quietly, gently patting the boy on the shoulder.

LWJ doesn’t smile but he does swell a little at the praise.

As they silently eat their dinner, the boy sways a little happily as he occasionally glances up at WWX and his family.

After they finish, WWX gets up to follow after Zewu-Jun who has excused himself for the evening with a nod to WWX and LQR and a hug with A-Zhan.

“I’ll pick him up at the same time tomorrow?” WWX asks LQR who agrees before excusing himself back to his desk.

WWX attempts bends down to say goodnight to LWJ but the boy is clutching at the ends of his robes. He’s holding the little blue bunny in his grasp as well.

“Ah, A-Zhan, I’ve got to go now. It’s almost time to get ready for bed. Don’t worry, I will see you tomorrow morning. I’m going to take you and Sizhui to see the waterfall and we’ll play all day, alright?”

“No Sizhui. Just Wei Ying.”

“Oh my, what’s wrong? You don’t like your Sizhui-xiong? He’s a very sweet boy! The best! You had lots of fun with him and Jingyi today, no?”

“Mn, but Wei Ying is /my friend/, not his.”

“Oh dear…” WWX exchanges a helpless look at LQR who very /unhelpfully/ gets up to escape to the bedroom. WWX gets a glimpse of a small cot set up next to LQR’s bed before LQR lightly slides the door shut.

“A-Zhan,” WWX folds himself to sit on the floor and talk at LWJ’s level.

He peels LWJ’s hand away from his robe to hold it in his own instead.

It’s so small, still squishy with baby fat. It’s hard to think that they will become the elegant, beautiful hands that WWX loves so much.

“A-Zhan, Sizhui is very dear to us. You don’t remember but you care for him very much. And he cares for /you/ so much. It would mean a lot to him and to /me/ for him to spend the day with us tomorrow.”

LWJ’s pout melts a little at this and he caves with a small nod.

“Thank you, I promise we’ll have fun together,” WWX gently squishes LWJ’s little cheek. LWJ glares but is still unwilling to let go of WWX’s hand.

“Don’t want you to go,” LWJ frowns.

WWX smiles at him. “Well, A-Zhan it’s almost bedtime and you need to sleep! Otherwise how can we have fun tomorrow? Just think, when you wake up in the morning tomorrow we can go see the bunnies again! And I’m taking you and Sizhui to the waterfall. That sounds fun, right?”

LWJ nods but in a way that makes it known that he’s still not pleased with this situation.

WWX is unable to resist temptation and tucks the boy in his arms in a tight embrace.

“Wei Ying?” LWJ whispers into his shoulder.

“Yes?”

“You said you are my zhiji and you married me when I was old so… you won’t leave like A-Niang.

/Oh./

“A-Niang said me and Gege are her favorite people in the world too. She said she would never leave us…”

“A-Zhan,” WWX gathers him close, pulling him in his lap. “A-Zhan, to me, being with you is the best thing in my life. I love you so much. You are my family and my home.

I would never leave you. Not ever.”

WWX heartbreaks when he feels LWJ sniffle into his robes.

So he just holds him tighter, rocking them both a little.

Without intending to, WWX finds himself humming /wangxian/.

It’s his comfort song after all. Maybe on some visceral level, he hopes LWJ will recognize it.

LWJ’s grips loosens eventually and WWX looks down to see the boy has fallen asleep.

WWX gently strokes a finger over his cheek before carefully standing up, with the boy in his arms.

LQR must have heard his movements and slides the bedroom door open to allow him entrance.

WWX carefully tucks LWJ into his little cot and places his stuffed toys around him.

There is a small toy wooden sword next to the bed, in an imitation to how Bichen (and Suibian) rests by their own bed at night.

WWX smiles at that before turning to leave without another word.

LQR follows him out to the entrance of his home and as WWX pulls his shoes back on he whispers, “Thank you.”

WWX just nods, “Of course, I don’t mind putting him to bed.”

LQR just shifts, avoiding his eyes for a moment. “No, /thank you/. Wangji is much happier, with you in his life.”

“Ah.”

WWX’s eyes sting, he is so surprised he’s not entirely sure what to do or say.

He can’t even think of a joke to make, not wanting to ruin the moment.

One thing he’s learned from his husband though, is that sometimes, words aren’t needed.

So instead he just bows in acknowledgement, gives him a small smile, and takes his leave for the evening.

WWX waits until he’s back at the Jingshi, with his face tucked into his husband’s pillow and the warm smell of LWJ surrounding him, to let a few tears fall.

/ pause for now.

just one more part so we'll see how far i get tomorrow 📝

🤴🏻➡️👶🏻

final installment of de-aged babyji coming at you~

The next morning WWX /does/ need to be roused by LSZ.

He wasn't able to sleep the night before, his mind rehashing the scene with little A-Zhan sniffling into his robes, desperately missing his mother.

LWJ isn’t one to share things or talk about his feelings without being prompted, or in some cases, forced.

WWX himself is the same way, especially regarding the time of his life after losing his parents.

WWX resolves to take a trip down the mountain to go visit their memorial tablets after this is over and LWJ is healed.

Little LWJ is currently waiting for them on the porch again.

This time with both the little blue bunny and his toy sword in hand.

“Oh, look at that sword! What’s this A-Zhan, you are going into battle?” WWX teases lightly as he takes the boy’s hand to lead them down the path.

“I need it to protect Wei Ying.”

“/Oh/?”

WWX exchanges a look with LSZ who cannot contain his smile.

“Mn. Wei Ying doesn’t have a sword so I will bring mine.”

“A-Zhan! So sweet!” WWX can’t help but sweep the boy into his arms.

He’s already got the LSZ’s childhood qin strapped to his back so he’s slowed down a little by LWJ’s added heft. Though the boy is still quite small.

“A-Zhan, I do have a sword! Maybe I’ll show you tomorrow. Can you guess it’s name?”

LWJ doesn’t even attempt a guess.

“Why don’t you carry it?” LWJ asks, his brow furrowed in confusion.

WWX plucks the little bunny toy from him and tucks it into his robes before he holds out his wrist for LWJ to feel his qi.

LWJ’s little face scowls further when he does.

“Pretty bad, huh? It’s much better than it was, though, I’ve improved it a lot!”

“You’ve improved it an /extraordinary/ amount, Xian-gege.” LSZ shakes his head affectionately at him.

“I’ve tried my best,” WWX demures.

When he’d left to travel on his own after LWJ accepted the chief cultivator position, he first wandered without intentions, just stopping to help people in need as a rogue cultivator.

Just him and Lil Apple, enjoying shared stories and befriending people from all walks of life.

(i guess this is cql-verse, we're going with it~)

It made him think a lot about his parents.

About how, had he not been raised by the YunmengJiang clan, he would have liked to be a rogue cultivator as well.

Independent of power hierarchies and free of political corruption.

Just helping people in need with no one but Lan Zhan at his side, like how XXC and SL had lived.

It had been his secret fantasy ever since he was a boy and went on his first nighthunt with LWJ.

Before the war took things from them they could never get back.

This also made him think of Baoshen Sanren and how he had always wanted to meet her, as his mother’s shifu.

So, he found himself searching for her.

And when WWX eventually found his way to her, she’d just grumbled before letting him inside her home.

She was a tiny woman but grumpy too, unused to having to share space with another person.

He was exceedingly fond of her and he didn’t regret for one moment taking the time for himself to learn from her.

It had been a time of seclusion and healing, his body and mind finally having the quiet to confront the trauma it had been put through, in both life times.

He thought a lot about the Dafan Wen, Shijie, Jin Zixuan, Jiang Shushu, and Madam Yu in that time.

And his parents as well.

All people who had been taken from him. Whose lives and deaths were entwined with his.

It was with her that he was able to take what remained of MXY’s core and turn it into something more.

Something that gave him a real chance for a future with LWJ.

Not that he wouldn’t have had a future with LWJ without one, but a future that he wanted. A future where he felt he had /purpose/.

And, when he couldn’t bear another day being apart from his zhiji any longer, he’d parted his ways with his shifu and set his path back to Gusu.

With their song in his heart and a marriage proposal on his lips

He could endure living in Cloud Recesses, such a controlled and strict place, if that meant he could be with LWJ.

LWJ was needed there, his brother needed him and as did his Sect. It was his home.

So WWX made it his home too.

WWX made himself useful, offering his skills in teaching the young disciples who came to learn from the masters.

He enjoyed teaching more than he realized, something he learned about himself through his time spent with Jin Ling and the other juniors.

And amazingly, the Lan really liked what he did. Once they learned to live with his unconventional methods, that is. They had disciples coming from all Sects to learn talisman invention from Wei Wuxian.

LWJ was so proud of his growth.

And LWJ's pride in him, fuels WWX to keep going. To keep building his core, so that he and LWJ can have a long life together in this life time.

Little LWJ, though, disapproves when he feels his Qi.

“Aiyo, A-Zhan, don’t pout! I’m improving my core everyday! I will live a long life yet, you can’t get rid of me too quickly.”

LSZ nods in agreement. “You don’t need to worry, A-Zhan. Xian-gege is a man of his word. He's been getting stronger everyday.”

LWJ just turns his face into WWX’s neck and WWX can barely hear the quiet whisper.

“/My/ gege. Not yours.”

Luckily, LSZ has not heard this and leads the way up the trail to reach the waterfall, blissfully unaware that this version of his six year old father has a jealous grudge against him.

There can only be one baby, it would seem.

WWX can’t wait to tease LWJ about this, when he’s back to normal.

For now, though, they spend a lovely morning playing music by the waterfall. WWX on the dizi and LSZ on his qin.

LWJ determinedly plays some chords on LSZ's little practice qin, too. His little tongue just slightly sticking out.

It is quite possibly the cutest thing WWX has ever seen.

He nearly falls into the river because of it.

LWJ even puts his grudge against LSZ temporarily aside to sit next to him and allow LSZ to gently instruct him through playing the qin.

LSZ keeps throwing joyful smiles at WWX as the little boy eventually migrates into his lap to have a better view of LSZ’s playing.

“A-Zhan you used to do this with me, when I was your age, you know,” LSZ smiles down at the boy.

LWJ blinks.

“We are friends, A-Zhan and Shixiong?”

LSZ looks at WWX, who just smiles encouragingly at him.

“Ah, well, A-Zhan, you are /my/ shixiong or, well, rather shifu or… rather...it was you who raised me. I was an orphan and you took me in and cared for me. I consider both you and Xian-gege to be...”

LWJ exchanges a wide-eyed look at WWX.

“Sizhui-shixiong is our baby?”

WWX nods, “Yes, in many ways. You gave him Bunny-Didi, you know. It was his toy. You made it for him, actually. He let me give it to you, for you to have.”

He pulls the blue bunny out of his robes to hand to LWJ, who stares at for a moment before holding it out to LSZ.

“I did not mean to take your toy BaoBao-xiong,” LWJ earnestly says.

“Oh my! You didn’t! Of course you may play with it, A-Zhan. I trust you to take care of it.”

WWX has fallen over, overcome with laughter at little LSZ's new nickname.

LWJ is much warmer to LSZ after this, though only WWX might notice. He spends much of their morning staring up at LSZ and huddling closer to him.

LWJ needs to be carried down the path back to CR, as the rocks are too steep for him and he immediately reaches for LSZ.

WWX pretends to pout about this.

“Wei Ying must save his strength. Baobao is stronger.” LWJ responds practically from where he is carefully cradled in LSZ’s arms.

WWX pretends to stab himself in the heart with LWJ’s toy sword.

LWJ finds this an inappropriate use of his sword and demands it be relinquished back to him.

When they get to the meadow, LSZ sets LWJ down and mentions that he requested for some lunch to be packed for them along with some treats for the rabbits, so he goes to retrieve them.

WWX takes his opportunity to snatch LWJ and pull him in his lap to try and tickle him. LWJ squirms mightily, until finally a tiny little giggle escapes his mouth.

It’s the sweetest sound WWX has ever heard.

He presses a gentle kiss to LWJ’s forehead and smiles into his hair, cuddling him close. Cuddling LWJ is one of WWX’s favorite activities and this little version of him is especially cuddle-able.

“Hm, so aren’t you glad Sizhui joined us today? Didn’t we have fun?”

LWJ nods, “Mn, love A-Yuan.”

LWJ’s gently petting a rabbit that is snuggled up to their side and he starts lightly humming, his happiness and contentment clear.

WWX smiles before he freezes in surprise, trying to recall if he ever addressed LSZ as “A-Yuan” in front of LWJ.

He’s got a niggling sense of intuition and he’s reaching for a talisman when he hears it.

LWJ’s humming wangxian.

“Lan Zhan…?” WWX asks cautiously.

But before LWJ can turn to respond, there is a rush of light and a ripping sound of fabric.

And then, there he is, his Lan Zhan.

Naked, sprawled in WWX's lap, with the children’s robes he was wearing in tatters around him, looking bemused.

His forehead ribbon’s popped off and dangles haphazardly in his hair.

“Lan Zhan! You're back!” WWX pulls him on top of himself even more firmly, kissing his face and everywhere he can reach.

“I missed you!”

The rabbits have all scrambled away, frightened by the sudden shift of energy. So WWX doesn’t feel badly about all but wrestling LWJ into an embrace.

WWX struggles to keep his hold on his husband while attempting to pull out the extra robes he stored out of his qiankun pouch.

LQR and Zewu-Jun insisted he carry some extra robes, in case LWJ changed back while they were outside.

WWX had readily agreed to this precaution, as he had no interest in sharing the privilege of viewing LWJ’s naked body with anyone else.

“LWJ are you all right? Do you remember anything or--?”

The reports of the victim's memories, from those who had recovered from this curse had been inconclusive. With some remembering what happened and others not.

“Yes, I remember everything.” LWJ says while fixing his robes and attempting to re-tie this headband.

He’s only got the most basic of layers of robes and WWX has to force his eyes away from the bare skin of LWJ’s collar bones.

LWJ smoothes his robes, getting to his feet and looking determined. “I must apologize to Sizhui and Shufu. I was rude to them.”

WWX just tugs LWJ back down the grass with him, checking the flow of his qi.

It feels just as strong as ever, just the slightest bit of tremulousness. They will stop by the healers to have him checked over.

“Aiyo, BaoBao-xiong didn’t even notice you being jealous, if that’s what you are worried about. But what’s this about being rude to Shufu?”

LWJ looks away and sighs.

“I bit him.”

“LAN ZHAN!”

WWX falls over onto the grass laughing uproariously.

“Lan Zhan, what did your poor Shufu do to deserve getting bit?”

LWJ just shakes his head, but there is a ghost of a smile quirking at the sides of his mouth.

“He made me go to bed when I wanted to see you.”

WWX beams. “Hm, yes, very disrespectful to A-Zhan.”

LWJ cups a hand to his cheek, gently sweeping his thumb over WWX’s cheekbone.

“He should have known by now, not to try to keep me from you.”

WWX’s eyes sting as he turns his head to kiss LWJ’s hand. He pulls LWJ closer to him, in another tight embrace, laying his head on LWJ’s shoulder.

WWX breathes in a sigh of relief at the familiar feeling of his body against his.

“Lan Zhan, I promised you that we’d go visit your mother. Let’s go pay our respects to our parents memorial tablets soon?”

“Yes, we can go tomorrow.” LWJ’s warm hand cups the back of WWX’s neck, massaging there, just like he knows WWX likes.

“As soon as you are cleared by the healers to travel,” WWX counters. “You might need to rest some time longer, your qi is still a little unbalanced.”

LWJ just nods in acceptance of this. “Wei Ying will take care of me.”

“Always,” WWX murmurs into LWJ’s neck, pressing a kiss to the soft skin there.

“Wei Ying… thank you. For comforting me. This whole experience… reminded me how lost I was back then. ”

“Always,” WWX just whispers again, pulling back so he can look at LWJ directly. “I will always be there for you. Just as you would for me.”

LWJ nods before leaning forward to press a sweet, gentle kiss to WWX’s lips.

“Mmm,” WWX sighs contently against LWJ’s lips. “Ah, Lan Zhan, you were the cutest little boy in the world! And I learned some things about you I never knew!”

“And what’s that?” LWJ asks, a slight tease to his voice.

“That Lan Zhan loves being carried!” WWX cheers, tightening his grip on LWJ before standing to sweep his husband up in his arms.

“Wei Ying!” LWJ protests but his arms wrap around WWX’s shoulders all the same.

“My beautiful husband likes to be carried so I must give my beautiful husband as he wants!” WWX laughs, swaying LWJ in his arms.

“Perhaps, you should wait until Sizhui comes back. He can carry me, since he’s stronger,” LWJ teases, as WWX makes a show of trudging them around.

WWX makes a wounded noise at that.

“My husband, how could you say that /your gege/, huh?”

LWJ sighs, the sound somewhere between reluctant acceptance and disgust.

“Hey, Lan Zhan, you were such a cute little kid it got me thinking…”

“Yes?”

“Would you, maybe, want to adopt another kid someday? There is no rush, I know you’re busy! It’s just… we still have all A-Yuan’s kid stuff and your uncle clearly kept all your things too--

I just-- we never got the chance to raise A-Yuan /together/ so... I thought--”

“Wei Ying,” LWJ cuts off WWX’s nervous rambling with a finger to his lips.

“Wei Ying, yes, let’s adopt. As soon as we find a child that is right for us. We can have as many as you want… I would like to have a daughter, I think.”

WWX just smiles widely, before swooping down to kiss his husband once more.

Fin. 🥺

Hope you enjoyed my first attempt at a real threadfic! My apologies for the typos and inelegant formatting~ I will clean this up to put on A03 later, most likely.

Here's the visual for WWX carrying his husband. As they both deserve!

lieu-rey.tumblr.com/post/626460047…