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      “A-Cheng! A-Cheng wake up, or else we’ll be late!” Jiang Cheng was content to ignore his brother’s grating voice and shove his face back into the pillow, but unlike Wei Wuxian he was responsible . He also knew that his mother would have his head if she found out that he’d started skipping classes in Cloud Recesses. Thus, Jiang Cheng reluctantly woke up making sure to chuck a pillow at his brother’s stupid face. 

    “So violent didi!” Wei Wuxian laughed, dodging the next pillow assault. “How do you expect anyone to marry you with that temper?”

    “I don’t want to get married.” Jiang Cheng huffed and threw on his complementary Lan robes. 

    “But you have to get married!” His older brother whined. Jiang Cheng whipped his head to glare at him. Why did he have to get married? Was it because he was the heir of his sect? He’d be able to lead his sect just fine without a wife and furthermore-

    “I want a mini Jiang Cheng as my nephew! You were so cute as a kid! It’s a shame. Look at you now-” Wei Wuxian shrieked as his brother lunged for him. Wei Wuxian was secretly thankful that Madam Yu hadn’t gifted A-Cheng Zidian yet. 

    “I yield! I yield!” Wei Wuxian pleaded, trying to ward off Jiang Cheng’s attempt to suffocate him with his pillows. “We’re definitely late now!”

    Jiang Cheng finally let up, and together they made their way to another seemingly endless lecture, courtesy of Lan Qiren. Jiang Cheng would never voice these thoughts aloud, but he was hoping that the more appealing Twin Jade of Gusu was going to be assisting their class today.

    Jiang Cheng had spoken to Lan Xichen a handful of times before, but never long enough to strike up a meaningful conversation. Lan Xichen was usually busy or their talks were unceremoniously interrupted by his stone-faced brother. Even during their brief communications with one another, Lan Xichen was always kind, and Jiang Cheng thought he had a really nice smile and he was also very handsome and-

    Jiang Cheng shook his head, not allowing his thoughts to drift any further. When they arrived at the classroom, it was just as they had feared. Class had already begun.

    “This is your fault.” Wei Wuxian hissed in his brother’s ear as they hid outside, out of Lan Qiren’s line of sight.

    “Who was the one that kept me up last night, whining about Lan Zhan this and Lan Zhan that. And Oh Lan Er-gege is so strong, I wonder if he’ll spar with me and then-” Jiang Cheng’s next words were muffled by a palm covering his mouth. 

    “I told you those things in confidence ! My didi’s so cruel...Ow!” Wei Wuxian cried out, jerking his hand away after Jiang Cheng had bitten his palm as if it were pork. 

    Wei Wuxian’s antics did not go unnoticed by the class whose entrance was less than a meter away from him.

   “Wei Wuxian!” Lan Qiren’s voice roared. The boys were forced out of their hiding space. 

    Lan Qiren was there to “greet” them at the door. He looked disappointed to see Jiang Cheng there as well. Disappointed, but not surprised. 

    “Young Master Jiang, you’re late. Is this how the heir to the Yunmeng throne should conduct himself?”

    Jiang Cheng winced, shaking his head. Lan Qiren turned to glare at Wei Wuxian.

   “Wei Wuxian! This is the fifth time you’ve disrupted my class and the third time you’ve been late, just this week ! What do you have to say for yourself?”

    Wei Wuxian turned to Jiang Cheng for help but Jiang Cheng found himself fixated on a rather interesting pebble on the ground. 

    “ Traitor… ” Wei Wuxian huffed under his breath. Jiang Cheng ignored that too.

    “Well?” Lan Qiren snapped, losing what little patience he had. After being subjected to Wei Wuxian for six months, no meditation techniques nor any guqin music could soothe his permanent migraine. 

   “Er...I’m sorry?” Wei Wuxian batted his eyelashes, and it looked like Lan Qiren was about to have an aneurysm. At that moment Jiang Cheng decided to step in, if only to prevent his brother from causing Sect Leader Lan’s untimely death, but someone else beat him to it.

   “Uncle, I’m sure you can discuss this with Young Master Wei and Young Master Jiang at a later time. We should probably get back to class.” Lan Xichen suggested, approaching Lan Qiren with a placating smile. 

    Lan Qiren huffed, but thankfully the vein in his temple went back to normal size. He returned to the front of the classroom, commanding the disciples to refocus their attention back on the lesson.

   “Thanks Lan Xichen!” Wei Wuxian bowed, before scurrying off to find a seat next to Nie Huaisang and directly across from Lan Wangji. 

   “Young Master Jiang, are you alright?” Jiang Cheng felt his face heat up. He immediately realized he’d been staring at Lan Xichen the entire time. He wasn’t even sure if he’d blinked.

   “Uh..Yes. Uhh t-thank you Young Master Lan.” Jiang Cheng all but ran inside the classroom, and found a seat far away from his idiot brother, leaving behind a slightly confused Lan Xichen. One of the Jiang disciples shot him a concerned look, but he shook his head, willing his embarrassment to die down.

     The lecture continued on as normal. Lan Xichen joined his uncle at the front of the classroom and assisted with gathering scrolls or handing out books as necessary. Jiang Cheng could barely look Lan Xichen in the eye as he handed him a book, muttering a pathetic, “T-thanks” instead. 

    “There are many different ways to tame a spirit.” Lan Qiren explained, stroking his goatee. “Music is one of them, and as you should know by now, the Lan clan specializes in music. Young Master Lan will demonstrate a piece that can calm vengeful spirits on his dizi.”

    Lan Xichen nodded, accepting the instrument from his uncle, and then took a deep breath and began to play. The music was so lovely that even Wei Wuxian stopped trying to copy off of Nie Huaisang’s notes, and decided to actually pay attention for once. Lan Xichen’s song mesmerized the entire class, Jiang Cheng was no exception. In fact, he was probably the one most drawn to the sweet, yet sorrowful melody coming from the instrument. Before closing his eyes, Lan Xichen had scanned the room. Jiang Cheng froze, heart beating in his throat, as Lan Xichen had made direct eye contact with him, but the moment was gone as soon as it came. 

     Jiang Cheng was so caught up in admiring Lan Xichen...er...Lan Xichen’s music , that he almost didn’t notice the flash of a small figure running into the classroom, in the corners of his eyes. The music immediately stopped, and people started to voice their confusion. 

     A child, no older than age six from the looks of it, had just burst into a Cloud Recesses lecture, wearing pajamas and a pair of tiny slippers. He was adorable but-

     What the hell? Jiang Cheng wondered to himself. He shot Wei Wuxian a look of confusion from across the room, but his brother just shrugged at him. Did Lan Qiren have another nephew no one else knew about? Perhaps, a son? But Lan Qiren was looking at the child, and he was just as befuddled as everyone else.  

    The child, seemingly unphased by all of this, walked to the front of the room with a bright smile and threw his arms around Lan Xichen’s waist. Lan Xichen froze, hastily placing his dizi on his uncle’s desk. The child eventually pulled away and as soon as Lan Xichen opened his mouth, intent on asking the child a question, the child beat him to it.

    “A-Die, can you play a different song?” 

    Lan Xichen recoiled. “W-what did you just call me?”

    “A-Die, I wanna go play now. This is kind of boring.” The child sighed, ignoring Lan Xichen’s apparent meltdown. 

    The room broke out into gasps and frenzied chatter.

    Did that boy just call Young Master Lan his father?

    What’s going on?

    Sect Leader Lan looks like he’s going to explode. 

    It was true. Lan Qiren’s temple vein was back. 

    “Lan Zhan, I didn’t know your brother already had a kid! He’s only a few years older than us!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, ignoring Lan Xichen’s pained expression. Jiang Cheng decided he was going to murder his brother. 

    Lan Wangji glared at Wei Wuxian, probably about to berate him for his shamelessness, but stopped at the high pitched, “Uncle Wangji!” The child ran over to him and Lan Wangji-the infinitely unbothered Lan Zhan- gaped at him. 

    Wei Wuxian cackled, “Ahahahah you’re an uncle Lan Zhan! How does it feel to-?”

    “Uncle Wuxian!” The child exclaimed, “I thought you were at Aunty Yanli’s house for dinner?” Wei Wuxian froze. 

    “... Uncle Wuxian...Aunty Yanli…?” Wei Wuxian muttered, choking. 

    Jiang Cheng’s brain was beginning to malfunction. If Wei Wuxian was this child’s uncle and his Jiejie was the child’s aunt then ....then ...

   “You two are being weird. Is Baba here too?” The child frowned, scanning the room of stupefied disciples. 

   “What?” Wei Wuxian asked, but the boy ignored him.

   “Baba! There you are! I was looking for you!” The child ran into Jiang Cheng’s arms, nearly knocking him over. His head was spinning. Had his ears been working properly? Had this boy just called him-

  “Baba, can you and A-Die take me to go play now?”

   Another wave of shock rippled throughout the room.

   Wait. Wait. Did this child just call Young Master Jiang his father too?

   What the hell is going on?

   Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen have a child together?!

   The young masters are cut-sleeves?

   All of a sudden, there was a loud thud against a desk. Lan Wangji had fainted. Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen looked as if they were about to do the same. 

   “Lan Zhan!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, checking for a pulse. 

   Lan Qiren looked close to tears. 

   In the background, Jiang Cheng could hear faint giggles and the back and forth whoosh of a fan. 

  Jiang Cheng made the decision to bury his inner turmoil, and do the responsible thing and take this child away from the chaos. He abruptly stood up to do so, but the child tugged on his sleeve, stopping him in his tracks.

  “Baba, what are you doing? You never leave without kissing A-Die goodbye.”

   Lan Xichen visibly paled. 

   Jiang Cheng followed in Lan Wangji’s footsteps and promptly blacked out. 

~~~

    “Is he dead?”

    “Huaisang!”

    “Ow! Don’t hit me so hard! It’s a valid question.”

    “He’s not dead !... I hope…”

    “I’ll check his pulse.”

    “Jiang Cheng if you’re dead, I just want you to know that even though you’re mean and prickly and petty and-”

    “I think I found his pulse?...Oh wait, shit, that’s mine-”

    “...you constantly have this stick shoved inside your-”

    “Where do you look for a pulse again? What side is the heart on?”

    “The left, obviously.”

    “His left or mine?”

   “That’s...That’s actually a good question. Oh A-Cheng! Please don’t be dead, or else you won’t be able to tell us how to save you!”

    Jiang Cheng awoke from the chatter, with a throbbing headache. “Do you idiots ever shut up?”

    “A-Cheng!” Wei Wuxian exclaimed, hugging his brother so hard, that Jiang Cheng fell against the bed. 

    “I had the weirdest dream.” Jiang Cheng mumbled, rubbing his head. 

    “Let me guess, a dream where a child claims to be your and Lan Xichen’s son?” Nie Huaisang asked, eyes twinkling. 

   “How-” Jiang Cheng began, but then shuddered. “That wasn’t a dream was it?”

   Wei Wuxian shot him a winning smile. “Nope!”

    Jiang Cheng groaned, pushing Wei Wuxian off his bed. He decided to smother himself with the nearest pillow and scream. All his good-for-nothing brother and useless friend did was laugh at his suffering.

    “Where is the child? We have to figure out what’s actually going on here.” Jiang Cheng said after screaming his heart content. Was this some sick prank? His brother wouldn’t kidnap some poor child and force him to pretend he was his and Lan Xichen’s child right? That was too far even for Wei Wuxian... Right?

    “I’m just as confused as you.” Wei Wuxian admitted, his expression turning serious for once. “The child is probably pretty confused too, honestly.”

    “Maybe you and Lan Xichen remind him of his own parents?” Nie Huaisang suggested, being helpful for once. 

     All of a sudden there was a knock at their door. Jiang Cheng jolted upright on his bed. Wei Wuxian answered it, his expression immediately brightening up when he saw it was Lan Wangji. 

    “Lan Zhan! I’m glad to see your feeling better. Back there when you and Jiang Cheng passed out, I was scared I’d lost my brother and my.. .er ...friend. But you’re alive! That’s good. That’s great…” Wei Wuxian babbled. 

   “Mn. Won’t leave Wei Ying.” Lan Wangji replied. His entire demeanor softened around Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng desperately wanted to tell them to get a room, but he’d already made a scene today in class. There was no need to further tarnish his sect’s reputation. 

   “Young Master Jiang. Young Master Nie.” Lan Wangji greeted them after having a staring contest with Wei Wuxian for a solid five minutes. 

   “Young Master Lan.” Nie Huaisang bowed first and then turned to Jiang Cheng. “I’ll take this as my cue to leave.” Jiang Cheng wished he could follow in his footsteps.

   “Young Master Lan.” Jiang Cheng greeted him in the same manner. “What brings you to my quarters?” Wei Wuxian shot his brother an unimpressed look. Even Lan Wangji’s eyes narrowed at him. 

    Really Jiang Cheng? He thought to himself. Do really you have to ask?

    “My uncle requests our presence, immediately.” Lan Wangji’s voice sounded strained. It comforted Jiang Cheng that Lan Wangji was probably just as uncomfortable as him.

    “All of us?” Wei Wuxian asked, looking vaguely ill at the thought of spending more time with Sect Leader Lan.

    “Mn.” Lan Wangji barely inclined his head. 

    It brought Jiang Cheng a tiny bit of joy to know that his brother would have to suffer alongside him. 

    Wei Wuxian groaned, “Well then, what are we waiting for?”

    Jiang Cheng could only pray that he wouldn’t faint during this meeting as well.

~~~

      When the three entered Lan Qiren’s study, they found Sect Leader Lan sitting at his desk, gripping a cup of tea so tightly that his fingers were slowly turning white. Lan Xichen was already there as well, standing before his uncle, but unable to maintain eye contact with him. 

      The child was there as well. He was sitting on top of Lan Qiren’s desk , grinning as he spoke to Lan Xichen.

      “...And that’s how I found out A-Ling was allergic to cats. His face was puffy for weeks! He cried even more than usual…” 

       Jiang Cheng felt a migraine coming on. 

      “Who’s A-Ling?” Lan Xichen asked politely, but his expression was tight. Lan Qiren was pretending to ignore everything else going on around him. 

      “My cousin! He’s Aunty Yanli and Uncle Zixuan’s son. He cries a lot.” The child responded, enthusiastically. 

      “Aunty Yanli and Uncle who ?!” Wei Wuxian blurted, finally making their presence known. Jiang Cheng was beginning to feel faint again. Lan Xichen looked relieved to see them there, but his gaze faltered as it landed on Jiang Cheng. 

      “There’s no shouting in Cloud Recesses.” Lan Qiren’s response was automatic, but there wasn’t much of the usual fire behind it. 

       Sect Leader Lan was burnt out. 

       “Baba!” The child exclaimed, ignoring Wei Wuxian’s sputtering, and ran to hug Jiang Cheng. The boy tugged at Jiang Cheng’s robes, “Baba you’re wearing Lan robes! A-Die always says that you look handsome in them.”

       Jiang Cheng’s head whipped towards Lan Xichen, whose face immediately went aflame. Wei Wuxian started cackling, and not even Lan Qiren had the strength to reprimand him for it anymore. Lan Wangji looked like he wanted to leave, but just as Wei Wuxian was here to support his brother, Lan Wangji was doing the same. 

      “Y-you!-” Jiang Cheng stopped himself from exploding at this child. The boy didn’t seem to mind, and continued on, unaware of the chaos he was stirring. 

      “It’s okay Baba, don’t be embarrassed. You call A-Die pretty when he’s in his purple Jiang clothes.” Jiang Cheng distantly thought of how funny it’d be if this was how he met his demise. Here lies the grave of Jiang Wanyin: Embarrassed to death by someone half his size, while all his idiot brother did was laugh in the background.

     “Jingyi!” Lan Qiren finally snapped. “Get back here.” 

      The boy... Jingyi frowned, but he was also mostly unphased by Lan Qiren’s dreary disposition and returned to his spot on the desk. 

      Lan Qiren cleared his throat, “Jingyi, tell them what you have told me.” He demanded. 

     Jingyi nodded, trying his best to mimic the same serious expression as seen on Sect Leader Lan. “My name is Lan Jingyi. I’m seven years old. I like swimming. A-Ling is better at archery than me, but A-Yuan and I are better at music-”

     “I’m sorry, but who’s A-Yuan? Jiang Cheng, don’t tell me you have another child!” Wei Wuxian laughed. 

     “Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng shouted, ignoring Lan Sect rules.

     “There’s no shouting in Cloud Recesses.” Lan Qiren wasn’t even looking at them. 

     “Silly Da-jiu.” Lan Jingyi laughed, shaking his head at Wei Wuxian. “A-Yuan is your son of course.”

     Wei Wuxian immediately stopped laughing. “My what ?”

     “Your and Uncle Wangji’s son!”

     The mug in Lan Qiren’s hand cracked. But, this was the first revelation from Lan Jingyi that hadn’t taken Jiang Cheng or Lan Xichen by complete surprise. Apparently, they knew their brothers better than themselves. 

     “Huh…” Was all Wei Wuxian said, giving Lan Wangji an appraising look. “Heh, Lan Zhan, do you think you got me pregnant?”

      The reactions were immediate. 

      Lan Jingyi looked confused, not fully understanding what Wei Wuxian was implying. 

     “Wei Wuxian!” Jiang Cheng and Lan Qiren hissed in unison. It was a bit jarring. 

     “ Shameless .” Lan Wangji scowled while Lan Xichen held his face in his hands.

     “But...men can’t get pregnant. That’s what Baba and A-Die told me. They said I was apdoted...adoted…” Lan Jingyi was struggling.

     “Adopted?” Jiang Cheng offered. 

     Lan Jingyi nodded, beaming, and if Jiang Cheng found that adorable, then that was a secret he was taking to his grave .

     “If you haven’t figured it out yet, Lan Jingyi is from the future.” Lan Qiren finally explained. He then turned to Lan Jingyi, “You said you were playing in your A-Die’s study before you work up outside the classroom.”

     Lan Jingyi nodded, “I touched one of A-Die’s bells, but I swear it was an accident!” He addressed the last part to Lan Xichen, who finally uncovered his face, only to reveal a bright flush. Jiang Cheng was sure he looked the same, but on Lan Xichen it looked so endearing. Jiang Cheng forced himself to look away.

    Lan Qiren nodded and then pointed to his Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian. “You two will stay here and assist me with creating an array to bring Lan Jingyi back to his own timeline.” They nodded. 

    Lan Qiren pointed at his other nephew and Jiang Cheng, “You two will keep the child preoccupied while we work on the array.”

    Jiang Cheng wanted to argue that that was probably a terrible idea, and it was going to be horrifically awkward, but Lan Xichen responded before him, “Of course, Shufu.” 

    “You’re dismissed.” Lan Qiren said 

     Apparently Lan Jingyi had been waiting to hear those words for a while, because he immediately hopped off the desk, and grabbed Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen’s hand in each of his own. Jiang Cheng stared at all their connected hands, feeling the embarrassment creep up on him again, but Lan Xichen was looking at Lan Jingyi and Jiang Cheng with a soft smile. Jiang Cheng couldn’t help the one that came to his face in response. 

    “Come on! Let’s go play with the…” Lan Jingyi glanced back at Lan Qiren and dramatically lowered his voice. “ The bunnies .”

     Jiang Cheng felt his smile involuntarily grow at Jingyi’s antics. He also tried to ignore the whispered, “So cute! ” from his brother as they left. 

~~~

    “I thought pets weren’t allowed in Cloud Recesses?” Jiang Cheng asked, as soon as they arrived at the patch of land filled with the white fluffy creatures. 

    “A-Die and Uncle Wangji say it’s okay.” Lan Jingyi answered. He tugged Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen down to sit on either side of him. He handed each of them a bunny and demanded that they take care of it. Jiang Cheng scoffed but felt something light bubble in his chest as he watched Lan Jingyi and Lan Xichen pet the rabbits. 

   “They’re very soft.” Lan Xichen said, gently petting the rabbit fur. 

    Lan Jingyi nodded but he started to frown at the both of them.

    “Are you okay, Jingyi?” Lan Xichen asked, and shared a worried look with Jiang Cheng.

    “Are you and Baba fighting?’ They froze again and looked at each other once more. 

    “What do you mean?” Jiang Cheng asked, patting Jingyi’s shoulder in an attempt to comfort his... son . 

    “You’re both acting weird.” He complained, rather bluntly. He must’ve gotten the sweet smiles from Lan Xichen and the attitude from Jiang Cheng. “I don’t like it.”

   “We don’t mean to upset you.” Lan Xichen sounded so kind and sincere that Jiang Cheng felt his heart speed up a little.

   “But you and Baba usually hold hands and-”

    Jiang Cheng moved, causing a few rabbits to shuffle around, and grasped Lan Xichen’s hand within his own. Lan Xichen let out a quiet gasp, staring at their intertwined hands. 

   “There. Are you happy now, brat?” Jiang Cheng asked, but he maintained eye contact with Lan Xichen the entire time. 

    Lan Jingyi cheered, clapping his small hands together.

    Jiang Cheng looked at Jingyi again, and then at Lan Xichen, who was smiling at the both of them. This was his future? In what universe could Jiang Cheng ever possibly have this?

   “Brat, what are you applauding for?” Jiang Cheng reluctantly let go of Lan Xichen’s hand, and then went over to Lan Jingyi. “Lay down, I’m going to bury you in rabbits.” Jiang Cheng heard Lan Xichen’s laughter from behind him as he began to pile rabbits atop Jingyi. It was a bit difficult because they kept hopping away, but eventually Lan Xichen joined them and helped Jiang Cheng retrieve the ones that fled. Lan Jingyi was giggling the entire time, petting the fluffy mounds of white that covered his entire body.

   “Young Master Jiang, I’m sure you’re breaking quite a few of Cloud Recesses’ rules.” Lan Xichen’s voice was teasing.

   “You’ll defend me, won’t you?” Jiang Cheng teased back, placing another rabbit on Lan Jingyi’s stomach. “A-and call me Wanyin.”

   Lan Xichen’s mouth opened into a slight “O” of surprise, but then he grinned and Jiang Cheng was convinced he was staring straight into the sun. “Only if you call me Lan Huan.”

   Jiang Cheng choked on air, but he took note of the mischievous glint in Lan Xichen’s eyes. “It’s a deal Lan Huan .”

   “Then I’ll defend you Wanyin .” Hearing his name come from Lan Xichen’s mouth sparked something inside of Jiang Cheng. 

   Oh. He realized, quite abruptly, I’m in love with him.  

   Jiang Cheng’s thoughts were cut off by a fluffy creature colliding with his face.

   “Lan Jingyi!” Lan Xichen attempted to scold the child, but he was laughing too hard. Jiang Cheng groaned as the rabbit hopped away, almost mocking him. You better run, you menace, or else I’ll turn you into stew. He fixed his glare upon Lan Jingyi who was looking at him with wide innocent eyes. 

   “You usually catch the rabbits Baba! It’s not my fault you’re getting old!” 

   “ Old?! ” Even Jiang Cheng was unable to contain his laughter at the irony of it all. “You little punk! I’ll show you old!” And then Jiang Cheng found himself chasing his seven-year-old son from the future, through a field of rabbits, with his future husband’s chuckling mixed in with half-hearted declarations of “There’s no running in Cloud Recesses.” in the background.

    “Jiang Cheng don’t kill my nephew!” Wei Wuxian’s voice yelled from across the field. He was with Lan Wangji, and Jiang Cheng decided to avert his eyes because they were holding hands . 

    “Wei Wuxian fuc-” Jiang Cheng glanced at Lan Jingyi and Lan Xichen, who were both shooting him warning looks. He was being scolded by a child and one of the nicest humans alive...Oh how the mighty have fallen. 

   Jiang Cheng just rolled his eyes. He lifted Lan Jingyi off the ground and passed him to Lan Xichen, an action that felt so natural and domestic, that Jiang Cheng had to bite the inside of his lip to quell the fluttery feeling inside his chest. Lan Xichen picked up Lan Jingyi and intuitively put the boy on his shoulders. 

   “I’m taller than Baba now!” Lan Jingyi cheered as they walked across the field. 

   “I’m sure you’ll stand taller than him on your own very soon.” Lan Xichen said, prompting Lan Jingyi to giggle. Jiang Cheng scowled at Lan Xichen, but the scowl didn’t reach his eyes.

~~~

    “How does the array work?” Lan Xichen asked. He was still carrying Lan Jingyi on his shoulders. Jiang Cheng couldn’t take his gaze off them. One day He thought to himself. One day. 

     “Well, I’m glad you asked!” Wei Wuxian dramatically rubbed his hands together, “Most spiritual objects only function properly when they’re used by cultivators with fully developed cores. Since Jingyi’s core is undeveloped, due to his age, when he touched the bell, his spiritual energy wasn’t enough to combat the magic coming from the bell. The bell must’ve malfunctioned. In an effort to protect himself, Lan Jingyi must’ve tried to escape. However, due to the bell’s magic malfunctioning, Jingyi was somehow able to distort space and time. Side note, I’m definitely going to be researching this more. Jiang Cheng don’t give me that look, your son time traveled isn’t that cool? Ahem, anyways, in all of the confusion, Jingyi’s core must’ve been trying to reach out to whatever felt familiar, or comforting. And what’s more familiar and comforting than your parents? But with all of the trippy magic, his aim was a bit off. A couple of decades off, I’m guessing.” 

     Lan Wangji was staring at Wei Wuxian with thinly veiled admiration. As impressive as his brother’s mind could be, Jiang Cheng still had to fight the urge to gag at their affection. Lan Wangji caught his stare and then flicked his eyes back and forth between Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen as if to say “Don’t be a hypocrite”

    Jiang Cheng looked away.

    Wei Wuxian gestured to the array, intent on continuing his explanation, but Lan Qiren had had enough of this. He just wanted to send that child back to the future and drink his nighttime tea. “The array will cancel out the residual magic that latched itself to the child and the effects of the bell. He will return to his own time.” 

    Jiang Cheng felt relieved. He was only a teenager, he was nowhere near ready to become a father and raise a child. But at the same time, there was a pang in his heart as he looked into Jingyi’s big brown eyes and realized that it would be decades until he'd be able to see him again. 

   Jiang Cheng was going to miss him. He didn’t have to look at Lan Huan to know that he felt the same. 

   Lan Jingyi finally climbed off Lan Xichen and held both of his father’s hands in his own. “A-Die, Baba, don’t be sad. We can ride the boats in Lotus Pier tomorrow! Uncle Wangji and Uncle Wuxian can come too! But Baba please don’t push Uncle Wuxian into the water again. Uncle Wangji pushed you in and then A-Die pushed Uncle Wangji. We had to fish all of you out, and it took so long!” 

    Jiang Cheng snorted, and Lan Qiren’s temple vein was making a reappearance. 

   “Lan Zhan! You defended my honor.” Wei Wuxian was swooning. Jiang Cheng wanted to vomit. 

   “Mn.” Lan Wangji replied, and then looked his brother dead in the eyes, “ Traitor .”

    Lan Xichen bit back a laugh, “I had to defend Wanyin’s honor.” The tables had turned, now Jiang Cheng was the one swooning. 

   “Jingyi, step into the middle of the array.” Lan Qiren demanded. Lan Jingyi hesitated. 

   “What’s wrong?” Lan Xichen asked, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

   “I…” Lan Jingyi sounded nervous, “I’m scared. What’s going to happen? Am I going to get in trouble because I went through A-Die’s things?” A few tears began to slip down his cheeks, but Lan Xichen quickly wiped them with the back of his sleeve.

    “If you get in trouble it’s only because your paren-...It’s only because we care about you.” Lan Xichen explained, earnestly.

    “Will I have to do more handstands?”

    Jiang Cheng stepped, placing his own hand on Lan Jingyi’s other shoulder.

    “Think of it as a good thing. With all those handstands, you’ll be stronger than us in no time.”

    That got Lan Jingyi to laugh. “Who could be stronger than Zewu-jun and Sandu Shengshou?”

    Who? Jiang Cheng thought to himself, but he just nodded and went along with whatever Jingyi was saying. 

    “Don’t be scared.” Jiang Cheng squeezed on his shoulder. 

    “But it’s okay to be scared. Be brave enough to work through your fear.” Lan Xichen added. 

    Jiang Cheng caught Lan Xichen’s eye and smiled.

    “You two seem back to normal now!” Lan Jingyi exclaimed, and then stepped inside the array, oblivious to slight mortification he’d stirred inside them. 

     As Wei Wuxian prepared the array he asked Lan Jingyi one more question, “Hey Jingyi?”

    “Yes, Uncle?”

    “Am I your favorite Uncle?” Everyone in the room inwardly groaned at Wei Wuxian’s antics. 

    Lan Jingyi smiled brightly, whilst shaking his head. “Nope!” This kid . Jiang Cheng thought to himself I already love him. 

    Wei Wuxian pouted as he finished off the last of the talismans. “Well then who is?”

   “Uncle Zixuan of course! He buys me tons of toys.” 

   Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng shuddered at the mention of the peacock, still unable to comprehend how their lovely sister ended up with him . 

   “Well he can go fu-” 

   " Wei Ying .” Lan Wangji effectively stopped Wei Wuxian from cussing in front of a child. Jiang Cheng realized that maybe Lan Wangji wasn’t that bad after all. 

   “The talismans are ready.” Wei Wuxian announced. 

   “Jingyi are you ready?” Lan Xichen asked him.

   Lan Jingyi nodded and then turned to Lan Qiren. “Bye Great-Uncle!” Sect Leader Lan pretended not to be shocked by the familial addressal. Lan Jingyi turned to the rest of his family. “Bye Uncles! Bye A-Die! By Baba!”

   Wei Wuxian activated the talismans. The array lit up, and there was a blinding light that came as quickly as it went. In an instant, Lan Jingyi was gone.

   “Goodbye Jingyi.”

~~~

     “I’m taking a walk.” Lan Qiren announced, as soon as Lan Jingyi had left.

     “Uncle-” both Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen started.

     “ I’m taking a walk .” Lan Qiren repeated, ignoring everyone, and leaving his study. Jiang Cheng honestly sympathized with Sect Leader Lan. 

     Wei Wuxian looked back and forth between his brother and Lan Xichen. He smirked and then turned to Lan Wangji. 

    “Ah, Lan Zhan, maybe we should take a walk too. Classes are over for today, so we should go to Caiyi! I promise I won’t make you drink liquor! Okay, I won’t make you drink that much…” Wei Wuxian shot Lan Wangji a winning smile.

    “Mn. Will go to Caiyi with Wei Ying. In a moment.” Lan Wangji responded. Wei Wuxian practically squealed. Jiang Cheng appreciated his older brother finally taking a hint for once in his life, with his attempts to give him and Lan Xichen space, but he couldn’t suppress his eye roll. Lan Xichen sent him a knowing look. 

    “Okay, I’ll wait for you outside!” And Wei Wuxian left, leaving Jiang Cheng alone with the Twin Jades of Gusu. He unconsciously migrated closer to Lan Xichen. There was a long lapse of silence wherein the two brothers seemed to be communicating with nothing more than their eyes. When their “conversation” was over, Lan Wangji looked appeased. Well, Jiang Cheng assumed he looked appeased. He really couldn’t tell. Lan Wangji then focused his gaze on Jiang Cheng. It wasn’t particularly amicable, but at least it wasn’t hostile.

     All of a sudden Lan Wangji cupped his hands around one of Jiang Cheng’s ears and whispered something to him briefly. Lan Xichen was thrown by his brother’s odd actions. He shot Lan Wangji a look of confusion, but his little brother wasn’t looking at him. He was staring at Jiang Cheng’s face which had turned extremely pale at whatever Lan Wangji had said. Lan Wangji, apparently satisfied, bowed to them on his way out. 

  “What did he say to you?” Lan Xichen sounded worried. Jiang Cheng shook his head, willing color to come back to his features. 

  “Nothing, nothing...I just- Where did he learn to-...Even my brother’s vocabulary isn’t that colorful.” Jiang Cheng grumbled, shaking his head in disbelief. 

   Lan Xichen sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, “I’ll punish him for it.”

   Jiang Cheng shook his head, “No! It’s fine really. He’s just protective of you. In fact, I’ll probably give him my own version of that soon anyways.”

   Lan Xichen smiled, “You’re a good person Wanyin.”

   “You think so?”

   “Our conversations with each other have always been brief, but to be truthful, I enjoy talking with you immensely. You're honest, witty and you’re very kind to me. I’ve noticed you care deeply for your family, especially your brother. And I even got to see that up close today with Jingyi.”

   “ Oh …” Jiang Cheng’s face was probably hot enough to cook food on. “T-thank you Lan Huan. I think you’re good-no great. Yeah. You’re great. And I like talking to you too. A lot. And I love- Wait no! N-not love. Um definitely not love, w-we don’t know each other that well-” Jiang Cheng was fumbling over his words, but thankfully Lan Xichen- the kind gracious person he was- decided to put Jiang Cheng out of his misery.

  “I’d like to get to know you better.” Lan Xichen looked hopeful. If only he knew how far gone Jiang Cheng already was. 

  “I-I’d like that too.”

~Three Decades Later~

    “Jingyi!”

   “Sweetheart, are you awake?”

    Lan Jingyi awoke to his parents staring down at him on either side of his bed. They wore matching frowns on their faces, emulating their concern. He could see his Baba’s eye was twitching. 

    Lan Jingyi pretended to fall back asleep.

   “You know that won’t work on us.” Jiang Cheng huffed, shaking his son awake. “You’re just like your father.”

   Lan Xichen winked at him and Jiang Cheng rolled his eyes. 

   “I’m sorry for touching the bell on A-Die’s desk! I know I shouldn’t have, but I was curious...” Lan Jingyi looked close to tears. 

   “We’re not mad, A-Yi. Your Baba and I were just worried about you.”

   Jiang Cheng nodded, “Although, we probably should’ve known what was going to happen. This did happen thirty years ago.”

   “But we were never completely sure if Jingyi made it back alright.”

   “That’s true, all we had to go off of was Wei Wuxian’s word, which isn’t much...”

   “ A-Cheng. ”

   “So you’re not mad? Does that mean no handstands?” Lan Jingyi tried to win them over with his puppy eyes. Lan Xichen was amused, but Jiang Cheng was not.

   “Handstands? Handstands? Those are the least of your worries, young man. When we go back to Lotus Pier, you’re gonna get to watch your cousins play in the water and eat their weight in Lotus Seeds while you help my disciples organize the library.”

   “But Baba-!”

   “No buts!” Jiang Cheng’s scowl softened, “Think of it as a learning experience.”

   Lan Jingyi groaned, “Haven’t I learned enough?” 

   Jingyi’s parents laughed, and Jingyi started to pout, so they pulled him into a tight hug.

   “This hurts my arms!” Lan Jingyi complained, but soon he dissolved into laughter along Jiang Cheng and Lan Xichen.  

   “Baba? A-Die?”

   “Yes, my heart?” Lan Xichen answered. 

   “I’m really sorry for scaring you.”

   “It’s okay.” Jiang Cheng whispered, patting his back. “We’re just glad you’re safe.”

   “We love you.” Lan Xichen said, and Jiang Cheng nodded, “We do.”

   “I love you too.”

~~~