[With the same deadpan expression from Lan Wangji's arrival, Jiang Cheng just kind of gives the other man a look. Without sliding his eyes to Hercules, he nods in the dog's direction as if that explains everything. It... sort of does, honestly.]
Went to the market.
[Got scared into going to the market, but it's fine. Jiang Cheng wanted to spend some time with the kidlings without another goddamn ferret incident happening. Besides, he, too, has come to once again spoil A-yuan specifically. Doesn't Lan Wangji have his own son?! Tch.............. Jiang Cheng did not get a nephew-son stand-in. Unfair.
Two right-hand men..........ultimate stare down. The kids are all whispering about how severe they look, even though one or two say, "Mister Wangji!" in the Hanguang-jun equivalent voice.]
[IT SURE DOES EXPLAIN EVERYTHING... it explains that Jiang Cheng chased his brother out of his own home like a JERK!!! His eyes narrow minutely, into something that isn't quite a glare, but only for the sake of plausible deniability.
Except when he hears his name--as soon as he turns back to the kids, his face has softened again, as if the ice was never there. He ignores Jiang Cheng's question completely in order to make his way over to the kids, kneeling down to their level. (He ignores the dog as well, save to keep the box in his hand away from it. Poor Hercules doesn't deserve this.)]
[Tch. Figures. He honestly doesn't expect anything less out of Lan Wangji. And to think people always see him as some kind of shining beacon. Jiang Cheng thinks he's as dirty as some of the rest of them, he just doesn't broadcast it. A sour frown curves his lips farther down.
The kids all cheer and sing Lan Wangji's praises, asking him a thousand questions before he can even think about the first one. Hercules is behind them in their midst, just as excited. His whole bag end wags from the lack of tail, but once he slowly realizes Lan Wangji isn't going to pay him any attention, the wagging... slows, slow, stops. He sort of droops.
Oh...
Irritated, Jiang Cheng kneels down and clucks Hercules over so he can give the dog some loving pets and scritches.]
Yeah. [He nods at the gate to the?? backyard?? do they have a backyard?] He's trying his hand at what I brought him.
[MAYBE if the dog could've been PATIENT there would have been HEADPATS!!! But nooo, somebody's owner just has to get all huffy... it's fine though because Lan Wangji absolutely smells like Marshmallow, so. PBBBBT.
Also he wasn't talking to you, Jiang Cheng?! JEEZ. Apparently he's not going to be able to spend this entire trip just peacefully ignoring his presence, so with a gentle ruffle of the nearest child's hair, he cuts his gaze back to his rival Jiang Cheng.]
Hercules still really wants new person pets, but he seems comforted thankfully by what Jiang Cheng gives. His tongue is out when Jiang Cheng stands up again, and he follows along beside Jiang Cheng when the man starts walking... kind of ducking like he's a bit nervous of the serious man!
He'll come around.
Jiang Cheng reaches over the shoulder-tall gate to unlock it, the latch high enough most of the kiddies can't undo it and wander off. (If they're not stacking on top of each other.) When he opens it, there's one or two more kids inside with A-yuan who is
on a bicycle.
Well, he's on the ground now, but he's been trying to learn to ride the bike.]
[I can't believe Jiang Cheng got NPC A-yuan his very own gatling gun
But! Before he follows Jiang Cheng anywhere, he'll stop by the kitchen and put his box in the ice box! It's got A-yuan's name on it, so hopefully no one snatches it up while they're gone... probably most people here recognize Lan Wangji's handwriting by now, and no one wants to be on the other side of that Disappointed Look, nor does anyone want to be the person to tell Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Jiang Cheng that they made A-yuan sad. FAVORITISM IS ALIVE AND WELL AT YILING RIDGE.
That said, though, he spares the dog a glance, then follows Jiang Cheng out to the yard. And sees precious A-yuan on his shiny new gift, clearly having a great time.
.....HM.]
I was not aware you were so generous to outsiders. [lwj don't be a bitch]
He needs something to do, or his brain will be mushy staying here with Wei Wuxian.
[These two idiots are so fucking stupid. But it's fine. Hercules gets excited about seeing A-yuan and the bicycle, and he hops dumbly inside and over to cover A-yuan in tons of affectionate licks.
Which A-yuan squeals about.] Down! Tell him "down," A-yuan, and stop letting him jump on you. [But A-yuan is a soft fuck just like his papa, so all A-yuan does is give Hercules a big hug.
And then race over to Lan Wangji with the bicycle. Look, look! Help me ride Shushu's present!]
[Every day I grow more fearful of your plans for this innocent NPC child.
But Lan Wangji is, fortunately, distracted from whatever cutting retort he might've shot at Jiang Cheng to defend Wei Wuxian (a kneejerk reflex even now). A-yuan's enthusiasm even makes his face visibly soften, and he kneels down to rest a gentle hand on A-yuan's head, uncaring of getting his clothes dirty.]
You should ask your [ugh] shushu first. It is more polite. [He's got the whole afternoon to be here, after all. Chuuya doesn't need nearly as much babysitting as Xie Lian does. (probably)]
He shouldn't be surprised by Lan Wangji's rigid following of etiquette despite hating him, but he is anyway. It works to both annoy him and shame him, especially when he's always prone to losing his temper over slights.]
What, don't know how to ride a bike? [He flicks a dismissive hand, starting to move into the yard again.] Come, A-yuan. You can ride between us. He'll catch you on one side, and I'll do the other. [A look over his shoulder at Lan Wangji. Will his sort of challenge be accepted?
It's for A-yuan, right?
The boy cheers happily, saying, Papa Zhan, let's go! Let's go! I'll race you! He's... tiny and has a bike to push, but it's fine. He's runnin'.]
Lan Wangji also figured out a long time ago that the easiest way to win against Jiang Cheng is to act like the bigger man and not rise to his bait, so he does exactly that by staying silent, rising gracefully to his feet. He isn't about to disappoint A-yuan, though, especially not when his heart melts a little every time he hears that name. He loves Haku with ever fiber of his being, but Haku was never a "papa" sort of kid.
He glances at Jiang Cheng, but as usual, none of his thoughts show on his face. He doesn't say anything, but after a moment, he nods at A-yuan, walking over to take his palace a fair distance away. HE DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO WIN THE RACE but it's fine because then he smiles, just a little.]
[Carefully, Jiang Cheng sets up A-yuan on his sit, making sure the boy is situated on the bike correctly while he holds the underside of the seat.] Get ready, A-yuan. If you're scared, you'll never learn to ride it. [He waits until A-yuan is ready, though.
And then he lets A-yuan start pedaling. For a few steps, he follows along to keep the balance, but then lets go and......let's A-yuan have at it! HE WON'T LEARN TO RIDE A BIKE IF THEY BABY HIM.
[LOOK even if Jiang Cheng is right, that's not what you're supposed to say to a kid?? He's supposed to tell him that it's alright if he's scared, that they'll be there to help him and protect him and teach him to overcome his fear. But of course Jiang Cheng would never say anything so soft and caring. This is why he doesn't get a Jin Ling.
Despite his disapproval, though, Lan Wangji doesn't want to coddle A-yuan either, and he has no idea how long they've been out here working on this. So he takes a couple of steps forward, just so that A-yuan doesn't have to go too far, and holds his hands out, prepared to catch him, or move forward, or basically react however A-yuan needs him to.]
[A-yuan is getting fairly good at the whole bike thing. He's still unsteady, and he wobbles all over the place on his way to Lan Wangji. Right near the end, having to slow down and therefore sacrifice balance, the bike tips to fall. Jiang Cheng takes a half-step forward even though Lan Wangji is there to catch.]
A-yuan! Put your feet down, I told you! You'll fall on your face if you don't catch yourself!
[He's not sure whether to be thankful or not Lan Wangji is there. Well, he is for A-yuan's sake, but he hates feeling grateful to someone who... Well, look at their relationship. Sheesh. Can't Wei Wuxian find someone better to make googly eyes at?]
[Lan Wangji is, in fact, right there, moving quickly to catch him before he actually does fall. He glances as Jiang Cheng again, face impassive.]
There is no need to yell.
[HE CAN'T HELP HIMSELF... at least he's not glaring! But look, A-yuan is working hard, and it takes practice to learn a new skill. EVER HEARD OF PATIENCE, JIANG CHENG
Still, he'll help A-yuan turn the bike around back towards his shushu, reaching up to help adjust his grip and his seat on the bike just slightly.]
Try this.
[And he'll do much the same as Jiang Cheng did before, accompanying him until he seems comfortable enough for Lan Wangji to let go and let him try on his own.]
[Jiang Cheng waits on Lan Wangji's delicate sensibilities to situate A-yuan to come back. He's only slightly impatient, but it turns out better for A-yuan in the end. The kid is really getting the hang of the balance of the bike.
There's a faint smirk curling the edge of Jiang Cheng's lips up. Slowly, he starts backing up, trying to keep A-yuan on a roll.] Come on. [This thing should really have been a tricycle, but since when does Jiang Cheng ever not do things a very Madam Jiang way?
For the most part, A-yuan's got it, and he sort of laughs at the thrill of being able to keep going.] Come on! Keep peddling! [But kids don't have tons of stamina, so he starts wobbling when they have curve to get more room. Turning bad. Jiang Cheng pushes it like the ass he is until A-yuan starts toppling, and then he darts to catch A-yuan before the fall.
It's just, he's not sure if he'll make it.] A-yuan!
[WHEN WILL JIANG CHENG BE A RESPONSIBLE PARENT says Lan Wangji, teaching his son how to shoot his custom gun
That is, as soon as Jiang Cheng starts backing up, Lan Wangji's "Impending Disaster" senses start tingling... he remembers the chaos that was Jiang Cheng, Baren, Wei Wuxian, and Okuni as kids, okay. He couldn't glower at them hard enough to stop them from joyriding BUT DAMN IT HE CAN PREVENT A-YUAN FROM GOING DOWN THAT ROAD.
So he moves forward, too, trying to catch up without running after A-yuan like an overprotective parent, except that Jiang Cheng won't stop and, well. Then Lan Wangji is darting forward, too, exactly the same way Jiang Cheng is, and--]
A-yuan--!
[welp looks like his disaster senses weren't wrong]
[The two of them are both so focused on A-yuan, they don't see the impending doom. "Picture taken moments before disaster," honestly. At the last second, Jiang Cheng's head snaps up, eyes wide.
Oh no.
He barrels straight into Lan Wangji, body and head and all, and the impact knocks him right down because he tries in vain to catch himself so he doesn't fall on A-yuan. The boy, of course, gives a resounding cheer as the two of them make a very nice landing pad.
[A-yuan is the best, cutest maraschino cherry in the world.]
Watch where you're going!
[A-yuan gives, at first, a hiccuping laugh. And then he starts laughing uncontrollably, falling over on top of them like a potato and holding his sides. Jiang Cheng glares gently at him.] What do you think is so funny?! [How is this brat adopted, but acts so much like Wei Wuxian?!] Stop laughing!
[He lifts his head to glance at Lan Wangji like ??? when A-yuan just continues to laugh, but at a moment, the laughter very faintly starts to break his irritation. He turns his head away and coughs into his shoulder to hide the laugh that tries to come out.]
[Oh no. Oh no. Lan Wangji's so conflicted. On the one hand, he loves seeing A-yuan laugh like this--it warms him up like nothing else, and he catches the boy with the hand that isn't covering his own dang forehead, making sure A-yuan doesn't tumble off and join them in the Injured Heads Group. He can't stop himself from smiling faintly down at him, and honestly, it's tempting to laugh with him, too.
But Jiang Cheng is right here, staring directly at him with a befuddled look on his face. Lan Wangji has no desire whatsoever to direct a smile at him, and as soon as he glances up, he can feel it starting to slip.
But then Jiang Cheng is the one to turn away--and not fast enough to hide the flash of... something not soft, perhaps, but a little less than biting. It's not a look Lan Wangji's seen on him in a very long time, if ever, and he can't help but stare, surprised. He hadn't thought Jiang Cheng was even capable of softness anymore.
After a moment, though, he turns away, looking back at A-yuan and feeling warmth settle naturally over all of them. He can't imagine he's ever going to actually like Jiang Cheng, but--well. He's always seemed profoundly unhappy. If he can find a little snatch of it here, Lan Wangji won't be the one to begrudge him that.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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Went to the market.
[Got scared into going to the market, but it's fine. Jiang Cheng wanted to spend some time with the kidlings without another goddamn ferret incident happening. Besides, he, too, has come to once again spoil A-yuan specifically. Doesn't Lan Wangji have his own son?! Tch.............. Jiang Cheng did not get a nephew-son stand-in. Unfair.
Two right-hand men..........ultimate stare down. The kids are all whispering about how severe they look, even though one or two say, "Mister Wangji!" in the Hanguang-jun equivalent voice.]
Why do you want him?
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Except when he hears his name--as soon as he turns back to the kids, his face has softened again, as if the ice was never there. He ignores Jiang Cheng's question completely in order to make his way over to the kids, kneeling down to their level. (He ignores the dog as well, save to keep the box in his hand away from it. Poor Hercules doesn't deserve this.)]
Have you seen [npc] A-yuan?
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The kids all cheer and sing Lan Wangji's praises, asking him a thousand questions before he can even think about the first one. Hercules is behind them in their midst, just as excited. His whole bag end wags from the lack of tail, but once he slowly realizes Lan Wangji isn't going to pay him any attention, the wagging... slows, slow, stops. He sort of droops.
Oh...
Irritated, Jiang Cheng kneels down and clucks Hercules over so he can give the dog some loving pets and scritches.]
Yeah. [He nods at the gate to the?? backyard?? do they have a backyard?] He's trying his hand at what I brought him.
[Hm.]
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Also he wasn't talking to you, Jiang Cheng?! JEEZ. Apparently he's not going to be able to spend this entire trip just peacefully ignoring his presence, so with a gentle ruffle of the nearest child's hair, he cuts his gaze back to
his rivalJiang Cheng.]Oh?
[did you buy him a gun jc]
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Hercules still really wants new person pets, but he seems comforted thankfully by what Jiang Cheng gives. His tongue is out when Jiang Cheng stands up again, and he follows along beside Jiang Cheng when the man starts walking... kind of ducking like he's a bit nervous of the serious man!
He'll come around.
Jiang Cheng reaches over the shoulder-tall gate to unlock it, the latch high enough most of the kiddies can't undo it and wander off. (If they're not stacking on top of each other.) When he opens it, there's one or two more kids inside with A-yuan who is
on a bicycle.
Well, he's on the ground now, but he's been trying to learn to ride the bike.]
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But! Before he follows Jiang Cheng anywhere, he'll stop by the kitchen and put his box in the ice box! It's got A-yuan's name on it, so hopefully no one snatches it up while they're gone... probably most people here recognize Lan Wangji's handwriting by now, and no one wants to be on the other side of that Disappointed Look, nor does anyone want to be the person to tell Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, and Jiang Cheng that they made A-yuan sad. FAVORITISM IS ALIVE AND WELL AT YILING RIDGE.
That said, though, he spares the dog a glance, then follows Jiang Cheng out to the yard. And sees precious A-yuan on his shiny new gift, clearly having a great time.
.....HM.]
I was not aware you were so generous to outsiders. [lwj don't be a bitch]
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[These two idiots are so fucking stupid. But it's fine. Hercules gets excited about seeing A-yuan and the bicycle, and he hops dumbly inside and over to cover A-yuan in tons of affectionate licks.
Which A-yuan squeals about.] Down! Tell him "down," A-yuan, and stop letting him jump on you. [But A-yuan is a soft fuck just like his papa, so all A-yuan does is give Hercules a big hug.
And then race over to Lan Wangji with the bicycle. Look, look! Help me ride Shushu's present!]
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But Lan Wangji is, fortunately, distracted from whatever cutting retort he might've shot at Jiang Cheng to defend Wei Wuxian (a kneejerk reflex even now). A-yuan's enthusiasm even makes his face visibly soften, and he kneels down to rest a gentle hand on A-yuan's head, uncaring of getting his clothes dirty.]
You should ask your [ugh] shushu first. It is more polite. [He's got the whole afternoon to be here, after all. Chuuya doesn't need nearly as much babysitting as Xie Lian does. (probably)]
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He shouldn't be surprised by Lan Wangji's rigid following of etiquette despite hating him, but he is anyway. It works to both annoy him and shame him, especially when he's always prone to losing his temper over slights.]
What, don't know how to ride a bike? [He flicks a dismissive hand, starting to move into the yard again.] Come, A-yuan. You can ride between us. He'll catch you on one side, and I'll do the other. [A look over his shoulder at Lan Wangji. Will his sort of challenge be accepted?
It's for A-yuan, right?
The boy cheers happily, saying, Papa Zhan, let's go! Let's go! I'll race you! He's... tiny and has a bike to push, but it's fine. He's runnin'.]
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Lan Wangji also figured out a long time ago that the easiest way to win against Jiang Cheng is to act like the bigger man and not rise to his bait, so he does exactly that by staying silent, rising gracefully to his feet. He isn't about to disappoint A-yuan, though, especially not when his heart melts a little every time he hears that name. He loves Haku with ever fiber of his being, but Haku was never a "papa" sort of kid.
He glances at Jiang Cheng, but as usual, none of his thoughts show on his face. He doesn't say anything, but after a moment, he nods at A-yuan, walking over to take his palace a fair distance away. HE DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO WIN THE RACE but it's fine because then he smiles, just a little.]
Go on, A-yuan.
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And then he lets A-yuan start pedaling. For a few steps, he follows along to keep the balance, but then lets go and......let's A-yuan have at it! HE WON'T LEARN TO RIDE A BIKE IF THEY BABY HIM.
Jiang Cheng thinks.]
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Despite his disapproval, though, Lan Wangji doesn't want to coddle A-yuan either, and he has no idea how long they've been out here working on this. So he takes a couple of steps forward, just so that A-yuan doesn't have to go too far, and holds his hands out, prepared to catch him, or move forward, or basically react however A-yuan needs him to.]
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A-yuan! Put your feet down, I told you! You'll fall on your face if you don't catch yourself!
[He's not sure whether to be thankful or not Lan Wangji is there. Well, he is for A-yuan's sake, but he hates feeling grateful to someone who... Well, look at their relationship. Sheesh. Can't Wei Wuxian find someone better to make googly eyes at?]
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There is no need to yell.
[HE CAN'T HELP HIMSELF... at least he's not glaring! But look, A-yuan is working hard, and it takes practice to learn a new skill. EVER HEARD OF PATIENCE, JIANG CHENG
Still, he'll help A-yuan turn the bike around back towards his shushu, reaching up to help adjust his grip and his seat on the bike just slightly.]
Try this.
[And he'll do much the same as Jiang Cheng did before, accompanying him until he seems comfortable enough for Lan Wangji to let go and let him try on his own.]
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There's a faint smirk curling the edge of Jiang Cheng's lips up. Slowly, he starts backing up, trying to keep A-yuan on a roll.] Come on. [This thing should really have been a tricycle, but since when does Jiang Cheng ever not do things a very Madam Jiang way?
For the most part, A-yuan's got it, and he sort of laughs at the thrill of being able to keep going.] Come on! Keep peddling! [But kids don't have tons of stamina, so he starts wobbling when they have curve to get more room. Turning bad. Jiang Cheng pushes it like the ass he is until A-yuan starts toppling, and then he darts to catch A-yuan before the fall.
It's just, he's not sure if he'll make it.] A-yuan!
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That is, as soon as Jiang Cheng starts backing up, Lan Wangji's "Impending Disaster" senses start tingling... he remembers the chaos that was Jiang Cheng, Baren, Wei Wuxian, and Okuni as kids, okay. He couldn't glower at them hard enough to stop them from joyriding BUT DAMN IT HE CAN PREVENT A-YUAN FROM GOING DOWN THAT ROAD.
So he moves forward, too, trying to catch up without running after A-yuan like an overprotective parent, except that Jiang Cheng won't stop and, well. Then Lan Wangji is darting forward, too, exactly the same way Jiang Cheng is, and--]
A-yuan--!
[welp looks like his disaster senses weren't wrong]
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Oh no.
He barrels straight into Lan Wangji, body and head and all, and the impact knocks him right down because he tries in vain to catch himself so he doesn't fall on A-yuan. The boy, of course, gives a resounding cheer as the two of them make a very nice landing pad.
Well, this is just great.]
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And A-yuan, the cherry on top of this dumbass cake.]
Be more careful. [DON'T BE A FUCKING HYPOCRITE LAN WANGJI]
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Watch where you're going!
[A-yuan gives, at first, a hiccuping laugh. And then he starts laughing uncontrollably, falling over on top of them like a potato and holding his sides. Jiang Cheng glares gently at him.] What do you think is so funny?! [How is this brat adopted, but acts so much like Wei Wuxian?!] Stop laughing!
[He lifts his head to glance at Lan Wangji like ??? when A-yuan just continues to laugh, but at a moment, the laughter very faintly starts to break his irritation. He turns his head away and coughs into his shoulder to hide the laugh that tries to come out.]
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But Jiang Cheng is right here, staring directly at him with a befuddled look on his face. Lan Wangji has no desire whatsoever to direct a smile at him, and as soon as he glances up, he can feel it starting to slip.
But then Jiang Cheng is the one to turn away--and not fast enough to hide the flash of... something not soft, perhaps, but a little less than biting. It's not a look Lan Wangji's seen on him in a very long time, if ever, and he can't help but stare, surprised. He hadn't thought Jiang Cheng was even capable of softness anymore.
After a moment, though, he turns away, looking back at A-yuan and feeling warmth settle naturally over all of them. He can't imagine he's ever going to actually like Jiang Cheng, but--well. He's always seemed profoundly unhappy. If he can find a little snatch of it here, Lan Wangji won't be the one to begrudge him that.]