Chapter Text
The birds were happily chirping, enjoying the rays of morning sun on their feathers, people were walking around, beginning their day. In other words it was the beginning of what seemed to be a good day. The morning light passed through the curtains, illuminating the room. Lu Guang's phone rings, telling him it was time to wake up, so he groans and lift his sleep mask. He sits up and rubs his face to wake himself up.
He carefully gets down from his bed and stretches his arms. Come on Cheng Xiaoshi, time to wake up.
He looks at his bed, only to realize that no one was there anymore. Now that’s a surprise. Usually he would be whining and begging for a few more minutes of sleep, giving time for Lu Guang to make some coffee. Well he’s not going to complain about it. So he leaves the room to get ready for the day.
Once showered and dressed in his usual clothes, he walked downstairs, expecting to see his roommate and coffee ready. But none of them were here. Lu Guang sighs, suddenly annoyed as he realizes that no coffee was made. And here he thought he would finally have a good day. With a scowl on his face he made coffee himself, while checking his phone for any messages from Cheng Xiaoshi. But again, there was nothing. Maybe he went back to bed while he was in the shower?
While the coffee was brewing he decides to walk back to their bedroom to check on his idiot of a best friend. But no one was there. Same for the bathroom. and even for the darkroom where he likes to spend hours in to develop photos. Now Lu Guang was getting really worried. His roommate would never leave without telling him first. Ever. Especially if it’s so early in the morning. Trying to keep himself from panicking he called Cheng Xiaoshi’s phone. Maybe he went outside to get breakfast, or maybe he had an appointment and he forgot about it. But his anxiety kept growing with every ring, and exploded when he ended up on voicemail. He calls his phone again, pacing around the place anxiously, without realizing it he ended up back in their bedroom. Come on, answer already...
Sweat begins to drip from his face, his hands turned moist from the stress. He tried to call his phone again in desperation. Maybe he didn't hear his phone ring. However this time he heard a noise, he gasp, feeling relief wash through him. Finally! I've been calling for...
Why does it keep ringing? What's that noise he's hearing? He listens carefully and realizes it's coming from the room hes in. After a few minutes of silence he realizes that it's coming from Cheng Xiaoshi’s bed. And there it is, on his bed, Next to his pillow, vibrating. Lu Guang breath shakily, every kind of scenario running through his mind. What if he got kidnapped? What if Red Eyes took him?!
He can feel his heart beating loudly in his chest, panic overtaking him. i-it's okay
... He's fine, totally fine... Let's just call Qiao Ling-jie... She probably knows where he is...
He takes a deep breath to calm down and call Qiao Ling. Maybe they’re together. Maybe they were supposed to meet and he just forgot about it! Yeah that's it, Cheng Xiaoshi is safe. He's definitely not bleeding out in an alleyway, scared and alone. He's not dying somew-. His anxious thought gets cut short, as Qiao Ling answer sleepily after a few rings. Lu Guang? What is it? Why are you calling me so early?
She sounds so sleepy, did she just woke up? That can't be right, she's with Cheng Xiaoshi after all. Is Cheng Xiaoshi with you?
He can hear some ruffling in the phone. Cheng Xiaoshi? Why would i invite that idiot so early in the morning?
Lu Guang can feel his stomach dropping to his feet, his hands starts to tremble in fear. A few seconds must’ve passed as Qiao Ling calls his name worriedly. Lu Guang? What’s wrong? Lu Guang? Can you hear me?
He's not with Qiao Ling? Where is he? Please, don't tell me he's really missing. We got out of the hospital only 2 weeks ago, he can't already be in danger again. It's too soon for his heart to handle. LU GUANG! You're scaring me!
Oh yeah, Qiao Ling-jie is still on the other side of the phone, waiting for an answer.
Cheng Xiaoshi...he’s gone... i-i can’t find him, and his phone is here and... what if something happened to him? What if he got kidnapped while i was sleeping? What if-...
He starts to mumble to himself. His anxious mind overtaking him, he's so deep in his mind he didn't hear the sounds of someone moving on the other side of the phone. Calm down, i’m coming over okay? Just breath for me, everything is gonna be okay! I’m sure that idiot is alright, you know him. He's probably gonna appear out of nowhere with a dumb smile on his face! Not realizing how worried he made us!
He does know. He knows in how much trouble he could get himself into if he were to look away for a second. He knows everything that could happen to the black haired man. He's seen it happen so many times. He doesn't say that out loud though, he can't let Qiao Ling-jie know about his time travel. So he simply listen to his friends voice as she tries to keep him calm while getting ready.
It's about fifteen minutes later, that he hears the door open with it’s usual greetings. Qiao Ling slowly walk to the living room, panting. On the phone she was trying to sound calm, but it’s now obvious how worried she is as well. She must’ve ran all the way here from the way she was panting. Now that she's here, he can feel himself calm down a little, at least he's not alone anymore. So Lu Guang start to explain everything to her, from how he woke up to calling her, trying not to break down while talking. He can feel the beginning of a panic attack coming, but his friend kneels down and hugs him gently, whispering comforting words in his ear and rubbing his back. It takes a few minutes but he does calm down. Now with a friend and a clear mind, they begin to search around for clues, with Qiao Ling holding Lu Guang’s hand gently the whole time, to comfort him. Lu Guang was following her silently, trying to control his breathing and not let his mind conjure any bloody scenes that he may or may not have have seen in the past.
They search all around the place, looking under every cushions and furniture. They find nothing in the living room or the darkroom. They climb the stairs to the bedroom, now both starting to really panic. Qiao Ling try not to let the other know though. They look all around the room, even behind books on the desk and bookshelves. They can feel despair climb in their hearts, until Qiao Ling lifted Cheng Xiaoshi’s bed sheets and froze. Lu Guang looks at her, wondering why she stopped and also freezes as he looks at what was in Cheng Xiaoshi’s bed.
There, lying and sleeping peacefully in too big clothes, that definitely belongs to Cheng Xiaoshi, was a small baby.
Did... did you guys adopt a child?
Qiao Ling asks shakily. Lu guang stares at the baby with wide eyes before looking at Qiao Ling. Wh-why would you think that?! We barely have money for food!
Qiao Ling gently put her hand on the baby’s head and Li Tianxi’s power kicks in, showing her images of the baby’s life. She recognizes the adults taking care of him. They’re Cheng Xiaoshi’s parents! Oh God, does that mean that this baby is Cheng Xiaoshi?! But how is that possible?!
Qiao Ling-jie?
Qiao Ling break out from her thought and bite her lips. She kind of forgot Lu Guang was there. She gently takes the baby in her arms, and turns towards Lu Guang. I don’t know how to explain this but...
She looks up at Lu Guang, gently holding the sleeping baby. That baby is Cheng Xiaoshi...
Lu Guang stares at her blankly before walking out of the room and towards the sun room. Qiao Ling looks at him go nervously. Where is he going? Lu Guang?
She slowly follow him and watch as he sits on the sofa, holding his head in his hands. H-how did this happen?
Qiao Ling shakes her head. I don’t know...i Didn’t see anything... but i did see his parents...
Lu Guang lets out a heavy sigh. So what do we do? How do we get him back to his adult self?
Qiao Ling looks at the floor, not knowing what to say.
As if sensing the nervousness around the room, the small baby slowly opens his eyes. Qiao Ling looks down at the baby, seeing two big bright eyes staring at her. Qiao Ling smiles nervously at the small baby. Good morning sleepyhead!~
The baby stares at her for a few seconds before a big smile appear on his face and playfully reach for her face, making Qiao Ling giggle. You’re so cute! Don’t you think so Lu Guang?
The white haired man just stares at the baby quietly, not knowing how to feel about this. The baby is cute, but that’s his best-friend, who’s supposed to be an adult. What is he supposed to do? This never happened in the other timelines, and he made sure to not change anything in this timeline. Is the world punishing them for playing with time?
He comes out of his thoughts to look at a frustrated Qiao Ling and a curious baby. He's apparently been stuck in his head for longer than he thought. I’ve been calling you for hours!
Lu Guang sit upright. Sorry, i was thinking...
He hears the young woman snort. Yeah i noticed. Anyway, i need you to look after baby Cheng Xiaoshi.
Lu Guang looks up at her with wide eyes. Wh-what? Why?
The black haired woman sighs and shakes hre head. Well if you had listened you would know. But you're lucky i'm in a good mood, so i'll say it again! You better listen this time!
She looks at the white haired man, making sure she had his attention. So like i said earlier, we can’t let this cute baby in dirty and too big clothes.
Lu Guang refrains from frowning at her words. Those clothes aren't dirty, they smell like his friend after all. And he’s gonna need food and toys. And i doubt you’ll know what to take. So while i’ll be gone shopping, you’ll be taking care of him.
Lu Guang’s head snaps to the baby before looking up at Qiao Ling. Why can’t you just take him with you?!
The young woman sighs again, annoyed at his stupidity. Well if people were to see me with a baby they’ll ask questions! And if someone did this to him, we can’t let that person sees him for obvious reasons.
She thinks back about the whole Red Eyes thing, and how Li Tianchen wanted to use Cheng Xiaoshi. Lu Guang looks away, he knew she was right, but he doesn’t know how to take care of a baby! He's not even strong enough to take care and protect his best-friend who's an adult! So how is he supposed to protect a baby?!
As if reading his mind, Qiao Ling walks to him and gently puts the baby in Lu Guang’s arms. She purposefully ignore his nervous and panicked eyes, begging her to take the baby back, as he didn't know how to hold a baby. Don’t worry you’ll do fine! And i won’t be gone long! Alright i’ll be going now!
She kisses Cheng Xiaoshi's small forehead, making him giggle and waves at them as she walks out of the studio. She waits to be outside and closes the door before laughing at the look of betrayal and fear Lu Guang’s gave her as Cheng Xiaoshi started to cry at the loss of the friendly lady, and being left with the scary looking man.
Lu Guang looks down at the crying baby. Not knowing what to do, he slowly rocks him like he saw many parents do in pictures and movies. But it didn’t do anything to calm the baby, making him panic even more. Just as he was about to call Qiao Ling-jie and beg for her to come back, the baby suddenly makes weird sounds and suddenly puke on the white haired man's shirt.
Lu Guang could feel his soul leaving his body, as he tries not to get mad at the now smiling and giggling baby, who seemed to find his disgusted face funny. And yep, he can definitely feel the veins in his forehead throbbing in anger. That baby is gonna pay for this.
About 2 hours later, Qiao Ling came back to the studio, arms covered in bags that looked full and ready to burst at any wrong move. I’m back! How are you doi-...
She stares at a now differently dressed Lu Guang, looking depressed and curled up on the couch as the baby was lying on the floor, babbling. What happened? and why is he on the floor?!
She quickly puts all the bags down and gently take Cheng Xiaoshi in her arms. As soon as the baby saw her a giant grin appeared on his small face, happy to see her again. Hiiii!~ Did you miss me sweetheart?~
Cheng Xiaoshi giggle and kick his tiny legs in excitement. Awww~i missed you too~ Was the grumpy man nice to you?~
She looks back at the still depressed man. Seriously what happened while i was gone?
She was starting to get nervous, what if something did happen while she was gone? she was gone for 2 hours, anything could've happened!
It takes a few silent and long seconds for the white haired man to answer. Well more like mumble to himself. What did you say? You're gonna have to speak up.
. Lu Guang curls up in a ball. He puked on me...
Qiao Ling gasp and burst out in laughter, making Lu Guang even more depressed. Yeah, he finished eating before going for a nap! Maybe all the stress made him sick!
Lu Guang groans, and of course she couldn’t have told him that earlier. His depressed gaze drift to all the bags on the floor. How much stuff did you get him?
Qiao Ling smiles proudly. All the necessary stuff for a baby!
Lu Guang arch an eyebrow as he stares at what must definitely be a swimsuit for babies. Sure...
She gently puts the baby back in Lu Guang’s arms, as she starts to empty the bags. There were clothes, diapers (God no...), food, toys and what looks like an expensive baby carrier.
Does he really need all that stuff?
The black haired woman nods. Yes! But i feel like i forgot something...
Lu Guang sighs in exasperation at that. Cheng Xiaoshi and her were pretty much similar in that aspect. He watches silently as Qiao Ling-jie shows Cheng Xiaoshi a doggy plush with a small bandana. The baby smiles and happily reaches for the plush, hugging it and biting it’s ear. You like that plush? How about these then?
She pulls out a white cat and a pink rabbit. Xiaoshi squeal happily and reaches for them as well. Awwww!~ Isn’t he the cutest Lu Guang?
The white haired male hums quietly, noticing how familiar these plush toys looked, but he just couldn’t put his hands on it.
Alright, now time to change!
She pulls out a baby blue pajamas, that had the ears and tail of a dog, as well as a diaper. Alright Lu Guang, go change him!
Lu Guang looks up at her in horror. What? Why me?!
Qiao Ling rolls her eyes. Well because you’re a boy duh! I’m a girl, he may be a baby right now, but he’s also my brother! It would be inappropriate of me to change him! But you!
She points a finger at Lu Guang. You’re a boy, his roommate! I’m sure you’ve seen him naked before!
Lu Guang blushes brightly. N-No! We don’t walk around the place naked!
Qiao Ling stares at him in disbelief. As if i'm gonna believe that...
The white haired man stutters, trying to tell her that no, they never saw each other naked. Anyway, you’re still the one who’s gonna change him!
And so here he is, putting on gloves and a mask over his nose and mouth as he prepares himself mentally to change his best-friend, turned baby. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath as he start to take off the shirt, that was too big and the too big underwear. He slowly open an eye to see if he had to clean anything, but luckily the underwear was clean so he quickly throw it to the other side of the room and puts on a clean diaper and dress him in the cute dog pajamas. Once done, he gently take the now changed baby in his arms and walk downstairs.
Qiao Ling looks up from her phone and at him with a smirk. So? Any accidents?~
Lu Guang shakes his head , trying his best not to glare at her and face her wrath. So he silently give the baby back to Qiao Ling-jie, to throw away his gloves and mask. The black haired woman shakes her head. He’s a weird man isn’t he?
She ask Cheng Xiaoshi with a smile. But he’s a nice kind of weird!
Lu Guang can feel a vein throb on his forehead, as she keeps criticizing him. She really is no better than Cheng Xiaoshi.
There's so much criticism he can take before exploding. So he decides to change the subject.So what do we do now?
He looks at Qiao Ling-jie as she plays with the baby. Now that he sees him in the pajamas, he can’t lie, baby Cheng Xiaoshi is cute. But he would be cuter if he never throw up on him again. Well i don’t know... We don’t have any clues on what happened... so for now...we wait i guess...
She shrugs, all her attention on the baby.
Wait? But how can he wait when his best-friend is gone and replaced by a baby? He sighs and sits down beside her, to read a book. But the baby has other ideas and looks at him curiously. Cheng Xiaoshi babble quietly and reaches for him. Making Lu Guang look at him in surprise, he didn’t expect the baby to want him instead of Qiao Ling-jie. He never smiles at him, and he even got mad at him! Well he didn't yell or anything, he just put the baby in time out on the floor, while he was rethinking about life.
So he tries to ignore him, but he can feel the baby staring at him, and how can he resist those puppy eyes? The white haired man let out a tired sigh and puts the book down on the table. He turns towards him and Qiao Ling-jie. He does his best to ignore her smirk and silently take the baby in his arms.
Cheng Xiaoshi smiles happily as he got what he wanted and happily snuggles against him. It's such a simple action but it made Lu Guang’s heart warm and melt. Cheng Xiaoshi always knew when he was upset, seems that even as a baby, he can still read him. A small smile appear on his face as he gently hugs him back.
Qiao Ling looks at them with a smile, this scene is so heartwarming. She couldn’t help but melt at the cuteness. she now knows that no matter what happens next, they’re going to be okay, and they’ll bring back his adult-self, no matter how cute this baby is!