I JUST REALIZED MY ASK NEVER SENT WHEN I WENT TO GO TO THE SHOPSSSSS
ANYWAYS I WAS GONNA SEND THIS TO ZI BUT HE HAS HIS ASKS CLOSED (probably for the best)
*BIG POOF OF MAGIC AS AN ADULT ZI APPEARS IN A CLOUD OF SMOKE THAT DISSIPATES AFTER HE APPEARS*
....sweet fucking Buddha.
[ @zi-shapechanger ]
*Bao sees the familiar features of his own face, but slightly different. The man in front of him is definitely older than him, definitely the rough age of 35, as intended(?) but yet he still held Baoās recognizable features, the longer ears, black sclera, and flat nose. His hair was long like Baoās, but he had bangs and tied it low and looser.*
*But there was a greener glow to this manās eye, a variation to his physique that Bao never felt comfortable having, there was a bit more muscle on him. He looked separate from Bao, like Conner Kent instead of Clark Kent.*
*His son still looked like him, even as an adult.*
*He still chose to look like him.*
*He seemed to have maintained the habit of taking Baoās clothes, he was basically wearing Baoās clothes but more tailored to fit his style. He had flexible boots on, probably some form of comfortable combat boots, they would be easy to move in. They were dark red, like Baos sandles.*
*He had a more quiet demeanor than Bao usually had, like he was a watcher first, while Bao was forthcoming on most topics and tended to talk more.*
Baba? Is that really you? Goodness you look young. Wow that person wasnāt lying about seeing the past.
*For a moment, Bao is frozen. He looked down from the fast asleep toddler in his lap, then back up to the full sized adult in front of him.
They smelt the same. Exactly the same, in a way that couldn't be faked.
That was Bao's baby.*
You're... So big.
*Slowly, Bao guided little Zi into curling up against a pillow, standing and sitting up from the sofa to face big Zi properly. It was certainly one way to start a morning. Who needed TV when you had living room time travel?*
But it's you. You're really you, aren't you? You're my baby.
*He didn't hesitate to reach out and cup Zi's cheek.*
You know you're allowed to wear your own clothes, little one. My fashion cannot be this appealing.
*The Adult Zi was as tall as Bao was. When he felt his Baba hand on his cheek, tears welled in his eyes, like he had seen Bao in ages.*
Oh babaā¦ itās been ages since Iāve seen youā¦
And in regard to the clothes, I missed you, itās been a long time. And youā¦ werenāt using themā¦
*Adult Zi glanced over to the sofa and saw himself*
Buddhaās name I was tiny.
Still full of big feelings?
*Bao pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve, patiently drying Zi's tears.*
Ages? What have you been doing-
*Ah.
Bao must be dead.
But Zi looked so young - thirty five, more or less. Did that mean... How much time did Bao have left?*
Sit down. I'll make tea. Tell me about yourself. Are you eating enough? You look tired. Nowadays you never sleep through the night without running around like a wild cat between naps, are you still like that?
Big feelings indeed, Baba.
*Big Zi laughs as Bao wipes the tears from his eyes*
Itās been longer than you think Baba, donāt worry about dying just yet. Itās been 93 years since you passed, you lived very longā¦ Iā¦ I just age unbelievably slow.
*Big Zi hugs Bao close, he had missed him quite a bit.*
Iām eating wellā¦ Me and Xiaobao have been keeping the theatre open and weāve been performing a lot together too. I only look tired lately, Iām working on a very big production. But Iāve been making sure to take care of myselfā¦ well my partner has.
*Thereās a fondness inching Ziās voice as he mentions his āPartnerā. He eyes soften a bit, he clearly cares about them.*
I met someone aboutā¦ thirty years after you passed, heās a demon and he seems to age like me, weād met at the market, heās a playwright, which works really well since he was looking for somewhere to focus his attention, and I was able to actually make his plays come to life. His name is Rongji. We started dating twenty years ago, and weād been friends for almost fifty years before that.
You'll have a long life, then? Good. I wasn't sure..
*Bao tensed from the hug, busying himself with making tea before rejoining his sons on the sofa.*
I didn't get to meet him? How was I supposed to interrogate the kid if you took your sweet time meeting him?
*Bao allowed his own little Zi to snuggle close again, head on his thighs and still fast asleep.*
It's hard to believe this is real. But.. the theatre is still open? Xiaobao is a performer?
And this Rongji. He's good to you? Behaves? He's nothing like...
*Bao didn't finish that sentence. He didn't have to.*
I have so much I want to ask you. Is your Uncle MK still alive? Still a hero?
No, unfortunately you didnāt know him, but Uncle Red gave him quite the shovel talk for you
*Big Zi chuckles and smiles, looking at his younger self curled up against Bao like a baby kitten.*
Uncle MK is still very active in the hero world, still alive as ever.
*Big Zi gives a small eye roll as he talks about MK*
Xiaobao is an amazing performer, and Rongji is an amazing playwright.
The theatre is still very alive and bustling with talents, I have your portrait up with an altar there, Rongji and I visit your grave every week.
*Big Zi knows what Bao is asking, he doesnāt need to be reminded of that man*
No, No heās not like him. He hasnāt laid his hands on me ever. I promise you that.
Besides, I think it would give Uncle MK a heart attack.
And Jiarong has been a lot of help, she also visits your grave and she stayed with me for your burial, you both became surprisingly close.
All good things.
*Bao lowered his head, slowly running his fingers through baby Zi's hair and scritching behind his ear.*
I never thought I'd have a grave, let alone a shrine.
Not that I'm happy about the whole dying thing, mind you. But impermanence and all that.
How about your grandparents?
Do you have friends? You said Jiarong, is that a friend of yours? A friend of mine?
You have a very nice grave and altar Baba. You mean everything to us. Grandba Wu is doing good, GrandMa Mac too.
*Big Zi laughs softly at Baoās question about Jiarong.*
Yeah, I guess you donāt know her yet. Jiarong is my birth mother, it took some getting used to, but you both became closer. She was more of an aunt to me though, she didnāt want to take me from my Baba.
Your.. I should probably stop avoiding the woman, then.
*Bao looked begrudging, pressing a cup of tea into Zi's lap.*
Sorry I put everything through my death. I guess by now, you've heard all about the trouble I caused before I met you. And after.
Iāve heard it all Baba. You were quite the rascal.
*Zi smiles at Bao, accepting the tea before taking a slow sip, letting the warm pass over him like a comfort he had missed.*
And in regard to Jia, she has told me she held a great pride in you. She spoke at your funeral, said you were the bravest man sheād ever met, the best father she could hope for a child like me, and an amazing creative. I think she sees you as her child instead of me, or at least like a baby brother. *Zi places a gentle hand on Baoās shoulder, reassuring and comforting.*
Heyā¦ you were the best father I could ask for as well. I know your thick head finds it hard to believe, but you are a great person. So many people came to your funeral, because you meant a great deal to them. You donāt have to believe it right now, but you are loved, and you are more than good enough for the people who love you.
