LQR being a grandpa™ scene prompt idea
"I'm not sure about that, Lan Zhan," Wei Ying sighs, coming back to the table on the deck.
"I honestly, agree," Nie Mingjue says with a confessional tone.
Lan Zhan understands their worries, but it's unfunded. He and his brother calmly sip from their teas and share a long look at each other. They know everything will be fine. Not only that, but the extended weekend trip they'll go on tomorrow is something the four of them need.
Lan Yuan and Lan Jingyi will be fine with their uncle for four days. Lan Qiren is strict, but the kids are already used to it. Both of them asked to stay with him in the first place. Four days with Lan Qiren seemed more interesting to the four-year-olds than a trip to the family's cabin.
"You don't need to worry," Lan Zhan says to his husband.
"Everything will be fine," Lan Huan smiles. "Our uncle is more than used to having two boys at home. Nothing will happen-- Oh my god..."
Lan Yuan and Lan Jingyi appear at the top of the deck stairs with bright smiles and a disastrous state. They're not just filthy. Lan Zhan freezes on spot seeing the dirt stains on his son's face and shirt.
"Daddy! Daddy, look!" Lan Yuan runs to them with something in his hand.
"What is it?" Wei Ying takes the lead. Lan Zhan is still in shock. "An earthworm? Wow! How-- How did get this?"
"Grandpa said we could hunt them to, to, put in the," Lan Jingyi stumbles with his excitement. "The food-trash-bin in the garden!"
"They make poo for the garden!" Lan Yuan completes.
They're radiant. Lan Zhan leans over on his chair to get closer to his kid. Seeing his small face painted with such a genuine smile lights a warm in his chest, as cozy and gentle as a fireplace.
"How did you get dirt on your face, A-Yuan?" He says, cleaning the stain with his thumb.
"C'mon, boys," Lan Qiren's voice comes from the top of the stairs. He's almost as dirty as the kids, and that's something Lan Zhan never saw. The dark soil stains on his cream shirt do not match the stern look on his face. "First a shower, and only then we can have ice cream."
The kids nod at the same time, and run to the closet plant vase to put the worms in. They run to the glass door of the living room and carefully slide it open, leaving the prints of their soil-dirty hands on it.
Lan Zhan's mind feels numb seeing it. He can't bring himself to speak.
"Take off the shoes before..." Lan Huan's exhilarated voice fades before he can finish the sentence.
"It's alright, I'll clean it," Lan Qiren calmly says.
What? Lan Zhan slowly looks at his brother and sees the same shock he's in on his face. Lan Huan shifts his gaze at him, eyes widen and mouth agape.
Lan Qiren looks at them with the same measured demeanor Lan Zhan knows from him. The tiny white flowers on his hair break the stiffness of his expression.
"We're having breakfast for dinner," Lan Qiren announces solemnly. "You're welcome to join us."
"Alright," Lan Huan mumbles.
Lan Qiren nods at the four of them and walks inside with his hands behind his back.
"We never had breakfast for dinner," Lan Huan says.
"Everything will be just fine..." Wei Ying mocks, laughing loudly.
