"The greatest gift a parent gives is the freedom to grow" | JY x Teen!Reader

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Summary: You, a teen Cloud Knight working alongside Yanqing, grow closer to Jing Yuan, the Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Luofu. Through missions, training, and casual visits, your bond with Jing Yuan deepens, with him affectionately referring to you as his "child." The relationship evolves from respect to familial affection, with Jing Yuan becoming a parental figure to you.

Tags: Jing Yuan x Reader, Yanqing x Reader, Platonic, Parental Figure!Jing Yuan, Teen!Reader, Family Dynamics, Humor, Affectionate Relationships.

The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the training grounds of the Xianzhou Luofu as the sound of clashing swords echoed through the air. A faint smile tugged at your lips as you carefully observed the sparring between Yanqing and his opponent. You were supposed to be resting after a mission, but you couldn't resist the temptation to watch your friend in action. His strikes were quick, precise, and filled with the energy of someone who had been training relentlessly for years. You, however, preferred a quieter approach to combat, relying on strategy and careful planning rather than brute force.

"Hey, ready to join in?" Yanqing’s voice broke you from your thoughts.

You grinned, raising an eyebrow. "You want me to go easy on you?"

Yanqing scoffed, lowering his blade and flashing you an impish smile. "As if I need your pity."

"Don't worry," you said with a smirk, "I wouldn't give you pity if you begged for it."

He laughed, a sound that was light but full of confidence. "Well, you're on then."

Before you could step forward, Yanqing's gaze flickered to the side. His expression softened, and he quickly straightened up. "Ah, it's General."

"General." Yanqing called out with a respectful bow.

Jing Yuan gave a small nod, his calm demeanor never wavering. "How are your lessons going, Yanqing?" His voice, though soft, held a weight to it that could silence any room.

"I’m progressing well," Yanqing replied with a bright smile, then turned to you. "Oh, and this is my friend, [Name]. They've been on missions with me for a while now."

Jing Yuan’s gaze shifted to you, and for a moment, you felt the weight of his eyes studying you—assessing, calculating. "It’s a pleasure to meet one of my student's companions. Yanqing speaks highly of you."

You straightened up, offering a polite bow, though the air between you and Jing Yuan felt a little more intimidating than you had expected. "The pleasure is mine, General. Yanqing is a skilled companion, and it’s an honor to work alongside him."

Jing Yuan smiled, but there was a certain mirth in his expression. "I see. Well, I trust you’re keeping him in check, then?"

Yanqing rolled his eyes, but you could see the pride in his stance. "I don’t need anyone to keep me in check, General."

"Of course not." Jing Yuan replied dryly, the slight amusement in his tone making you chuckle.

The next few weeks saw more and more of you accompanying Yanqing to meet the General. Jing Yuan’s calm, almost lazy demeanor intrigued you. Despite his reputation as the "Dozing General," there was a wisdom in his eyes, a depth that you found fascinating.

One day, after another successful mission together, Yanqing invited you to join him for a brief visit to Jing Yuan’s quarters. You hesitated for a moment, but curiosity won out.

Inside, Jing Yuan was as composed as ever, sitting at a low table with a scroll in hand, his eyes flicking up only when you and Yanqing entered.

Inside, Jing Yuan was as composed as ever, sitting at a low table with a scroll in hand, his eyes flicking up only when you and Yanqing entered.

"I’m just stopping by," you said, with a small grin. "I’ll be out of your hair soon."

Jing Yuan’s lips quirked up slightly, but he didn’t comment. Instead, he set the scroll down and beckoned you over to join them. "Sit, sit. Yanqing, I trust you’ve been teaching them well?"

You chuckled, settling into the seat next to him. "Well, I wouldn't say teaching per se... But I’ve been keeping Yanqing from getting too reckless."

"Reckless, you say?" Yanqing shot you a playful glare, clearly not offended, but you could see the glimmer of pride in his eyes.

"Reckless is an understatement," you teased back.

Jing Yuan leaned back slightly, eyeing the two of you with a thoughtful expression. "I can see that you’ve become quite close. It’s good to see Yanqing surrounded by such capable people."

You nodded, trying to hide the small blush that crept up on your face. "Thank you, General. It’s been... an honor to work alongside him."

"Mm," Jing Yuan said, his eyes twinkling with a knowing look. "You’ve done well, both of you."

Over time, your visits to Jing Yuan’s quarters became more frequent, especially after missions or during downtime. At first, it was just casual conversations—discussions of recent missions, lighthearted banter, or even moments of silent reflection. But the more time you spent with him, the more you began to feel a strange sense of belonging in his presence.

Jing Yuan often referred to you as his “child,” though he said it with a fondness that made your heart warm in a way you didn’t quite understand. It wasn’t the strict, authoritative tone that most might use with a subordinate, but more like the gentle prodding of a parent who cared deeply but didn’t need to say it outright.

And you, in turn, began to call him "father figure" in response, sometimes with an exaggerated bow or a playful grin, but it was always said with genuine affection.

"You've been practicing your swordsmanship well, I see," Jing Yuan remarked one day as he watched you and Yanqing spar. "But remember, [Name], there is no shame in using your mind as well as your strength."

You paused mid-strike, a sheepish smile tugging at your lips. "I know, I know. It’s just hard to put down the sword sometimes."

He chuckled softly, his eyes filled with warmth. "Take your time. You’re still learning."

There was something about the way he said it that made you feel seen—not just as a warrior or a Cloud Knight, but as a person. Someone who was growing, who still had room to learn, and most importantly, someone who mattered.

"I will, General," you said, the familiar teasing tone in your voice. "I’ll try not to disappoint."

"I know you won’t, my child." Jing Yuan replied, the corners of his lips curving upward.

And just like that, the unspoken bond between you and Jing Yuan grew stronger. The calm, wise, and patient leader of the Xianzhou had become more than just an ally or mentor—he had become a father figure, and in turn, you had become a beloved part of his ever-expanding family.

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