Title: Retreat
Fandom: Guardian (TV)
Rating: G-rated
Length: 733 words
Notes: Much thanks to trobadora for read-through and feedback on an earlier version. <3
Tags: Gen, Da Qing, Napping spots, Very mild crossover
Summary: Hidden in the dim reaches of the SID library, behind stacks of old case files, is a portal.



Da Qing finds it when he’s looking for a quiet place to nap, and he doesn’t tell anyone. Hidden in the dim reaches of the SID library, behind stacks of old case files, is a portal. It sits a few inches above the floor, big enough that he could step through with his tail up. Its edges shimmer like fish scales, and its centre is the blackest black.

He should tell Lao-Zhao, of course. It’s a security risk. Lin Jing will want to study it. But Da Qing is a cat. He’s curious, and if there are snacks inside, he doesn’t want to share. He tests it with a paw, feels sunlight and a slight breeze ruffling the tips of his toes. Yes, better to gather more information before he reports it. What’s the worst that can happen?

He emerges into a sun-drenched courtyard. A stone lionhead fountain splashes joyfully, and all around, herbs and bushes jostle for space. Yellow butterflies dance over them. On one side, a curved path disappears into a riot of flowers and trees.

One side of the courtyard has a parapet. When he jumps up, there’s a sheer drop, and below, spread out for mile and miles, is a vast expanse of healthy green forest. In the distance glitter snow-capped mountains, framing a little triangle of ocean. A few birds soar and wheel out over the forest, and insects are busy among the herbs, but there’s no other sign of habitation.

The portal is set into the same grey stone wall as the fountain, and it looks stable. Once he’s sure of his way back to the SID, he flops onto the slate flagstones and rolls around. Being Deputy Chief is a lot of responsibility, and he doesn’t spend enough time outdoors anymore.

He wakes when the sun is low and the air is cooling. A moment’s panic. What if he can’t get back after all? But it’s as easy as walking through an open doorway.

Downstairs in the SID, everything’s just how he left it.

“Where have you been, Damn Cat? I had Xiao-Guo search the whole building for you.”

“Napping,” says Da Qing, sleep-stupid and hungry. The garden feels like a secret. It feels like his. And the portal is too small to be a security risk. No one else needs to know.

It becomes an occasional indulgence, almost a habit. More so, once Professor Shen starts staying over at the flat, and Da Qing can’t get as much rest at night.

He explores the courtyard further, finds a ruined castle, extensive gardens, and statues of Yashou everywhere, some in mid-transformation: a goat who’s half human, standing on his hind legs; a rat wearing a hat and cloak, holding up a sword; a huge lion with the bearing of a high king. Four humans sharing a single long pedestal. What happened to them? He never finds out, and when there are perfectly inviting sunbeams, curiosity only goes so far.

One morning, yawning, he slips up to the library, traverses the portal, and blinks.

“Deputy!” Wang Zheng jumps up from the edge of the fountain. “Do you know about this place, too?”

“So th-this is where you d-d-disappear to all the t-t-time,” says Sang Zan. “I’m n-n-not sur-p-p-prised.”

“We just found our way through,” says Wang Zheng. “Do you mind?” There are flowers in her hair.

The two of them are in sunlight like regular humans, glowing with health. That shouldn’t be possible. Lin Jing will definitely want to take readings. And Lao-Zhao and Professor Shen will want to know what’s causing the portal in the first place.

With a small, selfish pang, Da Qing accepts his private retreat is no longer his own. They are his family, after all—the whole SID is. “It’s fine. I should have reported it to Lao-Zhao months ago, anyway.”

“Do you have to? What if Chief Zhao decides it isn’t safe?” Wang Zheng bites her lip.

Sang Zan puts his arm around her. “So l-l-long as we’re t-t-together, it’s enough.”

“I know.” But Wang Zheng looks around the garden with something like desperation. “It’s so pretty.”

“Well.” Da Qing flops down by the rosemary, buzzing with bees. The flagstones are as warm as ever, and the soft breeze tickles his tummy fur. “Maybe we don’t have to tell anyone straight away. As Deputy Chief, I’ll continue to monitor the situation.”



END