Walking back to the hut Mochou stopped short and looked at the tub in the yard. It no longer had any fish and was now leaning against the hut.
"I know it's late but how about a bath?" Mochou suggested. He didn't feel particularly dirty but Yichen on the other hand seemed to need one.
Yichen was tired and wanted to sleep. He planned to object but when he looked back at Mochou and saw him wrinkle his cute little nose Yichen could no longer refuse. He grabbed the tub and carried it inside. Mochou followed behind him with a smile.
Once inside they started to prepare the bath. Neither had to speak or ask the other for help. They knew exactly what to do because it was something they had done together several times.
When the tub was finally filled Mochou undressed and step into it. The water was perfect, if only it covered more than just his lower half once he sat in it.
"I'm not as dirty as I thought I would be after sleeping for two days." Mochou commented. In fact he felt very clean.
"Of course I gave you a bath and every day. I also changed your clothes and cleaned you when you soiled yourself." Yichen revealed without shame.
"When I soiled myself? Yichen don't tell me I wet the bed!" Mochou exclaimed horrified of the possibility.
"Don't worry. I put a mat between you and the mattress so it wouldn't get dirty when you did. The bed is clean and I washed the dirty laundry with well water in the yard. Everything is clean." Yichen said thinking that was what Mochou was worried about.
"I'm so ashamed. How could I wet the bed at this age?" Mochou groaned in despair.
"Mochou you were unconscious for two days. I would be more worried if you hadn't. Actually I am worried. You urinated but you didn't... Mmph?"
Mochou quickly covered Yichen's mouth before he could finish that sentence.
"Please don't say it. And... and if I ever do that don't ever tell me." Mochou pleaded.
"There is nothing to feel ashamed of. All living things do it." Yichen comforted.
"We might all do it but none sleep in it." Mochou rebuked.
Yichen couldn't deny Mochou's counter. It was true. He couldn't think of a living creature that actually slept in their own feces. However he did think of something.
"They don't sleep in it but rabbits sometimes eat it. My uncle once told me it's good for their health." Yichen said.
Mochou nearly puked at the thought. No wanting to continue talking about it he smacked Yichen and gave him a dirty look before stepping out of the tub.
Yichen didn't mind. He wrapped him in a towel and planned to help him dry off and dress. However Mochou pushed him away before he could.
"I can dress myself. Hurry up and wash before the water gets cold." Mochou said. He then pointed to the pot that was left on the stove with hot water in it. Yichen cared more about Mochou so he ignore his request and proceeded to get Mochou's clothes.
"Yichen, you stink. Hurry up and wash." Mochou reiterated without remorse. Yichen flinched at his words. Then as though he came to a conclusion he started to undress. Satisfied Mochou smiled happily.
Yichen planned to wash up quickly but Mochou wouldn't let him out of the little tub until he was squeaky clean. If it was the daytime he would have also forced him to wash his hair.
"I miss the days when my hair was short and I had a hairdryer." Mochou thought when he looked at Yichen's hair that almost reached his firm ass. His eyes lingering at the tasty sight.
"Mochou, be careful where you look or I might lose control." Yichen warned when he noticed his gaze.
"Cough* I... I was just admiring your hair." Mochou fibbed. Yichen laughed at his terrible excuse. Feeling like he'd been caught in a lie Mochou escaped to bed.
...
Knock... knock
Early in the morning Mochou was woken up by the sound of someone knocking on their front gate. He wished to ignore it and go back to sleep...
Creak*
Hearing the sound of the gate opening Mochou panicked.
"Who's here?!"
He sat up in bed his eyes wide open. Moving so quickly he was hit with a severe dizzy spell. Unable to get up because of the dizziness Mochou directed his attention to his sleeping husband.
It wasn't often but Yichen was still asleep despite the loud knocking. He smacked Yichen's chest hard to wake him.
"What?!" Yichen shouted in a panic.
"Someone is breaking into our home." Mochou loudly whispered.
Still sleepy Yichen wrapped his arms around Mochou and pulled him close. His large hand soothingly rubbed his back.
"Don't worry I'm here." Yichen said. His eyes closing again.
"That's sweet but get up and go see who's..."
"Yichen it's your mother. I brought breakfast." She announced as she opened the door. Once open she expected to see Yichen hovering over the sleeping Mochou in a dark depressed mood. Instead she saw Mochou straddling Yichen in a disheveled robe.
"Oh my!" She exclaimed before shutting the door shut.
Mochou was relieved to see it was Yichen's mother that came by. Even if she ended up seeing them in what could be mistaken as a compromising position.
"What's going on?" By instinct he held Mochou tight in a protective embrace as he looked around the room. He hadn't registered his mother's voice but he did hear the door slamming shut.
"Your mom's here." Mochou said.
"My mom?"
"Make yourselves presentable so I may come in!" His mother shouted from outside.
"How did she get in? Did I forget to lock the gate?" Yichen wondered. Laying back down he kept hugging Mochou. He was in no rush to get up and welcome her.
"We can't leave her waiting." Despite his words Mochou continued to lay comfortably in his arms.
"Yichen, be mindful of Mochou's health. It is wonderful he has woken up. However as a man you should restrain yourself until after the baby is born." His mother shouted from outside the gate impatiently.
"Do not tell me how to care for my spouse!" Yichen shouted back. He intended to forgive his mother but her words hit a sore spot.
"Yichen..." Mochou said with big accusing eyes.
Yichen knew his words were inappropriate. Regretting his attitude he slipped out from under Mochou and got out of bed to answer the door. When he opened it he saw his mother standing there with her head hanging low.
"I'm sorry for snapping at you. We didn't get much sleep last night." Yichen said feeling a bit guilty.
"Is Mochou feeling alright?" His mother asked.
"He woke up late last night." Yichen explained.
"That's wonderful. Is his fever gone? Any pain?" She continued asking her eyes trying to sneak a peek behind him.
"He's feeling a lot better."
"I brought some porridge. There is enough for both of you. It's important he..."
"Mom, thank you but you don't have to worry about him." Yichen cut her off before she had a chance to start lecturing him. Mochou who was listening further away felt bad about the tense atmosphere between them.
"She's making an effort. That's more than my mother did." He thought. He understood that Yichen was still angry but he also wished he would forgive her. He slipped on more appropriate clothes to properly cover up while they talked. When he was done he stood behind Yichen and gently tapped his back.
"Mochou, you should go back and rest a little longer." Yichen softly said when he noticed his presence. Mochou smiled back in response then he slipped past him and took the small pot of porridge from Yichen's mother.
"Thank you for breakfast. I'm still not at my best so it helps a lot." Mochou said. Yichen realized what he was trying to do. He stepped forward and took the pot out of Mochou's hands.
"Do you want to sit down for a little while?" Mochou offered.
"No, I must return to the house. Meng Yao's morning sickness has been terrible recently." She said.
Hearing her talk about Meng Yao caused Yichen's mood to lower again. Seeing his expression turn dark his mother hastily added,
"However if you need anything ask. I'm here to help whenever you need it. You're health and the little one inside you are also very important to me and the family."
The corner of Yichen's lip turned upwards because of her words. Mochou and his mother both noticed and sighed in relief.
"I'll be staying at home or the clinic with Yichen most of the time but it's nice to know you are there for help if we need it." Mochou said.
"I see. That's good. It's best not to stay here alone especially with all that noisy construction work."
"Mom, thanks for the food but Mochou and I have a lot to do." Yichen interrupted.
His mother looked at them both. It was clear she had more to say but considering things were only just beginning to improve between them she decided to leave while she was ahead.
"Very well. You can return the dishes later. I'll be at home all day." She said before turning to leave. Yichen followed her out. Mochou thought it was to be nice however the moment she stepped out of the gate he locked it behind her.
"Yichen, I thought you decided to forgive her?" Mochou asked when he returned.
"I'm trying." Was all Yichen said before going inside.
...
The rest of the morning was quiet. Especially for Mochou. He no longer had a fever but he felt dizzy when he moved too quickly. Thinking it was because he was unconscious for two days he didn't say anything to Yichen.
Mochou planned to rest most of the morning but he also had a lot he wanted to do. With plans to give the old couple gifts for their help over the years he brought along some wood and his tools. He also wanted to bring the rings however he kept them hidden away until he could work on them secretly. They were after all a surprise for his dear husband Yichen.
On the way to the clinic Yichen didn't give Mochou a chance to walk on his own. He picked him up and headed through the gate. Just outside the door they ran into Jie Hong.
"I'm relieved to see you awake. I apologize for what happened. I should have taken better care of you that day. Are you feeling better?" Jie Hong said.
"Why are you apologizing?" Mochou asked. He didn't understand why Jie Hong was apologizing. He looked at Yichen for clarification But instead of answering him Yichen answered Jie Hong's question.
"He's still feeling a little weak but the worst is over."
Jie Hong visibly sighed in relief. He had heard about Mochou collapsing. At the time he thought maybe it had to do with what happened with the children. Feeling guilty he apologized to Yichen and made sure to stop by before and after work to check on Mochou's condition.
"I really am better. Don't worry about me." Mochou concluded the reason he was apologizing was unimportant. Wanting to help ease Jie Hong's guilt he reassured him that he was okay.
"I'm relieved. For both your sake and your husband. He was very worried." Jie Hong said. Mochou patted Yichen's chest and smiled at him in response.
"I'm lucky my husband is very loving."
"We'll be spending the morning at the clinic in case anything happens." Yichen said before continuing on their way.
...
Before long they reached the clinic and were greeted by both Doctor Yen and his wife Ah Lam.
"How wonderful to see you awake again." An Lam joyfully exclaimed.
Mochou was also glad to see the old woman from his dream. He asked Yichen to put him down so he could properly thank her for everything she did for him.
"It's great to see you as well. If not for all the care you gave me since I was a child I never would have survived long enough to meet my husband. Thank you." Mochou said with great sincerity.
"My it seems marriage agrees with you. You've become so well spoken." Ah Lam said a little surprised to hear Mochou speak so clearly while looking them in the eyes.
"Indeed. Being married to Yichen is so wonderful it's like a dream."
"It's a dream for me as well." Yichen said as he gently placed his hand at the base of Mochou's back.
"How are you feeling today? Are you still running a fever?" Doctor Yen asked.
"His fever is gone but his body is still weak. We were hoping he could rest here at the clinic while I work." Yichen answered.
"No problem at all. The bed is free for him to lie down in." Doctor Yen said. Ah Lam opened the door to the little room in the back and gestured for Mochou to enter. Seeing her actions Mochou felt a sense of deja vu when he saw it and went straight to bed. Yichen followed behind him and helped tuck him under the familiar quilt.
"I'll be right outside if you need anything." He said before closing the door behind him. Left in the room alone Mochou closed his eyes to sleep. He didn't have to walk but he was still tired.
"I don't remember feeling this exhausted and dizzy the other times I had those dreams. Is it because of the pregnancy? Maybe I'll feel better after a nap?" Mochou thought as he drifted off to sleep.
...