Let Me Ruffle Your Fur a Little

Bai Yao walks out the entrance with Mu Yi, however, a few steps in, he realises Mu Yi isn’t following.

Looking back, Mu Yi himself is looking back at the restaurant with his hands in his pockets. He’s looking up at the second floor; the angle makes it impossible to tell where Mu Mu’er has gone to.

“Bring him to the city with you again. My work schedule is tight; I might not be able to see him often,” Mu Yi says very softly, almost like he’s talking to himself.

Before Bai Yao can answer, he adds, “I was thinking this whole time. When most people encounter an intellectually challenged person, they might first give them an additional look or two, before giving them a wide berth, and possibly, telling their friends ‘look, poor him/poor her.'”

After a long pause, Mu Yi says, “that’s why, thank you.”

Bai Yao scoffs, “to me, Mu’er needs no pity. He is Mu’er, no matter what his imperfections, his sea otter status, his intelligence. He’s unique. I’m happy to take care of him whether or not the world treats him coldly. You shouldn’t be thanking me; there is nothing to be thankful for.”

“I know,” Mu Yi looks back at Bai Yao, staring at his face for a moment, before coldly warning him, “if you ever mistreat my younger brother, ever betray him, know that there is nowhere in this world you can ever run to.”

Bai Yai nods, “don’t worry. Like you said, you’re not the only one who cares about him in this world.”

“Mmhm.”

Mu Yi is probably tipsy, speaking a little more at length than usual on the street outside the restaurant, “I always had a feeling, since he went missing at thirteen, that I’ll find him. I just didn’t know he’d already have found a new home.”

His face softens up quite a lot, especially in contrast to the first time they met, “I’ve always imagined everything I’d do to make it up to him when I find him, because I could not bear thinking about what hardships he must be enduring at the moment. Now, though, I suppose, he might no longer need me.”

The early autumn winds are chilly at night. The breeze is barely salty; the jatropha curcas in the garden are rustling.

Mu Yi then smiles, “but that’s ok, as long as he is living happily. And I’ve finally found him, after six whole years.”

The smile does convey a sense of disappointment, but it’s still mainly a smile. A smile of relief.

“If, ever, if you should find him a little troublesome to…”

Bai Yao interrupts him immediately.

“Never,” Bai Yao is leaning on a lamppost, speaking with a firm, confident voice, “I will never be tired of him. Not now, not ever.”

Mu Yi still looks like he wants to speak, but eventually, he nods, looking into Bai Yao’s eyes.

“See you, then. I’ll come visit when my workload is no longer as heavy,” he walks forward without turning his head, lazily waving, “do treat my younger brother well.”

After several steps past Bai Yao, he pauses, adding, “who knows, maybe the next time I come, I’ll have a new in-law.”

The last words almost fade into the breeze so much that Bai Yao thought he’s hearing things.

With his hands in his pockets, he watches Mu Yi walk along the gravel road back to the north of town. He disappears off a corner soon enough.

He sighs in relief, and stays in place to settle down the flavourful emotions he’s been feeling. Sour, sweet, bitter; but mostly sweet.

He thinks he’s finally understood how possessiveness really works for people who’ve fallen in love. They always wish they’d be the most special person to him or her in the entire world.

In fact, maybe his possessiveness is even stronger than others; just thinking about how Mu Mu’er’s own older brother has failed to snatch him away from him makes Bai Yao feel proud and almost vainglorious.

His lips return from smiling as his mood settles. He turns to walk back into the restaurant.

Inside, though, he immediately notices Mu Mu’er half strewn across the table, sapped of strength. His legs are barely supporting him from the ground.

His own glass of unfinished wine is currently emptied; Mu Yi’s remains intact.

Bai Yao walks over and takes his glass, trying to recall how much he’s left over inside. Given Mu Mu’er’s silly smiling face, he’d bet it was definitely not just a few sips.

Oddly enough, this makes him wonder if Mu Mu’er never had the accident, never bumped his head, then perhaps, he’d be quite the lively and naughty lad. The kind that a lot of young adult girls might swoon over. He’s got the baby face, too. He’d be popular.

Mu Mu’er is just fine like this, though. He wouldn’t be ‘better’ if he was normal, because he’s already the best there is.

Even if Mu Mu’er was actually just a little snail, Bai Yao would fall for him all over again.

When he grabs the bottle of wine, though, Bai Yao finally realises the little guy didn’t just finish his own glass, but also most of the remaining bottle. If he took any more time coming back in, the contents might be gone entirely.

Too late to stop Mu Mu’er, now. Shaking the bottle a little, he asks Mu Mu’er with narrowed eyes, “tasty?”

Bai Yao wasn’t expecting Mu Mu’er to reply with a serious and earnest expression.

“Tasty,” Mu Mu’er answers, his hand trying to grab the bottle again, “Mu’er wants more.”

“That’s enough for you today, little alcoholic,” Bai Yao, amused, takes the bottle out of reach immediately. He then gives him the glass of unfinished grape juice still on the table.

Mu Mu’er does not want grape juice, and frowns at the glass. He lowers his head to look into the glass, which is apparently just the trigger for Mu Mu’er to almost tumble over from dizziness.

Bai Yao quickly takes hold of Mu Mu’er to stabilise him.

His older brother barely just left him in his care and he’s already made his charge dead drunk.

Bai Yao starts chuckling, his features soften and his smile widens. Mu Mu’er watches Bai Yao laughing curiously for a while, before chuckling himself.

Which continues past the end of Bai Yao’s laugh, prompting Bai Yao to poke the little guy on his dimple, “what’s so funny?”

“Mu’er likes watching Yaoyao laugh.”

What a little little boy. A good little baby. He’s really cute.

Bai Yao then pinches Mu Mu’er’s cheek gently, and take hold of his hand, saying, “time to sleep. Let’s go upstairs.”

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