"Any day he'll be back." Madam Wangs says looking at Wanning. Yuheng turns to look at her.
"I know." Wanning says but at this point he knows he's not doing well in hiding his worry about his husband. He looks out the window. The sky clear but it's cold. Everything is shining. But Wanning couldn't help but worry.
"Yuheng. He's strong." Madam Wang reaches over to cover her hand over his. Wanning loosens his hold on the paper in hand.
"I know he's strong... but he has no backup." Wanning says looking at the madam. Chuqing can't say anything about that. She more than understands the worry the other is feeling. If circumstances were different Wanning would be with Mo Ran. But being a woman he wouldn't be able to go and he's pregnant.
The two look out the window. They can only hope he comes out okay.
The mission is so dangerous but someone had to go and no one wanted to. It was also important. After so long of no one coming up, no one stepping up for the challenge, Mo Ran decided to go. They talked about it. Innocent people were dying and no one else wanted to do it so he decided to step up. Chuqing tried to convince against it but there was no budging. He did ask his aunt to take care of Wanning. It was a bittersweet goodbye. Mo Ran promised he'd be back.
That was three weeks ago.
They had just passed into the second trimester according to Chuqing. At thirteen weeks. At fourteen weeks Mo Ran left. Not having to worry as much considering Wanning felt way better. The nausea had subsided so he's been eating well. He's also been gaining weight back. Mo Ran had talked to his aunt many times about how Wanning can't really stomach anything but tea and rice crackers. They've caught Wanning staring at osmanthus cakes but once it gets too close he runs away to go vomit.
He'd even gotten more comfortable around children these weeks, helping out in the nursery. Even Mo Ran stuck around to help, he too was not use to being around children.
It's been three weeks since he last saw Mo Ran and he's worried. He doesn't remember the mission having to take this long but he also knows this mission is an unusual one.
They had gotten a message from a warden, to a prison. There seem to be mysterious ghost of some kind killing anyone there. Inmates. Guards. Kitchen staff. It's gotten bad. At first they thought it was one of the inmates going around killing each other but even they are too afraid to do much of anything. Everyone stays in their cell. But even then that's dangerous.
So Mo Ran is going as an inmate. He's going undercover as to not call to much attention. But who knows what's going to happen to him. Surrounded by killers and other horrible people. Trying to fight off a ghost or others. Wanning has seen enough to know humans are just as bad as demons. He can't stop worrying.
Especially since having a baby together is getting more real than before. Wanning stomach has started to distend. The baby bump has started to develop. It's odd to look down and find his stomach protruding. Chuqing helped him get some clothes that didn't fit to tight and wasn't obvious. The last thing he needs is someone noticing.
With everyday that passes Wanning can't help but worry more. To worried to do much he's spent the day with Chuqing, helping her get some more work done in place of Zhengyong.
Wanning turns away from the window looking down at the table, getting back to work. He wasn't good at staying and doing nothing but there's not much choice at the moment. He's stuck waiting. Now he really can understand how Chuqing feels.
Chuqing has been kind enough to spend as much time as she can with him. To reassure him. To get his mind off things.
The door open to a disciple. He walks to Chuqing, he bows deeply. "There's a letter for you." He says handing it to her.
"Thank you." She tells him, taking the letter. He bows again then leaves the room. Wanning looks back at the paper he's reading. It must be from Zhengyong. He has been keeping them up to date with where they are. "Oh! Yuheng!" Chuqing looks at Wanning with a sparkle in her eyes. "It's Ran-er. He's done with the mission but he's taking a break before coming back." She explains. Wanning snaps his head to her. She hands over the letter, Wanning taking it from her.
He reads it. It's from Mo Ran. Explaining that he'll be back but he's taking a rest and that he's finished the mission successfully. Wanning lets out a breath. That's so good to hear. Wanning lets a smile out, eyes tearing at the corner but not falling. Chuqing watches Wanning with a smile on her own face. Over these weeks she's seen the two together and she can't help but think the two truly love each other. Made for each other.
They have a connection. A deep one. They love each other so much. She's glad she knows to be able to witness it first hand. Love is a wonderful thing and she's so happy the two get to experience it.
Wanning takes a deep breath. Any day now Mo Ran will be back and he's very happy about that.
"I've gotten bigger." Wanning says to no on in particular. He looks from one side to the other. The baby bump is slowly growing. No movement from the baby but any day now. Wanning can not believe his stomach is going to grow larger than it is now. He places a hand on his belly. Sliding it down the skin. He can already feel his skin stretching. Chuqing had told him to use the lotion she's given him, it's to help the skin. He'll have to use it tonight.
Wanning puts on the dubou. He may put the lotion on after a bath. His breasts have also been sore recently. Very much so. It's not too bad though. He can deal with it for the day.
"Wanning." said person pauses in place. Outer garments in his hands. He drops them to the floor twisting around to find Mo Ran at the door to their room staring at him. With eyes on him Mo Ran smiles.
"Mo Ran." Wanning says breathlessly. Not sure if this is a joke or not. Slowly Wanning gets closer. With a smile Mo Ran goes the rest of the way, not wanting to wait after so long. Wanning envelopes him in a large hug. Tightening his arms around the larger man. Mo Ran pulls him in close, placing his head into the others hair. Smelling that familiar scent. "Mo Ran." Wanning then interrupts the moment with his name. Calling it in an uncomfortable voice.
Worried Mo Ran steps back taking a good look at Wanning. "Are you hurt?" he asks.
Wanning shakes his head. "You were squeezing me too tight." Wanning says then motions to his baby bump. Mo Ran looks down then back to Wanning face. Having to do a double take. His eyes stuck to the slight bump. His mouth goes slack.
"That's..." Mo Ran doesn't know what to say. Wordlessly he reaches to undo the knot keeping the shirt closed. Opening it reveals the dudou. Mo Ran slides the dudou up, feeling the skin. Feeling the bump before getting a look at it. With his eyes fully on it he can't look away. There really is a baby in there. And it's growing. He places both hands on the bare belly. There's life just below his fingertips. Their baby. It's so warm.
Mo Ran looks up to to Wanning looking at him. His expression may be neutral but his honey eyes said everything. Full of love. Like this Wanning look beautiful.
Slowly he slides his hand to the back of the other. Pulling him close. Flush against him. Able to feel the bump against his lower stomach. Mo Ran goes into a kiss. A hand coming up to the back of Wanning head, pulling him closer. The kiss desperate and deep. Tongues dancing with each other. Mo Ran moves forward. Heading to the bed. Ready to taste every bit of his wife.
They get two steps back. "Yuheng." Chuqing calls. The couple freezes. Wanning flushes. He attempts to back away, though, he's not fast enough. The door slides open to reveal the madam. The couple stare wide eyed at her. She stare wide eyed at them. The room silent. "Ran- er, welcome back." she focuses on that. Smiling at him. Lucky they were not further. She's seen Wanning body plenty, it's still embarrassing to think about.
"Just got back." Mo Ran smiles. Following her lead.
"I'll wait for you both outside." auntie says politely. She closes the door leaving the couple alone once again.
Wanning rushes in getting dressed. Not wanting to have her wait. Mo Ran lets out a tsk but follows her out the room. He pauses at the door, looking back to see Wanning fixing himself. The growing baby bump getting hidden behind layers of cloth. Mo Ran grins.
Wanning huffs as he joins the other two. Mo Ran happily talking to his aunt, his ears red as he joins them. They walk to the main building.
Mo Ran makes the two of them tea as they get ready to do some paper work. Wanning grinding down some ink as auntie get the brushes. The two working in unison, showing how many times they've had to do this recently.
"What took so long?" Madam Wang wonders handing a brush to Wanning. He pauses looking at Mo Ran for answers.
"Well... no one trusted me to answers questions. And I couldn't really ask to read the history of the prison. I didn't even know where to start." Mo Ran answers, giving them his smile.
"Any injuries?" Wanning asks.
"No." Mo Ran shakes his head, smiling at Wanning showing his worry for him.
"Did you complete the mission?" Aunt Wang asks.
"I did."
"Then let's celebrate your return." She suggest happily.
Of course the two can't say no.