Home.

A word that stings Bai Yao’s eyes like thorns.

“Bai Yao, I’ll never allow any harm to come to him as his older brother. I can look for the best school for him; the best home-school teacher. I can give him a life as close to normalcy as possible. Six most important years have been robbed from him compared to other people. I need to make it up to him, as his older brother.”

Bai Yao does not turn around in order not to show his emotions.

He’s a chef. Owner of this small little restaurant who’s probably going to spend most of his time in this quaint little Qiaohai. He has nothing to regret, because he chose this life. He knows it’s right for him.

But for Mu Mu’er, all he can do is make meals for him when he’s unhappy, or give him hugs, or sleep together, or say a few words to cheer him up.

And, that’s it, really.

Then what if Mu Mu’er needs more in the future?

Mu Yi is Mu Mu’er’s older brother. It makes sense for him to be his guardian than some unknown stranger.

The milk tea is boiling in the pot. Bubbles are emerging, but Bai Yao doesn’t even have the peace of mind to simply turn off the stove. He merely puts the pot away, stares at the open flame for a few seconds, before remembering to turn it off.

He resolves himself, and counts to five silently, only to fail to produce an affirmative ‘ok’ in the last second. The word is stuck in his throat, choking him.

He can only end up nodding a little in the end.

He finds his throat too parched to say a word. He opens his mouth, then closes it again to swallow a few times, before saying, “I forgot to add when you were asking what food he likes. He likes the curry seafood fried rice. I’ll write down the recipe for you; it’s not difficult to make.”

Mu Yi can’t cook. He was going to tell Bai Yao to send it to his cook, but in the end, he merely says, “got it.”

“If he transforms back into a sea otter again, please don’t tell him off. It’s comfortable for him. Don’t yell at him, because he’ll be really scared.”

“He can’t handle the heat too well. I don’t know if you have air-conditioning; his thick fur when he transforms only makes him even more prone to overheating,” Bai Yao completely forgets that Mu Yi, being a sentient sea otter, knows just how thick sea otter fur is too, “if it’s still too hot, give him ice blocks. He knows how to make himself comfortable.”

“Buy overalls for him. They’re not pretty, but he likes them.”

Suddenly, Bai Yao pauses. He is recalling the overall Mu Mu’er liked in that shopping mall they went to last time. He thought it was too ugly, and so he didn’t buy it for Mu Mu’er.

He really should have. Mu Mu’er clearly liked it. Very rarely does Mu Mu’er like something enough to ask him to buy it for him.

There is a moment when Bai Yao wants to tell Mu Yi to buy it for him, but he realises he doesn’t remember where the store is. He doesn’t even know if they’re still selling it anymore.

Bai Yao tells Mu Yi every tiniest little thing. Even the time when Mu Mu’er generally falls asleep, and wakes up, and that he likes citrus lemon body wash.

“He really likes hiding seashells everywhere. If you find one, don’t get angry at him, and definitely don’t throw them away. He’ll be really sad if you did.”

All the little things Bai Yao is talking makes him feel like he’s been possessed by one of those talkative grandmas, but he can’t stop. He has an urge to tell Mu Yi about every detail he learned of Mu Mu’er, so that he will never be sad or scared again.

A quarter hour passes. Mu Yi continues to listen attentively, giving affirmative nods and ‘mm’s every so often. The poker face remains, though, so Bai Yao does not know what he is thinking about.

The milk tea is cooling. Bai Yao filters out the tea leaves with a strainer almost subconsciously, and pours it into the clean glass next.

Perhaps he’s feeling sorry for him. Or perhaps he’s simply curious, but Mu Yi asks, “do you like cooking?”

Bai Yao pauses, before answering quietly, “why else would I be running a restaurant?”

Mu Yi nods. The conversation dies.

Then some light footsteps interrupt them. Mu Mu’er is hopping in for Bai Yao, and immediately notices the glass of warm milk tea. He runs for it.

“Is this for Mu’er?”

“Yeah,” Bai Yao says, giving Mu Mu’er’s hair another ruffle as is his habit.

The milk tea has just cooled enough to be pleasantly warm. Mu Mu’er takes a sip, and his eyes brighten up, “it’s sweet!”

Mu Mu’er remains oblivious to the subtly tense atmosphere in the kitchen. The milk tea is all that he can see; he then seems to notice he’s the only one drinking, but Bai Yao has not had a drink yet.

“Yaoyao, drink,” Mu Mu’er raises the glass to Bai Yao’s lips. He does not stop pestering him until Bai Yao takes a sip himself.

“Gege…” Mu Mu’er now looks at Mu Yi, hesitates, before mumbling and retracting the glass, “gege will not like this.”

Bai Yao has not looked away from Mu Mu’er since he entered the kitchen. Smoothing his hair, wiping the little bit of sweat away from the tip of his nose with a tissue…

Mu Yi stares at them for a moment, before saying, “let’s talk outside.”

Mu Yi leaves the kitchen, Bai Yao starts walking; Mu Mu’er follows without a second thought, like a baby duckling.

Bai Yao’s mind is blank; as soon as Mu Yi is gone from sight, he turns, pulls Mu Mu’er over, and gives him a wide, powerful hug.

Mu Mu’er makes a little confused ‘mm~’ at the inexplicable embrace. He doesn’t really know what’s happening all of a sudden.

Still, he doesn’t move away from the embrace, simply leaning on Bai Yao’s chest.

He does not know what Bai Yao talked about with Mu Yi, but he can feel Bai Yao’s arms are a little more forceful than usual. It’s a little bit heavy. Yaoyao doesn’t seem to be happy.

“Yaoyao, want hugs?” Mu Mu’er does his best to turn a little in Bai Yao’s embrace, and then use his freed arms to hug Bai Yao’s waist in turn, with his head still planted deep in his chest, “Mu’er gives hug.”

Then he pats Bai Yao on the back, like what Bai Yao would do for him.

He’s still holding the milk tea with one hand, while loosely holding Bai Yao’s clothes with the other. His voice is a little muffled coming from Bai Yao’s chest.

“Mu’er will always give Yaoyao hugs.”