This is Not My Obituary

You Shouldn't Sleep On Baby Bumps

"Honey are you alright?" Mrs. Ren cut the ties with the small knife Shuyang had gifted her, then stuffed the object back in her pocket. "M' fine." He grumbled, rubbing the tender and torn skin that had been rubbing beneath the zip ties.

Ren huffed and craned himself back to his feet as his brain went wild, thoughts of his son and his doings flooding it. "I should've told him." He whispered to himself. No one has ever called the man out on his wrongings; all of his previous actions having been condoned by those around him. He was starting to believe what Shuyang had beat into him.

"Inhumane. Volatile. Scum-of-the-earth shit." He played the harsh criticisms back over in his mind.

He had always been praised for his work. He had done all that they asked. He had sex with the women and built the population like he was supposed to. He fathered more children than he could count and yet his one legitimate son was disgusted by him.

"What're they going to say?" He grappled, leaving his wife in confusion.
"The elders, what will they say? What will they think? Shuyang isn't willing to be a bull. There's no next generation." He could feel himself sweat as he mulled over the nonsensical subjects.

The smaller woman only looked to her feet and praised the heavens that her son hadn't taken on such a task. It was hell to be married to a man like that.

"I have to go." Ren said, placing a hand on his wife's and then nodding quickly, running from their home and out the door. She didn't have to ask where the man was going as she already knew.

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Ren breathed jaggedly as he came upon the door of the town's hall, taking a deep breath before handling the knob and letting himself in.

"Mr. Ren," a woman nodded her head softly, nail file pressed to the tips of her fingers. "Hi," he said quietly. "Are they in?" He asked as he motioned towards the set of doors leading to a conference room, usually always crawling with higher ups.
"Yes, have been since early this morning." She explained and got up from her seat, leading the older to doors and knocking twice before popping her head in.

"Mr. Guen, Mr. Ren is here to see you." She informed as the man gestured him inside and closed the door behind himself.

"What is it Ren?" The older man scoffed, leaning back in his large chair as a few men lined the table around him.

"Well, my.... My son."

"What about him?" The whole room stilled as Ren cleared his throat. Shuyang would have already started this tradition if he hadn't so harshly shot it down.

"He's not going to be a bull." Ren said demurely.

The room stayed quiet but the sound of a sharp slap to the top of the cedar table startled the lot. Mr. Guen stood from his seat and breathed in heavily.

"We must gather. The back cavern. 12 midnight." He spewed instructions all while starting down at his feet in contemplation. The room just agreed and Ren was left in a tizzy. He felt completely at fault and yet for the first time in his life, he felt almost relieved. His son had guts enough to refuse.

:::::

MingRui and Shuyang lay asleep in each other's embrace, the younger's lips pressed to Rui's forehead in an eternal kiss. Hanyu smiled softly as he closed the door quietly, trying not to wake them. He just wanted to check and make sure they were okay. He peaked in on the living room situation. Two men and their wives cuddled closely while ZeYu laid singularly on the floor near the kitchen. Hanyu looked over their sleeping figures before taking in a deep breath and walking to his shared bedroom.

The man slotted himself in the doorway, eyes fixed on the little woman he had married. She was still sitting up with her book and a million pillows stuffed around her for comfort. Dela hadn't much notice Hanyu staring at her from afar, but let down her book and caught his glimpse.

"Hi honey." She whispered, patting the space next to her with a tired smile. Hanyu simpered as he closed the door behind him and joined his wife in bed.
"Pretty woman." He said huskily, a light palm found her cheek as he said so.

"Sweet man." She answerd with a kiss. "You're so tired." She giggled softly, and watched as Hanyu turned from husband to child. He nodded pitifully with a pout. "Oh my poor baby." She cooed, pulling the man into her chest and letting him rest comfortably in her warmth. "Yeah, I'm just a poor baby." Hanyu chuckled, hand finding itself rest on Dela's growing bump. The man loved to touch her stomach, feeling impossibly close to his baby when he did. He adored feeling their child kick or move in any matter as it reminded him that he would really get to have this one. He had been devastated for the other one, and was cautiously, yet recklessly in love with this one. He loved it too much to lose it.

The older of the two hunkered down as his body relaxed against Dela's and felt his mind drifting. The day behind them had been confusing and weird, and the feelings had caused Hanyu to silently panic. He didn't want to worry anyone else so he kept his thoughts to himself and only letting himself rest when his wife held him close. He trusted his friends but not like he trusted Dela with his feelings. She was more than understanding and would let the man unwind as he needed. It was only fair, she did love him dearly.

Hanyu sighed as a sensation of unbelievable comfort washed over him. He was okay here. There wasn't any threat to those around him and the confusion and impatience could wait for tomorrow.

With one nod, he was asleep, mind wandering off to some dream land. "He said he's sorry." Shuyang voice echoed through his subconscious, waking the man up once again.

What the fuck did that mean?

What did Mr. Ren need to apologize to him for? And to ZeYu as well? The confession made no sense.

"What's wrong love?" Dela questioned, looking back down at her husband with a worried expression.

"Just... something Yang said." Hanyu admitted, trying to snuggle back into a comfortable position.
"Do you want to tell me?" She asked smally.
Hanyu debated for a moment. Did he want to tell her?

"In the morning." He said drowsily.

"Okay." She agreed and left a small kiss to his forehead and watched the older drift back to sleep.