Hard choice (Dark clouds before sunny weather - Book 2)

Chapter 19

"A-Yi, A-Yuan, A-Yu!" called Wei Wuxian from the hallway. "It is time to go to bed. I hope you have finished all of your homework for tomorrow."

"Yes, dad!" answered A-Yuan back from where he was still playing with Mo Xuanyu and A-Yi. Of course, his dad already knew that they had long finished, he would not let them go play otherwise. But it was a kind of a ritual in their home so he always answered with dedication.

"Good," smiled his dad from between the door now as he was looking into A-Yi's room. The next second, he scowled and theatrically put his hand onto his chest while looking all around. "How did you three manage to make the room this much of a mess in such a short time?"

A-Yuan knew that his dad was not really worried about a few toys and colouring books being scattered here and there on the floor. He was just playing with them and reminding them to clean everything up before going to bed. Even Mo Xuanyu understood that nothing serious was happening and did not overreact like the first time this happened. He only picked up his colouring book and dutifully went to put it where it belonged.

A-Yuan and A-Yi started immediately helping. This earned all three of them a smile from his dad and a pat on the head. "You are such good boys," his dad praised and as so many times before, A-Yuan's whole being was beaming with happiness seeing how Mo Xuanyu smiled at this affection.

"Now, go wash your teeth and then be off to bed," his dad finished before heading back downstairs. They were all old enough to not need to be checked if they actually went to bed or not. Even A-Yi always obediently lowered the lights immediately. There was tomorrow to continue playing as their parents reminded them whenever they started asking if they could not stay up for just a little longer.

A-Yuan let A-Yi and Mo Xuanyu go wash up while he changed into his pyjamas. There was not enough room in the bathroom for the three of them at once. Which was not a problem really, they just went one by one and everything was alright. Since Mo Xuanyu lived with them for a week already, they had established a sort of a routine. And it worked without a hitch.

Once A-Yi told them good night and went to his room, A-Yuan went into his own. He shared it with Mo Xuanyu as there were not three rooms for children in the house. This did not bother him either, he actually liked being able to keep an eye on Mo Xuanyu in case he woke up from a nightmare in the middle of the night. Which unfortunately was not a scarce occurrence.

A-Yuan wondered what those dreams were about if they made Mo Xuanyu so scared and sad, but he did not ask. He was sure his friend did not want to talk about them. Instead, he just let Mo Xuanyu snuggle closer to him while patting his back soothingly. It usually worked wonders and he did not have to go get his parents. In the end, he would always fall asleep on Mo Xuanyu's mattress together with him.

Today though, he had another idea. He had actually been thinking about it for a few days, but he had never suggested it. He had seen how warily Mo Xuanyu had been eyeing the bed all this time. However, as he had gotten more and more comfortable in their house, it seemed that some of his wariness was slowly fading away. A-Yuan believed that now was a good time. They would end up sleeping snuggled together either way and perhaps it would help chase away the nightmares before they ever occurred.

He turned towards Mo Xuanyu and smiled at him, offering: "A-Yu, would you like to sleep with me on the bed tonight? There is enough space for the both of us." When Mo Xuanyu only stared at him without a reaction, A-Yuan added hastily in order not to be misunderstood. Now that he had brought the topic up, he was feeling strangely embarrassed. "The mattress is smaller and we would have more space if we took the bed. I am sure it will be more comfortable too."

It seemed like that argument was enough to get Mo Xuanyu look at the bed and then at him with a pensive expression. There was a strange glint to his eyes and for some reason, his hands started shaking slightly. If A-Yuan had not been paying so much attention to him, he would have for sure missed these small details. As things stood however, he was hyperaware that he had made Mo Xuanyu feel uncomfortable.

And perhaps even scared. He was not certain how he could tell, he just could. It was a different kind of fear that he had seen Mo Xuanyu experience in the dead of the night after having a nightmare. It was more subtle and harder to spot, but it was there nevertheless.

A-Yuan was immediately sorry he had brought this suggestion up. He had only wanted for his friend to sleep more comfortably. He had been thinking that it had been maybe because of the sleeping place and posture that Mo Xuanyu was not having nice dreams. He had only wanted to help. But look at what he had caused.

He opened his mouth to apologize and tell the other that it was fine if he did not like the bed. They could continue sleeping on the mattress, the both of them. It was no issue for him at all. However, at that same moment, Mo Xuanyu's eyes turned to him again and scanned him with such intensity that he was left without a breath. After what felt like an eternity, what came out of his mouth was not an apology.

"You do not have to be scared; I will be there with you the whole night."

Strangely enough, this seemed to have done the trick. Mo Xuanyu nodded his head after a short moment and smiled shily at him. "Thank you," he whispered.

A-Yuan's heart almost jumped out of his chest with pride. He knew it was not easy for Mo Xuanyu to talk to basically anyone. He felt honoured he was one of the few people his friend felt comfortable around and talked to more or less freely, though still very rarely. No matter how many times it had already happened, it was still like a small miracle, every single one of those moments when Mo Xuanyu replied verbally to him.

A-Yuan did not wait for anything anymore. He went towards Mo Xuanyu, took him by his hand and guided him towards the bed. Then, he let go only for the short moment he was getting under the covers and extended the hand again in a welcoming gesture. With the other one, he held the blanket up so Mo Xuanyu would be able to get in without any problems.

In a second, they found themselves laying down face to face and once again holding hands. It was their little ritual which helped keep the nightmares at bay at least a little bit. Oftentimes, A-Yuan found himself waking up with his friend's head resting on his chest with a faint smile on his lips. Those mornings were the best.

On a spur of the moment, he leaned a little closer and kissed his Mo Xuanyu's forehead. "Good night, A-Yu," he whispered and closed his eyes. Sleep was already gaining over him and he could only hope that his friend felt as comfortable and warm as he himself did right now.