Chapter 6:

Now back in the kitchen, Lan Yue poured the soup from the pot into a large thermos and put it next to the lunchbox he had prepared the night before. After going and packing the food in Shen Li's bag, he went right back to the kitchen and began cooking up breakfast for the two. Over the past week, he had noticed that Shen Li didn't really eat a lot in the mornings, so he made a simple omurice (omelette with fried rice inside – I think, please tell me if I spelt it wrong or just got it completely wrong) with fresh salad as well as a warm green tea. He himself usually preferred a more substantial breakfast, often with large fish fillets, but had decided that he, as the older one, could afford to wait till lunch, after all if he put a lot on the table, Shen Li would eat all of it, uncomplaining – the reason why Lan Yue had to pay special attention to his every expression else he would never have known.

Slipping the omelettes in the oven to keep warm (the salad was left on the counter) Lan Yue bounced up the stairs, looking forward to seeing his cute brother's sleeping face. As he entered the bedroom, he chuckled quietly. He still found it funny how every time he got up, he would have to sacrifice his shirt to escape Shen Li's clingy hands, though he was glad that the boy seemed to have stayed sleeping the entire time. The first few times, the adorable little thing had woken up and run into the kitchen to find him, but it looked like his t-shirt was becoming an acceptable substitute.

Slowly sitting down on the edge of the bed to prevent it from suddenly sinking, Lan Yue softly stroked the little curled up boy's head and murmured to him, urging him to wake up. Unfortunately for him, that didn't seem to be working, so he picked Shen Li up and carried him into the bathroom and over to the bathtub. Changing the way Shen Li was positioned so he had one arm free, Lan Yue filled the bathtub with water of just the right heat, and grabbed the soap, placing in an easy to reach location. Tugging the clothes of the lazy munchkin in his arms, Lan Yue slowly laid Shen Li into the water, checking his face to make sure that his eyes were, at the very least, open even if they were slightly drowsy.

Rolling up his sleeves, he first folded and collected the clothes on the floor, before checking the towels and walking out to pack his own bag and throw together something to eat at school.

~ Shen Li's POV (slightly back in time but… meh I like it this way) ~

He hovered on the verge of waking up as he lay curled up around Lan Yue's shirt. The sound of the older boy bustling around downstairs reassured him that he didn't have to get up yet, and to be honest, he totally didn't want to. Shen Li just wanted to stay in this warm bed and with this shirt, both smelling of Lan Yue, while listening to Lan Yue move around the house (of course it would be much better if Lan Yue was in the bed with him).

Hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, Shen Li tracked the movement drawing closer, not reacting when the bed dipped from the weight, before finally being rewarded with a gentle hand on his head and soft loving words whispered above him. Not reacting, he let himself be lifted, supported by strong arms, and relished the feeling of being held tight while listening to the sound of running water. When the sound stopped, his clothes were carefully lifted off and he was immersed in comforting warmth. Opening his eyes slightly, Shen Li gradually dragged himself out of his half-conscious state, taking in now familiar surroundings. Noticing when Lan Yue left, he pouted softly, then grabbed the soap and began washing up.

~ Lan Yue's POV (imma stop notifying you of the little time skips cause they're really obvious) ~

After eating breakfast Lan Yue grabbed the keys to his bike chain, along with their bags (both of which he put on his back) from the hook near the door. Normally he would get dropped down to school by his Aunt, but she had notified him about a business trip she was going on for 15 months. He wasn't a stranger to being alone as this had happened before so it was fine, but he had a slight suspicion that she might have left partly because she didn't want to take care of Shen Li. Lan Yue didn't really mind that though, he wouldn't have left Shen Li in the hands of people who don't truly care for him anyway.

Unlocking his bike chain and zipping it in his bag, Lan Yue picked up Shen Li and placed him on the back, telling him firmly to hold tightly to him while he sat on the seat and began pedalling.

When they reached the school, Lan Yue lifted Shen Li off before getting down himself and locking his bike in place. Crouching down slightly so the two boys were at eye level with each other, Lan Yue instructed his brother firmly on what to do in various situations, making sure he remembered the few moves the boy had learnt at a dojo over the weekend (Lan Yue's solution to his worries about his adorable boy being bullied).

Handing Shen Li his bag, he led Shen Li over to his classroom and chatted quickly to the teacher, introducing himself and telling her that she should phone him if any trouble happened, because his Aunt was away.

Lan Yue was called out to by one of his friends who ran over and began chatting cheerfully with him.

"Hey Yue, whatcha doing in this part of the building? You didn't forget the way over break or something right?"

"No, Xiao Mu, I'm here with my younger brother."

Bending down to bid Shen Li goodbye, he wished him good luck for his first day and was about to say more when Xiao Mu spoke, urging him to hurry else they'll be late. Laughing, Lan Yue gave in and ruffling Shen Li's hair one last time, walked off with his friend's arm around his shoulder.

He didn't notice the flash in Shen Li's eyes when he heard the name of the boy he had once been compared too, or that it got deeper as he saw the arm slung around Lan Yue's shoulder. Brushing those feelings aside, the boy walked into the classroom. He would focus on school for now, since his precious Lan Yue had put in so much effort, but he wouldn't forget. And if ever a time came when (he didn't want to think of it) Lan Yue ceased to care about him, he would be free from restraining himself to be a person the boy loved. He could go just as crazy as he wanted. It wouldn't matter anyways.