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A sigh escaped him again, and again was another document placed beside him. It was late into the night, late enough that the remainder of the court had all but dispersed, intent on getting some much needed sleep before returning bright and early the next morning.
The Moon Prince was not afforded such luxuries it seemed, and neither was Gaoshun who had been temporarily loaned to him by the emperor while Basen remained at home with Lishu and their new born daughter.
Such a precious little thing. Even now, tired beyond measure, the memory of that little girl cradled in his milk brother’s arms brought a smile to his face. He could only hope that one day, no doubt long into the future, he and Maomao could share that same happiness.
Even now his precious wife was no doubt at home, waiting long into the night for his return. He had always promised her with a stroke of her cheek and a small kiss against her lips that she need not wait up for him, that she needed rest and he could handle the rest.
Each time she would return his soft kisses with more lingering ones, promising him that she truly didn’t mind, that she enjoyed seeing him before she could completely relax for the night. Knowing he had returned safe and sound, it seemed, had become one of their many long standing traditions.
It wasn’t the only nightly tradition they had acquired over their time sharing a bed, and there was another that seemed to amuse and confuse him in equal measure. His wife, an amazing, intelligent, beautiful person who had saved multiple members of the imperial family and earned the favour of the emperor himself, could only sleep if Jinshi squished her.
Not simply his hand finding its way to her now plush hip, but she needed his weight, needed him to lay himself atop her. If he ever didn’t or if he ever reserved some of his body weight intent on not injuring her, she would turn around and glare at him until he did as she wanted.
She truly was like a cat in his bed, keeping him awake until he did as she wished and then purring when was finally given what she wanted.
Speaking of, the hour was only getting later, the sky having long since fallen into the endless darkness he had become so accustomed to. His wife needed her sleep, and he could only imagine how she was waiting up for him, wondering when he would finally return home.
His eyes drifted up as yet another document was placed in front of him, his gaze trailing up the arm that offered it until he reached the face of the equally tired man who stood before him.
“I think it’s time we retire for the night, don’t you agree, Gaoshun?” He yawned, his voice almost sounding different to his tired ears.
His aide looked on for a long-suffering moment before he finally spoke. “Are you certain, sir?”
There was still much to do, and so he couldn’t quite blame the man for asking, but they were both tired, and his thoughts kept returning to Maomao and her rather annoying and adorable ability to not get some sleep.
He offered an almost sheepish smile to his aide. “Besides.” He whispered. “I need to go home to Maomao, you know how she is.”
The aide only shook his head, his expression only turning mildly concerned when Jinshi realized he had never actually spoken of his wife’s strange habits to the man.
“I need to go and squish my wife, Gaoshun, or else she can’t sleep. You understand, right?” He spoke plainly and for a moment he wondered if he had spoken too plainly.
Gaoshun only stared before a small sigh fell from his lips and he departed from Jinshi’s office with a bow.
What a rude reaction.
…God he was starting to sound like Maomao.
He departed himself soon after, weaving through the many courtyards and pathways, illuminated only by the many lanterns littering the area, their golden flames flickering as he walked past, tired and yet a soft smile still pulled at his lips at the notion that he would soon see his cat.
He soon arrived back home to his estate, the area quiet, no servants roamed around, and it seemed Suiren had already retired to bed, something that made him rather glad considering how stubborn the older lady in waiting could be.
He removed his outer robe as he moved, careful not to be too loud and awake the very few people who would be sleeping nearby. It wasn’t their fault his work seemed intent on watching him perish through deliriousness.
The underneath of his bedroom’s door glowed faintly golden, flickering every few moments with what he knew had to be candlelight. He spared not a second more, opening the door as softly as he could with the reminder that Maomao was on the other side.
He saw the outline of her figure as she sat at her small desk, the way her hand moved as each character danced across the page. Her back slouching further and further forward with each line that she continued to write.
She turned around at the sound of his footsteps, her eyes turning soft as she extinguished the small flame beside her before standing up and finding her way against his chest. She nuzzled against him and he stroked her hair back gently.
“Good evening, my love.” He greeted her with the same soft tenderness he always gave her. “What were you writing?” His voice was quiet and low amongst the darkness.
It wasn’t unusual for her to write her thoughts down, but it was unusual to do it so late into the night, especially when she was waiting for him, usually more intent on resting or perhaps reading a book about herbs or medicines.
She pushed her cheek further into his robes, before she looked up with half-lidded eyes. “I was writing a letter to my father.” She said softly back, and he wondered exactly what that letter entailed. “I should be seeing him soon.”
“I see.” He smiled into her hair and pressed a soft kiss to the freshly brushed strands.
Maomao remained in his embrace for only a moment longer, nuzzling her face into his robes with a soft sound escaping her, something that sounded oddly like a sleepy purr. It left a warm smile upon his face.
Then she stepped away, taking her warmth with her as she sat on the edge of the plush sheets before giving her an expectant look. The one she always gave on nights like this, the one he had long learned to expect.
He gave a little sigh before chuckling and changing his own clothes, dressing in the sleep robes he knew she so adored, the ones she always sighed into and tangled herself in.
She watched him throughout it all with a small pout on her lips, a pout that turned into a small glare when she deemed he was taking too learn. Her hand pawed restlessly at the sheets beneath her as her legs swung over the edge. It was a clear indication that she wanted him to hurry up and finish so he could lie on top of her, which was something the younger him never once believed he would ever say.
He stepped over to the bed a second later, watching as she crawled further onto the bed and slipped under the covers until she was lying on her stomach, her hair fanning out around her. He knelt beside her, stroking her hair, and then with only a small hesitation did he lower himself onto her body, squishing her between him and the mattress. She allowed a loud, pleased sigh to escape her lips along with a smile as she relaxed further beneath him and she wriggled just enough to get more comfortable.
His hand wrapped around the middle and he pressed her just a tiny bit closer, enjoying the way her soft curves felt against him as she pressed up and into him the same way she had done the first night she requested this.
He pressed a soft kiss to her hair before allowing his head to fall beside hers with his own deep sigh, the tension in his body slowly dissipating as he rested beside his wife. Her little purrs grew louder and he felt himself relax even more.
She wasn’t the only one that seemed to enjoy these nights, a small smile growing on both of their faces as their tired bodies slowly settled down for sleep. His hand stroked her skin slowly, her warmth spreading through the both of them.
“Goodnight, my love.” He whispered against her neck and her purrs only grew louder, soft breaths escaping her every few moments.
He loved Maomao more than he had ever loved anything. If she needed his body against hers to gain a good night's sleep, then he would do whatever he could to make her happy. Never again would he allow his wife to settle for less.