"Trying to sneak out?"
Two heavy arms hung over Amari's shoulders as he walked down the hall.
"Of course not. I didn't wanna wake you and Taitai." He dragged Yangyang along with him to the kitchen, then felt for the coffee maker and a cup. "Want some coffee?"
"Mm," Yangyang hummed, resting his chin on Amari's head. "It's so early. Why are you up?"
"I had to pee."
Yangyang chuckled. "You're like an old man."
He just smiled and nodded. After carefully fixing the coffee, he put the pot into the machine, then spun in the embrace. Leaning his back against the counter, he clasped his hands behind Yangyang.
"Do you have to work today?" Yangyang asked, kissing him on the forehead.
"Yeah, until two. Then I've got a recording session with Joe at six. Demos for a local band, so we probably won't be done until after ten."
Yangyang kissed his forehead again, then his nose, then lingered on his lips. Then he pulled him tight to his chest and let out a long breath.
"Our schedules overlap. I guess I won't see you until tomorrow." He squeezed a little tighter. "I don't like living separately."
Amari rubbed his back a moment, then gently pushed him away. "Let's talk. We didn't get to last night."
He pulled Yangyang over to the couch, letting him lay his head on his lap and running his fingers through his long, soft hair.
"What did ma say to you? Why did she want to talk to you alone?"
"She just apologized and told me she didn't want me to think she wasn't proud. She said she's glad I'm in your life, but she hopes I understand why she's being strict." Amari sighed. It wasn't a lie, but he could only tell Yangyang so much. Any more would only start a fight, and that wouldn't help anyone. "And that even if I was a girl, she'd feel the same way."
Yangyang grumbled and huffed, but didn't say anything, making him chuckle.
"I don't think she's wrong. I make more money than I did busking, but I couldn't even afford the tiniest studio for myself right now." Yangyang huffed again, but it was lighter now and Amari knew he agreed. "I think if my nerdy Yang ge helps me with math, I should be able to finish my GED in a year. Then, I can probably get scholarships to cover college." He pet his head, then leaned down, finding his lips and giving him a gentle kiss. "But, what's Yang ge gonna do?"
"I've already contacted Joe to talk about being a session musician," he admitted, taking Amari by surprise. "I had a really good time, actually, playing all of those tracks. Brought me back to before Taitai was born." He followed that with a sigh, still sounding unsure of himself. "Right now, though, it isn't guaranteed income. When there's work, it's good money, and I can replace a part time job with it. But the music industry is fickle. If there's a dry spell, all of a sudden I'm without an income."
"Yeah, that's true... And going back to college?"
"Yeah, maybe... But I don't know what to go for now." Yangyang rolled sideways, his face in Amari's stomach. "I originally went for production and composition. I wanted to help bands create their own albums. I can't pick that back up again, though. I don't have the experience or reputation for it anymore." He buried himself further and Amari rubbed his back. "I really don't know what to do," he mumbled.
Smiling, Amari turned Yangyang's head, giving him another kiss. "You're amazing. You'll find something."
Wrapping his arms around Amari's waist, Yangyang pressed himself back into his stomach and Amari returned to petting his hair, giggling at the childishness.
"What are you two doing out here so early?" Yinyi groaned as she shuffled down the hall. "Ah, the smell of coffee." She went into the kitchen and came out with three mugs, setting them down on the table next to the couch. "I heard you proposed. Bold move."
"I was already gonna do it, and after that night, it felt like the right time." Yangyang grumbled incoherently, muffled against him, and Amari smiled. "Anyway, it isn't official I guess, but the sentiment's the same."
He paused and smiled wider. "Thanks, Yin jie. For being on our side."
Yinyi sipped at her coffee, then exhaled in satisfaction and relief.
"I'm just glad it worked out. Xiao Li is my favorite dìdi and I can't let him go. Honestly, I think he's too good for this immature brother of mine, but as long as Xiao Li is happy, I'm happy." Yangyang grumbled again but she ignored him. "Well, it's a little premature, but welcome to the family." She clinked her mug against Amari's and he bowed a little thank you. "So, what's the plan to win ma over? They have a training program for insurance underwriters at the company. I could probably pull some strings."
Yangyang immediately rolled over. "We're not that desperate."
"Oh, I get to see Xiao Yang's face." Yinyi sighed. "I know that stubborn streak of yours, my dear brother. You don't like being told you can't do something. You'll get desperate pretty soon." She slouched down in her chair. "So, what did ma say about this, then? Xiao Yang gets pretty clingy."
Amari giggled and nodded in agreement. "I asked about that." Yangyang shifted nervously on his lap. "She said there's no sleeping together until after marriage, but, since we're dating, we should act the same as anyone else in a relationship."
"She did?" Yangyang blurted out, unable to contain his shock and excitement. Amari nodded again, and warm hands pulled his head down, Yangyang giving him a long kiss.
Yinyi groaned and slapped her brother. "You should still have some self-control." Yangyang released Amari's head and grumbled under his breath. "You don't want to gross her out before you get her approval."
Bending down, Amari gave him a soft kiss. "Yin jie's right. Clingy's okay, but let's not get carried away. We should also go slowly with Taitai."
Yangyang grunted in agreement and he smiled, running a finger down his cheek.
"Ah, you two really..." Yinyi sighed dramatically in defeat. "How did Taitai take the news?"
"I'm not sure he completely understands," Yangyang admitted. "But, he knows we both love him, and that we're all happy together, so I think it's just handling what other people say about us."
Yinyi groaned. "So complicated." After finishing off her coffee, she stole Yangyang's mug, sipping it slowly. "Well, I'm on your side, so whatever you need from me."
Amari smiled and Yangyang nodded, shifting his head to look up at his sister. "What exactly did you tell ma last night?"
"Pretty much everything?" She giggled thinking about it, making her brother huff. "I started when you were seventeen and just kept going. It was very enlightening for her, I think." Yangyang grumbled some more as she took another sip of coffee. "Then I showed her all the videos of Amari singing. Did you know that Ziggy records you every time you're on stage?"
"Seriously? Jesus, he's such a creeper."
Yinyi leaned over and gave his arm a soft, consoling pat. "He just loves you. Very, VERY much."
"Ah, speaking of videos..." The large body on his lap shifted back and Amari could guess the look on his face. "What was that comment ma made? About making her watch a lot of videos?"
"Uh, that..." He took a breath and Yangyang poked at him, urging him to speak. "That day, when Taitai and I fell asleep, and then you went to the park without me. I was angry that you two fought, so I asked her why she's so against you being a musician and if she'd ever seen you perform. I gave her the video of open band night, when we brought Taitai on stage, and told her she should watch it."
"So forward," Yinyi said with a laugh. "Xiao Li, you really do say what you want."
Yangyang was quiet for a moment, then grabbed Amari's hand. "That's why she stopped bothering me about music." He spun the wooden ring between his fingers and sighed. "You're always taking care of me."
"Someone's gotta," Amari teased with a smirk. "Nah, I was just taking advantage of my place. It pissed me off that she was scolding you, but she'd never even seen you perform. At that point, I was still a guest, so she wasn't gonna get mad or throw me out." He lifted Yangyang's hand and kissed it. "You're the reason she stopped bothering you about music. She just had to see you on stage."
"Alright, that's enough lovey-dovey for me," Yinyi interrupted with a groan. "You're making me sick and I need to get ready for work."
She brought the two empty mugs to the kitchen, leaving them alone, and Yangyang sat up and pulled Amari into a tight hug. "I feel like you're always doing things for me, and I haven't done anything for you." He tensed a bit, then added, "I'll figure this out, I promise."
Amari giggled at his determination and kissed him on the cheek. "Yang ge, you're such an idiot." Yangyang pulled back, but he just smiled at him. "Do you know how much I've changed in the past year? You did that. Besides, everything I've done for you benefits me too. Sorry, but I'm really not that generous."
Yangyang pulled him into a deep kiss, getting a slap when his tongue became aggressive.
"We're in your living room," Amari scolded, giggling as teeth lightly bit at his neck. "Stop. I've gotta go home so I can get ready for work." Yangyang blew out a heavy sigh, but let him go and laid back down on the couch.
Amari leaned down, giving him a quick kiss. "Tomorrow night. My place. Deal?"
Yangyang grunted in agreement and Amari rushed down the hall to the bathroom to get ready.