The morning air was cleans and fresh, Fiorella stepped out from mo ye's courtyard yawning before going to the join them, she noticed mo ye was sweating abit.
they sat cross-legged around the low table. Bowls of rice, vegetables, tea steaming hot. Shifu poured it without a word and passed it to mo ye and Fiorella
Mo Ye ate slow, still half-watching his father. Fiorella kept her hands folded in her lap, nerves in the way she breathed.
Then Shifu smiled it pulled at his face in a way Mo Ye hadn't seen in a long time.
"Yeshe," he said. Nothing else. Just the name.
Mo Ye's chest tightened. Fiorella glanced at him quick, catching it, the way a single word could fill a man to the brim.
Shifu picked at his food like nothing had changed. After a long sip of tea, he spoke again, voice even. "My old friend complains to me often. Says his courtyard is no longer his. Grandchildren everywhere. They run wild. Tear his robes. Break his peace. Stubborn brats."
The corner of his mouth curved, dry amusement there. "But I can see in his eyes when he talks he would not trade it for silence."
The words hung heavy. More than just a story.
Mo Ye's hand stilled on his chopsticks. Fiorella lowered her gaze, heat creeping up her neck.
Shifu didn't push it anymore than that he didn't even need to, He just ate slowly the smile still ghosting his face.
They ate quiet after Shifu left. Bowls half-empty, tea cooling.
Mo Ye set his chopsticks down. "So. Grandkids."
Fiorella shot him a look. "What if I don't want any?"
He froze. Chopsticks halfway back to his hand. Mouth open. Nothing came out.
She smirked. "Exactly."
He leaned in, lowering his voice like he could win back the upper hand. "You'd change your mind after one."
She stood, tugged at his sleeve till he stumbled up after her. "Why waste time talking? Those kids won't make themselves."
The smile broke across his face before he could stop it. She dragged him toward his room, steps quick, laughter chasing them.
Mo Ye's breath catches. His palm on her robe, he claims her mouth again. She presses into him eagerly.
"You always have a plan," he murmurs against her lips.
She only laughs against him, nails tracing up his back.
He gently pushes open the sliding door to his chamber. Inside, sunlight pools on silk pillows and carved beams. They tumble together onto a futon, cloth sliding. Mo Ye buries his face against her neck. She laughs against his shoulder.
"Morning fate, huh?" Fiorella purrs, shifting beneath him. "Who knew breakfast would taste like this?"
He grins against her skin. "Perfect pairing."
The door slides shut behind them, muffling their laughter,
Behind the wall, Shifu had been standing all along. He shook his head, but a grin tugged at him anyway. "Old fart thinks he's ahead of me," he muttered. "I'll show him soon."
The End❤️