Lan Zhan took a break every day at exactly eleven o'clock. A man of routine and rule, this was a sudden change in his schedule that Mrs Tanning had made sure to add, because her boss had insisted upon it.

At this eleven o'clock time, especially reserved was the time for Lan Zhan to visit the flower shop, Lotus Pier and see the special man who lit up his thoughts and excited his heart.

And every day, he made sure to buy a red rose to put in Wei Ying’s hair, his red ribbon shining brightly next to it. Wei Ying in turn, would take a break at exactly five minutes past eleven and bring Lan Zhan straight into their store room, because, he told Jiang Cheng it was so Lan Zhan wouldn't suffer another episode, but they both knew it for what it really was.

Jiang Cheng would roll his eyes but dutifully man the front desk for the allotted time.

Today was no different.

At exactly eleven, the tiny silver bell rang, and Wei Ying greeted the beautiful man standing in front of him with a magnificent smile.

Lan Zhan was never quite ready to see it.

He always thought he was, even tried to imagine that gloriously upturned mouth, with those ivory pearls glistening in that lovely way of his, but every single time, his heart stuttered almost painfully.

His own mouth would tilt up, and Wei Ying would rush him into that room and attack him, like a super cuddly Teddy bear.

Their lips would crash together and before they knew it, Jiang Cheng would be knocking on the door, yelling at Wei Ying that his break was over.

Both would come out of that room dazed and so out of it, Jiang Cheng was certain he should be charging Lan Zhan something.

And now, Wei Ying made it a point to give Lan Zhan a special flower in return, telling him all about its meanings and anything else he could think of.

Jiang Cheng liked to think he was an understanding sort of brother, and he was...to a point. The eleven o'clock saga would be fine, absolutely great, if they did not meet again for the whole day.

But they had lunch together.

And since this was England, Lan Zhan made a point of having a tea-time break too.

So Jiang Cheng was getting a bit sick of the lovey dovey couple...

Two weeks had passed since their first date, and now, with Wei Ying spending practically all of his free time with his unproclaimed boyfriend, all the sodding time...Jiang Cheng found that he was missing his brother far too much.

The only relief he found, was from the unlikeliest source, Lan XiChen, the not-boyfriend's brother. One night, and one complaint turned into a bitch-fest about both their brothers and how gag worthy their relationship was becoming, and now Jiang Cheng had started to look forward to the evening trips as much as the morning ones. Thankfully, both their brothers made themselves scarce, leaving Jiang Cheng and XiChen to bond by themselves.

*******

Three weeks in, and Wei Ying had a surprise planned for Lan Zhan. He was so excited, he was running around with too much energy and winding Jiang Cheng up on another level.

The floor was mopped in record time, the buckets of flowers were arranged in colour coordination to nines, the window display was expertly done, and eleven o'clock was so far from coming, Wei Ying was frustrated. He kept staring at his phone, checking the time, checking for messages.

And then, the worse possible thing happened.

Eleven o'clock came....

....and went...

But no Lan Zhan appeared.

Wei Ying tried to act normal but he wasn't fooling either Wen Ning or Jiang Cheng at all. Two hours later, and Wei Ying waited for a lunchtime rendezvous...but no Lan Zhan appeared.

Now he was imagining all sorts of scenarios, all involving weird and random accidents, all excuses as to why the love of his life had missed not one, but two chances to see him.

Wei Ying became...hyper, his energy levels going into overdrive as he tried to keep his mind off Lan Zhan, and the possible reasons he might not have shown.

Every single customer was served and helped by a desperate-to-keep-busy Wei Ying, who once they were dealt with, arranged different flower bouquets and then tore up the arrangements and started again.

At this rate, they wouldn't have any flowers left to sell...Jiang Cheng thought, watching Wei Ying retire to their storeroom to "get bags", code for "going to cry".

This was the third time today, and Jiang Cheng was worried. He had half a mind to visit the Lan brother in his too fancy office block and give him a piece of his mind.

And then finally, finally, Lan Zhan came.

It was while Wei Ying was getting bags, and the silver bell rang. Jiang Cheng looked up to see him, Lan Zhan, looking all manner of tired, but he didn't care.

He marched up to the ragged man and grabbed his lapels with both of his hands, hauling the exhausted man up with his sheer strength.

"You have the nerve to come back here!?! Where the hell were you? You've made my brother cry!!! Do you think I'm going to just sit here and let you?"

Lan Zhan's eyes had widened in shock at that, but otherwise, he remained quietly accepting, looking down disheartened.

Cool hands were placed on hot ones, urging him to let go. Wei Ying stood next to them, red-rimmed eyes, gently prying off his fingers. He took one look at Lan Zhan, and took the keys out of Jiang Cheng's pocket, pushed both him and Wen Ning out of the door before locking it behind them.

Then, he led a silent Lan Zhan to their storeroom. He made the silent man sit down on the stool and crouched down in front of him.

"What's wrong? Talk to me, my Lan Zhan. Tell me."

He was not prepared for the sudden tears to gather in Lan Zhan's eyes, or for the man to burst into tears, and throw his really strong arms around his neck.

It took Wei Ying a good fifteen minutes of speaking softly while patting his back gently, easing him back into a calmness, before Lan Zhan was ready to talk.

"I'm sorry...I missed you twice today." Was the first thing he said, his eyes also red and puffy.

"That's okay, I'm sure you had a good reason to." Wei Ying kissed his nose, making him smile a little.

"But...Wei Ying was upset..." More tears fell from those beautiful golden eyes.

"Lan Zhan...Lan Zhan, my love, please don’t cry...you'll make me cry, and then who is going to stop both of us from crying?" Wei Ying soothed, holding him close again. His own eyes filled with moisture. "Why don't you tell me what happened, instead? Why couldn’t you come? I had a special flower for you today, you know."

"Really?" His voice was so hopeful, Wei Ying leaned in and kissed his forehead.

"You first. Tell me what happened."

Lan Zhan nodded.

"Uncle made us organise a corporate party."

Wei Ying waited....and waited...

But it seemed that was all he was going to say.

"And...?"

"I don't want to go." Lan Zhan mumbled.

"Er....okay?" He was thoroughly confused.

Wei Ying went to stand up, but those strong arms held him tightly.

"I'm just going to get some water for you...is that okay?" He soothed.

Lan Zhan let him go reluctantly. He sipped a few mouthfuls of water before making Wei Ying drink the rest of it. Wei Ying put the cup on the floor and planted himself in Lan Zhan's lap, smiling softly. Those strong arms wrapped around his torso, holding him close.

"First of all, you owe me two kisses at least, young man!" Wei Ying waggled his finger as though admonishing a little kid.

Lan Zhan smiled before pulling his head down for a heady kiss, his lips tracing the shape of an alluring mouth, sweet in taste and texture, as soft as marshmallows and just as tempting. Wei Ying moaned, and he felt it in his stomach, kissing him with new ardour.

He turned his body so that he was straddling the other, holding his face, pressing his body into the hard muscle he could feel, with only thin cotton separating their bodies.

"I love you."

Golden eyes snapped open.

Silver eyes were just as alarmed.

"What did you say?" Wei Ying demanded.

"No, you said it!" Lan Zhan retorted, but his eyes were blazing with a fire.

"How did you know?"

"Because I love you. Is it too early to say that?"

"I was sure you read my mind..." Wei Ying laughed softly.

Lan Zhan kissed him again, softly and sweetly.

"I don't care who said it first. I love you." Wei Ying kissed his nose again. "I had this whole elaborate scheme planned out...I was going to give you a sunflower. They symbolise longevity, adoration and pure love. Then, I was going to tell you all that..." he licked his lips.

Lan Zhan watched him, a hunger growing in those pale eyes.

"And then, I was going to confess, and kiss the life out of you. But we've gone and done it all the wrong way around." He sighed.

"I tried to come. But I had to find caterers, event planners, and organise the party." Lan Zhan looked...panicky.

Wei Ying cupped his face lovingly.

"I'm sure my very competent boyfriend managed to do everything on time."

"Boyfriend?"

Wei Ying nodded, looking at the very red ears. He leaned forward and whispered, "Yes, my boyfriend." His tongue came out and traced the curve of the beautiful pink ears, relishing the shiver produced by his actions.

Lan Zhan grabbed his face and kissed him with a newborn passion, pouring all of his emotions into his mouth, wanting him to understand how very full his heart had become.

Wei Ying was enjoying all his attention when Lan Zhan bit his lip, soothing his skin by licking it softly afterwards. Heat blossomed...elsewhere.

When they separated, Wei Ying asked him the question that had been weighing on his mind.

"So is that why you cried? Because you had to organise a party? When is it, by the way?"

Lan Zhan buried his face in Wei Ying’s neck.

"Tomorrow night."

"TOMORROW?"

Wei Ying didn't mean to shout, but it was such a surprise. "He made you arrange a whole corporate event in one day? For tomorrow?" He resumed, in a quieter voice. "Lan Zhan...you are a God!"

"That's not why...I am upset."

Wei Ying lifted his face up and kissed his too hot eyelids.

"Then why? You can tell me, my love." He coaxed, that chocolate voice raising goosebumps along Lan Zhan's skin.

"I don't want to go...but Uncle is insisting." Lan Zhan puckered his lips, not wanting to go on, but Wei Ying was still looking expectantly at him. "I don't like...crowds. Or parties...or....or people."

"That's okay." Wei Ying told him firmly. "But..please, can you tell me why?"

"Do you remember what happened to me when I first came here?"

"When you were ready to pass out?" Wei Ying kissed his cheek to comfort him.

"Mn. But worse." Lan Zhan looked down.

"Worse, you say?!?" Wei Ying looked at him, worried now. "I'm thinking it's some form of anxiety, but...but does your uncle know?"

"He thinks I'm making it up. He told me it's not real." Lan Zhan replied, miserable.

Wei Ying tutted sharply.

"And so he's making you go?"

"Mn."

"Alright...let's do this." Wei Ying took a hold of his face, smiling to encourage him. "I'll come with you. You are not  alone! Am I clear?"

Lan Zhan was making cow eyes at him, adoration abundantly clear on his face.

"Do I have to wear something special?"

Lan Zhan shook his head.

"Just something smart."

Wei Ying kissed his forehead, his lips lingering longer.

"Then, it's a date. Now come with me." He led Lan Zhan out of the storeroom and closed all the lights, including those in the shop. Then he picked the biggest sunflower he could and presented it to Lan Zhan.

"Pure love, longevity and adoration." Lan Zhan said, smiling softly.

Wei Ying kissed his other cheek.

"Correct."

Lan Zhan tucked it into his belt, and pulled out his wallet. He placed a five pound note on the counter and then plucked a single red rose, snapping off the longer stem, before tucking it into Wei Ying’s ribbon. Then he gathered him into his arms and kissed him again and again.

"I love you so much."

"Mn. I love Wei Ying."

"When does your party start?" Wei Ying asked as soon as his lips were free to speak.

"At seven on the dot."

"When do you have to be there?"

"Six."

"An extra hour of torture, huh?" Wei Ying smiled at him, taking his hand shyly. "I don't mind keeping my boyfriend busy until he is needed. What do you say?"

Lan Zhan smiled back at him.

"I like that word."

"What, torture?" Wei Ying raised a cheeky brow, knowing full well which word Lan Zhan was talking about .

"No. The other one." His ears were taking on a darker hue, even in this semi darkness.

"Then, extra? Hour?" Wei Ying giggled at the dangerous look in his eyes. He stepped back, as Lan Zhan mirrored his feet.

"No," he bit out. "The other word."

"Busy? Need?" He let out a shriek as Lan Zhan pounced, trying to run away, but Lan Zhan caught him easily, and kissed the naughty man senseless.

********

A/N

Hey everyone!

I managed it!

This is good news, because I managed to write and update today, means that I will be able to do this every day for this year! Yay!

Please enjoy...hehe