The next day Lan Zhan is in hell.

Apparently, when his brother had booked the cruise, Xichen had also booked them on an excursion. He had wanted to encourage Lan Zhan to "enjoy the natural world around him", outside the white walls of his office and fluorescent lights of their real estate building. Which is the reason why Lan Zhan now finds himself on a boat, along with a hundred other people, speeding along the coast of St. Lucia to snorkel at a coral reef.

The excitement on his brother's face is the only thing stopping Lan Zhan from jumping overboard and swimming back to port.

Where Wei Ying is.

On the ship.

Lan Zhan's body feels like it's burning up with fever the farther away they get from the floating city on the sea. His hands keep fussing with the tiny loose string on the hem of his shirt or the velcro on the pocket of his swim trunks. Nothing holds his attention for long. Xichen tries to distract him by talking about the different types of sea life they might encounter but Lan Zhan's mind is two miles away.

Wei Ying had told him last night before they parted that he was leading a Zumba class on the pool deck. Images of him sweaty, breathing heavily, and dancing to a Latin rhythm surrounded by dozens of women lusting after his lithe muscular body makes Lan Zhan almost nauseous with jealousy.

His right leg bounces like a jackhammer as he constantly shifts in his seat trying to get comfortable. He has never felt this restless before. It unnerves him. At work, he is known as the Ice King (yes, he hears the whispers behind his back) because nothing unsettles him. He's known to keep calm in any situation no matter how out of control or demanding their clients are.

So why does he feel like a drug addict going through withdrawal?

Simple.

He's addicted to Wei Ying.

The logical part of his brain (which was about 99% of it) tries to rationalize the way he is feeling. It fails miserably. Because the other 1% is currently throwing a temper tantrum like a three year old.

I want Wei Ying!!! Wei Ying!!! Take me back!! I hate you!! You're the meanest gege ever!! TAKE! ME! BACK!!! NOW!!!!

But there is no going back. At least not for another five hours.

"Didi! Look!" Xichen shouts enthusiastically as he points to a pod of dolphins playing in the wake of the boat.

Lan Zhan sighs. His brother has been so excited to finally go snorkeling and the look on his face shows it. Lan Zhan realizes he can't be selfish. It's been a long time since he's seen his brother's inner child shine through that Lan Zhan simply nods and places his arm around Xichen's shoulders.

Today will belong to his gege. But tonight is all Wei Ying's.

                           *****************************************************

By the time they get back to the ship, it's almost time for dinner. Lan Zhan quickly showers and dresses, anxious to see Wei Ying.

However, the handsome cruise director is not seated at the captain's table like he was supposed to be. In fact, he's nowhere to be seen. Lan Zhan eats his dinner in silence, as per their family rules, but scarfs it down in record time. His eyes keep glancing at the dining room entrance, searching for those silver eyes he has missed all day.

"I'm sure he's fine, didi. He probably has some work to do. Maybe he's setting up something for tonight."

Xichen is probably right. But it doesn't make Lan Zhan feel any better.

Based on what Wei Ying told him during their dinner the previous night, the busy cruise director barely has time to eat let alone sleep. He's always "on" for the guests, making sure all their needs and desires are attended to.

Lan Zhan has wondered more than once who tends to Wei Ying's needs? Who makes sure he eats three balanced meals a day and drinks the necessary amount of water to stay hydrated? Who ensures he sleeps at least 8 hours a day and takes his daily vitamins to stay healthy?

A caring hand on his shoulder pulls him out of his spiraling thoughts.

"Wangji, let's go ask Mingjue where Wei Ying is." Xichen says with a caring smile. "I'm sure he can tell us. Then you can go check on him. Alright?"

"Mn."

The two men excuse themselves from the other guests dining at their table and go in search of the mammoth head of security. It doesn't take long for them to find Nie Mingjue in the casino breaking up a fight between two drunk men arguing over whose college football team is better. The look on Xichen's face as he watches the obscenely muscular security officer man-handle the larger of the two oafs out of the casino has Lan Zhan concerned that he might very well be sleeping alone tonight.

However, in minutes, Mingjue circles back to them wearing the biggest, sappiest smile on his neanderthal face. Lan Zhan chuckle snorts at the cartoonish heart eyes the behemoth of a man gives Xichen. Obviously he has nothing to worry about. Poor Mingjue is already a whipped puppy whether he knows it or not.

"What can I do for you two?" he asks with a flirty head tilt.

"Where is Wei Ying?" Lan Zhan snaps. "Sorry."

Mingjue eyes Lan Zhan curiously. "Accepted. He should be setting up for movie night on deck 9 by the pool."

"Thank you."

Lan Zhan doesn't wait for permission to leave before turning and heading for the elevators. Deck 9 is only two decks above them so at the last minute he changes his mind and walks quickly towards the stairs outside. Taking them two at a time, Lan Zhan races up the steps until he stops dead in his tracks at the top.

The pool area is amazing! Antique string lights are hung above the dozens of lounge chairs, casting a warm glow across the large venue. At one end of the pool stands a twelve foot high movie screen to give viewers the illusion of being in an actual theater. All of the staff is dressed in 1960's attire. Even their hair is styled to match the decade. They all wear friendly smiles and their exuberant personalities entertain the guests as they help them to find a seat or serve them food and drink.

Music from that era drifts everywhere setting the mood for the movie. Chuck Berry and Aretha Franklin inspire some of the guests to start dancing amongst the chairs. People of all ages sing to The Beatles and The Jackson Five. The atmosphere is magical and Lan Zhan wonders if he is still on a ship in the middle of the ocean.

Slowly, he moves through the growing crowd in search of Wei Ying. The cruise director must be here somewhere and yet there's no sign of him. He stops to inquire about Wei Ying's whereabouts with various employees, each one eager to help him. They point him in different directions with a nod of their head or pointed finger to where they think Lan Zhan might find Wei Ying. Yet every time he thinks he's on the right track, it turns out to be a wild goose chase.

Standing near a man who's dressed like Elvis Presley, Lan Zhan huffs in frustration. His disappointment becomes a weight on his heart, his bottom lip on the verge of a full on pout.

"Come here often, handsome?" a silky voice hums next to him.

Lan Zhan turns to his left. The chains of the weight around his heart snap and his almost pout turns up into a relieved smile.

"Wei Ying."

"Miss me?"

"Yes."

He probably shouldn't have sounded so needy but Lan Zhan couldn't help it. Having Wei Ying standing here next to him was like a breath of fresh air. Everything that had gone wrong today was suddenly right. Nothing else around Lan Zhan existed once he locked eyes with those dazzling eyes that shimmered like a kaleidoscope of diamonds.

Wei Ying blinds him with a smile brighter than the sun and Lan Zhan wonders how he ever lived without seeing it before.

"Good. Because I missed you, too." Wei Ying says sweetly.

The sexy cruise director kisses the tip of Lan Zhan's nose. "Would you like to watch a movie with me?"

The way Wei Ying's eyes sparkle with the colors that surround them sends Lan Zhan's stomach into a flurry of somersaults. He reaches up to touch the supple skin of Wei Ying's blushing cheek, slowly exhaling a breath of surrender. Tingles of anticipation ripple through him as Wei Ying's smile softens into something more tender and innocent.

How can Lan Zhan say no to the man who has stolen his heart, captivated his mind, and completed his soul in only forty eight hours?

"I would love to." he answers. "But...aren't you working?"

Wei Ying takes his hand and begins leading Lan Zhan to a set of lounge chairs farthest from the pool and chatty crowd.

"My job is done. My assistant can handle the rest. Sit."

As if he's under some sort of spell, Lan Zhan allows Wei Ying to guide him down onto the long chair. He watches with an amused expression as Wei Ying goes and grabs a blanket from behind the closed pool bar. The scheming cruise director smiles slyly at him and a shiver of desire cascades its way down Lan Zhan's spine.

Wei Ying pulls his chair against the one Lan Zhan is sitting in and takes a seat with a deep sigh. He spreads the blanket over both of them, wiggling his way closer to Lan Zhan. A server brings them two mugs of hot chocolate, quickly making his exit when Wei Ying shoos him with a waving hand. A mountain of whipped cream covered with chocolate sprinkles and a dash of cinnamon rests on top of the sweet drinks. Looking directly into Lan Zhan's smoldering eyes, Wei Ying begins to casually taste the soft confection.

Deep in his throat, a moan rustles and builds until Lan Zhan can no longer keep it to himself. The way Wei Ying tongues the white cream, licking his lips in satisfaction and humming with contentment has Lan Zhan desperately gathering his half of the blanket in his lap to camouflage the growing erection under his shorts. He feels hot and cold at the same time.

And he's pretty sure he's forgotten how to breathe.

Thinking has also become a bothersome activity.

His entire body is electrified by the erotic scene within kissing distance. Silver eyes peer up at him behind dark lashes, their brightness swallowed by a black hole of need. Lan Zhan tries to swallow but that has also become an unnecessary skill. There's a pounding in his ears which must be the start of the movie. But no. It's just his heart fluttering in his chest like a trapped bird.

There has to be some way to take back control of this situation! Some way he can regain the upper flirty hand. Lan Zhan tries to come up with something to say that will make Wei Ying stop this cruel form of torture. Words begin to form in his lust clouded mind but they slip away every time the sexy cruise director takes another lick of the whipped cream. Wei Ying's pink tongue savors the sugary topping, gliding over his moist lips before slipping back inside his mouth.

Just then, a brilliant idea pops into Lan Zhan's head.

Why didn't I think of this before? I'm a genius! He'll never...

Wei Ying scoops up a bit of cream on his finger and holds it out to Lan Zhan. Like an obedient lover, Lan Zhan takes the offered finger into his mouth and sucks. The long groan that leaves Wei Ying's lips is a drug he is immediately obsessed with. He continues pulling on the long digit, circling his tongue around the tip. Small pants escape through Wei Ying's slightly parted lips making Lan Zhan even harder.

This is a dangerous game they're playing. At any moment, either one of them could lose control. And there are too many witnesses only feet away for that to happen. Lan Zhan might want to take Wei Ying right here, right now, but he's not willing to share him with anyone else. This beauty with platinum eyes belongs to him. Only he will get to hear Wei Ying's moans of pleasure, see his face when he cums, and feel his body orgasm.

So for now...this little game needs to end.

Lan Zhan releases Wei Ying's finger with a quiet pop. "Delicious." he says in his deepest voice, husky with want.

He leans back in his lounge chair and sips the hot liquid held in the mug between his hands. He looks up at the stars above them, willing his erection to wait for the right time and place. Lan Zhan takes meditative breaths to center himself; in through the nose, out through the mouth. He takes a chance and glances at Wei Ying out of the corner of his eye as he takes another sip of his hot chocolate. The smugness that tugs at the corner of his lips can't be stopped because Wei Ying is frozen with his mouth gaping and eyes huge.

"Do you bring all your 'special' guests here?"

Wei Ying shakes his head. "Huh?"

Lan Zhan turns his head and gives him a jealous look. "Well, I'm pretty sure the pool bar doesn't normally have big fluffy blankets just lying around next to the bottles of scotch and vodka."

The guilty blush dusting Wei Ying's tanned skin is so adorable Lan Zhan wants to kiss him more than anything else right now.

"I was hoping you'd find me when you got back." Wei Ying admits. "If you must know, you're the first 'special' guest."

Lan Zhan sits up. "That you've ever taken to a movie?" he asks seriously.

A tiny giggle bubbles out of Wei Ying. "No. Let me say it this way. You're my only 'special' guest. Ever."

Lan Zhan's heart swells until it feels like it's going to burst out of his chest. "I'm honored that Wei Ying has chosen me as his 'special' guest."

Setting his mug down on the deck, he opens his arms and Wei Ying quickly scurries off of his chair and onto Lan Zhan's. As soon as the cruise director snuggles against him, he feels like he's home. A sense of calm washes over him. He breathes in the intoxicating combination of lotus flowers and ocean waves, pulling Wei Ying closer to him in a possessive embrace.

"Did Wei Ying eat today?" Lan Zhan murmurs against Wei Ying's soft hair. He carefully removes Wei Ying's red ribbon and wraps it around his wrist for safe keeping.

"I had a protein bar for lunch and an apple for dinner."

"Bad boy." Lan Zhan scolds, carding his fingers through Wei Ying's thick hair.

When a shiver passes through the cruise director's body, Lan Zhan isn't sure if it's the work of his hand or the childish reprimand. He's going to add that to his list of things he wants to learn about Wei Ying.

A long yawn brings his focus back to the man in his arms.

"How many hours have you been awake?"

He waits patiently for another yawn to pass by before bringing the blanket around the both of them, making sure to tuck it tightly around the exhausted cruise director.

"Lost count. Maybe...thirty. Isss okay."

Lan Zhan wants to point out that it is most definitely not okay but he can feel Wei Ying becoming more relaxed in his arms. He continues the long, gentle caresses through Wei Ying's luxurious hair. The need to make the man lying with him feel safe and cared for is overwhelming. He knows without a doubt that this is where he's meant to be.

"Wei Ying should sleep."

"Mmhmm. Sleep here. With you."

"Yes. Here. With me."

Lan Zhan loves feeling the small puffs of warm breath against his neck as Wei Ying drifts off to sleep. He melts at the warmth of Wei Ying's body nestled against his. Pulling the man now sleeping deeply closer to him, Lan Zhan presses Wei Ying's chest against his just so he can feel every little thump of this generous man's heart. Every fiber of his body hums with pure joy.

The movie finally starts and Lan Zhan settles Wei Ying into a more comfortable position. He pulls the blanket snugly around the precious soul in his arms, making sure Wei Ying is properly tucked in against the chilly ocean air. His heart soars when the adorable cruise director sighs deeply with contentment and nuzzles his neck.

Kissing the top of Wei Ying's head, Lan Zhan closes his eyes.

I don't want this to end. Now that I've found you, how can I ever leave you? There are only four days left. It's not enough time. I want more time. More time to show you how special you are. More time to see your smile and hear your laughter. You make me feel alive for the first time in my life.

Do you know what you do to me when you take my hand in yours? Do you understand that every time you say my name I want to kiss you until you forget your name?

How am I supposed to go back without you? I can't do it. I won't. If I leave you, a part of me stays on this ship with you. I'll never be whole again. My heart already hurts just thinking of walking away, of never seeing you again. Please stay with me. If I ask you to stay, say yes. Say you'll be mine. Tell me you'll always be with me because...

I want you.

I need you.

I love you.

Wei Ying.