CHAPTER 26

The next morning, sunlight slips through the sheer curtains, painting the room in soft gold. The sound of distant waves filters through the open balcony door. Gaotu stirs, blinking sleep from his eyes as the ceiling fan hums gently above. Wenlang is already awake beside him, watching him, his expression relaxed.

"Morning," Gaotu murmurs, voice still heavy with sleep.

Wenlang glances over and smiles. "Morning. Did you sleep well?"

Gaotu nods, stretching a little before sitting up. The scent of the ocean fills the air. "I did. Probably the best sleep I've had in edges" he says quietly.

They have breakfast on the balcony. Tropical fruits, warm pastries and tea. Below them, the resort's private beach glitters in the morning sun. The world feels slower here, unhurried. Wenlang watches Gaotu quietly for a while as he eats, the wind teasing through his hair and he thinks to himself that this was exactly what he wanted, to see him so carefree and enjoying himself.

Their days quickly fall into a rhythm.

They explore the beaches first, barefoot walks along the soft white sand, the salty breeze wrapping around them. Sometimes they talk about nothing in particular; other times they just walk in silence, the kind that feels comfortable. When Gaotu bends down to pick shells, Wenlang quietly slips his hand into his, fingers brushing warm skin.

In the afternoons, they visit nearby markets, wandering through stalls of woven crafts, colorful clothes and spices that hang heavy in the air. Gaotu lingers at one shop, admiring handmade trinkets and Wenlang buys one without him noticing, a small wooden carving shaped like a rabbit.

"Souvenir," he says later that night, handing it over. "And it kind of looks like you."

Gaotu looks at it for a long moment before teasing. "You don't want this ending upon your face do you?"

They take boat rides across clear turquoise waters, visiting small islands scattered like jewels in the distance. Wenlang insists on taking photos mostly of Gaotu, even when Gaotu protests that he hates being in front of the camera. But Wenlang only laughs, saying, " Just stand there, you don't have to do anything."

At night, they dine by the beach, candlelight flickering in the breeze, the tide whispering against the shore. The resort staff seems to know when to appear and when to disappear, leaving them in peace. The food is rich with spice and sweetness and after a few sips of juice, Gaotu relaxes . Later, when they return to their room, the lights are soft, the curtains swaying with the wind. Wenlang catches Gaotu's hand as he passes by, pulling him closer. For a long moment, they just stand there close enough to feel each other's breath, the air thick with quiet warmth. Wenlang's thumb traces idle circles against Gaotu's wrist.

"Wenlang," Gaotu murmurs.

"I don't want this to end," Wenlang admits.

It's not a kiss that follows immediately, but something slower, a quiet drawing together, a brush of noses, a breath shared. When Wenlang finally leans in, it's gentle but deep, the kind of kiss that says more than words could. It goes on like that until they are both left breathless, joining their foreheads in the dim light to catch some breath.

A few seconds later, it's Gaotu who finds Wenlang's lips again. Wenlang becomes rigid for a second before smiling into the kiss and returning it with the same anticipation as his partner. His hands find Gaotu's waist pulling him closer closing the already non existent gap between them. Gaotu's arms hugged his neck as he took steps back, Even in the dim light, his eyes still glistened as they stared right into Wenlang's. The two didn't need to speak —their eyes already said what needed to be said.

On his own, Gaotu sat on the bed and moved back so that his feet were no longer on the floor, and while he did this, his eyes never left Wenlang's. It was like he was openly seducing him, inviting him to join him.

"Do you know how you look right now?" Wenlang asked, taking the chance to go after him.

"How?" Gaotu feigned oblivion, acting like he clearly wanted to know what Wenlang meant. Wenlang smirked as he tugged at Gaotu's shirt pulling him close, and without another word he captured his lips kissing him harder this time. Gaotu, having gotten what he wanted, hugged his neck and pulled him down with him...

The other nights passed in the same way, soft laughter, unhurried touches, quiet conversations that stretched into the dark. Sometimes Gaotu drifts off with his head on Wenlang's shoulder, the ocean murmuring outside; other times it's Wenlang who falls asleep first, Gaotu's fingers tracing absent patterns along his arm.

By the end of the first week, their pace shifts. The excitement of travel gives way to comfort. They spend lazy mornings in bed, tangled in sheets, sharing half awake smiles and kisses. They try Thai cooking classes one afternoon, Gaotu struggling with the heat of the spices until Wenlang bursts out laughing and hands him water.

"Maybe we'll just stick to eating," Gaotu says, half laughing, half coughing.

"Probably for the best," Wenlang agrees.

They visit temples too, places filled with quiet, golden light and the smell of incense. Gaotu stands still for a long time at one of them, hands clasped together, not really praying but simply taking in the stillness. Wenlang watches him from behind, the soft light catching on his profile. He takes out his phone and snaps a pic.

Their last few days come too quickly. On the second to last evening, they walk along the beach again, the water cold around their ankles. The sun sinks low, casting the sky in shades of orange and rose. Gaotu picks up a shell and turns it over in his palm.

"I wish we could stay a little longer," he says softly.

Wenlang nods, his hand finding Gaotu's. "We can always come back."

When they return to the room that night, Gaotu stops by the balcony, looking out at the moonlit sea. Wenlang comes up behind him, arms circling his waist, chin resting on his shoulder.

"What are you thinking about babe," Wenlang murmurs.

"Just some...," Gaotu begins but pauses, turning to look at Wenlang. "Babe?."

"Mmh, babe. You don't like it?"

"No... that's not it . It just sounds a little...unfamiliar." he tries to explain.

"Then you'll get used to it babe." Gaotu smiles, his hand coming up to rest over Wenlang's. Their eyes meet and the kiss that follows is unhurried, sending that same quiet thrill through him.

When the last day finally arrives, their bags are packed and the room feels empty. Gaotu glances around one last time, memorizing the faint scent of flowers, the way the morning light spills over the bed.

Wenlang stands by the door, watching him. "Ready?"

Gaotu nods, though part of him doesn't want to leave. "Yeah."

As they walk out together, Wenlang slips his fingers through his. "Next time," he says, "we'll make it three weeks."

Gaotu smiles at that, leaning against him as they head down the hallway.