It's been another four weeks since their talk, during which the two still haven't made any progress in telling each other that they're ready for the next step in their relationship.

Again and again they lay in bed kissing, touching and caressing each other, even bringing each other to orgasm. But always right after that, they both lay next to each other, frustratedly thinking about why it's so hard for them to tell each other what they really want.

Zhan kept asking himself, "What's so hard about saying to Yibo, I want him to make love to me?"

While Yibo wondered, "Why can't I tell Zhan I want to sleep with him?"

Adding to Zhan's frustration was the fact that in the past few days, he kept cutting Yibo off when things got too intense in bed. Maybe it was because he wants to hear from Yibo's mouth that he wants to sleep with him. He didn't want, as he had two nights ago, to be turned around by Yibo on his belly, to have Yibo lie on top of him and feel Yibo's hard dick against his butt. He liked that, but, as long as Yibo didn't admit to wanting to sleep with Zhan, Zhan's subconscious sabotaged Yibo's plan.

So Zhan decided to talk to Yibo this weekend. Or more specifically, tonight, after Yibo got back from university and they ate dinner. He just didn't quite know how to start this conversation and if he would have the courage to do so, after Yibo had already rejected him so many times when Zhan told him that he wished Yibo would sleep with him.

Seeking advice, Zhan even called Ella, but she had little time to talk on the phone because in the meantime she has met someone and often goes out with him. The only advice she could give Zhan was, "Just be honest with him. Tell him that it frustrates you that you're still not further along in your relationship. You've been a couple for almost 10 months now and you even want to get married. So just tell him what you're missing in your relationship."

"I want to do that, too. I just don't know how to start." Replied Zhan in frustration.

"Well, just say, Yibo, I want you, to sleep with me!"

"Yeah if it was that easy, I wouldn't be asking you for advice right now. I already tried that and he always rejected me. All that about waiting until the wedding is more romantic."

"What should I advise you now Zhan? You can only play with your cards on the table. How long is this going to go on otherwise? You said yourself you have the impression Yibo doesn't want to wait either. And you can't do more than talk to him and try to tell him."

"Mhm, I get it."

"I know you're upset now because I can't tell you anything else. But Zhan, understand me too. You've talked to me about it so many times now. But that doesn't help you anyway. The only thing that will help, is if you talk to Yibo about what you want."

"I know."

"Don't be mad okay? I understand what you're saying. But like I said, if you and I talk about it, it won't help you."

"Yeah, I get it Ella."

"Zhan I..."

"I'm going to hang up now and prepare dinner. Bye." Said Zhan and ended the conversation. Yes, he was mad at Ella. Sure he could understand what she was saying to him. But, in the last few weeks, or rather, since she got her boyfriend, she hardly had an open ear for him and so often they didn't talk about him and Yibo. Since they were talking much more about her boyfriend lately.

Zhan put his phone aside and went to the kitchen. He took it upon himself to cook Yibo's favorite meal and it would take him quite a while. But if he wanted the evening to go perfectly, he was happy to put up with it. Perhaps Zhan would have preferred to take his cell phone with him to the kitchen, though. Because then he would have seen the message that Yibo wrote to him, right away.

The message in which Yibo informed him that he will join the study group tonight, and therefore it will be late until he gets home. Because after studying, they all want to have a drink.

When Zhan finished preparing his dinner and set the table, he sat in the living room with a growling stomach waiting for Yibo. It wasn't until around 9 pm that Zhan remembered that his cell phone was still in the bedroom. He went to get it and found the message from Yibo. He knew it was his own fault, but still he had been disappointed that he probably wouldn't get to talk to Yibo today.

Still, Zhan didn't give up and waited for Yibo while he ate some of his dinner. But as it got later and later, Zhan realized that the conversation was definitely not going to happen today.

At just before 12 pm, Zhan wrote a message to Yibo to please be quiet when he got home, as he was now going to bed. Yibo did not reply and Zhan went to bed frustrated, where he lay awake until 1 am, hoping to hear when Yibo came home.

What Zhan didn't know was that Yibo had read the message and was already home, but in the guest room so as not to wake Zhan. And also because he knew that Zhan hated it when Yibo smelled of alcohol.

Yibo lay in the guest bed and stared at the ceiling. It was hard for him to fall asleep without Zhan in his arms and on top of that he felt sad because when he was in the kitchen for a moment and saw that Zhan had cooked for them both, he felt bad because Zhan obviously wanted to surprise him with it and couldn't because he was joining the study group today.

Over and over Yibo tossed and turned in the bed and no matter how tired he was and no matter how hard he tried, he just couldn't fall asleep. Without Zhan, it didn't work anymore. He had noticed that when Zhan had spent that one week with Ella in Beijing.

When Yibo finally got fed up with not being able to fall asleep, he brushed his teeth thoroughly, freshened up a bit and joined Zhan in the bedroom. He lay down in the bed and even in his sleep Zhan seemed to notice his presence and snuggled up to him. Yibo wrapped his arms around him and whispered, "I'm sorry I kept you waiting. Go back to sleep and, I love you."

Zhan snuggled his head against Yibo's chest, nodded slightly, and replied in his sleep. "I want, snorer, you, another snorer, to sleep with me. Good night, snorer, I love you too."

Yibo's eyes snapped open, wondering if he had just heard that correctly. Whispering, he asked Zhan, "You want me to sleep with you?"

Zhan mumbled something not understandable and then said, "Yes, Snorer, but you must, Snorer, tell me, Great Snorer, that you want me."

"I want you Zhan. In fact, I want you very much."

"Mmm, Snorer, but not now." Replied Zhan softly, pulling the covers up almost to his chin.

Yibo smirked and promised he would definitely tell Zhan, as soon as they are awake he will tell him, "Zhan, I want to sleep with you." And already Yibo is looking forward to Zhan's reaction. But for now, he is just too tired to think any further. He closed his eyes and drifted off into the land of dreams.

When Yibo woke up around noon, Zhan had long since gotten up. But before Yibo wants to talk to Zhan, he went to take a shower, get dressed, and look for his cute fiancé, whom he found in his studio, where he was working on one of his new artworks. On his face, clothes and hands, Zhan had paint everywhere and Yibo had to smile.

Sometimes it seemed to him that Zhan was not a bit older than him, but much younger. He walked up to Zhan, who still didn't notice Yibo watching him, wrapped his arms around him, kissed his neck and said, "Hey sweetie, did you sleep well? Oh yeah, about last night, I'm sorry I wasn't there. I saw the dinner."

"Mmm, I slept just fine. About the dinner, well, it was my own fault. I had left my phone in the bedroom and saw your message too late. I can heat it up later, though, and then we can eat it."

"I'd love to. But first I have a confession to make."

Zhan spun around and held his brush full of black paint in front of Yibo's face and replied, "Don't you dare say anything to make me angry now."

"Never! I swear to you!"

"Well then, out with it. What do you want to confess?"

"I want to confess to you that, well, I, I want to sleep with you."

"What?"

"I want to sleep with you."

"Right now?"

"What?"

"Well you said you wanted to sleep with me but not when, so I asked. Because if, I would have to take a shower first."

"Oh haha, I didn't expect that answer."

"Why?"

"Well, I thought you wanted to talk about it first."

"No, not really. Actually, I just want you to sleep with me. I don't feel like talking about it, I feel like doing it."

"You're really making me speechless right now."

"Why?"

"Well, I never thought you'd really want it that bad. I mean, you're the one who..."

"Putting in? The one who''s on the bottom?"

"Um, yeah."

"Yibo, I'm well aware of all that, but I still want it. I knew it from the beginning when you and I met and got closer. I'm ready for it if you are."

"I'm absolutely ready for it Zhan."

"How come you changed your mind about waiting, anyway?"

"I know I got caught up in the romantic idea that we should wait until we get married. But honestly, we're not getting married until I graduate. I can't wait that long, and I don't want to. I want to finally be completely and totally close to you."

"So you're really ready to take the next step?"

"Yes, absolutely. I'm ready."

"Good, then I'm going to take a shower and then we'll meet again in the bedroom."

"Mhhh, how about I join you in the shower? I've already showered just now, but a second time won't hurt."

"Let's do it then. Let's both go shower." Replied Zhan with a grin.

Zhan had no idea where Yibo's sudden change of mind came from, and why he even came up to Zhan on his own and admitted to wanting to sleep with him. But Zhan didn't care at all right now. Because he wanted only one thing, finally sleep with Yibo and feel him.