Work Text:
Li Yu sat under an umbrella with a smile on his face as he watched his boyfriend of two years attempt to build a sand castle for the very first time. Mu Tianchi had booked the two of them a flight to the tropics, after hearing Li Yu offhandedly state that he'd like to visit sometime. Unfortunately for Li Yu, what he hadn't yet told his loving boyfriend, was that he was currently completely incapable of enjoying the sunny weather and rolling waves. Because if he tried he'd become the next local attraction as the world's first confirmed merperson! It completely sucked. But it was still nice to be there with him.
Mu Tianchi watched his boyfriend out of the corner of his eye as he built up the walls of his sand castle. Li Yu had been the one who wanted to visit the area, but even though he was staring at the ocean longingly, he didn't make a single move towards it. He simply sat under the umbrella and acted like Mu Tianchi wouldn't notice the melancholy shining through. But he did and if Mu Tianchi was nothing else, he was a man who would do anything to make the one he loved happy.
The day passed quickly, and before Li Yu realized it, the sun had set and the stars were shining. Their hotel was right next to the water and he hoped that after Mu Tianchi had fallen asleep for the night he'd be able to sneak out for a late night swim around the area. It wouldn't be the same as swimming about during the day when the water was warmer, but at least he'd get to watch the stars while he was out there.
So you can imagine his surprise, when Mu Tianchi didn't lead him back inside towards dinner, but instead pulled him up off the beach and started heading towards the, now dark ocean.
"Tianchi what are you doing? We should be heading inside! It's almost time for dinner after all!" Li Yu tried to pull away, but Mu Tianchi was insistent. He grabbed his phone and quickly sent a text to his boyfriend.
You've longed to swim all day, but there were too many people watching. You can swim now.
Li Yu's laugh was strained, "Haha! I don't know what you're talking about! I haven't been longing! ...It was just nice to look at! Yeah! Nice to look at!"
Mu Tianchi gave him a look and Li Yu deflated, "Okay, so maybe I have been wanting to swim. That doesn't change the fact that it's well after dark and probably incredibly dangerous to be doing!" Li Yu's phone dinged.
I will keep watch for people. Li Yu will swim.
Li Yu puffed his cheeks out. As he pouted he muttered, "It's not fair when you get like this. You know I can't say no." Mu Tianchi gave a small smile and pecked Li Yu's lips before tellingly turning the smaller man towards the water. Li Yu sighed and raised his hands in surrender, "Fiiine. You win. I'll go swim."
Mu Tianchi nodded again was far more self satisfied than Li Yu thought he had any right to be.
Li Yu took a deep breath to calm his nerves and ran straight into the water. Whatever happened would happen.
Mu Tianchi's mouth was agape as he watched his boyfriend's legs vanish, only to be replaced by a vibrant orange tail. In the blink of an eye he was gone, but that one glimpse would be enough to fuel Mu Tianchi's wildest fantasies for months. Hopefully, Li Yu would accept trying out a few of said fantasies.
He had known about Li Yu's for around a year, after accidentally walking in on Li Yu bathing. At first he'd wanted to ask a million questions, but it had never come up and Mu Tianchi had wanted to wait until Li Yu trusted him enough to bring the subject up himself. So he had waited.
And now it was paying off because he could see Li Yu having the time of his life in the tropical water.
It was well worth the wait, and Mu Tianchi wouldn't change a second of it. He just hoped that the ring burning a hole in his pocket wouldn't ruin everything.