Li Ming might not be the type of person that went all in physically from the get-go but he was definitely somebody who could be coaxed with sweet words. Hearing what Mo Fang said, his heart fluttered and he had to take a few deep breaths to get himself back under control. "You’re a wonderful person. That’s all there is to it."

Mo Fang gave a hum, feeling good that he was being praised. In fact, he would’ve liked it if Li Ming put in some more words. But he didn’t want to be too greedy on the first day with his boyfriend. "Thank you. It’s been some time since somebody has told me something like that."

Li Ming felt his heart hurt for him at that statement. Yes, he could imagine that that Lan Heng hadn’t been the most caring. "Then I’ll tell you every day from now on."

Mo Fang chuckled and turned onto his stomach, wishing that he could go over to Li Ming’s place instead. "Well, I’ll try hard to make you feel just as loved."

"You already do." This was something that he had to admit: Even though it made him feel a little uncomfortable to be so close right at the beginning of their relationship, it made very obvious just how much Mo Fang was into him. In fact, it surprised him a little himself. He really didn’t think that he had that kind of appeal.

Seeing that the atmosphere was good, Mo Fang couldn’t help but continue in that direction. "Say, now that I’m not in front of you, do you still think that you had fun today? It’s alright if you didn’t, you can be honest with me."

"No, I already was honest. It was a lovely day. And I’m looking forward to tomorrow. I definitely wouldn’t lie to you."

"That’s good. You can always be honest with me. I can take it."

"I didn’t doubt that for a single moment. Isn’t that why I brought up how I felt today? I feel that I can be honest with you. Even though I have to admit that it really wasn’t easy."

Mo Fang poked the pillow in front of him, not quite sure what that was supposed to mean. "Why? Did you think that I was being difficult?" This was probably the number one reason he had been given when he was broke up with in the past. Well, that and some yelling at his face how much of a slut they thought he was. But he didn’t think that Li Ming would say or even think something like that so being difficult would probably be his reason to want to break up.

"Uh …" Li Ming really didn’t know what he should say to that. How had Mo Fang even come up with that idea? He rubbed the back of his head and then denied it immediately. "No, that really wasn’t what I meant. I think that you reacted really well. But it’s just that when I was thinking about bringing it up, I couldn’t help but feel that I would hurt you with it. And I didn’t want to do that.

"I mean … I don’t want to bring it up all the time but you’ve just gone through a break-up. Now, we’ve actually fallen in love and I’m telling you that I want to take things slow. I was afraid that maybe you’d feel rejected." And, well, in a sense, that had happened. Even though Mo Fang had finally agreed, it was obvious that he hadn’t been completely happy with it.

"Oh." Mo Fang felt better when he heard that and stopped poking the pillow, instead pulling it up to his chest. "Well, I’m trying hard. If I do get on your nerves with something, then you definitely have to tell me. I can change. I just don’t want to lose you."

Li Ming rubbed his forehead, wondering if he had really gotten through to Mo Fang today. This was precisely the kind of thing he really didn’t want to hear when they were just starting out. But anyway, this had some time. He didn’t necessarily need to drive the message home today. With some more time, the two of them would probably get a better understanding of what was acceptable in their relationship and what wasn’t. "If something comes up, I’ll tell you. But anyway, you shouldn’t change for me. You’re good just as you are."

"You probably only saying that because you don’t know me that well. When you do …"

Li Ming sighed. "No, you’re thinking too much. Just give it some time. Anyway, compromises can always be worked out. As long as it’s not something huge that we’re incompatible in, I don’t think it should be an issue."

Mo Fang perked up at that. "Something huge? Like what?"

"Uh …" Li Ming was a little stunned. "I mean like those big questions of how you want your life to be. Like, if you were saying that you didn’t want to have a monogamous relationship, then I would definitely say that we’re not well-suited for each other. But I mean we already talked about that."

"True. Then what else? You tell me, we can talk about it."

Li Ming was not quite sure how to bring this up. He definitely could think of some questions he would have for a long-term partner but … Well, Mo Fang and he weren’t at that place yet. Then again, making sure of that first would also be a good idea. So, why shouldn’t he? At the very least, he would be warned then if there was something that really wouldn’t let them stay together in the long-run. That was the only way to work things out.