-Here we are, another chapter! And um, sorry, but this ended up turning into a three-part story. Again. I honestly don't know how they end up like that, it just happens. But hey, more Minewt for you to read! :D

Also, for the coming chapters, I don't really know if there are such things as bars (for drinks and such) located at the side of dance halls, but hey. I imagined it like that, and I wanted a bar there, so it's there. Minho's gotta get some drinks and dance XD.

Thank you so much if you left a review. They make my day every time I see them. So let me know what you thought about this chapter, favorite parts, stuff you want in part three, etc. etc.

Enjoy!-

The beach was gigantic.

Soft, ivory sand stretched up to meet the whispering waves of the ocean. People were out in the afternoon heat, enjoying the hot sun and cool waters. Couples held hands and sat together with shining smiles; parents looked on as their children played; a couple of kids were splashing around in the shallow water close to the shore. The whole place was warm with the heat of summer. From the beach, it was easy to see the great walls of The Diamond. There were constantly more cars pulling up outside, as more and more people arrived. A few of them were carrying black instrument cases from parked vans.

Newt watched the musicians as they carried their things toward the hotel's grand entrance. He was out in the water, feeling its icy coolness around him; floating with the waves coming up to his nose, he let the ocean take his weight for him. He saw one of the musicians lugging what looked like a trombone's case up the front steps of The Diamond. Maybe there was something going on in the dance hall tonight. Newt had heard a lot about it and he'd secretly been curious. Not that he'd admit it out loud. Dancing in public suddenly turned him shy and he knew that as soon as he mentioned it to Minho, they'd end up in the dance hall later.

Newt lifted himself an inch higher in the water then and glanced around. Speaking of Minho, where—?

"HA! GOTCHA!" The call came from behind, a second before a pair of hands fell on Newt's shoulders. He only had time to give a very embarrassing squeak before he was shoved beneath the surface. Forcing his eyes open, he saw nothing but midnight-blue and other people's feet stepping in the shallows. Tilting his head upward, he swam up hard until he broke the surface again. After a quick gulp of air, the first thing he said was, "I will kill you, Minho!"

Minho's wicked laughter lit up the air and he appeared beside Newt, treading water leisurely. "Aw, what's wrong?" he asked innocently. "You wanted to go swimming, but you didn't expect to get wet?"

"No, I just didn't expect to drown," Newt flashed back, pushing his fingers through his hair. It was immediately turned into a tousled, soaking mess of blonde.

"I would never think of drowning you, sweetheart," Minho replied, unbothered. "Not when I'm gonna need a dance partner later." He pointed a thumb at where the musicians were filing into the hotel. "Yes, I noticed the musicians. And yes, I'm planning on dancing tonight."

"Shit," Newt muttered under his breath.

"Why don't you like dancing? You always dance with me." Minho pouted, giving Newt his best puppy-eyes.

"Yes, well, not in front of people," Newt pointed out.

"You danced with me at Brenda's party one year, remember?"

"Okay, not in front of strangers, then."

"Newt, you have to come," Minho protested. "It's part of like, the husband's code."

Newt sent him a flat look. "There is no 'husband's code.'"

"Yes, there is."

"How do you know?"

"I just made it up."

Newt tipped his head back and groaned in exaggerated hopelessness. "You're unbelievable sometimes, Minho," he remarked.

"Don't change the subject," Minho teased. He smirked devilishly. "We are definitely going dancing tonight."

"I hope you drown," Newt returned sarcastically.

"Eh, I'm too skilled to drown." Minho sank into the water up to his neck.

Newt eyed Minho's perfect sweep of spiked hair. "You haven't even gone underwater yet," he said disbelievingly. "Your hair's not wet."

"Maybe I just care about my appearance more than you," Minho sniffed.

Newt watched him for a long long moment. His gaze flicked from Minho's face back to his hair again. Minho caught him looking, and his expression shifted. "Oh, don't you dare—"

Newt chose that moment to lunge forward and plant his hands on Minho's shoulders. Shoving down hard, he forced Minho's head under the water. Taking it a little farther, he speared his fingers through Minho's hair and ruffled it as he pushed him down. Grinning in triumph, he backed up again to let Minho come up for air. Minho resurfaced, spluttering, and Newt burst out laughing. Minho's jet-black hair now flopped down into his eyes. It was different to see it like that, but it didn't take away from how attractive he was. He turned a glare on Newt as the blonde snickered gleefully.

"Oh yeah," Newt chuckled. "That's a good look for you."

"You're dead, now, Newton," Minho quipped, and he lunged for Newt with an evil smirk.

Newt yelped and swam backwards in an attempt to dodge Minho. Of course, he only managed to stay ahead for two feet before Minho caught him. Snagging the blonde around the waist, Minho hauled Newt's back up against his chest. It took two seconds for Newt to realize what was about to happen, and by then, it was too late to get away. Minho's fingers started digging into his sides and explosions of tingles danced over his skin. Newt couldn't help it when he giggled like a two-year-old girl and struggled in Minho's arms. "Min! Agh, s—stop!" he gasped, as Minho tickled him mercilessly.

"Sorry, I can't hear you at the moment," Minho replied lightly. "I'm waiting for an apology from my husband."

"Minho!" Newt protested. Minho found the place under Newt's ribs and attacked it with his fingertips. Newt twisted his body away, but was still trapped in Minho's embrace. He was laughing so hard, he could barely breathe.

"What was that?" Minho asked.

"Min! All right, I'm sorry!"

"Huh?"

"I'm sorry! Just let me go!"

Smiling smugly, Minho stopped tickling Newt. Newt let out a breath of relief and rested his back against the strong stretch of Minho's body. He could feel the steely muscle against his skin and it left him a little breathless. Sighing blissfully, he went limp in Minho's arms and let his head fall back onto Minho's shoulder. Minho held him above the waves with both arms around his middle. His smile softened when Newt turned his head to kiss Minho's neck.

"You're such a shank sometimes, you know that right?" Newt murmured.

"Yeah, but you love me anyway," Minho replied.

Newt's reply was to lean in and kiss Minho's neck again, this time just beneath his jaw. He trailed his mouth higher and nipped at Minho's earlobe. Minho gave a little gasp. Newt chose then to pull away again, satisfied with the way Minho had tensed in anticipation at the kisses. "So," he said softly, "where do you wanna go next?"

Minho hummed in thought, scanning the long white-yellow band of the beach. There was one spot at edge of the town that everyone seemed to be heading to after swimming: a cute shop painted bright yellow, with designs of orange seahorses dancing across the walls. It had a wide doorway, with two doors which had been propped wide open. Girls in colorful bikinis and guys in swim trunks were wandering inside, chatting happily. Minho looked down at Newt, still reclining in his arms. "You wanna go in there?" he asked, gesturing to the shop.

Newt followed Minho's gaze. "Sure," he replied with a smile.

Minho chuckled, and it vibrated against Newt's back. "You wanna get off me so we can get out of the water?"

"No," Newt sighed, nosing into Minho's neck. "You smell like the ocean," he remarked in a murmur, lips grazing Minho's skin.

"I think we both do." Minho subconsciously tilted his head at Newt's touch at his neck. Newt responded by placing tiny kisses beneath Minho's jaw. Giving a soft whimper, Minho's eyelids drooped. "Newt..."

"Okay, okay," Newt conceded, stopping before they started making out in front of everyone. He pulled away from Minho, out of his embrace. "Let's go."

They stumbled out of the water, drunk on laughter and each other. After drying off briefly, they headed toward the shop together. Newt couldn't think of the last time he'd felt like this, walking with Minho's arm around his shoulders and the soft sand underneath their feet. He didn't care that people were around to blink in surprise at them; didn't care that his arm was maybe too low at Minho's hips. He was too high on summer and his husband. His heart gave another thrilled jump at the thought of it again: Minho was his husband. It was almost too good to be true.

They walked up to the shop; above the wide-open double doors, a sign cheerfully stated THE SEAHORSE: GIFT SHOP. Inside, it was an open, pleasant space. Shelves and tables held T-shirts with Siren's Paradise printed across the front in spidery lettering. There were also adorable stuffed seahorses, dolphins, sharks, and other animals in different colors. Books about sea wildlife lined a few small shelves. There was a surprising amount of people in there already, despite the shop's relatively small size. Most of them were younger girls with their friends or couples laughing together over inside jokes.

Minho and Newt had barely taken two steps inside, when Minho grinned suddenly and pointed. "I am buying you one of those," he declared importantly.

"What?" Newt followed Minho's gaze and saw a shelf up against the wall; it was behind the counter where the cash register and a very bored-looking girl sat. And it held rows of little, stuffed crabs in every color imaginable. Newt turned a withering look on his husband. "Minho."

"Yes?" Minho asked pleasantly.

"Please tell me we're not going to become one of those couples that always buys stuff for each other."

"I would, but that would be a lie."

"You are not buying me a stuffed crab that I will never use."

"Yes, I am. And you will love it."

"What makes you think I like crabs?"

"Who doesn't like crabs?"

Newt dragged a hand over his face and chuckled at how ridiculous the conversation sounded. "Okay, you know what, I'm gonna look at their books," he said. "You buy whatever you wanna buy."

"Well, I didn't bring money with me out here, but I'm coming back for it later," Minho replied. His eyes twinkled playfully. "What color do you want?"

"Do not buy me a crab."

"I'm buying you a crab."

"Minho."

"Newt."

Newt tossed his hands up in resignation. "Fine, fine, go ahead," he conceded. "I don't care what color it is."

"Great, I'll get you a pink one then." Minho flashed a smirk. Pulling Newt in close, he surprised the blonde by kissing him full on the mouth. Newt stiffened at first, and then melted. One hand came up to touch Minho's cheek, maybe to pull him closer or lace into his hair. But Minho was already pulling back again. His mouth curved upward. "Go find a shucking book already," he teased, giving Newt a light push. Newt just rolled his eyes, but a lovestruck grin played on his lips as he headed away toward the bookshelves.

Minho was foolishly giddy as he watched his angel walk away, looking much too edible for his own good. He longed for them to be alone together. But of course, he was willing to wait, especially if it meant he'd get to dance with Newt later on tonight. Turning away from the rest of the shop, Minho sauntered up to the counter. As carelessly good-looking as usual, he raked a hand through his damp hair and leaned an elbow on the counter. "Excuse me, but how much are those?" he asked conversationally, pointing up at the stuffed crabs.

The girl behind the counter gaped at him in what resembled extreme awe. "Uhhhh," she began, "what?"

"The stuffed animals," Minho explained, cheerfully oblivious to the girl's staring. "How much are they?"

"Oh. Um." The girl was trying (and failing) to keep her eyes fixed on Minho's face. "You mean those ones?" she asked dumbly, jerking a thumb over her shoulder at the crabs.

"Yeah." Minho smiled one of those crooked smiles at her, and she nearly fainted.

"Well," she stammered out. "The...er...abs—I mean crabs! The crabs are...umm...like five bucks. Yes. Five dollars." She clasped her hands together on the counter, blushing scarlet.

"Thanks. I don't have any money on me right now, but I'll definitely stop by later for one, okay?"

"Okay..." the girl trailed off, blushing even more at the prospect of this beautiful guy coming back later. She continued to gawk as he turned away to find Newt.

To watch him go, she leaned over the counter so far, she almost knocked the cash register onto the floor.

-x-x-x-

Nighttime at The Diamond was an electric and magical time. Every light was lit, bathing the arching walls in brilliant gold. Crystal chandeliers glittered like millions of suspended teardrops. The air was constantly filled with a variety of tantalizing and mysterious sensations: the sound of clinking glasses, the smell of incredible food, rustles of silk from vibrantly colored dressed and suits, feet dancing over shining floors, and the constant, addictive hum of music. There were whispered rumors, laughing voices raised over crowds, and slightly-drunken conversation from the bar. It was a lively, wonderful time, indeed.

Newt, much to his chagrin, couldn't wait to become a part of it.

From their room, he could hear the faintest, heated tones of a saxophone singing from the dance hall downstairs. The bright blare of a trumpet followed, along with the thrum of a string bass. The band was beginning to get into full swing. Although Newt wasn't much into dancing in public, he decided to make an exception for this occasion. He'd heard there was a place to stop for refreshments in the dance hall, something much like a bar. Drinks and good food waited down there. That was what Newt was looking forward to. He'd be willing to go through some dancing to get expensive, well-prepared food.

He was standing in his room right now, playing with the cuffs of his dark navy dress shirt. Finally, he huffed and just rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. "It can't be THAT formal of an event," he muttered to himself. Besides, the constant brush of the sleeves against his wrists was going to irritate him to no end. He also wore black dress pants, shoes, (no tie, ugh, no) and had actually made an attempt on his hair. It still looked just as ruffled to him, but he decided he didn't care.

After a moment of waiting, Newt turned to the open bathroom door. "Hey, Min, are you done yet?" he asked.

"One second!" Minho called back.

"You said that five minutes ago!"

"Well, I miscalculated then." Newt could hear the mischievous grin in Minho's voice. "Hey, they have food down there, right?"

"Um, yeah, I think so," Newt answered, fiddling with the button beneath his collar.

"And drinks?"

"Yeah."

"Well, that's something to look forward to."

Newt shook his head at the troublemaking tone in Minho's voice. "Minho, you are not going to try to get drunk," he stated matter-of-factly.

"I never said anything about getting drunk," Minho protested. "I'm just happy that there's gonna be some drinks there, that's all." He chose that moment to emerge from the bathroom. He was wearing black pants and shoes, similar to Newt's, with a white shirt. He was already pushing the sleeves up and the top few buttons were undone. His silken, black hair was spiked in a careless way that ended up looking perfect somehow. The way the shirt outlined his strong shoulders made Newt's heartbeat race. Minho looked absolutely gorgeous. Newt knew he wilted next to his husband.

He was about to say something, when Minho glanced up and saw him. To Newt's pleasant surprise, Minho's lips parted slightly and he stared at Newt dazedly. "Wow," Minho managed, "you look..."

Newt lowered his eyes once, bashful. "No, I don't," he mumbled.

"You don't even know what I was going to say," Minho laughed. He crossed the room to his husband and placed his hands on Newt's waist. Bending down, he lightly kissed Newt's mouth. "You look stunning," he murmured.

Newt smiled, but bit his lip to try to hide it. "Trying to flatter me?" he asked teasingly, setting his hands at the back of Minho's neck.

"Always," Minho replied with a roguish grin. He pulled Newt closer, until their bodies brushed together. "You know," he began playfully, "if you really don't want to go to this thing, you could always try to convince me to stay here." He bent his head and nuzzled Newt's neck as he said it, nudging Newt's head aside to find more skin.

Newt laughed breathlessly. "Oh, so now you DON'T want to dance?"

"I'm just saying you could make a very persuasive argument to it." Minho grinned against Newt's skin and nipped at the place below his jaw. "You're already changing my mind and you didn't even do anything yet."

"Am I that irresistible to you?" Newt's eyes slid shut as he reveled in the feel of Minho's lips on his skin.

Minho gave a huff of resignation, his mouth lingering on the side of Newt's neck. "Of course you are," he mumbled. "I couldn't say no to you, even if I tried."

Newt was about to say something else, but it died in his throat when Minho kissed down to the flash of collarbone his shirt collar showed. Teeth grazed over skin and Minho deviously flicked his tongue in the hollow at the base of Newt's throat. A pitiful whimper escaped the blonde, his fingers tightening at the nape of Minho's neck. "Minho," he breathed. "W—we're going to miss everything if you keep me here like this."

Minho's lips tilted up into a smug smirk and he trailed his nose back up Newt's neck. Placing one last kiss on Newt's jaw, he drew back. "Am I that distracting?" he asked, mocking Newt's earlier question.

Newt glared at him. "You're more than distracting and you know it, shank." His reply was a bark of laughter and another chaste kiss. "All right, let's go already. And stop kissing me before I change my mind."