fated_dance | Open Post

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Why be discrete and subtle when they're alone? Zishu chuckles softly at that laugh, arms tightening briefly before his husband slips free.

"I have a few ideas," he easily admits. His imagination can be rather active! He doesn't let himself pout at the odd feeling of bereft that comes with Runyu moving away, the quick kiss enough to sooth it. For now.

He busies himself with making himself presentable enough for when their breakfast arrives. At least enough the growing number of bites is covered, and his hair is at least brushed and pulled back.

When the food arrived, Runyu moved to take his place at the table. A regal lord who understood the power he had been granted. Not that he ever planned to abuse it, of course. He was no fool. It was enough to be Zishu's equal.

Once they were alone again though, he relaxed immediately and looked at what was on offer. He couldn't help but to be curious when he didn't recognize a couple of them. "Are these dishes regional to these lands?"

They can be perfectly presentable for a few minutes a day. Zishu smiles to himself when he sees how his husband holds himself around others - similar to how he himself holds himself. Upright and proper.

He nods to the servants in silent thanks for their usual hard work and they leave. He sits in such a way to practically be leaning into Runyu's space, and points at the ones he'd noticed the dragon's gaze lingering over, stating the name of the dish and the main ingredients.

"Yes, though not all. Sometimes the kitchens like to surprise me with a dish from further away."

Perhaps noticeably, if Runyu is familiar with the habits of many mortals of this area, is the lack of walnuts on the table.

Looking over at him, he listened to what the dishes were and nodded. It would be interesting to try new things for a change. That was one thing about where he'd come from really. Exploration of new flavors was not really a thing one did.

Trying a bite of the food, he considered it a moment. He rather liked that dish. Leaning over he went to try the other when he paused.

"I heard my people complaining that this region often has walnuts on the table. Why aren't there any?"

Runyu will get to taste a number of new things while with Zishu. His new husband will be happy to share it all with him.

Zishu's gaze drops at the question, though a wry grin tugs at his lips. "I hate them," he answers simply. "The kitchens know not to serve me any. If you like them, I will let the staff know so they can provide you with a selection." Because he refuses to deny his sweet dragon anything that's in his power to give.

Runyu has become that important to him already.

"I've never had one. If you hate them then we don't have to have them. I won't be missing anything." He gave him a smile then put some food onto Zishu's plate before putting some onto his own. The food was good so he planned to enjoy it. Perhaps there was more to the story of the walnuts and perhaps there wasn't. He was fine not asking further.

"I'll be exploring many things I've never had before already. I may have many questions about what we eat in the future."

He chuckles and obediently eats what Runyu puts on his plate. "You can ask me anything." He'll always answer as honestly as he can.

One dish especially he adds to his husband's plate. "I'll have the kitchens go searching for new things to try." To continue spoiling his husband.

Runyu laughed softly at that. "You could tell I wondered if there was more to why you don't like walnuts then."

To be honest he appreciated that Zishu could see through him like that. So many never even tried to. It had made for a very lonely life. One that was rapidly finding fulfillment with this man. Something made clear as he curiously looked to see what the dish was that had been put on his plate. People didn't do that and he was enjoying the care.

He likes watching Runyu, in trying to figure out what he's thinking. What he wants or needs. Nothing is unimportant when it's Runyu. Zishu grins and brushes fingertips lightly over his husband's hair, tucking a lock behind an ear just for the joy of touching him.

"Most people around here love them. I've heard of a merchant who specializes in nuts down south a ways to the point there's always a long line every day just in the hopes of getting a bag."

Zishu adds more food to his own plate as well and nibbles on the portion mirrored from his husband's. Chicken in a plum sauce that the kitchens make sure he has relatively often, as it's a favorite.

Trying the new dish, he looked surprised at the flavors. This was quite good. He immediately had another bite of it, smiling at the fingers moving through his hair. Runyu was quickly discovering that he loved how freely and casually his new husband touched him. It made him feel so beautiful and wanted. Something he hadn't felt in the entirety of his long life.

"Is it just a dislike for the taste then? Or is there another reason you dislike them?"

He had been told that he could ask. So that was exactly what he was going to do.

Zishu grins at that obvious enjoyment, of both the food and the affection. When it's just the two of them, Runyu will see just how often Zishu will shower him with affection. Not because he thinks he must. Because he wants to. And as long as his husband doesn't mind the touches, he sees no reason to deny them. Out in public, he'll show more reserve.

"It's just walnuts I dislike the taste of. Other nuts are fine."

"Well then we won't have them. I'd rather eat food we both can enjoy together."

If it meant not ever trying walnuts? Well that was fine. They could always partake in plenty of other things. Like all these dishes right here in front of them. Things he'd never gotten to try before. "Where I come from we have good food but so much of this I've never seen before."

His grin softens at that reply. He's been teased in the past for refusing to eat walnuts. Runyu's easy acceptance is a relief.

"What are your favorite things to eat? I'm sure the kitchens can provide similar dishes, if not quite the same." He doesn't think it's right for Runyu to be denied something he enjoys, especially if he can give it to him.

Runyu's lips parted to answer when he suddenly paused. It was true he'd had access to good food all his life but were any his favorites? He truly couldn't say that they were. He knew the favorite dishes of his entire family but not his own. No matter the celebration there had never been attention to detail concerning him.

"I don't know," he finally confessed quietly. It was hardly that he disliked food. He loved trying things. But he'd just always had to have what everyone else was having.

That makes his heart ache. He doesn't need to be told details to have an idea. Not after what Runyu has shared with him so far. So he reaches for a hand and gently tugs it up to press a kiss to elegant fingers.

"This chicken and plum sauce dish is one of my favorites," he states softly. "I want you to tell me if anything you try is something you aren't too fond of, or if you really like it. You do not need to pretend with me."

A warm hand took his own and it pulled him from his darker thoughts. Looking over at Zishu, his expression softened at the kindness his husband showed him. First to tell him that he'd make him a dragon pool and then to make him feel wanted and now this? He couldn't help the smile that came to his lips.

He would destroy the world to protect this man. He knew it in that moment. "I will. I promise I'll be honest with you about matters of what I like and don't like. So far the main thing I don't like is to feel cold. But I've not had to worry about that from someone who gives me so much warmth."

Runyu makes it easy to love him. To want to give him everything. For a smile. A laugh. To hear that soft voice. Zishu recognizes that no effort is too small or too big for his husband's happiness.

That promise makes him smile, then he laughs quietly and squeezes Runyu's hand. "I like keeping you warm."

"You do a very good job of it."

Taking that hand holding his, he brought it up so he could turn it and kiss the palm gently. These sweet hands of a swordsman yet so gentle and kind to him. "I've never been so warm in my life."

He grins, unashamedly pleased at that assurance.

His hands will never be raised to harm his dragon. Only to protect and pleasure him now. And it seems to go both ways, as he hums under the kiss to his palm. Fingers curl a little, thumb stroking over a pale cheek.

"You make it easy to want to keep you warm."

It was entirely improper but he didn't care. They were alone in their room. They were married. There was no one to judge them here. For that reason, he got up and went over to slide himself onto his husband's lap. Grabbing his chopsticks, he picked up some food and carefully offered it to the man to eat.

"Because you make it easy for me to trust you and believe in you."

They don't have to be proper together now. Especially when they're alone and in private. So Zishu only beams when Runyu abandons that seat and claims his lap. He wraps his arms around the dragon's waist, welcoming him without question or complaint. He accepts the bit of food and chews slowly, gaze fixed on his husband's handsome face.

"I am yours, just as much as you are mine."

"You know, I like that only I get to see this side of you. I might get jealous if others were able to see it."

Was he serious? Truthfully he didn't know. He'd never had something like this before. He was still learning all about it. How to react to things and how to be with someone this freely. When their marriage had been decided he'd been given no choice in the matter. Now it felt like he had all the freedom in the world.

Zishu grins and leans in to nudge their noses together.

"If others see it, it's because it's directed at you."

He sobers though. "You are my husband. I have given you my vows. You come first." For him, that is simply how it is.

"If you are unhappy here, tell me. I will do all I can to change that."

Even if that means leaving. Breaking the oath he'd given his cousin.

"You would do so much for me. No one has ever done that before."

Most had actively done the opposite. Especially the woman who had raised him. Her will had left him so isolated and had been the leading factor to see him married off so he could never take the throne. It wasn't right but he'd known he couldn't do anything about it.

Yet here was Zishu swearing that he would put him before all. Even before his duties.

Runyu set the chopsticks aside to cup that handsome face and give him a kiss. "You make me happy..."

"Yes."

Runyu's foster mother has much to answer for, as far as Zishu is concerned. It doesn't matter what her position is. Or how powerful she is.

Zishu leans into those hands and answers that sweet kiss. His arms tighten a little around his husband's waist. "That makes me happy to hear."