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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."

Runyu laughed softly at that. He'd forgotten all about the food now, despite the fact that he really did need to eat. All he cared about was having his arms around those strong shoulders and smiling down at the man.

"I thought I would be trapped in this marriage. Instead I've found freedom."

They both needed to eat, but for the moment, holding each other like this is more important. Zishu chuckles and shakes his head a little.

"I thought it would be difficult as well. Now those challenges don't matter if you're with me."

"They gave you a powerful ally and they don't realize it."

Because they've never thought highly of him or what he could do. Honestly he didn't either. Now that he was with this man though he was starting to feel differently. Like he truly had far more power than people realized. "I will always have your back. Always."

Zishu reaches up to cup Runyu's cheek. "It's not because of your power that I'm not worried about any challenge. It's because of you."

He claims another soft kiss, just for the joy of it. "I have a reason to live again." And to not give away his soul any more than it has. Maybe now he even has a reason to pull it back, to give all of himself to his dragon husband.

"I won't let anyone make you feel like that ever again." Pressing his forehead to Zishu's, he closed his eyes. For a moment he just breathed in his scent, listened to him breathe.

"If you ever do, tell me. We'll run away together."

He sighs softly at that promise and let's his eyes close as their foreheads rest together. Enjoys this connection.

"We should make plans." Because he knows himself. He's started to question if he's on the right side. If his efforts are bettering this part of the world...or dragging it to darkness.

"Ru'er... can humans really attain immortality?"

"Yes. They can."

It took devotion but it could be done. And with a heart as determined as the one which beat in this man's chest? He knew that Zishu could accomplish it. Especially if he had an Immortal helping him.

How convenient for Zishu that he had one of those now.

"I can help you."

Oh yes, he has that determination. And now, that devotion. To Runyu. To stay with this dragon who claims his heart.

"Then I will become immortal, and stay with my dragon. I think that would be a good life."

Runyu smiled warmly at that and pulled back so he could gaze at him. That Zishu would decide already to spend eternity with him. Was this what it felt like to find your soulmate?

"You have a good foundation as a swordsman. We can start working tomorrow."