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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."

He lifts his head to gaze back at his husband, letting his sincerity show.

"Ah. Good."

Tomorrow... because today is spoken for.

"If I were the Emperor of the Heavens I could grant you the blessing. As it is we'll have to work together on this."

Which was fine. It would be worth it in the end. Especially should they need to run away together. Being able to increase the strength of his husband would help greatly in that.

He chuckles and shakes his head. "I don't mind working hard for the right to stay with you." To prove himself to the Heavens, and that Runyu is better than they believe.

"I look forward to working with you."

"I look forward to guiding you."

Runyu gave him another kiss then gently fixed the man's hair. It didn't really need it but he found there was a very simple pleasure in the act that he enjoyed immensely. "May I make a confession to you?"

Zishu grins into the kiss before claiming a kiss for himself.

Having someone fuss over his hair just for the joy of it softens the grin. He rubs gentle hands over his husband's back.

"You can tell me anything. I will tell no one."

"Mother will hate that you'll become an Immortal for me. For the first time in my life I'm looking forward to doing something that displeases her and her having no power to do anything about it."

It felt good. Right even. Runyu couldn't even say why that was but he wasn't really thinking too hard on it either.

The laugh is bright, delighted. Zishu grins. "I refuse to hide it from her. Let her fume. I want to become strong enough she can't hurt you because of me." Maybe he's over confident.

But he's also determined and dedicated. "You have my heart, Runyu. You have me."

He was sure that his mother would try something. That his father would just sit back and let her. But he was determined to protect Zishu at all costs. Even if it meant going against the heavens to do it.

He was water and he would show him the power of that element.

"You have my heart, Zishu. You have all of me."

Of course she will. She won't succeed.

Zishu smiles softly and kisses his sweet husband. "We will find our place together." If there's that much opposition, they will find somewhere else to live in peace together.

"You are so devoted to me. I swear it that I will always be so devoted to you in return."

He would always be there for him. Always love him. Always fight for him. Though he was more a scholar he truly wasn't a weak Immortal. He was the first born son of the Emperor of the Heavens, after all. He'd kept that power bottled up but no longer.

Cupping Zishu's face again, he smiled at him. "If anything ever goes wrong, I will spirit us away somewhere safe."

"I cannot explain why. Only that I am." He won't betray Runyu. He'd rather die, or suffer endlessly than betray him.

Less than a full day. Yet it feels right. The only option possible.

He can't help but smile back. "Good."

"This must be what it feels like to find your soulmate. Everything just falls so perfectly into place and feels so right."

Zishu just talking to him made everything so magical. He loved it. Runyu kissed his forehead and let out a contented sigh. "I'm glad today is all for us."

"Chance or Fate," he agrees, considering their various statuses. "I am very glad you are my soulmate." And that they've found each other, however that had happened.

He hums under the sweet kiss before a playful little smirk curls his lips. "Me too. We should eat some more so we have the strength to see it through properly." He'd made other promises to his dragon, after all!