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Fools? He'd never heard them called such before by anyone. After all, people didn't rush to his defense. This protectiveness was new and he opened his eyes to study Zishu with fascination.

"Are you upset by that? That they never treated me with value?"

Most probably didn't have the gall to, not against such powerful immortals.

Zhou Zishu is not among them. He's only mortal, but he simply doesn't care if he dies.

Or, more accurately, didn't care if he died. Now, he wants to live as long as he can stay with Runyu. So he meets his husband's gaze intently.

"Yes. You deserve to be treated with care and respect, not just for what you can do for others. But for yourself."

A good man. That was who he'd married. Runyu could only marvel over that fact as he watched how serious the man became just at the idea that others hadn't shown him respect or kindness in the past. It touched him so much to know that he could not only have everything he'd ever wanted but that he could also have someone who wanted to protect his body, soul, and heart.

Bringing a hand up, he guided Zishu's face to turn towards him. All so he could press a soft kiss to his lips. Brief but so grateful.

"Thank you."

Protect and cherish, that's what he wants to do with his husband. He looks forward to hearing all of Runyu's desires and dreams, and work to make them reality.

He softens as he's pulled in for a kiss, and it relaxes the intensity of his gaze.

"Thank me by continuing to be yourself."

"I'm still discovering who I am now that I have the freedom for it. You'll have to be patient with me." Which he knew the man would be. He'd already been nothing but patient and kind with him since they'd finally had the time to be together to know each other. It was a nice feeling really. A safe one.

"Do me a favor and do the same for me. Tell me what your dreams and desires are. I want to do the same for you and try to make them all come true."

Zishu just smiles at that and shakes his head a little. "I will be right there with you along this journey." Every step of the way. However long it takes, he doesn't care as long as his husband is happy and safe.

His smile grows at that added request and he nudges their noses together. "I won't keep anything from you. I am a simple man. My desires usually involve the safety and comfort of others." Like his dragon's pools that will be built soon.

In that moment, Runyu knew that if anyone ever harmed this man he would destroy them with his own hands. No matter what that meant for himself, he would never tolerate his husband coming to harm. He'd said he was falling for him but the reality was that he very much already had. Completely.

"Having simple desires doesn't make you a simple man." He leaned up to press a kiss to his cheek, loving how good it was that could do that anytime he wished when they were alone like this. "But I do like that you won't keep things from me. I'm tired of secrets. Having one person where there are none is just what I want now."

Zishu would do the same to anyone who tries to hurt Runyu. Living without this dragon is no longer an option - he'd far rather die than be without Runyu. It doesn't scare him, either. He's always been someone to give all of himself to whatever he's put his mind to. Sometimes (rarely) he comes to regret something he's done, and shifts back to try and find a way to remedy it.

As he intends to do with his service to Prince Jin. He'll find a way that won't take him from his husband. He smiles at that kiss, and denying him a simple man.

"You never need to doubt me. You can ask me anything and I will tell you the truth as I know it."

"I will offer you the same in return. Always."

Because that was something he could do for him to keep the secrets out of their relationship. For each other there would be no lies, no secrets. Only acceptance and honesty. Openness and understanding. It made him hum softly as he reached to snag the cloth and soap for himself.

"You've taken care of me. It's time for me to finish taking care of you."

"I believe you," he softly reassures. It wouldn't matter to him as much anymore if Runyu did try to keep some things from him. He trusts his husband to tell him things when Runyu is ready.

Zishu finds himself grinning and releases the cloth.

"I like taking care of you."

"It shows. But now you have to let someone take care of you."

Runyu waggled his finger at him as if he were scolding him then set about his task. Most of the body was underwater but that hardly bothered him as he manipulated the water to help him clean him, scrubbing him down everywhere, shifting how he sat on him when he needed to.

"Is it possible to have a large fire in here? To get the room as warm as possible for when we sleep?"

He laughs at that scolding finger and relaxes in the hold of Runyu's power. He also shifts as needed to let every bit of his body be scrubbed to his husband's satisfaction.

"Are you attached to these rooms? I can have such a fire built in my rooms that can be ready fairly soon. It would give us time to move you in, so they will be our rooms."

The thought of a nice hot fire to sleep near was delightful. Easily enough to make him want to abandon these rooms immediately. He smiled at him as he settled into straddling his lap again. All the easier to kiss him lightly.

"I would like that. Then we can sleep in the warmth of our rooms together. I haven't unpacked yet so it will be easy to have my things moved."

Zishu hums into the kiss, immediately answering it just as softly as he curls his arms back around Runyu's waist. He nudges their noses together.

"Then we will need to dress, at least enough for the short walk."

As if sensing that eagerness, he lifts his husband up so they can leave the bath and dry off.

The fact that Zishu constantly seemed ready to pick him up never failed to amuse him. But he didn't resist it and only shifted closer to make it easier for the man to get them out of the bath. In fact, he only moved to put his feet down when it was time to dry off.

"I can handle having clothes on again long enough to get to our rooms."

They could just put their wedding robes back on for the walk then abandon them once they were sure they were alone again.

Runyu hasn't offered even a shred of protest! And Zishu likes the excuse to keep touching him so much. He leans in to steal a quick, playful kiss before starting the task of drying them off.

"Good.

"I will have them start on the fire while you dress." And anything else Runyu wishes to bring with them for the night.

He towels as much of the water from his hair as he can before moving to pull on the innermost layer of the robes he'd come in with before moving to the guarded door to murmur orders to the guards there to be relayed and obeyed.

Runyu moved out of sight of the door and dressed himself in several of the layers, sorting out his hair at least enough that it would be presentable for the short walk. He figured that he should at least try to look like the second master of this place since he was still a new face.

After that, he made sure the trunk with his things was where it could be collected to be brought to the other rooms then went to his husband's side. Hiding it with their sleeves, he hooked one of his fingers with Zishu's.

He was ready.

Once the orders are given, Zishu dresses the rest of the way and also makes his hair presentable enough for the short walk.

He's ready by the time his husband slips a finger around his, which makes him smile then nod in understanding. Figuring the servants have had just enough time to build up the fire he always has in his rooms a little more, he guides his husband out of the door and down the hall.

Any stares are ignored. Soon enough they're behind more closed doors - their rooms, and the servants slip out without a word but with polite bows to them both.

Zishu waits a moment, then reinforces the wards around their rooms before moving to where the warm glow of the crackling fire can be seen. He gives it an approving nod before turning to brush fingertips over Runyu's robes, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Ready for bed, husband?"

Just a step into the room already told him the fires were going. It was so warm in here and he let out a contented sigh as soon as they were alone. Turning his gaze to his husband, he laughed softly and nodded. He was ready. Shedding one of the layers, he stepped closer to offer to let Zishu finish undressing him.

"I like it in here better already."

He knew he could easily sleep in here with this man and this warmth. The trunk would be brought tomorrow but he didn't need it at this time. He only needed the arms of just this man in their bed.

"In our rooms."

Those who work for Zhou Zishu, work fast. Efficiently. Most of them can be trusted not to act willfully against him. Those who can't, are carefully watched by those who can, but left in place for the simple fact it was safer to let the Prince have some eyes in this compound.

Zishu smiles, pleased to see his dragon relaxing. He is just as gentle in undressing him as with most things, letting his hands slide over bare skin before pulling away to remove his own clothes.

"You are welcome to make any changes you wish."

"I'll think about it another day."

For now he let his fingers trail over the skin that Zishu exposed before moving to the bed so he could move the blankets aside. Lightly, he ran his fingers over them just to feel the fabric before sitting on the edge of the bed. The idea of never having to sleep alone again had him smiling as he looked up at Zishu.

"Let's go to bed now, Zi'er. We have several days more to enjoy our marriage before they need us again. So we can rest for now."

That leaves him grinning and he watches Runyu settle in bed, clearly enjoying the bedding. Only when his husband looks up at him and says that does he return to his side.

"I do like the idea of a few days just the two of us," he murmurs as he settles beside him and draws Runyu close to stretch out and pull the blankets over them.

Settling on his side, he curled in against his husband and let his eyes close. This was perhaps the most comfortable he'd ever been before. It made him sigh happily and relax in his arms, a hand coming to rest over his chest just to feel his heartbeat.

"I like it too. Now that I have you, I'm not ready to share you again just yet." He would eventually for their duties but not right away. Just a couple more days of this.

Zishu relaxes too, when Runyu settles against him. He runs a gentle hand along his side and lets out a contented little breath of his own. He nuzzles the top of his husband's head and lets his eyes close.

"I am yours, Runyu. Just as much as you are mine. I can be a jealous man. I don't want to share you at all right now." Duty will call later, as they both know.

But these few days are theirs.

"I've never had the chance to be with another but I think I can be jealous too." Lifting his head, he playfully nibbled at one of the bites he'd given him. "But I can make sure people know so I won't have to worry."

Runyu smiled then, tucking his head under Zishu's chin.

"Wake me when you rise. I want to share the day with you."