fated_dance | Open Post

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only | Expand All

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."

He grins, tilting his head up a little to invite those nibbles that make him hum. "I like how you mark me."

And settles back, other arm settling around Runyu. "Then we will." He likes that idea too.

Feeling truly safe for the first time in his long life, Runyu found that sleep came easily for a change. He was able to use the feel of that heart under his fingers and the sound of Zishu's breathing as a way to lull him to sleep. A peaceful, dreamless sleep.

He was content enough that he was certainly still sleeping the following morning, actually somewhat burrowed under the blankets and against his husband to maintain the warmth that he so enjoyed. This was far better than where he'd lived before. Where even the slightest noise could make him stir for wonder of what he'd done wrong this time.

What punishment he would be told he deserved. Things he no longer had to think about.

Zishu likes being the source of that safety. And feeling his husband drift off to sleep, his breathing evening out makes following him easy. Far easier than usual for him.

And his dreams are, for once, blessedly good. So he sleeps later than usual, content to bask in this warmth they've found and created. But he's never been someone who can stay completely idle for all that long, and eventually he does wake.

Finding Runyu still in his arms makes him smile and he drops a kiss to his temple. He hardly wants to move now, so settles in to just watch the peacefulness of the dragon's expression. Though he can't quite resist running a gentle hand slowly over Runyu's side and the arm thrown across his chest.

It took a little time for Runyu to stir, the waking gradual and aided by the touch of that gentle hand. Eventually his eyes fluttered open, his eyes clearing as he started to remember where he was. Who he was with.

Despite holding him, being pressed to his side, he still shifted his head to look for him, gaze landing on his face. He really had stayed there to rest with him until he woke. It amazed him and he closed his eyes as he settled his head on his chest. He could still feel that heartbeat under his fingertips, making everything from the night before that much more real.

"I thought I dreamt everything yesterday," he whispered softly.

Having the joy of watching anyone wake slowly is far more enticing than Zishu had expected. But when those eyes open, he smiles softly and lets the arm still wrapped around Runyu's waist tighten in silent greeting, as well as gentle reassurance this is real.

The whisper tells him it was a good thing, too. He rests his free hand over the hand against his chest, thumb rubbing over Runyu's fingers.

"Do you often dream of such things?"

"No. When I dream it usually is never so happy."

But that was how he'd felt last night. Happy. So much so that it hadn't seemed like it could be real. Him? Finding someone to be happy with? That was surely impossible, right?

Only it wasn't...

"It was all real though. You are real."

Happy. That word alone warms him. He's made this beautiful dragon happy.

Zishu runs fingertips over his husband's face, gaze following them.

"I am real. And I am here to stay."

They don't have to be alone anymore, and that is a comforting realization.

"You are."

Shifting, he moved himself partway onto Zishu, resting his arm on him so he could prop his chin up. Eyes open again, he just watched him now. Seemingly content to do just that for a time.

"How long have you been awake?"

No pressing business will tear them apart for days - he wants to make the most of it. But realizes already that just spending that time with Runyu is enough, no matter what they end up doing.

Zishu tucks some of his husband's hair back behind an ear, arm around his waist adjusting to make sure he stays supported.

"I don't know," he finds even that admission makes him smile. "You looked too peaceful, I didn't want to wake you too soon."

"Did I?"

He'd never had anyone watch him sleep before. But it seemed rather sweet that Zishu had been. It was enough to bring a sleepy little smile to his lips.

"You must be hungry if you've been awake that long."

That smile must be kissed! So he leans in and steals a soft kiss from those lips, undemanding.

"Aah. I could eat." But also he's comfortable just like this, and doesn't bother moving.

Runyu couldn't help but laugh as he received a kiss and then the man promptly was back down to relax again. His husband could be very adorable sometimes, he was discovering. Certainly one of his favorite traits so far among many.

"Mm. You're very motivated, I see."

Zishu grins, utterly unconcerned. And enjoying getting to just lounge a bit with someone he's well aware he's falling in love with, if he hasn't already.

"Are you warm enough?" Because that is clearly more important than almost anything else.