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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.

"Yes. Between the fire, the blankets, and you, I'm very warm." Warmer than he'd ever been when he was living among the other Immortals. Runyu even snuggled himself against Zishu more, ending up full on top of him without a trace of shame about trapping him.

"It seems you'll take very good care of that. I'm sure I won't ever be cold again."

He laughs softly and wraps both arms around his husband, welcoming the new position with equal lack of shame. This is one trap he doesn't mind!

He nuzzles their noses together. "Good. I just ask you to let me know if you start to feel a little cold." So he can immediately fix it.

Humming softly, he gave his nose a nuzzle back. That was another thing he was finding a great deal. So simple a way to display affection but it was sweet and he liked it.

"Even if we are busy with our duties? I would think we'd be too busy at that time to take care of a chill in the air."

Just as Zishu is learning just how much he likes being affectionate with his husband. Especially when he gets those little smiles and the joy of feeling Runyu relax against him.

"Even then. Even if warming you up again might have to wait until we're done for the night."

"So when we're done you'll steal me away to warm me back up again?"

That sounded nice actually. Sweet as well. Runyu shifted his other arm up so he could trace the lines of his husband's face. So cold to the world but only a pool of warmth for him. He had to admit he loved it.

"Aah," he hums, confirming. "I did promise to keep you warm." But it's no longer even just because of that promise. It's about taking care of his husband.

Zishu nuzzles those questing fingers before relaxing to let them touch wherever they wish. One person he can just be himself with. Runyu is even more precious for being that person.

"You did. And all because I just mentioned I don't like to be cold."

It was very kind of him, something he wouldn't ever be forgetting. Not even now as he leaned in to press a kiss to those sweet lips. "Now let me take care of you. Let's get up and have something to eat and some tea. Then we can decide what we'll do together."

Zishu just smiles. He has no regret for rising to answer that hinted wish to be warm. It seems to him that living a life to help keep his dragon warm, would be a very good life indeed.

He hums into the kiss and nuzzles his husband's lips. "As my husband wishes," he answers, playful. Why resist?

Rising up, he stretched some before sliding off the bed. He had to push his hair back over his shoulder, the gesture more elegant than he realized it to be. Offering his hand to help Zishu out of bed, he gave him a soft smile.

"Teach me how you call for meals here. I want to learn."

Watching Runyu is going to become a favorite past time of Zishu's. He just knows it. He smiles at the hand offered to him and takes it, but lets his dragon pull him up.

"There's a tassel by the door. Pull on it once for food, twice for a bath, or three times for a message that needs to be sent out."

So convenient. Runyu made sure he was decent before going to the door to look for the tassel. Sure enough, there it was. It was tempting to test for the other things but he instead only pulled it once. There was no need for the other two. Right now they only required breakfast.

"That will be useful in the future," he mused as he turned to come back to Zishu.

When he allows himself to be lazy and relax, his servants make it easy! Zishu wraps his arms around his husband when Runyu returns to him.

"Yes. Especially the next few days, where it's expected for no one to see much of us."

Which he plans to make full use of.

Wrapping his arms around Zishu's neck, he leaned into the embrace. After years of receiving no physical affection in his life, he had to admit that he was addicted to it. He simply couldn't get enough of it. Didn't want to either.

"What do you plan to do with that time, Zi'er?"

His smile said that he already knew but he was too amused to not tease him into answering.

Then Runyu is extremely fortunate in who his husband is. Zhou Zishu is naturally very tactile and affectionate with those he cares about. He grins at that teasing question and nuzzles his husband's shoulder.

"You. In as many different positions and ways as we feel like trying."

Silly dragon, Zishu has no shame when it comes to sharing what he wants with someone he's tied to like this.

Runyu couldn't help laughing at how bold and shameless the statement was. Then again, it wasn't as if he had any protests to that. It was honestly very much what he had in mind himself. Just the sort of thing he wanted to do with his time.

"Well then after breakfast if we aren't trying something new I will be profoundly disappointed."

He gave him a quick kiss then playfully slipped from his arms so he could go over to a mirror to see about fixing his hair. At least temporarily.