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"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.

Why be discrete and subtle when they're alone? Zishu chuckles softly at that laugh, arms tightening briefly before his husband slips free.

"I have a few ideas," he easily admits. His imagination can be rather active! He doesn't let himself pout at the odd feeling of bereft that comes with Runyu moving away, the quick kiss enough to sooth it. For now.

He busies himself with making himself presentable enough for when their breakfast arrives. At least enough the growing number of bites is covered, and his hair is at least brushed and pulled back.

When the food arrived, Runyu moved to take his place at the table. A regal lord who understood the power he had been granted. Not that he ever planned to abuse it, of course. He was no fool. It was enough to be Zishu's equal.

Once they were alone again though, he relaxed immediately and looked at what was on offer. He couldn't help but to be curious when he didn't recognize a couple of them. "Are these dishes regional to these lands?"

They can be perfectly presentable for a few minutes a day. Zishu smiles to himself when he sees how his husband holds himself around others - similar to how he himself holds himself. Upright and proper.

He nods to the servants in silent thanks for their usual hard work and they leave. He sits in such a way to practically be leaning into Runyu's space, and points at the ones he'd noticed the dragon's gaze lingering over, stating the name of the dish and the main ingredients.

"Yes, though not all. Sometimes the kitchens like to surprise me with a dish from further away."

Perhaps noticeably, if Runyu is familiar with the habits of many mortals of this area, is the lack of walnuts on the table.

Looking over at him, he listened to what the dishes were and nodded. It would be interesting to try new things for a change. That was one thing about where he'd come from really. Exploration of new flavors was not really a thing one did.

Trying a bite of the food, he considered it a moment. He rather liked that dish. Leaning over he went to try the other when he paused.

"I heard my people complaining that this region often has walnuts on the table. Why aren't there any?"

Runyu will get to taste a number of new things while with Zishu. His new husband will be happy to share it all with him.

Zishu's gaze drops at the question, though a wry grin tugs at his lips. "I hate them," he answers simply. "The kitchens know not to serve me any. If you like them, I will let the staff know so they can provide you with a selection." Because he refuses to deny his sweet dragon anything that's in his power to give.

Runyu has become that important to him already.

"I've never had one. If you hate them then we don't have to have them. I won't be missing anything." He gave him a smile then put some food onto Zishu's plate before putting some onto his own. The food was good so he planned to enjoy it. Perhaps there was more to the story of the walnuts and perhaps there wasn't. He was fine not asking further.

"I'll be exploring many things I've never had before already. I may have many questions about what we eat in the future."