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Thank you.

[Trusting Ouyang completely to take care of his hair, he doesn't question the matter further. Instead, he remains relaxed until he hears that comment. His hand even stills against his leg.]

No. I don't want anyone to see you that way ever again. You deserve better than that.

(( Ouyang's fingers and his heart stutter at Runyu's declaration. At least in this world he didn't have to fight the stigma of being Lord Esen's eunuch general. The only people who knew of his condition were the two he chose to share it with. And they had accepted him wholeheartedly, with patience and warmth and love.

It's a moment before he returns to his task, carefully untangling Runyu's hair from his horns. Once finished, he draped his arms around Runyu's shoulders, resting a hand over his heart. He leaned in to press a soft kiss to the side of Runyu's throat and smiles against his skin. ))

No one looks down on me here.

[The arms around him and the words reassure the dragon right away. Smiling, he tilts his head to rest it against Ouyang. He knows that if anyone did look down on his lover then there would be hell to pay. That he would see to. But as long as everyone gave this man respect it didn't matter.]

Come around in front of me. Let me bathe you now.

(( He can feel the tension melt from Runyu and he relaxes as well. That's what this is supposed to be. Just them, relaxing and enjoying each other's company. A faint smile touches his face at Runyu's words and decides not to make a fuss about it. They are, after all, equals. Once he's in front of Runyu, he shifts to face him long enough to claim a soft but lingering kiss. Then, he turns back around to let the dragon pamper him. ))

[He smiles into the kiss, always loving when Ouyang initiates affections like this. It's a clearer sign than anything else of how much his warrior loves him. When he sees his back, he gathers his hair back then cups the back of his neck to support him before guiding the water from the bath up into the long strands of hair with his magic so he can soak every strand.]

(( He leans back comfortably and lets his eyes fall closed. The heat of the water is soothing and he sighs quietly as it soaks through his hair. ))

You are going to turn me into some pampered fat cat.

You would never allow me to do that.

[Which is good because it keeps his instincts to trap his lovers in check. He appreciates that. Lifting Ouyang up, he gathers soap into his hands before starting to work it into the man's scalp, even adding some of his energies into it to help revitalize him after such a hard day of working.]

This is true. I would never allow myself to be lazy. Pampered, I think I can tolerate.

(( He opens one eye to peer up at Runyu, a quick smile darting over his face. Just as soon as he looked up, his eyes are closed again and he sighs as he feels Runyu's energy spilling into him. ))

Good because I won't stop pampering you no matter what.

[He laughs lightly and rinses the suds away before moving his hands down to massage what must be sore muscles so he can infuse them with his energies as well.]

I will not complain.

(( The words come out with a soft note of laughter. Runyu's magic has an immediate effect, loosening the tension in his muscles from their intense sparring. He sinks deeper into the water, leaning slightly into Runyu's touch. Oh, how he savors his time with the dragon. A man such as Runyu could have anyone he wanted and he chose Ouyang to share his heart with. ))

We should do this more often.

It would be my pleasure.

[Not only to bathe with him but also to take care of him like this. To refresh him after a hard day of training or sparring. It makes him feel good to know he can provide this to him.]

(( Or after a "hard" day of cleaning house to care for his helpless nobles. The thought brings a smile to his face. Before he wondered what he brought to the relationship. Sometimes he wondered still. But as long as his lovers were happy, as long as they'd have him, he'd do anything for them.

His expression sobered a little and he leaned back against Runyu. When he spoke, it was in a quieter tone. He already knew Mingye's feelings on the subject, but it was something that still troubled him. ))

Did I tell you Lord Esen is gone?

[Sensing the change in Ouyang, he slides his hand around him. Holding him close, he rests his head on his shoulder and even presses a kiss to it. At the question, he's quiet for a moment before speaking.]

You didn't. Are you alright?

[He's pleased the man is gone but he does know this is something that weighs on Ouyang all the same.]

(( He wouldn't be surprised if Runyu made his feelings known. Mingye felt much the same and was vocal about it. But they didn't know Esen like Ouyang did. They didn't know his heart, only the conflict he caused for their partner. ))

My feelings are muddled.

(( On the one hand, he's now able to admit he cared for Esen despite the evil he wrought on the man. Perhaps he hoped for a second chance without the baggage of Ouyang's own grudge. Yet, at the same time, Esen caused him so much turmoil in his brief time in Nippon. ))

[He nods, pressing a kiss to his neck to let him know that he'll be there with him. After all, he understands. Painfully so. It's something he's been dealing with his brother arriving.]

You can talk to me, Ya'er. I will listen.

(( He exhales slowly, closing his eyes in an effort to pluck the most coherent of his thoughts from his mind.. ))

I spent my whole life with him. There was some comfort in having him back.

[He understands that point as well. It's how he felt when he first laid eyes on his brother here.]

There is nothing wrong with feeling that way given your history with him.

Then why do I feel guilty for missing him?

[Scooting back to the edge of the tub, he pull Ouyang back with him and gently lets his fingers stroke over his heart.]

When I became Emperor I had to sacrifice my brother to do it. I tricked the woman I loved into believing he had killed her father. I loved my brother so much. He had I had been closer than anything growing up. Yet I stood there and watched her stab him in the back, watched him fall to the ground. I knew I had to what I had to in order to make change happen. That didn't stop me from setting up a cup for him at my table and talking to him as if we were having drinks like we used to.

[He kisses his hair.]

No matter our histories we still care. We still have those good feelings and memories mixed with the sour. You know the sour exist so you don't want to miss him. But it cannot change that the good exists.

(( He listens attentively, taking in the weight of the story Runyu shares with him. He knew that Runyu had a tumultuous past, but he never pried. He knows now that his beloved isn't trying to shift focus but to commiserate over the strangeness of conflicting feelings. ))

I arrived here after I betrayed him. I arranged his father's death and killed my Lord Esen, as well. I believed that was my fate.

Both of us arrived with the knowledge of our betrayals and the weight of the blood of those we care about on our shoulders. To believe we would serve our punishments.

[Runyu kisses the side of his head.]

Let yourself feel your emotions, Ya'er. I will be here for you through it. There is no wrong to what you feel and you are not alone. Not here. I'll never allow you that fate.

(( Ouyang exhales a slow breath, savoring the nearness of Runyu, both physically and emotionally. He knows, logically, that there's no point in regretting a past that cannot be changed... and yet. ))

I never feel alone since I found you and Mingye.

(( Not like he did with Esen. There would always be a gulf between them, it seemed. ))

Good. I know the power and weight of being alone. I never want you two to ever go through that.

[Leaning down, he presses a kiss to the side of his neck this time.]

I love you.

(( Ouyang sighs happily at those words. He leans back and shifts slightly to peer back at his beloved dragon. He's sure Runyu could stay in the water forever if he chose to, but Ouyang lifts a hand to reveal his wrinkling fingertips. ))

I am becoming a prune, beloved.

Mm. A very handsome and delicious prune.

[Playfully he nips at his ear before relenting and helping Ouyang to stand before standing himself so they can get out of the water. Even if his body craves lingering there.]

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