Every movement of her thumb is noted, the way she sighs and he memorizes this. He feels safe despite the talk of what dangers may be in the future. He feels safe with her. It's a feeling that is so foreign he doesn't name it right away.
Her admission only strengthens his conclusion. "I am happy to be your husband, to have you by my side," he says quietly.
It's just as foreign to her, and yet she feels it when she's with him. She's tried not to, not quite able to trust it. Too many good things. Too much freedom. No assassination missions.
Just young minds yearning to be taught. A husband to get to know. But his reaction to what she's told him, his admission of what he wants...she feels only one thing can accurately answer that, and tilts her head to seal their lips in a far more tender kiss than what they've shared so far. This time it's a kiss because she wants to kiss her husband. Not because it feels necessary.
Jiang Cheng is shocked by the sudden press of her lips. Perhaps he should have anticipated it... maybe he should have kissed her but this felt right -- her choosing that step. It's gentle and Jiang Cheng kisses her back affectionately if a bit tentatively. He doesn't linger long, the tips of his ears pink and he's highly aware that they are in public view.
She feels that affection when he kisses back. So when it breaks, she's left smiling softly at him, more at peace than before. He'd managed to calm her fury, just by sticking to her side, supporting her. She knows they could be seen, but that wasn't why she'd kissed him.
Her smile brightens at his words. "Then I will." Since she has that permission...but later. When they're in private. What she does do is lean in to nudge their noses together a little, one more time before giving his hand another affectionate squeeze.
"We should start the day...A-Cheng." She knows she will be checking the defenses, drilling the women into what to look for especially in the event of a Window of Heaven attack.
Jiang Cheng smiles as their noses brush together, soaking in this affection and the intimacy of their hands still twined. He is reluctant to move away, to let go of her hand but there is quite a bit to do. He has business to attend to but now he knows there is more danger lurking.
He'll likely be a terror to the young archers later this afternoon.
"Mm. Have supper with me tonight after the day is done."
A smile! She got a smile! It warms her heart, and any possible doubt that might have lingered melts away. She likes this gentle intimacy. The quiet affection. It doesn't need to be loud or obvious.
But they both have disciples to exhaust with training. The invitation has her nod.
"Aah. Gladly." She lifts his hand up, this time it's her turn to press a kiss to his knuckles. But then she pulls away, no matter how reluctant. They have work to do. She lets go and turns to finish preparing for the day, then to work.
The day passes in a whirlwind of activity between them as Lotus Pier begins more preparations for defense and counter attacks than ever before. They have the advantage of having a former leader of an assassin group beating people into shape.
Dinner, in contrast, is a quiet affair, and Zishu makes her way to where she expects to find her husband. Just as promised, and takes her place with a quiet little smile just for him.
Jiang Cheng watches her take her leave first. He's admiring her and maybe allowing himself to let the slight smile linger a while longer. Then his face returns to it's usual stern expression as he sets off to go about his day. It's a long and exhausting day -- plenty of arduous business he could have done without and then pushing his disciples to their limits while making sure not to break them. They don't have time for him to unbreak them after all.
The dinner is a reprieve and he'll let the day slowly ebb away during the quiet meal, eating and drinking wine -- not too much.
She feels his gaze on her as she leaves and it makes her grin to herself, but she doesn't let herself turn and look back at him.
At dinner, for once she moderates how much she drinks. One bottle. The rest is tea. She admires that little smile she knows is just for her. And it sends a thrill through her that she's used to only really experiencing in battle. Somehow she doubts they'll be sleeping alone tonight.
She's content to let the silence settle over them, she's never been much of one to speak during mealtime, preferring to observe as she eats and drinks.
Jiang Cheng is nervous throughout the meal and he refuses to acknowledge that fact at all. His gaze frequently lingers on Zishu, admiring her and too worrying over the possible dark clouds that would be hanging over Lotus Pier for a while.
And yet he can't feel too weighed down at the same time.
He doesn't have to acknowledge anything for her to know just by how frequent he glances at her. But it's a comforting feeling, to have him watch her. Even with the trouble likely looming over them and their home.
Finishing her meal just as he speaks up, she turns her attention to him with the sense of calm, of peace, over her, though she doesn't quite smile.
"I did. The kitchen staff are very good." Now she lets herself smile, just a little, and her voice quiets. "And I enjoy the company I have."
The tips of Jiang Cheng's ears turned pink and he's really going to have adjust his hair style to hide that fact if this keeps going on. He nods in agreement, though. The staff is always very adequate even if he does miss the way his sister's cooking was always something a little more.
"I have been looking forward to your company all day," he admits, almost begrudgingly.
That lingering gaze doesn't go unnoticed. But she chooses not to comment on it, only waits for his answer. The agreement softens her smile and she stands, holding her hand out to him.
"Where?" Jiang Cheng asks but even as he does he doesn't wait to take her hand. The hand that's both soft but yet not so soft that one could mistake her for not putting them to good use over the years. She has the hands of a woman and a fighter at the same time. He admires the way that she can be both so well.
She likes the feel of his hand in hers. Strong. Firm. Just a little rough from holding a sword or bow. So maybe she lets her fingers slip a little more over his fingers than precisely necessary before threading them together and giving his hand a little tug - unnecessary, she knows. But quietly playful.
"Along the lotus pond, then...see where our feet take us."
No restrictions. Just time spent with a man she recognizes she's falling in love with. That she wants to protect, and walk beside for the rest of her life.
Jiang Cheng moves as she tugs and he would have come either way but she knows that. He squeezes her hand as they leave the remanents of their meal behind them. It's been so long since he didn't follow set paths, did anything without a specific purpose in mind.
But with her by his side he feels the permission to do so again. He's quiet as they start, enjoying the touch of her hand, the sounds of evening in Lotus Pier around them.
She smiles at the squeeze of his fingers and chooses to walk closer than they have before. It's a sedate, calm pace they set. No hurried scrambling.
And it feels like he's relaxing around her now, despite the looming danger. She draws in a breath, pausing by the water, and lifts her face up to the sky, letting her eyes close to just enjoy the breeze.
"Have you ever thought much about soulmates?" She asks after a while.
Perhaps the looming danger was pivotal in helping him relax more, the agreement to be in it together. It's more than just something arranged outside of themselves now.
He doesn't answer right away, the question taking him off guard. He knows people have talked about soulmates before. Wuxian and Wangji... he sighs softly. He'd never thought about it for himself. He didn't have the luxury at all.
It's something that belongs to them. Not because they've been forced into it. Not because they have to.
It matters. To not stand alone now. To have someone she can rely on, lean on. To stand beside and know her voice will be heard, even when it doesn't have to be. The sigh her question brings has her eyes blink open and turn to study him. Something in his face...his expression. Her gaze softens as she feels she has some inkling of why.
His brother.
"I never really thought I would find someone qualified to be mine, though it was a nice fantasy." She tugs their joined hands up, clasping his between both of hers.
She stifles the sudden laugh at his adorable obliviousness, dropping her gaze to swallow the giggle. But lifts it back to him a moment later and steps a little closer, leaning in to kiss him softly.
"You, husband," she murmurs against his lips. "You are qualified to be my soulmate. And I believe you are."
There's the suspicion that she's about to start laughing at him! He sees soemthing in her eyes before she looks down but... well, a kiss is a good way to silence his offense about it. He feels his insides melting a little at the press of her lips against his own again. This woman...
"Oh..." Jiang Cheng looks surprised, as he turns that over in his mind. He has never really felt like he met anyone's expectations and here she is telling him he is qualified to be something so special to her, that he is that. He doesn't know what to say.
He reaches his free arm around her waist and draws her closer and before he lost his nerve he leaned to kiss her again a little more persistent than the soft kiss previously.
She loves these little expressions. How adorable, how cute he can be. But she cares and respects him enough to try not to laugh at him. Most of the time she manages it.
But knowing she's the reason behind this surprise, recognizing his amazement that anyone would think so highly of him...aches. His arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her close makes her heart leap, but it's his kiss - his choice! That makes her sigh, eyes closing as she melts into it.
Perhaps if she had told him something like that before today he would have felt like she was making a mockery of him and he would have stormed off but he believes her and... he feels something for her that seems to get deeper each minute that passes. It's more than lust or anything so simple. Yet, a part of him is too afraid to label it what it is.
He continues to kiss her, to hold her close and he doesn't even know how to begin to part from this, doesn't want to.
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Her admission only strengthens his conclusion. "I am happy to be your husband, to have you by my side," he says quietly.
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Just young minds yearning to be taught. A husband to get to know. But his reaction to what she's told him, his admission of what he wants...she feels only one thing can accurately answer that, and tilts her head to seal their lips in a far more tender kiss than what they've shared so far. This time it's a kiss because she wants to kiss her husband. Not because it feels necessary.
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"You should do that more often," he says.
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Her smile brightens at his words. "Then I will." Since she has that permission...but later. When they're in private. What she does do is lean in to nudge their noses together a little, one more time before giving his hand another affectionate squeeze.
"We should start the day...A-Cheng." She knows she will be checking the defenses, drilling the women into what to look for especially in the event of a Window of Heaven attack.
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He'll likely be a terror to the young archers later this afternoon.
"Mm. Have supper with me tonight after the day is done."
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But they both have disciples to exhaust with training. The invitation has her nod.
"Aah. Gladly." She lifts his hand up, this time it's her turn to press a kiss to his knuckles. But then she pulls away, no matter how reluctant. They have work to do. She lets go and turns to finish preparing for the day, then to work.
The day passes in a whirlwind of activity between them as Lotus Pier begins more preparations for defense and counter attacks than ever before. They have the advantage of having a former leader of an assassin group beating people into shape.
Dinner, in contrast, is a quiet affair, and Zishu makes her way to where she expects to find her husband. Just as promised, and takes her place with a quiet little smile just for him.
"Husband," she murmurs her greeting.
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The dinner is a reprieve and he'll let the day slowly ebb away during the quiet meal, eating and drinking wine -- not too much.
"Wife," there's a hint of a smile barely.
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At dinner, for once she moderates how much she drinks. One bottle. The rest is tea. She admires that little smile she knows is just for her. And it sends a thrill through her that she's used to only really experiencing in battle. Somehow she doubts they'll be sleeping alone tonight.
She's content to let the silence settle over them, she's never been much of one to speak during mealtime, preferring to observe as she eats and drinks.
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And yet he can't feel too weighed down at the same time.
"Did you enjoy the food?" he asks her.
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Finishing her meal just as he speaks up, she turns her attention to him with the sense of calm, of peace, over her, though she doesn't quite smile.
"I did. The kitchen staff are very good." Now she lets herself smile, just a little, and her voice quiets. "And I enjoy the company I have."
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"I have been looking forward to your company all day," he admits, almost begrudgingly.
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But his words make her smile grow, ignoring the tone. The words are sincere.
"Then would you like to spend the evening with me?" Not just the evening, but that's something that can just...
Happen.
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"I would."
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"Then come with me, A-Cheng."
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His mother would have liked her, he thinks.
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"Along the lotus pond, then...see where our feet take us."
No restrictions. Just time spent with a man she recognizes she's falling in love with. That she wants to protect, and walk beside for the rest of her life.
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But with her by his side he feels the permission to do so again. He's quiet as they start, enjoying the touch of her hand, the sounds of evening in Lotus Pier around them.
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And it feels like he's relaxing around her now, despite the looming danger. She draws in a breath, pausing by the water, and lifts her face up to the sky, letting her eyes close to just enjoy the breeze.
"Have you ever thought much about soulmates?" She asks after a while.
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He doesn't answer right away, the question taking him off guard. He knows people have talked about soulmates before. Wuxian and Wangji... he sighs softly. He'd never thought about it for himself. He didn't have the luxury at all.
"Not really."
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It matters. To not stand alone now. To have someone she can rely on, lean on. To stand beside and know her voice will be heard, even when it doesn't have to be. The sigh her question brings has her eyes blink open and turn to study him. Something in his face...his expression. Her gaze softens as she feels she has some inkling of why.
His brother.
"I never really thought I would find someone qualified to be mine, though it was a nice fantasy." She tugs their joined hands up, clasping his between both of hers.
"I know better now."
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"What?" he asks before catching it. When it comes to these matters he's still as stupid as he was all those years ago in Gusu.
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Oh no.
She stifles the sudden laugh at his adorable obliviousness, dropping her gaze to swallow the giggle. But lifts it back to him a moment later and steps a little closer, leaning in to kiss him softly.
"You, husband," she murmurs against his lips. "You are qualified to be my soulmate. And I believe you are."
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"Oh..." Jiang Cheng looks surprised, as he turns that over in his mind. He has never really felt like he met anyone's expectations and here she is telling him he is qualified to be something so special to her, that he is that. He doesn't know what to say.
He reaches his free arm around her waist and draws her closer and before he lost his nerve he leaned to kiss her again a little more persistent than the soft kiss previously.
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But knowing she's the reason behind this surprise, recognizing his amazement that anyone would think so highly of him...aches. His arm wrapping around her waist and pulling her close makes her heart leap, but it's his kiss - his choice! That makes her sigh, eyes closing as she melts into it.
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He continues to kiss her, to hold her close and he doesn't even know how to begin to part from this, doesn't want to.
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