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The door shut softly behind them with a click, sealing them away from the world. Their breaths were still shallow from the rush of sneaking through the halls, but the adrenaline was fading into something heavier—something warmer.
Ren's back met the door as Shinomi leaned in, hands braced on either side of his head. "You were going to punch me in front of your sister," Shinomi murmured, amusement dancing in his voice.
Ren's breath hitched as Shinomi dipped lower, brushing his lips over the shell of Ren's ear. "I deserved it," Shinomi added, but the teasing lilt in his tone said otherwise.
Ren turned his head, their noses grazing. "You're lucky she didn't bring Father," he whispered, eyes narrowing even as a smile tugged at his lips. "We would've been—"
"Dead," Shinomi finished, pressing their foreheads together. "But worth it."
Without another word, he kissed him—slowly this time. No rush. Just the taste of Ren's lips, familiar and addictive. Their mouths moved in sync, drawing out every second, savoring it.
Shinomi's hands found Ren's waist, gripping him firmly as if grounding himself. Ren's arms looped around Shinomi's neck, drawing him closer until not even a sliver of space existed between them.
When they finally broke for air, Shinomi took Ren's hand and pulled him toward the bed. "No interruptions tonight," he said, voice low with promise.
They reached the edge of the bed, and Ren sat down first. Shinomi knelt in front of him, sliding his hands up Ren's calves and thighs, eyes tracing every inch of him like a man memorizing art. "You're mine," he whispered, voice rough, "and tonight, I want to make you feel that."
Ren's breath came unevenly as Shinomi leaned in, trailing kisses up from his knee, to the inside of his thigh, to his waist—gentle and slow. Each one left a tingle in its wake, as if Shinomi was writing love into his skin.
Shinomi pushed Ren back onto the bed, hovering over him now, his dark hair falling like a curtain around their faces. His hands roamed across Ren's chest, undoing buttons, sliding fabric aside, kissing every patch of skin revealed. Ren shivered as Shinomi's mouth met the hollow of his collarbone.
When Shinomi finally peeled the last of Ren's shirt away, he sat up for a moment, just to look at him. His gaze was heavy—not just with desire, but reverence.
"You're beautiful," he said.
Ren looked away, cheeks pink. "You've seen me a hundred times."
"Not like this," Shinomi replied. "Not when you're glowing just from looking at me."
That was when Ren reached up, cupping his cheek and pulling him down again. Their kiss deepened, all breath and teeth and warmth. Shinomi's fingers trembled slightly as they moved lower, under the hem of Ren's waistband. But he paused.
Ren looked into his eyes and gave a tiny nod. That was all it took.
Their clothes joined the scattered petals on the floor, piece by piece. The chill in the room disappeared beneath the heat radiating between them. Skin touched skin. Hands explored. Kisses marked trails from shoulders to hips. Gasps turned into moans as they moved together, softly at first, then more desperately.
Shinomi held Ren like he was something fragile and sacred, but when Ren arched beneath him, clinging tightly to his shoulders, something wild unfurled in both of them. Their bodies tangled, breath synchronizing, heartbeat echoing heartbeat.
The room was filled with whispered names, half-spoken words, promises formed between lips and the spaces between kisses. Every sensation was heightened—the slow drag of fingers, the warmth of their chests pressed together, the breath that caught in Ren's throat when Shinomi murmured his name again and again like a prayer.
They made love not once but twice that night. The first time was filled with longing, the second with laughter—tangled limbs and muffled giggles as the sheets slipped off the bed and they tried to find them again.
Eventually, they lay in the afterglow, tangled up under a shared blanket, their bodies warm and close, fingers intertwined on the pillow.
Ren rested his head on Shinomi's chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heart.
"Don't fall asleep yet," Shinomi whispered, voice thick with sleep.
"Why?"
"I want to remember this… just a little longer."
Ren looked up. "You'll remember it forever."
Shinomi smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from Ren's face. "Still. Just in case I'm dreaming."
"You're not," Ren whispered. "Because if this is a dream… then I never want to wake up."
And so, in the quiet of their hidden room, away from the expectations of kingdoms and fathers and wars, they stayed awake just a little longer—memorizing each other's breaths, kisses, and warmth.
For now, they had this night. And it was theirs alone.