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The sky outside was beginning to glow with the pale blue of dawn, and birds had just started chirping when Ren finally stirred. His body ached in unfamiliar ways, every inch of him still tingling from the long, passionate night they had shared. Shinomi was fast asleep, one arm draped protectively across Ren's waist, his face buried in the crook of Ren's neck like he belonged there.
Ren slowly blinked at the soft light filtering through the window and groaned. "Shinomi," he whispered, lightly patting his cheek to wake him. "It's six. Everyone's going to wake up soon."
Shinomi just hummed in his sleep, nuzzling closer.
Ren sighed and gently slapped his cheek again, this time a little firmer. "Wake up! If someone sees you here, we're going to be so dead."
Still no movement.
Ren smirked slightly, and leaned in closer. "If you wake up now… we can bathe together."
Shinomi's eyes snapped open.
"I'm ready," he said in a heartbeat, already scooping Ren up in his arms like a prized possession.
Ren gasped, hitting his chest. "You didn't have to lift me!"
But Shinomi was already carrying him to the bathroom like a man on a mission.
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The warm water flowed gently over their skin as they bathed side by side, the steam rising around them in soft curls. Ren sat with a towel draped over his shoulder while Shinomi poured water down his back, the moment surprisingly tender… until Shinomi started pressing kisses along Ren's wet shoulder.
"I said bathe," Ren scolded, trying to scoot away. "Not start round two."
Shinomi only kissed him again, this time behind the ear. "I can't help it. You're the one who said we'd bathe together. This is your fault."
Ren grabbed his face with both hands and pushed his lips away, their foreheads touching. "Are you even listening?"
Shinomi grinned boyishly. "No… wifey."
Ren froze.
His ears flushed pink instantly. "W-Wifey?!"
Shinomi chuckled at his reaction. "You don't like it?"
Ren turned his face away, hiding a smile. "Then leave, hubby."
That one word—"hubby"—sent a spark through Shinomi's entire body. He stared at Ren for half a second before pouncing. "You really shouldn't say that with a straight face."
"Wait—No! Shinomi!"
Ren yelped as Shinomi pushed him back into the bathtub, climbing on top of him, their bodies slipping against each other in the water. The steam rose higher around them as Shinomi began kissing him again, this time deeper, longer.
Just when it was getting dangerous again…
Knock. Knock.
"Your Highness? Are you still bathing?" a servant called from the hallway.
Ren bit back a moan and yelled, "Yes! I'll be out soon! Just… set the breakfast on the table!"
The servant's footsteps faded, and the bathroom fell quiet once more—except for the sound of Shinomi's soft chuckle against Ren's wet skin.
"You're getting good at hiding your reactions, wifey."
Ren splashed water in his face, flustered. "I swear, if you keep calling me that—"
"What?" Shinomi whispered, nose brushing his. "You'll fall for me even more?"
They both laughed, caught in that messy, sweet, and stolen world of their own—where love, mischief, and stolen moments bloomed before sunrise.
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