Asking if he loved Sun Ce felt like asking if he needed air. He'd know it all along, but had needed something more to completely appreciate and truly realize it.

When Zhou Yu stepped back into his room, the very first object that caught his eye was the rose. Standing at the door for a moment, the strategist finds himself beginning to smile. A true smile he can't and doesn't stop.

That rose had started everything. It truly had. The moment he'd taken the blossom from his lord they'd unknowing stepped into a deeper more passionate friendship: becoming lovers.

Zhou Yu didn't regret anything. How could he regret something that brought him joy, laughter, and love? How could he decline the man who'd given himself to him? Sun Ce would love him for who he truly was. He loved him for what he did, what he said. And his almost unmanly good looks. But that wasn't what The Little Conqueror based his love off of. No it was far more.

A pleased shiver runs down his spine. He can honestly look back at the last few days and find himself very surprised. No amount of strategizing could have prepared him for what had happened. But that didn't matter. What mattered was that Sun Ce was lovingly holding his heart, and he was, in turn, lovingly holding Sun Ce's.

Walking over to his desk, Zhou Yu pauses before it. He studies the rose for a moment. It is going to die soon. But all things must. He wouldn't discard it when its time is up, however. He would keep it as a memory. So that he could look back and see how love had bloomed: at the petals of a rose.

It was strange to think that Sun Ce and him had been just good friends only a few days ago. How things could change so easily!

A tear tickles at the strategist's eye. Is he sad because the rose must die having spent most of its life in solitude? Or is he overwhelmed that this rose had started everything, and that it is so beautiful? Perhaps both.

He lets the single teardrop trickle softly down his cheek. "Thank you," he whispers.

Zhou Yu smiles. He cannot be sad when there is so much love and life yet to live. And to live it with a lover, the fates truly shine luck and goodwill upon him.

The rapping of knuckles against his doorframe draws Zhou Yu's attention. His gaze meets that of his lover's. Sun Ce grins happily at the strategist. "Pops was surprising wasn't he?" Zhou Yu nods soberly. In truth nothing relieves him more to know The Little Conqueror's father is accepting of their love. "It was a relieving way to be welcomed home."

Sun Ce's gaze darts to something behind Zhou Yu. He knows what the tiger looks at, however so he doesn't turn. "You kept it?" Sun Ce questions. His voice seems to hint actual surprise. "Yes..." Zhou Yu replies. What should he say? When he'd kept the rose he was confused, yet the beautiful blossom seemed to beckon for him to keep it. "I knew it had meaning, and I felt-" he softly gestures towards his heart-" that I should keep it."

The young lord never was one for words, so instead of trying to find a reply to express his feelings with words, he allows his actions to do so. Striding toward his lover, Sun Ce presses his lips passionately against Zhou Yu's. Melting into The Little Conqueror's embrace, Zhou Yu smiles contently when they slowly pull apart. "Your response is most satisfying," the strategist says in a voice soft as silk. He's feeling... foxy. Sun Ce raises an eyebrow and grins joyfully. He seems to be about to say something intriguing, but another voice cuts him out. "Brother, Father wants to talk to you." It's Sun Quan. A temporarily annoyed look crosses Sun Ce's face.

"Can it wait? I'm kind of busy?" The Little Conqueror suggestively replies. The look of a man who suddenly realizes something he probably doesn't want to crosses Sun Quan's face. He blushes furiously, and looks at the ground in embarrassment. Behind, Zhou Tai shifts suddenly.

Zhou Yu glances at the bodyguard he hadn't noticed the quiet man's presence. The strategist feels apologetic for the younger brother, but also a little embarrassed himself. "Go ahead Ce, I'm sure you father's matter is important," Zhou Yu says. Sun Ce looks protestingly at his lover, but gives in quickly when the strategist gently narrows his eyes. "I'm quite tired from our ride, so I'll be resting now anyways," he adds.

"But-!" Sun Ce makes to protest.

"I'm right here," Zhou Yu chuckles, "You know where to find me."

With Sun Ce and sibling gone Zhou Yu is left alone. He hadn't lied when he'd said he was tired. He was actually quite exhausted. The thought of sleep was one most welcoming. Although... He wouldn't have minded kissing, and snuggling with Sun Ce for a bit...

The strategist slowly prepares himself for bed. His pace is sluggish because he has realized how truly tired he is. Of course when he finally is tucked in and ready for sleep, Zhou Yu finds he cannot drift off quite yet. What had Sun Ce's father wanted to speak with him about? It certainly wasn't any of his business... But that answer couldn't satisfy him anyways. Especially with the sudden accidental introduction of Sun Ce and his love. It made him toss and turn in worry. What if Sun Jian had changed his mind?

Then, the click of his door opening pushes away his worries. Footsteps pad across the floor- the person is barefooted. The bed groans as more weight is added. Shifting Zhou Yu stares into the darkness that reveals nothing. "Hey," Sun Ce whispers. A smile pulls at the strategist's lips. "I'm here," Zhou Yu softly replies, when he feels a hand patting on the covers. It touches his waist, and stays there as Sun Ce pulls himself parallel to him. "Come under the covers it's cool," Zhou Yu whispers as The Little Conqueror cuddles into him.

The warmth of Sun Ce's close presence is satisfying. Comforting. Pleasing. Enjoyable; it is everything good to Zhou Yu. "Your so warm..." he whispers, resting his head close to his lover's.

"And your so soft," Sun Ce replied, softly drawing a finger down his lover's cheek.

"I love you, you know?" The Little Conqueror says suddenly. His voice is not serious, but one can tell his words are true.

"I love you too," Zhou Yu easily replies. His voice is happy, and his words pure.

What would life hold in hand for two new lovers? Neither could know, but with hand-in-hand, bonds of love strong and true, together two lover's can set out with grand courage and take life at its worst or best as long as they stand together.

I've finally finished. Quite a long story, but I hope it was enjoyable to everyone! I really hope this ending was satisfying, because I hate it when endings are a crappy.

Thank you very much Tsunami Jaegerjagues! Your reviews are always so uplifting. That is quite possibly the nicest review I've ever been given, so thank you again! ^_^

Please post your thoughts on the ending of this story. I'm already anxious to know! Alright, thanks for reading and have a good one