Wooyoung had brought his own comb to brush San's hair before they sent him to meet the king. While the stable boy's gentle fingers ran through San's mane that curled around his digits as if wanting to kiss them, San fretted to himself without ever making a sound. He didn't want to fight Hongjoong to make his requirements clear. Demanding obedience was something elder dragons were better at than he, and San stood to his word that making anyone but those responsible suffer was an unjust punishment.

"I can go with you if you want. I can hold your hand while you talk to them." Like the touch of wind to San's hair, Wooyoung's calloused fingers treaded through the strands. San played with his hairpin Hongjoong had gifted him, nervous about the stakes it would claim on him if he wore it again.

"I don't want them to bother you. If Seonghwa is still angry, he will just attack you instead."

San was still amazed at how a man as beautiful as the shaman could become so enraged. Hate was an ugly emotion, but it had given Seonghwa a scary attractiveness. If Hongjoong got angry, was he just as beautiful? Whenever he expressed his emotions, San swooned for him.

"I don't mind. I find their treatment unjustified as well. If my presence helps you sort your thoughts, I would rather get yelled at by Seonghwa than see you hurt again."

When one of the horses downstairs scoffed at the sweetness of Wooyoung's confession, San hissed warningly under his breath. Amused, the animal fell silent again.

"Thank you. I will face them by myself first, but I won't be shy to show that despite their interferences, I found someone who understands and appreciates me like they claimed no one would. Please wait for me," San whispered. His claws uncurled when Wooyoung reached for the pin and tied up the upper half of San's mane. Nimble fingers untucked two long strands to hang into his face prettily.

Wooyoung's hands smoothed over San's hair once more before his touch faded. Instead, he leaned over San's shoulder to press a kiss on his cheek.

"I will wait patiently. If you need me, I am right here," Wooyoung promised.

Their hands found each other to convey resolve. Only when San stood, the lingering support got swept away into a distance.

San's claws flattened over his clothes, brushing over the expensive silk that hadn't been touched by the forest. It hadn't ripped, nor had it stained. Beautiful as the day it had been woven for him to wear, it underlined the dragon's beauty.

Wooyoung accompanied San to the entrance to the stables. As San wandered off, Wooyoung stood there cast in the morning's light and watched him go.

The entrance doors to the throne hall opened for San with the same celebrative motivation as before. San strode in, his head raised and antlers on display proudly.

Hongjoong and Seonghwa were together, conveniently meeting San at the same time. Hongjoong perked up on his throne first when he spotted San. His hands retracted where they had been lingering on Seonghwa's leg that had been intertwined with his as they rested together as if Seonghwa were the queen of the palace.

A stab of pain bore into San's heart, but he flicked off any reaction.

When the king stood, Seonghwa sent a lethal glare at the intruder, but surprise lifted his brows when he saw who graced them. His legs swung over the side of the throne, too.

"San. You returned." Relief gave Hongjoong's tension away as he hurried to descend from the platform to greet San. He didn't dare touch the dragon, but his eyes darted over San's figure in worry to make sure no harm had come upon him. As San remained frostily stuck in place, the king's excitement died down.

Seonghwa rose from his place, but he didn't descend to their level yet. Shining like the sun breaching between the mountains, he stood above them and brightened the room with his beauty. Jade and pearls devotedly kissed his skin, unbothered by the predator lurking under his appearance. The norigae swung from his belt again.

San dragged his eyes off him wordlessly to focus on Hongjoong.

"I reconsidered this arrangement. While I am still furious about having been disrespected, I returned to have mercy on those who never wronged me."

Hongjoong opened his mouth to speak, but Seonghwa interrupted him.

"You came for that stable boy, didn't you?"

When San's brow quirked at him, Seonghwa smiled a thin smile. Finally, he came to join them while his arm elegantly cradled his garments in front of his body so they wouldn't distort their shape during the movement. San gritted his teeth at the display of grace, but he stood his ground.

"I heard him talking to the horses and sharing his worries about you. He disappeared quite a lot these days. Are you doing what you condemned us for doing, oh so gracious dragon lord?"

San's claws balled into fists. Seonghwa's mocking smile was backed up by a king too enraptured by him to show Seonghwa his place. San wondered which of the two truly ruled in these halls.

When San lifted his chin to level his cool glare at Seonghwa, the shaman crossed his arms.

"I have found support elsewhere, yes. Since I shall be kept from your personal matters, I advise you to stay out of mine, too."

Seonghwa's smirk broadened, turning foxy.

"How unfortunate. After taking the high ground over us measly humans, you stooped to the same level. Shouldn't I demand an apology from you now, too? Playing with a servant is far below the dignity you claim to have."

Before San could bite back, Hongjoong made a dismissive gesture, stopping Seonghwa from any more comments.

"Hush now. He isn't here to fight. I am glad you returned, San. Albeit my selfish behaviour so far, I worried for my people while you were gone," the king said. His peaceful voice soothed the tension crackling between the other two.

San exhaled, reminding himself to keep his cool. Hongjoong knew what was at stake and he was the person San had to come to a compromise with, not Seonghwa.

"So I heard. I believe you don't deserve my kindness, but your people do."

Hongjoong nodded hastily. Compared to his enthusiasm, Seonghwa's displeased expression broke the little appeal the couple had.

"What can I offer you to reconsider helping us? If you found a lover - which I am happy about for you - perhaps I can arrange for you two to be together undisturbed by societal judgments?"

A deal. San was good at those. Dragons were cunning, but they were also fair dealers who knew what their offer was worth.

"I wish absolute free rein over my relationship with Wooyoung. You may take care of your royal matters with Seonghwa by your side and I won't bother with you two as you won't bother with Wooyoung and me. I also request a residence outside of the palace. I will return on the regular to attend to my duties and I shall not discard my promises, but I wish for a home in nature where I can flourish."

Seonghwa looked apprehensive about the safety of San's demands, but Hongjoong's hand still hovered, still asked him to wait it out.

"Anything else?" Hongjoong's voice was strained, but San couldn't tell if it was because San's specifications troubled him or because he feared San would leave still.

San shook his head.

"That is all I ask. Your peace for mine. Your court life shall not be hindered by my absence and you may delight in your lover and future concubines and children as you wish under my blessing. I won't curse you. In return, I ask for you to never try to control me again."

Seonghwa sneered at him.

"You make demands despite getting your own gain out of this already. This is the only place where you can mature and achieve any rank among your people. Your reputation also suffers if you don't do this."

Hongjoong shushed him once more.

"Enough, Seonghwa. You saw what happened in the few days of his absence. People were terrified out of their minds. We won't test his patience any further."

Satisfaction filled San's chest when Seonghwa had to back down. Finally, San got the recognition he yearned for and that been promised to him as his birthright for becoming a patron for the humans. As Seonghwa closed his lips and glared silently, San felt their dispute was resolved.

Carefully, Hongjoong extended his hand. He didn't reach for San's claws, instead offering his hand to meet in the middle. For a moment, San considered him.

Their skin touched when cold, scaly claws meet the warm and pulsating flesh of a human.

"It's a deal. You get your freedom and you do the ritual for us," Hongjoong whispered. He sounded insecure, as if still unsure if San meant it. When the dragon gave a heavy nod, the human relaxed.

"I will. During the preparations, I will stay in the palace. We can discuss where I will go once the ritual is over afterwards."

Seonghwa didn't add to that. He waited, broodingly, until Hongjoong smiled in relief. Then, in all of his fuming jealousy, he grabbed the king's hand to haul him along. While they disappeared in some chamber to do whatever they liked to do when alone, San turned on his heel.

He collected Wooyoung at the stables before going anywhere. When he explained the deal and assured Wooyoung of his success, the stable boy crashed into San to wrap him into an ardent hug that poured all of his fondness into San. San held him close, giggling along with him when Wooyoung praised him for defeating 'the evil warlock and the other guy.'

As they parted, San didn't let go of Wooyoung's hand. His eyes searched those of the other male and Wooyoung accepted his inquisitive gaze attentively.

"Wooyoung, do you wish to accompany me to my chambers? Your presence would delight me and now that I don't have to hide you away, I want Yeosang and Yunho and all the maids taking care of me to know to expect you around more often."

Wooyoung shyly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Will that be appropriate? People will learn of our relationship and question our intimacy in your room."

San pulled him closer to run a knuckle over Wooyoung's cheek, brushing away some dirt he found there. Enraptured by the man's lips, that usually tasted like the freshest apples, San hummed reassuringly.

"We spent so many days alone on that mountain and Seonghwa guessed already we were affiliated. Anybody who spreads rumours will just convey an unnecessary truth."

Relieved, Wooyoung let himself be tugged along when San brought him to the harrowing building. With Wooyoung by his side, it looked less scary.

As they entered and Yeosang and his group greeted them, the shock they garnered was brushed off brusquely. San summarised the current situation to them and urged Yeosang to consult the king for additional information. While Wooyoung and he dipped into his room to relish their peace, Yeosang scurried around outside to prepare for San's sudden return that would pick up the preparations for the nearing ritual.

Wooyoung lay sprawled on the warm floor with a content sigh. While his attire didn't match the expensive furniture and skilful hanji drawings on the walls, he looked at peace merely by being with San.

"This room is cosy. Though far not big enough to hold a creature like you."

San chuckled. He laid down next to Wooyoung, offering his chest to rest on. Wooyoung took the invitation and put his head on it, loosely curled up next to San.

"How right you are. I find it more bearable with company that distracts me from such unfortunate shortcomings of human architecture."

Wooyoung perked up, a mischievous smile on his lips. When his gaze trailed over San's face and neck, it lingered at the lowest patch of skin his hanbok exposed on his collarbone.

"You want me to distract you?"

San inclined his head, having to keep it turned so his antlers wouldn't press against the floor.

"If you find a way to do so, yes."

"Oh, I think I know something." Mischievous fingers came to pull San's collar aside as Wooyoung dipped his head. His wild hair tickled the dragon's chin as Wooyoung's lips caressed his skin and offered sweet affection in place of stifling loneliness.