This commission for KawaiiCuteness003 is Topaz and takes place in my MELF universe at no specific time in the story and can be read as a smutty standalone!

Warnings: D/S, humiliation, degradation, name calling, bondage, sounding, all safe and consented

********

On quiet claws, Wooyoung stalked down the corridor. He wore the soft pads Seonghwa had provided for him on the tips of his talons, regarding them more as a gift he was proud of than a necessary protection for himself and the ears of others.

He sailed up the stairs on soundless wings, the born hunter. The ever-glowing moonlight threw his shadow over the white quartz floor.

Quiet voices mumbled in Seonghwa's room after he had retreated for the night. Wooyoung strained his ears, but he only picked up on Mingi's mellow tone.

Perfect.

Sneaking across the hall, Wooyoung dipped into the shadow of the right tower. An ominous purple light glowed around the edges of the door, making Wooyoung's hair stand on end. Powerful magic lurked beyond.

Wooyoung pressed to the wall and strained his ears. No one heard him come. Ideally, Hongjoong would be asleep and his countless spells at rest. Wooyoung could sneak inside and crawl into his bed and once Hongjoong woke, he had no reason to refuse the convenient gift on his bed.

But somehow, their sorcerer barely ever slept.

Wooyoung heard no turning pages or footsteps. But the next moment, the door by his side creaked open a sliver. The voice from inside was flat, but his magic carried it to the door.

"Stop lurking in the shadows. Tell me what you want."

Offended, Wooyoung played down his gasp. How did he know?

Though he stubbornly wanted to stay in the corner until Hongjoong felt stupid for mistaking his presence, Wooyoung feared getting locked out. So he peered his head around the corner, finding Hongjoong lounging on his divan with a book in his hands. Crossing his long legs in elegant clothing. A posture so effortlessly handsome Wooyoung blanched in jealousy.

Seonghwa was ethereal, untouchable. Nothing even regular elves could achieve. Wooyoung didn't delude himself with any similarities between them.

But Hongjoong was just some guy with fancy tricks. He had no wings, no horns. Was barely any more remarkable than a human if not for his clothing.

Nevertheless, his charisma was so natural that Wooyoung felt he was lacking whenever he looked at him.

Hongjoong and San had that talent. A glance was enough to call Wooyoung a chick.

But not today. Wooyoung was on a mission. He would prove to this sorcerer that he was no youthful fool.

(Not that he would ever dare try this on San. Wooyoung would rather get turned into a toad than beheaded. At least Seonghwa could protect him as a toad, but not if he was dead.)

The location was perfect. If Hongjoong lashed out, Wooyoung only had to hop across the corridor to find his ally.

"I just want to play..." He muttered, testing the waters. Hongjoong's mood was often neutral. Occupied with his work and stressed only if he wore himself too thin. Wooyoung had seen the way Seonghwa took care of him in those moments. Their sorcerer gave away his vulnerability.

(Again, San hadn't. Wooyoung was terrified of him.)

Some would argue it wasn't wise to poke the slumbering dragon, but Wooyoung was a beast tamer, wasn't he? Who, if not him, could conquer the sorcerer? Seonghwa would be so proud of him.

"With me? You're at the wrong door, Seonghwa's room is on the other side of the corridor," Hongjoong dismissed him with a careless flick of his hand. Always so cocky.

But Wooyoung pushed forward, stepping into the room to click the door shut behind him. He gathered his breath. He was doing this. A warrior's courage. A challenge of maturity. Hlin taught him to never tuck in his tail before his opponent.

"I want to play with you," he announced, and Hongjoong rolled his eyes behind his book.

"What makes you think you are worth my time? I have things to prepare, so shoo."

Clearly, he wasn't preparing anything, so Wooyoung crossed his arms.

"Will you do it with Seonghwa instead?"

"If he wants." Hongjoong shrugged, ever so unperturbed. Wooyoung's eyes narrowed. He stalked closer, around the table and into Hongjoong's personal space. When he perched by his side to tug the book out of his hands, Hongjoong's brows knitted into a line.

Wooyoung gulped and gathered his courage to send the mage a cold stare. He was all bark, no bite.

"Seonghwa is busy. But I heard a rumour going around about our dearest sorcerer... It appears he likes to be held as well. I could hold you instead." This was it, the grand revelation. Wooyoung sent him a smug smile when Hongjoong paused, surprised for the barest second. But Wooyoung noticed it.

"You? Hold me? What a crude joke," he scoffed, trying to reach for his book, but Wooyoung held it out of his reach. He leaned in, making himself bigger with his wings. A moment later, he had Hongjoong pinned on the divan with a hand next to his head.

Yes, this was it.

Cute little sorcerer below him. Wooyoung was the winner. Hongjoong wavered, not pushing him back. Intimidated! Aroused!

"Why?" Wooyoung grinned smugly. "I can do it. Just teach me," he offered in the sweetest whisper. Their faces were close, but Hongjoong still pretended to uphold his walls. As if reluctant to admit what he wanted.

Wooyoung knew how hard it could be. But he would graciously help the sorcerer submit. Leaning until their bodies touched, he loomed over Hongjoong's bored mask.

"A greenhorn like you wouldn't even know where what goes," the sorcerer sneered, turning his head away when Wooyoung caressed his cheek.

"I can do what Seonghwa does for you," he hummed, so eager to get more. To have Hongjoong whine and sigh on top of him. Oh, he could never look down on Wooyoung again. San would be next.

"You think so?" Hongjoong's ironic smirk was a tad too fiery for Wooyoung's liking. What did Seonghwa always do to make him crumble? Kiss him?

"Yes," Wooyoung insisted, pressing his crotch into the lazy spread of Hongjoong's legs. He frowned when it wasn't working. Was Hongjoong more interested in Seonghwa? No, they had fooled around before. He could get it up for Wooyoung. So he needed more action.

"You think you little chick who can barely hold out for five minutes has what I need?" Hongjoong crooned at him, his fingers stretching out to caress over Wooyoung's ear. The touch made him squirm, and he huffed in protest. This was his turn.

"I-I can learn!"

Hongjoong's voice dropped lower, mocking Wooyoung with a pity he didn't mean.

"The moment you undress, you shake your hips so someone can plunge into your greedy hole."

Wooyoung trembled, but he shook it off. He had to concentrate. When he wrapped his hands around Hongjoong's thighs to yank the sorcerer down against him, only a chuckle responded to him, stabbing at Wooyoung's pride. Even splayed out and with his hands lax by his sides, Hongjoong looked effortlessly more dominant than Wooyoung could ever hope to be.

"I-If I... If you help me with your magic..." He stuttered, embarrassed by the failed attempt. Black hair bled into white. Hongjoong lolled, his thighs clad in red velvet open around Wooyoung's hips. Even so, Wooyoung felt like a bumbling chick who only just learned how to fly.

"What purpose do you have, then? I can please myself with my magic just fine. To have you just sit there as my toy to use, I prefer something bigger." A pointed look down between them where Wooyoung strained with eagerness against a fully relaxed sorcerer.

An offended gasp broke from Wooyoung's lips. How dare this mage insult a man's honour when he was all tricks as well?!

Wooyoung's wings flared as he leaned over Hongjoong, ready to roughen him up if that was what he needed to give in. His voice lifted in a storm.

"I'll show you-"

With lidded eyes, Hongjoong flicked a limp wrist to point his index at the ground.

"Sit."

The command was immediate. Wooyoung's legs gave out under his body and he crashed to the wooden floor. Trembling fingers held flattened against its surface as he looked up at the sorcerer sitting up lazily above him. A hand adorned by clawed rings ran through his hair, pushing it back with his bothered sigh. He spread his legs to look down at Wooyoung quivering on the ground between them.

"You come here, thinking you are so mighty. As if you aren't getting wet at the thought of me anywhere near you."

A polished black shoe found the valley of Wooyoung's open legs, putting pressure on the bulge in his pants. Lurching at the sudden touch that was so humiliating, Wooyoung tried to crumble away. His wings knocked into a table, sending some vials flying. Hongjoong's magic caught them in time to sort them neatly outside of his reach. His face grew more sinister by the minute.

"Flailing chick... I'll have to restrain you."

"N-Noo," Wooyoung whined when shadowy fingers stretched out for him, wrapping him into a bundle. His wings were tucked against his back, not so tightly that it hurt, but until he wound himself hopelessly to free himself. With his arms pressed to his sides, he writhed under the press of Hongjoong's heeled shoe. The pain was delicious and all of Wooyoung's courage bled right out of him. Too scared and aroused by the wrathful sorcerer, who looked so unbothered by all his efforts.

"S-Stop-" He gritted, battling against the lure of giving in. Making it too easy for both of them.

"As you wish." Instantly, the weight on him disappeared. Hongjoong stepped over him, ignorant of the squirming bundle on the floor.

Clarity struck Wooyoung, and he twisted against his bindings.

"No, wait! Come back!"

Hongjoong was already gone. Stood at some table to stir in a pot with the power of his fingers. Such pretty fingers... Which felt so good.

Wooyoung bit his lip, torn between staying strong and carving to his needs.

"I'm too busy for your pranks, pigeon. Go bother someone else," Hongjoong scoffed at him and Wooyoung let go of all pride. If he didn't give in now, Hongjoong would just leave him tied up and hard all night. Or worse, kick him out for Seonghwa to find and coo about. Wooyoung needed to maintain any manliness he could protect.

"I'll do whatever you want! I'll be good!"

Hongjoong cooked away over his potions, not even glancing at Wooyoung.

The gryphon-born squirmed against his magical bindings, achingly hard at being forced into submission. He loved it so much. Arousal twisted in his belly and he twitched without having to be touched. Felt his hole clench in need just how Hongjoong said it would.

"Please," he whined, high-pitched and obnoxious because it made Hongjoong's brow tick.

"Shut up," he growled, flicking his book over to his side to read while Wooyoung wormed over to his feet, presenting his aching arousal like a dog in heat. He needed Hongjoong so desperately.

"I apologise for my mistake... Let me make it up to you?" He pleaded, batting his long lashes to look extra sweet. As much as Hongjoong liked to make him suffer, he couldn't ignore when Wooyoung begged him so nicely.

"How so?" He asked, walking right into Wooyoung's trap. The fool.

"I'll do everything myself, I promise. Just please, please, please..." Wooyoung urged, still shrewd as ever. It didn't matter who of them entered who. If he could make Hongjoong comply with his wishes, he won. The most capable sorcerer at his mercy. Unable to say no to Wooyoung's authority.

Unmanly as it might be in his tribe to seduce others with his body, Wooyoung learned many new tricks in this place. Seonghwa opened his legs for them and had them at the palm of his hand. Wooyoung could do the same.

He shrieked when Hongjoong's magic suddenly dissolved the fabric of his clothing. It slid cleanly off his skin, never harming him and once more, the tingle of his instincts told Wooyoung he narrowly dodged death. Challenging Hongjoong was always such a risk.

He just made it over that shock when the next followed right after. Hongjoong poured out a vial of liquid over him and it trailed down his back, frigid in its touch between his wings and down his spine. A mortified whine sounded when it flowed into his cleft, touching his eager rim.

"Open yourself up," the sorcerer told him, almost bored.

How humiliating, but Wooyoung instantly complied. This was his new tactic. He pressed unpractised fingers against his rim, whimpering since his hands were big and his knuckles so thick. Usually, kinder hands did this for him, but the rough surface of his scarred fingers was a delight to sink down on. He was restricted in every movement, only had his fingers to work, and they quickly ached despite his zeal.

Not backing down, Wooyoung gasped against the exertion. He moved his hips, knew how being patient paid off into pleasure. His rim became softer, easily stretching under the squelch of Hongjoong's mystery lubrication.

Wooyoung peered up at him. His breath stuttered in his chest as he couldn't touch himself. Obscenely hard, he leaked into the cold air, desperately riding his fingers until his bony knuckles provided relief.

Unfazed by the spectacle, Hongjoong bundled his herbs. The scent of something delicious tickled Wooyoung's nose. Something that made his insides ache to be filled with something bigger, more coordinated.

"Please, Hongjoong, please..." He whimpered, grovelling on the ground before his feet.

"Think of a better name for me, then I will consider," Hongjoong suggested in that flippant voice. Wooyoung groaned. He was too fucked out already, dumb prick straining and dripping fluid over Hongjoong's ground. Fingers working into him desperately.

Nothing came to mind. He gasped and strained, but ultimately threw his head back, catching the drool in the corner of his mouth. Messy grey hair tickled his heated nape.

Hongjoong clicked his tongue.

"You brat. Can't do a single thing you are told to right. And you think you get to mount me?"

A hand packed Wooyoung by the nape. He yelped when he was yanked to his feet and a moment later, his hips knocked into the table, rattling the items on it. Yearning for the touch of those ruthless fingers, Wooyoung bent down low, exposing his twitching backside. The air was cold on the fluid coating him.

"Please... Put it in, please..." He wriggled his hips, fingers tugging himself open to expose his soft entrance to Hongjoong. Though he was still bound, his flushed cheeks babbled his pleas without hesitation.

"You didn't listen well to me today. I won't give you dumb bird that satisfaction." With that, Hongjoong reached for something on the other table behind him. A cold item touched Wooyoung's rim, and he jolted. Hongjoong still looked impeccable, not undressing.

"Noo, I don't want that-" He ended in a moan when the heavy glass slipped into him. The surface was uneven with ridges, stretching him wide enough to take his breath away. Whimpering into the table, Wooyoung pushed into the feeling, needing more.

"You say, panting and rocking your hips like a dog. Even Buddy has more grace than you."

Frustrated, Wooyoung bit the inside of his cheek. He tried to hold back his noises, to look big and strong and not easily defeated by any item entering him.

But when Hongjoong twisted his wrist, dragging that uneven surface along his insides, Wooyoung's knees buckled, thighs spreading further on instinct to get more. His drool pooled on the table below him as he floundered, trying to rock his arousal into the table.

Hongjoong scoffed at him. His hand fisted into Wooyoung's hair and flung him back and down to his knees. Speared by the toy, he panted, hips moving without him telling them to. The toy didn't slide out enough to create friction when he sunk back down on it, making it click against the floor. Growling against his need, Wooyoung shuddered in his bindings.

Standing above him, Hongjoong looked pleased by his torment. By the constant dribble of fluid without getting release.

He pushed his pants down, freeing only his length to keep the rest of him dressed. Wooyoung's mouth watered at the sight. Hongjoong was always well-groomed and pretty, even down there, making it so easy to want him.

Luckily, they were on the same page this time when Hongjoong leaned back against the table and patted his thigh for Wooyoung to come hither. He crawled closer, humiliated on the floor with twitching hips.

"Suck on it."

Not waiting for him to change his mind, Wooyoung dipped his head in. He made eye contact when he licked over Hongjoong's warm flesh, underlining once more what a darling he could be.

It usually worked on Seonghwa.

"Deeper," was Hongjoong's barked response. He eased himself into Wooyoung's mouth, making sure he wasn't choking and all the eager noises were stifled. When he rolled his hips slowly, Wooyoung was mesmerised by shifting muscles and his jaw going lax as he enjoyed the feeling.

Working hard to please him, Wooyoung stuck out his tongue, massaging it over the throbbing flesh. Hongjoong's magic tingled over his skin like lightning, making Wooyoung twitch and his hips jerk to bury deeper on the glass toy.

So close. Even having Hongjoong in his mouth made his head spin and his stomach tense. He whimpered, trusting Hongjoong not to harm him as he used his mouth, but he soon lost his pattern. Drool slipped over his chin and his eyes clouded over, too focused on the pressure inside of him to concentrate on his task.

Hongjoong pulled back from him and his hand caught Wooyoung's chin, forcing him to look up. Needy, Wooyoung trembled in his grip as Hongjoong made sure he wasn't pushing him too far.

"Need to come..." Wooyoung wailed, too on edge to endure it. He sniffled, made a mess of his face and strands of hair sticking to his cheeks.

Hongjoong's gaze remained cold. Making Wooyoung throb without a touch. He had never seen himself to angrily red, and he was worried about getting hurt.

"This is your training, isn't it? Hold out," the mage taunted him. Wooyoung whimpered once more, trying to find anything to grind himself into, but Hongjoong pulled his foot back before Wooyoung got there.

"I can't- I can't hold back-" He could service Hongjoong after. Could be nice and patient and serve the mage however he wanted.

But that wasn't what Hongjoong had in mind. He was punishing Wooyoung's insolence. And giving him what he wanted would merely enable more shenanigans.

Wooyoung sniffed when Hongjoong knelt before him, hoping for a kiss or maybe for his shackles to be undone to allow him more freedom.

But instead, Hongjoong brought forth another glass item. This one was long and thin, not enough to please anyone and Wooyoung would have to be very still with it inside him if he didn't want it to break. What was the plan?

Curious, he watched as Hongjoong grabbed his rod as one would grab a hissing snake. The grip was enough to have more translucent liquid pour from Wooyoung and he hissed, almost losing control at that brief touch. He felt hot in Hongjoong's fingers, melting into the grip and the nudge of the toy inside him.

The bliss quickly subsided when Hongjoong brought the glass pin directly to Wooyoung's drooling tip. Its girth about matched his slit, but Hongjoong wouldn't...

Wooyoung yelped at the touch of cold glass, cruelly cooled by Hongjoong's magic. He squirmed against the feeling, but Hongjoong had him in an iron grip.

"N-No," Wooyoung whimpered, and he twitched treacherously when Hongjoong eased the length in. It didn't hurt, but the burn was foreign and made Wooyoung lurch.

"Sit still," Hongjoong advised him, likely for his own good. Helpless, Wooyoung had to watch as even this part of him was penetrated. It disabled his ability to drool into his puddle, and Wooyoung blinked away his tears when he wasn't dying. Instead, he pouted at being blocked off.

"Does this make it easier for you?" Hongjoong asked when he could have used a million other ways, magical and otherwise.

When Wooyoung lifted his betrayed eyes to him, a smirk showed off pearly teeth. With a push of Hongjoong's finger, the pin fully slipped in, nudging right into that same spot Wooyoung kept squirming for in his backside.

Wooyoung cried out, overtaken with pleasure. The feeling twitched down his spine, burst inside him like an explosion. He needed to come, felt the high tingling in his fingertips as the heat inside him twisted and convulsed.

But the glass pin inside him didn't allow him. It blocked off his ability, pressing against that same spot the toy smoothed into and kissed with its uneven surface.

It wasn't enough. Not enough friction, not enough heat.

"Please-"

Hongjoong tapped on the pin with mindless fingers, watching Wooyoung drool and spasm, wings twitching against their bindings. He nudged that same spot, driving Wooyoung near insane with his game.

"Say something nice and I might consider. So far, you have been misbehaving."

Vision hazy, Wooyoung huffed at him. Too prideful to give in to the cocky mage. He tried to push back onto the toy, rocking trembling hips until he was so close again he shook all over.

It didn't work. He was tormented from both sides, twitching and burning up, but there was no release for him.

Hongjoong lost his interest.

"Tsk. There is really no teaching you." He lifted to his feet, about to leave Wooyoung to figure himself out or learn how to behave.

Wooyoung almost fell over, scrambling after him. His knees didn't hurt as much as he feared, but he could barely move, handicapped by his twitches and the proud rod between his legs that was plugged by the glass pin.

"No! Please, Master Hongjoong, please!" He wailed, no longer sane to think of any more schemes. He needed Hongjoong so badly. Might die if he didn't get his release soon. Seonghwa would never be so mean to him... Seonghwa would help him.

But the cruel mage standing over him smoothed a thoughtful hand down his length. Wooyoung's vision made him this hard, but Wooyoung had no brain cells left to be smug about that. He grovelled and twisted, pushing into the torture devices that offered no relief.

"Master, huh? Works for me," Hongjoong snickered and Wooyoung was but a doll in his grip when Hongjoong tugged him by his hair. Even the sting of pain felt good.

"Open up wide."

Wooyoung complied without even hearing him. He received Hongjoong in his mouth once more, tears on his face because it felt so good. The only friction he got was his mouth being abused, and he loved it.

Hongjoong sighed above him. He held Wooyoung's head in his hands, steering him as he bucked into his mouth, rubbing his throat raw only to wash his healing magic right after in a constant mixture of torment and bliss. Wooyoung hung in his grip, twitching with the spasms of his body that pushed the items inside him right into his spots. Gone beyond reason.

Shadowy fingers crawled up his sides and quivering chest. Hongjoong's golden eyes were dark pools of amber when he took in Wooyoung's expression. His teary eyes widened when icy fingers pinched at his nipples, tugging and playing with them meanly, like the pinches of kobolds.

Wooyoung gagged out a moan, stifled by Hongjoong and the pool of their liquids in his throat. He panted harshly, wrecked under the sorcerer, who barely broke out a sweat.

"Wouldn't it be fun to make it so even just a few touches to your lewd chest will make you come? Seonghwa would be so delighted with you. The perfect plaything," he purred when his helping hands tugged again, making Wooyoung lurch into the touch. So humiliating, like a goat being milked.

Hongjoong read his mind and snickered. He didn't allow Wooyoung a moment of pause when he angled his thrusts deeper, fully burying in Wooyoung's mouth. His nose knocked into smooth skin, burying in Hongjoong's addictive scent of thyme and lavender. Wooyoung's body twitched beyond his control, rushing waves of pleasure over him without ever absolving the tension in his groin. He slumped to the feeling, barely rubbing himself against the ground and the items in him, as Hongjoong used his face to chase his pleasure.

"Well then. Be ready," was his only warning, then he packed Wooyoung's head crudely, burying as far as he could. His pleased sigh came with his eyes fluttering shut, elegant throat Wooyoung could only dream of kissing on display as he spilled his seed in Wooyoung's throat.

Gulping as much as one could gulp, Wooyoung gagged everything down, not coherent anymore to mind it.

He thought Hongjoong might drag this out and torment him all night, so Wooyoung shook off the tingle of magic invigorating him. Mourned the loss of Hongjoong's taste on his lips.

But the mage kept his word. With a flick of his fingers, the glass pin holding Wooyoung back came free and, as if a dam broke, Wooyoung collapsed under the instantaneous response of his body. His seed burst forth, splattering over the ground and Hongjoong's shoes. Darkness overtook Wooyoung's sight as everything felt so good, so explosive. Seemed to last forever. He thought he collapsed, but Hongjoong's magic kept him up, rocked the toy into his quivering insides to milk every drop from him.

Wooyoung hung in his arms, near unconscious from the rush of sensations. Hongjoong's magic coursed through him, making him twitch and jolt as it lolled in the heat of his bliss.

When he came to, Hongjoong had rightened his clothing, but his hand still held Wooyoung's hair to make sure he wouldn't hit his head somewhere. A frown was directed at the ground between them, and Wooyoung flushed when he followed his gaze.

He had come so violently, his white spill soiled Hongjoong's shoes, leaving disgusting droplets on the polished leather. Instantly, his bliss ran cold. Hongjoong grimaced in repulsion.

"Filthy."

"I-I'm sorry," Wooyoung croaked out, but his voice was no more but a scratch in his throat.

Hongjoong shoved him down to fold into himself, still not releasing the pressure on his arms and wings.

"Clean it up. That's your mess," he scowled and Wooyoung dutifully stuck out his tongue, lapping Hongjoong's shoes back into their perfect cleanliness. He tasted muskier on his tongue, less so like magic and confusingly delicious ingredients like Hongjoong, but he didn't mind it.

A whimper escaped Wooyoung when he switched over to the other shoe. Hongjoong pulled the plug free from him, leaving his hole twitching and open. Once the glass clicked onto the table for him to clean later, Wooyoung sat up. He was drowsy, could barely keep himself upright, but he was behaved now. Ready to serve in whatever capacity Hongjoong demanded of him.

"Good boy," Hongjoong smirked at him and finally, Wooyoung's bindings fell. His wings eased their tight clutch in relief, but he didn't spread them, too cautious to knock into anything again.

"You can wash up and sleep here," Hongjoong offered and Wooyoung's face lit up. That was the grandest reward he could ask for. He didn't like sleeping alone and usually crawled into Yunho's or Mingi's beds when Seonghwa was occupied, but spending the night in the mage's room was usually only reserved for Seonghwa.

Their rooms weren't far. It was an act of affection to stay with each other.

Wooyoung tried to scramble to his legs eagerly, but his knees buckled. Before he could flail and crash down, Hongjoong caught his arm, pouring more of his magic into the gryphon-born to stabilise his jittery nerves.

"Thank you," Wooyoung chirped at him before he huddled into the bathroom, getting himself nice and clean and even brushing his teeth (something he only picked up on after joining Seonghwa's court.)

He came out clean and cosy with his nakedness and tucked his wings close as he shuffled past the crowded tables into the sleeping niche. Hongjoong's bed was surrounded by curtains with glowing stars and galaxies on them, making it so easy to disappear into the night.

Hongjoong rustled away with his work, catching up on the potions that needed to pause while his magic was unstable with his pleasure. While Wooyoung nested in his bed and sorted the pillows in a circle to close himself in, the mage hummed under his breath. Though his face didn't show it, he was in a good mood.

Proud of himself, Wooyoung huddled down. He couldn't hope to get to cuddle Hongjoong, not while he was awake. But he left enough space and tucked his talons under a pillow so Hongjoong wouldn't hurt himself on them. Under the blanket of his wing, he closed his eyes and breathed the mage's scent in the room.

He already drifted off when a knock had his consciousness return. Sleepily, he listened in as Hongjoong opened the door, acting unperturbed by anything that happened here.

The song of that voice belonged to Jongho. It was the sweetest lullaby to Wooyoung's drowsy mind. Cosy and happy, he cuddled Hongjoong's pillow.

"Have you seen Wooyoung? He wanted to come outside tonight but he didn't show up," Jongho asked and Wooyoung internally hit himself. When he came up with his plan to play with Hongjoong, he completely forgot the promise he made to the golem. He was easily distracted like that.

Not that he regretted what he got in return. If only he could find out what it took to make Hongjoong submit to him.

Hongjoong didn't give anything away, private about his affairs even within the harem.

"Don't worry about him, he retired early," he merely said and Wooyoung cheekily snuggled his pillow. He was right over here, hidden from curious eyes. In the mage's bed.

Jongho was easily appeased, as long as there was no need for alarm.

"All right. Good night," he said and Hongjoong wished him interesting dreams. Wooyoung promised himself to hang out with Jongho tomorrow. Not that today's story was one carelessly shared, but he could always appease the golem with tales about the gryphon-borns.

The door clicked shut and Wooyoung waited with a hammering heart. Hongjoong rustled with his parchment anew. Not acknowledging the gryphon-born even when he knew he must be awake.

Soothed by his presence and the constant blubbering of his potions, Wooyoung allowed himself to doze off once more. Was sated even when he mourned the loss of contact with Hongjoong after their intimacy was over.

He dreamed of the ocean and of soaring over its salty winds together with Mulberry. His wings spread far, and the breeze rustled in his feathers in carefree laughter. Other gryphon-borns were with him, battling him for speed among the steep cliffs, but Wooyoung beat them all. He played fetch with the youngsters, turning and twirling in breathless laughter. In his secret hope, Seonghwa stood at the edge of the cliff in one of his beautiful dresses that shone like the moon and fondly awaited him to return to have a meal together and kiss him as a reward for his skill.

Wooyoung whirled around once more and knocked into something. Instantly startled awake since there had been nothing to hit in his dream, he blinked his eyes against the darkness. The shine of Hongjoong's curtains was foreign to him in the first moment, but he remembered where he was. Then he noticed the body curled up against him.

Because of his clawed bird feet, Wooyoung was taller than Hongjoong, broader in the span of his wings. But he never perceived the sorcerer as small since his posture and the magic in his veins demanded respect.

But now, curled up by Wooyoung's side and all vulnerable in sleep, he seemed so slight. Not like some old and wise mage, but like a lone body like any other.

Wooyoung held his breath at the sight of his white and black hair in the dark. He didn't dare make a sound, afraid to wake his light slumber.

But Hongjoong was already up. He stirred under Wooyoung's wing that covered him on instinct, something so natural to his kin he never pondered it. The gryphons covered the gryphon-borns with their wings because they regarded them as their chicks and among their folk; it was a sign of affection to shield the smaller ones with warmth and protection.

Wooyoung just prayed Hongjoong didn't know and wouldn't roast Wooyoung over an open fire for being regarded as the smaller one.

"You move a lot in sleep," Hongjoong mumbled, but he stayed comfortable in Wooyoung's nest. No longer hexing and taunting and leading. Just a person seeking rest.

Very mindful of the little rest Hongjoong allowed himself, Wooyoung plopped down, freezing his limbs anew even when Hongjoong didn't tie him down this time.

"Sorry," he muttered, but Hongjoong's chuckle was light.

"I don't mind. Just don't scratch me." His legs were bare under his sleep shirt and Wooyoung gulped heavily when they wound around his spindly bird feet, unafraid of the rough bones. The close scent of the mage drove him insane once more, but Wooyoung didn't chance his luck and kept his hands to himself.

Not many got to see this. He didn't want to ruin it by being too eager.

"I'll be careful," he vowed and Hongjoong was at ease, closing his eyes again. Though Wooyoung's heart must have been obnoxiously loud to his senses, he let himself be safe in Wooyoung's nest and under his wing.

Maybe this trust was even better than forcing the mage into submission.

Wooyoung wanted to sleep, but he still fidgeted. In the morning, Hongjoong would be cold again. This was the best time to talk.

But Wooyoung wasn't great at talking and even now, his head was void of words to say, even when he had so many things he was curious about.

So ultimately, he settled on something simple before Hongjoong would fully fall asleep.

"I really liked today. Thank you for taking care of me," he muttered, shy at his helplessness. He wasn't well-spoken like Hongjoong or San, nor did he know the singing, beautiful way to weave words like the elves.

But Hongjoong didn't scorn him for it. His sigh offered a relief not to have pushed Wooyoung too far.

Wooyoung doubted he could. He had too much fun playing around with others to hate it.

"I'm glad you felt good. Now go to sleep, pigeon," Hongjoong mumbled into his pillow. He tucked his arms under his head and Wooyoung hastily also huddled down so he wouldn't disturb him any longer.

The beat of his heart was proud of what he accomplished.

They slept intertwined and even Wooyoung's ever-constantly moving body was peaceful that night. Under his wing, the powerful mage disappeared and Wooyoung was more awed with him than ever.