Youjin was just as honest and agreeable as Hongjoong remembered and they fell back into a routine as soon as Hongjoong was here. Neheg was indeed Youjin's home, this was his castle and San was his cousin and best friend. They were far south here, completely the opposite direction than where Yeosang had told Hongjoong to go but it truly did not matter.

Hongjoong was content to be sitting on Youjin's lap all day, the man's fingers idly carding through his hair while he talked. They sometimes lost themselves in the other's eyes, getting short episodes of shyness until Hongjoong was giggling and Youjin pressed soft kisses all over his face.

Youjin told him about having to flee from the fae's village after Seonghwa made that mess and coming back here to search for San. The fae knew by now who he was and they also were aware of Seonghwa kidnapping Hongjoong to lure Youjin with. They did not care however. They did not wish to meddle with elven affairs.

The elf was distractedly playing with Hongjoong's smaller hand in his when Hongjoong finally asked the question that had been growing in his mind all the time. He did not fear rejection or rage. He trusted Youjin.

"So... now that you are not undercover anymore what do you plan on doing? Did you reach your goal while in the village?"

Youjin lifted one hand to cradle Hongjoong's jaw with, searching his eyes with his own deep red ones.

"I did it to save my life and get information on how to save my race. Yeosang gave it to me foolishly while thinking I was one of them."

So it was something close to what Yunho had suspected. He did need the necromant and he did plan on reviving his endangered kind. Hogjoong did not see any problem with that. Just that he himself thought the dead should stay where they were.

"I see... But how did I take importance in all of this? Seonghwa told me I would not be able to leave after I ate once and you probaby knew who I was when making me eat already, did you not?"

Youjin's face grew sad, his lashes fluttering downwards.

"Yes. Yes I knew. When I found you at first it was at that lake with Seonghwa. I was there, I listened to your conversation. At first I truly planned to use you as a distraction, to make the fae and elves concentrate on each other and this stranger while I got to Yeosang. I did not think about the consequences yet when I made you stay and you had to stay for them in order to fight. But I fell for you, my dear, I fell and I hate myself for making you stay. How happy it makes me to know you would not turn back."

It twisted Hongjoong's heart in his chest seeing the man so downtrodden and he reached out too, gently brushing his fingers over Youjin's cheeks. The other man looked up at him with guilt and sadness in his eyes, making Hongjoong forgive him all to easily.

"Don't be. As long as I have been here by your side I never once regretted coming here. I wanted to go back home so bad that I did not see what beauty this world holds. I do not mind staying. I am fine with being right here.", Hongjoong whispered quietly, pressing his lips to Youjin's own for a moment. The elf sighed contendly, grabbing Hongjoong's hips to pull him a bit closer.

Their lips did not part for some time, both of them getting lost in the feeling of each other. Hongjoong liked it, being pressed close to the elf, kissing the elegant bow of his lips as if they had no worries at all.

When Youjin pulled back from him later his gaze was heavy and wanting but his hands stayed ever the same, holding Hongjoong with gentleness.

"There is something else you have to know."

Hongjoong just hummed, still tasting Youjin on his lips and it clouded his head, made him all mushy inside.

"That elven prince, Park Seonghwa. He is here too. We took him with us when getting you."

Hongjoong froze, having been so sure to never have to see that guy again but here they were. Youjin captured him.

The prince he was sitting on was watching Hongjoong intently, reading every sign of discomfort right on his face. He gave a small smile.

"You do not have to meet him. I just wanted to tell you to spare you of any surprises. He is locked in the dungeon right now and will not lay a finger on you again, I promise."

"Can I... can I see him? Can you call him here?"

Something dark spread in Hongjoong, something evil and sneering. Hongjoong wanted to see Seonghwa kneel, wanted to see him stripped of all his high and mighty exterior, just leaving the bare and vulnerable core.

It must have shown on his face for Youjin giving a low groan, his lips curling deviously. A hand came up to gently grip Hongjoong's hair, pulling his head up so Youjin could truly see him. A smirk formed on his lips as he noticed that dark glint in Hongjoong's eyes.

"Oh, aren't you such a beautiful one. So sweet and delicate but I can see the darkness deep inside of you. Your wish is my command, little darkling."

Hongjoong felt powerful and delighted, having this much of a say here as Youjin called for San, asking him to bring their little prisoner.

Youjin turned Hongjoong around, pulling his back to his chest so Hongjoong could oversee the room, could await the opening of the door eagerly. The elf's lips ghosted over his neck, kissing at his erratic pulse appreciatively.

"You can have him as a pet if you want. I can get you a nice leash and then he can experience what it is like to constantly looked down upon. You can break him bit by bit." Youjin's voice spoke of pure sin, whispering oh so enticing promises into Hongjoong's ear and the human shuddered at these thoughts, at this display of power. A quiet sigh escaped his lips as his hands flew to Youjin's on his hips, holding himself up as the elf pulled them flush together.

Hongjoong could feel him, a familiar hardness pressing right against him and he dropped his head heavily, feeling himself get excited too.

"And here I was thinking I would corrupt you over the time. When it is really you corrupting me."

A rush of heat travelled through Hongjoong's body at his words and his form melted into Youjin's embrace, allowing him to slowly roll down Hongjoong's hips against him. Both of them groaned softly in that empty room and the flower from before dropped down from Youjin's head into Hongjoong's lap, decorating him beautifully.

San interrupted them by walking in just like before but this time he had the high elf at his side. The man looked worse for wear, his clothes in a disarray and his hair wild. His eyes were close to killing Hongjoong and Youjin with the amount of hate he watched them with and he struggled ony for a moment against San's hold on him, then he was being brought to his knees in the pool before them, his hands bound on his back. San stayed close behind him, watching him.

"Greetings, nemesis. I hope my dungeons are after your tastes?" Youjin had stilled their movement but still was pressing Hongjoong close, the human flustered under Seonghwa's dark eyes.

The elf grit his teeth.

"I did not treat him like that. Where are you basic means of respect? This can start a war if you are not cautious."

Youjin chuckled slightly, letting his hands travel to Hongjoong's legs where he had started pressing them together closely without even noticing.

"Do you think I care? You hurt him and I am repaying you for that. He is the one who wanted to see you, getting all hot and bothered when thinking about you.", he drawled darkly, gently prying open Hongjoong's legs for Seonghwa to see. It was not subtle at all and Hongjoong saw Seonghwa's eyes widen, quickly darting back up to Youjin again.

"Why don't you come over and say sorry? I might consider letting you move in a decent room. That darkness down there makes you sick, doesn't it?"

Hongjoong waited impatiently, watching Seonghwa like a hawk as the man shook his head fast, his face showing his disgust.

"No way. I am not sick like you."

Youjin's laughter was dark, echoing in the big room omniously.

"I did not ask, Seonghwa. Him being interested in you might save you from a lot of much worse things I had planned. You know, right? What happens when my people come back."

Seonghwa visibly shuddered, obviously not to keen on reviving whatever that was and then he was coming closer, only ever staying on his knees. San supported him barely, pushing his shoulder until he was kneeling in front of the throne, sending hateful glances towards Youjin.

The man just smirked, burying his face into Hongjoong's neck while his fingers deftly fiddled with Hongjoong's clothes.

"Be good now."