"Wooyoung I made a huge mistake."

The fae turned around to Hongjoong where he was setting up his clothes for the next day, raising a brow inquisitively. Hongjoong squirmed a bit on his place on the other's bed. He gripped the dark furs beneath him tight, not yet ready to confess.

"What did you do, eat those mushrooms again? I told you how they made Mingi have the worst tummyache ever you have to be caref-"

"No, that's not it. It is... Something far worse."

"Worse than those mushrooms? Now you got me hooked. Is it about Jongho? Wait. You did not challenge him to a fist fight now, did you?" Wooyoung's voice was still light and easy-going, his eyes however worriedly taking in Hongjoong's sunken in body. His eyes seemed far gone.

"No... It is- Probably not as horrible as challenging Jongho, yes, thank you, that makes me feel better already." A weak giggle escaped him, seeming dry in his parched throat and Wooyoung went and got the jug of water. He handed it to Hongjoong, attentively sitting down next to him while he drank in eager gulps.

Wooyoung had to take the jug away before the other drowned himself.

"Now, what is it? Tell me so we can work it out."

Hongjoong fidgeted a bit more, his eyes trained to the floor. When he finally opened his mouth only gibberish came out, his voice weak and pronounciation horrible.

Wooyoung nudged him gently, leaving his leg close to Hongjoong's to share his warmth with him.

"I kissed Seonghwa."

Not what Wooyoung had expected. To be fair he had expected worse though. For examples Hongjoong eating the forbidden purple glowing mushrooms. Quickly he wracked his brain for something to say.

"Oh. And he was that bad at it? That is harsh indeed. I completely did not peg his as the type. Let me guess, too much tongue?"

Hongjoong whipped around with a scandalized face. His hands came up so suddenly to gesture so violently that Wooyoung actually had to lean out of his reach. He noticed Hongjoong's wings vibrating nervously.

"No! Nonono! No! He did not- Do you think he would be that bad at it?"

"Honestly? I think he looks like the type to kiss reaaally well. Like Mingi! Except Mingi does not but that's not the point. Have you ever seen Seonghwa's tongue? I would never believe you that he is a bad kisser."

Hongjoong whined, his head feeding him with images of that tongue between his legs again. He knew exactly well how Seonghwa used that tongue of his, thank you very much.

He pretended not to be blushing furiously.

"Can we please stop discussing his kissing techniques and get back to the point being made here?"

Wooyoung shrugged, seeming entirely to elated to have somebody to discuss kisses with. Or Seonghwa for that matter.

"So you kissed him, yes, got it. What is bothering you then?"

Hongjoong dropped his eyes again, picking on a loose thread on Wooyoung's blanket mindlessly.

"I kissed him because I wanted to know what I felt for him."

"Oh." Wooyoung stayed blank, completely neutral even as Hongjoong blinked at him twice.

A few seconds passed. And then he noticed.

"Oh! Oh, dear, I would have never guessed. You guys were sending strange signals all the time and I mean I am dating San I know what's going on in Neheg but- Oh." His voice turned soft, one hand coming up to pat Hongjoong's knee gently.

"What about Youjin?"

Hongjoong bit his tongue, trying not to ruffle his hair angrily.

"Nothing really from my side. But Seonghwa... he does have a thing for him."

"Poor you." Wooyoung sent him an empathethic grimace, one Hongjoong copied gladly.

"Not that I want to go after him or anything... But he tried to kill me, I tried to kill him! How is this supposed to work? I can not get all flustered everytime I see him from now on!" Hongjoong started pouting, making the jug fly over to him again to drown his sorrow in water. Wooyoung watched him half bemusedly.

"How about asking Yongguk then? He certainly has an answer to this. And if it gets really horrible just don't come to the festivities in winter. I can make up some excuse for you." He smiled like the good and loyal friend he was, making Hongjoong hiccup sadly.

"His best friend is going to date our best friend that will never work."

"Bold of you to assume those two will ever get anywhere. Worry not. We will find a way for sure."

-

Hongjoong was leaving the week after that. He bid his goodbyes to Mingi, Jongho and Yeosang, telling the kings he would be back and winking at the nice ladies in the fields. Wooyoung went to visit San under the disguise of accompanying Hongjoong for a bit and they travelled together for a while until he also said goodbye to Wooyoung.

Hongjoong returned home two days after, finishing his long journey by foot as he feared for his wings to freeze in the cold parts of the land. He did notice the pair of foreign boots standing on their doorstep when he let himself in but he did not dwell on it, instead stepping into the house to greet Yongguk.

"I am home! And I brought you those sweets you like so much!" He yelled into the room without looking, his face still obscured by his coat and scarf he was just taking off.

"Good boy. I also got something for you."

Hongjoong's face lit up with glee, quickly turning only to feel his stomach drop.

Yongguk was sitting at the table with his bony hands wrapped around a steaming cup and right opposite of him in a much more open position sat Youjin.

Hogjoong stood still, just watching the other man for a moment before he approached with more caution. Youjin's lips quirked.

"Yongguk told me but I never quite believed him. You became a beautiful fairy, Hongjoong." He opened an arm, his legs spread invitingly already and Hongjoong sighed before coming over. He sent a meaningful glare in Yongguk's direction.

"You could have messaged me. I would have come earlier and brought more presents."

Yongguk just sipped his tea peacefully, not minding Hongjoong at all. The fae let Youjin grab his waist, pulling him onto his lap and snuggling close. Hongjoong hugged him back softly.

"I missed you. Should not have scared you off like that. But I am also glad Seonghwa saved you when I could not."

"What did you do to him? To Seonghwa?" He already knew the answer, fearing for the worst. Youjin gently hooked his chin over Hongjoong's shoulder, giving him puppy eyes.

"It was consensual."

Hongjoong had seen Youjin's definition of consensual and while it certainly was, Hongjoong deemed it as force still when Seonghwa had no other real choice but to oblige.

"Same as usual." He leaned in a bit more, speaking against Hongjoong's ear while Yongguk politely pretended not to hear the two of them. "I took him hard until he was begging and on the brink of death and then I pieced him back together. I also brought him home, before you ask. Because Neheg makes people sick."

Hongjoong chuckled humorlessly.

"And you are asking to take me back?"

"Not at all." Youjin leaned back again, loosening his possessive grip on Hongjoong's waist.

"People whose minds are easy to break such as human or fae, they do not return from Neheg. They succumb to their darkness and let it consume them. I have no more power over you now that I have failed once. Sure, it was Seonghwa's fault but maybe that is best for you. I know you safe now at least." He smiled a bit sadly and also distinctly lonely. Hongjoong understood.

"I will not apologize that it turned out like this. I would have probably given you my life as I did not know what else to do and where to go. I would like for us to remain on friendly grounds for now. I know there are no hard feelings either of us has to get rid of. Thank you for cherishing me and making me learn what it truly meant to be a villain. It's just living a different life from what society accepts."

Youjin smiled brightly, turning his attention towards Yongguk.

"You taught him well, did you now? Beloved snowflake come visit me whenever and do not hesitate to call upon me if you need something. You are a very special person to me and I shall heed all of your wishes no matter how mundane." Youjin kissed his cheek gently and Hongjoong returned it, feeling his heart calm finally.

"Disgustingly cute. You do know that you still have a corpse to dig up, right? I myself would not appreciate staying under the earth for too long." Yongguk's voice was deep, calm and soothing but he still sounded borderline threatening, as if he could only spare Youjin so much time.

The dark elf complied, gently lifting Hongjoong off his lap and walking towards the door.

"Well then, until we see each other again."

And he was gone.

Hongjoong turned his head towards Yongguk questionly, accepting his own suddenly appearing mug with tea. He started blowing on it gently, preferring the good old human way.

"Why?"

"You kissed Seonghwa not even two weeks ago, airhead. How about we resolve that first?"

And Hongjoong burned his throat while coughing.