The story will be finished soon! We are left with three chapters (including this one) and an epilogue ^^

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Hongjoong was getting ready with Wooyoung and Mingi, receiving lots of compliments and even some jeaously becaue of his dress from Wooyoung. The wind fairy had lent Hongjoong a pair of his shoes in exchange for his soft leather boots and was sitting on Mingi's lap right now, applying paint to the other's peaceful face. Hongjoong himself had come home to another box from Yongguk who was giving him this present for 'a special occasion'. It included an indricate collar that fit snugly around the base of his neck, the lace painting pretty pictures on his skin. It had another amethyst build in, dangling between Hongjoong's clavicles and he had even sent some sweets for Hongjoong's nerves.

Hongjoong deemed it incredibly cute, being ecstatic about showing his whole outfit to Yongguk soon.

But first he had to sit very still as Wooyoung clambered over to Hongjoong, now painting his face too. Hongjoong boredly watched Mingi searching around for his outfit in the light of their glowing stone, clumsily tripping over things on the floor in the process.

Mingi was... daring. Much more daring than Hongjoong had expected him to be. He was wearing heavy boots and nice pants tucked into them, accentuating his long legs. He forwent a top, instead wearing his tanned and muscular skin on display. Wooyoung had painted that too and Mingi wore a shoulder piece made of shimmering scales that fit perfectly to his wings.

All in all he looked savage and absolutely stunning with his paint darkened eyes and lips. The dragon wrapping itself in fluid motion around his body and constantly exploring and moving was an unmistakeable eye catcher too.

Wooyoung himself had went all out too, if showing less skin. Just like Hongjoong he was wearing a dress, the neckline dipping deep until soft blue silk framed his skin. His skirt was long, reaching to his ankles and being nearly transparent until a second layer of fabric started covering his thighs above his knees. He wore it with a long necklace of feathers and also a pretty belt. He had left his shoes.

Blue accents were decorationg his eyes and cheekbones, giving him an absolute soft and angelic look paired with his blonde locks. Hongjoong loved it.

"There, done. You look stunning." Wooyoung stepped back, admiring the glitter he had put around Hongjoong's eyes. Just like Mingi he was wearing his hair swept back today, showing off his eyes way more and Hongjoong also knew that his lips were a softer shade of pink than usual, tasting like strawberries.

 A shy knock was to hear not long after and Honngjoong let himself be helped up by Wooyoung, grinning at the other.

"I hope this idiot of a prince will feel some remorse today. You liking him would not be that hard of a choice had he not hurt you. Go make him regret."

Hongjoong went and got himself some of the sweets from Yongguk to calm his errating heartbeat down while Mingi let in San, here to pick Wooyoung up.

San looked like the horrifying opposite of Wooyoung with his horns and black clothes but his blonde hair was braided with a lot of care and Hongjoong had to smile as he imagined Youjin doing San's hair.

San looked absolutely blinded by Wooyoung already, being reduced to a stammering mess when the other took his hand with a small smile. Today it did not matter who either of them were. As far as Hongjoong was concerned it did not truly matter at all. Youjin seemed to deal with politics fairly well and he had also gotten back the rights to his race existing.

Hongjoong went over to Mingi, linking their arms in a similar way. They grinned at each other in fake romance.

They left the hut all together, mingling with the masses on the streets and meadows. There was laughter, food and performers dancing around the fire. Everything seemed completely otherworldy, the terrifying beauty of the people captivating. Hongjoong did not need to take one gulp of the sweet ambrosia, instead falling into rhythm with everybody else without further problems.

He found Yongguk first, San and Wooyoung having disappeared already to go dance around the fire with squeaky laughter. Yongguk too complimented his outfit, standing a bit far from the crowd and conversing with the two kings (both in matching flower crowns). Yongguk himself looked fairly neutral, if nicer than usual, just wearing black pants and a just as black shirt.

Jinyoung was clearly drunk already, leaning dangerously close to Jaebeom's body with his hand exploring beneath the other's shirt. Hongjoong did absolutely not care. He had seen his fair share of people here that had arrived completely naked, their bodies coming close in a sensual dance. Their pleasure let the mood seem just the more heavy, even more careless.

Hongjoong went to find Youjin next. It was not really hard, the man being surrounded by people that stared up at him in fear and arousal at the same time. He received their advances with an undeniable charme, making everybody swoon over him again.

When Hongjoong joined his little circle he also took notice of the other man close to Youjin, looking midly uncomfortable and maybe also a bit older than most of them. Fae typically liked to keep their youthful looks but elves indeed aged normally, if slow.

"Ah, there he is! The most beautiful of fae."

Hongjoong caught himself while looking around carefully for Seonghwa, immediately focusing on Youjin again with a big smile. He went to hug him, very appreciative of Youjin walking around in similar fashion like Mingi. He just wore black raven feathers on his shoulders and on a waistcoat around his hips, going all black. The metal on him was glinting in the moonlight.

"You look beautiful. Thank you for wearing it."

Hongjoong smiled shyly, giving back the compliment. Youjin leaned in close again, whispering into his ear as to not let the people around hear. He smelled nice, smelled enticing. Hongjoong found himself breathing in deeply, staying close with Youjin still holding his waist with one arm.

"Seonghwa is over there at the woodland edge. Want to try getting him into the mood a bit more? He and I promised to not annoy each other tonight."

Hongjoong looked into the mentioned direction subtly, finding Seonghwa not so subtly staring back at him already. Abruptly the fairy blushed, looking away.

"Why is he watching me? Or is he watching you?", he squeaked slightly panicked, Youjin patting his hip with a laugh.

"He's jealous. I love it. I do nothing at all and keep making people jealous, what a concept."

Not very nice of him to play with Seonghwa's feelings like that but of course it was not. He was Youjin after all.

"Go. Tell him there is nothing to be jealous of. He has been closer to you than I." And with that he disappeared in the crowd again, leaving Hongjoong dumbfounded. What has he just been implying?

Quizzically he looked over at Seonghwa again, wanting to sneak away subtly but suddenly Yunho was at the other's side, lifting a hand high to wave at them. Mingi let out a yell, greeting too and Hongjoong noticed Seonghwa quickly pulling down Yunho's arm. His friend was smiling deviously, instead lifting the other to beckon Mingi closer.

"Come on, let's go greet Yunho!" Mingi was already grabbing Hongjoong's hand and pulling him with him before he got out another word. He was strangely calm as he saw Seonghwa panic too, desperately looking around in their empty corner to find something to occupy himself with.

What on earth was going on?

Mingi and Yunho hugged each other tight, Yunho not quite sure where to put his hands that was not naked skin or Mingi's butt. After long seconds of awkward struggle they finally settled on the other man's hips, pulling their bodies close together.

Hongjoong looked from them to Seonghwa who was now leaning coolly against a tree, his face a mask of indifference. He was not looking at Hongjoong anymore, instead focusing on the fires behind them. Hongjoong took his time to look him up and down, appreciating the red satin shirt hugging his body. He was wearing some rings on his antlers, making them blink prettily in the light.

It was actually Yunho who had to come over and look at them in clear disappointment before they managed to greet each other.

"Luna, the two of you are absolutely lousy. Seonghwa, what kind of prince are you, compliment him, do something!"

Yunho turned to Hongjoong who just lifted his hands in surrender, his eyes wide.

Mingi laughed somewhere behind them.

"Come on, we shall go greet Yeosang and Jongho. I'll tell them you said hi." Mingi snatched Yunho away, their bodies drifting close together. Hongjoong felt betrayed again.

"You look good."

Seonghwa was not looking at him again, his eyes stubbornly avoiding him. Hongjoong was so confused.

"...thanks. Youjin gifted the dress to me.", he tried slowly, testing the waters and Seonghwa's dark brows pulled together further.

"Bet he really wants to rip it off of you."

Hongjoong squinted his eyes, trying to read Seonghwa's face in the twilight.

"Are you that jealous of me? Seonghwa, I told you I have no plans to-"

"You're wrong."

Hongjoong met his eyes finally, finding a cold determination there.

"It's not you I am jealous of."

And finally the pieces came together like that.