Seonghwa became the crowned king of Asorazey despite his continuous reminders to the people not to trust foolishly. Three weeks after the old king's death, the ceremony to crown Seonghwa was approved through the entire town. They argued that he had shown great leadership, and they felt confident in their decision even more now that they had experienced the trouble it could bring. His constant refusal also strengthened their trust.

In the beginning, he had worried a lot about seeming like an impostor from the palace, but his friends had all assured Seonghwa that he shouldn't keep his eyes lowered wherever he went. The folk had decided with a clear majority of votes, and he had no reason to fear to mess up. His humble caution would keep him from any bad decisions.

Yunho moved back in with Jongho, but he got a job as a royal advisor beside Yongguk and was busy. Thus, Yeosang and Jongho often had room for themselves when Yeosang came by. While Yeosang had resolved to stay in the palace to be near Seonghwa and support him as the second leader in charge, he had also become the ruling force in their extensive library that got joined in the throne room for the two of them to enjoy whenever they pleased.

Jongho worked on whatever came up, as he had before. His area had grown larger, and now he delivered things all through Asorazey and sometimes even down to Qam. Often he went with San when the man visited his home place. Normally, the pink-haired man worked with Yunho as the chief of diplomatic matters with any place, including within the city and other nations. On the side, he dated Wooyoung, who became another high-ranking official in the palace.

Mingi made a big fortune. Once his leg had healed enough for him to work better, he hired a few men to help him build an actual house with a dock down at his hideout. He invented a lift for everyone to use as a connection between Asorazey and Qam and operated it. Next to the lift, he had a swing that he sometimes used to enjoy the view out over the ocean.

Hongjoong still flew the skies in his ship. Through him, the news of their progress spread in the neighbouring countries, and it wouldn't be long until Gizfall sent over a delegacy to sign a treaty and contract for commerce with Seonghwa. The people guessed that Seonghwa moving his private quarters to the tower had to do with the glider that sometimes descended to those windows at night so the lovers could meet.

The project of combining the two cities with the nethicite core as their middle also bloomed. Every day, mechanics and technicians from both sides of the cliff came together to work on the lines that joined every household and public place to supply energy for all of them. The people helped wherever they could, and soon, Zey got its first street lanterns that glowed blue.

The hunger and agony in Zey also gradually began to lift. The process would need a long time, but the trade with the other nations as well as the financial aid from the palace and Asora helped many people to find jobs and a place to live. Just as Yeosang had said, the people of Asora were quite willing to help, and soon even the most prideful of them let go of their inhibitions to support anyone who needed it.

Soon, Asorazey became a reminder of the thriving town that it had once been and had yet to return to. And after the first few weeks, nobody doubted anymore that Seonghwa would be the one to lead them to such prosperity.

A tinkling sound of metal knocking against his window startled Jongho out of his thoughts. He had spent the last few hours hunched over his workbench, tinkering with a brace for Mingi's leg similar to his. Now, he curiously rose his head to the window to check on the noise.

Bricky fluttered his metal wings up and down on the other side of the glass. When Jongho rose to open the door for him, the bird came right inside and hopped down on his table. In his shiny beak, he held a little piece of parchment.

"Hello there," Jongho hummed at him as he sat down. The bird waited patiently until the message was off. The second that Jongho let go of him, he propelled off to fly his rounds and sing his lullaby. His favourite space to sit was next to the music bunny on the shelf. Yunho adored the animal friends with all of his heart and listened to their songs every night before they went to bed. Sometimes, he also slept over at Mingi's, and he brought the music bunny every time he did.

According to him, their meetings were strictly professional and consisted merely of Yunho helping Mingi with the things he wasn't yet able to do. When Jongho had pointed out that he was far more experienced with Mingi's field of work, but he never got asked over, his brother had merely grinned at him and ruffled his hair fondly.

"You don't understand the business of adults yet, cogling," he had said around a carefully hidden snicker. At that, both of them had laughed.

Chuckling to himself at the memory, Jongho unrolled the message from Yeosang to read through it.

Dear Jongho,

I'm writing to let you know that Hongjoong brought the concept of photography from overseas. He and Seonghwa have their fun by keeping pictures of each other in various state of undress to shorten the time they spend without each other. I have to complain about the times that I received a message bird only to lay eyes upon more than I wanted.

Anyways. This is my call for us to do the same. Please send back a nude picture of you so that we can enjoy the same privileges as my brother.

Love, Yeosang

The sarcasm dripped from his message thick like slime. Jongho had to cover his mouth to hold back his laughter as he read through it again. Then, he got some paper himself that he kept, especially for these instances.

They didn't really need to write to each other; the walk between them took about an hour or two. Yet, Jongho's ability to write and read profited off their daily little messages and they sweetened each other's time.

Jongho drew a picture. A circle, a straight line down and four more lines for limbs. Then, he signed with his name and called Bricky over to get the message back at Yeosang.

The bird hopped off to over bring the message. Jongho took a break to make himself some tea before he would go back to tinkering. While his water still cooked in its steam-powered boiler, Yunho came home.

"Hey, Jongho!" Cheerful, he kicked his boots off to stand on the wooden board next to the door they specifically used to put their shoes on. Jongho viewed it as unnecessary since he would be faster keeping his shoes on sometimes, but Yunho disliked the dirt on the thick carpet that was a pain to clean.

As he still rid himself of his jacket, Yunho already wandered over to check on Jongho's progress.

"Oh, beautiful! Do you think that I should get colours to paint it? Mingi really likes colours, and I bet he would appreciate it!"

Jongho chuckled as he stirred his tea.

"It might clog the cogs, I suggestionise you not to. Shouldn't you know that, though?" His smug grin earned him an eye roll from Yunho.

"Lightning struck, as they say." Mock disappointed, Jongho shook his head about his foolish brother. Yunho countered his jest with a loving kick against his knee.

"How are things with Mingi going?"

"San basically kidnapped Wooyoung from the palace earlier to show him Qam. Those two are hitting it off. The lift is fully functional if you ever crave that canyon and want to revisit it. I'm sure you missing for a few days won't be as bad as the king chasing his two important advisors that run through Asora's streets giggling."

Jongho shook his head about the two of them as he also filled a mug for Yunho. They had gotten a new one, after all, even if they had possessed two to use after their father's death. The mug he had used became a memorial of him on the shelf, and Yunho now had a new cup.

"His leg is healing well, and Seonghwa even appointed the royal doctor to him to help him get better soon. Speaking of him, he wants to see you at the palace tomorrow." Yunho dropped down on the carpet when Jongho brought their mugs over. As they sipped their tea, Jongho eyed him full of wonders.

"Why?"

Yunho leaned his back against the wooden bed frame behind him. When he stretched out his long legs, they reached far through their little room and spread around Jongho's sides.

"He wants you to help at the disassembly or possible recycling of the machines down at the breeding ground. You're the ablest mechanic he has met so far."

With an arrogant roll of his shoulders, Jongho pushed out his chest just a little to gloat at the compliment. Yunho chuckled at him. Their bickering had been gone from their lives for far too long. Now that it had become a habit again to make each other smile with their stupid jokes that had been the same for years, both of them relished the fun.

"And did he already bury his father?"

Yunho nodded over the rim of his cup.

"He sent a few automatons there, and they collapsed the tunnel, as planned. Not as if there was much to bury apart from those few metal pieces."

The memory had Jongho shudder. Yeosang had told him afterwards that nightmares still plagued him, and the memory of his father's cruel eyes haunted his nights. When he slept with Jongho, things weren't as bad, but their busy lives didn't allow them to share their place all the time currently.

"Alright, thanks for telling me. I'll swing by there tomorrow. Hopefully, Wooyoung and San are back until then. Or else Seonghwa will talk off my ear."

Yunho agreed to that. Then, he glanced between the working bench and Jongho's stomach.

"Did you eat?"

"Nope."

When his brother set his cup down carefully, Jongho glanced at the window. The sky already tinted orange and pink as it lost connection to the day of light. He had worked for longer than he had thought.

"How about we get some food then, and you can continue afterwards?"

Jongho collected their cups to leave them at the kitchen corner. They would need to get some fresh water soon, so he snatched the big containers for that, too. As if he hadn't just come home, Yunho slipped into his jacket and shoes once more.

"I know this nice soup place at the corner," Jongho murmured as he fetched his own coat. Yunho inclined his head questioningly.

"The same as three years ago? To the right?"

"Yeah. It was around back then already?" Jongho shuffled past Yunho when the man held the door open for him. Immediately, he grimaced at the stubborn cold. The cities could use spring by now.

"I always went there after work. I like the chicken broth they serve."

Chuckling, Jongho watched him lock the door and slide the key into his pockets.

"What a coincidence. I like the same."

Yunho sent him a knowing glance. Then, the two of them set out together to get their broth. Indeed, they had spoken of the same vendor, and they even got a discount since the lady selling it was thankful for their hard work. She even mentioned how glad she was to see Yunho's face resurfacing. Jongho had huffed at that. As if he wasn't enough.

They returned with their soups back home to eat there. Yunho told him with a fond voice of everything he had heard from Mingi that day, and Jongho told him about today's errands before he had gone to work.

Time passed comfortably and without worries or grief. Yunho was the same as always, and he found his way back effortlessly.

Jongho wasn't bitter anymore. And neither was he alone.

And Zey had learnt not to be afraid anymore to reach out a helping hand for the greater good.

*******

Hello friends! Endless thanks to anybody who joined me here and gave me feedback! This is a very important work to me personally since I wrote it as I would write a novel and implemented a lot of content that I would also love to see published! Thus, your feedback here is extra important, and I hope that a lot of you enjoyed this style!

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Again, thank you for all your support, and I hope to see you again soon! Asorazey finishes here~

Update: This series is now available as paperback and e-book on several amazon marketplaces! If you like an original copy on your shelf, you can get it there ^^