Hongjoong had to respond to far too many stupid questions after his brief speech. An hour later, he was finally done reassuring the seventh person that Seonghwa was not planning for some ambush on the mages and that Hongjoong wasn't trying to dismantle their newly regained autonomy since no decisions were made yet and even the existence of another empire was mere speculation as of now.

When he eventually got to leave, he was in disbelief about the foolishness of his mages. For being such intelligent and fast learners, they loved to conspire.

It was high time for a few general surveys to test the wit and logical thinking of his people, because it wasn't looking great after today.

Bothered, Hongjoong marched through the corridors once the last people left. He glared at every loiterer who was busy gossiping instead of getting back to work, but soon, the area cleared out and Hongjoong could make his way back into his room.

He stepped inside to find San with his kids still seated around the table. San had taken off his armour to eat, donning a pure white outfit below. They had finished their main dish, but left the cake untouched. San was busy explaining something to his kids instead. At the mage's entrance, all three of them looked up. Smaller versions of San peering curiously at the bothered mage huffing out a sigh.

"Stubborn bastards," he groaned as he closed the door, not minding if anyone heard.

San pursed his lips, not happy with the statement. Not that the mages were required to follow Seonghwa, but they put their fath in them. The more allies, the better. Especially since the Magus Maximus intended to stay at Seonghwa's side.

"Are they helping?"

"Reluctantly. Mages really only care about themselves, don't they?" Hongjoong chuckled grimly as he checked his message crystal. Several dozen people already signed up to join him. Not everything was lost, after all.

The strict expression on San's face twitched into a smile. He knew the feeling.

"Join us for dessert?" He offered to distract Hongjoong, but Hongjoong wasn't Seonghwa. He didn't need distractions. He needed answers and capable mages he could trust.

"Maybe later. I have to write a few blackmail letters first. Remind our magisters that I am their superior. Should have expected this and prepared them ahead of time," Hongjoong mumbled the last part toward himself, rounding the corner to his bed, parted from the rest of the room by a wall of bookshelves. He heard San tell his kids to stay seated, then his feet padded in the direction of the mage.

"Hongjoong," he called him, quiet but with that stern voice Seonghwa liked to use. Hongjoong ignored him, not in the mood for a nagging in his own home.

But a warm hand suddenly found his waist, slipping around him. The grip was firm, a warm arm settling against Hongjoong's back to spin him abruptly. Hongjoong made a noise when his chest collided with San's, his hands coming up on instinct, but they didn't push the angel away. Instead, they settled on a muscular chest lightly, appreciating the feeling too much to retreat.

San watched as the tension poured out of Hongjoong. As his gaze lost its steely hardness. Once he was sure the mage was happy in the dominant grip, he leaned down to brush his lips against Hongjoong's, only in the lightest of kisses.

It was fleeting, nothing passionate, but it was sweet. Hongjoong leaned into the touch and he felt his magic coil in his belly when San pulled back, satisfied with the touch.

This time, it worked. Hongjoong's rage mellowed out because he didn't want to be mad at San when he did nothing wrong. He felt safe in his hold. Warm. Knew he could be vulnerable and nothing would happen.

"Your efforts for this family mean a lot to all of us. Don't sell yourself short. You became someone we can depend on. If your mages can't trust you, they are fools. You know what's important," San reminded him, and Hongjoong looked at his fingers, painting lazy patterns on San's chest.

"Wasn't always like that, huh?" He mumbled, but he tried to recall Seonghwa telling him this exact thing. Hongjoong shouldn't be too hard on himself. He worked too much already, and nothing good came of exhausting himself. Not when Seonghwa needed him.

San also had to chuckle. His larger body dwarfed Hongjoong, not so much like Yunho or Mingi did, but in a way that made Hongjoong feel even more secure. The touch of another person was soothing.

"No. When we first met, you were a greedy bastard. You only cared about yourself and conquering Seonghwa," San chuckled, nuzzling Hongjoong's temple and breathing his scent. The mage calmed in his hold, secure like a little mouse in its burrow. It was unfair that San knew exactly what he needed to calm him down.

"Look who's talking. Arrogant prick," Hongjoong gritted back. He hated feeling weak, but he got so used to the support this family gave him. Leeched off it to replenish his energy to deal with stupid people.

"I'm glad things changed. Seonghwa may be the one you love, but I will lend you an ear if you ever need it. I hope you know that. You are not like other mages," San preached, and Hongjoong sighed when he ran his fingers up to San's collar, jerking him closer. He wanted to make a game out of it, wanted to hover close until San would chase after him and submit, but San's patience was steely. So ultimately, Hongjoong met him on his side and relished his soft lips in another kiss. So different from Seonghwa's. But feeling just as safe.

When he pulled back, San lightened his grip on him, ready to let go if he wanted to leave. Hongjoong smoothed out his shirt so the kids wouldn't ask questions and stepped back. His nod was grateful, but that was all San got. He had to read the rest between the lines.

The seraph looked happy with what he got.

"I suppose I'm aware... Either way, enough being sappy with the husband of my husband. Ready to attend that gathering?" Hongjoong asked, rolling out his shoulders to shake off the tension. San smiled at him, all sunshine and white feathers and dimples.

"Ready as ever. But join us for the cake first. I feel you will like it," he pleaded, and Hongjoong pretended like he didn't care.

"Have it your way, angel."

They joined the twins to eat the cake, and its sweet delight was exactly what Hongjoong needed to continue putting up with everyone's nonsense.

-

Hongjoong and San spent the night in the spire, comfortably sharing Hongjoong's bed after getting more than used to sleeping in the same space with their family. The twins slumbered between them, kicking and fluttering their wings with their dreams, but their movements weren't near as disruptive as Hongjoong had feared. He woke rested enough, and they ate breakfast while Hongjoong had an assistant prepare a satchel with the most basic potion ingredients and energy boosters he might need.

Once San put on his armour and the twins merrily chirped at Hongjoong that they wanted to learn magic without any idea what that might entail, they disembarked to their final destination. On their way through the portal, Hongjoong told the kids scary stories about young mages getting devoured by huge monsters or accidentally turning themselves into toads with no way back. The two looked close to tears by the time they arrived, and Hongjoong just chuckled evilly when San struck him with a glare.

While he was busy soothing his kids and promising them he would love them even if they turned into toads, Hongjoong used the time to explore around the woodland. It was in full colour during late summer, and the seraphim kept their promise and disregarded their borders with the gryphon-borns to grant access to a large area of foliage.

It was a beautiful forest. Lush and old, and mostly untouched by the war. It wasn't unlike the forests of Seonghwa's home, just without the added glow of magic. Hongjoong wanted to rest among the soft mosses and breathe the scent of the earth, but there was little time.

The first mages had already arrived and were placing wards between the trees that would allow no foes in, only their allies. They would blur their presence and noise, making them hard to spot for potential loitering goblins.

Not that Hongjoong was too concerned about those. Most fighting power of the empire would gather here. But it was best to keep any spies closed in, too.

Once the seraphim arrived, they would set up camp and bring provisions. There was no need or space for grand structures, so Hongjoong would find a clearing and secure that one as their middle ground.

His assistant had arrived already. Bringing important documents and his belongings. She was busy setting up a tent for the Magus Maximus using her magic, and it came along nicely. Hongjoong joined her briefly.

"An infinity spell on the tent, please. I want to fit my family in there. We'll also need protection from the weather and warmth for the humans. The nymphs need water. Any quells nearby?"

"We spotted one further west. Should we divide the forest into fractions to suit them all?" She was witty, asking the right questions and working quickly. Contrary to some of his other mages. Hongjoong had high hopes for her. That's why he took her under his wing.

"Probably for the best. Seonghwa will want them to mingle, but they can do that in the centre. We create a miniature empire here. Each with their places to retreat to. Keep in mind the humans and gryphon-borns will be rowdy and need a lot of space," Hongjoong hummed as San came over to participate in the planning.

"Yunho's people will probably bring their own tents. The rest are fine with beddings of magic. Seonghwa should arrive in a day or two, then he can direct us. We don't want their soldiers to clash while they sleep, each in their own cycle."

Seonghwa estimated the discussions to take up to two weeks. Some would not stay that long, only coming for a glimpse, but they needed to host them either way. At the same time, they didn't want to damage the forest.

"Understood. I will arrange with His Majesty," the mage complied, and she finished Hongjoong's tent for him to march into first while she dashed off.

He fixed some minor bothers, made it rain-proof, but it was nice. Spacious enough for all of them, with furs on the ground to sleep on. The twins snuggled right into them, rubbing their cheeks against the soft material. Hongjoong sealed his chest with a magical lock, just to make sure. Maybe he should have brought something to play for them.

But surely, the excitement of everyone gathering would keep them busy.

Purple lights lit the forest around their perimeter, making it clear for the other mages and all newcomers where to gather. Hongjoong noticed movement at a birch nearby and lifted a brow when he realised what it was. San also turned, expecting a rabbit, but the small golem that toddled at them moved with a determination that wouldn't mistake her for any other.

"Oh, Pebble? Who brought you here...?" San wondered, but she just stared up at them with those big, empty eye holes.

No answer. As usual. Hongjoong didn't create her mute and his magic inside her was powerful, but she just never wanted to speak to them.

"She might as well help us here. She makes for a good cornerstone," Hongjoong said, but the twins already came springing, excited to see her. They picked her up to sit on the furs together, playing their make-believe stories.

Good enough. Hongjoong gladly spared himself the extra trip to get their playing figures. When he used too much of his magic, he could feel his life force drain.

He and San took turns sticking around near the twins, each tending to their people and the preparations for the meeting. Working around San was easy, their communication wordless but immaculate. Things smoothly came into motion and Hongjoong already looked forward to seeing his Damiana soon.