Highly amused, Yeosang glanced from Seonghwa to Hongjoong to Hongjoong's pants and back to Seonghwa. Whenever he felt daring, he eyed the way their hands rested so close next to each other on their laps but didn't quite touch.

"So, I take it you found out?" Yeosang smiled with the innocence of an angel. Seonghwa was seconds away from growling at the man's cheeky face.

"Yes, I found out," Seonghwa grumbled. He had crossed his long legs and supported his head with one arm on the backrest behind Hongjoong. His face resting on his fist was shadowed with punitive seriousness.

"You're earlier than I expected. I figured you two would marry first and once the talks about your first child came up, the trouble would begin. Oh, it would have been such fun." Yeosang sighed like a bothered old lady. Hongjoong's eyebrow twitched. He leaned further into Seonghwa's arm to soothe both himself and the tense earl.

In all calmness of the world, Yeosang sipped his tea. The floral china looked ridiculous in his big hands.

"You think that low of me?"

Yeosang shrugged as he set the saucer and the cup down.

"It took you nearly half a year, even without my judgment. I believe that is quite long. Especially given that you are so quick to make deductions otherwise."

Seonghwa scowled at him. Through the fabric of his vest, Hongjoong felt his violent pulse.

"Why did you never say anything? From the very beginning, this matter should have been confessed."

Listening quietly, Hongjoong nibbled on his cookie. His hair was combed out of his forehead today, kudos to Jongho. Seonghwa had complimented it earlier, and Hongjoong had teased him it might not be as tantalising as a maid dress, but he tried his best. The flush in Seonghwa's cheeks as he directed his gaze at a wall had been worth it.

"Don't you think you would have overreacted if I did? On the contrary, from the beginning, you knew his name. Hongjoong even told me you found out about him on the first day, but your drunken stupor took the memory from you. How am I supposed to feel miserable when you were this narrow-minded in the opportunities you gave me? After insulting my friend so much for being born poor, how could I deliver another reason for you to hate him right to your eyes that were so blind?"

Yeosang's challenging gaze remained stubborn as he bit into his biscuit. By his side sat a bag he had brought with him to collect payment from Seonghwa for his subpar services. His moth-eaten gloves and shawl sat on it in their bleak grey colour.

"I trusted you! I figured entrusting someone to me who needed training for how to deal with the upper society was part of your scheme meant to punish me! I didn't expect a man!" Seonghwa lowered his voice when Jongho peered around the corner of the kitchen to check on the sudden noise. His fuming breath was hot against Hongjoong's hair, like that of a dragon.

"Well, friend, I know of your affairs. Perhaps I wanted to make sure no virtuous woman, no matter her social rank, would fall into your greedy hands? I tried my best and yet, look at you two," Yeosang mocked. Seonghwa flinched, but Hongjoong placed a hand on his leg in a comforting gesture. He hoped that whenever the rude accusation of having a male lover being a disgrace came up in Seonghwa's mind, he remembered San and how everyone appreciated him.

"What a tactless topic to bring up. You doubted my words from the beginning when I told you the rumour was the reason for my getting banished."

Yeosang hummed.

"Can't help it, earl. You must have developed a lot for Hongjoong to stop fighting you, but at the time of the exchange, there was no spark of honour in sight. I believe nobody but Hongjoong would have succeeded in this case; thwarted by you. With your re-introduction to your acquaintances' favour and Hongjoong by your side as a lover, didn't you win more than you bargained for? I say I put the right people together."

The couple shot Yeosang withering glares, but he took them with ease. As he cherished the sweets Jongho had put on the table, the thrumming of the rain on the window engulfed them in a peaceful ambience that didn't match the resentment shared in the room.

"I won't diminish your efforts, Yeosang. A deal is a deal. However, I find you abused my patience."

"I tested your patience. What is done is done. I believe both of you grew from this deal. I never expected you to thank me." Yeosang shook his head with mock self-pity. When he noticed Mingi peering at them from the opening to the kitchen where the red-hair sent strategic glances from time to time that were disguised in a dish-drying walk of boredom, Yeosang shot the cook a smirk. From his peripherals, Hongjoong saw Mingi duck away.

"As you say, what is done is done. I won't thank your tricks, but I will thank your unplanned help both in getting me to meet Hongjoong and in indirectly helping in catching the Ripper."

With a frosty nod, Yeosang accepted that.

"Was your lead back then correct, Hongjoong? What Yongguk said about Yunho?"

"It was," Hongjoong replied slowly. "When I went to visit Yongguk for more information, I found him already occupied with Seonghwa. The earl was faster than I concerning the gathering of knowledge."

Hongjoong peered at Seonghwa, only to find that the man had dipped his head. He hid the way he bit his lip bashfully behind his hair, but Hongjoong saw it still.

Yeosang's eyes burnt with questions, but Hongjoong didn't answer them. He wouldn't give the man the additional satisfaction of yet another thing to mock them for. Yeosang was no villain, but he was anything but a best friend.

"I understand. Glad to be of help. Now, how will this continue? Now that you two are so cosy with each other, I can imagine there is no wish to split apart?" Yeosang asked. His eyes focused on Hongjoong since he would be the one on the losing side if they parted.

Seonghwa hesitantly met Hongjoong's eyes. Surprised by the sudden question, Hongjoong blinked at him. He had thought about returning, but he hadn't considered Seonghwa's part of the bargain.

"I... I had wondered about that, but didn't dare bring it up yet," the earl said. His eyes avoided Hongjoong's gaze and instead stared at his collarbone as if trying to see the marks hidden by the fabric.

"After what happened with the Ripper, I despise the imagination of what could happen to you out there. I am not trying to make light of your trouble or your skill, but I would rather you live with me and use the opportunity of not paying for food or a home to find a middle-class job. It would soothe my fearful heart."

Hongjoong's thoughts fell short as he considered first. Living with Seonghwa didn't sound like the worst thing to happen, but it would disrupt Hongjoong's life purpose so far. His shady business of stealing, catching rats and selling his body would hardly be proper and get him into a lot of trouble.

What if he got recognised as Seonghwa's fiancée and their charade ended in yet another disaster? While the accusation of gayness sounded far less harsh than an affair to Hongjoong, it could ruin Seonghwa for good.

When he saw Hongjoong's hesitation, Seonghwa reached to grab his hand with no more need to hide it. Satisfied, Yeosang watched them as he got ignored.

"You could assume a new identity as lady Hongjoong's brother who came here to be close with her. I would make sure you get your peace and quiet as my fiancée and can work under a hidden identity in the city," Seonghwa whispered with begging eyes. His gaze flicked between Hongjoong's eyes and the lip he worried between his teeth.

Anxious, Hongjoong stared back. Despite his time here, he was entirely unused to a society other than his. He lost little in the slums from this upgrade, but he distrusted his confidence in the matter.

"We will find you something you can do and that is safer than down there." Seonghwa's thumb caressed the scars on the back of Hongjoong's hand. The uneven bumps in his skin stood out obscenely.

"I already have a suggestion for a name you could use, too," Seonghwa ended. A smile quirked around his lips when Hongjoong huffed.

"You really want me to stick to you," Hongjoong muttered, fond. It was still early in their relationship to discuss things like ongoing relationships and living together, but the earl's effort charmed Hongjoong. Seonghwa was not a man to waste his time on anything irrelevant. Hongjoong knew he meant a lot to him if Seonghwa planned their future in such detail.

"I do. It doesn't have to be now either. You have all the time in the world to amend. But while you do, please leave me a loophole to squeeze into."

"Why don't you two marry for real? You wouldn't be the first same-sex couple undercover." Yeosang suggested. Hongjoong had been so lost in Seonghwa's eyes, he forgot the other man existed.

"I can't live my life as a woman. I am by far not cut out to pretend to be one for an eternity."

Both Yeosang and Seonghwa nodded thoughtfully at that.

"So perhaps in due time, we can think about settling me in here to work from this place," Hongjoong muttered. When Seonghwa's face lit up like a candle, Hongjoong huffed a laugh.

Seonghwa squeezed Hongjoong's hand as if his life depended on it. Gratitude poured over from him as if Hongjoong did only him a favour. Refusing the deal would be a loss for Hongjoong's job possibilities as well. Seonghwa's offer might get Hongjoong into a balanced life where he didn't have to worry about food or about the cost of fixing his shoes in winter.

He also could make sure he wouldn't ever have to do someone a weird favour again.

"I wish you two the best of luck at making it work. Remember to come by from time to time to breathe some fresh air," Yeosang teased.

"Fresh air," Hongjoong scoffed. "Not in the dirt hole you call your shop."

Mock insulted, Yeosang put his hand to his heart.

"Already settling in the higher society's typical arrogance. You're cut out for this." The tobacco seller grinned wolfishly as he gathered his things in his bag. He put on his woollen bonnet that would protect his head from the coldness of winter, preferring it over the stylish hats Seonghwa fancied. Some mould clung to the corner that had already been patched up roughly with a mismatched shade of green.

"I shall leave you gentlemen to your plans for the future. May both of you find what you are searching for, whatever that might be. If you need cigarettes or some good advice, you know where to find me."

"What a bold assumption that I would return to you of all people if I ever returned." Hongjoong's bite got nothing more than a dry chuckle out of Yeosang.

"Suit yourself. And once more: you're welcome."

Hongjoong didn't like the man's connotation, but he let it slide. When Yeosang stood, both Hongjoong and Seonghwa followed. Jongho skidded from the kitchen to help Yeosang into his coat.

"I hope you will still invite me over from time to time. Or else I will have to miss this service of getting helped with childish tasks by handsome men," Yeosang chuckled as he buttoned his coat shut. Bashful, Jongho stepped back to leave the man his space.

"Depends on you," Seonghwa said with a roll of his eyes, but he didn't sound too mad. He acknowledged Yeosang's role in their business.

"See you next time, earl. Lady Hongjoong." Yeosang grabbed for Hongjoong's hand to kiss it but Hongjoong glared him down. Amused, Yeosang stepped outside into the evening. His breath wafted around him in a white cloud as he tipped his head to look at the stars shrouded by rain clouds.

"Beautiful night. You two should make use of it."

Yeosang didn't elaborate how that use looked as he waved them goodbye and climbed into Seonghwa's coach, that would bring him back to the outskirts of London.

Seonghwa closed the door with a sigh. When he looked at Hongjoong, both of them glanced away with shyness. Next time they talked about staying together, it would be in private and with their opinions sorted.