Jongho frequented the gardens a lot. He liked their wide open spaces; in the regular courtyard as much as Seonghwa's secret garden in the moonlit cove. Though he preferred the pleasant chill of the night and the shadows between the mighty trees to the bustle of sparring knights and bustling servants, Jongho found his spot anywhere.

In the evenings, when Seonghwa came out to flee the duties of his day and clear his mind on his swing, he found him, together with Yeosang. They liked to... just be. There was no conversation, no need for an activity to keep their hands busy. The formless rock simply perched next to the walnut tree, relishing in nature and the memories of his home.

Seonghwa's gown whispered around his feet as if spun from moonlight. He threaded the stones ever so lightly, not wishing to disturb his two dozing companions, who had tucked away near the swing. Fireflies floated around the tall grasses, illuminating them with a ghostly glow. They guided Seonghwa's path, where the trees obscured the light until he could lower himself onto his swing. Peaceful, he rocked himself back and forth, an idol of serene contentment. The breeze greeted him, running its ghostly fingers through his hair and tickling on his tall ears. It carried news from the lands of far and wide, whispering to him about political unrests and rumours that populated the streets.

For a while, he listened, satisfied by how the kingdoms celebrated their renewed peace. When he heard enough of the demons arguing with each other, he whisked the wind away. It rustled in the leaves instead, playing a nightly melody for him.

"You are different when you are out here," Jongho noted. Seonghwa threw him a smile, not surprised that the other had been awake without letting him know.

"Am I?"

"You are always composed, always at peace. Yet when you are here, your tension falls away. Since there is no one you need to upkeep it for," Jongho explained. He shifted until a head was visible again from the unsuspecting rock. When he tilted it, his eyes flamed to life like will-o-wisps in the dark.

Poised as ever, Seonghwa tilted his head at him. He couldn't tell the difference. Whether he was alone or with others, he learned to mind his posture and expressions. He was always a vision of grace. It came to him as naturally as breathing.

"The difference is whether he does it for himself or for others. It's no act if it is part of him, but it comes naturally if it isn't expected. You have good eyes. It takes a lot of watching him to tell the difference," Yeosang chuckled from beneath his bark. "He's so good at hiding it."

"A talented actor," Jongho nodded to himself.

Amused by their wordless observations, Seonghwa crossed his legs.

"Then what do you do when no one is watching? When you hide from everyone else to find solitude in the gardens?" Seonghwa asked back. His eyes swiped across the greens and the flowers that tilted their heads in his direction, desperate to gain his favour by shining the prettiest.

"I enjoy your gardens. Especially this one. Though it looks overgrown, I can tell how much effort it is to tame nature this way. Where I live, few plants grow, but they are pleasant companions. I like the shade they spent." Resting in Yeosang's shadow, Jongho shifted to stretch out. He looked to be lying on his back now, his eyes focused on the shape of Yeosang's leaves that swayed in the wind and filtered the moonlight.

"Yeosang and I spent lots of time making them this way for us to enjoy. If you have any suggestions to improve it, you are welcome to tell us. Since you will be here often, we can consider your ideas."

Others might have been touched or honoured by that suggestion, but Jongho merely hummed.

"I will think of something. This garden could need a few more rocks. They balance the wilderness of your plants and store the coolness of the night. No crystals, though. I am fed up with those."

Seonghwa chuckled.

"I know the feeling. They look pretty, but they lose their charm if they surround you from everywhere. No, out here, we need regular and humble rocks such as yourself."

In a way conceivable for a golem with no sense of emotion, Jongho looked proud.

When the wind touched upon Seonghwa's ears again to whisper to him, he rose in a fluid motion. Emptily, his swing kept moving as if calling for someone to carry.

"Excuse me. Yunho is searching for me. Please enjoy your time out here. Perhaps next time we meet, we will find a few stone friends to add to our spot."

Yeosang waved a branch at him, gleeful of how at ease Seonghwa was with their fresh addition. As they returned to their being, the elf left the gardens. He had to shush its mourning about his departure.

In the entrance hall, he found Yunho, who was wandering the corridors with Buddy by his side. He had washed off the sweat from his sparring and looked rejuvenated. By his side, his dog's fur was bright from their bath.

How impractical of a hunter.

"Seonghwa! I have been searching for you," Yunho grinned when he spotted the elegant stride of the elf. With a twinkle in his eyes, Seonghwa slowed.

"You have?"

"I meant to ask you whether you wanted to join my evening walk with Buddy. He needs to get out, so he doesn't whine Wooyoung awake at night."

Again, what a peculiar animal.

Seonghwa nodded easily.

"Lead the way."

Yunho took them out through the front yard. It was night here now, so the fields were void of those who sought the sun for their activities. Once, a long time ago, Seonghwa had visited the sun castle, where Yongguk resided. He remembered the glaring headache after days and days spent constantly under the blaring light. The same way Yongguk felt ill in the dark, Seonghwa had hidden behind his curtains in the room, praying for the night to come.

In a comfortable stroll, Yunho and Seonghwa walked the meadows lining the forest. Buddy raced here and there, ever so energetic in his chase of the giggling pixies or the nicest stick he wanted Yunho to throw for him. The haunting beauty of the elf fit into the nightly air and yet looked out of place by the human's side.

"Back in the day, my parents used to go on my nightly walks with me. My family always had dogs, usually multiple. And they all wanted to run around the fields before nighttime," Yunho chuckled. His voice was muffled, respecting the privacy of their peaceful meandering.

Seonghwa listened to him. Like a goddess by the modest human's side, Yunho fidgeted when he felt inadequate to be accompanying such an untouched creature.

"When I became a guard, I had to leave my home to live in the barracks. I was lucky they allowed Buddy to come along. Dogs are always practical to have around. Until my comrades reserved sleep over going on walks with him, of course."

"But you enjoy them?"

When Yunho stared at him with big eyes, Seonghwa reworded his question.

"The walks, I mean."

"Oh, yes! They calm me down, and I see many beautiful sights whenever I am out at unlikely times. Sometimes a deer, sometimes a hare. On very rare occasions, a gorgeous elven prince." He grinned when Seonghwa stifled a smile in his hair. Yunho's hand twitched by his side, but he didn't dare reach between the veils covering Seonghwa's fingers.

Perhaps another time.

"I can walk with you more often, if you wish. Walks under the moonlight have healing properties." As did Yunho's easy smile when he played with his enthusiastic dog.

"There is no need! I know how busy you are, so I cherish the little time you dedicate to me. When I imagined you brooding over your papers all day, I tried my luck and it seems to have been on my side yet again."

"You should try it more often. Aside from politics, I am also your spouse. Though I may have seven, you only have the one. I wish to return those feelings to you. Political marriages are such miserable matters. We mustn't fall victim to their trot."

This time, Yunho's step slowed. His warm skin brushed Seonghwa's before his fingers curled around those of the elf. Callouses covered his hands from wielding weapons all the time, but his touch cradled Seonghwa like a feather when he pulled him to stand at the tree line with him. In awe, he studied the elf's features, his fair beauty.

"This is me trying my luck again. I feared I might overstep if I asked this of you, seeing as our ranks are so distant despite our bond."

Intrigued, Seonghwa waited for Yunho to overcome his rush of anxiety. Buddy dug around in the dirt, most unimpressed by their moment.

"Is it too much to dare hope to taste your lips in a kiss? I have been yearning for your touch since I first laid eyes upon you. And though I cannot believe how lucky I am to join your hand in marriage, I can't help but think of you every night."

Warmed by the sweet confession, Seonghwa stepped closer. Their bodies were only a hand's spread apart and, despite the elf's elegant height, Yunho towered over him. Hypnotised, he watched every movement of Seonghwa's lips when he replied.

"There is no need to torment yourself by withholding your cravings. If you'd like, I embrace your kisses."

Yunho's breath stuttered in his chest.

"O-Oh. I see. In that case..." He closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around Seonghwa's waist. Since he was so tall and the warmth of his body was so different from Seonghwa, he engulfed him like a furnace.

When Seonghwa lifted his chin and the moonlight reflected in the stars of his eyes, Yunho surrendered all resistance.

Their lips met in an innocent kiss, befitting of the night, and their tentative steps towards each other. Though Yunho's lips were warm as if on fire, their caresses were gentle. As he got used to the elf's cooling touch and breathed in his scent of the night and magic, Yunho pulled him closer to press their bodies together through their clothes.

Black hair cascaded over Seonghwa's back and became one with the night when he was kissed in the sweet autumn meadow by his human lover.

It was Buddy who parted them. Seonghwa was caught up in their kisses and in trailing his hands over Yunho's arms and shoulders. When the dog bumped into them with his stick to have it thrown again, they had to part with a giggle.

Yunho threw the stick, fondly grumbling at his dog for the interruption. The elf waited patiently until Yunho cradled his jaw and tugged him in for another peck.

"You are otherworldly," he marvelled, drunk on Seonghwa's taste as if it were ambrosia. "It was dangerous of me to ask. Now, my mind will wander until I find myself yearning to visit your bed chambers at night."

Seonghwa's blush glistened on his cheeks like stars. Awed, Yunho ran his fingers over them, tracing the patterns.

"I insist you try your luck often when you are with me. Yet again, you won't be refused."

Gulping, Yunho stepped back from him. He practised restraint as he called for Buddy so they could leave.

After a moment of sorting his thoughts and another mindless touch to his lips, Yunho smiled at Seonghwa. Even in the dark, his handsome features were a pleasure to look at.

"I will remember that, my Prince. But for tonight, let me escort you back safely. I cannot bear the thought of tainting your chastity yet."

Seonghwa didn't tell him he wasn't the first. Nor did he tell him how his body tingled ever since Hongjoong first laid with him.

Together, they returned on the way they had come. As they talked about the stars and their watchful eyes over Seonghwa's castle, Yunho was shy, though not timid enough to hide.

He parted from Seonghwa with another shy kiss before he retreated into his room. Buddy was quiet that night and Wooyoung voiced no complaints about them.