Seonghwa and Hongjoong departed after another night at the spire. The mages didn't bother seeing them off, but Seonghwa overlooked their dismissive attitude. He was glad to come home and rather than the papers; he felt the progress he made with Hongjoong was much more valuable. When he returned after finishing his business to hold Seonghwa close during the night, he had nuzzled his nape fondly.

Well-rested and motivated to find out more about his other husbands and their respective homes, Seonghwa made his way through the mirror the next day. Hongjoong lugged their things along and they floated behind him through the door in a line, blocking their arrival committee as he sorted them into his room. Once he was gone for his usual mischief, Wooyoung, Yunho and Buddy piled inside. With eager eyes, they waited as Seonghwa shed his cloak and changed into his favoured white gown to wear at home.

"How was it?" Yunho asked as soon as Seonghwa came their way. He hugged them, happy to see them back and though Wooyoung made a face at the magic sticking to him like honey, he cradled Seonghwa's waist with firm arms.

"Quite charming. Mages are fascinating fellows and Hongjoong is an excellent host," Seonghwa hummed as he bent to pet Buddy. The dog licked all over his hand and Seonghwa welcomed the friendly kisses.

"I'm sure he was super boring, but you say this to preserve his honour. You got the treaty signed?" Wooyoung spoke fast as ever and once more, Seonghwa had to accustom to it. They trailed behind Seonghwa when he made for the dining hall to share breakfast with everyone.

"Not at all. We had wonderful conversations with each other and the readings of the spire are rare, even for us elves."

Everyone but Hongjoong had gathered, and they greeted Seonghwa with sweet smiles. Yeosang cheered quietly for him.

They sat together to eat, and soon, Hongjoong also joined. He threw his usual mocking smirk at the others, but when he sat by Seonghwa's side; he concentrated on his food. Underneath the table, his foot brushed against Seonghwa's as it sought a subtle touch.

"How has everyone been in my absence? Is there any urgent matter I shall tend to while I'm here?" San and he planned to leave the same day. The seraph had prepared accordingly and sat in polite wait until Seonghwa was ready.

"We missed you!" Wooyoung chirped, cheeks full and round from his food. Endeared by his sparkling eyes, Seonghwa chuckled before he beckoned the servants to bring more of Wooyoung's favourite mead.

"I missed you, too," he replied, smooth like a river, but it had so much more effect than their words. Wooyoung clutched his heart and San ducked his head. Even Jongho glanced at his chest in surprise and Yeosang acted out being shocked. Yunho grinned brighter than ever before and a deep blush filled Mingi's cheeks.

"Things went marvellous. We had some time to spend by ourselves and explored the palace and Seungyoun was a great help," Yeosang explained, ever at ease with the palace, but he was pleased with how the others learned to regard it as their new home. Not that they were required to stay even after the papers that bound them during Seonghwa's regency were signed, but Seonghwa enjoyed their trust.

Though he couldn't tell if the situation might tense this time with Hongjoong there. The sorcerer improved his behaviour, but only towards Seonghwa. If Wooyoung and he clashed in the corridor, there was no one he would listen to and stop.

"That is beautiful news. Thank you, Seungyoun," Seonghwa said across the room at the idling servant. He bowed deeply, but a shy smile snuck upon his lips.

"I will be busy travelling around the kingdoms for a while, but I hope you all stay patient until my return. I will make it worth your wait."

A chorus of motivated agreements answered him, mixed with assurances he shouldn't worry too much about them. Seonghwa accepted them with warm grace.

By the time he turned to San, the seraph's eyes already rested on him. The intensity of his gaze chased a shudder down Seonghwa's spine and he almost glanced away in lingering embarrassment. The cutouts of the man's white top had his eyes wandering.

"In that case, shall we get going?"

San stood from his chair in a fluid motion. His muscles rippled underneath his skin, taut with control and refinement. He pushed his chair in so the servants didn't have to while Seonghwa rose.

"I have everything provided for our journey. Please bring a coat once you get dressed," he asked. Seonghwa nodded.

"Then I will see you at the window as soon as I am ready. You others, take care. Don't fight with Hongjoong too much."

"Your castle will burn to ashes," Yunho predicted with a shudder. He snickered when Hongjoong glared at him.

"And you, Wooyoung, be on time with plans, yes? Don't forget just because I'm gone." Seonghwa skimmed his fingers through the softness of his grey hair. The gryphon-born jostled his wings, happily leaning into Seonghwa's touch. He wore the ring Seonghwa gifted him on his finger at all times, adamant about never parting from it.

"Yes, yes. I am pretty much finished," Wooyoung waved it off. Seonghwa hummed along, not convinced.

He waved at the others on his way out, and Buddy came to spring around him in goodbye.

"See you in a while. Goodbye, Mingi," he called, attentive to him since he couldn't see the waving. Mingi ducked behind Yunho.

"C-come back safely," he uttered, almost too quiet to hear since he put no weight on his request. Yet Seonghwa had to smile.

"I will. Take care."

Jongho's grinding hand, waving left and right next to his empty expression, was the last Seonghwa saw before he turned. His heart was warm with his affection for them. They felt the same way his family did back in the day when Seonghwa returned from a trip for his studies and got greeted at home. The same way Yongguk sat by his side when he was sick and the way his mother took his hand when he was scared of all the eyes on him in public.

Seonghwa's heart sang for having people to return home to. They all looked forward to him and cared so much.

San studied his profile as the elf smiled to himself, but he didn't comment. Their ways parted in their rooms where Seonghwa got to pick out the clothing most suited for the Vault of Heaven.

He went with a white gown that pooled around his feet and dragged behind him for another step's length. This one was corseted at his waist and he tied the laces shut with delicate fingers. The sleeves hugged his arms and dipped from his shoulders, leaving his collarbones free to be decorated by a necklace bearing small, irregular amethysts. They dusted across his skin like snow on the untouched earth as he tugged his golden brocade cape from his wardrobe. It closed at his neck and bore a second layer to warm his shoulders.

Warmed by the heavy cloak that reached to the mid of his thighs, Seonghwa stepped outside. Seungyoun had updated his travelling chest into a bag for this journey and the spun silk rested by San's feet when they met.

San looked dashing at ever, sending a curl of something hot to make its home in Seonghwa's stomach. The seraph wore blinding white clothes to match his wings. He left his armour since it wasn't needed for a diplomatic meeting, but bore a golden cape that hung off his left shoulder and matched Seonghwa. Like a ray of light, he contrasted with the pale moonshine.

"Shall we?" He offered his hand to Seonghwa and, for the first time in a long while, Seonghwa wobbled in his step on the way to take it. If San noticed, his sharp eyes didn't twitch with a reaction.

Seonghwa's hand slipped into his. The sleeves of his gown connected with rings around his middle fingers, and San elegantly touched his lips to the fabric. Never had Seonghwa wished it away so badly.

"We will take the horses of the skies to travel to my home. Though the journey might be unpleasant for you, please bear with me and trust my expertise. You won't fall," San pleaded, where he remained bowed over Seonghwa's hand to look up at him.

Seonghwa nodded, too enraptured by the seraph to mind the quality of their journey.

"I am in your care."

The pout of San's lips tugged into a smile. When his dimples appeared, Seonghwa had to glance away at the lurch in his heart.

The hand that came up to push a strand of his mostly open hair back behind his pointed ear trembled.

San led him up the stairs to the vast terrace between the towers. There was some space for reading and sitting under the night sky and Seonghwa much preferred it over the blinding meadows out front. Now that he looked at it again, a dragon fountain might make for an excellent addition.

San whistled through his fingers, a penetrating noise that startled a bird from a tree down in the gardens. His companion must have been near, for it didn't take another minute before a large creature already came sailing through the night. It shone a brilliant white in the moonlight and its magnificent wings were stretched to carry the body of a horse through the breeze.

The pegasus landed with a gentle clop of hooves and ruffled its mane before it came over to them. Folded, its wings looked almost like San's.

The seraph received the reminder of his home with a gentle hand. As they greeted each other, he nodded at Seonghwa to pet the mount. Their introductions were full of awe for each other. Seonghwa pulled back when his pinky accidentally brushed San's hand.

Like elven mounts, the pegasus had no reins since it heeded the call of the seraph out of the kindness of its heart. When San rounded the animal to sling their bags over its shoulders, it angled its wings so he could access its sleek back.

Safely tucked between the pegasus' neck and wings, the bags dangled in place. San held his hand out to Seonghwa and the elf ran his fingers over the animal's flank, thanking it for its service in bearing them.

Not one to shy away from sitting spread-legged when he wore a dress, Seonghwa climbed into place in front of San with the guide of the seraph's steady hand. He tugged the flaring fabric down as far as it would go, but San's heat pressing against him a moment later would keep him warm. The angel's warmth was unlike that of other races. It was like the sun and though Seonghwa associated it with torture; he embraced this since it was only the light that blinded him.

Strong arms came to wrap around Seonghwa's waist. The elf's breath stuttered when he felt dwarfed in the best way by their size and power. San held him politely in a grip both secure but never inappropriate. His broad shoulders enveloped those of the elf.

When he leaned forward, Seonghwa automatically came along. San's fingers slid down the pegasus' neck and when he spoke, his warm voice was so close to Seonghwa's sensitive ear that he froze up. He wanted nothing more but to tug his hair from that shoulder to gather it on the other side, making space for San to kiss and nibble at his pale skin.

With his hands buried in the pegasus' mane, Seonghwa scolded himself to behave. San was the pinnacle of manners and virtue, and he had no interest in such carnal desires. If Seonghwa hadn't tasted lust's ambrosia, he would be the same. They were above such animalistic cravings.

So why did Seonghwa seek the seraph so much? To see him unravel how he did? Or was he selfish in his desire?

When the pegasus stepped to, those thoughts fell off Seonghwa. He held on tight as they galloped across the terrace and leapt over the railing into the open air. The wind below the pegasus' wings caught them and they rose into the sky above the Moon Castle as if they sought to touch the stars.

Swaddled in San's warm embrace, Seonghwa got comfortable for their journey and concentrated on preserving his sanity.