Please admire with me the Dryad Yeosang art my sister made for me!

*******

Seonghwa didn't find the time to talk to San before he departed to the Glistening Walnut Grove with Yeosang. After rushing through the morning since Yeosang was convinced he needed no luggage to bring, but they needed food for the journey, they ran late on their way outside to the stables. Hongjoong helped as much as he could in gathering provisions with his invisible forces, and Seonghwa pressed a fleeting kiss to his lips in thanks as he shrugged his coat over his shoulders.

"Be kind to each other," he asked of Hongjoong as he mounted his unicorn. Yeosang sat in front of him as the littlest amount of tree possible, only a few flowers sprouting from his green skin.

"That depends on them," Hongjoong smirked before he waved them goodbye.

"Have a safe journey."

"We will." With that, Seonghwa steered his unicorn outside to catch up on the time they lost with long leaps. As they galloped through the woods, Seonghwa's green gown fluttered behind him.

Yeosang snuggled into Seonghwa's arms, content to be held. The forest dwellers greeted them, chirping and squealing to beg their attention. While Yeosang whistled back at some, Seonghwa had no time to indulge their excitement. They chased through the thicket, ducked low over the unicorn's neck so its horn would brush all stray twigs aside for them.

They had no certain time they needed to arrive at the Glistening Walnut Grove, but the way was far and Seonghwa hated to be late. Relief lightened the line of his shoulders when they caught up the time they stalled and the familiar noise of a river trickled upon their ears not long after leaving the Moon Castle. Seonghwa sat up with his arm wrapped around Yeosang's waist, slowing their pace when they neared. Yeosang cradled a squirrel in his hands, which curiously peeked along their travel route.

Two of Seonghwa's servants had prepared the boat for them that would take them further land-inward. They stood in wait at the elegantly shaped wooden frame. A canopy spanned around its back for protection from the weather and the curled tip cradled a lantern full of sun crystals that shone their way in a soothing orange.

When Seonghwa slipped from the unicorn, the servants bowed to him.

"Your Highness, we have prepared everything you asked." They beckoned at the blankets and pillows for resting and the tall rudder fixed to the back of the boat so they could steer the forest rivers. A map lay rolled up and tied shut among the furs.

Seonghwa's unicorn trotted to stand with the servants' mounts until they returned home. Guided by Yeosang's hand, Seonghwa stepped inside the swaying boat.

"Thank you. I will send for you once we return," Seonghwa smiled at the two elves. They nodded and saw them off before they retreated.

Once they floated down the overgrown river at a leisurely pace, Seonghwa allowed himself to relax. Yeosang left the squirrel in the forest and now hummed at their homey surroundings. Awed by their presence, the trees whispered to them and promised safe passage.

Seonghwa relished in the soft breeze and the licking of the river against the keel of their boat. For a few moments, he closed his eyes and relished the tranquillity of the forest. It smelled of pine trees and hazelnuts and the gentle rocking of the water lulled him into a serenity he missed in the past moon.

Or perhaps it was Yeosang's company. Seonghwa couldn't relax that way around anyone else.

After some meditation, Seonghwa opened his eyes to seek Yeosang. The dryad fiddled with a loose branch fallen to the boat, peeling the bark off and greeting the bugs digging around the wood.

"Nervous?" Seonghwa asked when he picked up on the jerkiness of Yeosang's movements. A bird sat in his crown, hopping around to bless them with its warbling.

"Not at all," Yeosang exhaled, dropping the stick. The bugs inside went on a journey around the boat.

Seonghwa retrieved an apple from their bag with provisions and handed it to the other man. Its juices dribbled over Yeosang's chin when he dug his teeth into the crunchy skin. He hummed, pleased by the right balance of sweet and sour. Seonghwa packed those just for him.

"You've never been there. Not since you can remember, at least. It must be scary to return to a place that sees you as theirs without having ties to it," the elf hummed. His gown cascaded over his sides when he crossed his legs. Elegant fingers played with the berries he picked for himself.

"One less reason to be nervous about it, no? That place is as new to me as it is to you. If something of me lingers there, be it a parent, a memory, or even a trace of myself, it holds no worth to me. My home is in the Crystal Sphere. You are my home. You always have been." Yeosang snapped his gaze away, embarrassed at admitting those words out loud.

Seonghwa chuckled. The dryad made the effort even when both of them long knew. The prince couldn't help but find it adorable.

"Then there is no need to be scared. I will be by your side and no matter what you experience, I am your home to return to. Even if you stayed with your people and catch up with them, I will await your return." He tilted his head, voice softening further. "That's what I'm here for."

Yeosang drew his legs to his body and placed his cheek on his knees to face away from Seonghwa. The blush he hid so stubbornly took a while to smoothen out. In the meantime, Seonghwa relished his berries and the peaceful forest that drifted past. Compared to sailing through the skies, entering the forest through the sporadic beams of light that filtered through the trees and danced in the air was a welcome change.

"Hwa, I've been wondering. I asked you before how you make it work with them all. Now that I heard some... Rather explicit details, I want to ask again. Are you fine?"

Seonghwa put his hand on his chest, listening to the sound of his heart. His soul soared in delight, in love with the meaning of affection and the happiness his husbands unknowingly gave him. Physically, he ached from the time spent in Wooyoung's hayloft, but he was healthy. His body changed after he had started sleeping with them. He felt his hips got more flexible, his muscles less stiff. His insides, too, adjusted to accommodate them inside, offering a place of warmth and safety. In a way, his body grew up again after time passed for him to become an adult.

Seonghwa's ears blushed when he trailed his hand down his stomach, settling on his abdomen where he felt them inside. The heat, the touch, they all lingered, like a ghostly memory promising more.

He wasn't addicted to their hands on his body, but he had come to desire them the same way they desired him. Healthily so, craving their touch and their heat.

"They filled a void I hadn't been aware of. My body ripened to receive them and now that the bond is made, I welcome their embraces with the same fervour. I doubt that would have happened if I hated them. I feel safe with their touch."

Yeosang cleared his throat, but the fist in front of his face couldn't hide his grin.

"Those are some heartfelt words. In all the years we spent with each other, I never once considered anyone having you that way. You seemed untouchable. You still do, but as you said, you now carry this mature glow."

"I would be surprised if you thought about me that way. And there was no reason to, as it never played a role before them. Did you imagine now that things changed?" Seonghwa cocked his head. His smirk was cheeky, relishing in the murky blush below Yeosang's cheeks. The dryad had always been shy, and though Seonghwa lost his mischief with the years, he couldn't help but slip back into the habit after spending so much time with Wooyoung. He understood the charm of seeing others duck.

"I had to think about it since I needed to assure myself you knew what you were doing and would be fine. I wouldn't forgive myself if I married you for your comfort and then watched as those wolves ripped you apart. Seeing you handle them so well and still finding your comfort shouldn't have surprised me, knowing you, but I am your best friend. I was worried."

Curious about where this was going, Seonghwa listened to his rambling. Yeosang's voice was deep and scratchy, the voice of one who talked little in his lifetime. Usually, Seonghwa was the one who babbled, while Yeosang listened with a serene smile.

"I was reluctant to learn more last time since the thought weirded me out, but I thought about it again after Yunho so blatantly invited you in front of us all."

Seonghwa waited patiently, but Yeosang tripped over his own thoughts. His mouth opened and shut before he frowned, unable to continue.

Seonghwa leaned forward to play with Yeosang's leg, that was stretched out by his side. He skimmed his fingers through soft mosses and the enthusiastic stalks of daisies wrapped around his fingers to greet him with kisses.

"What are you trying to say, Yeosang? Tell me so I can help you."

Yeosang fiddled with the bark again, avoiding Seonghwa's eyes. This wasn't new between them. They could always talk with each other, but many of those talks had to happen in the dark or facing away, so they had space to gather their courage.

In tune with Yeosang and the distressed coils of his poison ivy around his shoulders, Seonghwa lingered.

"I... I saw them fulfil those roles, making you happy as husbands are supposed to do. I couldn't help but wish to do the same for you. To make you happy as a husband, not as a best friend," Yeosang told his lap. His shame darkened his cheeks, and the vines spread to hide his features from sight.

Seonghwa's breath got lodged in his throat but he didn't make it known. Silently, he resumed his breathing.

"We kissed once, if you remember. When we were young and inquisitive about what it was."

Seonghwa remembered that day. They had been out in the gardens and giggled all evening about some other nonsense. That was before Seonghwa had fully grown to his height. They discussed adults and how they liked to kiss each other, so they tried it, curious about the magic.

There had been nothing, just bumping noses and more breathless laughter. But this one was different. Now they knew what it meant. They knew who they were. And Seonghwa's fond heart softened when Yeosang was insecure if his feelings had changed.

"I don't want to ruin our friendship. But I want to try. If I feel I should be your husband or your friend. So long as you are comfortable with that. I can also shut up," Yeosang stuttered. He buried his face in his hands.

With a chuckle, Seonghwa crawled to his side of the boat to sink to the floor next to him. His hands cradled Yeosang's face, freeing it from the clutches of his branches.

"My precious Yeosang. Once more, I am humbled by your care for me. Of course, I am fine to try it out. Let's soothe your agitated heart."

Yeosang's hands trembled when he reached for Seonghwa's wrists. He kept them trapped in place, vines intertwining as he was afraid Seonghwa would laugh at him and pull away.

Though Seonghwa never would.

Yeosang's big, worried eyes grazed Seonghwa's features when he tilted his head. The dryad had watched the prince mature, but he never once had to halt to marvel at his beauty. At the fair moonlight of his skin; at the night sky of his hair. At those eyes that twinkled with the brightest stars.

Yeosang was painfully aware Seonghwa was breathtaking. And there was nothing he could do to refuse his magnetic draw as Seonghwa leaned to kiss him.

Their kiss was chaste. It wasn't surging and grabbing like the ones Seonghwa shared with Hongjoong and it wasn't lewd and suggestive like Wooyoung's. They were careful with each other and their feelings and navigated through the twines obscuring the path to their hearts. Shy movements brought them closer and Seonghwa had patience with Yeosang's inexperience as Hongjoong did with him.

Yeosang shuddered in Seonghwa's arms and Seonghwa let his lips trail away, placing one more peck on Yeosang's quivering pout that asked for more. He smiled, hovering near so Yeosang wouldn't feel distanced until his eyes fluttered back open.

Tentative, Seonghwa sought his eyes. To him, nothing was different, but he wasn't the one who addressed the matter.

Yeosang's eyes fell to Seonghwa's lips and dragged back up, throat bobbing.

"You are good at kissing," he whispered.

"Good enough to sway your heart?" Seonghwa asked with another cheeky grin. This time, Yeosang gently shoved him away.

"I fear not. I want to make you happy in any way I can, but I think my role will remain as it was."

Relieved, Seonghwa bumped their shoulders together. Yeosang's smile was back.

"Welcome back, best friend," he grinned, and Yeosang brightened from his prior fear.