"I wanted to suggest a ride as today's group activity. All of us would the space outside these restrictive walls and we can get to know each other and the woods surrounding the Moon Castle," Seonghwa proposed after breakfast. He studied his husbands, who sat in their designated seats, instinctively having assumed the same order as last time. Mingi had hidden away in his room while Seonghwa gathered the others, but Seungyoun had been so kind to come and fetch him. His disoriented fork felt over his plate for his food.

"I like that! We will get mad while locked inside here and we don't want to fight each other to get rid of the competition," Yunho grinned with a wink at Wooyoung. The gryphon-born pridefully jostled his wings.

"The only ones driving us mad are you and your dog," he claimed. Petty, he snapped his head away when Buddy came to sit next to him and looked up at Wooyoung with those kind and loyal eyes.

"I would win such a fight," Hongjoong chuckled into his chalice. His free hand hovered near Seonghwa's on the table, and from time to time, his pinky stretched out to skim along the elf's skin. Not pulling away, Seonghwa studied his quieter companions.

Jongho had fallen into his state of dormancy once more. By now, Seonghwa was sure he listened; he just didn't bother to fuel any energy into the resting rock of his body.

Yeosang carded his fingers through his branches, plucking away the wilted brown leaves that spotted into his greens and oranges.

Neither of them looked put off by the suggestion, so Seonghwa got up.

"In that case, let us depart. Seungyoun? The horses and a picnic, please."

The head servant dashed from the room. While Seonghwa sent everyone to bring their coats, he idled with Jongho and Yeosang.

"How do you like the castle, Jongho? Did you notice anything I can improve to make it more liveable to you?"

Grinding stone mimicked the shake of a head.

"Quartz and I go well together. No need to change anything."

Elated by how uncomplicated he was, Seonghwa smiled at him. By Jongho's side, Yeosang looked more than pleased with their common trait. It was good to see him make new friends.

Once everyone had gathered, the group found their way to the stables. Passing through, they seemed more like a habitat for many mystic animals and their living terrains over being a building. Even the horses got vast meadows to be free on. A call summoned them to the elves, not a fence.

"Unfortunately, I can offer you no gryphon to ride," Seonghwa said as they approached the cart and the five mounts awaiting them.

The grin on Wooyoung's face was youthful and sparked with mischief.

"You might consider them once you met one."

Jongho, Wooyoung and Yeosang piled into the cart to stretch out. Two giant mountain sheep with curled horns pulled it, strong in their bodies and adept on the rocky terrain.

Seonghwa's hand slid across the flank of his beloved unicorn. The peaceful animal was always the first to respond to his plea, as adoring of the moon elf as he was of her. Her white fur glistened as if bedazzled by the stars and the alabaster of her horn bowed when she recognised his touch. With one elegant movement, he swung himself onto her bare back and buried his fingers in her mane.

A large black goat also offered itself to the proposal of a ride alongside Seonghwa's husbands. The mighty animal looked impatient, and its hooves scraped around the earth. When Mingi bumped into it, arching, black horns whipped around to him.

"Sorry," Mingi winced, sinking into himself. His hand patted the soft fur and lingered in awe, recognising their kindred.

The goat helped him get on, conscious of his fumbling blindness. As it stepped to Seonghwa's side without needing to be led, he bowed in gratitude and it bowed back.

Yunho climbed the sole regular horse, put off by the odd animals that had gathered otherwise. By his side, Hongjoong throned on the grey fox that grazed along his flank as soon as he arrived. When it rounded Seonghwa's taller unicorn, the tail of the fox languidly trailed around the mount and rider.

San approached the white deer that had come to him with a gentle hand. He let it sniff at him first, curious about his shining white aura. When it nudged at him with a horned head, San climbed on with an adoring smile.

No war mounts were needed for their harmless trek, so Seonghwa gave the signal to depart. In the beginning, Wooyoung sat in the cart with the other two, but he soon lost his interest and spread his wings to glide above the foliage trees instead. The flap of his wings accompanied the breeze playing with Seonghwa's hair.

Out here, it was tranquil. The spell of peace nature wove around them soothed everyone's jittery minds and brought them a sense of home. Elven forests were notoriously enchanted, and this one was no exception. As they rode under the trees that twinkled with the glistening of magic, Hongjoong breathed in the energy around them like air.

San marvelled at the forest with serene eyes, fascinated by the uncanny animals and the faeries that made it their home. Sunlight danced across the treetops and played with his hair to make it shine like spun gold.

Though Mingi couldn't see, he seemed to enjoy himself. He listened to the bell-like giggles of the faeries when Yunho looked at them and relished the scent of wood and earth.

At peace, Jongho and Yeosang rested in the cart. They didn't talk, didn't move, just became one with the world.

"You have beautiful lands. They adore you," Hongjoong noted with a glance at the flowers that yearningly turned their heads in Seonghwa's direction when he passed. He graced them with a smile and heard their little voices swoon in his head.

"Elves tend to nature. Though I am no woodland elf and don't possess the ability to become one with the forest, they all know the sky and the moon."

"You are like a goddess wandering amongst them," Hongjoong deducted. The wind played with Seonghwa's hair, brushing through the loose curls around his ears, and Hongjoong didn't resist their draw any longer to brush their fleeting strands with reverent fingers.

Seonghwa lowered his eyes, accepting the touch.

The winding paths through the forest took them past gnarly old oaks that whispered their secrets at them and chattering kobolds who played with a group of squirrels. When they spotted Seonghwa on his shining unicorn, they scattered in shyness but kept watching in secret.

Soon, they followed a rivulet through the woods bathed in the flaming colours of autumn. Wooyoung surged through the skies, stretching his wings as the wind carried him like a bird. San displayed no interest in flying, so Seonghwa didn't push him. The skies were endless and just as fond of Seonghwa. If San so pleased, he could fly anytime.

The rivulet ended in a dreamy lake that reflected a piece of the sky between tall grasses and mossy rocks. The turquoise water was clear and fishes played inside. When Seonghwa slowed his unicorn at the lakeside and dismounted, they swam closer to get an eyeful of the radiant star in their midst.

The cart pulled to a stop and Jongho stretched as if waking from a long sleep. Wooyoung drew spirals into the sky as he dwindled to join them.

Together, they spread out the blanket and distributed the food they brought. The six of them who ate toasted the delicious elven wine together.

"To our beautiful husband," Hongjoong smirked before they drank. Buddy happily sprung about the forest and returned to Yunho from time to time so Yunho could throw a stick for him to fetch. It kept the dog busy.

Though most of them had little to say to each other, the free space helped them clear their thoughts about each other. Wooyoung complimented the woodruff growing across Yeosang's arms, and San shared a piece of cheese with Buddy. Only once, Hongjoong complained about Mingi's long leg being in his way, but the demon retreated right away to curl into himself.

After a few hours spent out in the forest where each of them wandered about on their own to catch some peace, they packed up their things. Wooyoung, who had been trying to snatch fishes with his talons, jumped from the water and Buddy raced along with him.

"Thank you for today, Seonghwa. I feel it was much needed," Yunho grinned as he climbed onto his horse.

Seonghwa smiled.

"We all went through lots of sudden change. You are always welcome to flee out here for some time alone." His gentle hand caught Mingi, who had been trying to find his goat among the scattered mounts. The demon blushed and thanked him multiple times when Seonghwa guided him to sit.

"No need to thank me," Seonghwa assured him. Mingi's quivering hands buried in the familiar fur of his animal.

"I- I was afraid you would leave me out here," he confessed, almost too quiet to be heard.

Seonghwa trailed a worried hand over the goat's flank behind Mingi's leg. His silver rings glistened in the last sunlight of the day.

"Why would I do that?"

Unable to answer that question himself, Mingi shook his head. Seonghwa returned to his unicorn and beckoned the animals to follow him. This time, Wooyoung stayed in the cart, having played enough. He talked with Yunho about animals and the more they spoke, the more they sounded all too similar to each other.

Happy with today's development, Seonghwa guided them home. They left the mounts at the stables and climbed the stairs, all exhausted and looking forward to a bath. When Yunho offered to help Mingi take one, Mingi uttered he would rather do it himself. Thus, Yunho went with San.

Seonghwa retreated to his room for the night. He relaxed at the table under the open window and responded to the letters he received. Most congratulated him on his marriage, others were internal affairs to tend to. As he sorted them into their respective duties, he was glad to hear the castle was at ease and lulled everyone with its song.

However, a knock on his door delayed the end of the day. Seonghwa got up from his chair and his long robe flowed around him like water when he made for the door. Alone in the moonlit, white room, he was like a ghost. Soundless but oh-so otherworldly exquisite.

Hongjoong leaned in his door and held a bottle of the wine they drank earlier. The two colours of his hair mixed under the pale light and his eyes twinkled.

"I was wondering whether I could seduce you to drink with me, just us two? I enjoyed this wine, but I sought to catch you alone."

Seonghwa stepped aside and beckoned for his balcony. The small table outside was flanked by two chairs and they overlooked the forest and the vast night sky.

Hongjoong whisked two cups out of nowhere with a twirl of his finger. When they sat down together, he poured Seonghwa the wine by hand. From lidded eyes, he watched the elf take a tentative sip of the rich drink.

"It's an excellent wine," Seonghwa agreed as he sunk into his chair. The elegant lines of his face and neck were cast in a pale glow.

"I rarely get to drink in the tower. Especially so with breathtaking men."

Seonghwa's eyes found Hongjoong's and amethyst met topaz. The magic crackling between them was undeniable.

Hongjoong lowered his hand to trace Seonghwa's fingers on the table with his own. His touch was warm, and it tingled across their skin like lightning. Unpredictable, and full of danger. Through his lashes, Hongjoong peered at Seonghwa; studied the refined lines of his shoulders, the curve of his neck, the swell of his lips. Having seen the same expression on many others, though less veiled by fascination, Seonghwa tilted his head at him.

"I must confess my ulterior motives," Hongjoong stated as he leaned closer. Seonghwa could count his lashes in the dark. The moon engulfed them in a hue so magical even the shrewd lines of dark magic surrounding the sorcerer's black-clad body softened.

Seonghwa allowed him to slip his fingers between those of the elf. When Hongjoong lifted his hand to his lips to kiss it, his eyes never stopped watching Seonghwa.

"I am not repulsed by your ulterior motives. We are married, so I am willing to fulfil the duties my husband expects of me."

"What a magnificent being you are," Hongjoong whispered against Seonghwa's hand. When he stood, the elf followed, and the wine floated behind them to join them at Seonghwa's moon-bathed bed. Together, they sunk into the sheets to find each other in the night while all others long since slumbered.