Hongjoong led Seonghwa by his hand. They exited the bathroom together, freshly washed and smelling of Seonghwa's soaps that were artfully crafted by hand. Wet curls cascaded over his shoulders and touched upon the innocent white dress that cradled the fullness of his stomach.

By his side, Hongjoong glowed in pride since Seonghwa looked so refreshed and shone in his very own hue. Everyone's gazes were drawn to him like moths to light, and Yeosang smiled in glee when the earlier apprehension had fallen off their moon.

San sprang up from the pit to join Seonghwa's other side. Together, they walked him over to help him sink into the pillows. The servants had spread out a large platter atop the table and filled it with food. Everyone had gathered around and got cosy. Mingi wore his loose, wide clothing and Wooyoung was curled up into his side, living lavishly as he snatched some grapes.

The rest had waited for Seonghwa to join.

"Excuse my tardiness," Seonghwa crooned. Day upon day, he was delighted to eat with them. They were ever so chivalrous, treated him as if they were courting him. Since Seonghwa never got to experience such romantic plays, he was flattered by their efforts.

Although he believed they were overly protective of his current condition. Though he hurt occasionally, he was mighty. They witnessed it once.

"We could wait for you for aeons," Jongho replied, meaning it, but its smoothness made Seonghwa shy. He giggled as he sat with them.

Fruit and hearty dishes piled between them on the table. The cooks paid prudent attention to Seonghwa's nutrition intake, yet met his cravings for his favourite foods. When his mouth watered at the sight, he beckoned at the others to go ahead.

"I couldn't wait for aeons. I would die," Yunho responded, just as realistic about it. He lifted a thin blanket around Seonghwa's shoulders, tucking it to his frame so his wet hair wouldn't invite a chill.

Endeared once more, Seonghwa caressed his hand in gratitude before he reached for the baked potatoes. Before his spine had to bend even an inch, nine different hands shot out to provide it for him. Hongjoong with his helping shadows was the fastest, and he smirked triumphantly at Wooyoung's huff.

Yeosang cut Mingi's meat for him. The demon waited patiently with his hands in his lap and his face directed at the clinking sounds on his plate. His hair fell softly into his forehead today, curling around his horns, and Seonghwa couldn't wait to run his fingers through it.

"How are you feeling? Yeosang told us what happened in the gardens." San addressed Seonghwa. Stern worry wrinkled up his forehead. Even when Seonghwa's suffering was intangible and even natural to this process, he felt responsible for any hardship he couldn't save Seonghwa from.

"Hongjoong soothed the little one. He is fast asleep now."

San nodded, but his concern had yet to wash away. It stubbornly clung to him and it would continue to cling until they weren't using Seonghwa's body as an incubator anymore.

Yunho threw a strict glance at Seonghwa's stomach as well.

"If he continues like this, he will get in trouble with us all the time. We will need to call him The Heartless Prince or something like that."

"I'm also heartless," Jongho threw in, educated. Mingi perked up.

"I have two hearts!"

While everyone discussed the number of hearts around the table, Seonghwa fondly dug into his meal. He had a healthy appetite, glad the human half of his child didn't demand him to eat meat. Seonghwa never ate it, thought the idea repulsive. If his son needed it, he best waited until he could chew it himself.

"I have been thinking about what to name him as well," Seonghwa opened and everyone calmed to hear his words. Buddy pricked his ears at the sudden silence.

"Is it... any better than Yunho's choice?" Yeosang asked with a cheeky smile. At Yunho's huff, they chuckled at each other.

"I know I'm bad with names. It was good my mother named me."

"Now I'm curious how low you would have gone had you done it yourself," Hongjoong teased.

Before everyone could squabble, Yunho left it and turned to Seonghwa.

"Tell us. I'd happily accept any name you give him. It can only be as breathtaking as you."

Seonghwa caressed his stomach.

"Since we expect him to become a magnificent emperor in the far future, I thought of Rhion, which means ruler in ancient human scriptures." Though he wouldn't become as powerful as he would be if Hongjoong were the father, he merged extraordinary powers along with Seonghwa's celestial roots.

"Rhion," Yunho tried. "I like that one."

"The other one occurred to me just earlier," Seonghwa hummed with a glance down. "But it's most fitting."

"Troublemaker," Wooyoung guessed.

"Hellspawn," was Yeosang's attempt.

"Already got someone who combines both," Hongjoong said with a glance at Wooyoung and this time, the gryphon-born crawled around the table to throw himself at the sorcerer in indignation. They went down wrestling for the upper hand, although both of them were more than able to use their tricks. Instead, they seemed more than happy to roll through the pillows with their bodies aligned.

Jongho's broad back kept Wooyoung's wings from whacking the food off the table.

"Aodhán," Seonghwa said. "It's another ancient word for fire or brightness. I can tell that he isn't the moon like I am. His soul is bright like the sun."

His father's genes, that Yongguk inherited, came through in Seonghwa's child. Oh, how he would have loved to share this with his brother. Circe must have had their child by now, but Seonghwa couldn't bring himself to ask about them. He wished them happiness, as much of it as Yongguk could find with his bitter existence.

"It suits his fiery disposition," San hummed. Hongjoong grunted in response, where Wooyoung pressed him down and perched on top of him triumphantly. He was about to squawk his win out into the world when the sorcerer wrapped his legs around him and twisted him around. The fight began anew as both of them were competitive to win, yet relished being pressed down.

Seonghwa chuckled about their antics.

"I will decide between those two once I meet him. Any other titles he can own with time." Seonghwa wouldn't call him the sun. That was reserved for Yongguk.

"Cheers to him. And to his healthy father who endures so much," Yeosang grinned as he lifted his cup. The others toasted and Hongjoong and Wooyoung resurfaced, ruffled, to join in. The heated glares they kept exchanging meant there was something to resolve later.

Seonghwa drank, at ease now that no fights among them were serious anymore. Even if they squabbled, in an emergency they would join hands or even fight for one another. If Yongguk's betrayal taught them one thing, it was to find their priorities.

They pondered more names and titles based on what they knew about the child's spirited attitude. Seonghwa indulged their questions about him, sharing their enthusiasm. After all, everyone was invested in him and the child, even those who didn't want to get caught up in the father role.

By the time Seonghwa tired and their plates were wiped clean, Yunho called it a day. He wrapped his arms around Seonghwa's blanket-clad shoulders and drew him against his chest. The elf - heart full and contented from everyone's company - rested his cheek against Yunho's chest.

"All right, time to let our prince rest. Could someone fetch Seungyoun?"

Hongjoong's magic opened the door to wave the servant inside without the sorcerer looking up from his cup. While the servants bustled about to clear the table and Yeosang and San helped hand everything over, Yunho swaddled Seonghwa in his embrace and stood from the pit. The sleepy elf floated in his secure arms before Yunho lowered him onto his bed.

"Be nice to him, little one. Otherwise, you will regret it once you see how beautiful he is," Yunho muttered. He pressed a kiss to Seonghwa's stomach, making Seonghwa giggle. Though Yunho was still in disbelief that he did this, fatherly pride suited his warmth.

Wooyoung opened the windows to ventilate the room with the cold winter air. In the meantime, Yeosang organised some water to put to Seonghwa's bedside in case he got thirsty during the night. On the other half of the bed, San perched at its round frame and tucked Seonghwa in.

"What else do you need? Want one of us to hold you during the night?" He asked. He glanced among them, tried to pinpoint for whom it had been a while and who could make demands.

"I'm fine," Seonghwa smiled. "Take a break, my loves. You tended to me so well."

San's expression told him he would never take a break from tending to Seonghwa, but he caved. When he stood, Yunho kissed Seonghwa's forehead goodnight.

"Rest lots. Now that the date of birth is drawing closer, you must save your energy," he reminded him. Seonghwa glowed in his pillows.

"I will," he promised. Though he certainly prioritised the child while his father remained on the throne for the occasional political manoeuvres, it was nice to be reminded to slow down and take a breath. Things had been fine for a year. They could do a while longer.

San shut the curtains around Seonghwa's bed and left him in the gleam of the night sky. A moment longer, they bustled around the pit as they gathered their things. Once Buddy rushed away, the others followed.

"Eventful dreams," Jongho wished Seonghwa. The others chirped their good nights at him and led Mingi along. Once the door fell shut, silence spread throughout the room. It was blissful, giving Seonghwa the feeling of slowing down after a day spent running. His lids grew heavy and his body relaxed, cradling his child against the soft mattress.

Yet, at the same time, something was missing. The warmth left, carried along with his husbands' lively affection. The room was too silent, too oppressively empty.

But Seonghwa really needed some sleep when he didn't constantly worry about cuddling his child too close to his husband. Or having too much distance from his husband because of his child on the reverse side.

For a moment, he gnawed on his lips. They were always only one call away. Hongjoong had a watchful ear on him, and he would provide Seonghwa with anything he asked for.

The idea struck him with a flash. A moment later, he swung his feet over the corner of his bed, mobilising his heavy body once more. His step was still graceful, still refined, but his shape made moving so difficult.

In his closet, he pulled out the trunk hidden behind his coats. It was heavy, but he lugged it over the cool spread of the quartz floor. The castle's song was curious as it accompanied him, and a moment later, he sat on his bed with a huff once more.

The trunk bore all the plush dolls he had hidden from his husbands. Now that he gifted San his own, there was no reason to be ashamed any longer. After all, they were precious friends, and they didn't mean childishness or weakness. Once his baby was born, he would adore his cuddly friends.

Seonghwa had many of them, amassed through the years. His favourite was the dragon bigger than him that curved in sleep for anyone to cuddle against. He had a unicorn, sheep, deer, and even a worn moon he had been gifted for his birth.

Fond hands trailed over each one of them as he spread them around his bed. His companions gladly made their return with their charming round eyes and innocent appearances.

Seonghwa just closed the trunk to leave it for tomorrow to deal with when shy fingers knocked on his door. From this angle, Seonghwa couldn't see who it was, so he stood with a groan and went to open it himself.

Mingi stood there, hair soft and tousled between his mighty horns.

"Good evening," Seonghwa greeted him. Mingi fidgeted.

"Umm, I know you just sent us away, but can I sleep with you? I had the overwhelming urge to hug you today." He hung his head, embarrassed by the revelation. Hongjoong and Wooyoung always had a witty excuse, some flirtation. Mingi was just himself, and his honesty charmed a grin from Seonghwa.

"Of course," he crooned, earlier determination forgotten. He had forgotten how to be alone. He much preferred togetherness now.

As he led Mingi inside, he glanced at his bed.

"I must warn you, though. We have company."

"Company?" Mingi echoed, alarmed.

"I took my plush dolls from the closet. Do you want to meet them?"

Awed, Mingi nodded and let himself be tugged along to be the first to be introduced to Seonghwa's loyal friends.