"I never would have thought to see you in clothes like this."

Seonghwa lifted his head from where he was digging for winter mushrooms in the snow. A few servants skimmed the area around him and their cloaks dragged in the white dust whenever they crouched to dig around the earth.

With an amused beckon of his chin, Yunho nodded down at Seonghwa. The elf wore the loose cotton pants fitting those of the servants, a humble brown to match the rare pair of shoes on his feet. His shirt was a washed-out beige and the laces stubbornly frilled open around his chest. Not bothered by the cold air, Seonghwa merely wore a wide-brimmed hat to protect himself from the sun glistening on the spread of white.

"I'm glad to surprise you every day anew," Seonghwa smiled. He noticed the lack of Aodhán on Yunho's arm after he showed the baby around the snowy gardens earlier. The last time Seonghwa saw them, Aodhán had been tugging at Yeosang's branches, practising his grabbing and yanking on the complaining dryad.

"I brought him inside since I didn't want him to get cold. As much as you strive in winter, I can see his light dwindle whenever he is out too long," Yunho said as he crouched by Seonghwa's side. "What are you doing?"

"Collecting mushrooms for dinner tomorrow," Seonghwa chirped, thankful for Yunho's attention on their child. It was not common among human fathers, especially towards sons. Human men preferred treating their sons as fellow men at an early age, dragging them to work and war.

"Did you get fed up with the letters?" Yunho chuckled as he watched Seonghwa dig around the earth with the gloves that were comically too large on his delicate hands.

"Sometimes mundane tasks help ground ourselves. Especially those concerning the scent of the earth. You can help," Seonghwa offered. He held a mushroom from his basket out for Yunho.

"Always check beneath for frills. It doesn't matter if they have chunks bitten off them either," he explained, patient with nature and its frivolities.

"I know just the way," Yunho chuckled as he whistled for Buddy. He scratched at the dog's neck as a curious snout buried into the mushroom. With a pant, Buddy took off and a moment later, his paws dug into the snow, keen on the scent. Yunho jogged along to retrieve the mushroom and Seonghwa went back to work with a smile.

For a while, they worked in peace. Yeosang emerged from the forests soon with a full basket and chuckled at all the holes Buddy dug. Once loaded with mushrooms, the three made their way inside to deliver their rewards to the kitchen. Seonghwa gladly stayed to help prepare dinner, needing a day away from papers and politics.

Yunho watched as Seonghwa and Yeosang danced around each other with practised ease, giggling over jokes only they understood and swatting at each other without heat. While he scrubbed the mushrooms, his curiosity mirrored Buddy's. The dog sat at their feet, begging for anything to gobble down even when it was no more than kitchen utensils.

"What was Seonghwa like as a child? Seeing Aodhán now and how refined he is even in young years, my hope diminishes that Seonghwa ever had a foolish side to him," he asked. After all, human babies took much longer to develop their understanding of urgency. For them, anything was urgent. Aodhán never cried, and he comprehended his task when Seonghwa handed him over to Hongjoong for their classes.

Yeosang pondered as he leaned against the kitchen counter. He matched the season and lost his leaves, but the evergreens adorning his shoulders were lush as always.

"It's been so long, I can barely remember younger Seonghwa. When we met, I was also a sprout."

"We used to be afraid of the forest. Even though Yeosang is a dryad," Seonghwa reminisced. Only if Yongguk was with them, they ventured between the trees and even then their towering height and long shadows made them shiver and flee.

"Your hair was shorter back then because you tugged on it whenever you got frustrated," Yeosang lit up. He giggled as he tried to imagine it now, and Seonghwa ran an elegant hand along his temple.

"Mother hated that, yes."

"When you were little, was Yongguk already an adult?"

Seonghwa nodded.

"Elves are grown up at the age of fifty. Yongguk is almost two hundred years older than I, so he lived in a grown-up body, even when his mind was still young. I remember him carrying me around the Crystal Palace and introducing me to the mounts."

Marvelling, Yunho splashed around in the water, mindless thumbs scrubbing at the mushrooms. Yeosang took the clean ones for Seonghwa to cut up and gathered them in a bowl afterwards.

"That's so old... By the time you are grown up, we start dying," Yunho muttered to himself. Then he lifted his head with a start. "Does that mean I won't get to see Aodhán become an adult? As healthily and safely as I live here, age will catch up with me while he ages so slowly."

Seonghwa chopped the mushrooms with gentle twists of his wrist, not as quick as the cooks, but swift since he helped so often.

"There is no need to fret. Elves know the formula to stop such ageing. It's the reason many are after our flesh and bones, thinking consuming us heals all ailments. The mages, too, have their ways. If you don't wish to die as your race dictates, you won't. I have the resources to allow you to stay by my side for as long as you wish," he soothed. "And to see your son grow up, of course."

He was so curious if something else already found its home inside his body. While he wanted Hongjoong to probe into him to find out, he called himself to patience. This time, it would be a surprise. Unless a child announced themselves with the presence of Hongjoong's magic, no one would know whose they were, not even Seonghwa.

"The prior emperor's human diplomat chose a peaceful death and was with his people during his last days. He elongated his life for a while, but then embraced death as part of his natural cycle. Don't feel pressured about eternity, either. You choose."

Yunho exhaled.

"I'm glad I don't have to make such a decision now."

"Take your time," Seonghwa hummed. "You are young and there is still lots of time for you to freeze the vigour of your youth in eternity. I will love you even if you grow old and brittle and I will stay by your side until the last day."

Touched, Yunho smiled to himself. He handed over the rest of the mushrooms and dried his hands with a nearby rag.

"Am I the only one threatened by age?"

"Wooyoung, too," Yeosang replied in Seonghwa's stead. "He ages similarly to you, though not quite as fast, and his body won't get as friable on its decline. Mingi and San age slowly, lasting centuries, but they might also wish to slow it to a stop. The rest of us are eternal already."

"Damn that sorcerer. He truly is an excellent evil," Yunho chuckled to himself, no anger carrying in his voice. Seonghwa gathered up his bowl and handed it to a maid. Yeosang flung a towel at him to dry his hands.

"Do not fear to stay behind. Even if we stop your ageing, so you may stay by my side, a blade can still pierce you. The same goes for me. In that regard, Jongho will outlive us all. He will tell our tale to the mountains to be remembered."

Awed, Yunho nodded. Even after his years by Seonghwa's side, he still regarded himself as a humble knight. Having such a lasting influence was beyond his expectations of life.

"What about the orcs and the nymph that came to see us? If they form an alliance with us, will you take more diplomats to your side? Or will that be Aodhán's task?"

"It depends on how fast it goes. The first few centuries of peace will be tentative, especially with the orcs. Depending on the situation, I might marry one of their kin to solidify those bonds. Nymphs, on the other hand, are patient and they share many common roots with us elves. I can imagine they will wait for the next joust to match our traditions."

Yunho lowered his eyes, unsure why that answer displeased him. He fed Buddy some fruit while Yeosang found the words.

"I was afraid for you then, but even more so imagining you'd marry an orc. You were lucky none of your husbands proved to be violent or greedy to the point of hurting you, but it's in an orc's instinct to break," the dryad grumbled. As split as the folk were about allowing the orcs near, Yeosang was on the opposing side from Seonghwa.

"We thought the same about the demons. That my demon husband would wish to rule and use me for his pleasure. Yet we met with our beloved Mingi. I cannot fault every orc."

Yeosang grumbled Mingi was incredible luck, but the brute orcs would make sure only their most despicable and violent participant would win the bloody games.

"Alas, that is a question for another day. We shall meet with the orcs soon if they follow my invitation and then we will learn if they are interested in such ties. Unless we come to a reasonable equilibrium, we won't risk an alliance."

Seonghwa cleaned up their working space and waved the other servants goodbye. On his way out, he handed his hat to Seungyoun, who appeared by their side.

His two husbands trailed after him up the stairs.

"I always trust in you, yet I also always worry for you," Yeosang sighed as they steered for the west wing.

Yunho made a sound of affirmation.

"I haven't known him nearly as long, yet I completely understand. While I know he is capable and makes the best decisions, I keep fretting."

"It's because you care about me," Seonghwa crooned. Yeosang ducked into the growing ivy. "And I relish it. Be assured that whenever I make a choice that means potential danger, I consider your wishes for my safety."

Though the two were shy, they were glad to hear he took care of himself. After all, he asked their advice often, even when none of them was as versed in politics as him.

They dropped by Aodhán's room, quiet as they checked on the slumbering babe. He clutched his favourite plushy of choice - it was a white dragon - and lay curled up on his side. His childish features were impossibly softer and squishier in sleep, and Seonghwa's soul sang with adoration for his child.

After pressing a kiss to the head of blond locks, Seonghwa let him sleep. He gathered with Yunho and Yeosang in the foyer.

"I shall change my clothes and see to the letters I have been ignoring. Thank you for joining me outside," Seonghwa smiled as Buddy received his parting pets. The dog eagerly snuggled into his gentle hands.

"Anytime. I feel I learned more about you today. It's a welcome change to talking about Wooyoung's first flight for the millionth time."

"Come on, it's amusing. He changes the story every time," Yeosang chuckled as he waved at Seonghwa. Before he could disappear, Seonghwa called after him.

"Oh, and Yeosang? Could you send San up to me? I have something to discuss with him."

Yunho glanced over his shoulder where he just opened the door to his room. His eyes were narrow with suspicion, but Seonghwa's blinding smile told him there was no need to worry.

Though he shuddered in exhilaration as he turned, the elf knew there was no running away. He could bear San's intensity, craved it even. Before the seraph had another chance to hide away, they needed to crash into each other and dispel the tension.

While he waited for San, Seonghwa changed his clothes and brushed his hair. He made sure he looked enchanting in the dim light of his room before he skimmed his letters and checked for relevant information. As soon as he put them aside, a polite hand knocked on his door.

Stomach in a warm pool of expectation, Seonghwa went to open it.