Aodhán kept some secrets from his family because Seonghwa caught him trying to stand two more times on the same day. He could hold on to furniture to guide himself along and though he always lost his balance after a moment and didn't dare step away from his support, he seemed to have practised in secret while trying to climb out of his crib.

Needless to say, Seonghwa was incredibly proud of him. He sat with him on his bed in the evening, kissing the giggling boy's rosy cheeks as Aodhán tugged on Seonghwa's hair.

"You lovely mischief. Already learned how to fool your father, didn't you?" Seonghwa hummed. Aodhán lost his interest in milk by now, much too curious to try all the other flavours offered to him. He liked when fruit puree was sweet, but he didn't like when it carried the bitter tang of unripeness.

Aodhán babbled, sharing his glee over having tricked Seonghwa over the link of their souls. He was a playful one, even at such a young age. But he preened on being praised.

"Can't believe I got two of you now. Here I was, thinking San would be your favourite uncle," Seonghwa chuckled as he packed the scampering bundle under his blanket. Aodhán was too restless to sleep, but he could easily be caged in with pillows and plushies. They had a long day outside in the town today, so they needed rest before their return to the Moon Castle.

"Go to sleep and have sweet dreams, my precious one." Seonghwa turned on his back, unable to sleep on his stomach since it swelled so much. It wasn't so much in the way yet he had trouble standing up, but his second baby had a healthy development. By mass alone, Seonghwa could tell they would be less elfin. Perhaps they were San's?

Seonghwa just closed his eyes to dream about his family and carry his happiness with him to share with Aodhán, when a door banged outside. If he were anyone else, Seonghwa wouldn't think much of it, just assuming Wooyoung was being rowdy again. But the voices calling over each other had him jerk up in bed. Displeased, Aodhán blinked bleary eyes, rolling toward his father as Seonghwa sat alerted, ears strained and hand poised to yank the dagger from his bag.

But the voices were familiar, and they didn't sound to be arguing about an intruder.

"What the stars is going on out here?!" Yeosang hollered a moment later, casting silence over the messy corridor. Seonghwa sat in wait.

"That buffoon-" Hongjoong started, and a whimper mixed into his muttered curse. Worried, Seonghwa picked up Aodhán and made for the door. He blinked against the light outside, finding most of his husbands gathered in the corridor.

Hongjoong's door stood wide open, showcasing the mess inside. He brought the most important equipment for his spell-casting and brewing along for the trip to the Crystal Palace, but his precious cauldrons were toppled over, the summoning circles ruined. The sorcerer stood with a hand covering his face, bothered over being edgy.

"What happened?" Seonghwa asked, finishing a worried headcount. If Hongjoong accidentally sent Wooyoung into a parallel universe... But no, the gryphon-born stood perplexed and in one piece at the door leading to his room.

"That fool blundered into my table and doused himself in an unfinished potion," Hongjoong groaned. Immediately, Seonghwa crossed the corridor to peer into his room. He heard Buddy's whimpers somewhere and found him seated in a corner next to his tall owner. Yunho cowered into the wall, head in his hands.

"Yunho?" Seonghwa inquired, but only a tormented whine responded to him. Unsure if it was safe, he turned to Hongjoong. "What kind of potion was it?"

"He asked me to make one for Buddy, to slow his ageing since dogs die so quickly. But then he ran into it before it was finished and now-" Hongjoong caught himself, lowering his accusing tone to a bothered groan. "Now he grew ears and a tail for who knows how long. He knocked the rest of my work over only afterwards." Huffing, he went to clean up while Seonghwa's husbands piled in the door with curious eyes. The elf handed his son to Yeosang, who grinned at him encouragingly before he ventured inside. Yunho sat cowered in shame, but he couldn't hide the soft tufts of fur that sprouted from his head and bottom. They had the same colour as Buddy.

"Are you in pain? Can you fix this, Hongjoong?"

The sorcerer waved it off.

"It will wear off painlessly. If anything, he deserves the shame for messing with my things. How often do I need to ask not to come storming in here?" He grumbled to himself as his invisible helpers sorted his vials and chalks.

Seonghwa labouriously knelt next to Yunho and rubbed his back.

"Everything all right? You must have startled, but there is no need to fear," Seonghwa soothed him. Upset like Buddy got when someone accidentally ran into him, Yunho peered over his shoulder. Something melted inside of Seonghwa when he peered at his innocent eyes and pouty lip.

"I didn't intend to knock into his stuff," he whimpered, apologetic over the shame. He looked so dear with those two ears flopping from his head, underlining his already innocent features.

"Oh, dear," Seonghwa smiled. He ran his fingers through Yunho's hair and when he skimmed those ears, Yunho's expression morphed into happiness. As Buddy would, he leaned into the pets, demanding more as Seonghwa ruffled at him.

"You're fine. Nothing bad happened. Let's see if they might be gone by tomorrow," Seonghwa chuckled, unable to hold back his fondness at the sight. Yunho always matched Buddy so well, but now they shared even more traits than usual. Buddy seemed to approve as he dug his snout into Yunho's side, tail wagging at the scent of him.

"Come on, let's get out of here, so Hongjoong can rest. This wasn't dangerous, thankfully," Seonghwa smiled as he tugged Yunho to his feet. He looked over his shoulder when something brushed past him and had to press a hand to his lips when he noticed Yunho's tail. It merrily thumped against Seonghwa's legs.

At the door, Yeosang hid his chuckles in mirthful eyes.

"This isn't so bad," he commented. Seonghwa dispersed them before Yunho could get more upset.

"Come on, let's not make a spectacle out of this. Everyone, get some shuteye. You can sleep in my room, Yunho. Please stay clear of Hongjoong's potions."

The sorcerer slammed his door shut with a grumble and Yunho, sad and ears drooping, shuffled into Seonghwa's room. He was humiliated, but the others had the sense not to laugh at him. Together with Aodhán, Seonghwa climbed into bed once more.

Yunho took a while to settle down, sniffling and shuffling as he felt different, but no sudden changes erupted. He merely curled around Aodhán, ears soft on his head, as they finally got some rest.

-

In the morning, the ears were still there. Seonghwa blinked at them in confusion at first, unsure what he was looking at, but then he couldn't help his grin. When he buried his fingers in the soft fur, Yunho stirred with a grunt.

"Unfortunate news, love. You are still adorable," Seonghwa greeted him, careful not to disturb Aodhán, who slept on his back between them, arms lifted next to his head to clutch the air with tiny fists. Yunho groaned when his second pair of ears twitched to the touch.

"No way."

"In all fairness, Hongjoong warns everybody all the time not to stumble into his brewing sessions," Seonghwa hummed, carding down the ruffled fur. He could see Yunho's tail move underneath the blankets, eager for more pets even when Yunho denied himself their joy.

"They don't hurt you, right? So there is no rush. Let's figure it out after breakfast. Hongjoong has a spell to reverse just about anything."

Yunho sighed, but he got up. Betrayed, he studied his tail and caressed Buddy, who was even more enthusiastic than usual to run over the fields with Yunho now that he smelled like a dog.

"Guess it can't be helped. The others will make fun of me," he lamented, burying his head in Seonghwa's lap to cosy against his round stomach, kissing it. The hand was back, giving him what he so sneakily begged for.

"Mingi has horns, Wooyoung has wings and Yeosang grows the most hideous mushrooms he can imagine because they look funny. You'll be fine." After all, Yunho was no wild dog. He was charming and sweet, reflecting Buddy's disposition. Not that he made trouble otherwise, but Seonghwa liked his neediness as he burrowed into the elf's lap.

He coaxed Yunho out of bed and into his clothes. His poor, puppy-fied husband would prefer eating in the privacy of their room, but he conceded when Seonghwa asked him to sit with the others. With drooping ears and his hand in Seonghwa's, he let himself be tugged along.

Perhaps it was their luck that Seonghwa's parents were on a day trip to the meadows. Though his father wasn't one to mock others, Yunho would have shrivelled like a flower at having to face him in this state.

Several people chuckled when they came inside.

"So that wasn't a dream, huh?" Wooyoung asked Yeosang, and the tree conceded, paying him for their bet.

Hongjoong studied Yunho and was satisfied when there were no further changes. At least, with his skill level, his mishaps were stable.

Seungyoun pulled Seonghwa's chair out, politely hiding the glances he sent at Yunho's head. The man sunk into his chair, so occupied with hiding behind his food that Mingi asked him if he was fine.

Aside from a few snickers and whispers, everyone accepted Seonghwa's plea not to make this an ordeal. When they finished, he had mercy on Yunho's drooped frame.

"Hongjoong, please see if you can do anything about this situation or find out how long it lasts. I would like to depart in the afternoon, but we will stay if Yunho isn't at ease by then."

"He got himself into that mess," Hongjoong pointed out, but he rose from his chair anyway, not one to defy Seonghwa's wishes. He trudged away muttering about enchantments under his breath.

Yeosang pondered the poor human.

"I think he looks charming," he said, and Seonghwa smiled.

"The same goes for me."

Yet, Yunho didn't want to explore the training grounds with San or chase around outside. In his shame, he asked Seonghwa to hide away in their room, so the elf conceded. He sent the others to spend their time in peace while he fetched Aodhán to take a bath with them. Buddy also got to splash around in the pool and, though naked, Yunho was much more comfortable with just them around. His ears twitched from time to time, the flick of his tail wet, and Seonghwa found the enthusiasm in his eyes so, so endearing.

They helped Aodhán float around, though he was far from swimming. He exhausted himself quickly with his flailing, so Seonghwa called for Seungyoun to have him fed and put into bed for his nap. He remained with Yunho, relaxing in the pleasant bath as he leaned his pregnant body against the bench inside the pool.

Yunho hovered next to him, energetic to play. He looked like Buddy when he wanted to fetch a stick and, though the dog already zoomed off to play outside, Yunho had yet to tire. When he nuzzled against Seonghwa's neck, Seonghwa giggled at the tickle of his fur.

"Have you adjusted?"

"It isn't so bad," Yunho grumbled, cuddling up to Seonghwa to be as close as possible. The constant shifts of their wet bodies made him sensitive, but Seonghwa caressed Yunho's wet hair and ears mildly.

"Buddy is my best friend, even now. And you have been caressing me all day, I like it," Yunho purred, posture open and easy for access as he adopted not just the outer appearance of his animal friend.

Seonghwa was endeared by his zeal.

"After all, you are being so good and well-behaved. I reward Buddy with treats as well if he behaves."

Doe eyes sparkled up at Seonghwa as Yunho stuck to their embrace like a stubborn child.

"So, what's my treat?"

"What would you like? Do your taste buds also crave berries? I'm afraid a toy would lose its purpose soon," Seonghwa crooned at him. His hair was still dry, tucked into a careless bun, but the humidity curled a few shorter strands in his nape. When Yunho wound them around his fingers, Seonghwa sighed.

"Can I have you? Pretty please? I've been good and I will be cautious with your situation," Yunho said with a glance at Seonghwa's stomach.

Seonghwa echoed the question into his body, making sure he wasn't yet so far into his pregnancy that it could be dangerous. With a hum, he allowed Yunho to go ahead.

Tail wagging and water splashing, Yunho lunged to catch him in an eager kiss and Seonghwa's giggles echoed in the bathroom as he tugged his handsome husband close.