Never ones to let Seonghwa wait, his husbands arrived a while later. They had gathered beforehand, making sure no one got left behind or still needed a breather. Only once satisfied that no one was hiding injuries to be with Seonghwa, they shuffled down the corridor. Seonghwa listened to the click of Wooyoung's talons and sat up. Aodhán rolled over his feet, playful with their bounce.

A mild knock, which Seonghwa could tell as Yeosang's, announced them.

"Come in," Seonghwa called, smiling already since he looked forward to seeing them. It had only been a day, but he yearned to share happiness with each other.

Yeosang peered his head inside and the others followed him like his trail of ducklings. Some sported fresh bandages and Wooyoung hopped on crutches, but their beaming grins matched Seonghwa's. They filtered into the room, and Yunho dashed over to lift Aodhán into his arms. His son giggled when they hugged.

"If it isn't my strongest son! I see you defended the castle well in our absence," Yunho praised boisterously, making the boy squeal when he blew a kiss on his cheek.

"He said his first word earlier," Seonghwa admitted, making them share a collective 'ohh.'

"Was it my name?" Wooyoung demanded to know, sinking into the corner of Seonghwa's bed while they chattered.

Stars twinkling on his cheeks, Seonghwa glanced away to the side.

"It was athair," he muttered, unable to contain his giddiness. Yeosang cooed.

"He must have missed you a lot," he hummed. With Jongho's help, Seonghwa stood from the bed. Hongjoong collected Morana and handed her to Mingi. He also got to hold Aodhán, checking on his magic while the baby gurgled at him with more affection than the sorcerer could handle.

They made their way to the bathroom together. Seonghwa's eyes searched the injury of San's wing, finding it well-patched.

"Will it heal?"

"Without issues. The elves have remarkable healers. How do you feel?"

Jongho also glanced at Seonghwa, needing the answer for his reassurance. When the elf's lips twitched into a crooked grin, they exhaled.

"All fine. The next child definitely has to wait, but my body will recover."

"Thank the earth," Yeosang huffed. Wooyoung nodded gravely, having lost enough attention to the two babies.

"I demand your favour," Hongjoong declared while he opened his shirt. Seonghwa slipped from his dress with San's help and undid the laces of Mingi's shirt for him while the tall demon held his daughter.

"How dare you try to control his wishes?" The seraph challenged the sorcerer. Yunho waded into the water with Aodhán, unbothered by the fight, as he taught his son how to float through the lukewarm pool. Once Wooyoung sank onto the bench, he sighed in bliss. The water pearled off his feathers, but his wound kept him from making a mess.

"We can narrow the next child down to two fathers, that's for sure," Yeosang chuckled. The rest of them joined into the water and Morana rested on a dip Jongho's shoulder formed. She slumbered in the healing hue of the moon, cosy in the warm air. San kept glancing at her, wanted to hold and coo at her features, but he held back as long as she was bewitched by sleep.

Seonghwa gathered up his hair and sunk onto the bench to rest his body. When Wooyoung cosied up to his side a moment later, they watched a soggy Yeosang play with Yunho and Aodhán. Hongjoong sat opposite of them, glaring daggers at San, who was mindful not to soak his bandages in the water.

"Don't have children with them if they act like this. I agree that Yunho and Mingi were the best choices," Wooyoung whispered to Seonghwa like a mischievous kobold. He hooked their arms around each other, tucking them together. Under Hongjoong's and San's intense stares, he shrivelled but was unafraid with the elf as his shield.

"My babies get some time to grow up and we will ponder in the meantime how we continue this family, yes? I want to dedicate my time to everyone." Seonghwa promised. He tucked Wooyoung's choppy hair behind his ear, making the gryphon-born blush. So eager and willing by Seonghwa's side, he was like candy, sweet for Seonghwa to indulge in.

"And resolve the matters in the empire. We couldn't retrieve those elves," Jongho reminded them. Grim nods. Seonghwa lowered his face at a stab of guilt.

"I wish things would have gone differently. Though it was my priority to get everyone out and into safety, I would have liked to avoid this misery."

"Hokum," Hongjoong said and Yeosang fell in, voice softer.

"This is just right. We all did what we could and you will fight hard in the future. Just for a while, relish in what you maintained."

Seonghwa exhaled. Right. Breaks. Forgiving himself for mistakes and fixing them. There was no need to fret. If he was hasty, he might not get this moment of peace with his husbands.

Aodhán made swimming movements, tried to keep up with the water tickling at his pudgy body. He squealed and blubbered, filled the room with life until Seonghwa gave in. This was worth the world to him.

"Glow for us, Seonghwa," Mingi muttered as he perched by Seonghwa's side. His hair was wet, brushed back from his eyes so Seonghwa could marvel at his features that combined so well with the elfin grace.

Charmed by the plea, Seonghwa cradled Mingi's jaw.

"Shall I? Will you kiss me to make me glow?"

Mingi blushed, still timid from all the attention Morana brought to him.

"But... the others," Mingi winced, shy against Seonghwa's shoulder. Snickering, Seonghwa pulled him into a hug.

"Not as if the circumstances aren't clear. Aside from marital bonds, you made him a baby," Wooyoung scoffed. Then he hooped his arms around Seonghwa's neck.

"Kiss me! I will provide all the kisses you need. Someone can fluff your pillows, someone can bring you food and I am responsible for kisses." Triumphant, he leaned into Seonghwa's space, earning himself a delicate peck.

"All that noise, though you can't flutter away. Dangerous gamble, chick," Hongjoong noted. His perfect dark brow had risen. Next to him, Jongho formed a hole in his torso to watch the water lap through.

Seonghwa parted from Wooyoung, ruffling through his hair. The gryphon-born snuggled into him, gleeful with the attention.

"What does everyone want to eat today? I want to make something for you."

"You need to rest," Yeosang protested while Wooyoung already yelled his answer. He shrunk at Yeosang's glower, but Seonghwa held his dear ones closer.

"This is me resting. I can sleep during the night, and my morning will be occupied with politics. Tell me now so we may ignore all other duties today."

Gradually, they submitted their wishes. Wooyoung craved some dessert made by Seonghwa, reminding Yeosang of an apple pie they used to bake together. In his nostalgia, he asked Seonghwa to bring it back.

Yunho asked for a special drink served in the southern Kingdom of Man and San suggested the leaf wraps he relished. Hongjoong agreed with those and offered to take care of the meat they liked in the filling since none of them would force Seonghwa to take apart an animal.

For long minutes, Mingi had no answer. The others played in the water and washed up while the demon pondered. Seonghwa soothed him he didn't have to force a reply. His slick fingers wrung around Mingi's horn to rid them of leftover dust. Some nicks marred them, reminders of painful meetings with the wall. As Seonghwa treated them with utter care, he was thankful that they protected Mingi. To other demons, their horns were weapons. To Mingi, they guided him through life and eased his pain.

By the time he finally found his answer, Yunho compared the wrinkly skin of his hands with Aodhán's, who had a much milder case.

"I think I like anything you made," Mingi exhaled, relieved he found an answer. A smile snuck onto his lips when Wooyoung groaned, but Seonghwa pressed a kiss to his cheek. Before anyone could tell him that wasn't what Seonghwa wanted, the elf hummed to him.

"Thank you, hawthorn."

Jongho's sole wish was to have his pebble with him by the table. Though she didn't exactly miss them, she was curious to hear his stories of the far lands and the orcs she never saw in her brief life span.

Once they were finished and Seonghwa's long hair was silky and clean as San spun it into a wet braid, it was time for the two babes. Aodhán had exhausted himself, but he had fun slapping his hands onto the water's surface to splash everyone. San's hair hung into his face attractively, dark from the water, and Hongjoong looked like a mighty ruler sprawled out naked on the bench.

Seonghwa floated Aodhán in his lap while Yunho cupped his forehead with one hand and washed his hair with the other. They let him pick the soap, but he didn't like the progress. It tickled at his ears and soon; he reached helpless hands for Seonghwa.

"Atha," he whined, hoping he would be brought away if only he asked nicely. Seonghwa kissed his forehead.

"You're almost done, my sweet. Bear with it a while longer." His son smelled delightfully of honeysuckle as he wormed about, trying to find empathy with the many people gathered around him. Seonghwa sang to him to calm him down. Enraptured, Hongjoong listened, his magic spreading out to match the haze of the melody.

Aodhán calmed enough that they could finish with him. San accepted him at the edge of the tub, swooping him up in a big, cosy towel. At first, Aodhán's face was covered, but when San dug it from the fabric, the baby giggled in delight. Crooning, San held him and played with him while the others finished.

Wooyoung pondered flying around the castle to top off the evening with a gorgeous view of the landscape. At the same time, he wanted to scare any poor soul looking outside to see him swish by in the nude.

No matter Seonghwa's concerned glances, he swore he would have done it if he weren't injured. Like this, he had to settle on drying off first with Yunho so the human could bandage his leg anew.

Seonghwa plucked Morana from Jongho's disintegrated shape, that spread in the water. He always held her above the surface on a pedestal while the rest of him morphed into funny figures. Once she woke, she drank from him while he jostled her body to wash her.

"I will take Aodhán with me to the spire one of these days. I want to keep tabs on his progress and make sure nothing lurks that taints his magic. Do you want me to check on Morana as well?" Hongjoong asked as he waded for the edge of the pool. Seonghwa's eyes lingered on his frame, awed by the power his posture exuded, even without all garments and fancy accessories.

"No need. I noticed no magic on her. The two shall start their courtly studies in due time. For now, they are welcome to focus on their personal progress. Aodhán is only just learning to walk."

Mingi fidgeted with his hands under the water. He stuck to Seonghwa's side, heating the surrounding water. Behind him, Yeosang tried to save the drooping heads of his fresh flowers. His wet moss weighed him down.

"I want to guide her, but I don't know how... What does one learn to become a princess? I should help her as your father helps you, but I never noticed my lack of education as I do now," the demon confessed. He hung his head and sympathy swam in San's eyes. Yeosang accepted Morana and Seonghwa wiped at his chest before he found Mingi's hand to take him along.

"Don't fret. You will teach her to be a demon, and I will teach her the ways of the elves. We have many scholars at the court and if you want to catch up, you are always welcome to join their lessons."

Mingi obediently lifted his arms when Seonghwa wrapped a towel around his hips. His grin was hopeful.

"I would love to!"

"Then you will. Now come, everyone. Let's get dressed and fill our stomachs. We must relish every moment before the orcs demand our attention."

They came along to cook and eat with him, taking turns taking care of Seonghwa's children. Buddy sat with them, eager for treats and pets, and Seonghwa found ease with his dear family.