Wooyoung was out and about, hopping around on one stubborn talon. Unfortunately, that meant more slipping accidents on the sleek quartz of Seonghwa's castle, but Mingi took it upon himself to stick around and make sure their chick didn't split his skull open. Whenever the shrieks of Wooyoung's claws were followed by a sound of alarm, the demon reached out a helping hand.

Seonghwa spotted the two when he made his way down into the gardens. It was evening here as well and the skies blushed in a faint orange hue. Jongho marvelled up at the first stars while San just finished his training. His sweaty shirt stuck to his body as he wiped his face with a cloth. Unfortunately, the wound on his wing didn't deter him from keeping the rest of his body in shape. Not that Seonghwa didn't find him irresistible like this, but he would prefer if San took it slow.

Since everyone was accounted for aside from Hongjoong, Seonghwa glanced around for his sorcerer. He offered to inform the Spire of Magic of the recent happenings with the orcs. Since he was the one in charge either way, he also called the shots on whether the mages would service the empire as guards or elsewhere. Was he not back yet?

Worried since they were still battered despite the elven healing abilities, Seonghwa distracted himself with the others. When he came to sit in the grass by Yeosang's side, the dryad grew his crown to rain down on the elf with charming dangling flower tendrils. Seonghwa leaned into his shoulder. Together, they watched Jongho play with his pebble and Buddy, sparking inspiration about funny new shapes for the dog to play with. Learning, the pebble sat on the ground and lifted her head at them. It was the largest part of her irregular proportions, but the magic fuelling her had developed enough to glimmer in the pits she made for eyes.

For a while, no words were needed. Yunho jumped around and laughed with Buddy, hair messy yet he was beautiful like the forest fae. Wooyoung preened his wings after his thigh ultimately gave up on him and San left to wash up at the well near the kitchens. The gryphon-born peered left and right to make sure no one was left to scold him, then he eagerly shuffled over to sit in front of Seonghwa.

"Please preen my wings for me," he asked with sparkling eyes. Seonghwa settled gentle fingertips on the bed of feathers.

"How do I do that?" Curious to learn, he skimmed his fingers through the angular feathers. They were sturdier than San's, less dewy. While San's wings reminisced the softest of pillows, Wooyoung's were that of a bird of prey. Seonghwa's greatest joy was tracing the smoky grey where it specked with white, matching Mulberry's appearance.

"You card your fingers through them and layer the feathers in the direction they grow in case they got twisted. If some dirt is stuck in between, you dig it out," Wooyoung guided. He angled his left wing to show Seonghwa how. He and San had different methods to care for their wings, but they were similarly meticulous. San usually preferred the help of a brush since he had thrice as much work to do. It was a special one he brought from the Vault of Heaven, with soft hair that wouldn't damage his sensitive wings.

Seonghwa skimmed his fingers over the strong roots of Wooyoung's feathers. Each was majestic, even the cute small ones at the top. When he worked into them, Wooyoung leaned back against his legs, happy with the elf's touch.

Yeosang plucked a flower off his arm to tuck behind Wooyoung's ear. The gryphon-born didn't notice.

Busy with his task, Seonghwa didn't keep an eye on Yunho. He heard the human's breathlessness when he tired quicker than Buddy and Jongho. While he sat on the ground heaving through his happy snickers, Jongho made them laugh with increasingly absurd shapes. Buddy still wormed through.

San joined them a few minutes later. Seonghwa glanced up when the seraph eyed him tending to Wooyoung's wings. He didn't comment as he sat in the grass to check on his injury. Ever so speedy to get to his room, he had changed his clothes already and his loose outfit rustled in the evening breeze. Soon, another spring would come. Most snow already cleared from the Crystal Sphere and Seonghwa could feel it in the earth, its enthusiasm to sprout new life and shake off the frosty film.

Aodhán would turn two years old soon. Seonghwa needed to ask the stars what fate they bestowed on his two children. Something like his fallout with Yongguk should never happen again, so Seonghwa preferred to educate them in the way best for them from the very beginning. It was the convenience of being so close in age.

On cue, Hongjoong appeared through a portal. He had Aodhán on his hand and the little blond elf happily toddled along with the intimidating mage. He wore his favourite yellow tunic today and he lit up like the sun when he saw Seonghwa.

"Atha!" He squealed, slipping from Hongjoong's grasp. All by himself, he crossed the few stumbling steps and Seonghwa greeted him with a big hug.

"Look at you walk! You are doing so well, my darling," Seonghwa cooed, nuzzling into Aodhán's soft cheek. His kisses made the boy giggle. A moment later, he craned his head.

"Where... Buddy?"

"Of all people," Wooyoung snorted. Seonghwa almost died at the fond ache in his chest.

"Their fur matches in colour," Yeosang deducted wisely. When Aodhán spotted the dog, he stumbled away on shaky legs. He fell over once, but pushed himself back up and by the time he gave up with a huff half of the way, the dog had noticed him. He came prancing over, tail wagging as he pressed against the child. Aodhán fell over with a squeal, fists buried in soft fur.

"Like father like son," Hongjoong noted as he crouched next to Seonghwa. "I stole him away for some training while I met with the magisters. He kept asking for the dog."

"Seems like we found his favourite uncle. You better make an effort to appeal to Morana," Seonghwa chuckled as he pressed a greeting kiss to Hongjoong's cheek. The sorcerer seemed exhausted, so Seonghwa didn't bore him with questions. For now, he was happy to see that glow in his eyes brighten as he returned home. Promptly, his eyes fell on Wooyoung, who lolled against Seonghwa's touch with his eyes closed and happy little sighs dropping from him whenever Seonghwa's nimble fingers skimmed the roots of his feathers.

"Chick's bothering you?"

"Not at all," Seonghwa hummed before Wooyoung could start a fight. "He's being dear. We were about to go back inside." Though Seonghwa happily stalled now that Yunho lifted his son into his arms and held him into the sky while he lay on the ground. Aodhán flailed with delight. His shine brought warmth upon their skin, reminded Seonghwa that all lingering aches were worth it.

"I will retreat early tonight. No matter the fancy crystals at the spire, I still have a lot of strength to replenish," the sorcerer hummed. He raked a hand through Wooyoung's wings, making the gryphon-born shudder. The smirk on Hongjoong's lips was sadistic.

"Have Seungyoun supply you with any tea that might help you. If you wish, you can sleep in my bed tonight," Seonghwa offered. He missed cosying up to them, having the warmth of another body to hold on to. Though his babies were dear to him, he cherished his husbands just as much.

Hongjoong nodded before he got to his feet. Jongho followed his movements with curious eyes. He finally returned to his regular shape and sat with his pebble in his lap as she tried to mould her proportions into new dimensions.

"Will do. Wake me if you need me." He marched away, another proof of his exhaustion. Seonghwa looked after him, feeling bad for having worn him out so much with that naive chase through the orc lands. Before he could go after him and treat him to tea himself, however, Wooyoung squirmed in his lap.

"That wicked trickster. He knows how to make you run after him all the time."

"Jealous?" Yeosang perked up, amused by the petulance in Wooyoung's voice. Cooing, Seonghwa finished up with his wings.

"I care for all of you. I am just as worried about your leg, especially since you insist not to go easy on it."

Wooyoung sat up and stretched until the tips of his wings shuddered.

"I can't help my body being so slow at healing, I have places to be and food to eat. Wives to woo." With a cheeky grin, he turned around to crawl between Seonghwa's legs. He kissed him, unabashed of Yunho rolling around cooing at his baby and San witnessing their antics.

"Isn't it the other way around with you two?" Yeosang chuckled into his hand. Wooyoung's initial insecurity became no mockery, so he settled into his preferred position with less apprehension. Still, he flushed when it was pointed out so cheekily.

"I have him wrapped around my fingers," Wooyoung declared. His brazen lies found no support, not even with Jongho.

Seonghwa slid his fingers into Wooyoung's hair, tracing the shape of his ear. With a surprised moan, Wooyoung crumbled, sprawling out on Seonghwa's lap like Buddy liked to do on Yunho.

"The wife wrapped around your fingers insists you take better care of your leg. While Mingi is a sweetheart for helping you, I will have him back out one of these days so you properly fall and understand why you should lie down," Seonghwa threatened him. The hum of his voice was melodious, tinted with concern over real spite. Wooyoung lolled into his touch.

"But I can't see you if I am in bed all the time," he complained, eyes fluttering shut. Yeosang watched them, fascinated to see how easily Wooyoung became putty for Seonghwa.

"Then I will come to visit your room," Seonghwa replied. He was aware of San's lingering gaze, of its contemplation when was the last time he kissed Seonghwa to have him disintegrate.

"You had a whole baby out there in a cave and still recovered quicker than I." Wooyoung's whiny voice made Buddy bark at him. Then he went back to circling around Yunho and Aodhán. The former had sat up to hold his son in his lap. Aodhán held on to Mingi's finger, marvelling up at him with big, round eyes. Ever since Morana was born, Mingi became impossibly gentler, hearts softer than those of any other demon. He tended to Aodhán with adorable patience, happy to have the two little imps around.

As expected, despite his fear of not being enough, he made an excellent father.

"I recovered quickly because I saved my strength. Patience is a virtue."

"You and your stupid virtues. San, too," Wooyoung pouted. He crossed his arms, not wanting to talk to them anymore.

When Seonghwa made eye contact with San, the seraph's brow irked at the brat in their midst.

"Tell me if you want me to silence him. I won't harm his leg," he offered. With a pearly laugh, Seonghwa waved him off.

"I think Wooyoung needs more attention from me. It's true that politics and my children occupied me and my body for a long time. We shall retreat early as well. Please bring Aodhán to the maids later," Seonghwa said. Wooyoung perked up so fast his hair ruffled. With gleaming eyes, he scrambled to his feet, at the ready for Seonghwa's whims.

Yeosang scoffed. Wooyoung's lies didn't last for an hour.

"We'll take care of the fledgling," Jongho promised. With the way Yunho and Mingi gushed over him and made him say their names, Seonghwa didn't doubt it. He offered his arm to Wooyoung and helped him hop inside while the rest relished the evening before it got too cold.

Wooyoung babbled like a waterfall, so Seonghwa indulged him and listened as he made sure his gryphon-born wouldn't slip on their way to his room.