All pregnancies were different and, as expected, with a being like Seonghwa, his was most peculiar. He had few aches and pains, though he didn't know whether that was Hongjoong's doing or if his body adjusted well to its new task. On the contrary. The crown prince seemed to become more and more beautiful by the day. His hair grew so fast it needed a trim once a week. Soon, its default length didn't end below his chest but at the curve of his back. He tucked it up in more elaborate braids and thus showed everyone the bright shine of his eyes and the glow of his skin.

Only the healthiest of meals were provided to Seonghwa, and his husbands tended to his every need. By the time his stomach grew, they insisted on helping him up and down carriages and mounts, guided him to his seat, and made sure he had a pillow to perch on at all times. The kingdom learned of his pregnancy and countless gifts got delivered to the palace to complement the most beautiful parent they ever laid eyes on.

Often, Seonghwa ghosted through the halls of the castle. He watched the seasons pass as he cradled the growth of his little one with tender hands. They were so oblivious to the world they would be born into, to their parents. Seonghwa liked to sing or hum along with the castle to get acquainted with his child. His voice was heavenly, like the choirs of the seraphim and his husbands fell into a trance whenever they heard him.

Seonghwa wished Yongguk was around to share this with him. The real Yongguk, the one Seonghwa believed him to be for so long. His treacherous brother hadn't left his exile ever since, and the scar on Seonghwa's back reminded him not to seek hope.

Instead of him, however, everyone else was there for Seonghwa. And everyone witnessed when his magnificent progress took an unexpected turn.

Seonghwa sat at dinner with his husbands, cushioned by a velvety pillow. His pale yellow gown hugged his frame and the adorable curve of his belly. He was a third of the way through his pregnancy, which meant the agitating hot summer that kept him inside to hide from the sun would soon end. Although he enjoyed it more than in all the other years he lived because it tanned Yunho's, Wooyoung's and San's skins and made them impossibly more attractive to Seonghwa.

Dinner was almost done, and they chatted mindlessly about their trip to the town earlier. The elven ladies were utterly taken with their gorgeous crown prince, praising him for his endurance and determination to bear his child himself. None of his other husbands could get pregnant - not accounting for Hongjoong creating a specimen in a cauldron or from straw - so he was more than proud of his abilities.

When Seonghwa suddenly doubled over, all conversation came to a screeching halt. Hongjoong touched his shoulder first.

"Seonghwa?"

A chair got thrust back, then more arms surrounded him. Seungyoun called for the healer, but Seonghwa lifted a trembling hand. The other one cradled his stomach, unsure what he felt.

"What's going on?! It's too early for it to worm around," Wooyoung demanded to know. His wings flailed about and San's hand caressed Seonghwa's nape, soothing him with his heat.

Mingi hovered in his seat with Buddy by his side, unsure about the ruckus.

"Is the imp hurting you?"

Seonghwa shook his head.

"We're fine. I just-"

What was that? A sudden flare of heat, originating from his very womb?

Fear crossed Seonghwa's eyes. It wasn't painful, but he didn't know how it would feel if something went wrong. Was he not healthy enough? Did the child not develop sufficiently in the mixture of Yunho's and his genes?

Would he lose his precious baby?

When he made eye contact with Hongjoong, the sorcerer read his unease right off him. He slipped his hand between their bodies, coming to splay over Seonghwa's fingers cradling his stomach. His familiar magic was pacifying as it spread its tendrils through Seonghwa's body, welcomed by the elf's inherent magical core.

When Hongjoong's breath got stuck in his throat, Seonghwa blanched. Yunho clapped his hand over his lips.

"Don't tell me..." Yeosang whispered, branches growing from his body to wrap around Seonghwa, engulf him and hide him away from all torment.

Hongjoong's jaw flexed.

"He- He's fine," he whispered.

Silence deeper than the night spread through the room. Seungyoun fretted behind them, hands hovering in an attempt to help.

Seonghwa's breath hitched. He didn't know which thought arrived in his brain first. That everything was alright or that his baby was a boy.

His beloved little boy.

"Seonghwa, I... I must speak to you. In private. No need to fret, you others, everything is in order. But I don't want to expose a sensitive topic," Hongjoong announced.

San's brows drew together.

"I refuse," he replied, right away. "We keep no secrets from each other. This has to do with the child and Seonghwa, so it concerns all of us."

Mingi trudged over, bumping into Jongho, who blocked the access to the seated elf. They shuffled to let him through, and Mingi anxiously reached for Seonghwa's hand. With a feeble smile, Seonghwa held it for him. When his eyes found Hongjoong, he willingly overlooked the plea in his eyes.

"Is this not a matter that concerns us all?"

Wooyoung also crossed his arms. He stood broad-legged, ready to charge at any invisible enemy who might plague Seonghwa.

Hongjoong exhaled. He flicked a hand through his two-coloured hair, looking impeccable.

"Your child has magic."

Once more, Seonghwa's thoughts came to a screeching halt.

It explained his surprise. The heat hadn't harmed him, got swallowed by his own core as a harmless rush of energy. But no regular elven child would hiccough heat.

"Don't elves all have magic? Especially the celestial ones?" Jongho argued, studied where some others slacked off.

Hongjoong shook his head. His face was buried in his free hand, the other one infused Seonghwa with a protective cloak.

"They do, but not in the terms I am speaking of. Elves are beings born from nature and magic, and some can cultivate their skill to use their abilities for healing. But they are very limited and bound to nature's compliance. The magic I refer to is sorcery. An inherent talent sealed in the blood of some mages."

"W-wait-" Wooyoung squawked, wit as quick as his wings. His talons screeched over the floor tiles when he tumbled over Yeosang's defensive branches.

Seonghwa's blush matched that of the gryphon-born. He gave Yunho a reassuring gaze when the human stood, struck by betrayal.

"It can't be. This isn't your child, Hongjoong." Seonghwa would know. Unless Hongjoong enchanted him and messed with Seonghwa's memories, there was no way.

"That's why I wanted to discuss this in private," Hongjoong hissed, humiliated. Apologetic, Seonghwa took his hand. His feet were trapped to the floor by Yeosang's vines, but the initial breathlessness passed. Now, only confusion enveloped them.

Hongjoong battled his embarrassment before he listed off the facts for everyone to follow.

"This child is Yunho's, undoubtedly. His core is that of a celestial elf, but he has human blood. You conceived the night of your first attempt."

Yunho ducked between his shoulders. Only he and Seonghwa knew how pushy he had been to try more, to keep Seonghwa full at all times. The elf took it with humour. After all, he quite liked the feeling, even outside the purpose of getting pregnant.

"Yunho... With all due respect, Yunho wouldn't have been able to impregnate a being like you naturally. The seed he offers is so feeble to your being that your body wouldn't consider it an option naturally."

Seonghwa nodded along. They had been over all this.

Wooyoung sat on the ground to concentrate, and Buddy trotted over to curl up in his lap. They build a beautiful friendship, so they cuddled mindlessly as they listened.

"I brewed you some potions for fertility and helped appeal Yunho's root to your womb," Hongjoong continued, and the pieces came together. Seonghwa's lips parted in surprise.

"And that's how your magic entered my body," he finished in a soundless whisper.

Hongjoong gave a grim nod. His cane manifested in his hand and supported him when he stepped back.

"I didn't think your body would take it as part of the material for forming a new core. Your celestial son is half-human, yet has the magic of a sorcerer. It's weak, much weaker than if I had been the father, but-" He staggered back, feeling faint. His eyes were wide with horror as he pressed a hand to his forehead.

"I messed up. Forgive me, Seonghwa, this wasn't what you wanted. I swear I didn't try to meddle with your decision." Hurt in his honour as the ablest of all mages, he cowered into himself.

Seonghwa shot up in his chair. A glance at Yeosang had the subconscious branches retreat, then Seonghwa hurried over to cradle Hongjoong's face in his hands.

"No, stop. You did nothing wrong. I asked for your help, not knowing this might become a consequence. Though it startled me, it's fine. Your magic won't hurt the child."

Hongjoong didn't dare lean into his touch, not feeling deserving of it. His wet eyes pinched shut in displeasure, cursing himself for his mistake.

"It might hurt you," he whispered. "This is why you didn't choose me, because my magic might become too much and-"

Seonghwa kissed him, a quick peck on his lips. It shook Hongjoong from his reverie and he looked up at his moon, ever so mesmerised. His torment reflected in Seonghwa's compassionate eyes.

"Please," Seonghwa begged. "You don't need to do anything. Don't try to correct this, don't apologise. Everything is as I wanted it. Your magic is a welcome surprise that won't change my journey."

Apprehensive, Hongjoong glanced down at the curve of Seonghwa's stomach covered in dainty tulle. His dress sweetly cradled his stomach, pinching a butterfly bow on top of it.

"I- I must find sources if this ever happened before. Just in case you might get hurt, I-" He stuttered, leaving nothing of the otherwise so sharp-tongued and commanding mage. Startled into silence, the others didn't dare lift their fingers as if that could break the mirage.

"It's fine," Seonghwa assured him. "If I can have children with mages, I won't die of some saplings of your sorcery floating around. This won't change my decision. And if anything happens, you are there to be the ablest of all, aren't you?"

His touch grounded Hongjoong and pulled him from his fear. When he exhaled, a smile spread across Seonghwa's face.

"On the contrary. I can be happy he got something from both of you. I was upset that I had to choose between you."

Hongjoong choked on a wet laugh. He wiped at his eyes, tension melting off him. The raw vulnerability of his emotions was taboo to the others, so they stood in silent marvel at his dedication to Seonghwa.

"Allow me to check that everything is fine, still. And let's confer with the healer."

Seungyoun snuck away when Seonghwa conceded. He trailed a hand over Hongjoong's back, tugging his smaller frame to his side.

He blessed the others with a dazzling smile, shaking them awake.

"I'm sorry for worrying you all of a sudden. I will catch up with everyone, but there is no need to fret. Everything is under control."

Relieved, San nodded. His eyes kept flinching back to Hongjoong, who seemed to disappear in Seonghwa's side. When the elf discreetly covered Hongjoong's frame with his own, the seraph's gaze dropped.

"Tell us if you need us," Yeosang said, though spooked. He patted Mingi's back to send him back to eat.

Yunho used Jongho as his rock to cool off on.

"My child is a son. I am a father. To a son. And he has the magic of that charlatan. A son," he kept muttering under his breath, like a summoning spell. With a giggle, Seonghwa nodded his chin at him.

"Make sure he doesn't fall off his clouds."

Yeosang gathered up Yunho as well, convincing him to sit as if talking with an old, confused man.

Hongjoong and Seonghwa left the dining room first to make sure his health was in no danger. All the way to the sorcerer's room, Seonghwa's gentle touch on him healed him like Hongjoong's magic would do the other way around.