"Who is the best dog in the world?"

An unsure whine. Buddy pawed at his snout, trying to move Yunho's hands that covered the dog's eyes with his fluffy golden ears. Anxious, his friend wavered in his arms, always in for a surprise.

"You are!" Yunho cheered, releasing him to cuddle his neck instead. Immediately, Buddy lit up with a bark and his tail splashed through the water of the tub. He licked over Yunho's neck as if to praise him back as his best human, and Yunho snickered at his adoration.

"We are almost done, I promise," he purred, but Buddy knew Yunho always took good care of him. They spent so many years together and the dog never halted to wonder why he and his human stopped aging. Every day by Yunho's side was a joy to him and Yunho couldn't be happier to have such a loyal friend.

The only pride that exceeded this friendship was fathering his son.

Humming, Yunho crouched next to the tub and rinsed off Buddy's fur. Hongjoong didn't like the dog to carry crumbs of earth inside the spire and since Buddy caused chaos all the time by running into meetings and slurping up the spilt potions of the novices, Yunho didn't test his patience. Although Hongjoong warned other mages multiple times to leave the dog alone, since that was how he was.

"Here we go." Yunho hugged Buddy's sides to tug the soaked dog from the tub and winced when he heard a portal opening behind him at that very moment. Graceless and butt-naked, Yunho placed his dog down, getting drenched once more by Buddy shaking out his fur before Yunho could throw a towel over him. Meek, he turned, covering the dangling bits Hongjoong's ruthless eyes were stuck on.

At least, no one else had a reason to visit him out of the blue and was impolite enough to just appear.

Hongjoong slowly dragged his eyes up Yunho's lean shape. His hair was still wet and hung into his eyes. Buddy skipped over to greet the mage with a friendly lick over his fingers and Hongjoong was long beyond making a face.

"Get dressed," he told Yunho flippantly, and Yunho tugged back his wet dog before he would enter the bedroom. He patted him dry while Hongjoong ogled him as he pleased. Yunho's huff and the redness of his ears didn't matter to him.

"Can't you let us bathe in peace?"

"We are in a hurry and I would rather have you dressed. If you refuse, I will bring you along naked and you can figure that out."

Stressed, Yunho reached for his pants. He climbed inside and threw his shirt over his back, barely ruffling his towel through his dark hair to keep it from dripping all over him.

"Since when do your emergency meetings concern me?" Yunho stuttered when Hongjoong marched over to grab for Yunho's smallest finger, wrapping his hand entirely around it. A snap of his fingers had Buddy floating over to him, looking baffled at the sudden loss of the ground below his paws. He understood some things didn't make sense in this place. Or some people.

"These visitors are also for you." With that, he grabbed onto Buddy's nape, dragging the pair along through his portal. Yunho hated doing that. He always nearly threw up, but this time, he was too distracted to complain he would rather walk and not torment his dog.

The small sitting room was filled with people Yunho cherished. Just like Buddy, he was too speechless to decide whom to greet first.

Yeosang, Wooyoung and San had all assembled. Lillwen and Wynn, their friends from the Nymphal Shores, were here. And the young girl, shining subtly in their midst with a black raven seated on her shoulder.

Yunho's euphoria hit him all at once and he rushed in to greet them. Buddy did the same, and they earned bright smiles and tight hugs from Wooyoung, a gentle squeeze from Yeosang, and a brotherly pat on the back from San. Yunho nodded to the nymphs, not getting too close since the subtle smiles on their lips whenever they saw him meant no good. While Wooyoung chirped to Buddy and coddled him until his tail wagged into the table wildly, Yunho huddled before the girl, gifting her a big smile.

"Hello, Morana," he greeted her and when she lifted her eyes, she was so, so beautiful.

The shimmer under her skin was the same as Seonghwa's, as if an entire night sky was trapped inside her mortal vessel. Her ears were tall like his and her frame so delicate and dear.

The rest of her was demonic. The grey hue of her complexion and the two pairs of horns in her dark hair. She wore it in two buns over her deep black eyes, dotted with stars of their own.

Looking at her ached so good in Yunho's heart. She was born of two people he deeply cherished, yet lost in his life. A blessing to remind him of them.

Seonghwa's beautiful, beautiful daughter.

She had grown since they last saw each other, but her pout and her suspicious gaze were the same as always. Too many people had assembled and overwhelmed her, but Yunho still offered a hug.

He was denied when Buddy rushed over to place his head in her lap and was cuddled instead.

"Hello, Uncle Yunho," she politely replied to him and Yeosang caressed fond fingers through her hair. His caring look suited him so well.

Yunho had been surprised when he and Wooyoung stepped up as her caretakers after the war. Neither was meant to be a parent, but they tended to her with all their dedication. Seeing Wooyoung mature and Yeosang's undying loyalty to Seonghwa and his offspring touched Yunho's heart.

He wiped at his wet eyes when he finally got to shake Morana's hand. Not intruding further, he just complimented her hair and horns instead.

"Did you come to visit us? Wasn't the journey too long?" He asked her, surprised to see San as well. Why would he come along? He was a king now, ruling over the Vault of Heaven and his angelic people, who could only have the same fathomless depths as him. Despite the remaining empire's rage over the demons, he kept his people stable. Trustworthy since he had acted as a diplomat by Seonghwa's side for so long.

What a pleasure to see all of them together. They hadn't assembled in so long and everyone who was left was here now.

"The queen helped us," Morana explained, and Yunho would recognise the glittering stars of her blush anywhere. They were his most favourite part about Seonghwa. Among others.

The girl shyly ruffled Buddy's fur. With the large raven on her shoulder, she looked like a dark queen herself, and Yunho wanted to read every wish out of her eyes.

Another surprise visitor was with them. Wooyoung undid his bundle as if he remembered stuffing easily spoiling cheese in there only to forget it. He brought forth Pebble, Jongho's pet rock or child (Yunho never quite understood the affiliation. Wasn't Hongjoong the one who gave her life? Magic was confusing, even more so in the Spire of Magic) and handed her to Morana. The girl lit up as if they were the best of friends.

What an odd assembly, but Yunho was similarly excited about it as Buddy.

When the portal opened yet another time, Hongjoong joined back into their circle. By his side walked Aodhán, standing with his posture and gaze like that of a prince. His blond hair curled to his shoulders like spun gold and his dark green uniform brought out the matching bright shade of his eyes. He looked different from the other novices, as a royal and Hongjoong's favourite. Their magic was one; he often explained that to Yunho. And the beauty of Aodhán's elven heritage that took so much after Seonghwa earned him poems from girls and boys alike.

He was not yet fifteen, but he carried himself with dignity. When he spotted their visitors, however, his posture wobbled and a broad grin spread on his lips.

"Uncles, and my sister," he greeted them, eager to rush in, Sunny bounding by his side. Yunho had to swoon when he kissed the back of Morana's hand and kept it in his when he bowed to the nymphs.

Seonghwa's children were so dear and, though they grew up, Yunho still adored them for their small, adorable souls who clutched to each other. Aodhán brought the warmth to Morana's coldness, and she noticeably relaxed when his soothing hands emanated their healing light.

So proud of him and at the same time so in love with her and her stubborn scowls on that face like Seonghwa's, Yunho watched as Wooyoung bound over, feeling right at home with the young ones.

"I also get a hug," he demanded, and Aodhán dutifully hugged him, then offered the same to Yeosang. His grin was so disarming; everyone loved his shine and his warmth, even the petty, arrogant mages.

Soothed by his presence, Morana tucked close to him, finding her flesh and blood by his side.

Oh, if only Mingi and Jongho were here with them.

If only Seonghwa could see how well his kids grew up.

Yunho craned his head to look at San, who oversaw the chaos of laughter and Hongjoong scolding the animals for running around and nibbling on everyone. Buddy recognised Yeosang as his favourite tree and Yeosang warned him to be nice to him as he stroked his fur with soft, mossy hands.

San's shine had dulled after losing Seonghwa, like that of everyone else. Yunho watched Hongjoong recover from that day, coming out even stronger and with more willpower to purge the orcs from the Crystal Sphere. While Yunho admired San as a warrior and as a leader, the seraph looked fatigued by his burdens and his grief. He retreated to his loneliness, no matter how often they visited each other and extended companionship.

But his gaze had brightened at the sight of the kids. Was soft on their bickering that was so much like the past.

Though it made the lack of their shining, beautiful, loving husband from their midst painfully clear.

But this was an excellent diversion. Hongjoong disregarded all meetings he had today to make time for them. While Yunho was worried about the long journey Wooyoung and Yeosang undertook with their precious princess by their sides when their enemies were far from gone, he was glad they did. On the way home, Hongjoong could bring them.

So Yunho huddled over to Yeosang to greet him while Aodhán showed Morana some new spells he recently mastered. He cleared her headache and at his charming grin; she thought twice about retreating early to eat by herself.

Yunho's heart was full and happy at seeing them all together. He wrapped an arm around Yeosang's shoulders and nuzzled into his side for a friendly hug. Yeosang patted his hand in return, appreciating the attention.

"Are we all doing well?"

"Morana needed to be with family," Yeosang muttered quietly to explain their sudden appearance. Then, with a smile: "And yes. She already looks much better than when we departed. We hoped Aodhán would throw his sparks at her."

"You and Wooyoung?"

The gryphon-born flailed around, tripping everyone up with his wings and yelling back at Hongjoong when he was told to sit down. His giggles were carefree and delighted.

"Also better. This feels like home," Yeosang smiled and though his grin was melancholy since he felt his sorrow as deeply as any human or elf would, Yunho believed him.

Glad to have them there, he peered at Morana again, missing the ones who weren't there with them. How gorgeous their princess had become. How fiery her gaze.

"Tell me anytime if you want to take a walk with me and Buddy outside. We can catch up," Yunho offered and Yeosang properly looked at him, taking in his ruffled hair and askew clothes. His grin was playful.

"How about tomorrow? I doubt Hongjoong will find enough time to show me around the gardens. San and Wooyoung have enough to catch up on, too."

"I'll be ready," Yunho promised before he pulled away to greet San, so content to have them all here since his heart was also overjoyed to be together like in old times.