Healing came with the passing days. At first, everyone was afraid to let go of Seonghwa and move from his side farther than a few caves. Everyone lingered near him and read his every wish from his eyes before he had to spell it out loud. His lovely children, so young yet so strong, learned anew what being loved meant and that Seonghwa would do anything for them.

With the moons, it became easier for the family to leave him with only one or two of his husbands as guards. No attacks breached the lines of the titans, and Crius and Asteria personally monitored their needs. No rumours sparked in the empire, either. The elf remained a legend, brooding over his plans in the distance.

The others were by his side and supported them within their own kingdoms. They kept Seonghwa's return a secret, claiming to act in their own names and for the sake of the empire. San and Hongjoong easily directed the attention of their folk to ease strained relationships and open their borders to trade anew. The sorcerer helped Jongho and Yeosang visit their people, and Jongho's folk were the only ones who got to learn about Seonghwa's survival. Nothing else would wake them from their slumber and the old wise ones knew never than to betray his location.

The seasons passed and as the reeling empire got back onto its feet, Seonghwa's tummy swelled and swelled. He was soon too lethargic to run around with his children and rested by Yeosang's roots in the underground gardens of the titans, framing more temple ruins. In summer, they built a new xylophone for Jongho, though it was nowhere as graceful and well-tuned as the one the elves made for him. He played his music while the children mischievously climbed atop the smaller titans and stole candy from Hongjoong's stash that miraculously kept refilling behind their giggling backs.

Seonghwa didn't hurt for this pregnancy. The feeling of heaviness was similar as with Morana, but the seraph in his stomach was peaceful and remained wrapped in their developing wings. His children were fascinated by witnessing this pregnancy now that they were older, often pressing their ears to his stomach to listen to their sibling inside.

By the time Yunho confirmed the Kingdom of Man was ready for the return of the elves and would offer their sword to any new ruler against the orcs, it was time. Spring returned with the scent of the sun and Aodhán fashioning flower crowns for everyone. Buddy kept dropping his, as did Sunny, whom Hongjoong delivered to their new home without being asked to one day. Aodhán and Morana tirelessly put them back on their furry heads.

Seonghwa was at ease with his long holiday. He was limited to reading up on reports of San's and Yunho's people and on meeting the titans for suggestions on how to strike back at the orcs, so none would be left under the earth. That spring day, he rested again on Yeosang's roots and relished Jongho's music with closed eyes when the tug in his stomach urged him to sit up.

Hongjoong was his healer for this birth, as they couldn't risk bringing anyone else in. Seungyoun was back and wept many tears while clutching Seonghwa's hands in his, but he limited himself to the kitchens. Aside from the regular checkups, Hongjoong never mentioned anything out of the ordinary, and Seonghwa didn't think much of it. Helpless as he was with his big tummy and Yeosang teasing him about it, he was glad everything went well.

He hadn't estimated a day of birth, but Seonghwa knew it was time. His baby wanted out.

It must have showed on his features because Jongho's music stopped and he inclined his head with a crunch.

"Your baby is finished," he deducted wisely, and Yeosang also morphed back to a shape with arms and legs. The two helped Seonghwa onto wobbly feet and Yeosang called out to Aodhán and Morana among the flowers to search for their uncles. When he patted Seonghwa's shoulder, he had pity with his limited waddling.

Seonghwa felt the same wetness. This time, he knew what was happening.

"Please carry me," he pleaded to Jongho, and the golem picked him up, cautious of him and his precious cargo. They talked to him on the way back to their cave and Yeosang made sure Seonghwa wasn't suffering too much while he tied back his hair for him.

They just made it to Seonghwa's bed to place the extra sheets they prepared for the occasion when the kids came racing with wide eyes and flushed cheeks. Buddy, Sunny, and Onyx were with them.

"Asteria asked if she could watch," Morana reported, and Seonghwa choked on a giggle when he was lowered onto his mattress.

"Ask her to please be patient until this is finished. I am not in the best condition right now."

Morana rushed outside while Seonghwa shifted against some hard lump under his pillow. When Yeosang lifted it to check for the uncomfortable hindrance, he brought forth Pebble, who had crawled under his sheets while no one was looking. She got to sit on a ledge on the wall as Yeosang sent Aodhán for water.

The rush of wings announced San's arrival, and he almost tripped over Buddy in his hurry to get to Seonghwa's side. Narrowly dodging the poor dog from toppling over, he sunk to the side of the bed and clutched Seonghwa's hand. When he searched his face, he found it free of pain, merely serene from the moment he looked forward to.

"What can I do?" He asked, so fearful yet again. During the pregnancy, he got used to the thought of becoming a father, but all his training of the mind was as if wiped away now. Seonghwa soothed his haunted eyes with gentle caresses of his hands.

"Just be here," he hummed before his voice got drowned out in the others' arriving. Wooyoung gathered everyone and Hongjoong teleported to their side after Yeosang signalled him to come through their communication crystals. He looked pleased at how everything was prepared.

They had done this before. They could do it again.

Aodhán and Morana stood to the side hand in hand, looking nervous, as if something could happen to their emmya. Seonghwa cooed at them. They were still too young to see him suffer and gasp in pain. To them, he needed to be strong.

"Could you two make sure no one comes in? No titans, no Mulberry? Perhaps have the animals with you?" He asked them, giving them a task because that was the quickest way to get them motivated.

Morana instantly nodded and gathered up the dogs. Aodhán followed reluctantly, worried something might happen to Seonghwa.

But they learned to trust him. Even when they looked away, he would be right there for them.

So they wandered outside the cave, sitting together in the corner of the tunnel and whispering their theories about their new sibling.

Wooyoung shifted his weight in his spot but ultimately spoke up against his hesitation. Admitting to weaknesses now because no one pressured him to endure things he hated.

"I get queasy too, so if you don't need me, I will also wait outside. Just call if something goes wrong."

"I will," Seonghwa promised while Jongho helped him prop up his legs and Yeosang and Hongjoong carefully eased his clothes out of the way of his heavy body.

Seonghwa exhaled. His fingers clutched to San's and Mingi's hands, respectively. The demon offered his full support as a furnace and Yunho was at the ready with towels to soak up Seonghwa's liquids.

"Let's get to work, yes? I'll ease your muscles," Hongjoong confirmed with Seonghwa.

The elf nodded, not afraid. He was so curious to meet the one who had been with him for so many years, his silent support. Hoped they were as healthy as Hongjoong promised.

With Hongjoong reading up on the topic and helping in the past, this was the easiest birth yet. A membrane surrounded the unborn seraphim in the bearer's body, keeping their wings tucked against their bodies so they wouldn't flail. Its slippery texture made pressing easier, and Mingi quietly counted along with Seonghwa to remind him to breathe.

Hongjoong's coaxing fingers were almost as talented as those of an elven healer. Smaller than Morana and her dull horns, Seonghwa's third child soon emerged into the world. So proud, Seonghwa peered his head up with Yeosang's help, getting a few sips of water and the hair brushed from his forehead.

Swaddled in a sticky, translucent cocoon, white wings shifted around a curled-up figure. Healthy and lively in its movements as Yunho received the bundle to take care of and only stared at it in surprise.

"You have to cut the membrane so they can breathe," San instructed, also read up in hours of pacing around with a book in his hands.

When Yunho didn't dare to, Hongjoong helped. The membrane peeled away from the struggling child, unveiling wet tufts of pale pink hair and one small set of wings. Yunho was so in awe with the pinched face and ears pointed only at the tip that he missed the moment when the baby realised they were free and could stretch their wings for the first time.

Smacked in the face by white feathers still warm from the womb, Yunho yelped when the baby fluttered off, uncoordinated and wobbly in the air, but so eager to get moving.

"No, no, no, come back!" Dropping the towel, he jumped after the veering newborn. Their head was too heavy for the rest and there was no coordination for their flight. When Yunho packed small feet to hold on with firm hands, their twitching wings got stuck in each other and the baby spluttered in displeasure.

The entire room had been tense from the shock, but Seonghwa dropped into his pillows in relief at Yunho's sheepish grin.

"Sorry. I got him," he mumbled, wrapping the baby in clean cloth so he would have no more opportunity to flail away. Yunho was glared at by multiple husbands, but the surprise subsided into laughter. They all had known, and no one expected it.

Wooyoung, the eavesdropper, was about to race inside, but Hongjoong stopped him at the entrance, kneeling before Seonghwa's legs once more.

"Stand back. We aren't finished yet," he demanded, making Wooyoung trip over his own talons.

"What?!" He yelled, and Seonghwa shared his surprise. At Hongjoong's firm nod, tears welled in his eyes.

"You had two children in there?!" Yeosang demanded, as if Seonghwa lied to them and snuck off with another.

"That makes no sense," Jongho took his side, investigating as much as Pebble did, but this was nothing he ever heard of.

San looked just as floored. He only woke from his shock when Yunho handed him the bundle of his son.

"Here, uh, I have to go back to work. Sorry, I won't drop your other baby."

Seonghwa blinked his tears away, full of tenderness.

"Twins," he whispered, overjoyed. What a surprise. Hongjoong must have known and kept it a secret.

When he turned to San, the seraph held curled around his son to watch him breathe his first breaths in their world. So awed by the small size of him, the innocent golden hue of his fingertips flailing through the air. San could only offer his arm in an embrace since his hand still held onto Seonghwa.

"You gifted me with such a blessing, my peerless paramour," he whispered, and the tears in his eyes were golden when Hongjoong went to work again and helped the second twin out. Seonghwa only had eyes for San and the gentleness in his expression when he embraced his child. Safe and healthy.

Yunho didn't drop the second twin. He tucked the pair between the happy parents and helped Hongjoong clean up Seonghwa before everyone huddled close. The twins fell right asleep upon the stress of their birth and everyone hovered silently to marvel at the two and their matching little faces. Morana and Aodhán stared with enormous eyes while Seonghwa caressed the heads of his new family members.

After all this time, they made it. His dear twins, so beautiful and loyal.

Seonghwa knew trouble was brewing with their wings, but San could help with that. He looked utterly defeated and in awe, his eyes full of wonder about the life he helped create.

"So, what are they called?" Yeosang asked. He had Seonghwa's head in his lap and caressed nimble fingers through his hair, praising him for doing so well.

Seonghwa peered at San.

"What are the princes of the skies called?"

"Lonan, the one who fluttered off to honour your elven language. Fiorello, the one resting in your arm so peacefully," San whispered, and Seonghwa shrouded his dear husbands and his kids with his adoration.

He already loved them so dearly.