Amaryllis

by linksofmemories

Summary:

“What if I don’t want to go?” Sunghoon asked.

“You will,” Jongseong said, “and you should.”

Notes:

Moodboard

Sunghoon walked down the hallway of his manor, nodding his head when he passed by his servants who all bowed to him in reverence. It had been a few weeks since he had last entered this wing of the house. When he arrived at his destination, a maid was exiting the room. She was holding a tray in her hands and sighing heavily as she looked at the food that had been left behind. Only a few bites had been taken from it. Sunghoon thought that it looked like the person eating from it had spent more time pushing the food around on their plate than actually eating it.

“Oh, Lord Sunghoon,” the maid said once she noticed that he was standing next to her. She bowed and the tray would have fallen from her hands if she hadn’t kept such a tight grip on it. “I didn’t see you there.”

“How is he?” Sunghoon asked.

“He’s the same as always,” she said. “He doesn’t speak to me and he barely touches his food. He’s half-human, isn’t he? He needs to eat.”

“I’ll try talking to him,” Sunghoon said. “Thank you for bringing him food.”

“You don’t have to thank me, my Lord,” she said. “I’m only doing my job.”

She bowed to him again and then walked away, leaving him in the hallway by himself. Sunghoon glanced over his shoulder to see that he wasn’t entirely alone. A small group of his servants were at the other end of the hall, standing around and watching him. They scattered as soon as they were caught.

Sunghoon took a deep sigh and then opened the door to the room, stepping inside. The curtains were drawn over the windows and the only light in the room came from a single candle. Riki was sitting on the floor in front of it, staring into the flame as it softly illuminated his face. When Sunghoon closed the door, the darkness of the room was even more apparent.

“I heard that you’ve been neglecting your meals again,” Sunghoon said. He sat across from Riki on the floor. The flame flickered and waved. “You can’t do that, Riki-yah. You have to eat.”

“I eat enough,” Riki said. He took his eyes off the flame so that he could look at Sunghoon. “I’m only safe in this room.”

“We both know that’s not true,” Sunghoon said. “It’s been nearly a year, Riki. Heeseung and Jungwon and their daughter weren’t hurt at all. Besides, it’s not your fault that those monsters decided to attack their home.”

“I complained about Heeseung-hyung to them,” Riki said. “I told them he was soft now. I kept speaking badly about Jungwon, too. They attacked them because of what I said.”

“You made childish complaints,” Sunghoon said. “You didn’t actually order anyone to attack them. I’m sure that if you spoke to Heeseung, he wouldn’t–”

“I’m never speaking to him again,” Riki said. He blew out the candle, leaving them in darkness. “Leave. I want to be alone.”

Even though Sunghoon couldn’t see him through the darkness, he could perfectly picture Riki curling up into a ball and trying his best to block everything out. Sunghoon stood up and waved his hand, illuminating every candle and lantern in the room, the curtains flew open as well, drowning the room in light. He was right; Riki was curled into a ball.

The room was a mess. Blankets and quilts were ripped to shreds, the art on the wall had been torn down and slashed through, and even the large wardrobe was on its side. Riki sat in the middle of it, surrounded by the disaster which was a product of his fear and guilt. Sunghoon went to him and ran a hand through his greasy black hair.

“I can’t stand to see you like this anymore,” Sunghoon said. “You need to take care of yourself, Riki.”

“No,” Riki said, shaking his head. “I don’t deserve it.”

“Yes, you do,” Sunghoon said. “The world needs its god of war, and that’s your job now, whether you like it or not.”

He dropped a kiss to the top of Riki’s head and then left the room. Sunghoon closed the door behind him and leaned against it, closing his eyes. He had always thought that he was close to Riki. Sunghoon had known him since he had been a small child, following Heeseung around everywhere he went after his mother had left him in Heeseung’s care. He had been spoiled by Sunghoon for his entire life. Riki was like his nephew, his little brother, his child all in one. And yet, he couldn’t do anything for him.

Sunghoon walked through the halls of his home, going up and down numerous staircases and getting lost in the labyrinth that made up his mansion. It pained him to admit that he needed help from someone else. Heeseung was out of the question. He wanted Riki to come to him first, and that wasn’t going to happen with the state Riki was in now. All of the generals who used to work for Heeseung, who had tried to act as Riki’s mentors, were either dead or in hiding.

He stopped walking once he had made it to the top floor. There was a balcony in the hallway and when he looked over the edge, he could see his entire home and all of the floors below. Sunghoon put his hands on the railing and tried to center himself. He knew whose help he needed. It was the last person he wanted to go to, but it was unavoidable. One year wasn’t a very long time. It usually passed in the blink of an eye for Sunghoon. But having Riki in his home, neglecting his duties and worrying his staff, had made one year pass for him like it would for a human.

Sunghoon couldn’t live like this anymore, and Riki certainly couldn’t either. He looked over his shoulder to see the double doors that led to his bedroom. Sunghoon went to them and put his hands on both handles, closing his eyes. Instead of picturing his own room, he imagined a different home instead, one that was in an entirely different realm. Sunghoon took a deep breath and swung them open.

· ꕥ ·

Dimension traveling was something that Sunghoon didn’t care much for. He rarely did it. His own realm had more than everything he could possibly need. The mansion he lived in was bigger than a city. And the city surrounding his home was as big as a country. The realm was full of his worshipers and the population was constantly growing. Everyone wanted to be on the good side of the god of victory and success.

Sunoo’s realm was one that he visited the most often though. Despite the overall color scheme being every shade of pink in existence and the scent of sex and flowers always lingering in the air, he didn’t mind the city that Sunoo had built. Sunoo was a good friend and someone he cared about and also… someone he could lose himself in without any fear of judgement or attachment.

The doors had led him to the entrance of Sunoo’s own home. A few maids greeted him as he walked through the halls and he recognized them all. They looked a bit panicked though. That was new. The people who lived under Sunoo’s watchful eye were always happy and relaxed.

As he continued through the rose-colored halls, the expressions on the servants’ faces seemed to become more alarmed. Sunghoon looked down at himself. He was wearing a loose pair of pants and a fitted shirt. It wasn’t fancy, but it wasn’t different from what he usually wore when he visited Sunoo. He rarely showed up uninvited, so perhaps that was why they were so nervous.

When he made it to Sunoo’s bedroom, the strange looks and uneasy atmosphere finally came to a climax. One of the servants stood in front of the door, blocking it with her body.

“Excuse me,” Sunghoon said, raising an eyebrow at her. “I’d like to go inside.”

“Perhaps you should wait for a bit, Lord Sunghoon,” she said. Her eyes were focused on the ground and then she did a deep bow, like she was just now remembering her manners. “It’s not a good time.”

“I don’t recall ever needing an invitation to see Sunoo before,” Sunghoon said. “Step aside.”

“I really don’t think–”

“Move.”

Another maid came forward, grabbing the hand of her coworker and then pulling her away. Sunghoon looked over his shoulder to see that he had amassed a small audience. This had never happened before. Whatever was waiting for him behind Sunoo’s bedroom door was going to pull a reaction out of him that everyone wanted to see. That didn’t matter to him though. This was about Riki. He was the one who needed help and Sunghoon couldn’t wait any longer.

He opened the door and instantly regretted it. Sunghoon didn’t even have any sort of outward reaction. He simply stood in the doorway and watched the scene on the bed, feeling deader inside as the seconds passed. Sunghoon doubted it was the response that Sunoo’s servants wanted to see. He heard a few grumbles and murmurs of disappointment before they all left the hallway.

Sunghoon stepped inside just as his presence was noticed by the two people on the bed. The doors to the bedroom closed behind him, as if they were sentient and knew that Sunghoon wanted privacy.

“I’ll wait for you to get dressed,” Sunghoon said. He sat down on one of the armchairs in the room. It was covered in fuchsia velvet fabric. Sunghoon had a few memories of being on this armchair with Sunoo a few times, but he quickly banished those from his mind. “I have something important to discuss with Sunoo. If you could leave quickly, I would appreciate that, Jongseong-ssi.”

“Hyung, you have the worst timing,” Sunoo said.

He grabbed a silk robe from the floor and slipped it on. Sunoo’s appearance always changed slightly whenever Sunghoon saw him. The differences were subtle though. His hips would be a bit curvier, his chest would either be full or flat, his jawline soft or sharp. The fox ears that sat on top of his head were present or hidden away. Today they were out, twitching in annoyance as he glared at Sunghoon. They both seemed to have decided that glaring at each other was better than paying attention to Jongseong stumbling around the room as he tried to get dressed.

It wasn’t like Sunghoon didn’t know that he wasn’t the only one who went to Sunoo for comfort. He knew that Jongseong went to him as well, but he had definitely never walked in on it before. It was a strange experience, entering a room to see his ex-lover being pinned down on a bed while Sunoo bounced on his lap. Sunghoon supposed that he could be amused by the fact that he was an ancient being and he was still experiencing things for the first time.

“Why is my timing so awful?” Sunghoon asked.

“I was just about to come,” Sunoo said, pouting at him.

“No, you weren’t,” Jongseong said. He had finally managed to get fully dressed. “You didn’t do that weird thing you always do when you’re close.”

“What weird thing?” Sunoo asked.

“It’s a really high-pitched whining sound,” Sunghoon said.

“I’ve never made a sound like that before in my life,” Sunoo said, crossing his arms over his chest and then pointing his nose to the ceiling. “Hyung, why are you even here? What’s so important that–”

“Jongseong should leave first,” Sunghoon said.

“I’m on my way out,” Jongseong said.

“You don’t have to go anywhere,” Sunoo said. He grabbed Jongseong’s wrist and then pulled him down so that he was sitting next to Sunoo on the bed. “Stay right here. Sunghoon-hyung, what is it?”

This was not how Sunghoon wanted this interaction to go. He stood up from the armchair and then walked to the center of the room. Sunoo was looking at him expectantly while Jongseong was pretending like he was taking in the décor for the very first time.

“I need you to talk to Riki,” Sunghoon said. “I think you’re the only one who can get through to him.”

“Absolutely not,” Sunoo said.

“Why not?” Sunghoon asked. “You like Riki. Don’t you hate to see him suffering like this?”

“I tolerate Riki,” Sunoo said. “There is a big difference.”

“Can’t you do it as a favor for me then?” Sunghoon asked. “Are we not close enough that I can’t ask for favors?”

“You can ask for them, but I’ll only grant them if I get something in return and I can’t…” Sunoo’s words trailed off. That was a surprise. Sunoo usually loved to ramble on and on, especially when he was able to use a tone that was similar to a lecture. His eyes went from Sunghoon to Jongseong and then back again. The slow smile that crept onto his face sent a shiver down Sunghoon’s spine. He suddenly knew what Sunoo was going to propose before he even opened his mouth again. And Sunghoon did not like the idea. “I’ll talk to Riki, if you two talk to each other.”

“What does that have to do with Riki?” Sunghoon said. “I want to help him. Talking to Jongseong isn’t going to solve anything.”

“Favors don’t have to be connected to each other,” Sunoo said.

Jongseong seemed to have tuned back into their conversation because he finally stopped staring at the nude drawing of Sunoo that was hanging over his bed. Sunghoon couldn’t remember which one of Sunoo’s many lovers had gifted that to him. It must have been someone special. Or Sunoo liked the depiction of himself so much that he needed it to constantly be on display.

“Could you repeat that?” Jongseong said. “Why am I being involved?”

“Sunghoon-hyung wants me to talk to Riki,” Sunoo said. “I’ve agreed to talk to him, if you two can have an actual conversation. It can be alone, in one your homes, without anyone around. Or, I could stand by and help you through it, if you two really are as emotionally constipated as you pretend to be.”

“Why would we talk?” Sunghoon said. “I have nothing to say to Jongseong.”

“Yes, you do,” Sunoo said. He stood up, putting his hands on his hips. Sunghoon wasn’t sure when one of his fox tails had come out, but it was swishing behind him with frustration. “I have spent so much time with each of you and I’m sick of it. The sex has been fine, but I’m tired of you two crying to me because you miss being together. Stop avoiding one another. Talk to each other. I don’t care what the outcome is. It doesn’t matter to me if you get back together, or you decide to part ways forever. At least talk about it!”

The fireplace in the room burst into flames. Even the lanterns hanging on the walls became brighter. The fire caused the room to become even warmer. A pair of fangs had appeared in Sunoo’s mouth.

“You thought that the sex was just ‘fine?’” Jongseong said.

It was a miracle that Sunoo didn’t start strangling him. Sunghoon wouldn’t have blamed him. He would have taken a seat and watched.

“Sex can only be fine if the person you’re with is pretending that you’re someone else,” Sunoo said. His eyes went to Sunghoon. “That goes for both of you.” He went to Sunghoon, placing his hands on his chest and then curling them forward so that his claws pricked at Sunghoon’s skin. “I know that Riki is going to drive you insane eventually. One year will turn to ten and then a hundred and then a thousand and eventually you’ll have that brat stuck in your house for one million years. Talk to Jongseong and I’ll do my best with Riki.”

“If you didn’t want to have sex with me anymore,” Jongseong said, “you could have just said that.”

Sunoo put his hands over his face and screamed. The room became even hotter as the flames erupted once more. Jongseong seemed confused as to what he had done to garner such a reaction.

“Fine,” Sunghoon said. “I’ll talk with him.”

“You’ll talk with him for one week,” Sunoo said.

“One week?” Sunghoon said. “I think we can sort through whatever we need to in one hour.”

“One week,” Sunoo practically growled at him. He grabbed Sunghoon’s shoulders and started to shake him with a surprising amount of strength. “That’s me being merciful. Take it or I change that week to a year.”

“I agree to your terms,” Sunghoon said. “But I don’t know if Jongseong is willing to give up one week of his time.”

He hoped that Jongseong would instantly say that this was a bad idea. Jongseong’s life revolved around the human world. He was the god of harvest, so he couldn’t leave them alone for very long. It was one of the reasons why Jongseong had put distance between them to begin with. He had let Sunghoon consume every second of his life, and the humans had suffered because of his neglect.

“One week should be fine,” Jongseong said.

“Is there something that you want in return, too?” Sunghoon asked. “You’re not the one who’s trying to help Riki. I’m sure you want–”

“Your time is more than enough for me,” Jongseong said.

Sunghoon couldn’t remember the last time they had made eye contact that had lasted for this long. He felt warmth pool in his stomach as he returned Jongseong’s strong gaze. Sunghoon always thought that Jongseong was a fool, but he had moments like this where he could capture his attention and hold him in place like no one else could.

Sunoo clapped his hands once, breaking Sunghoon out of his daze.

“Perfect,” Sunoo said. “Come back to me in one week and then I’ll go to Riki. Now, leave. I need to find someone who can finish what Jongseong started.”

“If the sex was really that bad–” Jongseong started.

“Just go,” Sunoo said.

Sunghoon left first. He went to the doors of the room and hesitated for a moment before thinking of a place that he hadn’t been to in centuries. Sunghoon squeezed the door handles and then looked behind him at Jongseong.

“You’ll know where to find me,” Sunghoon said before he opened the doors and stepped inside.

· ꕥ ·

Jongseong’s home hadn’t changed much since Sunghoon had last been there. It was a small cottage consisting of only three rooms. The main room had seating for guests and a kitchen area. There was a room for bathing and a bedroom as well. That was all though. Jongseong was simple and he liked uncomplicated things. Sunghoon often wondered why Jongseong had been attracted to him in the first place.

He walked around the main room, looking at the impeccably clean shelves full of books and trinkets. The floors had been mopped and the rug underneath the dining table was free of any dirt or dust. Jongseong had no servants, so this was all his own doing. A memory came to Sunghoon then. He remembered lounging on the bed, wearing nothing but Jongseong’s robe as he watched him neatly fold all of the clothes that they had thrown on the floor the night before. Sunghoon had teased Jongseong for it and then reveled in watching the tips of his ears turn a bright red.

The memory was sweet, but it was unwelcome in Sunghoon’s head. He tried to force it away, pushing it into a tiny box in his brain and locking it up. Nothing good came from revisiting those times. Jongseong had hurt him in the end, and Sunghoon didn’t want to do anything that would unearth that pain. This trip to Jongseong’s home was counter intuitive then. This place would only bring up more and more memories. He wasn’t here for himself though. Sunghoon was here for Riki.

He wandered into the kitchen area, picking up the kettle that Jongseong had used for boiling water for centuries. Sunghoon traced the handle with the tip of his finger, trying his best to not let any more memories come flooding back to him. The front door opened and, thankfully, he was kept in the present instead of being pulled into the past.

“This is strange,” Jongseong said. “I didn’t think I would ever see you in my home again.”

“I would have liked to go to my place,” Sunghoon said. “But you hate it there. I don’t think you would have lasted the whole week.”

“It’s too big,” Jongseong said. “There are too many people. We wouldn’t have been able to have a conversation that wasn’t overheard by someone.”

“Then aren’t you glad I picked your home instead?” Sunghoon said.

Sunghoon went to the seating area and sat down on one of the floor cushions. The home was a hanok and the inside of it was as well. There were no armchairs or tall tables. Sunghoon was sure that Jongseong’s bed was still a mattress on the floor instead of on a bedframe. They weren’t actually Korean, despite their human appearances. Every god had a human country they were fondest of though, so their human forms matched. Riki was the only one who didn’t have a choice since he was a demigod. His human father had been Japanese, so Riki’s appearance matched his heritage.

“I don’t know what Sunoo is expecting from us,” Jongseong said. “We haven’t spoken in years.”

“I think he just wants us to come to a mutual agreement that we’re not going to go to him for sex anymore,” Sunghoon said. “He must be tired of us.”

“He’s definitely tired of me,” Jongseong said. “I can’t believe he said the sex was just ‘fine.’ Am I really that bad? I thought that I was at least… Would you like a cup of tea?”

That was new. Whenever Jongseong rambled, he rarely caught himself, especially if he was being defensive. Being able to stop talking in the middle of what could have turned into a ten minute speech was a new ability for him.

“Tea would be nice,” Sunghoon said. He leaned back onto his palms and looked around the small space. “You seriously haven’t thought about expanding the house? You could add a few rooms, or at least make this room bigger.”

“I like it just how it is,” Jongseong said. “It works for me and I’m the only one who’s ever here. It doesn’t need to change.”

“You haven’t brought anyone else home lately?” Sunghoon asked.

“I always went to Sunoo’s place,” Jongseong said.

“I meant other people.”

“There’s no one else, Sunghoon.”

They loved to avoid eye contact with each other. It was difficult for Sunghoon, to look into the eyes of the man he had lost. They were staring at each other now and the ache in Sunghoon’s chest was so strong that he was worried his ribs would cave in.

“After all this time,” Sunghoon said, continuing to hold Jongseong’s gaze with his own, “Sunoo was the only one you went to for… comfort?”

“Why would I need anyone else?” Jongseong said. He broke the eye contact so that he could continue making tea. “Sunoo is familiar. He’s a friend. He’s safe. Being with him like that was easy. I’m sure you went to him for the same reasons.”

“Well, yes,” Sunghoon said. “But there were others as well.”

Jongseong nodded his head in acknowledgment and kept his focus on his current task. Sunghoon shifted slightly, feeling uncomfortable by the direction of their conversation. They hadn’t truly spoken to each other since their relationship had come to an end. He didn’t know why it mattered that Sunghoon had been with others while Jongseong had only gone to Sunoo.

“Here,” Jongseong said. “I made it how you used to like it.” He set a teacup down in front of Sunghoon on the table. Steam rose from the top of it. Sunghoon instantly recognized the teacup. It was white with a red flower painted on the side. He always drank from this cup when he had spent time at Jongseong’s home. “I don’t know if you still like it this way, but–”

“I do,” Sunghoon said. “Nothing has changed.”

“I think everything has changed,” Jongseong said. “I don’t like change.”

“I know you don’t,” Sunghoon said.

He took a sip from the cup and more memories came flooding back to him. The floral flavor of the tea reminded him of sitting in a field together, letting Jongseong kiss his neck as they ignored the food that Jongseong had prepared for their picnic. Sunghoon set the cup back down on the table.

“I’m going to go for a walk,” Jongseong said. “I don’t know when I’ll be back. If it’s after nightfall, you can sleep in my bed. I’ll sleep in here on the floor.”

“I’m not going to take your bed,” Sunghoon said.

“Yes, you are,” Jongseong said.

Sunghoon knew that Jongseong wasn’t going to come back until the morning. This had been a complete waste of their first day of the week. It wasn’t surprising to Sunghoon though. One of the things that Jongseong was best at was running away.

“Why did you agree to this?” Sunghoon asked. “If you’re not going to even sit down across from me and talk to me, then why would you agree to Sunoo’s terms? It’s not like you and Riki are very close. Sunoo is doing me a favor, not you.”

“I’m doing this because it’s a favor for you,” Jongseong said. “You needed help and I could assist with that. I’d do anything for you.”

“No you wouldn’t,” Sunghoon said as Jongseong placed his hand on the door that led outside. “If you wanted to do what I wanted, then you never would have left me.”

Jongseong sighed and Sunghoon could see the age on his face. Gods only aged physically if they wanted to. If they wanted to grow gray hair and crease their face with wrinkles, then they could easily shift their appearance to show that. Most gods chose to stay young forever, and Sunghoon and Jongseong were no exception to that. Even though Jongseong’s hair was black and his face was smooth and free of lines, the exhaustion of millions of years was weighing down on his shoulders. Sunghoon had never seen it so clearly.

“I’ll see you in the morning,” Jongseong said. “I need one night on my own, then I’ll tell you anything you want to hear.”

“And if what I want to hear is the truth?” Sunghoon said.

“Then I’ll tell you nothing less than that,” Jongseong said.

He left, leaving Sunghoon alone in the quiet cottage. Coming here had been a mistake. Sunghoon looked at the teacup in front of him and thought about smashing it on the floor. Jongseong had handed him something so fragile and important without a second thought. Sunghoon could so easily break it.

Instead of breaking it, Sunghoon drank from the cup instead. The tea warmed his belly and continued to bring back memories that Sunghoon wanted nothing to do with. He shouldn’t fight them though. This week was going to keep him trapped in the past. Just like the past year had crawled by for him, Sunghoon knew that this week would pass slowly.

He stood up after finishing his tea, leaving the empty cup on the table. Sunghoon walked around the small room, going to the shelves that were lined with books and small objects. A dried red flower was standing proudly in a vase. Next to it was a painting that depicted a field of the same kind of flowers. Lying on the edge of the shelf was a norigae that Jongseong had made for him. Sunghoon had left it at the cottage the last time he had been there. He picked it up, running his hand over the wooden medallion that held the red strings hanging from it in place. Sunghoon remembered throwing it at Jongseong as he called him a coward. His eyes had stung with tears and he had never resented his decision to feel before. In that moment, he wished he could turn everything off. Sunghoon had never learned how to do that though. On the outside, he knew that people saw him as cold and unyielding, but the truth was that his heart was wild and incapable of staying calm.

Despite his instincts shouting at him to stay in the main room, Sunghoon went to the bedroom next. Jongseong’s bed had been neatly folded up against the wall. Two familiar pillows were sitting on top of the now compact mattress. Sunghoon recognized the desk in the room too. He recalled sitting down at it, trying his best to understand Jongseong’s handwriting as he read over his notes. It had been amazing to him, how Jongseong was so invested in the humans and their farming. Jongseong loved the advancements they kept making and told him about it constantly. They lied in bed together, Sunghoon resting his head against Jongseong’s chest as Jongseong told him about the new way that humans were watering their crops.

There was a large trunk in the corner of the room. Jongseong had left him unattended, most likely knowing that Sunghoon wouldn’t be able to stop himself from snooping. He kneeled in front of the trunk, running his fingertips over the gold design that covered the surface, depicting vines and leaves. Sunghoon unlatched the chest and opened it. He expected to find spare blankets and Jongseong’s clothes. Sunghoon was met with his own clothes instead.

He placed his hand on top of the silk hanbok that Jongseong had gifted to him after visiting the human realm. It was one of the last gifts he had given to Sunghoon. He had only worn it a few times. Sunghoon searched through the trunk, bringing out each piece of clothing and the accompanying memories that went with them. Jongseong always loved it when he wore silk. He insisted that Sunghoon was luxurious and opulent and too divine for the ordinary cotton and linen clothes that Jongseong himself preferred. The clothes ranged from hanbok to sleep clothes to little pieces of fabric that left very little to the imagination. Sunghoon saw flashes of memories in his head again, of rolling around on the bed with Jongseong, having Jongseong’s fingers inside of him and his breath against his chest and the sweat from his chin dripping down onto Sunghoon’s bare skin.

The clothes were shoved back inside and the trunk was closed. Sunghoon leaned forward, pressing his forehead against the cool surface of the trunk. He had to remind himself that he was doing this for Riki. Sunoo would be able to talk some sense into him. That was the only thought in Sunghoon’s mind right now that was keeping him sane.

· ꕥ ·

Sunghoon spent the morning of the second day going through Jongseong’s tea collection. He still hadn’t returned to the house, so Sunghoon had to find a way to entertain himself. There was a stool in the kitchen and he sat on it after he lined up the different boxes of tea on the counter. He opened each one, looking at the different dried leaves and flowers and smelling them all. Sunghoon didn’t know much about tea. Every time Jongseong served him a cup, it was something completely different from the last one he had drunk. He liked all of them though. Jongseong had yet to fail him when it came to the tea he served.

The boxes were small and made of different types of wood. He wondered if the type of wood was chosen on purpose to complement each tea. Sunghoon wouldn’t be surprised if that was the truth. Jongseong was so meticulous. Everything had its own designated spot. There was a reason for each placement of his belongings. Sunghoon wondered if there was a reason for Jongseong keeping his old clothes in his bedroom. Jongseong had left some of his own clothes at Sunghoon’s place in the past, but Sunghoon had banished them all from his sight. He didn’t know if they had been burned or if one of his servants had hidden them away or even stolen them.

Sunghoon picked up the second to last box just as the front door opened. He didn’t turn his head to look at Jongseong. The box was full of dry brown leaves and had a very faint scent. It was definitely the most boring one so far.

“What are you doing?” Jongseong asked.

“Good morning to you, too,” Sunghoon said. “How was your walk? Did you even sleep any last night?”

“I slept in a hammock,” Jongseong said. “How was the bed?”

“The same as it was before,” Sunghoon said. “Comfortable, but lonely.”

He glanced at Jongseong. His hair was a mess and the boots he had taken off and placed on the entry mat were covered in mud. Jongseong was staring at him and there was a small bit of terror in his eyes, like he was seeing a ghost. Good. That was what Sunghoon wanted.

“What are you wearing?” Jongseong asked.

“I’m wearing my clothes,” Sunghoon said, shrugging his shoulders. He had opened the chest again that morning and took out a hanbok that he used to wear almost every time they were together. Sunghoon remembered the look on Jongseong’s face when he had gifted it to Sunghoon. He had been nervous, like he was unsure if Sunghoon would accept it. The hanbok had been one of the first gifts Jongseong had ever given to him. “Do you want me to change?”

“No,” Jongseong said. He stepped forward and reached out his hand, tugging on the sleeve of the hanbok. It was made of black silk and golden thread that created a swirling design across the fabric. “They’re your clothes. Wear whatever you like.”

“Why did you keep them?” Sunghoon asked.

Jongseong didn’t answer him. He started to stack up his tea boxes, carefully placing them back onto the shelf that Sunghoon had taken them from. Jongseong left one box behind though and silently got to work, making tea for them both. Sunghoon sighed, rolling his eyes as he got off the stool and went to the dining table instead. He rested his elbow on the table and then placed his chin in his palm as he watched Jongseong move around the small kitchen.

“You’d never shown any interest in my tea collection before,” Jongseong said.

“I’m still not interested,” Sunghoon said. “I had to find something to entertain myself with while you were out. There isn’t much to do here.”

“You could have gone back to your own realm,” Jongseong said. “Sunoo didn’t imprison you here. He said that we had to spend a week together talking. I doubt he meant that the talking had to be nonstop.”

“If I left, I never would have come back,” Sunghoon said. “It’s not easy for me, being here. And I know you hate my home even more than I hate being here. I couldn’t leave.”

“I don’t hate your home,” Jongseong said. “It’s too big. It’s overwhelming. I like simplicity.”

“I know you do,” Sunghoon said. “It’s why you let go of me in the first place. I’m too complicated.”

“That’s not–” One of the teacups fell to the floor, breaking into several pieces. Jongseong bent over and picked up each piece. He fused them together until it was whole again. “That isn’t true. You know why we had to end things.”

“Because we were spending too much time together,” Sunghoon said. “We weren’t focusing on our duties. That’s the excuse you gave me. We could have fixed that, but you threw me out instead of talking about it.”

“I didn’t throw you out.”

“That’s what it felt like.”

He watched as Jongseong put his hands on the edge of the counter. Jongseong leaned forward, hanging his head as he took a few deep breaths. Sunghoon wanted to push him even more. Avoiding each other for so long meant that he had suppressed so many feelings and thoughts and words that he was dying to say. They were all coming out now. He could no long lock away what he was feeling. The betrayal and the hurt and the heartbreak were all at the forefront of his mind.

“I can’t control myself when I’m around you,” Jongseong said. “You were all I wanted. My thoughts were full of you and nothing else. The humans need me. I can’t just be a passive god. There were famines because I spent more time with you than I did with them.”

“Are you blaming me for humans dying?” Sunghoon asked.

“No, of course not,” Jongseong said. “I’m blaming myself. I’m the reason they died. I couldn’t stay away from you. I felt like if I left your side, you would leave me.”

“Why would I ever leave you?”

“Because I’m simple, and you’re everything,” Jongseong said. “If I wasn’t constantly in your sight, I was afraid you would grow bored of me. You would realize that there were others who were more suitable for you.”

Sunghoon stood up from the table. Jongseong was still bent forward, his face looking at the floor instead of at Sunghoon. When Sunghoon wrapped an arm around his waist, he jolted in surprise at the contact. Sunghoon pressed his face against Jongseong’s neck and his entire body shuddered.

“I’ve been apart from you for centuries now,” Sunghoon said. “I’ve been with so many others, and yet none of them are right for me. You are simple, but it’s not a bad thing. All you’ve ever wanted was me, not my possessions or my status or what I could gift to you. Why couldn’t you tell me this? Were you really that scared that you would lose me?”

“I already lost you once because of my own stupidity,” Jongseong said. “I wasn’t going to do it again.”

“Just don’t make the same mistake twice and you won’t,” Sunghoon said.

He pressed his lips together as he waited for Jongseong to speak. Sunghoon squeezed his waist, splaying his fingers over Jongseong’s side and wishing that he was touching his bare skin instead. He pushed his face closer to his neck, his lips brushing Jongseong’s skin just as he was pushed away.

“I’m going for a walk,” Jongseong said.

“You can’t be serious,” Sunghoon said.

“I’m always serious when it comes to my walks,” Jongseong said. “I’ll be back later.”

“I’m coming with you,” Sunghoon said.

“You should stay here.”

“No, I shouldn’t.”

“I don’t want you to come with me.”

“Then I’ll go on my own walk in a different direction.”

“You would just get lost.”

“Then I suppose you’ll have to come find me,” Sunghoon said.

His hands were on his hips and he knew that the disappointment on his face was on total display. Sunghoon didn’t want to try hiding it. He was always hiding how he felt. Sunghoon didn’t want to do that anymore, especially not in front of Jongseong.

“Your stubbornness will never change, will it?” Jongseong said.

“Neither will yours,” Sunghoon said.

Jongseong rubbed his face with his hands, almost like he was trying to bring himself back to reality. This was all real though. Sunghoon wouldn’t leave his side until the week was over. Jongseong was stuck with him. He would leave this place after the seven days were up and go to Sunoo to get him to uphold his end of the favor. And then… Sunghoon wasn’t sure what would happen then.

“Let’s go,” Jongseong said. “I can give you the tour. A lot has changed since you were last here.”

There was a spare pair of boots next to Jongseong’s in front of the door. Sunghoon put them on despite the work boots not matching his formal hanbok at all. He didn’t care and he knew that Jongseong didn’t either. When he opened the front door, Sunghoon expected to be met with a large open field. He remembered walking through the tall grass in the past, heading toward the small cottage in the empty space. This time he stepped out into a field of red flowers.

They were the same red flowers that were painted on his favorite teacup. The dried flower on the shelf next to his painting was also the same kind. Sunghoon bent down, running over the smooth petals with his fingertips. He was aware that Jongseong was watching his every move. Jongseong seemed nervous, like this new addition of a flower field was enough to give away his entire heart. And maybe it was.

“They’re beautiful,” Sunghoon said.

“Amaryllises were always your favorite,” Jongseong said.

“They still are,” Sunghoon said.

He let Jongseong lead the way. Another new addition to the field were large stones that acted as a path through the flowers. Jongseong walked across them and Sunghoon followed. A forest surrounded the open field. Sunghoon remembered running through the trees with Jongseong chasing after him. They had gone swimming at a nearby pond and Jongseong had become angry after Sunghoon pushed him into the water. He had chased Sunghoon through the woods until he caught him, bringing him down to the ground while Sunghoon laughed in his face.

Sunghoon let the memory stop there. Letting it go any further would make him overcome with a feeling that wasn’t appropriate for what they were doing now.

“There have been more animals in the woods lately,” Jongseong said as they walked down the forest path. “It’s more active than it ever was before.”

“They want to keep you company,” Sunghoon said.

Jongseong didn’t comment on that. He kept walking until the trees parted and they reached a lake. The water stretched out past the horizon. Jongseong’s boat was tied to the pier. Sunghoon saw flashes of memories once more. They had gone fishing together and neither one of them managed to catch anything. It had been hours of sitting in the boat under the hot sun, sweating and complaining. When they went back to land, Jongseong had built a fire and grilled the vegetables that were meant to accompany fish. It had still been a delicious meal. They had fallen asleep on top of a blanket together that night, under the stars.

“I’m still awful at fishing,” Jongseong said, bringing Sunghoon out of the memory.

Sunghoon wondered if he had been thinking of the same moment.

“I haven’t gone fishing in a long time,” Sunghoon said. “I doubt I’ve improved either.”

The grin that Jongseong gave him was short-lived. It was as if he caught himself as soon as the corners of his mouth started to go up. His brows furrowed and he turned his back to Sunghoon and kept walking.

There were fields of crops that were all tended to by the other people who lived in this realm. Jongseong kept his home isolated from the others, but he wasn’t entirely alone in this world. The workers lived in a small village close to the farmlands. They had their own lake and forest and flower field. Jongseong used to join them for dinner in the town square once a month, but other than that they were left to their own devices. Sunghoon wondered if he still did that. He hoped that he did.

Sunghoon thought of his first dinner in the town. He had been the most elaborately dressed person there. The lower ranking gods and creatures who lived in the town didn’t seem to mind aging themselves. He saw women with wrinkles and men with gray hair. They doted on him like he was their grandson and complimented his beauty and fine etiquette at every moment they could. Jongseong’s face had been flushed by the time they ate dessert. He was happy though. They all liked Sunghoon and that made him proud.

“Do you remember this place?” Jongseong asked.

His mind had wandered so far that Sunghoon was surprised to see that they were no longer among the crops. They were in front of a tall glass building instead. It was the greenhouse. This world could create any climate that was necessary for the plants that Jongseong wanted to grow, but he had still built this house. It had been a gift for Sunghoon.

“How could I forget?” Sunghoon said.

They stepped inside and the hot, damp air that greeted him was so different from the perfect warm breeze that was outside. The plants inside were vibrant and colorful and the perfume from the flowers was stronger than anything Sunghoon had ever smelled before. He stood in the middle of it, looking around the room when a pair of arms wrapped around his waist. Sunghoon leaned back against Jongseong’s chest.

“Can I be selfish?” Jongseong asked. “Even though I don’t deserve to be?”

“You can be whatever you like, Jongseong-ah,” Sunghoon said.

Jongseong inhaled shakily. He buried his face in Sunghoon’s neck and bunched up the fabric of Sunghoon’s hanbok in his hands.

“I want to enjoy these next few days with you,” Jongseong said. “I want to pretend like things between us were just like before. And then once the week is up, I’ll let you go.”

“What if I don’t want to go?” Sunghoon asked.

“You will,” Jongseong said, “and you should.”

· ꕥ ·

Sunghoon went through the clothes in the chest again on the afternoon of the third day. Jongseong was washing the dishes after they had eaten a late breakfast together. Sunghoon bypassed the hanbok and sleep clothes. He had a few specific pieces in mind and he didn’t have a lot of time to change into them before Jongseong came back to the room. After their trip to the greenhouse, they both seemed to be acting with a sense of urgency. Sunghoon didn’t know what Jongseong had planned for the end of the week, but Sunghoon was determined to convince him that letting him go again was a bad idea. Jongseong wanted to cherish this week like it was their last while Sunghoon needed to make this a new start for them.

At the bottom of the chest was exactly what he had been looking for. Sunghoon stuffed the rest of the clothes inside and then stripped out of the shirt and loose pants that he had slept in last night. He added those to the trunk as well. Sunghoon put on the shirt first. It still fit him perfectly. The fabric was just enough to cover his chest. Attached to it were two long sleeves that became loose around his wrists, making the fabric flow whenever he waved his arms. His stomach was exposed and the skirt that he had chosen also helped to show off his skin. It rested just on his hips and reached the floor when he stood up. A large slit in the side of it left very little to the imagination.

The bed was still out in the room, since Jongseong hadn’t cleaned up in here yet. Sunghoon leaned back onto his palms, making sure that he was facing the door. He brought one of his legs up slightly, making the slit in his skirt impossible to ignore. Then, he waited.

Sunghoon closed his eyes, listening to the sounds of Jongseong cleaning up the kitchen. He used to watch Jongseong clean, sometimes while wearing clothes like this. Jongseong was very good at acting like he was unaffected by Sunghoon’s presence, but the way his neck turned red and his hands shook slightly always gave him away.

When the door to the room opened, Sunghoon’s mouth crept up into a grin. He tilted his head to the side, putting his neck on display just as Jongseong walked into the room. It was impossible for him to ignore Sunghoon and his intentions. Jongseong took one look at him and then turned around and left, the door sliding shut behind him.

Sunghoon stayed there for a moment, completely dumbfounded, when the door opened once more.

“I wasn’t prepared for…” Jongseong waved his hand around in circles and then pointed at Sunghoon. “I didn’t expect… Is that just what you’re wearing today? I thought we could go fishing and if you want to wear that, then it’s fine, but you won’t be very comfortable and–”

“Jongseong-ah,” Sunghoon said. “Come here.”

He hesitated. Sunghoon hadn’t expected that. Jongseong took a step toward him and reached his hand out but then closed it into a fist.

“Should we really be doing this?” Jongseong asked.

“We only have a few more days together,” Sunghoon said, “and I want you. Do you not want me anymore?”

“That has to be the stupidest question you’ve ever asked me,” Jongseong said. “Because how could I not want you? Do you not see it, in this house? You’re everywhere. I haven’t gotten rid of a single shred of you. I think about you every day. You’re always on my mind. I’ve ached for you every second that you’ve been gone and you dare to ask me if I even want you?”

“Then, come here,” Sunghoon repeated.

His own face was flushed and he felt warm all over at Jongseong’s words. It wasn’t new or unusual for Sunghoon to be desired. Sunoo often hosted parties at his home, where the goal of the night was for everyone to have sex and seek out their own pleasure without shame. Sunghoon had attended multiple times and he never failed to find one, or two or three, eager partners. This was different though. Jongseong knew him better than anyone else. If he wanted Sunghoon, then it wasn’t just because he thought that Sunghoon was beautiful.

Jongseong knelt down in front of him on the bed. They stared at each other for a single second before Jongseong took Sunghoon’s face in his hands and kissed him. Sunghoon’s mouth opened for him instantly, letting Jongseong’s tongue slip inside. He grabbed the back of Jongseong’s shirt and used it to pull him even closer. They hadn’t kissed in so long. Even last night, when Jongseong had held him in the greenhouse, their lips hadn’t touched.

He was being kissed now like Jongseong was trying to consume every bit of him. It was hungry and wet and their bodies kept pressing closer together until there was no space between them. Jongseong was between his legs, his rough calloused hands holding on to Sunghoon’s face so preciously. It was as if he wanted to cradle him while at the same time he was trying his best to memorize every piece of him. Sunghoon didn’t need to memorize Jongseong at all though. He remembered him perfectly.

Jongseong’s mouth moved to his neck and Sunghoon tilted his head back to give him as much access as possible. He finally fell back onto the bed, already tired of keeping himself propped up. Jongseong fell with him, his mouth still latched to his skin so that he could leave a mark that would only last until the morning.

“Has anyone ever told you,” Jongseong said after he finally managed to pull away from Sunghoon, “that you’re the most beautiful creature in the universe?”

“You have,” Sunghoon said, laughing. “Multiple times.”

“I should keep telling you,” Jongseong said.

“Don’t waste your breath,” Sunghoon said.

He put his hands on Jongseong’s shoulders and then used just a tiny bit of his strength to push him. Jongseong ended up on his back as Sunghoon straddled him. He sat right on his crotch, allowing Sunghoon to feel how hard he was already. Sunghoon wasn’t much better off. Usually, it took more than kissing to get him riled up, but Jongseong had always been different from the others.

Sunghoon put his palm over the front of Jongseong’s pants, rubbing at his cock with his hand. Jongseong groaned and brought his hands up to hold onto Sunghoon’s waist.

“I don’t want you to touch me yet,” Sunghoon said. Jongseong’s hands fell back to his side. “I know you want this just as badly as I do. But you’re the one who made the choice to keep us apart. I’m going to do this my way.”

“Fine,” Jongseong said. He didn’t seem interested in putting up a fight or complaining. That was exactly what Sunghoon wanted to see. “I’ll accept anything, as long as it’s with you.”

“Good boy,” Sunghoon said, leaning down so that he could press a soft kiss to Jongseong’s lips. “You always loved being good for me, didn’t you?”

Jongseong didn’t answer him with an actual word. He made a strange sound that was a cross between a moan and a whine. Sunghoon pecked his lips once more and then grabbed the bottom of his shirt. He undressed Jongseong as quickly as he could, keeping his own clothes on. It wasn’t like his clothes were helping to hide anything though. They were so revealing, especially as he straddled Jongseong like this.

Sunghoon knew that he was never what anyone expected when he had sex. Some saw his tall frame and muscled physique and assumed he was dominating and powerful. Others focused on his delicate features and pale skin and wanted him to act submissive and coy. He was somewhere in the middle, and Jongseong had always loved that about him. Jongseong accepted all sides of him, never appearing to crave one more than the other.

He placed his hands on Jongseong’s chest, running over his tan skin and rubbing his fingers against his pebbled nipples. Jongseong’s hips bucked up at the contact, making them both moan softly. Sunghoon circled his finger around his navel and found it funny how it was such an unnecessary thing for a god. Gods who were as old as they were hadn’t been born; they had been brought into existence by the force of the universe.

Sunghoon ducked down, dipping his tongue into Jongseong’s navel briefly before moving to his cock. Jongseong’s hips twitched, but he kept them down, not bucking them up again. Sunghoon kissed the crease of his thigh and then ran his tongue up the length of Jongseong’s cock. His lips pressed against the head in a short kiss and then he moved on. Sunghoon smirked, seeing how Jongseong’s fists were clenched at his sides. This wasn’t easy for him. Even now, it took him some time to fully relax. Sunghoon supposed that being with Sunoo hadn’t done anything to make him more relaxed.

“You’re being so quiet,” Sunghoon said. He was face to face with Jongseong again, their chests pressing together and Sunghoon still straddling him. “Are you nervous?”

“A little bit,” Jongseong said.

“Why?” Sunghoon said. “We’ve done this before. Many times.”

“I know that,” Jongseong said. He put his hands on Sunghoon’s waist lightly, like he wasn’t sure Sunghoon was going to allow him to move. When Sunghoon didn’t say anything, Jongseong used his hands to pull Sunghoon down even more. “You’re so beautiful.”

“You’re deflecting.”

“I’m just saying what’s on my mind.”

It was impossible for Sunghoon to hold back a smile. Sometimes, Sunghoon could be cold to him during sex, and they both enjoyed it, but other times he knew that they wanted something else. Sunghoon kissed him and one of Jongseong’s hands moved up to his head, his fingers running through the dark strands of Sunghoon’s hair.

“Do you want to fuck me?” Sunghoon asked, his head tilted to the side as he let Jongseong press sucking kisses onto his neck. “Or do you want it the other way?”

Sunghoon didn’t have a strong preference either way, so he always let his partner decide. Jongseong usually told him using his body language what he wanted, but they had been apart for so long that Sunghoon thought it was best to verbally ask.

There weren’t many gods who had been born like him. Some could shift their bodies in different ways when they were in human forms, but Sunghoon’s always stayed the same. He had both a penis and vagina, fully formed and a source of excitement for whoever he allowed in his bed. The novelty was lost on Sunghoon though. It was how he had always been; he didn’t see it as anything other than perfectly normal.

“I want to fuck you,” Jongseong said, his voice taking on a desperate edge.

That wasn’t very surprising. It had always been Jongseong’s preference.

“I thought so,” Sunghoon said.

He reached between their bodies, taking Jongseong’s cock in his hand and stroking it. His cock was leaking from the tip and Sunghoon knew he was just as affected. Sunghoon was wet between his legs and his own cock had filled out as well. It seemed that anticipation would never fail to be a powerful aphrodisiac.

Sunghoon didn’t let Jongseong sit up. He placed his hands on his shoulders, keeping him pinned to the thin mattress as he lined his cunt up with the head of Jongseong’s cock. Sunghoon ran it across his folds, moaning softly more at the expression on Jongseong’s face than the physical sensation that he was experiencing. He was still dressed, but the long slit of his skirt made it easy for him to do this without undressing.

When Sunghoon finally sank down on to Jongseong’s cock, his head tilted back and another moan escaped from his lips. It definitely wasn’t the first time that Sunghoon had rode Jongseong’s cock, but he wanted to savor it like it would be the last. Maybe in Jongseong’s mind, this was the last time. Sunghoon could tell that he was still getting ready for a goodbye at the end of the week, while Sunghoon was looking forward to never letting him go ever again.

Usually when they did this before, Sunghoon would pin Jongseong’s hands above his head or forbid him from touching him, but today was different. He let Jongseong’s hands touch his thighs and waist and hips. Sunghoon even let him thrust up into him instead of staying passive. The result made Sunghoon slowly unravel, losing his perfect façade of control, and coming apart much sooner than he normally would.

It wasn’t just the sex that made him come undone. Jongseong was the cause of his walls crumbling down. He always had been. Sunghoon didn’t think that would ever change.

“I know what Sunoo meant now,” Sunghoon said. His skin was covered in a thin layer of sweat and his cheek was resting against Jongseong’s heaving chest. “That was just fine.”

“I hate you,” Jongseong said.

Sunghoon wasn’t looking at his face, but he could hear the laughter in his voice.

“I hate you more,” Sunghoon said.

“I know you do,” Jongseong said, placing a kiss to the top of Sunghoon’s head.

· ꕥ ·

The fourth day finally brought them back to the lake. Their plans to visit yesterday had been postponed since they failed to leave Jongseong’s bedroom. Sunghoon’s body had been aching in the best possible way and he hadn’t bothered to heal himself to make it go away. This experience had been so strange so far. Jongseong was right by his side, but Sunghoon was still missing him. It was almost as if he was finally letting himself feel all of the longing that he had suppressed for so long.

They were in a small rowboat in the middle of the lake. Sunghoon wasn’t paying much attention to fishing though. He was more interested in watching Jongseong. Sweat was beading at his temples. His tan skin looked like it was glowing under the bright sun. Sunghoon stared at Jongseong’s calloused hands holding the fishing pole. He remembered how they had felt against his skin last night. His eyes flickered to Jongseong’s mouth and Sunghoon thought about Jongseong’s lips wrapped around him and his tongue inside of him. Suddenly, fishing was the least interesting activity in the world to him.

“Stop that,” Jongseong said. His eyes were focused on the water. Sunghoon wanted to rub his thumb between Jongseong’s eyebrows to smooth out the deep wrinkle there. He was the perfect picture of concentration and frustration. “Stop thinking about what you’re thinking about.”

“I didn’t know that you had the ability to read minds,” Sunghoon said.

“I don’t,” Jongseong said. “But I’m an expert when it comes to reading you.”

“Are you really?” Sunghoon asked. “Tell me what I’m thinking about then.”

“You’re thinking about yesterday,” Jongseong said.

“And what happened yesterday?”

“I’m not going to say it.”

“Why not?”

“Because obviously you know what happened.”

“I think that’s not the reason why you won’t say it,” Sunghoon said, his lips creeping upward into a grin. “I think you won’t say it because you’re shy.”

“Shy?” Jongseong said. He finally looked at Sunghoon, his eyes large and surprised. “I’m not shy about anything. I’m too old to be shy.”

“Then tell me all about what we did yesterday,” Sunghoon said.

Jongseong had always been a man of few words. He preferred to use his actions to let someone know how he felt. Jongseong dropped the fishing pole in to the water and then went to Sunghoon, pushing him down into the boat and making Sunghoon laugh loudly at how Jongseong’s annoyance had manifested.

His hands went to Sunghoon’s trousers, unlacing them and then pushing them down until they were to his ankles. Sunghoon tilted his head back against the wooden floor of the boat, his mouth opening just as his eyes slid shut. The sun’s rays were so hot against his skin, especially since he was on his back now.

Jongseong didn’t hesitate to spread his legs, his tongue going to Sunghoon’s cunt and fucking into him while he hands held on to his thighs tightly. The sounds freely falling from Sunghoon’s mouth seemed to encourage Jongseong. He moved his lips to Sunghoon’s cock instead, taking it inside of his mouth while his fingers speared into his cunt.

Sunghoon held on to Jongseong’s shoulders, his fingernails digging into the linen fabric of his shirt. He moved his hips, pushing his cock further into Jongseong’s mouth. The fingers inside of him were impatient and unrefined as they fucked in and out of him, and curled randomly. Sunghoon’s thighs were trembling as he came, spilling into Jongseong’s mouth and slick coating his fingers.

“That,” Jongseong said, pressing a kiss to the inside of Sunghoon’s thigh. “Was what we did yesterday.”

“Oh,” Sunghoon said. He reached down and placed two fingers under Jongseong’s chin. Sunghoon lifted Jongseong’s face so that he could look at him. “What a nice reminder.”

Jongseong rolled his eyes and warmth encompassed Sunghoon’s chest, making his heart beat faster. It wasn’t often that someone could get such a reaction out of him. Like Jongseong always said, they were old. Their lives were long and endless. They had experienced everything that could happen to someone. And yet, Sunghoon didn’t mind life getting repetitive if he was with Jongseong. He was starting to realize that, after being reunited with him after so much time apart.

Once Jongseong pulled away from him, sitting back on his own seat and wiping Sunghoon’s slick off on his pants, Sunghoon pulled his own trousers back up. He watched as Jongseong’s hand hovered over the water. In a few seconds, his fishing pole flew out of the lake and back to his grasp. Jongseong resumed fishing as if nothing had transpired between them. Sunghoon lowered his eyes to Jongseong’s crotch, noticing that he was hard.

“Do you want me to reciprocate?” Sunghoon asked. He lifted his leg and pressed his foot against Jongseong’s hardness, applying the slightest amount of pressure. Jongseong’s grip on the fishing pole tightened. “I don’t mind.”

“You don’t have to,” Jongseong said.

“I want to,” Sunghoon said. “You seem to have forgotten that we’re both awful at fishing.”

“I am not awful at fishing,” Jongseong said. “I’m awful at it when you’re next to me. You’re too distracting.”

“What about me is so distracting?” Sunghoon asked.

“Stop asking questions that you already know the answer to,” Jongseong said.

Sunghoon leaned forward and placed his hands on Jongseong’s thighs. He ran them over the fabric of his pants, up and down until he could feel the heat from the friction on his palms. Jongseong shifted on his seat slightly.

“I want to know why I’m distracting,” Sunghoon said. “I want to hear you say it.”

“You are such a narcissist,” Jongseong said.

“You like that about me,” Sunghoon said.

He finally moved his hand to Jongseong’s crotch, using the heel of his palm to apply pressure. Jongseong gritted his teeth. His knuckles were white as he held the fishing pole in a death grip. Sunghoon ducked his head down, running his tongue over the hardness and dampening the fabric of his pants.

“We did this all day yesterday,” Jongseong said.

His tone had changed. He sounded like he was giving up.

“Let’s do it again today,” Sunghoon said.

The fishing pole returned to the water and now it was Jongseong’s turn to be on his back in the small boat. Sunghoon wouldn’t be surprised if they ended up tipping it over and sending both of them falling into the water. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time for them to do so.

· ꕥ ·

They decided to be more civil on the fifth day. Sunghoon could have been content to spend months with Jongseong in his bed, making up for lost time and ignoring everything that the outside world had to offer. Their time was limited though. He was the one who suggested going into town for dinner that night. Jongseong, with his skin covered in bites and bruises, his lips significantly swollen, had been surprised by Sunghoon’s proposal. Sunghoon knew that his body didn’t look much better. He was sore and aching, but every tiny discomfort he felt reminded him of Jongseong, so he loved the feeling.

“I haven’t seen them in a long time,” Sunghoon said. “You used to take me into town all the time. I think you wanted to show me off.”

“How could anyone not want to show you off?” Jongseong asked. “I was very proud.”

“And you’re not still proud?” Sunghoon asked.

“I don’t have much to be proud of these days,” Jongseong said.

“That’s not true,” Sunghoon said.

Jongseong didn’t seem interesting in furthering that discussion. It was a pattern that Sunghoon had picked up on the past few days. After their conversation in the greenhouse on the second day, Jongseong hadn’t opened up to him again. Sunghoon almost regretted bringing sex back into their lives. Jongseong was more than happy to use it as a distraction every time Sunghoon started to push him.

Sunghoon definitely wasn’t complaining about the sex though. He just wished he was better at turning him down.

For dinner, Sunghoon decided to erase the bruises and marks that Jongseong had created on his body, leaving only smooth untouched skin. The only blemishes he had were the many small dark moles that he had scattered across his face and body. He used to think that he should make them disappear too, but Jongseong always kissed those spots and called them beautiful, so they stayed.

He dressed in one of the hanbok that Jongseong had kept hidden away in the chest in his room. It was a deep red, contrasting his pale skin and making his lips look even pinker than they naturally were. Jongseong didn’t dress up for the occasion. He wore one of his plain hanbok that he wore nearly every day, making him guaranteed to blend in with the people of the village.

Jongseong held his hand as they walked through the field of amaryllises and past the lake and the fields of many crops. Night was slowly taking over. The sky dimmed and the moon replaced the sun. It was just a sliver tonight, but the light from it and the many stars was enough to illuminate their path.

When they arrived at the village, Sunghoon heard music and chatter. Lanterns were lit on the streets, casting the town in a warm and fiery glow. It didn’t take long for the people who occupied the area to give them their attention. Sunghoon recognized most of them. They gasped in surprise and smiled and waved, before talking to each other in hushed whispers. Sunghoon knew exactly what the main gossip was going to be in town for the next few weeks, or months, or years, or decades. Nothing that exciting ever happened in this sleepy town. Sunghoon’s return was a big deal.

Even though Jongseong was the owner of this realm, he wasn’t in charge of the people who lived in it. A large table was set up in the middle of the town’s square. At the head of it was an old god, one who had deep wrinkles and long white hair that went past their waist. They were younger than Jongseong and Sunghoon, but chose to embrace their elderly age, instead of keeping their body eternally young.

They stood up when they saw Sunghoon and Jongseong approach. A wide smile split across their face and they held out their hands as soon as Sunghoon was close enough to touch them. Sunghoon held their rough, wrinkled hands in his and returned the smile.

“I never thought I would see you here again,” the god said. “You’re still so beautiful.”

“Did you really expect me to change after all this time?” Sunghoon asked.

“Your hair is short now,” the god said. “It’s a good thing that your beauty wasn’t locked in that long hair.”

“How fortunate for me,” Sunghoon said. “I heard from Sunoo that short hair is going to be very popular among the humans in a few centuries. And it looks so pretty on Jungwon.”

“Lord Heeseung’s bride?” the god said. They sat back down at the table and Sunghoon joined them, taking the spot next to them. “I haven’t seen him, but I’ve heard much about him. I still can’t believe that a human was able to tame that wild beast.”

“Jungwon is a very special human,” Sunghoon said.

He talked to the old god throughout dinner, but Sunghoon’s attention wasn’t only requested by them. Different people came up to him as he ate. They told him how much he was missed and how grumpy Jongseong had been since his departure. People offered him food and presents and buried him in compliments. There were even a few who introduced their children who had been born in his absence. The music seemed to get livelier as the night continued and there was dancing as well.

By the time Sunghoon’s stomach was full and he was exhausted from talking to so many different people, he finally let his gaze rest on Jongseong. He had been sitting across from Sunghoon for the entire evening. Now, he was leaning back in his seat, holding a glass of wine and staring at Sunghoon with an expression that he hadn’t seen in centuries. Sunghoon didn’t think that anyone besides Jongseong had ever looked at him like that before. Jongseong’s face showed nothing but fondness. His lips were formed into a small smile and his eyes were soft and Sunghoon felt his cheeks warming up. He looked away from Jongseong and brought his attention to the people dancing. Most of them were couples, but there was a group of young girls laughing and twirling together. There was even a small family who was teaching their young child the steps to the dance.

When Sunghoon decided to bring his attention back to Jongseong, he was no longer in his chair. Instead, he was standing next to Sunghoon and offering him his hand.

“Dance with me?” Jongseong said.

“I thought you didn’t like dancing,” Sunghoon said.

“I like anything that makes you happy,” Jongseong said.

He took Jongseong’s hand without another word. Jongseong pulled him to the open space that was acting as a dancefloor. They stayed at the edge, not wanting to draw too much attention and making sure that everyone else had plenty of space.

Jongseong put his hands on Sunghoon’s waist and Sunghoon put one hand on his shoulder while the other cupped his face. It was so strange how time didn’t affect their bodies, but Sunghoon could still see Jongseong’s age in his eyes. Jongseong pressed his cheek into Sunghoon’s palm as they slowly rotated into circles, not paying attention to the music and just focusing on each other.

“I’ve missed coming here,” Sunghoon said.

“Have you really?” Jongseong asked. “I used to think that these parties were beneath you.”

“Beneath me?” Sunghoon said. “Do you think that I see myself that highly? Just because the realm I live in is different from this one, doesn’t mean that I don’t like how quaint this place is.”

“Quaint,” Jongseong said, repeating the word with a scoff. “Why does that sound like an insult?”

“It’s not an insult,” Sunghoon said. His hand dropped from Jongseong’s cheek. “I like it here. I always have.” He thought about leaving it at that, but he wanted to go further. There wasn’t much time left and there were still so many things that he wanted to say to Jongseong. “I like it here, not because you’re here. It’s not because this is your realm and these are your people. I like how quiet it is. How clean the air is, how bright the moon shines above us. I like how it’s peaceful and warm. When I’m here, I’m always happy.”

“And am I part of that happiness?” Jongseong asked.

“You’re the main part,” Sunghoon said.

He rested his forehead on Jongseong’s and they both closed their eyes. The music and chatter faded away into the background. Sunghoon once again remembered the first time that Jongseong had brought him to one of these parties. He had been cooed over by everyone in attendance. Compliments had been given to him freely. He had been asked to dance by so many people that he had lost count of how many pairs of arms he had found himself in during the night. By the end of it, he had been flushed and overwhelmed, and Jongseong’s pride had shifted into him sulking at the dining table. Sunghoon had found his jealousy adorable. At the next party, he had tried to dance with twice as many people, just to see how jealous Jongseong could become. It had been childish and immature, but Jongseong made him feel that way. Everything with him had been new and exciting.

Jongseong sighed, his hands leaving Sunghoon’s waist. They stopped spinning and Sunghoon’s eyes opened. He looked away from Jongseong to see that everyone was staring at them, clearly anticipating something. Even the musicians had put their instruments down.

“Don’t you all have anything better to do?” Jongseong said, addressing the crowd. “We’re not that entertaining. Go stare at someone else.”

The music started to play again and everyone continued to dance and talk. Sunghoon laughed, ducking his head down so that he could press his face against Jongseong’s neck. One of his hands came to the small of Sunghoon’s back and Sunghoon felt him take a great sigh.

“They’re just curious,” Sunghoon said once his laughter had calmed down. “When’s the last time they’ve seen you dance with someone?”

“The last time we danced together,” Jongseong said.

Sunghoon lifted his head up so that he could look at Jongseong.

“Really?” Sunghoon asked. “You haven’t asked one of the pretty girls or boys to dance with you? You never even took Sunoo here?”

“I’m too old for everyone here,” Jongseong said. “Sunoo hates coming to this realm. He always says that the whole place smells like manure.” Sunghoon pressed his lips together so that he wouldn’t start laughing again. “Besides, Sunoo and I aren’t like that. I went to his place for… only one thing. We would talk, maybe have dinner together. That was it. He’s just a friend.”

“He’s only a friend to me too,” Sunghoon said.

Jongseong nodded, like this information was satisfactory to him. What he described doing with Sunoo was exactly what Sunghoon had done with him too. They never did anything romantic together, and he never had any feelings for him. He knew that Sunoo didn’t feel that way about him either. If anything, Sunoo had slowly become more and more annoyed with each of Sunghoon’s visits, until Sunghoon finally put that part of their relationship to an end.

“A few people are still staring,” Jongseong said, side eyeing the crowd.

Sunghoon looked at them more openly. While most people had taken Jongseong’s advice and gone back to dancing or eating or talking or even playing games, a small group was standing at the edge of the dancing space. They were a few young ladies, all giggling together as they stared at them.

“We can give them something interesting to stare at then,” Sunghoon said.

“Are you sure?” Jongseong asked. “If we ignore them, then eventually they’ll lose interest and–”

He was silenced by Sunghoon kissing him. The giggles from the group of girls got louder, but Sunghoon ignored them. His attention was only focused on one person. And that was the person that he knew without a doubt he couldn’t lose for a second time.

· ꕥ ·

“Try this one,” Jongseong said.

Sunghoon just barely reacted in time to catch the peach that Jongseong tossed to him. The early morning of the sixth day had brought them to one of the many orchards in the realm. There were a few workers there, who all greeted them with deep bows before continuing their work. Sunghoon examined the peach in his hands. It was just soft enough that if he pressed against it, his fingertip would leave a slight indent. He bit into it and a few drops of juice went down his chin. It was sweet and perfect and Jongseong seemed immensely proud of this grove of trees. His hands were on his hips and he was grinning up at the branches like a father.

Sunghoon wiped his chin with his sleeve and continued to eat the peach until the pit was the only part of it that remained. He followed Jongseong throughout the orchard, listening as he listed off facts about farming and trees and peaches.

As the days passed, Sunghoon was slowly becoming more and more worried that this really would be the end of them. Jongseong was the exact opposite. Each day made him more excited and active. He had woken up Sunghoon early that morning so that they could go to the orchard. Jongseong also had plans to take him to the vineyard as well. He kept listing off every activity that they were going to do together with utmost excitement. Sunghoon couldn’t escape the feeling of dread though. Whenever he tried to talk to Jongseong about the end of the week, he would speak over Sunghoon and change the subject completely.

Jongseong was talking about apples now, listing off the different varieties and which ones were his favorites. Sunghoon walked behind him as he hung on to every word. He could picture in his mind millions of days just like this one. Sunghoon was even surprised to find that he would be content with a life like this. Before, he used to wonder how Jongseong could stay confined to a realm with so little people and nature as the only entertainment. Sunghoon’s own world was alive with different festivals and events nearly every week. He was never bored, but he didn’t feel like he would be bored here so easily anymore.

“You’ve stopped listening,” Jongseong said. “I’ll change the subject.”

“You don’t have to,” Sunghoon said. He went to Jongseong’s side and took his hand. “Keep talking about your apples.”

“I’ve moved on to pears,” Jongseong said.

“Then talk about those too,” Sunghoon said.

“I have been talking about them,” Jongseong said. “What’s going on? What’s on your mind?”

“Do you really want me to tell you?” Sunghoon asked. “Every time I try to bring it up, you’ve distracted me or talked over me or done whatever you can not to talk about it.”

He lifted one of his eyebrows at Jongseong, giving him a skeptical look as Jongseong sighed. Sunghoon watched as he looked above them, at the tree branches with bright green leaves and perfectly ripe fruit. When Jongseong finally looked at him again, he seemed resigned.

“Go ahead,” Jongseong said. “Say what you need to.”

“I don’t want things to go back to how they were before,” Sunghoon said. He spoke quickly, like he was afraid that if he didn’t say everything right now, he never would. “After tomorrow, I’m going to go to Sunoo and make sure he completes his favor to me. Once he talks to Riki and we get that sorted, I want to come back here. I want to come back to you. Or you could come to me. I know you don’t like my home, but you might change your mind if you see it again for the first time in a while. I can show you around like you’ve done for me and… and I can’t lose you again. Jongseong-ah, I love you. Please don’t make me leave and never come back.”

Jongseong dropped his hand and Sunghoon felt like his heart went with it.

“Sunghoon,” Jongseong said. “We can’t.”

“Why?” Sunghoon said. “Why can’t we? Explain it to me. I want to understand.”

“You know what happened last time,” Jongseong said. “We spent years together, neglecting our duties to the humans, letting everything go to ruin. Crops were dead for decades because of me. Humans died because I couldn’t be bothered to give them any attention.”

“It’s different this time,” Sunghoon said. “We’re older now.”

“A few centuries mean nothing when you’re as old as we are,” Jongseong said. “Nothing has changed, at least not to me. I love you more than anything; these past few days have reminded me of that. I don’t want to be anywhere else than by your side. I want to keep you to myself and hide away from everyone. Being with you terrifies me. You’re all I see. You’re all I care about.”

“I’ll remind you of your duties,” Sunghoon said. “Or I’ll tell my servants to pull us apart from each other if they have to. We can tell the people in your village. We can even tell Sunoo. I’m sure he would love nothing more than to ruin our time together so that we’re more responsible.”

His words only made Jongseong turn his back on him. He ran his hands through his hair and his shoulders hunched forward, as if the weight of his responsibilities was crushing him. Sunghoon walked behind him, wrapping his arms around Jongseong’s waist and resting his chin on his shoulder. He had always liked that Jongseong was shorter than him. When he held him like this, Sunghoon felt like he was truly protecting him.

“Don’t you love me?” Sunghoon said.

“How can you ask me that?”

“Just answer my question.”

Jongseong sighed, his entire body sagging against Sunghoon.

“I don’t know how to not love you,” Jongseong said. “Somedays I fear that loving you is all that I am.”

“Then don’t worry,” Sunghoon said, kissing his cheek. “Just love me, and leave the rest to me.”

· ꕥ ·

The seventh and final day, they didn’t leave Jongseong’s home at all. Sunghoon woke up that morning, naked and tangled in blankets without Jongseong by his side. He felt a bit of panic at first, but it quickly went away once he heard the sounds of Jongseong in the kitchen. Sunghoon closed his eyes, resting his cheek against Jongseong’s now cold pillow, and focused in on the sounds.

He heard Jongseong’s feet walking across the wooden floor. Water was bubbling as it boiled. The clacking sound of a small wooden box being open and shut was from Jongseong selecting the right tea. And if Sunghoon really listened and paid attention, he could hear soft humming as well. His eyes stayed close and he became so focused on the symphony from the other room that he didn’t even realize that Jongseong had returned to the bedroom. A calloused hand went to his shoulder, squeezing gently and bringing Sunghoon back to reality.

“Good morning,” Jongseong said. “Did you sleep well?”

“Well enough,” Sunghoon said. “You need a new bed.”

“I’ll consider getting one,” Jongseong said. He kissed Sunghoon’s cheek and then set a cup of tea onto the floor next to him. “It’s ginseng. I thought you might like it.”

“Isn’t that the aphrodisiac tea?” Sunghoon asked.

It would never be boring, watching Jongseong become flushed and embarrassed. Sunghoon sat up and let the blankets pool around his hips. He kissed Jongseong on his mouth and then grabbed the tea. Steam was wafting from it.

“That’s not why I made it for you,” Jongseong said. “I just wanted you to try it.”

“You’ve made me ginseng tea before,” Sunghoon said, taking a sip.

“Well, I wanted to make it for you again,” Jongseong said.

Sunghoon thought about all of the mornings that he had spent alone over the past few hundred years. Even if he had a partner during the night, they all knew to leave before he woke up. And he had been the one to leave Sunoo’s bed before morning, if Sunoo had been the one he had gone to. Sunghoon didn’t hate being alone. It was nice, being able to collect his thoughts and plan his day and enjoy the silence. He had missed this though.

Jongseong bringing him tea and kissing him awake had become part of his routine that he had ached for. He never realized how deeply he had ached for it until he was gifted it again.

“Thank you,” Sunghoon said, “for making me tea.”

“You don’t have to thank me for that,” Jongseong said. “I was making a pot anyway, so it really didn’t take any extra effort if I had only been making it for myself, so–”

Sunghoon silenced him with a kiss. When he pulled away, Jongseong was giving him a lazy, perfectly at ease smile. Sunghoon never wanted him to smile any other way. He placed the cup back on the floor and then grabbed Jongseong’s face, pulling him in for a kiss. Sunghoon kept bringing him in closer until he was on his back and Jongseong was above him on the messy bed.

“I think the aphrodisiac is already working,” Sunghoon murmured against his lips.

“It doesn’t work that quickly,” Jongseong said. “Or that strongly.” He settled between Sunghoon’s legs. While Sunghoon was still naked, Jongseong had put on a pair of pants when he went to make the tea. He ground down against Sunghoon, the pressure not as strong since Sunghoon was still wrapped in blankets. “Is this how you want to spend our last day?”

“I can’t think of a better use of our time,” Sunghoon said. “Don’t you want to take care of me?”

That question didn’t need a verbal response. Jongseong brought their lips together, his hands going to the blankets between them and pulling at them until he finally freed Sunghoon. Words weren’t necessary at that point. Sunghoon didn’t think that words had been needed between them for a long time when it came to this.

He let Jongseong do what he needed, and didn’t try to take control. This time was for Jongseong, Sunghoon could do as he liked the next time. They could alternate and take turns and Sunghoon didn’t think he would ever be bored. Their sex wasn’t always the most exciting or thrilling or extravagant, but it was perfect.

Sunghoon let Jongseong take what he needed, lying on his back as Jongseong fucked into him. His thrusts were erratic and uneven, but Sunghoon didn’t mind. Nothing about them had ever been perfect. He wasn’t expecting Jongseong to start striving for perfection now. Eventually, his thoughts started to fade away, taking his mind along with it. He started to understand Jongseong’s fears more. Sunghoon would be content to let the entire universe melt away, if he could only stay in Jongseong’s arms like this, from now until the very end of time.

And what a comforting thought that was to him now, the end of existence. It could come tomorrow and he would be content, because he was with Jongseong.

They took a break so that they could eat. Jongseong prepared a simple meal for them both. They ate at the table and Jongseong brought in a single amaryllis from outside, setting it down on the table so it could act as a centerpiece. Afterward, they went through Sunghoon’s clothes in the chest and recounted stories about each outfit. Jongseong showed him a few of the new trinkets that he had collected over the years. They laughed and talked and eventually words faded and they came together once more.

Jongseong had Sunghoon on his hands and knees for the final time. He kissed the back of his neck as he fucked him, but the kisses soon turned into bites. One bite was so strong that it made Sunghoon feel like Jongseong was trying to keep him rooted in one spot, making it so he could never leave. Sunghoon had to leave though. His favor to Sunoo was almost complete and he needed to return to him soon.

When the sun set and the moon hung high in the sky, Sunghoon started to get dressed. He could wait until the morning to go, but he feared that if he postponed this any long, he would never leave Jongseong’s side. Riki needed him, and Sunghoon truly believed that Sunoo was the only one capable of bringing him to his senses.

“You’re leaving now?” Jongseong asked.

“Yes,” Sunghoon said. “I’ll be back though.”

“I’ll come to you,” Jongseong said.

That made Sunghoon hesitate. If he was the one returning to Jongseong’s side, then he was in control. But Jongseong coming to him meant that Sunghoon would have to wait.

“All right,” Sunghoon said, trying his best to be satisfied with that decision. “Do you want to come walk me out?”

Jongseong followed him out of the bedroom and into the main area of the small house. He grabbed the amaryllis from the table and tucked it behind Sunghoon’s ear. Then he brought Sunghoon into one last kiss.

“I’ll see you soon,” Jongseong said. “Good luck with Sunoo.”

It felt so casual. That comforted Sunghoon, in a way. This wasn’t a grand and dramatic farewell. It really did feel like Jongseong was going to come see him tomorrow, or even later that day. Sunghoon hoped that was true. He needed it to be true.

“Bye, Jongseong-ah,” Sunghoon said.

He put his hand on the door and opened it, stepping through. Instead of walking into the flower field outside of Jongseong’s home, he was greeted by Sunoo’s bedroom. Sunoo was in his bed, but not alone. The lesser god in bed with Sunoo squawked when he saw him. He rolled off the bed and disappeared into thin air. Sunoo let out a loud groan of annoyance.

“Your timing is horrible,” Sunoo said. He was dressed in just his robe. Sunoo took his time, tying it tightly around his waist so that he wasn’t exposing himself. “I didn’t think you would be here until later today. Was your week with Jongseong really that awful?”

“It wasn’t awful at all,” Sunghoon said. “I just wanted you to get to Riki as soon as possible.” He sat down on the edge of Sunoo’s bed. “Go to him. I did my part. And don’t worry, Jongseong and I will never come to you again, so you don’t have to worry about us bothering you anymore.”

Sunoo seemed skeptical. Sunghoon couldn’t blame him. He reached for Sunghoon’s hand, but Sunghoon pulled away before Sunoo could touch him.

“I have to see if you really spent the week with him,” Sunoo said.

“I don’t like it when you use your power to look inside my mind,” Sunghoon said. “It’s private.”

“I won’t look too deeply,” Sunoo said. “But I need to confirm that what you’re saying is true.”

Sunghoon reluctantly let Sunoo take his hand. He winced at the contact and was grateful that Sunoo let go of him after just a few seconds.

“Are you satisfied?” Sunghoon asked.

“Yes,” Sunoo said. “It seems that you’re ready for an eternity of monogamy. Congratulations to you both and I’ll… oh, hyung.”

He hadn’t even realized that he had started to cry until Sunoo caught his tears with the sleeve of his robe. Sunoo wrapped his arms around him as Sunghoon put his face into his hands.

“What if he doesn’t come back?” Sunghoon asked. “What if I go to him, and he turns me away?”

“That won’t happen,” Sunoo said. “This time is different. And if he even dares to do either of those things, he’ll have me to answer to.”

Sunoo’s threat should have made him feel more secure, or even get a teary chuckle out of him, but it did nothing to soothe his worries. He needed to trust Jongseong, but Sunghoon was still finding it difficult in his heart to do so.

· ꕥ ·

“What are you staring at?”

Heeseung suddenly appearing next to him was enough to bring Sunghoon out of his daze. He jumped in surprise, feeling his heart start to accelerate as well. Heeseung leaned closer to him, his eyes nearly turning into slits as he glared at Sunghoon.

“Nothing,” Sunghoon said. “I was completely zoned out. What did you think I was…”

He didn’t need to finish that question. Jungwon was sitting on the floor of their living room, playing with little Aenghwa who only had eyes for her mother. They were directly in front of Sunghoon.

“It didn’t look like you were staring at nothing to me,” Heeseung said.

“I really wasn’t watching them,” Sunghoon said. “And if I was watching them, it wouldn’t be for the reason you’re assuming.”

“Then why would you be watching them?” Heeseung asked.

Sunghoon didn’t even stop himself from rolling his eyes. He didn’t think that Heeseung’s overprotectiveness over Jungwon and their daughter would ever change. Everyone was a threat, even Sunoo and Sunghoon. Sunghoon hoped that one day, Heeseung would be able to become more relaxed. But he supposed it was an improvement from the former version of Heeseung. Sunghoon had seen him rip someone into pieces on the battlefield for getting in his way. And it had been a soldier on his side too.

“Because I’m wondering what it would be like to be a mother,” Sunghoon said.

“Oh,” Heeseung said.

Those seemed to be the magic words to finally get him to shut up. It wasn’t the complete truth, but it wasn’t totally farfetched either. His hand went to his stomach. He was capable of carrying children. Sunghoon tried to picture himself in Jungwon’s place, playing with his small child while Jongseong watched them.

He shook the thought from his head just as soon as it arrived.

“I failed.” Sunoo appeared in the sitting room, dressed in a hanbok that was at least ten different shades of pink. His fox ears were atop his head, twitching in annoyance. “Riki spoke to me for about two minutes before becoming angry and shouting at me. I thought he was going to throw something at my head, if I didn’t get out of there quickly. He had no interest in what I was trying to tell him.”

“And what did you tell him?” Heeseung asked.

“I told him who he really needed to speak with,” Sunoo said. “It was never supposed to be me. I can’t bring him to reason.”

“Why not?” Sunghoon said. “You’re the one he’s in love with.”

“He is not in love with me,” Sunoo said, rolling his eyes. “He doesn’t even know what it’s like to be in love with someone. I told him that he needed family by his side.”

“You told him to talk to me,” Heeseung said. It wasn’t a question. “I’m the last person he would open up to.”

“I didn’t say it was you,” Sunoo said. “The world doesn’t revolve around you, hyung.”

“Of course it doesn’t,” Heeseung said, his eyes going to Jungwon and Aenghwa. “What other family does he have though?”

“His mother,” Sunoo said.

“His mother?” Heeseung repeated. “Are you insane?”

Sunghoon didn’t want to stay for the inevitable sibling bickering. He left the room without a word, knowing that his departure wouldn’t be noticed by anyone. Sunghoon walked through the halls of Heeseung and Jungwon’s home, heading toward the back door that led to the beach. It was a smaller house than Sunoo’s and much smaller than his own, but it felt huge compared to Jongseong’s cabin. Somehow, the size of it made Sunghoon feel confined.

It had only been two days since he had left Jongseong’s side. Sunghoon had spent the first day with Sunoo, drinking wine and telling him everything that had happened between them. It wasn’t what he expected to do at all. Sunghoon had planned on keeping the events of the past week a secret, and only for him to know, but as soon as he started crying on Sunoo’s bed, he hadn’t been able to stop himself. He had to promise Sunoo that it was the last time he would burden him with the details of his relationship with Jongseong.

While Sunoo had gone to talk to Riki, Sunghoon had decided to visit Jungwon and Aenghwa, with Heeseung keeping an ever watchful eye. Seeing Jungwon happily take care of his child hadn’t made him feel any better.

Before he stepped onto the beach, Sunghoon took his shoes off. He walked onto the sand, enjoying the feeling of the grains of sand rubbing against the soles of his feet. There was a soft breeze and the weather wasn’t too warm. Clouds were in the sky, hiding the sun away. Sunghoon missed the sun in Jongseong’s realm. He missed how it illuminated Jongseong’s tan skin and made it even warmer to the touch.

Sunghoon walked down the beach and sat down on the sand in a spot that was just close enough to the water that his ankles were wet. He leaned back on his hands and watched the waves that were further out. They were bigger and crashed onto one other, like their only purpose was to suffocate the other waves. He lost track of how long he sat there, staring out at the ocean.

Someone sat down next to him and it only took Sunghoon a quick glance to his right to see that it was Jungwon.

“When those two start arguing,” Jungwon said, “it’s difficult to get them to stop.”

“And you left Aenghwa in their care?” Sunghoon asked.

It was a rare sight, seeing Jungwon without his daughter in his arms.

“If she’s there with them, they’re less likely to burn my house down,” Jungwon said.

“That makes sense,” Sunghoon said.

They laughed together and then settled into a comfortable silence as they watched the water. This was one thing that was missing in Jongseong’s realm. He had lakes and ponds and rivers, but no ocean. In Sunghoon’s realm, there was a large beach that was always occupied by large crowds of people. An ocean as quiet and serene as this one only seemed to exist here, for Heeseung and Jungwon, and now Aenghwa as well.

“Is that an amaryllis?” Jungwon asked.

Sunghoon tore his eyes away from the waves. He looked down to see that the flower Jongseong had given him two days ago was sticking out of his pocket. Sunghoon didn’t want to leave it at Sunoo’s place, so he had taken it with him.

“Yes,” Sunghoon said. “It’s my favorite. I like them because they’re so lovely, but Jongseong likes them because they remind me of him. I never understood what he meant by that.”

“Pride, determination, and radiant beauty,” Jungwon said.

“What?” Sunghoon said.

“Those are the meanings of that flower,” Jungwon said. “There’s a book in Heeseung’s library about the language of flowers.”

“Heeseung-hyung has a book like that?” Sunghoon said. “I never knew he was so romantic.”

“He’s very romantic,” Jungwon said with a soft smile.

Silence encompassed them once more and Sunghoon took the flower out of his pocket. He stroked his finger across the red petals. Did Jongseong know the true meaning of this flower? Is that why he said they always reminded him of Sunghoon? Or was it just a coincidence?

Sunghoon shook his head. Of course Jongseong had to know the true meaning. He was just as hopeless as Heeseung when it came to love.

The sound of a throat clearing brought their attention away from the water once more. Sunghoon was expecting Heeseung to be there, angry that Sunghoon was alone with Jungwon and also annoyed after an argument with Sunoo. It wasn’t Heeseung though.

Riki was standing on the shore. He looked just as disheveled as the last time Sunghoon had seen him. His skin looked so pale in natural light. Sunghoon grimaced at his greasy hair. He was in desperate need of a bath.

“Hello,” Riki said. He bowed to Jungwon who was just staring at him in frozen shock. “I’ve come to speak with you.”

“With me?” Jungwon said, pointing to himself. “Heeseung is inside.”

“I don’t want to speak with Heeseung-hyung,” Riki said. “I can talk to him after. You’re the one I really have to talk to.”

“Um, all right then,” Jungwon said. He got to his feet and stood in front of Riki with his hands clasped in front of him. “What would you like to say?”

Sunghoon stood too and realized that he might as well have been invisible to Riki. He only had eyes for Jungwon. His lips were dry and cracked, and he was looking at Jungwon with an amount of determination that Sunghoon hadn’t seen from him in a long time.

“Sunoo-hyung told me that you’re the person I should go to, hyung,” Riki said.

“‘Hyung?’” Jungwon said, tilting his head to the side in confusion. “Riki, you’re older than me. I should be the one calling you that.”

“No, you shouldn’t be,” Riki said. “People are right when they say that humans mature faster than gods. Even if I’m half human, I’m still not that mature. I’ve made a lot of mistakes. I’m the one who’s responsible for what happened that night. I complained to all of those other war gods about Heeseung and how he only wanted to spend time with you. I’m the reason why they came here and destroyed your garden. I put you and your baby at risk. I can’t do anything right. Heeseung is the only family I have and I ruined his family and–”

Big, blubbering tears fell from Riki’s eyes and down his cheeks. His hands were shaking and he couldn’t look Jungwon in the eye. That didn’t seem to matter to Jungwon though. He took Riki into his arms, reaching up to pat him on the head as he whispered to him like Sunghoon imagined he spoke to Aenghwa when she was having a crying fit.

“Calm down,” Jungwon said. “Take a few deep breaths. It’s all right.”

Sunghoon then understood what Sunoo meant when he said that Riki needed his mother. His real mother had abandoned him when he was a small child. Heeseung had stepped in as a father figure, but Riki had never experienced this before.

Riki had never needed Sunoo, the object of his desires, to comfort him. He was a lost boy who just wanted a mother.

Sunghoon left them without a word. He walked up the beach, back to the house. When he placed his hand on the doorknob that led inside, he had no intentions of going back to Heeseung and Sunoo who were definitely still arguing. Sunghoon pictured his own home instead. He thought of his bedroom with his large canopy bed and his desk that was in front of the windows that overlooked the city.

He opened the door and stepped inside and saw Jongseong. Sunghoon stopped and stared, watching as Jongseong looked through Sunghoon’s bookshelf. It reminded him of his own snooping that he had done when he arrived at Jongseong’s cabin.

“You’re here,” Sunghoon said, letting the door shut behind him.

Jongseong looked up at him, dropping one of the books that he had taken off the shelf. He hurriedly picked it up and brushed imaginary dust from it before putting it back in its place.

“I said that I would come to you,” Jongseong said. “You didn’t believe me?”

“I wanted to,” Sunghoon said. “But I didn’t let myself fully believe it.”

He let Jongseong come to him. Sunghoon closed his eyes as Jongseong took him into his embrace, running his hands up and down Sunghoon’s back to soothe him.

“I’m not going to let the man I love go,” Jongseong said. “Not again. I’ve learned my lesson.”

“I hope it’s a lesson that you never forget,” Sunghoon said.

They pulled away just enough so they could look at each other. Sunghoon let his eyes scan over Jongseong’s face, taking in every bit of his skin and realizing that he had already memorized him completely.

Notes:

Finally!! The JayHoon installment! I hope you all enjoyed this fic. I love these two together. They give off very strong old married couple energy. Jake will appear in the next part, I promise! I've made you all wait long enough for his first appearance. He'll be a big part of the next fic because it's SunJake.

Thanks for reading!!
- Erin
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Curious Cat

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 4 of Bloom