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🌸
He woke feeling warm and cozy, but extremely sore. Seonghwa’s body ached in ways he'd never experienced until now. His hips hurt, his thighs and back ached, and worst of all, between his legs… He could feel how tender and weak his hole was as soon as his mind roused, and he frowned at the throbbing pain. The memories of last night were coming back － the demon of the forest fingering him until he came and then fucking him with his massive cock until it happened again. He shivered at the mere thought of the huge organ.
“Awake, petal?”
He gasped softly, blinking to clear his eyes as he looked up to find Hongjoong smiling sweetly down at him.
“Yes,” he answered. “I- I was remembering last night…”
A brow quirked on Hongjoong’s face. “Oh? Ready to go again so soon?”
“I- I didn't mean-”
“There is something I want to try,” Hongjoong interrupted him. “I think you'll enjoy it.”
Seonghwa snapped his mouth shut, as he wasn't opposed to doing more honestly, and when Hongjoong said that he was going to enjoy something, he had a feeling the man was right. Hongjoong rolled them over so Seonghwa was on his back again, and when he did his two cocks slapped on top of his own. He tried not to focus too hard on them, but it was not an easy thing to do, especially when he realised they were already semi hard. But Hongjoong didn't seem to be interested in using them right now, as he sat up and took Seonghwa’s length in his hand, stroking him up and down languidly.
“Such a pretty dick,” he said. “The prettiest little cock to suit the prettiest flower.”
Seonghwa didn't know what to say to that, he never expected anyone to compliment his anatomy there. He just stared back at Hongjoong, his face hot with embarrassment.
“Your cheeks are as pink as your pretty cock,” Hongjoong cooed. “As pink as your lovely hair.”
“Stop,” Seonghwa whined, covering his face as he was unable to take it anymore.
Hongjoong giggled. He had a cute and mischievous little laugh. He seemed young when he laughed, even though he was supposedly centuries old.
“I'll stop teasing you, petal,” he said. “Now relax as I take care of you.”
Seonghwa wasn't sure what to expect next, if maybe Hongjoong would put his fingers inside him again. He opened his legs to accommodate whatever Hongjoong was planning to do, but he was shocked when Hongjoong leaned down and took his cock into his mouth instead. He squeaked in surprise, his hips jerking up automatically at the overwhelming sensation. He suddenly realized he might've hurt Hongjoong by doing this, and he babbled an apology. Hongjoong pulled his mouth off with a wide grin.
“Relax, petal, you can't hurt me,” he said before leaning back down and taking Seonghwa into his mouth again, rubbing his tongue up the underside.
Seonghwa's legs moved on their own, his feet running over the sheets desperately as the pleasure built. His nails raked over his pillow helplessly, and he whined and moaned with each bob of Hongjoong's head.
“I can't, I can't,” he cried, shaking his head.
Hongjoong only seemed to take his suffering as encouragement to suck harder though. It was too much, the tension in his stomach wound so tight. He yelled when it finally snapped, hips bucking up into Hongjoong's mouth again. Pleasure assaulted his whole body, his eyes rolling back and his toes curling. He collapsed tiredly when the waves subsided, moaning weakly. Hongjoong lapped at his spent cock, and Seonghwa could only whimper softly from the oversensitivity until he stopped. Hongjoong crawled over him, smiling widely.
“You're stunning, petal,” he said, voice a little husky. “Every time you amaze me with how beautiful you are.”
Realising what he meant, Seonghwa blushed. “I didn't know it would be this intense,” he admitted softly.
“It wouldn't be if you were with anyone else,” Hongjoong replied cockily.
His ego was as big as certain other parts of him, but he had the skill to back it up, so Seonghwa didn't mind his bragging.
He smiled. “I believe you.”
Just then his stomach rumbled loudly. He blushed again. He hadn't eaten since lunchtime the day before, and even then the village aunties had been practically starving him. He was terribly hungry.
Hongjoong frowned. “Petal, when was the last time you ate?”
“Oh, um. Lunchtime yesterday…”
“Well, that won't do. I've been a terrible host. Let's get you some breakfast.”
He hopped up and extended a hand for Seonghwa to take, but the moment Seonghwa tried to sit up, he felt pain shoot through his backside and hips again, his legs feeling wobbly.
“Um, Hongjoong, I don't think I can walk…”
Hongjoong blinked at him a few times, and then smiled and shook his head, looking a little sheepish. “Ah, yes. I suppose after your first time it may take a while to get used to it. Don't worry, I'll fetch you something and you can eat in bed.”
“Oh, you don't have to-”
But Hongjoong was already walking out of the room, completely naked. Seonghwa sighed. He remained sitting in bed, pondering what had happened and blushing to himself when he thought about what they had done together, when Hongjoong returned carrying a tray.
“Here you are, petal. It's nothing special, I'm afraid I'm not an amazing cook, but it's something at least.”
He set down the tray over Seonghwa’s legs and settled back beside him. There appeared to be some egg rice and a few scallion pancakes. He'd brought a cup of water as well which Seonghwa was thankful for, as he felt quite dehydrated by this point, especially after sweating so much during their activities.
“This looks nice,” he complimented, giving Hongjoong a smile. “Have you had some?”
“I'll let you eat first,” Hongjoong replied. “Don't worry about me.”
Nodding, Seonghwa dug in. Despite his insistence that he couldn't cook, Hongjoong's food wasn't bad. It was simple, but it was tasty. He felt satisfied having finally eaten something beyond a tiny amount of plain rice.
“You were really hungry,” Hongjoong commented. “I should have fed you last night. Too eager to bed you. But can you blame me when I was presented with the most beautiful man on earth?”
Seonghwa blushed again. “Flatterer.”
“It's only the truth. Now, let me take that if you're done. I'm going to get to work today looking into what we talked about last night,” Hongjoong explained. “Once you're able, you're free to wander the caves.”
“I'd like to take a bath if that's all right,” Seonghwa requested.
“Of course. I can take you there now if you wish.”
“Yes, please.”
“Very well.”
Hongjoong scooped him up, Seonghwa holding on tight around his neck. They were both completely naked, but Seonghwa was quickly becoming accustomed to this around Hongjoong. Hongjoong carried him out of the bedroom and down the hall, into the room he'd pointed out as the privy. As well as the privy itself, there was a porcelain bath built into a nook in the wall, and a porcelain counter top with a basin nearby.
“I've enchanted the facilities to have running water, I think you'll be impressed,” Hongjoong said.
“You have plumbing?” Seonghwa asked, brows rising.
“Indeed. Simply turn the faucets on the basin or the bath and you'll get water,” Hongjoong explained. “The bath has an extra surprise. There's a shower.”
“A what?”
“Let me show you!”
Hongjoong carried him over to the bath, sitting him down on the edge. He twisted the taps, letting it begin to fill with water, and then he turned a second set of taps above the first. From a pipe on the cave wall higher up, several thin jets of water began to spray out. Seonghwa stared in surprise, his mouth falling open.
“What is this?” he asked, staring at the spray of water in awe.
“The running water will wash over you while you bathe, and it will rinse you off,” Hongjoong explained. “Like a waterfall, but manmade.”
“That's so smart,” Seonghwa gasped, reaching his hand out to feel the spray. The water was warm. “It comes out hot!”
Hongjoong giggled. “It does. They have these at the bathhouses in the city. Are you impressed?”
Seonghwa nodded enthusiastically. “Very impressed! Can I use it?”
“Please. I want to know what you think of it. Let me help you in.”
“What happens if the bath gets too full with this shower on?”
“Don't worry, there's an enchantment to drain the water if it gets too full,” Hongjoong explained.
“You've thought of everything,” Seonghwa complimented.
The look Hongjoong gave him in response seemed somewhat melancholy. “Not everything, sweet flower. Have your bath, I will be in the study.”
He caressed Seonghwa’s face tenderly, then turned around and left. Alone now, Seonghwa swivelled around to put his legs into the bath, sliding down over the side into the water. He moaned as he sank below the surface, the hot water healing the aches in his body. He couldn't deny that the warm water showering over him from above was also quite nice. Hongjoong had left out some pretty smelling soaps and creams, so he helped himself to them. He was extra thorough cleaning himself after what the pair of them had gotten up to, and he blushed deeply when he felt the evidence of Hongjoong’s affection leave his body.
Once he felt he had done everything he needed to, he twisted the faucets to turn the shower off and tentatively moved to stand. Soaking in the hot bath had eased his pain, and he found he was able to stand carefully now. He stood out of the bath and onto the mat laying on the floor. There was a towel hanging up next to the bath, and he assumed Hongjoong wouldn't be bothered by him borrowing it. He dried himself off and towelled his hair, and then came to the dilemma of how he was going to return to the bedroom on his own with no clothes and without his slippers.
He needn't stress for long though, as not a moment after he'd come to this realisation, Hongjoong appeared in the doorway.
“Ah, you're done,” he said with a smile. “I suspected as much. Let me take you back to our room.”
Seonghwa blushed at the usage of the word ‘our’, but didn't protest and let Hongjoong pick him up to carry him back to the bedroom. Hongjoong delivered him to the bed, tucking him in and patting the covers down around him.
“Call out if you need anything! Or just come find me. Your slippers are right there,” Hongjoong said, gesturing to the floor at the side of the bed.
“Um, what about clothes?” Seonghwa asked.
Hongjoong smiled, his eyes turning owlish. “Do you really need those?”
“Hongjoong!”
“Fine.” He snapped his fingers and a sheer, pink robe appeared laid out over the bed. He held his hand out over it, the air appearing fuzzy for a few moments. “You can wear this. It's enchanted to keep you warm.”
“It's pretty, but it's not exactly what I had in mind,” Seonghwa pursed his lips.
“It'll look stunning on you.” Hongjoong leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Find me if you need something. I'll be in the study.”
“Are you leaving dressed like that again?” Seonghwa asked, a brow raised.
“Of course, this is my home,” Hongjoong replied. “But I'll dress if you would prefer. I suppose it is a bit chilly.”
He snapped his fingers again and clothes materialised on his body. He was quite the dapper dresser － black silk pants and a matching billowing silk shirt, the two garments secured in the middle by a short brocade corset.
“Better?” he asked.
“You look handsome,” Seonghwa complimented with a nod, blushing shyly.
“Fashion is one of my great joys, petal. I'd design you some things to wear, but I do like you like this,” Hongjoong said, smirking and showing off his fangs. “Perhaps some other time.”
He turned and left the room. Seonghwa supposed he could stay in bed and rest. He was tired after all their indecent activities. But he also wanted to explore the cave. So he swung his legs over the side of the bed, sliding his feet into his slippers, and stood up carefully. He grabbed the robe laid out and put it on. It radiated warmth around him, and he tucked it closer around his body. Having magic to do such tricks must be nice.
In Seonghwa’s village, magic was taboo. Anyone who showed signs of magic were feared and shunned. If girls showed magical ability, they had a much higher chance of being sacrificed. Now that Seonghwa knew the truth, he wondered if perhaps those girls would do well in the city, studying the arcane where it supposedly wasn't frowned upon.
Looking around the bedroom, Seonghwa decided he was going to snoop a bit. Hongjoong surely wouldn't mind, right? Otherwise he wouldn't leave him to free roam like he had. He wandered over to the armoire and opened it, seeing various clothes hung up. He supposed even if Hongjoong dressed himself magically he still had to store his belongings when he wasn't wearing them. Maybe he just summoned them from his wardrobe to his body? Everything looked very high quality, made of various silks, velvets, and brocades.
He closed the doors and moved to the dresser. Seonghwa blushed deeply when he pulled out a drawer and came face to face with undergarments. He quickly shoved the drawer shut. The other drawers contained various other clothes － a few vests, some woollen jumpers, sleeping attire, socks, as well as a few other accessories. He moved over to the room divider, snatching the clothes off of the top of it. He assumed they'd been worn, and so he decided they could do with a wash. He gazed around the room, and not finding anything else obvious that needed to be cleaned, he took the clothes to the bathroom.
He filled the bath with enough warm water to wash the clothes and dumped them in, picking up some soap and getting to work scrubbing them. Once they were washed, he rinsed them out and squeezed out the excess water, laying them over the side of the tub. Seonghwa dried off his hands and returned to continue his snooping.
Snooping turned into more organising. He fussed with the piles of jewelry on top of Hongjoong's dresser next, sorting them into categories by type and then putting them all into the little trinket boxes that were set out on display. Once he'd finished that task he headed out into the hall and went into the kitchen area. He gasped upon seeing the mess Hongjoong had left from breakfast. The sorcerer didn't seem to know much about cleaning up after himself. So Seonghwa got to work fixing that up as well. Then he reorganised the pantry for good measure.
Deciding he deserved a little break from fixing up Hongjoong's abode, he directed himself to the trophy room. Seonghwa gazed around in wonder as he entered the wide open space － every part of the room was filled with treasure. He walked from item to item, eyes wide as he studied each piece closely. He was careful not to touch anything, not wanting to accidentally damage something in Hongjoong's collection and cause him trouble.
As he was wandering the room, his eyes caught on a glass case near the back wall. There was a tapestry painted with cherry blossoms under a full moon, just like the room divider, behind it. Seonghwa gazed at the tapestry for a moment, admiring the painting. It was beautiful, but eventually his eyes slid down to the case, seeing a silver dagger resting atop a display stand inside. He leaned down to peer closer at it, seeing a triple moon etched into the hilt. He gently put his hands on the glass, leaning in closer to get a better look at the design, when the case clicked open. Seonghwa made a small sound of surprise, stepping back quickly. The case opened outwards, the dagger now resting before him, almost asking to be taken. Glancing around and seeing that he was still alone, Seonghwa reached forward and picked it up. It felt cool in his hand, weighty, but still light enough to swing easily. He tested it, holding it in a reverse grip and swishing it through the air.
“You look good like that.”
Seonghwa almost dropped the dagger in surprise, but thankfully he managed to hold onto it. “Hongjoong! I'm sorry, I- I didn't mean to-”
Hongjoong shook his head. “Don't apologise, petal. I invited you to look around and play with my toys, didn't I?”
He walked closer, his eyes trained on the dagger still in Seonghwa’s hands. He smiled softly.
“I shouldn't be surprised it was that one that caught your attention. It suits you,” he said.
“It's beautiful,” Seonghwa spoke as he looked down at the weapon in his hand.
“It once belonged to the Moon Goddess,” Hongjoong said.
“The Moon Goddess?” Seonghwa asked, tilting his head.
Hongjoong nodded. “She was once the guardian of this region.”
“Not anymore?” Seonghwa asked, feeling something strange settle inside his chest as he awaited for an answer he suspected he already knew was coming.
“No, Seonghwa, not anymore.” Hongjoong nodded towards the dagger. “Keep it. It will keep you safe, and you seem to like it.”
“I can't keep something so precious. Not something that belonged to a goddess,” Seonghwa quickly denied.
Hongjoong smiled at him. “You are a goddess to me, petal. Keep the dagger. Anyway, come and get some lunch with me, hm? I need to make sure my flower is well fed. He'll wilt otherwise, and I can't have that.”
🌸
Time passed. Days turned into weeks. Each day Seonghwa practiced with his new silver dagger. Sometimes Hongjoong gave him pointers, sometimes he even sparred with him, although he went easy on Seonghwa, he could tell. They had sex every night. Hongjoong fucked him every time, each time pushing inside a little deeper. Sometimes they even slept with Hongjoong still inside him.
“Soon you'll be able to take both of them,” he told Seonghwa with a wicked grin.
All Seonghwa ever wore around the cave was his enchanted sheer robe and his pink slippers, as sometimes Hongjoong would become affectionate during the day and feel like taking him in the middle of one of the other rooms, over a table or even standing up against one of the walls.
Seonghwa had also come across the problem of personal care. He wanted to make sure his body was in the best state for Hongjoong to use, and after he'd been to the privy he was concerned about being intimate again. He'd approached Hongjoong in his study and timidly asked for a syringe.
“What do you need one for?” Hongjoong asked.
“I'd rather not say.”
Hongjoong frowned. “I can't give you one if you don't tell me what it's for.”
Shifting his weight side to side, Seonghwa shyly mumbled, “It's to clean myself with.”
The sorcerer blinked at him, perplexed. “I'm not sure I follow, petal.”
Seonghwa groaned in frustration. “The village aunties taught me to use it to clean my insides with water! To, you know, prepare to be intimate!”
Hongjoong broke out into a wide grin. “Oh, I see. You don't have to go to such lengths for me, but if you insist.” He held out his palm and a syringe materialised in it. “Here you go. Anything else?”
“Um, do you have a razor blade?” Seonghwa asked.
“Your hair is growing back?” Hongjoong asked. Seonghwa nodded shyly. “If you want it gone, I can remove it magically. Avoid risking injury to your delicate body. Go have your bath and call out to me when you're done. I'll come help you remove it.”
Seonghwa took his bath, repeating the practice the village women had instructed him on. Having done it once before he now had a bit of an idea of what to do, and he wasn't as awkward this time, especially as he'd become much more familiar with that area of his body due to being intimate with Hongjoong prior.
He drained the water and dried himself off, then called out to Hongjoong as he sat on the edge of the tub. He had become aware that Hongjoong was always listening out for him. It might have made Seonghwa a little nervous at first, but it was actually sort of comforting to him now. He felt like he didn't have to worry about anything, because Hongjoong would always be there for him.
Hongjoong came along soon, smiling happily at him. “All done? Stand up for me and we can do this.”
He stepped forward, reaching out to put his hands on Seonghwa’s waist. Even with his smaller human hands, Seonghwa felt like glass under his touch. He knew just how strong this man was, and he felt special that Hongjoong was forever so gentle with him.
Those hands ran over his body now, up from his waist to his armpits. Seonghwa giggled at the ticklish touch, warm and tingly from magic. Hongjoong smiled back at him. His hands travelled downwards again, down over his waist and over his hips. They moved down his legs, Hongjoong dropping into a squat. Seonghwa felt a subtle tingling in his legs as Hongjoong moved his hands over them. His hands ran up the inside of his calves, then his thighs. His palms slid between his legs, fingertips rubbing over his hole and a hand cupping his balls. Seonghwa jolted at the sensual touch.
“You don't have to touch there,” he said. “The aunties praised me for not having any hair there.”
“Just making sure,” Hongjoong told him with a grin. His hand moved forward, sliding around to the front to run over the stubble at the base of his cock. “There you go, petal. Smooth again, and I stopped your hair growth. No need to worry about shaving again.”
“Oh! Thank you!” Seonghwa chirped. He dropped a hand to run over the front of his pelvic bone, finding it silky smooth again. “It would be a shame to let this go to waste right now, wouldn't it?”
“Are you propositioning me, petal?” Hongjoong asked, smirking slyly.
“I think I am,” Seonghwa nodded, smiling back. He picked up his robe and slipped it over his shoulders loosely, then left the bathroom, hoping Hongjoong would follow.
He did.
🌸
As well as practising with his dagger, Seonghwa began to spend time in the study perusing the various books. Hongjoong didn't seem to mind his presence as he sat at the desk at the far wall, so Seonghwa would often take out a book and either sit in one of the armchairs to read or go back to the bedroom to sit in bed with it. There was also a sitting area in the entrance to the cave that he sometimes went to read in, but he felt a bit nervous being at the front part of the cave by himself. He didn't expect anyone to come rushing in with pitchforks or anything, but he still felt unsettled so close to the entrance all alone.
He was browsing the library as Hongjoong worked when his eyes stopped on an interesting looking book. He tilted his head to read the spine, seeing the words ‘Secrets Of Sorcery’ printed along it. Glancing over at Hongjoong to see him still focused, Seonghwa pulled the book out from the shelf. He quietly slipped out of the study and returned to the bedroom, sliding into bed with the book in his lap. It looked old, the spine creaking when he opened the front cover. The pages were weathered, the print worn out in some places. He flipped forward a few pages, skimming along for anything noteworthy. He stopped a few pages in, seeing something interesting in the introduction.
To gain the powers of a sorcerer, one need not possess any prior magical talent. One must simply make the necessary sacrifices.
Sacrifices? Becoming a sorcerer required making a sacrifice? That didn't sound good.
The sacrifices must be performed under a dark moon. First one must gather …
The following text had been scratched out quite aggressively. The rest of the instructions were the same. Hongjoong clearly didn't want anyone else following in his footsteps. Or knowing what he had done to gain his abilities. Seonghwa supposed it didn't really matter. It happened a long time ago, and he wasn't planning on becoming a sorcerer himself, especially now that he knew it required some type of sacrifice. He didn't care that Hongjoong must have done something horrible a long time ago either. Surely he had his reasons, and Hongjoong of the past was probably a different person. Maybe he regretted his actions. If he was immortal, he surely had had a lot of time to think about the things he had done. Seonghwa had come to like him, and he decided he didn't need to know everything involved.
He closed the book and got up to return it to the study. When he entered the room Hongjoong looked up. His eyes showed understanding when he saw what book Seonghwa held.
“Ah. Curious about that one?” Hongjoong asked, eyeing the book as Seonghwa put it back.
“It mentioned sacrifices…” Seonghwa mumbled.
Hongjoong nodded, standing from his desk to approach. “Yes. That is how I gained my power long ago.”
“But you scratched out the rest. There's more to it than that, isn't there?”
“There is,” Hongjoong nodded again. He stopped in front of Seonghwa. He raised his hands and they melted back into their demonic form, long and clawed. “I had to sacrifice the souls of many people, which I did. But I also had to sacrifice a lot more to become something beyond human.”
“Do you regret it?” Seonghwa asked softly.
“No. And I would do it again. The people I killed deserved to die,” Hongjoong declared firmly. His expression softened and he raised a clawed hand to carefully and delicately stroke Seonghwa’s cheek. “And besides. If it weren't for my immortality, I would never have met you, petal.”
“They deserved to die… What happened?” Seonghwa asked. “Can you tell me more about you? About your past?”
Hongjoong sighed. “I suppose this has been a long time coming. Come, let's go sit and I will tell you a story.”
He slid an arm around Seonghwa’s waist and wrapped a wing around him, leading him out and towards the sitting room. Another fire burned in front of the loveseat there, and Hongjoong pulled Seonghwa onto it, pulling Seonghwa onto his lap and then tucking a blanket around the both of them.
“I will tell you a story about the Moon Goddess,” Hongjoong said, breathing out a sigh.
“The owner of the dagger?” Seonghwa asked curiously.
“Yes. When I was very young, she came to be the guardian of this region. My village was suffering from plague, and she settled here to watch over the people,” Hongjoong explained. “My family had died of the plague, and I was very ill myself. The Goddess bestowed upon the village a sapling, and told us that if we nurtured the tree that the disease ravaging the village would be cured.
“Some in the village dismissed her claims, but I had nothing left to lose, so I cared for the little sapling. I spent day and night tending to it, and then one day, miraculously, people in town began to clear of their symptoms. I kept tending to the sapling, and eventually the entire town was free of plague.”
“The sapling worked? It really cured everyone?” Seonghwa asked, his eyes wide.
Hongjoong nodded. “It did. It grew overnight, becoming a small tree in the centre of town, until within a few weeks it was enormous. It was the first eternal cherry blossom.”
A gasp left Seonghwa’s lips. “You mean the village you came from was the same as my home? You cared for the first tree? The big one in the middle of the town square? And it was a gift from a goddess?”
“I did, and it was.”
“Wow… I never knew…”
Hongjoong smiled. “Much of the town's history is lost.”
“So, what happened next?”
“The Goddess gave us more trees in exchange for offerings, which the villagers were happy to provide. There was a shrine built to her nearby where she resided if the villagers wanted to go and ask for her blessing,” Hongjoong continued.
Just then, Seonghwa remembered something. The room divider, and the tapestry above the Goddess’ dagger. They depicted a full moon above cherry blossom trees.
“The room divider, and the tapestry above the dagger…” he said.
Hongjoong nodded. “Ah. Yes. I painted those long ago. They were in her honour.”
“You seem to care for her a great deal,” Seonghwa noted, his voice neutral.
“If you're implying something, petal, there's no need. There was never anything between us,” Hongjoong said, smiling gently. “I revered her, but that's all there was to it. She was almost like a big sister to me if anything.”
Oddly, Seonghwa felt a sense of relief. Had he really been…jealous? That was a little embarrassing. Maybe he liked Hongjoong a bit too much.
“What was she like? How was she like a big sister to you?”
“Well. You know where my tastes lie, petal. I prefer the company of men,” Hongjoong said, and his tone turned a little bitter. “The people of my village didn't approve. I was an outcast at best, abused at worst. The goddess was one of few people who didn't torment me for my preferences. I sought out her company frequently, looking for guidance or simply companionship as I was lonely.”
“I'm sorry. That must have been hard,” Seonghwa said, raising a hand to cup Hongjoong's cheek tenderly. “No one in the village knew about me, I never told anyone how I felt, but if they had I suspect I would have experienced something similar. But I wouldn't have had anyone to turn to.”
Hongjoong smiled. “You have me now, petal.”
“I do,” Seonghwa replied, smiling back. His smile faded. “But…the Goddess is no longer here, right? What happened to her?”
Hongjoong's expression went dark. “She was murdered.”
“Murdered?” Seonghwa gasped. “How? By who? How do you kill a goddess?”
“With dark magic. Back then, magic was not frowned upon in the village,” Hongjoong explained. “I was born with magic also, but because I was an outcast, no one taught me to use my powers. I looked for resources outside the village, with the Goddess’ help. I spent most of my time studying at her shrine. However, I decided I did not have enough power to defend myself from those in the village who tormented me. She tried to discourage me, but I left anyway. I went to the city to find material on gaining more power to get the upper hand on the rest of the village.”
“To become a sorcerer,” Seonghwa determined.
“Yes, although I didn't know at the time that that's what I would do. I spent a year away from the village, studying with the wizards in the city until I found what I needed. However, when I returned from my journey, with the book in hand that you had been reading, I found a monstrous sight,” Hongjoong said, shaking his head sadly. “Some of the villagers had been practising dark magic, and had murdered the goddess to steal her powers for themselves. Her shrine was desecrated, her body left on her own altar and torn to shreds, murdered with her own weapon.”
Seonghwa gasped. “That's terrible! How could they do that?”
“Power. It was valued to the wizards of the village back then. Any way you could get more, and get the upper hand on your neighbours, was utilised,” Hongjoong explained, a scowl marring his face. “Having read the book I had brought home, I realised I needed to sacrifice human life to gain the powers I required. I could think of no better people to use for the ritual than those who had taken the life of my friend.”
“I- I understand,” Seonghwa murmured. “I could never do that, and I don't really approve, but I understand.”
Hongjoong nodded. “Thank you. I was worried you would think me a monster.”
Seonghwa innocently looked up at his twisted horns, and then down to his wings. Hongjoong huffed a laugh.
“You have a point, petal.”
“Did these come from the ritual to become a sorcerer?”
“No, these came later. I had to sacrifice the souls of other men to gain my powers, but to become what I am today, I had to sacrifice my own soul.”
“You- You have no soul? What does that mean?”
“It means this is my last life, petal. If I die, I will never be born again,” Hongjoong explained. “But I am immortal, and extremely hard to kill. I am not worried.”
“So, the Moon Goddess, is she dead forever?” Seonghwa asked, his eyes big.
Hongjoong inhaled and exhaled deeply, as if preparing himself. “For the most part, yes. After I destroyed her murderers and retreated to her shrine, I performed a spell to search for her spirit. Her energy lingered, but her soul was gone.”
“So… What does that mean?” Seonghwa asked, staring at Hongjoong and barely blinking as he was gripped by the story.
“She is dead,” Hongjoong answered solemnly. “Her soul is gone forever. Destroyed by their ritual.”
“Oh. I'm sorry, Hongjoong.” Seonghwa placed his hand back on the man's cheek, feeling his eyes water in sorrow for him.
Hongjoong shook his head. “No need to be sad, petal. I mourned for her a long time ago. But I will not make the same mistakes again. I ensured that a new goddess would be reborn one day by binding her spirit to the cherry trees of the village. And I will protect her successor with my life. I will keep them safe, I promise you. You do not need to worry.”
“Do you know when the new goddess will appear?” Seonghwa asked.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” Hongjoong answered, his tone light now.
“You do?! That's wonderful! When?”
“They have already appeared.”
“Really? Where? Who?”
Hongjoong simply stared at him. Seonghwa stared back, waiting. Hongjoong laughed.
“You, petal. You are the reincarnation of the Moon Goddess,” he said with a wide grin.
“Me?!” Seonghwa squeaked. “What? No, you must be joking, surely. I'm just a village peasant-”
“Darling, you are not simply ‘just’ anything,” Hongjoong insisted.
“You must have made a mistake. How can you be sure, anyway? I don't even have magic-”
“Several things, petal. First of all, your hair. You are connected to the cherry trees, just as the first goddess was, and as I bound her spirit. Secondly, I divined you are the goddess by testing some strands of your hair taken from your hairbrush,” Hongjoong explained. “You are the Moon Goddess.”
At the mention of his hair, Seonghwa reached up to touch it. Hongjoong could really tell he was a goddess just from his hair?
“But how can I be a goddess if I'm a man?” Seonghwa asked in confusion.
“That's a good question. You're very in tune with your feminine side though. I think if any man were to become a goddess it would be someone like you,” Hongjoong said. “I say this with the utmost respect. You are beautiful, Seonghwa.”
Ducking his head from both the compliment and the rare mention of his name, Seonghwa blushed. “Thank you. Um, how do you know I am not the same person though? Are you sure she's really gone?”
“If you shared the same soul you would have recognised me,” Hongjoong said, shaking his head. “You are a separate person. You are simply born of her spirit, much like a phoenix is reborn of its own ashes.”
He lifted his hand from where it held Seonghwa’s body against his and placed it over Seonghwa’s chest. It radiated warmth for a moment before he moved it away, returning to cradle Seonghwa’s waist.
“This is your first life,” he said. “Your soul is young.”
“So…this is my first life, and your last one,” Seonghwa said softly. “Will we never be together again after we die?”
Hongjoong smiled. “What if we never die? I am immortal and you are a goddess. I will make sure no harm comes to you again. There is no need for us to ever be apart.”
“What if someone kills me like they killed her?”
“I will never allow that to happen,” Hongjoong growled.
Seonghwa gently pressed his fingertips to the crease between his brows, smoothing it out until Hongjoong was no longer frowning.
“What does being a goddess mean? I don't even have magic,” Seonghwa asked once Hongjoong was calm again.
“You don't have magic right now,” Hongjoong corrected. “And that's not even true anymore anyway.”
“What? You're telling me I have magic?” Seonghwa asked, baffled.
“For a while now,” Hongjoong nodded in confirmation. “Since…probably the morning after we met.”
“What? How is that possible?”
“I may have awoken it in you by quite literally being inside you,” Hongjoong answered, smirking rather smugly.
“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa whined. He lightly smacked the man's chest and Hongjoong giggled. “And you didn't say anything about this to me?”
“I wasn't sure how you'd take it. And I wanted to make sure your power was stable first.”
“And? Is it?”
“Seems to be. You haven't exploded anything that I've noticed,” Hongjoong grinned.
Seonghwa smacked him again. “Then what can I do? I don't feel any different.”
“Hmm. Hold out your hand for me,” Hongjoong instructed. Seonghwa did so, holding his hand up between them. “What's your favourite flower?”
“What's yours?”
“Marigold.”
“Then it's marigold.”
Hongjoong smiled. “I'm flattered, petal. Picture a marigold for me. Focus on one appearing in your hand.”
Seonghwa closed his eyes, picturing a marigold flower in his mind. He imagined one sitting in the palm of his hand. How sad that Hongjoong liked marigolds, a flower that symbolised grief and mourning. When night fell the petals would curl in on themselves, and when sunlight returned and the flowers opened, wet with dew, they appeared to be crying. Seonghwa had always liked the beautiful golden flowers himself despite their unfortunate meaning. Maybe he could give them some happier associations for his immortal companion.
“Open your eyes, Seonghwa.”
He blinked his eyes open, and gasped when he saw a golden flower now resting in the palm of his hand.
“Did you do that?” he asked.
Hongjoong shook his head. “That was all you, darling. Try it again, you'll see.”
Seonghwa lifted the flower and tucked it into Hongjoong's hair next to one of his horns, then focused on his hand again, keeping his eyes open this time. Miraculously, another golden flower materialised before him.
“I did it!” he squealed.
“You sure did. Great work,” Hongjoong praised him, smiling warmly.
Seonghwa giggled, then reached up and tucked the second flower beside Hongjoong's other horn.
“Now you look pretty,” he declared.
“I didn't look pretty before?” Hongjoong pouted.
Seonghwa rolled his eyes. “Hm, maybe just a little bit.” He pursed his lips, frowning. “So you're saying having sex with you awakened my magic?”
“Yes,” Hongjoong confirmed with a nod.
“I really didn't need your ego to get any bigger, you know, and this isn't helping. How is that even possible anyway?”
“Well, you see…” Hongjoong trailed off. He took a hand off of Seonghwa’s waist again to grab his wrist, moving Seonghwa’s hand to his crotch. “These bad boys right here.”
“Hongjoong!”
“What? Even these have magical properties. My magic simply activated yours. It just happened that it worked by being inside you. And leaving a piece of me there,” Hongjoong said, grinning smugly.
“Ugh, you're impossible. Speaking of those weapons, were you born with them?” Seonghwa asked.
“No, I was born with only the human one,” Hongjoong replied. “When I was a young man, but still human, it was above average in size, but certainly not as large as it is now. The monstrous looking one grew when I lost my soul.”
“They're so big… Does it make walking difficult?”
“Sometimes. The enchantments on my clothes help. Sometimes I just cast a spell to return to my human body if I feel like it,” Hongjoong explained.
“Oh? I'd be curious to see that,” Seonghwa said.
“I'm sure you would. Once you work your way up to taking both of them, as a reward I'll show you my purely human form,” Hongjoong promised.
“Really? Can we try right now?”
Hongjoong laughed. “That eager to see my boring human cock, petal? But who am I to say no to this opportunity? Of course.”
He lifted Seonghwa easily as he stood, making the goddess giggle as he clung tightly to Hongjoong's shoulders. He swiftly dashed to the bedroom, leaping onto the bed and laying Seonghwa down on his back gently.
“Perhaps I need to finally design you something pretty to wear,” he said, eyes raking down Seonghwa’s mostly naked form. “Something befitting a divine being such as yourself.”
Seonghwa blushed. “I don't feel like one.”
“Oh, but petal, you are.”
Hongjoong ran a now human fingertip down from Seonghwa’s clavicle to between his chest, down his stomach and over his bellybutton, slowly down to stop at his pelvic bone. Seonghwa shivered as he moved down, his skin breaking out into goosebumps. Hongjoong eagerly leaned down and took his cock into his mouth, swirling his tongue around the head and making Seonghwa’s head spin.
“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa whined. “Please, I can't!”
Hongjoong pulled off and grinned. “I barely have to do anything and you're always so worked up.”
Seonghwa whimpered pitifully, looking up at him with big, shiny eyes.
“Don't worry, angel, I'll take care of you.”
He hooked his hands underneath Seonghwa’s knees, pushing them apart and folding them back to expose him. He snapped his fingers and the familiar bottle of oil appeared floating in the air. He took it and pulled the cork with his teeth, holding it between his fangs. Seonghwa couldn't help but think how sexy he looked like that. Hongjoong tipped the bottle up and poured the oil out straight onto Seonghwa’s hole.
“Aah!” he squeaked, jumping from the cold sensation.
Hongjoong smirked. “Sorry.”
“You're not. You're having fun,” Seonghwa said with a pout.
“I am, you're right.”
Hongjoong floated the bottle again and smeared the oil around with two fingers, pushing them both inside. Seonghwa was used to taking him so easily now that they were constantly sleeping together, sometimes even multiple times a day. It didn't take much preparation to get him ready to take the sorcerer's giant cock. He had a feeling he would finally be able to take both today. Hongjoong's fingers pushed inside him, curling and pressing up. He cried out as pleasure spread through his body.
“Please, Hongjoongie!” he begged.
“Hm? Please, what?”
“Please fuck me!”
“Oh! You've been spending too much time with me, petal,” Hongjoong laughed. “I've spread my filthy vocabulary to your innocent lips.”
“Hongjoong!”
“Okay, okay,” Hongjoong laughed.
He slid his fingers free, grabbing the oil bottle to tip more out on his cocks. He rubbed the tips over Seonghwa's hole and he squirmed, wanting them inside already.
“Ready?”
“Yes!”
The first push inside was intense. Seonghwa could tell Hongjoong was using magic. He imagined it probably would have been difficult to push both in at once without it on the first try, especially with how slippery it was. Seonghwa took a deep breath as he pushed deeper. It was overwhelming. Taking both of them was a lot more than he was expecting. But he could do it. He exhaled slowly, relaxing his body and trying not to squeeze.
“You're doing so well,” Hongjoong praised.
The praise went to his head and made him feel light and fluffy, so he nodded and closed his eyes, leaning his head back on the pillow. As he laid back and tried to breathe calmly, Hongjoong nudged him inside and sent pleasure sparking down to his toes again.
“Aaah!” he wailed as he arched his back, nails digging into the bed.
“That's why I waited so long to fuck you with my monster cock, petal. Until you could take both of them at once,” Hongjoong said, his eyes hooded as he smirked. “Once you get a taste of this one, you won't want the human one anymore. It just feels too good.”
“Wha- What-”
“It's the ridges,” Hongjoong answered his unfinished question. “The bumps just catch you in all the right places, hm?”
He shoved deeper, a little too rough, and pleasure erupted throughout Seonghwa’s body.
“Nngh- aah! Please, Hongjoongie! More!”
“I'll give you more, darling,” Hongjoong said, his voice rough.
He drew back and then thrust hard again, the ridges on his cock rubbing inside perfectly, just as he said. Tears were welling in Seonghwa’s eyes making it impossible to see now, Hongjoong was just a blurry figure moving above him. He whined, burying his hands in his own hair to have something to hold onto to keep what little sanity he had left.
“You'll mess up your pretty hair doing that, petal,” Hongjoong said disapprovingly. He grabbed Seonghwa’s wrists and pulled them up to his shoulders. “Here, hold onto me.”
He thrust hard again and the whole bed shook. Seonghwa held onto Hongjoong like his life depended on it.
“I can't, I can't, please,” he cried incoherently.
Hongjoong said nothing, simply raised a hand to grab one of Seonghwa’s where it held him, moving it down to place onto his own stomach. With each thrust, Hongjoong’s cocks pushed out the skin of his stomach, creating a defined bulge there. Seonghwa moaned weakly as he felt them move inside him.
“This is what you do to me, Seonghwa,” Hongjoong said, his voice low.
His hand dropped lower, grabbing Seonghwa’s leaking cock and starting to stroke it quickly. Seonghwa shrieked, his tears finally overflowing, nails raking down Hongjoong's back.
“Hongjoong, I-!”
“Come for me, beautiful,” Hongjoong urged.
A broken scream escaped Seonghwa as white hot pleasure erupted within him. His eyes rolled, his back arching, and his nails sharply digging into Hongjoong’s skin. It lasted for what felt like minutes until it finally subsided, his body weakly falling back against the bed. Hongjoong didn't stop stroking him even once he'd come down, and he whined in complaint.
“I can get you to come again,” Hongjoong said.
“Noo, it's too much,” Seonghwa complained weakly.
“You're a goddess, you can do it,” Hongjoong said in explanation, a cheeky grin on his face.
He thrust hard and Seonghwa moaned as pleasure sparked through him despite having just come. He tried to weakly roll his hips back to meet Hongjoong, wanting him to come too after making him feel so good.
“Seonghwa, yes, just like that,” Hongjoong breathed out.
The constant rubbing of his insides was building the pressure in Seonghwa's stomach again, and he whined as it continued to climb with each thrust.
“Hongjoong!” he cried desperately.
“I know, darling,” Hongjoong said. “Come with me.”
He leaned down and pressed his lips against Seonghwa’s, pushing his tongue into his mouth. Seonghwa moaned into his mouth as the pleasure became too much, the pressure in his stomach snapping as he came again. He panted against Hongjoong's lips as shudders wracked his frame, until they both finally collapsed, Hongjoong falling on top of him.
“You're so perfect, Seonghwa,” he said softly.
“Mm.”
Hongjoong laughed. “Tired? Let me clean you up.”
He gingerly began to ease out, and Seonghwa winced as it no longer felt pleasurable but rather overly sensitive and tender. When his cocks slipped free, he felt a gush of fluid come out of him. He blushed deeply, trying to close his legs to hide it. Hongjoong caught his knees and pushed them back open.
“Hongjoong! What was that for?!”
“I want to see,” said Hongjoong simply.
Seonghwa covered his face with his hands in embarrassment, although he let Hongjoong look at his mess to his heart's content.
“I need a bath,” Seonghwa complained.
“We can have one together. And you'll get your reward for doing so well,” Hongjoong giggled.
He had almost forgotten that. Hongjoong was going to show him his human form.
“I definitely don't think I can walk after that,” Seonghwa moaned.
Hongjoong chuckled. “Not to worry, petal. I'll carry you, of course.”
He rolled off the bed and scooped his arms underneath Seonghwa’s knees and back, easily lifting him up.
“Aah! Careful! I'm going to drip everywhere!”
“And? I'll clean it up later. Don't worry about it.”
“It'll be me cleaning it!” Seonghwa argued.
“I promise! I'll take care of it, petal. Don't stress, you're supposed to be relaxing now.”
Hongjoong placed Seonghwa on the edge of the porcelain basin and then began to fill the bathtub.
“I'm going to leak everywhere!” Seonghwa whined.
Hongjoong laughed. “Stop stressing over it. Here, come on.”
He lifted Seonghwa again and carried him the few steps to the bath, carefully placing him down in the tub. Then he climbed in behind him, pulling Seonghwa back against his chest.
“Relax, darling.”
“Hmm, this is nice.”
“Exactly. Leave everything to me.”
With a content sigh, Seonghwa leaned his head back on Hongjoong’s shoulder. His eyes remained closed as he felt Hongjoong's hands start to move over him gently, sighing softly in relaxation. Hongjoong tenderly washed him, being careful not to move him too much so he could rest. Seonghwa gasped when Hongjoong lifted him onto his lap and he felt fingers between his legs, gently slipping inside him.
“Are you trying to have your way with me again?” Seonghwa grumbled.
“Hmm, just cleaning up my mess, petal. But if you're interested…”
“No! I want to relax!”
Hongjoong laughed. “All right, all right. Nothing funny, I promise.”
He pushed his fingers in, curling them and pulling to scoop out the remains of his seed that hadn't dripped out on the way there. Seonghwa almost wanted him to keep going, to touch the good spot inside of him and bring him to climax again. But he was tired, and he didn't think he could take any more tonight. Hongjoong sat him back down in front of him, propping his own legs up either side of him and then pulling Seonghwa back against his chest again.
“You want to see your reward now?” he asked, voice low.
“Mm? Oh, yes,” Seonghwa said, sitting back up slowly.
“Turn around.”
He did so, awkwardly due to the bath and their positions, and he gasped when he saw Hongjoong's appearance. He no longer looked demonic; his wings were gone, his horns too, and the makeup on his face was washed away. He looked so young. He looked like he could be younger than Seonghwa himself. His face was sweet without the makeup, especially with the tiny smile on his cutely shaped lips.
“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa cried. “You're- You're-”
“And don't forget why you asked for this, petal.”
Eyes dropping down, Seonghwa looked into the water to see that between Hongjoong's legs no longer laid two giant weapons, but instead one perfectly human penis.
“Hey! It's still huge!” Seonghwa whined. “It's so much bigger than mine! Are you sure you're not cheating with magic?”
Hongjoong snickered. “I'm very sure, petal. This is my original human form. I was just well endowed even back then. Sorry to disappoint? No one's ever been so upset to see I have a big cock before, I must admit. You're certainly special.”
Seonghwa reached forward and lightly slapped his arm. He pouted. “Not fair.”
“Aww, I'm sorry, darling. For what it's worth, I love your cute little cock,” Hongjoong cooed. He emphasised this by grabbing it and squeezing lightly.
Seonghwa jumped. “I thought you said nothing funny!”
“I'm just playing with you, darling. How about you sit back and I'll make it up to you?”
“Hm, how?”
“I'll give your pretty little feet a massage.”
“Hmm, okay.”
Seonghwa leaned back against the opposite side of the tub, offering his feet to Hongjoong. The now human man picked one up and started kneading, and already it felt incredible. Seonghwa moaned, his eyes slipping shut. Hongjoong moved up his foot, from the arch upwards, fingers digging in underneath his toes and spreading them out.
“So cute, I just want to bite them,” he said.
“You're weird,” Seonghwa mumbled.
Hongjoong just laughed and continued. When he moved onto the next foot, Seonghwa's first foot sank down to lay in Hongjoong's lap. Feeling a little mischievous, he slowly moved it down towards Hongjoong's crotch until his toes touched Hongjoong's cock. Hongjoong's eyes flickered up to meet his curiously, but he said nothing. Seonghwa kept going, inching his foot down and slowly rubbing.
“Seonghwa…” Hongjoong said in a lightly warning tone. “What are you doing?”
“Just playing with you,” Seonghwa answered innocently.
He rubbed his foot up and down the shaft, feeling the organ stir to life beneath him. Hongjoong squeezed his foot hard and he winced. Hongjoong then lowered his foot down to his cock to join the first one.
“Since you want to play…” he said. “Then play.”
Seonghwa felt his heart skip a beat and he smiled. He gently used both his feet to rub carefully, running his toes over the length and then moving back up, the balls rolling over its length and then the arches. Hongjoong breathed a shaky sigh, a clear sign he was enjoying it. Seonghwa moved his feet up and down, one moving higher and one moving lower. He ran his toes over the head, through the milky fluid leaking into the water.
“Messy boy,” he scolded. “Always so messy.”
“You have that effect on me,” Hongjoong breathed.
Seonghwa continued to rub his feet up and down. Hongjoong's breathing was getting increasingly unsteady, his chest rising and falling quickly. He gripped the edges of the bath. Seonghwa smiled smugly to himself, finally feeling like he had the upper hand. He swiped his toes across the leaking tip again, feeling the sticky fluid before it washed away in the bathwater.
“Seonghwa,” Hongjoong warned. “I'm going to come.”
“Do it,” Seonghwa whispered. “Come on my feet. I know you like them.”
Hongjoong groaned, then carefully got up from his position, kneeling in the water. Seonghwa lifted his feet above the surface to keep rubbing Hongjoong, and with a last grunt the man shuddered and ropes of white splattered over Seonghwa's toes. Hongjoong sighed, sinking back into the water. Seonghwa lowered his legs to rinse off the sticky mess, rubbing his feet together to rid himself of it.
“You're incredible,” Hongjoong sighed.
“I never thought my feet would be so appreciated, but I guess I'm glad you like them.”
“What made you think I have such an affinity for them anyway?” Hongjoong asked.
“I've searched your whole cavern. There's no women's shoes anywhere, or clothes. You never kept any shoes for the sacrifices here,” Seonghwa announced.
Hongjoong actually blushed. “I- That's-”
“You just wanted an excuse to touch my feet when I arrived, didn't you?”
Sighing in defeat, Hongjoong nodded. “Yes, it's true. There were never any women's shoes here. I never brought the girls home, so I had no need to keep shoes for them in the house. You caught me.”
“So when you left the bedroom to go retrieve a pair of slippers from your collection of nonexistent shoes? What were you really doing?”
“To be honest, I was having a small breakdown,” Hongjoong admitted. “I suspected you were the goddess reborn to begin with, not to mention you were the most beautiful man I'd ever seen.”
“Did you actually need to feel my feet to get the size right?” Seonghwa asked.
Hongjoong shook his head. “The slippers are magically enchanted to fit the wearer. I never had to touch the girls and I didn't need to touch you either. I just…wanted to…”
Reaching out to pinch his cheek, Seonghwa cooed at him, “You're so cute.”
“I am not! I am a god!” Hongjoong denied.
“My cute little forest squirrel,” Seonghwa cooed back.
“A squirrel?! I'm getting out.”
“Hehehe.”
🌸
“Hongjoongie, have you made any progress on finding out who is using dark magic in the village?”
It had been a month since Seonghwa had arrived now. He tried not to bother Hongjoong when he was working, but he was worried about his village. Even the people who had wanted to sacrifice him, he wanted to see no harm come to them.
“Ah, yes. They didn't do a very good job of hiding what they were doing,” Hongjoong explained. “It's just a single man in the village, performing a dark ritual to steal the life force of the trees.”
“Why would they be doing that?” Seonghwa asked, frowning. “Is he trying to extend his life?”
“No, this ritual is to reverse death,” Hongjoong said. “I believe this is the parent of one of the previous sacrifices trying to resurrect his daughter.”
“Oh. Will it work?”
“It might, if she were dead. She's not. She made it to the city. As far as I can tell she's doing well,” Hongjoong said.
“So he's killing the trees for nothing?” Seonghwa asked.
“Yes, basically.”
“What do we do?” Seonghwa asked, panicked.
“We could confront him, of course, but I don't see it ending well without him lashing out and it ending with his demise to be honest,” Hongjoong said. “No, I think the best course of action would be to find his daughter to show him that she is alive. Perhaps it will put an end to this ridiculous cycle. Especially if I turn up with you by my side, looking like a queen.”
Seonghwa blushed. “I'm going to need something more than a robe if you plan to show me off to my former neighbours.”
“Yes, I agree. I don't want them seeing you like this. This is a view for my eyes only.”
Hongjoong grabbed Seonghwa by the waist and pulled him in, pulling him down into a kiss. They didn't separate for several minutes, Seonghwa eventually sliding into Hongjoong's lap to be more comfortable. He felt a hand at his backside, fingertips sliding between his cheeks and probing at his hole. He straddled Hongjoong's lap, giving him easier access as he placed his palms on Hongjoong’s chest. When they finally parted Hongjoong smiled up at him.
“I've actually already designed you something to wear,” he said. “I've been putting the finishing touches on it while I've been scrying. Perhaps you'd like to try it on?”
Eyes widening and shoulders lifting in interest, Seonghwa quickly nodded. “Yes, please! Show me!”
Hongjoong laughed gently and stood up, placing Seonghwa on his feet. “Come to the bedroom. I'll get you to try it on.”
Excited, Seonghwa led the way, Hongjoong following along in amusement. He sat down on the pouffle seat by the mirror and waited for Hongjoong to show him the new outfit. Hongjoong opened the armoire and waved his hand, and a new garment appeared hanging up, previously hidden from view. He pulled it out and held it up for Seonghwa to see.
Seonghwa gasped as it came into sight. It was a long, white dress, flowy and semi exposed at the waist. There were several silver chains around the neck and waist, diamonds dangling from them and glinting in the firelight. Long, sheer white fabric flowed from the shoulders of the garment. It was beautiful.
“No…” he murmured. “I couldn't wear something like this…”
“Of course, you can. Here, try it on.”
Hongjoong floated the hanger into the air and approached Seonghwa, pulling him up to stand despite his weak protesting. Hongjoong pushed his robe off of his shoulders and then tugged him over to wear the dress floated. He pulled it off its hanger and held it up for Seonghwa.
“All right, but I'll look terrible,” Seonghwa warned.
Hongjoong scoffed. “You won't, trust me.”
Seonghwa took the dress out of his hands and pulled it on, then Hongjoong stepped around him and did up the clasp at the back. The diamonds brushed against Seonghwa’s skin, giving him goosebumps. The only other time he had worn such wealth was the night he had been sacrificed, but diamonds were more valuable than pearls.
“See? I told you you'd look perfect,” Hongjoong said knowingly.
Seonghwa spun around to face the tall mirror and his breath caught in his chest. The dress clung to his figure, exposing his small waist while not being overly skimpy. The skirt hung to his ankles, the fabric around the shoulders draping over his arms prettily, allowing him to move his arms freely.
“There's a few extras to go with it,” Hongjoong said, quickly hurrying over to his set of drawers. He pulled out chains of pearls and more diamonds, holding them up. “These are for your feet.”
“How exactly are those for my feet?!”
Hongjoong smiled. “Sit down, I'll put them on for you.”
Seonghwa sat back down on the pouffle stool and Hongjoong knelt down in front of him. He carefully lifted Seonghwa’s ankle and slipped the chain over it, looping the end over his middle toe. The result was beautiful, the gemstones running over his feet and circling his ankles.
“You don't expect me to go outside like this though, do you? I'm still barefoot!” Seonghwa exclaimed.
“The chains are enchanted to repel dirt,” Hongjoong calmly explained. He smirked. “But I'll be happy to wash your feet for you afterwards as well.”
“Hmph. We'll see.”
“There's one last piece,” Hongjoong said.
He returned to the armoire and pulled out Seonghwa's old cherry blossom crown, perfectly preserved. A thin, white veil had been attached to it, the fabric sparkling just slightly in the light of the fire.
“Oh…” Seonghwa murmured.
Hongjoong reached up and placed it atop Seonghwa’s head, adjusting it to fit in place with the veil trailing down his back. He smiled warmly at Seonghwa, nodding at him to turn back around and look again. Seonghwa did, turning back to the mirror to look at himself. With his crown, the flowing white dress glinting with diamonds, the veil draped over his hair, and the shining straps of gems across his feet, he did actually look like the goddess Hongjoong claimed him to be.
“Maybe you were right about me…” he mumbled as he stared at his glittering reflection, so different from the simple village boy he had been merely a month ago.
“About you being the most beautiful man on the planet? Of course, I was,” Hongjoong agreed quickly.
“About me being a goddess,” Seonghwa corrected.
The look Hongjoong gave him now was softer. He reached up and brushed back a bit of Seonghwa’s pink hair. “You are a goddess, Seonghwa,” he said.
“Thank you…for this…”
“I would do anything for you,” Hongjoong stated, and Seonghwa believed him.
He cleared his throat. “So, you want to find the man's daughter? How do we do that?”
“I have her general location pinned down, we'll just need to travel to the city to find her there,” Hongjoong explained. “Seems she's at the academy studying magic.”
Seonghwa’s eyes widened. “I had wondered if any of the girls would pursue study. Many of the sacrifices possessed magical ability.”
“I noticed,” Hongjoong said dryly. “The reception to magic has changed much over the course of time in the village. It used to be celebrated in my youth, and now it is feared. I am afraid it is the consequences of my own actions that led to this outcome.”
“What do you mean?” Seonghwa asked, puzzled.
Hongjoong sighed softly. “When I sought revenge on those who had murdered my friend, I slaughtered them in the village square, drenching the town in blood. The magic that was used was like no other the people had seen before. They had stolen the Goddess’ power, and while I was a strong wizard to begin with, it was not enough to defeat them.
“I used tactics I am not proud of to gain the upper hand until I had crushed them. Afterwards, the remaining villagers no longer respected magic, but feared what they saw I could do with it. What I could do to them.”
He looked up, his expression regretful. “I apologise, I am the reason magic is feared among your neighbours. I am the reason your magic never manifested until now.”
“You are also the reason it manifested at all, don't forget that,” Seongbwa interrupted him gently. He reached out to place his hand on Hongjoong’s cheek. He leaned into it, closing his eyes. “You're too hard on yourself for things that are long in the past.”
“Perhaps. I've had a long time to consider my actions. A long time to regret.”
“Didn't you say you didn't regret becoming immortal?”
“Hmm, yes, of course,” Hongjoong hummed, smiling. “But I regret causing you trouble indirectly through my actions. If I hadn't been selfish and left the village, the Goddess would have lived. If I hadn't been so violent and careless, your magic wouldn't have been sealed for as long as it was. And perhaps those girls wouldn't have been shunned for being who they were.”
“And if my magic had manifested then perhaps the village elders would have just killed me anyway,” Seonghwa countered. “You can't blame yourself for things you had no way of knowing.”
“Hmm, perhaps you're right. You're already doing your duty of guiding the lost, you know,” Hongjoong said, grinning.
“Oh, you're lost, are you?” Seonghwa raised a brow.
“Yes, I seem to be confused. I'm never sure what day it is when you're around. All I can think about is how beautiful you are. What year is it, again?”
“Hmph. My followers are pretty but not very smart.”
Hongjoong gasped. “Called pretty by the spirit of the moon! This is my greatest honor. Thank you for this blessing.” He dropped to his knees and bowed.
Giggling, Seonghwa leaned over and tried to pull him up. “Okay, okay, enough! Get off the ground! Be serious now. We need to plan!”
Hongjoong straightened up and schooled his expression. “Yes, you're right. We can leave in a few days, we just need to prepare what to bring to the city. Can I trust you to get some snacks ready for us? We won't need much as we can pick up food once we're there.”
Seonghwa nodded. “Of course.”
“I'd like to show you around when we're there, but we're not really going for a leisurely visit. Next time, I promise.”
🌸
Within a few days they were ready to leave for the city. It would be the first time in just over a month that Seonghwa would be going outside. He was a little nervous, having become used to staying inside in the safety of Hongjoong's cave home. He had also never left the boundary of the forest before, having always stayed close to his village when he went out to forage, so he wasn't sure what to expect. Some of the older members of his village had been to the city before to sell and trade wares, but Seonghwa was never allowed to go. And even though they wouldn't be able to explore much or look around for fun, he was still excited.
Hongjoong led him outside to the mouth of the cave, their hands joined. He was dressed smartly, with a black semi-sheer blouse tucked into dark pants. He was in his human form at the moment. Seonghwa wore his goddess dress that Hongjoong had made for him, with a little satchel over his shoulder filled with snacks he had prepared for the journey. Hongjoong handed him his own bag.
“Here, I'll trouble you to hold it for me while we travel,” he said.
“You can't use your own hands?” Seonghwa asked, although he took the pouch.
“Trust me, you'll understand why I can't carry it in a moment.”
He stepped back and yelled loudly, Seonghwa startling as suddenly he was staring at a giant beast where Hongjoong once stood. It was something akin to a deer, with large antlers and hooves, but it was much bigger and bulkier. He recognised Hongjoong's sweet eyes as the creature stared at him.
“Hongjoong?!”
The beast nodded.
“What are you doing like that?!”
We need to get to the city somehow. You can ride me.
He squeaked as he heard Hongjoong's voice in his head.
“This wasn't how I pictured we'd be getting there…”
It will be much faster than walking. Get on. You'll be safe with me.
“Hmmm… If you say so.”
He approached Hongjoong and grabbed onto his shaggy fur, using it to pull himself up, swinging up onto the back of his body.
“Whoa. This is high,” he remarked nervously as he peered down at the ground, much farther away than he was expecting.
Are you okay?
“Y-Yes. I trust you.”
I won't let you fall.
Seonghwa leaned forward, pressing his chest against Hongjoong's back. He held his two bags underneath his torso, safely pinned between himself and his mount, his arms wrapped around Hongjoong's neck for security. Hongjoong gently began to walk, letting Seonghwa adjust to his gait.
I'll speed up now.
“Okay,” Seonghwa murmured, gripping on tighter.
Hongjoong began to trot, the change in pace making Seonghwa bounce a little. Sensing that Seonghwa was doing fine though, Hongjoong increased his speed again, beginning to canter. Seonghwa squeezed his eyes shut, pressing his face into Hongjoong's soft fur.
Just relax, darling. We'll be there in no time.
“Okay…” he whispered back, his voice lost to the whipping wind, although he had no doubt Hongjoong had still heard him.
They stopped a few times for food and water breaks, letting Hongjoong have a rest from running. When he shifted back to human form he seemed mostly unbothered, although he did seem quite a bit more hungry than usual.
They arrived at the city outskirts nearing midday. Farmhouses began to appear at first, with cows, pigs, and sheep wandering around in fields nearby. People were walking the roads as well as riders on horseback and people in carts. A few people stared at them as they passed, their gazes bored but curious. Hongjoong slowed to a trot and then a walk as they approached the city, eventually stopping near the gates.
Hop off, I'll change back and we can go in.
Seonghwa carefully lowered himself off the side of his companion and onto the paved ground. It was a strange new texture underneath his feet; smooth and cool. He slung his bag over his shoulder, holding onto Hongjoong's as he stood clear to give him room to transform.
“Do you need help with your, er, beast, ma'am?”
A young man had approached them, eyeing Hongjoong slightly warily. Seonghwa blinked at him in surprise, realising he was the one who had been addressed. The man had thought he was a woman, probably due to his dress and long hair. Hongjoong suddenly transformed back, standing up straight, and the man yelped and jumped back a step.
“No, thank you, sir,” he said cheerfully. “My wife and I will be on our way now.”
A deep blush bloomed across Seonghwa’s cheeks from Hongjoong calling him his wife, but he didn't protest when Hongjoong wrapped an arm around his waist and began to herd him off towards the city gates.
“You terrorised that poor stable boy,” he murmured as they headed inside.
“He'll be fine,” Hongjoong said dismissively. “It's not the first time a magical beast has come to the city. And I'm sure stranger creatures than I have shown up at the stables. Anyway, before we head to the Academy, shall we have a look at the food market?”
“Shouldn't we get moving?”
“We have time to get a small snack. You should at least see some part of the city while we're here,” Hongjoong insisted.
He led Seonghwa to the market, and Seonghwa was glad he gave in. It was bustling with people, chatter and laughter filling the square. Everywhere he looked something was going on, and there were so many wonderful smells. He wanted to go everywhere, but they didn't have endless time. He asked Hongjoong to recommend something to him to try since he had more experience here, so the sorcerer led him over to a sweets stall and bought him some candied fruit.
Seonghwa was happily chewing on the snack as they walked towards the magical academy in another part of the city. Hardly anyone looked at them now; perhaps oddly dressed strangers weren't uncommon in the city.
The academy loomed over them, a tall, white tower in the city's north. Guards stood at the wrought iron gates as they approached, and Seonghwa began to feel a little nervous. One of the guards held out a hand as they got closer.
“Halt,” he said firmly. “What business do you have here?”
“Looking for someone,” Hongjoong replied casually.
“Only staff and students are allowed.”
Seonghwa looked nervously over at Hongjoong to see him rolling his eyes.
“I'm a former student,” Hongjoong said.
“Oh. Then the gates will open to you. But your friend isn't permitted,” the guard said.
“He goes where I go,” Hongjoong said.
“If he's not a former student as well then he won't get past the barrier.”
Hongjoong scoffed. “Your barrier won't stop him.”
He tugged Seonghwa forward towards the gates.
“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa hissed. “They're not going to let me in!”
“It's fine, don't worry about it. They can't stop you.”
He pushed on one of the metal gates and it swung open. Hongjoong gently tugged Seonghwa forward and they both stepped across the threshold together.
“Oh. I thought it would stop me or something,” Seonghwa remarked. He looked over his shoulder to see the two guards gawking at him, their eyes wide.
Hongjoong hummed. “A flimsy barrier such as that couldn't stop your power. Trust me. You're stronger than you think.”
He led Seonghwa forward into the school, seeming to be seeking out a specific location. Seonghwa assumed he was using some kind of searching magic to find his target. As they headed inside the grounds, students appeared milling about, practicing magic or sitting and reading or chatting with friends. Hongjoong pulled Seonghwa along through the gardens towards a bench where a girl was sitting alone and reading.
“We've been looking for you,” he said as they stopped in front of her.
Her hair was a pale yellow, loosely held back by a silver pin, her clothing the same simple blue robe all the students wore. She looked up and gasped as she saw Hongjoong's face.
“Y-You,” she said. “What are you doing here?”
Her hand went to her collarbones, grabbing at the pendant she wore. It was a small, yellow stone tethered to black cord. A topaz.
“You gave me this when I left the forest,” she said. “You said it would keep me safe. When I walked to the city, the wolves came out at night to stare at me, but they never came close. I've never put this stone down since.”
Her eyes darted to the side to look at Seonghwa and she frowned. “Wait. Seonghwa oppa? Is that you?”
Seonghwa didn't miss the way Hongjoong pouted at him being called oppa, but he ignored it.
“Chaeyoung! Yes, it's me!”
The girl smiled. “What are you doing here? Look at your hair! It's gotten longer.”
“Mine? Look at yours! What have you done to it?”
“Oh, do you like it? I wanted to try something new, so I changed the colour with magic,” she said shyly, playing with a loose piece framing her face.
“It looks great! But your father won't be impressed.”
Chaeyoung rolled her eyes. “He can get over it. I'm a woman now, not a child.”
“Speaking of your father…” Hongjoong said.
Chaeyoung's face fell. “Is something wrong? Did something happen to him?”
“Well, that's what we're here to get your help with,” Seonghwa replied. “Your father is, erm, using dark magic.”
“What?!”
“It's killing the eternal trees,” Hongjoong added. “He's using their life-force to try to resurrect his lost daughter －that would be you－ but you are very much alive.”
“Oh, father… What can I do?”
“We were hoping you would come home with us to prove to him you're alive,” Seonghwa explained. “Maybe it will stop the village from sending sacrifices once and for all.”
Chaeyoung nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. But I can't just abandon my studies either. I don't want to lose my place here.”
“Let me handle that,” Hongjoong said. “You two catch up. I'll go buy you some time away.”
He slid his arm away from Seonghwa’s waist and walked off towards the tall, white spire like he owned the place. Chaeyoung turned to Seonghwa, grinning cheekily.
“So, tell me all about that, oppa!”
Seonghwa sighed, blushing lightly. He sat down on the bench beside the girl. “What's to tell?”
He always got along well with Chaeyoung. She was younger than him by a few years, but they had been friends growing up. Seonghwa had been sad when she had been sacrificed the winter before last.
“Um, clearly a lot!” she said, smiling widely. “He turned away every girl and then suddenly he shows up with you on his arm. And you look like this? You have some explaining to do!”
“I'm not sure what to say…”
“How did you meet?”
“Ah. I was sacrificed.”
“What?! No. You?! I never thought that would happen. Is this… Is this because of my father?”
Seonghwa nodded. “The trees were dying. The elders thought I would appease Hongjoong because of my hair.”
“Hongjoong? That's his name?” Chaeyoung asked curiously.
“He never told you?”
She shook her head. “No. He gave me clothes and shoes, the protection stone, and some food. That was it. He sent me off into the night without another word. I was mad at him for a while. But then I realised the stone kept me safe. After I had eaten the food he'd given me, when I foraged I realised I somehow knew which berries were poisonous and which were safe. Nothing harmed me on my journey, and I haven't come into any danger since I've arrived here. He ensured I made it here safely, I know it.”
Seonghwa thought about this for a moment, thinking back to when he first met Hongjoong. “When we met, he brushed it off. He told me he sent you all off to the city, but he made it sound like he didn't do you a favour. He made it sound like all he did was point you in the right direction. He implied that some of you might have died along the way. But this whole time, he made sure you were safe?”
Chaeyoung nodded. “He did. Yoona-ssi arrived a few months ago too.”
“I wondered…” Seonghwa murmured.
Just a couple of months before it had been his turn, a girl of sixteen by the name of Yoona had been sent to Hongjoong. Seems she safely made it to the city as well.
“There's actually a club for those of us who come here. Most of us have magical talent, so we come to the Academy,” Chaeyoung explained. “We have a little club for the sacrificial lambs. I'd say you'd be surprised how many of us there are, but you wouldn't be, would you?”
“No, I suppose not. But I'm glad you're all doing well. Would you ever go back?”
“No. I love what I'm doing now. And it's hard to think about going back to the place that sent me to die for no reason like that. I'll go back to help you, but then I will return here,” Chaeyoung said surely.
Seonghwa nodded. “I can see why you like the place. The city is so…different.”
“You'll have to come back sometime. I bet you'd love the food markets.”
His eyes widened in excitement. “We already went! But I didn't get to try much. I already want to go back!”
Chaeyoung giggled at his excitement for food. “You haven't changed, oppa.”
“I'm a little jealous you know him so well,” Hongjoong said, coming up behind Seonghwa.
“Nothing to be jealous over, dear,” Seonghwa commented gently.
“You two are so cute,” Chaeyoung said, smiling knowingly. “Is everything okay with my teachers- um, what should I call you, master?”
“Not that,” Hongjoong grimaced. “My name is Hongjoong. Just call me my name.”
“Hongjoong-nim, then,” Chaeyoung declared.
“Yes, everything is sorted. You're allowed to take a week off from your studies. We should leave immediately.”
“Let me change into something more appropriate for travelling,” Chaeyoung said as she stood. She waved her hands and her robes transformed, her clothing becoming a linen shirt tucked into pants, paired with tall, leather boots. Instead of being loosely pinned, her hair knotted itself into a tight braid down her back. “Ready?”
Hongjoong nodded in approval. “Not bad,” he commented. “Let's go.”
He slid his arm back around Seonghwa’s waist as they began walking out of the grounds.
"We should buy some food before we go,” he said. “Chaeyoung-ssi, you're a local. Do you recommend anything?”
“Hmm, the sweet bread is my favourite,” she answered.
Hongjoong reached into his waistband and pulled out a coin pouch. He held it out and dropped it into Chaeyoung's hands. “Here. Buy us some of your favourites for the journey. We'll wait outside the market for you.”
“You're just trusting me with your money?!”
“I'll know if you take anything,” Hongjoong said, raising an eyebrow at her. “But yes. You're a friend of Seonghwa’s.”
Chaeyoung blushed. “Right! I'll be back, master!”
She scurried off into the bustling market.
“I told her not to call me that,” Hongjoong sighed.
“She seems to respect you a lot,” Seonghwa commented. Hongjoong hummed dismissively. “You could probably have an army of magically gifted young maidens if you wanted.”
He snorted. “I don't need an army of maidens.”
“You know their lives are probably a lot better now thanks to you.”
“Hm.”
“I'm just saying, you've helped them a lot more than you probably think.”
“Mmhm.”
Seonghwa rolled his eyes. Hongjoong could be so stubborn sometimes. They sat on a stone bench in an alcove together until Chaeyoung returned. She handed Hongjoong his pouch back.
“I promise I didn't take anything extra!”
“I know,” Hongjoong nodded. “Let's get moving then if we want to return before nightfall. We'll rent horses for the trip back, I think.”
Immediately, Seonghwa felt nervous. “I've never ridden a horse before.”
“Nor have I,” Chaeyoung added.
“Don't worry. It's not that complicated. Besides, I'll tell them to just follow me,” Hongjoong explained. He leaned closer to Seonghwa. “You could ride with me if you wanted as well.”
“I don't want to hurt the horse by being too heavy…”
“You weigh next to nothing. It won't hurt the horse to carry us both for a short ride,” Hongjoong murmured. “But if you're concerned, I can just tell your horse to follow me. Up to you.”
As they approached the stables, Seonghwa glanced over at the large animals nervously. “Maybe… Maybe I'll ride with you,” he said.
“Of course, petal.”
He left to go pay for their horses, returning and leading two large animals side by side.
“Don't worry, they're very gentle,” he said. He pulled one over to Chaeyoung. “Here, use the stirrup to pull yourself up.”
She got into the saddle with relative ease, giving her horse a pat on the neck.
“I did it!” she exclaimed.
Hongjoong smiled at her. “You did. Good work.” He returned to the other horse that was just standing calmly. “I'll mount up and then pull you up behind me,” he told Seonghwa.
He pulled himself up onto the horse easily, settling into the saddle. He extended a hand to Seonghwa. Nervously, Seonghwa took it, and then he felt Hongjoong's magic flow through him as he was lifted into the air as though he were weightless. He floated up and landed on the saddle behind Hongjoong, pressed up tight against him.
“We're very close,” he murmured.
He felt a chuckle rumble through Hongjoong's back. “Yes, we are, petal. I like you nearby, don't you?”
“You're obsessed.”
“You say that like it's a bad thing. Let's get moving.”
He urged the horse forward, and Seonghwa twisted around to see Chaeyoung's horse was following. She seemed surprised by this, as it didn't seem as if she was in control of her horse herself. Hongjoong must be making the horse follow then, Seonghwa determined.
After they got away from the bustle of the city outskirts, Hongjoong urged the horses to speed up, moving into a canter instead. The bouncing was a bit more bumpy than it had been on Hongjoong when he was an animal, but as long as Seonghwa clung to Hongjoong he could manage it. After a while they stopped to have a break in a clearing in the forest.
“The horses need to rest,” Hongjoong said.
The people sat down to have a snack and a drink of water while the horses grazed and drank from the nearby river.
“We probably won't make it back before nightfall,” Hongjoong commented, looking up at the darkening skyline.
“Will we still confront my father tonight then?” Chaeyoung asked.
“No. We will go back to my home for the night and confront him tomorrow in the daylight. I want the whole village to be present when we return,” Hongjoong answered.
“Oh? I finally get to see your home then?” Chaeyoung asked, intrigued.
“Perhaps. Maybe I'll make you sleep outside,” Hongjoong grunted.
“You wouldn't. You're too nice,” Chaeyoung teased.
Hongjoong pouted, crossing his arms. “I'm supposed to be a demon here.”
“No, you're a good boy,” Seonghwa chimed in, trying not to giggle.
“This is unfair,” Hongjoong pouted deeper. “Break is over, let's keep moving.”
“Awww, come on! We were just teasing!” Chaeyoung whined.
Night indeed fell before they arrived back. They returned to Hongjoong's cave, leaving the horses outside to graze.
“They won't run away?” Seonghwa asked.
“If they wander they'll come back, don't worry. I've spoken to them.”
Seonghwa didn't know what to make of that answer, but Hongjoong herded them inside before he could ask more questions.
“So this is the infamous forest demon lair,” Chaeyoung said as they went inside.
“I'm not a demon,” Hongjoong said, rolling his eyes.
“Sure thing, master. Give me a tour!”
The sorcerer rolled his eyes again. “Seonghwa, darling, would you mind preparing a light supper while I give our guest a tour?”
Seonghwa smiled in amusement. “Of course. Keep an eye on her. I wouldn't be surprised if she breaks a few valuables.”
Chaeyoung gasped. “Oppa! How could you betray me like this! I'll be very careful! Wait, valuables? What kind of valuables do you have? Do you have any magical artefacts? I have an essay due…”
Hongjoong sighed. “Come this way, please.”
After a tour and supper, everyone retired to bed. Hongjoong set Chaeyoung up on the loveseat in the sitting room with a blanket as there were no spare beds, but she seemed plenty excited just to be there. Hongjoong at least also conjured her some sleeping clothes.
When Seonghwa returned to his room with Hongjoong, he hovered in the middle of the floor while Hongjoong undressed by the armoire. Hongjoong eventually turned around, having noticed he wasn't moving anywhere.
“Are you all right, petal?”
“Um, I was just- Are we- What are we- Um- With a guest-”
“Slow down.” Hongjoong crossed over to him, only in his undergarments now. His nakedness was rather distracting, his sculpted chest hard not to stare at. “What are you trying to say?”
“Are we going to, you know, with someone here?” Seonghwa managed to whisper shyly, his cheeks flushing hotly.
Hongjoong's eyes widened, and then he laughed. “Oh. Oh, Seonghwa. No. I didn't think that would make you very comfortable. But if you want to…”
Instantly, Seonghwa blushed deeper. “No! No, I couldn't possibly!”
Hongjoong chuckled. “That's what I thought. No, we shall just go to sleep tonight. But as soon as we're alone again, trust me, I will have you. Now let's get you out of your pretty dress. You'll need it for tomorrow.”
🌸
Seonghwa woke feeling the most rested he had since before he was sacrificed. He had even awoken before Hongjoong had, an unheard of occurrence. He was always so exhausted after a round or two of tumbling in bed, he fell right to sleep and didn't wake until long after his companion. Making the connection as to why he was so rested this particular morning, he pouted and slapped Hongjoong on the chest.
“Aah! What was that for?” Hongjoong squeaked, immediately jumping up and pouting right back at him as he rubbed his pec.
“Do you not see that I'm awake before you are?”
“Yes? Good morning, by the way?”
Seonghwa rolled his eyes. “And why do you think that is? That I've slept so well?”
“Oh.” Hongjoong's lips eased into a smile. “I guess you didn't get your evening exercise, huh?”
“Hongjoong!” Seonghwa shrieked, reaching over to smack him again.
“Hey, hey! Don't take it out on me! Aren't you happy? You got a good night's rest! Stop hitting me!”
Seonghwa growled. “I should hit you more.”
Hongjoong chuckled. “But you won't. And if I stopped sleeping with you I bet you'd be begging me for it in no time.”
Seonghwa’s lips fell open in surprise. “Hongjoong!” he hissed, scandalised.
“We can test that theory if you want,” Hongjoong shrugged.
“No, no need to take such drastic measures…”
His partner's eyes turned into crescents and he grinned his cheeky little grin, nodding in satisfaction. “Alrighty then. Shall we get ready?”
He helped Seonghwa into his goddess dress again, carrying him to the cushioned stool to slide his gemstone slippers on for him.
“I got you something in the city, by the way,” Hongjoong said.
“What? When did you have time to do that?”
“I'm resourceful,” Hongjoong answered vaguely. He went to the dresser and pulled out a piece of jewellery, returning to kneel in front of Seonghwa. “Here. It's for your thigh. It will look beautiful on you.”
He hooked the piece around Seonghwa’s thigh, silver chains running down his leg like water drops. The ends of the chains held beautiful, sparkly gems.
“More diamonds?” Seonghwa asked, in awe of the brilliant stones.
“Of course. Your birthstone,” Hongjoong stated. “I thought they would suit you.”
“This must have cost a fortune!”
Hongjoong shook his head. “It doesn't matter. If it will look pretty on you, I'll get it for you.”
At his declaration, Seonghwa blushed. “You don't need to go to such trouble for me,” he mumbled.
“Oh, but I do. You deserve everything in the world,” Hongjoong insisted.
His romantic words made Seonghwa’s heart flutter in his chest. Even the boys back home could never make him feel this way with their charming comments towards him. His chest felt tight, almost painful, his stomach twisting but somehow pleasantly. He felt such adoration for this man that he couldn't help but smile and reach out to touch his sweet face. Hongjoong smiled back, letting him indulge for a moment.
“I need to get ready, petal,” he said eventually.
“Yes, sorry.”
Seonghwa dropped his hand and sat back down, simply watching his companion. Hongjoong transformed back into his monstrous form, twisted horns protruding from his head and wings sprouting from his back, his hands clawed and black. He used magic to dress, putting on a handsome pair of black velvet pants and a dark blue silk shirt.
“Ready, love?” he asked, turning back to Seonghwa.
The goddess blushed lightly. “Yes. Let's go.”
Chaeyoung was awake and ready, being used to a formal school routine. They had a quick, light breakfast and then set off, taking the horses again who were waiting dutifully outside the cave as if they knew the group was coming. Riding to his village from Hongjoong's home, Seonghwa realised how close it actually was. He'd passed by it several times while gathering and never noticed. How close he had been to Hongjoong and yet they'd never crossed paths. They arrived at the village within just ten minutes, Hongjoong directing the horses into the centre of town.
The trees had gotten worse. The big one in the middle of the square was almost completely bare of flowers, the ground littered with withering petals. Some of the other nearby trees were much more sparse than before, although not quite as bad. Pink petals blew across the ground with the breeze, coating the ground of the village square as they entered. People had stopped to look at them, and their faces grew wary and frightened when they saw Hongjoong's appearance. The horses shuffled in place, agitated by the growing crowd.
The doors to the chapel opened with a bang, the town elders marching out. Seonghwa felt a chill go through him at the sight of the elder who had condemned him. He told himself he was safe though; Hongjoong would protect him.
“What is going on? What is the meaning of this gathering?” the old man demanded.
His expression dropped when he saw the riders sitting atop their horses. He eyed them warily.
“You are the demon of the forest,” he said cautiously.
“That is what you call me,” Hongjoong replied. He swung his right leg over the horse's neck in front of him and dismounted to the left with finesse, then reached up and helped Seonghwa down. He went to help Chaeyoung but she had dismounted on her own, so he quickly returned to Seonghwa’s side, wrapping a protective arm around him.
“What do you want with us? Is your last sacrifice not to your liking?” The old man's eyes flitted to Seonghwa. “Do you wish to return him?”
“No, on the contrary, he is wonderful,” Hongjoong answered. “I treasure and cherish him. However, he tells me there is a problem in the village.”
The elder's eyes narrowed. “A problem.”
"Your trees appear to be dying.”
“Is this not your will?”
Hongjoong shook his head. “I don't care for your village. It has been a long time since I did. Your doom is your own doing. Someone here is using dark magic.”
“Preposterous!”
“I return to you one of your sacrifices,” Hongjoong said, gesturing behind him, “unharmed. Hwang Chaeyoung.”
The girl stepped forward as murmurs spread throughout the crowd.
“Where is my daughter, then?!”
“Is mine alive too?!”
“My granddaughter!”
Hongjoong held up a hand to silence the clamouring. “None of the girls that were sent to me were ever harmed. They are all flourishing in the city. Many of them are studying magic.”
More murmurs throughout the crowd.
“Why did you return then?” the elder asked directly to Chaeyoung.
“Master tells me my father is the one performing such dark rites,” she answered bravely.
Another wave of murmurs amongst the crowd.
“If what you say is true, then bring him here to answer for himself,” the elder said. “Where is Hwang Yongjae?”
“He hasn't left his house since his daughter was taken, elder! Only to perform the sacrificial delivery!” someone called out.
“Someone bring him here at once.”
Several people in the crowd scurried off immediately. It wasn't long before they returned, dragging a man with them.
He looked more bedraggled since the last time Seonghwa had seen him. Seems he had put himself together to be seen in public for the sacrifice, but when not planning to go out he had let his appearance fall shabby. His hair was long and greasy, his face unshaven. His clothes were rumpled and stained. There were bags under his eyes and he looked simply awful.
He locked eyes with Seonghwa, then Hongjoong, and then he lurched forward, wrenching himself out of the hold of the villagers. Before Seonghwa could realise what was happening, Yongjae was thrusting a dagger into Hongjoong's stomach.
“You took my daughter!” he hoarsely roared.
Seonghwa’s mouth fell open in silent horror. He leapt forward, trying to push the man off of his love. He had his silver dagger tucked into his dress, but he hesitated to use it against his former neighbour. Hongjoong had clear control of the situation though, gripping Yongjae's weaponed wrist. He smiled at him menacingly, his eyes glowing bright white.
“I Am A God. You Cannot Kill A God.”
The crowd hushed, several people stepping back in fear, some, perhaps, in reverence. Yongjae dropped his dagger, hanging his head in defeat.
“Uncle, Chaeyoungie is right there, she is alive,” Seonghwa spoke softly.
Yongjae looked up frantically, seeing his daughter approaching him carefully.
“Is it you?” he asked quietly.
“Yes, father, it's me,” she said, smiling and with tears in her eyes. “Master never hurt me. Please don't be mad at him. He's very kind, really.”
The older man fell to the floor, beginning to wail. Chaeyoung rushed to him, dropping to her knees and cradling him.
“Yongjae, is it true you have been performing dark magic?” the elder asked.
The man nodded, still crying and holding his daughter. “I was trying to bring her back.”
“For this crime, you are banished from the village,” the elder spoke coldly.
Yongjae nodded, wiping his tears. “I understand.”
“Hold on now,” said Hongjoong. “Yongjae-nim, who gave you the book of dark material that you have been working with?”
“My father,” Yongjae answered.
A few more murmurs spread throughout the crowd.
“Slander!” the elder shrieked.
For the spindly elder was Yongjae's father.
“I think you should be banished from my realm,” Hongjoong said, walking up to the old man. “You've tormented this village long enough. Banishing your own son for doing your bidding, even.”
“How dare you! You brat!”
Hongjoong's eyes glowed white again and the old man shrank back in fear.
“I Have Dragged Souls Far Stronger Than Yours To Hell. You Mean Less Than Nothing To Me.”
He stepped back, retreating with Seonghwa at his side, unwilling to let go of him.
“Seonghwa!”
He whipped his head around at the familiar call of his name.
“Mother!” he cried.
He detached himself from Hongjoong, and Hongjoong let him go, running over to his mother who had pushed her way through the crowd. She and his father were both there, and they embraced him as he reached them. They squeezed him so tightly it almost hurt, but he didn't care.
“Is that-?” his mother whispered after a few minutes.
“His name is Hongjoong,” Seonghwa murmured back. “I love him.”
“Oh, baby. If you're happy then… Then I'm happy for you. Does he treat you well?”
Seonghwa nodded. “Like a goddess.”
“You deserve nothing less.” She pulled away a bit, appraising him. “Look at you. You look so different.”
“Bad?” Seonghwa asked nervously.
His mother shook her head, smiling fondly. “No, not at all. You look happy, confident like this. You look beautiful. Did he get you these beautiful clothes?”
“Yes. I hope he makes me more.”
“Is this all you've been wearing then?” his father asked. “He’s a bit stingy.”
His mother gently chuckled as Seonghwa blushed.
“Erm, not exactly…” he said awkwardly.
“Don't worry, darling. We were young once too. I understand,” his mother smiled knowingly, patting his arm.
Seonghwa blushed deeply. Curiously he asked, “Um, what changed?”
“Well, we had you, of course. But you don't need to worry about children spoiling your mood. I do hope he treats you well though.”
“Mother!”
“Okay, okay! I’m just worried about my only child!”
Seonghwa elected not to tell her that Hongjoong had once implied children would be possible due to Seonghwa’s affinity with nature magic. No need for her to think about that when Seonghwa hadn't even discussed it in depth himself.
“So, you're going back with him?” his father asked.
“Yes. I love him, I want to be with him. But I will come back to the village,” Seonghwa replied. “I have a feeling it will be good for everyone.”
His mother squeezed him tight again. “I hope so. I just got you back. I want to see you again, my little star.”
“You will, I promise.”
He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he looked over to see Hongjoong behind him.
“If I may,” Hongjoong said. “I believe you may be able to help around here.”
“Oh? What do you mean?” Seonghwa asked.
“Your powers of nature are primarily restorative, if you catch my meaning.”
“Powers?” Seonghwa’s mother asked. “What powers?”
“Apologies for not introducing myself,” Hongjoong said. “I am Kim Hongjoong, patron of the forest, and a big fan of your son. I determined he is the reincarnation of the long passed Moon Goddess of this region. When he came to live with me, his powers were awakened.”
Seonghwa’s parents were stunned into silence. “Here, I can show you my favourite little trick,” he said, smiling widely.
He took his mother's hand and cupped it with his own. Only a few seconds passed and then he moved it away, a perfect cherry blossom flower resting in her hand.
“Oh my stars!”
Seonghwa picked up the flower and tucked it behind his mother's ear. He looked at his father. “Do you want one too?”
The man chuckled gently. “I am okay, thank you, son. But it seems you have discovered a lot about yourself with the help of this…man. I'm pleased for you.”
“Go and do what you need to! We can talk later,” his mother encouraged.
Hongjoong wrapped an arm around his waist again and led him back to the centre of town. They looked up at the big tree in the square, bare of its petals. It made Seonghwa feel sad.
“You can heal the trees,” Hongjoong told him. “Like we've been practicing, but bigger.”
Nodding, Seonghwa stepped forward and raised his arms. He felt his magic flow through him, so he directed it towards the dying tree. He had been practicing healing with Hongjoong in the last couple of weeks. Hongjoong would make a plant wilt and Seonghwa would revive it. He felt bad for the poor plants that had suffered so he could train, but he supposed it was a necessity. He didn't want to practice on Hongjoong or an animal either, so the plant it was. Hongjoong had laughed and told him he was so caring to be worried about a tiny little plant.
“I am a goddess of nature, am I not?” Seonghwa had said. “The plant is under my protection.”
“Yet you eat plants like a starving rabbit,” Hongjoong pointed out. “Aren't carrots also under your protection?”
“That's different,” Seonghwa huffed. “I'm grateful to my carrots. And I stopped eating meat since you told me anyway, but I can't stop eating everything. The carrots will just have to forgive me.”
As he held his arms up, hands reaching towards the tree, he felt himself connecting to it. He dug his magic down to the roots, focusing on healing the wounds. His eyes slipped shut, his breathing slowing.
“The great tree! It's budding!” someone yelled.
He snapped his eyes open, looking up and seeing several fresh flower buds along the branches.
“Good job, I knew you could do it,” Hongjoong murmured, placing his hand on Seonghwa’s shoulderblade.
“That was just one, there's still a lot more to go,” Seonghwa pointed out.
“But it was the worst. The others won't take so much to heal.”
They moved around the centre of the village, going from tree to tree. Several people followed, watching in awe as Seonghwa healed the blossoms. He sighed wearily once all the trees were restored. He hadn't used so much magic in one sitting before, and he wasn't used to it yet. Hongjoong rested a hand on his back.
“You did well, I'm so proud of you, darling.”
The praise perked him up a little, and he gave a grateful smile to his companion. “Let me say goodbye to my parents and then we can go home?”
Hongjoong nodded. “I'll talk to our young friend about making it back to the city with her newly banished family.”
They separated, Seonghwa returning to where his parents were watching from not far off.
“You're going now?” his mother asked, smiling gently at him.
He nodded. “Yes. But I'll come back, I promise.”
Just then several of the village children came running up to surround them.
“Seonghwa oppa! Your dress is so pretty!” a little girl chirped.
“Hyung, hyung! Can you shoot fireballs? Lightning?” a boy asked.
Seonghwa looked up at his parents, stunned.
“Seems you have a new following,” his father commented.
“Oh, thank you! Uh, I'm not sure if I can shoot a fireball, but I can make a whip out of a vine,” Seonghwa answered.
“Ooooh! Can we see? Can we see?”
Seonghwa wasn't sure about demonstrating a magical attack in front of small children, but he summoned the vines around his arm to show them nonetheless. It wouldn't be dangerous so long as he didn't snap it.
“Wooooow!”
He withdrew the vine back until it melted away, smiling at the group of children. “I have to go now, but I'll come back and see you again soon,” he told them.
“Awww, but we wanna see more magic!”
He smiled, feeling light in his chest to see the villagers treating magic so differently now because of him.
“Another day, okay?”
Hongjoong walked over and raised his clawed hands. He was grinning cheekily. “But you need to behave, or the forest god will gobble you up first!”
The children shrieked and dispersed, running off in different directions, giggling cheerfully.
“Shame we won't get any grandchildren,” Seonghwa’s mother sighed. “You're both good with them.”
Hongjoong looked at Seonghwa, a brow raised. “You didn't tell her?”
Seonghwa elbowed him. “Well, we're going home now! I promise to come back and visit!”
🌸
They walked back to the cave. Chaeyoung took the horses, her grandfather on one and her father on the other. She sat behind her father since she didn't know how to ride and the horses weren't under Hongjoong's command anymore. She waved cheerfully to the couple as they left, her father giving them a guilty look and a nod of acknowledgement. The banished village elder refused to meet their gaze, turning his nose up at them. Hongjoong had just rolled his eyes.
When they returned home, they set their travel pouches down on the table in the sitting room and then looked at each other. Silently, Hongjoong picked Seonghwa up and dashed to the bedroom, gently placing him down on his feet in the middle of the room. The plush rug felt nice against his toes after being outside, as much as he was coming to love the feel of nature beneath his feet. He wiggled them into the rug, sighing deeply.
“We're finally alone again, petal. No guests. Just you and me.”
“I recall you mentioning something about what you were going to do to me once you had me alone again…”
“So you do remember.”
Seonghwa reached behind himself and unclasped his dress. It fell to the floor, leaving him naked aside from the gemstone studded chains on his feet and the diamond chain on his thigh. He walked forward and climbed onto the bed, laying back in the middle, his arms raised above his head.
“Do you want me?” he asked, his eyes hooded. Hongjoong nodded, staring at him hungrily. “Then have me, husband.”
Grinning, Hongjoong pounced.