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The damp air of the Underdark wrapped around Yunho like a shroud, heavy with the scent of earth and decay. Around him, the cave walls seemed to breathe- its stone walls slick with moisture, alive with the faint sound of dripping water that echoed in the vast, unseen spaces beyond. The orb of light in Seonghwa’s hands cast long, flickering shadows across the jagged rock, revealing veins of strange minerals that seemed to glimmer in the low light. 

Everywhere Yunho looked, the Underdark seemed to pulse with a quiet, unsettling life. The walls were covered with crawling vines and patches of phosphorescent moss that glowed faintly beneath the orbs’ light, painting the cave in soft greens and blues. Strange fungi grew in clusters along the rock, their bioluminescent caps glowing like dim stars scattered across the landscape.

Any other time, it would have been mesmerising, but after a long day of trekking through the depths, Yunho could only feel the weight of exhaustion pulling at him. His muscles ached from navigating the labyrinth of caverns, and his mind felt clouded from hours spent in the unending darkness. Their party had been in the Underdark for barely a ten-day, yet Yunho already yearned for the warmth of the sun, and the scent of freshly fallen rain. The hustle of a city market, anything to break up the monotony of mushrooms, caves, and Myconid colonies that had marked their adventure so far.

“Did you know some fungi can live for thousands of years?” Hongjoong’s voice was pitched with a childlike enthusiasm that felt foreign given the bleakness of their surroundings. He pointed excitedly at a cluster of mushrooms hanging off a nearby wall, their pale orange glow pulsing like a heartbeat. “And there are creatures down here who are even older! I’ve read stories of giant cave eels that have been around since the Days of Thunder.”

From the back of their group, Wooyoung let out a low groan. “Great, more things waiting in the dark to eat us.” He spoke with mock enthusiasm, his posture slumping as he shot glances at Jongho and San beside him. “Just what we need after trudging through endless caves. What’s next, a giant spider telling riddles? Or maybe a nice, friendly lich offering us tea?”

Jongho chuckled beside him, plucking absentmindedly at the lute on his hip as he shook his head, while San’s cat-like eyes pinched with amusement underneath the mask of his hood.

“Honestly if we run into anything else that wants to make us a snack, I might just let it.” Wooyoung continued, sighing dramatically, running his clawed fingers through the tousled locks of hair, exposing the tips of his short black horns. “Saves me from listening to Hongjoong-hyung’s lectures for another hour. I think I’ll keel over if I have to hear another fun mushroom fact ”

Hongjoong glanced over his shoulder at Wooyoung, the faint green tint of his tan skin catching the light of Seonghwa’s glowing orb as he grinned. His ginger red hair bounced slightly as he walked, and despite the long day, his energy seemed undiminished. 

“Oh, Wooyoungie,” he called back, voice light and teasing. “You’d miss my lectures if you didn’t have them to keep you entertained. Besides, you never know when one of my ‘fun mushroom facts’ might just save your life.”

Wooyoung shot Hongjoong a cheeky grin. "Entertained? Sure, right up until I pass out from pure excitement. But hey, if your goal was to bore any lurking monsters to death, you're doing great!"

Yunho tuned out their bickering as the soft murmur of Mingi and Yeosang’s conversation drifted back towards him. Their voices blended with the low hum of the Underdark as they walked, Mingi’s smooth, melodic tone carrying through the cavern as they spoke about the intricacies of life within the upper echelons of their respective societies - the hedonistic pleasures of Mezzoberrean courts and the cruelty of warring houses of Drow society contrasted with the glittering ballrooms and ornate palaces of Mingi’s Elven upbringing.

Yunho’s gaze strayed from the path ahead, lingering on Mingi’s figure as he walked alongside Yeosang. Even in the dim, eerie light of the Underdark, Mingi’s pale white hair seemed to catch whatever light there was. His tall, slender frame moved with the grace of someone who had spent most of his life in luxury. His broad shoulders and long, lean legs gave him a regal presence. He radiated an aura of luxury, even after so many years spent in the wilds. 

When Mingi noticed Yunho’s gaze, he turned, offering Yunho one of his bright, wide smiles- the kind that was so full of affection it made Yunho’s heart stumble in his chest. The tenderness in Mingi’s eyes, the warmth in his expression, was enough to break through the fog of Yunho’s exhaustion, reminding him why they were all down here in the first place. Once they found this Seldarine temple, they would be able to return to the surface and Yunho would never have to look at another giant mushroom again. Yunho yearned for evenings spent under the stars, nights spent sitting fireside watching Mingi’s nimble hands mend tears in his cloak as their party members drank and joked around them. 

Moved by the memories, feeling the pull of his devotion, Yunho silently offered a prayer to Helm, the god of protection. Keep us safe, keep him safe, he thought, fingers brushing the hilt of his sword as if that alone could ward off the dangers of the world around them.

His devotion to Mingi has been the guiding force in his life for as long as he can remember. They had grown up together, side by side, though their paths had diverged when Yunho chose to follow in his father’s footsteps. His family, a proud line of nobility with a long military history, had always expected him to follow in their tradition. Yunho had climbed the ranks of the Watch with skills honed through years of private lessons and a fierce determination to prove his worthiness.

Even after he had taken his oath, his loyalty, his true fealty, had always been to Mingi and the royal line he served. When Mingi was banished, Yunho hadn’t questioned for a moment if he was to accompany him. He had pledged an oath to the crown of their kingdom, but more than anything, he had pledged an oath to Mingi. To protect him, to serve him, to follow him to the end of the mortal plane as long as his intentions were true and just. It was this oath that allowed him to channel the magic he used to protect Mingi. 

He couldn’t imagine a future without Mingi by his side; their destinies were intertwined. They always had been.

Yunho slowed his pace, falling slightly behind the rest of the group. His hand still rested comfortably on the hilt of his sword, eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of danger. The Underdark was treacherous, full of hidden threats lurking in the dark. Yunho had dealt with enough poisonous mushrooms and hook horrors for this lifetime.

With each step they took, the cave gradually opened up before them, revealing a breathtaking otherworldly expanse. The party stepped onto a wide rock ledge, suspended high above a dark chasm. Far below, the cavern floor was veiled in shadow, only broken by the faint glow of enormous mushrooms that towered like silent sentinels. Their caps, glowing in shades of green and purple, cast an ethereal light that made the cavern feel like something out of a dream.

It was the colossal tree at the centre that drew Yunho’s attention. Rising from the unseen depths below, its ancient trunk spiralled upward like a living monolith. The bark was gnarled and silvered with age, shimmering faintly in the cavern’s dim light. Pale blue branches extended wide, adorned with massive, dark blue flowers that glowed softly, their petals pulsing with a strange magical energy. Each bloom was enormous, as large as a wagon wheel. Casting a soft, mystical glow that bathed the entire space in hues of deep blue and violet.

The tree’s base disappeared into the darkness, but its influence spread far and wide- glowing vines crawled up the walls, pulsing in rhythm with the blooms, as though connected to the ancient magic thrumming within the tree. The air beneath the ledge hummed with energy, a low vibration that Yunho felt under his feet as if the cavern itself was alive and breathing.

Just as soon as the whole party had stepped onto the wide ledge, a low rumble echoed through the cavern, making the ground beneath Yunho’s feet tremble. Instinctively, he halted, eyes darting around to gauge the source. He noticed the cracks forming in the soil, spreading like veins through the earth. Panic surged as the settled soil began to rise in a thick puff of debris, and before he could warn his companions, the ground tore open with a hiss, dirt, and rocks flying into the air as a howling beast leaped from the sunken ground.

It happened so fast- one moment they were walking and joking with each other, and the next, Yunho was knocked flat on his back. The air rushed from his lungs all at once, leaving his chest feeling tight and the back of his head throbbing from the impact. Blinking rapidly, he tried to clear his vision, but all he could see was a blurry mass looming mere metres away.

Yunho watched, vision hazy at the edges as the creature reared up on its hind legs, an ear-piercing screech ripping through the cavern. Its monstrous form towered against the backdrop of the glowing mushrooms, casting an ominous shadow along the walls. Its coarse scales glinted in the dim light, revealing a wide, gaping maw lined with razor-sharp teeth. Sharp, spiny ridges ran down its back and legs, the exoskeleton-like cartilage coating the top side of its body lending it an ancient, half-fossilised look, reminiscent of lumbering isopods.

Yunho’s adrenaline spiked, and before he could think, he was on his feet, rushing toward the creature. Still heaving for breath, he drew his sword, the familiar weight grounding him as he moved. He had a clearer view of the beast now, and the urgency of the moment intensified his resolve.

It was standing on its hind legs, rearing up with razor-sharp claws poised right above where Mingi and Yeosang had been knocked flat on the ground. Yunho's heart raced as he noticed Yeosang was out cold. Mingi was shouting an incantation that he couldn’t quite hear over the blood rushing to his ears.

In a flash, a bolt of dark purple, flickering magic shot from Mingi’s palm, striking the beast squarely in its soft tan underbelly. The magic sizzled upon contact, blistering the skin pink and causing the creature to wobble precariously on its hind legs. Seizing the moment, Mingi rolled to the side, harshly shoving Yeosang’s limp body away just as the beast reared down and pounded the ground with its claws. The shockwave from the impact rattled Yunho’s teeth and nearly sent him crashing to the floor again. He braced hard against a nearby root that sprouted from the massive ravine.

Yunho’s heart was pounding hard, each beat amplifying the chaos around him. His vision was still blurred at the edges as he struggled to focus. The acrid smell of sulphur and disturbed soil filled the air, mingling with the beast’s shrieks that seemed to echo endlessly off the cavern walls.

Seonghwa barrelled towards Yeosang, their voice rising above the clamour, shouting something Yunho couldn’t hear at the pair. He could only catch the shrill tone of Seonghwa’s voice as they called out the words to a mass healing spell. The sensation washed over Yunho like ice water running through his veins, sharp and invigorating. The pounding at the back of his skull receded, and his vision sharpened, clarity cutting through the chaos.

Amid the turmoil, Yunho’s thoughts centred solely on Mingi. A fierce protective instinct ignited within him, the magic of his oath sizzling at the tips of his fingers. He couldn’t let anything happen to him- not now, not ever.

As the effects of the spell washed over him, Yeosang began to rouse next to Mingi, the elf yanking the younger man to his feet just as the beast turned its gigantic body to snarl at their group. The sound was bordering on deafening, a primal roar that Yunho felt deep within his core.

Out of the corner of his eye, Yunho caught a bright flash of golden light and saw a wolf sprinting toward the monster, its jaw wide open, sharp canine teeth glinting in the low light. Familiar golden eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint, Hongjoong, in his druidic form, attached himself to one of the beast’s legs, sinking his sharp incisors into its scaly flesh. The beast staggered, momentarily thrown off balance, giving Mingi and Yeosang a precious moment to split. Yeosang’s form blurred for a moment before reappearing on the other side of the ledge, quickly pulling a healing potion from his belt and downing it before drawing his bow.

Mingi stood his ground as the beast pushed forward. Yunho caught his eyes for a fleeting second, the urgency in his expression palpable. Mingi’s gaze was fierce, the deep violet of his patron’s magic swirling in the whites of his eyes. More bolts of jagged energy sprayed from his palms, crackling and sparking as they struck the beast’s hard shell. The cracked grey armour turned dark and ashen; the creature was seemingly unaffected as its exoskeleton cracked. 

“That’s not working,” San shouted across the expanse, frustration creeping into his voice as he reached behind himself to draw his bow. 

“Obviously that’s not working!” Mingi snapped back, firing another bolt of crackling purple energy at the beast. “We need to hit it where it hurts!”

“Keep aiming for the gaps!” Yeosang instructed, nocking an arrow to his bowstring. Falling backward to the high ground, he fired, the arrow crackling with lightning magic. It pierced a gap in the beast's exoskeleton, black, inky blood oozed from the wound, darkening the earth beneath their feet. The monster shrieked as a series of electrical charges pulsed from the arrow, its limbs seizing with each shock.

“Nice shot!” Jongho cheered, stepping to Yeosang’s side and yanking his slender scimitars from his back. “Now let’s keep it busy! Hey! You! You ugly pile of scales! You look like something that crawled out of a cesspit!”

Wooyoung, daggers drawn, grinned wide. “I don’t think we’re going to be able to take this thing down by hurting its feelings, Jongho. Though, I guess I could use a laugh before it decides to make us its dinner!” 

“Guys!” Seonghwa shot a glare towards the pair. “Less talking, more killing. Unless you really plan on being that thing’s next meal!” 

With a shrill squeal, the beast kicked Hongjoong from its leg, sending the wolf flying against a nearby rock face. He let out a pained yelp, and in a flash of golden light, Hongjoong staggered to his feet. “We’ve got to subdue it! Aim for its belly!” he shouted, his voice firm despite the mayhem. 

Shouting an incantation, thorny vines erupted from the ground at his command, writhing to entangle the monster. The vines held the beast for only a moment, its massive body breaking free with a huff of annoyance.

Yunho watched as the beast turned its focus to Mingi, snarling as it lumbered to push him closer toward the cliff's edge. Yunho’s adrenaline spiked, and he rushed toward Mingi, still heaving for breath as he drew his sword. Mingi cast another bolt of jagged purple energy, but it barely fazed the beast. Yunho could feel the unsteady thumping of his pulse in his throat as he charged forward, ready to slash at the soft skin of its underbelly.

Adrenaline tingled his limbs as Yunho placed himself between Mingi and the hulking creature. Its snarling face loomed above them, jagged teeth glistening in the distant, flickering light of Seonghwa’s orb. Yunho tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes scanning the gaps in the creature's armour. He was looking for any weakness, any spot they could exploit. Standing beside him, Mingi’s whole body crackled with infernal energy, the purple tendrils of magic swirling around his hands as he prepared his neck spell.

The ground shook as the beast reared up on its hind legs again, towering over them, preparing for another devastating blow. They had been backed to the edge now - literally and figuratively- backed against the cliff with nowhere else to go. The others had all moved to higher ground, out of the immediate path of danger, leaving Yunho and Mingi as the creature’s prime target.

For nearly five years, they had fought side by side, forged in the trials of the wilds after Mingi’s banishment. Yunho had sworn an oath to the crown, to Mingi, long before then. They were a power duo, a well-oiled machine in the heat of combat. Yunho could anticipate Mingi’s next move before it happened, their energies feeding into each other seamlessly. Mingi’s quick incantations, Yunho’s precise strikes- it was a rhythm, a dance they’d perfected over so many years.

As the monster prepared to strike, their eyes met for just a fraction of a second. Yunho felt the depth of his devotion flare within him, the magic of his oath surging through his veins. His loyalty wasn’t just to a crown or a title—it was to Mingi, the elf he had followed across the Sword Coast, the one he’d protect with every ounce of his mortal strength. Yunho knew Mingi would live lifetimes without him, but at this moment, he couldn’t imagine a single second without Mingi in his life. He wanted to be by his side until his final breath, serving him with undying fealty, with love that ran deeper than the roots of the towering tree that sprouted from the depths of the ravine.

The beast slammed its fists into the ground with a deafening roar, and Yunho felt the earth give way beneath him. The shockwave rattled his bones, sending rocks and dirt flying as the ground cracked and split open. He barely had time to register the sudden plunge as the world tilted beneath his feet. Mingi’s wide eyes locked with his for a brief, confused second before the elf grabbed for his chest plate. Mingi yanked Yunho toward him just as the cliff edge crumbled beneath them, and they were airborne.

The sensation of weightlessness gripped Yunho as they plummeted. He clung to the hilt of his sword, his chest tight with fear and the breath knocked from his lungs. The ravine walls rushed past in a blur, the glowing blue branches of the giant tree rustling from the force of the shockwave. Yunho’s vision dimmed, the vibrations of the fall reverberating through his entire body, until, with a final jolt, everything went black.

Yunho’s head spun as he pushed himself up, his muscles aching with the lingering exhaustion from the fight. He couldn’t remember hitting the ground, but the cool, damp earth beneath him suggested that the fall had been far less punishing than it should have been. His surroundings slowly came into focus: the base of the massive tree towered over him, its roots spiralling into the ground. The air was thick with the scent of fungus, sickly sweet and cloying, mixing with the earthy smell of damp soil.

Sitting up, Yunho realised his pack had spilled out during the fall, its contents scattered across the dirt. Panic seized him as memories rushed back—the beast, the fall, Mingi. His heart raced as he frantically scanned the shadowy clearing for any sign of the elf. A hundred worst-case scenarios flashed through his mind in the space of a heartbeat, and he scrambled to his feet, ignoring the lingering fatigue in his limbs.

His pulse steadied the moment he saw a familiar tall figure rounding the corner of the massive tree. Mingi, carrying a torch in one hand, was trailing his fingers along the rough bark, lost in thought. Relief washed over Yunho in an overwhelming wave, and he called out, his voice hoarse. Mingi and his tendency to wander would be the death of him one day.

Mingi’s head snapped up, and a wide smile spread across his face. “Look who’s finally awake!”

Yunho trudged forward, his legs still unsteady beneath him. “How long was I out?”

“Not long, maybe an hour?” Mingi chuckled, the sound lighthearted despite the tension still hanging in the air. “I think you were out before we even hit the ground. You were snoring so loud.”

Yunho blinked in confusion. “How—how are we…” He gestured to himself, amazed that they had survived a fall from that height.

Mingi’s smile turned sheepish. “My boots. Yeosang enchanted them with feather fall after, well... last time.” He gave a light shrug. Yunho couldn’t help the way his lips twitched with a grin at the memory of Mingi being launched off the back of a particularly rowdy spooked horse.

Yunho let out a breath, the tension finally easing from his chest. “Remind me to thank him when we get back to camp.”

Mingi’s expression softened as he glanced back up toward the cavern ceiling, his eyes glowing faintly with residual magic. “Think the others handled that thing alright?”

“I’m not worried about them,” Yunho replied, shaking his head. “They’re a crafty bunch.”

Mingi nodded, his brow furrowing as he assessed their situation. “Got enough juice to get us back up there?”

Yunho sighed, shaking his head. “I’m out of charge for now. And I doubt the others will be able to get down here easily, so we’ve probably got some time.”

“I should trance for a while,” Mingi suggested, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. “Get my energy back.”

Yunho glanced around the shadowy cavern. “It’s kind of spooky down here. We should find somewhere a little more secluded so we don’t run into any more of those things .”

The two of them spent a few minutes searching the surrounding area, finally stumbling upon a small clearing on the opposite side of the massive tree. Yunho knelt and began peeling some bark from the base of the tree with the edge of his sword. The wood was damp, but with a bit of effort, they managed to gather enough dry material to light a small fire. As the flames flickered to life, their faint orange glow cast dim shadows on the walls of the cavern.

The atmosphere was cold and musty, with a slight sweet scent hanging in the air. The walls were lined with deep cracks, through which vines sprouted, their colourful berries and vibrant flowers in shades of blue, yellow, and pink creating an almost surreal contrast against the cavern’s dim, oppressive darkness. The glow from the fire flickered over the vines, making the flowers appear as if they danced with their own quiet life.

Yunho settled near the fire, his body grateful for the warmth as he stretched out his legs. His eyes wandered over to Mingi, who stood at the edge of the firelight, inspecting the tree. Mingi’s fingers brushed against the rough bark, his other hand still holding the torch he had lit earlier. He looked lost in thought, or maybe just exhausted—though he never let it show for too long.

“Come sit down for a bit, I’ll take the first watch.” Yunho urged, patting the ground next to him. “You’ve earned it.”

Mingi smiled, shaking his head. “Yunho-ah, you’ve always been so chivalrous,” he teased lightly, walking over and settling beside Yunho. “Always looking out for me.”

Yunho huffed a laugh, his gaze softening as he looked at Mingi. “Someone has to,” he replied. “You get into too much trouble when I’m not around.”

Mingi chuckled, shaking his head. “Maybe I do, but you’ve always been there to take care of me.”

Yunho’s heart skipped in his chest. Even after a whole lifetime spent in Mingi’s presence, the decades they now shared of companionship, the years they’ve spent together travelling the wilds, hearing Mingi speak so fondly of him made something vicious flare in his stomach, a fierce protective instinct that grew and grew until it felt like it consumed his whole being, his entire existence. A warmth that spread from his chest down his limbs and made his body feel alight, alive whenever he was in Mingi’s presence.

His voice came out surprisingly soft despite the tingling feeling spreading throughout his limbs. “And I always will be, Princess.”

Mingi’s lips twitched to a small smile at the pet name. Yunho had first called him that when they were much younger, their childhoods were spent playing games in lush palace gardens. Yunho, a knight in shining armour rescues the trapped Princess Mingi from the jaws of an angry dragon. Simpler times that seemed so distant now, servants at their beck and call to wait on them hand and foot, luxurious meals served in massive dining halls, and feather-stuffed mattresses lined with satin sheets that they fell into after a day of terrorising the ladies and lords of the court. 

A stark difference to the hay-stuffed bedrolls they retired to every evening now.

Mingi began to unwind, stripping off his cloak and setting it aside. Yunho’s eyes, despite himself, wandered over the inches of the honeyed skin of his toned midriff now exposed in the flickering firelight. Mingi moved to peel the leather of his armour off his chest. Lifting his well-toned arms above his head, his strong shoulders flexing as he moved. The way the muscles in his back rippled in the warm light made Yunho’s chest tighten just a little more than he’d like to admit. Mingi’s underclothes were plain, worn around the edges from months spent sleeping under the stars. Yunho could see the stitch work where Mingi had hemmed tears in the material, memories of his slender fingers working deftly at the fabric to patch up nicks and tears. Yunho liked watching Mingi work with his hands, strong and calloused now, but they still held the remnants of their years of luxury, slender and soft.

Mingi glanced at Yunho, catching him staring for a second. “You alright?” he asked with a smirk, though his voice was gentle.

Yunho quickly looked away, clearing his throat, a shy flush beginning to creep up his neck.  “Yeah, yeah, just… making sure you’re good.”

Mingi shook his head, amused. He found a spot near the tree, sitting with his back against the stump. His expression softened as he closed his eyes, slipping into the meditative trance that elves used to rest. His face relaxed, the tension from the day's battles fading away, leaving him looking almost serene.

Yunho sat quietly by the fire, his eyes occasionally drifting back to Mingi as he tranced. The fire crackled softly, casting gentle waves of heat through the cold air. Despite the faint chill, Yunho couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm at the moment. The rush of battle was behind them for now, and with Mingi by his side, the weight on Yunho’s shoulders felt lighter.

As Yunho sat there, the quiet of the cavern pressing in, he allowed his thoughts to wander. His devotion to Mingi wasn’t just about loyalty anymore—it hadn’t been for a long time. Yunho’s love for him was something deeper, something so ingrained in him that he couldn’t imagine a world where he didn’t protect Mingi, where he didn’t care for him. He’d follow him to the ends of the earth, no questions asked.

Mingi was kind, outspoken, and often opinionated but fiercely loyal and always just. He had an undeniable presence, the type of personality that could dominate a room, a man who turned heads as soon as he walked through the door, but he was also a gentle soul; Someone who cared so deeply about those around him, who would go to impossible lengths to keep any single person safe, the type of man to sell his soul if it meant protecting someone he loved.

Mingi wasn’t just his companion, his friend. He was Yunho’s everything. 

Yunho leaned back against the rough bark of the tree, listening to the distant sounds of the cavern, his sword resting beside him. He kept one eye on Mingi, even as the elf tranced, his breathing even, his face so peaceful. Watching over him, even in the quiet moments like this, felt natural. It was where Yunho was meant to be.

The fire flickered, the warmth steady, but something deeper was stirring in Yunho’s chest—something that had been growing for years now. He let it sit there, unspoken but ever-present, as the quiet stretched on, broken only by the gentle crackle of the flames. Only in the dead of the night, could Yunho entertain fantasies of courtship and romance. When the fires died and he teetered on the edge of consciousness, Yunho pondered if Mingi cared for Yunho the same way Yunho cared for him. It was a question that he knew would forever remain unanswered.

Yunho fell asleep without realising it, his back pressed against the massive tree, hand still resting protectively on his sword. He must have been more exhausted than he thought because the next thing he knew, he was being startled awake by the unmistakable sound of buzzing wings.

Groggy and disoriented, Yunho blinked his eyes open and came face to face with a large, dragonfly-like creature hovering inches from his nose. It was nearly the size of his forearm, its wings translucent and beating rapidly as it studied him with curious, multifaceted eyes. The second Yunho moved; the creature zipped off in a blur.

He panicked. His heart raced as memories of where they were crashed back into his mind, and the first thing he thought about was Mingi. His hand tightened around his sword as he scrambled to his feet, his entire body going rigid with a sudden surge of adrenaline. The fire they had set earlier had died down to little more than glowing coals.

That same sweet scent from earlier was back, stronger now, almost suffocating as it clung to the damp air. Yunho’s senses were overwhelmed as his eyes swept over the clearing. His pulse quickened when he noticed that Mingi’s cloak and armour weren’t where he left them. And worse, Mingi was nowhere to be seen.

“Mingi!” Yunho’s voice echoed through the cavern as he called out, trying to keep his rising panic in check. His mind raced, imagining Mingi trapped somewhere in the darkness, hurt, lost, or worse. The unfamiliar environment did nothing to ease his nerves, and Yunho’s skin prickled with anxiety. He had always been like this when it came to Mingi—on edge if he didn’t know exactly where he was.

Just as the panic started to claw at his throat, Yunho heard Mingi’s voice calling out from the other side of the tree. “Yunho! Over here!”

Yunho breathed a shaky sigh of relief, practically sprinting toward the sound of Mingi’s voice. He rounded the tree’s massive trunk, his heart still pounding, but this time for different reasons. When he saw Mingi standing there, unharmed and facing the cavern wall, a rush of relief coursed through him.

Mingi was focused on something, his fingers trailing along the rough bark of the tree’s roots as his eyes studied the wall intently. The roots snaked across the cavern's surface like vines, blooming with vibrant flowers in shades of soft blues, purples, and pinks. These flowers pulsed with a faint, magical energy—like the ones at the top of the tree, but smaller. The overpowering sweet scent was coming from them, and several dragonfly-like creatures hovered around, their wings shimmering as they fed on the nectar.

Yunho approached cautiously. “Mingi, what are you doing?”

Mingi didn’t look away from the flowers, just lifted a hand to motion for Yunho to hush. His eyes were wide with fascination as he watched one of the dragonflies finish drinking from a bloom. He reached out carefully, his fingers steady as he slipped them into the flower and pulled out a small crystalline object.

With a proud grin, Mingi held up the gem for Yunho to see. His eyes sparkled with excitement, and Yunho’s chest ached with fondness for him. He had always been like this, finding joy in little things, even in the middle of a dangerous situation.

Yunho couldn’t help himself; he gave Mingi a thumbs-up, smiling back. Mingi, beaming, pocketed the gem and reached into another flower.

Yunho, still a little dazed, moved to stand beside him, too focused on Mingi’s careful, deliberate movements to notice where he was stepping. The fragile root beneath his boot cracked loudly, the sound echoing in the quiet cavern.

Mingi flinched at the noise, his elbow jerking as he accidentally bumped into one of the dragonflies attached to a nearby flower. The creature buzzed angrily, its wings a blur as it lifted its tail and released a thick plume of yellow pollen right into Mingi’s face.

Mingi gasped in shock, inhaling the pollen before immediately coughing and choking. His eyes watered as he tried to clear his lungs, staggering backward.

Yunho reacted instantly, rushing to Mingi’s side. “Woah! Hold still!” He brushed the pollen from Mingi’s clothes, then started smacking him on the back to help clear his airways. Mingi’s coughing fit intensified for a moment before he was finally able to catch his breath.

Yunho fumbled through his pack, pulling out a canteen of water. “Here,” he said, handing it over to Mingi, his voice filled with concern.

Mingi took a large gulp, swearing under his breath in Elvish as he wiped the pollen from his face. “That was… not my best moment,” he said, his voice still raspy from coughing.

Yunho chuckled, relieved. “Yeah, definitely not your best,” he agreed, though the grin on his face betrayed the teasing tone. He watched as Mingi took another long drink, his eyes still watering but now accompanied by a familiar mischievous sparkle.

As he lowered the canteen, Mingi opened his palm, revealing yet another crystalline gem. “Worth it,” he said with a grin, his pride undiminished by the mishap.

Yunho laughed, shaking his head. “Of course it was,” he muttered, gently brushing off the last of the pollen from Mingi’s shoulders. “You only scared me half-to-death, that’s all.”

Mingi waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, quiet, you. I’m fine. Nothing’s crawling under my skin, I promise.”

“Still,” Yunho said, his brow furrowed with concern. “You inhaled a lot of that stuff… I don’t know what it is, but it didn’t look normal. You should let Seonghwa-hyung take a look at you when we get back to camp.”

Mingi sighed, but there was a fondness in his expression. “If it makes you feel better, I’ll let them check me over. But really, I feel fine.”

Yunho gave a small nod, though the crease in his brow didn't completely disappear. “You’d better. I don’t want you dying on me from some weird Underdark infection,” he muttered, folding his arms. Yunho gestured to the gems in Mingi’s hand, trying to shake off his lingering worry. “What even are those?” 

“Crystallised nectar,” Mingi explained, his voice taking on a more knowledgeable tone. “I read about these in an alchemist’s ledger the last time we were in Candlekeep. They form at the base of Sussur flowers, like the ones we’re seeing here. It’s rare and fetches a pretty high price on the surface. I’ve heard they’re used in all kinds of alchemical concoctions, but they’re especially valuable in some arcane markets. We just got our hands on a small fortune.”

Yunho raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “So you were off treasure hunting while I was alone and vulnerable, huh?”

Mingi chuckled, shaking his head. “Come on, you’re a big strong man Yunho-ah, you can handle yourself. You’ve dealt with worse than a nap under a tree. Besides, someone had to make good use of the time.” He pocketed the gems, then glanced at Yunho with a more serious expression. “Oh, by the way,” he said, “while you were asleep, Yeosang sent us a message. A couple actually. He’s really bad at Sending spells.”

Yunho’s brows furrowed. “What did he say?”

“They took down that beast,” Mingi replied, his expression brightening. “Gave us the coordinates to where they’re setting up camp a bit further east of here.”

Relief flooded Yunho at the news. “Good. I was worried about them.”

“Yeosang also mentioned that Hongjoong-hyung was getting ready to chew out Wooyoung for cracking jokes in the middle of the fight. So, I’d say everything’s back to normal,” Mingi added with a grin.

Yunho nodded, relieved, but he glanced up toward the top of the ravine. “So… how do we get up there? You think you can manage a Dimension Door?”

Mingi groaned theatrically. “You always make me cast the upper-level spells. You know that, right?”

Yunho crossed his arms, lips twitching at the corners. “Someone’s got to put your patron’s magic to good use.”

Mingi groaned, turning to Yunho with a mock pout. “You know, you’re supposed to be my ‘divinely anointed protector’, and yet here I am, doing all the heavy lifting. What’s the point of having you around if I’m the one casting all the spells?”

“How about my wonderful companionship and undeniable charm?” Yunho smirked, crossing his arms. “And besides, I’m not fully rested yet. Sleeping on the floor of a ravine isn’t exactly the most comfortable, you know.”

Mingi rolled his eyes, but a smile tugged at his lips. “Excuses, excuses,” he muttered, stretching his fingers as purple magic began to spark around them. “Alright, let’s get this over with.”

With a few final words, Mingi cast the spell, and a shimmering portal appeared before them. Yunho stepped through first, feeling the familiar pull of magic as they were transported from the base of the massive tree to the top of the ravine.

In a flash, they emerged on solid ground, greeted by the flickering lights of their camp in the distance. 

They returned to camp under the dimming light of glowing Sussur flowers, their muscles aching from the journey and the tension of battle still lingering in their bones. To their relief, San and Wooyoung had already set up their tents while Yunho and Mingi were trapped at the base of the ravine, the familiar sight of their camp a welcome reprieve. The campfire crackled softly, casting flickers of light on the trunk of the gigantic tree, and Yunho could feel the weight of exhaustion settling heavily into his body. All he wanted was to collapse onto his cot and finally get some real rest.

As they approached the fire, Yunho caught Mingi’s arm. "Promise me you’ll see Seonghwa before bed. Just to make sure everything’s alright," he said, his voice more insistent than usual.

Mingi sighed, giving him a small, tired smile. “You worry too much,” he replied, brushing off Yunho’s concern with a wave of his hand. “It’s been hours. If it was going to kill me, it would have by now. I’m fine, really. It was just a bit of pollen.”

Yunho wasn’t convinced, but he nodded, too worn out to argue. “Come on, Min, Humor me.”

Mingi grinned at him, his gaze softening for a brief moment. “Alright, alright. I’ll let them check me out. But just so I can say I told you so when they inevitably tell me I’m fine.” With that, he headed toward the healer’s tent, leaving Yunho to finally retreat to his own.

Yunho sank onto his cot, his body practically melting into the fabric. Despite the comfort, his mind was still racing. He couldn’t shake the constant stream of thoughts about their journey—where they might go next, how far they were from finding the elusive temple they had been searching for. When sleep finally takes him, it’s restless, interrupted only by dreams of crumbling stone temples and shadows looming on the horizon.

It was only a few hours later, just as the camp had fully quieted, that he was startled awake. The flap of his tent rustled, and a rather frantic-looking Yeosang slipped inside. 

“Yunho, you need to come now,” Yeosang’s voice was quiet but urgent. The Drow crouched in the entrance, his pale, purple-tinted skin glowing faintly in the dim firelight outside. His distinct birthmark stood out near his crimson-red eyes, which were wide with alarm. “Seonghwa needs to see you. Something’s wrong with Mingi.”

Yunho bolted upright, dread gripping him. He could see the tension in Yeosang’s posture, the faint shake in his voice a rare sign of just how serious things were. “What happened?” Yunho asked, scrambling out of his cot as panic swelled in his chest.

“I don’t know, but Seonghwa-hyung’s been trying to heal him, and nothing’s working,” Yeosang said, his voice tight. “We need you there. Now.”

Yunho barely registered the cold air biting at him as he rushed to the healer’s tent.

Yunho saw Seonghwa and Hongjoong standing outside their tent as he approached. Seonghwa, a changeling, had taken on an elven form with long dark hair that fell just past their eyes and a slender, androgynous face. There was an ethereal quality to them, a slight haziness at the edges of their figure that made it seem as if they might dissolve into the air at any moment. The concern etched on Seonghwa's features sent a pit of dread spiralling in Yunho's stomach.

Hongjoong’s expression was blank and unreadable, and it was clear they had been deep in conversation before Yunho’s arrival. The words trailed off as he noticed Yunho approaching, and a thick silence enveloped them.

“Yunho!” Seonghwa perked up, their voice both soothing and urgent. “What happened down there?”

Yunho’s heart raced, and he felt the weight of the night pressing down on him. “There were these strange dragonfly creatures,” he began, his voice shaky. “Mingi found these Sussur flowers. I think they were new blooms because they were small and smelled really sweet. He was looking for these crystals. He was so careful, and I—I startled him. One of the dragonflies sprayed him with this pollen, and he started coughing. I didn’t think it would be this serious. I thought it was just—”

As he spoke, he caught the exchanged glances between Yeosang and Hongjoong. They weren’t just concerned; they knew something he didn’t. A flicker of understanding passed between them, and Yunho’s heart dropped as his panic grew.

“Yunho,” Seonghwa interrupted gently, their brow knitting together in concentration, the edges of their form shimmering slightly as they focused. “You need to stay outside for a moment.”

“What? No—”

“Trust me,” Seonghwa insisted, their voice steady despite the urgency in their eyes. “We need to assess Mingi’s condition, and you mustn’t crowd him right now.”

Hongjoong placed a reassuring hand on Yunho’s shoulder, but the gesture felt hollow against the frantic rhythm of his heartbeat. He watched the three of them, feeling the heat of frustration rising in his chest. Why weren’t they telling him what they knew? What were they hiding?

Inside, Mingi was vulnerable, and here they were, keeping him in the dark. His thoughts spiralled as he paced outside the tent, each moment stretching endlessly. What if Mingi had been poisoned? What if he was dying? The thought sent a wave of nausea through Yunho. He couldn’t bear to lose Mingi; the idea of life without him was incomprehensible.

Time stretched painfully as he waited, every second filled with unending worry. He grits his teeth, wishing he could see inside, wishing he could take Mingi’s place, wishing he could do anything to ensure his safety. Each muffled sound from within the tent deepened his anxiety, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on him.

When the trio finally emerged from the tent, a solemn look rested on Seonghwa’s face, their features taut with worry. Hongjoong stood nearby, his expression stony and unreadable, while Yeosang tried to maintain a calm demeanour, but his body skin seemed to flicker with tension in the dim light. As Yunho approached, their hushed conversation died away, and he sensed an unspoken dread among them.

No, Yunho thought, this can’t be happening. Mingi had gotten hurt before, badly hurt even, but nothing that couldn’t be patched up with a few healing spells and some rest. Nothing that left their cleric’s face stricken with sadness as they looked directly at Yunho.

“Yunho,” Seonghwa said quietly, their brows furrowed with concern. “I need you to understand how serious this is. My spells can’t do anything for this, and he won’t let me anywhere near him.”

Yunho’s heart raced as Hongjoong and Yeosang reached out, their hands resting on his shoulders, trying to placate his panic as he stared at them with frantic eyes. Seonghwa glanced nervously between the three of them before focusing back on Yunho. “Did you inhale any of the pollen?”

“No,” Yunho replied, his frustration boiling over. “What’s happening with Mingi? What’s wrong with him?”

Seonghwa took a deep breath, clearly choosing their words carefully. “Are you familiar with the effects of Sussur flowers at all?”

Yunho shook his head, dread pooling in his stomach.

Seonghwa exhaled slowly, gathering their thoughts. “The new Sussur blooms are highly potent with magical energy. They attract creatures from all over the Underdark to feed on their nectar and spread their pollen.” They paused, watching Yunho’s expression shift as the implications sunk in. “The dragonfly that sprayed Mingi was in its mating period. The pollen he inhaled was laced with its pheromones. Mingi’s body has essentially gone into shock; it’s mimicking the effects of the dragonfly’s mating cycle.”

Yunho felt as if the ground had shifted beneath him, his breath catching in his throat. “What-what does that mean?” he asked, his voice trembling with fear.

Seonghwa’s gaze dropped, and they admitted sheepishly, “Mingi’s body is fighting to expel the pollen, but he’ll need… release.”

“Release?” Yunho echoed, confusion and dread warring in his mind.

Seonghwa took a deep breath, their voice barely above a whisper. “Yunho, what I’m saying is that Mingi’s body is too affected by the pollen for him to handle this alone. If the pollen stays in his system for too long-” Seonghwa cut themself off, looking at Yunho with a harrowed expression. “He’s barely coherent right now. He needs someone he trusts to help him through this.”

Yunho’s heart raced as Seonghwa’s words sunk in, the implications crashing over him like a wave. The realisation hit him hard, leaving him momentarily breathless: Mingi needed him to help him release the effects of the pollen, or risk dire consequences. The thought sent a jolt of heat through Yunho’s body, an uneasy mix of panic and concern flooding his mind. Mingi, his best friend, and his prince, is in distress, and the only way to save him is to… 

A wave of heat washed over Yunho, mixing with the panic threatening to consume him. “What can we do?” he demanded, desperation lacing his words.

Seonghwa shifted uncomfortably, the weight of their predicament hanging heavy in the air. “Mingi won’t let anyone touch him. He’s been calling out for you since the effects of the pollen set in. The only person he wants is you.”

Yunho’s heart raced, torn between urgency and a growing sense of helplessness. ‘ Why didn’t you come get me sooner? ’ he thought, frustration boiling under the surface. But there was no time to waste on that now. 

“I’ll go to him,” Yunho declared, his resolve hardening as the reality of his situation set in. “Whatever it takes, I’m not leaving him like this.” He pushed past Seonghwa and the others, heading toward the tent where Mingi was waiting, heart pounding. He could do this. He had to do this. Whatever it takes, for Mingi.

Yunho pushed past the curtain of Seonghwa's tent, and an overwhelming wave of the same sickly sweet scent from the ravine hit him like a wall. His breath caught as he scanned the dimly lit space, landing on Mingi lying face down on a cot in the centre. He was completely bare, the blankets around him tossed aside. His hips shifted restlessly, the red flush of his skin stark against the fabric. Mingi’s muffled whimpers and groans filled the tense air. 

Yunho watched him for a moment of quiet contemplation. To say Mingi looks bad was an understatement. His normally slicked back hair was sticking up in multiple different directions, his skin spotted with blistering red hives, and his whole frame shaking with every breath he took. His face was buried in a pillow, muffling small whines with every cant of his hips against the fabric of the cot. Yunho’s face felt hot with nerves. Even after so many years travelling together, Yunho had never seen him like this. Fully nude, shameless, and desperate in his movements as he tried to chase the pleasure that was surely being clouded by the painful effects of the pollen. 

Yunho knew he couldn’t think too much about everything, afraid that if he dwells on it for too long he’ll have to face the gravity of what’s happening. The reality was that he was about to touch Mingi like that. Yunho can’t pretend he hadn’t thought of Mingi like this before; In the dark of the night when the embers of the fire died down and Yunho was particularly restless, half-formed dreams of plump lips pressed against his own, strong hands pressed against his skin and a gentle timber whispering into the hollow of his ear as he relieved himself of the aching desire that festered under his skin. 

Yunho had selfish dreams of another lifetime where he and Mingi could have been together properly. Where Yunho could tell Mingi how he felt without the weight of his oath weighing them down, where the wrath of Mingi’s patron wasn’t a constant threat. Another life, where they could have had an extravagant royal wedding (only upon the insistence of Mingi’s mother), and settled down in a quiet manor in the upper city. Mingi, a chancellor or a counsellor of the court, Yunho, a captain for the Cities Watch. Where Yunho could touch Mingi without inhibition, hold him close, kiss his lips, and tell him just how much he adored him. Another lifetime, where they could have been happy together. 

Hesitant, Yunho approached Mingi where he was lying, acutely aware that he hadn’t even acknowledged Yunho’s presence yet. Crouched on the side of the cot, he reached out, feeling the intense heat radiating from Mingi’s body. The moment his fingers brushed against Mingi’s back, he jerked away instinctively, curling in on himself, letting out a sound similar to a strangled yelp.

“Mingi-” Yunho started, pulling his hand back as if he was the one in pain. “Mingi, Min, hey, it’s just me.”

At the sound of his voice, Mingi’s head finally raised from the pillow. His eyes were bloodshot, cheeks flushed deep pink, plump lips cracked and shining with spit. When their gazes finally meet, Mingi’s fragile composure shatters, and he bursts into tears. With a desperate sob, he flings himself into Yunho’s arms, knocking Yunho flat onto the ground. Yunho instinctively wrapped his arms around Mingi, holding him tight against his chest, feeling the frantic beat of Mingi’s heart against his own, the searing heat coming from his skin in waves of rough, shattering sobs. 

“Yunho-” Mingi choked, burying his face into the fabric of Yunho’s shirt. “Yunho. Oh, my Gods, Yunho.” 

“I’m here, Min,” Yunho muttered softly against Mingi’s neck, pressing a gentle kiss to his pulse as he tried to soothe him. “You’re safe. I’ve got you. Just breathe.” He continued to murmur words of comfort, trying to calm the storm of emotion within Mingi, his own heart aching for the pain he could feel radiating off him.

Mingi was sobbing harder than Yunho had ever seen, his whole body shaking with each heavy breath he took. His words were choked out, “Gods-Yunho. Thank you. Thank you.”

He was hot, too hot, to the touch. Yunho stroked a gentle hand down the curve of Mingi’s spine, Mingi was still shifting his weight, pushing himself further forward so he could crawl into Yunho’s lap. Yunho let him, wrapping his arms around Mingi’s torso as he ran soothing hands across his flushed skin. Mingi’s thighs were sturdy as they wrapped around his waist, pressing himself as close to Yunho as he could. Yunho sucked in a sharp breath when he felt the distinct hardness of Mingi’s erection pressing against his abdomen. 

“I-I-Gods. It hurts- so bad.” Mingi’s voice was trembling, hiccupping with sobs on every syllable. “Seonghwa-hyung. They-they tried healing me, and-and- it didn’t work. Please., Yunho… I can’t—,” Mingi’s body trembled as he pressed himself against Yunho, his voice shaky and laced with desperation. Yunho felt like his world had toppled on its side, trying to keep his head level as Mingi grinded against his stomach with a mindless fervour, the fabric of Yunho’s shirt dampening from the wetness that was coating his length. 

“I know, I know,” Yunho tried to keep his voice level even though his head felt fuzzy at the realisation that he was now distinctly aware of what Mingi’s cock felt like pressed against him. “I’m here to help you, Mingi, can I help you?”

Mingi's chest heaved with another sob, his body trembling as he pressed himself closer to Yunho, “Please. Please.” his voice sounded so broken as he begged, and Yunho’s heart felt like it might just collapse in his chest.

“I’m here, Min. I've got you,” Yunho murmured, his tone firm yet tender as he wrapped his arms tightly around Mingi's torso, pulling him closer. “Just let me take care of you.” He tilted Mingi's chin up gently, guiding their eyes to meet. His heart raced as he took in the raw vulnerability etched across Mingi’s features, his high cheekbones lined with tears, eyes wide and glistening with need, raw and unfettered and so strikingly beautiful Yunho felt his heart might stop in his chest.

“Seonghwa-hyung- They, they offered to- to- take care of me,” Mingi was babbling, his eyes hazy, unshed tears brimming on his lash line as he rutted hard against Yunho’s stomach, his hands grasping hard at Yunho’s shoulders for purchase. “But-Gods-I just. I just wanted you. I needed you. I need you, Yunho.”

The words made something ferocious flare in Yunho’s gut, something possessive, the idea of someone else seeing Mingi like this setting his blood alight with jealousy. Mingi only wanted Yunho. Yunho’s touch, his words whispered against Mingi’s heated skin. He trusted Yunho. He wanted Yunho. Mingi needed him, and Yunho was the only person he trusted enough to see him like this, to touch him like this.

Without waiting for another word, Yunho leaned in, brushing his lips against Mingi’s forehead before trailing down to his temple, whispering against the heated skin. “I’m going to touch you now, Mingi, is that okay?”

Yunho waited with bated breath to feel Mingi nod against him, his movements jerky as he shook in Yunho’s lap.

When Yunho finally reached between them, lightly pressing the flat of his palm against Mingi’s erection, Mingi wailed at the contact, his whole body shuddering. Yunho barely managed to suppress a groan at the back of his throat, Mingi was so hard, and so wet, precum pooling from the slit, frictionless as Yunho wrapped his fingers around Mingi’s shaft and tenderly stroked his length. His cock was heavy in Yunho’s hand, so swollen that Yunho was sure it must hurt. 

“Oh, Gods,” Mingi lunged forward, burying his face in the crook of Yunho’s shoulder as he panted against his skin, his tongue wet and sinful where he sucked, hips bucking under Yunho’s touch. “Thank you, thank you.” He was crying, half-formed moans and grunts falling from his lips with every movement of Yunho’s hand.

Yunho felt Mingi’s thighs clench around his waist, barely pumping his fist two, three times more before Mingi let out a broken sob as he came, his cock spasming in Yunho’s hand. His release was warm, tacky against the skin of Yunho’s palm, the sugary-sweet scent in the tent intensifying as he released rope after rope of hot cum between them, pooling on the fabric of his shirt and in the creases between Yunho’s fingers. 

“That’s it, Min,” Yunho’s voice came out strangled. “There you go. I’ve got you.” 

Yunho finally brought himself to look down between them. Mingi’s cock was thick, flushed a deep red to the base, the tip flushed and swollen nearly purple. Yunho gasped at the sight, pulling his hand away as concern coated his features. Mingi whined loudly at the loss of contact, rolling his hips so he could grind against the musculature of Yunho’s thigh. His cock was still swollen, fat, and hard as it slicked the material of Yunho’s trousers, Mingi’s arousal seemingly undeterred by his release. 

“More,” Mingi sounded small, breathless as he continued to mindlessly chase his pleasure. “Please, Yunho, I need more.”

More. It echoed in Yunho’s head. More. He would give Mingi anything he could ask for. He would move mountains for him, cross oceans, and Yunho would deliver the whole world on a silver platter to Mingi if he asked. 

“More,” Yunho echoed back to him, “Okay, okay, Min. What do you need?”

“Feel so- so empty.” Mingi shifted his weight, leaning back on his hands as he pressed his cock harder against Yunho’s thigh. “I need- I wanna feel- full. Please. Please help.”

Oh. Yunho thought. His cock twitched in his pants at the implication, uncomfortably tight against the coarse fabric of his trousers. Yunho flared with embarrassment, equal parts hoping Mingi didn’t notice just how much he was affected by the situation, and deep down hoping Mingi was coherent enough to know what he was doing to Yunho, just how badly Yunho craved to know him like this for so long.

“Okay.” Yunho breathed out, reaching out with both hands to wrap around Mingi’s waist. “Okay- I’ll help you. Lay back for me, Mingi, can you do that?”

Mingi was still shaking when he detached himself from Yunho, staring at him with the same hazy eyes as he laid himself back on the cot. Yunho cringed as the wet fabric of his shirt brushed against the heated skin of his abdomen, contemplating for a second before raising his arms and yanking it off. Mingi was shameless as his eyes roamed over the musculature of his chest, and Yunho felt suddenly shy under the rapt attention. It only lasted a moment though, Yunho’s eyes widened to what he was sure was a comical expression as Mingi reached under his knees, lifted his legs, and presented himself.

“Please. Touch me.” Mingi’s glow under the golden light of the lantern. His skin was so smooth, patches of red scattered across his chest and neck. His body was hairless, taut, and strong. His broad shoulders sank into the cot, framing his lean form. Yunho’s eyes traced the lines of his muscular arms, hooked under strong thighs. The supple curve of his hips accentuated his slender waist. Yunho had to compose himself when he looked down and saw the plush of Mingi’s ass, spread apart just enough for the pink of his hole to be visible, fluttering every time Mingi stroked his hand over his leaking cock, breathy gasps and whines falling from between his spit-slicked lips.

Yunho was so hard it bordered on a painful. Every lurid fantasy he had about Mingi over the years paled in comparison to what it was like to be with him. His voice was so honey-sweet, his body so breathtakingly gorgeous that Yunho offered a silent prayer to Sune, goddess of beauty, for sculpting something so perfect. The gods must have favoured Yunho, for allowing him to witness, to touch something so divine. 

Yunho had never felt a pull of devotion so strong as he did staring down at Mingi. His Mingi. His prince. His princess. The man he had dedicated his entire life to, his entire soul, who was now laid bare and vulnerable before him, wholly trusting that Yunho would take care of him.

And Gods, maybe it was selfish, knowing Mingi was in pain, knowing that this was all happening because Mingi had been poisoned, but Yunho wanted to take care of him. He wanted to give Mingi everything.

It was Mingi’s voice cracking on a particularly loud whine that finally broke Yunho from his silent devotion. Yunho watched Mingi fist himself for a moment, his arousal swirling in the pit of his stomach as Mingi’s cock spasmed in his veiny hand, a stream of clear fluid leaking from the swollen tip. “Yunho-ah, I need you.”

Yunho couldn’t help the groan that left him when Mingi moaned out his name. He was moving before he could dwell on it any longer, grabbing at the soft fat lining Mingi’s hips and thighs before flipping him on his front. Yunho was gentle as he hooked his arm under Mingi’s hips, lifting him so his back arched, his face pressed into the soft material of the pillow again. Yunho urged Mingi to rest his weight on his knees, the roundness of his ass raised in the air so Yunho could grasp at the meat of his thighs.

Yunho felt like a man starved, finally allowing himself to bask in the pleasure that was having Mingi like this. He was so pliant under Yunho’s touch, moaning with soft protests every time Yunho’s hands left his skin. Yunho muttered the words to a simple prestidigitation spell, his fingers slicking with lubricant, his other hand gently kneading the fat of Mingi’s ass. 

Yunho ran a wet finger along the cleft of his ass, brushing lightly over the rim as he spoke. “Is this okay?” 

Mingi’s hole fluttered at the contact, drawing a soft gasp from the back of his throat. He reached under himself, wrapping his hand around his swollen cock. “Please, Yunho. Wanna feel you, wanna feel full.”

Yunho pressed in, feeling the way the muscle stretched around his finger. He was so tight, warm, and wet as Yunho worked his middle finger in. Mingi mewled as he was breached, tugging furiously at his flushed cock between his legs as Yunho worked his finger inside him.

Yunho wasn’t the most experienced, but he knew he was looking for that spot, the one that would make Mingi see stars, and help him relieve some of the pressure that was straining his poor leaking erection. 

“Yunho,” Mingi moaned his name, low and long when Yunho curled his finger inside of him, spasming as Yunho pressed directly against his prostate. Mingi twitched hard as Yunho began to pump his finger in and out, pressing hard against his spot every time he sunk his finger back inside him. His thighs were shaking, his hand rubbing against the sensitive underside of his tip as more fluid dribbled onto his fist. “Yunho, another, more. Please.” His voice was so strained, fraying into a sweet sob as Yunho continued to prod at his prostate.

Yunho couldn’t deny him, not when his cock was so achingly hard in his pants and Mingi sounded so, so perfect, whining his name in pleasure. Yunho pressed his pointer finger against his tight rim, grabbing for Mingi’s hips as he pushed both fingers into the heat of his hole. 

Mingi groaned at the stretch. He was slick with lubricant, so the glide was easy as Yunho sunk both his fingers into him, relishing in the way that Mingi’s body gave into his touch so easily. Yunho curled both fingers upwards, pressing firmly against Mingi’s prostate just to hear Mingi choke on a moan, the slick sounds of his fist working his cock, his high-pitched whines, his low throaty moans echoing through the tent. 

Yunho was leaking in his undergarments now, a wet patch starting to form at the front of his trousers. Mingi was breathtaking, earth-shatteringly beautiful. Yunho wanted to ingrain every second of this into his memories, wanted every blissed-out sound that fell from Mingi’s lips to echo in his memories for the rest of his life, the plush velvet of his insides, the way he clenched so tightly around his fingers every time Yunho brushed against his prostate, the way his calves twitched when Yunho pressed hard into it and made Mingi cry with pleasure.

“You’re doing so well Mingi,” Yunho leaned down to pepper kisses along the small of his back, his spine, anywhere his lips could reach. “You’re so beautiful. You’re doing so good for me.”

“Yunho, please, oh my Gods,” Mingi reached behind himself to spread his cheeks, pushing his hips back to grind harder onto Yunho’s fingers. “I’m so close, Yunho, please.”

“Let go for me Mingi,” Yunho curled his fingers, pressing deep into Mingi and massaging his fingers over the spongy texture of his prostate, “Come for me princess, I know you need it. I’ve got you.” The name fell from his lips thoughtlessly, naturally. 

Mingi sobbed, thighs tensing and toes curling as he stroked himself, clenching hard around Yunho’s fingers as the waves of his climax overtook him for the second time, painting the cot underneath them with milky white streaks as Yunho punched weak gasps from his lungs. The sickly-sweet scent spiked again, but milder this time. Yunho hoped that meant the pollen was being worked out of his system. Yunho worked him through it, slowly curling his fingers with gentle pressure until Mingi began to shake in his hold. Yunho moved to withdraw his fingers, pausing when Mingi pushed his hips back, a low whine resonating in his chest.

Yunho looked between Mingi’s parted thighs. Mingi wasn’t stroking himself anymore, but his cock was still flushed a deep red, the head swollen but, thankfully, no longer purple. Mingi’s hands were grasping at the fabric of the cot, moving his hips, fucking himself back onto Yunho’s fingers with a renewed vigor. 

“S’not enough-” He whined; his voice pitched higher than Yunho had ever heard it before. Mingi lifted his head to look at Yunho, his rosy cheeks lined with tear tracks, spit, and drool coating his chin. He looked more present, more aware than before, but there was a desperate edge to his voice, an undercurrent that Yunho knew meant he was still in pain. “It’s not enough, Yunho, please. Give me more. I want you. I want your cock. Please. I need you.”

“Gods,” Yunho’s head felt foggy with want like he was the one under the effects of an aphrodisiac. Mingi begging for his cock was something he had only ever let himself think about in his most elicit of fantasies, and here he was before him, his eyes earnest, telling Yunho he needed him. Yunho had to take a breath, recenter himself so he didn’t come in his pants just from seeing Mingi spread out, ass up, bouncing himself back on Yunho’s fingers while he begged him to fuck him. This was about taking care of Mingi, giving him everything he needed because he trusted Yunho enough to help him through this. “Okay-okay, if you’re sure.”

“Please don’t make me ask again.” Mingi pouted at him, and Yunho’s lips twitched into a smile knowing Mingi wasn’t just mindless for release anymore, he was slowly returning to coherency. 

“Okay- okay. I’ll give you what you want.” Yunho gripped Mingi’s hips, spearing him against the fingers still pressed into the wet heat of his hole. Yunho scissored his fingers inside him, stretching the tight muscle slowly as Mingi huffed into the pillow. Yunho worked him slowly, focused intensely on drawing any noise from Mingi he could. It was like an addiction, the way Yunho yearned to hear him moan, whine, cry, anything to ground him as he lost himself in the feeling of Mingi clenching around his fingers. 

When Yunho deemed him sufficiently stretched, he withdrew both fingers slightly before teasing his index finger against his rim. His other hand stroked gently along the small of Mingi’s back when he pushed in all three, biting hard at his lip as he felt how tight Mingi was around him still.

“Relax, Min,” Yunho murmured, reaching forward to stroke the side of Mingi’s face. “You’ve got to relax for me princess, I don’t want to hurt you. Let me make you feel good.”

Mingi preened at his touch, pressing his cheek hard against the back of Yunho’s palm. Yunho couldn’t decide what to stare at, the way Mingi’s ass sucked in his fingers, stretching around the girth of them, wet and slick with lube and perfectly tight, or his face, mouth gaping as soft, blissed-out sounds poured from his plump lips, a rosy blush rising from his neck to the tips of his pointed ears. 

Yunho trails his fingers from Mingi’s cheek to the soft shell of his ear, rubbing along the flushed skin to the pointed tip, grinning wide when his ministrations earned him a throaty moan from deep in Mingi’s chest. His eyes fluttered shut, his body practically falling limp in Yunho’s arms as he stroked over the shell of his sensitive ear.

Mingi sucked in several measured breaths, his chest heaving as he exhaled. Yunho felt him relax around his fingers, sinking in deeper as Mingi’s body opened up to him. 

“There you go, Gods, you’re perfect.” Yunho kissed the divots of Mingi’s lower back as he spoke, drilling his fingers deeper into Mingi, curling the tips against his prostate as he continued to thumb at the lobe of his ear. “Does that feel good, baby?”

“So-so good,” Mingi’s voice sounded so wrecked, every syllable punctuated by soft little gasps that made Yunho feel insane with desire. “Your fingers feel so good. Please, don’t stop.”

“I’m not going to stop,” Yunho massaged Mingi’s prostate with all three fingers, pulling his fingers out in short, quick bursts that had Mingi arching further, pressing his ass hard against Yunho’s hand as he stroked over Mingi’s ear. Mingi was gasping, hips canting backward with every thrust of Yunho’s fingers inside him, groaning and mewling and moaning so pretty that Yunho could get lost in him, enraptured by the beauty that was having Mingi underneath him after so long yearning for him, countless nights spent muffling his noises into the palm of his hand as he imagined what it would be like to hold him like this, to pleasure him like this. All of Yunho’s fantasies paled in comparison to what it was really like.

“You’re doing so good, baby,” Yunho’s brain felt foggy as he worked his fingers in and out of Mingi’s hole. He was speaking quietly against Mingi’s skin, not sure if Mingi could even really hear him over the noises he was making, but the words poured out of him, nonetheless. “You’re so gorgeous like this. Thank you, thank you for letting me help you, thank you for letting me touch you.”

Yunho was so caught up in drawing every noise he could from Mingi, telling him how perfect he felt under him, that Yunho didn’t notice how close Mingi was until he was clenching down hard on Yunho’s hand, his head snapping backward with a cry of Yunho’s name, spine bending into a deep curve as he came, untouched, his cock still red and hard, his sticky release coating his length and his thighs, drizzling from his tip onto the cot below them to mingle with the cum that was already drying.

Mingi gasped, grasping for Yunho’s hand as Yunho stilled within him.  The sweet scent was milder, Mingi’s cock twitching as thin ropes of clear fluid spat from the tip, each wave of his orgasm leaving him whining and thrashing into the sheets. Yunho let Mingi ride out the aftershocks of his orgasm as he fucked himself back onto his fingers, his body sleeping forward, loose and boneless in his hold.

Yunho’s cock ached, his trousers were stained, a large wet patch forming at the front as his erection brushed against the tacky material. Mingi was panting hard, face slumped into the mattress as Yunho massaged the base of his neck, tracing his fingers down the curvature of Mingi’s spine before he was withdrawing his fingers from Mingi’s hole, casting another prestidigitation to clean up the candy-scented cum that was drying into the fabric below them.

“How are you feeling Min?” Yunho kept his hands on Mingi’s body, hooking an arm around Mingi’s waist to keep him from sinking completely into the bedroll. 

“Mhm. A little better.  I want you to fuck me,” Mingi sounded breathless, drool spilling from the side of his parted lips. “Need you inside me, Yunho, please.”

Yunho’s cock twitched in his pants, and he made an attempt to ground himself, to remind himself that Mingi wasn’t fully in his right mind, but when Yunho made eye contact with Mingi and he looked up at him with that same bright, heart-wrenching smile Yunho was so accustomed to, albeit a little doe-eyed and slack around the edges, Yunho knew he couldn’t deny Mingi. He would give him anything, everything, he wanted.

“Yeah, you want me to fuck you?” Yunho watched as Mingi nodded lazily, his hands now lax at his sides as he smiled dopily at Yunho. Yunho felt an overwhelming sense of affection for him, adoration rising in his throat as he watched the way Mingi’s eyes fluttered shut when Yunho reached to flip him on his front again. 

Yunho laid him down on his back, standing in the small confines of the tent and awkwardly shedding himself of his trousers. His cock bounced against his abdomen, the head of it shining with the precum that had leaked from him as he pleasured Mingi senselessly. He was so turned on he felt like he was going a little insane, hovering over Mingi where he laid still against the mattress, his cock still hard between his legs, the tops of his thighs and stomach coated in his release. Yunho lowered himself in front of Mingi, positioning himself to rub his cock against the crease of Mingi’s ass. 

When Mingi looked down at Yunho’s cock, he swallowed hard. He reached for Yunho immediately, grabbing his arms and yanking Yunho forward until their chests were pressed flat against each other. Mingi pulled Yunho flush against him, the head of Yunho’s cock rubbing against the wet rim of Mingi’s hole. Mingi’s eyes rolled back at the slight pressure, his hands grasping at Yunho’s back as he tried to roll his hips forward.

“Woah, Slow down baby, I’m not going anywhere.” Yunho could feel Mingi’s breath hot against his face, his skin still so warm to the touch, Yunho rolled his hips forward slightly, grabbing at his member to rub it against the sensitive skin of Mingi’s rim. “You’re sure about this?” Yunho asked, holding his breath as Mingi groaned underneath him.

“Jeong Yunho if you don’t put your cock in me right now-” Mingi started, wiggling his hips to try to push Yunho’s head into him. Yunho grabbed at his waist to still him, pinning him to the mattress underneath them before Mingi could do something irrational. Yunho just wanted to hear him say it, to make sure he wanted this and it wasn’t just the residual pollen speaking. “Please, Yunho, one more. I just need a little more, I need to feel you in me. Want you to fill me up.”

“Shit,” Yunho swore, grasping tightly at Mingi’s waist as he began to push the head of his cock past Mingi’s stretched rim, “Yeah, okay, okay, baby. I’ll fill you up.”

They both moaned, loud and throaty, as Yunho pushed in. Mingi was staring down between them, watching the inches of Yunho’s cock slowly sink into him. His face flashed through a series of emotions, frustration, discomfort, acceptance, and finally wide-eyed pleasure as Yunho’s hips met the back of his thighs, Mingi’s legs tossed over his shoulders as he buried himself to the hilt. Mingi gasped, a string of Elvish curses falling from his lips as he got used to the stretch. Mingi was so tight around him, that Yunho had to focus on counting his breaths to stop himself from immediately coming as he slowly seated himself fully within Mingi. 

They stayed like that for a few moments, Mingi’s breath heaving, his face scrunched up in pleasure-pain, his still hard cock bobbling untouched between his legs, slick precum glistening the tip. Yunho could feel everything like this, the way Mingi clenched around him every time he shifted his weight, the head of Yunho’s cock pressing deep within him, every laboured breath Mingi took as he tried to compose himself. Yunho stroked the lines of his face as they breathed together, hands roaming along the expanse of Mingi’s neck, his chest, and his jawline, rubbing soothing circles into the muscles of his shoulders as he adjusted to the stretch. 

Mingi’s eyes blinked open as he finally relaxed, unshed tears pooling at the corner as he met Yunho’s intense gaze. “Yunho,” Mingi’s voice was strained. “Yunho, can-can I kiss you?”

Yunho leaned forward without a moment's hesitation, bending Mingi’s legs on his shoulders as he captured Mingi’s lips in a gentle kiss, just a brush against each other. Mingi grasped at his hair as Yunho’s cock sank deeper into him, opening his mouth with a whine as he pressed his lips firmly against Yunho’s. A gentle brush of lips quickly turned filthy, Mingi’s mouth parting to trace his tongue along Yunho’s bottom lip, nibbling on it gently before releasing it again. Yunho pushed him further into the mattress, not quite fucking into him, but rotating his hips in small circles against Mingi’s prostate as Yunho sucked up every moan he could draw from Mingi’s lips like a man starved finally feasting upon a world-class meal. 

Yunho bit at Mingi’s lips, sucking them into his mouth, tracing his tongue along the curve of them, trying to memorize every detail of how Mingi tasted, how his lips felt pressed against his own, how pretty Mingi sounded when Yunho finally pulled his hips back and fucked into him properly.

Mingi yanked hard at Yunho’s scalp with each slow drag of his cock inside him pulling out agonizingly slowly, all the way until just his tip was caught on the rim before he bucked his hips forward, the sharp smack of skin-on-skin lewd background noise. Yunho fucked Mingi slowly, tenderly, until Mingi was shaking in his hold, his arms lax around Yunho’s neck as Yunho pumped his hips firm against the soft fat of his thighs. 

“Gods, Mingi, you feel so good.” Yunho was struggling to keep it together. Mingi was so hot inside, so deliciously tight around Yunho’s aching cock. 

The pressure that had been building in his gut since Mingi first crawled into his lap was right on the precipice, and Yunho felt like he could snap at a moment's notice. But Yunho wanted to make sure Mingi was taken care of before he let himself go; his attention focused solely on hitting Mingi’s prostate with every thrust. Yunho wanted Mingi spent, boneless, aching from pleasure, and freed from any of the awful effects of that pollen. Yunho wanted him so overcome with sensations that the only thing he could remember was the feeling of Yunho’s lips on his own and his cock buried deep inside his ass.

Yunho reached down to grab at Mingi’s aching cock again, groaning deep in his throat when Mingi tightened around him. Mingi swatted his hand away, looking up at Yunho with wet, pleading eyes.

“No, don’t!” Mingi pleaded with Yunho, his eyes rolling back in his head when Yunho nailed another thrust directly against his prostate, “I’m close, Yunho, I want to come like this, I want you inside. Please. Please make me cum like this.” 

Yunho knew he wasn’t going to last for much longer, not when Mingi was saying every filthy thing Yunho had ever dreamed of hearing him speak as Yunho split him open on his dick. “Yeah? You want to come for me like this baby?” 

Mingi nodded his head, eyes wide as he watched where his rim stretched around Yunho’s girth. Yunho braced one hand on one of Mingi’s legs, shuffling forward on his knees to get a better position, while his other hand reached forward, teasing the shell of Mingi’s ear, tracing his fingers to the pointed tip, leaning forward to lick at the lobe as he began to fuck into Mingi, hard and fast and filthy. The lubricant squelched between them, Mingi’s big cock bobbed uselessly against his stomach as Yunho’s thrusts rocked his entire frame. Yunho had Mingi practically bent in half, thankful for the natural flexibility gifted to elves as he moaned right against Mingi’s ear, kissing and licking at the shell, his lobes, and the sensitive skin underneath. 

Mingi was so loud. Yunho was almost positive their companions could hear them across the camp. It should have made him feel a little bad, but when Mingi moaned his name, voice cracking at the end as Yunho pounded into him, Yunho found he didn’t particularly care if they could hear them. Only Yunho could touch Mingi like this. Only Yunho got to see Mingi like this. Let them all hear just how much Mingi craved him. Let them hear how good Yunho made him feel, how much Yunho adored him, worshipped him.

Let the whole world know he was Yunho’s, and Yunho’s alone. Maybe not forever, but right here, right now, Mingi was his. To have, to love, to protect, to cherish, to pleasure. Mingi trusted him with everything, and Yunho would deliver and deliver and deliver as long as it meant he got to stay at Mingi’s side. This was where he belonged. 

Mingi was panting heavily, jaw slack, and his eyes rolled back as Yunho assaulted his prostate over and over again, dribbles of clear fluid leaking from his aching cock and pooling in the ridges of his abdomen. Yunho kissed a line from his ear down his jaw, down his neck until he was sucking a harsh bruise into the junction of his shoulder. He was almost mindless with his movements as he tried to distract himself from the tide of pleasure that was threatening to overtake him at any moment. 

Yunho knew Mingi was right on the edge when he flexed his thighs, a choked-off noise ripping from his throat as Yunho rolled his hips in a deep, dirty grind, filling Mingi to the brim and holding it so Mingi could feel every inch of him splitting him open. “M-gonna come, Yunho, please.”

Mingi’s so high-strung, taut like a bowstring, ready to snap at Yunho’s word. Yunho was holding Mingi so tightly, his hand snaking through the soft locks of Mingi’s hair as they swapped open-mouth kisses, all tongue and teeth and ragged moans pulled from the recesses of their chests.

All it took was a couple more harsh thrusts, and Yunho kissing the shell of Mingi’s ear, nibbling on the soft skin of his lobe as he murmured against him. “Gods, you’re taking me so well baby, I can’t wait to fill you up. Come on Mingi, come for me, princess. I want to feel you come around my cock.”

Mingi convulsed as he came, weak spurts of almost translucent cum hitting his chest, and his neck, coating his thighs with faintly sweet spend. Yunho groaned as Mingi tightened around him, his hole spasming around Yunho’s cock until Yunho was pressing his hips hard against Mingi’s ass, coming in him with a long groan. 

Mingi collapsed back on the cot, his cock finally beginning to deflate. Yunho’s head felt light, blood rushing away from his brain as he pulled out, falling to the ground next to Mingi. 

Mingi’s chest was rising with each panting breath. They lay there in silence for a few minutes, catching their breaths, and coming back to reality. 

As the head rush faded, a pang of guilt suddenly overcame Yunho. Yunho’s chest felt tight, he blinked hard as the reality of what just happened sunk into him. He had just had sex with Mingi. His Mingi. The Mingi he’s been in love with for as long as he could remember. What if Mingi didn’t want him? What if Yunho was just the best of the available options, and Mingi never wanted to touch him again? Yunho thinks he could live with that, as long as Mingi would still allow him in his life. Gods, what if Mingi never wanted to speak to him again?

Yunho was so trapped in his head, overcome by grief at the idea of possibly losing Mingi, that he didn't register Mingi’s hand on his own at first. Mingi’s grasping for his fingers gently, threading two of his fingers through Yunho’s own. His hands were warm, strong, and calloused at the tips. His touch was grounding for Yunho, familiar. 

Yunho turned his head. Mingi was looking at him, smiling the same broad smile that made Yunho’s heart flutter in his chest. 

“Hey.”

“Hey?”

“Thank you,” Mingi’s face was so soft, his eyes so wide and so earnest, so trusting. “For taking care of me. For being with me.”

Yunho’s heart might have stopped beating momentarily. Then he was grinning, wide and a little loopy, and filled with so many emotions, adoration, joy, faith, complete and utter devotion. Too many words to properly convey. Yunho could spend the rest of his life trying to and he doesn’t think he’ll ever be able to do it justice. But he has to try. Gods, they can at least try.

“Always, Princess, I’ll always be here.”