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Yoojin stopped when he heard the high whine of an animal’s pain filled screams and immediately ran to help. He didn’t expect to find a dragon.

Pink scales with golden eyes and a long, shimmering tail, cruelly caught in a monster trap. The dragon couldn’t be bigger than his arm, but Yoojin still hesitated to help the little thing.

All dragons were supposed to be reported to the authorities or the emperor’s hunters. The traps that were scattered all across the countryside helped protect the empire and its citizens. Dragons were dangerous, and should be reported.

The angry pink dragon hissed and furiously thrashed its good wing while the other was caught in the teeth of the trap. Fortunately, his back leg was also pinned between the sharp, metal teeth. Otherwise, the mechanism would have chomped through the delicate bones of the wing.

The trap was nearly three times the size of the poor little thing. The dragon flailed hard enough to drag the gigantic trap several feet before the anchor chain snapped him back.

The hostile golden eyes never strayed from Yoojin, and its frantic jerks to escape only worsened the longer he stayed. He should leave. Let the Emperor’s dragon hunters handle it.

Yoojin step into the woods, back onto the little trail that led to his cottage.

The rattling chain and flailing of a singular wing weighed on Yoojin with each passing step. Few dragons came this far north. It would be days before the Dragon Hunters did another survey of the area. It had been years since Yoojin saw one. The poor thing would starve or die from blood loss before then. And even if it managed to survive until then, the hunters would kill it anyway.

Yoojin looked back over his shoulder, and the gold eyes narrowed to thin slits.

He sighed and set down his basket of herbs he had been collecting that morning and slowly approached the pink dragon. More hissing and high pitch whines threatened him until he crouched over the little thing. It was nearly silent, except for a low pleading whine as its body trembled.

“Shh, shh,” Yoojin murmured as he pushed back the sleeves of his dark-colored hanbok. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

The dragon tensed and bared its fangs. Yoojin grabbed it behind the neck. He pinned it to the ground, keeping its claws away from him. It screeched, and Yoojin pressed his knee onto its back while he pried the trap open. The heavy metal creaked, and Yoojin struggled to reset the locking mechanism with a squirming dragon underneath him.

The trap reset with a metallic click and Yoojin let out his breath. He lifted his knee, but the dragon ripped away before Yoojin could remove the leg and wing from the metal teeth.

Yoojin grimaced at the dragon’s loud whimper as it flailed in pain and panic to get away. It desperately flapped its good wing but wasn’t able to get more than a foot off the ground, banging into the tree trunks and foliage.

The dragon was free. Yoojin had done his part. He would be in real trouble if someone saw him and reported him. Standing, he picked up his medicine basket and headed home.

He had done his part, he said to himself again. There was nothing more that he could do for a dragon without serious consequences. Being arrested, life in prison, or public execution.

A loud whimper caught his heart and made him turn around. The little dragon chirped and cried. It reminded him of a baby bird that fell from its nest and was calling for its mom.

Yoojin couldn’t take another step away. It was just a baby dragon. What harm could it really do?

He turned over his basket, discarding all the flowers and roots he spent the day collecting and cornered the small dragon against a boulder.

“I’m sorry, little dragon.”

He slammed the basket over the dragon, catching it in one fell swoop.

“Everyone, please be nice,” Yoojin pleaded to the various forest spirits who had gathered around the little pink dragon. “It’s already injured. Don’t make it worse.”

Yoojin thought stitching the little dragon’s leg would be easy. He had spent his childhood apprenticing to be a doctor under his father and helped with a few surgeries. But the deep cut was more severe than he first thought and the whole time the dragon fought and struggled against him.

Yoojin had practiced many operations with both humans and various animal spirits since moving into the mountains. Even though he wasn’t a fully fledge doctor, he couldn’t suppress his desire to help people.

Or little creatures.

The pink dragon lifted his head and raised the scales on the back of its neck like hackles on a dog. It hissed at the small, red fox spirit. Peace, who had been sniffing at its tail, growled back. The dragon quickly coiled its tail protectively against his body and hunched down, still growling. Yoojin thought the dragon’s movement looked slow and exhausted. The dragon had worn itself out, but Peace still saw it as a dangerous intruder.

After the dragon had snipped at Chirpie, knocked over a jar of ointment, and clawed Yoojin hard enough to need bandages, Peace had nearly attacked it. Yoojin struggled to keep them separated so he could finish mending the dragon’s cuts. The wing was badly torn and even with all of Yoojin’s knowledge, he knew little about fixing wings. He could stitch it back and bandage it, but what if the dragon couldn’t fly anymore?

If Yoojin really wanted to get this dragon out of his hair, he would have to heal it. That required making sure it didn’t damage the wing further. He could make some kind of cast splint tomorrow to make sure it didn’t try flying while still recovering. After that, he would never see it again.

Yoojin made sure the little dragon was taken care of for the night. Since it seemed not to like the other creatures, Yoojin set up a basket on top of his medicine chest. He placed the dragon in the basket and headed to bed.

Because the room was so small—just a table, the medical chest, and the fireplace—Yoojin could easy keep an eye on the dragon from his bed roll.

The fresh cuts and bites on his arms still hurt, and the dragon had ruined his ointments and a lot of his medicines. In the morning, he would have to fix more. Since the dragon had shown up in his life, his chore list had grown exponentially.

The fire that had cooked his dinner was dying, but Yoojin didn’t have enough firewood to keep it going all night. He had split his meal with the forest spirits and looked remorseful at his food reserves. The spirits could hunt for their own food, but they had spent the evening watching over him while he attended the dragon, so he felt indebted to them.

Tomorrow, he would have to go fishing again. It wasn’t something he had time for, but he couldn’t keep eating his preserves. The nights were getting colder as a clear sign of the coming winter. The food he could forage was scarce, and he needed to prepare better.

Yoojin stacked the remaining wood in the hearth, so it would last longer. He rolled out his bedding and added another layer in preparation for the chilly night.

He pulled the material up to his chin and tried to get in a good position before the forest spirits climbed on him. They were always a welcomed warmth. Peace curled against his stomach, and Chirpie nestled by his head.

Yoojin closed his eyes, but promptly opened them at the rustling sound.

He turned his head toward the medicine chest, where the dragon was shivering. Yoojin sat up, knocking everyone from their spots, and went to grab a cloth to cover the dragon.

The dragon nipped at Yoojin, but there wasn’t any strength behind it. It quickly curled under the thin cloth, hiding its head, still shivering.

This was a real problem. It would only get colder when the fire died. Putting some thought into it, Yoojin glanced at his displeased pets and picked up the dragon.

It didn’t bite or try to claw his eyes out this time. The dragon drooped in his hands with fatigue. It was probably in tremendous pain. Yoojin moved it closer and held it against his chest, surprised by how cold it felt. It lifted its head to the crook of Yoojin’s neck.

Yoojin stiffened, worried what little teeth would feel like against his throat. But the dragon did nothing more than shiver and try to curl closer. Its claws hooked into his robes, like it was trying to lock itself in place.

It was so small in Yoojin’s arms. He had only ever seen large and terrifying dragons. Never had he thought they could be this small or helpless. It was just a baby. And now he had trouble setting the dragon down.

What was it doing out there all alone?

Yoojin tried calming it by stroking the scales on its spine. The dragon’s head loomed on Yoojin’s shoulder. Its shivers were so severe.

Still cradling it to his chest, Yoojin turned back to his bed with his less than ecstatic spirits. Chirpie didn’t seem to mind, but Peace gave the dragon a sullen expression.

Yoojin kept the dragon close and returned to the bed, pulling the blanket over them. Soon the other spirits moved closer again, taking up their usual spots.

The dragon warmed up, and the shivers stopped. The wind rustled the trees outside and the fire’s crackles softened as it died out. He felt the dragon squirming, and he released his hold on it, just in case he was hurting one of its injuries.

Right before he drifted off to sleep, Yoojin heard a very soft, “Thank you.”

Yoojin woke up to the bright golden eyes of his dragon staring down at him. Eyes far too large for a little baby dragon. Slowly, as Yoojin’s own vision adjusted, he saw pale skin instead of glossy pink scales. A tousle of messy pink hair instead of the small peak of horns and pointy ears.

This wasn’t his dragon. This was a child.

Yoojin shot up, flinging Chirpie across the room and causing Peace to roll down his chest.

“Wh-who are you? How did you get in here?” Yoojin asked.

The boy lifted his chin in a very refined and dignified manner. “I’m Sung Gyeol. I wanted to thank you for saving me.”

“Where did you come from? When did I save you?” Yoojin both scooted away from the boy and reach for him at the same time.

The boy flinched, clutching his leg. Yoojin looked down and gasped. The boy’s prestige white robe was stained red over his leg.

Yoojin quickly scooped the boy into his arms and rushed him over to his table to stop the bleeding. It looked like someone had already tried stitching up the wound because there were torn threads.

He questioned the boy while he nearly fell into a complete panic. His hands worked on muscle memory. Where did he come from? How was he injured? Where were his parents? How did he find Yoojin?

The boy didn’t answer any of the questions. He just sat patiently while Yoojin bandaged his leg, occasionally flinching until the procedure finished.

Yoojin sank to his knees. His heart raced over the child who had wondered into his home. He wondered if he should wait for the parents to come looking for him or take him down to the village himself.

A light hand rested on Yoojin’s head, and he looked up.

Gyeol smiled. “You’re an incredible doctor. What’s your name?”

“…Han Yoojin.”

“Han Yoojin, thank you.”

Yoojin stood. “Are you a child or a spirit?” The way he talked was too formal for the local villagers, and his lack of reaction to the procedure was more than a child of this age could handle that calmly.

Yoojin was use to magical creatures, and this child gave him the same feeling. He had seen Peace’s spirit form. The fire fox that protected the mountains was a huge fire cat, but Peace looked like a kitten right now. And Chirpie could do little tricks like teleporting. Yoojin had to train him to stop going into people’s homes and stealing food or shiny valuables.

The child scoffed at being called a spirit. “A spirit? Don’t you remember me? I’m the mighty dragon you rescued.”

Yoojin spent the first few days observing the small child. If Yoojin hadn’t known he was a dragon, he might have been able to pass for human. The little dragons had a few oddities and was very shy. But soon Gyeol started opening up to Yoojin.

He didn’t think the dragon was dangerous. Especially not with his injury. After a few days he was able to walk on his own. If the dragon continued to heal at this rate, Yoojin might be able to get rid of him soon.

The spirits calmed down as well. Yoojin had been so distracted with Gyeol that he almost didn’t notice Chirpie was using his powers to steal from the villagers again.

 “We’ve talked about stealing before,” Yoojin said while holding the little spirit in question. “I thought you stopped. If you’re hungry, just tell me. I’ll feed you. Be good for your dad.”

Gyeol had been listening and asked why Chirpie and Peace called Yoojin “Dad.”

Yoojin frowned. He didn’t know they could speak, but Gyeol was a dragon, so maybe he could understand them. It was interesting to know these great spirits called him dad.

“I raised them after I rescued them,” Yoojin replied. “I guess they see me as a dad.”

Gyeol nodded and seemed to brood over something. “I see…Dad.”

Instead of the warmth and affection most fathers feel after having their first child, Yoojin had felt an ominous chill dance over his spine. Maybe he was getting too close to the dragon. The emperor’s decree stated dragons should be reported so the hunters could slay them.

But Yoojin couldn’t abandon the little boy while he was healing. Gyeol was a sweet child, and if he changed back into a dragon, the wounds would tear with the transformation. He was safe like this, where his wing could heal without problems. What harm could come from taking care of the boy a little longer?

Yoojin didn’t mind the name and as more time passed the closer they grew. Gyeol was much better at fishing and caught three herrings the night Yoojin taught him how to fish. They spent the evening cleaning the meat and had a wonderful dinner together.

Gyeol was very interested in Yoojin’s medical instruments, so he showed him everything. It reminded him of how he used to teach Yoohyun before Yoojin sent him to a scholarly institution to study medicine. Yoojin taught Gyeol which mushrooms to pick, what flowers were poisonous, and how to dry herbs properly.

Life actually became easier with Gyeol around. The other spirits warmed up to him after Gyeol had shown his magical superiority to them. Yoojin had felt the electric in the air and the dense pressure of power. The spirits had submitted, and Yoojin was breathless. Gyeol ran over to hug Yoojin, apologizing profusely. Yoojin patted him on the head, but thought that he needed to get rid of this dragon as soon as possible.

The next day, Gyeol had woken up first to stoke the fire and prepare breakfast. After the spirits became less weary of him, Gyeol started feeding and taking care of them as well. And there was always plenty of firewood now.

Yoojin had a few patients stop by his home. Since he wasn’t a fully fledge doctor, his rates were fairly cheap, so people were willing to travel the long distance into the mountains to see him. Once his brother got back, they could call themselves a full-service clinic and charge a decent price for treatment.

Gyeol didn’t stay in the same room as the patients. The little dragon didn’t seem to like humans much, but he watched how Yoojin packaged his medicine carefully. After a few practices, Gyeol had become a natural and could prepare all kinds of medicines.

It was like he had his own apprentice again. Han Yoohyun used to follow him the same way, and it made Yoojin so happy to have someone in his home. It had been so long since Yoojin last visited his brother, and it was nice to have someone to talk to again.

Yoojin smiled and ruffled Gyeol’s hair after he successfully cut and set a potentially poisonous flower to dry on the medicine rack. If prepared properly, it acted as a stomach relief and sold for a heavy profit.

Yoojin changed the bandages on Gyeol’s leg and asked him how his wing was healing. It was strange to have an injury Yoojin couldn’t see. If Gyeol was human now, did that mean the wing didn’t exist? Was it part of his body? Was it inside him? Thinking of the anatomy of a dragon gave him a headache. Yoojin hoped when his brother returned, he could help with their shape shifting patients.

“My wing is much better. There’s a little more damage because I turned into my child form. I can turn back to show you.”

“Absolutely not. No changing until it’s healed. Doctor’s order.”

As the temperature dropped, Yoojin fished out some of his brother’s childhood clothes. They were baggy on Gyeol but there weren’t many options for winter clothes.

If necessary, Yoojin had some money saved. He didn’t know how long Gyeol would stay, but he could spare some coins to buy clothes. Yoojin counted his funds. Normally, he saved everything until winter and bought supplies for the long, harsh season. But he was sure he had enough to buy a child something warm to wear. Gyeol’s white robe was too thin even for the autumn temperature.

They had been together for almost a month now, and Yoojin thought of all the things he would need to buy. Clothes and maybe some treats too. He wondered if dragons would like toys or games.

That night, Yoojin and Gyeol were about to fall asleep next to each other.

“Goodnight, Dad.”

“Goodnight, Gyeol.”

“…Dad?”

“Yes?”

“I…I really enjoy living with you.”

“I’m glad you’re comfortable while you heal.”

The fire crackled. A welcoming warmth filled the small room. The firewood storage was full, Yoojin had tons of medicines ready to sell, and they had plenty of dried fish and preserved vegetables to last them weeks. Everything was going well since the little dragon showed up.

“Dad?”

“Yes?”

Gyeol stroked Chirpie’s snow-white feathers. The bird liked nestling with the dragon. “After you rescued the spirits, how long do you let them stay before you kick them out of your home?”

“I never kick them out. This is their home. They’re free to come and go as they please.”

“…Do you just like spirits? Is it because I’m a dragon that you don’t want me to stay?”

Yoojin sat up. He didn’t like the dejected tone in Gyeol’s voice or how serious a shift the conversation had taken. “Why would you think that?”

“It’s just…every time I ask, you always speak as if you’re going to abandon me as soon as my injuries heal. Dad, I don’t want to go. Do you not want me here? Do you hate dragons that much?”

Yoojin watched Gyeol closely, seeing the way the boy’s eyes filled with unshed tears. He clutched Chirpie to his chest but held him gently.

“Gyeol, do you want to stay?” Yoojin brushed Gyeol’s hair from his face. “What about your home and parents? Dragons have parents, right?”

Gyeol turned his head away so Yoojin couldn’t see his face. “I don’t have any parents, and I don’t have a home anymore.” The small dragon had sounded stubborn for the first time. “If you make me leave, I’ll live with the unicorns or maybe Blue will let me sleep in her nest.”

Yoojin sighed at the ridiculous sounding dragon. “You’re just a child. You can’t live with griffins or unicorns.”

Gyeol turned his teary eye face, and Yoojin felt his heart soften.

It looked like Yoojin really was a father now. He smiled as he said, “You can stay here as long as you want.”

“Han Gyeol. Han Gyeol.” Gyeol shouted merrily. “Hello, my name is Han Gyeol, and this is my dad, Han Yoojin. Because I’m Han Gyeol. Son of Han Yoojin. Han Gyeol.”

Yoojin walked down the narrow path of the mountain forest. One hand holding Gyeol’s, the other holding the medicine basket, and Chirpie perched on his shoulder. Even with Gyeol’s healing leg, the little dragon had lots of energy and liked being active. They could take short walks like this together and if Gyeol’s injuries became too much for him, Yoojin liked to hold him too.

They were going to collect herbs and root vegetables to make a fish curry tonight.

“Dad, what should I say if someone questions our lineage?”

“We come from a long line of doctors. Your uncle is currently attending a well-known institution to study medicine. I saved up for many years to send him there. I can’t wait for him to meet you. He’s so talented, smart, and adorable.”

Gyeol’s smile faded. “Won’t he suspect I’m not your real son?”

Wasn’t that obvious? Yoohyun had only been gone two years and Gyeol looked about five. Yoojin would’ve been fifteen when he had Gyeol. But Yoojin resisted the urge to laugh. Gyeol seemed so upset over such a small matter.

“Yoohyun-ie won’t mind. Once he meets you, he will think of you as a loveable little nephew.”

“Oh.” Gyeol seemed to like that idea. “Will you tell him I’m a dragon?”

“Yes, of course. I don’t keep secrets from my brother.” Yoojin could tell Gyeol’s mood had shifted. “What is it?”

“But humans kill dragons—”

CHIRP!

Yoojin halted, yanking Gyeol to a stop at Chirpie’s alert.

“Dad, what is—”

Yoojin covered Gyeol’s mouth and dived off the path, crouching behind the forage and trees

“Did you hear that?” A deep voice asked. The sound of a sword being drawn sent a chill down his spine.

Gyeol stiffened against Yoojin.

“I’ll check it out,” another voice said. There were two of them.

Yoojin pulled Gyeol tighter and moved further into the forest. But not so far that he couldn’t see the men who cautiously walked past.

The thick padding of their leather armor, the rich markings on their tunics, and the shine of their swords marked them as the empire’s dragon hunters.

Gyeol’s eyes widened, and he trembled. Chirpie dug into Yoojin’s robes to hide.

Yoojin didn’t know what Gyeol had done before he entered his life, but if any citizen had spotted him, they would have reported it to the hunters. Even though Gyeol was little, his dragon form was pink and shiny. Yoojin could only imagine how noticeable he would have looked in the sky.

He regretted coming near the spot he had first found Gyeol. He shouldn’t have come back at all.

Yoojin and Gyeol waited as the hunters scouted the area. He turned Gyeol into his chest so the terrified child didn’t have to keep looking at them or their frightening weapons.

“Do you think it’s still around here?” One hunter asked.

Yoojin turned his ear to hear better.

“Yes,” the other hunter replied. “You saw how much blood was on that trap. No way a dragon could’ve gotten far.”

Yoojin swore to himself and lowered his head into Gyeol’s hair. He forgot about the trap! He had left blood behind. What else had he forgotten in his haste to get Gyeol medical attention? Couldn’t they think some poor, wild animal got stuck and was eaten?

The first hunter said, “The magical seal in those traps renders all the powers and strengths of a dragon useless. The only way it could’ve escape is with someone else’s help.”

“Do you think it was a villager?”

“Haven’t you heard? Kiko Village was almost destroyed last week. No one would help a damn dragon after that. All the villagers in the empire are up in arms. They say it was a golden dragon. Not even an entire unit of the emperor’s hunters could stop that monster.”

There was another dragon around? Yoojin shivered. He still had nightmares of huddling with his family and holding his brother while dragons attacked his home village.

He looked down at Gyeol. Even though his son was cute and sweet, the memories of his home falling down on him locked his body in dread.

“I heard of that dragon. They said it was enormous. Happened after we wiped out a nest.”

“The only good dragon is a dead dragon, is what I say. No villager would be so stupid as to free one.”

“We’ll have to check with the mountain residents then. They might have seen something. But I heard a lot of monsters live here. Might need extra weapons. The spirits are dangerous too.”

“I’ll gather more men.”

They left. When Gyeol lifted his head, Yoojin held his finger over his mouth and shook his head. The hunters could still hear them.

If they came to Yoojin’s home, they would find Gyeol. He didn’t think he could convince people Gyeol was his actual son. If it came down to an investigation by the emperor’s hunters, they would notice something amiss.

Yoojin had money saved. He could travel with Gyeol until the search for the missing dragon was over. He could even say it was because he wanted to visit his brother. They could stay with Han Yoohyun for a while as well.

Once the hunters were gone, Yoojin picked up Gyeol and ran back to the cottage.

“Dad! What’s wrong! They left, aren’t we safe?”

Yoojin stopped outside the property and set Gyeol down. He held the little dragon in front of him.

“We’re going on a trip. I need you to be a big kid. Can you do that?” Yoojin waited for him to nod in confirmation. “Good. Find Peace, Blue and the unicorns and tell them to stay hidden because they’re dangerous people on the mountain. Be quick and tell them we will be gone until spring and everything will be all right.”

Gyeol’s eyes widened. “Is this because of me?”

Yoojin gave him a soft smile and squeezed his shoulders. “We were talking about your uncle, remember? Don’t you want to meet the rest of your family?”

Gyeol suddenly looked too excited. “Yes! Are we really? I get to meet my uncle?”

Yoojin wondered if Gyeol could pass the heavily scrutinized interrogation of a hunter. He already seemed so much like a real son with the way he got excited to meet Yoohyun. And until Yoojin met Gyeol, he didn’t know dragons could look human. Gyeol might be able to pass a few questions, but it was too risky.

“Yes, now go tell the forest spirits we’re leaving. Hurry back while I pack, or we’ll be late.”

Gyeol nodded and hugged Yoojin before sprinting into the forest. Yoojin headed to the cottage. He had little time to pack, but he never made it into the house. The hunters had already beaten him here.

Yoojin greeted the tall blond man. He wore a different uniform than the hunters from earlier, and Yoojin couldn’t see any visible weapons. But there was no mistaking the high quality of the red silk garments. Only someone working under the emperor could afford something of that quality.

The man stood at the entrance of the cottage. Yoojin had to crank his neck to see his face and bristled at the handsome sight. He shook his head, remembering this man was here for his son.

“Good morning,” he greeted. “I’m Sung Hyunjae. I’m sorry to disturb you.”

Yoojin returned the greeting. His heart hitched with every second that passed. He tried not to glance at the forest to check for Gyeol. How long until he returned?

“There is nothing to disturb. I’m a simple physician who lives alone. If you’re here for treatment, you are most welcomed.”

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head. “A doctor all the way out here seems inconvenient.”

“My village was destroyed, and this is where I set up. It’s easier to live in a smaller area because it’s less likely to be targeted by dragons.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes narrowed irritatingly. Did the hunter suspect something? Did Yoojin say too much and reveal something about his son? What else could have caused that reaction?

“Can um…would you like some tea? Since you came up all this way, it’s the least I can offer. I don’t see many visitors, so my hospitality skills are lacking.”

“You live alone?”

“That’s correct.” Yoojin answered and glanced at the forest again.

“Then why are there two different sized clothes hung out to dry?”

Yoojin turned to where Sung Hyunjae looked. Gyeol’s white robe was drying on the line next to his clothes. The silk garment stood out among everything Yoojin owned, and he swallowed while he thought of an excuse.

“That’s…that’s from one of my recent patients. A family brought their daughter, and she needed to stay a few days for observation. I let her use my brother’s old clothes, and they left without her things. If you leave now, you can probably catch them on your way down the mountain. If you return the robe for me, I would be grateful.”

Yoojin smiled and hated how little reaction Sung Hyunjae showed. Did he suspect the lie or not? Reading his face was impossible, and the longer he looked at him, the more annoyed he became. He couldn’t believe he thought he was handsome. He was infuriating.

Even if his eyes were the color of the raising sun’s golden rays, or if his fine blond hair looked as soft and silky as rose petals.

The silence stretched out until Yoojin’s racing heart was in his throat. He didn’t like how Sung Hyunjae looked him over or how his gaze lingered on Yoojin’s face in a way that made him want to blush.

Finally, Sung Hyunjae nodded. “I would accept tea.”

Damn it.

Yoojin brought Sung Hyunjae inside and quickly surveyed the room for evidence of Gyeol living with him. Proof of the little dragon was everywhere, but only in ways Yoojin could recognize. The neatly organized medicine containers had been Gyeol’s doing. As were the fresh flowers arranged on the table and the homemade toy for playing catch with Peace and Blue.

Yoojin didn’t think it was obvious someone else lived here, but he wasn’t sure.

He set the kettle on the fire and glanced at the hunter. Yoojin scowled. Sung Hyunjae wasted no time investigating everything. Picking through books, touching the folded bedding, and moving around the small room like he owned the place.

Yoojin cleared his throat. “Excuse me,” Yoojin said as Sung Hyunjae found one of Yoohyun’s keepsakes. Sung Hyunjae trailed his finger on the edge of an old cloth doll Yoohyun used to sleep with. Few things survived when they lost their childhood home, and Yoojin was protective of what little he had left.

“You have a lot of things for children,” the hunter commented and picked up one of Yoohyun’s first books.

Yoojin rushed toward Sung Hyunjae before he could pry into one of his brother’s cherished memories. He snatched the book away and placed it back on the shelf where it came from.

But Sung Hyunjae was already touching something else. Yoojin could barely put one thing down before the hunter picked up something else. He snooped through everything from his medical equipment to the jars in the cooking area.

Holding back his frustration, Yoojin politely offered Sung Hyunjae a seat. Anything to keep him from rummaging around. Sung Hyunjae took the seat, but continued to gaze around the room.

“Your home,” Sung Hyunjae commented, “You are a wealthy man to have so many cherished possessions.”

Yoojin stared at him, perplexed. Wealthy wasn’t something he would use to describe himself. His clothes were old compared to Sung Hyunjae’s. Almost everything he owned was handmade by either him or Gyeol, and the small room left little space between him and the hunter.

Yoojin waited as if any second a cruel joke would follow. When nothing else was said, it left Yoojin even more confused. “I’m not sure I understand your meaning. If there’s nothing else you need from me, I could walk you to the path that leads back to the village.”

Sung Hyunjae’s smile was challenging. “I was offered tea.”

Yoojin’s jaw clenched. “Of course.” He took a cautious step away to make sure he wouldn’t start touching things again.

“You haven’t always lived alone.”

“I raised my brother here after our village was destroyed. He’s away right now.” Yoojin poured the water into a cup and pulled out a container of dried tea leaves. “I haven’t seen anyone recently, so I can’t help you find anything you’re looking for.”

Sung Hyunjae nodded. “You haven’t seen anyone recently? Besides the little girl who left her robe?”

“Er, yes, umm, that’s right.” He grabbed a strainer and packed the leaves.

“How did you know I was looking for something?” Sung Hyunjae asked.

Yoojin spilled the tea leaves over the table. “Umm.” He answered Sung Hyunjae as he scooped up the mess. “I…I just had a feeling…you—you didn’t come for medical care. And a lot of children go missing on the mountains, so I just assumed.”

“Children?”

He almost dropped the cup. Why did he have to mention children?

He offered Sung Hyunjae the tea with a smile plastered over his face. He didn’t expect Sung Hyunjae to be smiling back.

“Is there something wrong?” Yoojin asked, awkwardly holding the tea in his hand.

Sung Hyunjae lifted his arm. Yoojin politely raised the cup to his hand, but Sung Hyunjae wasn’t aiming for the cup. The back of his knuckles brushed the curve of Yoojin’s jaw.

He felt his mouth drop and his heart rate pick up.

“The amount of times you blushed while looking at me makes me think you should be the one sitting, not I.”

Yoojin blinked at him. He shoved the tea into his hands and stepped back. It’s not like he wanted to blush. He was a terrible liar and his cheeks warmed in response. But now this hunter was going to get the wrong idea.

“Please enjoy the tea so you may continue on your way,” Yoojin said firmly, but avoided insulting one of the emperor’s hunters. “I don’t want to keep you any longer than I have.”

Sung Hyunjae held the tea without drinking. “I feel like no time has passed since I’ve met you. You may keep me as long as you wish.”

“I couldn’t keep you a second longer, and I can remind you exactly how long you’ve been here.”

“I would rather you tell me how long I’m allowed to stay.”

Yoojin frowned at the strange turn this conversation had taken. He knew exactly how much time had passed because he was worried Gyeol would return while the hunter was still here. Even with his injured leg, the little dragon was fast. He just couldn’t move for long periods at a time.

Sung Hyunjae gazed into the colored water when he said, “I am looking for something.”

The true meaning of the words hit Yoojin. He was looking for a dragon. Yoojin’s dragon.

Sung Hyunjae sipped the drink. “But it seems I have found something else that’s rather entertaining. You’re a very cute man.”

“Huh?”

Yoojin felt like this hunter kept throwing him into emotional extremes since he had arrived. First by scaring him for looking for Gyeol. Then provoking him by touching Yoohyun’s possessions. Then…complimenting him? If his goal was to frazzle Yoojin until he said something by mistake, he was successful. Yoojin wasn’t prepared for this kind of interrogation tactic.

Yoojin closed his gaping mouth, pushed his shoulders back, and stood straighter. He had a son to protect. “Please don’t joke with me and be mindful of how long you have been here. The Dokkeabi will change the direction signs and try to trap you on the mountain.”

That was only half true. Yoon Yoon would mess with travelers, but as long as they had no bad intentions, the Dokkeabi would always make sure villagers returned home safely.

“Instead of getting lost, should I stay the night?”

Yoojin opened his mouth to say, “Absolutely not.” But would it look suspicious if he wasn’t hospitable? Damn it. He already gave him tea. What else could he do?

CHEEP!

Yoojin flinched as Chirpie suddenly rustled out of his robes and spread his wings. “Chirpie! Stop!” Yoojin tried to grab the small forest spirit before it flew onto Sung Hyunjae’s head.

Yoojin froze. Hunters normally ignored spirits because they kept their distance from people. What would he do when one of them flew into his hair?

“I’m sorry! Let me get him out.”

Sung Hyunjae lifted his eyes like he could see Chirpie perched on the top of his head. He set the cup down and reached for Chirpie. Holding the small bird in his hands, he asked, “Do you know this man well?”

“Man?” Yoojin asked. “Umm, I didn’t know Chirpie was a—”

Chirp!

“How strange,” Sung Hyunjae said, while stroking the soft feathers. “I’ve never met a human the spirits liked so fondly.”

Human? What kind of person talked about other people like that?

Yoojin reached for the bird once again, but Sung Hyunjae merely looked at him. Yoojin stilled with his hands outstretched toward Chirpie.

“It-it’s just a small spirit,” Yoojin said, still trying to rescue Chirpie. “Please, don’t hurt him.”

Sung Hyunjae inclined his head. “Why would I hurt him?”

“I know the emperor’s dragon hunters, like yourself, find it necessary to clear the spirits away, but believe me, he’s harmless. And so few people come here that he couldn’t possibly hurt anyone. He’s a friendly spirit, I promise.”

Chirpie cooed and perched on Sung Hyunjae’s palm as the hunter continued to stroke him. “Do you normally receive the emperor’s hunters as guest?”

Yoojin’s shoulders straightened from the icy undertone of the question. “Like I said, I don’t see many people, but I pay my dues to the emperor and my taxes.”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes lowered to Chirpie, and the bird suddenly lifted his head as if alert.

“Have the emperor’s hunters visited?”

“I just said—”

Chirp!

“That close? Hmm. Who else lives here?” Sung Hyunjae asked without hearing the end of Yoojin’s sentence.

Chirp! Chirp!

Yoojin frowned, his voice sounding small. “There’s no one else.” But Sung Hyunjae didn’t pay attention to his answers.

Chirpie fluttered his wings and jumped up and down franticly. Yoojin was sure the hunter would be annoyed, but he just responded with a soft hum.

“All that?” Sung Hyunjae said, like he was talking to the bird and not Yoojin. Chirpie sang all kinds of noises while bouncing. He only did that with Gyeol, but that was because the little dragon could talk to spirits.

Yoojin tried to explain, once again, that no one else lived here. Sung Hyunjae listened to Yoojin with a small smile across his lips, but there was something strange and foreboding about the look. Despite trying to look cool and collective, the more Yoojin tried to convince him, the more franticly he spoke. Like he was aware he already lost and was just trying to cover it up.

When he heard the familiar clink of the front gate opening and shutting, Yoojin felt his eyes widen. He recognized that faint sound because of his years living here. Gyeol was back.

Sung Hyunjae was about to say something, but Yoojin spoke first. “It’s cold in here!” Yoojin took Chirpie, not missing how warm Sung Hyunjae’s hands felt. It made him shiver. “I’ve truly have become a terrible host after all my time alone. Please wait right here. I’ll get some more firewood.”

Yoojin turned toward the door and pushed it open. The first thing he saw was his son’s cheerful face. Before Gyeol could open his mouth, Yoojin released Chirpie so he could fly to safety and grabbed his son. He let the door slam behind him and lifted Gyeol under his arm.

He had packed nothing, not even his money, but he had to make sure Gyeol was safe.

“Dad! What’s going on?”

Yoojin jumped the fence instead of going through the gate and headed into the forest. He knew the area better than anyone who lived in the village. He would stay off the main road. If he could just get to the river that washed down the east face of the mountain, he could get to the base within two days and get to his brother within a week and a half. He could sell herbs on the way or offer impromptu treatments door to door. He had done similar things before when he raised money for Yoohyun’s education.

Something large cast a shadow as it passed overhead. It nearly darkened the entire sky and the rustling wind rush past him.

Gyeol gasped. “Dad!”

Yoojin’s heart sank as he saw a glimpse of the massive thing in the sky. Was that the dragons the hunters were talking about, the gold one that attacked Kiko village? What was it doing here? That village was so far away. Dragons weren’t supposed to come here.

“It’s okay,” Yoojin tried to reassure his son, but he couldn’t stop his voice from shaking.

Surely Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t chase after him now that a dragon was in the area. And he hoped he looked too small for the dragon to want to eat. The memories of his cindering village and crumbling childhood home rush to his mind.

“Dad, look out!”

Yoojin barely saw the red silken robes and blond hair before Sung Hyunjae extended his arm. Running too fast to stop, Yoojin slammed into it. The impact knocked the air out of him as he bent around the unmovable arm. He even came off his feet.

He kicked back, trying to touch the ground, but Sung Hyunjae changed his grip and pulled Yoojin against his chest.

Yoojin lifted his head to meet those terrifying golden eyes that curved under his smile. “There you are,” Sung Hyunjae said, then he glanced at Gyeol and his lips quirked into a scowl. “And there you are.”

Gyeol growled and snapped his teeth when Sung Hyunjae reached for him. “Let go of us you bumbling brute!”

Sung Hyunjae growled and grabbed the small boy.

“No!” Yoojin shoved away from Sung Hyunjae hard enough it hurt. He fell to the ground, cradling Gyeol and scurrying back. Sung Hyunjae watched him in surprise. “He’s my son. I—I won’t let you take him!”

“Dad…” Gyeol whispered.

“It’s okay, Gyeol. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Sung Hyunjae touched his chin while he studied Yoojin. “Is that so? You’re claiming that little dragon as your own? Even after you said dragons destroyed your village?”

Yoojin’s jaw clenched at the horrendous memory. Gyeol looked up at him with his brows knitted in worry. He might have been a dragon, but he was just a kid and needed someone to look after him. Gyeol wasn’t like the dragon who destroy his village. Yoojin couldn’t let him go, knowing what the hunters would do to him.

“Yes,” Yoojin said. “This is my son, and you can’t take him from me.”

“All right. I’ll take both of you then.”

“Huh? Hey!” Sung Hyunjae swooped down and yanked Gyeol out of Yoojin’s grip so fast Yoojin could barely track his movements. Yoojin struggled to get to his feet when Sung Hyunjae’s arm was around his waist again. “Mnph!”

He threw Yoojin over his shoulder.

Sung Hyunjae strode away like holding a child and a full-grown man was nothing to him. “I’ve never captured a human before. I’m unfamiliar with what comes next, but we have plenty of time to figure it out together.”

“What are you talking about?” Yoojin shrieked.

Gyeol shouted at Sung Hyunjae. He called him all kinds of names and even tried to bite and hit him.

Sung Hyunjae easily navigated back to the path and began the trip down the mountain. “Raising Gyeol on your own would be challenging, so you will need a partner for sure. But we must discuss him calling you ‘dad.’ Shouldn’t I have that name?”

“What are you saying?” Yoojin yelled. Gyeol responded with a rush of insults and vile anger that Yoojin had never seen from his little dragon. If it bothered Sung Hyunjae, he didn’t show it.

“I admire how you protected my son,” Sung Hyunjae answered Yoojin. “I think you will make an excellent bride and we can raise Gyeol together.”

Yoojin was in the middle of jabbing his knee into Sung Hyunjae’s rock like chest when the words hit him. “Your son?” Yoojin lifted as far as he could to see him.

Sung Hyunjae turned his head, and his smile reached his golden eyes. The gold eyes that were strikingly similar to a certain pink dragon he knew.

“No,” Yoojin breathed. He shook his head, willing it not to be true. “No, Gyeol is a dragon…that would mean…”

The hand around him slid down until Yoojin was more comfortably settled against his arm instead of over his shoulder. “That would mean what?” Sung Hyunjae asked with a knowing smile. “That I’m also a dragon?”

Yoojin wasn’t sure if his heart had stopped or if he had just died. It would have actually been better if Sung Hyunjae was a dragon hunter. Instead, Yoojin was face to face with the dragon whose son he had tried to flee with.

Oh, god… it must have looked like Yoojin was kidnapping Gyeol.

It felt impossible to get any words past his dry throat. “I…I can explain.”

Sung Hyunjae leaned imposingly close to Yoojin, and he felt his heart skip back to life. “There’s no need. You’re bad at lying, but the bird already told me everything.”

“The bird? Do you mean Chirpie?” Yoojin swallowed and shoved a hand on Sung Hyunjae’s chest to keep him away. “What are you doing? Where are you taking me?”

“I’m taking my son and new bride home,” Sung Hyunjae responded with a sing-song voice. “I think we make a cute family.”

Wait, no. How did this happen? Yoojin only agreed to have a son, not to be kidnapped by a mad dragon and become a bride. Yoojin continued to fight against his grip, but Sung Hyunjae laughed at his efforts.

“I really like you, Han Yoojin.”

Han Yoojin woke up to the chill of the late autumn air and nuzzled closer to the source of warmth behind him. The movement disturbed Gyeol and the small boy snuggled against his chest, pressing his forehead into Yoojin’s shoulder.

Blinking awake, Yoojin found himself wedged between the two dragons. If it wasn’t for the frigid night, Yoojin would have protested the sleeping arrangements. He didn’t want to admit it, but the arm he used like a pillow was heavenly and Sung Hyunjae was warmer than any blanket he had at his cottage. Sleeping on the ground had never felt better.

He looked back at Sung Hyunjae and noticed he was still asleep. Yoojin wondered how he didn’t realize he was a dragon sooner. Even if his face was angelic and his blond hair was long and soft, Sung Hyunjae still had the terrifying demeanor of a dragon.

Yoojin had been fearful of dragons since he lost his parents, but he had to push those fears away to focus on raising Yoohyun. That’s why he was so surprised that raising Gyeol felt so natural to him. But last night, when Sung Hyunjae had pulled him into his arms and told him to sleep, Yoojin didn’t expect to get a wink of sleep. Except it had felt very good to be held by someone as big as Sung Hyunjae. And he didn’t expect the dragon to be so warm. Yoojin had slept soundly.

Nonetheless, He had no intentions of becoming someone’s bride. How could Sung Hyunjae threaten him like that, then treat him so kindly all evening? Yoojin would find a way to escape.

He held Gyeol closer and squirmed out of Sung Hyunjae’s embrace. He checked over his shoulder one last time to make sure he hadn’t awaken the sleeping dragon before taking off.

Running through the rough terrain jarred Gyeol awake. “Dad…? What’s going on? Where are we?”

“Shh.” Yoojin looked around. Still no Sung Hyunjae. It looked like he got away. He found a spot to sit and catch his breath. “Gyeol, you said your parents were dead. Is Sung Hyunjae really your father?”

The sleepy haze faded from his eyes and filled with venom. “That senile imbecile is not a father. I hate him. My mother is dead, and she was the only person who ever cared about me.”

“He seems to care…” Yoojin said carefully. He had never seen his little dragon so mad. “I mean, if he came all the way out—”

“He doesn’t care,” Gyeol’s voice had lowered into something low and heart breaking. “I only have you, Dad.”

Yoojin offered him a small smile and rubbed his back. “Of course you have me.”

“But now I put you in danger and that lumbering fool is threatening to make you a bride.”

Yoojin suppressed a shudder. No one had ever shown an interest in him before, so this had to be a punishment for kidnapping Gyeol. Or code for sacrifice. Wasn’t there an old fable about mothers sending their daughters as offerings in exchange for protection over their village?

“It’ll be okay. I don’t think he can find us anymore.”

Gyeol frowned and looked around. “He can.”

“Huh?”

“But he’s not awake yet. Were you trying to escape?”

“Y-yeah. Did…Did I not do it right?”

“You should get moving.”

Yoojin ran.

“Dad, is what he said true? Was your village destroyed by dragons?”

Yoojin bit his lip and thought about how to answer that question. Dishonesty would set the wrong atmosphere for when Gyeol found out. It might be more uncomfortable to deal with now, but it was better than lying.

“Yes.”

Gyeol lowered his head. It seemed like he couldn’t meet his eyes anymore. “I… I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t you, Gyeol. There’s no need for you to apologize.”

“What happened?”

Yoojin shrugged. “Not sure. I was about your age, so it’s hard to remember. I moved to the cottage with Han Yoohyun after—whoa!”

He slipped on a patch of wet moss.

“Dad, are you okay?”

“Ouch, that hurt.”

Yoojin pushed himself into a sitting position, and a hand entered his field of vision. He followed the length of the arm to the grinning face of Sung Hyunjae.

“Careful standing, bride. The morning dew has made this path slick. Besides, you are heading the wrong direction.”

Yoojin gawked. He had been running for so long, how did he get ahead of him? He didn’t even look winded. Gyeol was already hissing vile words. After a few grumbles of his own, Yoojin accepted the hand.

Sung Hyunjae pulled him to his feet, but didn’t let go. Yoojin could feel the strength in his firm grip, and it made him nervous. “I had woken up excited to give my new bride lots of affection, but I found myself alone. I guess I should show you sentiment before you go to sleep since you wake up early.”

Yoojin tried to ignore him, but it was hard to ignore someone this handsome and threatening. Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t be able to stop his next escape.

Yoojin had a plan. He woke the next day before the sun rose, crawled out of Sung Hyunjae’s warm embrace, and told Gyeol to run until he reached the river. Yoojin would go a different direction and the double tracks would confuse Sung Hyunjae until they got away.

“Got you.”

“Ahh!” Yoojin slammed forward as the enormous weight tackled him. Sung Hyunjae held one arm to prevent Yoojin from hurling into the ground, but his other arm pinned him to the dragon’s chest.

Yoojin lifted his head up to meet those gold eyes. He stifled a tremble as the gaze seemed to pierce through him.

“Get off! You’re heavy!”

Sung Hyunjae lifted his arm off the ground and Yoojin fell with the dense dragon on top of him. He tried to push himself up, to no avail. The dragon weighed much more than his human figure suggested.

“I hate waking up by myself, but I can’t deny my little bride his morning exercise.” Sung Hyunjae’s mouth lowered to Yoojin’s ear. “I could offer you a proper workout. Something vigorous to make your cheeks flush and blood rush.”

Yoojin paused. Did he think his escape attempts were morning jogs?

Sung Hyunjae slid his cheek along the side of Yoojin’s face while he spoke. “Now that Gyeol is off playing, there is something I’m curious about.”

“Hey!” Yoojin’s voice broke when a hand slid under him. It followed the line of his pelvic bone down his thigh. Yoojin’s breath rushed. That hand could almost encircle his thigh. The strong fingers tickled his skin.

“The injury Gyeol has…here.” Sung Hyunjae’s hands drifted inward, and Yoojin jerked in response. “Where did he get it?”

Yoojin lowered his head and clenched his fingers. Sung Hyunjae traced the place where Gyeol had been injured on Yoojin’s thigh, and his thumb circled the junction of his hipbone.

He shuddered. “Ask him yourself.”

“Gyeol doesn’t like to talk to me.”

“How is that my problem?”

“Because I can make you talk.”

Yoojin lifted his head, and Sung Hyunjae smiled. He had to remind himself, Sung Hyunjae wasn’t just a terrifying dragon. He was a concerned father. The whole time Gyeol had stayed with Yoojin, Sung Hyunjae had been looking for him, and now he was concerned over his son’s injuries. Maybe he wasn’t a completely evil dragon after all.

He licked his lips but found it hard to meet Sung Hyunjae’s eyes while he explained. It wasn’t Sung Hyunjae’s intimidation that made him look away. It was shame. He didn’t like to remember the first time he saw his son, or think about how he had almost walked away.

“Gyeol was caught in a trap. Something like a bear trap, but bigger. It crushed one of his wings and his back leg. I gave him stitches when he was a dragon, but he transformed into a child and the cut reopened.”

“Is his wing in a similar condition?”

“I thought it was worse, but he says it’s doing better. I’m not the best on the matter. The only wing I’ve ever worked on before belonged to a griffin. Until both cuts heal, he shouldn’t transform anymore.”

“You’re a surprising doctor, Han Yoojin. If you lived in a village, you would be a rich man.”

He looked at him. “You already said I was wealthy.”

“Wealthy and rich are different. Your cherished possessions made me think of you as a kindhearted man. It’s why I didn’t destroy your home when you lied to me.”

Yoojin blinked at him. Unsure how keeping his brother’s childhood possessions made him favorable to the dragon. He wasn’t able to ponder the thought for long because a hand slid into his robe. He jumped at the feel on his bare skin.

“It also made me want to eat you up.”

“Don’t eat me!” Yoojin shouted, terrified and appalled.

“I’m coming, Dad!” Gyeol shouted from the mountain after hearing Yoojin’s scream.

“Thank you, Son,” Sung Hyunjae answered.

“Not you!”

Yoojin held Gyeol closer after learning about Sung Hyunjae’s intentions to eat him. He tried to think of ways to convince the dragon he would taste bad.

Over the next few days, Yoojin’s childhood memories came rushing back. Ones he had hoped to never remember. Yoojin became tense, even flinching once when Gyeol asked to be carried. That wasn’t like Yoojin at all. He never wanted to look at his son like some monster. The overhead shadows made him stiffen and gave him heart palpitations, but it was only migrating birds. He could hide his growing fear from Gyeol, giving weak excuses when needed, but Sung Hyunjae was a different story.

He had noticed the changes, but said nothing. Yoojin had shamefully used Gyeol like a shield between himself and the dragon. As a barrier to hide his face, and a literal shield in case Sung Hyunjae wanted to tackle him again. But that turned out to be unnecessary. Sung Hyunjae seemed more respectful and gave Yoojin distance. He even remained in his human form. Yoojin was grateful. He wouldn’t say it out loud. Sung Hyunjae had kidnapped him after all.

Yoojin asked where they were going, and Sung Hyunjae said he was taking them to his home. Gyeol questioned why he didn’t just fly, and Yoojin stumbled, the fear constricting the blood to his legs for a moment. Sung Hyunjae was the one who caught him and place him back on his feet. The answer Gyeol got was very simple, like it was obvious, “Not all of us have wings, son.”

So instead of flying there in a day, they were now stuck walking together for what sounded like an almost three-week journey. Sung Hyunjae seemed to love the idea and Yoojin hadn’t protested. Both because it gave him plenty of time to form an escape plan, and he didn’t think he could mentally handle seeing a dragon right now.

It was a long trail down the mountain, and the unquestionable confidence Sung Hyunjae shown while navigating the hidden paths annoyed Yoojin. Sulking, Yoojin had thought no one knew the trails as well as him. But Sung Hyunjae acted like he’d been here a hundred times. Even Gyeol corrected Yoojin when he felt lost. Were dragon’s natural navigators?

Little by little, Yoojin’s childhood memories disappeared. Not vanished. He would never be that fortunate. More like replaced with happier memories. Dragons were…entertaining. No matter how mean spirited one of Gyeol’s comments were to Sung Hyunjae, the older man would only reply playfully. Which seemed to upset Gyeol even more. Before going to bed between the two dragons, Yoojin would lecture Gyeol about using kinder words. Then he would lecture Sung Hyunjae about looking so smug.

One evening, Yoojin watched Gyeol yell at his father. He didn’t understand his son’s animosity toward Sung Hyunjae, but as long as Gyeol didn’t raise his voice or use foul language, Yoojin wouldn’t interfere. It didn’t seem like it was his place, but he wouldn’t allow his son to be rude. Even if Sung Hyunjae deserved it.

But what Yoojin couldn’t understand was how Sung Hyunjae didn’t seem bothered by any of it. Didn’t it hurt to have his own son hate him so much? Was the unaffected smile he put on just a mask? If so, did that mean the vile things Gyeol said were hurting him?

Sung Hyunjae interrupted Gyeol by simply pointing off to the side. As his son turned to look at what had caught his father’s attention, Sung Hyunjae lowered his hand and a cascade of water appeared out of nowhere and drenched Gyeol.

Magic had never bothered Yoojin. He had watched his little spirits use it all the time. Seeing it done by someone who looked human was a little surprising, but not shocking.

Yoojin bit his lip as a tremble shook him. He tried very hard not to laugh. It would only make Gyeol that much more angry. But his son had the same sullen expression Peace had after a bath. How could such a cheerful child look so dreary?

A laugh escaped Yoojin’s lips, and he quickly covered his mouth when Gyeol turned to him. Yoojin rose from the ground and moved to Gyeol to make sure the bandages on his leg didn’t get wet.

He tried to hold back his laughter while Gyeol angrily grumbled and pretended to scold Sung Hyunjae about letting a child get wet when it was this cold.

“He’s a dragon. He’ll be fine.”

“He’s still a child,” Yoojin answered him, briefly catching his eyes before turning back to Gyeol. He took the top layer off his hanbok and used it to dry Gyeol’s hair. He asked Sung Hyunjae to start a fire for the evening.

Before he finished his words, he already felt the warmth of a crackling fire against his back. He looked up at Sung Hyunjae as he stood over him.

Smiling down at him, he said, “Anything for my bride and son.”

The journey was long but never boring.

Soon, Yoojin felt helpless. He couldn’t hunt and there was barely anything left to forage this late in the year. He relied heavily on Gyeol to help him. His son would show him the nearest rivers for water or bring him edible things to eat during the day.

Sung Hyunjae had watched quietly the first few days, but now, it seemed like everything had turned into a competition.

If Gyeol brought some late autumn fruits, Sung Hyunjae would find yams or other root vegetables. If Gyeol found nuts or edible mushrooms, Sung Hyunjae found sweet flowers or tea leaves and containers to make tea.

When Gyeol had worked all evening to catch five fish with a homemade fishing poll, Sung Hyunjae returned with a tiger. He offered to make steaks. Yoojin promptly made him release the terrified animal back into the wild.

Yoojin wanted to stop this competition before it went any further.

Something loud crashed in the distance of the dense forest. Yoojin tensed, holding Gyeol closer. It was difficult to fall asleep with Yoojin’s old fears resurfacing. He realized he never got over them. He had just gotten very good at pretending. He needed to seem brave for his little brother. He had learned to hide his fears and nightmares until he even fooled himself. But now that he was trapped in the wilderness with no where to hide, he realized he couldn’t pretend anymore.

It was so dark and the shadows seemed to move. At least Gyeol was asleep. Yoojin could hold him as tightly as he wanted and not look like he was hiding behind his son. Even though there was nothing a small child could do against a large dragon or monster, Yoojin was happy to have him.

Sung Hyunjae’s half asleep voice startled Yoojin. “You know I’m the largest thing in these mountains.”

Yoojin blinked, then turned his head. All he could see of Sung Hyunjae from their strange sleeping arrangements was the top of his head and closed eyes. Sure Sung Hyunjae was tall and heavy, but even Peace’s adult form was bigger than him.

“What?” Yoojin asked.

Sung Hyunjae lowered his head into the crook of Yoojin’s neck. His deep voice vibrating all the way to his core.

“I’m the largest thing you will ever find in these mountains. So why are you worried about anything else?”

Yoojin frowned, but relaxed a little. “Do you know every creature, spirit, and monster in these mountains?”

“No.”

“Then how can you know that?”

Sung Hyunjae’s eyes opened to thin slits. “I have yet to meet any creature bigger or more powerful. Do you really think I would allow a lesser creature to harm my child or bride?”

Yoojin’s brows knitted together. Didn’t that mean he should me most afraid of Sung Hyunjae? Or was this an awkward way of saying he would protect him?

“What if it’s another dragon that attacks us?”

The arm around Yoojin’s waist pulled him closer, pressing him against Sung Hyunjae’s broad chest. So close his lips brushed the edge of his ears. “There isn’t a dragon in this world who would dare take my bride from me.”

Yoojin turned his head back, resting on Sung Hyunjae’s arm and pondering what he said. He had never relied on anyone else, and it seemed ridiculous to trust a dragon of all things. He felt the dragons on either side of him press closer and his breath came out as a sighed when Sung Hyunjae’s knee slid against his calves.

His eyes drifted close. No. He didn’t trust the dragon. Nor did he think he would get any sleep again.

“Han Yoojin. Han Yoojin, wake up.”

“Huh?” Yoojin woke from his deep sleep to Sung Hyunjae's smile. His blurry vision taking a moment to clear. The sun was peering over the tree line already, and the birds were chirping. Yoojin never slept this late, even at the cottage.

He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand while Sung Hyunjae nudged his head toward Gyeol. “Isn’t he cute?”

Yoojin turned his head to follow Sung Hyunjae’s gaze. It took him a moment to recognize what he was looking at, but slowly his son came into focus. The little boy’s cheek smooshed on Sung Hyunjae’s extended arm. His fist clutched Yoojin’s shirt like he feared losing him. And just a smudge of drool stained his chin as he slept soundly, breathing deeply.

Yoojin couldn’t help but smile. His son was so cute. And it was so adorable to see Gyeol use Sung Hyunjae as a pillow. It was the closest he had willingly come to his father, and it warmed Yoojin’s heart to see.

He let Gyeol sleep. There was no way he could wake him. But confused, Yoojin looked back at the tree line and the rising sun. It was late. Much later than Yoojin had ever slept before. Why hadn’t he woken up?

More concerningly, why did he feel so refreshed? He had slept normally instead of tossing and turning all night from nightmares? He looked up at Sung Hyunjae, who was peering at the two of them gleefully, and wondered what had changed?

“There, does that hurt?” Yoojin asked Gyeol as he changed the dressing on his leg. Dragons healed much faster than Yoojin estimated. Maybe the wing would be in better condition than he initially thought.

Gyeol’s lips sealed tightly, but he shook his head. “No,” he said, clearly in some kind of discomfort.

Yoojin ruffled his hair and praised him for being so brave. It earned him a small smile from the little dragon. Sung Hyunjae said nothing while he watched, sitting close behind Yoojin’s back. His hands sprawled behind him while he soaked up the sun like a lizard. A very handsome lizard who seemed to glow under the soft rays of light.

Sung Hyunjae picked the spot they stopped for the day and it was beautiful. Yoojin didn’t know there was a waterfall this grand on the mountain. The streaming water cascaded down on the rocky ravine. Its gentle mist caught the sun’s light and cast rainbows in the air.

It was far too enchanting of a place to share with Sung Hyunjae, so Yoojin focused on Gyeol.

The little boy stood and tested his range of movement, grimacing a little. “Watch this, Dad.” Gyeol demonstrated his returned speed and strength by running and jumping off of the face of a rock. “I feel so much better now.”

“Why are you showing off?” Sung Hyunjae asked.

Yoojin didn’t wait to show his enthusiasm to Gyeol. “Wow, you’ve improved so much. But be careful. You shouldn’t push yourself.”

Gyeol ran back to them and pointed a finger in Sung Hyunjae’s face. “I’m no longer injured, so you can’t beat me anymore! I’m going to find a boar to bring to my dad for dinner and you can’t have any.”

“Would you like a head start?” Sung Hyunjae asked.

“I don’t need one!” But he was already charging into the woods.

Yoojin watched him disappear then turned to Sung Hyunjae. “He won’t really try to bring a boar back. Will he? He’s still healing. I don’t want him to get hurt again.” He couldn’t imagine Gyeol facing off against a wild animal while still recovering.

An arm shot around Yoojin, and pulled him back. Sung Hyunjae lied on the ground with his hand over Yoojin’s shoulder. Yoojin watched the clouds and thought Sung Hyunjae made a very comfortable pillow.

“Gyeol seems happy,” Sung Hyunjae said. “I’ve never seen him smile so much.”

Yoojin noticed Sung Hyunjae’s somber look. “Was he not a happy child growing up?”

“I don’t know.” There was an edge of remorse in his voice. Not completely sad, but bordering on regret. “I wasn’t part of his home.”

Yoojin turned on his side, head still resting on Sung Hyunjae’s stomach. He gazed up at that perfect face while he waited for him to continue. It was something Gyeol wouldn’t talk about with him, but Yoojin wanted to know more about his son and the dragon who kidnapped him.

“…Gyeol,” Sung Hyunjae started, “resents me, and I don’t blame him. The more time I spend around him the more he acts out. This isn’t the first time he’s run away. I used to think raising a child just meant keeping them healthy and safe. But I see you with him and realize I was wrong.”

“It’s not too late. Gyeol is very young and still needs a father. As much as I want to take care of him, there isn’t much I can do for a dragon. There’s no way I could keep him safe.”

Sung Hyunjae laughed. Yoojin felt the ripples in his abdomen. “You stood up to me to protect him. I don’t remember the last time anyone has challenged me. But you did for Gyeol.”

“If I had known you were his father, I wouldn’t have taken the same actions.”

Sung Hyunjae ran his fingers through Yoojin’s hair. He noticed dragons were touchy. So were the other spirits—except for the Dokkeabi. The firm hand that massaged his scalp felt good. His eyes drifted close.

“Thank you for showing Gyeol what it means to have a real father.”

Yoojin listened to the faint heartbeat. Relaxing beside Sung Hyunjae became second nature at this point. He had spent every night sleeping in his arms and everyday talking to him. “What happened to his mother?”

The thumb that curled a strand of Yoojin’s hair continued without missing a beat.

“Killed. Her clan and kingdom were destroyed. Gyeol was young. I didn’t think he would remember, but he harbors a strong resentment for humans. Until he met you, that is.” One of his fingers roughly jabbed Yoojin’s temple hard enough to make him squirm away. Sung Hyunjae tightened his hold and pulled him back.

“After that, I took him to my home,” Sung Hyunjae said.

Yoojin frowned. “Why didn’t you raise him with his mother?”

“Is that how you were raised?”

“Yes,” Yoojin hesitated. Wasn’t that how families raised their children?

“It was a political agreement at best, a trade arrangement at worst. Her family wanted an heir, mine wanted an alignment. She would keep the first child and my nation would grow in power.” He sighed so hard Yoojin rose with the rise and fall of his chest. “In the end, neither side got what they wanted.”

Yoojin brushed the hands off him and sat up. He stared down at Sung Hyunjae while he spoke. “You got Gyeol.”

“Gyeol wishes me dead. He believes I failed him, his mother, and his home nation. He refuses everything I say and continues to try to run away. The more time I spend with him the worse he acts. If I remain close to him, I worry I will ruin his future.”

Yoojin’s heart ached for their misfortune. Was this the result of the emperor’s dragon hunters? They had saved him and his brother after they had been trapped in the rubble of their home for days. But were they also the reason Gyeol didn’t have a home or a mother? Was he just as bad because he had hated dragons his whole life?

“You can change how he sees you,” Yoojin said softly. “I know you’re trying. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t have come after him.”

“You make it look easy.”

“This isn’t my first time raising someone.”

“The little spirits?”

“Yes. Them and…” Yoojin looked away. He didn’t want to tell Sung Hyunjae about his brother. Both to protect Yoohyun, but also because he was regretful. There had been times growing up when they didn’t get along. It had been tough. Yoojin had felt like a failure on more occasions than he could count and it seemed like the only good thing he had ever done for his brother was send him to the academy to study.

Sung Hyunjae sat up when Yoojin didn’t finish. He was far too close, but patient. Yoojin took a deep breath and told him about his brother. His adorable little brother, who he had raised after his parents’ death. His brother had been an angel his whole life while Yoojin struggled to make ends meet. To find shelter. To keep food on the table.

He didn’t want their family legacy of doctors to end, but without their father to train them, they would have to go to the academy. They didn’t earn enough for the both of them to go. And if Yoojin went, Yoohyun would be on his own.

He felt like he failed his father, but whenever he thought of Yoohyun, he knew he did the right thing. But it still hurt.

Sung Hyunjae had moved closer while Yoojin spoke. His arm cradled Yoojin, and his chin rested on his shoulder.

He was warm, and it felt nice. Sung Hyunjae was big, and Yoojin felt snug against his chest. Yoojin didn’t like being kidnapped by a dragon, but it wasn’t until he spent over a week sleeping next to and being held by Sung Hyunjae that he realized he was lonely.

Since his brother left, Yoojin hadn’t developed a connection with many people. Held like this and able to brag about his baby brother made Yoojin feel great. Was this what Sung Hyunjae meant when he said wealth and riches were different? He did, in fact, feel like he had so much, even though he owned so little. Especially now that he was able to share it with someone else.

Yoojin wiped a few tears away as he told a few stories about Yoohyun. The bittersweet memory reminding him how much he missed his brother. And how lonely he had been. It made him hug the arms around him even tighter, lingering in the comfort.

“Gyeol is lucky to have found you. I should thank him for bringing me a wonderful bride.”

Yoojin’s nose wrinkled at the ridiculous reminder. Right, he still needed to escape, but now Yoojin felt torn. Should he take Gyeol with him? After he learned how much his father cared for him, separating them seemed cruel. But he didn’t know if he could break his promise and leave Gyeol behind either.

“Han Yoojin?”

Yoojin lifted his head and found Sung Hyunjae staring at him. Only a fraction of space separated them. The distance seemed both far and dauntingly close. His breath caught when Sung Hyunjae leaned in, but Yoojin didn’t pull away.

The movement was cut short when an enormous shadow cast over them, and Yoojin’s gaze promptly lifted to the sky. If he hadn’t been holding his breath, he would have screamed. The shock at seeing a dragon made him huddle in on himself and instinctively kick back. He only pushed himself further against Sung Hyunjae but the urge to flee was too strong.

Another dragon!

Seeing a full-grown dragon flying in the sky was petrifying. His heart leaped and he couldn’t stop shaking.

“Oh,” Sung Hyunjae sounded disappointed and miffed. “It’s Song Taewon.”

“Wh-what?”

Sung Hyunjae sighed and ran his hands down Yoojin’s arms, like he was calming a frightened animal.

“I must have been gone too long, and he came looking for me.”

Yoojin found it easier to look back at the sky. Maybe the initial surprise wore off, or the dragon looked less threatening in the distance, or Sung Hyunjae’s gentle hold felt protective, but it wasn’t as frightening anymore.

“You know…” Yoojin didn’t know what to call it and settled with, “That dragon?”

He took a deeper breath and felt his heart calm. The dragon was enormous in the sky but flew so smoothly. Its wings barely moved as it seemed to float, but also define gravity. The smooth, glossy black scales seemed colorful with the sun’s reflection. Maybe Yoojin had spent too much time with dragons, but he really thought this one was beautiful.

Sung Hyunjae stared at Yoojin with narrowed eyes. “Don’t look at other dragons like that. You’re already my betrothed.”

Yoojin elbowed him in the ribs. “I’m not looking like that. And I’m not your bride, so stop saying that.”

“Suddenly you see another dragon and you declare you’re not my bride? Are all humans this fickle?”

“Hey! Get off me! I never agreed to be your bride in the first place!”

“You agreed to raise Gyeol, and your culture raises children together. Do they not?”

“Did…did you trick me?” Yoojin lashed out with kicks and jabs but Sung Hyunjae continued to hold him down and laid on top of him. “Gyeol is a dragon and should be raised like your culture. I want nothing to do with you. Ah! Careful where you’re touching!”

Sung Hyunjae’s smile was nearly predatorial. “I can’t wait to declare you my bride in front of my entire nation. Do you know what three ceremonious events are needed for us to be mates?”

“Don’t tell me because I don’t care! Get off me and go collect something or Gyeol will win.”

He laughed, grinning like he hadn’t just looked at Yoojin like he was prey. “As my bride wishes.”

Sung Hyunjae won that night. Yoojin felt terrible for using their strange competition to get away from Sung Hyunjae. He praised Gyeol for collecting all he did and gave Sung Hyunjae a threatening look. Sung Hyunjae watched Yoojin smugly and asked what prize he received for winning. Yoojin scolded him.

“Is there something wrong?” Yoojin asked Sung Hyunjae. He thought entering a village would make the dragon uncomfortable. But it wasn’t the villagers that made him look alert.

“He’s nervous about Song Taewon finding him,” Gyeol answered. He had been in a foul mood since Sung Hyunjae took him from Yoojin’s arms and insisted on holding him. “Song Taewon wouldn’t condone him kidnapping you.”

Hmm. Maybe some dragons were good.

“He can condone what he pleases.” Sung Hyunjae pinched Gyeol’s cheek hard enough to make the boy yelp. “But he can’t stop me.”

Gyeol squirmed in Sung Hyunjae’s hold and tried to leap away, but Sung Hyunjae kept a firm grip on his son. Yoojin couldn’t help but smile.

He wouldn’t say it out loud, but they looked so adorable together. Yoojin could clearly see their similarities. There was no doubt Sung Hyunjae was his father, and Gyeol was going to grow up handsome and strong. And Sung Hyunjae was a sight to see while he held his son. Gone were all the traces of the dragon that had once terrified him. Replaced with the more striking and friendly man. Yoojin had trouble taking his eyes off him.

Yoojin wondered if Sung Hyunjae held Gyeol because he noticed his son become increasingly nervous as they approach the village. In fact, Sung Hyunjae often made comments about Yoojin holding him too much, and it was his first time held his own son. But while confined in his father's hold, Gyeol seemed too upset to notice the humans around him.

“If you’re worried about him, why did you come into a village?" Yoojin asked. "It’s much more open than the forest.”

Sung Hyunjae suddenly met Yoojin’s eyes. “I’m not worried. Song Taewon is an annoyance and nothing more. Besides, he won’t think to look for me in a human populous.”

Sung Hyunjae’s nonchalant answer didn’t convince Yoojin. If you’re not nervous, then why are you hiding? But Yoojin didn’t push the topic. Instead, he looked around the lush village. Many people couldn’t take their eyes off Sung Hyunjae, but most were too busy to even glance their way.

“Do dragons normally come into villages?”

Sung Hyunjae raised his brow quizzically. “Why are you always looking for other dragons? Am I not enough?”

“I’m not looking!” Yoojin denied. “I never knew you could have a human form, so I was curious.”

Sung Hyunjae smiled in a way Yoojin didn’t like. It felt like he was smiling at him like that a lot lately. “Shall I point out every single one or did you want a simple yes or no answer?”

Yoojin’s eyes widened, and he almost tripped on his next step. He huddled closer to Sung Hyunjae. “Are there really that many?” he whispered, feeling his heart race.

“He’s lying, Dad,” Gyeol answered, glaring at Sung Hyunjae.

“Are you really?” Yoojin grabbed his arm, clutching his sleeve. “That’s not funny.”

Sung Hyunjae adjusted his hold on Gyeol so he could hold Yoojin’s hand. “My apologies. I shall make it up to you. How about a proper meal and a bed to sleep in for the night?”

Yoojin frowned. “I…I don’t think we can do that.”

“Why not?”

“…I don’t know how to tell you this.”

Sung Hyunjae waited.

“I left my coins at the cottage.”

Sung Hyunjae and Gyeol stared at him with blank expressions. Was Yoojin going to have to explain economics to them? Did dragons even have a bartering system? Gyeol and Sung Hyunjae had been so self-reliant this trip he wondered if dragons even had a need for markets. Did they live in dark caves by themselves, and only come out to eat the occasional maiden?

“My bride worries about strange things.” Sung Hyunjae released Yoojin’s hand and touched the spot behind his ear. Yoojin reached up to cup his ear, but Sung Hyunjae had already pulled away, holding a gold coin between his fingers.

Sung Hyunjae placed it in Yoojin’s hand, and he stopped in his tracks.

Gold.

Not credit, copper, or even the rare silver he had seen before. This was gold.

“Is something the matter?”

Yoojin’s mouth fell open. “Is this real? Where did you get this? Where were you keeping it?” Yoojin touched his ear once more to check that he hadn’t gone crazy.

“You seemed upset about leaving your funds behind. I take responsibility because I’m the one who made you leave so quickly.”

Yoojin stared at him, perplexed.

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head to look innocently confused. “Is it not enough?”

Yoojin almost choked on a laugh. He really wanted to throw the coin at him.

Yoojin walked into the inn room Sung Hyunjae had procured for them. The rich room had lots of furniture and decorations and was heated by a cozy fireplace. After a fine meal, a warm bath, and new clothes, Yoojin felt refreshed. Poor Gyeol was already passed out on the…

Yoojin looked around. Did Sung Hyunjae run out of magically appearing gold coins? Gyeol was face planted in the only bed and Sung Hyunjae laid next to him.

“Where should I sleep?” Yoojin asked.

“Here,” Sung Hyunjae answered. If his voice hadn’t sounded neutral, Yoojin would have suspected something sinister. Maybe the dragon didn’t know the rules of sharing a bed.

Yoojin’s eyes drifted back to Sung Hyunjae. He had removed his top knot, leaving his long blond hair down. It looked like it would be soft to touch but also thick if he were to run his fingers through it. Yoojin really liked how the thin, white robes looked on him. After seeing Sung Hyunjae in his silk hanbok the whole trip, the ordinary clothes accentuated his looks instead of his imposing wealth and power.

And they were thin. In the past, Yoojin had trouble looking away from Sung Hyunjae’s perfect face. Now his eyes were drawn to his collarbones and down to the outline of his chest.

Feeling his cheeks warm, Yoojin turned his head away. Otherwise he wouldn’t trust himself not to gawk.

“Does a bed make sleeping beside me any less comfortable?”

Yoojin’s eyes snapped back, unsure if he had heard the drop in Sung Hyunjae’s voice or if he had imagined it. He stepped back, swallowing past his dry throat, and bumping into the door. “I…I can use the sofa for tonight.”

He didn’t miss the slight pout on the grown man’s face. Yoojin pulled out a spare quilt from a chest. The room was superb for an inn—spacious and included all the necessities. But when he sat down on the sofa, it was really bumpy.

“This space is much more intimate, is it not?”

Yoojin jerked around. He was sitting in his lap. When had Sung Hyunjae moved? “What are you doing?” He tried to stand, but Sung Hyunjae wrapped his arms around him and pull him underneath him.

“Shh,” he said before Yoojin could shout at him. “You don’t want to wake Gyeol, do you?”

“What are you doing? I want to go to sleep.”

Tenderly, Sung Hyunjae stroked the side of Yoojin’s face. “I want to be with my bride.”

“In what way?”

Sung Hyunjae laughed, his smile widening. “You are the sweetest looking man I’ve ever met.”

Yoojin’s stomach dropped, and he tried to sink into the sofa, further away from Sung Hyunjae. He swallowed hard. “You’re not going to eat me, are you?”

Sung Hyunjae’s thumb stroked Yoojin’s bottom lip. His own mouth curling in wicked thoughts. “I might.”

Yoojin’s eyes widened, and he tensed. Was he actually going to be eaten? Right now? He had thought they were getting along. Why the sudden change?

He shook his head and tried to squirm out from under Sung Hyunjae. “Y-you shouldn’t eat people. I-I taste terrible. I’m all gristle and you could choke on a bone.”

Yoojin almost shouted to wake Gyeol. It was disgraceful to rely on a little kid to save him, but surely Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t eat Yoojin in front of his son.

Sung Hyunjae laughed, and the amusement bubbled in his eyes. “The way you protest makes me wonder what delicious secrets you’re hiding. Won’t you give me a little taste?”

“A taste?” Yoojin squealed. His voice pitched, and he worried he might have actually woken Gyeol. “I-I—”

“Shh.” Sung Hyunjae’s hand cup the side of Yoojin’s face. Yoojin didn’t want to admit it, but the touch erased some of his worry. Sung Hyunjae had that soothing effect on him. He didn’t know exactly when he started to trust the dragon, but Yoojin felt safer around him. “One taste and I’ll let you up.”

Sung Hyunjae practically purred the words into his mouth. This didn’t feel like a dragon trying to eat him. It felt more like a kiss…

Not that Yoojin had any experience, but was the dragon interested in kissing him?

“Just one?” Yoojin asked. Still unsure how he felt.

“More if you want.”

Yoojin stared at him from far too close. Surely, a kiss wasn’t as bad as being eaten. But somehow it felt worse. His skin tingled with excitement and his body felt hot in a way that made him restless.

He didn’t think he would ask for more. That sounded preposterous. But one didn’t seem entirely off putting either. What would it be like to be kissed by someone so strong he could carry him with ease, but so gentle he made his heart skip?

Yoojin wasn’t sure how to kiss. It would be his first. He nodded, a quick jitter of his head, already struggling to catch his breath.

And then, “…Dad…” The blankets rustled from the bed, and Yoojin turned his head away from Sung Hyunjae. His face was burning in embarrassment, but the worry in Gyeol’s voice hit him like a bucket of cold water. “Dad!”

“Gyeol, I’m right here,” Yoojin answered. Sung Hyunjae allowed Yoojin to stand with a dejected expression. Yoojin walked around the sofa and sat next to Gyeol.

His little dragon still looked half asleep, but the way he clutched the bedding to his chest was odd. He was shaking.

Yoojin sat next to him and pulled him close. Gyeol hugged him, burying his head into Yoojin’s side.

“What’s wrong? Did you have a bad dream?”

Gyeol shook his head. “I woke up, and you were gone…”

He patted him on the head and looked at Sung Hyunjae, seeing the same worried look on the dragon. “I’m here. Don’t fret.”

“…I thought…I thought you left me.”

Oh.

Yoojin was familiar with this. After his family died, and his village destroyed, Yoohyun used to wake up in similar ways. Scared to be alone. Worried he would lose everything. Afraid the monsters would come back for him.

It had broken Yoojin’s heart to see his baby brother so vulnerable and scared. It did the same when it came to his son.

He pulled Gyeol into his lap. “There, there. You know I won’t go anywhere without you.”

“But you would try to get away with him, wouldn’t you?” Sung Hyunjae asked from his spot on the sofa, seeming to read Yoojin’s mind. His head rested in his hand as he gazed at them with a charming smile.

Yoojin glared at him for picking the worst time to bring that up. But for the first time, he wasn’t so sure about his plan and hesitated. He felt firmly trapped. Unwilling to abandon Gyeol, but now he felt guilty about separating him from his father.

Gyeol lifted his head. The tremors stopped when he faced his father. “He was my dad first. I’m going to live with him without you and continue our family line of doctors who live in the mountains.”

The mountains weren’t really necessary, but Yoojin didn’t correct him. It seemed like Gyeol’s desire to argue with Sung Hyunjae exceeded his fears.

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head. “But what about our family line? Doesn’t it matter to you?”

“I don’t care about your lineage. Have some other poor child take responsibility as your heir.”

Sung Hyunjae’s lips pursed momentarily before he broke out in a wide, gleaming smile. “That’s an excellent idea, Gyeol.”

The swift change in mood caused both of them to pause and stare at him.

Sung Hyunjae stood and touched Yoojin’s shoulder. “We should make many heirs together, bride.”

“Excuse me?” was all Yoojin could muster as a response while he watched the amused dragon.

“Hey!” Gyeol shouted. “That’s not what I meant! You tricked me! Trickery! This is my dad, not your bride. Find another.”

Sung Hyunjae tussled his son’s hair, and Gyeol tried to bite his hand. “Thank you, son. For the wonderful idea. You will have many brothers and sisters to play with.”

“Trickery!”

Sung Hyunjae laughed and turned to the window, opening it and gazing outside. He said to Yoojin, “Bride, do you know the three tasks needed to claim a mate?”

“I said I didn’t. And I’m not going to be a bride.”

Sung Hyunjae lifted his head. His strong features mixed with the moonlight. The gentle smile that teased his lips stole Yoojin’s breath away. It was hard to stay angry with someone that beautiful.

“The first is claiming our intentions. You say you will never leave our son. I vow to give you a bountiful family and make you a parent many times over. You will be a respected member of my nation, have a position of power, and receive a lifetime of happiness.”

Yoojin tried to respond, but what could someone say to such nonsense? Gyeol yelled, and for once, Yoojin didn’t stop him.

The smile widened on Sung Hyunjae’s face. “Enjoy the night. I won’t disturb you anymore.” He slid out the window and disappeared without a sound.

Yoojin looked at Gyeol. “He knows I’m a man, right?”

“He’s dumb, but not that dumb.” Gyeol’s eyes flickered away. “I hope.”

Feeling the need to keep Sung Hyunjae in good standing with his son, Yoojin assured him that his father wasn’t dumb. Gyeol seemed uninterested while Yoojin lectured him and ended up yawning. Yoojin tucked him back into bed. At least with Sung Hyunjae gone, he didn’t have to worry about the sleeping arrangements anymore.

Surely, Sung Hyunjae had been joking about them having heirs together. Right? Yoojin tried asking Gyeol more about that, but the little dragon could barely keep his eyes open. So Yoojin spent the night thinking too much about the dragon who could transform into a human, catch tigers for fun, and pull gold out of thin air.

It was hard to fall asleep that night. And it had nothing to do with a certain missing dragon who Yoojin had trouble sleeping without.

Yoojin woke to a loud bang on the door. Gyeol flinched and kicked him in the stomach. Even if he was just a little boy, it knocked the air out of Yoojin.

“No,” Gyeol muttered, still asleep. “This is my hoard of gold. Get your own.”

Yoojin wondered what little dragons dreamed about, but the banging continued. He got up and fixed his clothes to open the door. He recognized the uniform of the emperor’s hunter. His body froze, and it was hard to speak.

“H-hello?”

“Good morning,” the hunter said. “Are you alone?”

“Umm,” Yoojin glanced back in the room at the sleeping pink hair child and back to the hunter. “I’m with my son. We’re—we’re traveling together.”

The hunter scanned Yoojin over. A frowned creased his brow. Did he suspect Yoojin of lying? He had déjà vu of how he had met Sung Hyunjae and remembered how easily he had seen through his lies.

Protectively, Yoojin edged the door closed, trying to block the hunter’s view.

“I would rather not wake my son,” Yoojin said. “He’s recovering from an injury and needs rest.”

Something passed through the hunter’s eyes. “An injury?”

Yoojin held his breath, but didn’t elaborate.

The hunter nodded. “I’ll get to the point. We are asking all travelers for information on dragon sightings. Where are you coming from?”

Yoojin swallowed and kept his voice steady. “The Deogyusan mountains.”

The hunter raised a brow and tilted his head slightly. “That’s a long way to travel with an injured son.”

“He’s…I’m…I’m a traveling physician, and I’m raising money to send him to an academy to study medicine. The big city seems more prosperous than our isolated mountain.”

Yoojin looked back into the room at the opened window. Both relieved Sung Hyunjae wasn’t here and wishing he hadn’t left. He didn’t want to wonder what the dragon would do when faced with a hunter. But Yoojin didn’t want to face him alone either.

The hunter nodded and revealed a folded paper from his pocket. “If you are low on funds, it’s a little risky, but many citizens profit from dragon sightings.”

“Come again?”

He showed Yoojin the paper. It read ten—TEN—gold coins for a reliable dragon sighting and a hundred—A HUNDRED—if that sighting lead to the successful slaying of a dragon. Double if there were more than one dragon and tripled if it led to a nest.

Yoojin felt sick.

The hunter took the paper back. “Since you came from the Deogyusan mountain, I have to ask if you saw any dragons on your way?”

Yoojin shook his head. Unable to stop his movements from looking jerky or hesitant. “Wh-why… are there any in the area?”

His lip twitched downward. “You haven’t heard?”

Yoojin waited.

“There have been at least five sightings within the last three days.”

Yoojin’s hands trembled as he wrapped Gyeol in his new, warm clothes. Sung Hyunjae had spent a large sum of money to buy him and Gyeol winter clothing. However, Yoojin was too fearful to be appreciative or to admire how cute Gyeol looked. He had to get out of the village quickly.

The need to flee overwhelmed all other reasoning. Five dragon sightings?

Yoojin’s fingers slipped on the knot on Gyeol’s durumagi, the long overcoat. He tried again, but even the third time he messed up. He could barely make his shaking fingers work at all.

“Dad? Is everything all right?”

Gyeol had been looking too closely into his eyes the whole time. He kept his head down. He didn’t want his son to see how scared he was.

Five dragons…

He knew villages were dangerous. They always attracted dragons, just like his childhood home. It was all because of Sung Hyunjae. If it wasn’t for him, Yoojin would have never come here in the first place. Unless…

A horrible thought came to his mind.

Could Sung Hyunjae be one of the spotted dragons?

Yoojin’s stomach turned, but he shook the idea out of his head. Lifting his son, he headed out of the room. He would be fine as long as they got out of the village. Villages always attracted dragons. They would be safe once they got away. Then Yoojin could breathe easier.

Their room was on the third floor, and at the bottom of the inn was a restaurant and bar. He had to make it across the bar to leave.

“Han Yoojin.”

Yoojin whirled around at his name and saw Sung Hyunjae sitting at a round table. Already awake, well dressed, and far too handsome compared to everyone else.

The escape attempt failed before he even made it out the door. Begrudgingly, Yoojin turned and headed to Sung Hyunjae’s table, holding Gyeol a little tighter as he approached. Villages always attracted dragons. Yoojin never imagined sitting next to one at a restaurant but at least if he was with Sung Hyunjae, another dragon wouldn’t hurt them. Yoojin disliked how relieved he felt at that fact. He was supposed to be focusing on getting away, not hiding next to Sung Hyunjae for comfort.

A bar maid was so captivated by Sung Hyunjae she didn’t even notice Yoojin approach. When she did, her eyes immediately fell to Gyeol, and she squealed over the cute boy.

She promised to bring milk and sweet bread, and much to Yoojin’s relief, Gyeol didn’t hide his face or growl at her. The little dragon didn’t like villages either. Last night, he had a hard time at the tailors. He didn’t want humans touching him. Yoojin had told the staff he was shy because Gyeol was silent and stiff. But when a woman grabbed him too quickly, he had bared his teeth.

Sung Hyunjae had given him a firm warning in a stern voice. Yoojin had been outraged that he would scold Gyeol while he was so uncomfortable, but looking closer at Gyeol, his reaction was different than he expected. Gyeol took a deep breath and even apologize to the woman, saying he accidentally pricked himself on a needle. If Yoojin hadn’t been paying attention, he wouldn’t have noticed how Gyeol felt reassured by Sung Hyunjae’s presence. He wondered if Gyeol noticed too.

The bar maid scurrying off. Sung Hyunjae offered Yoojin a seat, but he didn’t take it. Could he have been one of the five dragons? He kept threatening to eat him. Was that what he was doing when he was gone? Eating villagers? The hunter said nothing about missing townsfolk or destroyed homes, but now Yoojin didn’t know what to think.

“Han Yoojin?” Sung Hyunjae’s words broke him from his thoughts. The dragon studied Yoojin’s expression. “Won’t you sit with me? I ordered meats.”

Meats? Yoojin hated how he folded under the tempting offer. He shouldn’t be getting used to this treatment. What if Sung Hyunjae was trying to fatten him up?

“Dad?” Gyeol asked, still looking too deeply at him. “You should eat something.”

Yoojin looked at his son. No, surely Gyeol would never want to eat him.

The bar maid returned with foods, drinks, and treats for Gyeol. Yoojin couldn’t deny that his little dragon looked so cute when the sweet breads were brought out, and he couldn’t keep him from the treat.

They sat down as far from Sung Hyunjae as they could. The dragon smiled at Yoojin’s efforts but said nothing while Yoojin cut a piece of bread for Gyeol.

“Where…” Yoojin looked at Sung Hyunjae then away. “Where did you go last night?”

The nearly wolfish grin made Yoojin’s cheeks warm and his heart stutter. “Did you miss me that much?”

“That’s—that’s not why I’m asking,” Yoojin corrected.

Gyeol took a bite of bread, and his eyes closed in delight. Happily chewing, he said, “Dad kept asking about children after you left.”

“Gyeol,” Yoojin scolded, feeling betrayed by his only ally. “Don’t talk with your mouth full.” He wiped the crumbs off his chin.

“Is that what he was curious about?” The chair creaked from Sung Hyunjae’s weight as he leaned forward, setting his elbow on the table. From the amount of times Sung Hyunjae had fallen on top of Yoojin, he could confirm how heavy Sung Hyunjae was. The dragon was dense from thick muscles and his height and frame put him above the average person.

Yoojin struggled not to meet those golden eyes, but felt involuntarily drawn to them. “I was not. If it’s so easy for you to leave, maybe you should’ve stayed away.”

“Agreed!” Gyeol chimed in.

Yoojin moved some meats and steam vegetables to Gyeol’s plate and told him to eat. He was so tiny and needed his nutrients.

“If I would have known my bride would have missed me this much, I would have stayed and finished what we had started.”

Yoojin’s gaze snapped up at the appalling comment.

“What did you start?” Gyeol asked with his fist around his utensils as he stabbed a piece of parsnip.

Yoojin could barely cut Sung Hyunjae off in time. It was still so early in the day, but his heart was tired from all the excitement.

Sung Hyunjae laughed, and Yoojin couldn’t stop glaring.

“Maybe you missed me because someone gave you a fright this morning.”

“What are you talking about?”

There was something dangerous in Sung Hyunjae’s eyes, a brief glint of the true dragon underneath. “The visitor who came to your room.”

Yoojin’s hands stilled over the table. Gyeol noticed. “Dad?”

He wasn’t able to answer right away and couldn’t take his gaze off Sung Hyunjae. He knew? How? He wasn’t even there. Did he know it was a hunter? Would the dragon become angry and destroy the village?

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head, and his expression changed to something endearing. “My little bride is too small to be worrying about saving everyone. Is it because you’re a doctor? I promise I won’t hurt anyone in this village.”

Yoojin blinked. “Just like that?”

“If I would have known something so small would please my bride, I would’ve said it sooner.”

“How did you know about the visitor?”

Sung Hyunjae didn’t answer. Just like the coins, or the reason he didn’t fly back home, there were things Sung Hyunjae kept to himself. Did he think Yoojin couldn’t handle the truth?

Well…

Considering how Yoojin’s first thought had been of Sung Hyunjae destroying the village, he couldn’t blame him. Yoojin had thought the worst of Sung Hyunjae since they met.

“I have to admit,” Sung Hyunjae said. “My heart aches every time I see you protect Gyeol. I didn’t know it was possible to fall for you again. I couldn’t have found a more perfect bride.”

Yoojin stared at him from under his brow. The sappy confession made him uncomfortable. How could Yoojin not protect Gyeol? This was his son after all. He might not be as strong or fast as a mighty gold dragon, but this was the least he could do.

“You should guard your heart more,” Yoojin said. “What if I sold you out for the gold so me and Gyeol could live a life of luxury?”

“If you want luxury, you would be better off staying with me.”

Yoojin thought the dragon could be so irritating. “But I’d be stuck with you.”

Sung Hyunjae nodded. “And our many children.”

Yoojin snapped, “How do you know I haven’t already turned you in for the reward? I’m not above playing dirty to get rid of you.”

Someone approached Yoojin’s side, causing him to flinch. He hadn’t realized others were so close. Did he speak too loudly and draw someone’s attention? What if the hunter overheard him?

He looked up. And up. The disapproving scowl on a wide shoulder, broad chested, dark-haired man’s face glowered over Yoojin.

“Hmm,” the dark-haired man murmured, disparagingly.

“Oh, Han Yoojin,” Sung Hyunjae said while leaning back. “Meet my friend, Song Taewon.”

Friend? What friends would a dragon have? Unless…was this the same Song Taewon he saw flying the other day?

Yoojin peaked up at him again in astonished horror and then back to Sung Hyunjae’s grinning face.

“Dad, can you save him?”

Yoojin knelt in front of his son and examined the little creature in his hands. The shivering snake tightly coiled around himself. Glossy with red scales that shined like jewels and big gold eyes, the snake was very pretty.

Yoojin and the group of dragons had left the village shortly after he loudly declared he would sell Sung Hyunjae out to a hunter for gold. Ever since then, Yoojin had felt a heavy, scrutinizing gaze on his back. Song Taewon didn’t show his dragon form or ask questions, but his large presence wasn’t something Yoojin could ignore. So he focused heavily on Gyeol to distract himself. Three dragons were overwhelming for him.

Yoojin examined the snake. If it was a normal snake, Yoojin would’ve told Gyeol to let it hibernate. The cold-blooded creature would have been fine once he warmed up. But this wasn’t a normal animal. It was a spirit.

He had never met a spirit away from his home. Were they friendly? Or would the snake see him as a threat and bite him? The forest spirits back home had grown to trust Yoojin as a peaceful man who kept to himself. But he had no reputation outside the mountain.

Still, he took the snake from his son and looked it over closely. Yoojin asked Gyeol to talk to the snake and find his symptoms. Having a dragon apprentice was actually great. Yoojin could move to a big city to be a vet and they would make serious money with Gyeol’s ability to talk to animals and spirits.

The snake looked like it was suffering from cryptosporidiosis. The swelling in the belly was a good indicator and Gyeol said he could not eat because of vomiting.

“We can help,” Yoojin told Gyeol.

“Really?” The excitement dazzle through Gyeol’s eyes.

Yoojin nodded, but Song Taewon stepped closer to him. “Careful,” Song Taewon said. “That’s a poisonous spirit. You shouldn’t be holding it.”

“Is it dangerous for Gyeol?” Yoojin asked.

Song Taewon reacted with a slow blink. “Not as much as you.”

Did that mean dragons had a resistance to poison or spirits? It would be interesting to research more into this. And it would be good to know if his son had a natural immunity to coagulopathy or necrosis.

“I can take care of him, Dad. Velare is nice. He wouldn’t hurt you.”

“Velare?” Did Gyeol name it, or was that its name? He didn’t think too much about it and handed the snake back to Gyeol. “Do you remember the purple flower with a thick pollen center, Gyeol? The one that works like a paromomycin? It’ll be hard to find this time of year because the flowers have all wilted, but the stems are sturdy and would still be around.”

Yoojin wasn’t sure if they would be in this area, but more than once, he had sent Gyeol to find something and the little dragon had surprised him. Along with being natural navigators, dragons were great scavengers.

“I’ll bring you the medicine, Dad.” Then his eyes narrowed to Sung Hyunjae. “Better and faster than anyone else.”

“Do you need a head start?” Sung Hyunjae asked.

Yoojin narrowed his eyes at him. He mouthed, “Be nice.” Sung Hyunjae sighed. Just because he could win every time didn’t mean he had to crush Gyeol’s confidence.

“I can do a ‘nice’ competition,” Sung Hyunjae said.

Gyeol took off running, holding the little snake, and Sung Hyunjae trailed behind him. His slow pace astonished Yoojin. It looked like he was listening.

Yoojin stood and realized he was alone. Actually…

He looked up at Song Taewon, who was still staring at him.

The back of his neck prickled with worry. Sung Hyunjae had said he wanted to eat him. Did that mean all dragons did?

“I apologize for your circumstances,” Song Taewon said.

“My circumstances?”

“Being kidnapped.”

“Oh!” On Yoojin’s long list of misfortunes, the kidnapping wasn’t actually that bad.

Song Taewon sighed. “I tried convincing Sung Hyunjae to release you, but he seems firm in his decision. He…he said he’s started the three ceremonious events to make you his bride.”

Yoojin shuddered at the thought. “I don’t think he’ll follow through…” He didn’t like how Song Taewon’s brows came together. “He’s not serious, is he?”

Song Taewon’s silence was alarming. “I’m not in a position to stop him, but I can help you.”

“You can?” Yoojin asked in surprise. “How?”

“You can’t outrun him, but while he’s gone, I can take you away. You’ll have to get to a village on your own, but he won’t be able to follow your trail anymore.”

Relief filled Yoojin, thinking his savior was right in front of him. Maybe not all dragons were bad.

Realization hit Yoojin, and his smile faded. He lowered his head and asked, “Can I take Gyeol with me?”

Song Taewon’s brows furrowed. “He’s not your real son, and Sung Hyunjae can find him too easily.”

Yoojin’s heart hurt like it was being squeezed.

Not your real son.

Was that how they saw him? Sung Hyunjae saw him as someone who tried to kidnap his son. Song Taewon saw him as someone willing to exploit dragons for profit.

“I know he’s not,” Yoojin said. “And I know I can’t be a real parent to him. He’s already out skilled me in almost every field. But I promised I wouldn’t abandon him. He calls me dad, and no matter how much I want to escape, I can’t leave my son behind.”

Yoojin rubbed his arm, feeling lost. He could be free if he accepted Song Taewon’s offer. But what would Gyeol say when he found out he was alone again? Would he continue to wake up in the middle of the night? And what would Yoojin do without his little apprentice?

“Let me take Gyeol…” Yoojin’s voice cracked, and he had to take a deep breath to continue. “I promise to raise him well. Just until he doesn’t need me anymore. Then I’ll make sure he goes back home.”

Nervously, Yoojin met Song Taewon’s eyes again.

“I retract my offer.”

“What?”

“I am no longer willing to help you escape,” Song Taewon said.

“No, wait. You can’t just—”

“Dad, I won! I won!”

Yoojin turned. Gyeol sprinted back with a triumphant grin, and he held a few stems that hadn’t wilted. He rushed into Yoojin so hard he almost fell back.

The smile took up Gyeol’s entire face and made the boy look so adorable he found himself smiling back.

“I did it, Dad! I won! I won!” He was practically jumping with joy.

Yoojin hugged him back. “Good job, Gyeol. I knew I could rely on you.”

Gyeol’s eyes widened even more and his chest swelled with pride. His little dragon was so cute.

Yoojin lifted his head as Sung Hyunjae slowly loitered out of the woods. Sung Hyunjae saw Yoojin’s smiling face and paused, probably wondering what had caused such a reaction. Then he smiled back as well. It was contagious after all.

Yoojin would thank him later for what he had done for Gyeol. Of course, he knew Sung Hyunjae could easily win, but what was harder to do was lose. And he had willingly done that for his son.

He was so proud of both of them, but he felt the tension from his growing dilemma. He wouldn’t leave without Gyeol, but now he didn’t know if he could take Sung Hyunjae’s son away from him. Not now, not after he had shown how much he meant to him.

What option did Yoojin have left?

Traveling with three dragons was interesting. Definitely not something Yoojin would have ever thought possible in the past.

Song Taewon nagged Sung Hyunjae about changing into his dragon form and flying back instead of walking.

“It would make Han Yoojin uncomfortable,” Sung Hyunjae answered simply. It occurred to Yoojin that Sung Hyunjae knew he wasn’t entirely over his fear of dragons. Had he been walking for two weeks just for Yoojin’s comfort?

Yoojin shook his head, refusing to believe the dragon who kidnapped him would do anything so considerate. “Just fly ahead,” Yoojin said in his best mediator voice. “I’ll catch up.”

“You’d never be able to find it on your own.”

“Leave Gyeol with me. He’ll show me the way.”

Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon saw through the hastily attempted escape and shut it down.

But it wasn’t a bad journey. Yoojin watched as Sung Hyunjae and Gyeol slowly became closer. The progress captivated Yoojin. It looked like they were getting along. They talked without shouting or biting. Gyeol showed off his medical skills to his father, and Sung Hyunjae listened with amazement at his son’s knowledge. Gyeol didn’t seem to mind the time when he almost tripped and Sung Hyunjae caught and carried him. And on a chilly night, Gyeol press into Sung Hyunjae’s side before falling asleep. Sung Hyunjae had said nothing, but he looked peaceful.

One morning, Yoojin woke up first and left the two dragons. He wondered over to Song Taewon to ask if he would reconsider helping him escape again. A little while later, Gyeol screamed loud enough to disturb the birds and the surrounding wildlife.

Gyeol shouted, “Why are you touching me? Get your appalling appendages off me! What did you do with my dad?”

“Why are you always so noisy in the morning?” Sung Hyunjae retorted.

It wasn’t always good, Yoojin supposed. Gyeol shoved Sung Hyunjae’s arm off and jumped up, searching until he found Yoojin. He smiled as Gyeol ran at him and leaped into a hug.

Little steps. They would need little steps.

One night, Yoojin thought about how he could help Gyeol and Sung Hyunjae’s relationship while he struggled to start a fire. The fire was difficult to start with how much he was shivering. The temperature had rapidly dropped over the past few days. There was a chance of snow. His stiff fingers did not cooperate with the flint. His shivers stopped almost immediately when Sung Hyunjae wrapped his arms around him.

The dragon started the fire with ease, but Yoojin found the comforting weight against his back much warmer.

The path they followed led through all kinds of towns and settlements, but never once had Sung Hyunjae or Song Taewon looked at the people with malic or intent to eat them. They ate normal food and were always polite when someone talked to them. They had been mistaken for rich noblemen more than once.

And Gyeol watched their interaction with humans with growing interest. He would ask Yoojin questions about humans, and soon he felt brave enough to respond when someone talked to him.

Yoojin’s fears from the dragon hunter seemed to vanish. Maybe dragons didn’t go around attacking villages for fun. There seemed to be more deep routed vengeance. One side would attack the other, then the other would retaliate and the cycle would continue.

After a few talks with Song Taewon (asking if he would reconsider helping Yoojin and his son escape), Yoojin realized he didn’t have a nefarious bone in his body. Song Taewon was very honest and kind. It seemed dragons weren’t bad.

“Okay,” Yoojin said. Still unsure. Even with Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon behind him, he was worried. He knew they would step in if Yoojin was going to do something dangerous. This was Gyeol’s health they were dealing with now. Yoojin swallowed and felt the led stone in his gut. He had finished removing the last of the stitches and the leg looked good—all healed. Now they had to check the wing.

Gyeol’s eyes lit up, and he changed into a dragon. It was nearly two months since Yoojin had seen his little dragon, but it felt like a lifetime ago. He was still just as small as he remembered, but the pink scales shimmered brighter than before.

Yoojin opened his arms to catch the dragon when he jumped. Gyeol was careful with his claws as he dashed up Yoojin’s torso and curved against the back of his neck.

He laughed as Gyeol nuzzled his cheek. The soft scales and pointy ears tickled. The warm belly settled around his neck and it felt strange. Not uncomfortable, but having anything that soft and breathing wrapped around him like a scarf would be unusual to anyone at first.

The anxiety didn’t go away. “Is everything alright?” Yoojin asked.

“Yes! I’m a hundred percent better!”

Yoojin forced a smile, but glanced at Sung Hyunjae. Gyeol wouldn’t be able to self-diagnose, and with his limited knowledge of dragons, he couldn’t say for sure either. He needed to know from Sung Hyunjae.

Sung Hyunjae’s lips mended into a thin line as he took in Gyeol’s form. Song Taewon was no better. Yoojin was about to shout at both of them to say something, but held it back to hide his worry from his son.

“Why did you jump instead of fly into Han Yoojin’s arms?” Sung Hyunjae asked.

“Dad’s size is perfect. I don’t need to fly to reach him.”

Song Taewon whispered something Yoojin couldn’t hear, and Sung Hyunjae nodded.

“What is it?” Yoojin’s voice pitched higher than he meant, and Gyeol nudged his cheek again.

Sung Hyunjae cleared his throat. “Gyeol, would you show Han Yoojin how you fly? He would very much like that.”

If Sung Hyunjae said that, then Gyeol’s wing must have healed enough to take on the task. Or did he suspect something was wrong and needed to verify?

Yoojin kept his expression as clear as he could. Gyeol lifted his head and tiny gold eyes met his. “Would you really?”

There was so much excitement in his son’s voice that Yoojin’s stomach hurt. What if he had failed as a doctor and now he could never fly again? Yoojin had never once saw the pink dragon in the air, and he longed to see such a sight. Did Gyeol look more like a bird with the way they moved their wings, or did he defy gravity like Song Taewon?

Yoojin very much wanted to see his little dragon fly and scuffle with Chirpie and Blue one day. Even his imagination was cute.

“Okay. Hold on.” Gyeol shuffled his feet on Yoojin’s shoulder. Those tiny feet reminded him of Peace’s paws. Gyeol uncurled from Yoojin’s neck and took a step off his shoulder, but quickly moved back.

He did that again, like testing the waters.

“Adjust for the air resistance,” Sung Hyunjae said. “The scar will weigh you down.”

Yoojin jerked his head around at his words. There was a scar? Was it bad? But he couldn’t see that part of Gyeol’s body while he stood on his shoulder.

“I know. I know,” Gyeol rushed to say. Still sounding excited. If he was worried, he didn’t show it. But he still took another hesitant step.

Yoojin reached up to touch Gyeol’s face so he could see those gold eyes again.

“Do your best,” Yoojin said. “And no showboating, or I’ll worry.”

Yoojin wouldn’t say dragons could smile, but the toothy grin was close enough. Gyeol rushed off his shoulder and for a second, Yoojin was unbalanced from the shift in weight. Sung Hyunjae steadied him, but if he knew that was going to happen, he could have warned Yoojin to brace.

Gyeol sank like a stone. His body tilted to his injured side. His injured wing fluttered to keep up with the other, but after two powerful strokes, Gyeol rose high.

It was incredible to watch. His little dragon was so smart, how quickly he learned to adjust was unreal. And he was just as stunning as Yoojin imagined.

His little dragon beat its wings intensely until he rose to an altitude he could glide safely. He circled the three of them. Yoojin had known he would be beautiful, but he wasn’t prepared for how magnificent he looked.

He didn’t understand how anyone could think a dragon was anything but picturesque. The sun reflected off his scales like polished stones. His tail trailed behind, but occasionally tilted side to side to guide his course. And he barely used his wings as he glided. Easily matching the air current and changing his altitude with ease.

Yoojin wanted everyone to see Gyeol like this. He wanted to shout at people about how exceptional his son was. He couldn’t wait to introduce his brother. Everyone should be able to see a sight like this at least once in their lives.

Gyeol hovered for a second before landing back on Yoojin’s shoulder, retaking his spot around his neck. “Dad? Are you all right? Dad, is something wrong? Dad?”

Yoojin blinked back tears and tried to hide his face until he was ready, but Gyeol stretched further around him.

Yoojin reached up and cradled Gyeol’s head, trying to seem like he was petting him instead of keeping him away.

“Yes, Gyeol.” His voice cracked, but only a little. “I’m all right. You did amazing. You looked marvelous.”

Gyeol stood straight with pride and his front feet drummed on Yoojin’s shoulder. “Really! You thought so?”

Pulling the dragon around his neck, he could face him now. “Yes. You are the most magnificent being I have ever seen in the air.”

Sung Hyunjae stepped closer. “The scar is denser than I first thought.” He wiped a stray tear off Yoojin’s cheek then inspected Gyeol’s wing.

His little dragon was still so pleased with Yoojin’s compliment, he didn’t seem to mind being touched. Gyeol helped his view by stretching the layers of his wing. Up close, it surprised Yoojin how big it was. When he had stitched it, he could only pry the wing open a little. Right now, it covered his chest and his upper stomach.

If Yoojin had gained more trust from Gyeol when he was first stitching him…would the damage be less?

“It’ll take some time to fully adjust,” Sung Hyunjae finished.

“Was there something wrong?” Yoojin asked. The guilt returned.

Gyeol lowered his head. “I was weak and couldn’t stay in the air any longer. I haven’t flown in a long time.”

Sung Hyunjae frowned. “If you want to reduce the scar from stiffening your movements, you will need to build up the muscles there.”

Gyeol rested his head on Yoojin’s shoulder, dejected. The pride he had shown was vanishing.

“But that doesn’t mean it was bad,” Sung Hyunjae said. “All little ones struggle after extended periods without practice.”

Gyeol raised his head. “Really?”

Sung Hyunjae nodded and inclined his head toward Song Taewon. “Song Taewon spent two weeks trapped under a mountain. When he got out, he could barely walk.”

“That was you,” Song Taewon answered.

“Oh, that’s right,” Sung Hyunjae muttered. “Well, he was once abducted by mermaids and was stuck in the ocean for so long—”

“That was you again.”

“What about the time you challenged a mountain god—”

“You,” was all Song Taewon said as he shook his head. The disapproving stare firmly settled on Sung Hyunjae.

Sung Hyunjae turned to Song Taewon. “I feel like you’re trying to make me look bad in front of my son.”

Song Taewon sighed heavily. “You’re very fortunate you have Han Yoojin now as a proper example of a good parent.”

Gyeol giggled. It was soft, but Yoojin could hear it like chimes in his ear.

He reached up to touch Gyeol’s wing and the small dragon stretched the layers over Yoojin’s chest to make it easier to examine.

The scar stood out against the delicate skin.

“I’m sorry,” Yoojin said. Maybe if he had rescued him sooner…Maybe if he been more careful while opening the trap…Maybe if he had done a better job with stitching…

“Thank you.”

Yoojin lifted his gaze to Sung Hyunjae. “For what?”

“For saving my son when I couldn’t. You protected him from so much. Thank you.”

Yoojin felt a dusk of pink graze his cheeks under the sincere gaze.

Gyeol wrapped himself tighter around Yoojin and whispered, “Thank you, Dad.”

“But, isn’t it bad…the scar?”

Song Taewon answered. “We’re always at risk for receiving damage like this. There are more dangerous things than traps or even humans. Life comes with risks. Just like how you risk your safety every day.”

Yoojin felt himself smile, but his eyes returned to the scar.

“Dad, I can’t get it. We should ask Song Taewon for help.”

“It’s okay, I can get it.”

“No, Dad, get down. You can’t fly!”

Yoojin whipped his head around to see Gyeol in his pink dragon form on the ground. Did he really think Yoojin was attempting to fly?

Yoojin couldn’t stop thinking about the scar, but he had an idea. The village doctors sold a tonic that removed scars for fifty silver coins. Wealthy lords and ladies would stock pile the tonic in case they were injured. Flawless skin was all the rage.

If applied while still healing, it would remove scars. Maybe not completely, but it would drastically help reduce it. He had helped his dad make it a few times. The reason it was so expensive was because the ingredients were impossible to find, and it only made a small amount.

Taking the time to find the flower, mix the medicine, and to only come out with a drop was insane. Especially because they would need at least ten times that to sell one vial.

But Yoojin had something he never had in his life before: Gyeol. A natural at finding medical plants, roots, or whatever Yoojin needed.

Gyeol had found the little yellow flower. The only downside was it was rooted on the underside of a cliff face.

He thought about giving up and trying for a different spot, but even Gyeol had taken some time to find it. He didn’t know how much longer he had until the winter frost killed off all the vegetation and Gyeol’s scar became permanent.

He scaled the underside of the cliff. His fingers hurt and the ground looked far away. He clutched to the rock face and glanced up at how much further away the flower was. He felt dizzy, like he might lose his grip. Who would have guessed he was scared of heights. But he was almost to the top and could nearly reach it.

“See,” Yoojin called. “I don’t need to fly to—”

“—d! Please get up! Dad!” His little dragon screamed. “Song Taewon! Father! Help! Help!”

Yoojin hadn’t remembered the stone dislodging from the cliff or the fall. All he remembered was one moment being up, and now he wasn’t. Darkness submerged him and the cries of his distressed son sounded distant.

“Father! Please help! Father!”

Gyeol’s teary voice was filled with panic and hysteria. Yoojin didn’t have the energy to open his eyes or move anymore. He feared he had really hurt himself, but there wasn’t anything he could do. He was alone with Gyeol in the middle of a forest, at least a two-day walk from the nearest village.

Yoojin thought about the height he must have fallen and the rocky ground he had landed on. He had enough knowledge to recognize the state he was in. He just wished it didn’t happen in front of Gyeol.

Yoojin opened his eyes. He couldn’t feel anything, so he wasn’t sure what he was seeing. His little pink dragon clutched to his chest. Underneath him, large black dragon scales shined under the sun. The black wings were huge from this angle. Was Yoojin really riding on top of a dragon? The surrounding clouds seemed to fly by.

Sung Hyunjae held him close with one arm and used the other to hold on to Song Taewon. Yoojin couldn’t see his face, but he always felt safe in his arms.

Was he in the sky? Flying?

Had he died?

No. Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t be here if he were.

He wondered where they were going.

He closed his eyes, unable to stay awake any longer.

Yoojin heard before he saw.

The soft music of the nearby birds. It made him miss Chirpie and his home. He wondered how his little spirits were doing. And his brother. He hoped he was studying well but also having fun.

He opened his eyes and heard a collective, soft gasp. He turned his head and winced. His neck and skull hurt. But he saw a line of children run out of the room.

Children?

Over six of them. The room was odd. Lots of windows, colorful ornaments, and warm blankets on top of him.

A child poked her head back into the room. Her hair was as blue as her bright eyes.

Yoojin frowned. “Hello?”

She ducked her head, and her shoulders stiffened. “Are you a human?” She raised her voice high to sound tough, but it shook at the end.

“Yeah…”

She straightened and her expression harden into something fierce. It would have been more effective if she wasn’t nine or ten and hiding half way around a doorframe.

She jerked a thumb in her direction. “Well, I’m Bak Yerim. And I won’t let you hurt anyone here. If you have a problem with that, take it up with my fist. I’m the protector of this kingdom.”

Yoojin blinked at her. Did he look threatening or something?

“Yerim?”

“Yeah? What is it?” She said with the confidence and attitude of a prison warden.

“Where am I?”

She frowned, and her dissecting gaze scanned over Yoojin.

She released the door frame and slowly stepped inside the room. One step became two, two became five. Then she rushed under the bed, out of Yoojin’s line of sight.

There was rustling under the bed and one loud bang followed by an “Ow!” Finally, she jumped up from the other side of the bed. “Hah!”

Yoojin followed her movements with his eyes as she crawled on top of the bed and sat next to him.

Her lips curved downward. “You’re not as scary as I thought.”

“I don’t mean to be. I just woke up.”

She tilted her head. “I think I could take you in a fight.”

“Probably. I think I’m injured.”

Yerim paused, then reached for the bedside table and handed Yoojin something that looked like a piece of candy. “They’re a half batch,” she informed him. “Only take one at a time and don’t chew it. Let it melt in your mouth and the medicines will help any pain you feel.”

Yoojin gladly accepted the medicine, but had seen nothing like this before. He asked Yerim more questions.

“It’s kids’ pain reduction medicine,” she said.

“I’m not a kid.”

“But you’re not a dragon.”

“…Yes? Shouldn’t I still get adult medicine?”

She shook her head, moving closer to his side. “The doctor said humans can’t handle full strength. Even our liquor would need to be watered down. The doctor wants you to try half strength kid’s medicine first, then they will move you up if needed.”

She emphasized the ‘if needed part.’

Well…Yoojin couldn’t argue with that reasoning. But he was wondering why she was being so nice. He asked.

“Don’t mistake my kindness for weakness! I’m going to be the kingdom’s greatest defender one day, and that means not fearing humans like you.”

Yoojin inclined his head at the answer. “Are you scared of me?”

“I…n-no!”

Slowly, Yoojin raised his hand. He didn’t like how Yerim flinched. “You really have nothing to fear. Compared to other humans, I’m not strong or fast.” He patted her shoulder and felt the tremor roll through her arm. “I’m a doctor. I spend my time healing people.”

She turned her head away but didn’t pull away. “Pfft. You probably help other humans who kill dragons.”

He hadn’t. They could afford the richest doctors in the empire, but Yoojin didn’t want to tell her that. “I would help anyone who needed it. We both just want to help people.”

She turned back to him. “I don’t want to help people. I want to fight and guard my kingdom from the likes of you!”

Yoojin couldn’t help but smile at her when she tried to growl. Her face was too cute to be making those sounds. “You’re fighting to protect people. That’s very noble of you.”

“That…” She paused. “That’s…”

“Your parents must be proud.”

Her expression dropped, and Yoojin regretted what he said. She sniffled and ground her teeth.

“I don’t care what you think. I know they would be.”

A familiar ache pierced his chest. Just how many little dragons had lost their homes and families? It was heart-wrenching to watch Yerim fight back tears.

He patted her shoulder again, and this time he felt her lean into his touch. Dragons were emotional things. He didn’t want Yerim leaving on a grim note, so he talked to her more about the medicine, the kingdom he was in, and her dreams about being a guardian.

He hadn’t noticed that the rest of the children returned. They watched him from the doorway. After seeing Yerim laugh a few times, they eased into the room.

By the time Sung Hyunjae showed up, Yoojin was covered in a pile of sleeping children. 

“Please help me,” Yoojin whispered. He hoped Sung Hyunjae would take the little dragons away, but judging by his laughter, he doubted it.

“Han Yoojin,” Sung Hyunjae’s voice was sweet as he shook his head. “You can’t keep kidnapping children.”

“I’m not doing anything!” He whisper shouted.

Sung Hyunjae knelt beside the bed, one hand brushed under Yoojin’s hair to check his temperature. The hand felt good on his skin—warm, strong, and comforting.

“Gyeol said you fell trying to retrieve medicine for him. You realize how dangerous that was?”

Yoojin turned his head away, missing the hand already. “I didn’t plan on falling.”

“Could you plan on waiting for me next time?”

Yoojin thought about using the dragon at his beck and call, and it lightened the mood. He turned back to Sung Hyunjae.

“How’s Gyeol?”

“Miserable. He’s being punished for running away, but he feels worse about what happened to you.”

“Have you told him I’m fine?”

“I’ll let him out of his room in the morning so he can see for himself.”

Yoojin disapproved of keeping Gyeol away that long, but he glanced at a window. The sun had already set. Gyeol would probably be asleep by now, like the other children.

“The punishment isn’t too strict, is it?”

“They’re not. He seems upset, if only for getting you hurt. He shows remorse for putting you in danger. I can’t say I’m angry at him for running away this time. He brought me my bride.”

Yoojin tried to ignore that last part, but his cheeks warmed. Those eyes were too serious right now. Too promising. Too sincere “Where am I? The little dragons keep calling this the kingdom.”

Sung Hyunjae nodded. “Some call it the Flying Kingdom, Seseong, or the City of the Sun.”

Yoojin frowned. “I’ve never heard of it.”

“I don’t believe many have. It’s a flying city.”

“Why do you keep calling it that?”

“Not the name. It’s actually a flying city. A few of the kingdom’s guards produce a skill that keeps us submerged in clouds so no one below can—”

“Clouds? We’re really in the sky?”

“Yes.”

Yoojin’s stomach turned. Sung Hyunjae’s hand on his shoulder kept him from jolting up.

“Breathe.”

“What do you mean, flying?” Yoojin’s voice was near hyperventilation.

“Breathe.”

“L-like hovering?” He swallowed. “Like it’s about to fall any minute?”

“Han Yoojin.”

He panted, but couldn’t take a full breath. Man was meant to stay on the ground, not the fake ground that floated in the air. Oh god, he thought he could feel the movements now. His stomach lurched, and he felt sick.

Yoojin’s struggles must have bothered Yerim, because she rolled onto her back and threw her elbow into Yoojin’s side. It caused a chain reaction spreading to Noah, who kick Kang Soyoung, who rolled over onto Yoo Myeongwoo.

Yoojin’s breathing fluttered, and he managed to slow it down. Not because he feared waking the little dragons, but because he thought it was so ridiculous he laughed.

Sung Hyunjae raised an eyebrow, asking if he should call the doctor for his hysterics.

Yoojin shook his head and covered his eyes for a moment. When he looked back at Sung Hyunjae’s concerned face, he felt better. “These dragons were terrified of me,” Yoojin said.

Sung Hyunjae was hesitant to nod. “Yes. They must not have known what to expect with you. I’m glad to see they’ve overcome their fears to meet you.”

“No, you don’t understand. They were scared of me, but they’re perfectly fine with a floating kingdom.”

Sung Hyunjae tilted his head. “Are you saying the children are being irrational or you are?”

“Both? Definitely both. But… most of them lost their families and homes to humans. So, I’m not completely surprised.”

Sung Hyunjae smiled softly in response. “And you must be the first human to be off the ground, so your fear is understandable.”

Yoojin nodded. Now feeling the need to explore. He asked for help removing the children, but Sung Hyunjae refused.

“You are restricted to bed rest. Your injuries were…you need to recover.”

“For how long?”

“Two more days.”

“…how long have I been asleep?”

“A little over a week.”

The hand came down again, preventing Yoojin from shooting up. “Tell me you haven’t kept Gyeol locked in his room the whole time.”

“I…” Sung Hyunjae briefly looked uncomfortable. Yoojin feared he had reverted to the worse. But a closer inspection seemed like he was more embarrassed because Yoojin had never seen the dragon blush before. “I haven’t. I’ve been trying. It’s hard without you. Gyeol has been responding to me more, but we don’t always get along. I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing.”

“You are,” he answered without the need to consider.

Sung Hyunjae turned back to him. “I am? How are you so sure?”

Yoojin glanced down at the little dragons, who were drooling on his arm, and back to Sung Hyunjae. Despite how much dragons disliked humans, their defensive walls quickly fell with the slightest show of care or praise.

They were emotional and clenched to affection easily. It might have something to do with how strong they needed to see themselves. Needing to fight to protect themselves from hunters at any moment, they forgot to allow themselves time to be held and comforted.

“I just know,” Yoojin said. “I know you and I know you care for Gyeol. He’s lucky to have a father like you.”

“Yoojin.”

Yoojin wasn’t sure what he said to Sung Hyunjae to make him look so pleased. He was just being honest. So why was the dragon now leaning into him? One arm on the other side of his head, the other cradling his face.

“I’m so lucky to have you as a bride.”

“What are you doing?” He couldn’t get out the complete sentence as Sung Hyunjae leaned down. He tensed, but in anticipation. He had been promised a kiss before and since then he had thought about it countless times. What it would be like to continue that intimate night they started.

Yoojin liked how Sung Hyunjae’s hand felt and how his eyes dazzled in the dim light. Nervously, he licked his lips. His heart was suddenly pounding, and he lifted his head to meet Sung Hyunjae halfway.

“…hmm? Your Majesty? Don’t attack this human…he’s good.”

Yoojin and Sung Hyunjae froze under the sleepy accusation of Bak Yerim.

Sung Hyunjae groaned, and his head dropped on Yoojin’s shoulder. Yoojin couldn’t help but laugh. The sight of the grown man pouting was too much.

Yerim woke the other kids, and they objected to Sung Hyunjae hurting Yoojin. Their protest grew into a sweet choir of “leave him alone,” “we’ll protect you, Ahjussi,” and, “Your Majesty is a bully to pick on humans.”

Dragons really were sweet.

Yoojin frowned. His brows knitted together in thought. “Did they call you ‘Your Majesty?’”

Yoojin was bedridden for three days. Not two, like Sung Hyunjae had said. Or…His Majesty had said.

Yoojin felt like he got conned. But he was lucky Sung Hyunjae liked him and didn’t put him up on charges for kidnapping the crown prince.

Gyeol was allowed to visit in the morning. Yoojin had to wipe the tears from his son’s cheeks and reassure him everything was okay. Gyeol made him promise to never do something like that again.

It was good to see Gyeol, but the other children fought with him. Yerim was upset that Gyeol was the only one who got a new parent, so Yoojin said she could see him whenever she wanted. She liked that. But the other kids asked if he didn’t want to see them because they still had parents.

Oof. Yoojin told them they could all see him if they wanted, and now he couldn’t get rid of them.

After that, a rather large, intimidating red haired dragon stormed into his room. Moon Hyuna demanded to know where all the children were. After a while, she calmed down and sat next to Yoojin. They ended up entertaining the kids together and having a calm lunch that day.

Dragons were strange.

Gyeol wanted to show Yoojin around, but he was still being punished for running away, and Yoojin wasn’t allowed out of his room until he recovered more. They could only see each other for a limited time. Most of the day, Yoojin had to rest and Gyeol had to catch up on his missed studies or lessons.

Yoojin did not envy the workload of the young prince. But when he asked Sung Hyunjae if he could cut Gyeol some slack, the next day Yoojin got double the time with his son.

When Yoojin could leave his room, Sung Hyunjae showed him everything. The first sight of the edge of the ground parallel with the sky and clouds paralyzed him so badly he hadn’t noticed his legs gave out. The blood had drained from his head and left him dizzy. Sung Hyunjae carried him for the rest of the day. Even after Yoojin said he could walk again, the dragon king refused to set him down.

The second time seeing the border was wonderful, breathtaking even. Sung Hyunjae had offered to show him the edge, but Yoojin turned him down. He wasn’t ready for that. They weren’t a couple of feet off the ground. They were hundreds. Maybe a dragon didn’t care because they could fly away if they fell, but Yoojin would just fall.

When he saw Song Taewon again, he apologized for what happened on their journey and making him have to carry him on his back. Song Taewon seemed at a loss for words while he blinked at Yoojin. After he regained his composure, he cleared his throat and told Yoojin he was relieved he was all right. Then he told Sung Hyunjae he had better take good care of his new bride. Yoojin blushed. Ugh, how could Song Taewon betray Yoojin like this?

Soon Gyeol’s scar lessened, and Yoojin bribed one of the older dragons to bring him the medicine so he could finish what he started. Soon, Yoojin couldn’t even feel the scar, and it became barely visible.

One activity Sung Hyunjae and Gyeol bonded over was flying lessons. Yoojin loved watching Sung Hyunjae instruct Gyeol. A few times, Gyeol would land on Sung Hyunjae’s shoulder and he would respond by stroking Gyeol or hugging him. Yoojin could kiss him he was so happy.

One day, Yerim had found Yoojin while he was watching. She sat on his knee and they observed the father and son like some kind of recreational sport.

“Dad!” Gyeol shouted when he saw them. He landed on Yoojin’s shoulder and slinked around his neck. “You didn’t forget about me now that you’ve met the other children.”

Yoojin held him against his neck. “Of course not. There is only one Sung Han Gyeol, and he’s my precious son.”

Gyeol nudged his cheek and Yerim stuck out her tongue. Yoojin ruffled her hair and tried to ignore the soft look Sung Hyunjae gave him.

Sung Hyunjae patted Gyeol’s head, but his hand trailed up into Yoojin’s hair and grazed against his ear.

“You seem to like children more than I estimated. We may need to start having heirs sooner than I thought.”

He was about to dismiss the idea, but then Yerim bubbled up. “You’re going to have babies?”

Yoojin frowned at her. No. She was just a kid, she wouldn’t understand the anatomy and complex structure require for someone to have a child. But he glanced at Sung Hyunjae’s unwavering gaze and didn’t feel so sure anymore.

No. Yoojin was positive. There was no way. Sung Hyunjae leaned down and whispered so softly Gyeol didn’t even hear. “You would do well with a son and daughter of your own. I would love to have a little girl who looked just like you.”

Yoojin got up and escorted Gyeol and Yerim to their next lesson, while Sung Hyunjae followed. Yoojin hugged the children absent mindedly goodbye for the afternoon, but he couldn’t get Sung Hyunjae’s words out of his head.

Two kids? A girl who looked just like him? No. Surely there was no way.

The doctors seemed very pleased with how Yoojin was recovering. Sung Hyunjae asked them to show Yoojin their infirmary and medicines. Yoojin didn’t want to impose on the poor dragons, but once he saw their workspace, he didn’t want to leave. Their tools and instruments were so clean and organized. The space for medicine was well taken care of and they had so many herbs and items for pharmaceuticals.

Yoojin was practically drooling. Sung Hyunjae encouraged him to continue his study in medicine, and the doctors seemed willing to teach. They were surprised by Yoojin’s level of education. But what sealed the deal for Yoojin to agree to become an apprentice was Noah. The little, shy dragon had said he would start working in the infirmary this spring and begged Yoojin to join with him. It looked like they would spend a lot of time together.

The other kids were furious once they found out. Yerim and Kang Soyoung tried to convince Yoojin to become a guardian instead, but Yoojin politely turned them down.

One day, Yoojin had asked Sung Hyunjae if it was possible to meet with the emperor to end the dragon hunting. He didn’t want to continue to see villages destroyed or children without homes and families.

Sung Hyunjae had met with the emperor, and a section of the palace had been destroyed. Yoojin thought he would die once he heard the news, but Sung Hyunjae just smiled and said the next negotiations would go better.

And they were. The notice for reporting dragons was removed, and villagers would no longer receive rewards for reporting dragons. Yoojin was so relieved.

He also got to see his brother. The trip to the surface was horrifying. Yoojin was wide awake while Song Taewon flew with him and Sung Hyunjae on his back. Yoojin clutched to Sung Hyunjae so tightly he actually feared he would crush him. He remembered praying out loud and the sound of Sung Hyunjae’s laughter as the wind rushed by them.

Yoojin wanted to cry, and Sung Hyunjae praised him for doing so well. He now understood why Sung Hyunjae wouldn’t fly with him when they first met. He considered running away, so he wouldn’t have to fly again. Flying was the only way to return to the kingdom. Yoojin asked if they would buy him something to drink before they flew home. He wasn’t above passing out drunk so he didn’t have to experience that again.

When Yoojin showed up at his brother’s school, Han Yoohyun was so happy and surprised. However, his mood slowly dropped as Yoojin introduced him to Sung Hyunjae and Song Taewon, and told him about his new nephew.

Yoohyun took the fact that they were dragons better than the fact Yoojin was a bride. He hadn’t meant to let his brother find out this way, but Sung Hyunjae was happy to announce it. Yoohyun took Yoojin aside when the dragons were out of earshot and offered to help him escape or find a way to slay them. Yoojin hugged his brother, but had a hard time convincing him he was fine. At least they got to spend a lot of time together.

Sung Hyunjae said once Yoohyun graduated, he could come to the Kingdom as well. The news was so great for Yoojin, he jumped up to hug Sung Hyunjae. It seemed to surprise the dragon at first, but then it felt like he would never let him go.

“Sung Hyunjae, why haven’t I seen you as a dragon?”

He smiled. “Have you been thinking about me?”

Yoojin tried not to roll his eyes. “It’s okay if you’re shy.”

Yoojin was curious because he had recently witnessed a rather frightening woman named Riette cause a fight with Moon Hyuna. Both took off into the sky and barreled into each other with teeth and claws.

The fight was lackluster to the others. To Yoojin and Yerim, who had been watching from the safety behind Sung Hyunjae’s tall frame, they couldn’t look away. Gyeol would have loved it, but he was inside doing lessons.

Yoojin had even seen Yerim as a dragon, and she was precious. Silver and blue, with enormous eyes like sapphires. The way she flew was different as well. She shimmered through the air like an eel treading through water. Yoojin desperately wanted to see Gyeol and her flying at the same time.

So why had he seen nearly everyone except Sung Hyunjae?

Sung Hyunjae sat on his bed and pulled him into his lap. Yoojin regretted following Sung Hyunjae into his bedchambers, but he had been too wrapped up in their conversation to notice.

“I can prove to you I’m not shy in any regards.”

Yoojin swallowed. Once again, not understanding Sung Hyunjae’s full meaning or his own reactions.

“I…I believe you. No need to prove anything.”

“Han Yoojin,” his voice had dropped to a deep octave that caused Yoojin’s stomach to tighten, “do you know what the three ceremonious events are needed to fully claim a bride?”

“Why do you keep asking me if you’ve never told me?”

“We’ve accomplished two.” For a moment, Sung Hyunjae’s dark eyes drifted to Yoojin’s lips. “Are you curious about the third?”

“We have?” Yoojin asked, feeling nervous from the brief glance. “When?”

“First to announce my intentions. I vowed to give you a bountiful family. Make you a parent many times over and make you a respected member of my nation. And swore to give you a lifetime of happiness.”

“That’s...” Yoojin had to look away, feeling his cheeks warm. “What’s the second?”

“To state my claim in front of witnesses. First was Gyeol and Song Taewon, but since being here everyone is aware of my intentions with you. And no one would deny your devotion to me.”

Yoojin felt his heart rate rise, aware of how his skin warmed where Sung Hyunjae touched him. And how close Sung Hyunjae leaned toward him. “And…and the third.”

Sung Hyunjae chuckled. This time nothing and no one stopped the kiss that Yoojin raised to meet. Yoojin closed his eyes as their lips met. Any remaining fears he might have had faded away as his arm tightened around Sung Hyunjae's neck, pulling him closer. He opened his mouth after a tongue darted across his lips as if asking for an invitation.

His fingers gripped Sung Hyunjae’s shoulders, and he was getting lightheaded from the lack of air.

Sung Hyunjae’s hand roamed up Yoojin’s back, cradling him close. Yoojin felt so small in the powerful dragon’s hold but also so cherished. With how tenderly he was held, how gently the hands kneaded his skin, or how attentively he kissed him.

Yoojin found himself pressed into the bed. Sung Hyunjae’s arms caged around him and his knee wedged between Yoojin’s legs. Yoojin gasped in surprise and pulled Sung Hyunjae closer, aching to feel that broad chest against his.

Sung Hyunjae broke the kiss first, leaving Yoojin panting. Sung Hyunjae’s lips trailed down his neck, making Yoojin shiver and his toes curl. As teeth lightly grazed the sensitive junction above this shoulder, a hand slipped the knot on his hanbok.

His breath was coming faster. He couldn’t let go of the dragon. His hands dug into his back and disheveled his robes.

Sung Hyunjae licked his neck, ending at his ear and causing a noise to escape Yoojin’s lips. The warm breath on his skin made him squirm and his back arch. Sung Hyunjae whispered the third condition. “Consummate.”