Chapter Text
Jongho stared at Yeosang with a pleased smile. In the reincarnated flowers field, he watched as Yeosang was focusing on creating his domain. Wooyoung was as excited as San, and Hongjoong and Seonghwa were looking at him fondly. As for Yunho and Mingi, they had disappeared but none of them were worried. Yeosang didn't mind it, anyway.
A few months had passed since they learned the truth, and Lillium Suci finally disappeared from Yeosang's body, letting him using his power more freely than before. And now, with a soft smile on his lips, he was able to have his own domain. A relief, apparently: he had lived with Wooyoung a few weeks before he gave up and moved in Hongjoong and Seonghwa since his brother and San were unable to stay away from each other more than five minutes, and it was torture. Jongho had offered to accommodate him, but Seonghwa stood between them, claiming that Yeosang couldn't eat in the Grave. Right. And Yeosang never mentioned to tie himself to the Grave again so he supposed that it was an abandoned dream now.
"I did it!"
"You did!"
The sudden outburst woke Jongho up from his reverie, and he focused back on what was happening in front of him. Yeosang's domain was small, but matched the god's nature: his house was a small cottage, with many flowers, and there was even a doghouse with Hetmongi written on it. Jongho raised an eyebrow at that. Did he plan to have a joint custody for the giant Doberman? They never spoke about that. In any case, Yeosang's domain didn't take too much place, and Jongho had allowed him to take a bit of his domain, having a small field of reincarnated flowers now. It had been decided that their domain would be side by side, for Yeosang to be able to reach the Grave whenever he wanted to come reincarnate the souls. And Hongjoong allowed him to extend his domain a little bit each time he could, for it to match his power and importance. No doubt that Yeosang's domain would reach Hayun's domain, if not engulfing it later. The Goddess was sealed inside her domain for many years, punished, and unable to speak with anyone but her nymphs; a few of them had already asked Yeosang to serve him rather than her. Yeosang had accepted, albeit a bit wary of them (but they all made sure to warn the nymphs in case they had bad ideas).
"Your domain is perfect, Sangie!" Seonghwa exclaimed, "I can see myself drinking tea in your garden."
"Because you're already planning to come here?" Hongjoong asked, jaded.
"Of course! I have many years to catch, and if I want to pay a visit to Jongho, I can too-"
"No, thanks. Please, forget me. The Grave is too cold for you anyway."
"It isn't-"
"It is."
Yeosang chuckled while Seonghwa pouted and came closer to the God of Death to pinch his cheeks. Jongho groaned.
"Actually, what about having our next reunion here?" Wooyoung asked.
"Eh, Jongho will have none excuse not to come, given he's living not far."
"Huh, no."
"Actually, that's a great idea, if it's okay with Yeosang?" Hongjoong turned towards the blonde god.
"It is."
"Please?"
"Perfect! And if it works for everyone, maybe we'll do it more often too."
"I'll make sure Jjong comes," Yeosang smiled.
"Can I have a saying in that?" Jongho retorted.
"No."
He groaned. He was starting regretting the idea of having Yeosang near him, until he saw the happiness inside his blue eyes. Right. It was perfect like that.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊°
"What is it?"
"This, Mister Yeosang, is a jam freshly made from the pomegranates."
"Oh, San's specialty," Yeosang smiled.
The God of Life had always wanted to taste it. San, Mingi, and Jongho often spoke about it, the former always with pride. But until now, Yeosang had stopped himself to eat anything, not wanting to be tied to the Grave without Jongho's permission. And they never spoke about for the few years they shared together. Maybe Yeosang should speak about it, should tell Jongho that he wanted to be more than his lover, someone he shared his bed with. One day, he would, he promised himself. Wooyoung was growing tired of them, but himself was struggling, not able to decide if he wanted to tie himself to the place or not. He was currently at Hongjoong and Seonghwa's to speak about it (and Yeosang knew that Seonghwa and Wooyoung would then pay a visit to Ji Soo, the poor woman having to bear with them since Hayun was sealed).
"Actually, this one has been prepared by me," Jongho stated.
"You can make jam?"
"Yeah? I'm just too lazy, usually."
"Mmhmmh, and why did you do it this time? San isn't here?"
"Because this pomegranate jam is an important food right now."
Yeosang tilted his head to the side, confused as he repeated:
"Important food?"
Jongho nodded.
"Yeosang, it's been years we're together now, and well... I love you. A lot."
Yeosang blinked and blushed at the sudden confession, but nodded nevertheless.
"I love you too," he answered with a smile, "more than you love me."
"I don't believe it's possible."
"It is."
"Really? Then, Carnation, if you love me so much," Jongho came closer to him, "will you accept to be my partner?"
"... You mean it?"
"Of course, I do."
Yeosang stared at Jongho, trying to read in his sight if it was a joke or not, but he could only read the affection he bore for him, and the God of Life's heart fluttered at that. Jongho wanted him as a partner. Jongho wanted to be with him for all eternity.
"I want!"
Jongho smiled and he was so handsome, shining with love and happiness. The God of Death took a spoon and gave it to Yeosang, as well as the jam, and Yeosang stared at the food for a few minutes, before having an idea.
"Let's eat it in your bed."
"Our bed," Jongho rectified, "and why?"
"You'll see."
Jongho frowned but obeyed nevertheless, and soon, the two gods where in bed. Once they were installed, Yeosang pushed Jongho on the mattress, and unbuttoned his shirt.
"What are you doing?"
But Yeosang didn't answered, and removed the lid of the jam jar, before taking a spoon of it and carefully make it fall on Jongho's chest. Jongho let out a small pleased 'oh' and said nothing.
"Will I feel different?" Yeosang asked once he was ready.
"San and Mingi told me they had troubles to bear with the sunlight now, and that they felt the call of the Grave when they're away. Oh, and that their body was colder."
"Hm... It means I won't be very warm anymore. Are you alright with that?"
"Do you think I love you for your warmth? I love you no matter what, Carnation."
Yeosang smiled and nodded before leaning towards his lover's skin - his partner! - and licked the jam, enjoying the mixed taste of the dessert and Jongho's skin. He enjoyed it so much that he finished it fast and pouted when there was no more. Still, he forgot about it once he felt something inside his mind, a strange link, and he knew it was the one from the Grave. There was another one, though, and if he focused on it, he understood that it was a link with the outside world. Oh. Is it because I'm the God of Life?
"I have two links," he started as Jongho sat and put his hand on his cheek.
"And you're still warm as ever," Jongho stated, "but... Your hair."
"My hair?"
Yeosang caught one of his locks and blinked when he saw the color of it: black. His hair was black. If it was an aftereffect of his tie to the Grave, then he was fine with it (they would learn, later, that Yeosang's hair was back to blonde each time he left the Grave). Yeosang's smile grew bigger, and he stated, happy:
"I love you, Jjong."
"I love you, Carnation. I'll love you forever."