Chapter Text
The Grave, like everyone called it, was a big city where people settled at the end of their lives and enjoyed their rest. To get there, you needed to get through a long tunnel, to cross a river, - if you were lucky, you wouldn't have to pay - then pass in front of a big dog and to continue to walk until you reached the underground city. Oh, and you also needed to be dead, otherwise, you wouldn't see the tunnel. Or you needed to be gods, but gods disliked coming here, because it was apparently too cold, to what the owner of the place responded with sarcasm that it wasn't a place to spend holidays, why would it be warm?
The owner of the place was none other than Jongho, the God of Death. Even if, at the beginning, he had wished for the other gods to pay him a visit, he was now accustomed to be alone. He wasn't completely alone, of course, he had Mingi, the Ferryman whose work was to help the souls to rejoin The Grave (against a few pieces of money, apparently, even in death, the economy was important), and San, who is his bodyguard (did he really need a bodyguard when nobody dared to approach him?). Sometimes, Yunho, the herald, and the one who guided the souls to the afterlife (at least, until the guardian dog but Jongho had seen him more than often with Mingi) also paid him a visit.
Then, of course, there were Hongjoong and Seonghwa, the Gods of Gods, ruling them. Jongho only saw them during the reunions, but when he did, Seonghwa was always making sure that he was fine and that he ate well when he was in the Gods realm, no matter what. Hongjoong also thought that he was his dad, and sometimes, the two husbands were overwhelming with their youngest god. Not that it displeased him, but he was tall enough to take care of himself.
Oh. And there was Wooyoung, of course, the God of Love, who he saw only during the reunions too - and who made cute eyes to San each time, Jongho noticed that his bodyguard disappeared sometimes. When Wooyoung wasn't flirting with San, he was speaking about his brother, but so far, Jongho had yet to meet him. If he believed the God of Love, his favorite brother was handsome and wonderful, very powerful too; but their mother was rather protective about him and didn't want him to leave the house or to participate to the reunions, even though Hongjoong had asked many times. Jongho was glad that his mother was the earth itself, and that she didn't bother asking for him.
Sat in front of his desk, Jongho tapped his fingers on the arms of his chair, staring boredly at the god in front of him. It wasn't Yunho's fault if he was the messenger among the gods, and it wasn't his fault either if Hongjoong and Seonghwa asked for a reunion. A family reunion at that, whatever it meant. Maybe they took their roles as the Gods of Gods a bit too seriously, and thought they were everyone's parents, with a few favorites.
"So, you're expected to be at their palace starting from 11AM tomorrow," Yunho stated with a smile.
It always amused the herald, and sometimes, Jongho wished that his power could scare him off, just to erase his smile. But Yunho was bold, and not impressed by Jongho whatsoever, calling him a 'cute patootie' even in front of him. Maybe if he threatened him to block the way to Mingi, it would work? Jongho sighed, and glanced at San, standing behind him, straight, arms behind his back. He was holding his phone, a human invention that many gods and spirits loved, and Jongho knew who he was speaking to before Yunho's arrival. Wooyoung and San, Yunho and Mingi... Even though gods from the sky and gods from the underground shouldn't mix, a few of them didn't care at all. It didn't seem to bother Hongjoong and Seonghwa, anyway, quite the contrary.
"I can't go, I have a lot of work."
Files and files of souls' background to read before their judgement. He disliked it the most, but it was his work, and everyone counted on him for that.
"Certainly, it won't kill them to wait one more day," Yunho joked and Jongho shook his head.
"It will kill me, however. Do you know how many souls arrive to Hell every day?"
"Yes, I do, as far as I know, I guide them here," Yunho replied with a shrug, "Like I told you, they will stay blocked in the human realm until the end of the reunion. Or we can appoint a few of our minions to work for us."
"... You really think I can delegate something like that to anyone?"
"You didn't train someone?"
"No."
Judging a soul was an important task that couldn't be done by anyone. As the God of Death, he had a duty to judge them perfectly; mistakes weren't allowed.
"You usually don't oppose to the reunions. What's the problem?"
"I usually don't oppose because it's for a few hours. Here, Hongjoong and Seonghwa ask for a full day!"
"Yes, like every year. And every year, you refuse," Yunho retorted, "the reunions are like... two hours every three months, and when it's over, you leave without a word, before Seonghwa can catch you. Can't you make an effort and spend more time with them? Maybe not all day long, but you could stay longer. At least for lunch."
"..."
"Besides, there's apparently something important. I don't know why, but they seemed excited."
"Yeah, no, it means a bad thing for me."
"Please, Jongho."
Jongho stared at Yunho. His fingers tapped the armchair more vividly. Yunho's eyes moved, glancing at San, quietly waiting for the end of the meeting. The God of Death knew what he was doing: asking his bodyguard's help. San was a good bodyguard, but also his more important friend. The closed person around him, the one he trusted, and when he needed an opinion, Jongho never hesitated to ask his. He knew that if San put himself in the conversation, he was doomed. For someone living in Hell, San was a softy, and the notion of family was important for him.
"I don't want to go."
He had a lot of work already, leaving one day would make it worse. And when he left, most of the time, The Grave was in chaos, not that it wasn't already, but still. What would happen if he left a full day? Besides, if he left, he would need to bring Mingi with them, because the Ferryman would get bored and knowing him, he would be the bringer of economic chaos: how many times did he try to scam lost souls already? No, if he left Mingi a full day alone, it would be terrible for anyone. And there was also Hetmongi, the giant Doberman protecting the place; when Jongho left for one hour, the dog whined. If he left a full day, the dog would be in depression, for sure!
"San!"
"Don't. I don't want your opinion."
He heard San chuckle and the bodyguard allowed himself to move a little, leaning towards him.
"I think you should go, Jjong," and the God of Death glared at him, "they want to see everyone, and Wooyoung is excited to see you too."
"Another reason not to go: Wooyoung."
He loved Wooyoung, dearly, and they used to be so close in the past and to do shenanigans together. Until the God of Love's mother stopped them to see each other, forcing Jongho to try his best to avoid him (and especially his mother’s anger).
"Please?" San made puppy eyes.
"No."
"Mingi and San are also invited, by the way. You wouldn't want them to miss a chance to see everyone, right?" Yunho stated.
"You're preaching for yourself. You just want to spend time with Mingi!"
"Me? I wouldn't dare!" The herald answered, offended.
There were sparkles in his eyes, though, so Jongho didn't believe him. He was sure Mingi once told him that he and Yunho planned to find a way to earn more money.
"Jjong, please. It's been a while Mingi and I didn't see the others."
"Really? You didn't see Wooyoung yesterday night?"
San opened his mouth then pouted. Yunho chuckled and approached the desk, leaning on it. The top of his clothes fell a little, showing better his collar bone and the base of his chest. Jongho gulped. Right. It's been a while he hadn't had sex, and Yunho knew it. Jongho usually didn't care, but sometimes, his body was full of energy, making him horny. Everyone knew it, and usually, it was Wooyoung that helped him with that. Since he wasn't able to see him as often as before, San and Mingi helped him - once, they even did it the three of them together, but Jongho didn't really remember (he promised not to drink too much ambrosia again, even though he really liked the liquor).
"Jongho," Yunho whispered, "think about it. Everyone will be here, and with your body full of energy, you could take advantage of it."
"Wooyoung told me he misses the time he helped you," San added with a grin.
Once again, Jongho gulped, looking away. He supposed that, seen like that, he could go out a little bit. It wouldn't be good for him to judge souls with so much energy in his body: he would take bad decisions because keeping the energy too long would put him in a bad mood, and he would fall ill. It already happened, and he had promised Hongjoong and Seonghwa to take better care of himself. And the idea to see Wooyoung and to spend time with him again wasn't bad either. It would be easier if he found a husband or a wife, but nobody wanted to be the forever linked partner of the God of Death.
"Fine," he finally gave up, "I'll go."
"Thank goodness!" Yunho sighed, "I thought I would have to get myself naked."
Jongho glared at the herald and ticked his tongue.
"Not that I would mind," the messenger god added, "but Mingi would be so jealous..."
"You're saying that as if you weren't jealous when Mingi fucks with someone else than you," San rolled his eyes, and Jongho frowned.
He missed a few episodes, apparently, not that he was interested in his friends' sex life, but still.
"It's because..." Yunho started, then glanced at Jongho, and shook his head, "Whatever. It can't be helped."
Jongho bit his lips. It couldn't be helped that Mingi fucked with Jongho, because Jongho needed the release. It couldn't be helped that Jongho didn't have someone who would be ready to spend afterlife with him. Jongho already felt guilty about that, about using his own friends for that, and Yunho's last comment didn't help. If only he could release both Mingi and San, they would be able to get married with their lovers, and everything would be fine. Maybe he would find someone else, someone among his employees, or among the resting souls, but Jongho needed to trust the person, to forge a link with them before accepting to share a bed. It would be a lot of struggles, especially with nobody wanting to approach him.
"Okay, I'll leave you to announce the good news to Hongjoong and Seonghwa. Should I tell Wooyoung about your energy?"
"No," Jongho replied, "he doesn't need to know now."
He would feel it the next day, anyway, and Wooyoung wouldn't have troubles to get him in his bed. Unless Seonghwa bothered them, but if he knew Jongho's state, he would push him in the God of Love's arms. Yunho nodded and smiled, putting back his white top perfectly, before leaving the office. Once the door was closed, Jongho stared at it; if someone else than San had been here, they would think that Jongho was trying to burn the door with his look.
"It's good that you accepted," San commented.
No, it was a bad idea. Whatever the reason Hongjoong and Seonghwa were excited for, deep inside, Jongho felt it was a bad idea for him to be there. He was the God of Death: he brought death everywhere he went. People were scared of him, and when he went to the Gods realm, everyone except his few friends avoided him.
"I feel like it's a bad idea."
"Why so?"
"You and I know well how the Grave will act while we're away."
When the God of Death wasn’t there, the souls tended to celebrate a little bit too much.
"Not something you can't stop once back home."
"Something I would like not to happen. Between this and all the wandering souls... At least, I won't get bored."
"Maybe it's time for you to find a partner," San casually dropped.
"Oh? And do you know many people who would accept me?" Jongho asked, weary.
By the silence that San gave him, he knew that they both knew the answer. Jongho closed his eyes and tried to empty his mind. But it was difficult with the last conversation. He knew that he should find someone, anyone willing to spend the afterlife with him, but he needed time to know the person, he needed the time to trust them, and someone who wouldn't be scared of him. Of course, those kinds of people existed, people who wanted power most of the time, people who were ready to everything to get what they wanted. But Jongho was wary of them: he was maybe the God of Death, but it didn't mean he wasn't careful. He didn't need someone by his sides. He was strong enough to bring chaos in both the Gods and Humans realms, and if he didn't, it was because he wasn't interested. He was fine here, at The Grave, enjoying his almost solitary life.
When Jongho opened his eyes, he turned his face slightly towards San who was looking at his phone, busy answering someone. Certainly Wooyoung, Jongho and he sighed.
"San, does it bother you?"
"What?"
"About Wooyoung's proposition. About my energy."
San raised his eyes and looked at him, as if he was trying to read his mind, and before he opened his mouth, Jongho told him:
"Please, be honest."
"I... Yes, it bothers me, but I also help you with your energy, anyway. And Wooyoung seemed happy when he spoke about your time together."
"But it doesn't mean you're not jealous. I know I would be."
"I am jealous, but Wooyoung is also jealous when I can't come because we're fucking."
San suddenly giggled, and he added:
"Once, he sent me a message telling me to fuck you again, for him."
"...He is impossible," Jongho sighed.
"Would you have minded?" San smirked.
"Yes!"
"Ow. Maybe we could try with the three of us, tomorrow?"
"No, thank you."
"What, you disliked when Mingi and I, we--"
"Please, stop. I was drunk."
San laughed - laughed! - and stopped speaking. Jongho shook his head and rubbed his temples, before looking at the papers in front of him. He suddenly felt tired, and annoyed, and he disliked the mere fact of working in that state. Maybe it was time to take a rest. Maybe he could go there, where he usually went when he needed to breath.
"I need to go out," Jongho stood up, "don't come. I need to be alone and think and whatever."
"Okay. Send me a text if you need my help. I won't be too far away."
"Okay. Please, could you pay a visit to Mingi? To make sure he isn't scamming poor souls again while I’m away."
"Sure. He'll be insufferable, especially if Yunho had paid him a visit before."
Jongho didn't answer his friend's comment and left his desk. He was suddenly suffocating and it was time to take a breath.
*ੈ✩‧₊˚༺☆༻*ੈ✩‧₊˚
The place he usually visited when he needed to breath was a flowers field. It was a beautiful place, with flowers of many colors whose view was enjoyable. Most of the time, Jongho stayed away from them, because when he was too close, the flowers died. And he hated seeing that, so he decided to stay well in the middle of the small track that went through the field. As he walked, he allowed himself to stretch his body, and to take a deep breath. He stopped in the middle of the track, and looked at the sky: it was blue, with a few white clouds. When he was younger, he often laid on the ground and imagined stories thanks to the clouds. Wooyoung would often join him and they promised the earth to each other. It was the easiest days. At that time, he was free to love Wooyoung, and Wooyoung was free to love him. Until his mother stopped the dream. She already refused Wooyoung's brother to live free, and now, she was preventing her other son to be happy.
Not that it seemed to bother Wooyoung, anyway. Sure, the separation had been difficult, but now, he was enjoying his time with San. Wooyoung had turned the page. Jongho didn't. If he had accepted to come, it was maybe because of the promise to share a bed with Wooyoung again. To be able to feel his skin, to hear his laugh, to hear his moan, his name rolling on his tongue. And, he promised himself, it would be the last time. He couldn't do that to San, nor to Wooyoung. He couldn't do that to Yunho and to Mingi too. He would need to find someone. But that problem would be taken care of after the reunion. Maybe he should speak about it to Hongjoong and Seonghwa; maybe they knew someone who would gladly accept to be his partner, who would be foolish enough for that? Or maybe it was time for Jongho to accept that nobody would love him like the other gods could love each other, that Hongjoong and Seonghwa's love story was an unreachable dream for the God of Death he was.
With a sigh, Jongho rubbed his temples. He came here to relax, but all he did was to think about the problem at hand, the decision he should take for his own sanity and his friends. He came here to enjoy the view of the flowers, to remind himself that there were a few gorgeous things in the world that deserved to be protected. That field wasn't too far from The Grave’s door, maybe thirty minutes of walking from there. It was also not too far from Wooyoung's mother's domain, and he was making sure not to approach it. The woman was scary, and it was certainly the only person he was scared of.
Jongho gave a last look to the flowers in front of him and smiled. His smile disappeared, however, when he saw something moving among the colorful flowers. Were they animals? If it was the case, he should hurry and leave before it was too late. Yet, the thing that appeared wasn't an animal; Jongho blinked many times at that. There was a man among the flowers. An handsome man, at that, dressed in white and gold. His hair was blonde, and his skin was brightening under the sun. He wore a veil that was adorned with a butterfly jewelry. Jongho felt the energy inside his body getting wild, trying to possess his body and to make him approach. He didn't think twice, and he put a foot among the flowers. The handsome man must have heard him, because he turned towards him, surprise visible on his face. His eyes were blue, a light blue that reminded Jongho the sky. Jongho gulped as their eyes met each other, and a soft smile appeared on the young man's face. He didn't seem angry or upset, rather curious to see him.
Jongho stepped towards him once again, as the handsome man raised his hand, as if asking him to come closer, and Jongho would have done it if it weren't for the flowers around him turning black and dying. His eyes opened wide, and he stepped away. He had promised to never hurt the flowers, and an unknown albeit very handsome man had been enough to break the promise. Said man tilted his head on the side and stood up, before stepping towards him. Jongho didn't think twice, and shook his head before leaving the field, and taking the way back home, ignoring his beating heart, and the look of the young man that he could feel on his back.
Yet, when he arrived at the Grave’s door, the God of Death couldn't help but wonder who the young man was. It was the first time he saw him, and he hadn't seemed scared of him. Quite the contrary, he had seemed curious about him, as curious as Jongho had been towards him. Why? Didn't he know him? Then, maybe he was a human. No, it was impossible, no human could wander in the field of flowers. The young man was a god, but which one? They were many, and Jongho barely set feet in the Gods realm to know each of them. He had never been interested by them. He should have. He had regrets, now.
As he followed the tunnel, Jongho thought that he could resolve that problem: he would go to the Gods realm the next day, and he could ask Wooyoung or Yunho. The two gods knew many things about the others, they would certainly be able to help him. And too bad if he looked stupid! Jongho stopped walking when he heard a whine near him, and he raised his head to face Hetmongi. The giant Doberman looked at him sadly, and Jongho raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
Hetmongi lowered his head and hit him with his muzzle.
"You're supposed to be the Grave's guardian dog, not a sad dog who wants caresses," Jongho stated, yet, he put his hand on the dog's head and smiled, "you're good boy."
Hetmongi's tail wagged, almost making a tornado. It made the God of Death laugh, and he played with the dog for a few minutes, before calming him down. Hetmongi was the guardian of Hell's door, and yet, here was, all cute and asking for love. He wasn't a bad dog; he was just misunderstood by souls and humans. He had met him when he was younger: the dog had been wounded, and in spite of being the God of Death, he tried his best to heal him. Actually, he didn't remember how he did it. He remembered having asking other gods' help, and someone arrived and... And they healed Hetmongi. Right. Jongho didn't remember the face of the god, but deep inside, he knew that it was that god who gave the dog his name. Jongho wanted to call him Cerberus, but the other had insisted.
"It's fun that I remember that only now...," he muttered.
Who was this god, though? He couldn't remember a face or a name.
"If they came here, would you remember them, Hetmongi?"
The giant Doberman whined and licked his face. The more he thought about it, the more he wondered why Hetmongi was a dog from the Grave. He didn't have the behavior, nor the personality for that. Jongho hadn't been surprised when he had been able to carry the puppy at that time, too panicked had he been. But Hetmongi should have died, right? Mystery was wrapping this dog.
"I suppose that the most important thing is that you're still alive and with me."
Hetmongi barked and Jongho's smile grew bigger. He let a kiss on the dog's muzzle, before telling him:
"Tomorrow, I'll leave for the Gods realm, I won't be here for a full day," the dog whined at that, "I know. I'll be back soon, promise."
He would be back fine, and tired, but his energy calmed down, for sure. Jongho bit his lips. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to see his friends, after all. Not the other gods, he didn't care, but seeing Hongjoong and Seonghwa would feel good. And Wooyoung. Dear Wooyoung... Jongho shook his head, and sighed, before leaving Hetmongi alone and going back to his office. He didn't pay a visit to Mingi, not wanting to be distracted, and sent a quick text to San to warn him of his return. Now, he thought, he needed to continue his work as much as possible.