For the Prisoner

11. Twisted Promise

Like a bolt of oiled lightning, San sprung from his seat by the fire. He dashed at Yunho at a mad speed that would have made Seonghwa consider side-stepping him, but the blond adventurer took it with charm. He dropped his bag to the ground and opened his arms wide, allowing the delighted man to jump him. As Yunho spun them to dissipate the power of San's impact, San wrapped his legs around the taller man's waist and snuggled up to him as tight as possible. Yunho's long arms engulfed him in the biggest of all hugs.

Perie fluttered away in indignation, coming to perch on a tree with a shriek.

"Now, this is a greeting! Did you look forward to seeing me so much, honey boy?" Yunho's boisterous laughter filled the forest with life. When San eagerly wrapped his arms around Yunho's neck to clutch the lock in his grip, Yunho dipped to kiss the excitement off his lips. Their kiss was impassioned by the time they spent apart, but Seonghwa found the few moments he watched before adverting his gaze not vulgar. His own shame lingered in his cheeks.

"You left so abruptly," San whined when their lips parted with a wet click. He buried his face in Yunho's shoulder to sulk, but the laughter of the other man chimed like a bell and eased their strained hearts.

"I had business to attend to, and I didn't want you to change your mind. Someone had to take care of our dearest priest. How have you been, Father? Is your heart feeling alright?" Yunho put San back on his feet and released the arm he clung to with gentle conviction. He shushed the noise of protest from San's pouting lips, promising to catch up later. For now, he came over to Seonghwa, and Seonghwa stood to greet him with a friendly hug.

"I am back at full health, for now. Everyone stood with me through thick and thin, I couldn't be more grateful."

Yunho smelled of flowers, an untypical scent at this time of the year. When they parted, he patted the priest's shoulder with bright eyes.

"You look better than ever! Where is our gargoyle? I must ask him how he resists your healthy charms." Teasing, he brushed a strand of overgrown hair behind Seonghwa's ear. The priest flushed but shook his head with a sigh a moment later.

"It's a long story. First, meet Mingi. We can explain everything while we get ready." Seonghwa beckoned at the witch and Yunho exchanged a smile with Jongho and copied the tongue Wooyoung stuck out at him on his way to look at the newcomer. While they seized each other up, Yunho flicked Wooyoung a coin that the lutin caught with gleaming eyes. Likely it had an engraving his collection was still missing.

Mingi held Fléau in his lap, caressing her taut skin over her bony body. She watched Perie with the eyes of a hunter, and Perie did the same to her. In an effort of peace, Mingi kept them wisely away from each other.

"Oh? And what role may you play in the adventure play that is Seonghwa's life?" Yunho came over to greet Mingi, undeterred by the sinister appearance and facial paint. Mingi slung his cat over his shoulder and stood to his full height, almost at the same height as the towering adventurer. His antlers made him taller than Yunho and they cast his crown like a heathenish halo. Like day and night, their differences clashed.

"It has become a tragedy as of now. It appears I play the villain."

Yunho's lips jumped into an intrigued smile.

"So far, I was sure Hongjoong is the villain. Have the tides changed?"

"It appears the gargoyle has become the love interest. I am to be the one in the way of him and the protagonist."

As fast as it had come, Yunho's smile fell. His brows cast towards each other when he glanced around the camp once more and found no Hongjoong. The blush on Seonghwa's face didn't deter him, as he found it refreshing that his two companions found whatever joy in each other.