For Peace

9. Prayer for the Confused

Voices startled Seonghwa awake. He blearily lifted his head to make out their urgency and found he rested snuggled against Hongjoong. His head had found the gargoyle's chest in sleep and a warm arm rested over his hip. Since Hongjoong ran so hot, Seonghwa hadn't needed a blanket as the soft grass enclosed their resting spot from wind and any curious eyes.

When someone else called his name in distress, the priest surged up. His movement alerted amber eyes. Hongjoong looked sleepy for once, exhausted after last night's dance.

The sun had risen, and it tickled above the grasses to caress their faces with warm fingertips. Seonghwa looked around disoriented, finding himself bare aside from the cross around his neck.

"Seonghwa?" Yeosang's deep voice called through the meadows. Then, quieter but no less worried, San echoed: "Hongjoong?"

On first instinct, Seonghwa wanted to call them over and soothe their anxiety. Then his blood ran cold when he considered their situation. Hastily he whipped around for his clothes while the two drew nearer, skimming the grass for the lost companions.

"They will see," he hissed under his breath while he yanked his pants up his legs. Hongjoong, ever so unbothered and with his chin in his hand, watched as the priest almost broke his neck trying to get into his shirt.

"So what if they do? It's not as if the signs didn't point at it."

Seonghwa stuffed his necklace into his shirt and yanked his vest on. He was about to hiss at the gargoyle for not being helpful when a head popped over the edge of their little patch of rolled-flat grass. Yeosang's ears flicked in delight between his bright hair.

"I knew I heard right, there you are! What are you-" He interrupted himself when he took in their environment, the legs entangled on the floor, the ruffled hair, the lingering scent of sex. His eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"What are you doing out here?"

Seonghwa stumbled to his feet and pretended his clothes were purposefully in a disarray.

"We took a walk since we didn't want to wake you and then forgot the time while star-gazing. Sorry for sleeping through your calls." He ducked his head when San came bounding over, merry in his relief to find them in one piece. Yeosang threw him a fleeting smile.

"You can tell the others we found them so they can ease."

With a salute, San dashed off through the tall grass. Yeosang remained to scrutinise the sheepish pair.

"It's not my place to question you, so... As long as you're together, I don't mind. Just try not to run off during the night while we all expect an attack." The wolf quickly let them off the hook. The twinkle in his eyes promised that their secret was safe with him.

Exhaling, Seonghwa fell into step with him on their way back. He shamefully fiddled the cords of his shirt and his vest back shut, dodging Yeosang's bemused glances.

Hongjoong stalked after them, quiet in his satisfaction. To Seonghwa, the subtle smirk on his lips exposed what they had been doing for all world to see. He reminded himself that the others couldn't know. They would see the marks on his neck and assume they got into one of their usual fights. So long as Yeosang corked up, they could keep it a secret for the time being.

"Yongguk said we will arrive at the crossroads soon. We were about to clear up camp to continue the voyage when we noticed you two were missing. We couldn't even find you in the trees," Yeosang explained. They were in no hurry, and though his comment wasn't an insinuation, Seonghwa blushed at it. His fingers instinctively found his necklace to send a prayer of apology to heaven. As soon as his fingers touched the wood, however, images of last night flashed behind his eye. Of Hongjoong above him, throning under the thunderous sky while the light of the dark was just enough to light the necklace wrapping around his-