For Peace

10. Crossroads

Seonghwa kept spacing out. He didn't notice until everyone trying to have a conversation with him had to repeat themselves twice, so he acknowledged he was the one being spoken to. Once, he missed San sweetly inquiring about his heart, another time he blatantly ignored Jongho's offer of some water. Each time it happened and his friends awkwardly pointed out his lack of reaction, Seonghwa hurried to apologise and strained extra hard to listen to their concerns.

The drifting thistle seeds accompanied them, floating along their way as Yongguk led them through the Red lands. San didn't sing for them today, for he was too concerned to alert any Red pursuers to their location if he did. Seonghwa was sad not to hear their minstrel in training play the lute today, but he promised himself that there was more than enough time for that once they returned to Alverton.

For a long while, Seonghwa trudged along in silence between his chattering companions. Since he needed space, the others left him in his trance and wordlessly took care of the matters around him. Hongjoong checked on him two times with subtle brushes of his fingers against Seonghwa's knuckles. Both times, Seonghwa had startled out of his skin and then immediately ducked into his blush.

He was sure that by now, everyone had guessed what had happened between them. Since the priest didn't know how to deal with this development, they left him the time to figure out his belief in accordance with such sin.

It wasn't as bad as last time, but Seonghwa needed a while to get back on track.

How was he supposed to move on after what he saw and felt? People did this casually? That must be a lie.

His constant distractions with Hongjoong didn't help. After a dozen times, he lost count of how often his eyes strayed to the gargoyle's back and trailed over his shoulder blades and the line of his waist and legs. He stared in awe at those freakish feet that hadn't deterred him close up and marvelled at the horns between white curls, remembering how they had towered over him.

Though they had tended to each other to the point of exhaustion, there hadn't been enough time to explore the way Seonghwa wanted to explore. Everything about their arrangement was new and enchanting to him. Both the physical aspect as well as the development in the way they spoke and looked at each other. Hongjoong was flighty when it came to his honest feelings, but he harboured the same yearning. Once the time came, Seonghwa wanted to make sure they were on the same page so they wouldn't mis-communicate as San and Yunho had.

But all that could wait. Seonghwa was eager to spend more time alone with Hongjoong but he knew their time would be even more well spent once he was healed and they were in safety. After their return to Cardend, they had all the time in the world. He wanted to make sure the person Hongjoong had conceded to fall for after so many hindrances wasn't just a dead body.

After his period of reflecting ended, Seonghwa found himself aligned with Yongguk. The mute man harboured no lingering wonder about Seonghwa's affair with the gargoyle. He marched in silence, seeking his way home.

When the priest perked up from his brooding, Yongguk glanced at him. Their eyes met, and the priest gave him an awkward smile.

"So... What are Red cities like?" He asked, ready for a distraction after being left with his thoughts for so long.

Surprised that he had been chosen, Yongguk lifted his brow but replied dutifully.

"Smaller. Our cities compare to your villages in scope, and we never live as many in one place since it's a tactical disadvantage."

"There is still a community?" To Seonghwa, not having the protection and convenience of many people in one place sounded maddening. Granted, no church brought the Reds together, but what about trade and food?