Beast ~ Seongjoong

two: new home

"How Mingi could think to kill something as beautiful as you," Seonghwa sighed, sweeping a damp strand of hair from Hongjoong's face, "he doesn't acknowledge the beauty in creatures lesser than himself, unfortunately."

Hongjoong was sitting close to Seonghwa on a turquoise velvet loveseat, staring deeply into his beautiful amethyst eyes, heart pounding in his chest at his words.

Seonghwa had taken him to Rosé, a creature like himself, though with the same glowing red eyes as Mingi. She lived in a giant oak tree that had been hollowed out and added to, like a giant treehouse, though it was clear to see from the moss-covered exterior and the worn wooden flooring that she had been living there a very long time.

She was tall and long limbed, with the same characteristically long claw tipped fingers which she had painted fushia to match the skin-tight velour cocktail dress which hugged her body, showing off dainty curves. Her face was delicate like her mannerisms, and she had long strawberry-blonde hair that flowed down her back in gentle waves.

Hongjoong had never seen a woman as beautiful as her, and though he knew she was a beast like Mingi, the term didn't suit her, in much the way that it didn't suit Seonghwa. Her eyes, though terrifyingly similar to Mingi's, held no mal-intent when she looked at him, and Hongjoong felt safe around her, mostly because Seonghwa trusted her.

She had siphend all the poison from his body and treated his many cuts with a balm which had almost instantly numbed the pain when she applied it. Now, as she busied herself with putting away her medical supplies, Hongjoong let himself be swept away in Seonghwa's intrinsically beautiful eyes.

His name was still begging to be spoken from his lips and finally, he let himself say it.

"Seonghwa,"

A rush of heat flooded through him while Seonghwa's eyes widened. Hongjoong's skin prickled where the taller touched him so gently; long, bony fingers gliding over his cheek, brushing over his lips.

In one swift yet graceful movement, Seonghwa picked Hongjoong up and sat him in his lap, hands sweeping through his hair. Tingles of electricity remained where his claws gently grazed Hongjoong's scalp.

Hongjoong felt small sitting in the beautiful creature's lap, yet it was a place he felt he completely belonged. He rested his hands against Seonghwa's neck, fingers absentmindedly tracing his collarbones as Seonghwa spoke.

"You utter my name, and yet I do not have the honor of speaking yours."

Hongjoong's cheeks flushed red and he smiled shyly, "Hongjoong, my name is Hongjoong."

A smile graced Seonghwas lips, "Hongjoong," he repeated, fingers once again sweeping over lips that now parted submissively for him.

Hongjoong watched as those sparkling amethyst eyes regarded his lips with interest. His heart upped it's frenzied tempo, suddenly wanting to be physically closer, to feel Seonghwa's lips against his.

A breathy sigh escaped his lips and needy hands tightened around the black silk shirt, wanting, craving, as Seonghwa lowered his head, strong hands cupping his face but in such a gentle way that it sent pleasure humming through Hongjoong's body.

So close were their lips that their breath became entangled, but then a loud bang drew Seonghwa's attention away, his head snapping towards the direction of the noise.

With the noticeable twinge of disappointment in his chest, Hongjoong followed Seonghwa's gaze. One of the glass paned windows of Rosé's house had blown inwards from a strong breeze. Rosé moved quickly to fix the window back on it's latch, her strawberry-blonde hair billowing behind her as a cold breeze raced into the room.

Beyond her, through the window, Hongjoong saw the beginning of dawn's approach; pale yellow light peeking over the distant horizon.

Hongjoong was then lifted gently to his feet as Seonghwa stood, "It's getting light, we'll have to portal back to the castle."

Hongjoong liked the sound of the word 'we' when Seonghwa used it, it made his chest tingle.

Rosé frowned, "Are you sure that's safe? I mean, portaling with a mortal?" she watched Hongjoong closely.

Seonghwa turned to her, and Hongjoong felt the darkened look he gave her. It made him shiver and he moved closer to cling to Seonghwa's arm.

Rosé instantly submitted and bowed her head, "Sorry, your majesty, I wasn't questioning you."

"It's okay, Rosé," Seonghwa replied, his tone light; the dark, foreboding atmosphere softening instantly to a calmness. He looked down at Hongjoong with soft, sparkling eyes, and Hongjoong melted into his touch as he swept a hand up to cup his cheek.

"I know your intentions are honest." Seonghwa said, not shifting his attention from Hongjoong. "Can you walk?" he asked.

"Yes," Hongjoong responded. He was without shoes and his clothes were in tatters, but he felt much better since his wounds had been treated.

Seonghwa held his hand and they made their way outside to the back of Rosé's treehouse home, to an arched indentation carved into the thick trunk of the old oak tree. It looked somewhat like a door had planned to be there, and there was writing in a language Hongjoong couldn't read carved out in the middle.

Rosé stepped around Hongjoong to stand in front of the arch, and with the bright pink claw of her right index finger, she traced the grooves of the symbol-like writing.

Hongjoong's eyes widened as the writing then began to glow, and as Rosé stepped back the gnarled bark shimmered and morphed into a magnificent, almost watery like curtain of iridescent pinks and blues. It was strangely beautiful, Hongjoong had never seen anything like it and his mouth fell open in awe.

"Send Magnus back when the sun is up." Seonghwa instructed Rosé, motioning to the white horse which was now happily engrossed in eating purple wildflowers at the base of a nearby tree.

Then he turned to Hongjoong, "Come," Seonghwa led him closer to the shimmering curtain of light, a slight smile on his lips as he regarded Hongjoong, "This will take us straight into the castle; to your new home."

Hongjoong's eyes instantly flicked away from the portal and locked with Seonghwa's, his skin tingling in excitement. The unspoken promise behind Seonghwa's words took his breath away and he found himself searching those amethyst eyes for some reassurance that this wasn't just a beautiful dream that he would wake up from only to find himself pinning to return to.

Seonghwa's gentle smile provided exactly the reassurance he needed, and he was once again swept up into those strong arms.

"Hold on tight and don't be afraid." Seonghwa said, and Hongjoong did exactly that, wrapping his arms around Seonghwa's waist as they walked into the mystifying portal.

A/N: I love Rosé's voice <3

Also, I know it's a little short, but the next chapter is long and action-packed 🤠