The main shrines of the divine dragons each contain a sacred object gifted from the dragon they're tied to to humanity. These objects are referred to as the divine relics.

  Min shifted in his seat. He glanced at his mother, the tension in her eyes told him she was nervous too. He clenched his hands and took a few deep breaths trying to calm himself. It had been five years. Would father and hyung be happy to see him? He knew father would be glad to see mother. He’d read enough of their letters to know that his father had a poet’s heart, even if poetry was not his strength. In the last letter he’d gotten father had promised that things would be better now. Mother had gotten permission to bring people from her home with them too, so there would be people they could trust again.

  Min peaked out the curtained window and realized they had just crossed through the last gate. It was both familiar yet foreign. It’d been so long since he’d seen it last. The royal carriage stopped. Mother squeezed his hand reassuringly. Min gave her a quick smile before taking another deep breath, schooling his features into the mask grandfather had taught him, and climbing out of the carriage. Mother followed closely behind him. Min glanced to be sure his mother had made it down safely before turning his attention fully on the people waiting for them.

  Min fought the urge to rush forward. Father and hyung both waited for them. There were a lot of guards, but that made sense. The emperor himself was present. Emperor Han, Ju-Won stepped forward. Mother stately met him halfway, placing her hands in his. The look in their eyes had Min fighting to keep from grimacing. It was a good thing that his parents loved each other so much but… watching them was strangely unpleasant now. He hadn’t been bothered by it before. He wondered briefly if it had to do with him approaching puberty. The books he read on the subject had stated that as it approached he’d become more sensitive and be more likely to be uncomfortable or even disgusted by acts of physical affection.

  Min had followed closely behind his mother, but stayed to one side. He turned to order his servants and guards to gather his things and follow him to his palace. Movement out of the corner of his eye had Min turning back quickly, his hand catching the wrist before he even processed who it belonged to. He blinked in surprise and released the caught hand. Hanseul stood in front of him looking awkward, his hand still outstretched. Min’s eyes did a quick scan, no weapons in sight. He gave a small hesitant smile and shrugged.

  “What, too old for me to ruffle your hair now?” Hanseul asked. He then proceeded to tossel Min’s hair anyway. Though he moved more slowly than before now. Min didn’t stop his brother’s hand this time. He did however make a face. Hanseul smiled, the smile reached his eyes and Min couldn’t help but smile back. Hanseul turned to the servants and guards and gave them some quick orders. He then turned to their father and Min’s mother. He grimaced, rolled his eyes, and glanced back down at Min. “Father.”

  Ju-Won turned and looked at his sons. His smile didn’t change, though his eyes no longer looked like his heart was trying to spill out of them. Min wouldn’t have been able to keep from reacting negatively if his father had turned that level of… mushy love, in his direction.

  “MinJun, you and Hanseul go ahead.” He said, placing a hand on Min’s shoulder. “I’ll see you both at dinner.”

  Min bowed in acknowledgement, causing his father’s hand to slide off his shoulder. He didn’t miss the tightening in his father’s eyes at his formal response. Min’s extra sight told him that his father was hurt and saddened by the walls Min was putting up between them. Min didn’t care. Father had failed to protect him and mother once before. If he wanted Min to trust him again, he’d have to prove that he could keep them safe. Logically he knew that his father had protected them, that things would have been so much worse if Ju-Won hadn’t used his power as emperor to shield them. Emotionally… Min had not forgiven him yet. Min stepped past his father and mother, heading into the depths of the imperial palace.

  He both felt and heard Hanseul follow him. Min heard his mother whisper something and sighed. She probably was urging father to give him time. He could sense Hanseul’s Qi, the brief interaction had been more than enough for him to familiarize himself with it, so he wasn’t startled when his older brother placed his hand on Min’s shoulder. Min glanced at his hyung but the cold mask stayed in place. Hanseul didn’t remove his hand until they were outside Min’s palace. Hanseul’s hand slipped from his shoulder and Min reacted instinctively. He grabbed his brother’s hand, not wanting him to leave yet. Min glanced at Hanseul, using only his eyes to plead with him to stay. Hanseul nodded and gestured for Min to lead the way.

  The moment the servants left and closed the doors behind them Min turned and hugged Hanseul with all his might. Tears that would have streamed down his face soaked his brother’s outer robe. Hanseul wrapped his arms around Min as he knelt down to be closer to Min’s height. Min used the movement as an opportunity to bury his head in his older brother’s shoulder as the silent tears turned into sobs.

  “Your home now, I’m not going anywhere.” Hanseul murmured as he stroked the back of Min’s head. He hugged Min just as tightly. “I won’t let anyone hurt you.”

  “I was scared you wouldn’t like me anymore.” Min whispered.

  “What blathering idiot put that idea in your head?” Hanseul asked, his anger unmistakable.

  “No one.” Min replied. “I just… you didn’t write much.”

  “Oh, Min…” Hanseul sighed. “I’m sorry, it wasn’t because I didn’t miss you. I missed you so much. So did father. You’re my baby brother. Nothing has changed there.”

  Min pulled away so he could see his older brother’s face, meeting Hanseul's warm brown eyes with his own golden ones. “Promise?”

  “I promise.” Hanseul reassured him. Min studied every detail of his brother’s face, every microexpression, and his Qi. He was telling the truth.

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  “I don’t want to go away again.” Min said shakily. The tears had begun again.

  “You won’t have to.” Hanseul promised. “I’m officially the crown prince now, and I’ll use all the power I have to ensure you never have to leave again.”

  Min wrapped his arms around his brother’s neck and hugged him, burying his face in his brother’s shoulder again. He didn’t resist when Hanseul picked him up and carried him over to the bed. He sat holding Min in his lap.

  “Father and Sena are going to scold me for making you cry.” Hanseul said after a long moment.

  “Mother knew I’d probably cry.” Min murmured. “She’ll explain it to father.”

  The tears had stopped but he didn’t want to let go. He’d missed his hyung. Five years, he’d spent five years separated from him. Being in his older brother’s arms again made him feel safe. Hanseul had changed a lot in the last five years, but he was still his hyung. He was an adult now, his voice deeper, but the feel of his Qi was still the same. The additional strength he now felt in his brother’s arms, the callouses on his hands, only made Min feel that much safer.

  Min opened his eyes to see the dark ceiling of the room he shared with Tae. He glanced at his lover’s sleeping form and smiled. The fact that his beloved, protective, older brother grumbled about his relationship with Tae only affirmed to him how much Hanseul loved him. The fact that Hanseul didn’t do anything but grumble and goodnaturedly bicker with Tae told him that Hanseul trusted Tae. It had been reassuring to watch them tease and argue with each other.

  Min snuggled up against Tae. The man made him feel small, like when he used to follow Hanseul around as a child. It was amusing to him because Min knew he wasn’t short at all, Tae was just massive. Tae murmured in his sleep and rolled over so that he was facing Min. His arm moved and draped over Min. Min smiled, Tae’s Qi pulse told him his lover was most definitely still asleep. He closed his eyes and let himself drift back to sleep. Safe and secure in Tae’s arms.

  ***

  Tae let himself relax as he fell into the familiar and soothing rhythm of being in a kitchen again. He chopped vegetables, putting them in bowls for easy access later. That done, he turned his attention to the meat. It didn’t take long before the ground pork was sizzling in the pan. Tae tossed in the garlic, stirring it in before adding the ginger as well. He then grabbed the soy sauce, adding a splash of it. Once that was stirred in, he sprinkled in some ground black pepper. It didn’t take long before the pork was a wonderfully golden brown colour, the scent of it telling him he’d added the perfect amount of everything. Tae poured the meat mixture into a large bowl, adding a bit of sesame oil as well.

  Just in time. The water for the noodles was boiling. Tae strained the noodles, saving the water for later, before rinsing the noodles in cold water to stop them from cooking further. In smooth, quick, practiced motions Tae chopped the noodles into small pieces before adding them to the bowl that held the meat mixture. Quickly adding in the chives he’d prepared earlier.

  The water for the noodles was perfect for blanching the bean sprouts. It didn’t take long before he’d added them to the filling as well. Tae turned his attention to the next stage of the filling. He cooked up the onions and shredded zucchini in the skillet. He took care not to over cook them before adding them to the filling bowl. The tofu didn’t take more than a moment or two. Tae added more salt, pepper, and sesame oil to the filling before he mixed everything together.

  He washed and dried his hands before grabbing the dumpling skin he’d prepared this morning, along with a small bowl of water. He spooned in the filling, folded the edges of the dumpling skin together, sealing it with practiced movements. Soon the counter was filled with the dumplings. Tae was glad he’d prepared the dipping sauce ahead of time. There really wasn’t any room to work with now.

  He smiled to himself, happy, as he placed the dumplings in the bamboo steamers. He could have made a soup instead, but Tae was in the mood for steamed dumplings today. Besides, a large pot at the back of the stove simmered away filled with a different soup. Tae checked on the rice, and smoked fish. He hummed to himself as he made sure everything was as it should be before beginning to clean up while he waited for the dumplings to cook. He was looking forward to Min eating his food again. The food the Seok clan cooks made was good, but Tae had missed cooking. Now that he was familiar and more comfortable with his dragon form, spending most of his time in the half dragon half human form he’d shown Min all those months ago it was the perfect time to start up again.

  Tae gestured to the servants that had carefully kept out of his way while he cooked. They quickly began dishing up the food according to the instructions Tae had given them before he’d taken over the kitchen. He served up his and Min’s portions himself. It was easy enough to carry it all himself, it wasn’t exactly heavy. He’d snagged some rice wine as well. They already had everything they needed to make tea in their rooms. He wasn’t surprised to see that Min had the tea ready when he arrived. Min’s ability to see Qi much like Tae did made it easy for them to find each other, and time things like this.

  Tae smiled at the greedy way Min’s eyes roved over him as he entered the room. The way Min sighed appreciatively at the smell of the food Tae placed on their table. Tae stole a quick kiss before seating himself across from Min. He knew if he sat beside his lover neither of them would be able to appreciate the food as much as it deserved. Besides, it gave him the perfect view of Min. Min moaned as he bit into one of the dumplings and Tae smirked, even as he clenched his fist at the sound. The way everything Min did had him lusting after him made Tae thankful he had as much self-control as he did. The look Min gave him as Tae bit into his own dumpling, the flavour flooding his mouth, kept the smirk on Tae’s face. Knowing he affected Min just as much was incredibly satisfying.

  “I missed your cooking.” Min told him. The way he was tucking into the food made it abundantly clear he wasn’t just saying that.

  “I’m always happy to cook for you.” Tae replied smiling.

  Both of them focused more on their food than conversation. Only once they’d both finished eating, and had downed a bottle of rice wine each, did Tae move from his side of the table. He slid behind Min, pulling his lover into his lap as he wrapped his arms around him. Min sighed contentedly and leaned against him. After a long moment Min got up, reaching his hand out to Tae. Tae took it and stood as well. He let Min lead him to another room. Min did not go to the room that held their bed, instead he went to the study. Tae tilted his head curious. When Min let go of his hand to open a familiar ornately carved box Tae smiled. He sat at the table that held the gayageum as Min pulled out the white jade flute.

  Tae waited for Min to start playing. Music poured from the instrument, a melody Tae was familiar with. His fingers danced across the cords as he played the accompaniment. Tae surrendered himself to the music, not noticing Min had as well. The music danced, filling the room as it wove through the air about them. Tying them together intimately. It felt like their very souls danced together as they played. The notes guiding them in the steps, their hearts speaking without words.

  Memories glided along the melody. Tae’s heart ached slightly in response. Part of him wishing that the bipa in the corner could join them. The brief image of it being held, brown hair next to Min’s black, drew tears to Tae’s eyes. He blinked them back, not wanting to worry Min and ruin the beautiful moment. He closed his eyes and focused on the feel of Min’s Qi, it danced around him as if to echo the music. Tae couldn’t help but smile.