Each divine dragon is served by the divine beasts. The celestial dragons are no exception to this. The divine beasts take on the aspects and colours of the dragon they serve. The twelve types of divine beasts are: tiger, wolf, fox, snake, peacock, monkey, elk, rabbit, turtle, swan, bear, and salamander.

  Sunlight warmed his face, it’s light enough to make the back of his eyelids red. Min stretched, keeping his eyes closed, not wanting to fully wake yet. His arm brushed something soft and warm. Min snuggled in towards the warmth. He smiled to himself as Tae’s arm wrapped around him, pulling him closer. Min enjoyed the warmth and let it lull him back into sleep.

  A knock at the door woke him. Min groaned, tried to roll over but Tae’s arm tightened, stopping him. He felt Tae’s lips press against the top of his head. All desire to move vanished. The knocking came again, interrupting the contented state Min had lulled into.

  “Morning love birds.” a familiar voice said far too cheerily. “I know you’re both awake.”

  “I wouldn’t have to get up to get rid of you.” Tae replied. Min smirked at how grumpy his lover sounded. Tae was usually so calm and took everything in stride, so watching him be grumpy was very entertaining.

  “I’m well aware you could kill me without leaving your bed.” Shin replied, still cheerful.

  “What do you want, Shin?” Tae grumbled.

  “Not me, the younglings are asking for their uncle Tae. Mine are also asking when they get to meet their new pretty uncle.”

  Tae sighed and Min couldn’t help but laugh.

  “Everyone else has already eaten, so you’ll have to raid the kitchen yourself when you two finally leave this room.” Shin said, his voice getting quieter as he walked away from the door.

  Min wiggled free and sat up. Tae didn’t move, but his grey eyes watched him. Min leaned down and kissed his lover’s forehead. All irritation vanished from Tae’s face and he smiled.

  “Time to get up.” Min told him as he slipped out of the bed. He could feel Tae watching him, so he put an extra flourish in his steps and movements as he gathered their clothing. He brought a change of clothes for both of them with him as he came back to the bed. He set the clothing on the end of the bed and sat next to Tae. “I did not see a wash basin.”

  “It’s in the adjoining room.” Tae said as he sat up. He looked from Min to the clothing at the end of the bed. Min could tell Tae was thinking but wasn’t sure what Tae was contemplating. “Grab the clothes.”

  Min did as he was told. He didn’t usually listen to orders, but if they came from Tae he did. There was either a good reason for said order, or it was going to lead to something fun. Which was all Min needed to be willing to follow instructions or commands without much context.

  He had just gathered the clothing into his lap when Tae scooped him up. Tae carried him as if he weighed nothing into the next room. Tae’s warm arms and chest a comforting sensation against his bare skin. Sadly they didn’t mess around in the bathing room at all. Though Min suspected that that was mostly due to the fact that he still had red marks from last night.

  Once they were both clean and dressed, Min followed Tae out into the courtyard. Tae led him with confidence towards what Min assumed was the kitchen. Min was more than happy to follow along his hand clasped in his lover’s. Tae always had a good sense of direction, but there was something about the way he moved that indicated he was exceptionally familiar with the place.

  “Hungry for anything specific?” Tae asked as they approached a building with multiple chimneys.

  “I like everything you make, and since these are the people who taught you how to cook I’m sure I’d like anything.” Min said with a smile. Tae returned his smile, Tae’s eyes lit up with the smile. There was something more relaxed about him. It wasn’t any one thing, it was lots of little small things. His stance, his shoulders, his eyes, Min was enjoying seeing Tae like this.

  “There’s probably some pastries we can grab before hunting down where the kids are playing.” Tae said.

  “Sounds perfect.” Min said. He’d known Tae liked children, but he hadn’t realized how much. He was looking forward to seeing Tae interact with the children of the Seong clan now.

  They entered the kitchen and were greeted by everyone in there. Min had expected to see it filled with servants, that was not the case. Several of the people he had met yesterday, including the wife of the clan head, were in the kitchen. Everyone was busy cooking or cleaning up after themselves. Min was reminded of the rumors about the Seong clan and how they were eccentric and lovers of food and the arts. It seemed those rumors were spot on. There was none of the decorum of the clan leaders and nobles Min was used to dealing with. It was a lot more like how things were in Hwan’s Dragon. Rank clearly meant nothing to these people, and Min was more than happy to follow their lead.

  A whirlwind of moments later, Min found himself holding a bag filled with buns and back out in the courtyard. Tae had a bag and skins filled with what Min assumed was water. Still hand in hand, Tae lead him through the maze of buildings to a large garden space. Children ran around the large open space giggling and squealing. Min recognized Shin seated next to a small woman. There were other faces that Min vaguely recognized from yesterday, but no other names came to mind immediately. He continued to scan the area as the approached, he finally recognized Chang, Kyong.

  “Uncle Tae!” a child screamed. His voice was soon echoed by every child in the garden. The first child was running towards them and the rest of them weren’t far behind. The children quickly swarmed them.

  Tae knelt down but didn’t let go of Min’s hand. The children talked over each other and several of them had climbed up on Tae.

  “What’s this uncle Tae?” one of them asked, pointing at the bag Tae carried.

  “Open it.” Tae told her.

  She did as she was told and squealed in delight.

  “Treats!” another announced. “Uncle Tae brought treats!”

  The children clambered around the bag. The girl who had opened it was passing them out making sure everyone got one. The children who had climbed up on Tae hurried down so they could get one too. Min tried not to laugh.

  “Uncle Tae,” a young girl said, tugging at Tae’s sleeve. “Mommy wants to meet the pretty uncle.”

  “Daddy said he’s as pretty as the uncle who taught daddy to play our favourite lullabies.” another little girl chimed in.

  Tae’s hand squeezed his and Min returned the pressure. He knew exactly who the children were talking about, and his own heart hurt. Children were brutal in their innocence sometimes.

  The older of the two girl’s held Tae’s hand, while the younger looked at Min for a moment before holding her little hand out to him. Min smiled, he slipped the bag he held over his shoulder and took the little hand offered to him. The girl’s led them to where Shin and what Min was assuming was his wife sat. Only when they got closer did Min realize that the woman held an infant in her arms.

  “Bitna, I know Shin has likely already told you, but this is Lee, Min.” Tae said, “Min, this is Shin’s wife, Ahn, Bitna. She somehow miraculously puts up with him.”

  “Yeah, I’m still not sure how that works.” Kyong chimed in as everyone laughed.

  “I think you lot forget that I got dragged into some of your antics growing up.” Bitna replied. “Nice to meet you Min, I’d get up to greet you properly but…” She trailed off and lifted the baby in her arms.

  “My mother would never let me live it down if I let you get up to greet me.” Min reassured her.

  “Shin’s description did not do you justice.” Bitna said. She turned to her husband. “You said he was pretty.”

  “He is!” Shin objected. “How is he not?”

  “He’s more than just pretty.” His wife scolded. “The man is easily as beautiful as my cousin was and you know it.”

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  Min squeezed Tae’s hand. He now knew why her family name had been familiar.

  “Min, these two rascals that dragged us over here are Dasom and Sook. They’re Shin and Bitna’s daughters.” Tae said changing the subject.

  “And this little bundle, the new little heir to the Seong clan,” Bitna said, “is our little Hyuk.”

  Tae’s hand tensed. Min held his lover’s hand firmly, knowing full well that Tae held on like he was a lifeline. Min turned to look at Tae. Tears streamed down his lover’s face. He dropped the bag he held and pulled Tae to him. Tae didn’t resist. Everyone around them was smiling, but those smiles held the pain of grief. Min was beginning to understand how much Ahn, Hyuk had meant to everyone here. After a moment Tae took a shaky deep breath and pulled away. He grabbed for Min’s hand again before kneeling down to look at the baby.

  “Hello little Hyuk, it’s nice to meet you.” Tae’s voice shook, but he was smiling again.

  ***

  Tae watched in silence. He could not believe they were making Min do this. Sure all of them had had to before joining the squadron, but the war had been over for almost six years now. Though the fact that they were inducting Min into the squadron made his heart tingle in ways he hadn’t expected.

  Min looked at the building where his target slept. Tae knew his lover could do this. The man wasn’t as skilled in stealth as he himself was, but he was more than capable of stealing the amulet from the retired weapons master and martial instructor’s quarters while the old man slept.

  Tae’s eyes tracked Min’s every move as the man slipped into the shadows surrounding the building. He’d been given the same amount of information that they all had. They’d actually given him a little extra information as he was going in blind whereas they’d all been more familiar with the layout of the building. They’d drawn him a map in the dirt, and answered most of the questions Min had asked. Shin had told him it was to even out the playing field as the rest of them had had the advantage of familiar territory.

  Tae tracked Min’s progress through his Qi. Shin sat on his left, practically lounging on the rooftop where they watched. Jiho sat on Tae’s right, his hand resting on Tae’s shoulder. He seemed to half expect Tae to help Min somehow. Tae ignored him. He watched Min’s golden Qi as it moved like a shadowy mist through the room where the amulet would be hiding. Old man Park had come up with this particular trial so he wouldn’t be more than mildly annoyed when he discovered what happened in the morning.

  As far as Tae knew, the old man didn’t wear the amulet. It was a gift from old man Geon, former patriarch and leader of the Seong clan, Shin’s paternal grandfather. So while he’d definitely notice it missing, it wouldn’t cause any harm to steal it like they used to. Tae mused that there was a good chance the old man would just laugh.

  If Min failed however… Old man Park would give them all a beating. The old man hadn’t hit that hard when Tae first met him, so he doubted he’d do any worse now. Tae would have no qualms with submitting to whatever punishment old man Park decided on, he would not however, let him touch Min. He knew the man wouldn’t object if he offered to take Min’s share as well.

  Tae shook his head, clearing his thoughts. From what he could discern, Min should be approaching the chest where old man Park kept the amulet. A condensing of Qi told him that Min had found the amulet. Tae then noticed the orange-red Qi of old man Park light up. The old man had woken. Tae tensed, ready to intervene if Min got caught.

  “Hold it Tae-Hwan, he’s got to do this on his own.” Jiho said.

  Tae shrugged off Jiho’s hand, which he’d been ignoring. Jiho grabbed Tae’s arm.

  “Jiho.” Shin said sternly. Jiho released him. “Tae-Hwan won’t do anything unless Min gets caught.”

  “The rule is that it has to be done alone.” Jiho rebutted. Tae growled. If Jiho tried to stop him he’d find himself off the roof and headed head first for dirt.

  “You didn’t watch the rest of us do it did you.” Shin said. It was phrased like a question, but there was no question in the statement.

  “Of course not.” Jiho answered anyways. Tae watched as Min’s Qi indicated he was headed for the second floor.

  “Then you missed the bit where Tae-Hwan watched each of us, just like now.” Shin told him.

  “What?” Jiho said surprised. Tae mostly ignored him. He was tracking Min and Park. Old man Park hadn’t left the first floor. He hadn’t gone into the room than housed the amulet yet, so likely didn’t know what was happening.

  “You thought he’d let any of us deal with master Park alone?” Kyong asked. “He was tensed to spring when Park almost caught you.”

  “You…” Jiho seemed at a loss for words. “Why? We were supposed to handle the task alone.”

  “Why do you think I wasn't the leader of our squadron?” Shin asked. “I just stood and watched. Unlike Tae-Hwan who was ready to rescue us at a moment's notice.”

  Tae felt more than saw Jiho look down. The man was embarrassed. Probably felt bad about how he’d handled things tonight. He’d objected to the others making Min an honorary member of the squadron, something Tae had never asked for, stating that Min needed to go through the same trial they all had if he wanted to join. Min had agreed.

  Tae relaxed when Min climbed out the second-story window and onto the rooftop. Min looked directly at him. Tae nodded and shifted his weight. Min flashed a smile, his Qi surged, and he jumped. Tae reached out and grabbed him before his feet touched the roof. Tae pulled him up the rest of the way.

  “Welcome to the black dragon squadron.” Tae told him.

  “Now to put the amulet where the old man will find it sometime tomorrow.” Shin laughed.

  The five of them jumped across the rooftops until they reached the central platform outside of the clan head’s building. There in the center of the paved area was a statue. Tae motioned for Min to lead. His lover slipped to ground level with ease. Tae followed closely behind him. He heard the others follow him down. Min hung the amulet on the hilt of the statue’s sword.

  Tae turned to Shin grinning. Shin pulled a bundle of fabric out from where it had been hidden in his sleeve all evening. With false solemnity Shin unfurled the fabric and tied it around the statue like a cape. The five of them laughed as they made their way from the central platform. Their steps infused with Qi as they travelled through the clan complex towards the outer walls. About halfway they began climbing up the buildings. It didn’t take long to reach the old tower.

  As the others laughed in their old gathering place, each sitting by habit in the places they’d sat years ago. Tae purposely seated himself in Hyuk’s old spot and guided Min to his own. He knew his friends noticed but none of them would say anything. He wanted to make it clear that Min was not a replacement for Hyuk.

  “You need to visit more often.” Shin told him.

  “It’s been like old times having you here.” Kyong agreed. Jiho smiled and nodded.

  “To old times and new memories then.” Tae said pulled bottles of wine out from where he’d hidden them in his clothing. Cheers and laughter greeted this. It didn’t take long for them to finish several bottles.

  “You always snagged us the best wine.” Kyong said, taking a drink from the new bottle Tae handed to him.

  “You were all rather surprised the first time.” Tae laughed. The wine was strong and Tae felt a peace he hadn’t in some time.

  “The only one who wasn’t surprised was Hyuk, and that’s because the rascal had been the one to tell you where the cellar was.” Kyong replied.

  “Even I hadn’t expected you to be the one to break the most rules.” Shin said. “You always got away with it too.”

  “He was more skilled than the adults back then. How were they supposed to catch him?” Jiho added.

  “Didn’t help that he had Hyuk coaching him.” Kyong grumbled.

  “The two with the most innocent faces.” Shin sighed. “Your face is just as bad Min.”

  Laughter erupted from the other two.

  “It’s worse.” Jiho said.

  “Never thought I’d see a man more beautiful than Hyuk had been.” Kyong agreed.

  “Not more beautiful, just different.” Tae said quietly.

  “Equally beautiful, just more striking features.” Shin commented, patting Tae’s shoulder.

  Tae watched Min, nervous to how his lover would react. He hadn’t anticipated his friends to talk about Hyuk like this in front of him. He’d known they’d bring Hyuk up, but not like this.

  “Jealous that he’s got better taste than you?” Min challenged. He looked directly at Jiho as he said it. Kyong and Shin laughed.

  “Is that why you’re still single, Jiho?” Shin teased.

  Jiho turned beet red, he took another swig from one of the bottles that still had wine in it.

  “Nah, it’s ‘cause his little flower is playing hard to get.” Kyong said, he slurred his words a little.

  “Kyong!” Jiho exclaimed

  Shin and Tae leaned forward. “Who is it?” they asked together.

  “Who is the girl who finally caught Jiho’s eye?” Tae asked.

  “Old man Park’s granddaughter.” Kyong laughed. “That’s why he was so on edge tonight. He was worried if things went wrong he’d lose his chance.”

  “So that’s why you insisted we don’t interfere.” Shin said.

  “Worried the old man won’t approve of you?” Tae asked.

  Jiho grumbled something irreverent and rather unflattering about Kyong. It was true though. Kyong was the son of a bastard. Though his father was a very attractive man, so the more descriptive bit about his father was entirely false.

  “Have you told her how you feel about her?” Min asked.

  “Probably not.” Kyong answered for him. He’d completely ignored the comments about his father.

  “You should.” Min replied.

  “Why, that how Tae-Hwan won you over?” Jiho asked, his voice laced heavily with sarcasm.

  “Nah, he waited until an assassin nearly killed me, we cleaned up after the ambush, and then still needed some nudging from Shin and my friends.” Min told him.

  “Maybe Shin should give you a hand as well then.” Kyong said laughing.

  “I did tell you prior to that mess. I told you the very first night we met.” Tae interrupted.

  “That bit about the bet doesn’t count.” Min said.

  “Should I have kissed you that first night then?” Tae asked.

  “I definitely wouldn’t have minded if you had.” Min told him. Tae watched his lips spread into a smile. One that made him want to crush those soft lips with his own.

  “With sparks like that, I don’t see why you would’ve needed help.” Jiho laughed. “Probably better I officially confess to her though.”

  Tae pulled Min to him, wrapping his arm around his lover’s shoulders and guiding Min’s head to rest on his own shoulder. He smiled as he watched his friends. More stories of the past were brought up, but it didn’t hurt. He was able to laugh alongside them.