Archive of Our Own

“What do you mean you forgot to book the restaurant?”

Hanbin was easily annoyed, but to make him truly angry, his patience had to be tested more than once. 

His current boyfriend, Duho, tested him once again as he shrugged from the passenger seat of their car. 

“I dunno,” he said casually. “You didn’t remind me to do it.”

“We’ve been planning this weekend for two weeks,” Hanbin hissed. “I took care of the hotel, the car, the activities, and all the food except for this restaurant which you said you’d handle.”

“It was two weeks ago, how was I supposed to remember?” Duho groaned. “Besides, who cares? There’s dozens of restaurants on the pier. Let’s just go somewhere else.”

“I care,” he snapped back immediately. “My cousin works there! And we talked about this! You never put any effort into this relationship!”

“You’re so high maintenance! What, do you want me to be like a dog and always do everything for you?”

Hanbin breathed in deeply, looking out at the sea and feeling the breeze from the open window on his skin. This sunset should’ve been romantic and soothing. Instead, Hanbin had arrived to this beach town stressed, and now he wouldn’t even be able to eat his cousin’s cooking. He had to face it; this vacation would’ve been so much better if he had gone solo. 

Thankfully, this could always be fixed. 

“We’re done.”

“What?” Duho frowned. 

“It’s over. I’m not doing this anymore. Go find another hotel to stay at and if you try to contact me, I’ll block you.”

“You’re dumping me because of a restaurant reservation?!”

“Sure, if that’s what you want to think. Get out of the car. And take your bag with you or it will end up in a dumpster.”

Duho stared at him with a mix of bewilderment and rage before insulting him as he slowly crawled out. Hanbin tuned out the threats and swears. It was always the same. 

The first time Hanbin had ever broken up with a boyfriend, it had been absolutely awful. His middle school self had been heartbroken, he’d stood his ground way too late, and every word had cut like a knife. Then that boy had spread rumors, and it had felt like his whole life had been over. 

With age, and experience, Hanbin was now completely jaded. He didn’t have to take it if his boyfriend was being a dick. In fact, he could see the red flags from so far away that he rarely even dated anymore. He had a rock solid social circle who didn’t care about hearsay, and had enough self-love to know that he deserved better. 

But still. It was never a pleasant experience. 

“And by the way,” Duho barked, holding the door open to keep berating him. “Your purity act? No one fucking cares! Playing hard to get just means I’ll fuck someone else on the side and you’re too stupid to notice! Bitches like you deserve nothing else!”

The door slammed shut, and Hanbin couldn’t help a wince. It had been a while since he’d been cheated on; adding another incident to the list felt like a personal failure. With a sigh, Hanbin selected his favorite breakup playlist. Time to move on, mentally and physically. 

Hanbin drove away, just in case his freshly abandoned ex would want to key his rental car in retribution. It had happened before. At the end of the first song, Hanbin quickly called the hotel to warn them that a belligerent stranger might attempt to force his way through, and to please note that his double bed room was actually for one Sung Hanbin only, thank you very much. 

By the time Hanbin arrived on this secondary, slightly uglier beach, night had fallen and so had his anger. He was tired of always ending up with some kind of scum, and tired of being the only one of his friends still struggling to find a long term partner. Too tired to even get mad about it. 

He left the car and stumbled down the unsteady slope leading to the sea. It wasn’t meant to be a path, wild plants growing between the rocks, but Hanbin trudged forward anyway. He didn’t know the area. He just knew he needed some beach time right now. 

Thankfully, he ended up discovering a wonderful little place. The half moon illuminated huge flat rocks forming a spike piercing into the sea, high enough that the waves couldn’t reach up. Hanbin jumped his way to the peak of this arrow, admiring the puddles full of sea life left behind during high tides. These creatures lived a hard life, but they persisted. Hanbin would, too. 

With a sigh, he laid down on the cold stone, staring at the sparkly sky. This might have been his limit. Duho had seemed perfectly nice at first, but cracks had rapidly started to show, and Hanbin was exhausted by this pattern. 

That was why he’d started withholding sex in the first place. Not that he didn’t want to get laid, but if someone truly loved him, wouldn’t they be willing to wait? To appreciate him as a person instead of starting with sex and building from there? Hanbin had been with too many people using him like a slab of meat. He couldn’t do it again. 

At least then he didn’t get cheated on. 

Hanbin sniffled as a shooting star flew over his head. As a kid, he had once wished to fall in love. Not even with someone in particular, or for this love to be reciprocated; just to feel the fabled beauty of this emotion. Then he’d started dating that awful boy, and it had been all downhill from there. Maybe shooting stars were like genies. Always finding the worst outcome of innocent phrasings. 

Hanbin knew better now. He knew he could love, although it had been a minute since the last time it had happened. What he wanted was someone worthy of this love. This whole country seemed devoid of men both single and more than mediocre—no wonder the national fertility rates were so low. 

But more than mediocre wasn’t enough. If he had to wish, then Hanbin would really take advantage of it. He didn’t want a perfect man, since perfection was subjective. No, he wanted a man able to function in a couple. A man faithful, dedicated, caring, who would appreciate Hanbin for who he was in a romantic way. 

Judging by his dating history, Hanbin truly had no other chance but to bet on divine intervention to find someone matching this criteria. 

When another shooting star crossed the sky, bright and long, he was ready. 

“I wish for the perfect lover,” he quickly said, shoving in all the syllables before the trail faded. 

Alone, surrounded by the calm sea, Hanbin chuckled bitterly. Now the universe really had no excuse to not do its job properly. 

“I’m here.”

Hanbin bolted upright, terrified by the voice behind him. He scrambled onto his feet, turned to the young man, and— This guy was completely naked! Dick out flapping in the wind! With a gasp and burning from embarrassment, Hanbin pressed his eyelids shut. 

“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to— I’m a tourist, I didn’t know this was a private beach!”

“Private beach?” the nudist repeated, sounding confused. “The concept of owning land will always escape me. Capitalism really did a number on you, poor things.”

It didn’t make a lot of sense, but Hanbin focused more on his voice than his words. It was a deep, smooth, rich voice which wrapped Hanbin into a warm embrace. Lucky for him he wasn’t naked too, because getting half hard just with that was frankly embarrassing. 

“Again, so sorry, I’ll be going.”

“Why the rush?”

Suddenly, a hand was on Hanbin’s waist, making him open his eyes again. There was only the moonlight to discern the face now inches from his, but it was enough to establish the facts; he was beautiful. Soft, silky hair falling over thick eyebrows, the smooth slope of a nose guiding down to inviting downturned lips, flawless skin, cute ears. 

More than anything, it was his eyes that caught Hanbin’s attention. Deep, deep pools of darkness drawing him in, with a single spark shimmering at the bottom like drowned treasure. Gazing at it made Hanbin strangely dazed. So much so that when a hand started caressing his chest, he didn’t question it. 

“We could have fun, you and I,” the stranger said, voice dropping low. “I could make you feel a pleasure mortals could only dream of.”

Oh. This was about sex. 

Hanbin politely but firmly grabbed the young man’s wrists and pulled his hands off. 

“Sorry, but I’m not interested. It’s late already. Have a nice evening, sir.”

The young man froze, utterly shocked, and Hanbin sidestepped him to leave. A few seconds into his ascent, a yell reached him. 

“What do you mean not interested?!”

“Good night!” Hanbin yelled back, hurrying. 

He was used to turning down offers. It was hard, but Hanbin was steadfast in his principles: he would not start a relationship with sex again. This only ever led him to situationships at best, toxic dehumanization at worst. 

Not to mention, he knew from experience that a rebound was never good, and frolicking with a nudist hours after a breakup with someone who cheated on him— Okay, maybe Hanbin was still sore about that point. He needed to complain to his friends. 

The drive back to the hotel was spent on a long debriefing call with Matthew. As always, his best friend’s creative insults were colorful enough to make Hanbin laugh again. Thus he was in pretty high spirits when he checked into the hotel, made absolutely sure that his ex wouldn’t knock on his door with the desk, and entered his room. The lock automatically closing felt like freedom. 

Hanbin put down his bag, stretched, and stopped by the bathroom before hearing a badly acted cough in the corner of the room and turning with a yelp. 

It was the beach stranger. Just as naked. 

“Alright, I understand that bare rocks and saltwater might have been a turnoff for you. Now that there’s a bed—”

“Who are you?!” Hanbin yelled, pulling a chair to have some protection between him and the home invader. “How did you get here?!”

“You summoned me,” the young man pouted, seemingly vexed by the reaction. “I am Zhang Hao, the sex demon you wished for. I’m bound to you.”

It was the stupidest, fakest thing Hanbin had ever heard. But how could he appear in the room out of nowhere when Hanbin had left before him? There was no way the security had let him in like this either. Hanbin’s mind was reeling as he tried to come up with any explanation not involving teleportation. 

Also, Hanbin very much didn’t remember wishing for a sex demon. 

“This doesn’t seem right.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, am I not hot enough?” Zhang Hao scoffed, crossing his arms. 

Hanbin’s eyes went down his frame. Lean muscles, thin waist, bubble butt, incredible thighs, well endowed— His eyes snapped back up. 

“It’s not about being hot! And what even is a sex demon? Are you going to suck my life out of my dick?!”

“No, that’s a succubus. If they suck your life with their dick they’re an incubus. I’m better than them because I can do both. Not that I’d drain you, of course. It would be distasteful.”

Hanbin held his heavy head in his hand. This couldn’t be happening. None of it made sense, and now he had a naked guy in his room. There was no way Zhang Hao could’ve come so fast to the hotel and why was his dick out?!

“Please at least put on something,” Hanbin strained, rummaging through his clothes to hand him a plain shirt. 

Zhang Hao sighed. 

“If that’s what turns you on.”

“It’s really not.”

“Then wha—”

“Put the shirt on, Hao.”

Zhang Hao looked incredibly dejected as he dressed up. While Hanbin dug through the depth of his bag for spare underwear, his phone started vibrating. It wasn’t Matthew, sadly. 

“Should’ve blocked him right away,” he groaned. 

“Who’s that?” Zhang Hao asked, materializing above his shoulder. 

There was no reason to talk about his private life to an exhibitionist stalking him, but the anger was hard enough to repress that Hanbin responded anyway. 

“The cheater whom I called my boyfriend this morning.”

“Oh, I see.”

The flat reaction did not prepare Hanbin to immediately have his phone snatched. Zhang Hao took the call, sitting on the bed and crossing his legs like a model. 

“Hi, this is Zhang Hao speaking.”

Hanbin frantically gestured at him to end the call, but he barely looked his way. 

“Mhm. No, that won’t be possible. He says you cheated on him?”

Mortified, Hanbin slowly crumbled in silence. Zhang Hao hummed periodically before raising his free hand. 

“I see. I can’t let you get off so easily, though. I’m sure you understand.”

As he moved his hand, his fingers traced a glowing pink circle in the air, symbols and lines turning it into a skillfully executed pattern before Zhang Hao put his whole palm over it. 

“Impotence.”

Hanbin watched in complete shock as the sigil turned into sparkles shimmering up to the ceiling. Was that… Did he just witness…

“Here you go,” Zhang Hao said, handing him back his phone displaying the end of call screen. “He won’t cheat on anyone for a while.”

Hanbin silently stared at the phone for long enough that Zhang Hao flipped it back to the mattress. That was magic, just now. Did the naked beach intruder just curse his ex to take viagra for life after teleporting into his hotel room?

“You’re really a sex demon?”

“A rough approximation to fit your cultural understanding of the world, but yes.”

“And you’re here because…?”

“Because you summoned me,” he insisted. “I told you already.”

Zhang Hao dramatically unfolded his legs, and Hanbin couldn’t help but stare at the now exposed dick in the middle. 

The shooting star. The damn shooting star had fucked him over… again!

“I wished for the perfect lover,” Hanbin wheezed. 

“And here I am, ready to make love to you like no other could,” Zhang Hao cooed, leaning back seductively. 

“No. No, no, no, no.”

The demon snapped back up, offended. 

“No?!”

“Look, there’s been a misunderstanding,” Hanbin explained, finally pulling out his underwear. “I was looking for a relationship. Not sex.”

Zhang Hao swatted at the red boxers held his way, completely flabbergasted. 

“You pulled the threads of fate itself to bring me here and you’re— You’re some kind of monk renouncing your earthly desires?!”

“I really don’t have to justify my choices to you,” Hanbin frowned, crossing his arms. “You’re the one who teleported yourself into my room!”

“I can’t believe you hate sex,” Zhang Hao whispered, flopping back onto the sheets. 

“I don’t hate sex. I just want to wait until I have a real emotional connection with my boyfriend before going there.”

“A puritanical repressed man,” the demon whined, curling himself on his side. “What am I going to do?”

“I don’t know, maybe go have sex with someone else?”

Zhang Hao had a long-suffering sigh as he rolled around in self pity. As his auburn hair shifted, a small pink horn revealed itself in the middle of his forehead, reminiscent of a unicorn’s. 

“I can’t leave. I’m here for you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I need to satisfy you before I’m able to go back home. One way or another.”

“So you’re stuck here?”

“With you,” Zhang Hao nodded, rolling again to finally reach a pillow. “Great thinking, the double bed. Sleeping pressed together would’ve been difficult considering your crippling intimacy issues.”

Slowly, Hanbin realized the horrible, horrible truth. 

“You mean… You’re spending the night with me?”

“Where else would I go?”

“And for how many nights?”

“Until I satisfy you.”

“If you become my roommate then I expect you to pay your share of the rent and food bill,” Hanbin warned. 

Zhang Hao didn’t even turn his head, his form only a white shirt and round butt. 

“With what money?”

Devastated, Hanbin sat down on the bed too. Not only did he not go to the restaurant, not only was he still stressed, not only was he now back to being single after being cheated on, Hanbin now had to figure out his budget to feed a supernatural creature trying to fuck him. 

“You won’t do anything weird while I sleep, right?”

“Nobody gets satisfied with boundaries crossed. I’m not going to touch you when you said no.”

After a moment of reflection, Hanbin turned off the lights, undressed down to his underwear, and laid down next to Zhang Hao. Maybe it was all a stress-induced delirium. Maybe it would all be gone after waking up. 

Could one lodge a complaint with shooting stars?

***

Surprisingly, Hanbin slept very well that night. He would’ve expected that the stress of having a stranger in his bed would’ve been enough to keep him awake, and yet. 

Even the relentless snoring hadn’t ruined it. 

Hanbin stared at the bedroom ceiling, jackhammer in his ear and no covers left since Zhang Hao had collected it all to hug something in his sleep. Without the urgency and confusion of last night, Hanbin could finally organize his thoughts. 

First of all, he was over his ex. They hadn’t even dated for a month. And by the way, him cheating in such a short time frame only proved that Hanbin’s chastity logic was sound. The trash took itself out. 

Second, Zhang Hao really was magic. He’d tried to discreetly scrape off the little horn on his forehead and only made the man whine in his sleep. It wasn’t glued on. Google pictures didn’t find any medical condition similar to it either. An actual sex demon was in his bed. 

Third, and maybe most importantly, he wouldn’t be pressured into “being satisfied” just to get rid of Zhang Hao. Not that he wasn’t the most beautiful man Hanbin had ever laid eyes upon, and just looking at him for too long gave him a semi. It was a question of principle. A principle that, once again, had served him well. 

They were stuck together for now, though, and as financially dire as their situation was, Hanbin wasn’t about to let the guy die of hunger and exposure. He had summoned him, after all, as improbable as it was. 

“Hao,” Hanbin declared, sitting up. “Breakfast was included. We should go, I’m starving.”

Zhang Hao groaned, rubbing his face against the pillow. It was as cute as it was annoying. 

“Five more minutes,” he muttered. 

Hanbin did the only reasonable thing when faced with such a childish reaction and pulled the covers away. Zhang Hao curled up with an anguished shout before kicking his legs in irritation. It was hard to ignore the bobbing parts beneath the shirt as he went through a small tantrum. 

“Why would you do that! It’s cold!”

“We’re going to miss the service,” Hanbin chuckled, grabbing the discarded red boxers and giving it to him again. “Come on, get dressed.”

Zhang Hao kept on whining as Hanbin contemplated wearing the same clothes again. He’d only taken two shirts, underwear and a spare pair of shorts with him. He quickly put his pants back on, and pulled the shorts out of the bag as Zhang Hao walked to him, his private parts finally covered. 

“Here, take those.”

Zhang Hao’s nose crinkled in disgust as he took the folded fabric. 

“That’s all you have?”

“I’m here only for the weekend. I only needed two changes of clothes. You’re lucky I have spare shorts at all!”

The grimace on the demon’s face only got worse as he put it on. Hanbin tried not to stare at the way the waistband caught on the swell of his ass. 

“What’s the issue?” Hanbin asked. 

“It’s just not flattering on me,” Zhang Hao sighed. “I’m supposed to seduce you… But now I’m stuck in a shirt and khakis? That’s fucked up.”

“We don’t really have a choice here.”

“Bring me to the local market,” the demon suddenly demanded. “I’ll find something better.”

“It would be too expensive! Just wait until I go back home, you’ll have my whole wardrobe.”

“And it looks better than this?”

Fashion wasn’t Hanbin’s major. He wasn’t ashamed of it. He had found exactly one flattering cut of shirt and sometimes paired it with a flannel tied around his sweatpants. And this was a good life for himself, but if his sister’s opinion was anything to go by, few would enjoy living in his busted brown shoes. 

“Okay, I’ll buy you a few clothes,” Hanbin agreed sheepishly. “We just need to be mindful of the price tag.”

“Don’t worry, I know how to haggle,” Hao bragged, and he looked smug enough for it to be believable. 

Finally getting something in his stomach was like a blessing to Hanbin. Seated in the pretty breakfast room of the hotel with an overflowing plate, he sighed satisfiedly. 

“I didn’t get to eat dinner yesterday,” he noted to Hao who was gorging himself. “My ex was supposed to book a specific restaurant and he didn’t.”

Hanbin was kind of expecting Hao to ask why they didn’t just go elsewhere, but he only scoffed. 

“Wow, completely useless. You handled the rental car and the hotel and he couldn’t even do that?”

Stunned by how readily the demon both understood the underlying problem and took his side, Hanbin took a second before leaning forward. 

“Right?! I had so much planned too! I bought tickets to the oceanic museum, mapped out the optimal hike path around the coast, researched the…”

His voice died with a sigh. It didn’t matter anymore. He might as well go home right away. 

“We should do it together,” Hao suddenly said after swallowing. 

“What?”

“You worked so hard on it. It would be a waste to cancel. I think it would be fun. Plus, you already paid for two everywhere, right?”

He stared at Zhang Hao, who put a small piece of cake he clearly loved on Hanbin’s plate. The twinkle in his eyes was dimmer under the harsh fluorescent lights, but his soft eyes were still mesmerizing to look at. 

Despite his bratty attitude and overall lack of decorum, the demon had been nothing but caring. And, okay, the shooting star had clearly taken the piss and twisted his words. Again. But after all, why not? If Zhang Hao were to stay with him, then… Hanbin could genuinely try his luck.

Suddenly focused on his new task, he took a spoon and held the food to Hao’s lips. 

“You’re right. Let’s have fun together today!”

Hao’s eyes got so round when he was startled and confused, it was adorable. His usual utter confidence melted into a sheepish, hesitant bite and quiet thanks. This weekend wasn’t shaping up to be such a waste after all. 

They left the hotel with full bellies and a plan for the day, starting with a fashion pit stop to make Zhang Hao feel more at ease. 

The market was a traditional one, with all the usual plastic-filled stands for tourists. As they weaved through the crowd, Zhang Hao naturally clung to Hanbin’s arm so they wouldn’t get lost. It felt less like an act of seduction and more him fearing to trip and fall. 

They didn’t take long to locate an older lady manning a tent full of colorful clothes. Hanbin felt embarrassed just walking amongst the garish garments. Hao was right at home, immediately picking a favorite amongst the tops. 

“Auntie! How much for this?”

The fabric was uneven, the pattern sideways, and the cut could charitably be described as novel. Hanbin thought Hao should get paid to put it on. It wasn’t the owner’s opinion, though, as she bluntly told him to read the sign indicating the flat pricing of the whole section—this was expensive garbage he’d set his sights on. Hanbin braced himself for Hao to plead and urge him to waste money over it, but instead, the demon looked thoughtfully at the top. 

“Auntie, can I try it on?”

“Sure, go ahead,” she handwaved. 

Despite the cold reaction, Hao beamed at her and walked outside. For an awful second, both Hanbin and the woman thought he was about to shoplift, but instead Zhang Hao stopped in his tracks and yanked off his shirt. 

It was like the sun coming out after an eclipse. The crowd turned and stared in awe, sometimes covering their eyes in a foolish attempt to protect themselves from Zhang Hao’s radiance. Even Hanbin winced under the shimmer of his skin, as if he were some kind of vampire from a teenage movie. 

“Wow, I think it fits me very well,” Hao gasped after covering himself with the hideous cloth, willfully ignoring the way a dozen people still stared at him. 

Hanbin’s sanity had probably been vaporized, because he agreed. Suddenly, on Hao’s body, the top had gone from a vile factory defect to a stylish statement piece. This could only be some kind of witchcraft. Demon supermodel powers were tricking his mind. 

“I’m sorry, I can’t remember,” Hao pouted innocently at the owner. “How much is it again?”

The auntie looked at the incredible advertisement she’d just been offered, clients already walking in, and suddenly she was grinning sweetly. 

“Oh, for handsome boys like you it’s free! You don’t need to pay anything! Just tell everyone you got it from me, okay?”

“Wah, auntie, that’s so nice, thank you!” Hao exclaimed in an audibly rehearsed way. “Let’s go, Hanbin!”

And just like that, they were off to another stall, this time to find matching pants. Hao browsed the folded fabric on display, absentmindedly chewing on his lip. Hanbin stared for a moment before getting his brain back in order. 

“Do you always do that?” Hanbin asked. 

“Only when I know it will work. It would be embarrassing otherwise. I don’t think that old man will let me steal these cute shorts so easily… Sorry, this time you’ll have to pay. Are these ones within your budget? They’re on sale.”

Hanbin’s heart stuttered. He had assumed Hao would be thoughtless about his demand to get new clothes, and waste what little money he had… But instead, the demon had been scheming to spare him as much as possible. Now that money was truly involved, he made sure Hanbin was fine with the financial decision. 

It shouldn’t be that impressive. The bar was truly in hell. Regardless, Hanbin appreciated it very much. 

“Yeah, it should be fine. Thanks for minding the price tag.”

“I’m sure I can still haggle a bit, there’s a manufacturing defect on the pocket here… Industrialization really ruined your textiles.”

Not even an hour in, Zhang Hao had fully changed out of Hanbin’s clothes with added accessories. He hadn’t asked for them; Hanbin had insisted on buying him a necklace and bracelets. It was cheap enough, and it made that strange spark in Zhang Hao’s eyes shine brighter. 

Their first planned activity was a trip to the oceanic museum. The place was heavily marketed as a perfect dating spot, but in practice most visitors were families with young children. Hanbin was happy to see cute kids run around, and Zhang Hao didn’t seem to mind. 

“It always makes me glad to see all the little ones discovering new animals,” Hanbin grinned after giving their tickets to the staff at the entrance. 

“Why?”

“It’s good for their development! And it makes them so giddy and curious, too. It’s really important to cultivate curiosity in children, you know.”

“Oh… It makes sense that my mother loves you.”

“What?”

“I can’t remember the last time I went to an aquarium,” Zhang Hao hummed, moving on from the strange comment both mentally and physically. “They look a lot different now. Do you go often?”

“Not really, but if you’re not used to it, I think you’re going to love the tunnel!”

He did. 

Hanbin felt proud when Zhang Hao gasped in awe, his black eyes opened big to drink in the incredible experience of being both underwater and perfectly dry. Sure, he’d been interested in the fishes and crustaceans before, but now this was on a whole other level. 

Letting him have his moment, Hanbin enjoyed the big space, too. There was a lazy shark swimming in the back. He wondered if it had ever eaten a fish in front of the kids. 

“Look, look! This one looks like you!”

Hanbin looked up. A big stingray was crossing over the tunnel’s roof, his underside showing a big smiling mouth. A laugh escaped him, and Hao looked very satisfied with himself. Suddenly, Hanbin found himself in a teasing mood. Poking the demon’s ribs was too obviously a flirty gesture, so he picked the next best thing. 

“Oh look, this one looks like you, Hao!”

Zhang Hao’s excited smile fell when he saw the ugly flatfish half buried in the sand, and Hanbin burst into laughter. 

“You’re just making fun of me,” Zhang Hao muttered with his annoyed pout, but he didn’t look quite so upset. 

“No, look! You do the same thing with your lips!”

Hanbin puckered his lips exaggeratedly until Zhang Hao laughed too, gently shoving him to make him stop. They bickered as they walked through the installation, Hao’s reactions always delightfully childish. 

Hanbin observed the demon, glowing under the floor lights. He seemed exceptionally happy here, in his element. Maybe it had something to do with the place they had first met. Somehow, Hanbin had the feeling that his wish wouldn’t have been heard beyond the shore. Perhaps the ocean was Zhang Hao’s true home. 

“Do you like the sea?” Hanbin asked. 

“Mmh… It’s okay,” Hao shrugged. “I like swimming, I guess.”

“I was thinking about yesterday, when we met. Wishes upon shooting stars don’t usually come true. I was wondering if you were some kind of siren…”

They walked past the tunnel into a new room, bathed in darkness with ominous tanks displaying deep sea creatures. Unusually silent, Zhang Hao walked to one of the plexiglass panels, the bluish lights reflected deep, deep in his black eyes. Hanbin could only stare, as bewitched as he had been the first day, hypnotized by the star shining deep in the darkness. 

“We used to be worshipped in a temple that sank under the sea nearby,” Zhang Hao finally said, his voice strangely quiet in the eerie room. “My mother and I. We had a lot of them over the coastline, but we were forgotten a long time ago. Wishes made nearby still reach us, on clear nights when the stars fall into the sea.”

The world faded out beyond them as Hanbin grappled with his understanding of the world. He had seen Zhang Hao cast magic before, but this was so esoteric that Hanbin couldn’t simply brush it off. They were so different, Hao’s very nature was so alien to him… Was it even right to see him as his equal?

“Are you… a god?”

“No, I told you. The closest to your culture is a demon.”

“I never heard of demons granting wishes…”

Whatever gravity had befallen Zhang Hao was shaken off as he flippantly waved his hand around. 

“Technically, my mother does that, not me. I am the pleasure side of sex, and she’s the fertility. She brought me to you so your wish could be granted. If I could grant wishes, I’d start with mine and visit your realm much more often.”

There was so much to ask, but they had just met, and maybe it would be more tactful to not ask about unfathomable mythological realms in a public space. Hanbin was curious, however, and he did want to understand Hao better. 

“Does your mother make you grant a lot of wishes as a sex demon, then?”

“Enough to know what the internet is, not enough to hit my thirties yet,” he shrugged. “You know, I got excited this time. When I saw you, you were exactly my type, the kind of beauty you see once in a generation… and then…”

Hanbin felt himself blush at the sincere but hyperbolic praise, as if he was a teen all over again. 

“And then you turned out to be a sex-repulsed virgin,” Zhang Hao sighed dramatically. 

“I’m not a virgin—!”

Hanbin coughed as he noticed a kid turning to him with bulging eyes. He furiously whispered the rest of his argument, hiding his mouth to not tarnish anyone’s ears. This slander could not continue. 

“I’ve had sex before and I enjoyed it! I do want to have sex again! I just have strict guidelines about it.”

Zhang Hao’s eyes lit up in interest. 

“Like a BDSM contract?”

Hanbin choked. 

“No!”

“Oh,” he pouted, disappointed. “In a shameful Christian way.”

“I’m not even— This isn’t the point! Look, if you knew why I’m not having relations with you,” he furiously whispered so the toddler staring at them wouldn’t be scarred for life, “Then you would try to circumvent it so I can be satisfied, right?”

“Obviously.”

“Then from the moment you know, everything becomes potential manipulation. How can I trust you after that? It would only make things harder for the both of us.”

Zhang Hao thought it over silently, staring at the jellyfish drifting aimlessly in the still water. When he spoke again, his frustration had completely disappeared. 

“You’re right. I won’t ask anymore. If my mother brought us together, there was a reason. I will trust her judgment. And, well…”

His dark eyes shifted to Hanbin, the star drowned deep inside shining through his soul. The soft smile on his lips wasn’t meant to seduce, wasn’t meant to work so well. 

“There are worse people to be stuck with.”

Hanbin opened his lips to reply something witty or flirty, but nothing came out besides a trembling breath. There was a painful pang in his chest, something sharp and warm bleeding all over. Something both familiar and forgotten. 

This couldn’t be. 

After all these years, all this hurt, Hanbin had defenses up to prevent this very mistake. His heart wasn’t made of stone, but it had a shell, and getting beyond it was no small feat. For him to love again, it would take time and effort. 

At least that was what Hanbin had believed. Clearly, he had been too weak to survive Zhang Hao’s beauty. 

The demon turned away, and Hanbin followed him like a moth to a flame. In the darkness, his eyes might as well have been. All there was left to do was hoping to not get burned. 

Stepping out into the light cleared up Hanbin’s mind. He didn’t just fall in love; that would be silly. He simply had a crush. Something he could deal with, and wouldn’t hurt too much when everything would start to inevitably go wrong. 

There was a petting zoo area, with low tanks open on top so that guests could reach inside. Kids were going crazy touching lethargic fishes, squealing at their slimy textures and daring each other to go for even scarier options. Zhang Hao made to skip it, but Hanbin lingered to caress a stingray, and the demon came back to his side. 

“I don’t get why you’d want to do that,” Hao said. “It’s gross.”

With the way he held himself, it was clear Zhang Hao was more scared than disgusted. 

“Curiosity is good for children, but it’s important to train it when you’re an adult, too,” Hanbin grinned. “Maybe you’d benefit from trying to discover something new, Hao.”

“Like what?”

Hanbin looked around, scanning for the animal gathering the bravest children. There was an octopus guarded by a staff member in a corner. She was explaining basic facts to the kids, and warning them when they didn’t interact correctly with the creature. 

“How about you go say hi to that little guy?”

“The exhibit said they have beaks,” he frowned. “It’s going to bite me with its freakish mollusk mouth!”

“I’m sure they wouldn’t let kids anywhere close if there was any danger. You’re more courageous than those babies, right?”

Zhang Hao glared at the dare, and fell for it all the same. The line for the tank was short, and soon the demon’s glare was directed to the small octopus waving its tentacles around. Zhang Hao took a deep breath, then another, before putting a hesitant finger in the water. 

“Hey, you little ugly—”

Water splashed on Hao’s face. It dripped down his hair, splattering onto the ground. 

“Oops,” the woman smiled. “Looks like it doesn’t like you!”

Hanbin tried not to laugh. 

He failed. 

“Don’t mock me!” Zhang Hao loudly complained, flustered. “It happened because of you!”

“Sorry, sorry, I’m sorry,” Hanbin giggled, removing his light jacket to dry the demon’s head with it, carefully avoiding the little horn. 

“You’re not sorry at all, you liar!”

Despite his words, Zhang Hao let himself get dried and pampered. His pout didn’t seem nearly as upset as he let on. After Hanbin’s rescue was deemed satisfactory and his apologies accepted, they left the petting room behind. 

“I thought getting squirted on would be something you’re into, Hao.”

“Shut up.”

Soon enough, the tour was over, and they were walking through the gift shop to reach the exit when Zhang Hao stopped dead in his tracks. 

“Wait, those are really cute…”

“Oh?” Hanbin stopped, curiously observing the small stingray plushies Hao had noticed. “They are!”

“They really do look like you,” Zhang Hao insisted. “They have the adorable smile, and the whiskers…”

Hanbin kind of wheezed. This was bad. He liked those words way too much. 

“Since they’re sold in twos, maybe we should buy it as a souvenir?” he suggested, feeling weaker than he’d been in a decade. 

“Really? I want the pink one!”

They left the building with matching stingray keyrings, Hao’s secured on his belt loop and Hanbin sliding it on his phonecase. They hadn’t even reached their parking spot when Hanbin’s phone started ringing. The caller ID made him grimace. 

“Urgh, I can’t believe I forgot to block him,” Hanbin muttered. “Surprised he didn’t blow up my phone last night…”

“I’m sure he had other worries.”

Hanbin rectified his mistake, and processed Hao’s words a beat late. 

“What do you mean?”

“He was fucking someone. I think he called you to rub it in or something,” Hao shrugged. “And suddenly mid-action he can’t get it up without viagra anymore. A tragic turn of events. To compensate for the partner’s ruined fun, I blessed their next orgasm with thrice the potency. Have you ever passed out after one, Hanbin? That’s a treat. One you can experience with me, by the way.”

Zhang Hao tried to wink. Instead he blinked with both eyes. Hanbin should’ve been annoyed by the obvious attempt to convince him, but he could only be endeared. 

“Noted,” he chuckled. “It was nice of you to think of them.”

“Of course. I’m not here to spread misery.”

The trip back to the beach was spent with cheerful chatter. By the time they reached the pier, Hanbin had completely forgotten about his phone. He had not, however, forgotten the bitterness of the missed booking. 

“I can’t believe I’m here and I won’t be able to go to Gyuvin’s restaurant,” Hanbin sighed. “The one we have planned for lunch is great too, don’t worry, but it’s so… frustrating.”

Zhang Hao hummed with a pout, empathetic. 

“What restaurant did you want to go to?”

“This one, with the blue banner,” Hanbin pointed. “I really wanted to go because I have a cousin who’s a cook there. The food is amazing, so you have to make a reservation at least a week in advance. I thought it was the perfect opportunity to finally try it out…”

“Mmh…”

Zhang Hao bit his nail, deep in thought. The gesture was so human it surprised Hanbin. 

“Let’s go there.”

His sudden demand was just as surprising. There was no way to save the situation, but there was also no harm in seeing if there was by some miracle an open table thanks to someone canceling. 

“At least we can say hi to my cousin,” Hanbin reasoned. 

When they reached the restaurant, Zhang Hao diligently observed the storefront before leading them inside. Hanbin expected him to ask for a potential cancellation, but that wasn’t what happened. 

“Hello! I am so sorry to bother you, but could I possibly talk to a manager?” Hao asked politely with a ninety degrees bow and a deliberately hesitant tone. 

“Perhaps I can help you directly?” the waiter, Kim Hyunjung judging by the pin on his chest, suggested. 

“No, I’m here to apply for a job.”

Hanbin’s eyes were so widened in shock they threatened to roll out of his skull. Did he miss a memo? Zhang Hao offered no explanation as he was led away, leaving Hanbin alone to stew in his confusion. Yes, it would be very nice for Zhang Hao to gain some money to contribute towards the daily expenses, but this was hardly the right place to do it considering they’d be on the other side of the country starting tomorrow. 

The waiter came back, and they exchanged polite smiles. Hanbin decided that answering his unread messages would be a good use of his time. Finally, after maybe ten minutes, a cheerful woman returned with the demon. 

“Hyunjung, please note down Mr. Zhang for an extra service tonight and ask Gyuvin to stay a bit later,” the manager enthusiastically said. “See you at seven!”

“Thanks again, have a nice day!” Hao beamed. 

The two of them left, and Hanbin couldn’t hold in his questions anymore. 

“What did you do?”

“I’m sorry, I couldn’t get them to free a table, so it will be after the last service, we’ll have to stay the whole evening,” Hao sighed. “I wish we didn’t have to stay for so long.”

“But how?”

“There was a sign saying they’re hiring musicians for live performances. I bartered a shift for two seats, but we still have to pay. I hope it’s not bothering your plans for the night. I kind of assumed you cared about eating your cousin’s food more, but if I was wrong, I can cancel right away.”

Hanbin was too stunned to react. When had he decided to help him get a spot? To work for free all evening so he’d get it? Zhang Hao didn’t even know if the food was good, he didn’t care about it if he was so willing to cancel. It was purely a gift. Purely Hanbin expressing a wish and getting it granted once again. 

Zhang Hao noticed he’d stopped walking, and so he stopped too, tilting his head like a curious dog. There were so many things he wanted to ask the demon. Why was he so kind to Hanbin? Why was Zhang Hao more mindful than any of his exes? Why did Hanbin want to cry?

“You’re a musician?” he finally settled on. 

With a theatrical flick of the hand, Zhang Hao summoned bright pink clouds and ribbons, a violin and bow materializing in his hand. 

“I like to play a melody to set the mood before I get to work. I used to be a guqin enthusiast, but it’s not popular enough anymore, my partners get weirded out instead. I’m assuming the violin is still enjoyed here. If we have to live together, I’ll probably do gigs with it to bring in a bit of money. I wish I could do more, but since I don’t have an ID or a bank account and your world works with that system now…”

Hanbin felt a bit weak in one knee. Like he should kneel and pull out a ring or something. 

“You… I didn’t know you intended to support yourself.”

“My mother didn’t raise me to become dead weight. Not to mention, that would be really unfair to you. You didn’t ask for this,” Zhang Hao concluded, making the instrument vanish again. “I don’t want you to be responsible for me. We’ll figure it out together. Especially the difficult parts.”

His assumption that Zhang Hao was a selfish freeloader couldn’t have been more wrong. It was the culmination of so many years of disappointment preparing him for the worst. Hanbin had to make an effort, now. Zhang Hao deserved better from him. 

The walls around Hanbin’s heart crumbled. He could physically feel it, the rumble of the stone shattering and collapsing. It was so, so scary, and it would hurt so much if everything failed again. But Hanbin decided to have hope. Maybe, this time, trust could grow. 

“Thank you, Hao. I mean it.”

“You better mean it. I’m not working for hours just so you can be ungrateful.”

The café Hanbin led them to wasn’t too far down the pier. It was a lovely two stories tall building, with potted plants and bleached wooden furniture showing through the windows. As they entered, delicious aromas reached them. 

There were only a few customers, as they were arriving just late enough that a café serving brunches would see its clientele stolen by proper restaurants. The absence of a line made it easy for the hottest barista in existence to turn their way with a blinding smile. 

“Hi, welcome! Can I get you two stylish gentlemen anything?” the man, Jiwoong if his badge was to be trusted, greeted them. 

“Hi!” Hanbin smiled back. “Yes, we’ll be having the brunch special, and…”

“Wait, you’ve got a lash right there,” Jiwoong said, reaching out from behind the counter. 

“Oh!”

The handsome man caressed Hanbin’s cheek softly, making him blush. The scene was straight out of a drama, down to the romantic OST playing on the speakers. If Hanbin wasn’t already on a date, and not lucid enough to know that Jiwoong probably used this move on every other customer, he might have tried his luck. 

“Wait!”

Zhang Hao pulled him by the shoulder out of the blue. 

“You’ve got a, uh, a thing here!”

Hanbin got the skin over his lips pinched and rubbed. After a few embarrassing seconds with nothing happening, he spoke up. 

“Hao, I think that’s a mole.”

He could almost hear the sound of ice crystallizing as Hao froze. Hanbin had found his little jealous moment cute, but the demon was clearly mortified by his own slip-up being exposed so blatantly. The embarrassment of the situation was only saved by Jiwoong smoothly moving on as if nothing happened. 

“I assume you’re staying here to eat, right?” he beamed. “Will you be having drinks with your brunch?” 

“Ah, yes! Hum…”

Hanbin gazed thoughtfully at the wide array of options displayed over their heads. Zhang Hao didn’t need to think for so long. 

“The matcha one.”

“Noted! If you’re hesitant, sir, I can recommend my favorite,” Jiwoong suggested with a charming smile. 

Such amazing service. Hanbin should tip generously on the way out. 

“I’d be delighted to try it! Unless it’s a trick to give me the most expensive option?”

“For such lovely customers, it’s on the house,” Jiwoong winked brazenly. 

“Well then,” Hanbin giggled, “I can’t say no—”

“Ah!”

His attention went back to Zhang Hao, who slowly, very deliberately, fell to the floor. This was the worst acting Hanbin had ever seen, and his unconvincing shout had caught the attention of the few clients sitting around. 

Objectively, the attention-seeking behavior was embarrassing at best, worrying at worst. 

Subjectively, Hanbin was incredibly into having a beautiful boy desperate to be his sole focus. Jiwoong had barely flirted with him and Zhang Hao was quite literally throwing his dignity on the floor to make it stop. 

If this was a red flag, Hanbin decided it was just a pretty shade of pink. 

“Hao, are you okay?” he gasped, kneeling to help him up despite the obvious act. 

The demon muttered that he was fine with a pout and teary eyes, playing all the cards in his hands, and Hanbin was positively thrilled. 

“Let’s go find a seat, I’ve heard that the view on the upper floor is wonderful,” he smiled without letting go of the demon, not even glancing at Jiwoong again as they walked to the stairs. 

Zhang Hao sat at a small round table and gazed out the window, admiring the sea. Rolling waves and rolling clouds filled their view. Now that the barista was out of sight, the demon had found his inner peace again. 

“I have to say, you picked a really nice place for a date.”

Hanbin beamed. It was so nice to be recognized for his effort. 

“Thank you! It had amazing reviews. I thought it would be nice to have this relaxing, clean kind of feel?”

“And the fresh flowers are a nice touch,” Hao continued, grazing the petals with his fingertips. “They kind of smell like you.”

“Oh,” Hanbin breathed, blushing at the idea that Hao had taken notice. “That’s— My perfume has Lily notes.”

“It fits you,” the demon concluded with a nod, and Hanbin was suddenly back in middle school, panicking in front of his first crush. 

It made no sense that he was reverting back to his inexperienced self. Even if Zhang Hao was mindful and observant, it shouldn’t negate the years spent building up his social skills. Hanbin could make this date work as intended if he wanted to—and he did want it. 

Jiwoong put down their drinks, Hao’s smile vaporizing as the man stepped into the room. As soon as he had his back turned, Zhang Hao assertively exchanged their cups. It was such a funny jealous reaction, Hanbin didn’t protest. He relaxed again after the barista walked down the stairs, and Hanbin decided to go for it. 

“So, as a sex demon… You had a lot of partners.”

“Mmh.”

“Ever thought about starting a serious relationship with one of them?”

Zhang Hao took a long sip from his straw, a knowing gaze preceding him shaking his head. Then he crumpled his face, as if he absolutely hated the drink, but swallowed anyway. 

“If I was to start a serious relationship, I think I’d need a little bit more coming from you first.”

“Like what…?”

“I don’t even know your name.”

Hanbin felt his cheeks heat up. Oh, no. This was mortifying. In all the chaos of a naked sex demon haunting his hotel bedroom, crucial steps had been overlooked, and now Hanbin was making a fool of himself. 

“Well… our meeting was a bit… I’m sorry. I should’ve been more polite. Let me try again. Nice to meet you Hao, I’m Sung Hanbin.”

“Hi Hanbin,” Hao smiled, pressing the straw against his lower lip. “What do you do in life?”

As their food arrived, Hanbin talked about his job at the kindergarten. How he started under his mother’s guidance, and continued as a side job when he moved out. How after dropping out of college he made it his full time job, and how despite how much he loved his family and how expensive life was, he’d grown too attached to his freedom to move back home. 

Zhang Hao listened to everything with rapt attention, asking endless follow-up questions. There were few opportunities to ask him anything back, since their circumstances were so different, but for a moment Hanbin felt like the special one; a common life turning so fascinating and novel under the demon’s gentle probing. 

When it was time to leave, Zhang Hao’s glass was still pretty much full. Hanbin offered what was left of the matcha cup to him, and Hao seemed very relieved to finally be able to drink something he liked after the meal. They went down the stairs in high spirits and Hanbin paid at the counter, tipping well for the impeccable service. 

“Have a nice trip! See you next fall!” Jiwoong beamed. 

Hanbin probably wouldn’t have laughed if it wasn’t for Zhang Hao’s hateful glare, which did nothing to improve the demon’s mood. He was still sulky as they climbed into the car and headed to their next destination.

The drive was mostly spent talking about the hike they were about to do. Hanbin had planned the whole afternoon around it, so that they wouldn’t feel rushed and really take their time at the summit to admire the view. His parents had taken him up this tiny mountain as a child, and he still had precious memories he hoped to connect with. 

Zhang Hao had seemed enthusiastic enough, even though he launched himself into a long-winded rant once he’d learned that Hanbin had to pre-buy a ticket to be granted access on the trail. The demon still had not accepted the concept of private land ownership in his heart, and making access to a wild area a paid privilege clearly was not the progress he had hoped for humanity. 

Regardless, he looked forward to their little hike, and Hanbin gladly showed his tickets to the old man posted at the entrance of the trail. Elderly people came and went without a second glance, probably locals doing a health-focused walk. They could’ve passed by the old man all the same, but contributing to upkeep costs in a little way was nothing to be ashamed of. 

Right as they stepped onto the path, Zhang Hao tripped over his own feet, for real this time, and Hanbin quickly caught him with a small laugh.

“Please be careful, Hao. I don’t want you to end up at the hospital.

“I went to a hospital once before,” Hao noted, dusting his knees for no reason.

Hanbin looked him up and down, suddenly horrified at the thought that some fetishes pushed onto the sex demon could have been too extreme for comfort. 

“Why? Did you get hurt?”

“No, it wasn’t for me. So, you know how I’m an incredible sex demon who can execute the whole Kama Sutra in one session without breaking a sweat?”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Well this talent doesn’t translate to my partners, but sometimes they get too excited and try things they shouldn’t. I was with this guy, when suddenly he attempted a move he called the Russian helicopter.”

Despite himself, Hanbin snorted at the name before regaining an appropriate sobriety. 

“And what happened?”

“He broke his dick.”

“What?!”

“Penile fracture. It’s a thing.” 

Hanbin very casually held his hands over his crotch, as if to protect his own penis from the ghost of dick-breaking pain. 

“So he went to the ER, and I had to follow, because my job wasn’t done yet. He was freaking out because if it’s handled too late you can get erectile dysfunction. When we walked up to the counter, or rather I walked, since he passed out in the lobby…”

With Zhang Hao’s whirlwind of a story, they continued the hike, Hanbin giggling every other line at his adventures. The trees offered a pleasant, cooling shade around them, and the slope was gentle enough that it never asked for a real effort. 

“And that’s how he got into sounding,” Hao concluded. “At least I assume. Didn’t stay to confirm. The nurse chased me through the whole floor before I managed to escape.”

“Please don’t awaken weird kinks like that in me,” Hanbin chuckled. 

“You won’t give me the opportunity to!”

Zhang Hao’s indignant accusation was accompanied by a shove, but it only served to make him tumble to the side. Hanbin caught him at the waist, breaking his fall, and they stayed in this position for a tense second, staring at each other. The hurried heartbeats in Hanbin’s chest were so exciting. He could make a move, he had to make a move.

“Since you have poor balance, should we hold hands on the road? There are so many roots in the way, they’re easy to trip on.”

Zhang Hao failed to hide a very pleased grin before going back to a cute pout. 

“If it would give you peace of mind,” he scoffed, taking the hand himself. 

Could a person be so adorable? Shouldn’t it be impossible to be exactly the way Hanbin found most irresistible? 

“I’m assuming hikes aren’t your most frequent activity in this world,” Hanbin smiled, tugging him forward. 

“I love walking, I just don’t get many occasions to do it. Usually I’d be done with my task by now…”

Zhang Hao leaned against him, resting his cheek on Hanbin’s shoulder to seductively look up at him. The star in his dark pupils was dim under the bright sun, pushing Hanbin to search deeper for it. 

“Although, I can make it last even longer. I lasted two days, once. Do you want me to show you how far we can go, Hanbin?”

A wave of heat crashed onto Hanbin, blood rushing to his face. With each attempt it was harder to cling to his resolve. After all, Zhang Hao was very, very attractive. 

“We could make it a habit once we come back to live in my apartment,” he suggested instead of taking the bait. “Taking a stroll in the evening after I’m done with work. I would love it.”

The demon’s sultry stare vanished as his traits softened in surprise.

“Yes?” Hao said, sounding like he was shocked by his own agreement. “Yes, I… I think I’d love it too.”

“You said you’d been wishing to spend more time here, we might as well make it interesting!” Hanbin beamed. 

Zhang Hao stayed quiet after that, but his grip on Hanbin’s hand only grew tighter. 

Finally, they reached the top of the small mountain. There it was, in all its glory: the old temple, abandoned centuries ago and still holding strong. There were a couple of gift shops lined up around the place, but what Hanbin was really excited for were the gardens and the sights. They stopped at the entrance gate, and Hanbin took a big satisfied breath with his fists on his hips. 

Beside him, Zhang Hao’s voice was unusually shaky. 

“A temple?”

Hanbin glanced at the demon. His eyes had turned into ovals with a big black dot in the middle. 

“What’s wrong?” he frowned. 

“What? Me? Nothing.”

Zhang Hao’s tone was as flat as his eyes. Hanbin stepped forward. He didn’t. 

“Uh… Do you need to sit down, or something?”

“I’m fine.”

He wasn’t fine. That much was obvious. Hanbin walked back to him, worriedly squeezing his arm. 

“If you’re tired from the climb, we can take a break…”

Zhang Hao took in a very deep breath, scrunched his eyes shut, and bowed a full ninety degrees in multiple directions while muttering. 

“Sorry… Sorry, I don’t mean to intrude, my apologies, forgive me for disturbing your home…”

“Uh,” Hanbin said, lost. “Should we… Should we go back?”

“No!” Hao exclaimed loudly, straightening back up. “I can totally do this. Let’s go!”

They crossed the gate. A few seconds later, a pebble fell from a precarious pile nearby, and Zhang Hao shrieked like a steam train using its breaks, fully jumping on Hanbin who held him in a bridal carry on reflex. 

“Please please no I’m sorry I didn’t mean to,” Zhang Hao babbled in Hanbin’s now half-deaf ear. 

Hanbin might not get the specifics of the situation, but he wasn’t dense. 

“Okay, we’re going back now.”

Hao only whimpered in response. It was only after passing the entrance gates again that he squirmed like a displeased pet to be let down.

“What’s going on?” Hanbin firmly asked, helping him to be stable on his feet again. 

“It’s someone’s home!” Hao bemoaned with a floppy gesture. “I’m intruding! If they’re not friendly they will smite me!”

“What? No, there are no more priests there! Nobody will hurt you!”

“I’m not talking about the mortals!”

Suddenly, in a flash of lucidity, Hanbin understood. Zhang Hao himself came from a long abandoned temple. Maybe there were still demons roaming around in their plane here too, angry about their kin trespassing on sacred grounds. 

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Because we just scaled this stupid mountain to get here!” Hao exclaimed, still agitated. “And you were so excited about it, and the whole reason I’m even here anyway is because I convinced you to keep your plans and come up here. What was I supposed to do, ruin your fun and tell you to turn around after all that?”

Worried by the outburst, Hanbin caressed the demon’s arms comfortingly, lowering his voice to sound less upset than before. 

“Hao, I won’t enjoy it if you put yourself in danger, or even just if you’re having a bad time. If you hadn’t convinced me to follow my plans, I wouldn’t have, but that’s only because being alone isn’t fun. I don’t care about the temple. I care about you.”

Hao looked heartbreakingly lost. As if this was the first time his own comfort came first. Hanbin couldn’t help but pull him in his arms, squeezing tightly before leaning back to observe his reaction. Zhang Hao’s eyes flickered all over the place, complex thoughts examined in silence before he came to a conclusion. 

“Aren’t you upset that you didn’t get to see the view?”

Hanbin chuckled and winked, bumping their shoulders. 

“Don’t worry, the view I have right now is much better.”

The demon sheepishly looked down with a smile pushing up the apples of his cheeks, and Hanbin couldn’t help but pull him closer. Yes, this pleased, embarrassed grin was much better than sightseeing. 

They took their time coming back down, Zhang Hao now a much softer shade of himself. Hanbin wasn’t quite sure on what assumptions the demon had been running to put himself in danger just to satisfy him, but being created for pleasure had to tint every interaction. 

Not that Hao had many non-sexual encounters in the past. He had been clear on this. It might just be the first time that someone put him in this kind of situation, and he simply ran along with it to satisfy his partner. 

Again, worry flared up in Hanbin’s chest at the thought of Hao’s past lovers. He wanted so badly for everything to have always been perfect and comfortable, but maybe it wasn’t. The idea was too upsetting to even consider. If he could help it, if he had any hand in it, Hao would never have to force himself to do something he disliked again. 

By the time they reached the beach again, the sun was already hidden behind the mountains, and they headed to the restaurant in a good mood. 

Hanbin spent the evening enjoying what felt like a personal concert. There were so many people chatting at tables between them, but when Zhang Hao glanced up from his violin, the star in his eyes shone only for him. 

What a fascinating creature this demon had proven to be. He was only meant for seduction and lust, but Hanbin had been met with so much more. Hao was funny, mindful, smart, talented; but also jealous, sulky, and easily embarrassed. 

How many of Zhang Hao’s lovers had found him cute if it wasn’t needed for their sexual fantasies? How many had discovered the way his cheeks pushed up in delight when he ate something he loved? On one hand, not enough; Hao deserved to be known as a person by everyone. On the other hand… Hanbin didn’t mind as much as he should that he was the first to witness those sides of him. 

Hanbin’s phone vibrated. It was a money transfer, probably the lowest allowed with how cheap it was, with a message attached half revealed in the notification. 

“Kim Duho: You bitch better pay for my new train ti…”

He switched his phone to do not disturb, and gleefully enjoyed the rest of the service. 

The hours went by surprisingly fast as the music blessed Hanbin’s ears and the restaurant progressively emptied. Finally, a waiter led him to an empty table surrounded by the last clients enjoying their desserts. After a few minutes, Zhang Hao concluded his melody, bowed, and walked through the dimly lit room to find him. 

“You know, I was thinking,” Hao opened with as he sat at the table. 

“About what?” Hanbin grinned like a fool, charmed by the talented musician sitting with him. 

“What happened at the temple. I should’ve told you right away. I thought it was better to just suck it up, but in the end I caused more trouble than if I’d mentioned it before. I’m sorry for making a scene. Next time I’ll tell you if I’m uncomfortable to begin with.”

Hanbin gaped at the unexpected apology. He hadn’t thought the demon would keep thinking about the incident, much less express regret about it. After all, Hanbin had his own faults in this story. 

“No, no, I should’ve figured out that bringing you to a temple was a bad idea to begin with. I’m sorry for being insensitive,” he said. 

“Thank you. But I should’ve been honest regardless,” Hao insisted. “Let’s forget about it now. I’m starving. I already decided what I want to order, depending on the price.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Hanbin smiled. “I’ll treat you. I owe you at least that, for saving my vacation and making it much better than I expected.”

Instead of a waiter, it was Hanbin’s cousin who appeared, all smiles and gangly limbs, still in his cooking uniform. 

“Hanbinie! I thought you couldn’t make it!”

“It’s great to see you, Gyuvin!” he grinned, tapping his arm. “Finally I’ll be able to eat your food with a real setup! I was so scared that it wouldn’t work out, but Hao made it happen!”

“Hao! You’re his boyfriend, then?”

Gyuvin said it hesitantly, probably because Hanbin’s announced boyfriend was supposed to be named Duho. It was a mortifying question for Hanbin, who suddenly realized he was publicly having a romantic dinner with a sex demon the day after dumping his boyfriend on a vacation, but Zhang Hao took it in stride. 

“Hanbin has recently raised his standards,” he hummed casually. 

Gyuvin laughed, satisfied with the vague answer. 

“You sure look prettier than the last one. So! What can I get for you? I’m warning you, the service is done except for me, so we’re short on a lot of ingredients.”

Despite the limitations, Gyuvin’s food turned out to be incredible. The romantic nature of their dinner was changed by Gyuvin ending up taking a seat with them, but Hanbin wasn’t disappointed. It was interesting, even, to discover the ways in which Zhang Hao interacted with others. 

He was funny, witty, but not as soft and cute with Gyuvin as he had been with Hanbin. This was revealing; or rather, Hanbin hoped it was. Because if he was right, if Hao truly favored him, then maybe they could take a new step together. 

Hanbin hugged Gyuvin farewell, and Hao got the same treatment, which he embraced willingly. The evening was over, but Hanbin wanted it to last just a bit more. 

“How about we take a walk on the beach before going back to the hotel?” he suggested as the fresh night breeze whooshed past them. “We won’t be able to come back before catching the train tomorrow morning.”

“Good idea. It’s great for digestion,” Hao nodded. 

The sand crunched under their shoes, only the faintest of starlight revealing where they walked. Nobody was outside with them at such a late hour, and the pier had nothing but a few streetlamps still on in the distance. 

“I like how quiet this is,” Zhang Hao noted. 

“Me too. You can really focus on the sound of the waves.”

“I’m a bit sad that we won’t have time to come back. I really like swimming.”

Despite his disappointed words, Hao only sounded mildly inconvenienced. Hanbin was already thinking of ways to make him happier, though. Surely a yearly pass for the pool wouldn’t be so expensive. In the meantime, Hanbin could compromise. 

“Should we go touch the water?”

“There’s going to be sand all over our feet,” Hao chuckled. 

Hanbin smiled back, removing his shoes and peeling his socks. 

“As long as we clean it up before getting in the car!”

The breeze was refreshing, but not as much as the water now swirling around their ankles. They simply stood next to each other, shoes hanging from their curled fingers, staring at the shimmering sea reflecting the stars. 

Hanbin wondered if Hao was seeing his realm beyond the stars. He wondered if he liked the sea because it became part of his home, or in spite of it. He wondered a lot of things about Zhang Hao, and his curiosity kept on growing, accompanied by waves of light feelings wrapping around him. 

Shooting stars made mistakes, but the star shining so bright in the demon’s eyes as he gazed at the horizon was true, and Hanbin wanted to believe it. Just once, in spite of everything that had gone wrong before, he would try again. 

“Say, Hao…”

“Mmh?”

Hanbin took the demon’s cold hand, looking straight into his mesmerizing eyes now gazing back. The star called him, shimmering from beyond the sea. 

“I know this isn’t what you need from me, but… would you hate it if I told you I want to properly date you?”

“Uh? Why?” Zhang Hao asked, visibly lost. 

“Because… Wouldn’t I be a fool not to? You’re funny, cute, mindful, caring, talented, the list goes on… We spent all day together and I’m still excited at the thought that tomorrow I will get to know you even more. I’ve never connected so well with someone. You’re just… perfect for me.”

Hanbin waited nervously for an answer after baring his feelings. Unexpectedly, Zhang Hao burst out laughing. 

“Wow, no one's ever said they loved a sex demon for their personality before. That's a new one.”

Getting rejected always sucked, but this time, it hurt especially bad. 

“Ah, that’s my bad,” Hanbin muttered, looking away in embarrassment and relaxing his hand to let go. “You probably don’t do relationships like that.”

“I don’t,” Zhang Hao easily confirmed, another knife in his chest. “But, you know…”

The hand in Hanbin’s squeezed him back, keeping him in place.

“There were a lot of firsts for me today. I don’t see why I couldn’t try another one. If it’s with you, I would love to experience more days like these.”

The hope in Hanbin’s chest carefully bloomed, as much as his fears would allow. 

“Even if we don’t have sex?”

“I hope I’ll find what’s bothering you soon, because you said you want it too,” Zhang Hao said, his horn revealed by the wind. “But that’s not the reason I want to do it. To tell you the truth…”

He let go of his hand so his palm could cup Hanbin’s cheek, gently caressing him. 

“I feel like I can grow with you. Isn’t it strange? I would be happy to explore this world alone, but I become happier thinking I will do it by your side. That you will change me in a way.”

Hanbin’s heartbeat was loud in his ears. Their relationship meant different things for the both of them, but their reasons fit together like puzzle pieces. With time, with communication, with effort, with all the little things that true love required to be born, they could make something special. 

That night, under the stars, Hanbin kissed Hao with all the love he’d been given, fragments of a future that was worth gambling on. 

“You already changed me,” he whispered against the demon’s lips. 

“How so?” Hao hummed. 

“You made me hope again.”

***

Hanbin’s back cracked as he leaned back on his couch. His eyes stung, and his shoulders were killing him from the bad posture, but finally, after hours of effort, all the administrative work was done. There had been so many papers to file, so many documents to provide, the sun had long set and his stomach growled. 

The apartment felt so quiet and empty, only the one lamp over the table turned on so he could keep working as the light faded. But behind him, the door unlocked, and the room illuminated itself, chasing away the shadows in Hanbin’s mind. 

“I’m home,” Zhang Hao drawled, kicking off his shoes and putting down his violin case. “The wedding really dragged on, sorry for being late.”

“Don’t apologize,” Hanbin said, getting up to hug his boyfriend tight. “You worked so hard.”

With a sigh, the demon melted against him. They stumbled back to the couch, only a few steps in their small apartment. 

“Have you eaten?” Zhang Hao asked, detaching himself to immediately remove his clothes, dress pants and pristine shirt dropping unceremoniously on the floor. 

“Not yet. But I did finish all the paperwork after coming back from work!”

Hao, butt naked as usual, smiled at him before looking at the mountain of papers on the table and grabbing a pile. 

“I should look it over, just to be sure you didn’t make a miscalculation. I don’t want you to have all your work wasted.”

“I’d love you to,” Hanbin sighed, sitting back down. “Thank you.”

Zhang Hao flopped onto his back, his flaccid dick flopping down with him and his head comfortably resting against Hanbin’s thigh. Since his hair parted a little under the impact, Hanbin widened the gap and idly rubbed the demon’s pink horn. Hao couldn’t really feel the touch, but it was a great fidget toy for Hanbin’s idle hands. 

He had been having a lot of thoughts lately. About how comfortable and precious this relationship was, how it had grown to be such an important part of his life throughout the months. But there was a fear there, lurking ever closer to the surface. One Hanbin wouldn’t be able to ignore for long. 

Hao’s eyes flicked up from the page he was reading to gaze at Hanbin. 

“Since we both skipped dinner, how about a little restaurant date tonight?”

“Ah, I’d love to… but I don’t know if our budget is—”

The demon rolled over to grab the discarded pants and pulled out a bills stack with too many zeros on it to make sense. He waved the prize under Hanbin’s nose with a proud smirk. 

“You were right about building up my reputation. The groom disappeared with the bride at some point for a quickie, and when he came back, he tipped double my rate so I could bless their honeymoon, too. Pretty sure they booked me specifically because they read the reviews.”

“Hao! That’s so much money!” Hanbin gawked, taking the bills to flick through them only to lose count halfway through. 

“I would’ve done it free of charge, you know me. But he’d already pulled the money out, so I wasn’t about to say no. And I’d do it in a heartbeat for you too…”

Hao’s extended hand reached to caress Hanbin’s cheek. Instead of flirtatious, the gesture was tender, so Hanbin held his hand and kissed his palm just as softly. 

“I know, Hao. But it must’ve been so tiring to bless them for a whole honeymoon, you must be exhausted. How about we go to your favorite place tonight? I bet you’re craving offal right now.”

The star in Hao’s eyes was shining so strongly, it eclipsed the lights in the room. As always, Hanbin drowned in it. 

Zhang Hao had stopped seriously asking for sex soon after they’d gotten used to living together. It didn’t mean their mutual desire had faded away. There had been many incidents where a makeout session turned heated, and putting a stop to things was more and more difficult, borderline heartbreaking. 

Hanbin was fully ready to engage sexually now. What they had was so serious, so safe, it would make no sense to still be suspicious. Yes, Hanbin wanted them to take this step, but…

There was this one nightmare lurking deep in the darkness of those beautiful eyes. 

“Hao… there’s a question I’ve been meaning to ask.”

“Sounds serious,” he frowned, putting the papers away and crawling back up on Hanbin’s lap. “What is it?”

“If… if we had sex at some point. If you made me satisfied… Would you disappear, then?”

Hao’s silent stare made Hanbin terrified, but it was nothing compared to the pain of his fears being confirmed. 

“It worked like that every time, yes.”

Tears almost swelled in Hanbin’s eyes. He’d been right. Zhang Hao was only here to fulfill a wish, and go back home the second it was over. That couldn’t happen. Hanbin couldn’t let him go. 

Was it why Hao had stopped making moves on him? Because he, too, wished for things to continue as they were? He always mentioned carelessly that he was only here for one reason, but could Hanbin hope that his personal goals had changed with time?

Was their relationship as vital for the demon as Hanbin felt it was?

“I don’t want you to,” Hanbin confessed, vulnerable. “I… I love you, Hao. I need to be by your side. If you want to leave, then I’ll free you, but if keeping you close means I’ll never get to make love to you… It’s a sacrifice I am willing to make.”

Zhang Hao caressed the back of his boyfriend’s head, thinking for a few seconds before speaking again.

“I want you to meet my mother.”

Hanbin blinked at the unexpected words, briefly forgetting his own fears. Zhang Hao’s mother. The divine being worshiped in sunken temples, granting wishes to desperate mortals like Hanbin. 

“Is it even possible?”

“I never did it before. But I believe you can come into our realm if I lead you. If you have time for a small trip back to the beach, next weekend or the one after, I’ll arrange things. And then… I’ll ask her to let us stay together.”

Zhang Hao wanted to be with him. Hanbin hugged him with shaky hands, relief and love flowing through his chest. It had been so long since his last disastrous relationship, and Hanbin had made so much progress in his efforts to not assume the worst anymore, but there were deep-seated fears that would perhaps never go away.

It was fine. Zhang Hao would always be there to help him through it, and teach him what true trust was.

“Yeah. Yes, I’d love to meet her. Next weekend.”

“Okay. I’ll start working on it after I finish reviewing the paperwork tomorrow. For now, you should make a reservation for the restaurant.”

“Hao,” Hanbin said, his throat tight. “Thank you for being so…”

“Great? Amazing? The best? I know. I keep telling you to raise your standards.”

The demon’s self-satisfied smirk softened as he used a finger to lift up Hanbin’s chin, aligning their faces. Once again, the world drowned in the dark ocean of Zhang Hao’s eyes, leaving only the north star to guide Hanbin forward.

This love he felt, so overwhelming that it burned, reflected in the celestial body burning for him.

“And I love you too,” Hao whispered before the sweetest of kisses.

***

They were back on the rocky shore where everything started. 

It was another clear night, the stars only appearing dimmer because of how strongly the moon shone over their heads. They had briefly eaten at the coastal town before heading over, encountering little to no tourists as the weather was only just warming up. The hotel was waiting for them there, in case they finished early. 

There was no telling how easy this meeting was going to be. 

Zhang Hao had stayed quiet about it, but Hanbin knew him like the back of his hand. The demon was anxious. So much so that their earlier date at the aquarium wasn’t enough to fully distract him. 

He wasn’t the only one preoccupied. Hanbin was tense as he jumped from rock to rock. A lot was hinging on this, and while Hanbin would have been very confident in meeting his in-laws in any other scenario, this time he was completely out of his depth. 

“Are you alright?” Hao checked immediately after joining him at the furthest point, rubbing the back of Hanbin’s head. 

“Yes, yes. Just a bit nervous… I am meeting a goddess, after all.”

Zhang Hao rolled his eyes with a scoff, as if this was a perfectly trivial concern. 

“She already loves you. That’s why she sent me in the first place.”

Hanbin really wanted to cling onto that affirmation. However, he was pretty sure he’d been given a hand only to take the whole arm. Hao had been sent to him for a quick fuck, not a domestic life. 

“But I took you from her for so long…”

“Quit worrying. I’ll handle it. We need to prepare now.”

Zhang Hao removed his shirt, and folded it quickly on the ground. Hanbin had been warned; clothes were not welcome where he was from. As Hanbin started undressing, the reality of the situation caught up to him. He was getting nauseous. 

“I can keep my underwear, right?”

Hao looked him up and down in disbelief. 

“No.”

Hanbin paled. 

“I am not meeting your mom with my dick out.”

“And I am not letting your puritanical shame get in the way of making a good impression. Drop the panties, Hanbin.”

Back in high school, Hanbin had nightmares of coming to class naked. Somehow this very real scenario was worse. There had to be a way to mitigate the horrifying circumstances he was stuck with. 

“Can I at least… put my hands in front of it?”

Hao sighed at the compromise, but eventually nodded. 

“If you really need to. Please don’t make it weird. It’s my mother.”

“It’s weird because it’s your mother!”

“The goddess of fertility is not scared by mortal dick, Hanbin.”

Hanbin repeated those words in his head like a mantra as he finished undressing. While he psyched himself up, Hao faced the sea, tracing esoteric symbols in the air until the water started glowing pink. The demon turned to him then, looking tense and serious, his horn bright like the sea. 

It was so similar to the day they’d met, and yet so different. Zhang Hao had been a strange, alluring apparition in the night trying to seduce him; a creature as supernatural as it was unreadable. Now he was his beloved boyfriend, who got scared watching horror movies and never wanted to take out the trash. Both just as beautiful. 

“I know it’s scary,” Hao said, holding out his hand. “But I’ll take you safely to shore. Do you trust me?”

Hanbin’s hand perfectly fit in his as he stepped next to him, on the edge of the precipice. 

“Of course I trust you. More than anyone.”

Hao hugged him like they had done thousands of times already, their skin hot where they touched. Hanbin had imagined their first time naked together to be a lot more heated, but this was a necessary step if they ever wanted to get to that point. 

This was intimate love in a way Hanbin had never experienced before, and he was glad Zhang Hao was his first. 

“Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and don’t let go,” the demon whispered. “Let yourself fall with me.”

Hanbin obeyed, squeezing his boyfriend with all his might and scrunching up his face to brace for impact. The faint memory of his mother asking if he’d jump from a cliff if his friends told him to resurfaced. He never thought he would actually get there. 

“I love you, Hao.”

A soft kiss on his cheek. 

“I love you, too.”

Zhang Hao swayed, and Hanbin didn’t resist. They both fell over, crashing into the icy waves under; except that they kept falling again, gravity switching around in a way that made Hanbin feel sick. As if completing their fall in reverse, they were upright again, dry and warm. 

“We’re here. You can let go.”

Hanbin tentatively opened his eyes, slowly and carefully stepping away from his boyfriend. His mind struggled to understand the realm they were now in. 

It was as if they were surrounded in the reflection of the sky, a galaxy spreading boundlessly around them. Their feet were resting on a cold nothingness that rippled like a puddle, and in front of them, ethereal ribbons of light were curved like a slit splitting open the universe itself. 

Hanbin tried really hard to focus on the beauty of the aurora-like phenomenon and not the fact that it very much seemed like a huge celestial vulva. It made sense for a goddess of fertility. It was also culturally complicated for Hanbin to talk to a big neon vagina as his mother-in-law. Shyly, he covered his own genitals. 

“Mother,” Zhang Hao said, stepping closer to the veils. 

The fabrics shimmered, and peeled open to reveal a giant woman floating beyond it, to Hanbin’s immense relief. The goddess was just as naked as her son, but Hanbin couldn’t look away. 

She was absolutely beautiful, maybe the most gorgeous woman Hanbin had ever seen. Her breasts were heavy with the stretch of a weight that once was, resting over her stomach bearing the marks of her son’s growth. The light scars were like vines curling around the fold of her now flattened belly, running down her wide hips and textured thighs. In a strange way, she reminded him of his own mother. 

“My son,” the goddess said, her voice more powerful and authoritative than Hanbin had expected, prompting him to cup his balls a bit more securely. “You came back to me.”

“I did, and I am saddened to have been severed from you for so long. But I… I come bearing the weight of more pain to come.”

Zhang Hao sounded much more uncertain than he ever was. Hanbin understood their words, but it didn’t seem like they spoke a language he knew, sounds muddled like in a dream. 

“Do not fret, my child, for I know the purpose of your visit,” his mother said, love shining through her strength. “It is the fate of all mothers to let their child go, and as I granted this mortal’s wish, I made sure it would grant yours, too.”

This stunned Hao. The goddess leaned down, grazing Hanbin’s head with her gigantic hand, so radiant he had to wince. If Zhang Hao had a star hidden in him, his mother held the Sun itself in her eyes, impossibly powerful, beyond anything human. 

“You wished for the perfect lover, Sung Hanbin. I do not usually listen to the matters of the heart, but your intentions were pure and your will true. And so, I handed you my child to be his companion in this cruel world of yours. I am glad to see I was not mistaken in my choice.”

It wasn’t a misunderstanding. This wish Hanbin had made that night had never been badly interpreted. It all happened exactly as he’d wanted; the perfect lover now at his side, meant to stay with him despite their differences. 

Hanbin had gone in thinking he would have to convince her of his worth, that Hao could be happy with him, but the goddess had already made up her mind. Hanbin felt himself bow, the need to show deference stronger than logic. 

“I will make sure your son is safe,” Hanbin swore. “No matter what happens, I will help him through it.”

“I know you will,” she calmly said, turning to her son. “For a perfect lover can only exist alongside his equal. Zhang Hao, my dearest child, your home will always be here for you, and you both will be welcome in death. It is only a farewell for a moment. Live the life you wish for, and only come back on your own terms. You are free.”

Hao looked up at her, big eyes betraying a whirlwind of emotions, and in this moment he truly seemed like a child. Hanbin made eye contact with him for an instant, sharing their elation and relief, the understanding that they had truly been meant for each other. 

Zhang Hao licked his lips and came back to his mother, standing a little bit taller. 

“In this case, mother, there is one last request I must ask of you.”

“I am listening to your wish, my child.”

“Sung Hanbin and I wish for three daughters.”

Hanbin felt himself blush. They hadn’t seriously discussed it yet, but late night whispers of half-confessed truths suddenly turned to this. They wanted children. They, too, wanted a family. Even if Hanbin felt blindsided, he nodded in agreement. Oh, how happy this would make him. 

The goddess kneeled and put her hands around Zhang Hao’s body, creating a light so strong Hanbin had to avert his eyes. 

“You are blessed. Go forth, now. May my love accompany you until our next reunion. And you, Sung Hanbin…”

The tip of a finger pressed upon his forehead, warm and powerful. 

“You are now my son. I did not bear you, but family is beyond blood. You, too, are blessed. Carry my blessing to your mother and I will grant her my protection. We are now sisters under the moon.”

The goddess straightened back up, so tall it was dizzying, and the veils slowly fell back into place, light and fluid as if it was underwater. 

“Farewell, mother,” Zhang Hao said, his hand hooking under Hanbin’s arm. 

“Farewell,” Hanbin repeated. 

The folds covered her entirely, making her disappear into the light again, and Hao pulled him away. 

“Come. We’re going back.”

Again, Hanbin hugged him tight, and again, they fell and fell, hitting the water to float back to their starting point on the rock. He opened his eyes to the glow of the sea fading away, a delighted glint lingering in Hao’s eyes. 

“Is it… Are we back? Is this the real world?” Hanbin blinked, attempting to clear up his confusion.

Zhang Hao gently patted his butt, reassuring him that it was over.

“Both were real. But yes, we’re back.”

“It means we did it,” Hanbin grinned. 

“We did!” Hao shouted. “I’m staying with you!”

They cheered and tumbled without breaking their hug, celebrating their new life together. Hanbin had never thought he would get there, so euphoric at the thought to share his life with someone without the slightest worry, but miracles did happen in this world. 

Their hold loosened after their emotions settled down, and they stayed there in silence, Hao’s horn against the spot on Hanbin’s forehead where he had been blessed. He vaguely wondered if it looked different with the blessing. Now that he thought about it, there was a much more important blessing-related question to ask. Hanbin leaned back, creating enough space between them to talk comfortably. 

“Did your mother… Did she make you pregnant?”

Hao looked at him like he was stupid. 

“That’s not how babies work, Hanbin. You do know pregnancy happens with sex, right?”

All the snark he had lost in the other realm was back with a vengeance. 

“I don’t know!” Hanbin blushed, flustered. “She’s a goddess of fertility! Maybe she doesn’t need two people to get— Anyway! What I meant to ask is, what was the blessing she gave you?”

Zhang Hao grazed his lower stomach. There was a pattern on his skin, light like his mother’s stretch marks. 

“We will have daughters whenever you feel ready,” he simply said. 

The reality of the situation hit Hanbin. They could have children. They would have children, even. He was still reeling from them being able to stay together, but it went way beyond this simple fact. This was something Hanbin wouldn’t even have dreamed to ask for, and even knowing it would be possible, he knew this was a subject one could only breach after a long time and careful consideration. 

So it wasn’t the fact that it happened that startled Hanbin, but more so the idea that Hao had been equally eager. They had barely confessed to their wish to be long term a week earlier. 

“I was surprised you would ask her,” Hanbin said. “We never really… Having children is an immense commitment. I didn’t know you were there yet.”

The star in the demon’s eyes glowed a newfound shade of pink. The sea turned quiet under its power. 

“Tonight, I was ready to sacrifice many things for you,” Zhang Hao whispered. “It might not make sense to you, but I already committed. If your culture allowed us to be wed, this would be a good time to plan the event. I know you want it, too. We’re the same. We’ve always been the same.”

The goddess had said something along those lines. A perfect lover could only be perfect with an equally perfect match. It made sense that they’d always been on the same wavelength, with the same unusual preferences, and the same love for their differences. 

It made sense that their future held nothing to be afraid of. 

“I would marry you,” Hanbin easily confessed. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

“And you didn’t even have sex with me yet, can you imagine?” Hao sighed dramatically, breaking the seriousness of the moment. 

He cocked his hips, and suddenly Hanbin was extremely aware that they were both naked and free to fool around. There could be better places to get laid. But they were here right now. The path of least resistance opened up before Hanbin. 

“Maybe we can fix that. This is where it should’ve happened in the first place, right? Care to show me what you had in store for me?”

Zhang Hao had always been intense, but the way he immediately devoured Hanbin was ravenous, bringing them both to the ground. As Hao’s lips and hands trailed lower, Hanbin looked at the stars above him, silently thanking them for their service. Shooting stars wouldn’t be the only white trail tonight. 

“Before I forget, I booked Gyuvin’s restaurant for lunch tomorrow at noon,” the demon muttered against his throat. “We need to set up an alarm to not oversleep.”

Something broke in Hanbin’s mind. A clean fracture, completely jamming his thought process. 

He had never been so hard in his life. 

“We need to plan a trip to visit my mother.”

“Why? To introduce me again?” Zhang Hao asked, licking Hanbin’s chest. “I already met her a couple times before.”

“No. We need to do it now because you’re getting pregnant tonight, and I need to give her this blessing before she has to process your baby bump.”

Hao’s giddy giggle was lost to the wind, just like the rest of their moans and sighs were carried off into the sea. The stone was cold and hard, and the weather a bit frisky, but every annoying detail faded to nothingness as they finally gave in to their desire. 

It might not have been Zhang Hao’s wildest performance, but it was the one he truly wanted to experience with him, and this beautiful thought was the last thing on Hanbin’s mind before he passed out in his arms hours later. 

They slept together under the stars, loved as they always deserved to be. Old wishes granted, and new wishes to dream up together.