The Golden Sun empire is the most welcoming to martial artists of all other parts of the world. They were the first to include clans in their nobility. Offering schooling to both those who would train among their clan and those who wanted to do something different. There is also a bureau in charge of handling all matters regarding members of the martial arts world.

  Tae chopped the vegetables quickly but carefully. He wanted everything to look perfect. Once he finished with them he put them into a bowl and set the bowl to the side. He then began working on the meat. He’d been working on this dinner all day. Several parts of it needed to be done in advance, and to rest before being cooked the rest of the way. He was almost done when he heard footsteps approaching the back door. He recognized them and made quick adjustments so he could step away for a moment. He took off his apron and washed his hands.

  Tae opened the door. Even in that shabby scribe outfit, Min looked wonderful. Tae scooped his lover up by the waist, welcoming him with a kiss. Min made a startled noise, but returned the kiss enthusiastically. Tae pulled his lover closer so their bodies were pressed against each other. Still holding most of Min’s weight, Tae backed into the kitchen and closed the backdoor behind them. He then slowly walked forwarded again until Min’s back was pressed against the door. Tae slid the lock into place, and began nuzzling Min’s neck. He kissed is way down Min’s throat, to his collar. Tae flicked his tongue so that it went under the collar of Min’s robes, before making his way back up Min’s neck.

  “Mmmm, I missed you.” Tae breathed into Min’s ear. Min shuddered, holding onto Tae tightly. Tae nipped at Min’s ear before stepping away slightly. Min was breathing heavily, his eyes burned, the amber color making them look like they really could be flame with the heat Tae saw in them. Tae did not release Min until he was sure his lover had calmed enough to stand on his own.

  “That was,” Min paused trying to catch his breath, which was still uneven. “By far the best welcome I’ve ever received.”

  Tae removed his arm. Min slid a little into the wall beside him, and Tae chuckled. Min mock glared at him.

  “One of these days, I’m going to do something that puts you in this state instead of me.” Min said.

  “Promise?” Tae replied, grinning.

  Min laughed and shook his head. He pushed himself upright, it seemed he had steadied himself enough. Tae was almost disappointed in how quickly Min had recovered.

  “I’m almost done making dinner.” Tae said. He moved to return to his cooking.

  “Alright if I watch?” Min asked.

  Tae nodded. He saw an opportunity and took it. Tae grabbed Min’s waist with both hands and lifted Min up onto the counter opposite from where Tae was cooking. Min yelped and grabbed Tae’s wrists, but didn’t resist. Tae grinned at his lover before returning to his cooking. He really was almost done. It took next to no time for everything to be ready. Tae served up for both of them. Putting everything on a large tray.

  He turned to help Min down again. He placed his hands on Min’s waist again, but Min had other ideas. Min’s legs wrapped around him, pulling him close. Tae stumbled a little in surprise. Min laughed, his arms on Tae’s shoulders. He then pulled Tae in close and leaned down slightly. Tae pulled Min into him as their lips pressed together in a kiss. Tae was more than happy with this little delay. He returned Min’s kiss. He expected it to be just a short kiss. Tae felt Min’s teeth nip as his lower lip. Tae growled and opened his mouth slightly. Min’s tongue slid in. All thoughts of this being a short kiss went out the window. Tae lost himself in the kiss, until Min pushed himself off the counter and slid his legs down Tae’s body so his feet touched the floor again. Min then pulled away, breaking the kiss off.

  “If I hadn’t expressly planned to feed you, we would be going upstairs right now.” Tae growled.

  Min kissed his cheek and laughed. “That was simply payback for earlier.”

  Tae stared at Min, debating if it would be worth it to eat this particular dish cold or not. He sighed after a moment and stepped away.

  “I set up a table for us.” He told Min.

  Min went into the restaurant area. Tae followed behind with the tray. Min stopped in surprise before continuing to the table. Tae hand curtained off the rest of the restaurant so that only one table was visible. Min took a seat and Tae placed the food on the table. He then went back for glasses and the wine. He poured some for both of them before taking the seat opposite Min.

  Tae watched in satisfaction as Min ate. Min’s eyes lit up when he took the first bite. The two of them sat in silence while they ate. It was a peaceful, comfortable silence. Tae took note of which dishes Min seemed to particularly enjoy. His lover clearly liked everything Tae made tonight, but there were a few things that got a bigger reaction, as if Min couldn’t contain his enjoyment.

  After a bit Tae asked about Min’s day and they both slowed their eating to chat. Tae asked more detailed questions and smiled as Min got engrossed in explaining. The sound of Min’s melodic voice was always pleasant, but his excitement was addictive. They steered from work to other topics. Tae knew most of the scholars Min referenced, but was careful not to interrupt. It was far too fun listening to Min talk about them.

  Only once they’d both finished eating did Tae feel his nerves set in. This dinner wasn’t the only thing he’d had planned for tonight. Now that the dinner was over, he couldn’t help but worry. He didn’t know how Min would react. He doubted it would be too negative, not when Min possessed the mystical gods blessed eyes, but that didn’t keep him from worrying about it.

  “I have something I need to show you.” Tae said after they’d both been quiet for a while.

  “Oh?” Min asked, tilting his head, obviously curious.

  “Not here.” Tae replied. He stood and held out a hand to Min. Min grasped his hand and stood as well. Tae guided Min through the kitchen into the small hallway. He opened the door to the space beneath the stairs. He’d grabbed the lamp that had been on their table and used it to light the one in the cubby space. Tae hung the more decorative lamp on the hook, trading it for the more plain one he usually used.

  Tae then led the way down the ladder and into the basement. He went around the room quickly lighting the lamps as Min made his way down as well. Tae had set down the lamp he’d brought with him and was waiting beside the ladder before Min had finished climbing down. The surprise on his lover’s face was very apparent as Min looked about the room.

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  Tae was sure that when he’d told Min he had something to show him, this was not at all what he’d expected to see. Tae watched Min’s eyes widen further as he took in just how many weapons Tae stored here. Rows upon rows of swords, daggers, spears, and various other weapons. There wasn’t a type of weapon Tae had come across that he didn’t have a few of among his collection.

  Tae led Min into the room to the benches. Min sat immediately. Tae didn’t blame him. Having an armoury hidden beneath the restaurant was shocking enough. However, his treasure hoard was not the only thing Tae was going to show him.

  “I know this is definitely not what you were expecting when I told you I had something to show you.” Tae said after giving Min a moment to take everything in.

  “I didn’t know what to expect.” Min replied. He was calm, and had finished taking in everything in the room around them. His gaze had lingered on the workbench where Tae made his medicine pills. “But no, this definitely wasn’t on the list of possibilities in my head.”

  “I didn’t bring you down here just to show you this room.” Tae told him.

  “There’s more?” Min asked surprised. His lips twitched and Tae knew that his lover found the situation amusing.

  “You remember that scar you asked about?” Tae began.

  “I believe there were several I asked about.” Min said, teasing.

  “True enough.” Tae laughed. “But the dragon under the scars.”

  “Ah,” Min replied. “Yes.”

  Tae could tell his lover’s curiosity had been piqued. Hopefully that would help. He’d put off telling Min about this as long as he could. But with them planning to travel just the two of them to the Seong clan, Tae couldn’t put it off any longer.

  “It’s something I gained with the end of the war.” Tae told him.

  “But… it’s under the other scars.” Min’s confusion apparent in his voice.

  “It’s not exactly a scar.” Tae said. “It’s a little more like… a curse.”

  Min raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Clearly waiting for Tae to continue.

  “It’ll be easier to show you, than tell you.” Tae sat on the bench opposite Min. “I… well, it’s a bit strange.”

  “And my eyes aren’t?” Min challenged.

  Tae smiled for a moment before growing serious. He held his right arm out, closed his eyes, and pulled on that other force inside of him. The one he usually kept locked away. He allowed it a channel to his arm and nothing more. Tae bit his lip and winced in pain as it surged through, changing him. He opened his eyes and looked at Min. Min’s eyes were wide. Not with fear, but with fascination. Tae relaxed slightly.

  “What… how…?” Min trailed off, clearly not even sure what to ask.

  “I accidentally ended up… consuming the demonized dragon.” Tae told him. “Learning to control it was part of why I was unable to come to court and sent a proxy.”

  Min nodded. He reached out, and then paused. Tae nodded his consent. Min touched the obsidian like scales on his arm lightly, tracing them. He made his way down to the inky black talons and traced over them as well. Tae shivered at the sensation. Having someone else touch his scales was… incredibly intimate. Tae opened the channel wider, curious by Min’s reaction. Min traced over everywhere that the scales appeared. He brushed over Tae’s now slightly pointed ears and Tae shuddered with how pleasant the sensation was. Min continued upwards and Tae caught his wrist with his still fully human hand, before Min could touch the horns.

  “Let's save that bit for another day.” Tae chuckled. “There isn’t a proper bed down here.”

  Min grinned wickedly at him. Tae jumped back quickly as Min tried to touch his horns with his free hand. Tae stood in the corner of the room. He moved one of the weapon racks between himself and his lover. Tae held on to both sides as if it was a very large shield.

  “Sorry, I should have listened.” Min apologized. “I didn’t mean to push you too far.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong exactly.” Tae told him. “I just… don’t have as much control of myself in this form.”

  “I wouldn’t mind you losing some control.” Min teased.

  Tae sighed. “Min love, I have talons… I could hurt you.”

  “Hmmm,” Min seemed to not be deterred by that thought, after a moment he sighed in defeat. “Fine. Not tonight.”

  “What do you mean, not tonight?!” Tae stared at his lover in shock. “It shouldn’t happen, ever!”

  Tae had been joking when he mentioned another night. He had only meant that he’d let Min touch his horns another time. The rest of it had been said in jest. Min’s smile faded and he took on a more serious expression.

  “This is connected to the same state you were in during the assassin ambush?” Min asked.

  “Yes.” Tae answered. “I barely held on to my human form and sanity that night.”

  Min pondered this for a moment. “Then I don’t see a need to worry about it.”

  Tae just stared at Min. Why wouldn’t they need to worry? That didn’t make any sense.

  “Even during the moments you seemed to have the least control that night, you protected me first and foremost.” Min told him. His face was serious, all traces of teasing gone. “So, it would make sense that it would be the same in this case as well.”

  Tae shook his head. He appreciated how much faith Min had in him, but he didn’t know the extent of what Tae was capable of in this form. Tae knew he needed to tell him, but he couldn’t seem to get the words out. Finally he gave up and slumped to the floor. He forced the inky black dragon back inside his center. He gritted his teeth as it fought him. It’s struggle against him caused the transformation back to full human to hurt more than it would otherwise.

  ***

  Min watched his lover as he hid behind the weapon’s rack. He was sure Tae had no idea how stunning he was in that form. Everything about the man was inhumanly handsome to begin with, the added talons, scales, and horns… only made him even more so.

  The waving curl of Tae’s horns as it branched off the main stems periodically, much like a tree did, was beautiful. There had been lines of white in the horn that had mesmerized him. That’s what he’d gone to touch, he’d wanted to trace the lines. The only thing that had felt strange were Tae’s eyes. The whites had completely vanished, replaced with a black that was mist like in nature. He’d seen a second colour behind Tae’s silver, an angry molten glowing gold colour had seeped through the silver. That angry gold and the mist like back had been the only parts that felt wrong. The change in pupil shape hadn’t, the scales, talons, horns, those had all felt like they belonged. But whatever it was lurking behind Tae’s eyes, it felt other somehow. Min guessed it was the curse Tae had mentioned earlier.

  Tae’s shyness had been adorable, that’s why Min had teased him. He now thought that maybe he went a bit too far. He had meant every word though. He genuinely liked the idea of making love to Tae in his dragon-like form. He should have known that Tae would be sensitive about it. There had been plenty of signs. The way Tae had gotten nervous prior to their coming down here, the way Tae had struggled to find the words.

  Min waited for a moment longer before going over to the weapon’s rack that Tae still hid behind. Tae had slid to the floor, and Min was beginning to worry. He made his way over in time to watch as Tae returned to his human form. How much Tae had to fight to return to normal was clearly written on his face. So was the pain it caused him.

  Min vowed to himself that he would be more careful in the future. He didn’t want to risk hurting Tae by accident, and it was clear that if he pushed too much he would hurt Tae. Tae always seemed so strong, that Min sometimes forgot that even the strong carry scars in their hearts you can’t see. Something about this situation had brushed on one of those internal scars. Min pondered on the likelihood that the scar had been from the end of the war. There was clearly much about it that Min still didn’t know, despite having read the reports and records on it.