"Overall, teaching the public basic things like growing crops without magic would be beneficial in the long run, there are plenty of people already interested in it" Mingi ends his piece with a survey he carried out to see how interested the public was. Everyone is handed a paper with statistics, Yeosang nodding in agreement.

They had meetings like this often because of his situation with being a new king. His council consisted with the eight of them, a few trusted advisors from Wooyoung's father's reign and Beomjoong's group.

With all the support he has, Yeosang is enjoying being King. The public seem to like him too, as he tries his best to resolve the complaints they give to him. He hopes his parents are proud of him.

Anyway, he has many people surrounding him that constantly tell him that he's going great. And the same goes their way too. He's grateful to be around supportive friends.

"Thank you Mingi, I can see that there is a significant interest in your proposal, which only means that we should see through to it. Are there any objections?" Yeosang says.

Everyone shakes their head, agreeing with Mingi's suggestion. Yeosang smiles, he has to keep up the professionalism since they're in a meeting and other council members and advisors are here too. Also, even if it's just the eight of them, they agreed to be professional in environments like this, just to make everything easier.

"Great. Now, we'll wrap up quickly now as Wooyoung and I are busy preparing for our bonding for tomorrow". Yeosang says, glancing at Wooyoung who is already smiling excitedly at him.

Everyone chatters happily as they leave the room, the eight of them staying behind.

"I can't believe you two are getting married" Yunho says, feeling sentimental.

"It's not marriage, it's bonding!" Wooyoung replies.

"It's literally the same thing- Seonghwa and Hongjoong hyung bonded and they use bonded and married interchangeably. Most people don't even do weddings anymore, just bonding ceremonies. It's rare to find a married couple that isn't bonded". San says, clearly plsss image about the subject.

"Bonding is much deeper than marriage- I want to be connected to Yeosang's soul literally. No signing of some paper will do that" Wooyoung argues. Bonding is special you can only do once. You can have multiple marriages. He wants to let Yeosang know that he's the only one for him.

Once the sun has set and everyone has gone home, Yeosang and Wooyoung head to their room. After a long day of meetings and work they're both tired and just want to sleep.

They sleep in their usual position, Wooyoung's back against Yeosang's chest, arms wrapped around him securely.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Yeosang says, placing a kiss on the crown of his head.

Wooyoung nods sleepily. "Of course, I can't wait to be bonded with the love of my life."

Yeosang's face burns as he buries his face in Wooyoung's neck. The other always showers him with sweet words like this. "You're going to be stuck with me for the rest of your life".

Wooyoung smiles. "And I wouldn't have it any other way". He turns his face back to press a soft kiss to Yeosang, who still has a pretty pink blush on his face. And like every other night, they fall asleep in each other's arms.

~

Yeosang and Wooyoung get ready in separate rooms, neither know what the other is wearing.

Mingi, Jongho and Hongjoong are helping Yeosang while Yunho, San and Seonghwa help Wooyoung.

"I remember my bonding like it was just the other day" Hongjoong says fondly.

Seonghwa and Hongjoong helped Wooyoung and Yeosang a lot with their questions and preparations. Although their situation is a little different since Yeosang is king.

They decided to have a private bonding ceremony, only keeping it intimate with the with of them. Yeosang didn't want random people watching the most special moment in his life. He wants to share the moment with the people who changed his life forever. He's forever grateful for the friends he made.

They invited Wooyoung's father too, on Wooyoung's request which Yeosang would never deny. This past month Wooyoung's father has been nothing but kind and helpful. He would give them advice but never overstepped his boundaries. Yeosang has warmed up to him, and he's happy to see that Wooyoung and his father also have an improved relationship now.

"Wow hyung you look good!" Jongho says, admiring the work he did on his hair.

Yeosang smiles shyly. He never knew this but apparently he's very handsome according to beauty standards. He doesn't really care about any standards but ever since he's become king, he's constantly praised for his good looks. He's not complaining though.

"Do you think Wooyoung will like it?"

Mingi laughs loudly. "Like it? He's going to eat you alive with his eyes! He would do that even if you wore a potato sack"

Yeosang blushes wildly at the compliment (?). Luckily it's almost time for him to see Wooyoung, it feels like forever since they separated to get ready.

~

When Yeosang is in front of the door, he has to collect himself. Bonding is a big deal. He's connecting his soul and magic with Wooyoung's. He loves Wooyoung. Wooyoung is behind that door waiting for him.

He takes a deep breath and opens the door. They immediately make eye contact. It's subtle, but Yeosang sees the way Wooyoung's eyes widened a little, which makes his heart race.

Once they're in front of each other, they take both their hands. Yeosang can't stop staring at Wooyoung, how beautiful he looks. They're wearing coordinated white garments and two thinks they look like a perfect match.

"You look gorgeous" Wooyoung whispers.

Yeosang smiles. "You look even more gorgeous".

Wooyoung smiles widely, almost shyly and it makes Yeosang just want to pull him in and kiss him hard.

"We are gathered here for the bonding ceremony of Kang Yeosang and Jung Wooyoung." Beomjoong says. They had him do it since they only wanted close people to attend. He did Hongjoong's and Seonghwa's bonding so they trust him to do a good job.

They say a few vows, Beomjoong reminding them of the rules of bonding and that it's permanent. Wooyoung I just mesmerised at Yeosang the whole time, not believing that this is happening right now.

Finally, Beomjoong is casting a spell. It's a long enchantment as he says it with deep concentration, eyes closed. Wooyoung's hands get sweaty holding Yeosang's.

When the spell is done, a cool air spins around the pair, Wooyoung gasps audibly as he feels a strange sensation, like a buzz taking over his body, then leaving. He didn't realise he was holding his breath, or that his eyes were closed.

But when his eyes open, Yeosang is looking at him in awe. "Your marks are purple again" he says, lifting a hand to brush his cheek, caressing the purple heart.

"Kang Yeosang and Jung Wooyoung, your souls are now connected to the deepest level." Beomjoong ends off the ceremony and everyone claps. Yeosang gains the confidence to pull a shy Wooyoung into a loving kiss.

"I love you" Yeosang says.

"I love you more" Wooyoung whispers, embracing him tightly as their friends cheer loudly.

They complete the bonding swiftly as everyone just wants to celebrate, their friends waiting for the pair to be done before they all attack them with hugs.

"I'm so glad I injured my leg that day" Mingi says, hugging Yeosang tightly.

Yeosang laughs, burying his head on the tallers shoulder. "Thank you Mingi, for being so nice to me. You and Jongho are my first ever friends, you've saved me from an empty and depressing life".

Jongho pats his head. "You should give you resell more credit hyung. If you were mean and horrible we wouldn't have come back to you- you're the one who's kind and deserves everything good". 

The rest of them also say their mini speeches, Yeosang once again can't believe how he's met such a perfect group of friends.

Once they're done, Wooyoung's father appears from behind the others. Wooyoung rises his eyebrows. "Father, you came".

He smiles. "Of course, I wouldn't miss my son's bonding ceremony" Wooyoung hugs him, and Yeosang watches with a sentimental smile.

"Your majesty" Wooyoung's father says, bowing.

Yeosang widens his eyes and shakes his head. "Just call me Yeosang- father"

He raises his eyebrows at the name, then smiles widely. "As you wish, Yeosang or should I call you son in law?" He says with a laugh.

Yeosang smiles, he's started to warm up to him, he can tell he's trying to make an effort to not make him uncomfortable.

"Yeosang, I know nothing compares to having actual parents, but if you need anything- you can always come to me. You can even order me around as king! I just want to let you know that you have my unbreakable loyalty".

Yeosang bows politely as a thank you and Wooyoung's father looks at him in nostalgia. "You look so much like your father when he was king. Your parents would be so incredibly proud of you Yeosang" he looks down in sadness.

He doesn't want to ruin a happy day so he looks up again, smiling. "Take care of my Wooyoung will you? He's a lot to handle sometimes" he chuckles while Wooyoung looks at him in offence. "And you!" He points to his son. "Be good to Yeosang! If you argue, you're probably in the wrong!"

Wooyoung laughs, "I already know that- and of course I will, you don't have to worry about that".

His father beams at the pair. "I'll be going now, you and your friends have some fun now"

"Aren't you staying to have some food?" Wooyoung frowns.

"No, it's okay- I've got a lot to do, you boys can party without this old man ruining it!" He leaves no room for argument as he starts walking away with a wave.

Wooyoung glances at Yeosang, who looks at him in confusion.

~

The rest of the day is spent relaxing and partying, they have the whole castle to themselves, apart from a few live in servants. Yeosang makes sure to give them some cake.

Speaking of cake, Yeosang tries not to gag watching Yunho feed Mingi, the pair making it extremely difficult when Yunho licks the cream off his boyfriend's face.

"Ah, this is the life" San says with his eyes closed. He doesn't have to live the boring life planned out for him now. He loves working with King Yeosang, working as a council member with his friends.

Especially his boyfriend. San opens his eyes to see Jongho singing along to one of the songs playing, courtesy of Mingi's newest spell invention which came in handy since Yeosang didn't want to invite musicians.

San discovered that Jongho is incredibly good at singing, and he does it all the time, he loves listening to him humming or belting out notes while doing random things like cleaning. These little things have made San fall in love all over again.

"What are you thinking about?"

San looks at Jongho in surprise. He was so deep in thought that he doesn't even notice the younger taking the seat next to him until he speaks up.

"You."

Jongho blinks. Then blushes and San just wants to grab his hand and take him to the closest empty room.

San cups his face, thumb brushing his red diamond. "I love you"

Jongho blinks again, this time a little more surprised. They've said I love you before but only recently. So it still makes Jongho's hear race hearing it from San's mouth. "I love you too"

San beams at his boyfriend's flustered state. He thinks he looks the prettiest like this. "One day... do you want to bond with me?"

Jongho stills. It's San's turn to be nervous now. Honestly, he's been thinking about it a lot lately, he wants to be with Jongho forever. They've only been dating for a few months  so they don't have to bond straight away, but San just wanted Jongho to know that he wants to in the future.

"You... want to bond... with me?" Jongho asks slowly. His mind goes back to when he wanted San to fall in love with him so he could take his blue marks away from him then break his heart. Now here he is, head over heels for San- and he wants to bond with him one day. "Your marks- they'll turn red"

San strokes his hair. "Baby you know I'd have my marks taken off me if it would mean that I could be with you." He kisses both his cheeks. "I think your red marks are beautiful and I'd love to match with you".

Jongho bites his lip, looking down shyly. "I'd like it too, you know- bonding with you"

San's heart races as he smiles widely. He was nervous at first about asking Jongho about this, but he's happy he feels the same way. He pulls Jongho forward by the waist, kissing him gently.

Yeosang and Wooyoung watch the exchange, eyes meeting in curiosity. "Three down one to go I guess" Wooyoung smiles, watching all their friends in their own worlds.

Yeosang takes Wooyoung's hand. He thinks about how this all started. How Mingi crashed into his life and brought Jongho with him. How Wooyoung also crashed into his life and wouldn't leave, bringing Yunho, San, Seonghwa and Hongjoong with him.

He glances at their entwined hands, Wooyoung gives it a kiss. "Thank you" Yeosang says, looking at him glassy eyes. It doesn't need any explanation, Yeosang is thankful for everything Wooyoung has given him.

"I should be thanking you" Wooyoung says, and again, he thanks him for everything, for staying by his side always.

Wooyoung made this all possible, he never cared that he had no marks. Yeosang wishes he never pushed him away from the start. He's thankful he gained his senses before Wooyoung actually started to hate him.

They had a rough start, but it was worth the wait.

The actual end.

Thank you for reading!!
I hope you liked this small small epilogue.

Ps. Big spoon Yeosang was inspired by a 0.5 second clip of Yeosang big spooning Wooyoung.