Archive of Our Own

Donghyuck never exactly agreed to start the battle, but his father had given the order that they should fight, and so did his people.

He had somewhat lost count of how many suns had passed since the conflicts between his tribe and the neighboring tribe had begun, from the confines of his lands, he had barely felt the ravages of war, his people were not aggressive, and that was evident with their day to day, right now they were only defending themselves.

Donghyuck believed that there were other ways to defend his people that didn't involve bloodshed, but his father was the one in charge and he didn't have the right to comment, at the end of the day he wasn't too affected by what happened to the other tribe either so he said nothing.

It wasn't until his father returned with a man's head in his hand and a small group of people captured that Donghyuck knew he had made it, his father had wiped out another tribe that dared to challenge them for no good reason.

The sun in which his father returned, Donghyuck was summoned to the main hall, he arrived without haste since the duties of 'heir to the throne' already seemed mundane and natural to him, his father probably just wanted to notify him of the victory.

"I'm glad you came back, Father," he said firmly, the man smiled at the respect, his clothes were a more detailed and striking version of the one Donghyuck wore, which was a soft cloth on his hip tied with gold pins covering up to halfway down his calves and unlike his father, nothing covering his chest.

"I'm glad to be back too" The man approached and Donghyuck bowed and smiled slightly at the short hug "I assume you were already informed of the trophy on the outskirts of the village."

"That's right" Donghyuck nodded, the head of the tribe leader buried on a stake at the entrance of his village "But I doubt that another tribe wants to attack us, they know that we will not do anything against them without provocation."

"It's better to be sure" his father sighed and Donghyuck patted his back a little, the man soon changed his face to a bright smile "Are you also aware of your gift?"

"A gift?" Donghyuck frowned in confusion and his father smiled even wider, scowling at a warrior at the door.

"It's from the leader of the Tima tribe just before he died '' At that moment the warrior reentered, a pale man being dragged by the arm, his hands and feet tied and his eyes blindfolded.

"A sacrifice?" Donghyuck looked at him, he was a bit short and thin, and under the cloth covering half of his face he seemed to have a sweet face, probably a virgin boy so his blood was pure and fit to offer to his god as forgiveness of the war that his people caused.

"A husband" corrected his father and Donghyuck raised his eyebrows in surprise, looking at the boy from head to toe again "Don't you want him?" Donghyuck knew that the question was just for show, he wasn't in any capacity to reject something like this, so he denied it.

"I could never refuse a gift like this, Father" Donghyuck assured and his father finally smiled as they both approached where the boy was and removed the blindfold from his eyes.

Donghyuck felt the air stop entering his lungs when he saw his face, it was definitely sweet, but having the whole image was just beautiful, he was the most beautiful boy he had ever seen.

"He's quite a beauty, don't you think?" Donghyuck nodded at the words of his father who ran one of his calloused fingers over the white cheek of the stranger who immediately turned his face away.

"What's your name?" Donghyuck asked the boy who gave him a dirty look, Donghyuck imagined that now he was fantasizing about killing him and his father in different ways.

"I doubt he understands our language" his father interrupted and Donghyuck grimaced slightly disappointed "You can take him to your room, I'll generously give you a couple of days to get used to it before planning the wedding" The man rested his hand on Donghyuck's shoulder who nodded.

His father left before him in the opposite direction, Donghyuck just started walking and was followed by the warrior who was holding his future husband, reaching his room quickly.

"I'll have him from now on," Donghyuck said holding the white arm, the skin was as smooth as it looked and he saw the boy clench his jaw, the warrior nodded and left.

Once inside his room Donghyuck closed the door and again admired the boy in front of him, he truly seemed like a gift from the gods, Donghyuck was fascinated by the divine features.

"Do you understand what I'm saying?" Donghyuck asked, the boy continuing without speaking and Hyuck let out a sigh, slowly approaching him and untying his hands under his watchful gaze.

"What?" Donghyuck was surprised, he didn't expect to hear any kind of sound come out of those pretty lips, he smiled, made the boy sit on his mattress, and bent down to untie his feet.

"I'll ask again, do you understand what I'm saying?" Donghyuck got up, standing much taller than the boy, perhaps this difference made him feel a little intimidated and he nodded slowly.

"What if I kill you?" He spoke in a strange language, Donghyuck looked at him confused but the boy kept looking at him with daggers, in the same way, he spoke again "What if I go?" With a bad command of the language the stranger asked, his voice was also cute and Donghyuck was convinced that he was a gift from the gods.

"If you leave, where would you go?" Donghyuck asked with a smile, the cute boy's brow furrowing "Your tribe practically no longer exists, if you leave you have nowhere to go unless you want certain death" he explained slowly so that he would understand "Besides, your father gave you as a gift"

Silence filled his room, the stranger's slightly agitated breathing being the sound that stood out the most, Donghyuck sat next to him.

"What's your name?" The boy clenched his fists on his knees and Donghyuck chuckled "Do you want us to put a new one on you?"

"Renjun," he said, understandable enough but still with a strange pronunciation, Donghyuck smirked.

"Ronjeon?" Faced with his terrible pronunciation, Renjun looked at him angrily, Donghyuck couldn't help but laugh a lot more "Renjun, nice name" The boy just looked away "You should take a shower, I'll have them find you appropriate clothes, my future husband must always be neat"

.

In the first weeks of having Renjun here the boy didn't leave his room, Donghyuck started sleeping on a couch that he had inside the room because clearly, Renjun didn't want to share the mattress with him.

Donghyuck was a bit annoyed that Renjun didn't talk at all, ignored him, and never went out, but he just had to be patient, lately, Renjun started going out with him when he went to receive food or practice his weaving, always silent and stoic, almost like he wasn't there.

"So? What decision did you make?" His father asked as he summoned them both to the hall, Renjun next to him was looking at the ground and Donghyuck nodded.

"I accept the offering Father, I will marry him," he said simply and he could see Renjun's face darken.

"Okay, we'll start with the details of the wedding," his father said with a smile, Donghyuck nodded and after a while, he was able to return to his room.

He had noticed how clearly upset Renjun was, and the moment they entered the room was the second time he had heard his voice

"Why?" Renjun muttered in his language, Donghyuck frowned.

"What did you say?" He questioned already in the silence of his room.

"Why don't you finish me off? Why marry me?" Renjun asked with that broken pronunciation.

"You know quite a few words" Donghyuck pointed out and Renjun looked away "Don't you want to carry out your father's last wish?"

"I don't want to be with his killer," he said angrily, Donghyuck frowned.

"I'm not his murderer" he defended himself immediately, Donghyuck had nothing to do with the last war, why did Renjun want to shift the blame onto him?

"To me you are," he said, gritting his teeth, Donghyuck could see it, the pure hatred unfiltered in his eyes.

"Your tribe started the war" Donghyuck reminded him and Renjun seemed to turn red with rage.

"You finished with my people," he said forcefully, the louder his voice sounded "I hate your father and I hate you" was the last thing he said, hitting his tanned chest with his finger, if he was sincere the action hurt because of the force.

His gaze was distant, furious, and Donghyuck hated that it was directed at him, but both he nor Renjun couldn't do anything about it.

That night Donghyuck asked for another room for Renjun.

.

Three weeks later Donghyuck found himself in front of the room he had given to Renjun, knocking and entering after a while, noticing how the boy was looking out the window.

"I think it's time for you to see the town," he said, getting his attention, Renjun looked at him with those eyes full of rage but he got up anyway.

Renjun hadn't fully gotten used to this tribe's garments, wearing a version slightly close to the ones he wore when he lived in the previous one, a cloth covering his entire torso and being secured at his waist to halfway down his thighs, unlike Donghyuck, whose cloth only covered half of his torso, also secured with golden pins and gold jewelry that adorned various parts of his body.

Renjun started to walk next to him, the silence was heavy but Donghyuck didn't expect anything different.

"Are you ready?" He asked when they were at the door but Renjun didn't look at him and didn't say anything so Donghyuck sighed and left.

They walked through the cultivated fields, Donghyuck occasionally greeting people who were staring at Renjun too much.

"Prince Haechan!" Hearing that voice, Donghyuck turned around with a smile and noticed his friend running towards him.

"Jeno! You're back! We almost left you for dead" Donghyuck hugged him tightly, his muscular arms enveloping him in warmth.

"I almost thought I would die, but the title of the best warrior was not given to me for decoration" He smiled and his eyes turned into two half moons, soon noticing the boy next to him and straightening up. "I did hear about the gift from the chief of the Tima tribe but I didn't think the rumor was real."

"What rumor?" Donghyuck said, looking sideways at Renjun, who was ignoring the conversation.

"That his beauty had been a gift from Chía, the goddess of the moon at birth," Jeno said with some emotion.

"Tima" Renjun murmured while correcting Jeno, of course, they had certain customs and gods with different names, and both Jeno and Donghyuck froze for a couple of seconds.

"Does he understand us?" He questioned and Donghyuck nodded "How did he learn our language?"

"I have no idea" Donghyuck admitted and Jeno nodded, his entire body was full of scars and Donghyuck knew how reckless he could be, but at the single word Renjun uttered he seemed to freeze.

"Is it true that you will marry him?" Jeno asked Donghyuck as if Renjun wasn't there.

"I will, his father gave him to me before he was beheaded" He shrugged but noticed Renjun next to him tense "What about the others?" Donghyuck asked, he had arranged to meet all his friends but only Jeno was in sight.

"In a few seconds they'll be here, they were right behind me," Jeno said remembering that until now he hadn't been walking alone and Donghyuck laughed.

True to his word, soon the rest of his friends made an appearance.

"Jaemin, they just stole the title of the most beautiful of the tribe from you" With his collected presence the oldest of all spoke with a mocking tone.

"Was the comment necessary, Minhyung?" Was what Jaemin replied with a slight pout "What matters is that Jisung prefers me, right?" He said looking at his partner who nodded and made him smile.

"Although, I thought your servants would be exaggerating, he truly has a striking beauty" Jisung admitted to Donghyuck and all his friends nodded, Renjun sitting next to him ignored them.

"When will the ceremony be?" Jaemin asked changing the subject with a smile.

"After I turn twenty-two" Donghyuck explained and Jaemin's smile faltered.

"That's too many suns away!" He grumbled and leaned his head on Jisung's shoulder.

"He doesn't speak?" Minhyung asked out of the blue pointing at Renjun who looked as mad as he had at the beginning of the day and Donghyuck sighed.

"He doesn't want to do it" he explained and several of his friends stared at him, in itself, it was strange, almost as if he were another species.

Renjun was extremely pale in comparison to them and his features were very delicate, the fact that he didn't speak only created a mystical air around him, almost as if he wasn't human.

"He looks so pure," Jaemin said with a small frown and then whispered to Donghyuck "What if he's a virgin?"

At this, he noticed that Renjun frowned, in his tribe, it was expected that people have sexual experience before marriage, and that someone arrived a virgin was a sign that no one had ever wanted to touch them and therefore they was not a good candidate as a husband or wife.

"I doubt that with him it means anything" Donghyuck clarified and his friends didn't seem convinced "Are you seeing him? Do you think nobody ever wanted him?" it was weird to talk about Renjun as if he wasn't there even though he was very present "his tribe had other customs, they kept him chaste for when he got married"

"Another of the captured boys said something like that to me when I told him how I could a little about our customs" Jisung admitted with a nod and so it seemed that his friends dropped the subject.

He was surprised when Renjun jerked around, his wide eyes looking directly at Jisung who shrank back in place, intimidated.

"Boy?" At the simple word, everyone was surprised as if they expected that Renjun could not speak their language, or speak at all "Another boy?"

"Didn't my father tell you that there are several of your tribe here? Most likely the only ones left" Donghyuck asked him and Renjun's face showed despair, he had to admit that he felt a little bad, the boy shook his head, there was something about his cute face twisting in such a way that made him uneasy, he hated the feeling.

"Can I see person?" He said with difficulty and everyone seemed surprised.

"It's Prince Haechan's decision," Minhyung said calmly and Renjun turned to look at him pleading, gods Donghyuck hated how he felt, his face looked so hurt it was awful.

"Sure, you can go see them in a couple of days" he sentenced with a shrug and Renjun nodded, sitting back down and going completely silent again.

Everyone seemed to forget that Renjun was able to hear and understand them and they kept talking for hours until night came.

.

As the leader and second in command of the warriors, Minhyung and Jeno accompanied them to 'visit' the rest of Renjun's tribe.

They walked a bit far, almost to the other end of the village, but there they were.

In smaller than common houses probably because they were recently built, a girl with long hair dropped the basket in which she carried a couple of crops as soon as she saw Renjun and ran towards him,

They both hugged each other and began to speak in their native language.

Donghyuck didn't understand anything they were saying, but it was the first time he saw Renjun smile, it was a beautiful smile, maybe Jaemin still beat him in that one, but Renjun wasn't far behind, happiness suited him very well.

Soon the girl shouted something and a boy came out of one of the houses, almost paler than Renjun, the boy let out a scream and hugged Renjun tightly who now began to cry.

"It looks like he missed them" He heard Jeno murmur next to him, and Donghyuck felt for the first time a kind of emptiness in his stomach.

They stayed there for hours and Renjun didn't stop talking to the people who were there.

As the sun started to go down Minhyung stood up and signaled to Jeno who did the same, with a neutral expression he said to Donghyuck "You should be back now"

At this Donghyuck nodded, it was the first time he didn't feel rushed to go back home, he wanted to see Renjun happy a little more, but he knew he had no other choice so he nodded and got up.

"Sorry, but you must go back to Prince Haechan," Jeno said cautiously to Renjun, interrupting the conversation in the unknown language, Renjun looked at Donghyuck and again there was annoyance in his eyes, but after having been with his people he seemed calmer.

It seems like he said goodbye to everyone and with a sad smile he waved his hand as they walked away, Jeno and Mark leaving them along the way.

"I thought your mood would be better after that but you look sadder," Donghyuck said looking at Renjun out of the corner of his eye who seemed to be debating whether or not to speak.

"I'll miss them" Renjun confessed in a low voice and Donghyuck smiled weakly.

"I can take you whenever you want" At this Renjun looked at him with his eyes open full of hope, yes, Donghyuck never wanted to see him unhappy.

.

Donghyuck had kept his word and took Renjun to visit his people a few more times.

"See you later, Prince Haechan," Minhyung said goodbye, leaving them alone.

Returning to his house when the sun had already set, the walk was flooded by the usual silence.

"Why Haechan?" Renjun questioned, Donghyuck chuckled in surprise at the boy's interest, but Renjun's face was neutral, almost disinterested, so he understood that it was simple curiosity.

"They can't say my name or it will lose its might," Renjun frowned in confusion "I am the son chosen by the chieftain."

"Chosen?" Renjun asked, interrupting him and Donghyuck nodded.

"It is the responsibility of the tribal chief to act according to the will of the gods, to choose the one who will one day be the leader" Donghyuck explained patiently "I was the one the gods chose."

Renjun nodded understanding slowly, and after that, he stopped talking again.

Donghyuck was willing to continue answering questions but no more came and he wasn't surprised either, but at least it was the longest conversation they had ever had.

.

His father reduced the times he could take Renjun to see his people, it goes without saying that Renjun himself wasn't too happy with the decision.

Donghyuck asked why and his father explained that Renjun's visits were a distraction that created the illusion that he had decisions, that cutting them off was just to remind him that they were the ones with the power, Donghyuck didn't like it, but he didn't say anything.

Once again knocking on the door and entering the room, he noticed Renjun with a sad and angry expression on his face.

"You can do other things while you're in the house," he said and Renjun snorted.

"I don't want your nonsense, you bastards" Renjun hissed, Donghyuck had no idea what he was saying but it still made him feel a little bad.

"You will be my husband, you will have to learn certain things-" The loud sound of something crashing on the floor echoed in the room.

"I don't want to be your husband!" He yelled at him angrily, his eyes bloodshot with rage as he grabbed another pot "I don't want to be here!" He smashed it to the ground again, leaving pieces everywhere.

"Well, we don't have any other options, do we?" Was what Donghyuck replied and the anger in Renjun's eyes faltered "There's nothing we can do, just like you're not tied up and you're free to go, you don't because going outside alone is certain death, just like I can supposedly choose whether to marry you or not, it's all a farce, neither of us has another choice"

"You must have another option" His voice came out shaky, and Donghyuck felt his chest tighten.

"Stop making all of this so complicated" was what Hyuck replied, his voice trembling a bit as well.

"I was captured after my father was murdered and now I have to marry one of my kidnappers," Renjun said, his fists clenched and his face red with anger, his pronunciation was bad but understandable and Donghyuck sighed.

"Sorry" this took Renjun by surprise "but there is no other way, your father gave you to me and my father accepted you as a gift, this will calm the gods and my father," he said calmly as Renjun seemed to lower his intensity "sorry for everything but I had nothing to do with this, it was your tribe who started the conflict, my father just did what he had to do, I'm sorry you're in this situation but I don't know what you want from me"

"Just go" Renjun ended up answering and without needing to be told twice Donghyuck turned around.

"I'll call a maid to pick that up," he said referring to the pieces on the floor, Renjun didn't say anything, just looking away in embarrassment and Donghyuck left.

That night he could hardly sleep because he couldn't stop thinking about that and especially about Renjun.

.

As they began preparations for the wedding, there were certain things they had to do, and Renjun had accompanied him silently to the village, without uttering a word until they reached their destination.

They had emptied the place just for them and both sat on the seats there, shortly after the most notable artisan of the tribe came in with the materials.

"Prince Haechan" the man made a small bow and Donghyuck smiled at him "The prince's fiancé" He turned slightly and also made a small bow but Renjun simply looked at him with disdain.

"Master Taeyong, I am curious to know what we will do," he smiled kindly at the man who sat in front of them.

"As you know, it is an important tradition for any couple to mold the vessel with which they will profess their love," he said, addressing Donghyuck, but the information was clearly for Renjun.

Taeyong pulled out a dough, most likely clay, and showed off other containers that had been made previously. It looked like a deep dish but each one was different from the other.

"I made this one with my husband for our wedding" He then showed the worst looking of all, and both Renjun and Donghyuck frowned in confusion, Taeyong laughed a little before continuing talking "I know it's not the prettiest, we both wanted to do something different and we ended up doing nothing" he looked at the strange dark green container with a certain adoration "but that's why it's perfect."

"Why?" Donghyuck asked still blankly and Taeyong smiled at him.

"Because it's genuine," he said simply, "Doie and I just got carried away with our arguments and we're done with it, but it's our thing" Taeyong explained "My point is that you don't have to do it with perfection in mind, do it with the other in mind"

Donghyuck nodded in understanding and looked at Renjun who seemed to finally be paying attention and not ignoring everything around him.

"What's it for?" Renjun asked, Taeyong, unlike everyone else, was not surprised by Renjun's speech, he smiled at him like it was the most normal thing in the world (because it probably was) and explained.

"When the marriage rituals are done, the groom's father sacrifices a couple of birds, the blood of one of them will be poured and the shaman will make a mixture with which they will vindicate their love" At his words Renjun seemed surprised, the most interested he had ever been in a conversation.

Taeyong then handed them the clay and explained to them (mostly to Renjun) and left them to do their job.

"Did you like Taeyong?" Donghyuck asked while kneading the clay, attentive to the expressions of Renjun who after days finally seemed relaxed.

"He's kind" his voice was low "but, he's one of yours"

"Taeyong had nothing to do with what happened to your tribe" Donghyuck added immediately, frowning, "he was here all the time working with his husband"

"Do you think my people didn't work or have a husband?" Renjun answered, his voice higher, and looked Hyuck in the eye with a frown.

Donghyuck was silent and looked away, focusing on his dirty hands, sighing he decided to do something risky.

"Think about it like this," he said softly as he grabbed Renjun's delicate hands who were startled "This is a way to reward you," he said now in a whisper, Renjun relaxed and let his hands be guided shaping the dough.

"How is this rewarding?" he asked, his words still holding an edge.

"For what my father and his warriors did," Donghyuck said calmly, feeling strangely absorbed by the touch of his hands on Renjun's "You will be a prince and you will have power, everything you want will be yours and you will live a good life"

"The only good life would be far from here" Renjun answered and Donghyuck felt his chest ache, it was weird, he had never felt anything like this.

"So, let's get married, and then I'll take you wherever you want to go and you're free to stay where you choose" The words tasted bitter in his mouth, but he felt Renjun calm down and look into his eyes.

"Why would you do that?" At last, his eyes weren't angry, just suspicious.

"Because... you look bad when you're sad" he explained awkwardly "I know you're supposed to be mine, but if it makes you so sad, I'd rather it not be like that"

"Anyone in your place would have already taken me," Renjun said narrowing his eyes "I don't know if I believe you, you could be tricking me"

"I don't know what to do to make you believe me" he admitted with some defeat "I promise that I will never touch you inappropriately until the day of the wedding, after that you will be free, the gods will have calmed down and I can create a lie for my father"

"It's not like I have any other choice" Renjun finished saying, turning his head, the words were awkward.

When Donghyuck noticed it, they had finished, it was a little uneven, it wasn't as imperfect as Taeyong's, but it hadn't been very good either, Donghyuck didn't understand why looking at it hurt his chest but he ignored it grabbing the pot and placing it where it had to dry.

Renjun didn't speak when they cleaned their hands, nor on the way back home, Donghyuck had gotten used to Renjun's silent strike by now, he knew he didn't speak to highlight the fact that he didn't want to be here.

He really couldn't blame him.

.

It came as a surprise when Renjun was the one who came to his room knocking on the door.

He opened the door to find Renjun, his clothing still slightly more similar to his tribe than Donghyuck's.

"Today there will be a full moon" Renjun whispered and Donghyuck frowned in confusion "I want... I want to go archery."

"Oh, at night?" Donghyuck asked and Renjun nodded "And what would you do? Hunt animals?" Renjun seemed to take a breath and try to say something but quickly sighed.

"Forget it, dammit" His shoulders slumped and he turned to leave but Donghyuck carefully stopped him.

"No, just, explain to me" His voice was low, and Renjun turned to look at him, he still looked distrustful but after seeming to debate it in his head he sighed looking at the ground.

"It's been a while since I used a bow... I just want to practice, the full moon protects so it's ideal to do it" Donghyuck thought that seeing Renjun talk so much was cute, his disappointed expression was strangely adorable.

"Okay," When he said that Renjun looked up in surprise, his eyes and mouth slightly open "We can go get the bow and arrows you want."

"Really?" He looked up and Donghyuck felt something, as if his insides had turned and now everything was upside down, the hope in Renjun's eyes almost seemed to overflow.

"Let's go?" Donghyuck said and Renjun nodded his head repeatedly, starting to walk.

Renjun was supremely picky about the bow and arrows they searched for, to the point where he tweaked and changed the one he had chosen.

Jeno and Mark asked him what they would do and if he wanted them to accompany them but a slightly uncomfortable expression from Renjun was enough for Donghyuck to say that they wanted to go alone.

"Are you familiar with the area?" Renjun asked when they were about to enter the forest.

The reality was, Donghyuck didn't go out hunting much, of course he knew how to do it but his skills were limited to using a spear in broad daylight.

Going into the woods when the sun was beginning to set was not something he usually partook in.

"Just a little" he admitted, hoping Renjun wouldn't be disappointed and noticing there was no change in his expression he was able to relax.

"Fine, I like to explore" and with that Renjun went into the forest.

It was captivating, seeing Renjun in his element, despite never having been on these sides of the land, he moved safely.

The first moment Renjun held the bow and got into position Donghyuck felt like he was seeing someone else.

Under the moonlight, Renjun seemed to shine, with the bow and arrow in his hands he truly looked like a child of the moon.

He took a breath and after a moment of silence he released the arrow that shot into a bush, Donghyuck heard a squeak, his eyes widened in surprise and they both approached where the arrow had fallen.

"How did you see it?" Donghyuck said, moving closer as Renjun grabbed the rabbit.

"I heard it" That fact was simply impressive for Donghyuck, Renjun acted as if it was something completely natural, and although Donghyuck was never the best when it came to hunting, he knew that what he had just done was remarkable because Donghyuck hadn't heard anything at all.

After that Renjun kept practicing, he didn't hit so many animals and instead he decided to hit the fruits that were hanging from some trees.

"You're amazing" Donghyuck acknowledged honestly, Renjun just looked at him out of the corner of his eye.

"Only one arrow left," Renjun said as he looked at it in his hand and then looked at Hyuck "Do you know how to use it?" Renjun referred to the bow and Donghyuck waved his hands indicating not really "I can teach you."

For some reason the question made him nervous, it was Renjun taking the initiative and Donghyuck didn't want to ruin it.

He looked at him, and his posture was upright, if he had understood anything from this time with him, it was that Renjun didn't plan to bow down to anyone, never acting as if Donghyuck was truly his owner.

Donghyuck had seen cases, how after being captured and given away, women or men from different tribes would follow the next logical step, they would surrender, mate, and trade, whatever they needed to survive.

Donghyuck should want to subdue Renjun, what he was doing was almost disrespectful, the way he ignored him, how he didn't want to talk, and when he did it was only to express his discontent, he didn't want to adopt his customs, the clothes he wore were not the right ones.

He should tell his father, how his future husband did not want to do what he wanted, how he thought he still had rights or freedom, Donghyuck should make it clear to him that if he wanted it Renjun was between a rock and a hard place.

But it wasn't like that, there was something about Renjun that made it clear to anyone who saw him that he would never submit to anyone, in a way it was admirable, to value his freedom so much that he didn't care about the consequences of his actions, Donghyuck wanted him to have what he wanted.

"So?" Renjun was confused by his lack of response and Donghyuck felt strangely embarrassed.

"Sure," Donghyuck said airily and Renjun walked over to him.

"You just need to hit that fruit," Renjun said pointing at it, and Donghyuck looked at him, nodding and taking the bow in his hands.

It seems that he immediately did everything wrong because Renjun looked at him and sighed, moving closer and helping him to get his feet in place.

"Take the arrow," Renjun said and Donghyuck nodded, the pale boy positioned himself a little behind him and with his delicate fingers grabbed his arm "Raise your elbow" Donghyuck let Renjun move his arm and then get behind him.

Donghyuck felt Renjun's clothed torso cling a little to his sweaty exposed skin, feeling him so close, he unintentionally bent the arm he was holding the bow with and took a shaky breath as Renjun ran his hand along his arm, his fingers delineating his muscles and making his arm straight.

Renjun stopped touching him and took a step back as if verifying that everything was okay, but Donghyuck's heart was beating abnormally.

"Drop it" His voice was barely audible over his heartbeat thundering in his ears, but like breaking a curse it brought him back to reality, and automatically at the command, Donghyuck released the arrow.

Donghyuck didn't hit the fruit completely, only sideways causing the fruit to fall but the arrow continued somewhere else. 

He feared Renjun was disappointed in his poor performance, still with his heart beating fastly, he turned to look at him but his face was neutral, he dared say he looked calm.

"Not bad" Renjun admitted, Donghyuck couldn't understand the change in his heartbeat towards him, Renjun had been the most beautiful man he had ever seen in his life, but his heart had never raced like this.

"We should be getting back now," Donghyuck said and Renjun nodded.

On the way back he thought this was the most he had ever talked to Renjun that didn't involve guilt and anger.

.

"So, have you used your gift yet?" His father asked once he found him.

"I haven't Father," he said without looking up, his hands working on the fabric expertly and quickly.

"Why not? You should have taken his chastity away by now" The man frowned, and Donghyuck's hands faltered slightly hearing the change in his tone of voice.

"He... will be kept until the wedding night," Donghyuck said, raising his gaze, his father still frowning, and added, "I think the gods will be happier if we respect their beliefs as well."

"Fine..." his father blurted out but still looked disgruntled "What are you knitting?"

"They're garments for him," Donghyuck admitted, his voice becoming slightly lower and his fingers running through the modified fabric.

"That's perfect!" The chieftain finally exclaimed looking more lively, it was traditional in his tribe for couples to weave each other's clothes "The preparations for the ceremony are progressing nicely, would you prefer it to be before or after your twenty-second birthday?"

"I think it's better if it's after," Donghyuck said with a small smile and his father nodded "I have to retire now, but I will see you later Father" Donghyuck stood up and made a small bow.

His father let him go easily and Donghyuck walked barefoot to Renjun's room giving a couple of knocks until the door was opened.

"I made you some clothes," he said as soon as Renjun was in his field of vision and the surprise on his face was so adorable that Donghyuck couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"Why..." Renjun said in confusion, taking the clothes in his hands and looking at them with fascination.

"I noticed that you don't usually enjoy being so exposed, and you didn't have a lot of clothes, so I wanted to make you more" Donghyuck admitted and looked Renjun in the eyes.

This turned out not to be the best idea when Renjun's gaze looked so soft and surprised, Donghyuck felt as if thousands of needles pricked his arms with the strange urge to want to hug him, and his stomach fluttered strangely.

"Thank you" Renjun's voice was beautiful, and his tone was so sincere and vulnerable that Donghyuck felt bad to have heard it as if it was something intimate that Renjun shouldn't utter to just anyone.

"It was nothing, really," he said and nodded slowly, Renjun then looked at him again, and Donghyuck found himself more lost in his brown eyes.

.

They went back to Taeyong's place, this time they had to paint the pot and Renjun looked relaxed, he walked along the path with calmness and almost familiarity, the moment they arrived Taeyong greeted him in a friendly way.

"Just paint whatever you want," Taeyong told them with a smile "It can be something that makes you think of each other, for example, look at this one."

"Oh! Jisung and Jaemin" Donghyuck immediately recognized the bowl that had belonged to two of his friends, the striking pink color they had used on almost the entire bowl, and the irregularity of the figures.

"That's right" Taeyong let out a chuckle and pointed to two figures there "Jaemin drew a chick and Jisung drew a rabbit because it's something that reminds them of each other," Taeyong said and put it on the stone table "but really you can do whatever you want, here you have more... creative freedom" he finished adding and Donghyuck let out a small chuckle.

Taeyong left them the paintings and left again, looking at the colors Donghyuck thought, what could they do? He was sure Renjun didn't relate anything good to him, and when he looked at Renjun the black-haired man seemed almost as thoughtful as he did.

"You like the... this one?" Renjun couldn't seem to remember the word for that color and when Donghyuck looked up he nodded.

"Yellow," he said so Renjun could learn the word and the boy nodded, grabbing the paint and placing it so they could both reach it "Though I like blue too," Donghyuck said doing the same and Renjun looked surprised.

"Oh..." gods Renjun looked so adorable that Hyuck couldn't help but smile a little, he seemed to search for a solution in his head "So... outside yellow, inside blue," he said and looked Donghyuck in the eyes.

"Sounds like a good idea" He smiled at him and got ready to paint "Can I ask you something?" he asked lifting his gaze from his work to give Renjun a rapt glance.

"I guess," he said, his face slightly intrigued by the question and Donghyuck took a breath.

"How did you learn our language?" Donghyuck's question seemed to surprise Renjun and after a moment of silence, the boy seemed to prepare to speak.

"One of my father's concubines came from here" Renjun admitted and Hyuck felt stunned "She was the one I liked the most and I wanted to learn a little" he finished with a shrug.

"You are very good, how long did you learn for?" It was his chance, Renjun looked comfortable and calm, and he spoke almost automatically as his hands filled with paint.

"From eight to seventeen," Renjun said almost in a whisper "She died of an illness when I was that age" he finished saying and they continued painting.

"My mother, the chieftain's wife, also died from an illness" Donghyuck shared "but I never really knew her, as well as the people who gave me life."

"You never met them?" Renjun asked frowning, Donghyuck was surprised by the change in attitude but he shook his head "I never met my mother either, the closest thing was that concubine, she was also the only one my father buried, it was my request."

Donghyuck felt his mood drop immediately, Renjun didn't seem affected by that woman's death at this moment but Donghyuck thought of all the ones he experienced recently, even his own father's.

Was Renjun hurt? He never stopped to think if he had been in mourning until now and it left a sour taste in his mouth.

"I wanted to ask something too..." Renjun said after a moment in silence, his voice didn't make Donghyuck feel better at all and with his heart heavy in his chest he instructed him to continue "Can my people be at the ceremony?"

"Of course, they can," Donghyuck said immediately and Renjun nodded, his tanned hands were sweating and he felt anxious, he felt guilty, he couldn't help but blurt out the question that escaped his lips "Are any of them related to you?"

"In a sense, they are like my family, but only Chenle shares a bit of my blood," Renjun said, another name that was pronounced in a peculiar way "They... are not so unhappy here."

"What do you mean?"

"Yizhou is starting to adjust, she's learned a couple of words" Donghyuck had no idea who Yizhou was but he liked seeing Renjun talk so much "Chenle still pretends to hate this more strongly than he really does just because of me... They know the best option is to stay and continue our lives here, but I don't think they understand."

"What don't they understand?"

"For this tribe to treat us like this now, staying here is like... surrendering" Renjun clenched his jaw "It's symbolism, I'm not going to surrender to those who killed my father" this last blurted out angrily.

"You still hate us..." Donghyuck said, with some disappointment in his voice, he thought they had been making slow progress but it seemed they were still as in the beginning.

"I hate your father" his words were venomous "If I could I... I would kill him, take his head off and put it as a trophy as he did to my father" His voice was audible and furious, but his eyes looked crystal clear as he breathed heavily "Every time I see him I just want to make him suffer" Renjun clenched his fists and looked at Donghyuck.

He wondered if he should be scared, Renjun was talking like this about his father, the man who raised him and taught him, but Donghyuck found no concern in himself of what Renjun could do to him, not because he thought he was incapable, he knew Renjun could do it if he wanted to, so he truly couldn't put his finger on why this indifference.

"But..." Renjun continued "Taeyong is nice" he admitted with a pink tinge to his cheeks that made him look adorable "Your friends aren't too bad" Donghyuck smiled slightly at this because Renjun had exchanged a little over twenty words with each of them "and you, I like you."

Donghyuck didn't know what to say, he just lowered his head and fixed his gaze on the now almost completely painted container, hoping Renjun wouldn't see the smile painting his lips.

.

Donghyuck awoke when the sun had not yet risen on the day he completed his twenty-second birthday.

In the silence of the early morning, he knocked on Renjun's door a couple of times until he opened it, with tangled and disheveled hair and slow movements still drowsy.

"Fix yourself and come with me," Donghyuck said in a whisper and Renjun looked at him squinting and moving slowly.

He stood outside the room for what felt like hours until finally, Renjun came back out.

"Where are we going?" Renjun asked when he finally looked more awake and Hyuck smiled.

"To the highest point in these lands" Donghyuck admitted and Renjun grimaced, which caused him to chuckle a little "The hike doesn't feel too long, it's worth it."

"Isn't today your birthday?" Renjun questioned, his voice still low for the atmosphere they were in, almost sneaking out of the house.

"It is," Donghyuck smiled. "That's why I wanted you to come with me." Saying those words warmed his chest as if it felt good to want to make Renjun comfortable.

Renjun didn't speak much more, but his silence no longer felt condescending, it was almost comfortable.

Donghyuck had told the truth, the hike didn't feel like it, and by the time they were about to reach the top, the sun was just about to rise.

Taking a false step Renjun stumbled and grabbed Donghyuck making him stagger a little but ultimately he managed to steady himself.

Donghyuck felt Renjun's hands grip his arms tightly, his nails digging lightly into his tanned skin and felt his heart leap in his chest.

"Sorry," Renjun said simply, Donghyuck could tell how he didn't feel anything just by his nonchalant expression, unlike him, he was going into a mini tornado of emotions, his heart beating fast and his hands itching.

Climbing fully up, he sat on the ground and heard Renjun gasp and sit next to him looking at the scenery.

"It's beautiful," Renjun said looking down, Donghyuck looked sideways at him and smiled.

"Look at that" Daring to touch Renjun's face he made him lift his chin to look ahead where the sun was slowly starting to rise, painting the sky in beautiful colors.

"Oh gods" whispered Renjun, his eyes looked beautiful reflecting all the colors that adorned the sky, he seemed amazed at the sight.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Donghyuck said, his tone of voice warm as his gaze was fixed on Renjun's face.

Turning his gaze away from the scenery Renjun connected his trapping gaze with Donghyuck's, he could feel how close Renjun's hand was to his, and the urge to grab it fervently stung his limbs, but he restrained himself from doing so.

"You know, whenever you're in the sun, you seem to... glow" Renjun spoke with a pleasant trace in his voice.

"Yes? How's that?" he asked, mildly amused by the situation.

"It's like the sun loves you," Renjun admitted and Donghyuck felt a heartbeat escape "Every time it lands on your skin, you look so... golden."

"You like gold?" he whispered with some hesitation, Renjun looked at him and Donghyuck felt himself stop breathing.

"Gold looks good on you" There was nothing beyond those words, but Donghyuck felt it was the greatest compliment anyone had ever given him in his life.

He made sure to engrave the moment in his mind and heart so that when Renjun decided to leave, he would have something to comfort him, because now he was too lost in Renjun, and that meant only one thing.

When noon arrived, the good wishes and gifts reached Donghyuck who received them without complaint.

His tribe didn't tend to celebrate birthdays in a big way, being just a day to enjoy, they thought that if they celebrated a mortal too much the gods might be offended, so Donghyuck's idea of a birthday celebration was more something he had done with his friends one day when Mark turned fifteen.

"It's good to see you," Jaemin said smiling as they arrived at the place they had claimed as their own when they were twelve.

"Prince Haechan, how was your day?" Jeno asked with a smile as if they hadn't seen each other a couple of hours ago.

"Very good" Donghyuck assured "Renjun tried fish for the first time."

"You've never eaten fish before?!" Jaemin exclaimed in amazement and Renjun shook his head.

"There was no pond or river of any kind in my lands" Renjun explained and Jaemin nodded slowly understanding, none of his friends were frozen or surprised anymore when Renjun spoke, Donghyuck even thought they stopped seeing him as a thing given to Hyuck, and saw him as a person.

"Have you tried the famous Xué tribe alcohol yet?" Mark asked with two cups in his hands handing them to both of them, Renjun denied looking curiously at the contents "Then go ahead" Mark encouraged, Renjun grimaced slightly but decided to bring the cup to his lips and taste the liquid.

"Oh gods, it burns," he said with a grimace and made everyone laugh.

"It's better if you eat at the same time" Jisung added with a shy smile and extended a tray with fruits, bread, and more food.

The night rose in full amidst laughter and conversation, they ate, drank, and asked Renjun the differences between their food and those of his tribe.

There Donghyuck wondered if Renjun missed the food from his tribe, but he couldn't think much of it because his friends always dragged him to conversations or dances.

That night was the first time he saw Renjun let himself get so carried away around them, maybe it was the alcohol, but he was smiling and present, he interacted a bit with everyone and didn't look wary, he liked seeing that.

"Good night," Jaemin said waving his hand, Jisung helping him walk with his hand around his waist and also saying goodbye.

Mark and Jeno also said goodbye and Donghyuck and Renjun went back to the house, there was something in the atmosphere, the heavy awkwardness was already completely gone, and when Donghyuck was about to say goodbye and enter his room, Renjun surprised him.

"Can I sleep with you?" His words were slurred and from his imperfect pronunciation Donghyuck almost thought he had made a mistake "I don't want to be alone" he finished by adding and looked at Hyuck batting his eyelashes.

Renjun had asked him in such a nice way, how could he deny him anything?

"Sure" He smiled when he noticed the small smile on Renjun's lips as they walked into the room.

"No," Renjun said as he sat on the mattress and saw Donghyuck head to the couch "Sleep with me, please" and he looked at him with those pure eyes, his cheeks pink from the alcohol, Donghyuck felt his pulse quicken, and nodded.

He laid down on the bed next to Renjun. He felt weird, his whole body itches and he was nervous, at some point they were facing each other and Donghyuck felt his breathing stop.

"I hope you had a good birthday" Renjun whispered, with heavy eyes, sleep was coming quickly to him.

"It's been the best," Donghyuck admitted truthfully, feeling anxious at the revelation, but Renjun simply smiled with those pretty lips that were now a little red.

"And why is that?" he stammered, blinking, closing his eyes, and falling into a deep sleep.

"Because of you" Donghyuck whispered, feeling as if his heart was about to burst out of his chest, Renjun was sleeping peacefully and his face looked so calm and serene.

There was no way to deny it, and he didn't want to try either, there was no person he loved more on Earth than Renjun.

.

Two days later he went out without telling anyone and arrived at where most of the people from Renjun's tribe were, getting strange looks but still trying to identify who Renjun regularly met.

"Chenle?" he asked with a little uncertainty, and the boy he had addressed looked at him with a raised eyebrow crossing his arms.

"What do you want?" He said forcefully, his eyes were sharp and his gaze seemed very feline, Donghyuck smiled as he met him.

"I need you to show me something" He smiled brightly, and Chenle looked surprised, raising both eyebrows and looking at him from head to toe.

Communication between the two proved to be a problem, Chenle was not fluent in his language and could only put together limited sentences that were clearly not all he wanted to say if his gestures and expressions indicated anything.

At some point, he got help from the one he learned was Yizhou, and another man named Kun, who seemed to handle the language a little better.

So Donghyuck followed directions as best he could and sincerely thanked those who helped him.

"Wait," Chenle said as he was about to leave, Hyuck stayed in his place waiting for him to continue "Renjun, he wants leave, you know?" His eyebrows were furrowed and Donghyuck took a breath.

"I know," he said, the idea aching in his chest, but if it was what Renjun wanted there was nothing else he could do "I'll help him if I have to if that's what he wants."

"Hum" Chenle said nodding and looking at him from head to toe again "You better" This time he pointed at him and narrowed his eyes "Or else" and closed his hand pulling his thumb out and running it over his neck, Donghyuck smiled amused and nodded.

"I know," he said with a chuckle and prepared to leave, waving goodbye to Chenle, who seemed much calmer after making that threat.

This time he didn't have to knock on Renjun's door because Renjun was no longer sleeping in the room he had given him, knocking on their door, Renjun told him to come in.

"I have something for you," Donghyuck said with a smile, and Renjun looked at him, raising one of his eyebrows, the gesture reminded him of Chenle earlier in the day and made him laugh a little.

"What is it?" Renjun asked, and Donghyuck walked up to him, hiding his hands behind his back.

"This" He showed what he was hiding, and when Renjun saw it his face lit up "I cooked it, I hope it's okay" he admitted, slightly embarrassed, he felt the heat on his cheeks as Renjun seemed to be in shock.

"How did you do it?" Renjun took it between his hands and admired the dish completely fascinated.

"I had a lot of help from Chenle," he said and Renjun looked at him "and also from Kun and Yizhou because Chenle couldn't talk to me well, but he was quite helpful-" leaving the plate on the mattress, Renjun stunned him by hugging him.

Donghyuck felt his body stop responding, Renjun's hands wrapping around his naked torso, his body felt smaller against his and Donghyuck began to feel breathing become more difficult.

"Thank you," Renjun said, hiding his face in his neck making Donghyuck feel shivers, finally reacting and wrapping Renjun's slim body in his arms.

"It was nothing," he said along with a sigh, hugging Renjun felt wonderful, it made him feel all sorts of things inside.

They were only a couple of days away from the wedding, a very short time away from Renjun wanting to find his freedom and so Donghyuck treasured the embrace, he never wanted to forget it.

.

The day of the wedding arrived.

By tradition, neither of them could see the other all morning until the moment of the union arrived.

He felt anxious and nervous, the moment had arrived and he felt a churning in his stomach, but luckily he managed to control himself during the whole dressing-up process. 

Donghyuck wore a heavy gold ornament on his head and from his ears hung a pair of earrings, it was the most cloth he had ever worn in his life, but his chest was slightly exposed, the color red being predominant but still with some gold and white, and on his ankles there were adorning anklets with red fur.

Donghyuck stood barefoot on the hot ground in front of his father, the people witnessed all in admiration as they chanted and Renjun arrived at his side.

Also barefoot and wearing red garments filled with yellow gold and white, a thin cloth covering half of his face reminded him of the day he met him and Donghyuck couldn't help but long for the time when they were married.

His father finished his chant and grabbed one of the birds that until now had been in a cage, recited a few words, and with a dagger killed it making sure its blood fell on the detailed stone full of symbols, by the time he ceased he recited a couple of chants again grabbing the other bird and doing the same, this time pouring its blood into the ceramic vessel they had made together.

"The gods bless this union!" The chieftain shouted and handed the vessel to the shaman who stood in the middle of Renjun and Donghyuck.

"You must promise to respect the union, no one else in mind, soul, or heart" the old man announced and extended the vessel "even in death!"

Donghyuck and Renjun turned to face each other and Donghyuck was finally able to remove the cloth from his face, he looked stunning, his eyes no longer looked at him with the hatred and anger they used to, now they only looked neutral, resigned, Donghyuck smiled.

"Only Renjun in mind, soul, and heart," he said firmly and dipped two of his fingers into the mixture of the blood "Mind," he said softly and slowly, he ran his fingers across Renjun's smooth skin painting a red line from the top of his forehead to between his eyebrows "Soul" Donghyuck this time dipped three fingers and Renjun closed his eyes as Donghyuck painted from one end to the other "And heart" he dipped three fingers in again, Renjun opened his eyes and the red color embellishing his face made his gaze look much more intense, Donghyuck ran his three fingers over Renjun's chest, the place where his heart is.

"Only Donghyuck in mind, soul, and heart" Renjun's melodious voice uttered those words, he could swear it was the first time he said his name, and it sounded exquisite "Mind," Renjun's delicate fingers mimicked what Donghyuck had done earlier "Soul" he closed his eyes and felt the mixture over them when he opened them again he felt his heart go crazy in his chest, it was as if he saw Renjun in a different way, he was thrilled "And heart" Renjun ran his fingers on his chest and looked into his eyes as he did so, Donghyuck wondered if he could feel his heartbeat under his fingertips.

There was a loud noise and shouts of happiness from the people, music, and singing started to fill the whole atmosphere. He heard the congratulations, and the praises to the gods, but it was as if Donghyuck couldn't hear anything.

He approached Renjun, who gave him a tiny smile, Donghyuck closed his eyes and rested his forehead with Renjun's and intertwined their hands, their fingers dirty and the mixture still fresh on their faces.

He was so happy it hurt, he had to constantly remind himself that this wasn't for him, but he couldn't help but feel a little selfish.

"I am yours" Donghyuck whispered just for Renjun, parting a little to look him in the eyes, he felt the heat rise to his cheeks at the confession, the first change in Renjun's gaze, but he didn't say anything and Donghyuck didn't want him to.

He doesn't know how long he watched him until his friends hugged and congratulated them. Renjun looked genuinely happy to be able to be with his old friends speaking in that strange language.

The celebration went on until the sun went down and the moon awoke, as a way to end the ceremony the chieftain, his son, and the new husband walked away from the crowd.

Giving his permission and his last blessing, the leader led them to the sacred lagoon and left them alone.

With their hands clasped as they approached the shore, Donghyuck began to gently undress Renjun who had remained motionless until he grasped what he had to do.

"Now newlyweds we will enter and dive in, as the creator of the world did with her husband long ago" Donghyuck murmured and Renjun nodded.

Removing the last golden pin the cloth fell away leaving Renjun's pale body completely naked, his skin almost reflecting the moonlight beautifully, almost as if it glowed and Donghyuck almost forgot there was something he had to do.

They walked a little further until the water reached their waists, it was cold and Donghyuck noticed how Renjun shivered slightly.

He looked into his eyes one last time, Donghyuck was so lost in them, the feeling that filled him every time he saw them was indescribable and he couldn't deny that he loved him, grabbing both of Renjun's hands as they plunged into the pure waters.

When they came back out they took a breath, the water had removed what was left of that mixture on their faces, the symbolism of those waters cleansing all their past sins and mistakes to start a new life together.

He looked at Renjun and smiled slightly when he noticed that his hair covered his eyes, he moved even closer and released one of his hands to comb it back.

Renjun let out a giggle and released his other hand to try to comb his hair himself but Donghyuck stopped his hands, Renjun looked at him still smiling when it was just the two of them it looked more genuine.

"What, do I still have something on my face?" Renjun asked softly and lightly touched his cheekbone but Donghyuck put his whole hand on his cheek and caressed it.

"Renjun, I want to..." Donghyuck sighed slouching slightly, his nose brushing against Renjun's as he could do nothing but stare at his lips "I want to kiss you."

He felt dizzy, Renjun was looking at his lips and his voice sounded far away.

"You can..." whispered Renjun, he looked as lost as him and this soothed him. Donghyuck turned his head a little and hesitated, Renjun's beautiful thin lips were calling him and he didn't want to delay it further.

First, he gave a slow, static kiss, closing his eyes and sighing. He turned his head to the other side for more comfort and kissed him again, Donghyuck felt like he was dreaming, that the gods were giving him a second of a magnificent dream that couldn't possibly be real.

But it was real, Renjun's lips were soft and inviting, it was adorable how Renjun was trying to imitate him, still inexperienced, but Donghyuck already found himself adoring him, he felt Renjun's delicate hands grasp his waist somewhat shyly, and it ignited his body.

He could only thank the gods because kissing Renjun was everything and more than any mortal could ever wish for in life, his lips moved as gracefully as Renjun every time he danced or walked.

The drums and trumpets echoed, and they had to part, Renjun looked so precious he almost seemed like a mirage, like a water spirit, like a lesser god who had been allowed to entangle himself with a mere mortal.

"We have to leave," Donghyuck whispered, his gaze alternating between Renjun's eyes and red lips, "To begin with our wedding night" He took Renjun's hands again and he nodded.

Now wearing only the most superficial garments with the rest in their hands they walked to the remote cottage, it was beautiful and sophisticated, but at the same time maintaining a certain simplicity.

When they were together in the room, silence reigned, but there was something in the atmosphere, something heavy that fell on his shoulders, Donghyuck approached Renjun and carefully removed that one garment.

In the lamplight, everything looked much warmer than under the moon, but Renjun looked just as beautiful, now Donghyuck noticed how red his cheeks and ears were colored up to his neck, he looked so precious with that grief-stricken expression that he couldn't help but smile.

"Are you scared?" Donghyuck asked, stroking his now-dry hair.

"A little," Renjun admitted with a sigh, Hyuck smiled and his hand went down to Renjun's jaw, taking it gently so that he looked him in the eyes.

"I'll be careful," he murmured and left a kiss on his lips, "I'll be gentle," he said now leaving a kiss on his jaw, "Do you trust me?" he said more softly, almost unsure, and when he looked at Renjun again, he noticed the fear was gone.

"I do," he said and stripped Donghyuck of his clothes, moving closer and tilting his head slightly up so that he could kiss him.

When Renjun pulled away, Donghyuck felt bewildered, he almost felt his soul leave his body when carefully and somewhat nervously Renjun lay down on the mattress.

Donghyuck until now hadn't allowed himself to feel this, hadn't allowed himself to indulge the more primal sides of what he felt for Renjun, the way he truly wanted to savor every corner of his body.

He approached carefully in case any sudden movement might startle Renjun, even if there was no hint of this on his face, he grabbed what the shaman had made for them and filled two of his fingers with the slightly viscous substance.

"Try to relax," he said, placing himself between the white legs, Renjun with red cheeks and an embarrassed expression heeded, "Gods," Donghyuck said, gritting his teeth, the sight alone was too much for him, his whole body burned with hunger.

He moved closer to Renjun and kissed his lips, just enough to distract him and capture the sounds he let out when Donghyuck brought his fingers closer to his entrance, he felt mesmerized, almost moving on pure instinct, too lost in Renjun's expressions, and sounds as he had his fingers inside him.

Kissing Renjun's lips was like tasting the sweetest fruit on earth, Donghyuck didn't want to be greedy, he should only take what he needed, but with every little sound that came from Renjun, he only wanted to take more.

"Are you ready?" Donghyuck asked, pulling out his fingers, Renjun gasped and looked into his eyes, closing them in embarrassment and biting his lower lip as he nodded.

"Oh, this- this is, gods," Renjun hissed as Donghyuck grabbed his hip and lined up against him, stopping his first attempt when he heard him whine.

"Are you okay?" he gently caressed his soft cheek, and Renjun began to nod.

"Yes, just, it was strange, but go on," Renjun said soothingly, Donghyuck nodded and lined up again, entering carefully but with some strength at the tightness that was beginning to envelop him.

"Soon, it will feel good," Donghyuck assured him, trying to make things more bearable for Renjun.

Everything was a blur, Donghyuck just binding himself to the real world by his hands on Renjun's skin, everything so hot he felt almost as if he was fogged up.

He felt the pleasure consume him every moment he was deep inside Renjun, Donghyuck was nowhere near being a virgin, but this time it felt different, with Renjun everything was different, Donghyuck felt beside the heat of lust in his lower abdomen a warmth in his chest as he was completely inside him, feeling every nook and cranny of his insides.

He heard Renjun sobbing, and when he looked at him again, he noticed how fine tears wet his cheeks, he immediately released his white hips and wiped them away as best he could, leaving soft kisses on his face.

Contrary to what he expected, from Renjun's lips came a small chuckle, Donghyuck looked at him slightly confused but smiled.

"Good?" Donghyuck asked, still leaving delicate kisses on Renjun's lips, waiting for a signal to continue and Renjun nodded reciprocating the kisses.

"Yes, sorry," Renjun said, he looked so apologetic, Donghyuck didn't like that emotion on his face.

"You don't have to apologize," Donghyuck said, feeling like he was running out of air the moment Renjun looked him in the eyes, "I'm going to move, okay?" he whispered, and Renjun nodded.

With the first movement of his hips, a grimace of discomfort was painted on Renjun's pretty face. Donghyuck knew how it was at first, but he also knew how before long it started to feel good, and his sole purpose was to make Renjun feel good.

Renjun bit his lips hard, the discomfort on his face being replaced by what looked like confusion, trying not to make a sound.

Donghyuck couldn't help it, he moaned as he started to fuck into Renjun, the little thought that he was the only lucky one in the world to have him like this wouldn't go away from his head.

And when the first sharp, loud moan escaped Renjun's lips, Donghyuck felt his world end, Renjun covered his mouth immediately, incredibly embarrassed, but Donghyuck took his time to remove his hand from his mouth.

"Don't try to hold back" Donghyuck said with difficulty, slowly losing track of reality from the way Renjun looked and squeezed him "Do it freely, I would like to listen to you"

"O-okay" Renjun replied, his voice sharp and weak "I won't h-hold, I, ah!" His face again reflected surprise as Donghyuck changed pace, a direct move to a point that made him unwind.

Donghyuck forgot how to speak after that, with Renjun's approval he allowed himself to sink into his desires, taking on a steadier rhythm, Renjun underneath him, beginning to let loose.

It was delicious, how Renjun's body could stretch and how his white skin turned red so easily, Donghyuck made sure to mark him completely, after all, he was a blank canvas begging for color.

When he noticed it they were both equally lost in the sensations, their kisses became messier, and Renjun became docile for the first time, but it didn't feel at all like he was submitting, Donghyuck didn't want to submit him, it was quite the opposite, this was about him, about pleasing Renjun.

With every thrust of his pelvis, every kiss, and every time he ran his tongue along his neck, collarbone, or nipples, Renjun let out beautiful sounds and little words as sticky and sweet as candy.

"Gods" Renjun gasped, his hands running unashamedly over his naked tanned torso, Donghyuck felt his body tremble as if Renjun's fingers were electric "Gods Donghyuck" Renjun moaned, Donghyuck let out a growl and tightened his grip on the white skin, his name sounded so good when it was spoken by Renjun.

Donghyuck thrust his tongue into Renjun's mouth, kissed and fucked him wanting to remember the contact forever, to be able to feel it even when Renjun went far away from here, even years after their parting.

"Donghyuck!" Renjun moaned again, too focused on his thoughts Hyuck hadn't noticed the rhythm he'd set, the way Renjun was drowning in pleasure, his abused, glossy parted lips releasing sweet sounds, his cheeks red, his brow furrowed adorably, and Donghyuck just wanted to keep going.

Every second he felt closer to his release, becoming desperate, he had already taken so much, but his thirst didn't seem to be sated, he wanted everything from Renjun, and he wondered if Renjun could feel it, how much he loved him.

"Hyuck, I f-feel," Renjun gasped in a whisper, Donghyuck always hitting his sweet spot, his back arching, reaching his climax, his dick between their bodies a deep red wet with his precum "More," he sobbed and squeezed Donghyuck making him moan.

"More?" Donghyuck gasped, Renjun under him nodded, more, Renjun wanted more too.

Hyuck couldn't hide his surprise when he felt Renjun's white legs grasp him, whimpers and requests coming from his lips as he tried to hold him close, his hands clinging to his shoulders and digging his nails in as he lost his head.

With one of his hands, as he deepened and quickened his thrusts, Hyuck grabbed Renjun's cock, but he didn't take his eyes off his face, not wanting to miss a single second of his prettiest expressions.

And it was worth it when Renjun screamed his name and Donghyuck felt his hand getting dirty with his cum, definitely his favorite image, he couldn't find words to describe how heavenly the painting under him was.

"I love you," Donghyuck whispered, followed by a moan as he also felt his whole body become useless, leaving part of him inside Renjun, who sobbed at the sensation, he seemed not to have heard Donghyuck's words, and Donghyuck thought it would be better this way.

Getting out from inside Renjun felt almost wrong, Donghyuck had to calm down when he was able to pull away slightly and get a complete picture, Renjun looked exhausted even though Donghyuck had done practically all the work, so tired that he didn't even bother to close his legs, Donghyuck's hands painted on various parts of his body because of how tightly he had gripped him.

His gentle face painted with the afterglow of his first time, Hyuck felt satisfied, seeing that Renjun had enjoyed it so much made him feel complete, and with a smile, he got up and grabbed rags with water starting to clean Renjun's body, who was already nodding from exhaustion.

He brushed aside some of the hair that had stuck to his forehead from sweat, Renjun looked at him with lazy eyes, and as he finished cleaning him and himself, he left small kisses on Renjun's lips.

"Good night..." Renjun mumbled, running his hands around Donghyuck's waist and hugging him, falling asleep.

"Goodnight," Donghyuck said, unable to help but smile and likewise hugging Renjun's warm body.

He wondered if Renjun could sleep resting his head on Hyuck's chest and listening to the loud hammering of his racing heartbeat.

.

The next day he awoke to find Renjun still asleep beside him.

Donghyuck felt himself melting against the mattress as he looked at his peaceful face; he couldn't help but feel proud of the marks that adorned the milky skin.

He doesn't know how long he stared at him until the sun filled the room and Renjun started to wake up, looking adorable as he was embarrassed from the night before, hiding his face in his hands and making him laugh lightly.

"Good morning," he said softly, grabbing Renjun's wrists so he could see his red face.

"Good morning" Renjun stammered and Donghyuck couldn't help himself, moving a couple of inches closer and kissing him chastely on his lips "I..." Renjun took a breath. "How was... was it decent?" 

"It was amazing," Donghyuck said sincerely as he stroked the silky black hair and his hand rested on the back of his neck. "The best" He could see a strange flash of pride on Renjun's face, he looked at his lips unconsciously moving closer and kissing him.

The movements were slow and lazy, the kiss was wet and created heat in his lower abdomen, they kissed for a while, Renjun moving his lips and tongue in an unskilled manner that only made him more enchanting.

"Really?" Renjun asked softly between kisses and Donghyuck smiled, he didn't see how this could be such a big deal but he found it adorable.

"Really" He kissed him again, deepening the kiss until Renjun let out a whimper against his lips, "Are you hard again?" He said softly, the smile never leaving his lips.

"Don't say it..." Renjun tried to hide his face in the crook of his neck and Hyuck chuckled lightly, with his hand he stroked his back, and felt him relax.

"I can show you something else that will make you feel good," he said cautiously, hopeful, because he felt his own dick starting to get hard, "Want me to show you?" he looked Renjun in the eyes without pressing him, and after a few seconds in silence Renjun nodded.

He kissed him some more and ran his hands under the sheets, carefully holding Renjun's dick, Renjun gasped when they cut the kiss short and propped himself up on his elbows when he saw Donghyuck moving on the mattress above him and moving down, leaving wet kisses on his abdomen that made him shiver until he reached his crotch.

Donghyuck was in love with every part of Renjun, everything about him was perfect and beautiful in his eyes, it was no wonder that as he held his cock in his hands in front of his face, he felt a shiver run through him reaching straight to his dick.

It was almost a shame, Renjun being a virgin until the night before meant he didn't know how to use it at all, but soon Donghyuck erased that thought from his head, a fire burning in his stomach.

He licked his lips and looked hungrily at what was in front of him, in the end, it didn't matter because Donghyuck could use it for him, he stuck out his tongue and ran the entire length, noticing how Renjun trembled.

When he thought it through, he realized to what extent these desires didn't matter, when they left the cabin Renjun most likely wouldn't want to touch him again, and then he would leave the village, Donghyuck only felt motivated by this.

Taking his eyes away from Renjun's cock he looked him straight in the eyes, Renjun was divine, Donghyuck wanted to see again that cute expression he had as he cummed, so he took him into his mouth.

"Oh, H-hyuck" Renjun let out broken, immediately affected, the first time he felt such warmth and tightness envelop him, and Donghyuck then sucked, in a wet and obscene way that made Renjun moan.

Not wanting to lose this, he began to taste and stimulate Renjun's cock in his mouth, flicking his tongue expertly, Renjun reflexively grabbed his hair and Donghyuck moaned at this, lowering one of his hands and starting to touch himself.

Hyuck wanted to feel him in every way, to have him in every position and likewise to give himself to him completely, to have Renjun also grab him as he wished, he knew it was not possible, but the very idea made him feel weak in his knees, at what point did he become so greedy?

"Ah! Hyuck," Renjun groaned, tightening his grip on his hair but still allowing Hyuck to move his head at his own pace, when Donghyuck moaned with Renjun inside his mouth the boy whined and his pelvis came up causing him to choke slightly.

Donghyuck had never felt so good with someone cumming because of his mouth, Renjun moaned as he unloaded his cum inside his mouth, and Donghyuck swallowed it all, making sure not to waste a drop.

Donghyuck came after pulling apart, he lifted himself on top of Renjun, who looked satisfied, with red cheeks and heavy eyes, Donghyuck smiled and left a small kiss on his lips to lie down next to him.

"Did you like it?" Hyuck asked, running his fingers through Renjun's hair.

"I did..." he admitted with that red color on his cheeks, "Did you?" Hyuck smiled at this question because truly he was not important here.

"Of course, I did" He kissed him again, he was beginning to fear that he wouldn't be able to stop after this, "We should be back shortly" At this Renjun pouted and moved closer to Donghyuck.

"Can we not see your father?" he ran his fingers gently where he had buried his fingernails the night before.

"If that is what you wish," Hyuck replied, still with a silly smile on his lips, Renjun smiled at this as well.

Before long, they were dressed in the clothes that had been prepared, Renjun seemed calmer as his clothes covered the most incriminating places on his body.

As they left, Renjun began to look more and more nervous as they approached the house, Donghyuck wished he knew how to make this not be so, but nothing came to mind.

Excluding a couple of people and maids who gave their congratulations, no one saw them, Renjun seemed to calm down as they approached their room.

Donghyuck also smiled in relief as they reached the door, entering the room, but saw the exact moment when Renjun's face transformed to one of horror.

"Finally!" his father exclaimed, getting up from where he was sitting on his bed, Renjun immediately hid a little behind him, becoming cautious.

"Father, what are you doing here?" Hyuck said, feeling the tension in his shoulders, with an upright but cautious posture as his father laughed.

"I wanted to see you," the chieftain said with a huge smile reaching over and grabbing Hyuck by his shoulders, "Your first marriage son, finally making the most of what was given to you" The man hugged him tightly, but Donghyuck felt an unpleasant taste in his mouth at the way his father kept referring to Renjun.

"Thank you, Father," Donghyuck said as they broke away from the hug, "What are you doing?" he asked as his father pushed him out of the way a little, turning to Renjun who had been hiding behind him.

"Nothing, I just want to see what you did with it" Donghyuck felt the blood rush through his body concentrating in his head as his father's crumpled, rough hands pushed away Renjun's defensive ones and managed to pull away the cloth on his chest.

"Father!" Donghyuck exclaimed, feeling his head begin to ache from the anger that was beginning to consume him as he listened to Renjun's whines, but still frozen in place unable to move.

"Hush," he said as he looked at Renjun's clavicle and marked neck "It's not that bad, you could have claimed him more," he said as he now took the white wrists looking at them, then looking at the marks that were on his own son's body as if he was deducing something and coming to a terrible conclusion by the smile on his lips.

"What?" Donghyuck asked, trying to remain calm, if he decided to rush at his father it would make the situation worse.

"He didn't resist, did he?" The chieftain asked with a venomous laugh, Hyuck noticed how Renjun froze completely at the deduction, "Look at this face" The man stopped looking at his son to grab Renjun's face with his calloused hands, "He wants us to believe he hates it here but I bet he gave himself to you on a platter of gold" he laughed again tightening his grip and turning Renjun's face to see it from several angles not caring how Renjun tried to push him away.

"Father, that's enough" Donghyuck felt himself take a step forward, he shouldn't, he should let the tribe leader do and say whatever he wanted, fear left him paralyzed in place, but he couldn't see Renjun like this.

"After all his face is like asking for it," he said with some disdain, Donghyuck felt a part of himself break when Renjun's gasps started to sound so loud, "You should take care of him, any moment now he'll spread his legs for any man he finds."

Renjun sobbed and grunted giving his father a hard punch and managing to get loose, that's when Donghyuck reacted and helped him get behind him blocking his father's way.

"Father, Renjun is a person!" Donghyuck found himself yelling at the man, it was like he was out of his body, he had never yelled at him before, he didn't have the right.

"Nonsense! He stopped being his own person when his father gave him away! He's a thing of yours, you own him" the man explained with a glint in his eyes, Donghyuck felt like throwing up.

"I don't belong to anyone!" Renjun shouted, his voice raspy and loud, the first time he uttered a word in front of the chieftain, the man seemed surprised at this and looked at him with big eyes that showed displeasure.

"You should tame him," he said between his teeth, frowning.

"He's right," Hyuck said, gritting his teeth. "He's not mine, much less yours" He was furious, he wanted to act on his rage but there was something too deep and tangled inside him that wouldn't let him, he would defend Renjun just the same.

"Train him, or I will" Ignoring his words completely his father approached Renjun with his hand raised, Donghyuck panicked, getting in between the two and receiving the strong blow that sent him staggering backward.

For a couple of seconds, silence reigned, Donghyuck wanted to do more, he wanted to hit his father back, but he couldn't do it.

"Father please leave" Donghyuck implored, he was running out of options, and his father still looked offended.

"You are disrespectful" the man growled "He ended up cajoling you in the end, you will both be punished" Donghyuck opened his eyes in shock and terror, they rarely punished someone, let alone the one chosen by the Gods.

"Father, this will satisfy no one! We have offended no God!" He said, he saw how Renjun was surprised by his reaction, by his weakness.

"It will satisfy me," he said coldly "A hundred lashes for each of you" he sentenced as he began to retreat but Donghyuck felt his breath fail, and he came closer falling to his knees at his father's feet.

Such a punishment was the perfect excuse, they would use the worst whip on Renjun, the one that would hurt the most and cause the most damage, the one that would break his skin irreparably and make him bleed, bleed until he lost consciousness from the pain, and judging by his small body, would leave him to die.

Donghyuck was not an idiot; his father simply wanted an easy and 'accidental' way to kill Renjun.

"Father no! Please" he implored, the tone of his voice foreign even to his own ears "Renjun and I will be much more respectful!" He said in desperation.

"Anyway the punishment will still stand," he said about to leave again but Donghyuck grabbed his ankle buckling on the ground, humiliation coursing through his body, he was unbelievably pathetic.

"Punish me! Please" he said, almost sobbing, what a pitiful image he was giving Renjun "I'll take two hundred lashes if I must, but please don't let anyone touch Renjun."

His father looked down at him from above, as if he was looking at some insignificant insect that he could crush with ease and not the boy he raised for twenty-two years, twenty-two years of having him indoctrinated so that at times like these he would react exactly as he was reacting, pathetic and frightened.

"Fine," he said and Donghyuck gasped, at last, feeling the air fill his lungs and letting go of his father's ankle, who after giving one last look left the room closing the door.

Donghyuck stood up from the floor squeezing his chest, a macabre smile on his lips feeling the adrenaline rush through his body, incredulous of the situation, finally feeling himself relax.

But then he looked at Renjun and noticed how pale he was. He approached him but stopped himself, why would Renjun trust him after this? Donghyuck had lost all dignity and respect from Renjun after the show he put on.

For that very reason he didn't expect Renjun to hug him tightly at all, he froze as the boy clung to him and started sobbing.

"It's okay," Donghyuck said returning the hug "Nothing is going to happen to you until we can fulfill your wish" He sank into the embrace caressing Renjun's back "Sorry"

"I hate him!" Renjun said in a hoarse muffled voice "I wish so much for him to die! I want him to die" Renjun cried and Hyuck pulled him a little away from the embrace so he could look into his eyes.

"Don't worry about it, just think that in a while you'll be free, away from him" Hyuck tried to cheer him up, but Renjun frowned.

"And you?" he asked sniffing his nose "What will he do to you when you go out with me and I don't come back?"

"You don't have to worry about me" Donghyuck tried again to reassure him as he stroked his hair.

"But I do" Renjun admitted hurt "I want you to be okay, I won't be at ease knowing you'll have to stay with him"

"We just have to leave it to the Gods" As a last resort to try and calm Renjun, Donghyuck spoke "May my father's fate be in their hands, I know they will make him pay as they made yours pay," he said before he could stop himself.

To his surprise Renjun was not offended, finally stopping crying and nodding, agreeing that his father would get what he deserved just as his own father had done before.

"You... would you kill him?" Renjun asked, looking him innocently in the eyes and Donghyuck felt pitiful as he gave him a rueful smile.

"No" Hyuck bargained "I can't" Renjun nodded at his answer, not looking entirely satisfied "I'm sorry"

"Would you stop me if I tried to kill him?" He asked then, Donghyuck looked him in the eyes.

"No" he replied and Renjun looked at him with some hope "I would let you do anything you wish" Donghyuck assured and Renjun hugged him tightly again.

And it was true, even after this, Donghyuck couldn't kill his father, but if Renjun wished to murder him, Donghyuck would never try to stop him, even though he didn't want Renjun to stain his hands with blood for someone like his father, Renjun was a pure soul and to taint it like this for a horrible person wasn't worth it, the price was high, but Donghyuck didn't say so, he would let Renjun decide on his own.

"I'll trust the gods" he murmured into the embrace and Donghyuck couldn't help but smile.

"I'm glad you do," Donghyuck replied, tightening his grip on the hug and sighing feeling a weight lift from his shoulders.

.

Donghyuck had received the first fifty lashes sometime later, he had tried to get Renjun out of there before it happened but he refused.

"Where did you get this?" Donghyuck said holding back curses as he felt Renjun apply some medicine to his back.

"Jaemin handed it to me," he said softly, his fingers gently running over his open wounds.

Silence filled the room, Donghyuck's back burned with raw flesh as his knees burned as well, part of the punishment was to remain kneeling on the hot, scratchy floor for ten hours until his punishers arrived.

When he became aware of the extended silence he looked over his shoulder with difficulty and noticed Renjun lost in thought staring at his injured back.

"Renjun, it's okay" Donghyuck assured him and Renjun looked at him sorrowfully, Donghyuck turned around so he could look at him better, so he could stop concentrating on his back.

"Sorry" Renjun said crestfallen.

"Sorry for what? You didn't want any of this, you didn't even want to be here, nothing is your fault" Donghyuck said immediately and Renjun looked at him smiling

"You're amazing" he whispered and moved closer to him, leaving a short, slow kiss on his lips, Donghyuck felt his heart go crazy.

It was the first time since the wedding that Renjun had kissed him again, clearly the chieftain's words of how he had put up no resistance before Donghyuck affected him, and Hyuck would never force him.

"You are amazing" Donghyuck whispered feeling giddy, "I respect you so much Renjun, I'm glad that at least for a short time I was fortunate enough to be your husband" He was sincere and noticed Renjun's astonishment, his cheeks turning red.

"I won't leave until I know you'll be okay," Renjun said softly, close to him, alternating his gaze between his eyes and lips, "Are you okay with me being your husband until then?"

"It's more than I could ask for," Donghyuck admitted and melted when Renjun kissed him again.

.

Within two days Donghyuck had received the other fifty lashes, this time he had collapsed and could not walk to his room alone.

He hated the worried expression on Renjun's face.

The previous wounds had not healed at all, and if they had begun to recover slowly because of Renjun's care, the process had been lengthened after these.

The second time was more painful in some ways because they were pounding on his already sore skin, the wounds getting bigger, blood gushing out and painting his back until Renjun tried to wash it off carefully when it was just the two of them.

It was pitiful to think that his back would be scarred forever when Donghyuck was always proud of his skin.

Just feeling a little breeze burn through his open wounds, as he moved it hurt, and he began to believe that his knees were starting to give out.

But Renjun was there, he helped him and tried to make the pain more bearable.

No one knew, the chieftain did not want his people to know that he had raised his son so badly that he had been so bold as to disrespect him.

Renjun had to go out alone, to visit his people, perhaps Renjun had told some of them, he was also seeing Donghyuck's friends, but at his request, he had not told them much, only that he was not very well.

The third punishment day came only three days later, receiving two hundred lashes in one day was the right thing to do, but at the end of the day, Donghyuck was still the chieftain's son, the crown prince.

This time Renjun was there because he said he was worried that he needed a lot more help walking.

Renjun stood to one side, he didn't give a single glance to his father who sat across from him and watched as he was punished, Renjun kept talking about how he hated him.

It was horrible, Renjun couldn't watch it for long and covered his ears to the sound of the whip hitting and splitting open his naked skin and hearing Donghyuck's cries.

When they finished, Renjun ran to him worried, Donghyuck hated this, because he was falling more and more in love with Renjun, and it would be more difficult and painful to let him go.

.

"It's the last day," his father said with a smile while sitting down to watch the show, Renjun gave him the sharpest and darkest look Donghyuck had ever seen.

They had just arrived after another ten hours of kneeling.

The routine was much the same, but Donghyuck felt much less strength, almost as if he were doped. He registered the pain and his skin breaking more, the sun burning him for the first time, after all the sun had always been gentle with him.

His throat also hurt from the screams he had been letting out, his knees were hurting, his legs ached, and after a particularly strong whiplash, Donghyuck fell forward, barely managing to support himself with his hands, which trembled and still made him hit the hot ground.

"Hyuck!" He heard Renjun run towards him, he felt his hands lift his face, they felt icy on his boiling skin.

Renjun knelt so Donghyuck could rest his head on his cold legs and felt him stroking his hair despite how sweaty he was, Donghyuck had never felt like this before, as if his insides were on fire and even breathing was burning, his head about to explode as his back throbbed with pain.

"What are you doing?!" He heard his father shout and also get up and approach them.

"Stop!" Renjun demanded, his voice desperate, and still dizzy Donghyuck noticed the way his father looked at them, he was disappointed and disgusted.

"You were supposed to be like a doll" he growled in his gravelly voice and Renjun looked at him furiously filled with hostility, "And you," he looked at Donghyuck's pathetic state, "You were supposed to be worthy" The man approached the one who held the whip.

They both looked at him in surprise, was he planning to use it? Now Renjun was in the way, Donghyuck tried with his weak limbs to push him away but failed, besides, it looked like Renjun had no intention of moving.

It was a terrifying sight, standing against the light his father's silhouette looked black, his eyes full of rage and anticipation as he gripped the whip, a dim smile on his lips as he raised his hand to strike them.

He closed his eyes tightly waiting for the blow but the blow never came.

When he opened them, he noticed the deformed face of his father, completely horrified as he released the whip and grabbed his chest.

Donghyuck wanted to get up to comprehend what was happening or even say something, but he couldn't, his body wouldn't let him.

So he could only watch from his place as his father fell to his knees hyperventilating, letting out painful sounds as he began to writhe on the ground clutching his chest insistently, burying his nails in his own flesh.

He seemed to be in agony as he squealed like a pig, his eyes were bloodshot and so wide open that they looked like they were about to pop out of their sockets, he began to shake several times in between inhuman sounds until he stopped.

Donghyuck could not observe Renjun's reaction or understand what had just happened because immediately after that he lost consciousness.

.

When he regained consciousness he was in his room, lying face down, and noticing that he was bandaged, he tried to get up but his body felt weak and heavy.

"Prince Heachan?" He heard a voice and it took him a couple of seconds to recognize Doyoung "This is perfect, I'll call your husband right away" and before Hyuck could say anything the man left.

When the door was opened again the one who walked in was Renjun, his very presence made him smile, and Renjun smiled back, closing the door and approaching.

"Gods, are you okay?" Renjun looked incredulous as he stroked his hair "How are you feeling?"

"Terrible," he said between groans, deciding to get up and sit down facing Renjun "What happened?"

Renjun looked at him and then reached for his hand stroking it gently.

"You were unconscious for many suns, I was worried" Renjun admitted, Hyuck never thought he would hear something like that coming out of Renjun and couldn't help but smile.

"I told you that you shouldn't worry" he replied but at this Renjun looked at him conflicted, he moved closer to him Donghyuck closed his eyes and felt Renjun stroking his hair and connecting their heads, and Hyuck sighed.

"But I do worry," Renjun said in a whisper and pulled away, he looked into his eyes, they were calm, then looking at where he was stroking his hand he said again softly "They are waiting for you to get better... so they can crown you."

"So..." Donghyuck took a shaky breath "He died?" Renjun didn't take his eyes off him at any point as he nodded, it was obvious he didn't want to show how happy he was, maybe out of respect for Donghyuck.

"Everything is okay now" Renjun smiled at him and held his face in his hands, he carefully wiped away the tears Donghyuck hadn't noticed were falling down his cheeks.

He didn't know how to feel, it was his father, but at the same time it was as if he had thrown off some chains as if he could be free, he took a shaky breath of air and Renjun came up to him and kissed him.

"What happened to him?" Donghyuck asked, remembering the last thing he had seen before everything went black, his father was holding his chest as if he wanted to pull out his heart, and Renjun looked at him sorrowfully.

"I don't know, it looks like his heart just stopped," Renjun said with a small smile, Donghyuck should be worried, that his husband was so happy about his father's death which he had been wishing for so long, "The gods... they understood" but there was hope in Renjun's eyes.

"They always do" Donghyuck smiled at him, he was surprised when Renjun moved closer to him, leaning his back against the wall and pulling him so that he could lay on his chest and hug him without hurting his back "I missed you," Donghyuck said with a weak smile, his body still aching.

"You? You were unconscious the whole time" Renjun said, Hyuck could notice the tinge of a laugh in his voice, gods, Donghyuck was immersed in the feeling of being able to be in Renjun's arms, he never thought that at some point he could be like this "I was the one who was here, waiting for you to wake up."

Donghyuck couldn't help but be surprised, he stood up a little, his back ached and his arms rattled, but he ignored everything so he could look at Renjun, was he dreaming? When did Renjun change like that? When did he become so gentle and kind to him?

Donghyuck almost threw up the words he shouldn't utter, he was about to tell him again that he loved him and that he was the most important person in his life, but he didn't, instead, he vocalized what he feared the most.

"So, when will you leave?" If Renjun was surprised by his question he didn't show it, he simply stroked his hair, Donghyuck felt himself getting lost in the sensation, like going into a trance when Renjun ran his fingers across his cheek and grabbed his chin to leave a soft kiss.

"After you become the new chieftain," Renjun whispered against his lips, "But don't think about it," he said giving another small smile, this time it was melancholic, could Renjun feel his pain? Is that why he was being like this with him because he feels sorry for him? Donghyuck didn't want to think about it anymore.

"Okay, enough, Prince Haechan, it's time for your check-up," Doyoung said entering after knocking on the door, he was followed by Jaemin who gave a huge smile that immediately infected Donghyuck to then support Doyoung with the medical check-up on Hyuck's condition.

.

It took Donghyuck a while to start getting better, but he was glad to have his friends with him, especially Renjun.

They were living in what seemed like an illusion, Renjun always supported him in everything, he helped him shower and change bandages, he ate with him, they slept together, and he kissed him, it was as if they were truly husbands.

Well, they are husbands, and Donghyuck wanted to be happy with this fact, but he could not be satisfied, because it did not matter, it did not matter if they had given Renjun to him and much less if they had united their souls and bodies because, at the moment of truth, Renjun did everything to be able to get rid of this.

Renjun was not really his husband, Donghyuck knew that the kisses and touches were out of pity, Hyuck was too obvious, he had already confessed to him that he belonged to him, that Renjun was not his but he was Renjun's.

That's why it was like an illusion, because Renjun didn't love him but acted as if he could, and it hurt more and more, he was getting used to the body beside him in his bed, and he was already mourning the loss that still didn't happen.

"Prince Haechan," Taeyong caught his attention, and Donghyuck reacted, "It's almost time." 

"I'm nervous," Donghyuck admitted, sighing, letting out a nervous laugh as Taeyong, Jeno, and Jisung arranged dazzling ornaments and heavy gold details.

"We all trust you," Jeno said with a smile, "We'll support you no matter what" Donghyuck couldn't help but smile at this, not having his father sink him, he was able to believe it.

"We're leaving," Jisung said quietly with a nervous smile, and Hyuck couldn't help but let out a laugh, the poor guy was probably even more nervous than he was.

Donghyuck walked closer to the shore of the sacred lagoon, a moderate group of people was present, the warriors with Minhyung in front and Jeno quickly joining them as the second in command, there was the shaman, standing next to Doyoung and Jaemin, and a couple of other people.

Then accompanied by Chenle, Yizhou, and Kun, there was Renjun, who walked up to him and looked at him, his eyes were so sweet Donghyuck felt like he could die right there, the smile on his lips was the most beautiful he had ever seen in his life.

"Everyone is proud of you," Renjun whispered as Donghyuck left a soft kiss on his cheek.

"And you? Are you proud of me?" Donghyuck asked, his voice for the first time not sounding shaky, but his stomach felt an unpleasant emptiness that he had grown accustomed to ignoring.

"Of course, I am" Renjun smiled, and Donghyuck wanted to believe him, he decided to fool himself and blindly live the illusion for what little was left.

He broke away from Renjun and continued on his way, he caught his breath, the scent of what they were burning on the shore filling his nostrils and his feet about to hit the water.

Taeyong was next to him with a jar, he approached, and together with Jisung, they bathed his body in oil, the music booming in his ears as they took out a chest, it was full of gold dust, and they began to fill him with it.

He could feel how the powder covered all the wounds on his back, they had already healed a little, but his skin was still a little tender, when his body was completely golden, he could see Taeyong's satisfied smile and the moment when Jisung's face gained color again, and he couldn't help but laugh slightly.

He looked at Renjun for the last time, he looked spellbound by what he was witnessing, Donghyuck was completely golden, a tradition he did not know, Donghyuck himself had never witnessed the ceremony in life, but he knew it to the letter for when this moment came.

He stood on the large, extravagant raft, the offerings of precious stones and gold figures for the gods at his feet as Minhyung and Jeno sat at his sides to begin paddling.

When they reached the middle of the lagoon, between Jeno and Minhyung they raised a flag, and everything was silent.

Donghyuck grabbed the precious objects and dropped them into the water to please the gods, each of whom he respected so much, and decided to give thanks for taking the fate of each of them into his hands.

When he finished, he took a breath again but he was no longer nervous, he jumped into the water with confidence, and he was greeted by calm and pure waters which began to wash all the gold from his body.

Before long, Donghyuck emerged, the water completely washing away the gold that had been painting his body, and Donghyuck climbed back onto the raft, the flag lowering and the sound bursting forth.

He smiled as he heard the shouts and chants, his people welcoming him enthusiastically as the raft approached land again.

As soon as he arrived, he was surrounded by his people, 'may the gods guide the new chieftain' could be heard amidst the cheering and the instruments.

From the crowd Renjun appeared, and Donghyuck smiled, instantly hugging him, Renjun broke away, and the happiness on his face almost seemed unreal, he grabbed him by his cheeks and kissed him.

Donghyuck opened his eyes in amazement, it was the first time Renjun kissed him in public, and Donghyuck wrapped his body, passing his arms around the small waist and kissing him sweetly, everyone around him making even more noise until they broke apart.

Donghyuck felt elated, the day had come when he would assume the role he was born to play, and now he would have to prove to himself and to the gods that he was indeed worthy.

The celebration went on, everyone was happy with the change of leaders, they drank, danced, and ate until the sun went down and Renjun and Donghyuck returned to the house.

Now everything was truly his, now he was the one giving the orders and he didn't have to be afraid to vocalize his opinion.

It was truly like a dream, he had everything and more than any mortal could wish for in his short life, but still and despite being happy he found himself sobbing after every kiss he gave Renjun.

"I'll miss you," Donghyuck sobbed against Renjun's lips, sitting on his lap and feeling everything from him.

Renjun gasped, Donghyuck wasn't being gentle with him, Renjun wasn't prepared for how good Hyuck felt around him, he looked at him lost and grabbed him so they could kiss again.

"You don't have to," he whispered, followed by a melodious sound. Donghyuck sobbed and grabbed his white shoulders as if fearing he would leave but knowing full well he would have to let him go.

"I will, I will miss you so much," Donghyuck said between whimpers and gasps, the genuine feeling of sadness mixing with lust, "You are the best thing that ever happened to me, Renjun."

"Donghyuck" was all Renjun said as his face contorted to one of pure pleasure, Donghyuck felt and loved how he was filled, and it didn't take long for him to feel his release.

It was the only time they had had sex since their wedding night, since then they had only kissed and touched a little, but they hadn't had sex until now, and Donghyuck felt the cause was painfully obvious.

Renjun was giving him everything for his fantasy before breaking it, Donghyuck had already been appointed the tribe's chief, the deadline for his stay here had been reached, and Renjun had nothing left to go on here.

Donghyuck wanted to erase from his mind the near and painful future that awaited him, to enjoy what would be the last night sleeping next to Renjun, but the feeling took root and tangled in his heart.

He hugged Renjun's body in his arms and breathed heavily, Renjun broke away a little to look at him, and the sight destroyed his soul. Why did he look so pained?

"Renjun..." Donghyuck started, Renjun looked at him expectantly, and the tan-skinned one reached for his hand to intertwine them, "When you want to leave, just say so and I'll help you, there's no one in the way now, you can walk away from here."

After uttering the words that had hurt him the most to say in life, Donghyuck brought up the intertwined hand with Renjun and brought it to his lips to leave a small kiss on the back of his hand.

Renjun's lower lip trembled as he grimaced and frowned.

"Ask me to stay," Renjun sobbed, and Donghyuck felt his heartbreak.

"I could never ask you for something like that," Donghyuck denied with his heart heavy, and his eyes burning, "I would never wish for you to be unhappy."

"Your father is dead, I don't have hatred inside me anymore," Renjun said, stumbling over his words, "You, you're amazing, I don't want to leave you," Renjun admitted, and Donghyuck bit his lower lip.

"Renjun, you just feel sorry for me," Donghyuck explained, his voice weaker than he wanted it to be. "You saw me at my most pathetic moment, I'll be fine, you don't have to feel obligated."

"I don't feel like that!" Renjun exclaimed with some desperation in his voice, "Donghyuck, please ask me to stay, just say the word and I'll stay!"

"Renjun," Donghyuck closed his eyes tightly to keep from crying, "That's what I wish for the most," he admitted with a breath in his voice, "but even more important than my wishes, are yours"

"I wish to stay," Renjun confessed, and Hyuck felt his whole body freeze. "I got to know you, I found out that you are not like I thought, no one has ever treated me like you did" Renjun tightened his grip on his hands.

"Gods, Renjun" Hyuck hesitated for a couple of seconds, looking directly into Renjun's eyes, and then managed to utter, "Stay" With some desperation, he added, "Stay please, stay with me, I want to learn everything about you, I want to make you happy" Donghyuck sobbed and noticed thin tears wet Renjun's cheeks.

"I will, I'm going to stay, I also want to learn from you, I want to be with you," he said as Hyuck wiped his tears with his thumbs "Please make me happy"

"I will," Donghyuck nodded and hugged Renjun, feeling how he was still reluctant to touch his back as if he was afraid to reopen his wounds, "I love you, Renjun."

And so they fell asleep, in each other's arms and with promises for a promising future that Donghyuck was sure the gods had in store for them.