Ashrain

1. The Boy in the Bush

Hongjoong didn't find boys in a lot of bushes. Though he would have to challenge the coincidence since it happened twice to him in two years. The first boy he had found in a bush had been Wooyoung, the hunter. When Hongjoong had asked him what he was doing down there rustled between the deep green leaves of a spread of blueberry bushes, Wooyoung's eyes had gleamed as he offered to teach Hongjoong the hidden joys bushes offered. Ever since then, Hongjoong also became a boy in a bush occasionally when he crumbled under Wooyoung's enticing promises.

Usually when he wandered the underwood to collect twigs to feed the fire at home, Hongjoong spotted only plants and colourful wildflowers, maybe an animal if he was lucky. He watched squirrels and birds, once even a rare deer that watched him with round eyes from the distance. It had scurried off once he moved, but he remembered finding it beautiful after he returned home to ramble to Mingi about it.

On the morning of the day Hongjoong found something unlike anything he had ever seen in the woods, Hongjoong got up with the birds' songs and was full of stormy excitement to start his day. The wood needed to be chopped, kindling material be collected, and a meal prepared. If Hongjoong finished early, he would have time to continue weaving his extra blanket for the winter. Last year's dark months had been frigid and Hongjoong dreaded being buried under ice like the plants outside had been.

When Hongjoong descended the stairs to join Mingi in the kitchen, he found his older brother seated at the table and chopping away at some potatoes. He dumped the pieces into the pot by his side, ready to get boiled into a delicious stew. The vegetables spread out on the table had crumbs of earth clinging to them.

Upon Hongjoong's entry, Mingi glanced up from the wobbly table that shivered every time he applied force to the knife. A sluggish smile spread across his lips. His eyes were not yet open to the cheer of day and his hair was ruffled as he had rolled out of bed recently. In the cosiness of their little home, Mingi looked like Hongjoong's favourite pillow he just wanted to clutch and snuggle all day.

"Morning, Joong."

"Good morning," Hongjoong chirped as he bounded to a stop next to the table. "Shall I take over for you? Sir Valerious wants his mare back in the afternoon, right?"

Mingi dusted his hands off and then wiped them on his crusty pants as he stood. He already donned the thick leather trousers and heavy boots he used for work. Since autumn neared, he had picked a shirt for underneath where he would ordinarily leave his lean body bare to breathe.

"Right. I'll have her done in no time; yesterday in the evening she seemed very cuddly."

Hongjoong cooed at the imagination while he took Mingi's place and picked up the knife.

"I'll fetch you once I'm ready," Mingi grinned before he dipped through the backdoor. Through the adjoining stables wafted the scent of hay and horse droppings. Hongjoong chuckled at Mingi's boisterous greeting towards the mare before the door slammed shut.

Mingi was a farrier. Their father had handed down his wisdom to his eldest son and upon his passing, the two boys had inherited his work and home. While Mingi fitted and forged horse shoes for their four-legged customers, Hongjoong cleaned and washed the horses once Mingi finished. Since he was less experienced in the arduous task than Mingi , Hongjoong usually helped around the house and made sure Mingi didn't overwork himself in his passion for his job. Their home was further out from the town than other farriers, so they got only the occasional customer, but those appreciative of their father's craft turned out to be pleased with Mingi's services, as well. Through a sense of loyalty, they returned every couple of months.

Their business was fine, though it didn't boom. They were usually a month behind on the rent they owed the holder of the land the stables had been built on and they made their blankets themselves rather than buying them, but it was a good life. Hongjoong liked their comfort and their security and he liked his job.