Ashrain

12. The Non-Hooved Curiosity

Hongjoong's and Seonghwa's picnic was shrouded in a mist of shyness. Their earlier kiss had happened so suddenly that both of them were bashful now. Whenever their fingers touched while they shared the pieces of apple pie Hongjoong had packed, both of them flinched away. Long moments of blushing and awkward nape-scratching turned into modest giggles.

Delight winged Hongjoong's heart. It fluttered around his chest to chirp an enthusiastic melody. It hadn't been so active since Wooyoung had first made advances towards Hongjoong and charmed him with his bright smiles and sultry words. While Hongjoong hadn't imagined becoming infatuated with a different man, and a centaur no less, the sweet beat of his heart didn't differentiate between man and animal when it was about Seonghwa.

Hongjoong could find himself odd for that later. For now, he was thrilled to sit next to Seonghwa on the blanket with every muscle in his body tense as he meticulously watched his posture so he didn't appear weird. With his nerves on edge, he was jumpy to Seonghwa's every shift on the blanket where he had tucked his legs under his horse half.

"So..." Seonghwa started. In an instant, Hongjoong whipped around to him, startling both of them. At Seonghwa's embarrassed chuckle, Hongjoong told himself to remain nonchalant. He didn't want to scare Seonghwa off with his ticks.

"I wanted to ask you about Wooyoung. Since... that happened. Won't he be mad at you? Or is it common among humans to have no fixed number of relationships?"

"Not at all." Hongjoong shook his head. He left a polite distance between his body and Seonghwa's, as if them sitting as close together as normal was dangerous. Perhaps it was, to his sanity. From how often he had stared at Seonghwa's lips ever since that kiss, one could think he was drawn to them like a moth to light.

"The culture of these lands' people is also strict about having one partner and being loyal to them. Those who break off romantic relationships get frowned upon for not taking better care of each other. When we pick someone, we usually stay together to marry and have children."

Seonghwa blushed at the mention of a family. He nodded at Hongjoong to go on, attentive to the newfound wisdom.

"Wooyoung and I, we aren't that close. We are friends, even when we share each other's bed sometimes. Rather than romance, we help ward off mutual loneliness. It's an uncommon type of relationship but not frowned upon if kept discreet. Neither of us developed past that, so I have no reason to worry."

"So if this-" Seonghwa gestured between the two of them, "becomes something more, you will break things off with Wooyoung? And he won't be mad?"

"I will, yes. He will understand well. Wooyoung never gets lonely, he has many people to play with. Though he might make some comments." Hongjoong grimaced, and Seonghwa giggled along.

"I can deal with those. I merely can't deal with the thought of someone else embracing you while I wish to do the same. Things were always very apparent between you two."

Charmed by Seonghwa's interest in him, Hongjoong leaned closer. Seonghwa allowed him to lean against his arm as they looked out over the pond together.

"I won't fool around with him while I know of your feelings. I would much rather hold someone I like over the occasional encounter in the hay."

The imagination had Seonghwa hiding behind his hand since the innuendo was so engaged to him. Rather than in bushes, Hongjoong felt the likelihood to end up in the hay was much higher with Seonghwa than with the hunter.

Cooing, Hongjoong nuzzled into his shoulder. This recent development both softened and electrified the air between them when many thoughts went unspoken, but their feelings blossomed for the idea of each other.