Ashrain

16. Wooyoung vs Hooves

Wooyoung came home with a doe over his shoulder. He had strung its legs together at the ankles and carried it around his neck as one would with a straw hat. The wound on its flank was subtle, a red mark left by a single arrow that had hit its mark with precise perfection.

When Seonghwa spotted him, he sidestepped the hunter's bright grin. The centaur's saddened eyes were stuck on the poor animal, and Hongjoong mourned for it, as well. In his opinion, deer were too pretty to be eaten and hunted, but he knew Wooyoung did it so they wouldn't overpopulate the forests. Better eat them and feed some people during winter than pile their dead bodies in a ditch.

"I'll be out in a minute," Wooyoung promised as he passed them. Mingi held the door for him and Hongjoong got a glance at a room stained with red and animal carcasses strung up on the ceiling for skinning and gutting. His stomach twisted, but Wooyoung hurried to slip inside and pulled the door shut before they had to see more.

While Wooyoung changed his clothes and left the deer in the meat-smelling butchery, the trio gathered their things. Yeosang hadn't returned for another round of malicious comments, but nobody missed his presence. The group had made even more money in the afternoon. The day had been as fruitful as the brothers had predicted and they were glad to wrap it up.

Wooyoung returned outside without his gloves, leather shoulder piece and weapons. In just his tunic and pants, he looked almost naked to Hongjoong's eyes. He blushed when he remembered he knew very well what naked Wooyoung looked like. This was nothing in comparison.

Wooyoung helped them pile their items on their cart and moved it into the shed in the back of his home to fetch later. Then he hooped his arm around Hongjoong's to pull him close.

"How about it? I will buy everyone a drink. Since I didn't get to do it last time because the mood was down, I want to catch up. Two streets over is a fantastic place to sit outside while eating. Do centaurs stomach alcohol well?"

He pulled the enthusiastic troupe along. Seonghwa lost some of his apprehension towards Wooyoung as he replied that yes, centaurs brewed their own type of beer and prided themselves in it. His jealousy was well-veiled even when Hongjoong assured him with smiles that Seonghwa had nothing to fear regarding Hongjoong and Wooyoung. Their prior relationship never restricted either of them from reaching out to partners they felt more drawn to.

"I must tell you about San! I met him today and I am completely smitten with him!" Wooyoung bounded along Hongjoong's side as he pulled them into the backyard of the tavern that connected to the meadow. He motioned them to pick a table and perched by Hongjoong's side. They arranged so Seonghwa could sit in the grass on Hongjoong's left and Mingi stretched out on the opposite bench.

"I can hear it, yes. Do you visit him daily?"

Mingi flagged down a waitress and ordered their drinks. She eyed Seonghwa curiously, but didn't mind his presence. As long as the shady elves whispering one table over were welcome, their group was, too.

Torches illuminated the yard, and lanterns were strung between the trees to offer light in the evening. The warmth they exuded was just enough to sit outside comfortably, though Hongjoong worried the earth might chill Seonghwa. The centaur didn't complain, however, and played with the grass kissing along his skin.

"I take the long way around every time I go hunting. Sometimes we talked for only a few minutes, other times for hours. He is the most captivating man there is. A glorious treasure I found."

Mingi chuckled at Wooyoung's swooning.

"You two are matching each other more and more." He glanced between Hongjoong and the hunter and the former kicked at him under the table at the accusation.