Ashrain

21. Between Hooves

smut warning. If anyone is averse to a centaur and a human together, now is your time to run.

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Hongjoong shyly knocked on the door frame to alert Seonghwa of his presence. The centaur had been grooming his hair, Mingi's brush by his side while he worked out straw and knots from his silky mane. It cascaded over his back and shoulder when he turned.

A golden glow basked around the centaur like an aura of happiness. It was the crass difference to Hongjoong's gloomy mood.

Hongjoong smiled at him. He had asked Mingi to do his work upstairs today, warning him that Seonghwa and he would be up to no good. His brother had laughed and wished him luck while he moved his task of fixing the holes in their old clothes to the upper floor. For good measure, Hongjoong closed the door as he entered the stables.

"Need help becoming even more beautiful?" Hongjoong suggested with a twinkle in his eyes. Seonghwa chuckled, fingers gliding through his hair.

"I feel so much better now that this weight lifted off me. Suddenly, I have standards for myself again," he confessed. He patted the crate by his side, inviting Hongjoong to sit with him. Careful of his hooves, Hongjoong climbed over to plop down on it. He nervously shoved his jittery hands under his thighs.

"I'm glad Yongguk could get you out of your slump," Hongjoong said. Seonghwa brandished the hairbrush at him.

"Don't think I'll forget you. My burden might be lifted, but I will repay the money I owe. You deserve to be free of your financial dread as well."

Hongjoong couldn't help his smile. At least, Seonghwa remembered that part. Were his feelings for Hongjoong deep enough that he would miss him? Or was that a price Seonghwa was willing to pay to get home?

"We can worry about that later. It has much more leeway than getting you home." How many days had it been since they went to the city and met Yeosang there? Hongjoong didn't care. In the end, Yeosang always got his money. The next time he went to the city to see Wooyoung, he would drop the coins off.

Seonghwa hummed. When Hongjoong reached to cradle his chin, the centaur let the brush sink and perked up.

For a moment, Hongjoong lost himself in his expressive eyes. They were full of curiosity and adventure, such kindness and warmth. They flicked over Hongjoong's features, searching for the reason for this sudden approach.

Hongjoong nearly couldn't do it. He sat petrified, overcome with stress and misery at losing this sight.

Seonghwa was the one who leaned in and kissed Hongjoong. As their eyes fluttered shut, the spell cut and Hongjoong took a shuddering breath.

"You seem nervous," Seonghwa whispered against his lips. He licked them with a playful tongue and Hongjoong granted him entry. His arms wrapped around Seonghwa's neck, fingers finding his raven hair.

"Just awed by your beauty," Hongjoong, the fool, lied.

Seonghwa giggled into his mouth. His earlier task was forgotten when he pulled Hongjoong to align their bodies and fit into Seonghwa's arms. Warmth tingled between their bodies. Hongjoong relaxed because this was something he could do. Something he knew would bind them with euphoria.

When Seonghwa hesitated to take the next step, Hongjoong loosened the strings to his tunic himself. Pleased by the offer, Seonghwa kissed over the newly revealed skin.

"Won't Mingi mind?"

"I sent him upstairs," Hongjoong breathed. Seonghwa's chuckle was sensual against his skin. Hongjoong shuttered at the cold air he blew over the blooming mark on Hongjoong's neck.