Ashrain

22. Blades and Hooves

Mingi's eyes on the pair were incredibly judgmental when he searched for them in the stables late at noon. Neither had made an appearance yet, and Mingi speculated if they had disappeared after half a day without a sign. As he nudged the door open carefully to check if they were still asleep despite the ridiculously late hour, he found the two cosied up in the hay. Seonghwa was awake and ran his fingers through Hongjoong's hair, while Hongjoong was too comfortable to stop napping all day. Only Mingi announcing himself to the stables to bring them food roused him from his laziness.

It wasn't hard to tell that Hongjoong was naked under the blanket he slung around his hips haphazardly. Mingi's eyes skimmed his ruffled form, the marks on his neck, and the way he seemed utterly unable to move from Seonghwa's side.

The stiff expression on his face gave away he had connected the dots. If he was displeased by Seonghwa not keeping his promise and being involved with Hongjoong in that way, he veiled it well. His empathy for his brother's love defeated the brotherly need to scold them for their risky adventure.

Mingi left food by their side and disappeared without a word. Propped against Seonghwa's chest, Hongjoong chuckled at Mingi's antics as soon as the door closed.

"He didn't like the imagination," he concluded, voice scratchy from the odd noises it had produced last night. His legs were soft as a cloud and just as brittle. He balanced on his aching muscles and paid attention not to fall over as he retrieved their bowls. Seonghwa dug in, greedy for fresh energy.

"I understand where he is coming from. I was surprised you even suggested it," Seonghwa hummed. His hair fell over Hongjoong's shoulder and tickled his bare chest. He shivered from the chilly air but was too lazy to wrench free the blanket wedged between his legs and their bodies. Seonghwa warmed him enough.

"Did you dislike it?"

Now that the heat of the moment had dissipated and Hongjoong wasn't a mess anymore, frantic to be as close to Seonghwa as possible and hurting from the idea of parting, he remembered Seonghwa's unwillingness uncomfortably sober. Guilt welled up in his chest and his bowl sunk. Every bite suddenly weighed like a stone in his stomach.

Seonghwa noticed his stillness and put his bowl on the ground, too. His arms wrapped around Hongjoong's small body and pulled him so close Hongjoong thought he would get squeezed to death. Shuddering, he leaned into the embrace.

"How could I dislike it? I desire you, and your offer to please me in a way I thought impossible moved me deeply. I was merely worried about hurting you. As I said, my pleasure isn't worth your pain."

Hongjoong craned his neck to nuzzle his head under Seonghwa's chin. Warm lips pressed to his forehead.

"It was for my pleasure, too. I didn't lie about human boundaries. I knew it could feel good if we did it right. I'm happy you agreed to trust me."

Seonghwa's hum rumbled through his chest.

"I enjoyed trying it out. Though I felt so lonely with you down there. Let's not go that far every time."

Hongjoong's prospering delight that Seonghwa considered more times to be happening between them was overcome by a giggle.

"That is fair; I wouldn't want to strain my body, either. I won't be so far away next time." When Seonghwa angled his head in Hongjoong's direction, Hongjoong surged to kiss him. His knees caved in, reminding him of his stubbornness.

A surprised laugh burst from Seonghwa's lips when he caught the spooked human. He leaned down to kiss him, making up for his glee. Hongjoong's pout quickly melted into a sigh of content.

When they parted, they returned to their food in an even mood. Their bodies seemed as if glued together; as if parting even a millimetre would cause unbearable pain. While their basking in their intimacy was nothing like Hongjoong would have expected with a person he truly loved, he enjoyed it.