For the Prisoner

26. Sweet Distraction

"What do you think of our newest addition?"

For once, Seonghwa was curious about Hongjoong's verdict. The gargoyle hadn't thrown a tantrum about Seonghwa's idiocy in taking anyone along this time. Either he had accepted Seonghwa's stubbornness as a mirror of his own, or something about Yeosang made him worthy to be taken along. Perhaps he provided something the others lacked? Something only Hongjoong could see?

"Anyone is better than that damned witch," the gargoyle countered. His amber eyes bore holes into Mingi's back, not veiling his distaste.

Seonghwa found it was a waste. He yearned for the days when those same eyes had filled him with fire. Not that he would mention that, ever. Hongjoong could pry that knowledge from Seonghwa's cold, dead fingers.

"He's the only one I had no choice but to pick up. You complained about the others," Seonghwa pointed out.

When Hongjoong sent him an incredulous gaze, the priest's heart skipped at finally having his attention. Ever since Hongjoong returned, he spent most of his time trying to kill Mingi with his eyes. Despite knowing about Seonghwa's feelings, despite admitting his own.

Did Seonghwa want him to act on them? No, he was afraid of what that might mean to him, to them. If he lost the fragile friendship with the gargoyle he built so labouriously, Seonghwa would regret it for life.

But did he want Hongjoong to ignore them altogether? Seonghwa felt it was a missed opportunity. Whenever Hongjoong was near him, his nerves sparked as if set ablaze. That delicious high was one Seonghwa would find wasteful not to chase.

The left corner of Hongjoong's lips curled when he noticed how Seonghwa lost attention to their conversation as soon as the gargoyle looked at him. He snickered, lacking the privacy to tease the priest.

"I can't do that anymore. Your aiding them is part of your kindness. I can't claim to protect the innocence in you and then slander it."

At least he stood to his word. Seonghwa lowered his eyes, finding the grass cleared of all snow.

"That makes sense," Seonghwa muttered, for the lack of a better response. His gaze jerked back up when Wooyoung came bounding to his side. His sly eyes caught the rosiness of Seonghwa's cheek and the way the gargoyle's claw twitched to deliver a minuscule brush to Seonghwa's hand. As if he had burnt himself, Seonghwa clutched his fingers to his bag.

"Hmmm," was all Wooyoung said, face pinched in consideration.

"W-what? Do you need something?" Seonghwa pretended. He was glad none of the others seemed to watch him, though San's giggling with Yeosang could mean anything. Jongho never left him out of sight, either.

"I'm watching you two closely. If he does even one thing that displeases you, tell me. I may be small like this, but I can kick the living hell out of him as a horse," the lutin threatened. Not one to give up easily, he reminded Seonghwa of the coin he had given him, asking him to pay lots of attention to it.

The priest thumbed at it in his pocket, amused.

"That means you offer more meat as a horse, too. It's good to know we have food in case of an emergency," Hongjoong replied, just as belligerent.

"Who said we can't cook you? Bet you taste like a bat."

"Why don't you try to find out?"

Hongjoong stepped ahead, and Seonghwa slowed his pace when Wooyoung did the same. Before the two could grab at each other in front of him, he pushed them away on each chest.

"Don't fight. There is enough space here not to attack each other."

In answer, Hongjoong wrapped a possessive arm around Seonghwa's waist. The priest yelped when claws dug into his waist, forcing him to submit to the draw towards Hongjoong's heated body. The gargoyle's chest pressed into his side, making the priest flush.