The Bandits of Sawtooth Mountain

11. Undercover

Hongjoong had initially planned not to let Mingi get away like that and ask that man about a certain quack he knew from the town but Bastard was quite clear in his ministrations. He send Mingi away so he could finish in peace, the other man just walking off with a giggle.

The sheriff was forced to wait then, the gloved hand around his neck not allowing him much movement and making quite clear that the bandit's nerves were close to snapping. So Hongjoong just waited until Mingi was out of earshot and he was abruptly dropped by the bandit. He was respectful enough to hand the hat and mask back to him without any more struggles and also without risking a peek.

The bandit finished himself off with a low groan, his voice sending the barest hint of excitement through Hongjoong's veins but he forced his body to calm down again.

He wanted to take a shower already. Or collect Wooyoung and take a shower then.

After he could be sure that the other man was fully clothed again, Hongjoong too went to hunt down his clothes, putting them back on his dirty skin with a grimace.

Only after that he turned to the other man again, his black uniform fitting impeccably as if it had never left his body. Hongjoong could not stop a triumphant grin from forming on his lips.

"Don't."

"So Mingi, huh? And who are you? San, by any chance? Yeosang maybe? It comes to no surprise that he is here to be honest. I had my guesses."

A weak chuckle sounded from the other man.

"Oh? You mean you did not believe him to be a tumbleweed? How curious. Still, remember that Mingi is not officially part of your town. He has lived here for a longer time than you stopped wearing diapers probably.", he drawled cunningly, making Hongjoong scoff contemptously.

"You literally just fucked me in order to not get found out by your criminal colleagues. Do you define as child molesting now or can we finally drop this?"

"Would be easier if you were not so damned tiny."

Hongjoong guessed it was better to be called tiny than to be called a kid so he went with it. He just went into the direction they had been going earlier, stumbling at the first steps. With as much dignity as possible he carried on then, leaving it to the bandit to follow or not.

He did, wincing a bit at the limp in Hongjoong's step that he tried hard to conceal but he did not comment on it.

They went on in silence, the bandit leading the way a bit less obnoxious than earlier and Hongjoong at least appreciated that remorse or whatever it was.

He guessed it was already dark out by now, finding his way back with Wooyoung in tow would certainly be an adventure. However, he also wanted to refrain from staying out in the wild in in close vicinity of the bandits longer than needed. He also hoped Wooyoung was at least not hurt or anything. Bringing a bloody and whiny Wooyoung home would be even more of a hassle to go through.

They had to hide another time not soon after when passing through a larger room but the corners in there were dark enough that Hongjoong could disappear easily. The bandit took his time in asking the woman they had met about Wooyoung, gently coaxing information out of her.

When he did get what he wanted he returned to Hongjoong with his dark brows drawn tight, his eyes stormy.

"Apparently there is some emotional dilemma going on. We can manage for sure but I can not promise Wooyoung's full wellbeing. However, it should be quite easy to get him out from there."

Hongjoong felt a stab of guilt at that. Not only Yeosang but also San were waiting for that man. He hoped to bring him home in an as good as possible shape.