Hello! Have yet another Seongjoong one shot~

TW for slight whipping, BDSM, blindfolds, humiliation

**********

Seonghwa was still new to his recent hobby. The first time his mother pulled up at Whisperwind Range, Seonghwa had looked out of the car window with gigantic eyes. The mighty wooden building sat nestled amid the spacious meadows bordering the autumn forest. A sandy paddock triggered a row of smaller pens that offered free playing space for the few horses idling around outside. Seonghwa saw a Shetland Pony and a dapple grey that grazed peacefully in their designated spaces.

"See, it looks cosy," Seonghwa's mother cheered as they turned into the parking area. The gravel crunched underneath their car's tires as it came to a stop between two massive horse trailers. Intimidated, Seonghwa peered around.

"Will you go in with me?"

With a smile, Seonghwa's mother handed him a bottle to drink in case he would get thirsty from jumping around too much. Seonghwa might need it if his mouth continued to hang open.

"You're too big to be accompanied by your mum everywhere. Go and have fun, Hwa. See, that girl probably also belongs to your class."

She pointed at a young girl with a bouncy ponytail that skipped into the stables through the open main doors with a sports bag clutched under her arm. Nervously, Seonghwa glanced at his own bag between his feet. He picked up the strap with fumbling hands. First places made him anxious even if he could probably talk to the girl and ask her to show him the way.

"I'm sure you'll be fine. I'll pick you up in two hours. Until then, take care that no horse steps on your toes."

Seonghwa nodded and finally left the car. The uncertainty of unknown places curled in his stomach when he looked up at the towering building. White stone created the lower part and the upper half comprised wooden boards. The name of the stable was written on the boards in a cartoonish wild western style in black lettering. Several horseshoes and thick horse collars decorated the planks. A sleek black motorcycle also leaned in the shadow against the wall, ruining the antique sight.

Before Seonghwa went in, he waved at his mum driving off. Then he left the parking area to sneak into the building. Despite his insecurity, he was interested in what it held.

The stable had a single floor with a high ceiling. The coldness of early autumn settled in the big rooms that had open spaces everywhere. Seonghwa shivered in his thin track jacket as he ventured deeper. He didn't spot the girl from earlier, so he wandered along the wooden walls in search of anyone who could point him in the right direction. He heard the horses neighing and scraping their hooves over the concrete floor to his right. The heavy doors up ahead likely led to an inside training area.

Since it was near the time that the classes began, Seonghwa took a wild guess that people might ready horses soon and went right. It couldn't take long before someone arrived there.

By the time Seonghwa entered the long corridor with horse heads peeking from their bays left and right, he also found a person. A woman a few years older than him handled the reins of a horse. The windows above the enormous doors leading out to the back of the paddock cast sunlight over the straw-specked floor and lit the dust whirling through the air.

"Excuse me?" Seonghwa said as he neared, so he wouldn't startle her. His voice carried in the building more than he had expected.

The woman looked up from her task. Her brown hair was done up in a strict bun that let no hairs escape, but her face was kind.

"I'm new to the beginner vaulting class, uh- My name is Park Seonghwa," Seonghwa introduced himself. When a grin broke out on the woman's face, he smiled politely, too. Instantly, the cold stables seemed to warm up.

"Ah, that's you! I'm your teacher; you can call me Lola. Welcome to the team, I'm delighted to meet you." She put the reins down on the stable door to shake his hand. Relieved that he had found his teacher right away, Seonghwa greeted her back.

"It's good that you're early; that means you get to know your new best friend right away! Peanut, meet Seonghwa, he's part of the team now." With a fond pet of the white blaze of the horse in front of her, Lola waved Seonghwa over.

"Peanut," Seonghwa repeated, already endeared. He also petted the horse. It was a tall Irish Draught in a pretty chestnut colour. Peaceful, Peanut watched Seonghwa with intelligent eyes.

"She's an experienced mare and perfect for vaulting. Your letter said you didn't vault before?" Lola pulled the weighty door open to continue saddling Peanut. Seonghwa stepped aside so he wouldn't be in the way, but still stared at Peanut in awe.

"I didn't. My sister does horse riding, so I've always been around, but I never did more than saunter a few rounds on horseback." Seonghwa clutched the strap of his bag tighter when shyness overcame him. He was worried he would be the worst in his class even when he applied for the beginner one.

"Good, then there's more we can teach you right away. Some of the more experienced riders that come here have trouble accustoming to the new horses and different training schedule. Your outfit is great, by the way! I keep having to tell my youngest class that wide shirts don't go well with gymnastics." Lola nodded down Seonghwa's body. We wore leggings that clung to his legs and a tight, long-sleeved shirt under his track jacket. Less loose fabric to get caught in when doing stunts.

Seonghwa's heart unclenched a bit at the compliment he could be proud of.

Lola swung a white pad and a matching white surcingle over Peanut's back before she fastened the latter around the horse's ribcage. Peanut idled around and only stepped forward when Lola took the long lunge line used for vaulting and led her outside her bay. Minimally helpful, Seonghwa closed the door behind them.

"So, what brought you here? To Whisperwind Range specifically, I mean?"

Seonghwa caught up with Lola to match her pace. Peanut's hooves clopped on the floor and made the ears of some other horses in their wooden bays flick. A ginger cat sneaked by to squeeze behind a sack of carrots. After suppressing his coo at the soft and tiny paws, Seonghwa replied.

"My mom and I moved here, and I wanted to start a new hobby to get to know the people and the area. Well, maybe not so new since my sister inspired me."

The two of them had to laugh. When they reached the weighty doors leading to the sandy arena, Seonghwa got to hold Peanut while Lola opened the gates. The grand hall was even colder than the rest of the stable. The stand to the left and right was yawningly empty.

"I hope you have just as much fun as her. You can leave your bag up there and exchange your shoes. Then we'll warm up." Lola took Peanut from Seonghwa again. After he did as he had been told and exchanged his sports shoes for the soft gymnastics shoes, he returned to the hall. Lola instructed him to run a few rounds in the spacious hall while Peanut did the same. The soft ground under Seonghwa's feet was full of hoof trails as he warmed himself up.

After running came a few stretching exercises that Seonghwa did by himself. While he was in his last one, the door behind them opened to allow another person in.

"Goooood morning," the boy yelled upon entry. Seonghwa looked up from where he struggled to reach his toes. Another boy around his age came prancing in as if he were a horse himself. His blond and black hair was long enough to be collected in a short, messy ponytail, and a big grin was painted on his lips.

"If it isn't everyone's favourite half-broke horse," Lola called out without slowing Peanut's program. The laughter in her voice swelled when the man pretended to be deeply hurt. In an act that showed their familiarity with each other, he stumbled against the wooden wall and clutched his chest. Amused, Seonghwa watched him.

"Wooyoung, that's Seonghwa over there, our newbie. Seonghwa, this is Wooyoung."

Wooyoung's eyes searched the room until he spotted Seonghwa in the corner he had huddled away in to leave more than enough space for Peanut. With a beaming smile that took over his entire face, the other man marched over to greet him.

"Pleased to meet you! We always need fresh meat in the team. If you have questions, ask without inhibitions!" Wooyoung threw finger pistols at him before he galloped off to warm up as well. Lola called out to him sometimes to get back cheeky answers.

After yet another stretch, Seonghwa stood. His muscles were pleasantly warmed and ready to go. He looked around insecurely, unsure whether he should march right up. Thankfully, Lola detected his awkwardness and beckoned him over. Peanut slowed to a peaceful trot counterclockwise and circled Lola, led by the long line.

"Okay, Seonghwa. You know how to mount a horse?"

Seonghwa glanced at peanut and the loops he could use as stirrups on the white girth. He had never mounted a moving horse, but Seonghwa saw the logical path how to.

When he nodded, Lola beckoned at him to try.

Seonghwa jogged in from the back to align with Peanut. His hands found the white handles left and right of Peanut's topline first. Then his left foot lifted into the stirrup. He jumped once, twice, then swung his right leg over Peanut's back and pulled himself up with a huff.

"Nice!" Lola called out. Wooyoung cheered at Seonghwa somewhere, too, while Seonghwa settled into his place proudly. Peanut's movements were steady and secure, so he didn't fear losing his balance. The two handles made for a secure grip as well.

"Good job, Seonghwa. I see you have no trouble up there. Let's try not clamping down on her. Stretch your arms out."

Seonghwa did, holding his body straight and shoulders steady. Maybe he was too stiff, but Lola hummed at him for doing a good job, still. So far, it was no different from riding a bike. (Although Seonghwa usually did that with both hands on the handles.)

"Ready to go faster?"

Seonghwa nodded bravely and held onto the handles again when Lola urged Peanut into a gallop. Seonghwa had never quite mastered the movements of a horse under his body, but he was good as long as he didn't fall off. This time when he stretched out his arms, he felt less confident with the wind of their movement whipping into his hair and yanking on his body. But he did well again, and Lola praised him when Peanut slowed down again.

"Let's try something else before you get to sit down and watch for a while to learn the poses. Can you get onto your hands and knees? This is called a bench."

Now, true gymnastics began.

Seonghwa took a deep breath before he picked up one foot after the other from their secure place. He balanced one knee on Peanut's back, praying that he wouldn't hurt her, then the other. At first, he was wobbly, but he soon found the middle and braced his shoulders.

This time, several wows rained on his ears. Bashful, Seonghwa dropped into the saddle when he felt he would slip off.

"Good job. You slide down on her offside. Be mindful of her hooves."

For a moment, Seonghwa sat confused about what the offside was. When he spotted Wooyoung, who sat with two other boys on the ground by now and jabbed his thumb to the right, he understood.

Seonghwa slipped from Peanut's back and landed in the soft sand outside of her circle's radius. As he skipped off, his heart raced with glee over his first successful vaulting attempt. When he joined the group of men that made up his team, they greeted him with matching happiness. Wooyoung high-fived him before he jogged off to take over the next round on Peanut's back. With the two others, Seonghwa sat down on the ground.

They introduced themselves as San and Yeosang. San had been in the team the longest and would get into the intermediate level soon. Yeosang was the second newest member before Seonghwa and just as reserved as he. They bonded over their shyness while San kept a loose conversation going.

Together, they watched Wooyoung pull off some stunts. He could even stand on the horse. Awed, Seonghwa clapped in his hands without making a sound so he wouldn't startle Peanut.

When Wooyoung slid off Peanut's back, it was San's turn. His step was more secure, the way he swung himself up onto the horse fluidly like water. Once Wooyoung sat back in the cold sand with Seonghwa and Yeosang, he explained how San had basically grown up with horses and had a special connection to them, hence why he learned so fast.

It wasn't hard to see San was the best out of the four. He bent in ways that Seonghwa thought impossible for the human body and even showed off some intermediate tricks, like a handstand on the girth handles. By the time he jumped from Peanut's back, Seonghwa's heart was ablaze with the passion to do the same things. Well, maybe not a handstand anytime soon, but he also wanted to look that cool.

The lesson continued with them switching around. Seonghwa got taught in the sand first how a flag had to look like and then did it again on Peanut. His outstretched right leg and left arm shook with every movement of Peanut, but Lola assured him it was suitable for the first time.

After their session had ended, all four of the students filtered out of the arena, chattering to get their drinks. Lola finished up with Peanut and gave her some treats for being good.

While the boys changed their shoes, they chattered all over each other.

"Seonghwa, where in town do you live? Let's walk home together!" Wooyoung suggested. Warmed by his enthusiastic welcome, Seonghwa grinned at him.

"Not today. My mom will pick me up since it's my first day, but I would love to walk with you next time."

"Sure! Here is my number; we can figure out a route until then! What about you, Yeosang?"

Yeosang fiddled with the cap of his bottle, his eyes cast downward. The faint blush on his cheeks was endearing, and it caused Wooyoung to coo at him like a beloved pet.

"My boyfriend will pick me up," Yeosang muttered around his little smile. Wooyoung squished his cheeks for that and Yeosang batted at him like the cat he had been pronounced as.

"Tell Mingi that he should come by more often when we meet as a group. I see his face so rarely I keep forgetting you aren't free for taking."

San elbowed Wooyoung when he giggled deviously. Feeling right at home in this weird group, Seonghwa looked between the three of them.

"You can tell him hi when we get outside," Yeosang assured Wooyoung. After Seonghwa handed back Wooyoung's phone, all of them climbed from the stand and filtered back into the main corridor. Leisurely, they strolled towards the exit.

"Sometimes we stick around to play with the horses or help in the stables, but not today. You are always welcome to join," Wooyoung informed Seonghwa. Before he could direct his words at San, the clop of hooves got loud to their right.

All of them shuffled aside when from the direction Seonghwa hadn't explored yet; another person came with his horse. The man had a regular riding helmet dangling from his arm that didn't lead the gorgeous blue roan Trakehner by its reins. His horse had a star on its dark forehead and carried itself with the same grace and nobility as the man by its side. The click of his English riding boots that framed his white breeches matched every well-placed step of the horse. His green jacket sat snug and expensive on his body. It reached until his mid-thigh, giving him even more of a military commander vibe.

The boys around Seonghwa stood straighter, as if the man coming through was an officer they had to obey. With a glance at the riding crop tucked in the man's gloved fingers, Seonghwa did the same. Uncomfortable, he waited until the man passed, but the stranger slowed his steps once he came near them. For a moment, his unimpressed gaze wandered over their colourful group before it got stuck on San.

"Will I see you at the stables later?"

San nodded next to Seonghwa while Seonghwa marvelled at the man's short blond hair that was messy from wearing his helmet.

"I'll be there," San assured him.

The man nodded, slow and deliberate, like a queen at her royal court before he strode off. Seonghwa's eyes mindlessly followed his clicking heels as he led his pretty horse off.

Before the group of boys could disrupt anyone else, they drained from the stables. San remained standing at the door to say his goodbyes and dipped back in the second they all had yelled their cheerful 'see you next week's at him.

As soon as he was gone, the three of them meandered towards the parking area. Seonghwa couldn't spot his mum yet, so he waited around with Yeosang and Wooyoung on the sidelines.

"Man, he's frosty. Will I ever get used to that glare? No. Do I find it low-key hot? Maybe." Wooyoung glanced at the stables as if he could see through the walls and detect the man again. When Seonghwa tilted his head, Yeosang nodded his head at the entrance.

"His name is Hongjoong; he's the son of the owner. He is like a horse god. He can do any horse sport I ever heard of. Recently, he's into dressage, though."

Seonghwa nodded along, impressed. His eyes flicked back to Wooyoung when the man added to it.

"You should watch him sometime. From some shadow since he doesn't appreciate secret stalkers. Not that I ever made first-hand experience."

"His horse was pretty," was all Seonghwa said as they all shuffled aside when Seonghwa's mother's red car pulled up. She waved at them, animated that Seonghwa had found friends already. Wooyoung grinned and waved back while Yeosang smiled more hesitantly.

"She is. Now get home well and see you next time."

"Shall we give you a ride? You must live in the same direction."

Wooyoung shook his head.

"No, thanks, I'll walk. I can use the exercise and I enjoy ogling the football team that has practise right about now." Wooyoung winked at Seonghwa.

"Alright then. You two get home safely as well, and we will figure out a walking route for next time," Seonghwa concluded.

Wooyoung and Yeosang sent him off with matching cute smiles. He waved at their car until they were out of sight. Only then, he settled into his seat, sated.

His mother brimmed with curiosity, so he didn't waver to recollect his day with all of its grandeur. The horses, meeting Lola and Peanut, and his team. He mentioned Hongjoong, too, if fleetingly. Ultimately, he assured her he had a lot of fun and couldn't wait to get back there. All of his initial worries had evaporated.

Glad that his new hobby was a success, his mum drove them home so they could carry the last cupboards from the garage up into the house. The two nice boys from the neighbouring family that had helped them so far weren't there today, but their dad came over to help. He told Seonghwa that his two sons - Yunho and Jongho - were currently at football practise. Seonghwa connected the dots in his head.

After a long day - and a shower so he would stop smelling like an entire horse - Seonghwa fell into bed spent. He already looked forward to his next lesson.

-

Wooyoung was a delight to text with. He was a smooth-talker and used a lot of emojis that assured Seonghwa of his good mood. He also sent a lot of pictures of his dog (a Shiba Inu) in various hats and dorky poses.

They decided to meet near the elementary school on their next day of vaulting class. Seonghwa had packed some snacks they could share on the way there and wore his smart outfit again. After saying bye to his mum, Seonghwa left early to meet with Wooyoung.

He still needed his phone GPS to track down the school, but he was confident that he would find it by himself next time. By the time he arrived, Wooyoung was already there and bounced excitedly on his heels. He wore his bag slung across his chest as he idled underneath a massive acorn tree that rained its beautiful leaves on the ground to weave nature's carpets.

When Wooyoung spotted Seonghwa near, he thrust his hand in the air to wave at him wildly. Seonghwa had seen him long ago already, but still chuckled at the reaction.

"Seonghwa! Over here!"

Seonghwa hurried to catch up to him and greeted Wooyoung with a welcoming hug. The man shone like the sun as he looked Seonghwa up and down.

"You look good! Did you get used to the new place by now?"

During their chat, they started walking. The plan was to collect San at his house about ten minutes from their current spot and then to wander to the range in no hurry. They still had lots of time before their lesson started.

"It's fine. I had trouble sleeping in my new room at first, but now I put up some posters and it already seems more homey," Seonghwa said. Wooyoung agreed wisely before he told Seonghwa he had never moved before.

Talking about their favourite bands and shows, it didn't take them long to reach San's house. Wooyoung rung the bell with the familiarity of a long friendship and it took San only a minute to come running. While he hastily tied his laces, Wooyoung chattered with San's mum; who had appeared behind him. She greeted Seonghwa as well, probably having heard of him already.

Once their team of three was complete, they set out toward the outskirts of town. The sport fields soon crossed the side of the far spread of the countryside, and a team of basketball players ran across their field to chase the ball. Wooyoung watched them as the group wandered past.

"Usually, Yeosang walks with us. But ever since he got a boyfriend a few months ago, he lets himself get chauffeured around. Not that I can blame him. Mingi loves to get Yeosang to thank him." San giggled into his hand. The random act of sweetness between the two boyfriends made Seonghwa smile.

Not that Seonghwa usually detested being single, but he was always happy to hear of doting relationships.

They arrived at the stables with five minutes to spare. After the two boys had changed their shoes and warmed up, Lola and Peanut joined them for today's lesson. Excited to see what he could remember, Seonghwa gladly went first.

His bench and the flag went better than last time. With great concentration, he balanced and didn't let Wooyoung's hoots distract him.

"Seonghwa, you're digging your knees into Peanut's back too much. Try to relax and move more fluently with her."

Seonghwa tried, but he couldn't help how he clung to Peanut more than he should, since he feared falling. His need to clamp down and be safe contradicted his attempts at making an elegant figure, so he struggled a great deal.

Once he was down from Peanut and Wooyoung's turn was up, San addressed the matter again.

"Peanut feels it when you put too much pressure on her, and she doesn't like it. You're far from a tournament where this would get you massive point deduction, but try to think about her."

Seonghwa nodded helplessly. He also didn't want to hurt Peanut, but he didn't know how to relax in the way San did. The longer he watched the man move like liquid jelly on top of the horse, the surer Seonghwa got that he was too old and stiff to catch up to that. He hadn't started gymnastics in his early years when his bones were still soft and bendable.

After their class was over, Seonghwa told the others to wait for him outside. Babbling, they stalked off while Seonghwa stayed behind to talk to Lola.

"So, about me digging my knees into Peanut's back too much..." He began. Mindlessly, he patted Peanut to apologise while Lola picked up on his dilemma.

"It's common for late starters. I actually brought it up in a team meeting after your first lesson already. You are good enough to continue as you are, but if you want, I can set you up with extra classes where you get to extra time to get used to a horse's movements. What do you think?"

The relief painted on Seonghwa's face made Lola smile.

"Yes, please!"

"Then next week you can stay longer after our class to make use of your extra training. I already mentioned it to some teachers and we will find someone who can make some time for you." Her beam had Seonghwa grin from ear to ear.

"Thank you lots, Lola!"

"You're welcome."

Seonghwa skipped out of the stables to meet up with his friends outside. They had assembled around a dark car with a tall man leaning next to it. He had wrapped his arm around Yeosang's waist and Yeosang blushed adorably between looking at his boyfriend with stars in his eyes and snarking back at Wooyoung's teasing. Upon approaching, Seonghwa got introduced to Mingi, who greeted him with a soft and sunny smile.

After they had sent off Yeosang and Mingi, the other three made their way home. San stuck with them today and he boxed Wooyoung's shoulder when the man ogled at the athletes on the field. Seonghwa peered around discreetly as well while the two boys jostled with each other.

He spotted Yunho at the same time that the man peeked over at the passing group in a brief break to see what the commotion on the sidewalk was about. When he recognised Seonghwa, Yunho elbowed his brother and lifted his hand in greeting. Cheerfully, Seonghwa waved back. Jongho also gave a shy greeting in the distance.

Seonghwa winced at the slap that landed on his shoulder. He turned his head to look at an indignant Wooyoung.

"What, you know him? You never told me!"

Pouting, Seonghwa rubbed his arm.

"Which of the two are we talking about?"

"The thick one-" Wooyoung gasped when San slapped him again. Like two children, they shoved at each other.

"Ah, that's Jongho. Those two are my neighbours. I met them when they helped us to carry our furniture. Jongho is... strong."

Wooyoung coyly pushed a strand of his overgrown hair behind his ears. The blush on his cheeks told Seonghwa everything.

"Feel free to tell me more. Or send pictures if your window points at his and you see him undress by any chance."

When San launched himself at Wooyoung again, Seonghwa hastily shooed them out of sight from the football field. Behind the treeline, their cat fight didn't get watched by a horde of amused men.

"San! You can't disagree with me! The best type of men are those who can push you down and put you in your place!"

Embarrassed by the intimate information Seonghwa already heard of Wooyoung, he trudged along the two squabblers. San's scoff was accompanied by him flicking his hair back.

"Well, not that you are wrong, but you're bold to assume a dude with muscles like his would be into some brat. You need some manners for a guy like him."

Wooyoung shrieked at him, successfully shooing off a bird in the tree next to them. As Seonghwa watched it fly off, he wished to have wings as well.

"What about you, Seonghwa?"

Startled by being the centre of attention so abruptly, Seonghwa cleared his throat. Both males' gazes burnt holes into his face.

"Ah, uh... I don't think body mass is necessary to dominate someone? I suppose it can be nice though."

Wooyoung snickered into his hand. The knowing gaze he exchanged with San was in no language Seonghwa understood.

"Either way. If you want to relay Jongho's number, don't be shy. I would be more than happy to let that man crush me."

San rolled his eyes, but he kept silent. Amused by their antics, Seonghwa just agreed. He would have to ask Jongho first before he gave his number away, anyway. Not that Wooyoung dancing alongside them on the path would be a bad pick.

After they dropped San off at his house, Seonghwa and Wooyoung parted at the school and promised to meet again there next time. When Seonghwa finally got home, he was happy to get a delicious meal and a warm shower. He ranted to his mother about his extra classes and she shared his optimism about them.

"You'll do a wonderful job. All the people there sound so nice. This is how you'll make a lot of friends!"

Her confident words filled Seonghwa's nervous heart with assurance. All week, he looked forward to his next day. Since the stables weren't too far, he would just walk home by himself afterwards while his mum prepared their meal. Seonghwa would return home in time for a nice dinner.

The next time when the group walked to class, they collected Yeosang as well. Mingi had an appointment at the dentist today, as Yeosang told them with a pout. He would pick up Yeosang later, though. Their walk was spent teasing Yeosang about Mingi and watching him blush in various lovely shades of pink.

Their day went on as usual. Seonghwa tried hard not to hurt Peanut, and Lola commented on his efforts. Once they were done and Seonghwa's heart still raced from having sat backwards on a horse for the first time, he said bye to his friends. When met with his determination to improve, they wished him fun and luck in his extra class.

San promised he would make sure Wooyoung didn't claw on the net spanning the football court like a rabid dog. Yeosang said his goodbyes as cutely as ever and wished Seonghwa an enjoyable weekend. They took off together while Seonghwa stayed behind.

Once Lola, he, and Peanut stood alone in the corridor, Lola pointed him to the left.

"If you walk further down the corridor, you will find another training room. Go there."

"Thank you again," Seonghwa said. Lola motioned him to go before she led Peanut off to take care of her in the hay-smelling stable area.

On quiet feet, Seonghwa walked down the cold corridor. The second door wasn't far from the first and he could spot the first doors leading to the offices further down to the left. For a moment, he stood at the door insecurely. Should he knock? No, knocking made no sense on such a heavy door and he would only catch splinters.

Thus, Seonghwa shoved the heavy door open with a huff. It opened even more difficult than the other one and he squeezed through as soon as he could to let it fall shut. His feet dragged in the sand when he caught as much of its weight as possible by hanging from the bolt. The noise of it slamming shut still sounded excessively loud in the arena, so Seonghwa turned with a wince to apologise to the only person in the room. He hoped he hadn't startled a horse.

He caught his words when he noticed the other man was still busy. And not only that. The person who had stayed behind after his training hours to give extra lessons for Seonghwa was none other than Hongjoong, the dressage rider with the frosty eyes.

Intimidated, Seonghwa snuck up the stairs to the stand to set down his bag. He didn't know whether he needed his gymnastics shoes for this class, but he had left them on. With his breath flat in his chest as if Hongjoong could be bothered if Seonghwa breathed too loud, Seonghwa watched the man.

Hongjoong moved in the saddle as if he was born in it. He just finished the last part of a complicated dressage routine and his body was poised and yet seemed to be one with his horse as well. Both of them had lowered their heads to concentrate on posture, and both man and horse kept a complicated grace that seemed effortless to them.

Hongjoong wore one of those cute little top hats instead of his riding helmet today. Its festive green ribbon matched his jacket.

Enraptured, Seonghwa watched the dance of the duo as they finished in the back left corner. He wanted to applaud, but he knew he shouldn't around horses. Instead, he watched in awe how Hongjoong bent over the neck of his mare and petted her.

"Well done. This was wonderful," he praised her. The tender smile on his lips looked so attractive that Seonghwa lost his words.

When Hongjoong raised his head and spotted Seonghwa on the stand, Seonghwa flinched back. Caught staring, he tried to play off his awkwardness. Idly, he sat on his hands while Hongjoong's smile disappeared,

Hongjoong sat up again and signalled his horse into a jog trot. All too soon, he had crossed the hall and stopped at the towering wooden wall that shielded the elevated stand from the field. He rode in like a commander on a battlefield.

"You're the rookie?"

As soon as Hongjoong swung his leg over the neck of his horse to slide down, Seonghwa scrambled from his seat. In a hurry, he joined Hongjoong in the sandy pit. From up close, Seonghwa noticed he was taller than the fancily dressed rider. His hunched shoulders took most of that height away from him again.

"Y-yes, thank you for having me. My name is Seonghwa." Seonghwa nodded his head politely. Hongjoong didn't seem to want to shake hands with him, and he still carried his down-turned riding crop in one fist.

"I'm Hongjoong," Hongjoong introduced himself as well. It wasn't new information, but Seonghwa pretended as if it were.

He wanted to pet Hongjoong's pretty horse, but he didn't dare to.

"Show me where the problem is. Get up."

As soon as Hongjoong stepped away from his horse, insecurity swamped Seonghwa like a wave. He was scared to do anything wrong in front of Hongjoong, but that was the exact purpose he was here for. The lack of expressions on the man's face and his curt speech made Seonghwa want to hide away. What if he insulted the man's precious horse?

The look of impatience on Hongjoong's face got Seonghwa moving. The horse stood still with Hongjoong holding her reins. Seonghwa less than gracefully climbed her and sunk into the dressage saddle that felt foreign under his body. The leather was still warm from Hongjoong's thighs. The realisation made Seonghwa gulp.

Hongjoong stepped back and crossed his arms to watch Seonghwa. With ginger fingers, Seonghwa picked up the reins and ran the horse at a moderate pace. He tried his absolute best to copy the movements he had seen on San, but his hips just wouldn't get the rhythm right. All too soon, Hongjoong's voice cut through the air again.

"Show me a trot."

Seonghwa bit his lip as he dug his heels into the horse's sides. This one was the worst. He usually got every step wrong and bounced in the saddle like an abandoned peppercorn in its shaker.

It took only a moment for Hongjoong to bark out the next command.

"Gallop."

This one was better than a trot, but only because Seonghwa made himself as small and streamlined as possible. His body swallowed most of the tremors that went through him.

Upon Hongjoong's nod, Seonghwa slowed the horse down to a halt. Seonghwa gulped when Hongjoong came near. Despite his hobby, his uniform was pristine, as if he had just bought it.

"First off, do you have a problem with body contact?"

"Uhh, no." It came out like a question since Seonghwa was unsure of the extent of body contact Hongjoong was going for, but the man took it. The next moment, the back of his hand knocked against Seonghwa's foot by his side rather brusquely.

"This foot, what is it doing currently?"

Seonghwa glanced at his foot, that aligned snug with the horse's ribcage. He saw nothing wrong with it.

"Uh."

Before Seonghwa had to act, Hongjoong freed his foot from the stirrup to let it dangle. He rounded his horse to do the same on the other side.

"Straighten your back."

Seonghwa did, instantly sitting upright from his cowering position. He usually sat stiff as a board, but today he was terrified of Hongjoong.

"Chin up."

Staring straight ahead, Seonghwa held his position. He nearly flinched when Hongjoong tapped his thigh with gloved fingers.

"You cling to the horse as if you weren't in a saddle. Use your seat. You won't fall off."

Seonghwa tried to unclench his thighs a bit and sat more comfortably. It was his childhood fear that the saddle could slip and he would dangle upside down from the stomach of the horse. Not that he ever heard of that happening in real life.

"Now, let's try this again. Even if you want to cling with your toes to the vaulting strap, you don't get to do that. The vaulting stirrups are only for poses and mounting. Don't dig your toes into the horse's ribs. Using the stirrups in this saddle is fine, but put only the balls of your feet in there." With a hand around Seonghwa's ankle, Hongjoong adjusted his position and pushed Seonghwa's heel down. Swallowing, Seonghwa stared up ahead. The man's gloved fingers wrapping around his leg incited his coiling stomach.

"You don't need to learn how to command a horse with your legs, but you need to know how to sit. What is this thigh doing?"

Seonghwa winced when Hongjoong tapped on his right thigh. It had never been very flexible, and Seonghwa couldn't even sit cross-legged because of it. The day that leg would relax was still a wishful dream in a far distance.

"It's not very affable," Seonghwa muttered. Hongjoong's face remained unimpressed.

"I can see that. But you do gymnastics. You should be able to work around it."

Hongjoong dropped the topic and stood back. His crop motioned at the area.

"Try again."

This time, Seonghwa kept his gaze straight ahead. He tried to feel the horse's steps through the saddle and move depending on that. It got better, in his opinion. Or at least it felt better.

When Hongjoong motioned him to a full stop, Seonghwa scaredly awaited his judgment.

"You can dismount."

Seonghwa did so at a snail's pace, so he wouldn't inconvenience Hongjoong's horse, that had impressive patience with Seonghwa's bad riding skills. After Hongjoong had taken the mare's reigns again and patted her neck proudly, he looked at Seonghwa again.

"Last unit for today. Get on your hands and knees."

Startled, Seonghwa remained rooted in the spot. No sign of a joke crossed Hongjoong's steely eyes.

Wasn't this going too far?

Before Hongjoong's lips could thin, Seonghwa stuttered out a hasty 'okay!'

The ground was soft underneath Seonghwa's knees and hands as he knelt down on it. The smell of horses was stronger down here.

"Crawl."

It was humiliating. Seonghwa hung his head when the redness took over his entire face. The worst was that Hongjoong wasn't even mocking him. To him, this was a lesson. Seonghwa was the one whose heart stuttered in his chest.

"As you crawl, you notice your shoulders shift, no? When one arm sets down, your shoulder pushes forward. When a leg sets down, your back draws together."

The tip of the riding crop touched Seonghwa's back. As if zapped by electricity, his arm suddenly lost its might in the elbow. Lightning fast, Seonghwa pushed himself up again before Hongjoong could nag him. Inwardly, he yelled at himself for reacting so weirdly. Hongjoong let it slide.

The press of the crop insisted on his shoulder blades. Whenever Seonghwa's shoulder moved, it went along with the movement.

"This is what your hips have to do. You don't clamp to keep your balance. Especially in vaulting, every part of your body has to know how your horse moves, and this is how. Your balance shifts with every step."

As soon as the crop pulled back, Seonghwa sat back on his heels. For a moment, he looked up at Hongjoong from this submissive position and waited for further orders.

Hongjoong tucked the crop under his arm.

"That's all."

Seonghwa dusted his hands and knees off as he stood. While he scrambled to get his bag and hurry after Hongjoong, the man had already wrenched the door open and led his horse outside. He waited as Seonghwa strained to shut the gate.

"Did you feel I could help you?"

"Yes, uh- I found the information I got so far very abstract so I'm glad you explained so well. I feel like I can work on it now."

The first smile directed at Seonghwa played around the man's lips. Instantly, he looked less cruel.

"Good to hear. Did I make you uncomfortable in any way? Be honest."

He was still so commanding even when in a friendlier setting. Yet, Seonghwa couldn't deny how it made his knees weak. He was good with commands. He liked the payoff of following them.

And Hongjoong did a damn good job at giving them.

Seonghwa swallowed around his heavy tongue before he replied.

"No."

"Good. Then I will see you again next week. I will have more direct teaching methods ready. Remember what Lola tells you during class so we can work on it," Hongjoong said. With a polite nod, he led his horse off.

Before he could disappear in the stables, Seonghwa called after him. The second his voice echoed through the corridor he winced. Hongjoong looked at him over his shoulder in nonchalance.

"Your horse, what's her name?"

Hongjoong glanced at his horse as if needing to ask her for consent first. His hand petted her head with an adoration that Seonghwa's body yearned to feel on himself. Maybe if he did well enough in his classes, Hongjoong's hands on him would become gentler, too?

"She's called Nightfoot."

Seonghwa beamed. What a gorgeous name.

"That's pretty. Goodbye Hongjoong and Nightfoot!"

Seonghwa beelined towards the exit door to get home. His stomach was a mess of feelings and only the smallest part of it was hunger.

Hongjoong's chuckle carried behind Seonghwa's back and stirred up his insides even further.

"Goodbye, Seonghwa."

-

"No way. Hongjoong of all people?"

Seonghwa nodded humbly. His hands played with his feet on the ant-visited picnic blanket they sat on. Some sunlight filtered through the tree behind them to dance over their snacks, depending on how the trees moved in the wind.

"I never expected him to accept private lessons. And for free! Not that he doesn't have all the knowledge in the horse world to share." Wooyoung popped a grape into his mouth. When Yeosang reached for the container, too, Wooyoung teasingly pulled it away. Only an elongated whine got Yeosang his grapes.

It was their first meeting outside of class, and all three of Seonghwa's new friends visited him to have a picnic in Seonghwa's garden. They relished in the last warm day of October and basked in the sunlight. San even wore a tank top. Seonghwa had lost count of the number of times that Wooyoung gawked at the man's muscles; it had grown ridiculous after a while.

"He must be such a scary teacher," Yeosang muttered as he handed the grapes over to San.

Seonghwa scratched the back of his head.

"I can't deny that; he's super intimidating. But I learned a lot and I'm glad he agreed to spend that time with me."

"Man I could never," Wooyoung huffed as he pushed himself up in a sitting position. "One glance from him and I'm a mouse in a corner."

Seonghwa shared that sentiment, but he liked when that happened. Hongjoong's effortless dominance thrilled him.

"You're always a mouse in a corner. You talk a lot, but as soon as someone talks back, you disappear," San reminded Wooyoung. Wooyoung threw a grape at him.

"Not true! It's just Hongjoong who's creepy!"

When Seonghwa's eyes met Yeosang's, they shared fond smiles and rolls of their eyes. In between them, Wooyoung and San quarrelled again.

Their fun picnic afternoon went uninterrupted for several hours. They played ball together in the back of Seonghwa's yard and helped his mum carry out the table for the terrace in case they needed a flat surface for anything. After the boys had carried up one chair each, they beamed at Seonghwa's mother until she handed them all ice cream.

Savouring their treats, the group then retreated to the grass to sit together.

It was close to dinnertime and Seonghwa just considered telling his guests that they should pack up soon and go home to be on time for food when a call from their left had Seonghwa look up. Jongho had appeared outside of the neighbouring house and leaned against the hip-tall fence dividing their properties. His tanned arms were on display through his rolled-up sleeves and loosely settled on the fence.

"Seonghwa! Having friends over?"

Seonghwa responded with a cheerful greeting. Next to him, Wooyoung had sat up straight as a stick as he eyed Jongho. In his surprise, he forgot about his nonchalant casualness.

"Join us; we still have snacks to share! And bring Yunho, too!" Seonghwa called back. He could feel San and Wooyoung slap his knees in unison. Mischief filled his eyes as he watched the two fidgeting fools. They had brought this upon themselves.

Jongho dipped back inside the open porch door to call for his brother. While Yunho was on his way down, Jongho already jumped over the fence attractively with one hand placed on the top to balance his body. He dusted his hands off as he came over.

Wooyoung gingerly scooted aside to make space between himself and Seonghwa. With a thankful grunt, Jongho dropped on the blanket.

"So many of them already! You sure are popular," Jongho grinned. His gummy smile had Wooyoung swoon at him from the side.

Yunho joined them, too, and his long legs easily carried him over the fence.

"It's all my looks; I'm just too gorgeous to pass up on," Seonghwa replied. His fingers framed his face as Jongho and Yunho giggled at him.

"Now, let me introduce you. Boys, these are Jongho and Yunho, my neighbours." He pointed at each of them, respectively. They exchanged delighted smiles with the others.

"These are San, Wooyoung, and Yeosang."

Yunho addressed Yeosang right away.

"You're Mingi's boyfriend, right? He's been chewing my ear off about you. I'm in his summer language class."

Yeosang's face lit up, and he clapped his hands.

"That Yunho! Yes, he mentioned you as well." Flattered, he grinned at the idea of Mingi talking about him.

"You may have seen those two on our way home last time. We all go to the same club." Seonghwa jabbed his finger at the troublemakers. They rubbed their necks awkwardly.

"Oh yeah, I've seen them around. Or rather, heard them every time they passed through." Jongho snickered while Wooyoung got red like a tomato. The poor man with the bi-coloured hair seemed unsure whether he needed distance from Jongho's body that smelled of a nice cologne or whether he wanted to scoot closer flirtatiously.

"We didn't mean to be a bother," Wooyoung winced. When Jongho laughed and threw an arm around his shoulders, the man froze up like the mouse in a corner he had claimed to be. Seonghwa watched bemusedly how his big mouth got reduced to a stuttering mess.

"You aren't; it's cute."

While Wooyoung blushed into lovely colours of red, Yunho dedicated his attention to Seonghwa again.

"Do you like it with the horses? If you ever want to try football, we can show you some tricks."

Seonghwa waved it off.

"For now, I'm happy with the horses, but I would love to come to watch you play sometime."

"You'll be the first we invite!"

As a signal of his gratitude, Seonghwa handed Yunho their cookies.

Their garden party drew out for a while longer until the other three had to get home. They said their goodbyes to Yunho and Jongho, who saw them off before they jumped back over the fence to their own homes. After a fun day with all of his friends, Seonghwa returned to his mother inside and they had a meal together. He looked forward to spending time with his companions again. With their help, getting accustomed to his new living space would be an effortless task.

-

The next Friday rolled around and Seonghwa's mind was filled with Hongjoong the moment he got ready to go out. He wondered how their lesson today would go and how Hongjoong would treat him. Would he still be frosty since they hadn't got much closer? Or would he be more understanding now that he knew Seonghwa was comfortable with him?

All the way to the school, Seonghwa thought about nothing else. His wish to impress the man by getting better also spooked around in the back of Seonghwa's head, but it didn't have priority.

Wooyoung's babbling by his side distracted Seonghwa a bit and reminded him of the first task of the day: showing Lola that the time he had spent with Hongjoong hadn't been a waste of his efforts. They would learn a few new poses today and Seonghwa was ready to use his balance training to put them to work.

After they had collected San and arrived at the stables, Seonghwa got ready to show off. This time, when he shifted onto the pad, he knew how to figure out Peanut's steps. The press of his legs was more refined rather than cramped, and while he was still far from San's elegance, he felt how much easier it was to lean where Peanut was stepping.

"Nice, looking good, Seonghwa! I see Hongjoong taught you well," Lola praised him. Proudly, Seonghwa did his bench and then his flag. Still wobbly, but he worked on it. At least he wouldn't look like an expressionist sculpture soon anymore.

He tried standing on Peanut today, too, but he didn't quite dare let go of the handles yet. Lola had him do a standing flag instead then and assured him he was fine when he jumped down on legs that felt like jelly.

While he rested on the ground, his friends rained compliments on him. Seonghwa basked in his newfound glory. In his excitement, he couldn't wait to tell Hongjoong about it.

After class ended, Seonghwa was about ready to jump up and join Hongjoong and Nightfoot in the other arena when Lola held him up. Impatient, he waved his friends goodbye while he joined his teacher in bringing back Peanut to her bay.

"I wanted to ask you about your class in private. How was Hongjoong? Hopefully not too strict?"

Seonghwa disguised his bashfulness behind a shake of his head.

"Not at all. He was strict, but I learned from him. I looked forward to meeting him again."

"That's good." Lola grinned at him before she handed him the heated pad to put up on Peanut's stable door.

"He said he would be back later today since he hacked out. Until then, I can help you saddle Alexis, though. Nightfoot will be tired from her trip and Joong said you needed a different horse for your training, anyway."

"Joong," Seonghwa muttered under his breath. He followed Lola into another horse bay. Alexis was a pretty leopard printed Appaloosa that ruled over Seonghwa's heart the moment he laid eyes on him. Alexis' legs were mostly black, and the dots spotting his white fur created fun patterns that Seonghwa wanted to explore one at a time.

"What a pretty horse," he gasped, fully in awe once more. Not that his opinion counted since, in his eyes, any horse was a pretty horse. But Lola chuckled in agreement still.

"He is. He is also trained in vaulting." She put the black girdle on Alexis and used the lunge line from Peanut earlier class to lead him out of his bay. Surprised, Seonghwa followed.

"No saddle? Or surcingle?"

Lola shook her head as she handed Seonghwa some treats and the line.

"Hongjoong said you needed to practise your seat. And since that works best bareback, you will get to try that today."

Intimidated, Seonghwa fed Alexis a snack.

"Please be kind to me," he whispered to the horse. Alexis' ears flicked as if he understood.

"He will be. Now go; I will catch Joong outside and take Nightfoot off his hands so you two can practise."

Hastily, Seonghwa hurried along with his new mission. Alexis trudged by his side without a hitch. When Seonghwa busily shoved the door open to lead his new companion into the hall, he found it still empty.

To warm himself up, Seonghwa did some stretching and warm-up exercises once more. He was in the middle of doing a flag on the ground and trying to figure out his best balance when the door opened again.

Hongjoong strode in with his high English boots and his helmet tucked under his arm. He chucked the item onto the stand where Seonghwa's bag lay.

Seonghwa watched him curiously as Hongjoong slipped out of his green jacket. The heat had formed a faint blush under Hongjoong's cheeks. When the man ran his hands through his sweaty hair, it stood away from his head.

"Excuse my tardiness," Hongjoong said after he had put his jacket down. His white shirt was tucked into his just as white pants but his activities had loosened it a bit and gave it a billowy look around his rather narrow frame. The first two buttons were open.

Hongjoong still wore his gloves and picked up his riding crop again when he neared Seonghwa. During his staring, Seonghwa had missed the timing to reply to the other man, so he moved to stand instead. A click of Hongjoong's tongue had him freeze.

"Get into position again."

This time, Seonghwa didn't waver to follow his orders. His arm and leg stretched out again, balancing in the air.

Somehow, the flag was more difficult to do on the ground than on a horse. Maybe Seonghwa was naturally shaky.

"Higher."

The thin leather of the crop guided Seonghwa's thigh as he lifted his leg higher up. Only a few precarious wobbles kept him from face-planting into the ground.

"Look up."

Seonghwa had been staring at his chest and the sand intently, but now he lifted his head to peer right ahead. With a huff, he flicked his dark locks back.

Hongjoong rounded him. He walked like a dancer, with every step placed thoughtfully, as if he had trained himself to dressage as well. With how he had lectured Seonghwa to be a horse last week, that method might be successful.

Hongjoong stopped in front of him and grabbed the tip of his crop with his free hand to hold it horizontally in front of his body. Upon his nod, Seonghwa exhaled and sat back on his heels.

"We'll do double riding today so I can test your movements. If you need breaks, tell me."

Seonghwa had only ever ridden by himself. The idea of another person with him on the horse sounded cramped, and bad for the horse. Although he knew that doing it sparingly was fine and that Hongjoong's call for no saddle was a good one.

"You go up first." Hongjoong stepped away so Seonghwa could mount Alexis without trouble.

But without the stirrups, Seonghwa saw absolutely no way to get on a horse without hurting the poor animal. He wasn't experienced enough for that.

Hongjoong caught his wide eyes. No more but a hum came from his lips as he stepped back in. He tucked Alexis' line under his arm and knelt on the ground with one leg. Seonghwa winced when his pristine pants got dirty with the soft, dark sand.

Hongjoong patted his thigh, that was propped up like that of a knight. The order in his eyes was wordless.

Seonghwa bit his lip as he placed a foot on the man's firm leg. He swung his other leg over and exhaled as soon as he sat on Alexis. Without something to hold on to, he dreaded falling at any second. If Alexis suddenly startled, he would land in the sand for sure.

After Hongjoong had dusted his pants off as well as possible, he handed Seonghwa the line. Nervously, he held Alexis still while Hongjoong climbed on behind him. He used Seonghwa's waist to get up.

"If a horse ever goes rampant under you, it's your better bet to get shaken off. If you stay in the saddle without experience, chances are the horse will do worse to get you down," Hongjoong said, as if he could read Seonghwa's mind. His smaller frame pressed up against Seonghwa's back as he wrapped his arms around Seonghwa's waist. Gulping, Seonghwa listened to his voice so close to his ear. Hongjoong had a very steady speech pattern.

"Now. We need just a casual walk for this. Don't even mind me and show me how you move without a saddle."

Blindly, Seonghwa followed his command. Alexis readily trudged away at the press of Seonghwa's legs.

Seonghwa concentrated on his movements, tried to follow the press of Alexis' body under him that he felt so clearly under his thighs. With Hongjoong crowded so close to him and with his arms wrapped around Seonghwa's waist, his mind struggled to keep up, but he ignored it. Hongjoong just imprinted and copied Seonghwa's movements to figure out what Seonghwa did wrong.

They circled around the first half of the arena for a bit before Hongjoong leaned back. As soon as his warmth disappeared from Seonghwa's back, he released a breath he hadn't noticed himself holding. He was warm even in just his T-shirt and leggings.

"Okay, got it. Swing down and come back up behind me."

Seonghwa rose his leg over Alexis' neck and slipped down. He looked nowhere as graceful and feet-pointed as San and Wooyoung, but Hongjoong wasn't here to mind. His ignorance soothed Seonghwa's overthinking brain.

Seonghwa climbed back up behind Hongjoong with a struggle. The man reached out to help him pull himself up when Alexis sidled about from the shift of weight.

As soon as Seonghwa sat behind Hongjoong, he didn't know where to put his hands. A sudden grab for Hongjoong's hips felt inappropriate. Awkwardly, they hovered mid-air.

Hongjoong turned when Seonghwa took a while to respond. His hands pulled Seonghwa's arms around his body until they wrapped snug around his lean frame. Hongjoong was even tinier than Seonghwa had thought. His taller body dwarfed the man. For a moment, Seonghwa's brain short-circuited at the idea that such a short man held such power.

"Scoot all the way in. Not a sheet of paper should fit in between you and me."

Tentative, Seonghwa aligned their bodies. From his thighs all the way up to his chest, he adjusted with Hongjoong. The other man was heated in his arms, and his short hair tickled Seonghwa's nose. He smelled of the sun.

"Now stay like this, as if someone glued us together. When my torso moves back, your torso moves back. When my hips go forward, yours do the same. Got it?"

"Got it," Seonghwa said. The verbal affirmation felt good to him, and it pleased Hongjoong as well. With a faint rise of the corners of his lips, he beckoned Alexis to walk again.

Hongjoong moved differently than Seonghwa did. The change was subtle, but it made for a lot of differences.

Whenever Alexis stepped down, Hongjoong's hips followed the movement and rolled off into his upper body. As the weight of the horse shifted on the other side, the roll came back down over his spine to push into the next step.

The pattern perfectly matched Alexis' steps, and it applied to any horse. The speed depended on the incentive his horse gave him, and if he didn't see the leg extending, then the shift of Alexis' shoulder blades alerted him. As if two cogwheels had a rope running through him, he found the rhythm.

All a matter of timing.

Seonghwa was baffled as he clung to Hongjoong. His crotch pressed into the other man's butt in a way that usually would have his mind wander, but he was too busy being astonished to care much. So this was what riding was supposed to be like.

"You got it. Now extend your arms and do the standard pose for vaulting."

Seonghwa did. In the first moment, he wanted to snap right back and cling to Hongjoong when he remembered he had neither a saddle nor reins. But as he reminded himself to relax his thighs and to follow the movement of Hongjoong's hips, he grew more courageous.

Hongjoong glanced over his shoulder and a grin tugged on his lips. This one was genuine and pride filled Seonghwa's chest when he saw a flash of teeth.

"Good job."

Hongjoong slipped from the saddle first. He slowed Alexis to a halt and patted his neck before he grinned up at Seonghwa. Beaming, Seonghwa joined him on the ground.

"Thank you so much. I never got the hang of that. Now I know how to shift my weight when I'm doing the flag." In his excitement, Seonghwa rambled faster than necessary, but Hongjoong took it in a stride. His smile was infectious.

"Nothing to thank me for; I promised to help. You just need to figure out that stiff thigh. Do some yoga at home or stretch every morning. It can help wonders."

When Hongjoong went to pick up his jacket and helmet, introducing the end of their time together, Seonghwa followed his lead. He picked up his bag before he held the door open for Hongjoong to lead Alexis out.

Hongjoong's heels matched the sound of hooves once more. Charmed, Seonghwa followed him on his soundless sneakers.

"Is that how you became such an excellent rider?"

Hongjoong chuckled.

"No, I've just been doing this forever. You could say I was brought up by horses. No wonder I feel so comfortable with them."

"Honestly, I can see it!"

Hongjoong glanced at Seonghwa and looked him up and down for a moment. Self-conscious, Seonghwa shied away from his prying gaze. His outfit and walk were nowhere as noble as Hongjoong's.

"Are you saying I look like a horse?"

Flabbergasted, Seonghwa waved his hands around in defence.

"No, no! Not at all! Oh God, I'm sorry if you picked it up like that! I meant to say that your familiarity with them shows how well you know them and uh-" When Seonghwa gasped for words, Hongjoong snickered at him.

"I'm just trolling you. I know you didn't mean to insult me."

A rock the size of a fist lifted from Seonghwa's heart. Relieved, he opened the stable door labelled 'Alexis' so Hongjoong could lead the horse in. While they took care of him together and fed him an apple as a reward, Seonghwa felt at ease with Hongjoong. They talked little, but Hongjoong was in a better mood around him now.

When they left the stable together, Seonghwa peered through the windows outside. It was late. With autumn dawning upon the lands, the sun set earlier every day. Since they had ended late today, it had disappeared behind the horizon already. Seonghwa would have to walk home in the dark. Maybe he could call Wooyoung to chat and keep himself busy on his way. Wooyoung's cheerful voice and his praise for Seonghwa's development would take Seonghwa's paranoia of the dark away.

Hongjoong glanced at the dark skies as well when they stepped outside of the stable. They didn't have to lock up since some people still rustled in the office area. The jingle of keys had Seonghwa glance at Hongjoong.

"Will you walk home?" Hongjoong asked, the key spinning around his finger.

"Uhh, yeah. My mum is making dinner or eating already; I don't want to force her to get ready so abruptly."

Hongjoong nodded. His eyes stared at the path Seonghwa would take towards the city. It followed along the main road, but from time to time patches of trees took away the direct line of sight to the cars. There were also no street lamps since they were out of town. A pretty road in the day, but eerie as soon as it got dark.

If Seonghwa hurried, he could still use the twilight.

"Want me to give you a ride?"

Surprised, Seonghwa looked at Hongjoong again. Their eyes parted from the path to meet once more.

Hongjoong had such delicate features. So pointy and pretty.

The offer had Seonghwa's heart flutter. It was so simple and yet lifted a tremendous burden from Seonghwa's shoulders to make his way home alone and at night. He had feared getting lost as well, since the paths would look different in the dark.

"I don't want to impose... Only if you want to," Seonghwa squeaked. He tried to brush it off as a casual thing and not as if Hongjoong had saved him of an hour of nervous glances over his shoulder.

"I asked what you want." Hongjoong's teeth flashed once more in the darkening night.

Seonghwa didn't know why having an option made him so timid. He felt powerful. Powerful when Hongjoong was clearly the ruling force.

He was glad his opinion mattered.

"Then yes, I would like you to take me home," Seonghwa mumbled. Making demands was a foreign concept to him, but he didn't worry since Hongjoong had asked him to.

When Hongjoong nodded, Seonghwa's heart did a happy skip. Another trial he had mastered with success.

Instead of to one of the few cars that seemed to dot the parking area day and night, Hongjoong pivoted sharp right. Seonghwa's mouth dropped open in astonishment when Hongjoong kicked down the stand of the black motorcycle and pulled it off the wall.

"That's yours?" Seonghwa asked as if he had to ensure Hongjoong wasn't actually stealing it with the keys right in his hands. As a reply, Hongjoong just swung his leg over the black leather seat. His fingers freed the helmet from the handlebar and handed it over to Seonghwa. It was black and way too badass for Seonghwa to wear. Still, he squeezed it on and closed it carefully.

"It is. Want to hear the lame line of horses being not the only thing that I ride? It's one of the stable crew classics."

Snickering, Seonghwa sat down behind him. Hongjoong made up for the lack of a helmet by putting on his riding helmet again. When Seonghwa screeched something about illegal activities, Hongjoong waved it off.

"We just won't get near the police, then."

Seonghwa shook his head at him but told him his address when Hongjoong asked. While Hongjoong got ready, they wordlessly adjusted their seating positions. In a reminder of earlier, Seonghwa's hands found Hongjoong's waist. He held on tight when Hongjoong kick-started his bike and pulled out of the curb.

Seonghwa had never sat on a motorcycle before but cruising through the nightly streets with Hongjoong that were mostly deserted of cars, he found it to be fun. The many lights of the houses made for picturesque scenery and, despite the icy wind creeping into his jacket, Hongjoong's body kept Seonghwa warm. They didn't go too fast, the cars not quite blurring next to them. Yet Seonghwa found it to be one of the most exciting things he ever did.

Their ride ended all too soon when Hongjoong pulled into Seonghwa's street ten minutes later. The noise of his bike in the tranquil street died down when he halted in front of the garage.

"Pretty," Hongjoong commented as he glanced up at the facade. The light in the living room was on, but the house perched high enough on the hill that Seonghwa couldn't tell what his mother was doing.

When Seonghwa tried to step from the bike and pull off the helmet, he lost his balance. For a moment, he wobbled dangerously. His legs were weaker from their ride than he had expected.

Hongjoong's hand shot out to grasp Seonghwa's arm. The leather gloves he wore now were different ones than the ones he used for riding. Seonghwa hadn't even noticed him changing.

Once Seonghwa regained his footing, he handed the helmet over sheepishly. Hongjoong took his own off to hang it on the handlebar for the time being.

"It's easier to ride than a horse," Seonghwa supplied. His lame line got a chuckle out of Hongjoong.

"I agree. See you next week, Seonghwa and have a good night."

Seonghwa gave a shy wave.

"Thank you for driving me home."

Another one of Hongjoong's subtle grins flashed before the helmet hid his face away. He waited until Seonghwa had jumped up the stairs and unlocked the door before the machine started again. When Seonghwa waved goodbye once more, Hongjoong flicked the headlight at him as a response. Then he deftly pulled his bike around to take off. The roar was loud in the night as he disappeared down the street.

Seonghwa watched Hongjoong take a left turn and disappear out of sight. Only then he stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

For a moment, he just stood in the dark corridor. His heart beat in his chest as if it tried to race Alexis, and his hands were clammy.

He hadn't noticed his foolish grin until it hurt his facial muscles. Only then he wiped it off and went inside to fool his mother about the butterflies raging in his stomach.

-

"Hwa, can you hand me that potholder?"

Seonghwa looked up from his phone to lunge for the item in question. His mother stood at the stove and was about to take the fresh cake they had baked out of the oven. Seonghwa would get to take half of it to share with his friends and the other half was for them to eat at home.

Once he had handed her the potholder and she safely retrieved the baking form, he looked back at the screen in front of him.

This morning, he had received a message from an unknown number. It was simple and straight to the point, but it had Seonghwa mulling it around all day now.

This is Hongjoong; Lola gave me your number.
Can you make time on Saturday to meet? I have an appointment on our usual date.

While Seonghwa understood the words and found them easy to reply to, Seonghwa couldn't help his wandering mind. Why did Hongjoong not just call their meeting off? Their extra hour wasn't anything Seonghwa paid for or had demanded himself. If Hongjoong had no time, he had no time.

Also, the stable was usually closed on weekends, safe for the people who owned horses there. If Seonghwa agreed, they might be all alone down at the stable and he had no Wooyoung to distract him on his way there.

Seonghwa's anxiety paired with shyness around Hongjoong, convoluted in his stomach like a malicious worm. He didn't like the cramps, even when he knew excitement mixed into it as well. The idea of them doing something in secret with Hongjoong and being alone with nobody around added a certain scandalousness to their meeting. Not that they ever got bothered before.

But now that Hongjoong had also driven him home after last time and Seonghwa had entered a feeble first crush phase concerning Hongjoong, he liked to believe that Hongjoong made the extra effort for him. If Seonghwa were any more confident, he would even fathom whether Hongjoong just made that appointment up to be alone with Seonghwa on his terms, but that sounded less realistic.

Seonghwa didn't notice he had been gnawing on his fingernail until his mother set down the cake in front of him. Surprised, he looked up and tucked away his hand.

"What has you so distracted? You've been staring at your phone a lot today."

Seonghwa blushed, but he tried to hide it. His mother always read him like an open book and he didn't need her to know about his infatuation with his snappy teacher, who carried a riding crop around that had Seonghwa's stomach lurch in ways he hadn't thought possible. Busily, he helped her cut the cake so they could enjoy a few pieces while it was still warm. The chocolate icing on the marble cake added Seonghwa's favourite part. His mum had even sprinkled some green pistachio crumbs over it.

"It's just Hongjoong."

"The boy who brought you home the other night?" Seonghwa's mother put a plate and a fork down in front of him. With a smile tugging on his lips, Seonghwa distributed the cake he had cut between them.

"Yes. He asked to reschedule our meeting for Saturday."

His mother hummed and tried the cake. Seonghwa also did, and he found it delicious as always, especially when warm. When he complimented his mother for it, she smiled at him.

"Saturday is fine, no? You have no other plans. You could bring him some cake, too."

Seonghwa doubted Hongjoong was interested in a cake from him. Would he still eat it when asked? Maybe he would refuse because a stable wasn't the best place to dine at.

"Yeah, I might agree... If it's early enough, he also doesn't have to bring me home."

"He knows your other friends, doesn't he? Maybe it would be nice if he joined your next picnic together. Jongho's and Yunho's mother went on and on about how the two boys plan a few sports games next time."

Seonghwa tried to imagine it but failed. He couldn't see Hongjoong in his pristine and orderly riding uniform sitting with them to talk about nonsense. If he were there, he would probably sit with his legs tucked in graciously and his little finger spread off as he sipped his tea. With indignation marring his brow.

Seonghwa giggled to himself at the imagination. The combination of his other friends and Hongjoong would be super awkward.

"I think he would decline politely, but maybe I will ask him, yes. So Saturday is fine?"

"Sure. Tell me if it's late, and I should pick you up this time. Unless you want him to bring you home, of course," his mother said with a knowing smile. Seonghwa brushed all faults off and denied the wild accusations that smile threw at him. After he had calmed down, he texted Hongjoong back that they could meet on Saturday before he focused on his cake again.

Saturday rolled around sooner than Seonghwa had expected. It rained on Friday, so his trip back home from the stable with Wooyoung and San ended in them jumping from puddle to puddle. Their shoes were soaked by the time they came up to the football field and Wooyoung stretched his neck to spot Jongho.

The footballers knew no rest, either. On the slippery grass, they kicked their ball around and laughed whenever someone skidded on the wet grass to land on the ground. It looked like great fun.

The trio was about to hurry on when Jongho lifted his head where he perched on the bench, waiting to switch out a different team member. At their sight, he jogged over to the net spanning around the field so no balls would fly onto the street. He hooked his fingers through the holes as he called over to them.

"Wooyoung, Seonghwa! Come up here!"

Two umbrellas turned in Jongho's direction. San had forgotten his at home so he shared Seonghwa's.

Wooyoung skipped ahead first to climb the hill up to the field. He slithered around on the wet earth as well, but he made it up with mud-caked shoes to arrive at the net. Jongho grinned sunnily when they approached.

"Hey! Training ends early for us today, so we will be done in ten minutes. Shall we walk home together?"

Jongho's hair stuck to his head wetly and Seonghwa foresaw the complete team developing colds until tomorrow morning. When Jongho slicked his hair back with his hand, Wooyoung's eyes marvelled at the man's exposed face. The usual soft look Jongho donned looked rougher and manlier in the rain.

"Sure," San grinned when Wooyoung was too flabbergasted to reply.

"Okay, then wait for us at the building if you want; there are roofs there," Jongho grinned. He gestured towards the clubhouse before he jogged off. His team members welcomed him back with wolfish hoots about picking up people while training.

The trio idled around under the canopy of the clubhouse for five minutes until the wet football players passed through. Then, ten minutes longer as they showered and changed their clothes to come back out. When Yunho and Jongho joined them, Jongho instantly shuffled to Wooyoung's side to share his umbrella. Upon catching Seonghwa's gaze, the man smiled sheepishly.

"I forgot mine," he grinned. Seonghwa didn't point out that he was very sure that the patch of blue fabric peeking from Jongho's bag was a perfectly functional umbrella.

Yunho had brought his umbrella (or wasn't shy about using it.) With him and Seonghwa creating a roof, San walked between them to meander left and right on their way back. Wooyoung and Jongho trudged behind them and flirted with each other.

They didn't spring into any more puddles, and by the time everybody had broken up and got home, Seonghwa regretted doing it earlier. He put his wet socks and shoes on the heater to dry and took a warm bath to heat his cold feet back up.

While he was at it, he maybe used the extra nice smelling shampoo for the day after.

Seonghwa brought two pieces of cake in a green box with him when he walked to the stable alone on Saturday. The rain had let up, but the sun still hid behind a thick blanket of grey clouds. Wetness clung to the grass and darkened the concrete below his feet.

On his way there, Seonghwa thought about what their lesson today might look like. Hongjoong was very candid and more hands-on than other teachers. Seonghwa looked forward to his electrifying touches, even if he didn't want to crave them too badly.

When he arrived at the stable, the big main door was closed for once. Hongjoong's motorcycle, including the helmet, stood around the corner at the back door in all of its shining glory. Seonghwa wanted to run his finger over the smooth leather seat, but he didn't want to be weird.

With his hands safely tucked around the strap of his bag, Seonghwa entered the stable. The unlocked back door led out to the paddock outside and allowed entrance to the office area. Nobody was in and all rooms laid silent as Seonghwa snuck by. The eerie silence of the extensive building had him quicken his step. He would rather be near the horses and enjoy their soothing presence than here.

Before he went to look for Hongjoong back there, however, he peeked into their training hall. Hongjoong and Alexis were already there, and for once, Alexis wore a vaulting belt.

Seonghwa didn't know which of the two had his eyes widen more. The fact that Hongjoong was warming up with Alexis already and vaulting on him casually without a lunger, or that Hongjoong wasn't wearing his usual riding uniform. Gone were the white pants that hugged his thighs so nicely and the sophisticated boots. Instead, he wore skin-tight leather leggings, vaulting shoes, and a long-arm black shirt.

Seonghwa nearly tumbled on his way up the stairs as he watched Hongjoong. The man had a scary focus straight up ahead as he twisted his body in poses Seonghwa would never even dream of doing. With one hand on the handles and one foot planted on the lower back of the horse, Hongjoong stretched his other two limbs up into the air.

Alexis galloped underneath him as if all of that didn't even concern him. In big circles, he cruised through the empty hall.

In awe, Seonghwa sunk onto the bench next to Hongjoong's bag to change his shoes. He spotted the man's motorcycle helmet there, as well as the riding crop.

So he had brought it specifically for today, huh?

Seonghwa's heart leapt in his chest.

Hongjoong had noticed Seonghwa's miscalculate on the stairs and sunk back onto Alexis' back. Safely, he finished his round without even as much as glancing at the handles in front of him. They weren't for leading the horse, not for him. He used them only to aid his poses.

With his knees weak on behalf of Hongjoong, Seonghwa sat on the bench doing half-hearted warm-ups still by the time Hongjoong slipped from Alexis and approached Seonghwa. His amused eyes twinkled at the sight of Seonghwa's dumbfounded expression.

"What, cat got your tongue? Bring the crop when you come down."

Seonghwa stumbled to his feet and reached for the crop. Its light weight felt foreign in his hand as he joined Hongjoong downstairs. Hongjoong's fingers that didn't wear gloves for once brushed his when he took the crop from Seonghwa.

"Good. I brought Alexis so you can show me which poses you can do so far, so we can improve them." Hongjoong picked up the lunge line and positioned himself in the middle of the hall. Alexis followed the clicks of his tongue in a gentle trot.

Seonghwa approached the two of them only hesitantly. Now, once more, it was the time for him to show how much he had learnt. He wanted to please Hongjoong, wanted to see him smile at Seonghwa.

Seonghwa jumped up on Alexis without difficulties. Alexis and Peanut had about the same size and built, so Seonghwa got comfortable quickly.

As soon as he pulled his knees up to do his bench, however, he was met by insecurity. He tried hard to apply what Hongjoong had taught him, but he couldn't concentrate. Quickly, he resorted to his wobbly stand, since that one felt less punitive on Alexis' back.

"Now the other paces. Trot." Hongjoong held the riding crop with the tip pointed to the ground as he slowly turned with Alexis' speed.

Seonghwa still struggled with the trot. He didn't dare raise his arms to the standard position. After a moment of him holding on for dear life, Hongjoong called for a gallop.

The lack of reaction on the man's face made it impossible to tell how bad Seonghwa did. Hongjoong would give nothing away until the end of their session, and that always stressed Seonghwa out.

In a gallop, Seonghwa could lift his arms and rode Alexis' movements better. He even wanted to try a bench to get some points back, but his sweaty palm slipped on the handle while he rose his leg and spooked him so badly that he left it.

Hongjoong let Alexis slow down while Seonghwa exhaled. His heart raced in fear of Hongjoong's judgment. He had done worse than in class and embarrassed himself in front of the man.

"Let's take this to the ground for a moment."

Alexis halted on Hongjoong's commando. Seonghwa slipped off his back and Hongjoong tied the horse to a corner before he approached Seonghwa again.

Seonghwa's eyes flinched between the crop held horizontally in front of Hongjoong's slender body and the man's bottomless eyes.

"On your hands and knees."

The tip of the crop pointed at the ground authoritatively. Abruptly, Seonghwa fell to his knees and didn't mind the dirt staining his freshly washed pants.

He shivered when the tip of the crop traced down his back. The touch lost itself at his flank, but it left a tingling sensation.

"Don't startle."

Seonghwa didn't even know what he was supposed not to startle about. He hung his head in defeat until he felt a weight on his back. Surprised, he looked up.

Hongjoong sat on Seonghwa's back and his thighs framed the man's ribcage with a delicious pressure. He wasn't heavy. Not so light that Seonghwa would want to carry him around like this for a day, but for now, it worked.

Hongjoong's hand settled on Seonghwa's shoulder as if on a handle on the surcingle.

"Let me try to demonstrate to you what you just did. All within your body's boundaries, of course, don't worry."

It took Seonghwa a press of Hongjoong thighs to his flanks to move automatically. The thought caught up only a moment afterwards with his speechless brain.

Hongjoong used Seonghwa like a horse.

And Seonghwa crawled around with him on his back willingly. Gods, Alexis probably died laughing on the inside about now.

Seonghwa hung his head with a furious blush of shame. He liked this, liked having Hongjoong throning on him. And yet it was so humiliating.

"This is what your knees do."

Hongjoong balanced on one side to raise one leg to Seonghwa's back. The sharp dig into his ribs had him yelp. One arm gave out, but Hongjoong caught them with one foot planted on the ground. He retreated his leg and let Seonghwa return to his pace.

"Where would you recommend I put that weight you don't want to poke into your back?"

"On- On your hands?"

"Correct." Hongjoong leaned forward to stem his hands on Seonghwa's shoulders. This time, his knee weighed much gentler on Seonghwa.

"A man's main body weight is on his shoulders. As a woman, you would have more natural balance in your hips. But if you do it as you do, gravity drags your entire weight to your knees. Like this, you balance up front."

Hongjoong sat back, satisfied.

"And now to your seat. You're still making the same mistakes. Halt for a moment."

Seonghwa did, ever so obedient. The tip of the crop tapped on his left arm.

"Move this one to the front."

With one arm outstretched, Seonghwa hovered in the air. His shoulder blade flattened under Hongjoong's thigh.

"You see how there is a space here now, right?" When Hongjoong's palm settled hotly on Seonghwa's shoulder, he jolted. He played it off with a nod.

Staring only at the ground and not seeing Hongjoong's face in this scenario both saved Seonghwa and made this even worse.

"Naturally, you wouldn't want me to do this, right?" Hongjoong closed his legs some more to push his hips further back. The pressure on Seonghwa's lower back increased and had him shift uncomfortably.

"No."

"Good."

The crop tapped his other arm, and Seonghwa slowly crawled again. Hongjoong bent his body with every movement of his shoulders and each time, his weight got easier to push up against when he met the movement of Seonghwa's shoulder.

After a few tiny circles through the hall, Hongjoong halted him again. When he stood from Seonghwa's back, Seonghwa ached a bit, but no bone had received harsh punishments.

Hongjoong got Alexis again while Seonghwa rolled his shoulders. He didn't even notice how his eyes stuck to the sway of Hongjoong's hips as he walked. He just wondered about how they were so sensitive to movements was all.

A moment later, they were back to their circles. Seonghwa tried again. He gave it all of his focus to do what Hongjoong had told him and this time; he did better. Hongjoong nodded along in achievement when Seonghwa's bench got cushioned by the surcingle and the blanket instead of his knees. It was more natural for Seonghwa, too.

After that, Hongjoong just gave him another few pointers about how to relax his right thigh before he called it a day. For the first time, Seonghwa was exhausted when the lesson ended. His new infatuation had him distracted with Hongjoong far more than he would like to admit. His usual concentration got diverted.

Still, he helped Hongjoong bring back Alexis and small-talked about horses and vaulting with him.

On their way back out, Hongjoong dug his keys out of his bag. After they left the stable and he had locked up, Seonghwa at once remembered the cake he had brought. The grumble of his stomach begged him to take a bite.

"Ah, Hongjoong-" Seonghwa stretched out his hand but didn't dare catch the man's sleeve in his fingers. Hongjoong turned where he had just been on his way to his bike. Wordlessly, his eyes waited for Seonghwa to talk.

"I brought cake. Chocolate cake. If you'd like, I want to share a piece with you."

Hongjoong pondered for a moment. His eyes studied Seonghwa's pleading expression and the meticulous approach. Then he pulled a pack of wet wipes from his bag and sat down on the thick step leading down to the ground. He cleaned his fingers of horse remnants while Seonghwa excitedly dropped next to him and pulled out the cake. When Hongjoong offered him a wipe, too, Seonghwa accepted it with a murmur of thanks.

The cake looked less beautiful than he remembered and the two pieces were squished together when Seonghwa opened the box. With an awkward giggle, he offered the box to Hongjoong first.

"Ah, sorry. It tastes better than it looks, I promise. Take the prettier piece."

Since it had rained and the usual friends' picnic in Seonghwa's backyard had drowned in a puddle, Hongjoong was the first person to whom Seonghwa dedicated the cake. His heart galloped in his throat.

Hongjoong didn't mind the visuals of the cake as he picked his piece. His first bite was careful, and Seonghwa studied his reaction instead of eating as well.

Ever so orderly, Hongjoong caught the crumbs in his hand and dusted them to the ground before they could hit his clothing.

When Hongjoong looked up and noticed Seonghwa's eyes on him, he smiled and gave a thumbs-up.

Seonghwa sunk into himself with happiness before he ate. In silence, they looked out over the paddock and finished their cake.

After a while of peaceful pausing, Hongjoong stood first. He got a leather jacket out of his bag and swung it over his shoulders. He looked cool like this. All dark and not like a formal dressage rider at all.

When Seonghwa also slipped on his jacket, Hongjoong stepped over to his bike. His hands fiddled with his helmet.

"Thank you for the cake. I liked it very much," Hongjoong said. Seonghwa scratched the back of his nape.

"It's the least I could do for you making time today. I'm content you didn't call our meeting off."

Hongjoong's grin pronounced his pointy features further. Only now, Seonghwa noticed there were two helmets. The one Hongjoong had brought in with his bag and the one that had rested on the handlebar all this time.

His gaze didn't go unnoticed. While Hongjoong snapped his gloves on his fingers, his elbow beckoned at the two.

"I brought two this time. If you prefer to walk, you can also walk, but the offer still stands."

Seonghwa's stomach swooped. The grin on Hongjoong's lips looked cautious, as if he tried to play it off.

After he had put his box back into his bag and zipped it up, Seonghwa grinned at Hongjoong.

"I would be happy to take it."

Wordlessly, Hongjoong handed Seonghwa the black helmet and wore the other one himself. In a repetition of last week, Seonghwa slipped on the seat behind him. Their bodies squeezed close together seemed so familiar now. As if the time they spent near each other had moulded their shapes to fit into each other.

Seonghwa held on to Hongjoong tight when the motorcycle roared to life underneath their bodies. The landscape blurred as they raced past it much faster this time, since Hongjoong wore the appropriate headgear.

No fear overcame Seonghwa. His legs were still weak when he sprung off to say bye to Hongjoong, but he trusted Hongjoong with everything his body controlled.

This time, Seonghwa couldn't dodge the smug grin of his mother when he got in. He heard the noise of the bike outside when Hongjoong took off and, as soon as it was gone, Seonghwa couldn't wait to see the owner again.

-

Whisperwind Range had a Halloween program.

Seonghwa was surprised to find out about it the next time Wooyoung, San, and he walked to their vaulting lesson together and found the stable surrounded by fresh pumpkins. At the sight of a girl whom Seonghwa hadn't met yet hanging up big paper spiders and bats on the walls and doors for the extra spooky factor, Wooyoung's eyes went wide with glee.

"It's Halloween time! Finally! My favourite time of the year!"

Curiously, Seonghwa studied the new appearance of the stable. He couldn't help but notice Hongjoong's motorcycle in its regular spot near the wall.

"What is Halloween like in the stable?"

"We have a fun program for kids! We dress up the horses in spooky gear and then the kids can buy drinks and candy while they ride a few rounds. It fills our budget every year, and it's so much fun! We get to eat all the leftover candy and the kids in their little costumes are the cutest."

San chuckled at Wooyoung's gushing. Then he turned his head in Seonghwa's direction again.

"If you volunteer to help, you can make some pocket money. Woo and I do it every year. It's the day before Halloween."

Seonghwa counted the days in his head. He would like to help since it sounded like a fun time, but he didn't know whether his mum needed him on that day.

"I'll see if I can make the time. I also want to see cute witches and werewolves on the ponies."

The rest of the way and throughout warming up was spent by Wooyoung and Seonghwa, gushing over adorable children and horses. San threw in a remark from time to time, but he busied himself with helping Yeosang stretch.

When Lola picked up on everyone's excitement while Seonghwa did his poses on Peanut's back, she addressed the matter. Smooth, Seonghwa paid attention not to hurt Peanut. His skill got so much better compared to a few weeks ago.

"Are you boys convincing Seonghwa to help us for the Halloween day?"

Wooyoung nodded cheerfully.

"Yep! How many people do you need this year?"

"There are never too many people. You two are welcome to do the same job as every year." Lola nodded at Wooyoung and San without ever neglecting her task at the lunger line. "Will you join us this year, Yeosang?"

Yeosang shyly shook his head where his feet were planted against Wooyoung's while they stretched over each other's legs.

"I made plans with Mingi."

Wooyoung and San fell into the regular game of teasing the sweetest blushes out of their friend.

After Seonghwa had finished up his stance that had got considerably less shaky since last week, he slipped from Peanut's back. As he jogged back to his friends, Lola called out to him once more.

"What about you, Seonghwa?"

"I would like to help when I find time," he agreed.

"You can ask Hongjoong about it later; he is the one who plans the people in. If you can't make the time after all, just text him early on so we know. Or you could help with preparation tasks."

Preparation tasks sounded good. Then Seonghwa could come as a visitor on the big day and not see it as work.

"I will," Seonghwa grinned back. His friends still looked mightily impressed with him for challenging the beast that Hongjoong was. No matter how often he assured them he was a kind person, they never believed him.

At the end of today's lesson, Lola complimented Seonghwa on having improved again. Glowing with the praise, he marched outside with his friends.

As usual, they parted in the corridor and Seonghwa meandered down the hallway to find Hongjoong. The other man hadn't texted about any reschedules this week. When Seonghwa peeked into the hall and found Hongjoong with Alexis already prepared, he had to smile. It seemed as if Hongjoong had come a bit earlier to finish his routine riding training, so there was no hitch between their hours.

"Hi," Seonghwa greeted him as he slipped in. Hongjoong sat on the wall dividing the stands from the arena and scrolled through his phone. Seonghwa's entry had him look up as he put it away. With a thud, it landed back in his bag while Seonghwa put his things down.

"Had a nice class?"

"Yeah, Lola complimented my progress again. It's all thanks to you," Seonghwa said. He tried to butter up Hongjoong with his lauds to soften him up. Hongjoong, however, just nodded and sprung down into the pit.

"Good. She's right about that, but there is still a lot to do. Are you still warmed up?"

Seonghwa shook out his hands and nodded. He was determined to challenge all the hurdles Hongjoong threw at him until he could get the man to agree with Seonghwa's skill. Not that he would ever be as good as Hongjoong, but Seonghwa wanted to prove his will to learn.

"Then go on."

Their lesson began and, once more, Seonghwa jumped on Alexis. In this class, he spent far more time on the horse than while he shared with three others. It helped him improve his feeling for the four-legged friends a lot.

Seonghwa showed Hongjoong all his poses again. He was nervous and unstable again since Hongjoong's eyes were so prying, but today, he was more confident overall. He had even practised his balance on his mother's water bed.

Hongjoong hummed in satisfaction when Seonghwa sat back down. The noise had Seonghwa grin.

"Do the flag again."

While Seonghwa sorted his limbs, he remembered what Lola said earlier about the Halloween program.

"Hongjoong, I have a question." Seonghwa stretched out and balanced through Alexis' steps. His leg wobbled, but he held it stiff for as long as possible.

"Lola told me to ask you when I want to help with the Halloween preparations. Is there anything you'd need me for? Specifically, pre-preparation wise?"

Hongjoong hummed. When Seonghwa sat back down, Alexis quickened his pace to a trot, so Seonghwa got to figure that out, too.

"You could help me put up the smaller fence for the pony riding, yeah. I'm not here on the big day since I have no time, but we could do that this weekend."

The idea of spending more time with Hongjoong outside of the distance of a lunge line sounded like heaven to Seonghwa. Shyly, he nodded.

"That sounds good, yeah."

"Then I will plan you in. Come here tomorrow noon around one and we will figure it out. Alexis halt."

Alexis slowed to a stop while Seonghwa loosened his clammy hands. He was about to sit back more adequately when the cut of Hongjoong's voice had him freeze.

"Hold up."

On Hongjoong's demand, Seonghwa held his position when the man neared. A moment later, the crop came up to lie on Seonghwa's thigh. The slap on his pants wasn't too hard, but it carried a little sting.

"What is this leg doing again?"

When Seonghwa glanced at his cramped leg, he cursed to himself. In their chat, he had neglected his seat again. The wrinkles on Hongjoong's forehead told Seonghwa how displeased he was with this development.

"Sorry. Let me try again."

Hongjoong nodded and tucked his crop into his fist so it pointed along his lower arm at the ground. Once he was back in his place, Alexis circled again.

Trotting was still hard for Seonghwa, but he tried. His hips moved with Alexis and his arms held up well at his sides, even when they nearly flinched back to cling to the handles. When Hongjoong released his torture, Seonghwa gladly slumped into the saddle.

This time, Hongjoong came over to walk alongside Alexis and Seonghwa when they set a slow pace again. His hand came up to place on Seonghwa's lower back and adjusted his seating. The position strained at the juncture of his pelvis, but he stubbornly held it.

"Like this. When you trot, it's most important that you move as if your hips were disconnected from the rest of your body."

Seonghwa listened with one ear, but the rest of him was distracted. Hongjoong's hand on his back was small, considering his height. Yet, it offered comfort that made Seonghwa's mind spacey.

He wanted Hongjoong to touch him more often, wanted him to put his hands on Seonghwa ever so casually.

Seonghwa wanted to touch him back, too, but he would never dare to. Even if the blond head of short hair by his side basically begged Seonghwa to run his fingers through it.

Alexis stopped before Seonghwa even registered the movement. He was still busy trying to figure out why Hongjoong suddenly whipped around to him with his eyebrows drawn together in rage over his delicate features.

"The thigh, Seonghwa!"

Seonghwa yelped when the riding crop smacked down on his thigh, startling him out of his thoughts. The noise surprised both of them since Hongjoong had barely hit harder than his usual touches.

For a moment, both of them were frozen as they stared at each other with wide eyes. Hongjoong blinked first.

Before Hongjoong could apologise, Seonghwa looked down on himself to investigate the matter of sudden sensitivity. When he found it, his eyes went wide.

He just got hard.

The sting left by the crop had sat higher than before, and Seonghwa understood with mortification how it fuelled in his body's reaction to it.

Before he could stop it, Hongjoong's eyes flicked to his lap to inspect a possible injury as well. With a squeal, Seonghwa hid the accident away behind his hands. Through his leggings, both males got more of an eyeful than they wanted.

"Sorry!" Seonghwa squeaked, humiliated. His face glowed with redness and he sunk into himself in his need to hide away.

Awkwardly, Hongjoong glanced towards the open hall to re-establish privacy.

"You don't need to apologise. It can happen during sports."

The sentence hung in the air between them. Neither of them voiced it, but Hongjoong could figure out all by himself that the crop he still held in his fist was responsible for this.

Seonghwa shimmed down from the saddle on the other side of Alexis. Pretending as if an ad for a beer at one of the wall panels incredibly interested him, Hongjoong held Alexis while Seonghwa dashed for his jacket.

"I, ah-, I'm sorry. Still. It won't happen again." Hastily, Seonghwa collected his things. It was still early to end their lesson, but he was too embarrassed to stick around. He pressed his jacket against his abdomen to hide everything, as if his life depended on it.

When Hongjoong picked up on his panic, his eyebrows drew together.

"Sorry that I made you uncomfortable. I didn't pay enough attention."

Wrong, Seonghwa hadn't paid enough attention. And now his head buzzed with thoughts about a sexual awakening he had never wanted to experience.

On his way downstairs, he tripped. He nearly fell into the horse-smelling sand but caught himself last minute. When his eyes fleetingly brushed Hongjoong, he found the man stepping back respectfully where he had reached out in case Seonghwa collapsed.

He looked sorry, but the worry about Seonghwa's impulsive behaviour showed in his eyes.

"Seonghwa-"

"Just a sports accident, don't mind me! Have a nice day and see you next time!"

Seonghwa fled before Hongjoong got to say anything else. A thick awkwardness pregnant with implications stayed behind in the air with Hongjoong as Seonghwa ran off.

He knew it was selfish to leave Hongjoong to take care of Alexis alone, since he had also readied the horse. But Seonghwa's mortified brain used that as an excuse for Hongjoong smacking his dick with his damn riding crop.

The memory made Seonghwa blush harder; ducking his head between his shoulders. He winced to himself as he hurried on his way back home. His raging erection died down gradually and with the loss of its fuzzy pleasure in his stomach, even more guilt crashed down on him. Hongjoong had to be disgusted. He tried hard to teach Seonghwa well and Seonghwa reacted so embarrassingly to a crop used on horses.

He didn't know if he could ever look Hongjoong in the face again. Every thought about the crop had him hit his head against an imaginary wall, hoping to destroy those images. The look of shock in Hongjoong's face replayed in his mind like a movie of Seonghwa's misery.

It was both his luck and misfortune that he passed by the stables right when the footballers got sent off, too. Since he was early, Yunho and Jongho picked him right up between the two of them to walk together. They distracted him masterfully, but at the same time, he was still shaken from his reaction to Hongjoong.

When he finally got home after many hours, Seonghwa took a long shower first. He cursed his own body for its lewd reactions in front of his crush.

Later in bed, Seonghwa sobbed a bit to himself since he couldn't bear the thought of what Hongjoong would think of him. Would he want to call their lessons off? Or maybe look down on Seonghwa with those frosty eyes of his? If they never talked again, Seonghwa would be heartbroken.

He had nobody to share his concerns with since he was too shocked still, so he just laid in his bed curled up around his own treacherous body. When his mother called him to eat, he came trudging only slowly and poked at his food more than he ate it.

His mother asked him once whether he was fine, and if he had caught a cold outside. He lied miserably, telling her about the upcoming Halloween event and his excitement about it.

Until late at night, he couldn't find any sleep because his mind was preoccupied with Hongjoong. He had checked before bed and the crop had left no marks on him, only accentuating further how ridiculous his reaction was.

Cursing his own body, Seonghwa soon fell into a fitful sleep that gave him a few hours of rest from worrying about how he should face his next riding lesson.

-

The next day, he awoke to a new message from Hongjoong. It was simple and straight to the point.

Can I still expect you today?

Seonghwa worried his lip with his teeth. He didn't want to ditch the man since he had promised so eagerly to help. If he didn't show, he would have to explain to Lola and his friends as well why he had helped no one out.

After a few drawn and stressful minutes, he typed his reply with a wince.

I'll be there.

As soon as Seonghwa had hit send, he threw the phone away from his body. For a few moments, he just laid there in ultimate suffering.

Could he face Hongjoong so soon? What should he say? Should he address the matter again to take some awkwardness off both of their shoulders? Or would talking about his accidental boner again fuel more into Hongjoong finding him weird?

Seonghwa had tried so hard to appeal to the man and to fulfil his every wish, only to fail in such an embarrassing way.

For another five minutes, he sat under his blanket like a child that hid after watching a scary movie. Then he slowly left his room to inform his mother that he would leave soon.

She was in the kitchen reading a book when he snuck in like a thief on the job. Once he sat down with a box of cookies opposite of her, she finished the page and marked it with her finger to dedicate her attention to him.

"Do you feel better today? You were pretty out of it yesterday."

As sweet and helpful as his mother was, Seonghwa couldn't possibly address the matter. On days like these, he wished his parents hadn't divorced so he could ask a fellow man about it. Not that his father wouldn't find it weird that Seonghwa reacted to a riding crop led by a male's hand, of all things.

"I'm fine... Just wanted to tell you I will meet Hongjoong at the stable in a few hours so we can decorate it together. I don't know how long it will take us, but I will text you if something comes up."

His mother smiled.

"Maybe seeing him gets your mood back up. You can move your picnic parties with your friends into the living room during winter as well. Don't mope by yourself. Jongho and Yunho are just two walls over."

Seonghwa was glad she understood so well.

"I will remember it, thanks."

He stole another cookie before he left the rest to her and went to get dressed. He didn't need his riding gear today, so he settled for normal jeans and a soft sweater. For practicability, he wore his jean jacket instead of his usual autumn coat, then he was ready to go. The clock still showed before twelve when he left purposefully early, so Hongjoong wouldn't have to wait for him and Seonghwa got to stall on the way there.

The football field was empty today as Seonghwa wandered past. The grey clouds carried a chilly breeze that froze Seonghwa's ears and made him wish he had brought a hat.

Seonghwa had never walked this route so slowly and yet he arrived all too fast. Even worse, since Hongjoong's bike was already here and parked in the empty area.

The backdoor was open and Hongjoong had begun carrying the planks needed for the small pony riding course from the storage area inside. Seonghwa followed the trail of open doors to find Hongjoong in a cluttered room behind the offices. When Seonghwa came in, he just wiped his face with the sleeve of his leather jacket.

He wore all black today, and the simple outfit made him look unfairly attractive.

"Oh, Seonghwa." Hongjoong stepped back when he turned and bumped into Seonghwa. The tight space barely left enough room to walk, and Seonghwa couldn't dodge anywhere that wasn't canvasses, wooden boards, boxes and cloth rolls.

"Here, these are for you. Grab yourself however many boards you can carry and pay attention to stray nails." Hongjoong pulled a pair of gloves from his back pocket and handed them to Seonghwa. While Seonghwa wordlessly pulled them over his fingers, Hongjoong marched off.

Seonghwa shut off his brain to focus on his dull task. Sometimes when they passed each other, Hongjoong would say something that Seonghwa would hum to. After a few rounds, Hongjoong gave it up. Too numbed to notice the irk on the other man's perfect brow, Seonghwa just lugged his boards.

Avoiding Hongjoong became more difficult when they sat down outside together to piece the boards together. They were painted black and orange to add to the Halloween vibes, and had a certain order they had to figure out first. As they sorted the boards around them like a witch circle, Hongjoong's pushes became more vehement.

"Do you plan to drop by on the day of the event?"

"Hmm, maybe. I figured I would rather be a guest than a worker on such a day." Seonghwa didn't look up from the screw he was attaching the boards together with. He could see the tip of Hongjoong's self-painted and odd boots from his peripherals, but he put every ounce of his willpower into resisting glancing over.

"Excellent decision. You get to order Wooyoung and San around."

Seonghwa set his boards aside and grabbed another. Slowly, the fence pieced together.

"What about you? You said you had no time." As much as Seonghwa tried to sound casual, his voice was off. His tone was too high-pitched not to sound artificial.

"I have classes that day, yeah."

"You're in the university already?" Seonghwa was just about to enter. His classes started in the upcoming summer.

"Yeah, I started early since I want to be a horse trainer on the side. I take some extra classes on management and economics for the day I inherit Whisperwind Range."

So Hongjoong was one or two years older than Seonghwa. That made sense, given his skill set. Seonghwa would have been even more depressed if they were the same age and he lacked in so many aspects that the other man excelled in.

"Horses are really your life..." Seonghwa said to himself. Hongjoong picked up on it still and nodded along. His hands busily patched his pieces to Seonghwa's.

"It's the easy way to go. I would be lost if I had to learn anything new and had no experience."

Seonghwa never had a hobby like that, and sometimes he regretted it. In being picky as he was, he had developed average skill at most in things he wanted to be passionate about. But he always got bored so quickly that he never dedicated his everything to it. Vaulting was the sole sport he had ever put that much thought into, despite being a late starter with some disadvantages. Hongjoong played a huge role in that.

They stood up to continue when their modest fence got into shape more. The door was the most difficult to attach, so they left that for the end while they erected the small range in the middle of the paddock.

"What about you? Are you planning to enrol soon?"

"In literature studies, yes. My mum told me to do arts since it's more down my lane but I will decide on a whim once I tried it."

So Hongjoong and he might go to the same university later. Hongjoong must be popular there. Seonghwa could imagine people swarming like bees towards him after finding out how good he was at horse riding. And he was cool and fashionable as well.

"Sounds good to me. You can take your time deciding as well."

Seonghwa just nodded at that.

They finished with the door after Hongjoong had to look up the manual on how to install it in a heavy folder inside the office of his mother. After that was done, they lumbered the heavy stand and the wooden pole outside that would carry the tent spanning over the riding area.

After hours of struggling and ridding themselves of their jackets and pulling them back on depending on how sweaty they were, they finally succeeded at their task. The afternoon had long since passed and Seonghwa's stomach grumbled when he pulled the bread he had packed and a bottle of water from his bag.

The tent was up and spanned over the paddock in its orange and black glory. Hongjoong just finished sticking some plastic spiders around the entrance.

After a job well done, both of them collapsed onto the stairs leading inside to take a break. No words passed between them as they marvelled at their work. Seonghwa wanted to try pony riding in there right away.

"Lola and another girl will set up the interior tomorrow. Thank you for your help. This always takes me forever when nobody volunteers."

Seonghwa didn't know how Hongjoong would drag the big pole outside of the arena by himself, but he was still too breathless to ask. He was most relieved that their day had been peaceful despite him messing up the day prior.

After eating, they sat there for a while longer to cool down. When the wind picked up again, Hongjoong called it a day. They ventured back inside to put their tools back and close up. Seonghwa trailed behind Hongjoong.

"By the way, about yesterday," Hongjoong began when he closed the heavy arena door. They had fastened it open with a rope on the heavy iron hook earlier so they could drag the pole out that was used for obstacle training usually. As soon as Hongjoong's words registered in Seonghwa's brain, a shiver crawled down his spine.

Anything but this.

"I'm sorry again. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. You must have felt terrible."

His apology had Seonghwa swallow around the lump in his throat. He still had no explanation. Nothing that justified his body's reaction.

"I... I also didn't expect that to happen. I guess I was startled."

Hongjoong peeked up at him curiously. He locked the offices he had opened with his bundle of jingling keys. There was a little horse keyring on it. Seonghwa found it looked like Nightfoot.

"Did I hurt you?"

"Hurt- No, no, I wasn't hurt. You never hurt me. I guess I just..." Seonghwa let the sentence hang in the air. He didn't know what it was himself. He only knew that Hongjoong with his riding crop in his gloved fingers and throning on things - whether they were horses, motorcycles, or even Seonghwa - did things to him he was embarrassed to admit.

"I didn't want to expose you. This doesn't have to change anything in our relationship, you know?"

Seonghwa bit his lip as he followed the man outside. They lingered in a corner of the stable as Hongjoong locked up and turned to look at Seonghwa. Uncertain, Seonghwa dodged his gaze. He just wanted to end this topic quickly and move on.

"I also don't want it to become a source of discomfort between us. Although I can assure you it wasn't you or your techniques that made it weird. That was all my body." Seonghwa sighed and rubbed his face with his sleeves. The exhaustion over the distress the situation had caused wore him out.

"So you liked it too much. You're attracted to being dominated?"

The way Hongjoong coyly leaned his shoulder against the wall had Seonghwa's gaze waver. He gulped.

"I... That may have been it, yes. Sorry. If you change your teaching methods a bit and we keep as much distance as possible, then this won't become weird. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable either."

Hongjoong's voice carried right on after Seonghwa's insecure mumble had died out. His rich drawl shifted moods effortlessly to resume control and confidence.

"Let me rephrase. You allowed me to treat you like this and you liked that treatment. Carried out by my hand. Do you think you would have reacted if the hand of a random stranger held that crop?"

Hot embarrassment flooded Seonghwa's face once more. Exposed, he looked around for a hole in the ground he could dive into.

"Because it was your hand; I didn't want to make you uncomfortable. Since I feared we wouldn't have as much fun spending time together anymore if I reacted in such a shameful way." Seonghwa clenched his fingers into each other, barely able to talk anymore around the lump in his throat. He was sweaty in his heated sweatshirt and desperately wanted to take a shower to wash the embarrassment off him once more.

It was getting late, too. The last rays of the sun already tickled through the forest in the distance.

"Then what about this?"

Seonghwa startled when a small hand suddenly grabbed the collar of his hoodie. It fisted into the fabric to pull Seonghwa down to Hongjoong's height, who was extra small on the slope that the ground did under his feet.

Seonghwa didn't get the time to blink when a soft mouth kissed his. The mischievously smiling lips of the other man were careful, testing as if Hongjoong tried out different methods of approach as he would with a frightened mare. His lips never pushed, never forced, and before Seonghwa had time to figure out a reaction, Hongjoong already pulled back.

Seonghwa's eyes were stuck on Hongjoong's lips. Lips that had just been on his, but it had passed too fast for him to appreciate it. Wild like a confused horse, Seonghwa's heart jumped in his chest.

"Do you like that? Or would you rather not take that path altogether?"

Instead of a verbal reply, just a vulnerable whine came over Seonghwa's lips. He didn't know where the sound originated from or why it made him feel so helpless. Either way, it had the corners of Hongjoong's lips curl like those of a pleased cat. Seonghwa wanted those lips back on his to taste them again.

"Use your words, Seonghwa. I am offering more of that dominance and I would love to see you react to it in a less exposed setting. But if we are to play that game, I need you to be sure you want it."

Seonghwa wanted it. Craved it even. His stomach coiled in the most delicious ways whenever Hongjoong's leather-wrapped hands closed around that riding crop. When his boots were near Seonghwa to have inappropriate images pop up in his head.

Seonghwa knew that him saying yes would please Hongjoong.

And he wanted nothing more desperately than to have that man smile and praise Seonghwa for being good. Seonghwa wanted Hongjoong to break him like he would break a horse.

Yet, saying that out loud was the worst challenge in Seonghwa's life. Like giving up his dignity and his pride for more of Hongjoong's seductive kisses.

Nobody was here to hear Seonghwa say it. Nobody but Hongjoong, who accepted Seonghwa's horrible infatuation with him by being flattered and wanting to give him something in return.

"I don't know if I am... Enough. For you. You have high standards."

Hongjoong smirked. His finger came to rest under Seonghwa's chin as he tilted the man's head up. Seonghwa's gaze lost Hongjoong's lips to focus on the sky instead. When his Adam's apple bobbed nervously, Hongjoong bit his lip as if he wanted to dive right into Seonghwa's jugular.

"I do have high standards, yes. But you can meet those if you listen to what I say. And I don't plan to eat you. I will do only what you want me to do." Despite his sultry promise, Hongjoong tiptoed to mimic biting Seonghwa's neck. The gentle scrape of his teeth accompanied by a brush of soft hair against Seonghwa's chin had Seonghwa's breath get stuck in his throat. He still felt the reminder of Hongjoong's kiss on his lips, and his body yearned for more as if he were starving.

They were still so close. Their bodies still pressed together, with Hongjoong holding Seonghwa as if on reins.

"This is about you, Seonghwa. Nothing will happen if you decline and we can go back to class without me stirring up more trouble."

When Seonghwa still didn't reply because his head felt as if stuffed with cotton, Hongjoong withdrew. He dropped back onto his feet and was about to release Seonghwa's collar from his hand when Seonghwa surged after him.

A surprised noise escaped Hongjoong's throat when he got backed up against the stable wall. None of them cared if the cars rushing past could see them tucked around the corner.

"My answer is yes. I want you to do these things with me. And I want to please you."

The words were foreign on Seonghwa's tongue and carried a lot of weight for his nervosity. As if a switch had been turned, his stomach cramps returned tenfold, but they didn't deter him. They were out of excitement.

Hongjoong leaned his head against the wall with a thud as he grinned up at Seonghwa.

"Good answer. I will take good care of you." With those words, he dragged Seonghwa down to his level again and moulded their lips into a proper kiss.

Seonghwa lost control of himself for a moment. His senses got flooded with everything Hongjoong. The underlying scent of his perfume that mixed with the scent of apples, leather and horses. The smooth fabric of his jacket that Seonghwa's trembling fingers brushed, too shy to cling to. The sound of the man's pleased hum that filled Seonghwa's heart with satisfaction as it disappeared between their lips.

And most of all, of course, the movement of those lips against Seonghwa's.

Hongjoong's lips were plusher than his usual grim expression gave away and they were soft despite their long day outside working. Their gentle push seemed to elevate Seonghwa until his excitement took the floor away from under his feet and had him floating in Hongjoong's embrace.

Hongjoong kissed carefully, the presses of his lips languid until Seonghwa found their rhythm and the courage to kiss back. His lips fit against Hongjoong's ridiculously well for a first kiss, and that enlightenment had Seonghwa bashful with glee.

At the first slick noise that passed their connected mouths, Seonghwa was about to pull back and apologise because he feared it might be awkward. When Hongjoong reacted by wrapping his arms around Seonghwa's waist, however, to deepen their kiss, Seonghwa's heart did a flip and he stayed where he was. The rushing of his blood drowned out the noise of the crows squawking in the distance and the cars rushing by.

A tiny noise escaped Hongjoong's lips when Seonghwa overcame the struggle to lift his hands and cradle Hongjoong's face with them. His sharp jaw and pointy fairy features fit in Seonghwa's feathery grip as they sunk further into each other.

Seonghwa forgot they were leaning against the stable wall and that Hongjoong was trapped against it by his taller frame. The arms around his waist holding him pressed against the other man were all the invitations he needed to stay right there. Nothing in the world would have separated him from Hongjoong, who sucked on his lips gently. Little puffs of the air they shared tickled on their sensitive lips.

A dreamy sigh escaped Seonghwa when Hongjoong adjusted his stance against the wall and tipped his head back to ease the angle they had on each other.

The first brush of his wet tongue against Seonghwa's lips had Seonghwa freeze up. Unsure whether he could keep up, Seonghwa parted their lips from each other but kept their foreheads connected. He didn't dare open his eyes out of fear that Hongjoong would look at him mockingly because Seonghwa was so jittery and inexperienced. Hongjoong's quickened breath against his lips assured him he couldn't have done so horribly.

"Hongjoong..." Seonghwa's breathy voice sounded foreign to himself. It was high and squeaky, like air escaping from a balloon.

"We can stop if you have doubts," Hongjoong whispered. Their lips were barely far enough from each other not to touch, but the lingering warmth was too addictive for Seonghwa to pull back.

"I just don't want to- Is it annoying that you have to guide me through everything?"

"On the contrary," Hongjoong breathed against Seonghwa's lips, "I couldn't find it more enticing that you hand yourself over to me like this. Guiding you is my pleasure."

Soothed, Seonghwa smiled bashfully. When he licked his lips, unsure how to move back in after their interruption, Hongjoong took over for him. His mouth found Seonghwa's again effortlessly and pulled him in into yet another kiss that flowed so naturally, it left Seonghwa disoriented.

This time, when Hongjoong's tongue joined in the fun, Seonghwa allowed it. The warm muscle explored Seonghwa's mouth to trail over his teeth and lips until Seonghwa's mouth tingled and he desperately pressed his body into Hongjoong's for more. He instinctively sought that warmth, that sweet pleasure coiling in his stomach that Hongjoong offered.

Hongjoong pulled him in close, but he kept their bodies tame and stable while they were outside. All the action going on was between their lips and Hongjoong's long lashes that fluttered over Seonghwa's cheek occasionally.

When Hongjoong's tongue touched Seonghwa's to offer a game he couldn't refuse, Seonghwa's brain turned so mushy that not a single thought crossed anymore. He didn't know anymore whom the soft noises between their lips belonged to. He followed Hongjoong's lead blindly and enjoyed the warm body pressed against him and holding him close.

While their tongues tangled in a way Seonghwa would have found scandalous on any other couple out in public, Hongjoong's hands wandered. They never grabbed so they wouldn't startle Seonghwa, but they trailed over his back and his waist, down the curve of his hips and over the part of his thighs that Hongjoong could reach. The explorative touches had Seonghwa tremble with anticipation and need.

Seonghwa gasped around a moan when Hongjoong pulled off him excruciatingly slow. For a moment, he stood shaky and stunned before he could close his tingling mouth and open his eyes.

His gaze found Hongjoong's lidded eyes that still looked at Seonghwa's lips. His short and messy hair added to the wildly attractive image as he dropped his head back against the wall.

Seonghwa's hands settled on Hongjoong's firm chest, unwilling to let go just yet.

"Want us to take this home? I doubt that anything more I plan to do with you down this path is appropriate to the public eye."

Excitement and worry twisted like a knife in Seonghwa's guts. His heart still fluttered away and conveyed its trust in Hongjoong, but he was still afraid that he would mess something up.

But so far, Hongjoong ordering him around had always worked. Seonghwa couldn't brush off his curiosity about what would happen if he allowed the man full reign outside of their training lessons.

Upon Seonghwa's reluctant nod, Hongjoong slipped his hand into Seonghwa's. He was easy on the first few steps and ready to catch Seonghwa if he stumbled. Despite his unsteady knees, Seonghwa held on strong as he followed the man around the corner and to his bike.

No words passed them when they put on their helmets and climbed on the bike. If Hongjoong took notice of Seonghwa's body having reacted to the press of Hongjoong's skin, he didn't mention it.

Throughout the ride, Seonghwa was a nervous wreck, but his overthinking wasn't as bad as he had feared. His mind was still floaty from Hongjoong's kisses.

They arrived at Hongjoong's university dorm that provided more privacy than his room at home. Hongjoong had a whole flat for himself, kudos to the money he made on the range. Nobody passed them in the elevator, thankfully, and Hongjoong only let go of Seonghwa's hand for a split moment as he dug his keys out of his pocket to open the door.

Hongjoong's living area was tidy, as expected from him. No dishes were piled in the sink in the little kitchen area to their left, and the books on the table of the living room were neatly stacked on top of each other.

While Seonghwa looked around, Hongjoong kicked off his boots and hung his jacket on the door. He padded off to shut on a light to breach the twilight of the evening.

A glance at the clock on the wall that had a horse on it reminded Seonghwa that he had to contact his mother about staying out. He trudged after Hongjoong to follow him into the bedroom while he dug his phone out of his pocket. His fingers were shaky as they typed out the message.

"Need a moment?" Hongjoong asked as he pushed Seonghwa to sit on the bed. Distracted between him and the display, Seonghwa allowed him.

"I will just text my mum that I will be back late," Seonghwa muttered. Hongjoong slinked onto his lap and buried his face in Seonghwa's neck. The press of his lips on Seonghwa's skin and his hair tickling on Seonghwa's ear drove Seonghwa mad.

"Just stay the night," Hongjoong whispered around a nip. Seonghwa jolted; his fingers around his phone tightening. He willed his brain to thoughts that weren't Hongjoong's inviting voice and sent the bare minimum of lines that would have his mother wondering why he was so unspecific. With no more energy to care, he dropped his phone on the bed and focused on Hongjoong.

The man's hot mouth was back on his the second Seonghwa's phone had disappeared. Needy, Seonghwa tipped his chin back to receive Hongjoong's onslaught. The game of lips, tongue and teeth was too much for Seonghwa to copy fully, but he held up as Hongjoong made his lips tremble and throb.

Hongjoong grinding his hips down into Seonghwa's heated crotch was unexpected, but not unwelcome. In an instant, Seonghwa's arms wrapped around Hongjoong's waist to draw him in closer and to regain some control of their movements.

Hot breaths mingled between their parted lips when they only concentrated on the movement of their hips against each other for a moment. Their kisses were reduced to no more but faint brushes of their mouths as Hongjoong rolled his crotch into Seonghwa's in that unmistakable way that he would do to a horse.

A whine of humiliation that had Seonghwa throb in his pants came from his throat. Cooing, Hongjoong ran his fingers through Seonghwa's hair to soothe him.

"What do you want, Seonghwa? What do I need to watch out for with you?"

Hongjoong's voice had dropped to an attractive drawl that was reserved for this exact mood. It made Seonghwa feel special since nobody else got to hear it.

"Ngh- Want you to- Keep talking." Seonghwa had difficulties forming his sentence when Hongjoong trailed a hand down his chest to press it against the bulge in Seonghwa's pants. He mapped out that shape he had already seen last time, and Seonghwa helplessly bucked up against those small fingers. He was pent up over Hongjoong since the day prior and now that he had the man where he wanted him, Seonghwa had to hold back.

"Want me to praise you? Or want me to tell you what a needy mess you are for rutting against me so desperately?"

As a reply, Seonghwa just moaned brokenly. Chuckling, Hongjoong dipped back into Seonghwa's neck. Seonghwa didn't know whether to focus on those sucking lips that dotted marks all over his skin, or the hand finding Seonghwa's sensitive spots through his pants.

"You want to be good, don't you?" Hongjoong crooned against Seonghwa's ear. A flick of his tongue against its shell had Seonghwa flinch and jerk away. Hongjoong came after him to do it again, and this time, Seonghwa allowed the insinuations of those wet noises so close to his ear to take over his mind. His lashes fluttered shut, hips aching into Hongjoong's hand.

"Yes- Yes, want to be good for you," Seonghwa babbled when he remembered he had to reply. When Hongjoong's hands slipped under his shirt, Seonghwa lifted his arms willingly to let the other man take it off. He shivered in the cold air of the room only for a second before Hongjoong dipped to his body to warm him up with his touches and kisses. Like a trail of fire, they traced over his skin to leave invisible scars.

"In that case, I want you to look at this."

For a moment, Hongjoong's heat disappeared, and Seonghwa had to open his eyes begrudgingly. The other man had bent back over Seonghwa's legs like a dancer in a circus. As if he didn't have a single bone in his body, he searched for something under the bed without discomfort. Ultimately, he pulled a box out and Seonghwa wrapped his arms around Hongjoong's waist to haul him back up.

Hongjoong grinned at him in thanks before he opened the box and exposed the contents to Seonghwa's eyes.

An assortment of sex toys, ranging from vibrators, dildos, and anal beads, mixed with a few other items. Seonghwa spotted nipple clamps, gags, ropes tied together into orderly bundles, and even handcuffs. It was a neat little collection that had Seonghwa's heart hammer in his chest.

"I would like to take you apart with any of these, but only if you agree with them. If there is anything you want me to use, choose it. You get a maximum of three items since this is our first time together and I don't want to overwhelm you."

Seonghwa didn't tell him that the way Hongjoong's glorious and firm thighs framed Seonghwa's hips already overwhelmed him.

Curiously, he dug around. He could say no and enjoy Hongjoong to the fullest. But he couldn't help but be drawn to the short crop tucked to the side of the box. It looked nearly exactly the same as the one he used for riding, just more sexy and less professional.

Seonghwa fished it out gingerly and handed it to Hongjoong. The other item he picked up was a blindfold, but he was less confident in that one. He loved being blindfolded, but he wasn't accustomed to Hongjoong yet. They could try.

"Happy with your pick?" Hongjoong's lips curled around the question as he eyed the crop. When Seonghwa nodded, Hongjoong put the box down on the ground and set Seonghwa's phone aside as well before it could break.

Hongjoong reached for the blindfold first. The silky material trailed between their hands when he smoothed it out.

"If you change your mind about anything happening, then stop means stop. I will listen. If you have trouble forming words, tell me a safe word that you can remember well."

Seonghwa's brain was deliciously blank, providing him with evidence of just how little he would be able to remember in the near future.

"Pumpkin," he said randomly, when it came to mind first. Hongjoong nodded before he shifted to put the blindfold around Seonghwa's head.

They figured it out together until Seonghwa was blissfully blind to the world and the knot sat on the back of his head without tugging on his hair. Unsure, he rested in front of Hongjoong on the bed while the man helped him out of the rest of his clothes. Seonghwa didn't see where they landed. All his senses strained to pick up on Hongjoong.

"So we landed here after all. Despite your frantic attempt to avoid me."

Hongjoong's body had lost contact with Seonghwa's skin and he was cold. No wonder his thigh flinched when he first felt the teasing tip of the crop trail over it.

Seonghwa breathed flatly. His hands curled into the sheets behind him, staying in place as they should. He could feel Hongjoong's gaze on him, on his pitifully hardened length that rested against his hip in the fruitless search for release.

The crop trailed up Seonghwa's leg. It stopped short of the place where he wanted it to be, then it lifted away. Seonghwa grit his teeth around his whine.

"I must have excited you so much with my crop. Did you imagine me breaking you like a horse whenever I touched you with it?"

Seonghwa hissed. The lack of eyesight doubled the sensitivity of his skin to the crop. It trailed from his collarbone down his stomach, again avoiding his straining arousal.

"Answer me." The crop came down on Seonghwa's left nipple with no heat behind it. Still, Seonghwa's body lurched to lean towards the source of pleasure and pain.

"I-I wanted you to use the crop on me," Seonghwa whispered after he had licked his dry lips. A pleased chuckle responded to him. He could hear Hongjoong walking around the room and then a click of a bottle.

"Did you want me to use it to dominate you?"

Seonghwa gulped again. The crop trailed lower, following the quivering lines of his stomach. In his excitement, he took too long to answer. With a click of Hongjoong's tongue, the crop flicked against Seonghwa's other nipple.

A low moan came from him, but he stayed in position. He wanted Hongjoong to touch him so bad; he had to be good.

"Y-Yes."

Finally, Hongjoong rewarded him with a touch to his leaking arousal. The leather tip of the crop trailed from the base to the tip and nudged at the soft skin as if insulting it.

"How pitiful. Now you're leaking all over it without me even touching you. Will you ever be able to look at a crop normally again? Or will you get hard whenever I carry it around?"

Slick, the leather dipped into Seonghwa's precum and smeared it around. He trembled and shook, scared and excited for the pleasure a single flick of Hongjoong's wrist would give him.

"I might... Find it difficult to resist that happening," Seonghwa gasped.

Hongjoong just hummed. The crop trailed off nastily, leaving behind only a smear of sticky liquid on Seonghwa's skin.

"I wonder if you aren't broken already. Aren't you oh so obedient to me? I may not even have to do anything else anymore."

All touches disappeared and Seonghwa sat up straighter. In a rush, his breath left his chest.

"No! I-"

Seonghwa's yell ended in a keen when the crop whipped down on his weeping length. The hit stung, but the pain ebbed away within a second to leave space for hot pleasure. It curled and swirled in Seonghwa's stomach like a bolt of lightning zapping through him.

"I might have been wrong. What are you doing, screaming at me like that? Want my neighbours to know that I still have an untamed brat to break?" Hongjoong sounded ticked off, all within the confinements of his role. His snappy ignorance was so attractive to Seonghwa.

Seonghwa bit his lip. He was sorry for disobeying, but he couldn't help his pride when he heard Hongjoong's footsteps coming closer again. This time, when Hongjoong settled over Seonghwa's lap, an expanse of naked skin met Seonghwa's. He hadn't even heard the other man undress.

The crop was gone when Hongjoong helped Seonghwa adjust his position to lie down at the centre of the bed. Hongjoong knelt above him and slicked up Seonghwa's length with a condom and lube. He didn't mind how Seonghwa grasped at his knees, sensitive to every touch.

"Ready?"

Seonghwa was glad that Hongjoong didn't tease him any further. While he enjoyed their game, he also couldn't deny his pent-up body its desire for Hongjoong much longer. As expected, Hongjoong knew the balance that made Seonghwa's heart race and his body desperate and needy.

When Seonghwa nodded and settled his hands on Hongjoong's thighs, the man sunk down on him. He must have prepared his body while teasing Seonghwa, since it gave way to the intrusion easily.

Seonghwa didn't dare breathe all the way down. His ears tingled with the soft gasps that escaped Hongjoong's throat and his fingers dug into the man's skin. At once, the heat became too much and contrasted with the cold room. Uncomfortable, Seonghwa whipped his head right and left, trying to determine the source of unrest.

"Wait-"

Hongjoong stilled immediately, ever so attentive. His trembling thighs held him up, just shy of making his home on Seonghwa's lap.

"What's wrong?" Hongjoong's authoritative voice disappeared to make way for an attentive croon. He helped Seonghwa sit up so they could be closer, even when a muffled moan escaped him at the sudden movement inside.

Upset, Seonghwa cradled the man close until he could identify the problem.

"Want to see you. Can we not use this anymore?" He tried nodding at his own head. Hongjoong chuckled at him but reached to pull off the blindfold immediately.

In the soft glow of the lamp on the bedside table, Hongjoong's blond hair appeared again. And with his naked skin that filled so much of Seonghwa's embrace, came a delightful surprise he hadn't expected.

Hongjoong's body was tattooed all over. Black ink wrapped around the entirety of his right arm and decorated the lower part of his left one. There was a symbol Seonghwa couldn't quite make out on his ribcage, and another one on the thigh he had his hand on. A last one melted from Hongjoong's calf.

Intrigued, Seonghwa stared at him until Hongjoong chuckled.

"Spellbound?"

Dumbfounded, Seonghwa just nodded. He allowed Hongjoong to push him down again and just laid there in enchantment as Hongjoong got comfortable on his lap. His length bobbed between their stomachs when he dropped and stared down at Seonghwa with his beautiful body strung like a bow. Superiority laid in those eyes and reminded Seonghwa of his need to worship the other man. Naturally, his hands shot out to wrap around Hongjoong's waist when he started to move.

Hongjoong's body was wonderfully hot on Seonghwa. The warmth surrounding Seonghwa was more pleasant than anything he had ever felt before and every nudge into the feverishly hot giving cavern had his eyes rolling back in his skull.

It took Seonghwa a few minutes to understand that this heated and firm body he held on his lap belonged to Hongjoong. The same Hongjoong who had ordered him around and terrorised Seonghwa in the training hall was now seated on Seonghwa's dick while the sweetest noises escaped his parted lips. Messy blond hair contrasted with tanned skin and black tattoos.

With a shuddering breath, Hongjoong cracked his eyes open to look down at Seonghwa. His face was contorted in pleasure even when he still adjusted his body to Seonghwa's size with gentle rolls and circles of his hips. Each movement made Seonghwa want to scream over the velvety body clamping down on him.

"What? Anything you want?" The tough facade crumbled when Hongjoong's inner brows lifted in bliss. His body, overtaken by pleasure, shuddered and shook above Seonghwa's.

Seonghwa wet his parched lips.

"Want you to feel good," he croaked. His fingers trembled on Hongjoong's thighs, clutching to the compass that spanned over the side of his leg. He could feel every flex and clench of the muscle under his fingertips.

Hongjoong hummed. One of his hands came down to stem on Seonghwa's chest and the other one reached back to stabilise his weight on the man's thigh. With more enthusiasm, he ground down on Seonghwa and tested out the limits of his body. Seonghwa's eyes fluttered shut, his hips bucking up to match the man's movements involuntarily.

"I would ask you to fuck me until I see stars but... We both know you have trouble working those hips. I might get off better using you as a toy for my pleasure." Hongjoong tipped his head back as he sunk back down the few centimetres he had pulled off. The instantaneous displeased whine coming from Seonghwa's mouth had a grin curling around his lips.

"No, please! I can be good, I can try!"

Hongjoong rode him with that maddening skill of his hips that pressed down so much more smoothly and sexily than Seonghwa's uncoordinated jerks. Taunt, the body stretching above him stared down at Seonghwa with condescending eyes.

"You think you can? When you have been but a struggling novice so far?"

With more earnest, Seonghwa grabbed Hongjoong's thighs. He clung to them as he tried to meet the man's rocks in a similar way the man had taught him. Hongjoong's breath hitched when Seonghwa joined into his rhythm and thrust into him from below.

"Please..." Seonghwa begged again. The desire to make Hongjoong enjoy himself overpowered him and took over the need for his own selfish pleasure. Seeing Hongjoong spaced out and smiling sleepily would be the only ecstasy Seonghwa would accept.

Hongjoong considered him for a moment longer. By the time he gave an artificially bothered sigh and opened his arms, Seonghwa surged up within a second. He wrapped Hongjoong into his embrace and rolled them over before the other man could do so much as squeak about the sudden change of position.

Seonghwa took care of every single need Hongjoong might have. He gave him a pillow, adjusted his legs around his waist and made sure the blankets didn't bunch under the other man's body uncomfortably. When he was done nesting and felt as if he might just pass out from how much his body screamed at him to make use of the heat engulfing his throbbing erection, Seonghwa leaned over Hongjoong. Perched against the pillows and with his tattoos on full display, the man was the most gorgeous person Seonghwa had ever seen.

Hongjoong's lidded eyes curved when he chuckled at Seonghwa's fretting.

"I see you're making an effort."

When Hongjoong lifted his knee, Seonghwa wanted to pull back to let him adjust. However, the man simply freed his leg from Seonghwa's side and placed it over his shoulder instead. With his flexible body spread open for Seonghwa, Hongjoong held him close with the strength of that single leg.

Seonghwa gulped and wrapped an arm around the thigh pressing to his chest. Hongjoong never failed to remind him what their roles were.

"Go for it. Show me what you learned," Hongjoong purred at him.

Never before in his life, Seonghwa had reacted so fast and yet so slow.

His body sprung into action immediately to draw back from Hongjoong's heat that had adjusted to his shape so well by now. His first thrust was careful and rather shallow as he searched Hongjoong's face for signs of discomfort.

With a sigh, Hongjoong dropped his head back against his pillow. His mussed up hair tickled against Seonghwa's arm that he had placed next to the man's head.

Seonghwa caught Hongjoong's lips again upon the next slam. He built up gradually, trying to roll his thigh into each movement in the way Hongjoong had shown him. It seemed to work if the little sighs that Hongjoong breathed into his mouth were anything to go by. But the tongue playing with Seonghwa's was still too sharp and ready to cut for his taste. He would consider it a win only after Hongjoong was a panting wreck beneath him.

The slide between their bodies was slick when Seonghwa plunged deep into Hongjoong. Sweat formed on his forehead as he focused on his task and barely minded the way Hongjoong drew him in closer with his leg to litter kisses over Seonghwa's neck. The other man's hands were vicious. They trailed over Seonghwa's chest to flick at his nipples, teasingly brushed Hongjoong's arousal, and even dipped to the place where they were connected to provide some more pressure for Seonghwa to suffer from.

As Seonghwa grew more confident in his movements and his hips snapped faster, Hongjoong also lost his breath more often. He barely responded to Seonghwa's kisses anymore, too busy gasping for air. His fingers clawed and scratched over Seonghwa's back. A horrible combination of wet squelches mixed with the creaking of his bed and the slaps of skin.

Hongjoong's sweet moans were music to Seonghwa's ears. He used them as fuel to restrengthen his tiring muscles and to thrust into that welcoming heat again and again. Sweat stuck their bodies together and glistened on Hongjoong's hairline, but neither of them minded it.

Seonghwa found Hongjoong's sweet spot when his second hand lifted the man's other thigh a bit more to use it for leverage. The effect was beautiful to watch. Hongjoong thrashed in the sheets and dug his head into his pillow viciously. His spasming hands flew between clenching into his pillow and clawing at Seonghwa. Through his breathy moans, Seonghwa could barely hear him.

"Harder. I ah- I knew your hips had skill."

Amused that he could still make judgments, Seonghwa followed the order. Hongjoong fell apart beneath him, his leg on Seonghwa's shoulder trembling and shaking. He whimpered when Seonghwa dug his teeth into the soft flesh, finding it too inviting not to leave a spot on it.

Seonghwa's orgasm pooled in his stomach, threatening to burst out of him as the maddening friction between the two of them fried every brain cell in his head. He pushed it back, holding out when he saw Hongjoong reaching for his length to work his hand over it.

"C-Come on-" Hongjoong stuttered. His chest pushed out when he threw his head back. Seonghwa let up from the purple mark on his thigh to delve into the inked skin offered to him. A single flick of his tongue over Hongjoong's nipple was enough to have the man coming violently. Wet splatters hit Seonghwa's chin. With his face distorted in euphoria, Hongjoong fell apart beneath Seonghwa.

Seonghwa could barely move anymore since Hongjoong's body locked him in too tight. He managed one, two more thrusts before he buried deep inside of Hongjoong and caused the man to arch his back with a yell before Seonghwa allowed his orgasm to overwhelm him. Shudders and heat crawled through his limbs and had him seize as he knelt above Hongjoong. He panted against the man's neck, the sight of an ear and blond hair blurring as he momentarily lost his reason.

When he came to, he found Hongjoong sweaty and exhausted underneath him. Seonghwa had to let go of the man's leg for him to relax, and it fell on the bed beside them like an inanimate object.

Both of them heaved for breath, their eyes finding each other. Sated and dark, Hongjoong's gaze bore into Seonghwa's hopeful eyes.

"How- how was that?" Seonghwa asked, prompting the man to comment. He slipped free from Hongjoong and the man grimaced at the sudden emptiness but allowed Seonghwa to pull back. His spent body was sprawled out and vulnerable, offering none of his usual stiff postures.

"We can still work on it, but not bad for your first time doing me." Hongjoong's voice was casual, as if ready to move right on with his day. However, Seonghwa saw the smile forming on his lips as he turned his head away to hide from Seonghwa's sharp eyes.

Immediately, he pounced on Hongjoong and locked him up in a tight embrace.

"I was good, wasn't I?! You know I was!"

Hongjoong pushed him off half-heartedly and without putting actual strength behind it. It only made Seonghwa cuddle him tighter until their bodies stuck to each other.

"Ugh, get off; we're disgusting. Shower time."

"Tell me you liked it first. I saw your face throughout it, don't pretend otherwise!"

Hongjoong grimaced, but he couldn't flee from Seonghwa's lips, kissing all over his face. With the force of a falling leaf, he pushed against Seonghwa's shoulders.

"I told you it was fine! Don't get so clingy on me!" Hongjoong protested. The amusement in his voice couldn't duck entirely behind his scowl.

"Please? Tell me you felt good." Seonghwa gave him the best puppy eyes.

With a huff, Hongjoong glared at him. The roll of his eyes was pure show.

"Fine. I felt good, alright? You did a great job." Dismissive, he twisted away, but Seonghwa caught him and kissed Hongjoong. He poured all of his happiness into their kiss to convey his delight with the man's approval.

Hongjoong rolled his eyes again, but pulled Seonghwa closer by the back of his head.

-

Seonghwa's mother didn't question him when he returned home after his sleepover with Hongjoong. The couple had watched a movie and snacked on the chips Hongjoong stored in his closet after taking their respective showers before they had fallen asleep together on Hongjoong's bed. When Seonghwa woke up in the morning snuggled against the other man, he had buried his face in Hongjoong's chest with a dorky smile.

Hongjoong helped Seonghwa get ready before he brought him home and took off to meet with his mother to discuss the plan for the Halloween festivities. Seonghwa had found his mother at the breakfast desk and had greeted her with all the nonchalance he could come up with as he sat down to eat with her.

She didn't need to ask where he had been to know.

"Mum, do we have any plans the day before Halloween? I wondered if I could drop by the festival as a guest, even if I don't have to work that day."

"That's the day after tomorrow, right?" With a hum, Seonghwa's mother leaned back over her chair to check in their calendar. It was a cute little gesture that she enjoyed putting up for family purposes, even when Seonghwa rarely wrote in it. She dutifully filled in his blank spaces.

"Not that I know of. Can I come with you? Or would you rather just spend a fun time with your friends?"

Seonghwa grinned around his toast.

"I bet Jongho and Yunho will bring their parents, too. I would be thrilled to accompany you there! Then you can see how glorious of a team we are."

Lola mentioned sometimes how well their class worked together. While they were still far from public performance opportunities, Seonghwa liked to think that the four of them would create an extraordinary atmosphere. He also couldn't wait to see Mingi again. He usually missed the man since Yeosang and he took off right after class when Seonghwa still had his lessons with Hongjoong, but Mingi was fun and watching the couple together always warmed Seonghwa's heart.

"I also have yet to meet Hongjoong," Seonghwa's mother said nonchalantly. She didn't look up from her book, but Seonghwa squinted at her artificial disinterest. Hearing the man's name within his own four walls made Seonghwa all giddy inside. As if the secret about his infatuation with Hongjoong was ready to be made official to his mother.

"I might have to warn you, he can be... a lot."

And not a lot in the sense of him holding his riding crop while towering over a blindfolded Seonghwa with his glorious tattoos on full display. A lot in the way that Seonghwa had forgotten about Hongjoong's chilly and unimpressed behaviour. Hongjoong had warmed up to Seonghwa so much that seeing him react coldly would be another surprise.

"I'm curious about him. You two seem to get along well."

Seonghwa whined, not wanting to talk about it.

"We do, but he doesn't click well with groups, hence why we hang by ourselves. But he won't be there; he has classes. Can I still expect you to drop by that day?"

Seonghwa's mother nodded with a snicker while he finished the last crumbs on his plate and put it away in the dishwasher. He also cleaned up everything his mum had used preparing breakfast and hadn't washed up yet.

"Sure, let's go together and I will hang around some and talk to Jongho's and Yunho's parents and then you can stay as long as you want. Maybe they need your help to tidy up, too."

Seonghwa agreed gleefully and skipped off. He had a lot to think about. All morning, he just lounged around in his bed trying to read, but his mind kept drifting off to Hongjoong. To the man's hands on Seonghwa's skin, to his breath fanning his neck, and to the feeling of his body melting into one with Seonghwa.

Every so often, Seonghwa had to hide giddy smiles or his heated face in his pillow. His hands couldn't replicate the feeling of Hongjoong's fingers on him and the only tattoo of his that Seonghwa remembered was that compass on his leg. But despite the gaps, the load of things that had happened last night still overwhelmed him.

He considered texting Hongjoong, just something stupid like asking him where he was or if he had remembered to eat breakfast. However, Seonghwa didn't want to be a bother. Since Hongjoong had assured him so much, Seonghwa had no regrets about their heated night in the sheets, but he still didn't know where Hongjoong and he would go from here.

Two days passed with Seonghwa rolling around and basking in his glow after his encounter with Hongjoong. His mother didn't mention it, deliberately blind, but Yunho did. When the two families grilled some sausages together in the garden of the brothers' home the day before the Halloween fest, Yunho pointed it out the moment they were alone at the desk.

"Dude, you're brighter than the sun. Something good happened?" Yunho breathed so their parents didn't have to hear. Yunho's and Jongho's mum and dad led Seonghwa's mum around their garden to show off their beets and ask her whether she wanted any cuttings to plant in her own field.

The sudden question had made Seonghwa blush. He hid his cheeks behind his hands and glanced around.

"What, why?"

"You're positively glowing. Usually, I would bet you got laid, but I didn't assume you already got so close with anyone. Is it San?" Yunho drew his brows together. Invested, Jongho leaned in when Seonghwa waved his hands around hectically.

"No, no. You know he and Wooyoung have the hots for you guys."

"But then who...?" Yunho broke off when the thought caught up with him. Then his eyes went comically wide.

"No way, that stuck-up dude you all keep talking about?! What was his name again? Hongjoong?" His hiss lowered his voice further. Jongho also gasped, and then gasped again when Seonghwa's blush gave them the answer they needed.

"No fucking way, man. I never would have guessed. But wow. Congrats I guess."

Seonghwa rubbed the back of his neck. He still hadn't lifted his gaze off his lap yet.

"Well, it worked between us... But oh well, let's not talk about it; I don't want this to be awkward. Will you two come by for our Halloween event tomorrow?"

Their enthusiastic nods had Seonghwa smile again. He wouldn't tell Wooyoung and San that the men of their dreams would come by during their shift, but Seonghwa could already predict they would work extra hard (and full of showing off.)

"Sure! We won't miss out on that now that we have no reason to. The horse fans are always the laughingstock in our team, but honestly? No better time for us to try out pony riding," Jongho said with a shrug. Amused, Seonghwa explained to him which ponies would be available and how uncomplicated a trip with them would be. He even promised that Wooyoung or San might help the football players out with getting on the horse if needed. That argument had both Jongho and Yunho fired up to go.

Hongjoong didn't come up anymore that evening and they all spent a fun time together. In the night, Seonghwa thought about Hongjoong a lot. Maybe he would shoot him a text the day after the event and ask whether they should meet for another date outside of their classes. They still had a lot to talk about since Hongjoong had to leave early that day.

The day of the event rolled around with a brilliant, clear sky. Seonghwa slept in, so his mother and he got ready and were on their way to Whisperwind Range a few hours after the regular event had begun. When they pulled up, the parking area for once was filled with vehicles that had parents with their excited kids springing around. With his nose glued to the window, Seonghwa watched a kid dressed as a bat hauling her parents over to the pony riding tent.

Seonghwa and his mother were in no hurry as they approached the wooden stand. It was set up next to the backdoor - right where Hongjoong and he had stood and kissed a few days ago. The simple wooden table was decorated with an orange tablecloth that had black nets with plastic spiders bunched onto it. Wooyoung stood behind the metal cash box and waited for the kids to come by and force their parents to buy them a round of pony riding. A different table to the left of Wooyoung offered sweets, spookily decorated cakes, and balloons. The girl idling around behind the display greeted everyone with sunny smiles.

Both of the vendors for today wore festive costumes. Wooyoung was dressed up as a vampire (who had a fresh puncture wound painted on his neck, ironically) and the girl was a witch with a pointy hat.

"Wooyoungiee," Seonghwa sing-sang as he jumped the man. Wooyoung acted out collapsing when Seonghwa wrapped his arms around his side and then hugged him back with a snicker. More politely, he also greeted Seonghwa's mother, who looked around with awe.

"Pony riding for children under six?" Wooyoung asked with an estimating glance down Seonghwa's body. Seonghwa whacked his shoulder and both of them had to laugh.

"Nice that you made the time. San is in the tent, making sure that the kids stay on their horses." Judging by Wooyoung's bored voice, Yunho and Jongho hadn't dropped by yet. Seonghwa glanced at his mum, who bought a piece of cake to eat while she looked around.

"Are you here all day?"

"Yup. But only until six, then we get to clean up. You didn't put on a costume." Disappointed, Wooyoung tugged at Seonghwa's sleeve.

"Yeah, sorry, I had nothing at home. But there is for sure some character in some movie that looked like this." With a shrug, Seonghwa looked down on his sweater, beige coat and black pants combination.

"Oh well. Then no kids are jealous of your costume at least. I saw a bee earlier. She was adorable."

Cooing, Seonghwa said goodbye for now so he could dip into the tent and check out the costumes himself. The thick scent of horses hit him as he mingled with his mother and the other adults that kept watch of the three kids on the ponies. All three horses wore cute little top hats and colourful ribbons in their manes and tails. The kids on top of them were a Spiderman, an astronaut, and the bat from earlier. San overlooked them from the centre of the circle and dressed like a circus director.

Seonghwa stole some bites of his mother's cake and watched for a while before he left again to bother Wooyoung. As he dipped out of the tent, however, he found two footballers at the man's desk, just chatting him up instead of buying everything. Seonghwa skipped closer with the amusing recognition that Jongho had dressed up as a vampire as well. Yunho was in the middle of teasing them about what their costumes could be interpreted as when Seonghwa caught up with them.

"Oh, a puppy!" Delighted, Seonghwa reached for the soft ears on Yunho's head. They even matched his hair colour.

"I went for a werewolf, but I will absolutely accept that. Is Mingi around?" Yunho stretched his head as if he had to look over anyone's head.

"I haven't seen him yet. Yeosang said they are busy, so maybe they won't come by. He said only if they are passing through on their way home."

"Oh, to be young and in love," Yunho sighed before he winked at his brother and took off to check on San. Seonghwa sneakily used the time to leave Wooyoung and Jongho alone and got himself a spooky lollipop to busy his mouth with.

Seonghwa's mother left after a while to go grocery shopping, but she offered Seonghwa to stick around with his friends. He hung out with Yunho and Jongho, bothered Wooyoung and San when no visitor took up their time and had a lot of fun. By the time dawn made the skies blush and they called it a day, Seonghwa was drained after a long day of running around and giggling with his friends.

Yeosang and Mingi dropped by towards the end of the day and helped with packing up since San and Wooyoung were spent. Lola was around as well and carried buckets of horse food with one hand while she talked on the phone with the other.

Seonghwa helped in carrying the tables and the cash box back inside. They could distribute the leftover food among themselves and Seonghwa got to snatch a package of gummy worms and some of the cake his mother had liked.

He was on his way back out with Wooyoung and San at his side as they gushed to him about Yunho's and Jongho's surprise visit when he spotted the man standing on the paddock together with Lola.

Hongjoong had tucked his helmet under his arm and wore a leather jacket and pants. His white shirt contrasted with the rest of him and would have exposed the tattoos that Seonghwa suspected he was the only one knowing of if not for the jacket. On his fingers, he twirled a set of keys. As if he had felt Seonghwa's gaze on him, Hongjoong glanced in his direction and their eyes met.

Hongjoong said something to Lola and then marched over to Seonghwa. With a gulp, Seonghwa slowed while Wooyoung and San suspiciously glanced between the two of them. The evening sun cast a halo around Hongjoong's bright hair.

"Hey. I need to drive out to the allotment garden to lock up there. Any chance you want to accompany me?"

The sudden request had Seonghwa speechless. For a moment, he fumbled while Hongjoong just looked at him with those eyes that were like ice and like fire at the same time.

Like two fishes about to witness the drama of the century, Wooyoung and San looked around between the two of them. When Seonghwa nodded, Wooyoung's jaw dropped.

"No way," he whispered in disbelief. As if Seonghwa committed high treason, he stared at the helmet that Hongjoong handed Seonghwa nonchalantly. While Hongjoong squeezed past them to pick up something he needed from the offices, Wooyoung and San immediately ganged up on Seonghwa. Like two bullies, they shoved him against the wall next to the backdoor to loom above him.

Defensively, Seonghwa ducked his head and hid behind Hongjoong's helmet.

"What the hell?! What's going on here?!" Wooyoung was loud, but he kept his voice down so not everybody in the paddock knew about the affair. Bashful, Seonghwa drew nonsense symbols in the sand with the tip of his shoe.

"Look at him. Seonghwa, no... What did that devil do to you?" In mock tragedy, San clutched Seonghwa's collar. When his smile didn't let up, the two wailed about having lost him to the forces of evil. None of their speechless gestures or grimaces could sway him.

"He's not so bad. I like spending time with him," Seonghwa admitted in a modest whisper. He smiled, but his friends reacted with more terror.

"No, don't let him get to you! He will treat you like a slave!" San wailed. When Seonghwa pulled his fingers off his sweater to adjust the collar, the two boys clung to each other instead.

"But no, for real. You two? That's a thing now?"

Seonghwa scratched the back of his head as he nodded. They had no label yet, but their night had been something. It took no genius to guess their dynamic had shifted.

Wooyoung laughed nervously.

"What the hell... Hongjoong of all people. Oh Hwa, you could have got someone better."

"I think he's cool," Seonghwa pouted. He kicked Wooyoung's shin for the way the man snorted.

"Cool, as if. The only people finding him cool are those who like being ordered around."

An abrupt silence befell them when Seonghwa's eyes widened. Then, San buried his face in Wooyoung's neck with a groan while Wooyoung broke out in hysterical laughter.

"No way! What, he whipped his crop around some and you were at his feet? Seonghwa please, that's hilarious!" Wooyoung's giggles echoed in the building behind them. With his face glowing, Seonghwa fiddled with the straps on Hongjoong's helmet. Its weight grounded him even when his hands shook at the exposure. He knew neither of his friends meant to be mean, but he was insecure since he and Hongjoong were still new to their fragile development.

Thankfully, the situation resolved itself when Hongjoong appeared. With his heavy boots, he strode out of the door next to them. One glare was enough to have Wooyoung and San back off, even when Wooyoung still giggled. Not even Hongjoong's chilly look of superiority as he came over had the man quieten down.

"Jung Wooyoung, I see you have the time to laugh at your friend. How about you use that time more wisely and practise your skill in mucking out the stables? The last result I saw was less than sufficient."

Wooyoung waved him off like a fly. Hongjoong arched his brow at him, taking a guess what their conversation had been about.

"Yeah, yeah, next time. I did enough for today. I need a week to stomach this."

Without waiting for another excuse, Hongjoong grabbed Seonghwa's elbow and dragged him off. Wooyoung and San stayed behind to gossip.

Happily saved by his knight in shining armour, Seonghwa followed him to his bike leaned to the usual spot.

"I can't be with you for long; my mum awaits me," Seonghwa said as he put on his helmet. He climbed behind Hongjoong on the bike as Hongjoong let the motor roar.

"That's fine. We can chill a while and then I will bring you home."

As they took off into the evening, Seonghwa glanced back at Wooyoung and San. They stared after them with big eyes, but Wooyoung waved them goodbye still. Smiling, Seonghwa waved back as much as he dared since he had to cling to Hongjoong's body.

The allotment was further in the fields. They had to take a small road to get there and Hongjoong pushed his bike over the last grassy patch that joined the many individual gardens.

"Did your class end early?" Seonghwa asked as he studied the individual patios. Some had activities for children like trampolines and treehouses. Others were used for fruit trees or flower patches. All were cute and special.

Hongjoong unlocked the rattling gate to one of them. He put the key in his pocket as he pushed his bike inside and closed the door after Seonghwa had stepped in. With the bike leaned against the fence, he relieved Seonghwa of the weighty helmet to put it on the handlebar.

"Yeah, Lola needed me to drop by because she forgot to lock up here and I had the key. Get comfortable."

While Hongjoong trudged over to the wooden shed in a corner of the garden to peek in and lock it up, Seonghwa searched for a suitable spot to sit. A gnarly apple tree still bearing some half-rotten fruit shed a carpet of orange and yellow leaves over the grass. Some roses ranked over the fence, but they didn't bloom anymore at this time of the year. Aside from the shed and the tree, the other big thing garnering Seonghwa's attention was the swing. It was a broad one, one of those slow and dreamy swings that arched like a wave for the most comfortable position and offered a glance into the sky.

Seonghwa's feet carried him over to sit down on it. The wooden seat was thankfully dry as it swung with the movement of him climbing on top. He pushed himself by grabbing the cast-iron construct holding the swing. It was shaped like the twining branches of a rose out of cold metal.

When Hongjoong finished at the shed, he glanced at Seonghwa. At finding him happily swinging back and forth with his eyes in the evening skies, a subtle smile tugged on his lips.

Hongjoong joined Seonghwa on the swing and, for a while, they just sat there and enjoyed the gentle movement. Despite the chilly temperatures, the swing offered welcome leisure compared to the busy day. With the crows croaking in the distance and the soft squeaking of the hinges above them, Seonghwa dozed off a bit.

"How did you feel after our night together?"

Seonghwa turned his head to eye Hongjoong sleepily. The man sat cross-legged on the swing and played with a stalk of grass he had found somewhere. His intense gaze bore into Seonghwa's.

"Happy. I wanted to see you again, but I didn't know whether you had time," Seonghwa confessed as he straightened his position. His hand pushed them back into slow movements.

Hongjoong had to smile at Seonghwa's timid words.

"I would have made the time. I thought a lot about you these past few days." When Hongjoong scooted closer to diminish the space between them, Seonghwa lowered his eyes to the ground. From close by, the man smelled of his refreshing perfume, that was usually hidden under a thick layer of horse's scent.

Hongjoong's hand on his jaw prompted Seonghwa to look up again. His eyes flicked between Hongjoong's lips and eyes. Unconsciously, he wet his own lips.

"I also thought about you," Seonghwa whispered back. The corners of Hongjoong's lips twitched.

"Anything in particular?" Hongjoong reached out his free hand over the backrest of the swing. His gaze never wavered from Seonghwa's.

"I like your tattoos. They came as a surprise," Seonghwa said. When Hongjoong's hand came back with something red cradled between his fingers, Seonghwa didn't even look at it. As soon as Hongjoong placed the soft object on his lips, Seonghwa opened his mouth to taste it.

A raspberry. The sweet flavour had Seonghwa surging after Hongjoong's fingers to lick the juice left behind from his skin. Hongjoong hesitated in pulling away, his fingertips resting against Seonghwa's lips.

"No reason to show them off in the stables, yes."

Seonghwa's hands hesitantly reached for Hongjoong's open jacket and pulled the collar aside. His mouth was dry when he exposed Hongjoong's shoulder.

"Can I?"

Hongjoong dropped his hands to allow Seonghwa access.

"As long as you keep your hands on me so I won't get cold."

Seonghwa chuckled at that statement as he slipped Hongjoong's jacket down his shoulders. His tattooed arms came into sight and Seonghwa finally got to see them in the last light of day.

Hongjoong's tattoos were exclusively shades of black. They depicted flowers and nature, wrapped around his skin in the imagination of wings and quotes that Seonghwa had never heard before. One of the most prominent was an angel on his left upper arm. It showed the serene face of a marble woman holding a flame in her hand meant to guide people to light.

Hongjoong also had a tattoo of a horse. It was sketchy rather than realistic, but Seonghwa knew who it was, anyway.

"Nightfoot?" Seonghwa murmured as his fingers trailed over the sensitive skin on Hongjoong's inner arm. The man shuddered.

"Yeah."

There was a lot to explore and Seonghwa adored how the many images wrapped around each other. His fingers curiously shifted Hongjoong's sleeves aside when he couldn't see the entire picture of the solar system climbing up his shoulder. Before his fingers could slip under the hem of Hongjoong's shirt, however, to push it up and explore more, Hongjoong's hands in his nape stopped him.

"Study the rest sometime else. I'm cold."

Instantly, Seonghwa apologised and bundled the man into his jacket again. Like a pleased cat, Hongjoong let him.

"Sorry, I was curious."

"Make it up to me?"

Seonghwa wanted to ask how, but the answer to that question was right in front of him. When he tilted his head gently to move in, Hongjoong dragged him closer. Their lips already connected when the two of them still adjusted their positions. Soon, Hongjoong laid beneath Seonghwa on the swing and Seonghwa's body on top of him warmed him as they kissed. The swing slowly rocked them back and forth and created a bubble of privacy that was meant just for the two of them.

Hongjoong sighed into Seonghwa's mouth, pleased with the development. In the first moment that Seonghwa pulled off, he got glared at, but soon, Hongjoong settled into a pout as Seonghwa propped himself onto his elbows.

"Where is this going, Hongjoong? I want to know where to place my heart."

Hongjoong's fingers carded through Seonghwa's hair. The black strands wrapped around his fingers as if kissing them and wanting to hold them close.

"We can be boyfriends if you like. Or we can just have our private lessons at home from time to time if dating isn't what you are looking for."

Seonghwa would adore being boyfriends with Hongjoong. In his head, they could go riding out into the forest together and hold hands while on horseback and maybe double ride sometime again. Seonghwa saw a lot of romantic potential with Hongjoong, but he wanted to ask back for once.

"What do you want to be?"

Hongjoong grinned up at him in that genuine warm joy that he showed so rarely.

"I would like to be boyfriends."

Seonghwa's heart surged in his chest at the confession. He dipped to kiss Hongjoong again and sealed his delight between their lips.

"Then let's be boyfriends. And you get to do all the private lessons you deem necessary."

"Careful, I might like that thought too much," Hongjoong jested. They held each other close and cosy even on the hard surface of the swing.

"I want to learn everything you can teach me."

Chuckling, Hongjoong pulled him in again to prolong the evening just a while longer. Seonghwa fell into him easily to spend all the time with his new boyfriend as their hearts warmed each other in their adoration.