Hongjoong had fucked up royally.

Seonghwa was merciless, dragging the weak human away from the scene and directly to one of the majestic stags on the field. Hongjoong could hear Youjin struggle, could hear his pained shouts but they were too far out, everybody too busy to notice them missing.

Hongjoong cried and struggled against the hard hold on him, tried to get away, help Youjin, do anything.

He had expected Seonghwa would throw him right to the wolves - the metaphorical ones. Meaning he expected to be exposed to his new friends, to the fae kings who would then decide upon his punishment.

So why, just why, was Seonghwa throwing him on top of the stag with more strength than he was supposed to have? Why did he mount the animal behind Hongjoong, pressing a warning hand against his back?

Hongjoong was crying, sobbing Youjin's name and his head was hurting, he was completely disoriented.

Seonghwa turned his head, shouted towards the two figures fighting to death just a few feet away.

"You can have him back if you surrender to me peacefully. Remember to be nice to everyone, or else..." He patted Hongjoong's back, then ordering the stag to go.

Hogjoong could only hang on, held by Seonghwa's cool hands and the desperate wish to not get trampled upon. His tears however would not stop falling for a long time.

-

Hongjoong fell asleep somewhen along the way and when he woke up again he was settled in a bit of a more comfortable postition, his back leaning against the elf's solid chest. It took him a moment to recognize the movements of the stag beneath him, the hands settled comfortably on his hips.

Fear let his body convulse but he tried breathing calmly, not making any hasty movements. He collected his thoughts.

"What did you do? Why did you do that? Youjin, he just- he just wanted to-" Hongjoong's voice broke, ending in a wet sob und the man behind him sighed, already annoyed again.

One hand came up to harshly grab Hongjoong's jaw, turning his head to the other one without a care in the world about Hongjoongs protesting neck. Hongjoong bit back a wail, getting nauseous again at how fast the blur of the forest rushed past them.

"Listen, boy. I just saved you from whatever danger coming up and there was a lot directed at you. How about a thanks instead of accusing me?" He disgustedly threw Hongjoong's face forward again, gripping his waist tighter than before. It hurt.

"He was nice to me. I don't know what you did to make him hate you but he is nice, he never once tried to hurt me!"

"He knew you were no fairy, did he act upon it? No, he probably mocked you just like all the others who are stupid enough not to see the silver in his damned face. He used you, get over it."

Hongjoong kicked a the other's shin sharply, making him yell in surprise. A hurtful pinch was delivered to the soft flesh of Hongjoong's side.

"You have no idea! What are you, an jealous ex? If he truly used me, then just to create an distraction and that certainly worked with you!"

This time the elf grabbed at his hair, ripping some of it out as he pulled at Hongjoong's head harshly until it laid absolutely defenseless against the other man's shoulder. The pain made tears pool in the corners of Hongjoong's puffy eyes again, his hands clawing fruitlessly at the long legs framing his hips.

The struggle stopped as Seonghwa drew his knife again, letting it rest in an unmistakable warning against Hongjoong's bare throat.

"Assume one more thing about my relationship to that man and I will lose all hospitability I still have. You will shut up now and only speak again when I tell you to. Think about how much your sly tongue will be worth to you before I cut it out." His voice was nothing more than a hiss and Hongjoong just whined once, but then went quiet as a clearing came into sight.

There was no high wall or anything, just two men standing on the soft grass and they had pointy ears and antlers. They were clad in a uniform looking fahsion, all filigree and with skinny curves, fitting their weapons.

"Your highness... Who-"

"This is the lover of Kim Youjin. Tell him I got his little treasure if he swings by." Seonghwa's smirk was downright cunning and Hongjoong hated him so much, despised this handsome man deeply.

Who did he think he was to be playing people like that?

However his words had also sparked a bit of hope in Hongjoong. He would not be used as a bait for Youjin if Youjin already died, right? Even though Hongjoong hated being here with this horrible man, there was still hope to seeing Youjin again.

"You found him? After all those years?" One of the men gasped amazedly, their stag slowly passing through the clearing illuminated by a soft golden light coming from above.

"Indeed. He hid within fae and took a special liking to this one. I will await him here and hopefully we can see his head finally roll soon."

Hongjoong pondered biting him but he held absolutely still, completely frozen against Seonghwa's body.

"If not? He does not seem like that kind of man."

"Then I have a pretty new decoration for my court. Does it truly matter which elf's bed he's sharing?"

Those words caused nasty laughter and comments coming up from both men and Seonghwa just grinned at them, letting his stag track through the forest easily. He also let Hongjoong's head go, putting away the dagger.

"You are in elven territory now. We know of everything going on here so if you plan on fleeing and nearly getting killed again, just try. It will keep me entertained until Youjin shows up."

Hongjoong wanted to hit this man with an axe so badly. How did it happen that fae were portrayed as cunning and evil while elves were supposed to be this mighty and elegant race? It was all wrong.

"What makes you think he will show up? I've know him for a week."

"And I know him since nearly two decades. He will come."

"How are you such a despicable man?"

The elf sighed again, clearly fed up with Hongjoong's recklessness.

"How are you such a gullible man? Be good and shut up again, you can scream later."

They crossed further into the elven's settlement and Hongjoong could soon see wooden huts beneath the trees above his head, connected by little chain bridges. They created a whole village above high up in the air and even though Hongjoong had decided to detest the high elves, he was stunned by their craftsmanship.

Seonghwa was entirely too smug again.

"You will stay with me, we have no prison of any sorts where we put the likes of you. Until Youjin shows up you will be sharing with me and after that... who knows."

It was ominous, a hidden promise that if Youjin did not save him only death was to come and Hongjoong hated it.

All of this had begun because of Seonghwa. Now he just wanted to go home.

"Can I not stay with literally anybody else? Where do you put the animals?"

Hongjoong might be weak but if Hongjoong was used to one thing then it was men thinking they were better than him and trying to bully him into submission. It was men like Seonghwa who thought that Hongjoong was weak and undeserving of their kindness.

He knew how to deal with them.

"I know what you're thinking. But I am no toy for you to warm your bed with. If you try anything on me it will be nothing short of rape and I guess Youjin would not appreciate this."

He was grasping at anything, babbling futilely. If he could just sneak away quietly...

"Bold of you to assume I would want that kind of contact with some mere human. It is dark elves being pathetic like that. I will not lay a hand on you and I will not throw you to the animals. We do have a sense of respect, even for those who mingle with the enemy. If he comes and safes you to take you on some nice honeymoon tour to his lands later, remember my words. Everybody here, no matter how rude is a better person than any of them."

Hongjoong mumbled under his breath, saying his curses of the other. If he still heard, he was not fazed at all, just gripping Hongjoong's thigh harshly, as they neared some kind of stable.

"Be quiet now and let me talk."

Hongjoong complied for now.