smut til the -
*****
A sharp pang shot through Hongjoong's lower back, moving all the way up his spine and making him shudder, tighten his hands on the soft flesh beneath them. A low groan escaped his lips and he hung his head, cursing that bandit once again.

Just why did that man need to be so rough? He got it, they were enemies but it was not like the situation asked for it. Simply not going all the way and rather showing off Hongjoong writhing on that damned gloved fingers of his would probably have been enough already.

Hongjoong grumbled to himself, having been cranky during the whole morning already because of the constant reminders of his hips that yes, he did succumb to that bandit. He was already counting the minutes until he could see that annoying bastard again and show him his place.

"Ho-Hongjoong. Slow down, please."

The throaty whine ripped Hongjoong out of his thoughts, making him blink harshly. He was in his room, staring at the wall above his bed. Right beneath him and stretched out like some kind of ancient goddess was Seonghwa, deliciously warm against him.

And now Seonghwa had settled his trembling fingers on Hongjoong's chest pleadingly, their delicate shape seeming oh so precious on a man like him.

Hongjoong looked him over, his sweaty dark hair that was fanned out above him and the soft rosy lips that were opened like a flower blooming in his need for air. His dark eyes were lowered, a suspicious wetness clinging to his long lashes and Hongjoong felt his heart ache.

"Forgive me, precious. Did I hurt you?" Hongjoong gently grasped his wrists, emcompassing them completely as he pulled them away to gently push them into the sheets. He stilled the movement of his hips completely, allowing Seonghwa to take a shuddering breath. His tanned chest was heaving beautifully, a sheen film of sweat glistening on it.

Hongjoong re-arranged Seonghwa's legs around his hips, gently massaging the marks his rough grip had left on his thighs and checking on the bandage around his knee area. It had not bled through again, thankfully, only the dried blood from when they had crashed into a table earlier still showing.

"It became a bit too much... That bandit again?"

Hongjoong thought he did not deserve this patient man laying all pretty and willing in front of him. How cruel of him to hurt this gentle soul.

The sheriff leaned over the other carefully, swallowing the breathless gasp that escaped Seonghwa when he jostled their bodies. He pressed remorseful kisses around the other's lips and eyes, mumbling soft apologies so his tears would dry again.

Seonghwa sighed dreamily, wrapping his hands around Hongjoong's neck to idly play with the hair in his nape.

That was the second time this happened today. The first time had been downstairs when Hongjoong had bent Seonghwa over his desk way too roughly, pulling his hair and arm like reigns as he got rid of all his anger and frustration. He had awoken to Seonghwa's pained scream when his wound was pressed against the desk at the wrong spot and had immediately showered the other man with guilty apologies.

And still Seonghwa had allowed him to stay, even cooking for him before they had tumbled into bed again. There they still were, sharing the warmth of the night in between the soft glow of Seonghwa's candles and the warm wind that travelled through the windows accompanied by the cicada's song.

It was calming and sensual and still Hongjoong's mind managed to stray off, to make him hurt the man.

"Yeah... I'm sorry, Seonghwa. You're gorgeous I don't know why I constantly-"

Seonghwa hushed him with a chaste kiss, pulling him down to press his lips delicately to Hongjoong's. His dark eyes were sincere when he allowed him to pull off again.

"No worries. I know you do not mean to and as long as I can remind you to come back it'll be fine. Even though I wish there would be one day you could look at me and me only. Without distractions from another man.", he murmured slowly, a blush immediately spreading on his cheeks after.

Hongjoong was devastated.

He grabbed one of Seonghwa's hands from his shoulders, carefully weaving their fingers together to press soft kisses to the other man's knuckles. Seonghwa blushed, if possible, even more, shyly lowering his eyes.

"This sounds suspiciously like lovers. Do you wish to be my lover, Seonghwa? Mine only?"

Hongjoong's heart sung when Seonghwa nodded timidly and he carefully rolled his hips into the warmth still enclosing him tightly, making Seonghwa bare his throat with a low moan. Hongjoong immediately latched to his neck, biting marks into his smooth skin that bloomed prettily like his lips, fitting to him.

"Why? Did I not make you hate me by hurting you constantly?" The sheriff kissed the other man's jaw, settling into a slower rhythm than before that made the pull of the heat in his veins just the more delicious.

"If anything it shows your strength. So much passion... I want it all for myself. Let me be greedy, Hongjoong?"

Hongjoong gently pressed their intertwined hands down into the mattress, thrusting deeper to see Seonghwa arch prettily for him.

"Sure. Take anything you want. I'll be happy to give it to you."

-

Hongjoong was at a much better mood when meeting the investor later that day. They had already met twice, before Hongjoong came here and the other man was always a pleasure to deal with. So it came to no surprise that Hongjoong's mood lifted significantly when he stepped into the inn and spotted him in the corner in the back.

They waved at each other before Hongjoong nodded at Yeosang still a bit frostily and then started to make his way around the desks. He greeted some other townsfolk as well, even Jongho who nodded with fiery eyes that looked not feminine at all.

"Mister Bang!", he welcomed the other then when he was close enough, seeing a crooked grin spread on his visitor's face.

"I told you Yongguk is enough. It's good to see you all energetic." The man's voice was a deep rumble like water hidden deep inside of a rock, soothing and bottomless.

Hongjoong gave him a broad grin, sliding onto the bench opposite of him and settling down comfortably.

"Yeah, you too. I hope you had a nice night? I try to make this a safer place but I did not quite succeed yet.", he sheepishly murmured, pouring coffee in both of their mugs from the bigger jug. Yongguk watched him with a calm face, his whole aura radiating peacefulness and an ease that Hongjoong actually appreciated very much right now.

"I did. The owner made sure to see to my needs. How is your work with the bandits coming along?"

Wonderful, actually, he managed to get one killed, discovered another and got laid by a third one. Brilliant.

"I'm working on it. I think I'm not that far away from getting to know more about them."

He thought by now that San was quite suspicious too. He had checked his notebook before leaving Seonghwa and San had told them he met the bandits only once face to face. However, Wooyoung had spoken about his 'encounters' as in plural. So either he was hiding information from them or he did meet up with them quite regularly. At least often enough that they could fall for him and knew about him and Wooyoung.

"That's good to hear. I hope they do not trouble you too much?"

"Nothing more or less than I expected.", Hongjoong lied, forcing a smile on his face. As if wanting to mock him his hips hurt right then, making him shift uncomfortably on his chair.

"However, I think it will still need some time before you can do anything here. How long will you stay? I do not wish to get you in trouble.", he added then, crossing his feet while Yongguk calmly sipped his coffee, his dark locks falling in front of his eyes. They constantly seemed a bit too knowing for Hongjoong's liking, boring right into his soul.

"Of course, I gave you five years I do not expect success within a few weeks. I sure count on your abilities though. Tell me whenever you might need something from the city." Yongguk leaned back leisurely, his bony fingers playing with the handle of his cup absentmindedly. "I plan to stay for a few days. However, I also heard that getting back by train might be a bit troublesome but I am sure not up for horses right now... How is that train conductor doing?"

Hongjoong felt the itch to correct him but he did not, not wanting to be too petty.

"He is getting better. I paid him a visit this morning and he seemed to be healing well." Hongjoong nonchalantly sipped his tea, trying not to think about Seonghwa who was laying on his bed still with his skin marked up by Hongjoong's hands and teeth and caught in deep slumber.

"Did you now... Very thoughtful. I know the city in good hands then." Yongguk looked as if he knew more than he was letting on but Hongjoong left it at that, only nodding to finish his coffee.

"I will spend my day out and question some more people. If you wish to look around feel free to do so. Normally Wooyoung would have accompanied you but I fear his health has not been that great these days. I could ask Jaebeom however to show you around."

Yongguk just nodded, his eyes on Jongho who was twirling and singing again, his honey voice filling the room. He was oddly captured by the sight of the bulky man in a dress and his eyes shone with more fascination than Hongjoong's probably ever did.

"Sure, that would be very nice of you. I will not get into your way."

Hongjoong would rather like to know that the bandits would not get into Yongguk's way. He needed to keep a close eye on Yeosang and Yunho. Hopefully that would not be too difficult with Yunho considering he was thinking about asking him about Mingi. He just had to do it without disclosing the information he had gathered about the other man.

"This man, what's his name?"

Hongjoong glanced at Yongguk, then throwing a haphazard look at Jongho still singing his soul out.

"Jongho. He's good, isn't he?"

It never ceased to amaze Hongjoong just how fixed the people were on Jongho, watching him perform with rapt attention day by day without showing signs of tiring. He truly was their celebrity.

"He is. You think he would be interested in coming to the city to perform someday? I might know someone to set him up with."

Hongjoong chuckled, pretty sure that Jongho with his aggressive feminity would absolutely weirden out the uptight city people. However, he could also imagine very well that he would love to experience a real crowd for once, to get his actual talent acknowledged.

"I will ask him to think about it. He may be a bit shy at getting back to you but I will make sure that the answer will have arrived at yours by the date of your departure. Anything else you need to know? If not I'll take my leave now." He still wanted to collect some more information on this 'easy to persuade' woman that San had talked about.

It would be nice to know where San was these days anyway.

"No, go do your work and thanks for seeing me. I'll see you around I guess."

They nodded at each other, Hongjoong taking his leave then.

He found Wooyoung outside, walking at the side of his mother who had one arm looped into his and was walking slowly at his side, talking animatedly about something.

Hongjoong chose not to bother them, trying to pass them with a small smile because Wooyoung still looked a bit shaken up even after spending the night at his house with Yeosang at his side.

However, Wooyoung stopped him before he could pass them easily. He grabbed the smaller man's shoulder, pulling him close for a moment.

"Sheriff, by the way... I heard a name during my stay there. I wanted to tell you in case it was important."

Hongjoong nodded patiently.

"It's Youjin. One of their bosses is called Youjin."