♱

“You should name the boardings.”

The suggestion dragged Mingi out of his musings. He came around with a hard blink and a soft snort. “I’m sorry?” he asked, his eyebrows lifting enough to lightly crease his forehead.

“What did you say, love?”

“A name, you should give the boardings a name,” Yunho repeated, talking in a slow and steady rhythm as if Mingi was a child. “The larger of the stables is called le Nid des Hirondelles, because–”

“Because the swallows like to nest there,” Mingi finished with a slow nod.

Mingi was aware. He had heard the stable being referred to by this name by Jean-Luc, the head groundskeeper. He was also familiar with the swallows, who liked to nest in the eaves during the spring. They kept away the annoying bugs and spiders, so he was happy to tolerate them.

However, he just thought of it as ‘the stables’ because he had no need to specify mostof the time. Should he need to talk to Seonghwa about one, he would refer to it by the name of whatever mare first came to mind. Seonghwa knew where they were all housed, so he was able to figure out where to go with ease.

At this, Yunho perked up. He stuck his chest out and squared his shoulders, like he always did when he was feeling accomplished and proud. It seemed he liked how he knew such little details about the estate. Mingi didn’t know all that much, but he had learned some things from his years working alongside Seonghwa and Adrien.

“I like to call it les Hirondelles for short. The smaller stable hasn’t been given an official name yet. It’s a more recent addition, and it does take time for a name to settle. I’m still thinking of a suitable choice. As for your boardings…” Yunho paused to think it over, his gaze once more skipping over the interior of the bungalow. “Uh, les Pignons?”

Mingi considered it before shaking his head. “Too obvious. It should have more character, don’t you think?”

After a moment, Yunho’s lips lifted in a pleased smile which showed his teeth.

"La Grange du Cheval?”

Mingi felt his lips curling into a smile too. He didn’t try to hide it by turning away or dropping his head. The Master had earned the right to see it for his wit. “I like that one,” he said, his voice soft. “I might have to steal it from you.”

“You can have it. It’s my gift to you.”

“Alright, thank you. Does your private suite have a name?”

Yunho nodded. “It does, le Coquelicot Bleu. There are little poppies in the stained-glass windows in the parlour. Blue, not red. Have you seen blue poppies before?”

“Yeah, they’re grown in the manor garden. Most of them are blue, but some sprout up yellow and orange.” Mingi knew it was probably a bad idea to suggest it, but he decided to go for it.

“You’ll have to invite me to your suite some time. I’ve never seen the poppies in the windows. I think I’d like to see them.”

“Oh, I would like that very much!” the Master gushed, as he rocked back onto the slight heels of his loafers. “I’ve so many nice things to show you! Um, I’ve plenty of books and maps. Oh, and antique equestrian tools! I’m certain you’ll know how to use them all. You could give me a demonstration. Not on the mares, of course. We wouldn’t want to risk hurting one. You could use me.”

The suggestion was ripe with implication.

Mingi felt a prickling heat spreading up from his neck. It made his cheeks and ears throb, not unlike the soft throbs starting to radiate out from his lower belly.

He hoped the gentle glow from the lamps didn’t expose his flush to the boy. He didn’t want him to know how uncomfortable he was making him.

“I’m a good student,” the Master finished, his voice breathier than it had been moments ago. “And I think you would make the perfect teacher. You’re firm, much firmer than Seonghwa. Though I always try to be a good boy, sometimes I get carried away. I need a firm hand to keep me in line. Punish me when I’m misbehaving. Praise me when I’m being good. You
would be just perfect, I think.”