“Love is a smoke raised with the fume of sighs; Being purged, a fire sparkling in lovers' eyes; Being vexed, a sea nourished with lovers' tears.”* The officiant began, looking between the two of them.

Hongjoong broke his gaze, looking towards the man. “Romeo and Juliet ?” He inquired, tilting his head. Seonghwa turned his head as well, listening and letting the words fill him with the truth.

“Yes, that’s right. Act 1, Scene 1. That line is known to compare the duality of what real love can make us feel. It explains that initially, love is like a suffocating smoke developed in the mutual longing between two, becoming passionately full of soul and fire when purified. However, if you disrupt that, it introduces a vast problem. That metaphor illustrates the pain that can come when love isn’t returned.”

He paused, his eyes flickering between the both of theirs. “Love is truly a dual thing. As it is beautiful, it is painful. As it is intense, it is fragile. It must be treated with caution.”

A smile sprouted on his lips as he specifically directed his attention to the both of them. “What you two share is sacred. It is something that took root when you were children, and has continued to bloom over the span of a decade. This milestone is well deserved and I’m positive that everyone in this room says the same.”

“We are gathered here today to join Kim Hongjoong and Park Seonghwa in marriage. This speaks on their dedication to the commitment and dedication they’ve put into each other. You two are so blessed.”

They both looked back at each other, their gaze locked on each other’s face, filled with admiration for the other.

“Do you have your vows prepared ?” The officiant asked, leaning forward with a smile. Hongjoong had to resist the urge not to burst into tears, full of so much emotion and readiness to call Seonghwa his.

“Yes, I do,” he sniffled, pulling the slip out of his pocket. “Am I okay to start ?” He questioned, looking towards the man. “Whenever you’re ready,” he softly spoke, giving Hongjoong a reassuring nod.

He took a deep breath, looking at his soon-to-be, then down at the paper.

“Seonghwa, my love. For years, I’ve watched you, waited for you, known in my gut that you were always meant to stand here, before me, by my side. After all of these years, –preparation, too– it’s finally real. I vow to be the rock in your world, the man who always provides, protects, and keeps you safe within the luxurious life you deserve.”

“I promise to cherish your timeless beauty, your spirit, and every inch of your body and soul, forever. My heart, my home, my name– they are all yours, completely and without question or any doubt.” He reached out to hold his hand, intertwining their fingers and softly stroking his knuckles.

“All I ask, all I demand is your unwavering devotion. Be mine, Seonghwa. Be my wife, my darling, now and always.”

Once he looked up, the sight of Seonghwa’s tears streaming down his soft cheeks was enough to make his chest heave. Hongjoong snatched the hankerchief out of his suit, leaning in and dabbing the salty drops off of his face. They were almost there.

“Seonghwa ? Your vows ?” Yeosang tapped him, holding his vows between his fingertips.

“Oh, right…” he giggled, turning to accept the small paper from his man of honor. “Thank you, Yuyu.” He said, letting out another melodious laugh, the guests returning his humor.

He looked up at Hongjoong with his sparkly eyes, squeezing his hand once, out of affection. “Hongjoong, my dear From the moment I first saw you, a boy I shared my high school experience with, my heart knew you were my destiny. I’ve dreamed about this day, countless of times. Since the first time I fantasized about signing my name ‘Kim Seonghwa’ on my papers, and now, standing here, giving myself wholly and completely.”

“Today, that dream finally becomes our reality. I vow to trust you implicitly, to adore you without end, and to surrender myself fully to your care and your guidance. My body, my spirit, my every breath– they are yours to command, to cherish, and to fulfill. I promise my devotion, my loyalty, and my deepest love ‘til my dying day. I am yours, Hongjoong. Your wife, forever devoted to you.”

If there was one thing that Seonghwa did, it was practically rip his heart out and willingly hand it to the other. Hongjoong couldn’t– he wouldn’t escape the feeling of passion that Seonghwa truly conveyed to him through his loving surrender.

This was a dream come true.

“Do you, Kim Hongjoong, take Park Seonghwa to be your lawfully wedded wife, to live together in matrimony, to love them, comfort them, honor and keep them, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live ?”

“I do.” He promised.

“Do you, Park Seonghwa, take Kim Hongjoong to be your lawfully wedded husband, to live together in matrimony, to love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, in sorrow and in joy, to have and to hold, from this day forward, as long as you both shall live ?”

“I do.” He whimpered, fanning his tears.

Hongjoong softly chuckled, then turned his back momentarily to accept the ringbox from his best man, Yunho, who sweetly handed it over, followed by an affectionate hand on his shoulder. He took the first ring out, a glimmering, white gold ring, a princess cut diamond resting elegantly at the top.

“Repeat after me, Hongjoong,” the officiant said, Hongjoong nodding in response. “With this ring, I thee wed,”

“With this ring, I thee wed,” he softly repeated, sliping the diamond on Seonghwa ring finger.

“–and pledge you my love, now and forever.”

“And pledge my love, now and forever.” He softly said, bending down to place a chaste kiss on the ring.

“Seonghwa, repeat after me.” He turned, just as Seonghwa took the matching wedding band from the box, before it got handed back to Yunho.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” he began.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” he smiled, taking Hongjoong’s hand and putting the ring onto him.

“–and pledge you my love, now and forever.”

“And pledge my love, now and forever.” He finished, looking back at Hongjoong.

The officiant grinned ear to ear, stepping back and placing a hand on his heart out of adoration for the newlywed couple.

“By the power vested in me by the State of California, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the–”

Hongjoong didn’t hesitate to yank Seonghwa by the wrist, pulling him in his embrace. He wrapped his arms around his waist, Seonghwa’s arms flying around Hongjoong’s neck as he sealed it with a kiss.

You gotta be one hell of a kid to pull up to school, on a Monday, in one of the most luxurious car brands known to man. Jeong Yunho, ever attuned to his own privileged persona drove up to the bleak campus in his new 2022 Lamborghini Aventador SVJ– along with his pretty best friend riding in the front.

It was unbelievably stupid for a seventeen year old to impulsively spend over seven hundred million Won of his inheritance on a sports car. Geonho tried to bargain with him, to get a less.. flashy car, or even just one with class.

Like Geonho’s black and beloved Bentley Bentayga.

Nah. Yunho preferred the **** roar of the V12 engine and the cat-eye headlights of his custom-coloured Aventador, the stark blue clashing with the bleak prep school environment.

“Yo, Yunho-ssi !”

There he was, Park Seonghwa. Shouting from across the parking lot, he jogged over to the two, his sparkly smile glimmering in the sunshine.

“You like my new coupe ?” Yunho hollered, swarms of underclassmen and fellow seniors beginning to group up with their phones to take pictures. Yunho could already see the headlines:

Chairman’s Charming Brother, Jeong Yunho, Pulling Up to Class With No Class, Only Flash.

Too long ? Yeah. Thought so.

“It’s ******* amazing.” Seonghwa praised, leaning back to admire the gorgeous carbon-fibre structure. “My favorite thing, though,” Hwa started, before lunging over to the side, “this ****** on the right side. What’s his deal– attempting nonchalance ? It ain’t working.”

Yunho shrugged, tapping his fingernail against the thick glass. “He wants the attention, too. Might as well spoon-feed it to him.” He joked, opening the scissor doors to let Mingi out.

“Your door, my dear.” Yunho purred, theatrically moving around to assist Mingi out of the car like a princess.

Mingi stepped out, dramatically adjusting his uniform before Yunho presented him.

“Here he is, boys, the one and only–”

“Get on your knees, -----. Worship this dirt I walk on.” Mingi interrupted, his coarse demand eliciting mock-shock gasps from the two. Now this was their dynamic. Always and forever will Mingi raise his acts for the entertainment of others.

“****, man, you didn’t even give me the chance to introduce you.” Yunho scowled, earning a playful punch from the elder. Seonghwa watched the entire charade between the two of them with a raised brow and a skeptical look.

“–seriously, Yunho-ah, I spend one day away from you, and you spend 700,000,000 Won on a ******* sports car !!” Mingi shook Yunho by the shoulders.

Seonghwa shook his head. “You two argue like my Mothers’. Except you two are like some sort of… spunky… gay couple.”

Both Yunho and Mingi froze, becoming timid and seemingly really shy. “Uh-oh. Looks like I hit a sensitive spot. What did you two get into ?” Hwa raised both brows now, crossing his arms.

Before the two could even conjure up a meager response, Kim Hongjoong scurried over, jumping right on top of Mingi, into his arms.

Both Hwa and Yunho immediately went quiet.

They loved Hongjoong ! But it seems that Hongjoong was quite smitten with Mingi. Would it be bad if Yunho wished that Seonghwa had never chosen to invite Hongjoong to lunch with them ? Would it be bad if Seonghwa admitted to regretting his choice to introduce Hongjoong to his friends ?

Either way, there was no turning back now. No matter how entitled Yunho felt to Mingi, it always felt as if it was being bombarded with Kim Hongjoong.

The same was for Seonghwa, too. The idea of his meet-cute with Hongjoong being shattered by his undeniable attraction to Mingi was heartbreaking.

And to make matters worse, no one could tell if Mingi reciprocated Hongjoong’s feelings, or if he was just being nice. Once again, Yunho was practically entitled to Mingi, especially after what happened on Friday evening.

That weekend, Yunho had spent around an hour getting himself off in the Aventador to the thought of Mingi and his… performance.

The bleak image was burned in his mind, the moment running through his mind like a movie. The session in his car was almost tangible, with the way he could feel, hear and especially see everything in its imagined detail.

There was no denying that Mingi was smoking hot.

And Yunho had been unbelievably bothered ever since.

“Is this your car, Mingi-ssi ? It’s really hot.” Hongjoong purred, leaning against the sleek body and dragging his nails across the carbon. It’s as if he just… didn’t see the key in Yunho’s hands !

The three of them internally cringed. Mingi didn’t even answer, letting Yunho take the wheel. “Um, no– actually, could you get your hands off her ? This is my car, and I’d appreciate if you’d quit scratching the hood. Don’t you know how delicate this carbon fibre is ? You ain’t a gearhead, huh ?” Yunho snarled, his voice unintentionally sounding… mean.

Hongjoong stumbled back, raising his hands off and away from his ride. “Woah, sorry, I didn’t know. You don’t have to talk to me that way.” He defended himself.

“Yeah, lay off, Yuyu. He’s just curious.” Mingi reassured the younger, placing his hand on his lower back. Yunho flinched away from the touch, crossing his arms. “I don’t give two *****. My car costs more than his home.” Yunho whispered into Mingi’s ear, a little scoff escaping his lips right after.

Hongjoong frowned. “I can hear you, y’know. But you’re right. I live in a trailer park not far from here.”

Yunho shut up real quick. He let out a shaky sigh before stepping forwards.
“Listen, Hongjoong, I’m… sorry. I crossed a line. We good ?” Yunho tilted his head, softening his eyes and sharp scowl. Unease ran through the group as the tension became quite heavy. Although the apology seemed half-hearted, he meant it. Sorta.

Hongjoong nodded, before patting his shoulder. “Yeah… You’re good. We’re… good.” He gave a tight, close lipped smile before looking over to Seonghwa. “Seonghwa, we should.. get to first period. We only have a few minutes left until the first bell.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, let’s go. I’ll see you guys later !” Seonghwa smiled, before skipping off with Hongjoong.

Yunho nodded because he was too busy chewing something to speak.

The soft and wet sounds coming from his mouth were loud, obscene to Mingi’s keen ears.

“What are you eating?” he asked.

Yunho plucked something from the bowl to hold it up. In the dim moonlight, he could just about make out the shape of a strawberry. It was small and looked like it would be so delightfully sweet. “Would you like one?”

Mingi shook his head and filled his mouth with more smoke instead.

Yunho considered this, his fingers stroking and teasing the strawberry. Then he cocked his wrist to toss it down into the courtyard.

Seonghwa had such precise reflexes he was a sight to see. He tracked the curved descent of the tossed berry, his feet skipping over the cobblestones until he had gotten into the perfect position. He jumped to catch it right between his teeth, bearing down just enough to dimple the skin without biting clean through the strawberry.

The little act was met with applause and giggles from Yunho. The sound was airy and sweet because it was genuine. After all, Seonghwa was one of the only people on the entire estate whom the Master didn’t mask around. His smiles were never forced, they just sometimes lacked animation because it was something he clearly struggled with.

Seonghwa folded an arm over his stomach and gave the deep bow of a Commedia dell’arte performer. It made his loose hair bounce around his handsome face. As he straightened up, he ****** the strawberry into his mouth. It must have been sweet because his smile grew as he reached up to fix his messy hair.

Yunho plucked another strawberry from the bowl resting on the balcony wall.

He brought it up to his lips, only he didn’t bite it. He pressed a kiss against it and then shifted to lean over the railing. The movement made his robe slip off one of his shoulders to expose even more of his bare skin. “Now, Mingi! You too!” he called out, his wrist cocked and ready to toss the berry down at him.

Mingi felt his heart stop beating in his chest from a mixture of lust and dread.

For a second, it seemed like every single bruise and bite was on display for them all to see. He anticipated the gasp of shock Seonghwa would let out, followed by a string of panicked questions about what had happened to him.

But the light coming through the lace curtains was too dull to fully illuminate his body. It threw him into darkness, nothing more than an aureole of warm orange behind him.

A saintly halo for a devilish boy.

Mingi swallowed down the moan that so desperately wanted to escape his clenched teeth. He dropped his eyes to see that Seonghwa was still smiling up at the boy, his expression one of delight and not horror.

“I’m afraid Mingi isn’t the kind to play such games,” Seonghwa remarked with a soft chuckle. “Try as I might, I just can’t get him to play nice with the other horses.”

Yunho was quick to argue, “It’s because you’re too gentle with him. I think a firm hand would work better.”

For a moment, a fleeting look of uncertainty came over Seonghwa’s expression. Mingi saw the twitch in his strong eyebrows, the falter at the upturned corners of his lips.

Memories of the crop cast on the stable floor, still warm from the Master’s hand. The sound of his wailing echoing through the dusty sunbeams casting through the doorway. The creeping sense of dread floating up towards the old timber beams where the swallows liked to nest.

When Seonghwa spoke, the dazzling smile appeared once more. Like the sun disappearing behind a tiny cloud but for a second, returning more vibrant than before. “No, Mingi needs a gentle hand. Believe me, I know him better than anyone else.”

Yunho spoke around his dangling cigarette. It bobbed from every slight twitch of his pretty lips. “Mmm, my body hurts.”

“Your body hurts?” Seonghwa repeated in that same sweet tone, like a mother talking to her toddler. His rubbing hand slid down his back, focusing more on the potential source of the pain. “How come?”

“Riding the horses,” he explained, his gaze still burning into Mingi’s skull.

“They can be rough. But it feels so good, doesn’t it?”

At this, Seonghwa clicked his tongue and started rigorously rubbing the dip of the Master’s curved spine. His warm palm would soothe away the lingering discomfort.

Only, it wasn’t really what he needed, and they both knew it.

No, what Yunho needed was a nice soak in a warm bath, and maybe a soothing after-care balm to take down the sting.

Knowing Seonghwa, he would probably slather it on for him with a series of gentle coos and head strokes.

“Oh, dear! No one enjoys a rough ride, least of all the horses. Which one was rough with you? I’ll have to ride them myself and see if they need some more balance and gait training.”

Mingi managed to not choke on his next pull, but only just. He coughed into his fist, tried his ******* hardest to disguise it as a little tickle. It worked, for the other man didn’t give him so much as a glance. He was much too busy babying the little darling on his knee.

“That’s quite alright,” Yunho replied, his lips lifting in a hollow smile around his cigarette. “I have to learn how to train it myself. I’ll put plenty of work into it.”

“Good boy,” Seonghwa praised, reaching up with his free hand to give him a gentle stroke under the chin.

Yunho turned his head to look at him and suddenly asked, “Do you think I could ride a stallion?”

“Hmm, the question isn’t if you could, rather if you should,” came Seonghwa’s earnest and soft-spoken response. “I’ve no doubt that you could handle one. Not all stallions are temperamental. Some are calm, good-natured. But they’re just too unpredictable, love. They can’t help it. It’s their hormones, their drive to reproduce and protect their herd. So, it would need to be a well-trained stallion, and it would have to be once breeding season is over.”

“What about you?” Yunho reached up to get his cigarette between his fingers. As he exhaled smoke out the corner of his pursed lips, he turned his attention back to Mingi. His gaze shifted to look down at the soft rise in his sweatpants before lifting to his face again. “Do you think I could handle a stallion?”

The Master wasn’t talking about horses.

The stallion he longed to handle had stormy eyes and calloused hands, and it couldn’t be held down with ropes and ties. And the field he wanted to break it in was more like a sea of wrinkled cotton, with down pillow hillocks and wooden headboard mountains.

“… Yeah, you could do it,” Mingi said, his voice low and soft in the quiet of the courtyard. “We’ll have to reach out to the stud farms in a few weeks. Maybe they’ll have a suitable stallion for you to ride?”

“You promise?” Yunho asked, his chest puffing up in excitement.

Mingi nodded because he suddenly found it hard to speak. He dropped his gaze to the sound of Yunho excitedly giggling and rapidly clenching his fists, and Seonghwa softly chuckling as he watched him with a fond smile on his lips.

Quick as a whip, Yunho jumped to his feet and raced across the floor to go inside the massive closet. Mingi heard him rifling through drawers and hanging clothes, the little sounds he made under his breath as he searched for what he was looking for.

After several minutes, the Master emerged in a whole new outfit. He was wearing a Ralph Lauren jumper. It was baby blue cotton, with ribbed cuffs, neckline and hem. On the chest was a stitched image of a brown teddy bear. It was wearing a baseball cap with casual clothes and sneakers.

Beneath the jumper was a white shirt with an exaggerated collar. The top button was open to expose a hint of his neck. He had paired the jumper and shirt with little white shorts and light blue socks.

Finally, he had slipped into his black horsebit loafers with the thick heels. Yunho skipped out of the closet and spun on his heel to show off the outfit. The Roméo charm was hanging from his phone case. It bounced from the movement. He let out a breathy giggle and smiled wide enough to show off his teeth.

Seonghwa moved to retrieve a hat from a drawer. It was a twill nautical cap, with a navy brim and band and a white top. Little brass buttons on the band matched well with the brass details on the lamb bag. He neatened the Master’s hair with his fingers and then tugged it on for him.

“There, now you look perfect, my darling boy.”

Yunho gushed and leaned against his fingers. “What do you think?” he asked, glancing at him with his big, sparkling eyes. “Do I look beautiful?”

Mingi had gotten used to the Master’s little uniforms and layered suits. He no longer furrowed his brow when he came skipping into the stable, his shoes clip-clopping and his hands swinging at his sides. He didn’t even see it as childlike anymore, because he had spoken to him enough to understand that he was an intelligent young man beneath the princeling costumes. However, now he could see him dressed in a preppy, casual outfit, he found he liked it a lot. Yunho still looked boyish, but he was handsome rather than cute.

Mingi gave him a slow smile. “You look very handsome, Yunho.”

Oh, Yunho had to turn away from him because he was so overcome with joy. His ears turned a shade of deep pink from beneath the brim of his cap. The flush even crept down the back of his neck above his shirt collar. He cupped his face in his hands and let out a series of flustered noises.

This made Seonghwa beam at him. “Mingi’s right; you look very handsome. Now, you must behave when you’re with him. Yes? Don’t wander off, stay by his side. Remember to be patient with him, especially if he comes over quiet. And most importantly …”

Seonghwa took hold of his shoulders to turn him around so he could look into his eyes. Yunho wasn’t quite able to hold his gaze because he was still so flustered. “Enjoy yourself,” Seonghwa finished, giving the boy another soft stroke beneath the chin.

“No more pouting, no more sadness. Today is your special day, and you must enjoy it whilst it lasts. Yes?”

Yunho nodded and skipped across the room towards Mingi. He held his hand out in silent request. Mingi studied it and then glanced at Seonghwa, just to see how the other man reacted to the gesture. It looked familiar, like they had held hands before. He saw no concern or confusion on the other man’s expression, so he took hold of his hand. It was as moist and warm as always as the boy entwined their fingers.

“Alright,” Mingi sighed out, his shoulders lifting and falling in a soft wave. “Let’s see what’s happening in town …”

♱

“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.”

It was eerie just how silent the estate was tonight. Save for the sound of the sleeping horses and the occasional cry of the night birds far across the grounds, there was nothing.

No pitter patter of rain, no distant voices carrying on the breeze. Even the manor was close to dead at this midnight hour. Only a few windows were illuminated.

Several of them belonged to Seonghwa’s ground floor suite. It seemed he was having a late night too. Only his evening probably revolved around glasses of expensive wine and cigarettes on the chaise longue beside the hearth, with a good novel in hand or a classic film playing on the mounted flatscreen across the parlour.