Of Swaggers, Saloons, And Star Badges - Prologue (continued)
Shim Changmin comes from a long line of sheriffs. His father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all sheriffs of his hometown. Now it was time for Changmin to take his turn; his father was retiring and he would take his place. As a Deputy, Changmin had been known for being fair and impartial. He never accepted a bribe nor abused his power in any way. As honorable as Changmin was, he was lonely. Changmin had friends, but as he got older he longed for the kind of relationship that his parents have, even now in their old age. Changmin’s father had always said that his wife was the first and only girl to have ever distracted him from his work - that is what Changmin wanted; to feel as passionate for another person as he did the law.
Changmin was tall, handsome, intelligent and quick -witted, but he was too focused on his job. He was always too serious and his mind would always be occupied with his work, even at social gatherings. Unfortunately, no matter how friendly the young women and men were with him after Sunday service or even at the occasional barn raising, no one could ever distract him from his duties. Being a sheriff, to Changmin, meant being the physical embodiment of the law. After inheriting the star badge from his father, Changmin drowned himself in his work. He had felt himself slip further into his own world and soon the townspeople labeled him cold.
Changmin was beginning to agree with the public opinion until he almost lost the thief he had been chasing after being distracted for the first time. One minute he was chasing after pick-pocket and the next he is ogling the most attractive man he has ever seen. The slim man had just rode up to the saloon on his horse and was descending the beast; small but pert bottom on display in tight leather pants and wavy chin-length hair caught up in the wind. Changmin was so enthralled by the sight of the stranger that he momentarily forgot that he was running after the no-good rascal who had pinched the Mayor’s gold pocket watch. Thankfully he had not been the only one distract by the young stranger’s sudden arrival and he was able to nab Yong Bang Cheol only a few feet away - that scrappy bastard.
“Alright Bang Cheol, let’s get a move on,” Changmin said as he grabbed the youth by the collar of his shirt and recovered the gold watch.
“Sheriff, do you know who that man is?” The young pick-pocket had his eyes still fixed on the new stranger dressed in dark colors; not bothered at all that he had been caught for the third time in two months.
“Since when are interested pretty boys?” It came out more jealous angry than Changmin had intended it to.
“Since that pretty boy rode into my life.” Bang Cheol quipped. “Sheriff, he is prettier than most of the girls in this town.” Changmin raised an eyebrow at that. The young thief continued, “Well I’d let him keep my bed warm with this those pouting lips and full smooth cheeks of his.”
“Yong Bang Cheol you are sixteen years old - you are barely a man. Someone with looks like that wouldn’t settle for a child.” Changmin said as he began to shuffle the youth towards the town jail. “And this is your third arrest in just about as many weeks - the only one warming your bed for the next while will be your cellmate!” Changmin didn’t know what had come over him but he be damned if he let the runt in his custody talk crudely about the handsome young man.
“Oy! Stranger!” Bang Cheol hollered. The young man in questioned turned to the commotion as the pick-pocket fought against Changmin’s hold. The rest of the town out in the square turned towards the scene as well. “Pretty man in brown leather!” he clarified
When the man finally pointed to himself in realization the youth nodded.
“What’s your name?” Bang Cheol shuffled closer and dragged the Sheriff along with him.
“Park Yoochun!” He had an amused smile on his face. Out of all the welcoming he’d received in the few towns he has been through, this was certainly the most interesting,
“Come visit me in jail Yoochun-sii? The Sheriff and town drunk are pitiful company.”
“The Sheriff seems alright to me…” Yoochun said, eyeing the handsome stern-looking man in uniform; his eyes lingering on the star badge. His heart tightened. Where are you now Jaejoong-hyung?
The youth snorted in response. “My name is Bang Cheol, Yong Bang Cheol don’t forget it!”
“Alright Casanova, knock it off.” Changmin growled, finally regaining his grip on the thief and hauling him off.
“Don’t you believe in love at first sight Sheriff?” Changmin grunted in response, but the truth was, after seeing Park Yoochun for the first time, he was warming up to the idea of falling in love instantly.
“Keep up the good work Sheriff!” Yoochun’s teasing praise flowed through the wind, feeling like a caress against Changmin’s cheek. Dear god, help me.
A/N: This is my first time writing something like this so please be kind ^^
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