Of Swaggers, Saloons, And Star Badges - Chapter 8
Title: Of Swaggers, Saloons, And Star Badges - Chapter 8
Character/Pairing: Jae/Min/Chun and variations of, minor one-sided YunChun, YooSu bffery
Genre: drama/angst, romance, and a bit of comedy and action, Korean Wild West AU!
Rating: PG-13 to be safe (for now)
Word Count: 1,752
Disclaimer: I have a what?
Previous parts: Prologue , Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 , Chapter 7
The rays of the morning sun illuminated the small cabin enough through the dust covered windows for Yoochun to properly survey his surroundings. It was a simple structure divided into two rooms by an archway. A fire place was in use in the front room. The bedroom he was in had two small beds and a dresser. The front room also had a table and four chairs. He figured it was only ever really used for passing the night by the Jung family. He tried to sit up, his still bound arms and new injuries making it difficult to remain silent while he did so. He didn’t want to wake up the man sleeping in the bed across from him. Yoochun knew he must have passed out sometime during the late night as the last thing that he remembered was being struck by Seung-Heon’s whip for a countless time.
Gingerly swinging his feet onto the ground, Yoochun straightened his back and wiggled his fingers, trying to encourage blood flow back in his numb arms. With each shifting of muscles, the cotton shirt he wore felt like sandpaper against the welts on his chest. His leather pants were split open in some of the places where he had been struck repeatedly to reveal similar swells on his bottom, thighs and calves. It took all of his strength not to cry out in pain. He took several slow, deep breaths to gather his wits about him. Trying to decide his next move, Yoochun studied the sleeping man in front of him. Seung-Heon must have either been very tired to let his guard down like this or was over confident in his whipping skills and thought that Yoochun would be unconscious much longer. If Yoochun could make it outside, he might be able to get a good enough of a head start before Seung-Heon came after him so that he could maybe find some help.
Yoochun stood, wincing slightly as the floor boards creaked under his weight. Seung-Heon didn’t react but Yoochun kept in the breath he was holding as he took his first step sideways. The sleeping figure remained still. Yoochun took another step, this time bigger. He was almost at the foot of the bed. Mid third step a leg shot out to bar his path.
“It was fun letting you think that you could get away, but now I’m bored.” Seung-Heon kicked Micky back onto the other bed. The younger man no longer bothered to swallow his cries of pain as his back, bound arms and head hit the wall before his body was racked with a series of coughs.
“Oh, how I love waking up to the melodious sounds of my wounded prey.” Seung-Heon hummed joyfully as he stood to stretch.
“You really are a kinky bastard.” Yoochun spat and the other man continued his humming as he made his way to the other room.
“Just for that, you’ll get no breakfast. Only water.” And as if on cue the sky clanged with thunder. “Looks like we got a storm ahead of us.” The grin on his captors face was hideous and it took everything Yoochun had in him not to whimper.
When they arrived at the small spring, Changmin and Jaejoong dismounted their horses to let the animals drink and to stretch out heir still alcohol heavy limbs. Changmin took a seat on a large rock, his head was pounding but he wasn’t sure if it was from his hangover or worry. He cradled his head in his hands and groaned.
“How far could he have gone!” He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Jaejoong looking away. He appreciated the wordless comfort, even if things were still awkward between them. Just then, Jaejoong shifted his gaze downwards and looked at him with a sad smile.
“We’ll find him, for - Star!” The sudden rise of volume in Jaejoong’s voice made him grimace.
“What are you on about?” he huffed as Jaejoong crouched beside him.
“Stars. He was here!” He pointed to half erased etchings.
“Again, what?” What did this have to do with Yoochun?
“Mic-Yoochun was always doodling stars whenever he would be lost in his daydreams! He was here, I just know it.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” The smile on Jaejoong’s face made Changmin want to smile as well, he nodded instead.
“Alright, let’s look around here and see what else we can find.” He said standing and the two men scoured the area around the spring for any other evidence of Yoochun’s presence.
“Jaejoong!” Changmin called out. “There are horse tracks coming from the West.” He was noted in part of the sandier earth.
“You think someone else was here, maybe surprised him?”
“Could be. Yoochun is obviously not here anymore and his horse came back without him. There are also no footprints around here so he didn’t walk away. Whatever happened, he left with someone else.”
“And the tracks are headed back East.” Jaejoong confirmed, “but down that other trail.”
Changmin frowned. “Not much is down that trail except forest and some broke-down cabins from the first pioneer settler ‘round these parts. It’s an older road that is longer way back to town.”
“Maybe he was hurt and they took shelter in one of those cabins?” Jaejoong offered an explanation but Changmin shook his head.
“Makes no sense, why not just come back to town? And why leave a perfectly healthy horse behind?”
Suddenly thunder rang out in the sky and heavy rain poured down on the two men. A bolt of lightning stuck nearby and frightened the horses; it was too close by for either man’s liking.
“Best get back to town. The rain will wash the tracks out and the storm will spook the horses anyhow.” Changmin called out over the sheets of rain coming down. Jaejoong begrudgingly agreed and they head back to town, defeated.
They returned to the Saloon drenched and were greeted by an eager set of Kim brothers. However, when they noticed that Yoochun was not with them the smiles fell. Jaejoong and Changmin dismounted and led their horses to the Kim family’s small stable behind the Saloon. Junho helped them dry the horses while Junsu busied himself with brushing Polaris. He did it to comfort the creature as much as himself. He may have only known Yoochun for over a week, but the man had quickly become the only real friend he had other than his brother.
“Was there any sign of Yoochun-shii?” Junho dared to ask, breaking the tense silence.
“He definitely made it to that small spring West of here.” Changmin began. His eyes remained focus on his task. “But it looks like he may have run into someone who took him down the old road to town, through the forest.”
“There are some old settler cabins on that trail. You think they went there?” Junho asked as he help Jaejoong take off the saddle.
“Yeah, but the storm was getting too strong and we couldn’t take the horses there in this weather while remaining stealthy.” Jaejoong said, taking his hat off and running his hands through wet hair. Junho nodded in understanding and silence took over the stables, except for the sounds of the horses and Junsu’s murmuring.
“Don’t worry agi-ah, Chunnie-hyung will be back soon.”
Spirits low, the four men regrouped inside the Saloon after Jaejoong and Changmin changed into dry clothes.
“As soon as the storm let’s up, I’m heading back out there.” Changmin said determined.
“We’re going back.” Jaejoong corrected and received a small smile from the Sheriff.
As they waited on the weather, Junsu fussed over them and made sure that they got a hearty meal in them before riding off again.
“Sheriff!” Deputy Choi Siwon came running into the Saloon.
“What is it Deputy?”
“Someone’s come to bail out the Jung Brothers.” He said, panting.
“There ain’t no bail set for the Jung Brothers. Not until the County Judge gets out here for a trial.”
“I know Sheriff. I told the man that but he just won’t take no for an answer and he’s asking for you. Youngwoon’s watching him now.” Something didn’t feel right about this to Changmin and by the look on Jaejoong’s face he could tell that the former Deputy felt the same way.
Jaejoong and Changmin followed Siwon back to the station and were greeted with an irate Youngwoon and a stunning man in black who looked completely unaffected by the annoyed Deputy.
“I’m Sheriff Shim. What can I help you with, Sir?”
“I’m Song Seung-Heon, and I’ve come for my cousins Ji Hoon, Yunho, and Younghwa. If you wouldn’t mind fetching the cell key I’m sure that we can come to an amicable agreement.” He took out a thick roll of money.
“I do mind and I am not your dog to be doing any fetching. These boys are not going anywhere until the County Judge comes down here to sentence them.”
Seung-Heon sighed. “I thought this may happen, that’s why I got myself some leverage.” Changmin cocked his head to the side and Jaejoong raised a curious eyebrow.
“Notice any whores missing from your town recently?” He asked with a false innocence. Changmin set his face into a hard mask to cover up his surprise but Jaejoong could not suppress himself and lunged for the man.
“Where is Yoochun?” Jaejoong demand and fought against Siwon’s hold as the young Deputy tried to pull Jaejoong off but Changmin signaled for his Deputy to step back.
“Yoochun? Is that the name Micky is going by now?” His smirk didn’t last long as Jaejoong drew back a fist and punched him. When he went for a second hit Changmin finally pulled him off.
“Jaejoong no. He won’t tell us anything if he can’t speak.” He forced Jaejoong to look him in the eyes. The older man conceded with a snort.
Seung-Heon spit some blood and checked his jaw. “You are a feisty one.”
“That’s the Deputy that was always keeping Micky from me.” Yunho sneered from behind iron bars.
“Ah, worried for your little whore are you?” It took all of Changmin’s physical strength to keep Jaejoong from lunging again and all of his mental will to keep himself from hitting Song Seung-Heon himself.
“What is it that you plan to do exactly?” Changmin gritted through his teeth, talking to this man was the last thing he wanted.
“Simple.” Seung-Heon grinned. “I propose a trade.”
Hit Counters
Character/Pairing: Jae/Min/Chun and variations of, minor one-sided YunChun, YooSu bffery
Genre: drama/angst, romance, and a bit of comedy and action, Korean Wild West AU!
Rating: PG-13 to be safe (for now)
Word Count: 1,752
Disclaimer: I have a what?
Previous parts: Prologue , Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 , Chapter 7
The rays of the morning sun illuminated the small cabin enough through the dust covered windows for Yoochun to properly survey his surroundings. It was a simple structure divided into two rooms by an archway. A fire place was in use in the front room. The bedroom he was in had two small beds and a dresser. The front room also had a table and four chairs. He figured it was only ever really used for passing the night by the Jung family. He tried to sit up, his still bound arms and new injuries making it difficult to remain silent while he did so. He didn’t want to wake up the man sleeping in the bed across from him. Yoochun knew he must have passed out sometime during the late night as the last thing that he remembered was being struck by Seung-Heon’s whip for a countless time.
Gingerly swinging his feet onto the ground, Yoochun straightened his back and wiggled his fingers, trying to encourage blood flow back in his numb arms. With each shifting of muscles, the cotton shirt he wore felt like sandpaper against the welts on his chest. His leather pants were split open in some of the places where he had been struck repeatedly to reveal similar swells on his bottom, thighs and calves. It took all of his strength not to cry out in pain. He took several slow, deep breaths to gather his wits about him. Trying to decide his next move, Yoochun studied the sleeping man in front of him. Seung-Heon must have either been very tired to let his guard down like this or was over confident in his whipping skills and thought that Yoochun would be unconscious much longer. If Yoochun could make it outside, he might be able to get a good enough of a head start before Seung-Heon came after him so that he could maybe find some help.
Yoochun stood, wincing slightly as the floor boards creaked under his weight. Seung-Heon didn’t react but Yoochun kept in the breath he was holding as he took his first step sideways. The sleeping figure remained still. Yoochun took another step, this time bigger. He was almost at the foot of the bed. Mid third step a leg shot out to bar his path.
“It was fun letting you think that you could get away, but now I’m bored.” Seung-Heon kicked Micky back onto the other bed. The younger man no longer bothered to swallow his cries of pain as his back, bound arms and head hit the wall before his body was racked with a series of coughs.
“Oh, how I love waking up to the melodious sounds of my wounded prey.” Seung-Heon hummed joyfully as he stood to stretch.
“You really are a kinky bastard.” Yoochun spat and the other man continued his humming as he made his way to the other room.
“Just for that, you’ll get no breakfast. Only water.” And as if on cue the sky clanged with thunder. “Looks like we got a storm ahead of us.” The grin on his captors face was hideous and it took everything Yoochun had in him not to whimper.
When they arrived at the small spring, Changmin and Jaejoong dismounted their horses to let the animals drink and to stretch out heir still alcohol heavy limbs. Changmin took a seat on a large rock, his head was pounding but he wasn’t sure if it was from his hangover or worry. He cradled his head in his hands and groaned.
“How far could he have gone!” He felt a heavy hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Jaejoong looking away. He appreciated the wordless comfort, even if things were still awkward between them. Just then, Jaejoong shifted his gaze downwards and looked at him with a sad smile.
“We’ll find him, for - Star!” The sudden rise of volume in Jaejoong’s voice made him grimace.
“What are you on about?” he huffed as Jaejoong crouched beside him.
“Stars. He was here!” He pointed to half erased etchings.
“Again, what?” What did this have to do with Yoochun?
“Mic-Yoochun was always doodling stars whenever he would be lost in his daydreams! He was here, I just know it.”
“You sure?”
“Positive.” The smile on Jaejoong’s face made Changmin want to smile as well, he nodded instead.
“Alright, let’s look around here and see what else we can find.” He said standing and the two men scoured the area around the spring for any other evidence of Yoochun’s presence.
“Jaejoong!” Changmin called out. “There are horse tracks coming from the West.” He was noted in part of the sandier earth.
“You think someone else was here, maybe surprised him?”
“Could be. Yoochun is obviously not here anymore and his horse came back without him. There are also no footprints around here so he didn’t walk away. Whatever happened, he left with someone else.”
“And the tracks are headed back East.” Jaejoong confirmed, “but down that other trail.”
Changmin frowned. “Not much is down that trail except forest and some broke-down cabins from the first pioneer settler ‘round these parts. It’s an older road that is longer way back to town.”
“Maybe he was hurt and they took shelter in one of those cabins?” Jaejoong offered an explanation but Changmin shook his head.
“Makes no sense, why not just come back to town? And why leave a perfectly healthy horse behind?”
Suddenly thunder rang out in the sky and heavy rain poured down on the two men. A bolt of lightning stuck nearby and frightened the horses; it was too close by for either man’s liking.
“Best get back to town. The rain will wash the tracks out and the storm will spook the horses anyhow.” Changmin called out over the sheets of rain coming down. Jaejoong begrudgingly agreed and they head back to town, defeated.
They returned to the Saloon drenched and were greeted by an eager set of Kim brothers. However, when they noticed that Yoochun was not with them the smiles fell. Jaejoong and Changmin dismounted and led their horses to the Kim family’s small stable behind the Saloon. Junho helped them dry the horses while Junsu busied himself with brushing Polaris. He did it to comfort the creature as much as himself. He may have only known Yoochun for over a week, but the man had quickly become the only real friend he had other than his brother.
“Was there any sign of Yoochun-shii?” Junho dared to ask, breaking the tense silence.
“He definitely made it to that small spring West of here.” Changmin began. His eyes remained focus on his task. “But it looks like he may have run into someone who took him down the old road to town, through the forest.”
“There are some old settler cabins on that trail. You think they went there?” Junho asked as he help Jaejoong take off the saddle.
“Yeah, but the storm was getting too strong and we couldn’t take the horses there in this weather while remaining stealthy.” Jaejoong said, taking his hat off and running his hands through wet hair. Junho nodded in understanding and silence took over the stables, except for the sounds of the horses and Junsu’s murmuring.
“Don’t worry agi-ah, Chunnie-hyung will be back soon.”
Spirits low, the four men regrouped inside the Saloon after Jaejoong and Changmin changed into dry clothes.
“As soon as the storm let’s up, I’m heading back out there.” Changmin said determined.
“We’re going back.” Jaejoong corrected and received a small smile from the Sheriff.
As they waited on the weather, Junsu fussed over them and made sure that they got a hearty meal in them before riding off again.
“Sheriff!” Deputy Choi Siwon came running into the Saloon.
“What is it Deputy?”
“Someone’s come to bail out the Jung Brothers.” He said, panting.
“There ain’t no bail set for the Jung Brothers. Not until the County Judge gets out here for a trial.”
“I know Sheriff. I told the man that but he just won’t take no for an answer and he’s asking for you. Youngwoon’s watching him now.” Something didn’t feel right about this to Changmin and by the look on Jaejoong’s face he could tell that the former Deputy felt the same way.
Jaejoong and Changmin followed Siwon back to the station and were greeted with an irate Youngwoon and a stunning man in black who looked completely unaffected by the annoyed Deputy.
“I’m Sheriff Shim. What can I help you with, Sir?”
“I’m Song Seung-Heon, and I’ve come for my cousins Ji Hoon, Yunho, and Younghwa. If you wouldn’t mind fetching the cell key I’m sure that we can come to an amicable agreement.” He took out a thick roll of money.
“I do mind and I am not your dog to be doing any fetching. These boys are not going anywhere until the County Judge comes down here to sentence them.”
Seung-Heon sighed. “I thought this may happen, that’s why I got myself some leverage.” Changmin cocked his head to the side and Jaejoong raised a curious eyebrow.
“Notice any whores missing from your town recently?” He asked with a false innocence. Changmin set his face into a hard mask to cover up his surprise but Jaejoong could not suppress himself and lunged for the man.
“Where is Yoochun?” Jaejoong demand and fought against Siwon’s hold as the young Deputy tried to pull Jaejoong off but Changmin signaled for his Deputy to step back.
“Yoochun? Is that the name Micky is going by now?” His smirk didn’t last long as Jaejoong drew back a fist and punched him. When he went for a second hit Changmin finally pulled him off.
“Jaejoong no. He won’t tell us anything if he can’t speak.” He forced Jaejoong to look him in the eyes. The older man conceded with a snort.
Seung-Heon spit some blood and checked his jaw. “You are a feisty one.”
“That’s the Deputy that was always keeping Micky from me.” Yunho sneered from behind iron bars.
“Ah, worried for your little whore are you?” It took all of Changmin’s physical strength to keep Jaejoong from lunging again and all of his mental will to keep himself from hitting Song Seung-Heon himself.
“What is it that you plan to do exactly?” Changmin gritted through his teeth, talking to this man was the last thing he wanted.
“Simple.” Seung-Heon grinned. “I propose a trade.”
Hit Counters