Pardon me in advance, there may be a few ficlets posted today. <3
Title: If Wishes Were Horses
Author: Coley Merrin
Rating: PG
Pairings: Siwon/Hankyung
Genre: AU, Western (haha)
***
“People hang for that.”
It had not been a long ride out to one of the homesteads, one that seemed to run alongside Han Geng’s own. The “young kid” had been seen riding on of the well-to-do men’s horses, as identified by a partially drunk eye witness and and a clear brand. And it wasn’t that he knew every soul in the territory. He knew most of the people in town, and those who dropped in to see him on some dispute. But the man in question, he hadn’t met.
Of course, “young kid” to those men could mean anywhere from ten to forty.
The man he found was a bit taller than himself, and yes, young. But not younger than himself by all that much. And with the hair that fell against the chiseled face, he was good looking by almost any standards. Not, Han Geng realized, that looks had anything to do with horse thieving. Still, it was his duty to see what he needed to, and the man’s tired face had a rather genuine feel to it. There were murderers out there who could probably boast the same thing.
“Yes sir,” Siwon said in response to Han Geng’s statement. “I realize it’s a hangable offense. But sir, my sister is sick and our parents have been dead almost a year. I had to trade away our horse to pay for supplies. I understand it doesn’t excuse it, but I was afraid if I didn’t get medicine for her quickly, she might die. The horse was fine, and I put him back just as I found him.”
The man had no guile in his body, Han Geng thought with a sigh. Most people would have denied and denied.
“Men don’t look kindly on their property being touched. I don’t think he’d see it the same way.”
“Yes, sir.”
“I should take you back in with me…”
“Sir, I can’t. My sister is still too weak to take care of herself. Maybe… If you could find a lady who would be willing to look after her, I’ll come with you quietly.”
“You’d be wiling to die over retrieving some medicine?” Han Geng asked.
There was resignation in Siwon’s face. “She’s my sister. Any man would do what he had to. I have a little money… I don’t know if that would be compensation. I meant to go by, speak to him, but I guess it’s too late now.”
Still, the man’s request was solid. He took the money, just in case. He could undoubtedly find some matron who would be wiling to look after the girl, whether it led to a hanging or not. He mounted his horse, tipping his hat to Siwon.
“I’ll be back around when I have a chance, so stay close. And keep your hands off other people’s horses.”
“I will. Thank you, Sheriff.”
Han Geng cocked his head, considering Siwon. “It is a nice winter we’re having, isn’t it?”
To his surprise, dimples creased the man’s cheeks and nearly made him smile back. “Passable.”
“Can you ride well?” he asked before he left, turning in his saddle to see the solemn faced young man.
“Yes, sir,” Siwon replied respectfully.
“I’ll be back around,” Han Geng said, and kicked his horse into a gallop.
***
He’d all but made up his mind on the way back into town. The resigned smile, the truth-telling eyes. It wasn’t often he ran across someone like that, who made him actually want to believe in his goodness. Still, he wondered what there was for him to do. He’d worked out a plan, by the time he entered the tavern.
“I think you’ve got a mystery,” he told the man at the bar. “I think your friend might’ve seen the brand wrong. That man has a horse of his own. One of my stock, actually.”
And it wasn’t technically a lie. He had Siwon’s money, so they had a solid trade.
The man frowned. “I reckon that could be possible.”
“I think for now we’ll leave it be. If you see that horse gone again, you let me know.”
“I will. Thank you kindly, Sheriff.”
***
No one saw him reach his homestead, or bridle the younger horse that he had occasionally had time to train. Siwon was out the door when Han Geng arrived, staring anxiously between him and the extra horse.
“I really can’t go with you alone,” Siwon said, his tone so apologetic. “Is there someone to look after my sister?”
“There’s no need. This horse is yours.”
Siwon seemed confused. “What?”
“You gave me money for a horse, didn’t you? Seems like there was some confusion. You were on your own horse. This is it. He’s nothing much, but if you can ride, maybe you can teach him a few more manners under saddle.”
Now Siwon gaped between him and the other horse for a different reason.
“Then… You aren’t here to arrest me? I can…stay?”
“With your sister and your horse.”
Six feet of appreciative male enfolded him, squeezing so tight he thought his ribs would crack, whispering thanks into his neck in a way that sent shivers down him. The man was good looking, that was all. That really was all.
“Come in with me and meet my sister,” Siwon offered, smiling. “She would like that. I can feed you at least, for your trouble.”
“I’d like that,” he said. And with his horse tied at the post beside Siwon’s door, with Siwon’s new horse beside it, he let Siwon usher him inside.
He didn’t realize that from that day, not much of a day would go by that they did not see each other.
He stood by Siwon when, months later, his sister married a young homesteader who had come into the area.
And he stood frozen when Siwon had turned to him afterward, when they were alone, giving one of his infamous bear hugs.
“Thank you,” Siwon whispered, and pressed his lips to Han Geng’s.
It was quick enough to be bordering at the edge of friendly, but Siwon’s face spoke nothing of friendship, so hopeful and a bit scared. It was the first kiss he had had in ages, and lit his blood hotter than gunpowder.
He ran his hand down the muscled forearm, curving his hand around Siwon’s.
“Let’s try that again,” he said, nudging his nose along Siwon’s. Maybe it wouldn’t feel the same, or affect him as strongly. But as Siwon’s mouth opened against his, he had to pat the top of his head afterward to ensure it was still there. Gasping against Siwon’s cheek. Laughing as Siwon crooned and squeezed him breathless again.
He angled his head back, getting a full view of Siwon’s shining eyes, the peeking dimples. “So that’s what I’ve been waiting for.”
And Siwon’s laugh echoed through them both.
***
No one questioned the sheriff hiring Siwon to run his homestead while he was away doing business. Every man needed a helping hand now and again. And the townspeople saw that the two men had a comfortable rapport. Some people just got on better than others, and that was a fact. And seeing as the two were confirmed bachelors, it was good to have company on the lonely winter nights when the wind came screaming across the prairie.
Maybe they were playing checkers or poker, they thought.
And that they actually spent most nights curled together (sometimes naked or in quite another position entirely) in Han Geng’s wide bed, well… They were all happier not knowing. And for the price of a horse, Han Geng had found something much more valuable.
***
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