The next morning Hollem found himself waking with Amia curled up in his arms. He was wearing clothing, unfortunately, but they both knew that doing anything at the magistrate's house would likely have physical consequences. 

"I'm shocked that you're not groping me already." Amia mumbled sleepily as he scooted even closer, making Hollem hug him tighter. 

His words made a deep rumble go through Hollem's chest. "I prefer not to be castrated by that old woman's shovel." 

Amia chuckled a little as he rolled over and wrapped his own arms around Hollem's neck, leaning in closely for a long kiss. The session lasted until both of them ran out of breath, and somehow, Hollem's right hand had found its way down to grip Amia's backside tightly. 

"I'd prefer you weren't castrated, either, I like what's in your pants... Want to leave early?" Amia asked as he reluctantly sat up, the action removing Hollem's hand. 

He really wanted to just lay in bed and do things to Amia all day, but with that old woman lurking about, Hollem knew that doing such a thing would only end in pain. 

"Yes, we should be off. We wouldn't want to overstay our welcome." 

Unfortunately, they had quite a bit to tend to before the magistrate came the next day. Hopefully, the poison hadn't caused any issues yet, and they'd find it before anyone could be harmed. 

Since they had brought very little with them, they were ready after quickly relieving themselves in the washroom downstairs and wiping their faces with the cool water set out there in a basin. 

To their surprise, the moment they stepped out onto the large front porch the older woman was standing there, shovel in hand. 

"You aren't going to teach that evil lawman a lesson before you go?" She asked, her eyes filled with hope as she gazed up at them. 

Hollem glanced sideways at Amia and pursed his lips, shrugging a little when he returned his attention to lady Lelynn. "They are coming to our home tomorrow. We think that it would be much easier to teach them some things on our own turf instead of on theirs." 

The woman's eyes lit up as she grasped the shovel handle, letting the sharp end drop into the ground before her feet. "That is a splendid idea. I'll pack them some extra things so that they can stay with you for a good while." 

Christ. I'm going to send them back home worse than when they came... and I bet they're going to be ecstatic. 

"That sounds like a wonderful idea, ma'am. I'll see what I can do." He said as he walked down the stairs with his and Amia's bags swung over his left arm, then looked toward the stable to signal for their horses and carriage to be brought out. 

He helped Amia up once it had arrived, who thankfully didn't protest, then hopped up after giving the old woman an awkward hug. He'd considered finding the magistrate and letting him know that they were leaving, but the man had already said that he'd head their way the next day, and if the woman's determination was anything to go by, she'd force Kirin and Abel to go no matter what. 

The moment they were back on the road Hollem sighed, leaning his head back against the wooden wall of the carriage behind him. 

"I felt like I was being suffocated there, and we only stayed for one evening." He said before yawning, having not slept all that great besides the last few hours. 

Amia nodded, mirroring the yawn before curling up on the uncomfortable bench and dropping his head onto Hollem's leg. 

"I just want to get back home, fuck you till I can't move, then either eat and pass out, or eat after I wake up." He mumbled, drawing a bright red blush to Hollem's face as he nearly steered the horses off the road. 

Amia snickered at the reaction his perverted words got, knowing that Hollem wasn't one to be so forward unless he was forced to during work. 

"I like what you've got in your pants." He stated nonchalantly as he rolled over onto his back, allowing him an easy view of Hollem's burning face. 

"I like that you save energy for me after a long day of working, though I'm starting to feel jealous that you're giving your body, and time, to other people." He continued, drawing a quick glance downward from Hollem before he had to focus his attention back on the road. 

Amia was quiet for a long while before rolling back onto his side and wrapping his arms around Hollem's right leg. 

"I'd really like it if you maybe... didn't work at the brothel much longer." He said quietly, making Hollem have to focus in order to hear him over the sound of the carriage and trotting horses. 

When Amia's words finally sunk in, Hollem had to pull the carriage off the road a little ways into the sparse trees that lined it in order to safely gawk at the man who was pushing himself back up into a seated position. The sheepish smile he wore made Hollem all the more hesitant. 

 "Why would I ever quit? I make good money there and it's not easy to find decent work." 

The look he got in response to his words brought a frown to his lips. 

"Why are you upset? Why do you want me to quit working there?" He asked, not grasping the conversation. 

Amia huffed and moved closer, pressing his lips against Hollem's with enough force to bruise. He allowed the kiss for a minute before grasping Amia's shoulders and gently pushing him away, only for the guy to come back with twice the force. 

It took considerable effort to remove Amia from his mouth a second time. Since he still wasn't cooperating, Hollem had to pin him to the bench seat to keep the situation from escalating again. 

"What has gotten into you, Amia? We are sitting here in broad daylight with very few trees to even block us from curious travelers, yet you are devouring my mouth as if you were starving for more than just food." Hollem growled, more than one kind of frustrated due to Amia's excessive fervor. 

The sound of horses drawing near had Hollem's heart stumbling hard in his chest. Thankfully, Amia seemed to realize that getting seen wouldn't be a good idea, either, and shoved Hollem hard enough to send them both stumbling over the edge and into the thick damp grass. 

Hollem grunted with the impact, but thankfully it was cushioned enough, and Amia only partially fell on him. 

"Get in the carriage, Hollem." Amia ordered as he stood up and walked over, opening the door and gesturing inside with a determined leer. 

Hollem hesitated, but when Amia pointed inside and narrowed his eyes, he quickly stumbled to his feet and climbed up. He was followed in almost immediately before Amia shut and locked the small door. When Amia turned toward him with hungry eyes, Hollem swallowed hard and lifted his hands a little. 

"This really isn't the place to do this kind of thing..." He said, though his words seemed to fall on deaf ears, because Amia easily pulled him to the floor and covered his mouth with his own. 

The kiss was hot and their bodies were both more than ready to take it further, but the fact that Amia was actually keeping his hands gripped tightly upon his shoulders and wasn't already tearing his pants off gave Hollem pause. 

When Amia let him get in some much needed air a few moments later, Hollem reached up and slid his fingers into Amia's hair, pulling him in for a much calmer kiss before pressing his lips to his cheek with a smile. 

"What's wrong, Amia?" 

Amia grumbled incoherently for a few seconds as he leaned forward and wrapped his arms tightly around Hollem's neck in a hug. 

"I don't want to share you, but I know you need to work. We both do." He whispered against Hollem's neck, warming the skin there. 

Sighing to calm his overheating body, Hollem let his head rest back against the hard wood of the carriage wall and wrapped his arms gently around Amia's back. 

"You sound like you're in love with this dense guy." He replied, staring up at the ceiling to try and keep his thoughts from running through his head too quickly. 

The sound of their calming breathing filled the air for several minutes before Amia hugged him a little tighter. "I've liked you since I first saw you. I knew that I needed to get your attention... and I suppose I did it in the wrong way at first." 

Hollem chuckled lightly as he lifted one of his hands up to run his fingers through Amia's soft hair. 

"It definitely got my attention, but I would have to agree... not exactly in the best way." He replied, then added. "But I think that I can agree." 

Amia leaned back, sitting more comfortably in Hollem's lap. 

"Agree?" He asked, seemingly a little hesitant to assume. 

Hollem grinned and leaned forward, pressing a kiss to Amia's forehead. 

"I don't want to share you, either. I was so furious when you came back with those bruises, smelling like someone else, that I made madam Maria put you back behind the bar or as server." 

Amia's mouth dropped open at his confession, but then changed to a scowl that had Hollem glancing away for a second. 

"You!" Amia growled, making Hollem give a nervous, awkward half-smile. 

He expected the guy to smack him, at least once, but Amia just blew out a frustrated breath and grabbed the sides of his face to pull him into another kiss.  

He's happy? 

When his hands began to go south, Hollem also realized that they really didn't have time for this part. As much as his body was wanting it. He grabbed Amia's wrists and lifted them, sticking his tongue. 

"As much as I'd love to do terrible things to you right now that would make lady Lelynn lock me up for the remainder of my days, we really do have to get back. We'll talk about work and what not later, too." Hollem said as he gently set Amia aside and got up. 

Amia pouted but followed him from the carriage, which had thankfully only been pulled a few yards here and there from the horse's curiosity. The ride back to the brothel ended up being almost completely silent, but Hollem, for some reason, felt a lot less stress on his chest than he had earlier that morning, even though they were going into a possibly dangerous situation. He'd protect Amia, and then, hopefully get to keep him all to himself permanently.