Painter of the Night AU

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun felt like he should duck his head in shame that he was out here, blocking Joohyuk from doing his duties as a man. As many of the villagers would probably say later, how dare he withhold one of the most basic rights of manhood from Joohyuk because of his own selfish desires? Even when Joohyuk took his hand, his voice full of tenderness, Dejun still felt the slightest bit of guilt for not pulling his hand away to clear up the confusion. Perhaps he just wanted that confusion to linger. He wished someone, just anyone, would reassure him that his relations with Joohyuk were perfectly valid, and that he need not feel burdened by monopolizing the older's love. They made their way to their midday meal, and Dejun continued to stew silently in his thoughts.

It took him a while before he was starting to accept the idea that he shouldn't bow his head down before a lady, just because she was what the world deemed was "right" for Joohyuk. When they had resolved the marriage incident, Dejun went home and relinquished himself to Joohyuk's unwavering affections, day in and day out. The servants who had doubted their relationship before, no longer spared them a questioning glance. Dejun didn't hear exactly what was spreading in the village, but he didn't mind as much either. All that mattered to him was that when he opened his eyes, Joohyuk's face was right there, sleeping serenely before him. It was hard to imagine a past where the older would wake from night terrors every night, drenched in a pool of his own sweat. And after a long day of toiling about, Dejun would close his eyes while curled up in Joohyuk's warm embrace. Just like Dejun and Joohyuk lived their lives in the small village of Jeolla-do, their days stretching out before them like an everlasting Spring.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Slandering and defaming Joohyuk was bad enough, but Joohyuk wanted to make a point that he would do anything to reassure Dejun of his intentions toward him, and not that he was simply looking for a scapegoat after planning a secret wedding. He felt his robes pull in Dejun's direction, and his expression softened as he pulled Dejun's hand off and held it tight instead, ignoring the whispers of the crowd around them. They had been headed for their midday meal, after Joohyuk declared he needed a break from the mountain of scrolls he was working through. "Come along," he said gently. "Don't pay mind to the matter anymore. It's over with."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun knew that government officials held the power over the people they governed, but he had rarely ever seen that power in effect. Joohyuk exuded authority, keeping himself between Dejun and the swindling man. Dejun felt a tinge of regret in his heart for the man, whose pleas fell upon deaf ears, but he didn't think to contest Joohyuk's decision at all. Once that ordeal was over, the crowd lingered on, murmuring. This time, it was clear that the man who had been dragged off was no longer at the center of their attention, but rather it was the painter boy who stood meekly behind their Lord Governor, his hands clutching the governor's robes so hard that they might wrinkle. And yet, Joohyuk had not said a word in complaint towards the painter boy's audacity. "Who is that?" they muttered amongst themselves, "We thought he was just a servant boy...is the Lord related to him somehow?" They couldn't even begin to fathom the truth behind Joohyuk and Dejun's relationship.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk did not care what the people thought of him anymore. He had already become governor of Jeolla-do, and proven what he needed to prove, and so he did not care if people whispered about his preferences. He had no plans to keep Dejun for as long as they lived. And with Dejun by his side, he could leave his position with no more quarrels—after all, he only ever wanted to find Dejun again in the first place, to protect him and to cut down all who wanted to come between them. He often brought Dejun with him on his walks and excursions now, although he was careful not to force Dejun in displaying too much affection if he was still uncomfortable with it.

And now, the man responsible for the rumours had been brought before him. Joohyuk glanced at him coldly, holding an arm out ever so slightly to gesture for Dejun to stay behind him. "Lock him up," Joohyuk said, ignoring the man's pleas for mercy. "He shall be publicly flogged in the village square tomorrow morning. Three-hundred paddles or death, whichever comes first."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk What a surprising turn of events. Had Dejun asked Joohyuk to stop in the past, it would usually result in another three or four rounds before the older would even consider calling it a night. Now that Dejun was trying to muster the strength to go on, Joohyuk decided to take it easy on him. He didn't protest or question the older's generosity though and smiled while letting his eyelids droop. "My Lord," he murmured, his body curling up into himself. "Can you hold me all night?" he asked, pressing his nose against Joohyuk's bare skin and giving it a sniff. It comforted him, and Dejun smiled to himself, easily falling asleep after he was given a word of assurance from Joohyuk.

Dejun didn't think it would be a good idea for himself to be walking around with Joohyuk in broad daylight so soon after the commotion that had been stirred in the village. However, since Joohyuk insisted that they go out to the village together, Dejun followed. He had no idea that there was drama to see. The "middle-man" had finally been caught. He was a middle-aged man who had a huge mole under his chin, making it easy for any one of Madame Ok Soon's family to identify. The man was brought before them by two guards. He had clearly been resisting arrest, as there were scuff marks over his arms and he had to be tied up by rope. "Lord Governor!" one guard announced, "This man has been arrested on charges of swindling the Ok Family with false promises of bringing the bridal dowry to your Lordship in exchange for the granddaughter of Madame Ok Soon to be taken as your wife."

@Painter Xiao Dejun "We're finished for tonight," Joohyuk promised, seeing how Dejun was absolutely spent after a mere two rounds. He d Dejun's hair, calming him and encouraging him to take deep breaths to regain his stature. "You did well, my love." However awkward Joohyuk could feel sometimes with the sickly words of affection, he was happy to pile them onto Dejun tonight if it meant it would reassure him of Joohyuk's feelings for him. "And now it is time for you to rest. Close your eyes, and tomorrow will be a new day. A better day." Joohyuk's arm over Dejun's stomach held him down. "I promise."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk The next time that Joohyuk began ing into him, Dejun was shaken to tears! He didn't expect that it'd be so much harder to withstand each powerful wave into his hypersensitive body while also trying to catch his breath at the same time. He moaned and cried aloud, squeezing his eyes shut as he let the tears roll down his cheeks and the whimpersfall from his lips, unrestrained. When Joohyuk released into him a second time, Dejun shuddered from the intensity of fluids gushing into him, like it was going to flow into his stomach and consume his essence from within. It was about that time when Joohyuk would lay down besides him and hug him close to sleep now, so Dejun mustered up his strength to turn his body towards his lover. To his surprise, Joohyuk's manhood still rubbed against him. "Lord Joohyuk!" Dejun gasped, his lips dry from gasping so intensely, "I need a moment...a little break."

@Painter Xiao Dejun With Dejun's permission, Joohyuk began to again. He went even harder, faster than before, filled with renewed vigour and passion for his Dejun. The air in the room was thick with the musk of their lovemaking and the sounds of their skin slapping against one another's. When he was finished for the second time, Joohyuk barely managed to avoid collapsing directly on top of Dejun. He rolled to the side at the last second, catching himself on his elbow and gathering Dejun against him before he lied all the way down. His manhood was wet with his release, but he simply swiped at it against the sheets before letting it rest between Dejun's thighs again.

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Any time that Dejun thought he was accustomed to Joohyuk's very peculiar bedroom tastes, his lover would do something else to surprise him. Dejun watched as Joohyuk swiped a drop of his release from his stomach, first with confusion, and then with increasing panic as he watched Joohyuk bring his finger to his mouth to taste. This was not the first time to see Joohyuk have a taste of him, but to watch such an intentional gesture had Dejun blushing like he had applied rouge to his cheeks. He was still a little dazed from high just moments ago, but as he tried to process what Joohyuk wanted, Dejun realized that he wished to satisfy the lord more than anything else. So, after a slight moment of hesitation, he locked gazes with Joohyuk once again, and gave a strong nod of his head.

@Painter Xiao Dejun As quick as Joohyuk had released, he could feel his beginning to rise inside Dejun again with just a few pulses of Dejun around him. He pulled Dejun's arm off his eyes, brought Dejun's hand up to his lips, and kissed his knuckles. "It's alright," he cooed. "Look at me." When he dropped his hand, it was to swipe his hand down Dejun's tight stomach and flick off drops of his release. He brought his hand up to his lips, his tongue dancing along his skin to up each sweet droplet. "Delicious," he murmured, his eyes dark. "Think you can make more for me?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun cried out when he felt a sharp pain in his collarbone area. The next few s from Joohyuk had him almost flying off of their mattress. Joohyuk was relentless as he held Dejun in place though, ensuring that he couldn't escape any of the terrifying powerful s into his body. He gasped for breath as he immediately regretted asking for more than he could handle, but he could hardly utter full on response, much less one that was meant to protest his own initial request. Dejun could feel his release building, and he threw an arm over his eyes, covering his face as he choked back more moans and whimpers. First, he felt Joohyuk's warm release shoot within him, and then there came a cool wetness over his abdomen as he released also, defiling himself in his own fluids.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Dejun tasted so sweet, and his soft hands over Joohyuk's back was extremely inviting. That alone, coupled with with Dejun's pitched cries, was enough to push Joohyuk over the edge. He sank his teeth into the soft juncture of Dejun's neck and shoulder as his hips snapped forward at an impossibly fast pace, pitching deep into his young lover. "More?" he panted, the line across his forehead deepening in his concentration. The heel of Dejun's feet bounced against his lower back from the intensity Joohyuk ed into him, and it wasn't long before Joohyuk released inside the younger, painting his insides with his seed, as if marking Dejun as Joohyuk's.

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Words could not begin to describe that full, satiating tingle in his lower belly that followed each of Joohyuk's s. Dejun's upper back was curved in an arch as he pressed himself into Joohyun's mouth, feeling their fluids mixing together where they were connected. His lips were parted and dry as he gasped between every and every tickle of a new kiss. "M-my Lord!" he cried out, his eyes only widening when he felt the deepest tug of his muscles, making his vision of go white. "There!" he moaned in a drawl, "Againnnn...more!" As Joohyuk found his special spot, the clarity in Dejun's eyes began to ebb away, being replaced with a cloudy desperation to be ravaged instead.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Although Joohyuk was the one invading Dejun, Dejun was the one holding him and supporting him. They were connected as one, and it felt like nothing would ever separate them. Pushing all the way into Dejun each time, Joohyuk kissed his reassurances against Dejun's face, groaning lowly whenever Dejun clenched tight around his sensitive . His kisses naturally led him down to Dejun's neck again, and biting as his manhood searched for the deepest parts of Dejun, eager to displace his insides and wreak absolute havoc until Dejun was filled with Joohyuk.

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun often started off the night with some hesitation and protesting whenever Joohyuk came onto him too quickly. He had none of his normal reactions that night though, his feelings of embarrassment and shyness being pushed away and replaced with a desire to be in complete union with Joohyuk. His legs wrapped around the older's sturdy waist as he felt Joohyuk's manhood push against him, then finally into him. Dejun grimaced as he was penetrated, but he welcomed the pain when it was coupled with the kiss, returning the sweet gesture with his own eagerness. As Joohyuk began to move his hips, the little shocks that ran up Dejun's spine made him call out. His whimpers were soft, but they were passionate, and he bit down hard on his lower lip as he felt he deepest parts of his insides being reached.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk was not sure what that 'time and time again' was, but he would take the compliment if it was offered. "I trust you won't," he murmured, kissing the bone between Dejun's chest before he rose to fully strip himself and settle between Dejun's legs. He didn't bother with much preparation, hoping the sting of his manhood stretching Dejun would remind him of how much he belonged to Joohyuk. He kissed Dejun as he sank inside him, swallowing each moan and whimper from Dejun that left his lips, eating as if he had starved for a hundred days and nights.

@Lord Nam Joohyuk It was getting dark outside, the the only light that Dejun had to see Joohyuk's features were the few candles around the corner of the room. He relied on his vision to not be so worked up in his reactions, but since he couldn't anticipate the next moves that Joohyuk was going to make, Dejun could only gasp and shudder as he was pressed down and his body exposed for Joohyuk to explore. "My Lord..." Dejun murmured, a little put off by the older's somewhat desperate-sounding plea. "You've shown me...time and time again, what I mean to you." Clearly Dejun had connected the pieces from long ago that the only reason Joohyuk had done his father's biding was so that he could save Dejun. "It's my fault," he moaned softly, wincing as his was teased, "It's my fault I didn't recognize it sooner." Dejun's hands curled over Joohyuk's shoulder, and his back entrance clenched in anticipation, "I will not prove myself unworthy of My Lord's affections any further."

@Painter Xiao Dejun "Yes... of course." Joohyuk swallowed the lump in his throat and reached out again, tugging Dejun's robes off his shoulders and letting them pool around his waist. He pushed Dejun until he was lying down, so that he could indulge in his milk-like skin and stiff pink teats, his hot tongue washing all over Dejun's cool skin as he explored the planes of Dejun's body as if for the very first time. His hands busied themselves with pulling off Dejun's trousers, slipping between Dejun's smooth thighs and brushing against his entrance eagerly. He lifted his head from where he was nibbling on Dejun's . "If I do this, will I be able to show you how much you mean to me?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun looked up at Joohyuk owlishly when his hand was stopped. He wondered if he had touched somewhere incorrectly or done something that Joohyuk didn't like. The question that was turned back around on him made him chuckle though, and he nodded his head after pondering Joohyuk's question. "It would please me greatly, My Lord." Joohyuk was clearly a nobleman who had grown up all his life without needing to worry about the thoughts of others. For him to try and gauge Dejun's feelings, then ask for them out of his own accord, it was all very touching. Once he had given the older his word, Dejun continued to undress Joohyuk, pushing the robes off his broad shoulders. "I need you, My Lord, will you help me?" Dejun asked brazenly.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk was delighted with the way Dejun immediately began to undress him, but he was also filled with a worry that Dejun was only doing so because Joohyuk wished for it, and because Dejun did not want to upset Joohyuk again. He took one of Dejun's hands and splayed it flat over his bare chest, directly over his beating heart. "And you?" he said quietly, his hand heavy over Dejun's, as if afraid Dejun would take his hand away if he was given the chance. "Would it please you?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun was eager to have Joohyuk holding him again, and he didn't mind if it lasted longer than "just a little while". He felt himself fall back into the familiar lull of being caressed and coaxed by Joohyuk's warm, but firm hands. Before he knew it, he had been stripped bare. Dejun blushed again as Joohyuk mentioned the painting from before, though he didn't refuse the notion. After all, many of his paintings before had come from watching, first Joohyuk with others, and then with Dejun himself before a mirror. "If that would please you, My Lord," he murmured, gently taking hold of the sash that tied the lapels of Joohyuk's robe together at the front. He gave it a gentle tug to release the know, and smiled as he gazed upon a firm, flat chest that looked inviting to rest his head upon.

@Painter Xiao Dejun "Just for a little while longer," Joohyuk repeated as his promise. It was a reminder for himself that Dejun needed time to recuperate, too, and that if he felt tired later then Joohyuk should let him rest even if they were in the middle of something. He relished Dejun's kiss like a delicious morsel in his mouth, chewing and on Dejun's plush lips. He shed Dejun's robes first, slowly easing them from his shoulders as if Dejun would not notice until it was too late. "You know," he said, "Ever since you gave me that painting, you haven't painted another one. Do you need some more inspiration?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk was very patient with him tonight, Dejun realized, so when the older moved to take Yeppeo from him, Dejun didn't protest against it. At least Yeppeo would remain with them in their room tonight. Dejun relished in the fact that he could be in Joohyuk's arms, without the worry that someone would be vying for his lover's attention against him. He kissed Joohyuk back languidly, even chasing after the older when he pulled away first. "No," Dejun quickly shook his head, wishing to prolong his night with Joohyuk, "I want to stay awake with you, My Lord, just for a while longer." He didn't often take initiative, but since Joohyuk had been ever so lenient and understanding with him, Dejun leaned in again, daringly stealing another kiss from his lover's lips.

@Painter Xiao Dejun When Dejun leaned in, Joohyuk welcomed him, using his shoulder and side to support Dejun lying against him. He felt much better now that Dejun was so willing to cling to his side again, and sat patiently until the mutt dozed off. Once Yeppeo was asleep, her breaths slow and deep, Joohyuk eased her off and placed her atop a pillow he set over his study desk. With Yeppeo out of the way, Joohyuk was free to bring Dejun into his embrace again, meeting his lips against Dejun's in a firm kiss. "Are you tired?" he asked directly, to gauge whether Dejun wanted intimacy. "We can just go to sleep if you want."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun didn't have the habit of sleeping with Yeppeo in his arms, but having her to hug was reassuring when Joohyuk ed her forward against him. He held her close and snuggled her against the crook of his neck. With Joohyuk right in front of him and Yeppeo in his arms, his family was complete, so naturally Dejun felt safe. He nodded his head, though before Joohyuk could decide to use this time to be productive doing something else, Dejun had moved himself, situating himself in the older's lap. He wanted to be held, but asking for something so trivial might make Joohyuk wonder if something was on his mind again. So, he leaned in close, resting his head against Joohyuk's shoulder while he coaxed Yeppeo to sleep with gentle pats over her back.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk originally had plans for the two of them—plans that involved showing Dejun just how special and loved he was—and that mutt would certainly spoil it all. However, it wasn't as if he could deny Dejun while his emotions were so fragile. "Yes." Joohyuk sighed. "As long as her paws are clean." He left Dejun in bed to summon someone to bring the dog, and then he personally carried Yeppeo to bed so he could push her into Dejun's arms. He would let him hold her for a while to calm his nerves. "You're safe in here," he reminded Dejun. "Don't worry."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk's words sounded harsh, but they were nothing short of the truth. Dejun nodded his head in understanding, picking up the radish to show that he was listening well. He ate well that night, filling his belly when his heart wasn't anxious and when Joohyuk was right in front of him, eating alongside him. Dejun finished eating, his bowl and all the side dish plates cleared off. After he rinsed his mouth with some warm water, he and Joohyuk were ready to head off to bed. "My Lord, can Yeppeo stay with us in our room tonight?" he asked, "I don't want her to run off...especially not when it's so uncertain outside. He didn't want to bring up the hoax marriage again, but Joohyuk probably knew what he was hinting at.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Placated by Dejun's sweet words, Joohyuk accepted the braised beef. "I forgive you," he said, not adding the 'of course'. He wasn't sure if he wanted Dejun to know just how much power he had over Joohyuk. "You're a good boy, Dejunnie. I know you meant no harm hiding it from me. But I don't want you to handle the problems on your own, because you can't, do you understand?" In return, Dejun picked a glistening radish from the plates to put in Dejun's bowl. "Eat up, and we'll go rest."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk was ever so gently with Dejun, and that eased his worries. That's right, Dejun may not know the ways of officials, but Joohyuk would handle matters with his own methods. He let himself be whisked off back to their room, and from there, they sat across each other for the first time amidst the drama, able to meet each other eye to eye. All this time, it had been Dejun who had been avoiding Joohyuk's questions an prodding all this time, so he had to make it up somehow. He picked up his chopsticks first, and after searching for the most delicate, tender piece of braised beef, placed it over Joohyuk's rice bowl. "I'll tell you what I hear from now on, My Lord. Will you forgive me for being so distant towards you these few days?"

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk lifted his arms to return Dejun's embrace. "It's alright," he said quietly, using a completely different tone when he was talking to his lover. "I'm okay. Let's go back." If his relationship with Dejun had to be made public to stop the rumours, then Joohyuk would announce it the very next morning. For now, he wanted to hide Dejun from the world and reassure him that Joohyuk loved him, and only him. Their meal was delivered while Joohyuk was out. He pushed Dejun to sit before the trays. "Forget about the people outside. Eat your food before it gets cold."