Painter of the Night AU

@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."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun watched as the crestfallen villagers slowly fell back after hearing Joohyuk's threat. While he did feel sorry for them, it wasn't so much to the point that he wished Joohyuk would go out and help them resolve the problem on their behalf. He was like a cornered rat when the older turned around and caught him, deliberately defying orders. Dejun pursed his lips and ran out to catch Joohyuk, not wanting to anger him. He hugged the older, burying his face into Joohyuk's chest. "I'm sorry...I was worried about you, My Lord." Dejun didn't loosen his grip, insisting on staying in Joohyuk's arms even if the guards and servants around them were staring.

@Painter Xiao Dejun "Middleman?" Joohyuk's brows drew together. He was irritated from having to handle the issue himself already, when the man he had assigned to this was supposed to be dealing with it all while Joohyuk tended to his lover. "I will say this only once — I have not agreed to any marriage, nor have I sent anyone on my behalf to agree. The matter will be investigated. Madam, if you are able to bring forth this middleman you speak of, you may be rewarded for your cooperation. Otherwise, this will be the end of the matter. Anyone who is still at these gates by nightfall will be jailed for trespassing my residence." With that, Joohyuk retreated to the manor amidst the rising clamours of the crowd behind him, shutting the door firmly and turning to find Dejun in the main hall. Joohyuk's eyes narrowed. "I told you to stay in the bedchambers."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Lord Joohyuk had been a very generous and righteous governor as the villagers had known since his first day here. The only thing that was oddly interesting about this man was his obsession with the young painter who often kept to himself. The villagers had noticed how Joohyuk had summoned Dejun to his residence from the first day, and thus there came the common understanding that their Governor must really love paintings of himself. He was probably egotistical, hence why he didn't need the company of anyone else. So, now that one of their own lives were on the line, they knew they had to speak up against such a narcissist. "My Lord!" another relative of Madame Ok Soon's cried out. "How can it just be a rumor! There was a middleman who you sent yourself!" Hearing this clamor, the others started to chime in their agreement.

Dejun was in the bedchambers, but he couldn't stay put for long. The crowd had not died down for a long time after Joohyuk left, so he snuck out to peek from behind the pillar. Indeed, at the very front of all the ruckus was Madame Ok Soon. Dejun's heart dropped, knowing that this was the mess that he had caused.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Slighted at the interruption, Joohyuk made his way out to the front with a rushed command for Dejun to stay put. The crowd that had gathered was mostly curious, but many of Madame Ok Soon's close friends and family were clamouring angrily. "What is going on?" he demanded one of his guards. The crowd quieted slightly at Joohyuk's appearance, but Madame Ok Soon was upset enough to step up and howl, "My lord, how could your do this to us? We've paid the dowry, and it's cost us our entire fortune! How will you repay us now? My daughter is unconscious as we speak! How will you do right by her?"

Joohyuk was angry, and he made no move to hide it. "I've issued the announcement that these are rumours. My men will aid in the investigation of the spread of these rumours, but I will not be reimbursing your foolishness. How dare you continue to cause trouble after all you've done?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Now that the truth had come out, Dejun had to ask some of the harder questions. He didn't think it would be possible for someone to be so daring as to impersonate the governor's middleman, but it turned out that it was the most likely situation. Joohyuk had never asked anyone but the scribe to post something official about his wedding, so it had to be someone trying to take advantage of the Ok family. Only when Dejun's worries were fully addressed did he feel himself calm down completely, able to sit comfortably in Joohyuk's residence again. Yeppeo had run out of energy after a long day, and snoozed in the corner of their chambers that night, though Dejun suspected Joohyuk would've said something if not for the somber mood Dejun had been in. It was almost time for them to have dinner, and Dejun nodded his head, clutching onto Joohyuk's sleeve, "You'll eat with me?" he asked, clinging with no shame.

Before they could call for the servants to bring their meal though, there was a loud ruckus at the door. It could be heard all the way from the back of the manor, which was their chambers. "My Lord?" Dejun asked, "Do you hear that?"

It was a large crowd gathering before the governor's front gates, banging and shouting as they demanded an answer for the wedding that had been suddenly called off. Madame Ok Soon's youngest daughter had been so distraught by the news that she had fainted and was unable to be roused. As the angered villagers clamored outside, the few guards posted could only use brute force to keep the front gates shut.

@Painter Xiao Dejun "I forgive you," Joohyuk said. "Now let's go inside." He accompanied Dejun in resting for the rest of the day, even while he instructed one of his scribes to draft an announcement asking for the cessation of the groundless rumours, and that anyone who partook in the gossip would be punished. The announcement was delivered the same afternoon to the village, while Joohyuk stayed with Dejun in their room, hugging and rubbing him all over. "Are you ready to eat something?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk spoke to Dejun with such a gentle tone that it was hard to say anything else. Dejun believed him, so he nodded his head. "I understand, Lord Joohyuk," he said. Joohyuk had not agreed again to tell the villagers about the misunderstanding, so he didn't pursue the matter. He supposed he'd just have to wait until the presumed wedding date for the village to learn the truth. He sighed and closed his eyes as Joohyuk kissed his forehead, then he raised his arms to hug Joohyuk's waist. "I'm sorry...for making you worry My Lord."

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk's lips thinned when Dejun mentioned his position in the family. Joohyuk had long forsaken his duties to the Nam family, and he had no plans on continuing the lineage if it wasn't with Dejun. There was just no point. "They're not true," Joohyuk said, dipping his head to press his lips against Dejun's forehead. "The rumours are not true. Do you understand? From now on, even if you have a tiny bit of doubt, you must come to me first. Answer me if you understand."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk If Joohyuk really didn't intend on marrying Madame Ok Soon's daughter, then it was only right for the villagers to understand the situation right? Dejun hesitated as he considered whether his request would only make things harder for Joohyuk to operate in his position as governor in the future. It was hard to come to a decision, but since Joohyuk had offered, he nodded, "My Lord...will you really clarify it with the villagers?" he asked, "I didn't know what to think when I heard it...they said it so matter-of-factly..." Dejun shook his head, "And I don't have the right to stop you from fulfilling your obligations as the governor of our province...and as the head man in your lineage." That should've been explanation enough right? Dejun's lower lip quivered, "But I really...didn't want those rumors to be true."

@Painter Xiao Dejun "I didn't!" Joohyuk said fiercely. Did Dejun still not believe him? Joohyuk felt a pang in his heart. Was Dejun just looking for excuses to leave? Joohyuk didn't want to entertain the thought, but Dejun made him waver. "I- What should I say to reassure you? Should I go out there right now and tell all those villagers to stop the nonsense? What more, the first thing you should have done when you heard this talk was to come to me immediately. Why did you let this continue for so long?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun still couldn't quite tell if he was experiencing reality or not. It seemed as though everything was being resolved much too smoothly for him. How could it be that everyone in the village truly believed that their Lord Governor was going to get married? It couldn't be because of him that Joohyuk decided to suddenly call it off right? Dejun silently reprimanded himself again. He needed to believe in Joohyuk. Nothing else should matter. He sniffled, finding his voice back again as he shook his head, "It's not just her...I think everyone in the village knows. They said the daughter has her bridal dowry prepared and all...it's only a matter of days before your wedding..." Dejun looked at Joohyuk, his eyes still glistening wet, "They even said you had prepared a dowry for the family too..."

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk held Dejun until he wasn't shaking anymore, then made another attempt to wipe Dejun's face clear of tears. "I love you," Joohyuk said. He didn't say those words often — not as often as Dejun did, but when Joohyuk did, he meant it sincerely. He never thought he would be capable, but here he was, fearing losing Dejun every single day. "If I lost you again, I'll..." He trailed off, not wanting to dampen Dejun's mood with his violent fantasies. "Never mind. How could you believe such groundless rumours? Who did you hear it from? Madame Ok Soon? I'm going to have a word with her right now."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Of all the ways for this conversation to go, Dejun didn't expect for Joohyuk to deny the rumors all the way to the end. He couldn't really believe his ears, and continued to stare blankly at Joohyuk as Yeppeo was eased out of his arms. He found himself being fathered into Joohyuk's arms, gentle and without a hint of playfulness as the Lord poured out his feelings to him. Dejun knew that Joohyuk had come here to reunite with him, but the gravity of the older's sincerity had largely gone unnoticed by him, and that made him feel foolish. He nodded his head, but then couldn't meet Joohyuk's eyes again. What a foolish idiot he was, to had been blindsighted by /rumors/ and to think that Joohyuk had wavered in his sincerity. If anything, he was the one who had not proven his devotion yet. Dejun continued to cry, though he finally reciprocated Joohyuk's hug. He stood there, right at the front gate of their residence, and stained Joohyuk's official robes with his hot tears. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I love you...I love you, My Lord."

@Painter Xiao Dejun Was that what had been rippling through the village while Joohyuk thought he could blissfully ignore the marriage proposals until he had time to address them all at once? That he had chosen a bride? What utter nonsense. What was worse, the nonsense had affected his lover greatly. "I have never said anything about this," he said firmly. "I'm sorry. I knew they were talking, but not to this extent. Is that why you were so upset?" This time, he eased Yeppeo out of Dejun's arms, wanting to hold Dejun without any space between them. "I haven't agreed to marry anyone, and I don't want to marry anyone. You will always have me to yourself. Don't you know that by now?" Joohyuk rubbed circles into Dejun's lower back. "I became governor of Jeolla-do for you. I came to this village for you. I came because you were here. Have I not proved my devotion yet?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk must have really fallen for his bride if he was willing to wed her without even knowing her family, or her mother's name. He stood, weakly and without much bite left in him as he followed Joohyuk back to his residence. There was no point in resisting. He'd probably have to collect his belongings and leave that very same night anyways. Yeppeo had calmed down since her episode earlier, and was resting quietly in Dejun's arms as they strode through the talking villagers. Only when they were back inside the gated residence did Joohyuk speak again. Dejun looked at his lover with watery eyes, "My Lord...you cannot keep denying this forever...everyone knows you are looking to marry a bride. They said you chose Madame Ok Soon's daughter...so of course I'll only be in your way." He felt awful, having shirked a request before. "The village women asked me to speak on their behalf...but I couldn't bring myself to do it...but the inevitable came anyways. I just..." he trailed off, fighting back more tears. In a barely audible voice, he admitted the painful truth, "wanted you for myself..."

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk's brows drew even closer together. "Who is Madame Ok Soon?" he asked. It seemed there was a misunderstanding of some sort, but that was all Joohyuk needed to know for now. Rather than continue to pry information from a crying Dejun, Joohyuk pulled him to stand, and began to lead him back to their residence, never mind the curious villagers who had come out onto the road hearing Dejun and Joohyuk's voices. He held Dejun's hand tightly the entire way, refusing to give Dejun a chance to run again. Once they were back in the safety of their residence, Joohyuk considered ripping the sopping wet mutt from Dejun's arms, but reconsidered when he saw how tight Dejun was clutching it. "Are you going to tell me what's been on your mind the past few weeks now? What does everyone in the village know?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk How long was Joohyuk planning to keep quiet about his wedding towards Dejun? When the older asked him who his wedding was with, Dejun seriously wondered if this was Joohyuk's way of making him admit that there was going to be a Lady very soon. "M-Madame Ok Soon's youngest daughter..." he answered through garbled words, feeling another bout of uncontrollable tears well up in his eyes. His lips were pressed together in a fine line, turned downward as he tried to supress a pained wail. "E-everyone in the village knows!"

@Painter Xiao Dejun Slowly, Joohyuk lowered himself into a crouch in front of Dejun, never mind that the hem of his robes were draping all over the dusty road. He tucked his finger beneath Dejun's chin and lifted his face to look up, before turning his hand to brush at the tears over Dejun's cheeks. "Wedding?" he repeated, puzzled. "My wedding? With who?" He certainly did not remember planning one with Dejun, and if he did then Dejun wouldn't be running away from him, crying on the road. "Are you angry because I won't have a ceremony with you?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Joohyuk's tone didn't sound at all pleasant, and with his brain already befuddled with worry, it only sounded like he was being scolded even harder. When the older stepped in front of him, Dejun dropped down to crouch on the floor, still avoiding all eye contact with Joohyuk as he wiped the tears on his face to no avail - they continued to stream down. He shook his head when Joohyuk tried to probe for an answer, covering his head and face so that the older wouldn't see him in this atrocious state. "D-Don't worry about me," Dejun finally stuttered through choked sobs when he saw that Joohyuk wasn't leaving his side. "Y-you have to get back...to prepare for your wedding. I- I won't get in your way."

@Painter Xiao Dejun Dejun stopped, thankfully, and Joohyuk hurried to close the distance between them. "Xiao Dejun, you are really testing my patience today," he ranted as he walked closer. "I just don't understand what you want from me—" Joohyuk only realized the severity of the situation when he saw Dejun's pink cheeks, shimmering with tears. He clutched a drenched mutt in his arms, who Joohyuk thought was the root of all their issues at first, but their problems clearly ran deeper than Yeppeo. "I— Dejun, what's the matter? Why did you leave?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun didn't stop to look back, not even minding the few stares and hushed murmurs of people in the village who wondered why he came dashing out of the governor's residence like a chased out servant on the run. Dejun didn't stop until he reached the old hut, and he hesitated only before stepping past the gate. The short moment of happiness that he'd tasted after two long years of waiting were finally setting. To his surprise, Joohyuk caught up quickly behind him and was stopping him as soon as Dejun set Yeppeo onto the ground. Paralyzed by the fear of facing reality and rejection, he stood his ground but kept his back turned to the older as the tears cascaded down his face like a waterfall.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Flustered when Dejun came barrelling before anyone else could grab the dog, Joohyuk was a touch too late in following Dejun out. The younger was already halfway down the road, but Joohyuk had no choice but to stroll leisurely rather than run, lest he catch unwanted attention from the villagers. He followed Dejun all the way through the village, until he finally caught up with him near the edge. "Xiao Dejun," he called out. He was finally going to figure out what was wrong with Dejun, whether Dejun liked it or not. It had been a difficult few weeks for Joohyuk, and if Dejun had any issues with him, he might as well say it — it wasn't like him to keep his opinions to himself in the past, either. "Stop where you are."