Painter of the Night AU

@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."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun had let Yeppeo out of his grip, and there was no turning back now. He shot upwards in an attempt to catch her, but either she had grown faster or he had become weaker. Dejun scrambled to catch up to Yeppeo as she raced down the hallways. "No Yeppeo!" he cried out, panicking settling in his heart as Yeppeo made it towards Joohyuk's study. It would've been one thing if the door was there to stop her, but the door had somehow been opened, and she ran in before Dejun could catch her. Hearing Joohyuk call for help was even more devastating, and Dejun rushed inside to collect Yeppeo in his arms. "I'm sorry, My Lord," he blubbered out, losing his control in that instant. "I'm so sorry...it was my fault!" Dejun knew that all hope for him was lost now. Joohyuk wouldn't want to keep him around, especially since he had not done a good job in taking care of Yeppeo and teaching her the rules. "I'll take her out right now!" he exclaimed, not giving the older any time to say his true feelings. Dejun his heels and dashed out, clutching a confused Yeppeo in his arms as he headed straight out of the governor's residence, and back to the backend of the village where he used to live.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk was very reluctant to even let Dejun out of his sight to give the dog a bath, but since he was always complaining about how much Yeppeo stunk, he dismissed Dejun. With Dejun out of the room, though, Joohyuk found it even harder to focus on work. His mind wandered off frequently, wondering if Dejun had already run out into the road by now. He was so concerned, in fact, that he sent one of the servants in the house to keep posted outside of the bath, and to report if Dejun didn't return to the study right after Yeppeo's bath. As soon as his door slid open, Yeppeo ran into the room, barking and slipping all over the floors. She was sopping wet and covered in a layer of suds, and before he could stop her, Yeppeo ran into the pile of wedding proposals in the corner of the room before sprinting full-speed toward Joohyuk. Joohyuk stood, exclaiming in his surprise as he lifted a foot to avoid Yeppeo barrelling into him. "Someone catch this mutt!"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk "I ate a little," Dejun said, not wanting to go into details as he all but melted against Joohyuk's embrace. He closed his eyes, basking in the warmth until the older spoke again. "Oh, yes I'd like that," he murmured. Even if Dejun didn't know what Joohyuk's intentions were for asking him to stay in the study, it just meant more time for them together at least.

The next day, he came to Joohyuk's study for the morning, doing some painting while the Lord kept busy. Then came the afternoon when it was time to give Yeppeo her bath, and Dejun stepped out for a moment. Yeppeo had been doing much better in keeping herself calm while Dejun washed her, but as he sat next to her basin to scrub her, the thought of seeing Joohyuk wear a red gown in partnership with another lady, it distracted him and made him lose his grip on Yeppeo.

@Painter Xiao Dejun No matter how hard Joohyuk interrogated Dejun, the younger refused to budge. With a sigh, he drew Dejun into his arms, first and foremost obliging with Dejun's request. For a long while, they stood in the hallway in each other's embrace. When Dejun felt less antsy in his arms, Joohyuk spoke again, "Are you feeling better? Did you have your evening meal yet?" Why was Dejun being so distant, even after all of Joohyuk's efforts? He thought of the past few times Dejun had acted distant, and it was always when he had some plan to run away. Joohyuk could not have that happen again. "Tomorrow, you should stay with me in my study while I work."

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Ever since Madame Ok Soon had shared about the news of her daughter becoming the governor's wife, the family and their surrounding neighbors had been preparing for the wedding. Since word had spread that Joohyuk was too busy to handle the wedding preparations on his end, the responsibility fell upon the bridal family. And on top of that, a middleman had been hired to collect the dowry and wedding funds. Dejun had only caught wind of it in the small pockets of time that he went out, but that was already enough to make him sink into an abyss of depression.

Joohyuk continued to inquire about what plagued his mind, but how could Dejun come right out and say he wished his Lord wouldn't get married? He'd be the sole cause of bringing an end to Joohyuk's lineage if the govenor somehow agreed to his demands! That was too heavy or a burden to bear, so he just continued to shake his head, insisting that nothing was wrong. "I just...want you to hold me, My Lord," he murmured with a choked up voice. /"At least during this time left that I have with you."/

@Painter Xiao Dejun There was clearly an issue, but Dejun still continued to insist nothing was wrong. Of course, this could only worry Joohyuk even further. Perhaps Dejun was unhappy because Joohyuk was spending less time with him. Joohyuk made it a point to return earlier and earlier, but a frown still marred Dejun's face. He accosted Dejun again a week later. "Something is bothering you. Do you not trust me enough to tell me?" He grabbed at Dejun's arm to hold him in place, lest he try to walk away again. "I'm worried. Did something happen outside?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Things had only escalated since the last Dejun had heard about the possibility of meeting his new Lady soon. A few of the older women were giggling about how the Lord Governor had so many candidates that he was considering a few concubines. It wasn't until one of the village's most well-known ladies, Ok Soon, gripped Dejun's wrist with her weathered hands, cried a few fat tear drops from her wrinkled eyes, and announced that Lord Joohyuk had officially chosen her youngest daughter to be his bride. She was so swept with her emotions that Dejun could only force a small smile for her before scurrying home. He didn't say anything of the matter to Joohyuk the following few days, waiting for the older to bring the news up to him instead. The announcement had yet to come, and it was making Dejun distraught with anxiety. Dejun's appetite ebbed away and he felt even more high-strung when Joohyuk came to him each night, worried it would be tkme for him to move out. He knew it was too good to just move into his lover's residence and expect that things would stay like this between them forever.

"My sweet Dejun, What is the matter with you?"

Dejun gripped his pair of chopsticks, keeping his head hung low that evening at dinner. "It's nothing My Lord." The less he gave Joohyuk to worry about him, maybe the less likely his presence would be an issue. Even if Joohyuk got married, perhaps he'd still want to see Dejun every once in a while.

@Painter Xiao Dejun Joohyuk had no idea where the influx of wedding proposals came from, but he set all of them aside to address at a later date, when all his pressing matters were taken care of first — court matters in the day and the matter of his little lover at night. He knew Dejun was upset because Joohyuk had been joining him in the evening later and later, and it was beginning to show. This, of course, sent Joohyuk in a small panic, but he would never let it show when he was around Dejun, lest his mood affect Dejun's. However, with each passing day, it seemed Dejun was withdrawing farther into some kind of shell. "My sweet Dejun," Joohyuk said one evening, as he watched Dejun pick at his bowl of rice across the table, "What is the matter with you?"

@Lord Nam Joohyuk Dejun was taken by surprise yet again when Joohyuk laid down behind him, pushing his length back into his sopping wet entrance without ing. Dejun turned his head back, just to be sure that this was what he thought it meant. "You're going to stay inside of me, My Lord?" he asked, his head falling back onto the pillow under his head, "All night?" Dejun had never experienced that before, since he was always cleaned up or brought to the washing basin before falling asleep. Since it was Joohyuk's wishes to keep him filled with his release though, Dejun didn't complain, instead letting his sleep wash over him, completely forgetting about the messages that he was supposed to relay to his lover already.

Since Joohyuk had to rise early and continue tending to official business, Dejun didn't get to spend too much time with his Lord in the day time. He and Yeppeo would take walks when they needed some fresh air. As a few days passed, the village seemed to be abuzz with some new news. Apparently, the word had spread that Joohyuk was indeed searching for a bride from the village, and everyone was eager to join to chatter. Dejun tried to keep to himself, but then he started catching word about young girls who had caught the handsome governor's eyes, and that there was already a list of names that Joohyuk was considering. Dejected, he settled on an outside table next to a quieter teahouse. Even if he didn't say anything...Joohyuk would eventually hear about it, and it seemed like the inevitable was happening all too soon. Dejun clutched Yeppeo tightly against him, wiping away a silent tear as he hoped that their family of three wouldn't dwindle in numbers to just him and Yeppeo soon.

@Painter Xiao Dejun "Already?" Joohyuk narrowed his eyes. It was just to scare Dejun, of course. He wasn't actually angry, but it did give him and excuse to enter Dejun again from behind as he brought him down onto the bed and pulled the covers over them. "Then I'll help you keep it in," Joohyuk murmured, his lips brushing against the nape of Dejun's neck when he spoke. Now that the ordeal was over, Joohyuk felt no need to keep Dejun up, even if he wanted to talk to him for just a little longer. He d Dejun's side in a bid for him to fall asleep. a fond smile on his face as he watched the younger. No matter what happened now, he knew he would still have Dejun, and the reassurance of that meant Joohyuk was able to drift off to sleep, too.

@Lord Nam Joohyuk With one hand being held to his back, Dejun could only push weakly at the ground to keep himself upright. Overstimulate and hyper sensitive, he moaned helplessly as he tried to come back from his out-of-body experience, feeling lightheaded and weak. It was starting to hurt again when Joohyuk continued to slam into him without slowing down. Dejun's eyes rolled back as he felt his lover's pulsating length within him, finally shoving in so deep it felt like it might poke a hole through his stomach, and released his load inside. He shivered at Joohyuk's low, commanding voice, like it was his life on the line and not just the older trying to be difficult with him. Usually Joohyuk would help him clean out his insides because he worried Dejun would get a stomachache, but now it was like he was being punished for upsetting his lover. Letting his full body fall onto the side and panting softly, Dejun looked up at Joohyuk was a glassy gaze, his bottom entrance clenching and unclenching as he tried to keep everything inside of him that was trying to slide out. "M-My Lord, it feels like...it's leaking," Dejun whispered, though he didn't even dare shift his body to check if that was true or not.