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Snow crunched underneath Yoo Joonghyuk’s boots as he arrived at an open field. His breath escaped his lips in raging billows of white, merging with the howling, snowstorm winds as he treaded closer to the clearing’s edge. As useless of a motion it was, he held a hand to shield his eyes in an attempt to see further.
Instead of sensing with his eyes, his ears picked up on the commotion ahead. Although faint, Yoo Joonghyuk could make the sounds of metal clashing of the ensued fight, with the occasional mix of the voice of men between each strike. He had arrived at the scheduled time, but the battle he could not see continued on.
“My lord, your coat.” A servant had spoken behind Yoo Joonghyuk. A thick coat lined with fur was held within his arms, neatly folded, waiting to be received. Yoo Joonghyuk shifted slightly, his arm stretched outwards. The servant quickly obeyed, draping the surprisingly warm coat over his arm. Without missing another beat, the servant bowed, returning to his position further inside the forest.
As the servant left, Yoo Joonghyuk’s attention returned to the open field. The sound of men had quickly faded, and the sounds of shrieking metal were nothing more than a whisper. Once he was sure the fight had finished, Yoo Joonghyuk slipped his gloved hand into his coat’s breast pocket, pulling out a dainty bell.
Despite its size, the bell rang clearly against the turbulent winds, signaling his location. Then, he continued to wait.
Within minutes, a figure appeared before him.
Yoo Joonghyuk didn’t need the coat that the servant had given him. After all, he was already wearing a coat. The one who really needed it had requested for this coat specifically to be warmed by a portable coal heater, and that this heater would be sitting in his most preferred covered sleigh. He had reminded Yoo Joonghyuk incessantly in his letter, stating that he was cold and hated every second of it.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes shifted downwards as the individual stopped before him, mere steps away from reaching his chest. The other man’s eyes crinkled in a familiar way as a smile grew upon his lips.
Having been greeted by such a relaxed attitude, Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t help but feel irritated instantly. And yet, a huge weight had been lifted from both his shoulders and his heart.
Finally, Yoo Joonghyuk could see the person he had yearned for after an absence of three lonely years.
“Did you miss me?” the other had the gall to ask.
“Hardly,” Yoo Joonghyuk’s deep voice rumbled, his tone half-annoyed, half-gentle. The still-warmed coat was thrown over the other’s cold and bloodied body.
Arms wrapped around Yoo Joonghyuk’s waist, uniting the two in a tight embrace. In other situations, Yoo Joonghyuk would have frowned upon his clothes being dirtied by unknown blood, but in this case, his yearning and impatience won over.
After a moment of silence, Yoo Joonghyuk spoke. “Let’s go home, Kim Dokja.”
-
Yoo Joonghyuk had set the bath water temperature just as Kim Dokja preferred. Within the first minute, Kim Dokja let out a long sigh, sinking further into the warmth to ease his weary bones. At his request, Kim Dokja bathed alone. Knowing how antsy Yoo Joonghyuk was after being separated for so long, Kim Dokja knew that if he didn’t ask for it, his bath would never end, and he would never make it past the bathroom door for a long while.
Still, time spent in the bathtub didn’t last long. His hair was still dripping water by the time he had opened the door, snug in a bathrobe. Yoo Joonghyuk, who was waiting by the bed, didn’t like seeing him still sopping wet. He frowned as he snatched the towel out of Kim Dokja’s hands to dry his hair properly. Kim Dokja didn’t contest his behaviour, opting to sit on the bed while Yoo Joonghyuk did his work. His firm but gentle hands ran through Kim Dokja’s hair, smoothing out any tangles.
The next thing he knew, Kim Dokja’s bathrobe was ripped open, the robe sliding off his shoulder and the sash flung to the side. His lips were sealed before he could utter a complaint, his breath stolen as Yoo Joonghyuk attempted to swallow him whole, his weight shifting as he laid flat against the bed. Against the warm light of the fireplace, scars of new and old were illuminated across his bare skin.
Under Yoo Joonghyuk’s heated gaze, hands slid across Kim Dokja’s limbs, his fingers tracing the shapes of the new scars that he hadn’t seen before, of ones he hadn’t had the chance to tend and care for. They spoke of all the battles that Kim Dokja had gone on his lonesome, stretching from one side to the other, some neat and some unruly. Yoo Joonghyuk’s gaze soured, conflicting emotions swirling inside. Just from Kim Dokja’s front side alone, there were far too many injuries.
A hand gripped at Yoo Joonghyuk’s collar, dragging him downwards and back into an intense kiss. His lips parted slightly, allowing a tongue to slip in and tangle with his. His tensed body relaxed as he melted into Kim Dokja’s touch, their chests pressing against each other as hands were lazily wrapped around his nape.
“We’re matching.” Kim Dokja said once their lips had parted, his voice hushed and breathless. He led Yoo Joonghyuk’s hands to retrace the new scars that adorned his torso. By some shrewd path of fate, they oddly lined up with Yoo Joonghyuk’s own. The scars that crossed his back were likely the same.
Kim Dokja’s hand reached for Yoo Joonghyuk’s face, his finger outlining the obvious scowl. He said this not with the intention of further angering his husband, but rather as proof that he had survived the three year ordeal. That he had returned in one piece and had healed enough, even if it meant remnants of old wounds would stay for the rest of his life. Although Yoo Joonghyuk had gone through the same during his entire childhood and understood the meaning behind Kim Dokja’s body language and expression, it didn’t lessen the feeling of anguish nestling in his heart that one mishap could have resulted in a different outcome entirely.
Instead of having a heart-to-heart conversation, Yoo Joonghyuk leaned down again to kiss the scars on his wife’s skin. He continued downwards, his lips feeling the heat of Kim Dokja’s life pulsing through his veins as he pressed more kisses on his chest.
While words could help soothe his mind, actions spoke for his thoughts louder and faster. Hands carded through Yoo Joonghyuk’s hair as he licked one of Kim Dokja’s nipples, fully encasing it in his mouth as he sucked hard. A muffled moan came out of Kim Dokja’s lips as Yoo Joonghyuk bit onto his nipple, teasing the other as the hands in his hair tightened their grip.
Arms wrapped around Kim Dokja’s thin waist as their bodies shifted. The bathrobe that once draped over Kim Dokja’s shoulders now fell bundled at his elbows, showing off more of his skin that was softened and warmed by the bath from earlier. With his hands still wrapped around Yoo Joonghyuk’s hair, Kim Dokja sat on Yoo Joonghyuk’s lap. As he licked his lips in anticipation for more, he grinded their hips together as he beckoned for Yoo Joonghyuk to take his shirt off, pulling at the hem and forcing it above his head.
Free of the shirt, Yoo Joonghyuk felt another tug at the waistline of his pants. A hand slipped in to grasp at his growing hard-on, the drawstrings pulled loose as Kim Dokja had his way with him. To hold him still, Yoo Joonghyuk’s teeth sank into Kim Dokja’s throat, earning him a quiet chuckle, the vibration of his throat resonating within his mouth.
In the midst of clothes being scattered and thrown aside, a glass bottle containing a viscous oil was procured from one of the pockets on Yoo Joonghyuk’s pants. The lid popped open smoothly, and soon Yoo Joonghyuk’s fingers were coated in it. As Yoo Joonghyuk gripped Kim Dokja’s backside with one hand, Kim Dokja took hold of the glass bottle, emptying more of its contents onto his own hands.
Grasping their lengths together and rubbing at various speeds, the two groaned as their heat pooled into their lower abdomens, friction slick from oil and mixed with pre-cum leaking from their tips. When a finger was inserted into Kim Dokja’s tight hole, Kim Dokja retaliated by the lack of warning with a bite of his own, claiming the space between Yoo Joonghyuk’s neck and shoulder.
Still, Kim Dokja did not let go of his hold. His hands continued to work hard, pumping at a pace that riled up his husband more. Another finger was inserted all the while, stretching him wider, feeling him twitch, accepting his touch, feeling so alive, so, so fervently hot. His fingers pressed against the inner folds, reaching for one particular spot that made Kim Dokja’s insides spasm, his back arching just the slightest. Kim Dokja’s grip became punishingly cruel as he came first, his breath hot against Yoo Joonghyuk’s ear. Yoo Joonghyuk growled under the newfound pressure as Kim Dokja rode through his high, his cock dripping even more with the teasing of his tip by Kim Dokja’s dexterous fingers, mere moments away from bursting.
Kim Dokja moaned against Yoo Joonghyuk’s ear when he inserted yet another finger. He nibbled his earlobe while Yoo Joonghyuk pressed on, ignoring the throbbing of his own climax.
When he had added his first finger inside Kim Dokja, he knew right away that Kim Dokja had already prepped himself with how easily he was accepted. And yet, he knew that after three years of abstinence, there was no way that Kim Dokja would have had enough time to get used to his size again. No matter how much Kim Dokja was desperate to be filled by Yoo Joonghyuk once more, he didn’t want to add to Kim Dokja’s existing injuries and wanted to take his time. Even if Kim Dokja knew that, this fool of a lover kept reaching for his cock and rubbing it against his perineum, waiting for Yoo Joonghyuk to finish fingering him and just have his way with his cock.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s grip around Kim Dokja’s waist held him in place, causing Kim Dokja to whine as he tried to break free from his hold. His head rested in the crook of Yoo Joonghyuk’s neck as his body twitched after every unrelenting touch against his prostate, leaving him extra sensitive. Finally, when Yoo Joonghyuk was sure that Kim Dokja was ready, he let go of his grip.
Suddenly, his view flipped, the scene changing to the ceiling instead. Kim Dokja’s face came into view, and with a quick slap of his hand against Yoo Joonghyuk’s thighs, that was his cue to adjust them. Bent so his knees became Kim Dokja’s resting holds, Kim Dokja held himself just long enough for him to position Yoo Joonghyuk’s cock at his entrance.
His cock slid in easily after Kim Dokja’s hole had been prepped for so long. Still, Kim Dokja let out a shaky breath when he made it down only halfway. Clearly, he had overestimated his ability to take him in all at once.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s hands were slapped away when he tried to grab Kim Dokja’s waist, signaling to Yoo Joonghyuk that he was supposed to sit back and watch. Anchoring his hands against Yoo Joonghyuk’s knees, Kim Dokja slowly lowered himself until there was no gap left.
Yoo Joonghyuk took in a sharp breath as he felt his cock being squeezed, feeling every twitch that was of everything inside his lover. His hand rubbed Kim Dokja’s abdomen as a way of telling Kim Dokja he took him in well, his thumb pressing lightly against the small bump that had formed with him inside.
Slowly, Kim Dokja shifted his weight, pulling himself upwards until only the tip of Yoo Joonghyuk’s cock was left inside. Then, he swallowed him once more at an excruciatingly slow pace. Yoo Joonghyuk’s face contorted at the agonizing build up, his breath ragged. When Kim Dokja slammed down all the way to the hilt, Yoo Joonghyuk’s head jerked to the side. His hands shot to stabilize Kim Dokja where he was as he released his cum inside.
A shaky laugh came out of Kim Dokja once Yoo Joonghyuk had expended his first ejaculation. He could feel the way Yoo Joonghyuk’s cock twitched inside of him, of how it kept pumping and filling him up as he grinded his hips hard to milk every drop. However, before Kim Dokja could edge him on more, Yoo Joonghyuk’s grip shifted from his hips to caging his wrists with one hand, the latter pressing against his abdomen. With a snap of his hips, Yoo Joonghyuk thrust back into Kim Dokja, causing Kim Dokja to scream.
Yoo Joonghyuk had enough of being patient with his wife as his hips continued to thrust hard into Kim Dokja’s loosening hole. Watching his cum spill out and create obscene, wet noises upon contact revived Yoo Joonghyuk’s cock to its original hardness, but what made him all the more feral was the feeling where his hand was still pressed against Kim Dokja’s abdomen, watching as the small bump moved in unison with his thrusts.
Kim Dokja leaned backwards, taking advantage of Yoo Joonghyuk’s knees as a backrest. He held his trembling legs for as long as he could until he couldn’t, which Yoo Joonghyuk then fully took over as he forced him back onto the bed.
With more control, Yoo Joonghyuk grabbed Kim Dokja’s thighs, spreading them slightly as he draped them over his shoulders. With force, he rammed back inside, grinding at the hilt. With each drag of his cock pressing against Kim Dokja’s sweet spot, Kim Dokja struggled to find purchase against the sheets. When he tried to create a bit of distance to give himself some breathing room, Yoo Joonghyuk pulled him back, unforgiving of Kim Dokja’s poor attempt of escaping.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s eyes wandered all over Kim Dokja’s body, watching as Kim Dokja’s little cock came all over his abdomen as his hole squeezed tight in response to his climax when he had thrust at a particular angle. After having realized that Kim Dokja was holding back his voice, he bent Kim Dokja in half, crashing their lips together. The taste of iron filled their mouths as Kim Dokja gasped for air, whimpering when he felt Yoo Joonghyuk’s tongue lick his neck and collarbone, marking his wife with yet another grueling bite.
Pulling back, Yoo Joonghyuk motioned for Kim Dokja to take hold of his own legs. Obliging, Kim Dokja was rewarded with a full view of Yoo Joonghyuk’s thick cock entering his hole. As Yoo Joonghyuk pressed his full weight into Kim Dokja, so too did his cock get buried deep inside. With rhythmic movements, it disappeared and reappeared before his eyes.
He liked the feeling of being filled, of knowing of Yoo Joonghyuk’s desperate want and intense desire to reclaim what was his. Long had the days gone by where Kim Dokja could only imagine his lover by his side in a fit of hallucination, and now he—no, they—were savouring every inch of touch as soon as they could get it.
Freeing up one of his hands, he reached for the base of Yoo Joonghyuk’s cock, feeling its girth around his fingers, sticky with their mixed fluids. His fingers then shifted to the rim of his puffy hole, feeling even more of the drag as Yoo Joonghyuk’s hard length continued to go in.
A guttural sound rumbled out from Yoo Joonghyuk’s throat when Kim Dokja slid his fingers inside along with Yoo Joonghyuk’s cock, feeling his own body twitch and pulse at every thrust. In a delirium of curiosity, he shoved them even further inside. The only thing that mattered to him in that moment was that his body remembered Yoo Joonghyuk’s shape, wanting to know how that felt from Yoo Joonghyuk’s perspective. To think something as large as this could fit inside his body, he wondered if he could handle more since they last made love.
As if Yoo Joonghyuk could read his mind, his body shuddered when he felt Yoo Joonghyuk’s cock grow bigger. Despite its already monstrous size, somehow, he still had room to grow. His hand was ripped out and clasped into a tight grip as Yoo Joonghyuk snapped his hips. Kim Dokja’s legs bounced against Yoo Joonghyuk’s biceps uncontrollably as he struggled to handle the new angle and sudden shift in pace, his mouth opening as his hole was pounded at a brutal pace.
A muted cry was strangled out of his throat when Yoo Joonghyuk once again bit his throat, holding him down while he came inside once more.
Kim Dokja trembled with a shaky exhale when Yoo Joonghyuk pulled out, his hole left gaping and twitching as cum trickled out. It was only just then did Kim Dokja notice that his own cock had been spent, somewhat admonished by the amount of sticky white cum coating his chest, abdomen, and thighs. His mind had been too busy being blank, with nothing but the sparks of pleasure crawling up his spine and shivers tingling his skin.
He was only brought back to reality when Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips nestled into his hair, showering him with gentle kisses as he trailed down the side of Kim Dokja’s face from forehead to the tip of his jaw. Trembling arms wrapped around Yoo Joonghyuk’s neck to hold him in place as Kim Dokja shifted Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips to his own, reaffirming their affections by being within each other’s arms at last.
Yoo Joonghyuk, however, was not quite done with giving his share of affection. After flipping Kim Dokja onto his stomach, his eyes and hands traced the other half of the scars that his wife had gained.
When Kim Dokja said they were matching, he didn’t expect their scars to line up so well. It was almost as if they had faced the same kind of battle, standing in each other’s place at the exact same time. An unknown feeling welled up inside Yoo Joonghyuk’s chest, mixed with an odd sense of déjà-vu.
Kisses were placed against each and every new scar that adorned his back, with such care that left Kim Dokja feeling a bit dazed. As Yoo Joonghyuk’s weight shifted to bite and suckle at the skin of his nape, Kim Dokja could instantly tell that he was ready for another round. The heavy girth that rested between his cheeks was no surprise. He couldn’t help but unconsciously lick his lips as he felt it come back alive, teasing his hole as it slid easily from the excess of cum that drenched his backside.
Kim Dokja’s hands gripped the sheets when he felt it slide back inside with no resistance, his body readily accepting his size once more as his husband pushed fully inside of him, just as deep as he usually did. Yoo Joonghyuk’s slow exhale as he settled in comfortably sent shivers down Kim Dokja’s spine, the weight of Yoo Joonghyuk’s chest pressed against Kim Dokja’s back holding him in place.
For a while, the two did not move. As much as Yoo Joonghyuk could continue to ravage his body, he was also very much of the sentimental and sensitive type. He knew that his lover needed a break in between rounds, and being able to bask in his liveliness—of his warmth through the pulse of his veins and the heat of his skin—gave him an incredible sense of ease, just as much as it gave the same tangibility to Kim Dokja.
The thought of being joined as one was a welcomed thought after such a long absence. If they could, they probably would spend all their nights just like this to ease their worries and intrusive thoughts.
Kim Dokja patted the bed, motioning for Yoo Joonghyuk to give his hand. With interlaced fingers, Kim Dokja brought their hands to his lips, kissing each of Yoo Joonghyuk’s fingers, teasing him with shy nibbles. Under the dying glow of the fireplace, Yoo Joonghyuk finally noticed what Kim Dokja had been trying to show.
It hadn’t occurred to Yoo Joonghyuk why Kim Dokja would ask for his hand, more specifically, his left hand. After all, whatever was his was also Kim Dokja’s, so there wasn’t much thought in denying it. But then, the faint glimmer of metal caught his eyes, and his breath stilled for a moment.
For Yoo Joonghyuk, wearing his own ring was second nature, but for all warring knights, wearing rings in battle increased the odds of severe finger injuries. A ring wasn’t something he was expecting to see since Kim Dokja had barely been home for more than a couple of hours, but it was obvious that he had slipped it on while he took his bath.
Kim Dokja, this bastard who was now his wife, truly knew how to play with his feelings. The soft gleam signified that it had been well taken care of, with very little wear. He recognized the small scratches that were there before he left on his journey, and as it was now, looked almost as it did back then. A simple, silver band that didn’t stand out at all, save for their vows inscribed on the inside, invoked a renewed sense of intense infatuation.
He held Kim Dokja’s hand up towards his lips, kissing the ring gently. Below him, Kim Dokja laughed lightly due to Yoo Joonghyuk’s delayed reaction, having expected him to notice far sooner than now. That laugh soon turned into a gasp and then a moan when Yoo Joonghyuk decided to move.
Kim Dokja pressed his face into a pillow that he had just grabbed to muffle his whimpers and sighs. Just like before, Yoo Joonghyuk chose to go at an infuriatingly slow pace, leaning his whole weight into each thrust, assaulting his ears with the embarrassing sounds of their lovemaking. With no way for Kim Dokja to relieve the pressure building up from behind and in front, his poor attempt to wiggle free and give space for his leaking cock was met with the hard grind of his sweet spot.
Yanked upwards with his back still pressed against Yoo Joonghyuk’s chest, Kim Dokja jerked at the feeling of teeth finding its place on his skin, this time against his nape. Yoo Joonghyuk gnawed on him like he was his possession, unwilling to let go as he continued to plunder Kim Dokja’s twitching insides, picking up speed. When he was satisfied with the amount of bite marks he had made all across Kim Dokja’s nape area, his hands wandered to pinch Kim Dokja’s nipples, eliciting a shy cry from the other. Hands clung to his arms for stabilization as the wet noises of skin slapping against skin grew in frequency, their breaths more ragged as they reached their climax.
Kim Dokja threw his head back with a guttural moan when Yoo Joonghyuk’s rough hand gripped his small cock, milking whatever left he had inside of him as clear fluids dribbled out from his tip. In retaliation for causing him to cum early again, Kim Dokja bit at Yoo Joonghyuk’s jawline in demand of a kiss, his desire met by their mouths smashing together as their tongues battled for dominance. Yoo Joonghyuk couldn’t help but growl as he felt Kim Dokja twitching around him like crazy, his body begging him to cum inside him again.
With quick, shallow thrusts, Yoo Joonghyuk buried his nose against the curve of Kim Dokja’s neck, breathing in his scent as he filled his wife up completely.
In the afterglow, Yoo Joonghyuk leaned back slightly to allow Kim Dokja to lay limp against his chest, his cock still buried deep inside, just the way Kim Dokja liked it.
Eventually, Kim Dokja refocused his gaze, looking upwards to analyze Yoo Joonghyuk’s expression. His hand cupped Yoo Joonghyuk’s face.
“Is that enough?” Kim Dokja managed to say, his throat sore and raspy. With one hand, he rubbed his lower abdomen, feeling full and satiated. His other hand had reached for Yoo Joonghyuk’s left hand, biting at his ring finger that adorned their eternal promise, suckling lightly with a toothy grin as if to say he wasn’t going to go anywhere.
“No,” Yoo Joonghyuk answered slowly as his rationale to let Kim Dokja rest failed. Kim Dokja squirmed as he felt Yoo Joonghyuk’s length swell, ready to go for the rest of the night. “Not until I’m satisfied.”
Kim Dokja laughed. He kissed the corner of Yoo Joonghyuk’s lips before whispering into his ear. “Then work harder.”
-
Light filtered into the room as Kim Dokja slowly woke up. His eyes flitted open, shutting closed just as fast as the fatigue from the night before kindly reminded him through aches in his limbs and joints. He sighed, his hand wandering across the bed to reach for his husband in wanting to pinch his cheeks.
Contrary to his sleepy expectations, the other half of the bed was empty. The warmth of the other had left no traces, instead leaving behind the soothing feeling of the bedsheet fabric under his palm.
Kim Dokja woke up with a startle. He struggled to lift his body only to fall back down at the sudden sharp pain in his lower back, his head tumbling back down onto his pillow. He groaned as he struggled to adjust himself. For a moment, he had forgotten what Yoo Joonghyuk’s usual routine was. He eyed the clock to the side of the bedroom, noting the time as just past eleven in the morning.
He sighed, sinking further into bed, his heart no longer beating so drastically. It seemed that while he was away, Yoo Joonghyuk had not changed his habits at all. If he remembered correctly, Yoo Joonghyuk would have gotten up around seven—no, maybe around eight instead, since they shared a feverishly passionate night together—to start his morning run, followed by a quick breakfast and some house duties.
Kim Dokja rolled over and onto his side, eyeing the bedroom door. Even without having to open the door, Kim Dokja could likely tell where Yoo Joonghyuk was. He groaned, shifting his weight as he soon sat up. With the blanket no longer covering his body, he eyed the multiple bruises and hickeys that had bloomed overnight, scattered across his skin like constellations in the sky. His inner thighs looked and felt raw, and he grimaced when the bedsheets brushed against his ravaged skin as he looked around for clothes. His legs wobbled dramatically as he stood up, his hand resting against the bed’s headboard in an attempt to steady himself.
Thankfully, Yoo Joonghyuk was kind enough to put some clothes on top of the dresser next to the bed. A plain shirt, underwear, and pants, along with a thick wooly sweater two sizes too big, with sleeves that went beyond the length of his hands. Kim Dokja had just finished putting on the shirt when the bedroom door was knocked on and opened.
“How could you leave me alone?” Kim Dokja suddenly pouted before Yoo Joonghyuk could utter a word.
Yoo Joonghyuk merely gave Kim Dokja a deadpan stare before he walked over to help dress his wife up. The underwear slid on smoothly, the button fastening snug around Kim Dokja’s hips. As he helped put on the pants and placed a kiss on Kim Dokja’s forehead, he spoke. “You wouldn’t have woken up around eight.”
So, he was right with Yoo Joonghyuk being slightly more lenient to his schedule this morning. Kim Dokja laughed as he placed his arms on Yoo Joonghyuk’s shoulders, allowing Yoo Joonghyuk to button up his pants. Just as Kim Dokja slid his arms through the sweater sleeves, Yoo Joonghyuk picked him up into a bridal carry.
“I’m not that weak?” Kim Dokja perked an eyebrow. Living on his own for three years had made him stronger, so having wobbly legs wouldn’t have been a problem. Despite having said this, Kim Dokja’s arms wound around Yoo Joonghyuk’s neck, securely snug.
Yoo Joonghyuk thought otherwise, shaking his head. “Leave it.”
“As the lord of the house commands,” Kim Dokja easily gave in, donning a cheeky grin. As Yoo Joonghyuk carried him down the hallway and to the dining room, he swung his legs as he enjoyed his ride.
As they got closer to the dining room, they passed by multiple servants who bowed slightly and parted to the sides, allowing the masters of the house to move around smoothly.
Kim Dokja eyed the servants who barely batted an eye over their lord carrying his wife. He muttered under his breath. “This household hasn’t changed at all.”
“If they changed, they would be replaced.” Yoo Joonghyuk responded, his voice low and slow. “If any of them bother you, tell me.”
“Yeah, sure,” Kim Dokja replied absentmindedly. Instead, his focus was on something else. “What did you make for lunch?”
“The usual.” Yoo Joonghyuk answered curtly. A servant opened the door to the dining room just as the two arrived.
With Kim Dokja seated at the dining table, a multitude of dishes were already presented, filling up every available spot. And although his eyes could see and his nose could smell, Kim Dokja chose to hum and haw.
“You’re going to have to remind me what the ‘usual’ is,” Kim Dokja picked up a spoon before passing it over to Yoo Joonghyuk. “Feed me each bite and tell me what it is?”
The spoon was accepted into Yoo Joonghyuk’s hand. “Fine.”
Thus started Yoo Joonghyuk’s monologue of dishes. He put in extra thought into describing the ingredients and going beyond just the name of the dish, giving Kim Dokja a spoonful of each until Kim Dokja wanted to take over.
Yoo Joonghyuk watched as his ravenous wife was eating his painstakingly crafted food. As time went on, his eyes wandered to the window. Although it was still a snowy and chilly morning, the house was warm and now lively. While Yoo Joonghyuk was reluctant to part ways with Kim Dokja so that he could resolve an internal conflict, perhaps this would also allow them to start a new daily routine. No more conflict, no more anguish. Only spending his days at home.
Spending mornings like this wouldn’t be so bad. Indulging Kim Dokja every now and then wouldn’t be disruptive either. In fact, it likely would make him stay with Yoo Joonghyuk longer and stay settled—for the rest of his life, maybe.
Yoo Joonghyuk wrapped his hand around Kim Dokja’s, interlacing their fingers together. Kim Dokja paused mid-chew, his cheeks rounding out as he grinned back. Kim Dokja gave a reassuring grip on their linked hands.
Yoo Joonghyuk’s gaze softened, eyeing Kim Dokja’s wedding ring. Yes, he would make sure Kim Dokja lived his life to the fullest.