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[You are gaining notoriety in Nooncity!]
The message dinged above Joonghyuk’s head.
He groaned. There could only be one explanation for this.
Kim Dokja.
It had been not more than a day since they split up — with Joonghyuk staying in the First Murim World while Dokja headed to Nooncity to pick up a hidden piece before the Gourmand Association dinner in two days.
*Woof!* His senior disciple barked in reproach at his temporary loss in focus. The warning lasted all of three seconds before a paw crashed down on him. Joonghyuk narrowly dodged in reflex but the sheer strength of the air pressure from Sky Breaking Master’s blow still split his cheek. Joonghyuk wiped the blood off with the back of his sleeve as he eyed the dog. No, this was not the time to think about the increasingly predictable habit of the Constellation.
Joonghyuk narrowed his eyes before launching himself forward once more, arms raised in attack-
[The topic — Joonghyuk Yu’s life behind closed doors — is surging in popularity!]
He grit his teeth, jaws locked in tension. Focus, focus,
[The Constellation, Demonic Judge of Fire, is ecstatic at the development!]
Foc—
[The Constellation, Secretive Plotter, looks at you with interest.]
BAM!
Joonghyuk flew across the yard. He furiously got up and spat the blood out of his mouth.
That no-good identity stealer. What in the world could he be up to again?!
“I’m sorry but there is something I need to check out.”
Without a further glance at his senior, Joonghyuk stalked back in the house to change back into his signature outfit.
He narrowed his eyes as he exited the compound, hands flicking his coat in place.
“Biyu” he summoned. The dokkaebi had to be around somewhere, given the numerous messages he received. Although it was beyond him why Dokja left his daughter behind.
The ball of cuteness materialised, her cooing precluded her entrance.
“Open a portal to Nooncity.”
It was time he tracked down Kim Dokja.
Because he was either in trouble or he was the trouble.
And didn’t that just describe the Demon King in a nutshell?
A butler-like figure greeted him not ten minutes after Joonghyuk crossed the portal. “Ah, The Supreme King, we have been expecting you!”
Joonghyuk reflected on what he recalled of the land he now walked.
Nooncity was an in-between dimension. Sandwiched between the Murim world and Earth, it would be best described as a cyber punk world. Futuristic but not modern. Neon lights underscored by the dark smoky emissions of the city.
Aside from a power hidden piece (a digital stop capable of rewinding stories), there was nothing particularly noteworthy of this place.
So why were the messages continuing to flood him?
[Gossip about the Supreme King, Joonghyuk Yoo, continues to dominate the grapevine!]
[The Constellations wants you to put the rumours to rest]
And most annoyingly…
[The Constellations want you to find the Constellation, Demon King of Salvation]
Joonghyuk was about to snap at the butler figure when they reached the base of a luxurious building, and the middle aged man ushered him up the stairs to a grand hotel lobby.
“This way, Supreme King. Your husband awaits you in our penthouse suite.”
His… what?
Oh, he was really going to kill Dokja today.
The room was dimly lit but Joonghyuk could locate him anywhere.
His sword beckoned him to unsheathe it.
Or was it just his arm trembling in rage? Joonghyuk wasn’t sure. He crossed the room in a flash and effortlessly stepped into the Constellation’s private space.
“Are you seeking death?” Or even “I’m going to kill you” should have been what he said.
But as Joonghyuk took in the sight before him. Dokja was shed of his armour with no coat in sight; dressed in simple cotton pyjamas. Vulnerable, his ever vigilant mind supplied. His eyes, bright as he stared back at the regressor. His cheekbones, cut sharply in the moonlight reflection. His lips, parted ever so slightly.
He should beat the guy who dubbed him Ugliest King into a pulp.
There were so many threats or accusations to fling at the man looking all too relaxed. Instead, the question that escaped between Joonghyuk’s lips was a sigh. “Are you truly this cruel?”
Dokja responded with a wry smile. “They had a law regarding the presence of Constellations and this was the simplest way around it.” His smile slipped then, brows furrowing for a moment before adding, “Don’t worry. This can be easily clarified with Seolhwa—“
“That,” Joonghyuk cut in icily (even though his insides burned hot). He closed a fist around Dokja’s collar and pulled him close. “was not even close to being the problem here.”
Why didn’t he understand? Using his name at the demon industrial complex was one thing but to introduce himself as his husband?
“I told you. It was the easiest way to gain entrance into Nooncity and my story mask can convince them of the rest.” Dokja replied like he heard Joonghyuk’s thoughts. Not for the first time, Joonghyuk cursed his none of his mental defences stood a chance against Dokja’s mind reading skill.
He hurriedly shoved the thought away before he reached the other.
“Convince them of the rest?” He repeated casually, even as his eyes glinted dangerously, his body inching closing and closing with every second, “Are you going to cheat your way out of this again, Dokja?”
Joonghyuk clocked the exact moment his companion froze.
“Joonghyuk?” Dokja asked. Hushed, smaller.
Good, Joonghyuk thought as he leaned in. His nostrils were flooded by the woody musk that he had since associated with Dokja.
“Physical contact is needed to transfer the scent; exactly how they would check our relationship when we exit the room.”
Flustered, a blush crept up Dokja’s neck and inched towards his cheeks. “I-I told you I have a workaround. I have the Waters of a Perfumist.” He snatched it off the tabletop but Joonghyuk intercepted the bottle’s path and pocketed it.
“Cheating.” He reminded the Constellation.
“Then?”
“Then I hold you accountable for your actions.” Joonghyuk’s breath skirted the edges of Dokja’s lips. As if it was flirting with them in greeting.
“Joonghy-”
He covered Dokja’s mouth with his, cutting off the sound of his own name spilling from the other. For a painfully stretched second, nobody moved.
Then there was nothing but movement.
Lips pressed against lips. Coaxing, demanding for more more more.
Joonghyuk’s fist moved from Dokja’s collar to his neck, closing and squeezing. The movement had Dokja’s gasping and the pro-gamer took the shot, tongue thrusting in to claim his territory.
Well, Dokja would not be Dokja if he just submitted. A hand grasped tightly on his hair and pulled hard as the other arm wrapped around his waist. The sharp ache, the proximity, the warmth, the explosion of pleasure. Joonghyuk didn’t think he ever felt anything like this, ever.
He never wanted it to end.
And from the hardness he felt greeting him, he wasn’t the only one. He grinded into it, relishing the soft groan that emitted from the other.
Fuck, this might ruin him.
So he stopped and wrenched himself away. He stepped back and smirked at the view of flushed cheeks, swollen lips, half hooded lids and mussed hair. And fuck, wasn’t that just the most beautiful sight he ever laid eyes on.
He watched as those glazed eyes sharpened, the cogs in that manipulative brain gaining speed once more. Joonghyeok had to beat him to it. “Well, that’s settled. Get dressed. We are getting the hidden piece and getting out of this shithole.”
The sound of clothes rustled behind him as he stood back facing Dokja. The next time he saw Dokja, he was back in his usual attire — black shirt, pants and white coat — looking as unaffected as ever. Somewhere inside of him, a twinge of regret clawed at him.
Joonghyuk ignored it.
“Let’s go then,” Dokja said, eyes gleaming, “husband.”
Joonghyuk simply smirked. Two could play that game. He nodded in return, moving towards the door.
“Husband.”