Author's note: I made it another week. How are you guys doing? Here's another chapter. Btw, this story is set in historical times, think historical kdramas. Don't bite my head off if there are any discrepancies, I took a lot of liberties. I hope you enjoy this one too friends. please leave me a vote to keep me writing.

Chapter 2

Phun wasn't saying anything. Why wasn't he saying anything?! Noh resumed his duty at the post and had Phun at his back all day, his presence stifling, almost like he was breathing down Noh's neck. Noh attended to issues quickly and expertly, showing off his upbringing and his wealth of knowledge thinking it would impress the person watching him and would garner him praise but Phun wasn't smiling and was just watching and doing his share of work as a bodyguard. It was exhausting.

Many times Noh had to order him before the asshole would move. Is this some kind of attack tactic, if it isn't, it should be because it was wearing Noh thin and driving him insane.

When they were finally alone at the house, Noh addressed the issue. "Are you angry about this morning?"

"I am."

That was all? He just admitted to being angry about it and didn't say anything else. Noh couldn't handle this silence. "What do you want huh?! I can't understand if you don't say it!"

"I don't want anything."

The vein in Noh's forehead started to pulse as he waited for more from the tight-lipped Phun.

"...Don't say any more, then," he snapped. "And don't look that angry!" Noh glared and folded his arms. He fumed and huffed, using the tools he usually employed on his parents. The cold looks and hand folding worked wonders on his parents but Phun was acting invincible to it.

Sighing, Noh dropped to sit on his chair. "I have to do it," he said, admitting defeat. He already knew what the problem was and just wanted Phun to say it but that jerk never lets him win anything.

"I know, that's why I am angry. Because I can't do anything about it and neither can you."

"Ah? So... you are not angry at me?" that was hard to believe seeing as the person saying that still had a stubborn cold look on his face.

The black eyes that have been glaring at nothing all day met Noh's. "I can't stay angry at you. I understand the situation better than anyone. It's just, I can't accept it."

"Accept what?"

"That there is nothing I can do."

"Well, since it's like that—"

"It's not as if you would run away with me if I asked."

Noh's eyes widen and he gaped. "Run?" he laughed as if he had heard a funny joke. "Me and you? What are we supposed to be, star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet? It's not like we love each other or anything."

"We love each other," Phun said so seriously that Noh's face reddened and he spluttered.

"Where would we go? How would we live? My parents would send people after us. You would get in trouble."

"I know, that's why I can't say anything. I can only be angry so allow me to be angry, Noh or I would be too frustrated. "

And that was the end of the conversation. They were both practical and knew when and what battle to choose. This was a lost cause. Noh couldn't even picture a life outside of the country, hiding away somewhere. He didn't love Phun that desperately, he didn't think. Besides, things were okay as they were now.

Two months later, Noh married Yuri.

She was very beautiful and seemed to genuinely love Noh. He didn't want to disappoint her because he felt nothing but friendship for her. On their wedding night, he was filled with dread at the thought of sleeping with her. Not just because he thought he wouldn't be able to do it as he didn't find her attractive in that way, but because Phun had been relentless the night before. He locked Noh up in the house they owned together hidden in the forest and ravaged him. Although Noh would like to think of it as Phun throwing his weight around and abusing him, he wanted it all last night. He thought he would have to give Phun up after marriage so, for that possibility, he would have to take as much as possible. now he had scars and love bites all over his body and in treacherous places. That Phun had left them there intentionally like he was claiming ownership. What a bastard.

Fortunately, his naïve father who thought Noh was still a virgin brought him a jar of wine which he promised would help Noh do his business. It turned out it wasn't just calming tea or wine, but aphrodisiac. Noh's body was heated even before he got to Yuri's room. They also did it in the dark so all those bites were not seen. He secretly wished he could punch his father for that but was also grateful he wouldn't become a laughing stock for not being able to do it.

That night with Yuri made Noh realize something about himself. he didn't like girls. He wasn't sure he liked men all the way but he was convinced women's bodies didn't do it for him. Yuri was too soft, too wet, and smelled too sweet. It made him crave Phun to an alarming extent, suddenly realizing how precious his time with that rival of his really was.

Initially, Noh planned to sleep with Yuri until she was with child, but each experience left him feeling empty and uncomfortable, and he started to make up excuses not to see her.

Whereas he and Phun had never been closer. It was as if marriage ignited something inside Noh that made him crave Phun's affection to an embarrassing degree and it wasn't just sex. He enjoyed arguing with him, working with him and loved having all of Phun's attention.

While they were supposed to be doing some accounting, he was watching his lover instead, getting distracted by his handsome looks, how good he fit into his clothes, and how intent he looked when he was protecting Noh. All of it somehow led to erotic thoughts from him and though he was usually too embarrassed to put the move on Phun, he found himself instigating it a lot lately.

"If you keep looking at me like that I am going to put you on your back, again my lord. " Phun's smile was especially provocative.

Noh coughed and hid his blushing with his book. "What are you talking about? Who is looking at you?"

Noh listened to Phun move from his seat to the one next to him and felt his body heat up. Damn, he was like a mutt in heat. He raised his face for a kiss he knew would come but had to stand immediately when a stupid cadet ran into the room without knocking.

"What is the matter?!" he demanded, unable to hide the flush on his face. He heard soft chuckles from Phun but ignored them in favor of ripping the cadet a new one. "Why did you come in here like that, are you insane?"

The cadet went pale at the infamous temper of his lordship and quickly saluted. "Forgive me my lord but your wife is here."

"Yuri?" as if summoned by her name, she showed up at the door looking pretty in pink-white clothes. She was smiling at him sweetly.

"Noh, sorry for showing up unannounced, I just wanted to know if you are free," she said.

"Free?" Noh glanced down at Phun and saw that the man's face had turned cold. He was supposed to rise and greet her as she was his superior, she was royalty but he remained seated. To take Yuri's eyes away from this slight, Noh said, "Yes, I am. Do you want to go somewhere?"

"Yes, can we?" she smiled brightly and clasped her hands, very happy at his response.

"Of course. Uh, I have to go now" he made to move out from the table but Phun's feet wouldn't move, causing Noh's heart to skip a beat. It was not unlike Phun to be jealous but he was being rude.

"Excuse my impudence, "he suddenly said and rose to his feet. "I shall accompany you if you are going out."

"No, it's fine."

"I insist my lord," he said and Noh could see the confusion his words were causing on Yuri's face.

"You-you are probably saying that because there have been an increasing amount of robberies aren't you? Well don't worry," he laughed nervously, "it would be alright."

Phun stared at him wordlessly and anyone who wasn't familiar with his expressions would be unable to see the dissatisfaction under his cold face. "I'll wait here then. Don't do anything I wouldn't... my lord."

It was an afterthought! Respect was an afterthought. Phun was slipping these days. He needed to show more restraint. Noh walked past him with a sigh of relief and went to join Yuri.

"We can go now," he said, hoping his smile was on his face.

"Okay."

As they walked, Yuri said, "I don't like Phun."

That was such a sincere statement. She really knew how to just say it just like it is.

"I know he can be a little tough but..."

"He is always cold to me and he never acknowledges me unless it was pointed out to him. He is so rude. Why are you friends with him Noh? "

Noh couldn't reply. They weren't exactly friends and in a working capacity, he was Noh's bodyguard. "He is just protective that's all," Noh replied uneasily.

"That's being protective? If I didn't know better I would say he looked jealous."

How astute! "n-no way. Yuri, what are you saying? You are being silly." He laughed it off and Yuri joined him. Together they explored some beautiful scenery for a few hours then Noh kissed her goodbye.

He started to seriously avoid Yuri after that. She was too aware of things and very smart. He was scared he would be found out. That didn't stop him however from seeking Phun out whenever he could. They would even travel together and stay longer than absolutely necessary just so they could be together for a long time.

That is why when Yuri showed up uninvited to his living quarters one Night, Noh couldn't blame her. He had visibly kept her at arm's length, even when they were together.

"What did I do to you? Why are you treating me this way," she demanded. She was dressed in white and had her hair down with no jewelry in sight yet she looked really beautiful.

Even so all Noh felt was discomfort at the fact that she was in his bedchamber and he was dressed for bed in his night clothes. If only he hadn't married her. It felt like a crime to keep her as his wife when he felt nothing for her. She should be with someone who could love her. He felt so unhappy these days that he had to keep her at arm's length and make up excuses to not see her. He hated that he couldn't hold Phun's hand in public or get kissed when he wanted to be kissed. The unhappiness was getting to him and Yuri as well.

"I'm sorry, "he told her, "I have just been busy."

"That is a lie. You told your guards to tell me you aren't in even when you are in. Why are you avoiding me? Am I not your wife, don't you love me?" she was crying now, throwing her hands up to cover her face. "I thought you would eventually stop being cold to me but you've gotten worse. Noh, why are you doing this to me? Am I not attractive enough? What can I do to make you see me as a woman?"

Noh stared at her in distress. He grabbed onto her last statement and said, "I'm sorry, Yuri, you are too much like a friend to me."

She didn't gasp out loud but her mouth fell open and she stared at him in shock. He had been trying to keep the truth from her in other to protect her feelings but now he had to let her know.

"You are lying," she stepped forward, "we are married, we are husband and wife. How can you say that? Noh, please." She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him in a hug.

"I promise I will be good to you. The king favors me, if there's anything you want, I will have him give it to you. Please."

"No, Yuri. I don't want anything. I can't change the fact that we are married but I don't want to deepen our relationship any longer. If we can't be friends then let's stay away from each other."

"No, don't say that." He pulled her from him firmly and she dropped to the ground, too weak to stand. She was crying and for the first time, Noh put himself in her shoes. Now that he was in love with Phun, crazy about him in fact, he couldn't bear the thought of being treated this way. He lowered himself to a crouch and wiped at her face.

"I am so sorry, Yuri. If I could take it back..."

"You mean you wouldn't have married me?"

"No, our marriage was inevitable but I wouldn't have... I guess what I mean is— "

"Noh, please!" she turned desperate and grabbed Noh's face dragging him into a kiss. He fought to break free just as the door burst open. Phun was there still in his guard uniform and didn't say a word, just stared.

"I'm fine," Noh said to him and gestured for Phun to go away but Phun didn't listen, he continued to stand there with his face expressionless but his eyes were on Yuri.

"Yuri, stop this. I have to go now."

She was still crying and clinging to him. He fought for his robe but her fingers were really strong around it so he took it off and walked out of the room without it.

He walked out into the night in his underwear but after a few minutes alone, Phun joined him. He handed over some outside clothes and led Noh to a corner where he could change, then together they left the palace and went to their home.

They had built the house themselves and slowly furnished it over the year to what it was now. It was still all wood and just had a bed and some chairs, a desk. It only had a room for now but they both wanted to make more rooms when they have the time.

On the bed, the two of them lay cuddling each other. Noh had fought for the position to be the bigger spoon and lost again, which left him as the smaller spoon but he secretly loved it. They held each other and lay on their backs unable to do anything else but cuddle tonight.

"I feel so sorry for Yuri," Noh admitted, his voice carrying into the quiet of the night.

"It is not your fault."

"I know but... was I too harsh."

Phun didn't respond.

"Are you upset by how I handled it?"

"You are soft and sweet, Noh," he said simply, pressing his nose to Noh's cheek and neck. "You don't like hurting people and would do anything to protect them. I love that about you."

Noh's stomach fluttered and he smiled. He grabbed Phun's face and asked, "What would you have done."

"I wouldn't have told her. It's better if she doesn't know till the end. Safer, for both of us."

"Yeah..." Noh couldn't deny it. If Yuri got it into her head that Noh loved someone else, she might start investigating and happen upon their secret. This was a secret Noh valued more than anything. He kissed Phun softly and allowed Phun to deepen the kiss. This wasn't something he wanted to give up, ever.