There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL)
Chapter 666: Side Story 3. Stellar Blossom - 1

Chapter 666: Side Story 3. Stellar Blossom - 1

"How’s life?"

"The best," Han Joon shrugged at the doctor, who smiled in response.

Due to their quiet marriage, not many people knew that the Night Star was now married to Radia Mallarc, even after two years. They were spotted together sometimes, but people who treasure their careers and their lives prefer not to probe--even the most daring dark-link posters.

In the first place, Han Joon had been private even during his time as the Captain of Mobius, and he became even more quiet after he was discharged from the military prison. Once in a blue moon, Radia would bring him to the high-society event, sporting their wedding band; but their relationship had been known to be so bad that people were wondering if it was nothing but a ruse instead. For what? They had no idea.

Whatever rumor circulating, however, the couple themselves pay no heed, since it didn’t affect their life or Mortix’s overall shares. And so, only a few remained in the know about the nature of their relationship. Aside from the close friends and the guild, Han Joon’s physician since his soldier days was one.

And honestly, in the doctor’s eyes, Han Joon did look like he had the best life. After decades of training and duty, the man could finally enjoy his rest. His eyes were still sharp, but no longer looked as if there was an enemy in every corner--or at least, he also no longer thought the doctor might be an enemy one day. His usually stiff back and shoulder now enjoyed slouching and relaxing, while his lips moved easier than before.

If no one knew his identity as a former soldier, they might think he was a handsome celebrity with a rich patron--which was rather funny since Han Joon called himself a trophy husband without any hint or hesitation.

If only his inside was as fine as he looked on the outside.

"Capt--Mister Han," the smile faded gradually and the doctor put on a serious face. "You need to do something about this."

"I am doing something."

"If you did, nothing has really changed," the doctor placed Joon’s folder on the table. "You either need to find a new way or go into intensive care."

"Hmm..." Han Joon leaned back and closed his eyes, contemplating calmly as usual. "I’ll try this one last thing first."

The doctor could only sigh and nod, ending their session. Han Joon stood up to leave, but when he reached the door, he heard the doctor’s voice again.

"Mister Han," the doctor asked in concern. "Have you told your husband?"

Han Joon smiled and closed the door.

* * *

"Welcome back, Master Joon."

The mansion’s butler greeted him at the front door and took his leather jacket off him while he checked on his commlink. There was no new message from Radia since the afternoon, but his husband’s secretary usually gave an update to the house staff.

"When will my darling come back today?"

"Master Radia said he’ll be back before dinner."

"Hmm..." Han Joon closed his commlink and strode deeper inside the mansion while unbuttoning his shirt. "I’ll be in the gym then."

"What would you like for dinner, Sir?"

Han Joon tilted his head slightly, thinking back about the busy Radia who seemed to have a bad mood this afternoon when they had a short call. "Make anything he likes," he decided. "That butter-poached lobster--also salads; it’s hot today, so go with the orange dressing."

"Yes, Sir," the butler bowed deeply as another house staff opened the corridor leading to his personal training room. "I will send your silver needle in a second."

"Thank you."

The butler never lied--the silver needle did come in a few seconds, and Han Joon drank it while reviewing his schedule. Pfft--reviewing his schedule--it was only something he had been doing for the past two years. Saying it like that made it as if he was as busy as his husband, but all he had been doing was training other espers, being a guest teacher in his old academy, and a special lecturer in Zein’s guide academy.

That was about the only thing he could do, and the money he could get from that was limited by law. Any income above a certain threshold was required to be put to charities, including any media appearance.

Han Joon didn’t really mind though. He put his whole fee into charity instead. After all, he didn’t take those jobs to earn pocket money--just to make himself move around a little bit. Otherwise, all he would do was just lounging around at home watching movies and playing games while waiting for Radia to come home.

Honestly...not a bad life. Even his husband encouraged it. Just rest, Radia said. Enjoy life. Be spoiled. And the summoner was truthful about it, since he gave Joon full access to his money; card, stamp, passkey--the whole thing.

Han Joon wanted to laugh. If he wanted to get spoiled, he’d cling to his darling everywhere, with a handcuff binding them together.

Perhaps one day, he’d be able to really spend his time just sunbathing and agonizing over which hobby he should pick. But it was hard transitioning from someone who had to sneak out for free time to someone whose time was always free.

Especially with his beloved darling out there fleeting around. Waiting around without doing anything was rather agonizing too.

Just as he started thinking about his husband while cooling down on the treadmill, his commlink rang. It was a special ring he set only for one contact, and a smile spread automatically on his stoic face. "Yes, darling?"

[I’m on my way back] Radia’s voice came accompanied by a sigh.

"I guess that’s my cue to take a shower," Han Joon pressed the treadmill button to lower its intensity. A little pause came before the summoner’s voice came out again.

[...are you in the gym?]

Han Joon smiled as he stepped off the machine. "Yeah."

There was a sound of deep breath before Radia replied again. [Don’t take a shower yet]

"I’m gonna sweat all over the dinner, darling."

[I like your sweat on my dinner]

Han Joon pressed his lips to hold back a laugh. Ah...his darling was so adorable. Made it fun to tease him. Creaking a bottle of mineral water the house staff prepared for him, Joon let out a sigh.

"The chef would be sad, darling."

[I pay them enough] Radia grumbled. [They can eat dinner first and make us something new later]

"Sounds like workplace abuse..."

[Joon...]

Han Joon chuckled as the summoner’s voice turned whiny. The tone only reserved for him. Joon wasn’t even sure his in-laws remembered how Radia sounded being all whiny.

"If you say so," he appeased his husband and, after the call ended, stared at the commlink for a few seconds. "So he’s still in a bad mood."

He hummed and grabbed a towel before heading to the master bedroom. Well...he should at least wash his face, right?

Apparently though, Radia didn’t care. He was so eager to have his husband in his arms that he couldn’t care less whether the liquid dripping from the black hair was sweat or water. He grasped the handsome face and pulled the man into a kiss; a thirsty kiss he hadn’t tasted for almost twelve hours.

Too long. Twelve hours were too long. He latched himself to his husband, who carried him back to their bedroom with the same ardor, eating his lips like it was appetizer.

Their house staff were already used to this, and they just chuckled while wrapping up the dinner and bringing it back to the kitchen. The chef and the assistant cooks weren’t even offended; great pay and sometimes they can eat the food themselves? Paradise.

It was fascinating though, the way their Masters still acted like they were in a honeymoon phase after two years. And by the look of it, they would probably be in that phase for their whole life.

At least, the Masters themselves had no problem thinking they would be in this phase where they drown in their love and deep desire for each other for the rest of their life. Even while they were separated for eleven--no, fourteen--years, that love and desire still exist to be poured out endlessly once they were united.

"Haa..." Radia moved his lips along the firm neck and shoulder, twisting his hips as he did so. "Even your sweats are cold."

Han Joon tilted his head, making it easier for the summoner to devour his skin. "Do you hate it?"

"Have I ever?" Radia murmured while sliding his lips down, exploring every inch of his husband’s skin with his lips and fingers, inhaling the scent of life despite the cold touch.

Joon leaned back on the armchair, brushing the red hair aside so he could watch the summoner’s face. He knew full well how much Radia hated how cold his skin was at the start, when they were still acting like they wanted to kill each other. He didn’t know whether the summoner really didn’t mind it or just got used to it now, but...

Let’s not think about that now--Han Joon closed his eyes for a second. Perhaps he should; perhaps he should think about his body temperature better, but really...it was hard to do it while the love of his life was all over him like this.

"Darling," he stroked the red hair, and tilted Radia’s face by the jaw, rubbing the glistening lower lip with his thumb. "If you want to eat me, do it before I get hungry."

With a naughty bite on his thumb, Radia slid into the floor.