Throughout S2, Nakyum’s appeared in an elavated position during their intimate moments as the power in this relationship gradually shifted. Now, the role reversal is complete in chapter 71 as Seungho deliberately places Nakyum above himself both literally and figuratively. It’s Nakyum who ultimately becomes the more powerful in this relationship because he owns SH’s heart and holds it in the palm of his hand. It’s a heart SH gave him willingly.
While Seungho realized the hard way his feelings for NK and confessed them to him on multiple occassions, Nakyum is still very much in denial. He tries so hard to avoid admitting that he is in love, finding so many excuses that his feelings are only the result of random coincidences. He was hurt so much by his one-sided love for Inhun that he tries hard not to fall in love even though it’s already way too late because he’s fallen for Seungho a long time ago. He’s deluding himself and this inability to admit genuine affection out loud to SH might become a source of conflict between them in the future as SH gets hurt more and more by the notion that Nakyum might not love him not matter what he does and how hard he tries. Right now, there is a huge conflict inside Nakyum between what he feels and what he thinks he feels and unless he solves these conflicted emotions, it will bring him and SH only pain.
This is the moment Nakyum’s two braincells exploded and his brain turned to mush - the mighty Lord Yoon telling him that he will listen to his wishes and needs.The moment Seungho places NK’s foot on his cock underwater might be fleeting but the meaning behind it is huge. It may seem kinky, but it’s SH once again putting himself into a submissive and vulnerable position literally lying himself by NK’s feet and making NK the dominant one. When Seungho places Nakyum’s foot on his cock, he is saying: “Look how hard you’ve made me. I desire you”, making it clear how much he wants NK, but at the same time he asks NK for permission and gives him a choice to say no. It’s a heady combination for NK.
The picture of Seungho kneeling and lying himself bare, heart, body and soul, his eyes imploring and pleading, by Nakyum’s feet shown via NK’s POV and his narration perfectly encapsuletes and symbolizes the current state of their relationship and its power dynamic.
Chapter 1 of S2 contained the foreshadowing of what’s going to happen. There is always a piece of truth in the rumours and it’s as if the gossips came true as Seugho finally treats Nakyum as his real fianceé - with respect, love and care, carrying him in his robe.
Seungho kisses Nakyum at every opportunity, he can’t bear not to kiss him. He is giving Nakyum all the kisses his lovers asked for previously but which SH denied him when he thought NK ran away. He loves to kiss Nakyum and gains pleasure from NK’s pleasure. It’s obvious that Seungho is making this all about Nakyum and his pleasure,but he is also getting pleasure of his own - it’s in the way he kisses NK whenever he can, how he swallow everything drop of his cum, how he savours the taste of his skin and insides,…
Swallowing his partner’s cum is obviously something Seungho doesn’t usually do nor did previously enjoy, but now he is swallowing Nakyum’s as if it were the most delicious treat. That’s why Nakyum is so shocked. The journey on which Seungho starts off as a selfish man whose enjoyment, hurt feelings and pride are more important than his partner’s happiness and pleasure only to become a selfless and giving lover is so satisfying, rewarding and riveting to watch.
Also, Yoon Seungho really went there and gave Nakyum a blowjob straight from his own personal textbook. Only the best for his lover. The man is a legend and extra af.
It’s the memory of Seungho’s voice and eyes looking at him together with his loving mouth sucking him that make Nakyum ultimately cum. Seungho is Nakyum’s ultimate aphrodisiac.
Nakyum touches Seungho’s body and cock not because he’d feel required to but because he wants to touch SH, to explore his body and give back. When Seungho looks at Nakyum after he touches his cock, Nakyum doesn’t look away or take his hand away in shame or doubt. He might be blushing but there is only excitement, desire, love and anticipation in his eyes. He is the picture of shy bravery and confidence.
It’s Seungho who’s breathless, flinching, surprised, barely holding onto his control and more affected. A shy touch from Nakyum makes Seungho powerless. His blush might not be as pronouced as Nakyum’s but his ears are red. One of the reasons why Seungho takes Nakyum’s hand away is that the moment he would allow him to touch him he would lose even the last bits of control, succumbing to NK’s innocent and adorable seduction.
Not only does Seungho admit that he’s wronged Nakyum in many ways, he vows to make amends but most importantly, even though he says a noble can’t bow to a lowborn, he purposefully places NK on the furniture and literally kneels before him, worshipping his body.
It’s hilarious how the POTN fans were writing fanfics and expecting Nakyum to start calling SH “Seungho-ya”, only for Seungho to say “hold my soju” and go “Lord Nakyum” on all of us, basically elevating his lover to nobility. Seungho most likely never called any of his former lovers, who were all actual lords, by the “lord” title which shows how special and important NK is to SH that he would even throw away his pride that was instilled in him since birht, making NK one of a kind.
Not only does Seungho call NK “Lord Nakyum”, he also uses the formally polite speech (hasipsio-che) which is a higher level of politeness used, among other things, by lowborns to speak to nobles. You typically hear it in sageuk kdramas and it’s these two characters “니다” =nida.
For all his flaws, Seungho has always been the best choice for Nakyum due to his intelligence, lack of respect for traditions and his rebellion against social rules because those qualities allow him to treat him and love him Nakyum deserves. The way SH’s treated NK until now (calling the doctor,allowing him to eat with him,…) has been him instinctively trying to treat NK as his equal,his real and proper lover so him calling NK a lord and listening to his wishes is the culmination of that.
Painter of the Night features twin moments which echo each other-parallels,visual and narrative,that show NK’s and SH’s relationship at its worst & how it gradually grows and blossoms. Seungho dresses NK in the same cloak he wore months ago, symbolizing the role reversal and change. Back then he was angry that Nakyum tried to run away from him with Inhun and mad from jealousy. He mistreated him and used his body to stake his claim which ultimately led to Nakyum falling ill. Whereas now, he is worshipping NK’s body, making amends for wrongly accusing NK of leaving him and later punishing him for it, asking for forgiveness and making Nakyum’s welbeing and pleasure his priority. Both scenes look like a mirror image of each other but at the same time everything is different and that’s one of the many things which make Byeonduck such an incredible artist and storyteller -her singular ability to tell stories and convey her characters’ emotions with her art.
Does it ever drive you crazy just how fast the night changes?