What does it take to be beautiful? What does it mean? Is beauty defined by society's expectations or is it sincere and subjective, varying from person to person? Is beauty outward or inward? Is it a mix of both? Of none? Is there an end goal with beauty or is it a never-ending journey full of twists and turns, ups and downs?

When I look at you, I see beauty. That is something I will never be ashamed to admit. That you are simply and wholly beautiful. Every day you are beautiful, every second of every minute of every hour you are stunning, you are enchanting. And I know that these innocent and sickly sweet thoughts are bound to be my downfall. That when you are so willing to give your all to someone you will have nothing left for yourself.

When you leave I will be empty. Even if it's not your intention to do so, you will walk away with everything I've ever been able to call mine. You will leave me a shell of the person I used to be. I will never see beauty again. You will strip me of my ability to do so.

So please, stay by my side.

❈❈❈

Jungkook sits at his desk with an untouched glass of water by his side. His parched throat had not cured itself - in fact, Jungkook's pretty sure it's only gotten dryer - its just that the need to drink had suddenly been replaced by the much more compelling, much more overwhelming desire to create. It's been so long since Jungkook's felt this way, so long since his fingers itch to wrap around a pencil, so long since the blank pages of his sketchbook seem alluring and welcoming instead of something to avoid at all costs. It's been so long since he's felt the addicting adrenaline rush that is inspiration. He feels unstoppable, he can't stop. He can't lose this fleeting feeling that's been hiding for what seems like forever. So, dry throat begone, Jungkook needs to sketch.

There are so many words that are used in day-to-day language. Some have complex and interesting etymology whilst others seem to appear out of thin air, not a single clue suggesting where they might've come from. Yet none of them even come close to describing the full beauty of the man Jungkook was only able to catch a glimpse of. Alluring, mesmerising, stunning, gorgeous, breathtaking, angelic, simply unreal. Deep dark eyes that peek through fluffy brown hair with soft, pert lips and an elegantly sloped nose, there is simply nothing out there that can singlehandedly encapsulate the perfection of this man. Jungkook was, again, only able to catch a glistening glance so the details are fuzzy in his mind, frustratingly so.

Each sketch differs from each other but they all have one annoying thing in common; none of them really look like him. The blue pencil that is specifically and exclusively used for sketching has slowly but surely been whittled down into a small, short, unhelpful stump of wood and coloured led. So Jungkook struggles even holding it properly, never mind actually creating something good with it. Frustration fizzles and bubbles inside of him, it snaps and has his eyebrows twitching downwards and also has him abruptly standing from his chair and marching down the (very short) hallway to burst through a white-painted door.

"Jesus!" Jimin yelps in surprise, flinching from where he sits, leaning against the headboard of his bed. "Thanks for knocking." The blonde says sarcastically. Jungkook promptly ignores him.

"What was the name of your friend?"

"What...?"

"The guy that was just here? What's his name?"

"Who, Taehyung?"

"Is that his name?"

"Um, yeah, why?"

Jungkook takes a deep breath. He knows that telling Jimin will get him what he wants, however, he also knows that it will most definitely earn him a one-way ticket to mockery-town. He internally wonders if finding, meeting, and convincing Taehyung to sit for a painting is worth the insufferable shit Jimin will inevitably give him for his newfound infatuation. But then he imagines a failing grade slapped onto an empty canvas and his mind is made.

"I think I might've found the inspiration I need to complete my project."

-

Jungkooks art scholarship offered to him by Blue Feather University is something he is very proud of. He's always loved the creative medium; drawing, painting, sketching, and sometimes even sculpting. A way to express himself whilst simultaneously escaping from everyday life? Consider him obsessed. However, he had also discovered a more raw, deeper passion hidden inside of him. Dancing. When the music would play and his body would move to the beat almost effortlessly as if he were floating. As if he were a puppet controlled by the strings flowing through the speakers. It just felt so right to lose himself in perfectly practiced choreography that looked almost as amazing as it felt.

However, pursuing dance as a career was out of the question. For his entire life, he had been praised for his artistic abilities, he had spent countless hours and an endless amount of money in the name of art, and then he had been offered a scholarship. The scholarship was the final nail in the coffin, the last thing to confirm his destiny. Don't get him wrong, he loves art. He just loves to dance a tiny paint stroke more. Therefore, avoiding the dance students and, more importantly, the dance studio itself was and still is one of Jungkooks top priorities. (Jimin being the only exception, of course.) He doesn't want to see what his life could've been, he doesn't want to regret.

So when Jimin tells him that Taehyung loves to hang out at said dance studio almost every day and his best bet to having a full conversation with him would most likely be there, Jungkook is rightfully very nervous. (The only other option would be to meet him at the all-year party that's happening on campus soon but that's too far away for something this time-sensitive.) So here he stands the next day, in front of the very building he promised himself he'd never step foot in. He remembers during his first-ever lecture, his professor had said something about how 'art requires sacrifice.' At first, Jungkook had just rolled his eyes but now he feels his heart beat to the rhythm of dread as those same words ring true.

"Chill out yeah? It's not that bad." Jimin lightly punches Jungkooks shoulder in an attempt to comfort him after seeing the obvious panic splattered across the blue-haired man's face but it doesn't do much to help. "Plus, us dance students don't bite. Unless you ask nicely, of course." Jungkook rolls his eyes at Jimin's lame joke but follows closely behind anyway as the blonde starts walking inside. He uses his key card to unlock the front door and the first thing Jungkook notices when they step inside is how utterly bright the studio is.

The walls are stark white whilst the floors are a pale, smooth oak. The room practically glows. Large, black speakers are dotted around the room tastefully and contrast the walls greatly, they are all connected to a computer which is on top a wooden table shoved in the corner, the same tone as the floor. The room is expansive and right by the entrance there is a sharp turn leading to a staircase - Jungkook can only assume that the stairs lead to the designated lecture halls used by the dance students (because, yes, no matter how practical your major is, every university student is forced to write essays.) At the back of the room is there a metallic door with a sign above it reading: 'Changing rooms + Showers' that is pretty self-explanatory. There are only a few students actually dancing to the quiet music vibrating through the speakers as most of them are chatting amongst themselves, getting ready to head out.

Jimin is quick and precise, cutting through the crowd like it's something he can do with his eyes closed, Jungkook struggles to keep up with the elder's fast pace and is about to tell him as much but then the crowd falls away and there he is. There is the beautiful man plaguing Jungkook's mind. There is his inspiration. There is who made him see colour again. There is his passing grade - hopefully. He is chatting friendly with someone Jungkook has never seen before but Jimin isn't faltered by this other person's presence as he walks up to the two of them, Jungkook following behind like a lost puppy.

"Hey, guys!" He smiles wide and charming, eyes squinting into half-moon crescents. Taehyung's face lights up at the sight of Jimin and the person Jungkook doesn't know also smiles. "Jiminie! I thought you didn't have class today?" The unknown person questions, raising one eyebrow to signify his confusion. "Oh, I'm not here for me. This is my roommate, Jungkook. He'd like to speak with Tae." Taehyung's eyebrows shoot to his hairline in the most endearing way Jungkook has ever seen. "Me? Why?" He asks, keeping his eyes glued to Jimin but he does spare a quick glance toward the blue-haired man. "I'll let him tell you the details but he's an art student and would like your help on a project. I think you two might be able to help each other, actually."

Taehyung finally turns to look at Jungkook properly. His eyes are pretty; dark and bright at the same time. The younger feels his cheeks heat up a little, he's the first to break the eye contact. "What do you need my help on?" Jungkook hesitates, pursing his lips together as he considers what he should say next. "Can we talk privately, if you don't mind?" Taehyung nods, also looking a little hesitant. "Sure... Wanna step outside?" Jungkook feels relieved "Yes, please."

Before they can make their exit, the other person decides to speak. He has bright red hair and a heart-shaped smile. "Jungkook, right? I'm Hoseok. I just wanted to tell you that the dance studio is open to anyone even if they don't major in dance so if you wanna come practice or hang out just ask me for a key card. Since I'm a third-year I can get you one." Jungkook can't help but smile at the kindness of the third-year.

"Thank you, Hoseok-sshi."

"Oh, please, Hyung is fine."

"Then..thank you, Hoseok Hyung."

-

"So..?" Taehyung starts, prompting Jungkook to speak. They are now standing outside the studio and the harsh sun is beaming down on them hotly. People walk by them but all seem too enthralled in their own lives to eavesdrop on this conversation. "So..." Jungkook takes a deep breath, deciding to lay it all out on the table. If he wants this to work, then clarity and honesty are his most precious allies.

"I'm gonna be real with you right now. I've got this big project due soon and I haven't been able to find any inspiration and it's really, really been weighing me down. I know this might seem weird or creepy but when I saw you yesterday, watching that movie with Jimin, it's like I've finally found what I've been looking for. For some reason, you've given me a lot of inspiration and I haven't really been able to get you out of my head. So... Um.. What I'm asking is if you'd be willing to sit for a few sketches and a painting for my project? I can pay you, if you want."

Taehyung takes a deep breath, attempting to process all the information Jungkook is spewing at him at an insanely fast frequency. He thinks about it in his head but already knows what he's gonna say. He's honestly been looking for an opportunity just like this one and it seems to have just fallen into his lap, he'd be an idiot to shove it off. "Uh.. Sure, I'll do it."

"Really?"

"Yeah! I don't need any money but I would also like to ask you for a favour in return." Jungkook looks confused but doesn't say anything so Taehyung goes on. "It's not an officially graded project or anything but my professor is running a competition-esq thing where she will send the students with the best work off to a fully paid term in a really awesome art school in France! I need to photograph someone brand new to be valid for the contest. So, I will totally help you out if you agree to be the subject?"

Jungkook thinks that the situation couldn't be more perfect.

❈❈❈

Published: 09/01/23

Word count: 2132