※  ※  ※

3 months later.

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Keys rattled below the doorknob while Taehyung pushed it open in front of him. He stepped past the frame, let it shut behind him, and proceeded with rugged steps down the dainty hall, leaving his heavy damp boots behind.

"Ah, good timing!" A voice called from the kitchen. "I was just about done with the meat."

Taehyung placed an array of bags full of ingredients over the marbled countertop, then let a weary breath draw from his lips. "Where is she?"

"Shower." Yoongi turned around to face the other male, and Taehyung tried not to laugh at how adorably childish the older looked with a cute apron on. "I still don't understand how it's my job to cook for her.." The man continued his grumbles from earlier. "I agreed to do a protection service, not to babysit."

"Give her a break," Taehyung lowered the hood from his head, "She hasn't been feeling well and you're a much better cook than us."

"I could be cuddling my cute boyfriend in bed right now..." Yoongi huffed, brows nearly stuck together in frustration. "You bitches owe me big time."

"Understood." Taehyung stifled another laugh and proceeded past the kitchen area, down the hall, then peeked his head into Misun's bedroom, where the woman was nowhere to be found. He heard the shower running from the connected bathroom and stepped in closer to wait for her, sat over the mattress. He settled himself on the bed, looking around at the light pink walls and mostly white decor.

With a hand gently grazing the bed sheets, the man let out a quiet breath, and suddenly he heard a loud noise of something dropping harshly to the floor, followed by a squeal. Taehyung's head snapped toward the bathroom, where the thudding sound had come from, and jumped to his feet.

"Misun?!" He called out in a worried voice, hurrying towards the door only to find out it had been left unlocked. He quickly swung it open and stepped into the humid bathroom, the shower water still running with a loud gushing sound.

"Taehyung!" He heard the woman screech, hands immediately grabbing the shower curtains to pull them closer.

"S-Shit, I'm—" Taehyung jumped up in place, slightly startled by her yelp. "I'm sorry, I thought-... I thought you fell down."

"It was just the shampoo bottle!" Misun whined out. Taehyung lowered his head to see that there, indeed, had been a bottle of shampoo on the floor beside the bathtub.

"Oh.." He gave a silent chuckle. "My bad. Are you done...? Do you need help?"

"I'm fine!" She quickly responded. The shower then switched off and there was a brief silence before she changed her mind. "A-Actually I forgot my towel... Can you bring it over?"

"Mhm," Taehyung grinned, dashing out from the bathroom only to return in the span of mere seconds. He stepped in beside the shower curtain and slipped the fabric through.

"T-Thanks..."

"Yep." Taehyung then turned around so his back was facing the tub, letting Misun pat herself dry and carefully step out. "Do you need help putting on clothes?"

"What? N-No, why w-would I?" The woman's cheeks quickly flushed red.

Taehyung's shoulders rose in a shrug. "Just in case. I want to help."

"You want to be a pervert, is what it sounds like to me."

Taehyung snorted out a laugh, and heard that Misun had giggled behind him.

"Anyways, hurry up and finish getting ready. Yoongi's almost done with dinner." He turned around to see Misun with the towel draped snug around her body. "Hm.." He let his eyes linger on her for a moment. "You're starting to show, aren't you?"

The woman looked down at her belly and gave a small smile, placing a hand over it. "Yeah... The little rascal's growing."

Taehyung bit his lip to hide his grin. "Growing big and strong, like his mama."

Misun kept her head down, hoping her wet hair shielded how red her face must've been. "We don't know the gender yet—stop assuming it's a 'he'.." She timidly approached the man and gripped onto his shoulders, turning him around and guiding him out the bathroom. "Now shoo—out you go. Let me get ready in peace."

Taehyung gave a pout as he was lightly pushed out into the bedroom. He watched as Misun then moved to shut the door, but before it could close completely, she paused and looked up at him.

"Actually, um..." She gripped onto the doorknob, a sheepish gaze lingering in her eyes. "Can you... do me a favor?"

※ ※

A speckled snowflake took its place over Jeongguk's shoulder. The boy lifted his hand, knuckles flushed red from the freezing breeze he had endured in the outside weather. He showed his ticket toward the security guard in front of him, who with crossed arms and a grumpy look on his face, allowed him entry with a simple grunt.

Jeongguk bowed his head and proceeded inside the large building, leaving the cold night behind him while warm lighting embraced his skin. He stepped down the polished floor with somewhat of timid steps, past scatters of people, and a sign that read Kang Gallery.

When he reached the first exhibition room he found a wall of framed paintings across the spacious gallery area. His lips parted, eyes peering meticulously at the pieces that surrounded him the more he stepped toward his left. He turned his head, gaze landing on the closest painting, and he began to analyze every brush stroke, the choices of color, the negative space working in unison with the foreground characters, who were delicately painted with forlorn expressions over their faces.

He took a look at the plaque below it, where the artist and an explanation adorned the art piece.

title:
peace.

artist:
emeraldstone

medium:
acrylic painting

Jeongguk lingered in his spot for a moment, letting himself digest the beautiful piece of work. Then, he proceeded along the side of the wall, where more pieces of beauty awaited his revision.

title:
sunshine & rain.

artist:
mirai-leaf

medium:
acrylic painting

He let a brief smile curl over his lips, nodded his head, then clasped his hands together while he moved along, admiring the next piece. And the next piece. And the next. Until minutes had gone by, and he had seen every painting in the current room.

He walked past the exit, letting his thoughts swirl in his head, running ideas for his next project. While he searched for the next exhibition room he thought back to the artist names he'd read from every piece. It seemed this gallery had a running theme of letting their artists submit work under a pen name. Jeongguk thought it made it more fun that way—almost as though the space was some sort of underground scene for artists.

"Yeah, that was so unique!" He heard a voice gush, and Jeongguk looked over his shoulder to see two girls exiting the final exhibition room. "Everyone else had simple titles, but theirs was all poems."

"I know!" The girl's friend squealed in agreement. "I can't wait for the next gallery. I hope they can make it back in!"

Jeongguk looked at the entrance to the exhibition in front of him, then glanced over at the final room. With a quick exhale he scurried all the way to the other side, eager to skip the other rooms for now, and see what the two girls were talking about. An artist who used poems as their titles—it sounded too unique to him. He just had to go see.

When Jeongguk stepped into the final room, he was quick to notice that the framed pieces of work where no longer paintings, but photographs instead. He repeated his previous movements of admiration, starting from the left side and working his way down the wall of photographs.

He stopped by a calming picture, depicting a serene view of Seoul, perhaps in the morning. The low contrast made the city look approachable, relaxed. The sky had a delicate hue of blue splashed alongside warm-toned colors. Jeongguk let his gaze fall over the metal plaque; and alas, a short poem was written over the title slot.

title:
a world where i
no longer walk.

His smile gently retreated while he turned his attention to the photo beside it.

title:
i'm a coward but
when it comes to you
i still want
love.

This one held more contrast, vignette edges bordering the frame with a gentle black color. The photograph watched a couple, whose backs were facing the camera and yet it was clear that they were laughing together. Their intertwined hands seemed to be the focus, as it was prominent in the center of the composition. Jeongguk thought it was very well taken.

And then, he proceeded to the last one beside it.

title:
the boy
who told me
he loves me.

Jeongguk's eyes grew wide, nearly bulged from his sockets while he examined the photograph. This one was all too familiar. Sank deep into his memories. And with a sudden pulsing in his veins he desperately looked back to the plaque to read the artist's name below the title.

artist:
k.th

His jaw lowered, heartbeat loud in his ears. Now that he had confirmed his upmost curiosity, it was then that he noticed that the familiar hand in the picture belonged to him. It was his hand. His own hand that held a red hyacinth flower in front of the camera.

Jeongguk choked on his own breath. Ignored the looks of people who had turned their heads from the sudden noise of his coughs.

Taehyung, whom he hadn't spoken to in 3 months.

Taehyung, whom he'd seen around school grounds, though neither of them let their gazes hold each other longer than seconds.

Taehyung, with whom he'd grown apart from ever since that night. A stranger to him now.

Could it be his initials engraved over the metal plate in front of him?

Taehyung. Taehyung. Taehyung.

※ ※

The light snowstorm showed no signs of ceasing when Jeongguk strolled back down the very path he had taken to the gallery exhibit.

When he reached school grounds again, he headed straight toward the arts department building where the halls seemed almost eerie at night. Though admittedly, it wasn't as bad as he had thought, since there were still quite a few students lingering around, probably pulling all nighters for their midterm projects.

Jeongguk let his feet guide him down the familiar hall, until he stepped into the painting studio and saw that someone was already there, working on their painting in solitude. He watched as the girl turned around upon hearing him walk in, and he immediately recognized her to be his classmate from the same painting class he was finishing his project for.

"Oh, Jeonggukie! Do you have last minute changes to make to your painting, too?" She cheerily made conversation.

"Hm... I guess you could say that," he gave a bashful smile. "But the truth is I just haven't finished it yet."

The girl gave a dramatic gasp. "Not yet?! It's due tomorrow!"

"It's pretty much done." Jeongguk set his bag down over the large table in the back. "I just needed inspiration for the finishing touches.."

"Ah, I see~" The girl chuckled before returning back to her work while Jeongguk began to prep his needed painting materials.

He fetched his canvas from the drying rack and plopped it over an easel. Then, threw an artist apron on and began to mix colors over his palette, before he soon found himself sitting on the tall stool in front of his artwork and staring profusely at it.

Seconds went by. Seconds that turned into minutes. Until, eventually, Jeongguk heard a shuffling sound. He looked up only to see that his classmate was now packing up her materials.

"You're done already?" He spoke up with raised brows.

The girl nodded before laughing softly. "And you haven't even touched yours!"

The boy gave a quiet whine. "I'm still thinking..."

"Still? Hm.... Well, good luck~ It's getting late—I need to go wash my hands and then I'm outta here," she huffed out and quickly dashed out the room, perhaps toward the bathroom. Jeongguk gave a low grumble and went back to staring at his painting, letting time pass him by once again.

Until, he heard footsteps re-approaching the classroom, and his classmate's voice coming from down the hall. "Oh, oppa! You heading to the studio?"

He heard a male voice respond firmly. "Yes. Are you working on something?"

"I just finished! But if Oppa's staying I'll keep you company~"

"No way," the man chuckled. "It's late. A girl like you shouldn't be walking alone at night in the first place. Get your ass home."

Jeongguk heard the quiet giggles of his classmate. "Aw~ fine, I will..."

The footstep sounds only grew closer until the two had reached the studio, and Jeongguk looked up to see his classmate had returned with...

He felt his heart freeze up.

There, with his hands leisurely placed inside his pockets. With that staggering, handsome smile over his finely crafted lips. With his long dark bangs cascading in waves over his sharp dark eyes, shielding his prominent brows. And that relaxed demeanor, as though he had the world on their knees in front of him.

The man who never changes.

There, was Kim Taehyung standing beside the girl; his subtle grin slowly coming to a fade upon settling his eyes over Jeongguk, who was seated in the back of the room, his large canvas shielding half his body from view.

"I'll see you in class tomorrow, Jeongguk!" His classmate called out to him, then waved Taehyung goodbye.

"Get home safe," the man's deep voice pushed the words out, and Jeongguk could feel himself already growing weak in the knees.

He hadn't heard that stark, hefty voice speak so closely in much too long.

The door to the studio shut. Taehyung turned his head to look toward the large window beside him, showing him a view of Seoul bathed in snow.

There was a piercing silence in the room, and Jeongguk kept his gaze focused over his canvas, trying to mask the sound of his gulping by tapping the back of his paintbrush against the tabletop.

After the long stillness between the two had gone by, Jeongguk heard Taehyung's footsteps, and glanced over at the man only to see him scanning the canvases upon the drying rack.

Without a second thought, he found himself speaking up.

"What are you doing here...?" His throat felt dry, voice quiet. "You're not even in our class."

Taehyung seemed to pause in place, eyes remained settled in front of him as he listened. After a moment, he gave a response.

"Misun's in your class, yeah?"

Jeongguk blinked back at him.

"I came here to finish her painting for her. She asked me to, and all.."

The boy looked down and slowly nodded to himself.

So he was doing her that favor, it seemed.

"Pregnancy sickness?" Jeongguk asked in a low voice.

Taehyung hummed. "Mhm. She should be there for the presentation tomorrow, though."

Jeongguk let his teeth grind over his bottom lip, and watched as Taehyung finally pulled a canvas from the rack and walked towards the furthest table, at the front of the classroom. He rubbed his hands together, brows furrowing alongside his small pout.

"Why are you sitting so far away...?" He mumbled out, although the older had heard him loud and clear.

Taehyung looked up at him from where he stood, seemingly taken aback by Jeongguk's sudden words, and the boy began to wonder if Taehyung really felt that cautious around him.

Well, that would only make sense.

"Ah... right.." Taehyung cleared his throat and began to move his stuff closer, two tables away from where Jeongguk sat. The younger glanced at him every now and then, letting his gaze linger on the man's graceful movements even while he did something as casual as carrying supplies over. Once everything was gathered, Taehyung let himself draw closer toward Jeongguk's stool, arms crossed while he stood a safe distance from him, enough to take a peek at his painting.

Jeongguk felt his cheeks flushing red, though he desperately hoped that the older couldn't see it.

"Hm..." He heard Taehyung's amused tone. The jolt Jeongguk felt in his heart was prominent. "You're really good at painting... Aren't you all done?"

The boy sheepishly shook his head, letting his lips part as he contemplated what to say. He looked back at his painting, still trying to figure out what exactly was missing. It was true—his painting looked complete. A simple, yet calming depiction of the entrance point to the park nearby, that he had drawn while it was snowing.

The place where he and Taehyung met for the first time.

He had painted the lamp post just as he remembered it, the concrete pavement reflecting its orange light. The trees surrounding the spot were dark below the night sky. And although the two hadn't met in a snowy day, Jeongguk couldn't help but think the snowflakes added to its charm.

Right, the painting seemed complete.

And yet still, something was missing.

"Yeah, but... I s-still have to add f-finishing touches.." he mumbled quietly.

"What finishing touches?"

"I... don't know yet..."

Taehyung uncrossed his arms and let out a quiet sigh. "Misun told me the assignment urged you guys to depict some kind of emotion, no?"

Jeongguk's eyes slowly widened. He lifted his head to look properly at the older.

"The painting's great, but... I can't quite tell what emotion you're trying to convey."

The man looked back at him, eyes firm. Jeongguk gulped, feeling hot under Taehyung's dissecting gaze.

"O-Oh... I-I see..."

Taehyung gave a gentle smile and returned to his table, where he pulled a stool closer and plopped himself over it. Jeongguk couldn't take his eyes off of him, even as he reached for paint tubes and poured colors over his palette. Even as he mixed the paint and hummed quietly to himself. Jeongguk watched it all. He was good at admiring, after all.

"I, um... went to the gallery... For inspiration..." He found himself spewing the words.

Taehyung blinked up at him. "Ah. The one that our English professor's wife runs?"

"Yeah.." Jeongguk picked up his brush and tested colors mindlessly over a blank sheet. "So you did end up submitting your work... I'm glad. It was really good."

"You saw my work?"

Jeongguk nodded in silence. "You should've told me you were going to do it. We did that project together, after all."

Taehyung scoffed out a dry laugh. Jeongguk's brow perked.

"How could I? You were avoiding me."

"I wasn't.. I thought you were avoiding me."

Taehyung focused on his color mixing, taking a moment to process the boy's words.

"Isn't it weird for you...?" he whispered.

"Weird..?"

"Talking to me." Taehyung kept his head down. "Isn't it weird...? After finding out everything you know about me.. All of the 'me's living within me..." Following Jeongguk's silence, the man kept talking. "You probably don't even know who you're talking to right now."

Jeongguk quickly scoffed. "What are you on about...?" His voice held a slight scolding tone to it. "I'm talking to Taehyung. Am I not?"

The older lifted his head, eyes gaping at the boy. "But... which Taehyung?"

Jeongguk calmly answered. "Just Taehyung."

The man's eyes became broad, lips slightly parted in shock.

"You were the one who I met back at that park entrance... And you're the one I'm talking to now." Jeongguk gave an innocent smile; one that, in that very moment, Taehyung embedded deep into his memory.

"A-Ah..." Taehyung felt his hand tremble, then let his brush lower to the mixing tray. "Yeah, t-that's... correct."

Jeongguk gave a quiet laugh, then let himself return his focus toward his own painting.

And that was when it hit him.

He knew exactly what his work was missing.

He quickly picked up red paint and began to mix efficiently, then scooped up a piece with his brush to make delicate touches over the canvas. Taehyung stared, watching the focused twinkle in the younger's eyes. His adorable posture. The way his teeth nibbled over his own lips whenever he'd stop and examine his progress.

Fuck, he thought.

He wouldn't be able to stop himself this time. It had been much too long, and he had no other means to hold back.

So it was only natural, that the words left him. Words that he had stored deep into his thoughts, locked them into his heart. He had fetched the keys, and set them loose.

"Jeongguk."

There was a delay in the boy's movement, having been too focused on his painting. But eventually Jeongguk's hand came to a halt, and he met Taehyung's glimmering inked eyes.

This time, he'll be the one to say it.

"I think I'm in love with you."

✱