It was a Friday evening when you received a call from your best friend – the ringing was incessant and you thought for a moment about ignoring it, until you pondered the aftermath of such a decision and decided it would just be better to pick it up after all.

You grabbed the phone and pressed loudspeaker, fighting the urge to roll your eyes when her voice started blaring.

“Y/N?” She yelled in question, clearly fighting to speak over the voices in the background without realizing that none of it affected the call from your end.

“Who else, Erica? You called me, remember?” You held back a giggle, adjusting your black mini dress over your figure.

“Right. Of course!” She kept her voice loud, “You’re coming tonight right? You promised!”

“Getting ready as we speak” You called back, fitting your earrings in “In fact…” You murmured, picking up the phone and turning it off loud-speaker, putting it to your ear “I’m leaving the house now”

“Yay!” You could tell she was smiling through the phone, and even then it was contagious. “Y/N’s coming everyone!”

You heard cheers in the background followed by uproarious laughter by none other than your small group of friends who, without a doubt, had more than two glasses of red in their systems by this point. Erica hung up leaving you to laugh at their antics.

“And It’s only 9 o clock...” You mused to yourself, walking into the bathroom quickly to touch up your lipstick and blow a few kisses into the mirror. Deeming yourself presentable you went out to the front door, and after slipping effortlessly into your heels you were ready for the night.

“Jungkook-ah,” A cheerful voice called affectionately “Or should I say K.J.”

Jungkook turned and looked at the older boy “Tae.” He noted quietly “You don’t need to call me that here” he followed with a soft smile.

“Yeah I know,” Taehyung grinned “Just getting you in the mood for your opening night.” He followed his statement with a small pat on Jungkook’s back.

“This isn’t my first,” He replied matter-of-factly, lips upturning at the corners just a fraction. “And it certainly won’t be my last.”

His cocky attitude earned an ‘Ooh’ from Taehyung.

“Besides,” Jungkook followed up, adjusting his tie in the mirror “Nobody knows it’s my art.”

“I do,” Taehyung giggled “And so do all the boys.”

“Aside from my friends.” sighed Jungkook, eyeing himself in the mirror.

The mood turned a little serious and Taehyung’s expression followed suit “I know it’s been hard, especially after Min-Ji left-“

“I’m over her,” Whispered Jungkook, fixing his fringe, but his fingers paused “I’m just not over the idea of her.”

Taehyung squeezed his friends shoulder in support and nothing more was said after that.  The two of them quietly made their way out of the house and over to the driver waiting outside and spoke nothing more during the ride to their destination.

It had just turned 9.30 pm as you struggled to help a few of your friends into the taxi, drunk out of their minds. “Look at the lot of you” You huffed, easing the last of your friends into the vehicle “Drinking like a bunch of old men! You’re all too young for this!” You chastised, pushing the door shut.

They waved out of the window screaming ‘I love you’s as the taxi took off, leaving you alone with your face in your palms out of sheer embarrassment.

You’d come out tonight with the intention of having a classy night with your best friends, drinking wine and looking at beautiful art, but you should have known better. They were your friends after all, and you loved them in all their madness - but you certainly weren’t so pleased at them getting sick and leaving you alone like this.

You closed your eyes and inhaled the night breeze, and with your exhale you let your bubbled annoyance at the matter fade off into nothingness. You were determined to enjoy this gallery opening, alone or otherwise.

You’d heard the artist was nothing short of genius, and his paintings could elicit strong emotions from even the harshest of critics.

Your heels clicked on the pavement as you made your way inside the beautiful modern building; with minimalistic features, high ceilings and marble flooring. If the building itself is this stunning the art it contains must be something else - you thought idly, passing your ticket to the woman in the hallway. You nodded to her in thanks as she scanned your ticket, and made your way into the gallery with utmost resolve to enjoy yourself tonight.

Jungkook and Taehyung arrived at the gallery 20 minutes or so after opening time. Taehyung began to chastise Jungkook as they stepped out of the car for being late to his own art gallery, but Jungkook couldn’t care less and waved his hand dismissively.

Taehyung was about to start fussing again but he was interrupted by shouting.

“Taehyung! Jungkook!” Jimin yelled, running over to the two of them. Hoseok, Jin, Namjoon and Yoongi stood a little further away and waved at the pair.  

All of them gathered together and gave brief regards to one-another before Namjoon smacked Jungkook on the back, forcing him into the direction of the building’s entrance.

“Off you go, little bird.” He snickered, knowing how Jungkook liked to be alone at his gallery openings.

Jungkook walked on in, but not before flipping them off sneakily first.

“You all saw that, right?” Whispered Yoongi, earning a hair ruffle from Taehyung.

Jungkook grabbed a complimentary glass of champagne at the entrance and took in his surroundings.

The room was loud with idle chatter and the soft hum of jazzy background music. If it had been up to him it would be loud boisterous rock or something equally as ridiculous, but alas.

He just walked. Looking around at people as they talked with friends, appraising his work. He’d yet to hear anyone condemn it, however.

He was turning down a quieter hallway away from the open space where most people had gathered when he found a woman staring at a piece of his work for an abnormal amount of time.

She had a full glass of champagne in her hand, probably untouched, as she stared up at it. He stepped closer to her, quiet enough as to not break her spell.

She looked rather beautiful from the side, in her little black dress, and he felt a sudden urge to see her from the front, but held back – wanting to watch her oblivious form a little longer.

The spell was broken when she let out a soft sigh, still gazing at the painting. He felt his heartbeat pick up at the sight of her mouth, sighing at his work.

“You don’t like it?” Jungkook spoke out loud, startling the girl a little. But she did well to hide her astonishment.

“I’m not sure…” She trailed off in a whisper, eyes not leaving the painting for a single moment, not even to address the person who’d asked her the question.

He found it endearing, the pull his art had on her, whether positive or otherwise. He found her entrancing, and couldn’t find it in himself to look away. He didn’t speak though, for her mouth was agape as though she had more left to say.

He was right.

“It's titled 'Love' but it's hateful, this painting...” She noted, her head tilting to the side slightly “Hateful even in all its beauty.” It was as if she were thinking aloud.

Jungkook felt his stomach lurch at her words like a wave, and the wave made its rounds at his heart too, shaking it up.

“What makes you think that?” Whispered Jungkook, his tone was low and soft, cautionary. His gaze was unwavering as he looked at her, burning into her profile.

“The painting is so confused... look here...” She reached her finger out and traced around the focal point of the painting, taking gentle care to not actually touch it, “She's smiling but it doesn't reach her eyes, that's why the colours change from being bright to dark, right here.” She paused for a short while.

Her rambling stopped then, and she spun around, slightly embarrassed “Listen to me, rambling on.” She laughed sheepishly “I studied art for two years and here I am pretending I'm a professional. My opinion is entirely subjective, promise.” She smiled, and as Jungkook watched her he noticed that it really did reach her eyes. 

He found his own lips curving up into a smile, bewitched somehow by the girl in front of him.

“Not at all.” He shook his head, “I agree with you. Is there any particular reason you were looking at this painting for so long?” He pressed further, feigning interest purely as a fellow observer, but just enough as to not give his identity away.

She licked her lips and looked back up at it momentarily in thought; drinking it in with her eyes before continuing, “The woman in this painting,” she murmured “She must’ve done something awful to the poor bastard. It’s as if he wants to capture her beauty so badly but can’t look past the painful memories enough to do so. It’s so bright and beautiful on one half and then the other half is distorted and miserable. It’s such a wonderful painting but the subject matter it’s…” She fell off at the end, seemingly at a loss for words “It can’t have been pleasant.” She finished.

She brought the champagne glass to her lips and took a drink, before starting up again “Either that, or it’s not even as deep as I thought. And it’s nothing more than a barely there depiction of love being ‘good and bad’” She giggled. “My teacher used to tell me about looking for deeper meaning, so sometimes I go overboard in my delusions.”

Jungkook was rendered speechless. He felt stripped – his work had been so easily read by this complete stranger so pointedly that he felt compelled suddenly to let her in on all his secrets.

“Be my muse.” he whispered softly, so softly she almost didn’t catch it.

“Excuse me?” You questioned, trying to hide the intrigue in your tone, “Your muse?”

You hadn’t really taken enough time to fully appraise the man in front of you – as you’d been too busy mumbling about how this painting had made you feel to a complete stranger.

He was taller than you, wearing a suit that looked to be expensive. His eyes were big and dark and his hair matched the colour of them; it was also perfectly styled with a part in the middle of his fringe.

Your eyes traced his lips and the rest of his perfect features, and it was only when the corners of his mouth turned up in a smile that you realized you’d been staring far longer than necessary.

“Yes.” He stated simply, choosing to ignore the extent of your staring. His tone however, was kind and gentle. “I painted this. I painted everything in this gallery.”

You felt a blush warming your cheeks from the inside. “You mean to tell me you let me blather on like that to the artist of the work? You asshole!” You laughed in embarrassment, but the more you thought about it the funnier it became. “You pompous, self righteous asshole! Do you go around asking everyone their thoughts hiding beneath anonymity?”

The man couldn’t hold back his laughter at your small outburst. For such a devil his laughter and smile were melodious and angelic. “You’re so honest.”

“We’re you hoping for an endless shower of compliments?” You raised your eyebrow at him

“Actually no,” He followed up; remnants of laughter still remaining in his voice “You’re the first person I’ve ever asked. I’ve never cared much about what people thought of my art; but you we’re staring at it for so long I couldn’t stop myself from wondering.” His lips closed into a small smile, and his eyes never left yours.

“Well was I right?” You asked quietly “About the meaning of the painting, that is.” You fidgeted with your hands, waiting for an answer. 

“You were spot on.” He sighed “That’s why I feel so taken with you, a little annoyed, but mostly taken.”

The two of you spent a moment in silence, before he broke it. “The truth is, I hate this painting.”

Your eyes widened at his confession; “How could you possibly hate something so beautiful?” You questioned gingerly, watching him.

“It’s exactly as you said before. It’s painful to look at.” His voice went dark, so you decided not to press it further.

“So” You spoke up, changing the subject, “You’re the almighty K.J? Tell me; why on earth would you hide as a ghost painter when you’re so handsome?”  Your tone was teasing, but you were being entirely truthful.

You’d heard of stories where people hide in anonymity to release their arts because they’re ashamed of themselves, but all you could see before you was a very well spoken, well put together man with a beautiful face to match.

The man giggled softly “You really are far too honest. I’m Jungkook by the way.” He held out his hand, avoiding the question smoothly.

“Ahh - J.K? K.J?” You put the pieces together quickly “Very inconspicuous” you joked, taking his hand in yours and shaking it gently. “I’m Y/N.”

“Y/N.” He repeated, but it sounded like silk rolling off of his tongue, it didn’t sound half as pretty coming out of your own mouth.

“So Jungkook, back to the point at hand that seems to have been lost entirely to conversation. What do you mean by ‘be your muse’” You concluded, eyes searching his for answers.

“Your unabashed opinion made me feel something. I can’t put the emotion into words but it’s been a very long time since anyone, or anything, has made my heart move. I felt inspired listening to you, and what’s a painter without inspiration?” He caught his lower lip between his teeth “I want to paint you. Or at least have you around me while I do it.”

The way he bit his lip almost put you completely at his disposal.

“Lovely as that sounds, I have a job you know.” You murmured gently. It really did sound nice, though.

“It would only be on weekends, you wouldn’t have to come every weekend if you didn’t want to. I could pay you for your troubles-“

You cut him off with a dismissive wave of your hands “No no, I don’t want your money. I’d be happy to do it; I usually spend my weekends with a book and coffee anyway. This sounds much more interesting!”  You smiled up at him.

He returned your smile with a bigger one, one far more gorgeous than your own probably, you thought to yourself.

He dug into his pocket, pulling out a card and handed it to you. “That has my studio address on it, come in tomorrow if you have time. I’ll be there all day so be at your leisure” The smile never left his lips, even as he spoke so animatedly.

You took the card and slipped it into your purse. “I’ll be there.”

He reached his hand out and took yours in it, bringing it up to his lips. He placed a slow, gentle kiss to the top of your hand before returning it to you. “Thank you.” His voice was achingly low

You fought to control the fluttering in your stomach. Who did things like that in the 21st century?

“See you, Jungkook.” You breathed out, turning off down the hallway to find the exit, hoping your rampant heartbeat wasn’t as loud to everyone else as it was to you.

--

Making it outside you breathed in the refreshing night air, as opposed to the air in there with him, so thick it was almost palpable.

You walked slowly to the edge of the footpath and hailed the nearest taxi, hopping in and letting out the breath you didn’t even realize you’d been holding. You gave the driver your address and fell back into the seat with a soft thud.

As you stared out the window, watching the city scenery go by - your thoughts wandered to Jungkook. He’s beautiful to be sure, and his talent surpasses just about anything you’ve ever seen in regards to art but there is something about him that strikes you as mysterious.

What was he hiding beneath that smile of his?

You felt yourself awaken when the dappled sunlight filtered through the blinds and painted your room yellow like it always did. The birds that found habit chirping directly on your balcony also helped indicate that morning had arrived.

You could feel the warmth of the morning sun on your face as you slowly eased out of sleep, sitting up gently and rubbing the corners of your eyes – before reaching your arms up in a stretch.

Settling down, it was then your mind began to replay the events of last night, and you could’ve sworn the top of your hand began to tingle at the thought of K.J’s soft lips being on them.

‘Jungkook’ you reminded yourself, fingers lightly tracing the area where he’d kissed, ‘his name is Jungkook.’

You let out a soft yawn and slid out of bed, shivering when your bare feet touched the wooden floor of your apartment. Trotting over to your bathroom groggily you leaned over the sink and splashed your face with cold water before getting ready for the day.

You sat with your bowl of cereal (which was going soggy) as you stared into nothingness when your phone started buzzing and snapped you out of your momentary daze.

You looked at the text and pursed your lips together.

Erica: Lunch?

You paused and fiddled with your phone, thinking over it a little – knowing that one wrong move, or text, in this matter, would result in a barrage of follow ups.

‘Can’t, I have a date’

You blinked twice and erased it without another moment’s thought.

‘Can’t, I have a prior arrangement’ you edited.

Hitting send you eased back into your seat, happy knowing that the onslaught of questions surrounding such a simple word, had been avoided successfully.

Erica: What prior arrangement?

****.

You hadn’t thought she’d be so devilish – questioning her own best friend of all things. You scoffed at the phone in disbelief, and then pulled a face at yourself knowing you brought it on yourself.

‘Business propositions’ you replied, biting your lip – hoping that would be the end all of the conversation.

You heard your phone buzz and picked it up at lightning speed,

Erica: Is the “business proposition” tall dark and handsome? What’s his name?

You buried your face in your free palm, laughing into it. Did she have an antenna sticking out of her head? Was it connected to your pulse?

You left her on read and put the phone back on the table.

As you were getting ready to go out, filtering through your wardrobe, your thoughts wandered back to the art gallery. The place had been packed, there were cameras indicating an obvious media presence, and yet the man responsible for creating such tumultuous waves in the art world was hiding from them all, hiding from it all. Why?

Shaking your head free of thoughts you decided to keep your outfit simple and pretty – you we’re visiting an art studio you didn’t want to dress to the nines or seem like you were trying too hard.

Your curiosity bubbled in your system, never quite settling in your stomach. It fluttered in juvenile excitement thinking about what the place would look like, what he would look like – what he would get you to do while you were there. This whole experience would be new for you, and although you were young it had been a while since anything unusual had happened, something that would break you out of your comfort zone.

Once you left the apartment you reached into your bag and pulled out Jungkook’s business card, recognizing the address instantly – a dot you’d failed to connect last night when you’d first looked at it. Most likely because your mind had been preoccupied by other things.

The studio was close, it was barely a few blocks away. Rather than waste time and gas you started walking.

--

Around 25 minutes later and after severely underestimating the warm weather, you arrived at an old, large scale building a little ways south from your apartment block in the city. It was white stone and the outdoor entrance had tall archways and automatic doors which didn’t seem to be operating.

The area around the building was beautiful and lush with a surrounding park, vibrant and full of nature with the soft sound of laughing children and families leisurely enjoying their time. You’d never realised an area this magical had been so close to where you’d been living all the while.

You walked up the stone steps and pressed the buzzer to the side of the doors, hoping you’d get a response.

It was only a moment later when you heard his soft voice pour out of the speaker – warm and inviting. “Y/N, right?”

You were taken aback by his knowing, and hesitantly pressed the button to speak back. “Yes, but how did you know?” You looked around in bewilderment, trying to spot a camera but found nothing.

“Intuition” He chuckled softly, and even through an electronic box his low voice made you suck in a breath. “Top floor.” He followed, and the static noise from the speaker stopped.  

You heard a buzzing noise soon after and the doors slid open, and you walked in with wide eyes assessing the building. The foyer was spacious and wide, with cream marble flooring and huge windows that scaled the walls. The single most beautiful thing however was the stained glass piece that filtered the sun from the windows and directed it to the center of the foyer.

It glittered and sparkled in a myriad of colours and you felt compelled to walk up to it, placing your hand into the beam. You moved your hand around, watching as the colours danced along your skin. It was nothing short of magic and you couldn’t stop the smile that ghosted its way to your lips.

The building was dead silent until quiet footsteps broke you from your trance. Your gaze moved to the direction of the noise, and there he was.

Jungkook stood in the middle of the staircase, a sweet smile on his face. “You like the building I see.” He noted, smile never leaving his lips.

You took your hand away from the shimmering light and put them behind your back. A nervous laugh escaped you “Yeah.”

Why were you so nervous? You’d been fine last night until he’d – oh

His lips had done that. His lips had been the sole reason for your nervousness, if only he hadn’t put them on your hand.  And his lips, oh, there they were now. Smiling.

You took a moment to look at him as he made his way down the rest of the steps. He was wearing an airy white long sleeved shirt that was spattered in paint and a pair of black trousers– you choked back a giggle. He was so beautiful in all his cliché.

But ****, he really was handsome.

You pointed at his shirt as he came to stand in front of you, “You’ve been painting I see.” you murmured, smiling up at him.

“Yes but, nothing of importance,” he wiped his forehead with his shirt sleeve “I was waiting for you.”

The way he said it made your blood run hot. “Me?” you looked up at him in question

“You.” His gaze met yours, eyes dark and unfaltering.

The word was final and he signalled you with his finger to follow him up the steps, and you did so quietly, one step behind him the whole way. He lead you up two floors until you were in front of a large mahogany door, almost double the size of yourself. He opened the door and the sight inside left you in awe – it was as if you’d stepped into another planet.

It was a large open space studio, floors and walls built entirely of dark rosewood. There was a huge window at the far end of it and bookcases on either side. The ceiling was far higher than it needed to be, and the walls and floors were decorated with scattered, half finished paintings. Gorgeous potted plants dotted the room to garnish. In all, it was the most beautiful studio you had ever seen, it felt straight out of a novel.

Jungkook watched you in his peripheral vision and grinned.

When Y/N had taken too long to come up, Jungkook had grown impatient and went down to see himself what was keeping her when they’d just spoken, only to find her in the middle of the foyer playing with her hand in the light reflections, flittering from the stained glass.

He ran his tongue along his lower lip and watched her for a moment. But the moment she started smiling he couldn’t take watching from afar. He had to be near her. Had to be closer as if his livelihood depended on it.

He descended to the middle of the steps, “You like the building I see.”

Like a deer caught in headlights she retracted her hand from the light and feigned indifference to it as she looked up at him. Jungkook wanted to tease her so much that she’d break, but he held back.

 “Yeah.” Y/N replied, a small laugh escaping her lips.

‘Please don’t feel awkward around me’ Thought Jungkook, walking down the rest of the steps to meet her at the bottom.

When he looked at her again, she was watching him. “You’ve been painting I see.” She pointed to his shirt, smiling up at him as she did.

“Yes but nothing of importance,” Jungkook wiped his forehead with his sleeve. He was telling the truth too, his paintings had been devoid of inspiration, he was doing it out of necessity just in case she never showed up. “I was waiting for you.”

The words he believed to be nothing more than nonchalant and truthful set an embarrassed look to her features.

“Me?” She questioned, looking up at him beneath her eyelashes.

God.

“You.” Jungkook finished. Refusing to let go of her gaze – he wanted to look at her for as long as possible. Yet, afraid of what he might do if he held it for a second longer – he turned away and led her up the stairs, signalling with his finger.

The two of them went inside the studio and for a moment he watched her from the corner of his eye, noticing her awestruck expression. He loved his studio, but it was the first time he’d seen someone so blatantly in love with it as he was.

“Come in.” Jungkook whispered, placing his hand on the small of Y/N’s back, ushering her in so she wasn’t standing in the doorway. “Please sit” He gestured towards a comfy looking chair.

Y/N nodded and went to sit down, and Jungkook went in front of his canvas and started preparing his paint palette among things. He took a seat and there they sat opposite each other, a little too far away for Jungkook’s liking.

They shared a moment of concordant silence, before Jungkook broke it.

“Take off your clothes.” He whispered. So quiet and slow, before flicking his gaze to meet hers.

She looked so beautifully flushed when he said it, eyes wide and welcoming. She was breathtaking.

‘She looks like a painting.’ Thought Jungkook ‘and I haven’t even brought my brush to the canvas.’

Y/N pursed her lips in thought, before taking her fingers to the top button of her blouse, getting ready to start undoing it.

Jungkook almost choked on his own breath as his palette clattered to the floor, he stood up walking over to Y/N before clasping her hands in his, preventing her from unbuttoning her shirt “It was a joke, Y/N.”

She let out a breath then, as if she’d been holding it in “Oh.” She said simply.

He let go of her and ran a hand through his hair, laughing in disbelief “You-“

He shook his head “You’re too much. You’re so naïve! – What if I was someone else? What if I took advantage of you?"

Y/N giggled and cut Jungkook off “We’re both adults. Besides, this is your job, right? You wanted a muse and I agreed. If deriving inspiration meant seeing my nude form why would that bother me, I didn’t come here thinking it would be entirely virtuous.”   

Jungkook didn’t say anything, he just stood above her and watched her with a curious expression on his face.

“I’ve read enough history books, Jungkook. About famous artists and their muses. Besides…” She trailed off, leaning back into her chair “When did I ever say you couldn’t take advantage of me?”

Jungkook’s eyes went wide as saucers. Is this girl even real? Maybe she’s a succubus, and if so she’s doing a fantastic job, because if she keeps talking like that he really might die.

“I don’t want that.” His voice was low and soft, almost fragile.

Jungkook walked back to his seat in front of the canvas, sitting down and picking up the fallen palette.

“Then what do you want from me, Jungkook?” The question was simple, but her tone was gentle and understanding.

“I want you to tell me about your week. I want you to ask me to pour you a glass of wine; tell me your favourite colour, your favourite songs, your favourite films. The things you love, the things you hate. Do you have pets? Why? Why not?” Jungkook found solace in her eyes as he met her gaze once more, knowing she was listening.

“I want to know about you. Not for you to take off your clothes. Only then will I feel satisfied enough to paint.”

You watched Jungkook with pure attentiveness, watched the every rise and fall of his chest when he spoke. You tried your very best to wrap your head around the man sitting behind the canvas. His inner workings were an enigma, his method of finding inspiration was fresh and new, but it made you wonder, where had he found it all before if he was so desperate to find inspiration within you.

You decided to leave those questions unanswered for now, coming to the conclusion that spending your weekends with this man would be worthwhile – therefore giving you all the time in the world to find out about him, too.

“Well then,” You breathed slowly, “Can you pour me a glass of wine, Jungkook? I think we have a lot to talk about.”

He stood up, watching you – and his face broke into a beautiful, soft smile – almost undetectable.

You watched him walk over to the end of the studio, his gorgeous broad figure pouring a bottle of wine into a glass - and you couldn't help but let your thoughts wander.

'Jungkook, who are you?'

You sat and watched Jungkook's eyes disappear into a smile as his melodious laughter rang throughout the room at something you'd said. That laughter of his was far too contagious, it's childlike and mellifluous sound stirred a feeling within the pit of your stomach that was hard to name. 

You were into your second glass of wine, which meant that your answers to all of his probing questions had become far more honest, and you'd begun to skirt around the edges less and less. If he thought the tipsy you was funny, it made you glad, because it meant that he found the real, unabashed you funny. It warmed your heart and allowed yourself to ease yourself into his company, though you hadn't known him long you felt the two of you were connected somehow. 

His smile was so wide and beautiful, you thought, wanting to steal the brush from his long fingers and paint him instead. How unfortunate that he was fated to be the painter and not the painted. 

At some point during the night he had begun painting, and although you weren't sure what, you didn't ask for fear of pulling him out of whatever creative development he had going on. He dipped his brush into the water jar next to him, effectively cleaning it before drying it meticulously and leaving it laying on a paint covered towel on his table off to the side. 

He looked so wonderful with concentration written all over his face, maybe even a little sexy you dared admit to yourself. Then, as if his own thoughts were connected your very own, his gaze flicked upwards and met yours. You didn't bother trying to avert your eyes, he'd already caught you - and he seemed to like it. 

"Aren't you curious about what I'm painting?" There was something teasing laced in his voice

"Deathly." You admitted, stiffing a sigh "But I was holding back."

Something shifted in his gaze then. "Don't do that," he chided gently "hold back...when you're with me."

You nodded, noticing the light fragility in his voice "Okay. I won't do it again. What are you painting, Jungkook?"

He smiled, then. "I'm painting something that feels warm and familiar..." he trailed off "but without the pretension."

You bit back a quip as you leaned back into your seat, head dizzy and buzzing in the afterglow of wine. The fucker was speaking in tongues. 

"Without the riddles?" You whimpered

"Isn't it more fun this way?" He retaliated, laughter in his voice "You're a mystery to me so can't I be one to you too?" 

"Mystery?!" You scoffed, bringing your hand up to your mouth in faux shock "Jungkook we've known each other for one whole entire day. You got me drunk! I even told you my favourite song! There's nothing more to know." You exaggerated

This set him off into a fit of laughter, filling the space between the two of you. "Alright, Alright." He finished giggling before speaking again "But let me have this one mystery - you can see it once it's finished."

"And when do you think it'll be finished?" You asked idly, raising your eyebrow.

"Whenever I want it to be." He smirked, but you missed it because your eyes were too busy scanning the room. What you didn't miss however was that one-of-a-kind teasing tone of his.

"Cheeky shit." You laughed gently, standing up and walking over to a painting that lay lopsided on the floor that had managed to capture your drunken interest.

Jungkook said nothing and simply watched you, as you crouched down and tilted your head to look at it properly. He wondered why an unfinished piece of his that lay discarded to the floor had caught your eye, but he didn't press further and just kept his eyes on you. 

"Is this unfinished?" Y/N murmured, garnering his interest further "Why? It's pretty." 

Lost in his thoughts for a moment, he didn't reply, but eventually came to his own conclusion. "I lost inspiration for it, I guess." 

"You guess?" She replied, spinning around to face him before standing up again, albeit a little wobbly "You start something off so beautifully and powerfully and then it's nothing more than an 'I guess?'" 

Jungkook really didn't know what to say in response to that. He was notorious in his own mind for giving up on things the moment he felt nothing from them anymore.

"You might as well just burn them, Jungkook. You're keeping yourself caged in this room full of unfinished shit that clearly once made you feel something." Y/N sniffed, and there was something ridiculously beautiful about the indifference on her face. Jungkook wanted to laugh but he knew it would be inappropriate. She wasn't praising him, she was insulting him in the most subtle, shameless way possible. 

Telling an artist to burn his own art. 

She started walking over to him and the way the low ambient light of the studio ran over her face made his breath hitch. She stood in front of the canvas and looked down at him, staring him dead in the eye. "And this?" her finger brushed the top of the canvas "What will you do with this? will you finish it?"

Jungkook still couldn't find words, he just stared up at her with his big eyes hoping she'd drop it and stop scrutinizing him. She didn't however, she continued. 

"I don't know what goes on in that brain of yours, Jungkook" She reached out and ruffled his hair affectionately, fingers running through his locks and his eyes fluttered shut involuntarily at the touch. He leaned back, sighing contentedly at the feeling. "But you ought to give yourself more credit - you're quite good really."

He still said nothing

"Better than good. I felt more in 10 seconds of looking around that gallery opening than I felt studying about hundreds of old dead artists in my high school years."

His interest was finally piqued, although his eyes remained shut, and still she finished on "You work has movement, Jungkook. So why are you still at such a standstill?"

He felt himself grow tired, her hand was still patting his hair as she spoke - he found her nagging peaceful, as though it had been a while since he'd been put in his place. Y/N's warm hand traveled down to his cheek "Think about it okay? It's late, I'm going home."

Y/N retracted her hand and turned to leave but Jungkook grabbed her wrist and opened his eyes, meeting her gaze. "I'll walk you home. It's late." 

She nodded and Jungkook stood up, hand desperately wanting to cling to the warmth of her wrist, but he let go in order to collect his keys before leading her out of the apartment.

------

The air outside was crisp and a little chilly for a spring night, so Jungkook, being the gentleman he was offered the girl a jacket. She politely declined however, insisting that her blouse was enough and that Jungkook himself needed to keep warm. 

He kept thinking about why his heart felt so full after just one nights worth of conversation with this person. Why the simple sounds of her feet hitting the pavement in the quiet night, or the soft sounds of her breathing elicited such a foreign feeling of happiness within him.  

She'd been the first to acknowledge his awful habit of giving up - but she never pressed him as to why he did so. She was respectful in all her confrontation - and she was as honest as she was beautiful. He liked that, he truly and deeply liked it. 

He broke the silence in the air "I'm going to finish that painting."

She hummed a little as they walked "Reason why?"

He didn't have to think about it for long, "I don't want to give up on it."

Jungkook wondered whether she would ask more, he hoped she wouldn't though because his cheeks were heating up, despite the cool night breeze. 

"Give up on what." 

Ahh. 

"This feeling." he laughed a little in embarrassment, and the rest of the walk was spent in a pleasant, comfortable sort of silence between them. 

Upon reaching Y/N's apartment building, Jungkook felt his heart dip a little. He wished the walk would have been longer. 

"This is me," She murmured, a smile on her face. "I'd invite you in for coffee but it's an ungodly hour and no-one drinks coffee at this time."

Jungkook shook his head "You don't need the formalities with me. I-" he bit his lip "I want to thank you." 

She tilted her head to the side in mild confusion "For what?" 

'For waking up dormant emotions within me that have halted my work for months' Jungkook fought back an eye-roll at his thoughts that he knew would never be spoken.

"For coming...tonight" 

Say more, say more idiot!

A sweet smile lit up Y/N's face and suddenly the idea of saying more was forgotten and all he could see was that.

"It was my pleasure! I had so much fun - you're great company to be around." her voice was so melodic.

I am? 

"I am?" 

Oops. He let the words slip out of his surprise.

"Some of the best I've had in a very long time," She paused, leaving the two of them just standing there looking at each other "My honesty usually scares people off, so thank you for not despising me for it."

Jungkook's eyes widened. Scared people off? Well it wasn't the first time the human race had shocked him out of sheer stupidity, but for anyone to avoid someone so pretty and authentic because of her bluntness was ridiculous.  

"Despise you?" Jungkook couldn't believe his ears "Couldn't even if I tried." he replied, shaking his head - before his gaze fell back to where it belonged - which was on her face. 

A wide smile graced Y/N's face and suddenly Jungkook didn't know what breathing was.

He wanted to leave then and there to avoid whatever sputtering was about to take place from his behalf but she eased it on for him, "I had a wonderful time, really. I'll come back next weekend okay"

All he could manage was a nod and an awestruck stare.

"Goodnight Jungkook." and with that she turned on her heel and into the building with no final looks or waves, much to Jungkook's relief. He didn't think his stony little heart could handle any more movement. 

When she was out of sight and Jungkook could tell she'd made it in safely he set back on his way home, but not before letting out a long breath he'd been holding in unknowingly. His walking pace was brisk and his mind was befuddled. 

He couldn't fight the smile ghosting its way to his lips and even in the dark cool night, cold enough to make Jungkook wrap his jacket a little closer to him, he still felt warm. He felt warmth in his cheeks and his stomach, a feeling so deeply pleasant that he almost wanted to chastise himself for feeling this way after only a day of knowing this woman. She was just so pleasant. Her aura was contagious, to such a point that even this usually aloof, stoic man couldn't fight it's infectious nature. She made him want to be better - not only to himself but to the people around him, too. 

'I'd pay good money just to have her scold me' he thought idly to himself, before ruffling the back of his hair and furrowing his eyebrows together 'wait is that perverted? it's kind of perverted'

'...Ahh whatever'.

You made it up to your apartment, fully sobered up by the chilly wind juxtaposed with Jungkook's warm gaze. You wondered if he even realized the way he looked at you. Beautiful, beady eyed fucker.

You wondered if maybe every brick you chipped away at of his he would just put another one up in it's place. Maybe, if you were lucky, in the next 7 billion years this strange man would look at you with clear eyes unclouded by his past. He probably thought he was good at hiding it but he was very much an open book to you, and it became increasingly obvious after seeing the stunning disarray of his art collection. Even drunk, you could tell that behind each unfinished painting and unspoken word of his there was something more - something unpleasant. But you liked today, you liked it so much you began to crave more of it even despite knowing you'd have to suffer through a weeks worth of work just to reach it. 

How exciting, for every weekend to become a new mystery. What kind of Jungkook would you meet, what would he say, what would he get you to do, what kind of look would he have in his eyes? It all fascinated you - you wanted more of his company. 

One thing that was clear to you was that Jungkook was using you as a distraction. He seemed genuinely happy with your presence but perhaps it was only because you were medicine for whatever wounds he was hiding. You could bare with it for now, since you too were using him as a means for your own satisfaction and curiosity, but once that wore off...

And what if, you really started to like him, what then? Would the fun and excitement of it all wear off into misery? The answers lay in your meetings, which would only occur on weekends. 

The two of you, and what you meant to each other and would eventually mean to each other was a puzzle waiting to be solved. 

... 

After getting ready for bed you lay, head sunk into the pillows staring up at the ceiling trying to make sense of everything. You saw Jungkook's smile in your head on repeat before you let sleep consume you.