all mine | 1
summary: getting your heart broken meant you no longer wanted anything to do with love. your heart couldn’t take the pain anymore. but, of course, life had other plans.
pairing: tattoo artist!jk x art student! f reader.
genre: fluff, a hint of angst.
word count: 7.2k
warnings: mention of needle, mention of sex.
a/n: finally got the first chapter out, let me know your thoughts! thank you for reading 🫶
Your body felt like it was screaming at you as you continued to bring in a few more of the boxes from your car into your new apartment. The warm sun on your body was definitely not helping your cause either, feeling a bit of sweat trickle down your forehead.
Since you were in the middle of moving by yourself, you realize by now that it probably would’ve been way easier to hire a moving crew to help you move your things into your place.
Unfortunately for you, though, not only did you want to save yourself some money, but you also felt as if you needed to grasp at anything to help make yourself more productive. After pondering on the different possibilities, you ended up landing on the decision of moving in all by yourself. Leading up to this moment, it was that very decision that soon turned into regret with the way you can feel your whole body begin to ache.
Even if you are trying to keep yourself occupied with the task at hand, your mind always manages to find a way to go elsewhere. You were shortly forced to think about life before coming here, and before you knew it, your mind started racing back to the memories of why you had to move in the first place.
As fast as it came, the mixed feeling of hatred and sadness had started to overwhelm you. Suddenly, all you wanted to do was curl up into a ball and hide in your bed forever. You came here to have a new start. A new life where you can be proud of you and not have to think about him. So, why is it happening now? You were doing so goo-
“Excuse me?” a soft voice made you jump slightly as it interrupted your negative thoughts. Nervousness overtake you, immediately starting to feel your hands get clammy as you searched for whom the voice belonged to.
“Oh my god— I’m sorry, I didn’t see you.” you shyly replied through your smile. A wave of embarrassment swallowed you whole as you begin to realize the situation you were in. Being wrapped up in negative thoughts was a sure way to get you to spiral into those feelings.
His laugh was soft and lighthearted, his hand quickly rising to shoo away at your apology. “No need to apologize. I’m sorry for scaring you, I was just asking if you needed any help?” he asked, his finger pointing towards the boxes your hands were already starting to grab at.
The way he spoke to you, you could’ve sworn you felt your heart jump a little. Someone coming up to talk to you was the least thing you expected, since you were too busy being wrapped up in your thoughts and moving.
Your eyebrows slightly rose, you were a bit taken a back at a stranger’s random act of kindness. “Oh, um, these are the last boxes I have left, then I’m finished. I think I’ll be okay bringing these in.”
You quickly added, “… But if you’d really like to help, I would appreciate that. Thank you.”
The man standing in front of you was a gift from the gods. He definitely saved you a visit to the hospital with the way your body started to feel. Taking a closer look, though, he does look pretty handsome.
With a small nod, he picks up the last few boxes from your car with ease, as the two of you walked into the building together. The walk to the elevators started to make you feel awkward. Becoming aware of the fact that this was a stranger next to you, and soon enough will know where you live.
Maybe you should’ve just brought the boxes up yourself? What if this man is a murderer, and you just let him into the building? These thoughts only made you feel anxious, and you became unintentionally weary of his movements, your eyes looking down at his white sneakers. It felt like an eternity passed as unnecessary thoughts continued to race through your mind until you hear his soft voice once again.
“Jeongguk.”
Your left eyebrow rises as you look at the dark-haired man with a confused daze. “I’m …sorry?”
“My name’s Jeongguk. I live in the complex across the street.” He nods his head forwards, and it finally clicked to you that he was trying to introduce himself. The two of you smile once you introduced yourself back to him.
You couldn’t help but let your eyes fall below his face, noticing metal on his lip as he quietly repeated your name to himself. The elevator eventually coming to a halt with the doors widening as you show him the way to your place, thanking the universe for the change of location.
As the two of you walk out, you couldn’t help but take note of Jeongguk’s body walking beside you. Not only did you notice his lip ring, but the tattoos on his arm managed to catch your attention as well. Tattoos have always been something you were interested in.
The concept of being able to like something so much, that you can get it on your skin forever, was enough to have you sold. Being an art student such as yourself, you can almost always find beauty in everything. Everything can be art if you want it to be.
Jeongguk finds himself unknowingly looking around at the bare walls of your apartment. It was nice and spacious, maybe a bit bigger than his own home. “Where do you want me to put these?” he asks as he turns to face you with your things. Jeongguk can fully take in your appearance this way, taking in the way your baby hairs have escaped from your tied hair.
Your finger points into the direction of the kitchen, “You can just leave it on the kitchen counter. I really can’t thank you enough.” You say as you watch Jeongguk make his way over. “You really didn’t have to help.”
Jeongguk can’t help but notice how grateful you’re being towards him, and he begins to feel a bit awkward. He can't understand why he decided to help you in the first place. Jeongguk isn’t usually the type to be this kind to someone he doesn’t even know. But he sort of felt bad when he watched you struggle moving boxes in on your own while he was on his way to his car. Before he knew it, he was already on his way towards you.
“You don’t need to keep saying thank you. I promise it’s nothing.” He laughs out, moving towards your front door, which made you follow his movements. “It was nice meeting you. Maybe I’ll see you around?” Jeongguk slightly turned to look at you to shoot you a quick wink.
A shy laugh escaped your mouth as you waved back, not really knowing how to respond to a wink. For a moment, though, you felt like you were stuck there as you watched him get on the elevator. Eventually, catching yourself and deciding it’s time to head back inside. Closing the door behind you, you make your way into the home and admire the empty walls around you.
A slight smile appeared on your face. This is it. You’re on your own. Those words alone made you question whether you should be scared, or to anticipate the new life that you have ahead of you. Taking a second to think, you realize that maybe you wouldn’t be wrong to think that you should feel both.
“Good evening! Welcome to Paradise Tattoo! How can I help you today?”
You admit that the receptionist’s cheerful personality caught you a bit off guard, but nevertheless you maintained a friendly smile.
“I was just hoping if I could get a small black and gray butterfly tattooed… around here?”
You pull your arm out to gesture to the inside of your arm. “I’m sorry I didn’t book an appointment, but I saw that this place also did walk – ins, so I was hoping…”
“Of course! We have two artists in the shop today, one is with a client right now, but I’ll let the other one know you’re here, he’ll be able to help.”
You watched as the man flipped through his cabinet to pull some papers out. “In the meantime, you’ll need to sign these papers, once everything’s in order, you’ll be able to start. My name’s Hoseok, if you need anything, I’ll be here to help.”
Your hands noticeably shake as you move to take the papers that were occupying his hands, embarrassment overtaking your body as you try to keep it low-key.
“First tattoo?” The man smirks at you as he notices your anxiety.
“Is it that obvious?”
Hoseok chuckled, “Don’t worry, our artists here will take good care of you. If you feel at any moment you would rather not do this tattoo anymore, you can tap out. It’s okay.”
His smile was so bright, you almost felt better about the whole thing. Not to mention how nice he is, you felt so safe for some reason.
It was then, that nervousness shot through any excitement you had for this tattoo. But it was too late to opt out. This is really happening?
Fuck, you were scared, but you needed to do this. For your sake.
“Thank you. I think I’ll pull through with this, it’s just nerves getting to me.”
“No problem, I’ll let your artist know that you came, feel free to sign those papers while I go.”
He smiles at you once again before walking towards the back of the shop, whistling a tune you don’t recognize. You don’t hesitate to sign your papers before you end up changing your mind.
Getting a tattoo was something you’ve always wanted to do, but your ex prevented you from getting any. For some reason, you listened, though because he claimed that your skin was beautiful as it was.
Today, you come to the realization that your skin is beautiful, even if you have tattoos on them.
“All set to go?” Fuck. You didn’t even hear him come back into the lobby at all.
“Already!?” a small panic could be heard through your voice, embarrassment hitting you once you hear Hoseok laugh his ass off.
“Unfortunately, the shop has been very slow today, so he’s excited to have something to do.” Hoseok takes the papers from you and sets them down at his desk before moving to lead you to the artist rooms, motioning you with his thumb.
You sighed quietly, with a hand over your heart in an attempt to get your heartbeat to calm a little. Come on, you can do this. Get this over with, and you’ll be able to get as many tattoos as you want.
While you follow behind Hoseok, your eyes glance around at the hallway walls. Many pieces of artwork occupy them, varying of different styles, colors, and subjects. You can feel yourself get lost in trying to take in all the pieces.
A knock on the door interrupted your thoughts as you see Hoseok opening up a dark brown door in front of him, searching the room for the artist.
“Hey, she’s here. Like I said to you earlier, be careful. She almost shat herself when I told her you were ready for her right now.” Hoseok laughed as he mouths a ‘I'm joking’ towards you. In which you couldn’t not laugh with him.
“Ugh.. I know, just let her in already.” An unfamiliar yet familiar voice rose from inside the room. You could only guess they were setting up the table due to the sound of metal hitting each other inside the room.
“Okay, okay.” Hoseok turns to look at you once more before giving you a thumbs up. “You’ll be okay, I promise. I’ll be out there though if you start to feel uncomfortable. I’ll hurt him for you if I have to.”
Hoseok flexed his arm jokingly, opening the door a bit more for you. He was such a relief to have with you while your nerves got the better of you. He made everything so lighthearted, and you were so grateful.
“Thank you, I’ll let you know if he does.” you joked back with him as you watched Hoseok leave the room.
You slowly made your way inside, and you begin to notice a very familiar man standing inside waiting for you.
You watched as the man tilted his head, his eyes scanning your figure. Furthermore, you noted his eyebrow raising, the man looked perplexed, and you couldn’t understand why.
The cogs were turning in his head as he tried to remember you. He soon came to the conclusion that he didn’t date you, nor did he sleep with you. Until it hit him.
His hands came together with a loud clap, pointing at you with his index finger. “You’re the girl from across the street, right? I helped you move your things in.”
So, that’s why he looked so familiar to you.
“Ohh yeah, and you’re …. Jeong…guk… right?” You were relieved you didn’t do anything wrong, his confusion caught you off guard.
Jeongguk gave you a small smile, his hands motioning for you to take a seat next to him. “I told you we’d see each other around again.” He chuckled shamelessly to himself. “Didn’t expect for it to be here, though.”
Once you took a seat, your eyes followed Jeongguk as he took a paper from his desk and made his way towards you, handing it off to you.
“So, first things first. I drew some rough sketches based on what Hoseok told me. Tell me if any fit to your liking, and if none of them do, i’ll sketch some more out for you. No worries.”
You were pretty impressed that he was able to sketch these out quickly while Hoseok was back here. He really must’ve had nothing to do if he was that motivated to get started right away.
Your eyes scan the paper in your hand, noticing the different butterflies he drew. All of them varying from different styles, from butterflies with soft lines to ones with a more harsh, edgy feel to them.
You couldn’t help but admire his art style, it was just too beautiful. Though it was hard for you to find any artwork to be ugly, really.
After some time, your eyes gravitate more towards a butterfly off to the side. It had just the perfect amount of soft, and an edgy look to it. Beautiful, yet tough. “This one, it’s perfect.”
Jeongguk looked over to figure out which one you were referring to, taking the paper and wasting no time to get it prepared. Hoseok wasn’t lying when he said Jeongguk was excited to have something to do.
You were compelled to watch the process of him getting prepared to do this tattoo, it just seemed so intriguing. From watching him making sure it fit perfect on your arm, to him making sure you were comfortable on the chair. Everything about it was interesting.
Soon enough, you began to hear the machine turning on. It admittedly made you start to sweat a little, you being very unprepared for how it would feel.
“Are you ready?” You nod. “Just let me know if you want to stop and I will. I promise.”
You could tell that Hoseok definitely got to him about being careful, and a part of you feels bad for making him go out of his way to make sure you’re okay. “Is it okay if I touch your arm?”
“Go ahead.” you smiled softly at him, appreciating the fact that he asked first. Though, you can’t help but feel a bit sad that you notice Jeongguk didn’t smile back at you.
You decided to pay little to no mind to it because the more you watched him, you could realize that he was very focused on making sure everything was right where it was supposed to be.
He wasn't really trying to be mean. Jeongguk has always been passionate about his artwork. He would never let anyone walk out with a terrible tattoo, his art was very precious to him, and Jeongguk always made sure each client got what they wanted.
Soon enough, you felt the needle on your skin.
The pain wasn’t as bad as you were expecting, just a bit of an uncomfortable feeling, but it was something you could take.
Your eyes were captivated by the way Jeongguk moved his arm to pull the lines on your skin. Even with just the stencil on your skin, you were in love, and you couldn’t wait to see the final results.
“What made you want to get a tattoo? Hoseok told me this is your first.” Jeongguk asked, breaking the silence, he never took his eyes from the stencil on your skin.
You hesitated a bit, “I just, wanted to do something for myself. A gift for being independent moving all by myself,” you responded quietly, but just loud enough to be heard over the machine vibrations.
“Not all by yourself,” Jeongguk let out a small laugh. “I helped, obviously. But that’s admirable of you, I’m happy to be the one to do this tattoo for you.”
“Well, for the most part, it was all by myself,” you playfully rolled your eyes, feeling a smile form on your face.
The hell is this feeling?
The room fell silent once again, and you were forced to roam through your thoughts as you continued to watch Jeongguk tattoo.
While searching through your thoughts, a random one hit you, and you were reminded of a project you have to do, a small groan escaping your mouth.
Jeongguk’s hands are off your arm instantly, his eyes meeting with yours, trying to figure out if you were hurt. “Are you okay?”
You look at him embarrassed, not meaning to scare him. “Oh- It’s okay! I’m sorry. I just remembered a project that I have to do.”
Jeongguk lets out a long, relieved sigh before his hand soon begins to go back to work again, “You scared me.”
“I’m sorry,” you apologized again.
“So. What’s the project?”
“It’s an art project. I’ve been struggling with a subject for it.” you felt yourself ranting but for some reason, you couldn’t stop it. “It’s due in two weeks.”
Usually, you could work on projects with no trouble at all, but lately, you’ve been suffering from the worst art block. Nothing has been able to inspire you.
You might even name art block as one of the worst feelings ever. Wanting to be creative while your creativeness is dying. It sucks.
“Do you need some inspiration?” Jeongguk asks, “Let me be your subject.”
An eyebrow lifts. “You want me to paint you?”
Jeongguk’s shrugs. “I mean, why not? Maybe you need a change in scenery. It helps me when I can’t think of anything.” His arm lifts off yours to dip his pen into more ink.
It didn’t seem like such a bad idea, you’ll get to try painting a new subject, and hopefully, it’ll be good enough to be turned in. Though, you couldn’t lie and say having another man in your home wasn’t scary. Or at the very least awkward.
A different place it is.
“That actually doesn’t sound so bad. Let’s go to the park near our apartments. It’s beautiful there.”
Jeongguk hummed, nodding his head as he continued working on your arm. “Sounds good to me. Does this Saturday at 3 work? I’ll be off work before then.”
Your brain runs through your possible schedule for the day, coming up empty-handed when you realize you don't have much planned that day anyway.
“That works. Thank you for helping me… Again.”
“I don’t mind being your little helper.” Jeongguk winks at you, only to laugh when he watches you playfully roll your eyes.
Jeongguk couldn’t help but laugh at the coincidence. He wouldn’t necessarily say this situation was a bad thing, but it wasn’t like it was a good thing? To say the least, it was definitely… a situation.
It was just last week that he helped you bring your things into your apartment and a few days after that, that he saw you again at his job. Jeongguk realizes that he’s been seeing you a lot lately, probably more than his neighbors. Or maybe he’s just been noticing you more?
I mean, it wouldn’t be totally out of the blue to see you for the simple fact that you lived across the street. Truthfully, Jeongguk didn’t really care whether he did see you again or not. You were technically just another pretty stranger to him.
But, he didn’t think he would see you again until this Saturday at 3 for your art “date.” But there you were, in his sight, in probably the most creepy way possible.
To others, it could look like Jeongguk was watching you through your window, which he’s aware that— it’s very creepy— but he swears he didn’t mean to.
To put it simply, he just wanted to open the window to get some fresh air. However as Jeongguk’s eyes were scanning the beautiful night sky and the empty street, he had noticed your room.
To Jeongguk, it was impossible to not notice the way you moved your hand in front of the large canvas that occupied the middle of your living room floor. He definitely couldn’t not notice the way your body moved, making you seem very determined to finish the art on the canvas in front of you.
But because of the distance between the two buildings, he couldn’t make out what you were busy painting, and he wondered for a slight moment what it could be.
Shortly after that, he watched as your shoulders fall, presumably getting annoyed at the artwork in front of you as you grabbed the canvas and tossed it to the side. You got up, walking out of sight as Jeongguk came back to reality.
It was then that Jeongguk remembered you talking about struggling with your major lately at the tattoo appointment, and from what he could tell, you definitely weren’t lying.
“Um… What are you doing?”
Jeongguk felt his heart almost fall out of his ass as he quickly turns around to see his friend’s confused face. A wave of fear washed over him for a second.
“Jesus, Taehyung. It’s nothing,” Jeongguk sighed, walking past towards his living room couch. “I just went to open the window for some fresh air.”
A low chuckle could be heard from his friend, tossing Jeongguk one of the water bottles that he took from Jeongguk’s fridge. “Jeez, It was just a simple question,” Taehyung raised his hands, sitting beside his friend. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”
Jeongguk shook his head at his friend's words, still able to feel his heartbeat thumping through his chest. But with the sudden reminder that you existed lingered on his mind, Jeongguk forgot to mention something to Taehyung.
“I found a new one.” Jeongguk’s gaze moves towards his friend. “She got a tattoo from me yesterday, and we’re meeting at the park this Saturday.”
Taehyung knew right away what his friend was referring to, and he couldn’t help the burst of laughter that came out his mouth.
“So you’re taking the punishment? Wow, I didn’t believe him, but Jimin was right. You’d be the one to lose.”
Jimin is both Jeongguk and Taehyung’s friend, dating their friendship all the way back to high school. The trio known for being fuckboys, and it’s still true even now through college.
The three liked fucking around just for the fun of it, never being into serious relationships. Because of that, Jeongguk never really knew what love felt like. It was an unknown feeling to him.
Not because he isn’t able to find anyone, girls have never been a problem for him. He just hasn’t found someone who was worth it. Every girl he’s slept with annoyed him.
His encounters with girls have always been easy, they’ll give anything up if it meant that they could have a night with Jeon Jeongguk.
Because of the bet, he wanted to get back in action but with just, less physical activity. When Jeongguk heard you complain about your project, he thought maybe you could help with his boredom.
“Woah woah woah. I didn’t say I’m taking the punishment, Taehyung. The bet was how long any of us can last without sex. No sex is happening, I’m just bored.” Jeongguk takes a sip of his water bottle, unable to hide the chuckle that escapes.
“That’s bullshit. You know you’ll fold so fast. Jimin was smart to have the loser buy the other two a game each.”
Jeongguk groans at his friend's words, “I didn’t lose! Stop praying on my downfall. It’s not against the rules to have some fun, no sex will be happening.”
Taehyung smirks at his friend beside him. “Riiiiight… anyway I expect God of War to be in my hand once you finish with her.” He was pushed to his right side by his friend next to him, the two laughing at the dumb joke.
“The way you’ve been partying, I think you’ll lose before I do.” Jeongguk laughed as he got up from the couch to turn his Nintendo Switch on, tossing Taehyung a controller. “Just like how you’ll lose on Smash Bros.”
Taehyung rolled his eyes. “We’ll see.”
It always took a bit more energy for you to hang out with people than everyone else, it seemed like. Unless it was someone who didn’t feel like they completely drained your energy, but that was very rare. Since you didn’t completely know Jeongguk, you didn’t know what to expect today.
You’re sat by the front of the gates of the park, on your picnic blanket you brought with you today. This morning, as you were making breakfast, you realized the two of you never exchanged information, so you decided to come a bit earlier to set up so that he could notice you.
With that, you began to prep your canvas and set up your supplies while you waited for Jeongguk to come. Looking around in the nature and feeling the relaxing breeze, you thought that maybe Jeongguk was onto something when he mentioned a change in scenery.
Everything just felt so beautiful. You suddenly felt so inspired, a feeling you welcomed dearly as you been spending so much time with the sadness that overcame you often. You hope that this good feeling stays a little while longer.
“Am I late?” A man could be heard approaching you, you can only assume it’s Jeongguk.
“No, I just realized we never exchanged numbers, so I thought I should come a bit early to catch you instead of us wandering trying to find each other.”
Impressed, Jeongguk puts his bottom lip out, setting his things down with you. It looks like he brought his supplies too. “I didn’t even realize, let’s exchange numbers so that doesn’t happen again.”
So, that doesn’t happen again? Does he want to see you again?
You continued to sit there, a little shocked, moving to pat yourself down to find your phone before giving it to him to put his contact in. His fingers move to put his name and number down, texting himself, so he’s able to get your number as well.
Once you get your phone back, you smile at the name he gives himself. Jeonggukie. Somehow, it fits him.
You tried to hide the smile that grew on your face, forcing yourself to pick up your canvas as you watch him set up so that you’re not painting on your own.
“What are you gonna paint?” you couldn’t help your curiosity, for some reason it didn’t cross your mind that he’d bring his supplies to paint too.
Jeongguk takes a look around. “I think I’ll paint those trees over there,” he points to an open field. You couldn’t help but look over your shoulder, admiring the sight. The trees had different shades of green and red to them, spread across the empty field as you notice people playing soccer.
You find yourself smiling at the sight, “I can’t wait to see it.”
Jeongguk takes note of your kindness. It didn’t hit him until now how nice you’ve been. It’s not like it’s not normal, but he just isn’t really used to having an interaction like this.
Not only that, but it’s so pure. So innocent.
With that being said, the two of you begin your masterpieces. Jeongguk paints with no worries, just letting his emotions do the talking.
He’s able to handle his paintbrush with ease, not worrying if lines are messed up or if he accidentally mixed the wrong shades.
You, on the other hand, feel yourself getting frustrated. Lately, your issue with your work has been that you strive for perfection. Art is something that’s supposed to help you get your emotions out, and yet you start to lose focus on that fact, and more about the fact that this is being graded.
So as you continue to paint Jeongguk, you grow frustrated with the fact that you can’t capture realism in the way that you want to. You begin to look at your piece as if it has a million mistakes within it.
Jeongguk notices, putting down his canvas to take a quick peek at yours. “What’s wrong? It looks beautiful.” He was confused as to why you were feeling the way you did.
“I don’t know, I think it’s boring. It’s not as appealing as I would’ve liked.” Your voice can’t hide the disappointment you feel the longer you look at your work.
He takes a second to glance at the painting, then back at you. “I genuinely think it looks great. Maybe you just need to try something new. Why don’t you try surrealism?”
Surrealism. Now that’s interesting.
“It’ll still be what you’re trying to go for, just with new aspects. A new style may be what you need?” Jeongguk’s voice is very gentle, he himself is shocked that he’s being this kind to you. How could he not, though? You bring a gentle aura that he can’t bring himself to be hard on you.
“I think I’ll try it. Thank you.” The two of you smile to each other before going back to your canvases.
With an open mind, you decide to try to go for some surrealism aspects. You find yourself painting Jeongguk as he is, painting his very own picture surrounded by inanimate objects.
Time begins to fly by rapidly as you go through trial and error with numerous different things, but in the very end you find yourself impressed with your work. The two of you painting for a while now, sharing little moments in between to ask each other for advice.
“There, I think I’m finished.” Jeongguk faces towards you and hides his painting so that it’s facing him. “Wanna see?”
You nod, failing to hide your smile once again. “Show me whatcha got.”
Momentarily, Jeongguk whips his painting around, and you could see that some things were changed, like the colors of the leaves and the sky, but nonetheless the painting looked gorgeous to you.
“I love it, it’s very beautiful, Jeongguk.” He looks at his painting once more to admire his final product. “Your style is really nice, it’s refreshing to see something new.”
Jeongguk puts his painting down next to him and clasps his hands together, ready to see yours. “Thank you. Now it’s your turn.” His eyes look at you with anticipation. “Hopefully, you got my good side.” Jeongguk couldn’t help but joke.
Laughing, you turn the canvas around to show him. “I tried. I decided to give surrealism a chance, and this is what I came up with. It wasn’t so bad, actually.”
You watch Jeongguk’s face to find any hint of hate or disgust. But instead you were met with a grin, his eyes growing in shock.
“That’s awesome! You’ll definitely be able to get a good grade on this.” A heat rushes to your cheeks, proud of yourself for finally being able to overcome your art block somehow. “And it was all thanks to me, you’re welcome, sweetheart.” Jeongguk winks at you.
Rolling your eyes, you shove his shoulder. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Thanks to you.”
Once Jeongguk stops laughing, he takes another good look at your canvas. “Why were you so frustrated earlier? It looked impressive even before I gave you any advice.”
Taken a back, you think for a moment. “I think I sometimes forget that art doesn’t have to be perfect. I get too caught up in the fact that this is a part of my grade, that I forget that art is something that doesn’t have to be perfect.”
Jeongguk listens intently. He understands what you mean, as an artist himself. “Just feel it. Let art come to you. Try not to think of it so much as a job, or something you need a grade for.”
Now, it’s your turn to listen, you were intrigued.
“You’ll feel better once you know it came from inside you, and not because your professor told you to do it.”
That advice somehow changed your whole perspective, and it ultimately came in hand every time the two of you met up to hangout.
Soon after that, Jeongguk reaches out to you a few days before Saturday to ask if you’d like to hang out at the park again. Of course, you accepted the offer. Jeongguk was the only friend you had here, you could definitely use the company.
The two of you found yourselves at the park once again, this time doodling in your notebooks. Jeongguk came up with the idea of switching notebooks every 10 minutes to see where it ends up once the page was filled.
You’re doodling in your notebook, noticing the page filled with random things in one scenery, you couldn’t help but be reminded of the surrealism painting you did of Jeongguk the week prior.
Your book had a feeling of relaxation, a mix of bunnies, flowers, and birds filling the page.
While his notebook was the exact opposite of relaxing, an odd mix of dragons, space, and robots. A very interesting feeling you couldn’t describe, but it looked too cool anyway.
“Can I use your copics?” Jeongguk asks, pointing at the markers, “Your markers are so much better than mine, I can't resist.”
You laugh, nodding, putting the markers so that they’re between the two of you. He hurries to grab one before the timer runs out, his hands brushing yours momentarily.
“You didn’t have to ask, I don’t mind sharing.”
“Still, you could’ve been someone who doesn’t like sharing, I didn’t want to assume.” Jeongguk points out. “I don’t want you fighting me for touching your things.” He grins.
“I wouldn’t fight you over copics, Jeongguk. That’s so ridiculous.” you chuckle at his comment. “You can borrow them anytime.”
He raises an eyebrow, “Shit, say less.” he says before pausing for a moment, waving the very marker around. “Why are you so nice?”
His question stumps you. Is he actually asking, or is he simply asking himself? You decide to reply anyway.
“Why be mean when you can be nice? It goes a long way.” You could hear markers making a noise between the both of you, as you two color.
Jeongguk nods, though he doesn’t seem too convinced.
He isn’t too sure why he’s so curious, but he wants to know exactly why. What shaped you into the person that you are? The very person who seems so frustrated at everything that they do, yet doesn’t waste time helping others.
He’s noticed occasionally during hangouts, you're going out of your way for other people that you hardly knew.
You were considerate enough to sit by the gate the first time you two hung out so that he’s not looking everywhere for you.
Another occasion being that a few minutes before the two of you began doodling, that you noticed an elderly woman struggling to pick something off the floor, in which you wasted no time to help.
For someone you’d just met, you’re really nice, and he knows it’s not because you just met him not too long ago, but because it seems to be the type of person you are.
He does recall a slight moment, you were mentioning your ex, Seokjin, and how the two of you had gone to an art museum once. Your voice as you mentioned his name didn’t go unnoticed, he could hear the pain. But he didn’t dare to ask about it.
Though he’s curious, Jeongguk decides to push the thought away, and focus on his doodling before he hears the timer go off. “Ugh, I wasn’t even finished.”
You giggle at his complaint, moving to hand him your notebook while you take his to draw in. Jeongguk was able to see the butterfly tattoo he’d done for you a week prior, admiring his work.
“How’s the tattoo healing, by the way? You still like it?”
“Oh, it’s healing perfect.” You pick up a dark marker to do the night sky on his book., a smile appearing on your face. “And I really love it, I’m always looking at it constantly.”
Jeongguk nods, satisfied with your answer. “Well, It’s because I did it. I’m just too talented.” He flips his hair jokingly, causing a laugh to erupt between the two of you.
“You’re so dumb.”
“You love me, though.”
Since that first art date the two of you had, the both of you unintentionally decided Saturday was the day the two of you hang out.
You don’t even know how it happened, after that first, then the second hang out, it slowly became a regular thing the two of you did.
It’s been two months of that, but as you look outside on this Saturday morning, it’s pouring rain, and you doubt that you guys would be able to hang at the park today.
You decide to message Jeongguk about it, only having to wait about ten minutes before you get a response.
Jeonggukie: it’s okay, want to come to my place today? we can watch movies and order pizza? :) my room number is 202
Now, that, was something you couldn’t say no to. You replied saying you’d be there at 3 and hopped into the shower. Of course, you’re not prone to shower thoughts, but you couldn’t lie and say that they weren’t getting to you at the moment.
Having a friend, or anyone in your life for that matter, was scary to you. It was always a matter of time before they got bored with you, hurt you and leave. You blame it on the kindness you have for others, but you still can’t bring yourself to not be kind. You worry too much about other people’s feelings.
You shake your head in attempt to get rid of the negative thoughts, and step out of the shower to finish doing your routine.
It’s a few minutes after 3 pm, and Jeongguk hears a quiet knock at his door, only to assume it was you as he swings the door open to welcome you. He looks down to see your hair slightly wet from the rain, your umbrella helped for the most part, but storms can get a little crazy.
“Oh- shit i’m sorry. I didn’t think it was going to be that bad out.” He hurries to pull you into his home, grabbing your umbrella and jacket to hang up. “I should’ve said I would come over to yours.”
You shake your head, “I’m fine, I promise. It’s just a little rain.” you stepped out of your shoes and walked in, admiring his home. It was a perfect mix of cozy and modern. Furthermore, it felt refreshing to be in here.
Jeongguk sighs, he’s concerned, though he won’t admit it. She’s too nice.
“I know, but still. I feel bad. Go ahead and make yourself comfortable, I’ll grab you a blanket.” He walks towards a hallway. “You can find a movie too if you’d like, I’m down for anything.”
Jeongguk searches to find a big fluffy blanket, grabbing it and pulling another one for himself, making his way to you as he watches the screen to figure out what you’ll put on.
You make your way into the horror genre, in the mood for a scary movie with the storm brewing outside.
“How about Halloween? I’m in the mood for a classic horror movie.” you turn to Jeongguk as you watch him get comfortable next to you.
“You’re not gonna get scared?” He raises an eyebrow at you, teasing you a bit.
“… No” you lie. “But it’s okay because you’ll protect me, right?” you press play on the movie, hearing the intro play.
“Who says I will?” Jeongguk jokingly side eyes you, being met with you shoving him. “I’m kidding. By the way, I already called ahead for pizza. It should be here any minute.” He suddenly reminded the two of you about the pizza.
—
Halfway into the movie and a few slices of pizza into the movie, you find yourself putting your head into the blanket as you watch Michael Myers go into a chase scene. You felt so scared for the victims, you unknowingly move with them in hopes of that it’ll help them escape for some reason.
Jeongguk notices and can’t help but laugh each time it happens. He finds it amusing. “I thought you wouldn’t be scared?”
“I can’t help it! He’s a freak, I hope they get away from him.” you exclaim, pointing at the screen, only to look away once you realize Michael Myers caught his next victim. “… Never mind.”
Jeongguk chuckles at you, only to feel a phone vibrate next to him. Thinking it was his, he grabs it to see what the notification says. He realizes it isn’t his when he didn’t recognize the wallpaper of a cat on the screen or the contact, Seokjin.
Jeongguk didn’t mean to snoop, “I thought it was my phone, but it looks like it’s yours. Seokjin texted you.”
At that moment, time stopped. Your heart fell out of your ass as you heard the name come out of Jeongguk’s mouth.
“What?”
Jeongguk shows you your phone, and there it was. A message from Seokjin.
He notices the expression on your face, and he begins to feel concerned. “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to look, I just thought it was my phone.”
“You’re fine. Can… Can I use your bathroom?” you waited until Jeongguk agrees, pointing you in the direction before you grab your phone.
Jeongguk was left in shock. What just happened? He tried to go through the different possibilities that could’ve happened.
Was it because he took your phone? No, you said it was okay. You only acted that way when he told you the contact name.
Seokjin? Who’s that?
It was then that Jeongguk remembered the conversation the two of you had once at one of your regular hangouts when you mentioned Seokjin’s name.
Seokjin was your ex. The one who made your voice break at the mention of his name.
