The Art of War
Chris Knight x Artsy Reader
‼️ANON REQUEST‼️
Apologies for any spelling mistakes or errors!- No matter how much I proofread, I always miss stuff.
(So sorry it took so long!! I really hope you enjoy it!)
"Honey, we just care about your future," your mom tried to assure you as she poured a cup of coffee.
"Heh. That's putting it nicley," your father added as he plopped down in the recliner in the living room. "Stop trying to spare her feelings and tell her the truth. Art is a ridiculous hobby that you have no chance of turning into a viable career."
You stared down into you on cup of coffee with a hopeless sigh.
What could you say?
"Well... I'm sorry you feel that way because I have an art show coming up and I was really hoping you two would come check it out..." You trailed off, already feeling embarrassed you even said anything.
This is how everyone in your family was.
All business all the time.
You were pretty much the only exception with your artistic bent and your lack of interest in normal studies.
Sure, science was cool, but you had zero intentions of using it as a gateway to a job.
You were smart as a wip, and everyone was shocked that you even picked Pacific tech as your college of choice despite your disinterest in what most would call 'future stability'.
Chris spotted you as you dragged your feet down the hallway to your dorm and was quick to stop you.
"Hey, babe. Why so glum, chum? Kent blow up your studio again? I knew giving him access to dynamite was a bad idea..."
You halted the dragging of your feet and looked up at Chris with a dejected sigh.
Normally, you'd light up at the sight of your wacky genuis boyfriend, but not today.
Chris picked up on it right away and paused, placing a hand on your cheek.
"Wait a minute. You're actually upset. Babe, you look like Mitch after his hamster got fried on Ickagami's electric servo motor. What happened?" He asked, his tone more concerned.
You groaned.
"Just my parents... the usual. 'Art isn't a viable career. You need to so something that'll make you money when you graduate. Stop hanging sensual paintings of the mail lady in the living room.' I just can't take it anymore!" You shouted practically clawing at your own face in anguish.
Chris grabbed both your hands, holding them by your side securely.
"Hey. Cut it out. Listen... Ha! I got it! You're gonna love me even more than you already do. So much so that you're dip me in chocolate and eat me like a strawberry. Me, Icky, Mitch, and Jordan will help host your art show. We'll have as many people come out for it as possible. We'll whoop it up so big, your parents will have to hear about it from their friends!" He said excitedly as he grinned at you.
"I dunno Chris... what if it fails? Then I'll really be proving my parents right..."
"Sorry, did you forget who your boyfriend is within the past ten seconds? Besides, it's a moral imperative. Now, come on. We gotta haul everything you have into the truck." he commanded as he grabbed your hand and tugged you as fast as he could to your dorm where every piece of art you created that school year was scattered everywhere.
All over the floor, your desk, your bed. Even spilling put of your closet.
"Nice to see you've picked up my impeccable organization system," he commented with a smirk.
The night of the art show finally came, and you, Chris and co were dressed to the nines as people filled in to veiw your artwork.
"I don't get this one... is it a butt or...?" Ickagami asked, tilting his head in confusion.
"Icky, that's a fish," you corrected with a chuckle.
"Oooh... I love this one! It reminds me of the sweater I made for Mitch when we first met!! I mean, I don't know if that's what you were going for, but it so beautiful. You're so talented! I wish I could do this! Maybe I could. Should I try? I think I might. Oooh I'll need paint and a camra..." Jordan rambled as she studied one of your mixed media pieces.
"Thanks J," you told her with an overjoyed smile.
You looked around at everyone, sipping their beverages and enjoying your art.
You were over the moon.
Chris snuck up behind you and grabbed your waist making you jump slightly.
"Guess what? Somebody bought one of my foxy lady's pictures..." he announced, kissing you cheek. "For twelve hundred dollars as well."
You gasped in disbelief, turning around to look at Chris.
"No way! Are you serious?? This better not be like the time you told me Phil Collins was giving a speech on campus and it was actually Bill Colin, some scientist they were having as a guest speaker," you warned as you tugged at the back of his shirt in bof eagerness and anxiety.
"Save tearing off my clothes for when you give me my 'thank you' present later," he winked. "Now come on and lets see what else these trust fund socialites will give up their wallets for."
"Wait!! My dad says he'll buy this one!" Mitch proclaimed, gesturing towards a picture you took at Venice Beach at night. You'd worked for three solid days on that lighting and finding the best spot that showcased the lights and palm trees along with the night life.
"Oh wow!!! It's so pretty!" Jordan gushed as she admired the picture more up close.
By the end of the night, you had sold a total of ten paintings, all in the upper hundreds to the lower thousands.
You couldn't believe it.
You said outside in the courtyard located right behind your dorm and stared up at the sky, adoring every single star.
The sound of footsteps came closer and a familiar voice snapped you out of your trance.
"Let me guess. You're thinking about how sexy I looked in that nurse uniform during the dorm Halloween party?" He teased, sitting down next to you.
He put a strong arm around you and pulled you close, kissing the top of your head.
"My girlfriend is famous!" He practically broadcasted to the whole school.
You rolled your eyes suppressing a giggle as you snuggled closer to him.
"Thank you so much Chris," you murmured into his chest.
He ran his fingers through your hair gently.
"Of course, babe. See what happens when you leave everything to a genuis? Next, I'll teach you how many licks it takes to get to the tootsie roll center of a tootsie pop."
The next week, your parents came to visit you on campus and you wasted no time flaunting your success in their faces.
"Well... you can't just rely on a fluke to determine your future. Just because a few rich people threw you a couple hundred dollars doesn't mean anything," your dad pointed out. "Now, for your own sake, become a biochemist or a physicist."
You couldn't help the grin that spread across your face.
"Does this look like a couple hundred to you?"
You inquired, waving the stack of bills in their face.
They were completely speechless.
"What? That's not possible..." your mother chimed in, reaching towards the money which you quickly yanked out of the way.
"Of course it is! People Ike what I do. So much so that they were willing to pay handsomely for several pieces I had on display. And all you to put in their living room," you boasted loudly, as you wiggled around.
Your adrenaline was pumping making it hard for you to stay still.
Chris was walking by, when he noticed the three of you talking and took the opportunity to pop in and say hello.
"Yep! My baby's a genius!" He announced with a giant giddy grin plastered on his face. "Now, if you'll excuse us, one Mr. Michael Jackson has placed an inquiry about a piece of your daughter's art. Sorry to steal her from you. Bye-Bye," he sang, tugging you away swiftly, leaving your parents with their mouths agape.
"Chris... are you for real??"
"No. Sorry, babe. It's Phill Collins all over again. But at least I got you all to myself now. So how about a limbo burger from purgatory? Icky's treat."
"I'm game," you responded, as Chris twirled you under his arm.















