"Loving you is art and your body is my canvas."
❝Wherein a portraitist who seems to have lost his love for art meets an ethereal young boy with stars in his eyes in a city full of secrets. A tale of bliss and tragedy, death and misfortune, but most...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
ˏ𓏧𓏲𓏲𓏲𓋒𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏲𓏧 ˎ
A surprising twist: Taehyung, once skeptical of love, now orchestrated an intimate outing for his cherished Jeongguk. The term 'boyfriend' still unsettled him, yet their bond far surpassed the mere notion of fling.
They settled in a park redolent of daisies and sea breeze, seeking shade by a grand marble fountain. The midday sun offered a gentle warmth to their skin. Taehyung laid out a feast on dew-kissed grass, revealing a treasured champagne bottle. A splurge, yes, but for Jeongguk, it was a worthwhile expense.
"Feeling jittery?" Taehyung teased, pouring a glass for Jeongguk.
"I... I don't drink," Jeongguk demurred, a familiar nose scrunch appearing.
"Is that so?" Taehyung queried. "Loosen up a bit."
"Alcohol doesn't sit well with me," Jeongguk explained tersely.
"Fair enough. Let's savor this serene moment then," Taehyung offered, before kindly yielding the bottle to Jeongguk.
"You've had your share," the boy pointed out, wary but still in good spirits.
Their day unfolded delightfully. The distant view of St. Mark's Cathedral added enchantment as they relished Venetian dishes.
Strolling through Venice's bustling streets, Taehyung held Jeongguk's hand, utterly unfazed by curious glances. The boy's unease with crowds didn't deter their shared moments.
"Taking you out more often would be nice, I think," Taehyung remarked, his features lax. "We could explore many places, meet new people..."
"Aish, that's not really my thing," Jeongguk replied, scratching his nose, visibly uneasy outdoors.
"I remember you saying that," Taehyung reassured him with a loving smile. "You're so easygoing though, I can't fathom—"
"It's just me," Jeongguk cut in firmly, leaving no room for further probing.
"Alright, angel. I won't press," Taehyung conceded, shifting the conversation elsewhere. "I really don't want to return to Daegu," he confessed, his gaze veiled as he looked at Jeongguk with deepened longing. "I wish I could start anew, with you."
"Trust me, Venice isn't the sweet escape you think it is," Jeongguk countered, sensing something amiss about the floating city. A weighted silence lingered.
"Maybe it was destiny," Taehyung offered softly.
"Hmm?" Jeongguk blinked in disbelief.
"Our meeting," Taehyung clarified, his gaze waxing tender. "It must have been destiny."
Jeongguk smiled at that, finally at ease. "Yeah, it must have," he whispered, watching the sunset vanish beyond the horizon.
The sky painted a celestial canvas, merging pale pink and purple hues, captivating the pair to repeatedly lift their heads to admire this unparalleled spectacle. It was a breathtaking sight, unmatched in its magnificence.
They secured a gondola for the night, a small boat perfectly sized for two. With eager smiles, they boarded, anticipating a night etched in their memories. The smooth waters of Venice cradled the vessel like a caring mother, swaying gently in response to the currents and wind. Taehyung felt a profound serenity, amplified by Jeongguk's presence, his shy smile whenever their eyes met adding to the moment's charm.
"You're growing quite fond of me," Jeongguk teased, while Taehyung busily captured the flickering scenery around them with his polaroid camera.
"I can't help it," he confessed, aiming it at Jeongguk, who promptly shielded the lens. "Oh, camera-shy, are we?" Taehyung quipped, torn between amusement and conflict. "I thought you looked especially charming today."
"I always do," Jeongguk retorted with a playful trace of tongue along his lower lip.
"If you keep this up, we might end up in an accident," Taehyung joked, glancing down at his pants, subtly.
"I wouldn't mind that," Jeongguk snapped, diffusing the tension with laughter.
Suddenly, Taehyung shifted the conversation abruptly, catching Jeongguk off guard. "Since meeting you, something within me has changed," he said, leaving no time for emotional preparation.
"Yeah, I tend to have that effect on people," Jeongguk told him, hinting at past encounters, sparking a wave of confusion and jealousy in Taehyung.
"Weren't I supposed to be your... I mean... your first," Taehyung stumbled, dealing with newfound uncertainty.
"Let's not think about that for the moment and just... enjoy ourselves," Jeongguk intervened, a genuine smile masking an undertone of unease in his voice.
"Alright," Taehyung agreed reluctantly, glancing at the flowing water in the offing in wistful contemplation, and a good dose of disappointment. But then, "We met here," he brought up, suddenly gleeful, his eyes sparkling as sweet remembrances flashed across them.
"Did we?" Jeongguk blinked in utmost bewilderment.
"I saw your reflection in the waters," Taehyung mentioned absentmindedly. "You'd probably think I'm crazy by now, but you must know, it haunts me still." A brief pause ensued. "What were you doing outside that day?"
"I was probably at home," Jeongguk confirmed, furrowing his brows in confusion.
"But I saw you—"
"It's all in your head, Taehyung," Jeongguk hushed gently, his gaze softening. His voice held a silk-like quality as he whispered, "It's all in your head."
