SNOW | TK

𝟭𝟭

Courage is one of the hardest things to find, but when you've finally found it, it's worth it.

•*•

We sat at our usual hangout spot beside the school. We both sat against the trunk as I looked up through the bare branches of the tree. I tucked my scarf higher up under my nose and then glanced down at Jeongguk to check if his snow-white scarf was hugging his neck perfectly as well.

I didn't know why I checked, but it felt like I needed to. Well, he had just been sick with a sore throat, of course I would check if he wasn't cold, right?

But he seemed to be cosy enough, so I looked back up at the bare branches, tracing them with my black eyes.

Jeongguk was deep into his book, legs crossed as he sat on the ground with his blue trench coat on. I still just wore my black jeans and leather jacket. It was cold, yes. Which is why I wore my black scarf and that was enough for me.

Jeongguk then closed his book and put it down beside him. He moved closer to me so that he was sitting in front of me, legs still crossed. He roamed around in his pocket and took out a small glass container that contained some light blue nail polish.

I looked at him questionably as he screwed off the lid and dipped it in, getting the substance to stick onto the thin hairs of the brush.

He then held it towards me.

I looked at him and then down at the brush in his hands. He stuck out his hand and showed his naked, pale nails and wiggled his fingers lightly.

"Wanna paint my nails?"

My mouth fell open.

"Me? Why would you want me to paint your nails? I've never done it before."

He just smiled and tilted his head. "Because I want you to do it. I've done it so many times, and now I thought I'd let you do it."

I gulped and hesitantly took the lid out of Jeongguk's hand, my cold, rough fingertips brushing against his warm, soft ones.

He laid his pale hand down in my tan one. I held it delicately, scared I'd break it if I held too firmly or harshly.

I bit my bottom lip and slowly lowered the brush down to his shiny nails.

I tried to actually paint the nail, moving the brush in sharp movements and circles, scribbling the paint onto the smooth surface. Jeongguk giggled and shook his head softly as he used his other hand to make a long, gentle movement in the air, teaching me how to do it correctly. "Long brushstrokes, Taehyung. Follow the way of the nail, don't just draw random patterns."

I blushed a bit in embarrassment and nodded softly. I moved the lid in long, soft brushstrokes, painting the nail in a light blue colour. I stuck my tongue out slightly as I continued to the next nail, and the next, and the next, dipping the lid down in the container once in a while. Small bits of blue had been painted on Jeongguk's skin around the nails, but it wasn't much.

I had finally painted all of his ten nails and he lifted them up to his lips and blew some air on them, drying them slowly.

I smiled, satisfied. I was surprisingly proud of my work.

Jeongguk smiled as well and tilted his head. "Thank you."

I nodded and looked slightly off to the side, feeling a warm sensation in my chest.

He then reached down and gently traced my fingers and nails. He looked up with soft, hazel eyes. "May I?" I gulped and nodded, not quite knowing what he meant, but for some reason, I couldn't say no.

He brought up my arm and made me raise my hand, showing my palm and fingers. He softly traced all his fingers up my palm, reaching my interdigital folds and sliding his finger between mine, interlacing our hands.

He looked curiously at my fingers and nails as he turned our hands around gently. He then looked up into my black eyes, making them widen a bit.

"I think black nail polish would look pretty on you."

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out, so I just closed it again.

He took his free hand and pulled out another small glass container from his pocket.

Black nail polish.

He loosened our interlocked hands and let mine rest in his, as he looked at me for permission. I nodded again.

He screwed off the lid, lowered it to my hand and started painting my nails in a dark, black colour. He was very good at it. He filled every space needed and managed to keep the substance off of the skin around. He must've done this plenty of times.

When he was done he looked at his work and smiled, satisfied, just like I had done.

He looked up and met my black eyes. He giggled and tilted his head to the side, blonde locks falling away from his eyes, snowflake glistening, cheeks tinting a delicate rosy colour and contrasting with his pale skin.

Jeongguk was really beautiful.

We walked away from the spot. Our hands kept brushing against each other.

My index finger twitched.

I stretched it slightly, touching Jeongguk's pinky. I kept it there for a while until his pinky wrapped slightly around my finger.

I took the lead and slowly interlaced our fingers together.

I smiled. This felt oddly nice.

I glanced down and inspected our hands. Me: tan, rough, cold hands with dark black nails. Jeongguk: pale, soft, warm hands with light blue nails.

We were polar opposites and anyone could see it. Yet, there we were, walking through the streets together, holding hands.