inches : j&d

11

aouboom .

aou wasn't entirely sure when he started noticing boom. maybe it was the time he had wandered into the art department looking for joong, and boom had been there, sprawled out on the floor with paint smeared across his cheek, grinning like he didn't have a care in the world. or maybe it was the way boom always had something witty to say, like he didn't take anything-or anyone-too seriously.

whatever it was, aou found himself drawn to him.

it wasn't like aou to chase after someone. he was confident, straightforward, the kind of guy who didn't hesitate to say what he wanted. and what he wanted, it seemed, was boom.

so when he saw boom sitting cross-legged in the studio, surrounded by canvases and brushes, aou decided to make his move.

"you're like a walking cliché, you know that?" aou said as he stepped into the room, his voice teasing. he leaned against the doorframe, watching as boom glanced up from his sketchpad.

"cliché?" boom raised an eyebrow, smirking. "how so?"

"art student covered in paint, lost in his little world of creativity," aou said, walking closer. "it's like something out of a drama."

boom shrugged, turning back to his sketchpad. "maybe. but at least i'm good at it."

aou chuckled, pulling up a stool and sitting across from him. "confident, are we?"

"just honest," boom replied, his tone light but distracted. he continued sketching, his pencil moving effortlessly across the page.

aou leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "so, what are you working on?"

boom glanced at him, his expression unreadable. "just a study. nothing special."

"mind if i see?" aou asked, already reaching for the sketchpad.

boom pulled it back, holding it out of reach. "not a chance. it's not finished."

"come on, boom," aou said, grinning. "you can trust me."

"trusting you isn't the problem," boom replied, smirking. "i just don't want you to judge it before it's ready."

aou tilted his head, pretending to be offended. "you think i'd judge you? harsh."

boom rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of amusement in his expression. "you're too much, you know that?"

"too much of what?" aou asked, leaning closer. his voice dropped slightly, teasing but with an edge of sincerity. "too charming? too handsome? too irresistible?"

boom laughed, shaking his head. "more like too full of yourself."

"ouch," aou said, clutching his chest dramatically. "you wound me."

"you'll survive," boom said, smirking again.

aou watched him for a moment, his eyes tracing the curve of boom's smile, the way his hair fell messily over his forehead. he was beautiful in a way that felt effortless, like he didn't even realize it.

"you know," aou said after a pause, his tone softer now, "you're pretty amazing."

boom glanced at him, his expression briefly surprised before he quickly looked away. "what's with the compliments all of a sudden?"

"just saying what's true," aou said with a shrug, though his gaze remained steady on boom.

boom busied himself with his sketchpad, but aou didn't miss the faint blush that crept up his neck.

"if you're trying to flirt with me, it's not going to work," boom said, his voice light but not entirely convincing.

"who says i'm trying to flirt?" aou replied, his smile widening. "maybe i'm just being honest."

boom snorted, finally looking up at him. "you're impossible, you know that?"

"and yet, you haven't told me to leave," aou pointed out, leaning back on the stool with a smug expression.

boom sighed, shaking his head. "you're lucky i'm in a good mood."

"or maybe you just like having me around," aou said, his voice playful but with a hint of something more.

boom didn't respond right away, instead focusing on his sketch. but aou could see the way his lips twitched, like he was fighting back a smile.

"you're reading too much into it," boom said finally, his tone dismissive.

"maybe," aou said, standing up and stretching. "but i'll take my chances."

he started to walk away, but just before he reached the door, he turned back to look at boom.

"see you around, boom," he said, his voice warm.

boom glanced up, his expression unreadable. "yeah. see you."

as aou walked out of the studio, he couldn't help but smile to himself. he wasn't sure how long it would take, but he knew one thing for certain-he wasn't giving up on boom anytime soon.