The Artist and His Muse

Chapter 11

Jungkook's eyes slowly fluttered open. His room was still dark. He glanced at the clock across the room. His eyes shot open and he tried to sit up, only to fall back onto the bed, every muscle in his body screaming in pain.

"I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to wake up," a low voice said from the other bed.

Jungkook slowly turned his head and saw Yoongi laying on the other bed, curled up on his side, facing Jungkook, with his arms folded up under his head. He was staring at Jungkook with a worried expression.

Jungkook sighed and turned his head to stare at the ceiling. He had to get up. The exhibition started in about an hour. He had very little time to get across the city and be there to help Yeon Ah with whatever she needed.

"Your phone keeps going off. I think your assistant is worried about you." Yoongi slowly got up off the bed and walked over to the desk and picked up Jungkook's phone, handing it to him. "You should answer her."

"I don't have time. I need to get up and get there. She's counting on me being there." Jungkook groaned as he sat up. His head was pounding and his mouth felt like it was full of sand.

"Let me help you up," Yoongi said in a flat tone. He helped pull Jungkook to his feet, holding the younger man's hands till he stopped wobbling on his sore legs.

"What happened last night? I remember practicing a lot yesterday. But after you threw my phone, I don't remember anything." Jungkook rubbed the back of his neck and avoided eye contact with Yoongi.

Yoongi smirked and looked at the maknae in disbelief. "I can't believe you don't remember calling your girl and confessing your heart out to her. Ooohhhhh it makes me have goosebumps with all the cringe worthy things you said," Yoongi shivered and rubbed his arms, scrunching his face up.

"I did....WHAT?!?!?" Jungkook quickly opened up the recent calls on his phone.

Yoongi chuckled and sat down on the bed. "I'm kidding. But maybe you should tell her how you feel."

"I can't, hyung. It's for her own good. She's currently seeing a guy her father highly approves of. He's practically perfect. Stable. Owns his own business. Handsome. He has it all. I can't provide those things for her. I mean, if the fans left us, we would be jobless. I make royalties off my songs I've helped compose or write lyrics for, but it's not consistent income to help provide for a family. I'm gone a lot. I can't give her the time she needs. I'm not perfect husband material." He hung his head and leaned against the wall for support. His legs really hurt.

Yoongi rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Wow, you've really thought this through, haven't you?" He clapped his hands slowly. "Good for you, on jumping to conclusions better than anyone else in this whole world. Jungkookah, if you don't know all of your redeeming qualities by now, I can't help you. But just incase you forgot them, let me remind you why you're perfect husband material ok?"

"Hyung, I've made my mind up. I'm not going to pursue this girl. She has someone way better than me right in front of her and available. I refuse to stand in the way of that." Jungkook turned and walked into the bathroom, shutting the door behind him.

"Brainless kid, did you ever think to ask her what she wants?" Yoongi sighed and shook his head, leaving the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yeon Ah watched Mr. Lee unlock the doors and place a folding sign out in front of the building letting people know a new exhibition was open to the public.

Yeon Ah wandered around the room, stopping at every sketch. She had practically memorized all of the lines and strokes, but she felt closest to Jungkook when she was studying his sketches. Her heart was still aching over his clear rejection of her a few nights ago. She had wanted him to at least say they were friends. She wanted to be friends and then see where the relationship went. She liked him a little. Okay, a lot.