COLOURS ✓

NINE

"Maybe the leather pants are a bit much."

"Shhh, the leather pants are the statement piece."

Hoseok was wearing a white button up shirt tucked into leather pants. He turned in the mirror, nervously glancing at his rear end. "They feel too tight."

"Maybe your ass is just too fat," Jeongguk suggested with a shrug.

Hoseok blushed. "Stop talking."

"I'm the only one who knows how to get you two together, so no, I will not stop talking!" Jeongguk stood and grabbed Hoseok's shoulders, turning him around. He unbuttoned the top two buttons.

"Jeongguk!" Hoseok swatted his hands away and began buttoning them up again.

"Hoseok, you look like you're going to suffocate to death. I was trying to make sure you could breathe."

"Oh." Hoseok let his hands fall.

"But then again, a little collarbone never hurts, you know?"

Hoseok sighed. "You've clearly gotten over any shyness you had."

"And so have you." Jeongguk handed Hoseok his binder and a pencil. "C'mon, let's go. I'm walking you down there."

"You're— what? Why?"

"It's your fourth day here and you still get lost."

"Well— in my defense, this school is huge."

Jeongguk just grabbed Hoseok's hand and led him out of the dorm. They didn't talk about their discussion last night, but it seemed Jeongguk was feeling better. Hoseok was glad.

As Hoseok and Jeongguk made their way down to the fourth floor, Jeongguk said, "Remember what I told you?"

"Don't stare," Hoseok recited. "Try not to stutter over my words. Um, what else?"

"Don't freeze when you see him."

"I'm not going to—"

"Hey, Hoseok!"

Hoseok froze.

Taehyung was standing in front of the painting room, waving at him, a key in his hands. Hoseok stared until Jeongguk elbowed him in the ribs.

"Get it together, Jung!" he hissed.

Hoseok blinked and nodded. Once Jeongguk was sure Hoseok wouldn't make a complete fool out of himself, he waved goodbye to the both of them before leaving.

Taehyung unlocked the door and opened it, entering and switching on the lights. Hoseok noticed his outfit—a black and white striped cardigan over a white t-shirt. The t-shirt was tucked into black jeans and on his head was a black beret.

He looked straight out of a fantasy book.

Taehyung turned to him, smiling. "Did you read over the notes I gave you?"

Hoseok nodded.

"Good! Then we can get started right away."

Taehyung took his seat and Hoseok sat down hesitantly next to him. Taehyung grabbed some tubes of paint and squeezed out small amounts onto a palette. He handed Hoseok a brush and slid a piece of sturdy paper in front of him.

"We're just gonna be mixing colours today," said Taehyung.

Throughout the lesson, Hoseok felt like he was being a bit of a burden. Taehyung was spending his time tutoring him simply because Hoseok had never picked up a paintbrush in his life. But Taehyung was really patient and kind with him, calmly explaining everything Hoseok needed to know.