#taehyung artist au | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

bangtanloverboys · 1 year

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the artist and his prince

summary - being the second son of the king, taehyung is left free to do whatever he pleased. whether that be travel the world, lounge about like a cat, or be a patron the arts

pairing - prince!taehyung x male artist!reader

genre - fluff; royal au

word count - 2.3k

warnings - historical inaccuracies, autor knows nothing about art

author’s note - slightly inspired by this tumblr post

Early on in his life, Taehyung knew he would never measure up to his brother, Namjoon. He was the perfect prince and heir to the throne; mastered sword fighting by 10, an accomplished diplomat by 15, and was a kind and just man. Sure, he garnered all of their father’s attention. But Taehyung was never jealous of him.

No, in fact quite the opposite.

He was thankful for him. For as the second son, he had all the freedom to do whatever he so wished. He spent his teen years traveling abroad; going from Greece, to Rome, to Spain, to Egypt, to India. By the time he returned home, he was in his two and twentieth year and was skilled in nearly six languages. But there was something Taehyung loved more than traveling or gold, or anything else in the world.

Art.

Everywhere he went, he collected the most beautiful pieces of artwork he could find, commissioning dozens of artists for their work. It was something he remembered his mother instilling him, always taking him to art houses and shows. It was one of the few ways he felt closest to her after she succumbed to illness when he was nine..

Once he returned home, he promised to continue to fill the palace with the most beautiful art. Enter: you.

You were a local artist he came across at the first art show he went to upon his return home. You weren’t very popular, per se. A few people would stop and stare at your work, admiring it for a few moments before moving on. However, when Taehyung came across your work, he felt as if the air had been stolen from his lungs.

It was a piece telling of the myth of Narcissus and Echo, with the young man draped across the rocks of the pond, lowering his face as close as he could to the water without causing it to ripple. It had been clear that he had been there long, for instead of strong, slender arms; Narcissus was thin and sickly. Already, daffodils had begun to grow over him. The nymph was in the foreground of the painting, tears streaming down her face as she screamed to her unrequited love, who now lay dying before her, unable to tear his attention away to save him.

Taehyung didn’t know how long he stood in front of the painting, but he could not tear his eyes away. For to spend a second not appreciating its beauty, would’ve been a moment wasted.

“Do you like it?” A voice pulled him from his thoughts. Turning his head, he saw you, a young man around his age, a small smile playing on your lips as you waited for him to answer your question.

“Like it? I- I have no words for it! It's almost as if it speaks to my very soul! From the composition, to the subject, to the color. . . It’s a stunning painting. Do you know the man who painted it?”

You regarded him for a moment, stunned at his compliments before responding. “From what I’ve heard of him, he’s an old bat that refuses to leave his studio until his next masterpiece is done.”

“Do you know where I may find him? I would love to speak with him.”

“Usually, he hates attending exhibitions such as these; stuffy society members critiquing his work as if they know the very thoughts in his head as he painted,” you continued, speaking bitterly. Taehyung frowned at the information, upset at the prospect of being unable to meet the artist before you laughed silently to yourself, holding out your hand, giving your name. “And he unfortunately also just so happens to be me.”

Taehyung blinked for a moment, his mind not processing the information. Before he knew it, he reached for your outstretched hand. “It is- it is an honor to meet you! My word, you almost had me fooled.”

Your grin grew wider at that. “Please, the honor is mine. It’s not every day a prince compliments my work. For which, I thank you for.” You bowed your head slightly. “Not everyone can say the same, failing to understand the basis of the mythos.”

“I couldn’t agree more; I saw so many pass your painting by, without recognizing the true tragedy of it all. Having Narcissus already dying, being consumed by the earth and Echo trying to pull him away to save him. . . What drove you to that decision?”

You turned your attention back up towards the art, quietly staring up at Echo. “In so many words, I know what it’s like to watch the one you love fade away from you, unable to stop them from their own undoing. Not being able to speak the words you truly want to say. . .” your eyes glassed over, as if recalling that very memory. “So what can I say, the story of Narcissus felt like a reflection of my own so. . . how could I not?”

Taehyung said nothing, simply nodding in some understanding, despite having no experience of such pain. He looked up at the painting again, following your eyes to truly see what you could. To see it through your eyes. For a moment, he almost saw you in Echo’s features. But in the blink of an eye, they were gone.

More people stopped beside either of you for a moment, before quickly moving on, uttering some words about it not being beautiful or questioning the subjects’ expressions. With each statement, Taehyung could sense you growing tense beside him, the stitching in your gloves stretching as you squeeze your fist tight.

“I would like to hang this in my estate.” The words slipped by Taehyung’s lips before he could think.

“I beg your pardon?”

“I would pay your handsomely, of course. If no one would appreciate your work here, I can assure you, I will dedicate an hour of my day, every day looking at this painting,” he offered, hoping it would be enough.

You were silent as you narrowed your eyes at him, as if you were trying to detect any hint of a lie in his words. “Alright, but I have one condition.”

Ecstatic, Taehyung broke into a wide grin. “Name it.”

“I get to paint you.”

Intrigued by your condition, he agreed.

True to his word, Taehyung bought the painting, hanging it in his private rooms so it would be the first thing he saw in the morning and the last thing he saw at night. And within days, you had come over, paints and easel in hand, ready to paint the younger prince.

It became apparent to Taehyung that you were unlike any other artist who had made a portrait of him before. Instead of having him in the most elaborate dress clothes, decorated with ornate jewels and dressings; you requested him to be dressed simply. For him to wear nothing that would even remotely suggest he was royalty. Taehyung complied, curious to see what exactly you had planned.

“Do you have a conservatory?” You asked upon your arrival in the early morning. “Or a garden perhaps?”

“Yes, it’s just this way.” Taehyung gestured for some servants to carry your equipment for you before leading you towards the conservatory. It was a bit smaller than the one that was at the palace, but it was still well kept. Dozens of different types of flowers and other types of local flora were tended to throughout the year by his staff. Greenery grew from every nook and cranny, and whilst Taehyung wasn’t much for flowers, he enjoyed having color in his home.

Once you set foot into the greenhouse, you immediately went to work; setting up an area for you to paint but a scene. You pulled around a garden table, setting it beside a rose bush. You stared at it for a moment, only to move it around again. Taehyung watched from the side lines, fascinated with your process. After a near ten minutes of pushing the table this way or pulling another plant that way, you declared yourself ready.

“I’d like you to sit there,” you gestured to the table, “you have the option of reading a book whilst I work or you may just sit there. Whichever you prefer,” you told him as you began to pull out your pencils.

“Nathaniel?”

“Yes, Your Highness?” His butler responded.

“Bring me the novel that’s in the drawing room,” Taehyung said as he sat down.

“Of course, right away, sir.” Within minutes of leaving, he had procured the book Taehyung had been reading earlier that very day.

He opened it, and began to read. A comfortable silence fell over the conservatory, only the sounds of your tasks filling it in. The sound of your pencils against the canvas, the occasional turning of a page, the gentle ‘hmm’ as your eyes flickered from the canvas to the prince.

Taehyung could feel your eyes everywhere. He would occasionally spare glances at you through the corner of his vision, watching you as your eyes traced his entire being. From the curve of his neck, to the slope of his nose. The length of his arms to the spaces between his fingers. He could feel you everywhere. He had posed for hundreds of portraits his entire life. Never before had it felt so intimate.

After the first hour or so, you had the first sketch completed. You moved onto the paints, quickly mixing them on your pallet, before bringing them to the canvas. It was usually around this time that Taehyung grew anxious, no longer able to sit still any longer, wanting to watch the art process from the artist’s perspective. He barely opened his mouth to ask to peek at the product before you shushed him.

“It will be finished soon, Your Highness. You may see it then. Have patience.”

He could not believe it. No one had ever dared to speak to him in such a way, he was stunned into silence. By the time he shook himself out of it, he could see you smiling to yourself about your brazen words. It was then and there that something bloomed within his chest, he could not think to name the emotion, but he knew he could not dare to let you go.

A few more hours had passed and Nathaniel had brought Taehyung another book to read. Somewhere between Taehyung taking glances at you and getting lost in his novel, you shed your jacket, with the added paint stains growing along your sleeves, you looked more and more disheveled as you worked. But there was this gleam in your eye, glowing brighter and brighter. He’d seen that look before in many painters' eyes, the look of pure and utter passion. So much love and care for their work that it was overflowing from their very being.

The look of a true artist.

The sun was now hanging low in the sky, casting long shadows and illuminating the conservatory in the golden glow when you finally announced yourself done. Taehyung rose from his seat, groaning as his stiff limbs ached after remaining still for so long. But he ignored the burning of his muscles, knowing that what you had created would’ve made it worth it. You turned the easel to face him and Taehyung felt like his heart soared.

You had painted the prince leaning forward on his elbow, the pages of his book kept open by his free hand. The pose was so informal, so personal, that he felt as if he’d walked in on a private moment with his own image! The flowers you’d placed around him spread out around his back, as if they were blooming out from his very body as he read. It looked so real, so life-like that he felt as if you had somehow, magically paused the moment he had just lived.

He breathed out your name, turning to face you, where you were waiting with baited breath. Paint had found its way across your cheek and forehead, but you made no fuss of it, watching Taehyung intently as he inspected your work. “This. . . I have no words. It’s as if you captured my very soul!” He turned to look back at the painting, unable to process anymore words for your remarkable work. “You truly have a gift. . .” As you glanced away bashfully, he felt that feeling in his chest again. Like his heart was being squeezed, but it didn’t hurt at all.

“Thank you, Your Highness.” You bowed formally, but a warm smile on full display.

“I want to sponsor you.”

Your eyes widened at his words. Taehyung knew to be a sole artist’s patron was something to grow upon over years of friendship and reliability. Not something to be carelessly asked, for once it’s agreed upon, it’s hard to back out from. Any and all art work you would create would solely belong to Taheyung in his name. If you or he were to end the partnership, you would hold no claim to anything.

“I want you to make things for me, I want to ensure you have any and all supplies you may need. Anything you want, it shall be yours. Say yes and I swear to you, I will do nothing but honor your name and your work,” he pleaded. He needed your art in his life, this feeling in his chest he did not want to be rid of. All he could ever want was you.

You gnawed on your lower lip, eyes focusing to the ground as you thought over his offer. Taehyung felt as if he could go mad as he waited for your answer.

“On one condition,” you parroted your words from your first meeting.

“Anything. Name it, and it shall be yours.”

Your hand came up to rest on his forearm. The feel of your touch burned right through his clothes, nearly having Taehyung ready to rip his sleeve off just to feel the touch of your hand against his skin. When your eyes met his, he felt as if he would melt right on the spot. “That I will not be one of your artists. I will be known as your only artist. So long as I may refer to you as my prince.”

“As you wish.”

#btsghostie #kim taehyung x reader #taehyung x reader #bts x reader #kim taehyung x male reader #taehyung x male reader #bts x male reader #bts prince au #prince taehyung x reader #prince taehyung x artist reader

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cubemanmileys · 1 month

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taejoon tingz

#bts fanart #fanart #bts #bangtan #bts art #art #artists on tumblr #taehyung #v #kim namjoon #namjoon #bts rm #rm #bts v #bts taehyung #comic art #illustration #bts au

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leeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesworld · 22 days

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CALM AFTER THE STORM |BTS OT7 X READER| HYBRID AU (M)

MATERIALIST

CHARATERS Pt 1

Heaven Valentino – Human (Italian) and CEO of Mayás clothes Brand, currently resides in South Korea, Seoul (23)

Kim Namjoon – Hybrid (Korean), Black Mackenzie Valley Wolf (27)

Kim Soekjin – Hybrid (Korean), Rare White Lion (29)

Min Yoongi – Hybrid (Korean), White Jaguar (28)

P.S: White/ albino jaguars do and do not exist but in this story let's just pretend they exist, okay!

I do not own this photos credits to their respective owners.

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dear-old-sputniks-friend · 17 days

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didn’t know what to make them say so stole the heartstopper thing

#bts #art #artist #originalart #digitalart #fanart #bangtan #jimin #taehyung #vmin #au #vmin au

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jiminsfault · 1 year

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His Muse | kth

— pairing: Artist!Kim Taehyung x reader

— genre: fluff, romance | Non-idol!Au

— word count: 4.4k

— summary: Insomnia was keeping you up at night, so you decided to go out for a nightly walk in the streets of Paris, where you met Kim Taehyung, who is in desperate need of someone to inflame his passions again.

— warnings: Obviously mentioning insomnia but just surface-level, it’s extremely unrealistic in some aspects but let’s be romantic about it, depending on which way you look at it Taehyung could also come off as a creep tbh…lmao, essentially coworkers to lovers

— A/N: I started writing this in 2018… kept on writing bits and then dismissing it for months. Now, finally, it’s here. Been on my masterlist as “coming soon” for years, but I did it!

masterlist

»Why do you have to work like this?« you question your brain that is once again keeping you up at night. »This damn insomnia is going to be the death of me« you grumble, exhausted from your busy day and now suffering even more from the sleepless night ahead of you. Once you realized that you wouldn’t be getting any sleep, you decided to get up from bed and leave the hotel room to go on a nightly walk. Now you circle the block of your hotel for probably the third time. Maybe getting some energy out of your system will help make you sleepy.

As you continue your walk, you reminisce about all the things you went through to regain a healthy sleep schedule. You started with yoga on a regular day in the week, which quickly turned out to be too much effort in your packed schedule, since you already had to work two jobs.

You also tried therapy, which helped a lot, but eventually the costs piled up too much. Medicine was your last resort and got you to the point of actually sleeping through most nights, but of course you had to run out the week of your well earned holiday.

Working two jobs was exhausting and you rarely had the opportunity to take multiple consecutive days off. So, you were planning on enjoying these days as much as possible — the lack of sleep, once again, disrupting that plan.

This is just your first night in Paris, the city of lights, love, and art. You had a tightly scheduled day right after your arrival at the airport, wanting to spend every day in its own way.

So today you went sightseeing, visiting the most common things, like the Eiffel Tower. Tomorrow you planned on visiting one or two museums that a friend had recommended.

For the third day you didn’t really plan anything, expecting yourself to be far too lazy after two days of walking to do anything, so perhaps you’ll just lay down in bed and read a book.

Had you known that you wouldn’t be able to sleep you would have of course brought more books with you on this trip.

The fourth day is actually a little secret of yours, you didn’t tell anybody about your plans — the risk of coworkers snitching on you was just too high. All of them were lovely indeed, but they do love to spread the newest gossip.

The truth was, you were not only on this holiday to relax and visit a beautiful city, but also for a job interview. A well paying job in this beautiful city was a dream come true.

You didn’t care to plan more than the fourth day, if the interview goes well you will truly just be savoring the last three days in this city before leaving and soon returning permanently. If the interview didn't go the way you wanted it to, you decided to just get an earlier flight, not wanting to be depressed in a place like Paris. It would be a waste of money and days you could spend earning more of it anyway.

You were wary of actually pursuing this job, teaching was far from what you did until now. Your past work experiences were all corporate jobs or part time jobs at restaurants, bars, and the likes. Seemingly not being able to stop your brain from rattling, you thought: what if someone better applies and they decide against you?

You’d be starting on step one again, having to apply at a multitude of different Art Universities to get the chance of an interview.

All of a sudden you crash into somebody. A tall man is staring down at you in shock, big eyes and his mouth open. Your expression is probably mirroring his, the collision pulled you out of your thoughts.

»I’m so sorry!« you exclaim, rushing to look around for objects he might’ve dropped when you ran into the broad man.

»It’s fine, guess both of us just weren't paying attention,« the man says and gives you a big grin. His cheeks lift up, giving him a cute and less intimidating look than just a few seconds ago.

You give him a once over. He’s handsome, his posture radiated confidence and his eyes were very sharp but now that he is smiling they had a nicer touch to them. You notice the uneven eyelids and a mole on the underside of his nose tip. You guess it isn't very visible for other people, but from your angle, being much shorter than the tall man, you see it clearly. His hands are hidden in the pockets of his long coat and his hair is partly covered by a barret. With the lack of light, you can only guess that it’s of a darker color.

»Are you done checking me out?« His very dark voice, you note that you’ve probably never heard such a deep tone, managed to pull your attention to his face again. You didn’t notice that you’d been staring. The realization made you blush. It’s dark, so of course he won’t see it in the dimly lit streets, but you could feel yourself heat up.

You force out a nervous chuckle. On any other day you would walk away after you made sure to apologize and check for dropped items, but you couldn’t seem to continue your nightly walk this time around. »What are you doing out so late, anyway?« He asks, still smiling, looking into your eyes and waiting for your answer.

»Uh, I was just… on a walk?« Great, talking casually to a stranger wouldn’t be on the list of your strengths, noted. But he laughs and to your surprise you’re not embarrassed by this, more amused and delighted. His laugh is very pretty, just like the man himself.

»Ah, I see. Well, I’ll let you continue your walk then, let’s pay attention to our paths from now on!« He gives you another smile before he raises his hand out of his pocket, notably very big, to wave a little and turn around. You stay there for a moment and watch him slowly walk away.

»He was nice,« you whisper into the cold air, smiling to yourself. The unexpected encounter made your mind less stressed, somehow. The stranger had a calming way about him. With newfound peace of mind, you decide to go back to your hotel room and try to get some sleep.

Your second day in Paris was lovely indeed. The art hung on the walls of museums was impressive and lovely to look at. Drawing had been a small passion of yours for long, but working every chance you get kept you from it for far too long. The sights were truly inspiring and so you decided to make your way to an art supply store to purchase a sketchbook and a few brushes. You could ponder about what you’d draw in a nearby park, perhaps? Nature in Paris was as beautiful as it gets.

With this plan in mind you made your way there, your phone navigation leading your way with your earphones in, trying not to seem as much of a tourist, but you probably do anyway.

Near the store, you stopped the route on your phone and put the device away in your pocket. When you open the door a bell above rings and echoes sweetly into the room to make notice of your entrance. Wooden shelves stocked with many art supplies fill the space. You could take your pick from any medium you’d like to paint with. Oil, water color, pencil,... You take it all in, think about what's best to buy and especially, what suited your bank accounts limits. Wandering along the shelves in deep concentration, you bumped into a hard chest. Just like last night, you come to face the same man. He still wore his smile and his eyes carried the same kind look.

»I see we were destined to meet again,« he said, his smile growing cheeky. »I was actually hoping to see you a second time. Do you often crash into people when daydreaming?« The man chuckles and holds his hand in front of his body, »official introductions are in order, I suppose. My name is Kim Taehyung.«

You returned his smile, although a bit more nervous as he seemed to be. »Were you really hoping to see me again or are you just trying to charm me?«

Your response made him laugh a little, but before he could say another thing, you told him your name. »Seeing you here must mean you’re into art?« You ask.

He nods his head yes. Delighted to hear this, you immediately start a conversation about art. Without hesitation, you ask him about his favorite medium, his style of painting and at last, his inspiration. At the last question he seems to lose his smile. Before, he joyously responded to all of your inquiries, but this one perhaps was too personal of a question. »You don’t need to share, if you’re uncomfortable,« you assure him.

»It’s not that I’m uncomfortable. It’s just that, as of right now, I’ve lost all inspiration,« he admits. »I was going to switch paints in an attempt to regain a bit of my passion.« Relating to this, you nod. Losing inspiration to do what you love — it is tough. No wonder his smile dropped at the mention of it.

You fear that your mishap might have ruined the conversation, but he bounces right back and returns all your questions, helps you choose the best products in your price range and wears his smile just like before. As a way of thanking him you invite him for coffee, but because of his plans he has to refuse. »Another time. I’m sure we’ll meet again.«

Before you could dare to tell him that you are in fact not a local like he is, he is already on his way and without exchanging phone numbers, impossible to reach. The prospect of not seeing him again before you leave Paris crosses your mind and sullies your mood. You suppose you’d just have to deal with it.

You go on to spend the rest of today and the third day of your stay painting the view from your hotel room window, a park and a bridge to distract yourself and get your mood back up. On wednesday evening you expected to have trouble sleeping before your interview the next day. But, to your surprise, your eyes feel heavy and sleep comes over you.

When you wake up, you get dressed and grab two of the paintings from yesterday, your previously prepared binder full of your older art and make your way to the interview. It was held directly where you’d work at — an art school. The thought of pursuing your life-long passion as a career is scary but imagining that this interview could be a success fills your heart with joy. Becoming an art teacher for students who live and breathe art just as you do seems like your purpose. For this reason, you want to try your best and hope to leave a great impression.

As you stand in front of the university's art-department building you keep positive thoughts in mind. Every step that you take in the direction of the stairs, along the hallway and near the room you're supposed to enter, shakes you up with anxiety. Nerves are running rampant more than ever as you hold the door handle and push it down. A deep breathe in, and you step forward into the room.

The broad room is bright, the white and high walls complement the wooden floors. Beautiful art decorates the walls and windows. You suppose on other days this is where students work on their assignments. But today, there are no art supplies laying around, everything is cleaned up nice. When you look to your left, there’s a long table. Three people sit at the table, two of them are conversing quietly, the third is scribbling something onto a paper in front of him.

The woman on the far left looks to the door first and her face splits into a smile. »Hello! Do come in, please.« You nod and smile, close the door behind you and step closer to the table. The woman who called you in pointed towards folded chairs that are leaned on the wall. »Grab a chair! Apologies, we just came back from our break, so we didn’t get to prepare the room.« You assure her that it’s fine, grab a chair and introduce yourself before sitting down.

»Very nice to meet you. I’m Madame Dupont, next to me is Monsieur Batiste and at last, Monsieur Kim. Monsieur Batiste and I are both teachers here. While Monsieur Kim does give lectures, his profession is fully dedicated to the arts. You might recognize him by his Pseudonym, Vantae.« She introduces from the left, starting with herself and going to the right, leaving the man who hadn’t raised his eyes up until now for last. The mention of Vantae makes you almost jump, you were always very fond of his work. The opportunity to meet one of your favorite artists in person makes this interview so much better. You keep your eyes on him, waiting to see his face and as you meet his gaze, you are surprised to recognize the man.

Vantae or Monsieur Kim, as in Kim Taehyung, the man who you’ve spent a great deal of this Tuesday with, talking about art. How come it never crossed his mind to mention that he was in fact an actual artist, with great talent? The shock hits your gut deeply but you can’t let it show on your face or hinder you from making a good impression on the other interviewers.

You clear your throat and take a deep breath in. Madame Dupont, seemingly leading the interview, holds her hand out and asks for your documents and the binder with your art. While she and the others look through your portfolio and comment on aspects that they like, you begin talking about yourself, per their request. You tell them of your great love for painting and how you’ve always felt at ease with a pencil or brush in hand. One or two questions to your drawings are asked that you gladly elaborate on and after exactly forty-two minutes Madame Dupont, Monsieur Batiste and Taehyung stand up to each shake your hand.

»It was great speaking with you today. We will definitely contact you in a few days and notify you of our decision. Your art is very promising and you would be a great addition to our team!« Monsieur Batiste beams when he speaks and holds your hand in both of his. The two others at both his sides nod in agreement.

Taehyung’s smile grows cheeky when you hold your hand above the table to reach for his. »Pleasure to meet you here today, Madame. I, as well, would more than appreciate your presence at this school,« he brazenly speaks. His words are laced with mischief, as are his eyes sparkling with.

You express your gratitude to receive the chance for this interview and emphasize that you’d love to take this job offer. A very positive feeling is settling within your chest as you leave the building and walk along the street. They were genuinely nice and made the interview a good experience. But the encounter with Kim Taehyung still sticks with you. He seemed to already expect you there, almost like he recognized you from the picture on your application to the school. It would explain why he was so sure to meet you again.

The call from Madame Dupont came exactly four days after you were back at home. The moment that your phone rings with a caller-ID you don’t recognize you pick up, already anticipating who it might be. »We’re so happy to tell you that you have been accepted as our next art teacher at the Pariser University of Arts!« She says, with almost as much excitement as you feel hearing it. »We want you to start as soon as you can move to Paris. Our team has been developing a schedule for you to adjust to teaching the students and we can’t wait for you to join us.«

After the call, you waste no time to write your resignation for your jobs and to prepare everything that needs to be done and taken care of before you leave the country — permanently.

After living in Paris for four months now, you can’t imagine leaving ever again. Work has been everything you hoped it would be and more. At the beginning you just followed Madame Dupont, Taehyung and Monsieur Batiste to their classes, attended to printing and copying documents and got to do the occasional stand-in class. Today, you’re still in training but get to work on your own most of the time. Your coworkers help you prepare for your classes and give you tips on how to improve student-involvement. You enjoy working, for probably the first time in your life. With time you’re starting to get along better with your coworkers — not only the trio that interviewed you, but also the whole rest of the teaching staff. But with Taehyung especially.

The first week you arrived, he kept on teasing you about how shocked you were when you found out that he is Vantae. He also admitted to recognizing you from your application, when the two of you met in the art shop. »I didn’t notice when we bumped into each other at night, but the day after it clicked. I’m a very curious person, you intrigued me… I just had to get to know you,« he confessed back then.

That day, he also showed you his in-school art studio. It is still a gorgeous sight, you’re in awe whenever you get to enter it. He only works there when he has lectures that day, so it’s not the full extent of what he’s tinkering with. Still, you can recognize Vantae in everything he creates. Even quick, messy sketches. But like he said in the art shop, inspiration has left him with blank canvases or unfinished projects and the frustration is always clearly visible in his face when he invites you to the studio.

Last time you were there, he invited you to come see his studio at home. The thought of seeing the place where Vantae painted some of his greatest works intrigued you so much, you agreed despite being antsy about spending your time off with him.

This leads you to where you are now, standing in front of his door. You take a few seconds to actually ring the bell but once you do, it doesn’t take long for it to swing open and reveal Taehyung and his usual smile. He swings his arm into the room to ask you to enter and that you do. To the right of the entrance area is a flight of stairs, but Taehyung walks through the door frame in front of you, so you follow him.

»I was just about to make coffee before heading up to the studio.« He said. »Do you want a cup as well?« You accept the offer and look around his place. The living room in which you are standing was huge and flooded with light from the big windows. A bar separated the area from his kitchen, where he leans against the counter. Behind him, his coffee machine is buzzing away as it’s filling the cups he put underneath. Once they are full, he hands you one of them. Both of you add milk and sugar to your preferences and then Taehyung starts making his way back through the doorway and turns to the staircase. »Let’s go!« he cheers on his way up.

He talks a lot about the different Paintings on his walls, the ones he hasn’t finished yet and the ones he wants to start. He begins sketching at his desk and you sit next to him to watch. Over the last few weeks he asked you more and more often to just do that — he never explains why. By now it’s become routine though, so you don’t question it anymore.

Every once in a while Taehyung pauses and crosses out what he drew or he erases the pencil lines and starts fresh. You can tell that the longer he keeps at it, the more his patience runs out. With time, he stops trying to fix or cover up his mistakes, but instead ends up crumbling his paper sheet together and throwing the whole thing away.

He finally closes his artbook and looks over at you with tired eyes, pouting. You can’t resist the coo that leaves your mouth.

»I can‘t seem to draw anything at all, lately. It frustrates me,« the earnest way he speaks about his thoughts and feelings makes you a little happy, you’re glad that he’s comfortable enough to confide in you like this.

»Maybe you need a new muse?« you suggest and absentmindedly bite your lip as you try to think of a solution to his problem. There needs to be something that could inspire him. You don’t notice him inching closer to you, not until his breath tickles your cheek. Taehyung isn’t pouting anymore. Rather than that, his face is full of mischief, like it was months ago after your interview.

»Can you sit still?« he hurriedly opens the artbook again, grabs a piece of drawing coal and gets to work. Your eyes widen with the realization of what he was doing when his eyes flicker up to your face and back down to the paper. Not wanting to interrupt the flow he seems to be in, you just sit still and wait for when he is done. When he is, he turns his artbook to you and shows off his work with a proud grin on his lips. It was beautiful, to say the least.

»Would you mind spending a little more time in my studio? I would love to try this with oil colors,« he carefully asks. It’s late and a part of your brain tells you to not stay with a man that you’re slowly overstepping your work relationship with, but you know that you probably can’t sleep well tonight anyway, so you agree to stay with him, despite your better knowledge.

»I wouldn’t mind,« you say to his visible surprise. »I enjoy your company and your art. If I can help you regain your inspiration, I’m more than glad to do that.«

To Taehyung, you carry the calmness of the ocean and he could really drown in your presence. Just looking at you puffing up your hair nearly makes him drool. Being alone with you for so long is going to make him crazy, he just knows.But you could really be the solution for the artist block that he has been struggling with for the past few months. What you said earlier made him realize that you already were his muse. Everytime you’re next to him when he draws, he feels himself regaining his inspiration little by little. Maybe all that was left for him to truly get out of his slump wasn’t to switch the medium but to find the right view to draw.

After you find your position again, he starts a draft of the painting he had in mind. You are of course the main focus of it, but the hard part is to find out what background will do your beauty justice.

Late into the night, Taehyung finally finishes the painting. All the coffee in the world couldn’t keep the two of you up any longer. You grab your things and follow him back downstairs, but before you could announce your departure, he takes your hand. »You shouldn’t walk home alone this late. Please, stay here.« He almost whispers this and pulls you towards his chest gently. You think about it for a moment, staying at his place would really cross the line of professionalism. Finally, the thought of sharing a comfortable bed with a warm blooded, handsome man like Taehyung won you over. You sigh and nod your head.

»Let’s go to bed, then.« You both smile at each other.

He gives you a toothbrush and together you stand in front of the sink and exchange the occasional glance. His hands touch your arms, your waist and hips. Always gentle and they never linger for too long — it’s comfortable. The question of who takes the couch is never asked and on an unspoken mutual agreement you both slip under the same blanket, his arm behind your head and your back against his chest.

The darkness in the bedroom envelops you. You only feel Taehyung’s chest rise and fall while you fall asleep quicker than you ever did before.

To be woken up in the morning by Taehyung’s now even deeper voice wasn’t on your list of possible outcomes when you moved to Paris. Nonetheless you really enjoy it. The shirt he gave you last night to sleep in covers you enough to stay decent and in his opinion makes you look even cuter than you did before. Bedhead and all.

He serves two cups of coffee and egg on toast after you beg him to cook you some breakfast.

»Seeing you like this…,« he mutters. »I’m afraid I can’t let you leave, you’re way too pretty. Can’t have anyone steal my muse from me.« You laugh together with him and hide your face in your palms. His attention stays on you the whole time. He can’t help himself — he rounds the bar to where you’re seated and lays his hand on the side of your face. »I adore you,« this, he said in a very serious tone, unlike before. »Please let me take you out to dinner sometime.« You look up from your hands and see the earnesty in his eyes.

»I’d love to,« you respond and he smiles.

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bluebeesknees · 1 year

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~🐠~

Hatchlings + a 6 year old Taetae ✨

#bluebeesart #mertaeau #taegi #bts fanart #mermaid au #bts au #taehyung #creature #digitalart #artists on tumblr #artwork

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artwithcloud · 4 months

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Christmas without you would just not be Christmas at all

Bright mistletoes up above us, it’s just you and me

(𝘪 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶) 🎄✨🤍

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moccahobi · 1 year

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A Story From a Different Time [Taehyung x Reader]

Summery: Love. Love is such a wonder. Your love story is especially wondrous to your grandkids who love love as much as you and hang on to every word as you relive the time in your life as a teacher when you met a soft hearted tattoo artist.

Pairings: Taehyung (BTS) x Reader

Rating: Teens and up

Warnings: a suggestive joke

Word Count: 4.8k

Genre: Fluff, a hint of angst, Teacher au! Tattoo artist au!

A/N: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE LOVELY AND AMAZING @taegularities. This has been quite a year for you and I am so proud of all you’ve done and survived. You’re so strong and caring. Make sure to have a nice big celebration and remember, I am always giving you big big hugs. I love you so much bb!

“Halmoni?”

“Yes, Dohyun-ah?”

“How did-did-did you and harabeoji meet?”

You sighed, gently rubbing Dohyun’s head as you tucked his sheets around him.

“Well, it was…”

You sighed and giggled, looking out the window to the clear night sky.

“We met in a really cute way… but it’s late, baby, I can tell you tomorrow. What story do you want me to read to you tonight?”

Dohyun pouted, his lips pouting.

“P-please Halmoni! Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeee.”

You laughed, rubbing his forehead.

“Ok, baby.”

He signed up for one of my weekend reading programs reading to children. I don’t know what I expected him to look like. Maybe like other people in their twenties who often showed up to these events in jeans and a t-shirt. Nonetheless, I was shocked when he showed up to the training program in a leather clad outfit. He looked soooo tough back then! Later I learned that he had come right from work to attend the training. He had been very worried that other people at the training would give him funny looks for his tough outfit.

He shuffled up to me to check in and listened to the session, nodding along and taking notes. He even came around after the session with a list of questions that he was too shy to ask in front of everyone, all the while, a small smile was on his face.

I went home that night with mixed feelings.

He was so sweet and no one would reasonably throw a fit about him helping out at the center. That being said how would the kids react to someone heavily tattooed and covered in leather? How would parents react to him?

Many of the kids hadn’t seen more than one or two tattoos and they went wild for them… and tattoos were still taboo generally. You knew they’d have mixed reactions to Taehyung. I’d hoped that it would be good for them.

What I hadn’t expected for the first session was for Taehyung to show up thirty minutes sooner than asked... which was a whole hour before children would show up. I was taken aback from how he looked today.

Baggy jeans, a loose shirt, and a soft yellow cardigan. His tattoos were somewhat hidden. His left hand was taped up to hide his tattoos but not everything was hidden as well. The tattoos under his shirt looked almost like ghosts under his t-shirt, especially when it touched his skin. If one wasn't looking closely it might have looked like he was wearing a very faded styled shirt.

He looked much softer than he had the day before.

I was struck by him.

The whole first thirty minutes were very awkward though because I didn't have much to do before the adults arrived. There was no way I would have managed to move 30 small desks around the day of a session so I had done most of the preparations for the program last night.

In the end, we settled for making some coffee. It wasn't the best. The Keurig only had a few off-brand light roast blends, but Taehyung’s company made it worthwhile.

"I wish that I could have the classroom set up like this all the time. My students would love it." I sighed looking around the soft and inviting space.

The desks were pushed against the cubbies and used as barriers to seperate off different reading sections. Blankets were thrown over the ones being used as barriers to soften the whole vibe. I'd even gone through the work to grab all the soft and comfortable chairs I could find in the building to use. I had also spent some time organizing all the books by their difficulty at the table up front for adults to grab for their student groups. It was a beautiful setup and would help the day go by smoothly.

The place looked so soft and inviting… so unlike my normal classroom.

"You've done an amazing setting up the space, Y/n-ssi."

"Thank you!"

He held my gaze for a few seconds, his cup awkwardly held up as if about to take a sip. I imagine it was uncomfortable. I could barely hold the cup for a few seconds before the coffee’s heat became too much for my sensitive fingers.

Now I know that his hands had long since gotten used to heat from the needles tattoo artists use.

Instead of taking a sip, he broke eye contact and looked around with a deep sigh, "The place is so different from the tattoo shop I work at. It's a nice change. The tattoo shop I work at definitely leans into the grunge aesthetic."

I laughed, "Yeah. This place isn't very grunge."

Taehyung's deep laugh filled the room, seeming to bounce off of the walls and hug me comfortingly. I liked his laugh even then.

"Now I want to see this place in a grunge aesthetic."

"Halloween?"

He looked at me thoughtfully then, butterflies filling my stomach as I looked at him. I was tempted to ask him what was going through his head at that moment. As he was about to open his mouth to say something, someone else walked in.

The moment was lost.

There were many more moments though.

During that day and most of the future classes, Taehyung and I shared many soft glances. Sometimes it was during breaks, the kids running around to get drinks and snacks as he sat and waited. Other times, it was while he was reading and I was walking around. Each time though, I felt a warm blush rise up on me. He stayed a little late most sessions as well, spending extra time helping me clean up as the two of us chatted away. His humor drew me in almost immediately.

I felt like I'd develop a six pack from how much I was laughing.

I enjoyed it.

On my way to a painting cafe, I found myself ruminating on our conversations. My mind replying back our jokes and conversations. You'd wondered if Taehyung’s actions were showing him wanting to become my friend or if he was being nice. I liked spending time with him and it would be so cool to have a friend who actually enjoyed going to painting cafes. Jihyo, bless her soul, only came begrudgingly after I promised that we would do a 10k race together.

I shuddered at the thought as I entered the cafe and made my way to Jihyo and I’s reserved table. Tonight would be a fun night for the two of us. I wouldn’t think about Taehyung right now. He was something I could worry about later.

“Listen, unnie. I know I don’t like painting as much as you but you look like you’re dreading tonight.” Jihyo said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Oh? I looked stressed?”

She laughed and nodded, setting her stuff down as she sat down, “You looked like you were about to start writing a lesson plan.”

“Omg! Not at all! I was thinking about someone.”

“Miss. Y/n thinking of someone?! Unheard of!”

I laughed and shoved Jihyo, “Shut up. That isn’t true… but it is Kim Taehyung. He’s a volunteer for the reading program and I’ve been enjoying his company. I hope if he was too. That’s all.”

“Is he hot?”

“Yes.”

Jihyo wiggled her eyebrows as she cooed, “Then ask him out!”

“No! I don’t even know if he wants to become my friend… I don’t think I could even ask him out.”

“Well… it doesn’t have to be a long term dating thing.”

“No. If I went out with someone, I’d want it to be for a serious relationship. Besides, I don’t even like Taehyung that way.”

Jihyo shrugged, “You’re demi, right? Your feelings could change as you get to know him more.”

“Perhaps… I don’t want to talk about this anymore though. How’s classes going for you?”

“Yah! You think that work is a better topic than romance!? I am hurt… but classes are going well. My students aren’t as rough as last year. It is like a breath of fresh air.”

“I am glad.” I looked down at the canvas that was at my table, “My classes are going decent as well. I have a few kids that need extra help, but they are very nice.”

“That’s good… now… I have a very important question… Do you have any idea what you’re going to paint?”

I laughed, “No. Do you?”

“Nope… which is why I need to focus for a little while.”

I laughed and nodded, grabbing a paintbrush and trying to think about the painting. All my worries lessened for a little as I painted. It was why I liked painting so much. For the time I painted, everything felt easier to manage. My stress was less significant as I focused on something completely different than classes and people. It was also a perfect creative outlet and stress reliever.

I deeply needed that painting session with Jihyo. It left me feeling refreshed and upbeat. Plus, I found myself planning intensely how to decorate my classroom and my reading room for Halloween. A totally normal thing to do the week before Halloween. I had so much trouble finding inexpensive decorations since so many had been bought already. I found myself often falling down rabbit holes of DIY decorations and sites that were selling tons of decorations for cheap. That was what Taehyung found me doing when he showed up early for the next weekend reading session.

I jumped when he first spoke, too engrossed by the search to notice him, “Those decorations don’t look very grunge.” He said as he entered and sat next to me.

“Ohhhh. You’re right! Want to help me look for some more grunge ones?”

He nodded and we found ourselves in a comfortable silence as we scrolled through a site. With him, I filled my wishlist with tons of cool decorations. I had low hopes of actually getting them approved but I didn’t have the heart to tell him that, he looked way too excited at the fun items we were finding.

“I am so tempted to get some of these for myself. They are so cool!”

“They are. I hope that I am able to get some with how close it is to halloween.”

Taehyung laughed, “I am rooting for you!”

I blushed and nodded, “Thank you. If not, I will probably have to stay up and make some myself. It’ll be fun though. I like painting so it’s not like it’ll be a painful task.”

“Oh? Painting? I didn’t know!”

“There is a lot that you don’t know about me, Taehyung-ah.” I said jokingly, gently shoving his shoulder.

“I’d like to learn more about you. How long have you been painting?”

“Five or so years at this point. I am not the best but it’s good stress relief and it is very fun.”

“Art is so nice. I feel similar with drawing. Been drawing for eight or so years and tattooing for four. I find them so relaxing.”

I nodded, “Tattooing sounds stressful to me… what if you make a mistake?”

“Well, then I got to improvise!” Taehyung laughed, “If you want help with making some decorations, I’d be happy to help out.”

“Thank you, and if I’m able to get them and you want, you could always take some of the decorations after I use them.”

“Really?” He asked, an excited look growing on his face as he looked between the long wishlist and me.

I felt butterflies flutter in my stomach as I nodded, worrying my lip, “I’d need you to promise to return them for me to use next year.”

Taehyung turned and looked at me more intensely, “I can promise that.”

Was he always this close to me? Or was he getting closer?

I couldn’t tell but the tension budding between us was very present and I didn’t quite know if I minded. He leaned in closer, his hand rising to cup my cheek before he started speaking again, “Listen, Y/n-ah--”

“Miss Y/L/N! Quick question about the test tomorrow!” A new teacher opened the door, “Oh-- Am I interrupting anything?”

I separated, my face red hot, “Not at all. What can I help you with?”

Taehyung seemed to deflate as the teacher and I talked but I felt somewhat relieved by the distance. Did I want to kiss him? Did I like him? I didn’t understand my feelings and a possible kiss would have made it so much more confusing for me.

Plus, there was no way he liked me. We hadn’t even hung out outside of these sessions and I barely had time to do so. This must’ve been a heat of the moment mistake for Taehyung.

Despite the momentary relief, the whole reading session felt tense. Taehyung seemed to waver between being more touchy and being stand-offish, and I didn’t know how to act either. Something happened and acting like nothing did would be silly but there wasn’t time to talk about it. The longer the day went on, the more confused I felt about my own feelings as well… Maybe Taehyung would be a good boyfriend… But was I ready for one? Would he be ok with me spending so much time working?

I didn’t know what to think and Taehyung didn’t seem to want to talk after the session was done. He quickly left the room, barely even saying goodbye before going. It hurt and I found myself stressing about his reaction. What would this halloween session look like? How awkward was it going to be?

Unsurprisingly, as the week progressed, I didn’t have much time to worry about how Taehyung would act during our session. Work was challenging normally. Having to juggle everything with Halloween decorations made me busier. It didn’t help that the school seemed bent on not approving anything fun. The grunge theme wasn’t approved for my classroom and Jihyo wanted to do a Nightmare Before Christmas theme which was shut down as well. The school telling both of us to stick to traditional Halloween decorations.

I had to use the same, brittle and old Halloween decorations saved from gym Halloween parties. I also took to making some new decorations that were as basic and boring as the old ones I got permission to use. The kids seemed to enjoy the decorations and they took great fun in helping decorate the classroom, but it made me sad. Especially when Taehyung showed up early on Halloween.

“Oh? Here I thought there was talk about grunge themes?” He asked as soon as he entered.

Despite his comment, he looked excited, a large square smile growing on his face. He had a Jack Skellington sweater on under his leather jacket, something he’d worn a few times during the sessions. The kids (and you) went wild over. Part of me wanted to call Jihyo over to show her the Jack Skellington outfit as she’d get a kick out of it, but she had too much work to do.

Part of you might have wanted to be alone with Taehyung.

The two of you could talk about what happened last week, “My boss almost gave me a stern talking to about the grunge theme. It isn’t Halloween themed according to them.”

He laughed.

“I guess. Still a shame. I was excited to walk into a grunge classroom.” He hummed, wandering up to a skeleton and poking it, “This reminds me of what one of my high school science teachers had in his classroom. Scared me so much every time I saw it.”

I laughed and nodded, “Did your teacher ever claim that it was an actual skeleton?”

“No! That would have made it so much worse! I would have needed to transfer classes if he did that.”

“My middle school science teacher said that every year they chose the worst student to become a science skeleton.”

“Omo! That is so scary!”

“It gets worse! I had the lowest grade that year. My classmates gave me flowers after our final.”

Taehyung laughed loudly as he leaned closer to the skeleton, “I wouldn’t have taken you as someone who would’ve done bad in classes. Here I thought that all teachers were good students as kids.”

“Oh no! I needed sooooo much help to pass my classes. I have dyslexia and ADHD and I wouldn’t have made it through school if it weren’t for tutors and good teachers. That’s why I wanted to become a teacher. I want more kids to have the chance to do well in classes. All kids deserve care and support.”

“That’s very kind of you.” Taehyung looked at me with a soft look then and I found my skin itching under his gaze. This would’ve been a great time to talk about what happened last week… but I couldn’t do it.

“Yeah. Although sometimes, well often times, they aren’t kind back. One time, I got this new haircut that I was feeling. It was super different than what I normally get but I was feeling adventurous… well the kids didn’t approve. One went up to me and said my haircut was ugly.”

Taehyung started laughing.

“I was so embarrassed and I’ll never get that haircut again. My friend still bring it up to this day sometimes.”

“Noooo! Why would they do that?”

“Well… because she was in the room with me when it happened and my face turned beet red when they said it. I was frozen for a minute or so after too. She finds it hilarious.”

“It is a little funny.”

You started laughing as well, “It was very funny in retrospect.”

Taehyung nodded, joining you in laughing as others started coming into the room. The reading day sadly started as your conversation eded. On the bright side though, after Halloween, there was much less tension in the air. We’d drink some tea and talk for a few minutes before the actual program started and by the end of the academic year, I was considering him a friend (dare I say one of my closest, non-teacher friends)... even if there was also a tension between the two of us sometimes.

Neither of us seemed to have the courage to ask for the other’s phone number. We talked lightly about meeting up later some time, but it was as if neither of us had the courage to take the next step. It was like there was some sort of barrier between us and neither of us knew how to break it. I wanted to get closer outside of the reading program and Taehyung seemed to as well. Yet nothing happened past talking about doing so.

That was until the end of year celebration. I had wanted to do some sort of celebration to thank the volunteers who helped over the year and finally managed to get it approved by the school. Most of the places they talked about were pricey and I’d only gotten a bit of money from the school with the approval. Nowhere near enough to pay for the amount of food people were talking about getting at these pricey restaurants. It became a hot topic of discussion over email with people trying to bargain with everyone to get the restaurant of their choice

As the email chain was dying down with little agreement on location to celebrate, Taehyung suggested that we go to a noraebang. I later learned was one of his favorite places to go to celebrate. People seemed into the idea and it worked well for the budget because I could pay for the first two hours and a round of beverages for the chaperones. Plus, it would be easy for them to pay separately for other food and drinks they ended up getting. It wasn’t an all paid celebration but it made it easy for people to go over budget without tons of confusing payment.

After that night, noraebangs became my new favorite outing, and it really helped that the people I was going with were so good.

Everyone was cheering each other on and dancing. I didn’t expect I’d have as much fun as I did but the environment was so wonderful. Plus, it helped that Taehyung set the mood. He wasn’t shy of embarrassing himself. He made the night so chaotic, and had such a soothing voice. I swear, he could have been a singer if he wanted to be.

I was mesmerized by his singing and I remember vividly during his last song, I found myself accepting that I liked him romantically. I could see myself going out with him. While I didn’t know what to do with this realization, I felt beyond excited.

As the night was winding down, I realized that if I wanted to see Taehyung again, it was time for me to gather my courage and ask for his number. We likely wouldn’t see each other again otherwise. I grew nervous as I thought over the ways I could ask for his number.

Funny thing though… I didn’t end up asking for his number.

The night ended with a soft kiss between the two of us… and then we awkwardly parted ways.

I beat myself up over it so much. He was so cool and now that the program finished, I had no way to contact him and no guarantee that I'd see him again. I was disappointed in myself.

I also understood why I didn’t ask for his number. After the kiss, I felt starstruck and also very awkward. It was a night of high emotions and I found myself second guessing everything that happened. He likely got carried away and I didn’t know if I wanted to risk it.

After that night, I felt upset at myself and my fears. I didn't have much time to dwell thought. Summer school prep was nearing and I had a big role to play with coordinating it and summer camp programs. Soon enough, I was wrapped up in tons of work and barely had time to think about any social life. It was tragic but at least I got paid well for summer camp programs.

"If we separated the school up by summer school and summer camps, we could keep the students separate and provide a good space for everyone." Jihyo explained, drawing on a small map on the desk.

"That could work but it doesn't quite do enough to solve potential issues with students getting lunch or outdoor space. Both will need that."

She hummed and nodded, glaring at the map.

"What if we staggered the times that stuff is done? Longer recesses for summer school students and during then, the camp kids are having lunch. Make sure that those in summer school have focus time and relax time."

"And for the activities for the campers, we could try to tell the councilors where to go and where not to."

I hummed and nodded, Jihyo dismissing an email that showed up on her phone.

“Y/n-ah, I do have an odd request, though… and I know this is a sudden topic change but I want to ask now before I forget.”

“Yeah?”

“Could you let me handle emails? I know you normally do for the summer camps but we got an email asking for your number and it … It put me off. I mean the person seemed nice and I recognized the email from one of the volunteers for the reading program we did. I told them I couldn’t give your number… but I want to make sure that if they email again asking, I can respond.”

“Oh? Who emailed?”

“Uhhh… I think it was a Kim Taehyung?”

My heart stopped. He had tried to reach out and I was not in the right role to see.

“Did you keep the email or delete it?”

“Um… I kept it… why?”

“Would it be bad if I emailed them?”

Jihyo laughed and wiggled her eyebrows at me.

“I take it you like this Taehyung?”

Blush rose on my cheeks in embarrassment at her comment.

“OMO! WAS HE THE DUDE--”

Jihyo gasped excitedly, slapping my arm.

“Go email him right now! OMO! If I am not a bridesmaid at your wedding I am going to be so upset!”

I left that room in a giggling mess and sent Taehyung an email right then and there. We went on our first date a few days later and the rest was history.

The restaurant was big and cold. I shivered as I walked towards the hostess table, my nerves swirling at a nauseating speed. This was the first time in almost three months that Taehyung and I had met. I had no idea what to expect from this meeting.

Would he talk about what happened? Could he be inquiring about another reading program? Was he going to be friendly and act like nothing else happened?

I was preparing for the worst mentally.

Surprisingly, Taehyung was already seated at a small booth in the back of the restaurant. I'd thought I'd be the first to arrive since I came fifteen minutes early but he had also chosen to come early as well. He looked good in his all black outfit, a long and loose fitting black jacket and barrette resting on the booth next to him.

Somehow I managed to sit down with Taehyung and have a nice conversation. Despite the conversation that flowed that eased my initial nerves, I didn't have enough confidence to ask about what happened at the party. At the very least, he seemed to want to be my friend which I could resign myself to. As the night progressed, the worries about a relationship with Taehyung faded some as I tried to enjoy the time we had. Conversations were fun and fast paced. They ranged from fun tattoos he's done to theories on how the fashion industry would change over the decade. It was fun and I was sad when the waiter came and we placed a dessert order. It wasn't the end of our lunch but the end was close and I didn't want it to end yet.

Taehyung sighed, setting down his iced tea and looking over at me, "I have really enjoyed catching up with you and this lunch is wonderful... but I don't think we can go on like this. Like friends is all we are."

Shock washed over me. I hadn't expected him to bring it up now. Sure stuff happened at the party a while ago. That was a while ago though and so much time has passed since then. I'd assumed that he'd moved on and had someone by now, or at the very least wasn't interested in me anymore. That was at least what I had assumed since he waited until now to bring it up.

"W-What?"

This didn't feel real. Taehyung was still interested in you?

"I thought... I thought that what happened at the party last time we met meant something." He looked back down at his drink, rubbing at the condensation. It seemed that in my momentary shock, insecurity started to creep back into Taehyung.

"It did! Absolutely!"

"But?" He asked, worrying his lip.

"There is no but. Really. I was... surprised. I am sorry but you are so amazing and it took me so long to respond to you. I thought that you had moved on or something. Hearing that you still felt like there can still be more to our relationship is a shock. A good shock."

You sighed wistfully, looking at Dohyun, who was now deep asleep.

“Good night, baby.”

As you got up, body achey with age, you saw Taehyung leaning against the doorframe. He was dressed in large soft pajamas that practically swallowed him whole, his tattoos peeking out from under the sweater. He aged so gracefully.

“I love you, Y/n-ah.” He whispered quietly, opening his arms for a hug.

Waddling over, you giggled once in his embrace. No matter how much time passed, he still managed to make you a soft mess.

Hand in hand, the two of you made your way downstairs where Taehyung had made tea for both of you.

“I am glad you didn’t tell them what we did after the noraebang night.” Taehyung said with a wink after taking a sip of his tea.

You practically coughed up a lung at that.

“YEAH! Why would I!”

He shrugged.

“All I am saying is that I am glad you changed the story some.”

“Well, I am glad we had a story to tell in the first place.”

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