⊹ 𑁍 art supply.

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ his laugh only made the flush on her cheeks redden more. jiwon groans mentally at how easy it was for her to blush. she was sure that he did see it, but decided not to mention it. "really? actually, I do like him a whole lot- he's very adorable," she admits with a grin, glancing at the pup's excited form before her hand automatically reaches to give him more pats. "taehyung..." she repeats his name softly before continuing, "it's nice to meet you too! and to answer that, yes, I'm out on a stroll- I was looking around for something to do then I met this cutie suddenly." she laughs while her head gestures to the barking pup, still jumping on his hind legs.

@? ⋮ ❛ p. jiwon｡ red and pink aren't his favourite hues per say, but he could not let down the moments he saw the flush on people's faces in times of embarrassment. taehyung felt the urge to cut back his laugh, but with the failure to do so, he made sure to draw a reassuring smile. "it's fine. i didn't see that. not at all," he utters, watching the pup jump up on his hind legs to paw up at the stranger with an arched brow, amused that his little pup was as excited as it was. "he seems to really like you, but i'll take it that you really like him too?" his smile enlarges as he straightens his posture, "taehyung, the owner of this shop. it's a pleasure to meet you, jiwon. just out on a stroll?"

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ c. beomgyu｡ "look at you already doing what most of us can't—knowing. that's a skill within itself, beomgyu. people are out here dying without ever knowing, but you? you seem a bit younger than me but you got it figured it out!" in a short amount of time, he can't help but feel a bit protective over the other artist already. not to say he was fragile or delicate, hell if he knew anything about the said boy besides the fact he faced a bit of the same troubles as he did. taehyung couldn't help but to pry out a laugh at the quotations, offering a light shrug of his shoulders, "got me on that. don't want to go into the whole lecture about how art is subjective talk. i'm sure you had enough of that." though it's interesting when he listens to beomgyu talk about self portraits, seeing how he throats a different perspective, but he can't help but to nod in brief agreement when an influx of memories flood. back in paris when he had a perfect muse, he understands that feeling of waking up with the sketchbook in his lap then falling asleep with the side of his hand covered in graphite. a kind of motivation that never wavered and ceased was rare to find, but hurt more when it left without a word. it chose you, but it also chose when to leave. "i get it, but i'm sure being called a good drawer isn't pleasant—" it's at this same moment another customer stumbles in. he gives a short wave and a greet before turning back to the other male. "—but i do hope you find your muse... whoever or whatever that is in yeongwon, beomgyu. just don't kill yourself finding it. sometimes you have to wait for it to come to you... not like you need to hear that from me." a beautiful place with enough silence for the arts. taehyung hushes, sliding over his card with excitement evident in his gaze, "i'll see you some time on the weekend. text me if something comes up."

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. namjoon｡ Taehyung follows the other male’s curious gaze, wondering if there was something on the ground that kept him at peak interest, but he could only huff out a soft laugh when the subject had been his little pup. His arms dropped back down to his sides loosely, nearly snorting when Yeontan had tilted his head presumably in permission to interact with the stranger. “When have you ever asked me to talk to others, Tannie? You see a handsome man and suddenly want to behave?” he clicked his tongue as his pup barked, hopping up on his back legs in response. The rascal… he thought. He watched him pad over to the stranger’s shoes with a hum, glancing back up with a reassuring smile. “You could pet him, y’know. He doesn’t bite… at least not you. Just me.”

Somehow it seemed like the dog understood by the way it barked once more, almost as if it disagreed with his statement. Taehyung scrunched his nose, giving Yeontan one last look of displeasure as he cursed under his breath.

“Sorry about that—It’s a pleasure to meet you!” There was something interesting in everyone. To be alive, it was nothing out of the ordinary to acknowledge all the differences we had amongst outselves, but Taehyung couldn’t help but to tilt his head in a twine of endearment. There were people that spoke loud through words such as himself, but others that could invoke the whole seas, currents, and all of her depths through the way they conducted themselves. He felt there was a sense of profundity that the man hadn’t completely masked that seeped past the few words he uttered through silver timbre. Like the thousand year old rings encompassed by bark that sung of memories that passed by, it was almost that he could smell wisdom. Interesting, indeed.

“Don’t worry about manners. I think we can both agree I’m not the best at that,” he adds, face blemished with a toothy smile as he sheepishly rubbed his nape. “It really is a pleasure to meet you, Namjoon. I’m Taehyung… and that fuzzball pawing at you is Yeontan.”

It’s a moment later he realizes he’s been hauled down by social interaction rather than his job… no surprise. Instantly, he straightens up his posture with an expression that appears a bit too alarmed, but perhaps a bit comical for the books. “Ah! I almost forgot I was working—is there anything you need help with? Will you be painting here or are you making a quick stop? By the way, I have tea if you’d like some!”

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ jiwon would continue on with making her cooing face but she catches the figure of the male after glancing inside for a moment. her cheeks flush from the realization that he might have been watching the whole thing. she couldn't leave the pup so suddenly and it would've been rude for her to leave after she's been caught. after giving him a small wave from her spot, she decides to go inside to introduce herself properly. "uh, hey!" she starts as the pup approaches her, wanting her attention once more. she lets out a laugh while giving the pup a few pats before turning back to the man in front of her. "my name's jiwon, and you are?"

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ beomgyu just shrugs at the questions pointed his way, his expression neutral except for a slight smile tugging at the edge of his lips. "maybe i am? a total wild card, that could be possible.. who knows, though. but i definitely know what i'm doing, that much i'm sure of. just.." he shakes his head after the last word, letting the word rest in the air as he chooses not to further elaborate after all. "well, i'm glad you think so, at least... and yeah, you're right. i'm still a little.. caught off guard? rather than purely happy." he lets out a chuckle at the next words, slightly shaking his head. "hm.. what even makes a 'real actual artist'." he lightly puts up quotation marks with his hands. "most people here don't even know i'm an artist, so.. nobody really asks. i wouldn't be upset if anyone did, though. at least such a request means they see value in my art. and who knows, maybe one of them could end up being a perfect muse?" the boy shrugs again. if he had this question back in the city, beomgyu probably would have groaned even at the thought of constant bothering- but he's more open than ever, and he needs motivation somehow. he might as well take every opportunity to make art while he's at it. if that were to potentially come from some random person who wished to be drawn or painted by him.. sure, he'll happily take it. beomgyu just needs anything at this point. the male lets out another laugh at the wink, although his gaze becomes distracted and soft at the sudden appearance of the dog in the other's arms. "this weekend is fine with me, sure. and i have nowhere to be, don't worry,"

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ c. beomgyu｡ taehyung can't help but to raise his brow at his comment, leaving him to hum to himself as he follows the other male's gaze. "suggesting you aren't peaceful? are you some sort of wild card? but really, you do seem like you know what you're doing. not sure why you'd say otherwise—unless i'm interpreting that wrong." oh to meet an actual artist in town was a pleasure, but even more so, rare. taehyung was not a professional artist by any means, but he was a lot better than your average. his skills and knowledge were enough for him to boost him in the programs if he wished to pursue it in the future, but he only truly wished to live, breath, love, and relax. even if art was his true love in his recent days, he found that art school was a military base and ticking bomb of crafts. he loathed following someone else's schedule, so there he gave respect to those who pursued such a path. taehyung offers a soft laugh at his response, now leaning back against a ledge with a nonchalant stance, "no really, it's nice to see you. you probably aren't as happy to see me as i am happy to see you, which understandable. i can be quite nosy—it's not everyday you see a real actual artist. i won't ask you to do a self portrait of me, don't worry. hopefully everyone you come across doesn't either." he soon leans down to scoop yeontan in his arms the moment he feels his shins being pawed, tucking him into his chest as he sways side to side. taehyung sends off a friendly wink, smile stretched widely, "does this weekend sound good? also, i won't keep you hostage for any long. my apologies if you had somewhere to go."

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ The song in his airpods had been stopped, followed by a faint hiss. It would be rude, if in case, he exchanged words with the store owner with earphones on. He thought whilst placing them inside his yellow Ryan's case, slipping it inside his left pocket and moseyed along the periphery of the aisles, carefully studying each one.

The tune playing on his lips ceased, when a voice clogged his running gears of cerebration (a welcomed interruption, might he add). The deep timbre that send pleasant vibrations through his eardrums, like an auditory caramel. An evidently subtle coltishness that bounced off those words which the male had uttered, rekindled the thin smile into a languid half-grin, as if to boast his dimpled cheek.

Joon lifted his chin, the light captured within his sable orbs similar to black sequined train of a dress on a premier night looking to acknowledge the owner of such a voice.

Ah.
Beauty is subjective. But undoubtedly, the male who stood before him, spoke a universal language. Self- awareness smacked the back of his head as he caught himself staring long enough to be embarrassed. A flustered Joon hastily followed his companion's gaze, landing upon the adorable little follower by the male's side. He cooed, talking a small step forward involuntarily itching to run his fingers through the fluffy pomeranian, but couldn't do so without permission.

So, his gaze re the male again- a measured silence shared between the two before Joon cleared his throat to speak.
"Indeed, I should." He replied disconnecting his gaze, momentarily, attempting to retrieve his dismantled composure, lanky arms outstretched to gain possession of a silver acrylic tube printed with a fancy company logo and beneath it said, in simple black fonts, 'burnt sienna'.
"No, no. The pleasure is all mine. " Another deliberate pause before he continued successfully stitching back his genial demeanor after initial malfunction. "You could say that I am new since I am not a permanent resident." Joon did not intend on elaborating that statement, hence he seamlessly moved on with a firm denial to the male's former query. He waved his hands, unknowingly re-enforcing that denial. "No, I am not. Um- A lover of art who draws sometimes would be more precise."

Joon's head lolled to the side while his free hand plunged through the rebellious strands of bleached hair, pushing them away from his forehead. "I ran out of paint." Came the simple explanation punctuated by a sheepish chuckle like he'd made an embarrassing confession. "Ah-! Where are my manners? I am Namjoon. Glad to make your acquaintance."

@? ⋮ ❛ p. jiwon｡ taehyung’s taken by surprise when he watches his pup jump up on the window from a distance. "hey, baby. what's up? a bird's caught your attention? perhaps a seal? the dog of oceans?" it leaves him striding forward to see the ruckus, but past the table that blocked his view, he spots a woman just just as endeared as he as she amuses his pup with her antics. he finds himself faltering back to lean against one of the ledges to watch their interaction, arms folded across his chest. "never seen you get this excited over people, tannie. you have an eye for beautiful women?"

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. namjoon｡ “Hey, Tannie. Do you think it’ll be a nice day today?” He asks, hunkering the pup against his oversized knit sweater like a newborn babe. The fuzzball only looks at him with what seems to be a beam of joy, tongue sticking out with quick breaths with his paws tucked under his chin. Taehyung smiles back a thousand stars, eyes speckled with rings of the universe, but he lifts up his pointer to gently tap the puppy's nose before letting him go, “I agree. It’s going to be a wonderful day, my baby.”

It’s not uncommon to see a pet owner talking to their own pet, but most definitely not Taehyung, even in front of his customers or wherever he pondered. Others could deem it as embarrassing, but truly, a lover of love was never embarrassed to love. You could see this in his works of art, his stature as he seduced the camera, his career, in everything that built and made him… simply him. Even in the way he sipped his tea, in this moment when he now gazes out the windows of his store with one hand on his hip.

He knows if Eros were to exist, he’d be shaking in his grave at this moment knowing a simpleton was attempting to take his wings. Taehyung chuckles softly to himself with the shake of his head. He knew he was a simpleton, but he was going to try to possess his throne anyway.

There comes a moment where daydreams are meant to end, and it happens when he watches a person’s shadow briefly drape him of all sunlight as they stride. An unfamiliar man just slightly taller, engraved with what seemed to be a gentle soul as he strolled. These were only his assumptions, but years of analysing his peers and their walk, he concluded personalities rebirthed in the way people sauntered. However, It catches him by surprise when the chimes in his store shrill seconds after. He turns his head only to see the man come in, but it leaves him in a moment of mirth when he listens to his personal spiel.

“I don’t know, should you?” Taehyung finds himself responding to the rhetoric once he ponders closer, brims curved with his hands behind his back. He his head to the side in curiosity, arms now folded across his chest as he draws out a light-hearted laugh. “Haven’t seen you around. It’s always a pleasure to see new faces,” he pauses, tipping his gaze downwards towards Yeontan sitting next to him, “Are you an artist? What brings you here today?”

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ "oh. do they really..." he mumbles a little to himself, his gaze traveling elsewhere as he thinks. "i guess that makes sense, they wouldn't really be able to discern the difference between certain products. while i do. so i get it, kind of. a little shocked that i look peaceful to you, though.." his voice starts fading out again as he continues to talk, his mind beginning to float away into his thoughts. it just feels ironic that art is now something he acts peacefully around. back then, it was his one and only salvation, and he would approach his canvas always filled with sadness, rage, passion and desperation - a mix of all the feelings deeply embedded within him were what once fueled his art. it just makes him feel how different, how lost, he's become without a goal. he sighs slightly to himself, before shaking his head slightly. "i'm fine, tea isn't really my thing." the boy hums as he lets the other finish all of his words - and goddamnit, beomgyu is starting to really think he should have run away when he had the chance to... but at the same time, he can't help but be curious and interested when it comes to the story of the male in front of him. even just the beginning details have caught his full attention. perhaps they could be friends, as suggested. "...i'm free whenever, y'know- artists' flexible schedule, that sort of thing." he lets out a small semblance of a chuckle, finally starting to loosen up a little as he speaks to the other casually. a little hesitance still remains though, especially as he remembers how the other mentioned 'pretty' once again. "..i have a normal name, i think? it's beomgyu. but what's yours?"

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ with steady strides, jiwon goes around the beautiful town of yeongwon. after greeting one of the townspeople, it is as if fate decided to let them meet when she turns to lock eyes with the precious pup inside the art store. "oh! you're so adorable!" her expression brightens as she squeals softly when the pup starts to paw the part of the window to where she is. she waves at the small dog afterward, unaware of the male that watches their exchange from his spot.

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ As Aristotle alluded to, "the aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance."

Namjoon awoke with a vivid dream, a picture which he yearned to mould into a physical manifestation, the blank canvas resting at the adjacent wall beneath his mood board pinned with myriad polaroids of his favourite artworks, beckoned his attention chanting a silently loud mantra, 'fill my bleakness with colors.'

The brushes were chucked inside a paltry peony drawn porcelain pot collected more dust than paint and all the acrylic tubes squeezed dry resembling the grotesque faces of an 18th century painting.

"Right." Joon uttered in a hoarse baritone, rubbing drowsiness from his eyes and he clamoured out of his bed, akin to a fawn who had just learned to walk. Twenty minutes of scurrying, bumping and almost destroying the main door (yes, for the hapless Joon, it was possible), Kim Namjoon stepped out in a neat ensemble quite contrary to his clumsy constitution. The attire constitutes of charcoal grey long coat over black turtleneck, dress pants and a pair of blucher shoes.

His long strides were unhurried, airpods plugged in playing one song on loop, an artist that he'd discovered recently. His lips aquiver with a faint shadow of a smile upon spotting a stray cat lounging on the stairs of a café before his fingers wrapped around the door handle and pushed ajar, a place where he felt the most comfortable.

"Trompe l'oeil, would that mean visual deception?" His voice floated in a quiet enquiring tone, strolling inside the shop with mind brewing with ruminations. "Should I just buy regular acrylic for now?" He added, more accustomed to a soliloquy after living by himself for so long.

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ c. beomgyu｡ "mm, usually regular hobbists have this crease in their brows when selecting supplies—confused, i should say. you never once asked me for advice or pondered for it either. if anything, you look quite at peace, but also know what you're looking for." he counters as his smile reaches his art-loved gaze. this smile doesn't shift nor fall when he watches the change in the other male's reaction—perhaps it's a bit sick of him to purposefully garner a bit of drama and attention with his words. he doesn't mean any ill will since he's only making way for an interesting interaction... in his own way. taehyung's fond expression continues despite the abrupt defensiveness or when he watches the other artist attempt to run off and never speak to him again. it continues merely because he knows he has a certain effect that keeps people at bay, but also he never goes completely out of line because after all, he adores people and thrives on the love of others. the laugh he emits cuts the tension between them into shreds that fall to their feet and he nods, now turning off to his side to pour tea. "want some?" he takes one sip, nearly hissing at the heat, but bites back the torch of his tongue. "i model... not so much anymore. i do have a degree in marketing, but you don't see me in seoul slaving away for corporations. i just have a feeling that both you and i are going to be good friends," another sip, but he winks. "when are you free, fellow artist? should i continue calling you that or do you have a pretty name for your pretty face?"

@? ⋮ ❛ p. jiwon｡ just another day at work—nothing out of the ordinary. it was just taehyung and yeontan in the store, pondering, daydreaming, perhaps even micro-napping amidst the slow jazz in the back when customers were not present. taehyung watched yeontan pad along near the windows, laying flat as he basked in the sunlight with his tongue out. from the counter, he could only tilt his head with a loving smile, completely enamoured by the adorable sight as he coos, "getting your daily source of vitamin d, tannie?" if yeontan ever replied, perhaps he would faint.

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ "ah, yes!" the boy quickly nods to provide confirmation, the slight edges of a smile gracing his face as a polite measure once he notices how sweetly the owner is smiling at him. beomgyu hums a little at the next question, a bit unsure to if he should acknowledge this identity or not, but well- it's not like the other would know who he is, just that he's an artist. so he just slightly nods, his smile now sheepish. "yeah, i am.. was it obvious? i could have just been some.. regular hobbyist, who knows." he lets out a small chuckle, then patiently listening through the next sentence... until he flinches. 'pretty boy'. something about those words just.. paralyzes him and resets his expression into a neutral, even slightly dim, one. something about his response makes him grow instantly annoyed- he was so sure that he had got rid of this aversion to being called pretty or what not, because he's proven himself and shown that he is much more than his face by making art, art much more ethereal and beautiful than any person could be... yet he's still here, feeling his wounds reopen at the owner's all too accurate description.. once the bag is placed in front of him, beomgyu's hands quickly rush to grab it, his instincts making him instantly turn around to bolt out of the building - but he's stopped by the next words, and his expression softens as his head looks back. "...both? you too?" the younger boy bites down on his lips a little, this situation being both interesting and anxiety-inducing.. "...when would that be?"

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ c. beomgyu｡ [ ] it’s great! dw!

taehyung’s drifting in his daydreams until the moment the basket is settled front of him. daydreaming about snow on christmas, on new years, and on his birthday. the coziness of it all he spent with a cup of hot chocolate, a glass of champagne, and a mug coffee. it was one of those ordinary days where he kind of wished he was spending like an occasion—not like he hated his work, but it was slow, lonely even, on these winter days. he loved people, loved talking to them, so when he finally gets a closer look at the other boy’s features, his heart buzzes of excitement and surprise. another pretty boy in arts. “hey, will this be it?” he asks, smile wide as the stars reaches his eyes.

“you’re an artist yourself, aren’t you?” he starts to scan the items, placing them into a big tan paper bag. “don’t think I’ve seen you around—not like I know everyone, but it’s not everyday you see a pretty boy artist,” taehyung fails to stifle a chuckle to himself, halting in the middle of his scan with a smile too joyful for the following words, “everyone must’ve hated you, thinking you got nothing to achieve but a pretty face.” it’s evident taehyung is a bit too nosy or intrusive even, but he does it for the purpose of connecting through bonds and humour. when he finishes scanning, he rings up the total as he placed the bag in front, an elbow now perched on the counter and palm holding his cheek. taehyung sends off an innocent wink, “me and you both, my friend. I know the tale of the pretty boy too well. come by next time to paint with me?”

[post deleted by owner]

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ k. taehyung｡ () i hope mine is fine too !!

beomgyu wanders through the aisles of the art supply shop, scanning the products carefully, yet smoothly picking them out. the cool-toned, lightly colored items and neutrals hit his eye as he places a small assortment of high-quality pastels inside his basket. his own choices feel unfamiliar - they're a far contrast from the bold and busy style of his artwork from the city. maybe it's because beomgyu feels relatively calm now. his gaze also looks over the whole interior as he picks his last item. the place's selection of products is nice, and there's something innately alluring and artistic in its vibe.. maybe it's because they're in such a small town, he wonders. the male is too used to the lifeless cooperate vibes of the city's squeaky clean malls, this feels all too foreign.

the artist walks towards the check-out with his basket filled to around half with supplies. perhaps he's undershot his needs considering he had practically eyed up half of the store as desirable products, but beomgyu would much rather restrict his impulses for a curated supply, rather than hoard them and let things like paint potentially age and dry out. if it ends up being too little, constraints create creativity or whatever they say. he can work with it. the boy places his basket upon the counter, creating a bit more noise than he'd like, and waits.

@ꕤ ⋮ ❛ c. beomgyu｡ [ ] hopefully this is fine!

Ah, they must be an artist as well—they’re choosing a rather cohesive selection,’ Taehyung ponders to himself with his elbow perched on the surface and palm cupping his chin. There’s an endeared yet curious smile that graces his expression as he watches the new face linger around the aisles. Granted, his shop is on the newer side and he hasn’t met all the residents, but there’s something a bit more interesting about the fellow in his store—perhaps, someone he’s looking forward to knowing more, but he isn’t sure what in particular is feeding his growing interest. What art do they do? What mediums are their favourite? Their favourite pencils, palettes, canvas’, sketching papers? Cool tones or warm tones? Bright or subdued?

Taehyung glances away with his heart swelling in his chest from the possibilities and diversity of art, shifting his attention on his quiet yet happy puppy. Behind the pup, he lets his eyes linger at the glaze of the beach in the background through the glass, head swaying side to side to the soft strings and keys of his classical tunes. “Sleepy?” He hushes, hands now cupping the tanned and black furred face in his palms lightly. Yeontan whines softly, wiggling his head out of his grasp, giving the back of Taehyung’s hand a bump, earning a low chuckle. He plays with Yeontan until he’s at service—It’s a slow day, but Taehyung’s always loved more time to daydream.