the car ride was mostly silent. jimin had really just recently gotten into driving and around the city was an extra challenge. it was evident that he was nervous to be on the road, white knuckles and no music the entire way.
it made for an even more anticipatory journey, both with racing minds as they pondered where the night would take them.
"we made it in one piece!" jimin let out a relieved side, hand over his heart like he'd just done something miraculous.
tae rolled his eyes, digging in the glovebox before they tossed the keys to the valet, "shots quick?"
"when did you hide those in there?" jimin's eyes were wide, like a fragile little puppy.
"after the first time you made me ride with you downtown! that was enough to drive anyone to drink." tae uncapped one of the small bottles, slipping back the entire thing. his face contorted in disgust, annoyed by then burning that dropped down his throat and into his stomach. if booze made you feel so good, why did it have to taste so bad?
jimin followed suit, his own lips pursed at the bitterness. he would pretend to be mad at tae's insults but he knew this night wasn't about petty, play fights, "ready?"
the younger of the two nodded, "let's do this."
the gallery was wide, cement floors, open brick walls. it was like the building had no purpose but to be a blank canvas. somewhere in the vicinity was a speaker playing melodic beats that dripped over rafters and helped set the tone for the sight in front of them. it was... different. artsy.
jungkook's style of paintings resembled his style of tattoos. to some, that may have been an obvious conclusion but, tae was surprised how well the designs transferred to canvas. he felt himself pawing at his wallet, already anticipating that he would leave with one of the pieces presented. and if he was lucky, maybe the artist too.
"these remind me of the studio." jimin narrowed his eyes as he attempted to read the label.
"blind as a bat! why don't you just get some glasses?" a familiar voice bellowed behind the both of them, a mop of platinum blonde was now coated with mint hair color, bright enough to send shock waves through the whole building.
"yoongi." jimin beamed at the sight, "i thought you'd be floating around here somewhere!"
"i've just waiting for you." he tugged the male into his arms, keeping him tight in an embrace for an extended moment, "i have people i want you to meet! you as well tae! come, come."
the three coursed through half walls and servers carrying champagne until they reached an area set up as a lounge with oversized velour couches, vintage in nature but clearly brand new. despite this part of town claiming to be down to earth, they were just as snobby about throw pillows as those with the big money.
tae noticed the two males who sat across from one another on the couch, comfortable as they conversed and sipped cocktails from plastic wine glasses. yoongi motioned to them, "that is jin, and this is j-hope!"
"j-hope?" jimin raised a brow.
the boy with jet black hair laughed, "call me hobi. j-hope is my stage name!"
"you sing?" tae interjected.
the male shook his head, "i dabble in a variety. dancing, rapping, currently i'm focused on designing."
"wow yoongi, are all your friends this creative?" jimin suddenly felt himself feeling self conscious of how successful all of these people seemed to be in their respective fields.
"we all met through shit like this so kind of expected that we'd all be creatives." yoongi focused the attention to the other male who was sitting, "jin is an exquisite piano player, seriously, the best!"
"i believe the word tossed around when i was younger was prodigy. anyways, i have awards from all over the world but what good are they! i'm still playing at shitty cocktail bars." his eyes seemed to roll back at that, "what do you two do?"
jimin seemed to hesitate, glancing at tae who looked on the brink of an idenity crisis, "we dabble! tae models and helps out with the family business. my father owns real estate so i basically just promote!"
"a socialite?" jin raised a brow, "yoongi, where did you pick these two up?"
neither was quite sure if that was an insult but the mint-haired man seemed to roll with it, "jungkook's shop! can you believe it?"
"i can. the one looks like a tad like that guy jungkook hooked up-,"
tae had to bite his tongue as jin let his eyes scan all over the younger.
"jin! that's enough of that!" yoongi plopped into a vacant chair, pulling jimin into his lap, his arms wrapped loosely around the male's waist.
jimin couldn't hide the blush pooling over his features, "so hobi, what are you designing?"
"great collection of knit wear and hand embroidered, repurposed clothing. i have a bit of a bright and oversized style..." the male continued, talking with his hands and expressing himself with an unusual amount of energy.
mostly everyone seemed absolutely fascinated by what he had to say, intrigued just by the way he dressed and acted but tae was fixated on something else- on jungkook to be precise.
he was across the way looking extremely dapper with his arm on the waist of that girl- his girlfriend who was prettier than anyone could picture. they looked to be a perfect matched, one adorned in leather, the other in lace and jungkook seemed to catch her eyes every time she spoke. like she was speaking the sweetest poem and he couldn't be more intrigued.
tae wondered if jungkook would notice him, sitting here with a mixed group of friends in a space that was dedicated to the younger, set up to display his own stuff. he wished they could just connect one on one, swoop off somewhere in private. he wanted to know about what inspired him, what drove him, what his girlfriend had that made him so wrapped around her finger?
"what are you looking at?" jin had leaned closer to tae, his chin on the male's shoulder as the two stared into the same line of sight.
taehyung jumped at the feeling of warm breath at the tip of his ear, "n- nothing! i was looking at the paintings."
"well jungkook doesn't do self portraits, pretty sure that guy you're staring at is the real deal." jin pretended to be disinterested, scanning for any debris beneath his freshly manicured nails, "are you interested in him?"
"in- interested?" taehyung grumbled beneath his breath, embarrassed he'd been caught, "i just think he's talented, that's all!"
"really?"
"really!" tae seemed to take all the air from the room, holding it, waiting to release; he sighed, "besides he has a girlfriend anyways and look at how they look at each other."
jin glanced around to make sure nobody was listening in, "between you and me, it's not that serious. and jungkook loves a bold move."
"a bold move?"
"something that catches his attention and makes him feel like he's not the only one in charge... if you know what i mean."
"he's right!" yoongi popped up from his place in the seating arrangement, "jungkook feels inclined to be in charge of everything so when somebody shows him that he doesn't have too- major turn on."
jimin winked encouragingly to his best friend who was trying to find words to express his hesitation. it was evident, he was a deer in headlights without a bit more liquid courage. the blonde knew he had to change that, "isn't somebody walking around with shots?"
j-hope chuckled, "good luck tracking those down! this whole place should be relabeled to a rehab center with how much everyone drinks- luckily, i came prepared." his hands sifted through the pouch he wore to his side, pulling mini bottles upon mini bottles and piling them onto the table.
nobody that knew j-hope seemed surprised as they each picked their favorite poison and slurped it down. tae recalled the little bottle he'd had in the car- it hadn't done nearly enough to give him the buzz he would need to approach jungkook.
his eyes scanned for tequila, counting three, he took them all without flinching. everyone seemed to wince in disgust watching him but he was ready, wiping the corners of his mouth and making sure his hair was in tact.
he could feel the rush of the room as soon as he stood, catching his feet before they propelled him face first. that would not be the bold first impression he was trying to make, "wish me luck!"
the group chimed with delight, urging him forward, passing quick compliments his way, but mostly just gawking as he slid through the mounds of people who had surrounded the featured artist of the night. it may have seemed rude, for somebody who barely knew jungkook to make himself so known, but taehyung couldn't help but demand just a minute of his time.
he needed it.
"hey! jungkook!" the slurred yelling caught the attention of the younger male who had mischief painted on his features, waiting to see what move tae made next.
"so happy to see you here! i didn't know you were coming." jungkook remained unbothered, however his girlfriend seemed a tad uncomfortable with the tension that had formed.
"because you didn't invite me personally?" the older was playing with fire, a call out at his own show!
"i should have. didn't have your number though!" jungkook turned to face the petite brunette next to him who looked more displeased than she had a minute ago, "this is lia."
"lisa?"
"lia." she corrected him.
"pleasure!" taehyung held his hand out, "you don't mind if i steal him for a second, do you doll? i just want to talk about a sale."
jungkook wasn't quite sure what had gotten into the dark haired mystery man who kept seeming to find him everywhere but he wasn't opposed, "i'll be right back, okay?"
neither waited for her approval as they set off in a more secluded direction, one that was decorated with dim lighting and unclaimed paintings. taehyung felt himself moving with the line work, wishing he had a glass of something to steady himself.
"i am really happy you came." jungkook spoke from behind him, seemingly nervous as he adjusted his hands into his pockets.
taehyung smiled before outstretching an arm, fingers tracing the male's forearm, "are you really? why is that?"
goosebumps erupted on his skin, "uh, i just, think..." jungkook rarely fumbled over his words but something about that sinister sparkle in tae's almond orbs had him tripping, "what do you think of that piece?"
"i want to buy it. can i?"
"you can just have it." the words were whispered, the idea of one of his paintings hanging up in the apartment that he had been in just days prior seemed unreal. such an immaculate place and taehyung felt his art was worthy.
"jungkook, don't be ridiculous. this is how you make a living!"
"tattooing pays my rent. painting is just my escape from that."
taehyung couldn't help but smile at the idea of waking up each morning to the black and white canvas across from his bed; it would remind him of jungkook everyday- not that he had needed a reminder as of late, "let me pay you for the painting! or at least, let me take you out for dinner to make up for it?"
the two continued to walk around the center, staring pictures down and dissecting each line. taehyung wondered for the inspiration stemmed from, was it subjects, were these people that he outlined so distinctly real? maybe it was the alcohol, "would you ever paint me?"
jungkook gulped, the two pausing at the portrait of an almost naked man, "you want me to paint you?"
"no, i asked if you would?"
"of course i would."
"when?" taehyung needed something definitive. he couldn't leave here without it.
the other male whispered, "anytime. come over anytime!" his eyes were pleading; he wanted taehyung to come over right now if he was being honest with himself.
"generous."
"i mean it. the shop, my apartment! what's mine is yours." jungkook felt an arm wrap around taehyung's lower back, a little demanding, he wanted him to stay near.
the older leaned in, voice barely a whisper, "even lia?"
they shared a knowing laugh at the expense of the brunette, stuck staring at each other by some sort of magnetic pull that was unexplainable. otherworldly. neither minded the view.
"this is my business card; it has my cell phone number on it. please use it." the younger was angry at himself for pulling away from a perfect moment, knowing that being the guest of honor came with the obligation of mingling with more than one person.
taehyung nodded reassuringly, "i'll see you soon jungkook."
god, he loved the way that sounded rolling off his tongue.