Work Text:
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The first impression you had of Hyunjin was that he is timid. Perhaps it was the nervous jitters coursing through him at his first art exhibit. When you laid your eyes on him, he looked frayed. Hopelessly trying to hold it together through his polite smile. The glass of alcohol in his hand eagerly sipped on for some courage. He clearly didn’t expect such a response to his art. The small space was crowded with people trying to get a moment of his time. The longer you watch him, the more you smile at him. Every time Hyunjin received praise, his replies were always unpretentious. It was adorable. Reminded you of your younger self when first made a breakthrough with your company.
Something about Hyunjin attracted you. You couldn’t quite put your finger on it the more you took him in. The suit he wore had a pretty price tag, but not fitted for him. The lanky frame was a bit too tall for the suit, meaning he either borrowed it or rented it for the event. You knew then he was the embodiment of the starving artist cliché without even asking. It was confirmed when you eavesdropped on his conversation about his small apartment above a hole in the wall restaurant. No judgment from you. Everyone started from the bottom of the food chain.
When you turned on your heel, the gears in your brain began buzzing with ideas. You wanted to help him, to see him succeed. Now on a mission as you scoped out his works. Different sized pieces lined the walls. You recognized a couple of works from the pamphlet your assistant Felix had dropped off with your mail. You had wanted to get out of the house on your day off. He had caught wind of the art exhibition, knowing it was exactly what you needed. You always appreciated supporting the local arts, and this wasn’t the first time you attended one.
You made a mental note to show Felix your gratitude once seeing Hyunjin’s artwork in person. He had a range of mediums he used, but a definite, unique style. The talent was an experience, pulling emotions out of you with ease. The way Hyunjin saw the world was astonishing.
After a bit, a painting caused you to stop dead in your tracks. The piece in front of you was beautiful, breathtaking even. A lighthouse stood proudly, with waves crashing against the rocks. You took a step closer to examine the little details. A storm appeared to be approaching. There were even birds faintly painted to show scale. The longer you stare, the more little details you notice.
A voice came from behind you, pulling you from your thoughts. “Do you like it?”
“I don’t think even love is a strong enough word.” When you turned, it was Hyunjin standing next to you. He beamed when hearing your words and thanking you. Your words came blurting out without hesitation. “I want it. How much?”
A look of uncertainty flashed across his face as he shifted his weight on his feet. You worried you had offended him. Hyunjin licked his lips before answering. “I–Uh… I’m not sure. I’ve never sold a piece.”
“Would you be willing to part with it?” He nods in response, silently watching you dig through your bag. You pulled out a business card and hand it to him. On the front was all your contact information. He gave it a once over when you spoke. “Take the time to talk to your director and get me a price. I’ll double it.”
+++++
A week later, the painting was in your possession. Now proudly displayed over a fireplace mantle in the library of your home. With the crew dismissed, it left Hyunjin sitting across from the painting, having agreed to stay for a cup of coffee. You learned he had sold eight pieces of art since the exhibition. His joy was contagious, leaving you with sore cheeks from all the smiling. Your heart swelled. Nothing but happiness for him washed over you.
“I was worried I charged too much, but people paid for it.”
You reached out to place a hand on his knee. “Know your worth, Hyunjin. You worked hard. The price should reflect that. If you don’t, people will take advantage of you. I speak from experience.”
“I just never thought I would make money.” He says with a huff, still in disbelief. “I graduated with my degree, still wondering if I made a mistake, but I know now I didn’t. I swear this is a dream and I never want it to end.”
“This is just the beginning for you.”
The conversation never stopped. The two of you going on about anything and everything to learn more about each other. Time seemed to fly by without either of you noticing. One hour turned into two, and then into several. Resulting in an offer for Hyunjin to stay for dinner. He agreed and shared an expensive bottle of wine, celebrating his recent achievement.
Eventually, the buzz of the wine hit you. Whatever boundaries you had slipped away due to how comfortable you are with Hyunjin. The young artist was a smooth talker when he flirted. A set of lovesick eyes paired with a wide grin on his face when you reciprocated. His large hand felt warm on your thigh as he creeped under your skirt to caress your skin. There were sparks against your skin where he touched you, filling you with need. A need for Hyunjin. You wanted nothing more than to kiss his soft looking lips.
Opportunity finally struck when Hyunjin lost track of his words. He paused mid-sentence, appearing to be caught up in the moment with you. The second you leaned forward to close the distance, Hyunjin met halfway. His kiss was soft, hesitant even, as both of you tested the waters. Every brush of his lips against your own left you yearning for more. Your hands wandered, finding the collar of his shirt to keep him close. The tug caused Hyunjin to let out a small gasp against you, letting your tongue slip past his lips to explore.
After a while, you pulled away breathless. Absolutely drunk on everything that was Hyunjin. Your proposition came out eagerly. “Stay the night?”
“I would love to.”
The trip to your bedroom is taking longer than it should be. You two could have easily broken apart to walk the short distance, but every few feet had Hyunjin pressing you against the wall. The blouse you had worn long gone, discarded somewhere down the hallway. His fingers pushed the straps of your bra down off your shoulders. The exposed skin was merely a canvas for him to mark up with his lips. Every kiss and suckle on your skin had you mewling.
The attention left you painfully aroused. Wetness is pooling between your thighs and all you want is to feel Hyunjin’s cock inside of you. With the occasional rut from him, you can feel his erection as it strains against the confines of his pants. He’s just as excited as you are. If he could just give you a second to get into the bedroom five feet from you.
Your hands find his face to push him away from you. He fights, pushing back. You can’t help but giggle at the playful behavior. “Hyunjin, you can’t fuck me out here. I have staff here at all hours.”
“Why not? It’s your house. Your rules.”
You can’t help but giggle. “No, baby. Follow me a little further and I’ll ride that cock of yours.”
“Promise?”
Hyunjin sounds hopeful, and he’s obedient when you nod. You hook a finger into a belt loop, pulling him with you the remaining distance to your bedroom. The door kicked shut with his foot the second he cleared the doorway. It’s a miracle if you don’t shred his clothing as you help strip him. There is one casualty when Hyunjin attempts to unzip your skirt. Zipper breaking with a harsh tug. You laugh it off more amused by the enthusiasm he has.
The image of Hyunjin underneath you could never be forgotten. Permanently burned into your memory. He’s stunning. A piece of art himself with the way his back arches away from the bed with every rock of your hips. He throws his head back against the pillows, eyes shut tight, and you can see from cheeks to chest flushed a pretty shade of pink. Then finally there are those plush lips of his parting when he moans.
Oh, those beautiful moans.
You couldn’t get enough. They bounced off the walls in the room as if Hyunjin wanted everyone in the house to hear him. However, the real icing on the cake was when his noises were paired with his begging. It's easy to make him desperate when the pleasure builds. He began pleading for more of you, for the orgasm you teased him with. His hips hopelessly trying to push up against you to bury his cock deeper. It nearly made you dizzy taking it all in. You kept watching him as your pace picked back up. His long fingers searching for a way to ground himself. Either grabbing fistfuls of the bedding or latching onto you to touch any part of you he could. He was going to leave bruises on your hips from his nails digging into your skin. You loved it.
It’s not long till you send Hyunjin over the edge. He comes with a loud groan. You sink down as far as you can, still rocking your hips. Overwhelmed by the feeling of his cock pulsing inside of you with every spurt of cum spilling into you.
You gradually come to a stop, enjoying how full you feel. There is a thin layer of sweat coating your body and the room was unbearably hot. You were panting from the exertion, breaths shallow as you tried to collect yourself. All you could hear was the blood pumping in your ears. You are spent, but that doesn’t stop Hyunjin from sitting up. His arms snake around you to hold you close.
Before you can react, Hyunjin forces you onto your back. He’s over you the next second. Fingers gently brushing away the stray hairs stuck to your face. A mischievous smile creeps onto his face. “My turn to make you come.”
+++++
The next morning you wake early to leave for work. The meeting occurring in an hour was with investors, too important to miss. With frustration, you slip out of bed to get dressed, leaving Hyunjin’s beautiful sleeping form.
Your touch is gentle when you wake him up, telling him you had to leave. The pout on his face nearly broke your heart. He pulls you back into bed, not caring if your clothes wrinkle. Once again he is begging, begging for you to stay. The hurt in his voice nearly causes you to cave. You stand your ground. This is the deal of a lifetime. You would be a fool to squander such a chance.
After a few hungry kisses you force yourself to get out of bed. You check to make sure you have the needed essentials and get in one last look at Hyunjin. He’s still sulking but you keep it together. On any other day you would happily stay. “I’ll leave a driver out front for you. They’ll take you home. I’ll call you later, okay?”
Over the next three weeks, things continue to flourish with Hyunjin. You two seem inseparable. There are lunch dates, dinner dates, and more often than not, Hyunjin spends the night with you. The sex is messy, maintaining the same intensity as the first night. It’s as if the two of you are determined to drive each other to madness with pleasure. Yet by morning you stay tangled in the sheets. You try your best to remain with him as long as you can.
Once the two of you become an item, Hyunjin learns quickly what it was like to have a woman with your power in his corner. The next art exhibition he was part of had you as a sponsor thanks to a phone call with his director. Pocket change really, but it gives you a chance to make the event even better.
When you showed up, the press was already there. Expected of course. Any time your name was involved, cameras followed. It was something you got used to early in your career. Here it was a chance to use that power for good to give Hyunjin some extra foot traffic. He didn’t need your help, of course. He was talented and caught the eye of many. This was just another way for him to make connections.
Hyunjin is far more relaxed this time around when you meet up with him. Comfortable now having gotten past his jitters. He has a giant smile on his face when you approach him. “How do I look?”
“Expensive. It’s a good look for you.”
He playfully scoffs and you catch the faint redness flushing across his cheeks when he looks away from you. The shyness you first saw has come back to the surface. His voice is soft when reaches for your hand to intertwine fingers. “Thank you for the suit. You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to. Now show me your new pieces. I’ve been dying to see them.”
+++++
Hyunjin isn’t the only one with important events requiring your attendance. The invitations get sent and you accept knowing it would be terrible publicity to not show up. You hoped with Hyunjin on your arm, they would be less miserable. Unluckily, it’s still soul sucking. He does provides a delightful distraction and is a useful tool when you tire of whoever is talking to you.
Tonight you struggle to keep your distaste hidden even after a glass of wine. Hyunjin has asked several times about your well-being, meaning you haven’t kept the fake smile on your face tonight. Perhaps it was the long day you had in the office or just genuine annoyance with the amount of people in the room.
No, it’s the two chairmen sitting in front of you talking about their projected profits for the year.
You scoff under your breath. Your company has already made their goal in the first quarter. Everyone in the room knows this. Yet no one celebrates your success. It’s not even about if they do, it’s the principle that your victories don’t matter. You are the only woman director here and have been for a while. You recognize you are being bitter. It shouldn’t matter and most days it doesn’t, but the event tonight has left you fuming.
Roughly an hour later, you hit a breaking point. It’s time to leave before you boil over. Your tongue hurts from how hard you bit down to keep your words from coming out. You did your part by showing up, and now all you want is to spend the rest of the night with Hyunjin. Let him distract you from the mess this event has been on your mental health.
It’s cold when the two of you step outside. A storm came through earlier, leaving the sidewalk wet and the surrounding air dipping into out of season low. You refuse to accept Hyunjin’s suit jacket. The wait should be brief. Only waiting for the valet to bring your car around. The quiet moment has given you a moment to breathe. You exhale, giving Hyunjin’s hand a squeeze. “I’m so happy that it’s over. Waste of my damn time. Those men and their pissing contest.”
“Why do you go then?”
Hyunjin is asking out of curiosity, yet it still sends you spiraling with frustration. Not even mad at him, but how trivial your anger admittedly is. You know it’s pointless. There are far more important things to be troubled by. Just for tonight, you want to allow yourself to be upset. By morning, this will all be a blur and you will be back to normal.
“To ruin their egos, Jinnie. Nothing brings me more joy than seeing their reaction, knowing I’m still around.” When you look up at Hyunjin, you can see the confusion on his face. Bless his soul for how patient he is with you. He doesn’t say a word, letting you continue to vent your anger. “For the last five years, I have worked from the ground up. Those men in there will never consider me an equal. They think I’m below them. I built my empire while their parents handed theirs to them through inheritance. That’s why half of them are bankrupt or I’ve bought them. They don’t know the first thing about running a company. They don’t even know what struggling is.”
“Well, let’s forget about them. I don’t enjoy seeing you like this.”
“Did you hear what that fucker said about us?”
“No? When?” Hyunjin shakes his head. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The one in the blue Armani suit? Had the gall to call you my sugar baby.”
Hyunjin’s lips curl up into a wide smile. “Well, I mean, he’s not wrong. You spend money on me and drag me to these events.”
You swat at Hyunjin’s chest and it gets a chuckle out of him. You glare at him, trying with all your might not to smile. It’s impossible not to. There was an attempt to untangle your arm from his hold, but Hyunjin simply overpowers you to keep you close. The anger from earlier is dissipating just from being around him. It’s a pleasant feeling knowing how easily Hyunjin can boost your mood. Still, you maintain your annoyed tone. “Do you want to walk home? Because I can arrange that.”
“I’m just messing with you. I swear.”
“Everyone in that room is fake.” You say with a sigh. “It’s exhausting. No one cares about each other. No one bothers to get to know you. I think you are the only person who I can be myself around. You want me, the real me. You didn’t get close to me because you wanted something from me.”
“It’s because I’m in love with you.”
Your heart skips a beat. There was no hesitation in Hyunjin’s response. You can hear the sincerity in his voice. He’s not the type to skirt around his feelings. Rather, lays it all out for you to see upfront. The previous attempts you had in the dating scene make you realize that the relationship you have with Hyunjin is not only authentic, but rare. It’s different with him. Different from the people up in the building behind you. That group of people doesn’t have what the two of you have and at their rate, will never experience it.
The more you think about it, the more foolish you feel. There was no reason to get upset. You should be walking on clouds. You have the world at your fingertips and a loving partner to share it with. That’s all you should care about. Wear it like a badge and forget those fools. Let them rot in their ways and don’t let them be a rain cloud in your sunny sky.
Finally, your car approaches. You feel frozen to the bone when you walk around the short length of the vehicle. The warmth of the heater feels nice as you settle into the driver’s seat. Hyunjin slides into the passenger side. “Can we stay at the condo tonight? I like the city view.”
“Of course, whatever my sugar baby wants.”
When you glance over to gauge Hyunjin’s reaction, you see a look of sass on his face. His tongue pokes the side of his cheek and you can’t help but laugh. It was a way to tell him you are in a better mood now. His tone is playful when he finally responds. “I love it when you spoil me.”
“It’s because I love your pretty smile.”
“I thought it was because of my pretty cock.”
“Can it not be both?”
Hyunjin rolls his eyes before telling you to drive. The car ride is short to the apartment. The second home is convenient for days when you stay late at the office and are far too tired to drive home safely. Or, it’s great nights like tonight where you just want to be in a safe space away from the rest of the world. The elevator ride up is a pleasant break on your sore feet. You were ready to kick off your painful shoes twenty minutes ago.
Once inside, you lose your shoes heading straight towards the bedroom. You half listen to Hyunjin mentioning getting a drink. You knew he would join you when he was ready. All you wanted was to slip into bed and relax. Desperate to let your battery recharge after the emotional drain of the party.
An awkward unzip later, you let your dress pool at your feet. You kick it to the side, leaving you in only your bra and underwear. You don’t hear Hyunjin come in behind you, too engrossed in removing your jewelry.
“Oh, come on.”
You glance back at Hyunjin, seeing him frozen in the bedroom's doorway. Before you can ask what is troubling him, Hyunjin closes the distance between you two. His hands cup your face as he presses his lips against your own. The force was powerful enough to bump you back into the vanity. That’s all it takes for the familiar buzz of arousal to spark in your core. Suddenly, the tiredness slips away and all you want is more of the man in front of you.
Hyunjin’s hands fall away from your face when the kiss deepens. Now and then they ghost over your skin till one is between your legs, guiding your legs further apart. There is no resistance from you. Completely accepting his touch. His fingers dip under the thin material to run along your slit.
Hyunjin gives a low hum of approval when breaking the kiss. “It doesn’t take much to get you wet, does it?”
“No, but you know that already.”
A moan slips past your lips when Hyunjin slowly inches two fingers into you. You keep eye contact, feeling him work his fingers in and out.
“I love watching you squirm on my fingers.”
“Jinnie-”
Hyunjin is quick to cut you off. “Shh, don’t say anything. Let me make you feel good.”
HIs fingers move shallowly now, to tease you. As nice as it is, there is no way you can get off. You need more. “Faster.”
“You don’t get to make demands right now. I’m the one in charge. If I want to take my time with you, I will.”
You raised an eyebrow in question in response. Typically, Hyunjin leaves you in control. However, there are rare occasions when he has a streak of dominance. It never lasts long because the second you got your hands on him, his walls would crumble. It was amusing to watch him try to maintain this front.
“You really gonna do this? Tonight of all nights? Do you remember the last time you tried this? How long did I tease you again? All I remember is the tears in your eyes.”
Hyunjin’s eyes are searching yours as he weighs his options. Your gaze dares him to counter your words. The longer there is silence between you tells you he’s caving. He lets you suffer the snail's pace a few seconds longer before picking up in momentum. You can hear how soaked you have become with every moment of his hand. The wet squelches fill the room.
You raise yourself just enough to let yourself sit on the vanity table, unable to handle the wood digging into you any longer. Your hands grab fistfuls of his shirt, trying to pull him impossibly closer.
Hyunjin chuckles. “You’re gonna tear my shirt.”
“It’s replaceable.” You say as your head falls back against the mirror. The intensity of his stare mixed with his fingers is rapidly building you up towards an orgasm. “Fuck, baby. You have no idea how good that feels.”
“Come on my fingers. I know you’re close.”
You let out a whine, wanting nothing more to come. Your hips rock against his fingers, trying to take them deeper. The stomach muscles tighten in anticipation. The knot is threatening to unravel. You let one of your own hands come down to rub your clit. The added stimulation was just what you needed. Seconds later, you feel the pleasure hit you. You come with a broken moan that fills the room. Hyunjin’s fingers don’t stop moving till yours does.
Still in the post haze of your orgasm, you reach for the front of Hyunjin’s pants. You can hear the button pop off as you force them open. Hyunjin appears amused at your force, watching you push his clothing down just enough to free his cock. A small groan leaves him when your hand wraps around his cock to give an experimental stroke. He’s fully erect, tip glistening and sticky with pre-cum.
Your free hand finds his chin, pulling him closer to you, lips brushing his own. “You’re going to fuck me till I tell you to stop. I don’t care how sensitive your cock is.”
There is a noticeable shiver that runs through Hyunjin. He simply nods in agreement. You can feel his hand brush yours away from his cock as he adjusts himself between your legs. The tip of his cock briefly prods at your entrance before slipping with little resistance. His palms rest on the table on either side of your hips for support. He wastes no time rutting into you.
You let one hand wrap around his neck while the other rests on his hip. Every harsh thrust from him causes the table to bang against the wall. By the time you two are done, there will be dents in the plaster, but neither of you care. You can hear several items either falling over or rolling off the edge. All you can focus on is the satisfying drag of his cock against your walls. Hyunjin pants, breath warm against your skin where he has buried his face into the crook of your neck.
“That’s it baby, give me all you got.”
You know Hyunjin will. He has proved the extent of his stamina many times. This is just the start of your night. He will take your demand seriously, wanting nothing more to make you feel satisfied. He thrives on how much you will spoil him in return.
+++++
The second impression of Hyunjin is how vocal he can become when upset. A drastic opposite to his mousy side. His spirit burns with an intensity hotter than the sun. He is unapologetic when standing for his beliefs, willing to express his concerns while still being civil. Even while emotionally charged, there is a level headedness you wish you had learned sooner in life.
The first time you met this side of Hyunjin was when he found out you went behind his back. The plan was to surprise him. On your last date, Hyunjin discussed his student loans he had taken out to finish his degree. He had made a comment about how aggressive the interest rate was. Exasperated at the thought of paying them back till he was in his old age. You offered some consolation, telling him the recent sales could make a dent. He let out a sigh in agreement before changing the subject.
The next morning, you reached out to the school. A few strings being pulled and a card charge ten minutes later left his loans paid in full. The school would present the benefactor as anonymous to him and with that, you forgot about it. You figured Hyunjin would find out when there was a lack of automatic payments pulling money from his account. How wrong you were.
Today the door to your office slammed open, revealing a fuming Hyunjin. He stormed in with swift strides to cross the room, but his words appeared to be trapped in his throat when seeing you weren’t alone. Felix was with you, having been in the middle of a debriefing of files for an upcoming meeting.
Hyunjin’s eyes shot down to the floor. “I need to talk to you. Now.”
You offered a smile towards Felix. “Do me a favor? Clear the rest of my day. After that, you can go home. I’ll call you if I need you.”
Felix nods, collecting the papers in front of you before slipping out without a word. Once the door shut, you sit up straight, giving all your attention to Hyunjin. His distress was still brewing inside of him when he threw down a letter onto your desk. First glance, you can see the letter mark of the local art school printed on the top left corner. No doubt a confirmation showing off the balance of zero. When you looked up at Hyunjin, you could see his hands fidgeting, trembling, when he gripped onto the edge of your desk. He was breathless with anger, chest rising and falling in huffs. He spoke through gritted teeth. “You paid my loans off.”
“Here I was thinking I was doing a nice thing.” You say with a sigh, keeping your voice calm to help de-escalate. “Jinnie, I had no intention of upsetting you.”
“You didn’t even ask me first. You just did it. I can’t accept this.”
“Well, it’s too late now. It’s paid for.”
Hyunjin spun away from you as another wave of emotion hit him. A forced laugh leaves him that sounds full of resentment. He is in disbelief over your words. A hand comes up to run through his hair as he collects his thoughts. You stay silent, wanting him to have time to say everything he wants to. “You just do whatever you want, don’t you?” There is venom in his voice. It’s a jab at you, but you don’t take offense. He’s still charged. Even when he sits down on the couch across from you, his eyes darted back and forth between two points as he thinks. His voice is soft when he speaks again. “Why? Why me?”
“All I want for you is to live comfortably. You shouldn’t have to worry if you can pay your bills or when your next meal is coming.”
The more you say, the more you feel a tightness in your chest. You would do anything for Hyunjin. No questions asked. You love him, genuinely love him. The short time together has left you wanting to give him everything he deserves. All you want is to see his happiness. No matter the cost.
When you rise from your chair to come around the desk, Hyunjin has sunk into himself. Once seated next to him, you reach for one of his hands to entangle with your own. He lets you, making no effort to pull away. You give his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Baby, I paid those loans intending to make your life easier. Not some power move. I want you to wake up every day and do whatever the hell you desire to.”
“I was paying them just fine. Now I feel guilty.”
“I’m telling you not to be. I won’t stop trying to give you the best life possible unless you tell me no.”
Hyunjin turns to you, misty eyes searching in yours. “Why do you love me? I can’t offer you anything.”
“Never say that to me. You are my happiness.” You blink your own tears away. There is a lump in your throat when you swallow. It’s painful to witness Hyunjin like this. Your voice is heavy with emotion. “You’re my other half who makes life worth it. The one that forces me to stop and appreciate the beauty in the world instead of wasting away working. Hyunjin, I love you. I don’t care if either of us has money. Rich or broke, I just want you to be taken care of and safe.”
“I can’t repay this.”
“I’m not asking you to. Let me take care of us.” You say while releasing your hold on Hyunjin’s hand to pull him into your embrace. He rests his head on your shoulder mumbling. “I’m sorry.”
“Hey, don’t apologize. You’re not at fault, I am. I should have asked you. If it makes you feel any better, I donate to help the struggling students out every year. Because I want to. What difference does it make if you are the one I help?”
The room falls silent. Not a word is uttered. Eventually the two of you adjust to lay on the couch, limbs intertwining with Hyunjin resting his head on your chest. Hyunjin clings onto you as he stares off in space. You want to know what he’s thinking, but remain quiet. Instead you settle on comforting him by running a hand through his hair like he enjoys.
Unfortunately, the sweet moment is ruined by the rumble of your stomach. The lack of a breakfast has made itself known as the afternoon drags on. Hyunjin tilts his head to look up at you. “You didn’t eat this morning did you?”
“I had a conference call at seven.”
“You really do need me around to remind you to take care of yourself.”
A smile found its way onto your face. “Of course I do. You help me more than you know.”
“Well, I know a cute restaurant I want to go try. Let’s go.” Hyunjin has perked up when he pulls away to stand. The beautiful smile you adore is back on his face when he offers a hand towards you. “And you’re letting me pay. Got it?”
“Whatever you want, baby.”
+++++
Over the next few months, your relationship sails on smooth waters. Not only have you learned a lot about yourself, but how to be a better partner. The two of you learn how powerful communicating is. A vital tool in making sure your feelings and concerns get expressed. It helps boundaries get set. There are some difficulties, but every relationship has them. That ignited spark still burns brightly and as passionately.
Mostly, you have a better balance of work and free time. Some weeks are busier than others, though Hyunjin is still there to put his foot down when he notices how wrapped up you get. Having him move into your house helped. You skipped fewer meals when you have him poking into your office, yelling at you to join him while the food is still warm.
He’s made himself right at home. He radiated with joy when finding out he could use the empty solarium as an art studio. It’s in a quiet wing of the house and oversees the beautiful backyard you have. Hyunjin gladly shuts himself in during the hours you work to create masterpieces.
The sale of his art is consistent now. People eagerly wait for the unveil of recent works. Nearly fighting for the pieces. There is even a waiting list when he shows his art. Pride fills you. Hyunjin deserves that success. He was on that path long before you met him, but you love being alongside him on that journey.
For the last two days, Hyunjin barred you access into the solarium, stating he was working on a surprise for you. He finished, coming to collect you right after. Paint still wet on his fingers. The second you made it to the door, you closed your eyes at his request. You hear the door open and notice one of Hyunjin’s hand covering your eyes and the other on the small of your back to guide you into the room.
When Hyunjin uncovers your eyes, you see the painting he’s been refusing to show.
He painted you wrapped in his embrace. It’s based on a press photo that was taken. The two of you look helplessly in love and the shot remains one of your favorites. You are wearing a long red cocktail dress Hyunjin couldn’t get enough of. The first time you had worn the dress was for your birthday celebration. He couldn’t stop complimenting you the entire night. Every occasion after if you came into his sight he would freeze up, captivated by you till you brought him out of his daze.
You can feel Hyunjin wrap his arms around you. “Do you like it?”
“I love it, baby. This is incredible. You did amazing!”
Every time you see a new piece, you find yourself in awe. Hyunjin always outshines himself. The world is at a standstill the longer you take in the piece. It’s an honor to be standing here. Hyunjin’s art is where he is especially open, where he shows his vulnerability. It’s how he expresses the words he can’t describe. Here you can take it all in.
“Will you let me hang it in my office?”
“Of course you can. Just give me a couple of days and I’ll move it.”
Sometime later, you turn around in Hyunjin’s arms. On closer examination, you can see little flecks of paint on his face. You bring a hand up to brush them off, smiling to yourself. Neither of you say anything as you take in the sight of each other. Time almost freezes in these moments. There is no one else in existence besides you two. Nothing matters other than the peace you feel. You hope it lasts several lifetimes.