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“I don’t really like seeing you with Kevin.”
Jacob chuckled sheepishly at his boyfriend’s desperation, “You’ve been mentioning this to me every day, for a week straight. Aren’t you bored?”
Jaehyun shifts closer, holding Jacob’s hands that were initially occupied in a round of League of Legends. “How can I ignore this? You and him called until past midnight. I guess you were having fun without me.”
“Because he’s fun to talk with,” A subtle tease beneath Jacob’s intonation because he’s able to bet that Jaehyun’s jealousy peaks. “He told me a lot about fundamental breaks between arts and artists throughout history. Do you know about Pre-Raphaelites?”
“P-pre...,” Jaehyun stuttered as he shook his head a few times, lost in an unfamiliar term. “He’s talking about conspiracies. Don’t listen to him.”
There’s something cute about Jaehyun when he’s clingy and seeking for more attention. He made an effort to look smug and maintain a reliable image in his workplace or simply in public, but some people disagree about the charismatic face Jaehyun always tries to depict. Younghoon had overcome nasty, upsetting experiences he could barely (and choose not to) describe. While Juyeon approved that Jaehyun is actually a dependable friend when Jacob is not a part of his thinking.
Tonight too, after cooking dinner, Jacob could finally see Jaehyun’s pampered side on their bed once again. Just because he was spending most of his time with Kevin even when he’s not visiting his studio.
Jacob turns his device off. “It’s not a conspiracy, Jaehyun. It’s a real society, a group of artists in the Victorian era. And their goal was to challenge the official ideas of art and what it should be.”
When averting his eyes, Jacob saw Jaehyun’s visible pout from side-profile. He suppressed his laugh of the obvious lack of interest. The perks of them determining to live together is that they can reciprocally observe their partner’s behavior and small habits. Sometimes it’s funny, yet endearing.
“The Pre-Raphaelites said that they want to go back to look at the art before Raphael because they’ve descended into a formula, and so they painted directly from looking closely at nature. The piece is still aesthetically beautiful in a traditional sense, though.”
“Kevin is always talking about beautiful things, what’s so appealing about that? Arts are subjective.” Jaehyun cuts off cynically, hand is still clasping onto Jacob’s. “There are different opinions. No wrong and right. You can argue when an art doesn’t grasp your sense, even though people claimed it as a masterpiece.”
“It shows how unique people’s minds works, I guess?” Jacob prompted, earning a nose crunch across Jaehyun’s face.
“What kind of artwork you love the most, little bunny?”
“Me? Uh...,” Jacob was taken aback by the nickname, but he had committed to not sway in his way. “I’m not sure about this, but I like detailed artworks like Peter Paul Rubens or Rembrandt. What is it... Ah, Baroque paintings.”
“Cool. I like Pythagoras the most.”
Jacob sealed his lips for a brief moment, thinking he misheard. “Isn’t he a mathematician?”
“Yeah, the one who makes geometries drawing. Duh. Cubic stuffs.”
“That’s Picasso.”
After an awkward pause, Jaehyun groaned, swinging one of his legs on top of Jacob’s thighs. Distance is no longer a companion once Jaehyun wraps Jacob tightly than before as if securing him in full protection. Avoiding anyone to take him far away. Faint blush colors Jacob’s cheeks, turning him fiery between the embrace.
“Ask me again about my favorite artwork,” Jaehyun demanded.
“You’re so irritating, you know that, sweetheart?” Jacob’s scolding is still full of fondness and coated in honey. Typical Bae Jacob that Jaehyun willing to spend the rest of his life constantly loving him.
“Ask me,” Jaehyun reiterated, almost begging.
“Okay, what’s your favorite artwork, Lee Jaehyun?”
“It’s you, it’s always been you,” Enthusiastically, Jaehyun answered. “You’re the most beautiful artwork in this world. But you don’t belong in a Museum, you belong in my heart.”
It was most likely an expected reply. Jacob couldn’t hold his laughter anymore as he buries his flushed face behind the checkered patchwork blanket, embarrassed by Jaehyun’s daring flirt.
“Does Kevin will give you this answer? Nope. You know who to pick now.”
“Oh my, Jaehyun,” Jacob felt very giddy inside, he just can’t refuse to be captivated with Jaehyun’s endless charm that keeps his heart racing crazy. “Of course I’ll pick you and only you in the end. Nobody could top my love for you, sweetheart. Kevin is just a loyal friend. Don’t be jealous again, okay?”
“Hey, I’m not jealous! It’s just annoying to see Kevin being so arrogant of being your assistant. Boasting now and then. Trying hard to impress you with his art knowledge. He’s not that special. And-”
“I understand, Jaehyun. I understand,” Jacob shushed him finally.
Jaehyun’s eye smile appears, an uncontainable snicker followed suit. “Promise to look at me more.”
“I will,” Jacob reassured. “You don’t need to worry.”
They indulged themselves in a cuddle like there’s no tomorrow. The lamps are glowing gold tones, a landscape of the night sky glittered with stars emerged behind the casement window. A perfect mood for them to find comfort in each other along with a lullaby they sang quietly together. Jacob decided to lessen his work and thoughts for a while for the sake of being beside Jaehyun peacefully. There’s only one special place in Jacob’s light heart and Jaehyun stays there forever.