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As Lukas glanced around at all the paintings on the walls, he wondered what had possessed him to spend his day off in a building full of weird art. Supposedly, there was something special about it, but what he couldn’t fathom. To him, these paintings looked just like all the others they’d looked at that morning. Although to be fair, he didn’t know why anyone would pay to look at other people’s paintings in the first place. To buy one, sure that was basic labor compensations, but to look? What’s the point of art if people have to pay to see it?
Lukas felt a tug on his arm, and was reminded of exactly why he was there. Lukas turned to look at Nat who was pointing at something on the wall she was facing. “Look!”
Lukas obliged, finding the piece she had pointed out. Behind a glass panel the museum had on display a full length panel of stained glass. The colors were certainly visually appealing, and Lukas had to admit that the pattern depicted must have taken a lot of effort to pull off, but he failed to see what had so encaptured his girlfriend’s attention.
Lukas turned his own attention back to her, finding her still staring at the piece, eyes full of wonder. He smiled, knowing the real reason he suggested this visit had nothing to do with looking at art, and everything to do with seeing her look so content. The smile she was wearing lit up her face, and Lukas soon found himself wearing a matching expression.
“What is it about this one in particular that has you so captivated?”
Nat looked thoughtful for a moment before going into a long detailed explanation that went completely over his head. Lukas found himself watching her, encaptured by the way her eyes lit up as she talked about the piece. He loved the way it made her so happy.
“What about you?” She asked after finishing her long explanation, turning to study him.
“Imma be honest. I understood less than half of that, but I thoroughly appreciate this piece of art.”
“So then what do you like about it?”
“I like that it makes you happy which is really all I wanted out of this trip.”
“We could go to a different wing,” She suggested. “Gothic artwork is only one of the styles they display here. I only suggested this wing because Areylia told me they have a very good selection, and I have to agree with her, but if there is something more to your taste there is a whole museum to look through.”
“It's not the section although I would be wary of any of Areylia’s artistic recommendations. She has very questionable tastes. I’m just not really an art person.”
“Then why did you suggest visiting an art museum?” She looked confused before dropping the question. “What would you rather do? We can go somewhere else.”
“Always so considerate,” he teased, and wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer to him. “We always do what I want to do, so I suggested this because I thought you would like it. Turns out, I was right.”
“I do like art, especially old art, but I’d enjoy it more if I knew you were having a good time,”
“I am having a good time,” he protested, moving along until they ended up in a room full of marble statues.
“You just said you didn’t care for this.”
“I said I don’t care for the art. Spending time with you without the threat of imminent death is nice, and so walking really closely, and I’ll admit I probably get way too much amusement out of that elderly couple reaction to our scandalous whispering,” Lukas admitted, leaning up next to ear, whispering the last part to make a point.
She laughed, remembering the way he had slid up next to her to make fun of a piece, but leaned in super close so as not to ruin the peice for the other patrons. One elderly couple had noticed their closeness, and the woman gasped, grabbed her husband’s arm, and pointed at them, clearing scandalized by their proximity.
On the other side of the room a tour group had come in, and Lukas was about to suggest they move on to avoid disrupting the tour group. Before he suggested it, however, he noticed that Nat’s expression changed into one of annoyance as she glanced at the tour guide.
“Everything all right?”
“That tour guide needs to do more research,” She whispered. “I’ve already counted three false statements in her speech.”
“Well then, since you seem so much more knowledgeable on the subject, why don’t you give the tour?” He suggested, offering her his arm. “I do believe this pamphlet says there are three sections we haven't seen yet, and I would love to have your expertise.”
She took his arm, smiling. “I believe I can do that. Now where should we start?”
After several hours of wandering around the remaining sections, the pair left the museum holding hands and laughing. Lukas tucked her under his warm as he fished his keys out of his pocket.
“There were so many pieces in there I wished I could buy,” Nat said.
“The only thing in there worth taking home is you,” Lukas answered, giving her a kiss.
“You know you’re welcome to come over any time you wish,” Nat told him.
“Yeah, but the rest of the unit is there, so there’s no sense of privacy.”
“There isn’t any privacy at your place either,” she remarked.
“No,” he agreed, shaking his head. “But at least my sisters don’t have hypersenses.”
“That is true,” Nat conceded, smiling at him.
“You know what?” Lukas said suddenly. “We should get our own place. Together. Just the two of us.”
“You think so?” She asked, suddenly very serious.
“Well, we can’t decide overnight, but I think we should consider it. For tonight though, perhaps a hotel room will suffice?”