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According to Taehyung, there was beauty everywhere. Even in the most horrific acts, there was a bare grain of truth filled with goodness. You just had to have the will to dig deep enough to unearth the evidence.
Opinions were opinions, and Taehyung respected that. Still, he couldn't help but find this evidence all over the place to prove his point.
For example, Taehyung, his story wasn't particularly beautiful or impressive. To be brief, Taehyung had dropped out of school at 18 to be employed in a museum. He hated talking about his past, as he invariably received a pity-filled look and a smile full of false compassion. He had voluntarily made this decision to stay close to the passion of his life, art. His strict parents would have offered him a pre-chewed future, with a long school career on a boring subject like law or medicine. After having argued for the umpteenth time with his parents, he had slammed the door to find himself in his favorite place, the museum. It was then that he noticed the poster that changed his life.
We are looking for a full time security guard!
In the night that followed, he dissociated his bank account from the one of his parents and demanded complete autonomy, granted because of his recently celebrated eighteen years. He told his parents, packed his things, ignoring their comments, and went to the nearest hotel. He then dressed up for the interview, which he easily obtained.
For the next year, Taehyung was ecstatic. He spent his days looking at masterpieces, talking to a few enthusiasts, and meeting other employees. He now knew every corner of the museum, every worker and every piece of art. Even though he had memorized the establishment, he always found something new and refreshing. A conversation with the cute front desk employee, a new exhibit, lunch on the rooftop overlooking the city, a carefully rolled joint consumed while listening to an old show, painting on a slow Sunday morning.
Little touches of happiness and beauty like this embellished the gray canvas that was Taehyung's life.
Back to the present. After two years of living completely alone without bothering with useless relationships, and spending his boredom on one-night stands, he encountered his first glitch. A group of young men from his old school saw him and wanted to hear from him. Taehyung, still happy with his decision, shared his story. Instead of seeing admiring glances following his emancipation, he received pity. He even received a supposedly “better paid” job offer. This shock revived the doubts that tormented him when he was still living with his parents. Was he on the right track? Was he really happy?
Tormented, he decided to spend his evening in some striptease bar. Not finding what he was looking for, he sat down at the bar and gazed inattentively at the women sensually rubbing each other on stage.
“What is an Apollo like you doing here? »
Taehyung turned around to see a breathtakingly handsome man. Smaller than him, the stranger smirked at him, his eyes mocking under his mop of disheveled and irresistible black hair. His white skin was breathtaking, and his eyes harbored a petty and sarcastic zest for life, exactly how Taehyung liked them.
He shrugged.
"I can return the question "
The stranger smiled frankly, revealing his gums.
"Min Yoongi, happy to meet you"
"Kim Taehyung," he said, raising his glass.
“Taehyung, I believe you have a story to tell, and luckily for you, I have my whole night,” Yoongi said, leaning his face on his clenched fist.
A strip bar was the last place to have meaningful conversations and confessions, but Taehyung did just that. Under the harsh lights and the workers spinning on poles, Taehyung emptied his heart on his insecurities and the gaze of others. At the end of his story, Yoongi took a sip of his whiskey.
"I didn't tell you why I'm here, right? »
Taehyung shook his head.
“I discovered my profession on this stage, Taehyung,” Yoongi finally said, his gaze lost in comfortable nostalgia. “Young 19-year-old Yoongi comes with his friends, who force him to enter a strip contest to win a gift card. He tries and... he loves it so much that he gives up everything. His accounting career. His family. His friends. And today, he does not regret anything”, he finishes at the same time as his glass.
Taehyung widened his eyes and blushed.
"Y-you work here?" »
“Nope, you know the Avenue bar, not far from here? »
Taehyung's eyes were about to pop out of their sockets.
“The rich place?! »
Yoongi laughs softly.
" I'm a star there "
Taehyung was speechless for a moment, and asked the question that was running through his head.
"Without being too inquisitive, why the striptease?..."
Yoongi abruptly put down his drink and sat on Taehyung's lap, ignoring his embarrassed exclamation. He leaned down until his face was close to Taehyung's and stared at him. The younger one lost himself in his big chocolate eyes and swallowed hard.
“I can ask you the same thing, Taehyungie. Why art? »
With that question, Yoongi saved Taehyung from standing still, not knowing what to say. Even in the strangest moments, we could always talk about art. Well, according to Taehyung.
“Why art? It's a good question. No one really has the answer, and yet everyone is drawn to art like a butterfly to the light. Like music or math, art is a universal language that transcends languages and beliefs. Everyone sees what he wants to see, understands what he wants to understand. Art is transformed to fill the voids of those who look at it. What's not to love about art? Taehyung said, smiling.
Yoongi stared at him for a few more seconds, during which Taehyung lost himself in his welcoming and warm eyes.
"Well, it's an intellectual speech that I didn't expect on a Thursday evening," Yoongi laughs softly, still straddling Taehyung's thighs. Both could very well get used to this position.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't have such a sophisticated explanation for the striptease, Taehyungie. Simply, I am another person on stage. Everyone has their eyes on me and I feed off their endless admiration. Everyone who looks at me is there to bury dark regrets. I play on their weaknesses, untouchable and magnificent, walking on their hearts with determined steps. And once I'm done, they resume their uninteresting lives… only to come back to me eventually»
As he spoke, Yoongi smiled and gently arched his back. He grabbed Taehyung's hands, let his weight drag him lower, arching his back and threw his head back. Taehyung took his time detailing the gorgeous features of his body. Taken with a surge of courage, Taehyung abruptly pulled him up and kissed him savagely. Yoongi let out a sound of surprise and kissed back, snuggling even closer to his chest. Yoongi pulled away and whispered against his lips:
“What I wanted to say is that the profession does not matter. The passion behind it, is necessary. Whether it's just for art or performing art like me. Don't be swayed by people who have given up their passions for stupid ideals. »
Taehyung knew he was right. Even in a seedy bar, steeped in every possible sin and eternal night, an honest crush could bring forth exceptional beauty. Beauty was everywhere.
And, well, it was on Yoongi a lot too.
***
Taehyung was drinking a glass of scotch while watching his soulmate roll his hips on stage with an irresistible expression. Wearing a harness that covered very little of his body, he walked on the stage with confidence under looks filled with envy and desire. Taehyung didn't feel jealous of others seeing his boyfriend like this, as he understood the passion that was driving Yoongi. And it was Taehyung who had this angel in his bed at the end of the day.
It wasn't the first time he had attended Yoongi’s show, and yet he never got over it. His skin sparkled, his arrogant smile ignited the most extreme fantasies, his movements made the purest souls die of envy. Taehyung smiled upon seeing a purple mark on Yoongi's right inner thigh, a hickey he left behind during their nightly escapade the day before.
Yoongi was an angel sent to earth, but stole the devil's attributes and used them without scruple. It was as if delicate nymphs had sculpted his body, filling his veins with ambrosia that was irresistible but inaccessible to mere mortals. His exterior was snow-white and made with pure intentions, but his heart manipulated his looks to make others envious. Yoongi was untouchable and ruthless, enticing men into dirty ideas and then leaving them to fend for themselves. Taehyung sneered. Ah, how in love he was with Yoongi.
The show ended, and Taehyung waited patiently. He came so often, he now knew what was going on behind the scenes and was no longer worried. Taehyung was surprised to learn that Yoongi's co-workers were friendly and warm. Each stripper had a colorful personality, and it didn't matter whether they worked by choice or by obligation. They were all Yoongi's close friends, and eventually they were close to Taehyung too.
“Taehyung!! Sorry, Jungkook's heels were tangled in Jimin's stockings, you can’t imagine the mess- »
Taehyung cut Yoongi off by kissing him softly, savoring the older man's sweet taste on his lips.
"Sorry angel, I couldn't help it," Taehyung smiled as he lifted Yoongi up, who automatically wrapped his legs around his hips. “I loved your performance, as always”
Yoongi grinned, and Taehyung couldn't help but smile back.
“Jungkook lost a bet to me today, and he bet a joint~” Yoongi said while kissing the tip of Taehyung's nose. The latter widened his eyes.
"Joon's stuff? »
“Yup”
"Oh shit, let's go home right now then"
Yoongi burst out laughing and let himself be carried away by his boyfriend. They passed Jungkook in Hoseok's arms, who was literally eating the younger's face. Yoongi chuckled.
"I'll be late tomorrow, Kook!" he yelled, catching his best friend's attention. "Apparently I'm going to get high with my boyfriend, thanks again!"
“Fuck you, Yoongi! »
" I love you too!! »
They heard Jin laughing somewhere backstage.
Taehyung laughs heartily with Yoongi. He walked quickly, fortunately their apartment was very close to the club. Yoongi rarely went home alone, but when it happened, he had a very short distance to walk.
When they got home, Yoongi quickly changed into a large t-shirt belonging to Taehyung and cuddled up on his lap.
“Tada! '' he exclaimed, showing the joint. "Your honor, my love"
Taehyung left a kiss on his forehead and lit the scroll, the two watching the flame dance across the paper intently. Taehyung took the first breath and… woa. He felt every one of his muscles loosen and a smile appear on his lips. Taehyung decided that his life separated into two main parts: the one without Yoongi and the one with. The second was much more beautiful and extraordinary, of course. What would he have become if he hadn't wandered into a bar two years ago? Taehyung felt the dizziness of unanswered questions return and immediately drowned it in the intoxicating sensation of the drug.
Taehyung took a deep breath and savored the taste on his tongue, then pulled Yoongi closer with his free arm. He pressed his lips against Yoongi's and exhaled the smoke into the older man's mouth, who let out a moan. Taehyung pulled away and admired his kitten's relaxed expression, a shy smile bathed in the fragrant smoke. It wasn't Taehyung's first time smoking, but doing it with Yoongi was always more fabulous. If he could get the worries off his kitten's shoulders with the help of a joint, then he'd be happy to do it. The two knew it probably wasn't the best way to cast out their demons, but it was the one they liked the most. The descent to Earth wasn't too hard either, as Taehyung woke up with the love of his life by his side.
They took turns taking puffs, and stopped once they felt the pleasant floating sensation. All of Taehyung's feelings seemed to have increased tenfold, but he took it all in calmly and with an impossible-to-fail smile. Yoongi snuggled even closer in his arms and sighed contentedly.
“What would I be without you, kitten? Taehyung asked, covering his neck with kisses.
"You'd be sorry," Yoongi replied with a laugh, which Taehyung immediately shared.
Beauty was everywhere. Even between two beings who shared a joint, one a stripper, the other employed in a museum, where the money was not flowing freely. Still, they had some awesome friends, and love to spare. If that wasn't pretty, what was?
When Taehyung shared his idea of beauty to his love, Yoongi replied, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and for my part, I have both eyes tightly closed. »
Afterwards, Taehyung gave in to his rosy lips and kissed him fervently, then got up and carried him to their room.
"The night is just beginning, my heart, and I swear you'll have your eyes wide open, mhm?"