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Picasso was, objectively speaking, an asshole. A serial abuser who literally caused all the women he dated lifelong trauma, and that’s only the tip of the problematic Pablo Picasso iceberg.
That doesn’t stop Donghyuck from visiting a Picasso exhibition, though.
Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t spare that man or his art two thoughts, but Renjun was so desperate to go that he even offered to pay the entrance fee for both of them. Donghyuck strongly suspects it has less to do with the actual desire to experience art and more with the hot history student they spotted in the library a few weeks ago. How exactly Renjun found out about his library crush guiding tours in the local art museum is something Donghyuck probably doesn’t want to know.
Anyway, they’ve been waiting in the museum’s foyer, by now filled with about 15 other people, all of them vaguely giving off art student vibes. The people who aren’t chattering away have their gazes glued to their cell phones, because that’s just how their generation works nowadays, and Donghyuck spends the last minutes before the start of the tour mentally preparing for roughly two hours of Picasso glorification. He can understand the artistic genius behind that man, but it doesn’t change the fact that he was pretty much repulsive on a human level.
Footsteps approach from upstairs. Donghyuck sighs, looks up and-
Oh.
Pretty is the first thought running through his mind as his eyes take in the young man that has appeared at the top of the stairs, and the word keeps on occupying his brain for another minute. His gaze clings to the big doe eyes of a dark chocolate brown, the beautifully arched nose, the pink lips adorned with the most ethereal smile Donghyuck ever laid eyes upon. He doesn’t even register the words the man is speaking, too blown away by the sheer beauty in front of him.
Therefore, he almost stumbles as Renjun pulls him forward.
“Wait, where are we going?” His gaze draws back to the handsome stranger who already turned around and makes his way back upstairs. Even the way he walks is filled with grace, and Donghyuck only feels a little guilty for unabashedly staring at his ass.
“Community room, didn’t you listen?” Renjun throws him an exasperated look before he follows Donghyuck’s gaze, a huff leaving his mouth. “You didn’t listen at all, did you?”
“Shut up,” Donghyuck tells him without really meaning it. The pretty boy disappears in what Donghyuck suspects is the community room, and the crowd of art students follow him.
“Did he say his name?”
“Hm?”
Donghyuck vaguely gestures into the direction of Pretty Boy who’s at the front of the big room, fumbling with a beamer while talking to another boy around their age whom Donghyuck recognizes as Renjun’s library crush.
“I don’t think so?” Renjun tilts his head. “He just said he’s one of the guides for today and told us to follow him.”
Donghyuck pouts, a little disappointed. Looks like he has to stick with calling him Pretty Boy for now. Well, could be worse.
Renjun is still staring at Donghyuck, a knowing expression appearing on his face. “You think he’s hot,” he declares, not even trying to lower his voice, and the two young women next to them throw them fleeting gazes with raised brows. Donghyuck is just glad Pretty Boy is out of earshot.
“Geez, can you speak even louder, of course I think he’s hot.” He gives Renjun a snarky look that just makes his friend laugh out loud, before a magical force pulls his gaze back to Pretty Boy. “I mean, have you looked at him? He’s perfect.”
Renjun takes another scrutinizing look at Pretty Boy, and Donghyuck is not even ashamed at the jealousy in his heart, because he’s already starting to monopolize Pretty Boy all for himself after five minutes of not even knowing his name.
“Sure, he’s fine, but you can keep him.” Renjun’s gaze flicks over to Hot Library Guy, indicating that not even someone as ethereal as Pretty Boy could take his attention away from the initial object of his affection. Which is a good thing, honestly, because Donghyuck wouldn’t want to fight his best friend over a hot tour guide.
His name is Mark. Mark Lee. And Donghyuck might have a crush on him.
He introduced himself along with his fellow tour guide (Jaemin, also known as Renjun’s Library Crush), and now they’re taking parts in explaining... something. Donghyuck would probably know what’s going on if Mark Lee wasn’t so damn distracting. But the deep and slightly rough voice goes in one ear and out another, caressing Donghyuck’s brain in an almost unholy way. Donghyuck savours the sound, but totally misses the words it’s conveying, and he couldn’t care less.
The charming smile that sticks to Mark’s lips at all times does nothing to foster Donghyuck’s concentration, just like the black turtleneck that, Donghyuck is sure, hides a very well-proportioned, very toned body. It’s actually a stupid clothing choice, considering it’s summer and nearing 25°C, but Mark looks incredibly hot in it, so Donghyuck will not complain.
Mark has finished his monologue and Jaemin takes over. Donghyuck mourns the temporary loss of the most beautiful voice he’s ever heard in his life, but maybe now he’ll at least be able to actually concentrate on the words that are being spoken.
The plan, according to Jaemin, is to basically stride through the exhibition, with Jaemin and Mark explaining a little about certain artworks, certain stations in Picasso’s life, and Donghyuck pretends he isn’t bothered by the fact that there’s a whole ass exhibition dedicated to such a trash person. But alright, at least it means he’ll get to spend a little more time with Mark Lee.
The group is lurking around in front of a monochrome oil painting – something Picasso created during his blue period, Donghyuck doesn’t care – and Mark explains some facts and figures that surely are interesting, but Donghyuck wouldn’t know because he’s not catching anything of what he’s saying. It’s pathetic, how down bad he is for a man he first laid eyes on not even an hour ago, and yet Mark makes him already swoon a little on his feet.
If this was any other situation, he would’ve totally asked Mark out already. But they’re in the middle of an art exhibit, surrounded by people, and Mark is literally doing his job, so Donghyuck doesn’t want to make him uncomfortable by overstepping or anything. Mark is probably a struggling college student as well, most likely at the same university. Surely, Donghyuck will run into him some other day.
Donghyuck leans against the wall, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. He’s been standing around for twenty minutes, doing nothing but thirst over a random (yet very attractive) man, and it’s getting a little tiring. His head is throbbing with a slight headache, but not caused by Mark’s pretty voice. Everything about Mark is so pretty, really, and Donghyuck’s stomach fills with butterflies.
It’s rather aggressive butterflies, though, because Donghyuck actually starts feeling a little sick. Lovesickness probably. He’s so gone for Mark already, Renjun will definitely make fun of him later.
Donghyuck closes his eyes for a second, a little reluctant to take his eyes off Mark, and takes a few deep breaths. Somehow, it makes the weird feeling not go away. Quite the contrary.
His body feels strange, hot yet numbed at the same time, and maybe it’s the weather, or maybe it’s the Mark Lee effect. But when Donghyuck opens his eyes again, the room tilts and flickers, and suddenly, he has a pretty good idea of what’s really going on, and what’s about to happen within the next few seconds.
Donghyuck swears it’s just because Mark is standing barely two feet away while Renjun is nowhere to be found. He staggers into Mark’s direction, the room turning in front of his eyes. Donghyuck grabs Mark’s sleeve, and Mark looks at him, slight confusion in his eyes as Donghyuck basically throws himself at him.
“I’m really sorry but I think I’m gonna pass out.” That’s all Donghyuck gets out before he sags to the floor.
He doesn’t pass out, thankfully. Not really, at least. His legs just kind of… give out, and everything becomes static noise for a second or three.
And then, he’s already back, sitting on the floor, Pretty Boy – Mark – in front of him. Someone else’s hands press into his shoulders, keeping him more or less upright, but Donghyuck’s soggy mind is much more focused on Mark’s hand that’s softly kneading his knee.
“-okay? Or do you need to lay down for a minute?”
Mark is talking to him with his pretty voice, his mouth forming words that Donghyuck, despite actually trying, only half registers. Donghyuck’s eyes wander up from Mark’s lips to his eyes that glint with something akin to worry, and Donghyuck feels the butterflies in his stomach again, but much tamer this time. Then, his eyes stride over to the window, over to the benches plastered all over the museum, and then back to Mark whose mouth has pulled down into a worried frown.
Right. He asked Donghyuck a question. Maybe he should answer.
“Uhh…” Donghyuck tries to remember what Mark said. “Yeah, maybe…” The words sound a little slurred, a little empty even in Donghyuck’s own ears that feel like they’re stuffed with cotton. His arms are shaking under his own weight. The hands on his back – which Donghyuck now recognizes as Renjun’s – are the only thing holding him up, and now gently lower him to the floor. Something soft is pushed under Donghyuck’s head, and then he’s lying down. What a heavenly feeling.
Renjun’s face appears over him, and Donghyuck throws him a crooked smile, as if he didn’t just barely escape cracking his head on the floor a few seconds ago. He honestly already feels quite alright again, only a little lightheaded, and that might very well be connected to the fact that Mark’s hand is still squeezing his knee, keeping his legs propped up.
“What the fuck, Hyuck, are you okay?” Renjun actually sounds worried, which is probably fair, and grabs Donghyuck’s hands, his fingers soft and warm around Donghyuck’s clammy ones. “What happened?”
Donghyuck sighs in an attempt to get a little more oxygen back into his body. “I’m not sure? I kind of passed out for a second, I guess?” Before Renjun can berate him for being so nonchalant about it, he quickly adds, “It usually only happens when I see needles at the doctors, I don’t know.”
His head is clearing by the second, but he doesn’t want to take the risk of getting up again just yet.
“Are you already feeling better, or still dizzy?” Mark chimes in.
“It’s… okay? The room’s not turning anymore, at least.” Donghyuck gives Mark an awkward smile. “But maybe we can wait another minute before I get up?” His skeleton still feels more like jelly than actual bones, and he really doesn’t want to risk hitting the floor for real this time.
Mark smiles at him, and if Donghyuck wasn’t already lying down he would’ve totally swooned. “That’s completely fine, you can just stay like this as long as you need to, and when you feel good enough, we can try to get you back to the community room.”
Well, doesn’t that sound like a solid plan.
It’s just him, Mark and the lemonade that Mark grabbed him before they went back upstairs.
Initially, Renjun didn’t want to leave Donghyuck’s side, but Jaemin could convince him with a charming smile and a, “I am sure Mark will take excellent care of your friend.”
On their way up, Donghyuck almost fell down the stairs, not because he was still feeling faint but because he just gets really clumsy around pretty people. Which lead to Mark securing his grip around his waist, and his arms haven’t left Donghyuck’s body since, and Donghyuck would lie if he said it doesn’t affect him at all.
Now though, Mark lets go of him in order to collect some food to get Donghyuck’s blood sugar back going. Because according to him, that’s the most likely reason that caused Donghyuck to pass out.
“Low blood sugar, or the weather. Or dehydration. It could be anything, actually.”
“Maybe it’s just the really cute tour guide,” Donghyuck mumbles to himself. Mark almost drops the protein bar he’s holding.
Donghyuck looks at him, mildly confused, before realization makes his eyes grow wide. “Wait, did I say that out loud?”
“Uh, yes.”
Well, fuck. Donghyuck’s cheeks grow hot. Usually, he wouldn’t be that embarrassed about saying something like that – Mark is pretty cute, after all – but he really doesn’t want to make this any weirder. Donghyuck already fainted on him without warning, and now Mark has to deal with his most likely hypoglycaemic ass. He surely doesn’t need inappropriate comments on top of that.
Donghyuck rests his head in his hands, inconspicuously hiding his red face. “Okay, please let’s just pretend I didn’t say that, yeah?” He forces a smile, not even visible behind his hands. “Let’s just blame it on the weather.”
Mark giggles, actually giggles at Donghyuck’s misery, and hands him the protein bar. “Sure.” He sits down next to Donghyuck and watches him unwrap the food, and for a minute it’s silent between them, except for Donghyuck’s soft munching sounds. It’s a little weird, but not awkward. At least Donghyuck doesn’t feel awkward. But maybe that’s just his perception, still warped from his little accident.
“So, your name is Hyuck, right?”
Did Donghyuck really forget to introduce himself? His parents would be so disappointed. “Donghyuck, actually. But you can call me Hyuck if you want.”
“Okay, Hyuck.” Mark smiles at him, and Donghyuck’s heart suddenly beats unhealthily fast. The effect pretty boys have on him, really. “And you’re an art student?”
“Unfortunately.”
Mark snorts. “Is it this bad?”
Donghyuck’s nose scrunches up. “Only when I have to engage with Picasso.”
Another quiet huff of amusement. “You’re not a fan?”
“Well, are you?” That might actually be a deal breaker. And definitely downgrade Mark’s attractiveness from 11/10 to an 8.5. Which is still solid, but Donghyuck doesn’t want to settle for less than perfect.
Mark raises his hands in defeat. “Oh no, don’t worry,” he says with the tone of a man that knows too much about Picasso to be nothing but disappointed.
Donghyuck has finished his protein bar and now grabs for the chocolate. “Do you study art as well?”
“Art history.”
It’s enough to break the last remaining ice between them. Not that there was any ice left to begin with. Not when the sun is sending down rays that are hotter than boiling lava (yet not as hot as Mark Lee).
Among many other things, Donghyuck learns that Mark is one year older than him, studies maths along art history - pure insanity, if you asked Donghyuck - , and loves watermelons. Donghyuck is sure he’ll propose to him someday.
But not today. No, today, it’s enough to bond a little over their mutual dislike for Picasso.
“I’d say I hate him if that didn’t imply that I spend more than three seconds thinking about him, so I like to pretend I don’t give a flying fuck about him,” Donghyuck ends his little rant. Mark has been smiling at him way too sweetly considering the fact that, in the past ten minutes, Donghyuck used almost every profanity he could find in his vocabulary.
“He was a great artist, though.” It hurts a little to admit. But he was a pioneer in his field, after all, even though Donghyuck personally doesn’t see the appeal in a bunch of cubes. “Kind of a shame I missed almost the whole tour.”
Mark tilts his head. “You can always visit the museum another time. There’s still some tours to come.”
Donghyuck’s teeth dig into his lower lip. He could be normal about it and simply thank Mark for the offer. Or he could throw all caution and vows of not harassing Mark at his workplace out of the window.
And of course, he chooses option number two.
“Only if you’ll play tour guide for me.”
Maybe it’s inappropriate. It probably is. At least a little bit. Donghyuck only feels marginally apologetic. He flutters his eyelashes as a soft blush grows on Mark’s cheeks. Mark looks down and tugs at the hem of his sleeve. “I can’t make any promises.”
Donghyuck bites his tongue, preventing a disappointed pout from forming, smoking regret already starting to scratch in his throat.
“But we could exchange numbers and I’ll text you when I’m doing my next tour.”
Donghyuck isn’t sure whether Mark is actually flirting back or just being a really friendly professional. But, well, getting Mark’s number – even for strictly business-related reasons – has been his long-term goal ever since he first saw him this morning. And besides, hot tour guide or not, Donghyuck really wants to see the exhibition for real another day.
He hands Mark his phone, and while he simply saves himself as Hyuck ʕ•ᴥ•ʔ in Mark’s contacts, there’s a little chaos outside the door, before a wave of art students rolls in. The tour is finished, it seems, and Donghyuck can’t believe the two hours he spent with Mark flew by this fast. It felt like a couple of minutes, at best.
“Alright then, it was nice talking to you, Hyuck.” Donghyuck almost melts at the combination of Mark speaking his name while gifting him the most blinding smile. “See you around.” He assumes his position at the front of the room, Donghyuck staring after him with a dreamy expression.
Someone almost crashes into the chair next to him. “So, did you two kiss?”
“Oh my god, Renjun!”
Donghyuck doesn’t get another chance to talk to Mark before they leave. It’s a little sad, even though Donghyuck probably wouldn’t have been able to do much more than smile and giggle and ogle like a schoolgirl in front of her first crush. But they exchanged numbers, so everything is fine.
“Seriously, though, what did you do?” Renjun throws an arm around Donghyuck’s neck, preventing him from running away.
Donghyuck whines, trying to escape Renjun’s vice-like grip. He possesses much more strength than his frail body lets on, and that’s what makes him so dangerous. “Nothing, we just talked.”
“Just talked?”
“Yes.”
Renjun hums, sounding as if Donghyuck just handed him a particularly juicy bit of information. “Interesting.”
“Shut up!” He pinches Renjun’s side, and his friend finally lets go of him with an offended squeak. “Don’t act like that’s a crime.”
Donghyuck skips a few steps forward, preventing Renjun from grabbing him again. “Besides, you’re the one to talk. It was your idea to join the tour in the first place just so that you could hook up with your library guy.” He looks back at Renjun. “How did that plan go, by the way?”
Renjun crosses his arms, expression morphing into a frown. “Dude, I would’ve gone home with Jaemin this very night if it wasn’t for your weak ass fainting right into Mark’s arms.” He huffs. “A sly move, really.”
“Excuse me, I didn’t do it on purpose.”
“I know, and I’m happy you’re feeling okay again.” Renjun rolls his eyes, trying and failing hard to pretend he doesn’t give a damn about Donghyuck’s wellbeing. “Did you at least get his number?”
Donghyuck grins. “I did, actually.” He pulls out his phone, as if his words aren’t proof enough – they probably aren’t, not for Renjun. There are already two new messages from-
“Really Cute tour guide? My God, Hyuck, you sure it was just talking and not some kind of foreplay?” Renjun cackles because he is a mean soul, and jumps away before Donghyuck’s elbow finds its way into his side.
Donghyuck whines, cheeks getting red. “It just slipped out, leave me alone.” He kind of wants to die, but in a good way. His fingers tickle with electricity as he opens the chat.
It’s quite simple, just some dates and a few watermelon emojis, really cute. But then he takes a look at the second message.
I could also give you a private tour, if you want, followed by a winking emoji. A fucking winking emoji. Donghyuck might just faint again and never wake up.
“Fuck, he’s so corny,” Renjun looks almost disgusted. “He’s perfect for you.”
He runs before Donghyuck can whack him in the face.