Work Text:
Taehyung hummed to himself as he dunked one of his brushes deep into the paint he had poured out. He stirred it around for a moment to ensure it had a sizeable amount of pigment on it, and then flicked it towards the canvas. He studied the resulting splatter with a studious eye and then did a smaller flick a bit lower.
Making art was one of those obscure things that he had taken a liking to. Taehyung was in no way a master of his hobby craft, but he had enjoyed the creative process of each painting he had made. It was just... fun to play around with paints and toss them on a canvas to see what he could make.
It got his mind to focus in a way that few other activities would. It was refreshing.
He also had the added satisfaction of six appreciative mates waiting on the sidelines to gush over whatever he created. That was always a pleasant bonus.
Even if it ended up being something obscure that none of them could decipher, Taehyung knew they'd be there to cheer him on and praise him for his efforts.
As Namjoonie had so eloquently put it one day: "art is hard, and the fact that you're able to dabble in it and create legible images is a feat in itself."
He always felt a burst of pride and accomplishment when Namjoon looked over the things he'd create. (Though the kisses and cuddles he got from the other was also a fine treat for him.)
Taehyung had made enough paintings that each of his mates had a personalized one that they had elected to hang in their rooms. Each featured a varying form of the face that had become his icon, with random details that pertained to each of them. Like how he had ensured he had done Hoseok's in a mix of color and monochrome, or how he had gone for a video game themed one for Seokjin.
Each had served as a birthday present for each of them. Taehyung was still proud of the effort he had poured into each one.
Now though, his mind had demanded that he make one for the pack as a whole. Or maybe it had just been his instincts acting up because he hadn't given his mates a gift as of late. Whatever the case may be, Taehyung had listened to the itch and began work on the piece.
He let his hand wander with reckless abandon as he followed the fleeting whims of his imagination. Art was very freeing in that way. It was like a dance between the images in his mind and the way his hand would introduce those images to the canvas. The end result was always a fascinating mystery, even as he worked towards it.
Once the itch in his mind had died down, Taehyung knew he was finished.
He sat back and swept his gaze over the piece. A smile crept onto his lips without his knowing.
This one was a good one.
"Okay, okay," Yoongi grumbled with a small smile. "We're coming, Taehyungie."
Taehyung tugged them along with a beaming grin regardless.
The painting had finished drying at the beginning of the week and he had gotten it framed up and hung on the wall of their living room. He was excited. It was time to show his mates a physical manifestation of his love. Taehyung could hardly contain the anticipation that had surged up within him.
"I think you'll all really like this one," he said.
"I haven't seen it yet and I can already confirm that for you," Seokjin placated.
Jimin pulled his hand up to plant a kiss on his knuckles. "We always love your art pieces, TaeTae, this time will be no different."
He sent them a playful pout. "I knowww, this one is just special."
When they reached the living room, he lined them all up so that they'd be able to see it once he tugged the blanket scarf off of it. Taehyung did a happy wiggle when he could smell how happy and pleased his mates seemed over his excitement. "Okay, ready??"
Namjoon nodded with a smile. "Go ahead Tae-babe. Let's see your newest marvel."
Taehyung was quick to pull away the scarf and turn his gaze on his mates to see their reactions.
In the center of the canvas was a tangled ball of red strings that slowly stretched out to seven different pinkies. Alongside each hand was a face that - while in his usual style - reflected each of them in the colors of the lines and the features present. In the background was the presence of blurred out visuals, from flowers to book stacks to piano keys, that all held hidden sevens in their visages. The canvas was framed in an elegant dark purple frame with a silver plaque at the bottom that read, "In loving dedication to the bond we share".
It was a bit different from the way he'd normally go about things but he was proud of it. Taehyung knew it had encapsulated the exact right feeling he had wanted to convey.
"Tae," Hoseok breathed, "it's beautiful."
Jimin sidled up to him and shoved his face into the nape of his neck. "Thank you baby, it's so pretty."
Taehyung shivered at the thorough scenting, pleased.
Namjoon had snuck closer to study every little brushstroke. A cute little smile sat on his lips as he looked it over. "You even hid little sevens," he commented, "that's so cute."
Jungkook joined Jimin at his neck. "Pretty art from a pretty boy. We're so lucky."
Taehyung giggled at the feeling of his two mates, their puffing breaths tickling him a bit. He could feel their smiles as they scented him.
"I can't believe we just get to look at stuff like this for free," Yoongi mumbled. "It feels unfair in a way."
Hoseok chuckled and approached with a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Then every time we look at it, we owe Tae a kiss."
The expression was enough to have a shrill whine breaking free from his chest. "Please," Taehyung pleaded, eyes wide. "I want all the kisses."
"Don't leave him hanging now, sunblossom," Seokjin chided.
Hobi swooped in for a searing kiss, and then pressed a few to his cheeks and forehead when he pulled away. "Thank you Tae-lovely. I'll be glad to look at this little masterpiece everyday."
"Okay now move, rainbow boy, there are kiss debts to be paid," Yoongi grumped. He grabbed Hobi's waist and pulled him to the side as he met Taehyung's lips.
There was a pretty flush on Hoseok's cheeks as he stumbled over to the couch to sit.
Jimin and Jungkook had begun purring at his neck. Taehyung relaxed into their hold with a breathless chirp.
Yoongi pulled away with a satisfied smirk on his face.
Seokjin took his place and stole away his breath.
Namjoon was quick to follow.
Taehyung spent the next few hours being smothered in kisses until he was a boneless heap curled up on the sofa with purrs making his chest vibrate. His mates seemed all too pleased with themselves as they let him float in the happy cloud he had found himself riding.
Art was hard, but it was always worth it for his mates.
Especially when he kept getting kisses every time they looked at his work in the living room. That was so worth it.