Work Text:
“You truly are a prince.” You stare in awe as you examine Hyunjin's face mentally talking as the sun lights his face. You managed to sketch out his face onto your canvas, not that it did any justice to the demigod of a man sitting in front of you. Thankfully you took a picture of him earlier so you can reference it later. And you're thankful that Hyunjin took his turn painting you first, your nerves alone would have definitely cut into his painting time if you had gone first. He's busy enough as it is, you know it would be hard for him to find another day off again so you two could work on your project.
When Hwang Hyunjin himself walked into the community center for the local painting class, you thought that it was an accident. And when he took the only open seat, which happened to be next to you, you froze, not sure if you were dreaming or actually alive. You vaguely knew who he was. You heard his music before and seen his ads around the city, but with those looks and that talent, you weren't even sure he was a real person.
You heard whispers from other classmates about how he was nicknamed a prince. You could see it, although you found his features more godlike than anything else. As your classes went on, Hyunjin stuck to you and you had no idea why. You definitely didn't want to deal with the negative attention from your classmates. But you didn't mind working with him.
He was quiet and kept to himself. His work seemed perfect, you weren't sure why he was even in the class. You spent more time staring at his art rather than at him. It always seemed sad. And maybe it was the fact that you never engaged in any of the gossip and that you also kept to yourself that drew him to you. So when you were assigned to find a partner and paint each other's portraits, he asked you. What shocked you even more is when he asked you on a date as well. Before that, he hadn't spoken more than two words to you.
“Please don’t call me that.” He hums quietly, careful to keep his pose perfect for you. His long, dyed blonde hair framed his face perfectly. His eyes focusing on the prop rose that he brought with him. With the way he looks now, you're so tempted to add a crown on yourself.
“What, a prince?” You question as you dig into your bag looking for a color to start the background. Maybe literally working from the outside in might intimidate you less and you can start painting Hyunjin.
“Yes,” He answers shortly.
“Why not? I think it’s a perfectly good compliment.” You pull out a blue and green, debating if you should stick with the colors that are very visible behind him.
“It’s not,” He scoffs, rolling his eyes. He's quickly reverting to the Hyunjin you see in class. The quiet, easily annoyed man who always looks like he would rather be anywhere else until he actually starts painting.
“What’s wrong? Why are you acting like this?” You set the paint down and peek your head past your canvas.
“Like what?” He hisses through his teeth.
“Angry. Annoyed. A jackass.” You roll your eyes. Before this, he was so much happier. The two of you had several deep conversations. Hyunjin speaking more than you so you could keep your pose for him. He even laughed a few times. You couldn't help but watch him speak from the corner of your eye. His mouth twitching upward as he spoke about his work, groupmates, and all of the things he loves. That Hyunjin has clearly left the park now.
“I’m annoyed," He squeezes his eyes shut, taking a deep breath, "I'm annoyed because people often call me a prince and belittle my accomplishments based on my appearance.”
"Got it," You nod pressing your lips together and disappearing back behind your canvas. You pull out a larger bottle of green paint and put a bit in a cup before diluting it with water for the underpainting.
The two of you sit in silence as you mix the paint and water. The tension in the air unsettles you. You feel like how you did on your first day of class.
"You agree with them, don't you?" Hyunjin asks, breaking the silence and your concentration. You furrow your eyebrows at him, even though you know he can't see you behind the large canvas.
"I didn't say that," You say quickly, hoping to calm the nerves that no doubt were brewing inside him.
"But you're thinking it. Or at least you thought it. That's why you're being quiet." He says accusingly, his voice getting louder. You look around the park. It's nearly deserted, which is why you chose it. You wanted to avoid a fan spotting him and alerting fellow stay of Hyunjinn's whereabouts.
"Hyunjin, let's not--"
"Oh my God, I was right!" He shouts. You once again turn around to check the park as you put down the diluted green paint and walk over to where Hyunjin was posing. He's now cleaning up his stuff and putting them in his bags.
"Hyunjin, we were having a good time, let's not get into this right now." You try to calm him down as he haphazardly throws small tubes of paint into his bag.
"No, I think we should get into this right now before we even think about going on a date." He spat.
"I didn't mean anything by it when I called you a prince. It was just a compliment." You pause and look at him, really look at him. His face is twisted in anger. His jaw clenched, lips curled in disgust, nostrils flared, and eyes shooting you a warning glare. Daring you to elaborate.
"It's a backhanded compliment at best." He scoffs again. You step closer to Hyunjin. His fist clench, crushing the flower he was holding oh so delicately moments ago.
"I did not mean it like that." You breathe calmly, placing your hand on his.
"Yes, you did. Everyone always does. Everyone always overlooks my hard work and dedication and dismisses them because--what? I'm attractive? 'Blessed by good genes and god?' They don't see the countless hours I've spent in dance studios going over choreography until I felt like my lungs were going to collapse and bones were going to break. Or how many times I sing or rap until my voice is raw and sore before I even have to record and still not be good enough. Everyone just sees my face or just thinks I'm naturally talented so of course I'm an idol. I am sick and tired of it, Y/n. I'm tired ." The anger quickly leaves his body. His lips fall slack, head falling forward as he squeezes his eyes shut. His chokehold on the flower loosening.
"Hyunjin, I didn't mean to dismiss your hard work. Honestly. It's just that, you're so beautiful, like living art, that you can't expect people to not comment on it." You close the gap between the two of you, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"But?" He mumbles.
"But?"
"Your voice. Something is missing in your words. I can hear it in your voice. Like there's something you're not saying."
"I'm not hiding anything."
"Bullshit," He scoffs. "I spent an entire hour studying your body language as I painted you. I can read you like a book now. If you have something to say, say it already." He lifts his head and opens his eyes. His red, sore eyes meet your concerned dry ones, piercing into your soul.
"I don't have anything to say." You lie.
Because, how can you tell him that he's partially right? You don't dismiss all of his hard work. You've seen him dance and hear him sing. You can tell that he has some sort of natural talent, it's impossible not to. And you also know that he works hard to maintain that talent and grow as a performer. But you also know that his princely looks helped him get to where he is today. If he looked average--if he looked half as attractive as he does now, he might not be as successful as he is now. But you can't tell him that, you don't have the heart to.
"Good talk," he sneers, pushing your hand off of his shoulder and stepping back, "I'm so glad we had this little chat. Now I know that I'd be wasting my time dating you."
"What? I didn't even say anything," You're taken aback by his sudden change in attitude. You can't help but stare at him as he finishes gathering his things.
"You didn't have to Y/n, I could see it in your eyes. It's another one of my princely talents, I can read everyone like a book. And I read everything I needed to in your eyes. And I want no part of it." He says as he starts walking away, dropping the crumpled rose on the floor.
"Wait, Hyunjin!" You call out.
"That's the thing, Y/n. It's fucking lonely at the throne. But I'd rather be miserable and lonely than surround myself with people who genuinely do not give a shit about me or how hard I actually work. See you in class."