Chapter Text
I like your paintings.
That was the very first thing Ivan told Till after seeing him stop right in front of his artwork. A artwork that had recently got him a bad grade.
Art was a subjective topic and unfortunately for him, his choice of style was the style his teacher hated the most. She had made it a point to ridicule it to the rest of the class until he had to change his style to suit her whims. Till had made sure to get back at her by winning art competitions held here and there and the poorly concealed angry face of hers is one he will never forget as he went up the podium to receive his certificate of excellence.
But even then she was still the one grading his works so he had to suck it up when it came to assignments. It was only after joining the art club that he could finally have the freedom of expressing his 'true' style.
But even in the club he was shunned. Though not because of his art style or anything, he just didn't like interacting with the other kids and preferred to paint in solitude. This was his plan today too, to finish up his latest painting until he saw Ivan in front of it.
After the short praise that left his mouth, Ivan left just like that and Till thought that that would be the last time seeing this weird person but oh boy how wrong he was.
He was back in front of his painting again. This time inspecting Till's painting more closely.
"Don't touch my painting."
Ivan turns back and Till sees wonder in his eyes. He flashes a cryptic smile at Till before responding.
"I wouldn't touch such a masterpiece. It's too good for me."
Weirdo. Till frowns and makes his way to his canvas, Ivan wordlessly moves out of his way but stays instead of leaving like a normal person when you're obviously not welcomed here.
"A weird question but were you the one who drew the portrait of Mizi a few days ago?"
Till twitches before glaring at him.
"It was. But before you get any wrong ideas it's only because she's my muse. I already got her permission to draw her so if you have any problems take it up with her."
Seriously, the amount of fans Mizi had was understandable but he had already been asked this question multiple times to the point that he was sick of it. What was wrong with drawing someone who clearly had been born to be a muse?
Ivan seems mildly amused by the reaction from Till, not put-off in the slightest by Till's sudden rudeness.
"I liked it. I could finally see why people find her pretty."
"You must need glasses if you only think she's pretty after seeing my painting."
Till turns back to face Ivan but the latter looks shocked at Till's words. It quickly morphs into a smile as he laughs out loud.
Ivan gets kicked out of the room for creating a scene.
Seeing Ivan standing in front of whatever he was working on becomes the norm for Till.
"Do you not have a hobby other than coming in to disturb me?" There isn't any heat to Till’s words and could easily be interpreted as another form of saying hello.
"Do you not like my presence?" Ivan dramatically presses a finger to his eye as though he actually shed a tear, "I thought you finally got used to me awhile back, was that all just my imagination?"
Till rolls his eyes and continues to blend the right tone for this painting. The colors on his palette were leaning towards more monotone which was weird because every painting with Mizi was always vibrant.
"Don't come to the art room until next week."
The statement sends alarms to Ivan. "Wait, did I actually do something wrong? I'll apologize if you tell me what I did."
"It's not that.” Till seems to be at a loss for words, “I just need to focus on this piece I'm working on. It’s important to me…Think of it as a surprise."
Ivan brightens up at the prospect that Till wasn't mad at him and agrees.
A week passes by slower than he would have liked and Ivan slams the door to the art club open with a tad bit too much strength when the ‘ban was lifted. Till looks embarrassed when everyone looks his way as the all too familiar sight of Ivan appears, They all know who Ivan comes to visit anyway.
Till gestures for Ivan to come see his newest piece.
There's a piece of cloth placed over Till's canvas, unusual since Till has never tried to hide his painting before.
"Take a seat first." Till starts, his ears were a furious red and Ivan had to wonder whether or not he was sick.
Till seemed to be deliberating over something before he gave up and simply spoke his mind.
"I have a crush on this person." Till points to the still covered canvas
Ivan nods, a part of his heart aching. Till had taken a whole week to work on this painting, even asking Ivan to stay away so that he could concentrate. Just how desirable was this person that they could make Till blush the way he was right now?
Till removes the cover from the painting and he has to bite back a gasp at what he sees.
There was a black haired beauty. Though, beauty wasn't really the best word to describe this person. It was a portrait of a young teen who was smiling. He looked incredibly happy under the soft lighting. The soft blush on his cheeks, he could practically feel just how Till viewed this person. The amount of warmth that this picture was exuding, the amount of love. His eyes weren't open but he was sure if it was then Till would have been reflected in it
Till raises a hand to neck, awkwardly waiting for Ivan's reply.
"So... what do you think?"
"It's beautiful."
Till blushes under the praise and rubs at his neck .
"So-" Till whispers but Ivan’s voice drowns it out,
"So who is he?"
Till stills for a moment, his smile slowly slipping from his face.
"What?"
"Who's this guy who's managed to catch your eye?"
Till stares at Ivan looking for any signs. A sign that he was just joking but quickly realizes that he was being serious.
Till feels something inside him crack.
"Get out."
"I won't tell a single soul so just tell me his name." Ivan teases, his eyes never leaving the painting as though he were trying to burn it into his brain.
"Get out." Till repeats a little louder.
Ivan seems to be in a trance and doesn't even seem to acknowledge Till.
"I SAID GET OUT!" Till flinches when he realizes what he had just done and the bastard Ivan has the gall to look worried about him. Till grabs at Ivan's collar and manhandles him to the door, throwing him out. He could feel the tears already threatening to fall.
"Don't you ever come back." Till slams the door in Ivan's face as he packs all his belongings to leave, he doesn't even notice the amount of worried eyes on him as he shoves the last of his possessions into his bag. He stops in front of the painting of Ivan before grabbing at it and slamming it into the floor.