Work Text:
- Seo Gio.
- Whats wrong?
- That apple.. Was it really good?
Despite the fact that Seo Gio could now freely move around the gallery without an escort, Yoo Seongwoon, as the person responsible for this anomalous work of art, still made it a habit to come in the evening for a short, unpretentious conversation.
Somewhere in the distance of the corridor, the clatter of heels on tiles could be heard, restless employees tried to leave the floor faster so as not to meet with the mysterious "employee" when Yoo Seongwoon came to the very center of the anomaly with a folding chair and a small bag of fresh bakery.
- You really tried to convey the shape of the apple, and also did not forget to draw the recess of the peduncle. I see that you notice the details very well, which is important when working as a hunter i guess. Perhaps you should refine the outline a little and experiment with choosing colors for more expressiveness.
- It sounds like words of an art teacher in elementary school, Are you trying to comfort me?
Yoo Seongwoon snorted slightly sadly under his nose after saying the words, and handed the freshly baked pastries to the painting, whose smell was already felt all over the floor. In response to the gesture, an elegant hand passed through the canvas and, lightly touching the knuckles, carefully took the paper bag. No matter how many times Yoo Seongwoon saw the power of this creature, he still couldn't take his eyes off the creepy attractive combination of a flat painting and three-dimensional body parts that sometimes arise from it. However, he also wanted to look at the picture more thoroughly, but for this he would have to come close, which he did not want to do for safety reasons when working with monsters, and also it can be awkward to stand so close in front of someone.
Nevertheless, even from afar, clear blue eyes could not fail to note the amazing skill of the artist: how precisely every stroke of the brush and palette knife was adjusted, how strange gray and blue shadows perfectly complemented the warm colors, how the porous texture of the brick of the house behind the portrait was visible..
- By the way, speaking of art, it can take different forms. I can suggest that you try something besides drawing, maybe you will find interest in this?
- For example?
- Floristry. Making a bouquet composition, choosing colors, textures can be quite fascinating.
Yoo Seongwoon was slightly taken aback, but he didn't dare to nip the idea in the bud, so as not to fall out of favor with this creature. If the person he were talking to wasn't Seo Gio, but one of your colleagues or acquaintances, he would have refused immediately.
- It would probably be a little awkward for an adult man like me to start doing floristry, but it sounds interesting, I'll give it a try.
- I hope it will bring you positive emotions.
After a short conversation about the paintings and exhibits stored in the gallery, the white-haired man said goodbye and headed to a small flower shop. It's pretty quiet on the streets at night, and few people are willing to break out of a strict work schedule, so there's a chance to bring flowers home without being noticed by reporters and curious onlookers. He absolutely did not want to decorate the headline of the article with his photo: "The famous A-rank hunte has a lover for whom he buys bouquets every night."
***
A few days later, the guard at the main entrance of the collectors Guild was slightly embarrassed in the evening to see Yoo Seongwoon, famous hunter, with a small bouquet of flowers on the doorstep. This guy has only worked here for nothing, and has already managed to have an affair? They say that the employees selected by the head to monitor the galleries are truly educated and beautiful, but there is such a rush..
- Good evening, Yoo Seongwoon!
As soon as he heard the cheeky loud voice, man jerked, intending to go through the turnstile as soon as possible and disappear into the gallery walls. But when the guild leader greets you, it's impossible to avoid a dialogue so quickly and tactlessly.
- Good evening, did you want something?
A polite but strained smile spread across Yoo Seongwoon's face, and his body language betrayed his desire to escape as quickly as possible. But the leader of the collectors guild, Bisabeol, either didn't sense the mood in the air, or he sensed it too well.
- What an interesting bouquet, what kind of lady is this for..
- This is for Mr. Seo Gio, sir!
- Oh? An unusual choice, so you prefer a guy-..
- This is an experiment! He asked me to make a bouquet, and I might be able to get some information or a valuable item. After all, if you give inappropriate gifts, it may disappoint him, we didn't have enough grace from this entity!
Although Yoo Seongwoon tactlessly interrupted his boss's speech a couple of times, the man seemed completely unaffected, he nodded attentively at all the words of his subordinate, inserting through the word "yes, I understand," "you're really right," "such a sensitive nature lurks behind your cold facade." To Yoo Seongwoon's great happiness, the assistant of the leader arrived in time, and very competently distracted his attention from the bouquet in oo Seongwoon's hands. Reminding him of the event they were just going to, he took away the boss with him, who with a light hand almost gave the vase as a gift to the bouquet, which was recently bought for fabulous money.
Deftly avoiding further questions, Yoo Seongwoon went straight to the elevator to the fifth basement floor, bypassing other employees in the building. The nervousness in his steps stopped only when he noticed the mysterious portrait in his field of vision. The peaceful face seemed to come to life, the closed sleepy eyes of the portrait opened slightly.
- Hello. Would you like to take a look at something?
- Greetings, I am intrigued.
Although the voice in response sounded unnaturally monotonous, dry and devoid of any emotions, at the same time, the words of this creature seemed to express his true feelings. Lightly rubbing the cheek with his finger and awkwardly averting his gaze, the man pulled out a delicate bouquet of flowers from behind his back.
The composition was based on pink peonies, white lilies and lilies of the valley, some small forget-me-nots stood out from the color scheme, and leaves with a slightly sweet smell framed the whole bouquet.. Mint?
- I decided to follow your advice, this is my best work so far..
His ears were telltale red, and even after coughing into his fist, Yoo Seongwoon did not dare to look at the portrait, it was a pretty awkward experience. The man felt like a child who was giving his beloved teacher a bouquet.
- Charming. You tried to keep the color scheme narrow, and forget-me-nots, although small, still stand out due to their brightness, maintaining the balance of the composition, excellent work.
- Do you like it?
- Yes, I don't really know how to make bouquets, but yours is full of tenderness. If you know the meaning of each bud in the language of flowers, then the recipient will only confirm your sincerity.
- The language of flowers..?
- Pink peonies mean tender romantic love: a warm, delicate feeling, without passionate overtones. White lilies represent bright love, as well as deep respect and a new beginning. Lilies of the valley - tenderness, sincere, restrained affection, loyalty. Forget-me-nots - memories. The meaning of mint is quite wide - ranging from caution to loyalty.
With every word Seo Gio said, Yoo Seongwoon wanted to sink into the ground. Chasing after the appearance, he completely forgot to look at the meanings of each flower, and right now he is bitterly paying for the haste. By the end of the creature's speech, the man's face was completely reddened, covered with one gloved hand.
- ..to tell you the truth, I wanted to give this bouquet to you. It just slipped my mind to search the meanings of each flower, so I don't want to put you in an awkward position, I'll prepare something more suitable later.
The room went totally silent, and Yoo Seongwoon was about to say goodbye and leave, but a minute later, something appeared from behind the canvas.
Vase.
- I thought that a pale blue vase would suit this bouquet to balance the color of the forget-me-nots. I'll accept the bouquet, it's really beautiful, thank you.
Gio's free hand reached for the bouquet, carefully arranging it in the vase, and dragged it into the painting.
- Will you wait a bit? I will also prepare something for you in response.
- Yeah. But if anything.. I really apologize for the hastily assembled bouquet.
Yoo Seongwoon could no longer look into those inky eyes that seemed to burn into the soul and see through, so he lowered his head, meaninglessly flipping through the news feed on the phone.
And then he felt a soft hand lightly land on the top of his head, running through the hair, stroking.
Fear, along with an incomprehensible feeling, shackled his body, and only when the fingers that had ruffled his hair pulled away that the man raised his head.
Seo Gio was holding a couple of mint leaves in his fingers.
- Sorry for the tactlessness, it seems that you really got carried away with floristry that you didn't notice the leaves in your hair.
- T-thank you.
A new wave of awkward silence covered the gallery floor.
After half an hour, which felt like forever, something finally peeked out of the painting. The hands holding a sparkling iridescent object in a handkerchief: a blue rose, as if made of crystal, shimmered under the room's lamps, casting iridescent rays on the walls and floor.
- Let me explain. A blue rose symbolizes mystery, exclusivity, or creative inspiration. Your thoughts are still a mystery, but you are exceptionally kind and patient to me, Yoo Seongwoon. Thanks to you, I thought about painting several paintings with flowers, so I think you have been also an inspiration.
Yoo Seongwoon didn't say a word in response, delicately wrapping the rose and putting the seemingly fragile thing as carefully as possible into his work bag, for fear of accidentally breaking it.
Saying goodbye to the guest and wishing him a safe journey, Seo Gio headed to his cozy house past a small flower garden. Examining the shoots that had sprung up, the black eyes mysteriously lingered on a small bed of flowers that had bloomed a couple of days ago.
Freesia.
"Trust".