With each passing moment spent together, the challenge of parting ways grew more formidable for them, a testament to the deepening bond that intertwined their lives. They both were in the phase of youth, romance and attraction would easily come in the way no matter how hard they tried to handle their outpouring emotions but they were somewhere sure of this tingling sensations in their bodies everytime they would see each other. In Taehyung's eyes, Jungkook evolved into an almost surreal figure. His physique, features, and the confident demeanour reached new heights, particularly evident to the once-innocent doe eyes that started to hold a gaze less innocent than before. Taehyung's eyes learnt to sneak and admire the other male secretly when he would paint in art school or during art class sessions. Meanwhile Jungkook, with confidence, openly expressed his admiration for Taehyung as a person. However, secretly, his admiration ran even deeper than he revealed, harbouring unspoken sentiments that resonated beneath the surface. He could stare at him forever without blinking. His admiration enhanced day by day but the worst part of it all was that they both were repeating the same actions yet were unaware of each other's intentions. Basically they were the same. They just admired each other.

For a while, Jungkook's tattoos became Taehyung's new obsession. He found himself captivated, often gazing at Jungkook's revealing arm. If the tattoos weren't visible, Taehyung shamelessly rolled up Jungkook's sleeves to satisfy his curiosity, a playful act that Jungkook couldn't resist.

"These are so pretty." Taehyung complimented them for the nth time ever since Jungkook got them and the artist chuckled in sheer admiration to see Taehyung, he's just a child trapped in an adult's body. The two of them were at Jungkook's place for the daily art class. Jungkook was teaching Taehyung about the basics of sketching but the latter's focus seemed more drawn to Jungkook's inked hand and arm. Unconsciously, Taehyung rolled up Jungkook's sleeves, revealing the tattoos on his forearm. His curious eyes scanned the designs thoroughly, momentarily sidetracked from the sketching lesson. Jungkook wouldn't complain, not when Taehyung's fingertips would trace the lines drawn on his skin and Jungkook would feel so appreciated.

"Tiger lily isn't it?" Taehyung asked when he peeked down on the other side of the arm, flipping his arm around to see it better and Jungkook chuckled, turning his arm for him proudly.

"It is my birth flower."

"Wow! A tiger lily is your birth flower? I bet it indicates power, strength and superiority."

"It does because of what shade it owns. It's linked with the qualities of a real tiger."

"But why is it empty?" Taehyung asked, looking down at the empty inked design as he wondered.

"Empty?"

"It doesn't have colours." Taehyung let the elder know, poking his fingertips into the skin and Jungkook smiled warmly.

"Then colour it." Jungkook encouraged him in a gentle whisper, staring at Taehyung's pretty face who looked up at him with joy sparkling in his eyes.

"Really? Can I?"

"Sure. Grab your colours." Jungkook pointed to the wooden table on the other side where the acrylic tubes and brushes were laying carelessly.

"Are you sure?" Taehyung asked for the confirmation and Jungkook gave a slight nod of assurance before standing up. Taehyung too didn't waste any time before standing up and running to get them.

"Should I get orange? Yellow? And brown too? With some black?" Taehyung asked excitedly, checking tubes of the shades he wanted. He wouldn't lie but every second of the time he would spend with Jungkook would always include some fun and the best part of it was Jungkook's softness towards him in the form of his gentle demeanour, agreeing readily to everything the little one would demand. Let Taehyung's inner child come out because to the artist, the adorable smile and crinkled eyes full of joy was all that mattered to make his day.

Jungkook took out his shirt fully, leaving himself in his white tank top as he sat on the stool, waiting for Taehyung to show his artistry on his bare skin with proper access, meanwhile the latter was busy squeezing the acrylics on the palette.

"Are you ready?" Taehyung turned to see Jungkook who was served on the stool like his meal, arm stretching towards Taehyung for him to paint. Taehyung blinked in awe when he saw Jungkook, the grin on his face and the lift of one eyebrow would make the brunet weak to his knees but he tried to collect his thoughts before doing what he was told. He decided to stand in front of Jungkook who was sitting on a high wooden stool, just a few inches lower than the level of the brunet's face. Jungkook's black long hair was messily tied in the bun and a curly strand was falling on his forehead. Nonchalantly, he blew the strand away, aiming to get a clearer view of Taehyung's face as the latter stood in close proximity. Taehyung started by dipping his brush into some of the colour, blending with other shades to get his desired tone before touching it with the gentle stroke of brush against Jungkook's golden skin. Jungkook looked down at his arm and a wide smile spread across his lips, the tip of the brush felt too good against his skin. It felt a little cold as the brush seemed wet but as gently as Taehyung gilded it on his skin, Jungkook felt his senses awakening. Taehyung's permed bangs draped across his forehead as he focused on painting Jungkook's arm, holding the brush in one hand and the palette in the other. The change in his expression during concentration was striking — his doe eyes widened, and his mouth slightly parted, presenting an endearing sight that captivated Jungkook. All over again. For a moment he forgot his skin was being painted because he was too busy admiring Taehyung who lowered his head a little, more of the hair falling on his face and covering half of his eyes and Jungkook's hand involuntarily lifted up to get to them and move them out of his face, the long fingers gently removing the strands away from Taehyung's eyes. Distracted from his work, Taehyung's gaze shifted to Jungkook, who was looking at him. Jungkook's hand gently rested against Taehyung's face, creating a momentary pause in the creative process. Jungkook was too mesmerised in playing with his soft locks, tucking them behind his ear to find a subtle tiny diamond earring in his left ear. Jungkook tucked more hair behind his ear, his eyes trailing Taehyung's features and finger running on the shape of his outer ear until it touched the piercing where the sparkling tiny diamond sat proudly in a stud but it still looked dull in comparison with the shine in Taehyung's eyes. Taehyung wasn't sure how to react in this moment so he remained standing still, staring at Jungkook's face whose eyes finally met him. Taehyung blinked with a hint of innocence, his slightly parted lips momentarily dry, prompting a cute lick before pressing them together —a moment that caught all of Jungkook's attention. Jungkook was sure to risk it all. Taehyung felt too weak under that gaze so he averted his gaze away before he too forgets where he belonged and what he was meant to do in the moment for which he looked down at Jungkook's arm who was just observing the change of shade on Taehyung's cheeks. Jungkook grinned proudly because he knew why.

"Is it okay?" Taehyung asked after a while when he was done showing his artistry through the coloured flower tattooed on his arm and Jungkook looked down at it to check it thoroughly.

"Wow. It's glowing like a real one."

"Really?" Taehyung asked, wondering if he really meant it and Jungkook looked down at it closely.

"Ah… wish I had more flowers tattooed on me." Jungkook whispered, lifting his head up to catch Taehyung wondering.

"Is it really that good?"

"So good that I wanna have it permanently, so next time can you use a tattoo machine instead?" Jungkook asked comically and Taehyung only shook his head while laughing.

"Oh c'mon Jungkook-nim, rest your wild mind for a while-"

"I'm serious." Jungkook replied with a stern expression that Taehyung for a moment held his breath, freezing in his actions. And Jungkook knew he got him trapped again, poor little boy.

"But I guess I have to wait until you learn how to use a tattoo machine." With this Jungkook stood up from the stool, towering over Taehyung while facing down at him, who gazed up with widening eyes, the proximity intensifying the moment between them. Taehyung shyly averted his gaze, placing the palette on the side table. As he prepared to turn away, Jungkook gently held his arm, surprising the brunet who then faced him with a mix of curiosity and surprise.

Jungkook started to remove the brown locks from his face to reveal his beautiful hazel eyes hidden beneath, the same alluring hazel eyes which were keeping the artist awake at nights.

"You know Tae…" The artist started in a whisper and Taehyung only looked up at his face with his round eyes, paying him all the attention.

"I envy your uniqueness. Nature might have played favourites, but it certainly blessed you," Jungkook whispered, his hand delicately holding Taehyung's chin as the brunet revealed the full depth of his hazel eyes. Taehyung had no idea of how much he wanted to drown in those charcoal black eyes of the elder who would make him look even prettier and highly appreciated through his eyes. Jungkook looked so good to be true, undeniably irresistible. The most wannabe man right in front of Taehyung's eyes and how wouldn't he wanna let him taste? When he was no less than a treat. Taehyung wasn't backing up, wasn't trying to keep them away because he too wanted to dare taste it. But unfortunately there's always something to ping in between the very beautiful moment and for then they were the heavy horns coming from outside, causing the brunet to back away. Jungkook cursed internally, they were so close.

"I think I have to go." The brunet informed before hastily running to fill up his bag.

His driver was there to pick him up. He almost forgot he had to leave early and then he saw Jungkook with a reluctant glance that lingered, filled with a sense of longing as Taehyung moved away.

"Sorry, Jungkook-nim, I have to leave early today." Taehyung apologised and Jungkook could only nod in agreement, letting him go.

The brunet turned to look at him apologetically before rushing towards his car and the artist stood with his back against the doorframe as he just witnessed him leaving. A heavy sigh leaving his lips. They almost had their moment.

"Nature is unfair and so is the time." The artist whispered to himself as he watched Taehyung disappear, leaving him empty inside and the sun of the artist's day was already set with his departure. The greater the denial, the denser the intensity of emotions, and this time, the artist wouldn't just pour them out but would let them burst forth uncontrollably.