unknownballad | ❝ Every love story is beautiful ❞

It's not often Taraga gets unsupervised time with Bae — Yohan's such a paranoid prick! Oh, Taraga knows he trust Bae implicitly. Which means it's Taraga he's worried about. Well, he can't really blame him for that. Taraga likes challenges, but Bae isn't a challenge because he has no hope at all of winning Bae over in any romantic sense. Challenges are fine, wastes of time, not so much.

All that aside, Taraga sort of adores Bae in more of a platonic, almost familiar sort of way. And the kid (as if Taraga's much older!) deserves to spend time with someone a little less psychotic than Yohan.

He's sure even their little lunch date is being monitored. He's spotted at least three of Yohan's goons. It isn't that they aren't good at blending in to spy on them. It's just that Taraga's better at picking out security. He had Yohan's help honing that particular skill — let it bite you in the ass, buddy! For now, he chooses to ignore them. Instead, he leans slightly forward, laying his forearms on the little cafe table between them.

"I need to ask you a favor, Bae, but you cannot tell Yohan about it."

Taraga was someone he rarely got to spend time like this with. A sad thing really because Bae loved being friends with him. Still Yohan didn't trust him for some reason. One he never would understand so he'd given up.

Surprise, surprise that today he'd gotten alone time with him! Enjoying his tea, he noticed his friend lean forward and did the same. Which then made his eyes widen. Keep something from Yohan? Was that even possible?

"I won't tell him." Somehow.

"I want to do a painting of you," he states. Then adds, "As a surprise for him. That's why it's a secret." The explanation will likely make it easier for Bae to keep his secret. Honestly, they both know what that man's capable of and Taraga wouldn't willingly cross him.

"It's kind of a sexy idea, though. So if you're not comfortable with it, you can tell me. You won't be nude, but pretty damn close."

A present for Yohan? Bae looked immediately pleased at the idea. Oh he definitely blushed at what kind of painting it would be but he knew that Yohan would love it.

"I'll do it. Do you think it'll be ready before Valentine's?"

"Hopefully," Taraga quips. "If he'll let me have you long enough to do it." His lips puckered in thought. "I suppose I could take a photo and paint you from that so Yohan wouldn't have to give you up. And he wouldn't have any reason to be suspicious," he adds with a laugh.

"A picture? We could do that." Did that mean he should pose or something? He wasn't sure if this was the setting that Taraga even wanted honestly. "Maybe we could start today since you have me?"

Taraga glances over toward one of the disguised goons tailing them. Lifting his hand to rest his chin against the back of it, he heaves a dramatic sigh.

"I wonder if I can steal you away long enough for that." If they vanish behind closed doors, it will definitely get reported back. But what's the worst that can happen? An angry phone call from his friend-he-won't-admit-is-a-friend?

"I mean, if you have some time. It probably wouldn't take more than an hour for me to get everything set up and get some photos to paint from."

"I have time. I can be here all afternoon with you." He smiled so brightly at the thought, completely unaware of the fact that his bodyguards were keeping such a close eye on him and would immediately report it to Yohan when he went away with Taraga. After all, Bae just saw the man as a friend so obviously it was fine!

"Does this mean we can go to your studio?"

Oh he hoped so because he adored going to that studio!

Taraga is Bae's friend. It's not either of their faults that Yohan's suspicious of Taraga. Okay, well, maybe Taraga has something to do with that. But he truly has no designs on Bae! Other than designs to paint him. Bae's a beautiful person, inside and out, what artist wouldn't want to capture that to the best of their ability? Oh, and he's an artist at his very core.

A bright smile pulls across his face and Taraga nods. He loves his studio, too. It's the one place in the world he's most comfortable, easily losing all track of time and space. It's like his own little world. A perfect little world.

After only a beat, he put some cash on the table to pay for their drinks and rises up from his seat. "Let's go. I brought my bike, but it has an extra helmet. You never know when you're going to have an unexpected passenger."

Getting up, he quickly followed after Taraga. He wasn't even thinking about how frustrated his bodyguards would be when he got on that bike and they'd have to keep up. After they got to their car to be able to follow after him in the first place. Bae was just a little puppy about to get a treat.

"Really? You brought your bike? Oh I love your bike!"

They may not be able to keep up, but they definitely know where Taraga lives and works. Or rather, Yohan does. He could tell the goons to swing by if he got worried about what was going on in the studio. Like actually got worried. Who knows with that guy.

"Really, really! I wasn't expecting to do anything more than have lunch with you so..." he left his car at home. Getting to have Bae as his muse is a delightfully unexpected treat! Taraga's not about to pass up the opportunity. Striding over to the street, he grabs the spare helmet and holds it out to Bae.

"The studio's a little messier than last time you were there. I've been working on some new paintings and a sculpture." Because he liked to explore different mediums.

Taking the helmet, he put it on just like he'd been taught, ensuring it was properly on his head and securely buckled. That was good. Smiling, he scooted closer so he'd be able to climb on after Taraga and wrap his arms around him. Again, just like he'd been taught. Bae was truly a very good student.

"Really? May I look at them when we're there?" He could never get enough of his friend's art!

"Don't be shocked when you see them." They're forgeries. Well, some of them. Not the sculpture, though. That one is all Taraga's creativity. "When I was still in art school, they taught us that copying the masters would help us grow as artist." He still copied the masters, though less for educational purposes and more for crime.

Once they're on the bike, Taraga grins to himself and zips off into traffic. Imagining the dismay of Bae's bodyguards amuses him. They'll catch up, he's sure. He wouldn't be surprised if Yohan low-jacked Bae in case anything dangerous ever happened to the boy. It's not like Yohan makes any effort to hide how important Bae is to him which could make the kid a target. Well, he's got bodyguards and at least one friend to look out for him. Taraga's never been a violent sort, but he wouldn't hesitant if it were to help Bae.

Unsurprisingly, Taraga doesn't adhere to the speed limit. They whiz by other vehicles, tear through intersections, and corner sharply until they finally slow to a stop in front of a nondescript building. It's one of those kinds that used to be a warehouse, got rezoned and renovated into artists' live-work spaces. Not that Taraga lives there full-time. There's a loft for him to crash in, but it's not his home.

"C'mon. I've been working on a new blue piece I really want you to see."

Bae immediately burst out laughing. What should have been terrifying only made him happy instead as they watched the world fly past them. He wanted to let go to hold his arms up in the air but he resisted that urge due to having been warned in the past about how dangerous it was. Instead he just enjoyed the ride until they got to the studio. Only then did he finally let go and take his helmet off.

Shaking his hair out, he got off and smiled so brightly as he reached out to take Taraga's hand. One would think they were lovers from that little bit of intimacy but Bae's intentions were pure as ever.

"Please! I'm so excited to see your work!"

Shockingly, for once, Taraga's intentions are pure, too! Nevermind that he's taking Bae inside to pose him in the nude, draped in nothing but a little bit of possibly sheer fabric to take some photos. He truly doesn't have any sexual intentions toward Bae. He's not a fan of wasting his time, after all. Even if Bae gave him the feeling that he was interested, Taraga didn't want to get stabbed in the throat by Yohan. Even with their history, he has no doubt Yohan would kill him for Bae.

With their hands joined, it's easier for Taraga to lead Bae inside and straight up to the blue painting he mentioned earlier.

"I took a trip to northern France recently and I stopped by Giverny — where Monet's gardens are — and got a little inspired."

Gasping softly, his eyes widened at the beautiful painting. Stepping closer, he let his eyes wander over every detail possible, trying to take everything in at once. Even just all in blues there was still so much complexity and emotion. It was absolutely stunning.

"Oh Taraga. It's so beautiful. I love it."

Taraga loves blue. He makes no effort to hide that. It's prevalent in his paintings, his clothes, and his decor. Various shades for various moods. This painting definitely feels moody to him.

"You should go to Giverny, sometime, Bae. Tell Yohan you want to go, he'll take you. It's such a beautiful place. A beautiful person like you belongs there, even if only for a short time."

He could show Bae some of his photos from the trip after they finish their business. He knows their private time is limited since they vanished from the cafe. But he doesn't let on to Bae that they're rushed. Instead, he walks around the main work area in the studio, pulling the sheers closed to give privacy but still let the light filter in.

Then Taraga begins to rummage. He hadn't been completely prepared to do this today, but he's not the sort to hesitate when an opportunity presents itself. "There's an old-timey settee, if you want to go check it out. I'm going to move it more toward the middle of the room for the light." As he speaks, he begins pulling out literal yards of sheer, shimmering fabric sparkling with silk embroidery.

"Are you sure you're comfortable with this? You're gonna be naked except for this," he holds up the fabric.

Edited (forgot to close an html tag) 2024-03-03 23:17 (UTC)

"Giverny. I'll ask him."

For now though, he followed after Taraga to go see what he'd be needed for. The fabric was stunning and he ran his fingers over it before looking around for the settee. That sounded so nice. Especially with this fabric. Of course he blushed at the mention of being naked but it was for Yohan. That sounded... Well, it sounded amazing.

"I trust you."

Were it anyone else outside of Yohan he'd be unable to follow through. But Taraga was a trusted friend so he could do it. "Um...will you help me drape it right after I'm undressed? I don't think I can make it pretty..."

He's not surprised to hear Bae say he trusts him. But it does make him happy to hear it, nonetheless. Trust is a rare commodity in Taraga's experience. He counts himself fortunate to have it.

"Of course," he assures. Then, after a brief pause, he adds, "I don't know if you're an underwear kinda guy, but if you are, you can keep 'em on if it makes you more comfortable."

Taraga's (surprisingly) never asked Bae to model for him nude before. So why would he know how comfortable or uncomfortable it might make his friend? "It's not like I'm going to be painting your junk anyway. The pose I have in mind, you'll have your back to me. It's suggestive, not salacious."

"But...what if the underwear gets in the way of the pose? I don't mind being naked." For a grand total of two people. Yohan because that was his lover and Taraga because he trusted him not to take advantage of the moment. To just be artistic with it.

He chewed on his lip a moment then offered a smile. "Um...should I get undressed now? So you can drape me?"

To allow them to get pictures before his boyfriend burst into the room. Since he was pretty sure he would now that he was thinking about it.

"As long as your comfortable, Bae," he assured with a warm smile. Taraga's imagination was good enough that he could paint a seated butt without seeing it if need be. He gestured to a little private nook with a curtain that would give Bae some privacy if he didn't want to strip right there.

Wherever Bae chose to undress, Taraga busied himself getting his digital camera ready. Normally, he prefers film, but that would take longer since he'd have to develop it, too. HE really wanted to get this done in time for Valentine's Day as a gift to Yohan... and also Bae. He's totally going to lie through his teeth and say giving Yohan a painting of Bae was Bae's idea.

"Take a seat when you're ready and I'll get this draped over you."

Nodding, he went about getting his clothes off, setting them aside and moving to sit down. It was a little awkward, giving a flush to his cheeks as a result. But Bae didn't try to cover himself. He'd meant what he said about trusting Taraga. So he'd let him see him naked without being embarrassed.

"How do you need me to sit?" Was his hair right? Should he be wearing makeup? Suddenly Bae wasn't sure if he was ready for this. But not because he didn't want to. He just wanted to make sure the pictures were good for his friend.

"With your back to me. I want you in a three-quarter profile. One hand on the settee like you're about to lean back on it, and the other we'll place after I drape this around you."

Beautiful as Bae was, Taraga's a professional when it comes to his models. The warmth of their friendship remained, but he's above oggling someone just because they're naked in front of him. Especially Bae. He may be a risk-taker, but Taraga's not the sort of guy who knowingly wastes his time. Bae's with someone he loves so any pursuit would be a waste of Taraga's time. Besides, he valued Bae's friendship too highly to even give serious consideration to pursuing him. Relationships (especially with Taraga) get complicated.

Once Bae's settled on the settee, Taraga began to drape the sheer fabric over him. Over a shoulder, pooled to reveal the small of his back and just a little lower. Just enough to be suggestive. Around front, he folded the fabric a few times over Bae's lap to give him a little cover. Taraga wanted to paint him from behind, looking back over his shoulder, so it didn't matter much how the fabric lay across his front.

"Comfortable? I'm going to take some photos if you're ready."

Moving as he was told, he let Taraga move him if he needed to have him angled a little better. His cheeks were flushed but he held the pose as he looked back to where his friend had gone in order to take the pictures. Was there a face he should be making? Rather than ask, he just let himself relax and wait for instruction. If Taraga needed something he had to trust him to tell him or move him. That was it.

"I'm comfortable," he promised, not wanting to delay things for too long when he didn't know when Yohan might suddenly come.

"Good," he quipped before picking up his camera. "I'm going to take a couple of shots in the natural light, then add more lighting to see which works best."

Taraga moved around the settee, snapping multiple shots at once from various angles. Never from in front of Bae, though. The plan was to paint him from behind or in three-quarter profile. The main focus would be the planes of his back and the way that sheer fabric draped over him.

"What soap do you use? You have great skin."

"Oh." He thought about the unmarked bottles at home. Special things that Yohan got for them and then used on him. Tilting his head, he pondered what they were. Of course he knew what they smelled like because the scent always made him happy. Flowers for him. Like getting to bathe in a field of them.

"I'm not sure. Yohan always orders them and has them put in really pretty bottles for us. But they smell like flowers for the ones he uses on me."

Yohan's soaps were different, of course. Because Bae had commented on liking other scents on him.

He can't help chuckling. That sounds like something Yohan would do, control freak that he is. But, Taraga knows from personal experience that Yohan likes to spoil his boys. Bae deserves someone who will do that for him, treat him like a king. Whatever qualms Taraga has with Yohan, he can't deny that he treats Bae well.

"Well, whatever he gets is the good shit," he joked.

The camera snapped continually as Taraga moved around to get various angles. He'd send the photos to Bae to do whatever he wanted with them after. Or maybe he could make like one of those boudoir books of them so Bae could give them to Yohan in addition to the painting.

"The camera loves you, by the way."

❝ Every love story is beautiful ❞

@keptboy

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