Sungjong came to Myungsoo’s front door just to find it slightly cracked open. As Sungjong made his way through the door, he could sense the cold air that has been floating in the room. With an eerily feeling, Sungjong forced himself to continue every steps despite what he was about to come to. As he came down the small steps, he could see that Myungsoo’s desk was left unoccupied once again. And the couch that hid behind it was also emptied. Finally when Sungjong turned the corner, he could see the set that Myungsoo had recently put up. And in the center of the set, Myungsoo was sitting on the ground, drinking soju.

Sungjong approached Myungsoo with careful steps in order not to catch the drinker in surprise. Sungjong came to a stop when Myungsoo turned his direction, and for a brief moment they shared a short-lived gaze, before Myungsoo break away to take another drink of his alcohol. “I didn’t know you drink….” Sungjong said quietly.

Myungsoo heaved a sharp sigh before speaking. “Would you like to join me?”

“I don’t drink….” Sungjong said, looking at the bottle that was already half empty. Myungsoo must have had a lot to drink already. But he must be alcohol tolerant as well since he appeared fine, with a hint of depression.

“If you didn’t come to drink then why are you here?” Myungsoo asked. This time Sungjong was uncertain if Myungsoo was really drunk or not. The man made a scene when he was standing up, his leaning body was slumped over to one side and his back hunched in all directions but straight up. And in his hand was the bottle that he held firmly. Myungsoo exhaled before speaking again, “Don’t tell me, you came here for a picture?”

Sungjong’s eyes widen a little. Now he was completely lost. Was Myungsoo aware of what he was doing and saying, or was the man completely gone and only acted on the chemical that has taken over his body.

Myungsoo sneered, “So that’s it? You want a picture?” The man then toss his glass bottle to the side, causing it to shattered into pieces as it clashed against the wall. “What kind of picture do you want? I’m a master at photography. I can take the worst photos of you and transform it into a masterpiece. Because I have the skills to do it.” Myungsoo said with heavy eyelids. Anyone in Myungsoo’s state was bound to pass out some time soon. People in his state are in a drunken state that leaves them vulnerable and unconscious of their doings.

“Have you ever tried taking and fixing photos of you?” Sungjong asked. At that Myungsoo opened his eyes some more to track and lock eyes with the pretty lad. “If you were to take a photo of yourself at this moment, will you be able to transform such a pathetic sight of you right now?”

“Are you mocking me, kid?”

Sungjong sharpened his gaze, glaring right at Myungsoo with no fear. “You should see yourself right now. You’re not thinking at all. You don’t even know what you’re saying. You think you can fix all photos. You think you have that much skills and talents over other people that you look down on everyone who comes to you for a picture. You’re not anymore special than those you look down on!” Sungjong’s voice echoed throughout the small studio. Finally Myungsoo stood up straight with more conscious in his eyes.

“Then why are you still here?”

Sungjong frowned. “What?”

“If I’m no one special then why are you here? Why are you seeking for services from a negative person like me? Huh, kid?”

Sungjong scoffed, “I said you’re not special, not that you lack skills.”

Myungsoo’s sigh brushed off Sungjong’s mumbling. “Sorry kid. In the end it seems like I really can’t help you.”

“What?”

A mere smirk was drawn on Myungsoo’s handsome face. “I’ve found a way to accomplish my dream, and this time I won’t be needing you or your annoying little presence around me. So, you’re free to leave now, kid.”

“I….” Sungjong formed clutch fists with his bony hands. “I, I won’t forgive you for this.”

Myungsoo chuckled a little too coldly at the man’s words. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask for your forgiveness.”  Sungjong was struck speechless, thus he spun around and was ready to storm off before Myungsoo stop him again. “Before you leave. Make sure you leave nothing of yours behind. Especially that object you called him.” There, Sungjong could see the outline of the phone sitting on Myungsoo’s desk with a charger attached to it.

Then for an unknown cause Sungjong couldn’t move. It was as if his feet were glued to the ground, but he couldn’t budge. His heart wouldn’t let him, because leaving the studio meant he has to give up on his dream, even if Myungsoo had found his closer than before. The thought of Sungjong losing his only chance had made him frozen in place. So instead of trying to move, to leave, he relaxed all muscles and stood in silence.

“Aren’t you going to leave?” Myungsoo asked with an uninterested tone. “Why? Are you waiting for someone to carry you out?”

When Sungjong whip his head around and look over his shoulder, Myungsoo could see the eyes of the male. “I will never let you push me out so easily. However, I’m going to make sure that you keep your words and part of the deal we made. You, Kim Myungsoo, still owe me a good picture.” Myungsoo could feel the twitching in his face. He knew Sungjong was stubborn, but he wasn’t aware that the boy’s stubbornness had no predictable boundaries. “So, are you going to take my picture or not?”

The cold air that once roamed freely in the room was now replaced by a warmer temperature. Myungsoo was standing behind a camera and checking to see if it was working properly. Meanwhile Sungjong was staring at the wall with the collection of photos again. “Hurry and stand on the set. If you continue to waste time, I may end up changing my mind again.”

Sungjong pursed his lips as he came out to stand on the set as Myungsoo had ordered. “Have you ever become more than just a photographer to any of your customers?”

Myungsoo look up from the object in front of him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean, so many of your customers are so beautiful and good looking. I wouldn’t be surprise if you had a relationship with any one of them. After all, I’ve always heard of artists falling in love with their own work and the people who were involved.” Sungjong said with his eyes focused on the camera. Myungsoo on the other hand was only looking at Sungjong.

“I’ve never fallen for any of my work before.” Once that was said, Sungjong glance over to see Myungsoo’s eyes. Then quickly he looked back to the camera, where he felt more comfortable staring at.

“If you say so.” Sungjong said, patting himself of dust after to hopefully appear better in front of the camera. “Can we get going then? We wouldn’t want to waste your precious time.” Sungjong’s words knocked some sense into Myungsoo, in which he quickly oblige. Myungsoo stood behind the camera stand. As he focused the camera on Sungjong’s face, he couldn’t help but notice the boy’s beauty. Just since when was the boy so good looking that his looks outshines that of an angel? When Myungsoo stared into the camera for too long without any movements, Sungjong snapped. “Are you taking my pictures or sleeping?”

Myungsoo cleared his throat to show that he clearly wasn’t sleeping. “I’m taking them, why are you so impatient?”

Sungjong folded his arms across his chest. “But shouldn’t you like communicate with me? I’ve never seen a photographer takes photos in silence. I mean the least you can do is point me toward the right direction with a few coordinations. Right?”

While Sungjong was talking, Myungsoo’s thoughts was once again elsewhere. With every second of the camera being on Sungjong, Myungsoo was becoming more and more mesmerized by the pretty man’s looks.

“So which is it?” Sungjong asked, this time loud enough to bring Myungsoo back.

“What?”

Sungjong expressed a frustrated groan, “Why are you stalling? Having camera issues?” With that Sungjong walked out of the set and approached Myungsoo on the side. “You’re not doing this on purpose to get rid of me, are you? You know I won’t give up even if you try to—”

Myungsoo spun his whole body around to face Sungjong, whose eyes has grown bigger due to the surprise. “Let me hear it again.”

“W-what?” Sungjong stuttered. With Myungsoo so close, Sungjong could barely feel himself breathing. Because the sound of his racing heart has taken over the sound of his breath.

“What were you planning to do with your photo after I was done with it?” Myungsoo’s sudden question left Sungjong blank for a moment. But the boy quickly regain his posure and answered the man.

“Follow my dream with it…?” Sungjong’s answer came out as uncertain.

“And just what is your dream?” Myungsoo asked, blowing air into Sungjong’s eyes. The shorter couldn’t help but traced the lips of Myungsoo. Myungsoo’s lips was flawless just as much as his looks, Sungjong thought.

“To become a star?” Once again Sungjong’s answers were shaky, mainly because Myungsoo’s closed up presence wasn’t very helpful.

However, unlike Sungjong who was flustered by their closeness, Myungsoo kept his calm voice, “And exactly what kind of star?”

“Any, really.” Sungjong shrugged.

“Do you really need a photo of you to become a star? Even without one, you’re already beau—good enough.”

“Good?” Unknowingly the two have spoken in a softer and calmer tone for the first time.

“With your looks alone you can make it. You do not need the help of an image.” Myungsoo’s voice gave Sungjong goosebumps. It was as if Myungsoo was trying to seduce Sungjong in that gentle voice of his.

“W-what are you saying? Of course I need it.” Sungjong said, attempting to take a step back. But before he could get even a foot away from Myungsoo, the lad attacked him from the front. Sungjong was shoved backward, where his back pounded against the peeling wall and under his tennis shoes were the broken splintered pieces of Myungsoo’s soju glass bottle. Myungsoo closed the gap between them again, this time standing even closer to Sungjong than before. If Sungjong were to tilt his head downward, his forehead would probably hit Myungsoo in the face.

“You’re better than any pictures of any models out there. People only come to me because they believe I possess some sort of rare skill or talent. But in all honesty it’s not just about the angle and lighting. Being shadowless is the secret to perfect photo-taking. Mainly because it gives one a godly and exotic look. But really, you do not need an image of yourself to fulfill your so call dream. Just your stubbornness itself will do. After all, wasn’t it thanks to you being stubborn that I’ve agreed to take your photo, Lee Sungjong?”