je_united gift fic for dusk037
Lovely fic for dusk037
Title: Of Boxers and Paintbrushes
Pairing: Akamatsu Keisuke/Ando Ryuu (Omoni Naitemasu x Boys On the Run)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Summary: A year into Akamatsu’s study abroad in Paris, it isn't going as swimmingly as he hoped. Arriving back in Japan, he receives a new teaching request that he finds odd at first, but eventually turns his life around for the better.
Notes: Hello dusk037! I was slightly hesitant at writing this pairing but the only thing I really kept from both dramas is the character names and some tiny details which I explained so I hope that's okay. I hope you like it! Special thanks to my beta.
Akamatsu Keisuke set down the paintbrush on his easel and glanced up at his painting. In bold grey, white and black colors, was the outline of a cat--one of the annoyingly pampered ones--that he was commissioned to draw for a client in the neighborhood. Akamatsu loathed this kind of work, but the lady paid well so he didn’t complain. He grabbed a clean brush from his kit, and dipped it in the green paint, getting ready to mix it with the yellow to start the outline of the cat’s eyes, when he heard a small knock at his studio door.
“Yes?”
“Akamatsu-san, the madam called and said she would like her painting finished by this afternoon..” His professor called out from the behind the door.
Akamatsu looked at the clock and sighed, “Okay...I should be done by then.”
------
Originally deciding to go to Paris to better his skills, Akamatsu was thrilled when he found out he was going to be taught by one of the top art professors in all of Paris. After a few months, his initial excitement quickly dwindled as he continued to accept commissions from around the neighborhood where he was staying. Most artists would be excited about this, but not Akamatsu. His first commission was simple enough, a young working mother from down the street wanting a life size canvas of her two baby boys. Akamatsu readily agreed, having the painting done in 2 weeks time, despite his difficulties in keeping the two children from wailing every time he walked back to his canvas. The mother paid a considerate amount for his effort and things for the young artist were looking up. That is until more commissions started pouring in, ranging from babies, to cats, to pieces of fruit on people’s kitchen countertops. Akamatsu willingly painted each one, accepting the payments as they came and using the extra cash to pay for more art supplies.
------
Akamatsu bowed to the madam, watching as she had her butler tote the large canvas of her beloved cat on his back.
His professor came up behind him, giving him a congratulatory pat on the back. “Good job Keisuke! With that...your time with me is finished.”
Akamatsu spun around, giving one of the best fake smiles he could pull off. “I’m going to miss you sensei. Under your guidance, I’ve learned so much and I can’t wait to take it back to Japan with me.”
The professor tried to hide his tears with a lengthy bow which Akamatsu returned and the two of them returned to the residence hall.
------
“It’s good to be home…” Akamatsu stretched as he stepped off the plane, his suitcase trailing behind him. He was excited to be returning to his old teaching position at the art school but he was confused at the new request he was given by his teacher, Aoyama Jin.
Assuming it was another beautiful girl like Izumi, Akamatsu rolled into Jin’s studio the next day floored to find a man standing there, looking pissed off as Aoyama slung an arm around his shoulder.
“Ah...Akamatsu-san. How was Paris?” Aoyama flashed his usual bright white smile.
“It….was okay...I got to paint some pretty interesting subjects.”
The man next to Aoyama suddenly glanced in Akamatsu’s direction, eying him up and down cautiously until Aoyama gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.
“This is your new student, Ando Ryuu. Says he’s a boxer with a scary right hook.”
At this, Akamatsu gulps, and quickly bows, extending his hand. “N-nice to meet you. I’m Akamatsu Keisuke.” Ando snorts, grabbing Akamatsu’s hand, squeezing it with enough force to tint the other man's fingers a light red.
“So Sensei, what should I be teaching him?”Akamatsu shakes his hand, trying to return the feeling back to his fingers.
“Oh you know, the basics.” Aoyama replies, back already turned and heading towards the door. “Don’t work too hard~” He singsongs, as the door closes behind him with a loud clatter.
And with that, the two men were left alone.
------
Akamatsu began unpacking his art supplies and pulled out a fresh canvas from Jin’s stack laying against the wall. Moving a stool in front of the large canvas, he set down a few paintbrushes on the easel and instructed Ando to sit, which he did begrudgingly.
“Okay! So first, draw me a simple circle.”
Ando scoffed, “You’re kidding right? Anyone can do that….” Ando picked up the first pencil he saw and began to draw a round, but shaky circle in the middle of the white space.
Akamatsu tapped a finger against the rim of his glasses, tilting his head to the side in order to get a better angle. “Hmm...Try again.” Ando almost broke the pencil in half with the way he was gripping it, knuckles turning white.
“I know you're a boxer, but try to be more gentle when you draw.” Akamatsu came up behind him, taking the pencil from his hand, and proceeded to draw a perfectly round circle. It was the first time since they’ve been alone that Akamatsu really took a long, hard look at his student. His short blonde hair spiked up in various directions, the fitted tank top he was wearing showed off his arms nicely, every ripple of muscle flexing perfectly. Akamatsu felt himself sweating even though the temperature of the room was quite cool.
“See you can do that because you’re the pro..” Ando pouted, a hand running through his short hair. Akamatsu backed away slightly, patting Ando on the shoulder. “With practice, you can do it too.”
------
A few weeks pass and Ando has been diligently coming to the studio every day. He even purchased his own set of art supplies, to the delight of Akamatsu.
The simple drawing of a circle that they started on day 1, flourished into the beginning outlines of the human figure.
It never occurred to Akamatsu to ask, but one day while they were cleaning up the splatters of dried paint off the floors and walls, he sputtered, “So..Why are you doing this anyway? I don't peg a tough boxer as the art type.” Ando turned to Akamatsu, wiping the sweat off his brow and getting way too close for Akamatsu’s comfort.
“Gay people don't box.” He lowly whispered in the other man’s ear.
Akamatsu flushed, letting out a small squeak and quickly backing up, the heel of his sneakers hitting against a can of paint. “U-u-um….Ando-san….?” Ando continued to move closer. “That’s Ryuu to you.” Ando corrected, breathing in his face. Akamatsu tried to back up further but realized he was pinned against Ando’s frame and a heavy can of blue paint. “You know, you may be my “teacher” but you're kinda cute.”
Suddenly the studio door opened with a loud bang and in popped Aoyama Jin sporting a foreign girl on each arm. Both men quickly scrambled apart from each other.
“Boys! I assume everything is going well?” The girls on either side of Jin, chuckled.
“I-um-this is-isn’t…” Akamatsu stammered trying to look for the right words. Ando just swung an arm around the older man’s shoulder and smiled.
“It’s exactly what it looks like.”
------
Ando rifled through the stack of canvases that him and Akamatsu worked on since the first day, each one being a measure of Ando’s continued progress. Jin looked over all of them, impressed and gave both men a thumbs up. Before he left with his girls in tow, he passed them both a flyer for the upcoming art competition with the instructions, “I want both of you to compete against each other and test your skills. Akamatsu the pro vs. Ando the amateur!” (To which Ando scoffed at that).
Both men scanned over the flyer briefly, worried if they’ll be able to make the 2 week deadline before submissions are due.
-----
A week before the deadline, and Jin's once beautiful studio looks like a war zone. Paint is splattered everywhere, from the floor to the ceiling. Clean and dirty canvases sit in huge stacks by both Akamatsu and Ando’s feet. Both men hadn't slept for at least 20 or so hours, pouring every last bit of their free time into finishing their art.
“You really think you’ll win?” Akamatsu challenged.
“Of course, I learned from the best.” Ando barked back.
Akamatsu's cheeks turned a light pink and the boxer's statement, resulting in him silently adding more bright streaks to his painting.
-----
The day of the competition finally arrives. Large white cloths cover both of their canvases as they are carefully wheeled into the judge's room. Jin meets with the two men outside the waiting room.
“Good work guys!” Jin patted both men, motioning them to sit down to rest while they wait for the results.
About an hour and and half later, they're called into the judge's room sitting amongst the other participants. Three older men are seated at the table. One man had the golden shiny trophy in front of him, as well as the envelope that announced the winner. The two canvases were still hidden from view.
Clearing his throat, the man behind the trophy, stepped up the the microphone.
“Thank you everyone for participating this year! We received a large number of entries and narrowed it down to these three.” He gestured to the three large canvases behind the podium.
Grabbing the three envelopes from the other judge, the man opened the first one. “And the third place prize goes to……..Aoyama Jin! For his painting entitled, “Izumi, I miss you.” The other judge's removed the cloth off his painting, revealing none other than a beautiful girl, with long black hair, a solitary tear going down her cheek. The background was a simple off black color but it really brought out the girl's milky white complexion.
Akamatsu paused in his clapping to admire Jin’s painting. It had been the first since coming back from Paris, that he had seen the former girl that he was head over heels in love with. Ando shoved the young artist once in the ribs to bring him back to reality.
Akamatsu was about to say something to defend himself, but was interrupted by the man in the front ripping open the second place envelope. “And….second place goes to…..Ando Ryuu! For his painting titled, “That dork with the glasses.” The second judge unveiled Ando's painting and Akamatsu choked on air because it was none other than him. It might have been a simple side profile to everyone else, but to Akamatsu, it was nothing short of beautiful. His hair fell down around his face, his glasses were detailed perfectly and his clothes, the plain khaki shorts, and his button up shirt popped off the canvas. The backdrop was none other than Jin’s studio with the noticeable flecks of paint splatter in the background that dotted the floor and walls in recent weeks.
Akamatsu turned to Ando, who only flashed his usual nonchalant smile, and gave him a thumbs up for beating him.
The main judge opened the final envelope. “And first place goes to….Akamatsu Keisuke! For his painting titled…”That dork with the muscles.” The audience erupted in cheers as the cloth was removed from Akamatsu's painting revealing none other than Ando in a boxing stance. It was Ando’s turn to be shocked as Akamatsu beamed, proud of his work. It was indeed a work to be proud of. Beads of sweat poured down Ando's face and down his toned abs. His usual short, spikey blonde hair was now matted with sweat. His muscles bulged out at the perfect angles, both of his arms and on his legs. The bright red boxing gloves he wore matched the red shorts and the single stripe of red that was found on his sneakers.
The judge's called the three finalists forward, each one of them accepting their prize money and trophies. Ando took this moment to finally give Akamatsu what he’d been dreading. Turning to the man, he planted a short kiss on his cheek. Which confused Akamatsu for a short time until a camera flash interrupted him.
-----
In the local newspapers a few days later was the headline: “Winners of the annual art contest!” The picture attached was none other than Ando’s lips on Akamatsu's cheek.
Title: Of Boxers and Paintbrushes
Pairing: Akamatsu Keisuke/Ando Ryuu (Omoni Naitemasu x Boys On the Run)
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Summary: A year into Akamatsu’s study abroad in Paris, it isn't going as swimmingly as he hoped. Arriving back in Japan, he receives a new teaching request that he finds odd at first, but eventually turns his life around for the better.
Notes: Hello dusk037! I was slightly hesitant at writing this pairing but the only thing I really kept from both dramas is the character names and some tiny details which I explained so I hope that's okay. I hope you like it! Special thanks to my beta.
Akamatsu Keisuke set down the paintbrush on his easel and glanced up at his painting. In bold grey, white and black colors, was the outline of a cat--one of the annoyingly pampered ones--that he was commissioned to draw for a client in the neighborhood. Akamatsu loathed this kind of work, but the lady paid well so he didn’t complain. He grabbed a clean brush from his kit, and dipped it in the green paint, getting ready to mix it with the yellow to start the outline of the cat’s eyes, when he heard a small knock at his studio door.
“Yes?”
“Akamatsu-san, the madam called and said she would like her painting finished by this afternoon..” His professor called out from the behind the door.
Akamatsu looked at the clock and sighed, “Okay...I should be done by then.”
------
Originally deciding to go to Paris to better his skills, Akamatsu was thrilled when he found out he was going to be taught by one of the top art professors in all of Paris. After a few months, his initial excitement quickly dwindled as he continued to accept commissions from around the neighborhood where he was staying. Most artists would be excited about this, but not Akamatsu. His first commission was simple enough, a young working mother from down the street wanting a life size canvas of her two baby boys. Akamatsu readily agreed, having the painting done in 2 weeks time, despite his difficulties in keeping the two children from wailing every time he walked back to his canvas. The mother paid a considerate amount for his effort and things for the young artist were looking up. That is until more commissions started pouring in, ranging from babies, to cats, to pieces of fruit on people’s kitchen countertops. Akamatsu willingly painted each one, accepting the payments as they came and using the extra cash to pay for more art supplies.
------
Akamatsu bowed to the madam, watching as she had her butler tote the large canvas of her beloved cat on his back.
His professor came up behind him, giving him a congratulatory pat on the back. “Good job Keisuke! With that...your time with me is finished.”
Akamatsu spun around, giving one of the best fake smiles he could pull off. “I’m going to miss you sensei. Under your guidance, I’ve learned so much and I can’t wait to take it back to Japan with me.”
The professor tried to hide his tears with a lengthy bow which Akamatsu returned and the two of them returned to the residence hall.
------
“It’s good to be home…” Akamatsu stretched as he stepped off the plane, his suitcase trailing behind him. He was excited to be returning to his old teaching position at the art school but he was confused at the new request he was given by his teacher, Aoyama Jin.
Assuming it was another beautiful girl like Izumi, Akamatsu rolled into Jin’s studio the next day floored to find a man standing there, looking pissed off as Aoyama slung an arm around his shoulder.
“Ah...Akamatsu-san. How was Paris?” Aoyama flashed his usual bright white smile.
“It….was okay...I got to paint some pretty interesting subjects.”
The man next to Aoyama suddenly glanced in Akamatsu’s direction, eying him up and down cautiously until Aoyama gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.
“This is your new student, Ando Ryuu. Says he’s a boxer with a scary right hook.”
At this, Akamatsu gulps, and quickly bows, extending his hand. “N-nice to meet you. I’m Akamatsu Keisuke.” Ando snorts, grabbing Akamatsu’s hand, squeezing it with enough force to tint the other man's fingers a light red.
“So Sensei, what should I be teaching him?”Akamatsu shakes his hand, trying to return the feeling back to his fingers.
“Oh you know, the basics.” Aoyama replies, back already turned and heading towards the door. “Don’t work too hard~” He singsongs, as the door closes behind him with a loud clatter.
And with that, the two men were left alone.
------
Akamatsu began unpacking his art supplies and pulled out a fresh canvas from Jin’s stack laying against the wall. Moving a stool in front of the large canvas, he set down a few paintbrushes on the easel and instructed Ando to sit, which he did begrudgingly.
“Okay! So first, draw me a simple circle.”
Ando scoffed, “You’re kidding right? Anyone can do that….” Ando picked up the first pencil he saw and began to draw a round, but shaky circle in the middle of the white space.
Akamatsu tapped a finger against the rim of his glasses, tilting his head to the side in order to get a better angle. “Hmm...Try again.” Ando almost broke the pencil in half with the way he was gripping it, knuckles turning white.
“I know you're a boxer, but try to be more gentle when you draw.” Akamatsu came up behind him, taking the pencil from his hand, and proceeded to draw a perfectly round circle. It was the first time since they’ve been alone that Akamatsu really took a long, hard look at his student. His short blonde hair spiked up in various directions, the fitted tank top he was wearing showed off his arms nicely, every ripple of muscle flexing perfectly. Akamatsu felt himself sweating even though the temperature of the room was quite cool.
“See you can do that because you’re the pro..” Ando pouted, a hand running through his short hair. Akamatsu backed away slightly, patting Ando on the shoulder. “With practice, you can do it too.”
------
A few weeks pass and Ando has been diligently coming to the studio every day. He even purchased his own set of art supplies, to the delight of Akamatsu.
The simple drawing of a circle that they started on day 1, flourished into the beginning outlines of the human figure.
It never occurred to Akamatsu to ask, but one day while they were cleaning up the splatters of dried paint off the floors and walls, he sputtered, “So..Why are you doing this anyway? I don't peg a tough boxer as the art type.” Ando turned to Akamatsu, wiping the sweat off his brow and getting way too close for Akamatsu’s comfort.
“Gay people don't box.” He lowly whispered in the other man’s ear.
Akamatsu flushed, letting out a small squeak and quickly backing up, the heel of his sneakers hitting against a can of paint. “U-u-um….Ando-san….?” Ando continued to move closer. “That’s Ryuu to you.” Ando corrected, breathing in his face. Akamatsu tried to back up further but realized he was pinned against Ando’s frame and a heavy can of blue paint. “You know, you may be my “teacher” but you're kinda cute.”
Suddenly the studio door opened with a loud bang and in popped Aoyama Jin sporting a foreign girl on each arm. Both men quickly scrambled apart from each other.
“Boys! I assume everything is going well?” The girls on either side of Jin, chuckled.
“I-um-this is-isn’t…” Akamatsu stammered trying to look for the right words. Ando just swung an arm around the older man’s shoulder and smiled.
“It’s exactly what it looks like.”
------
Ando rifled through the stack of canvases that him and Akamatsu worked on since the first day, each one being a measure of Ando’s continued progress. Jin looked over all of them, impressed and gave both men a thumbs up. Before he left with his girls in tow, he passed them both a flyer for the upcoming art competition with the instructions, “I want both of you to compete against each other and test your skills. Akamatsu the pro vs. Ando the amateur!” (To which Ando scoffed at that).
Both men scanned over the flyer briefly, worried if they’ll be able to make the 2 week deadline before submissions are due.
-----
A week before the deadline, and Jin's once beautiful studio looks like a war zone. Paint is splattered everywhere, from the floor to the ceiling. Clean and dirty canvases sit in huge stacks by both Akamatsu and Ando’s feet. Both men hadn't slept for at least 20 or so hours, pouring every last bit of their free time into finishing their art.
“You really think you’ll win?” Akamatsu challenged.
“Of course, I learned from the best.” Ando barked back.
Akamatsu's cheeks turned a light pink and the boxer's statement, resulting in him silently adding more bright streaks to his painting.
-----
The day of the competition finally arrives. Large white cloths cover both of their canvases as they are carefully wheeled into the judge's room. Jin meets with the two men outside the waiting room.
“Good work guys!” Jin patted both men, motioning them to sit down to rest while they wait for the results.
About an hour and and half later, they're called into the judge's room sitting amongst the other participants. Three older men are seated at the table. One man had the golden shiny trophy in front of him, as well as the envelope that announced the winner. The two canvases were still hidden from view.
Clearing his throat, the man behind the trophy, stepped up the the microphone.
“Thank you everyone for participating this year! We received a large number of entries and narrowed it down to these three.” He gestured to the three large canvases behind the podium.
Grabbing the three envelopes from the other judge, the man opened the first one. “And the third place prize goes to……..Aoyama Jin! For his painting entitled, “Izumi, I miss you.” The other judge's removed the cloth off his painting, revealing none other than a beautiful girl, with long black hair, a solitary tear going down her cheek. The background was a simple off black color but it really brought out the girl's milky white complexion.
Akamatsu paused in his clapping to admire Jin’s painting. It had been the first since coming back from Paris, that he had seen the former girl that he was head over heels in love with. Ando shoved the young artist once in the ribs to bring him back to reality.
Akamatsu was about to say something to defend himself, but was interrupted by the man in the front ripping open the second place envelope. “And….second place goes to…..Ando Ryuu! For his painting titled, “That dork with the glasses.” The second judge unveiled Ando's painting and Akamatsu choked on air because it was none other than him. It might have been a simple side profile to everyone else, but to Akamatsu, it was nothing short of beautiful. His hair fell down around his face, his glasses were detailed perfectly and his clothes, the plain khaki shorts, and his button up shirt popped off the canvas. The backdrop was none other than Jin’s studio with the noticeable flecks of paint splatter in the background that dotted the floor and walls in recent weeks.
Akamatsu turned to Ando, who only flashed his usual nonchalant smile, and gave him a thumbs up for beating him.
The main judge opened the final envelope. “And first place goes to….Akamatsu Keisuke! For his painting titled…”That dork with the muscles.” The audience erupted in cheers as the cloth was removed from Akamatsu's painting revealing none other than Ando in a boxing stance. It was Ando’s turn to be shocked as Akamatsu beamed, proud of his work. It was indeed a work to be proud of. Beads of sweat poured down Ando's face and down his toned abs. His usual short, spikey blonde hair was now matted with sweat. His muscles bulged out at the perfect angles, both of his arms and on his legs. The bright red boxing gloves he wore matched the red shorts and the single stripe of red that was found on his sneakers.
The judge's called the three finalists forward, each one of them accepting their prize money and trophies. Ando took this moment to finally give Akamatsu what he’d been dreading. Turning to the man, he planted a short kiss on his cheek. Which confused Akamatsu for a short time until a camera flash interrupted him.
-----
In the local newspapers a few days later was the headline: “Winners of the annual art contest!” The picture attached was none other than Ando’s lips on Akamatsu's cheek.