Chapter Forty-Three
( Gotham City)
Jayden stepped into the vibrant arts and crafts store, excitement brimming within him.
He perused the aisles filled with a dazzling array of paints, canvases, and brushes.
With a thoughtful gaze, he carefully selected a variety of colours, both bold and subtle, along with different brush sizes.
Carrying his bag of art supplies, Jayden made his way back to his building and walked upstairs to his living space above the bustling barber shop.
He entered the room he had designated as his art studio, a cosy space with large windows that let in ample natural light. As he unpacked the paints and brushes, a sense of anticipation filled the air.
Jayden cleared a space on the sturdy wooden table, setting up his easel at the perfect angle.
He positioned the canvases, ready to transform them into his masterpieces.
Taking a deep breath, Jayden dipped his brush into a vibrant shade of blue and gently swept it across the canvas.
He let his imagination guide him, allowing the strokes of colour to take shape. The brush danced across the canvas, bringing to life his thoughts and emotions in a beautiful and unique way.
As Jayden painted, the outside world faded away, and he found solace in the gentle swish of the brush and the vibrant hues blending together.
Each stroke became a moment of expression, capturing his innermost thoughts and feelings.
Sometimes, he would pause to observe his work, contemplating the direction he wanted to take.
Other times, he would surrender to the spontaneity of the process, allowing his instincts to guide him. It was a liberating experience, free from rules or expectations.
With a flick of his wrist, he imagined himself as the Bob Ross of barbers, except instead of painting landscapes, he would be crafting his own whimsical creations.
Taking a deep breath, Jayden dipped his brush into a vibrant shade of blue, channelling his inner Bob Ross. "Now, let's add a happy little cloud here," he chuckled to himself, adding fluffy strokes to the canvas. He relished in the joy of creating, imagining Bob Ross peering over his shoulder, nodding approvingly.
As Jayden painted, he couldn't resist making playful comment. "We'll just add a little happy squirrel in this corner," he quipped, carefully adding a tiny squirrel amidst the foliage
Sometimes, Jayden would pause to observe his work, pretending to hear Bob Ross's soothing voice in his head. "There are no mistakes, just happy accidents," he'd say, accepting any unplanned brushstrokes with a lighthearted shrug. After all, art was all about embracing the unexpected.
Hours flew by, and Jayden found himself lost in the world of colours.
Each stroke brought him closer to his own artistic style. The room buzzed with laughter and creativity.
Even Raven who had been napping all this time became interested in what Jayden was up to and so he had set up a little canvas for her, and using some paint she dabbed her paws into it before imprinting them on the canvas.
'Meow~' Raven meowed excitedly, her paws furiously tapping the canvas.
'Looks like Raven and I found our new hobby.'
Hours passed, and Jayden found himself completely immersed in his artwork. He created landscapes, abstract designs, and even portraits, each piece a reflection of his unique perspective.
The room became adorned with his creations. In fact, he would have never even started this if it hadn't been for Lola.
....
( Flashback - Three days Prior)
(Uptown 777 Grant Wood Road, Time: 8:42 Pm)
As Jayden excused himself to the bathroom, Lola found herself sitting on the couch, feeling a tad bored.
Her eyes wandered around the room until they landed on Jayden's open sketchbook resting on the coffee table. Curiosity piqued, and she couldn't resist the urge to take a closer look.
As she flipped through the pages, Lola was immediately captivated by the incredible detail and artistry that adorned each one.
Jayden's drawings ranged from sweeping landscapes to rolling hills and majestic mountains, too. gardens that seemed to come alive with vibrant colours. It was as if his pencil had the power to transport her to otherworldly realms.
But what truly took Lola's breath away was the last drawing in the sketchbook.
It depicted an elderly man, sitting cross-legged under the shade of a magnificent birch tree.
The lines and shading were masterfully executed, capturing the essence of the man with such precision and grace that it felt as if he were an ethereal being, a living angel caught on paper.
In the corner of the page, the title of the drawing could be seen clear as day, it was called Ariel.
Lola stared at the drawing in awe, unable to tear her eyes away. She felt a sense of profound reverence and inexplicable connection emanating from the sketch. It was as if Jayden had managed to capture the very essence of the man's soul in that single piece of art.
Just as she was lost in the beauty of the drawing, Jayden returned from the bathroom, finding Lola engrossed in his sketchbook. He smiled warmly and joined her on the couch. "Find something interesting?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Lola blushed slightly, feeling caught red-handed. "I couldn't help but peek," she confessed, offering a sheepish smile. "But Jayden, your drawings are incredible. They're like windows into another world."
Jayden's smile widened, and he chuckled modestly. "Thank you, Lola. I've always enjoyed drawing, but I never really considered it more than a way to waste time when im bored."
Lola's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You should really consider getting a personal art room, a space dedicated to your craft."
Jayden paused, contemplating Lola's suggestion. A flicker of inspiration danced in his eyes as he realized the truth in her words. "You know what, Lola? You're right. Why not have a special place where I can fully immerse myself in my art?" He has been looking for a hobby to do for quite a while now, so why not let it be art?
Lola beamed with delight, happy that her suggestion resonated with Jayden.
She knew that having a dedicated art room would allow him to explore his creative potential.
And if they were anything like these sketches, then she might need to pre-order some for her Bar opening.
...
(End Of Flashback)
After finishing up cleaning the mess he had made in his new art room, Jayden's phone buzzed with incoming messages.
He reached for it and smiled when he saw that both Selina and Lola had messaged him simultaneously. They were excitedly asking if their planned movie marathon for the evening was still on.
Jayden quickly typed a response, confirming that the movie night was indeed happening.
He couldn't wait to spend a cosy evening with the two special women in his life. But just as he was about to put his phone down, he noticed a smudge of paint on Raven, his beloved cat's fur. He chuckled at the sight and decided to capture the moment.
Jayden snapped a photo of Raven, showing off the colourful paint smudge on her fur, and sent it to Selina and Lola with a playful caption that read, "Looks like someone got a little artsy! Raven's latest masterpiece, courtesy of my art room escapades. Don't worry, I'll give her a proper cleaning before our movie night!"
Almost instantly, the response from both Selina and Lola flooded in, filled with laughter and teasing remarks.
It brought a smile to Jayden's face.
The relationship between the three of them has been nothing but amazing so far.
Besides maybe timing, because Selina was busy with work(Villain stuff), Lola with her grand opening and me with my shop, there has been less time spent together.
But the three always made up for it one way or another, the communication the three of them had was probably a big factor as to why things have been going so well.
After texting the two girls, Jayden made his way to the bathroom to prepare Raven for a bath.
He gathered the necessary supplies, including a gentle cat shampoo, warm water, and a fluffy towel.
By the end of it, Raven was clean but she refused to even look at Jayden, like him bathing her was some sort of betrayal.
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Next Chapter - The unpredictable Clown, and little red Riding Hood make their second and third appearance. I'm sure you guys are gonna love the next chapter.