DISCLAIMER: I do not own nor wish to appear to be the owner of FAKE and all merchandise related thereof.
AN: Boy, was this ever a fun story to write! Thanks to everyone who reviewed, you guys are what kept this story on track! Thanks also to the ones who read, but did not review also. I am still playing with the idea of a sequel so it may or may not happen...not sure yet. So just keep and eye out for it! Thanks so much again you guys!!!
Ryo stood at Dee's front door for five full minutes, tracing the wood grain with his dark eyes. He had drove straight over from the coffee house, but hadn't worked out all that he wanted to say. Ryo took a deep breath and raising his hand knocked quietly. Ryo shook his head, he knew Dee wouldn't be able to hear that. Knocking harder Ryo felt his body tense, he wasn't sure why he was nervous because he wanted to talk to Dee. Ryo sighed, but he wasn't sure if Dee wanted to talk with him. No one was coming to the door so Ryo knocked again and even harder this time.
"I think it will break faster if you kick it," Dee smirked at Ryo as the stunned man turned to face him. Dee walked up with his groceries and using his key unlocked the door, " If you come in you have to help me put 'em up."
Ryo stepped through after Dee and walked with him into the kitchen. The two men silently put away the groceries, Ryo opting to look around for where things went rather than ruin the companionable silence by opening his mouth and asking questions. In fact, it wasn't until everything was put away and Dee had grabbed himself and Ryo a soda did Dee break the quiet.
Leaning against the kitchen island Dee popped open his can and spoke not looking at Ryo, " After this coke I'll pose for you. You want me to change clothes?"
Ryo's head shot up in mild surprise, " Y-you still want to pose?"
Dee looked up with a cocked brow and a slightly perturbed look to his face, " I am a man of my word Ryo. You have two more photos to take right?"
Ryo shook his head, " One actually..." then in a small soft voice he went on, "that one I took during our...fight, counted."
Dee nodded morosely, " Alright. So you wanna do this now?" he went to take a sip of his soda then decided against it. He placed it behind him on the island.
" Um...I don't..." Ryo was tapping the top of his can, he hadn't even bothered opening his, "No, not now," he slammed his can down on the island and walked briskly from the apartment. Dee didn't try to stop him.
Ryo kicked himself mentally. Though looking Dee in the eye had been harder than he had anticipated he hadn't expected to chicken out in the end. Ryo sighed vowing that he would call Dee and ask to see him tonight at dinner.
Dinner came and went without a call.
" Wow, he is amazing!" a woman by the name of Amie was looking over J.J's shoulder, "I mean, you're so great at drawing!" she was genuinely impressed, not blowing hot air trying to get on Jemmy's good side.
" Thanks! It's so much easier when you have a model this handsome to work with," J.J. smiled at the woman holding the picture higher so she could see it better.
Ryo was seated next to J.J. today and he was trying hard not to reach over and slap J.J. in the mouth. He was furious, not because Amie and J.J. were admiring a wonderful piece of artwork, but because they were admiring the model. A model Ryo knew as Dee. Ryo tapped his pencil on his desk irritably and stared straight ahead at the caulk board.
" Hey, hey Ryo," Amie leaned over and smacked his desk, " Look at this picture!" she snatched it from J.J. who made a loud protest, then she put it on the table in front of Ryo.
Ryo closed his eyes with a sigh after he had briefly seen the nude thighs and groin of the graphite rendition of Dee Laytner, " Yes, thank you Amie, but I have already seen it."
" Oh no, it's a different one, this is from this morning," J.J. grabbed the paper from Ryo's desk and glared at Amie dramatically.
" This morning," Ryo whispered.
" Yeah, he is modeling for all the classes today," J.J. was staring at the picture dreamily, "This was our second time with him, but I think it will the other two classes first time with him."
Ryo's head shot up and his brows furrowed, " Two? What?" he shook his head gathering his things, " No no no," Ryo stood and ran from the room just as his Professor entered.
Rose turned and watched his student flee and wondered what had happened this time, but knew unconditionally that it had some thing to do with that model of his.
Ryo had no idea where the art room was but when he found it he didn't hesitate swinging open the door. All the artist in the room turned to look at who had entered and interrupted their mood. Ryo ignored the stares and fought through his embarrassment at being so bold. He took a deep breath then with a mock haughty tilt to his head, crossed his arms and sought out his target.
Ryo glared directly into Dee's eyes. Dee looked back from his place on the platform in the center of the room, his emotions unreadable though his face. The two men stared at one another for what seemed like decades before the moment was broken by the Professor's voice.
" Excuse me can I help you?" the middle aged woman had risen from her chair and was now looking at Ryo with worry in her eyes.
Ryo didn't acknowledge that he had heard her let alone that she was there at all. When he did speak it was to Dee. They were the two most reassuring and hopeful words Dee had ever heard come from Ryo's lips, " Get dressed."
Without reservations Dee stepped from the platform silently and gathering his robe from a nearby chair walked into a back room. Ryo turned and left the art room shutting the door behind him. Leaning heavily against it he let out a long breath of air. After feeling like his nerves were back in order and his racing heart had slowed he pushed himself up right and stood in the middle of the hall. Ryo was looking at the floor, the ugly and worn olive green carpet, when he heard the door open. He looked up as Dee stepped into the hall and caught a glimpse of the Art Instructor trying in vain to talk her model into returning.
Dee slammed the door, shocking the class into silence and causing Ryo to start at the sound. Dee's brows were slightly furrowed and his breathing was heavy. Dee was annoyed, " You have five seconds. Make it good. Explain."
Ryo licked his lips then spoke evenly despite the fact that his heart began to quicken in beats, " I thought we established that you body is for my eyes only."
Dee was clearly taken aback by Ryo's words if the rise in eyebrows and widening of eyes could be a judge. He took a deep breath, " But if you remember I never agreed to stop modeling."
Now it was Ryo's turn to raise his eyebrows in surprise. He pursed his lips and with a tight nod whispered, " Fine, do whatever you want," he turned to leave only to have his upper arm caught by Dee.
Dee roughly jerked Ryo back around to face him and locking eyes spoke through gritted teeth, " For the first time in my life I don't want to do whatever I want to do," he gave Ryo one good shake, " Tell me what to do."
With large eyes Ryo watched the plethora of emotions flood into Dee's emeralds. Hurt. Respect. Confusion. Caring. Anger. Hope. Exhaustion. Love. Ryo opened his mouth to speak then shut it, staring into those eyes a little longer.
Then finally, " I want you to leave with me now. Right now."
Dee nodded releasing Ryo's arm, " Very well then," he turned and stuffing his hands into his pockets walked in the direction that would lead them out of the school.
They were silent as they walked to the campus courtyard waiting until they had sat on the edge of the massive fountain to speak.
Ryo cleared his throat, " I'm sorry about this," he waved his hand in between the two of them, " all of it. Sorry that I lead you on and that I used you for my portraits."
Dee bit his bottom lip and groaned some, the sting of rejection didn't become easier to bear with age he found. In fact this time, being discarded by Ryo, a man whom he was extremely attracted to, burned him from the inside out. He felt like he couldn't breathe, but wanted to scream questions and demand answers all the while also wanting to get up and run away like a wounded animal. Dee chuckled halfheartedly, in some ways he was.
Ryo continued turning his face away and speaking to the ground, " Sorry the idea frightened me. Sorry I wasn't stronger and bolder. Sorry-"
Dee cut him off then, " Just stop okay. I get it. You're sorry," he let out a loud sigh, " I need to go back. I might be able to convince the Instructor to let me back in," he looked over at Ryo and laughed flatly, " still need the money ya know."
Ryo frowned, " You interrupted me."
" Yeah, well how many different ways can you tell a guy you aren't interested?"
Ryo finally looked up at Dee, " I never said that."
" You don't have to," Dee smirked with furrowed brows, " I get the point," he stood stretching languidly , " thanks for the walk."
" Dee don't," it was the tiredness and pleading in Ryo's voice that made Dee turn around and look down at him, " I never said I wasn't interested. I am just trying to apologize for all the wrong things that I have done."
Dee stared for a moment then sat back down slowly, " Well...then I am sorry for interrupting you."
Ryo nodded, " Accepted," he glanced side long at Dee to find the man fully turned and looking directly at him, " I don't care if you understand or not, but please promise me you won't go back into that room and model."
Dee narrowed his eyes in thought, " Why?"
Ryo sighed then looked over at Dee and his voice rose some as he answered, " Because I can't stand watching Jemmy salivate all over you!"
" J.J.?" Dee chuckled, " he's harmless."
Ryo looked at Dee in disbelief, " You know him by some nickname?"
Dee held up his hands in protest, " No, no! That is what he asked me to call him," he was smiling nervously now.
Ryo stood, " What so you two are buddies?" he walked from Dee.
Dee laughed, he found Ryo quite amusing when the man was jealous. Standing swiftly he ran up behind Ryo wrapping his arms around his waist and resting his chin on the shoulder, "Come now Ryo, you are overreacting. If you truly want this body of mine to belong to you all you have to do is ask."
Ryo tensed at the warmth of Dee's breath tickling his ear. The thought that Dee was freely offering himself was a thrilling one, but Ryo didn't want to think too deeply about it. Instead he placed his own hands over Dee's and leaned back with a small smile.
"I won't ask for that, I just want your forgiveness for now," Ryo turned himself around in Dee's arms, " I have been such an idiot about all of this."
Dee laughed, " Yes, yes you have!" he nipped Ryo's bottom lip playfully, " I do forgive you though."
" Dee, why don't you move in with me?" Ryo averted his eyes as he spoke, " I mean just as roommates, until you can find a better job. A real job."
Dee thought the slightly flustered expression of Ryo's was true beauty itself, " Fine, I will, but I am not a charity case. I want to help out and pay for things when I can 'kay," he looked at Ryo with eyes expressing just how serious he was about that.
Ryo nodded, " Sure, sure."
Ryo was smiling more now, his class and the last assignment completely forgotten. The talk with Rose had helped and he had realized that the longer he was away from Dee the more he missed him. He never realized the absence of someone--no a certain someone, could make you feel so thoroughly empty. Ryo tried not to kick himself for fighting his feelings for so long and though he still somewhat nervous about this new path in his life he had to admit that it wonderful to finally give in to his true emotions.
" So," Dee spoke joyfully, " can I move in tonight?"
Ryo stepped back laughing and took in the sight of Dee. It still amazed him that Dee's beauty could continue to grow the more he saw him. Standing in the sunlight now he was a vison of strong masculinity and pure sexuality. The ultra violet light hit his pupils at such angles that the green seemed to dance and glitter, brightening the longer he held his magnificent smile. The breeze caressed his dark smooth hair and every now and then some stray locks would cross in front of his face, shielding his eyes with playful allure.
Ryo smiled and for the first time since meeting Dee didn't long for a camera. For Dee's expression of Happiness would have made a beautiful photograph.