Juniper watched Cory visibly move through a series of reactions--shock, awe, determination, reluctance, confusion--and through it all, Cory bravely gazed into Juniper's eyes, both of them having stopped for a moment to relish in what was happening.
In a whisper that Juniper could barely hear, Cory said, "Please," adding pleading to the list of expressions that crossed Cory's face, "take me somewhere I can touch you."
Juniper's stomach erupted in butterflies, and he had half a mind to grasp Cory's hand and run toward their destination, but instead, Juniper smiled widely and gestured with his head toward the park entrance and the gentle hill with its crown of trees. Surely there, they could find somewhere private enough.
Juniper began walking again, trying not to get too ahead of himself about what might actually happen once they arrived. At the very least, Juniper felt comforted that Cory was letting Juniper choose the location that made him comfortable. Granted, Juniper didn't know how Cory wanted to touch him, but regardless, if Juniper was confident that no one would see them, then the rest he could navigate based on what he actually wanted. And that felt right--only worrying about that. He ached to get there. Soon.
In the meantime, Juniper wondered if this was typical for Cory--finding clandestine locations for such activities. It wasn't that he was jealous; it was simply that Juniper already found himself wondering if more was possible with Cory. Juniper wasn't sure he had it in himself to be unattached and promiscuous--the risk far outweighed the reward. But, as they walked up the gentle hill with a modest, eye-level view of the cityscape, Juniper reminded himself to simply enjoy the moment. There was no need to plan so many steps ahead.
Once they reached the metal painted bench and Juniper glanced around lightly to ensure that, indeed, no one was around, he offered an excited, reassuring smile to Cory and stepped off the path behind the bench, weaving through the maples toward the center of the copse.
Content that there were few angles where passersby could see them, Juniper unbuttoned and shrugged off his jacket--the walk and the excitement having gotten him thoroughly warm. After hanging it on a low, nearby branch, Juniper positioned himself behind a particularly large maple and nodded permission to Cory, breathing a little heavily and intensely curious about what Cory might do next with Juniper as his blank canvas.
Edward Hopper's Art Show (Cory & Juniper, Part 2)
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
For just one lurching heartbeat of a moment, Cory worried that even his breathless whisper had somehow been too forward, but his worry melted as Juniper gestured into the park with a wide, happy smile, and began to lead the way. They were both silent as they walked, and Cory was optimistic that he was not the only one gliding forward in giddy anticipation.
Juniper paused by a metal bench on a forested hillside, a lovely view off to one side. Cory might have spent some time admiring the view, were his fingers not tingling with possibilities close at hand. It very nearly crossed Cory's mind that this may in fact be the place, though as soon as he contemplated the possibility, he realized that he still felt a little exposed, here on the path where someone might walk by. No sooner had the shyness just begun to creep over Cory's shoulders did Juniper offer him a warm, reassuring smile--and step off the path, weaving his way through maple trees to their destination.
The true signal that they had finally arrived came by way of Juniper unbuttoning and shrugging off his jacket. A nearby streetlight flickered the shadows of branches over Juniper's form, and Cory's eyes relished how the shadows danced with the jacket as it slid away from his shoulders. Juniper turned to hang his jacket on a tree branch, and a giggle of delight very nearly bubbled out of Cory, though in the end he let it out as just a soft, light hum. He unbuttoned his own jacket, then, already envious of Juniper's freedom from his own. It was tempting to rush through it, but Cory slowed himself with the thought that Juniper might enjoy the sight of Cory disrobing in this manner just as Cory had enjoyed the sight of him. He hung his jacket near Juniper's and briefly admired the sight--two suitjackets hanging cladestinely off the path under shadowy dappled light--and then, he turned his attention back to Juniper.
The man stood by a tree, his breath heavy with anticipation as he nodded permission to Cory. Cory's smile widened with excitement as he stepped closer to Juniper, breathing through the rush of butterflies in his stomach. Shyness threatened to rear its head and stall him, but Cory just replayed the sound of Juniper's voice--a tube of paint in your hands. Juniper wanted to be touched, and Cory wanted to touch him. With a weighty exhale, Cory stepped closer still, eyes watching his own hand reach tenderly for Juniper's chest and then press its fingers in gently beneath the man's collar bone, palm resting flat over his heart. Slowly, his hand began to caress toward Juniper's shoulder, and Cory raised his eyes to Juniper's to check in on how this seemed to be landing. Hopeful, his other hand slowly began to lift from his side, yearning to join the first on the man's chest.
Juniper paused by a metal bench on a forested hillside, a lovely view off to one side. Cory might have spent some time admiring the view, were his fingers not tingling with possibilities close at hand. It very nearly crossed Cory's mind that this may in fact be the place, though as soon as he contemplated the possibility, he realized that he still felt a little exposed, here on the path where someone might walk by. No sooner had the shyness just begun to creep over Cory's shoulders did Juniper offer him a warm, reassuring smile--and step off the path, weaving his way through maple trees to their destination.
The true signal that they had finally arrived came by way of Juniper unbuttoning and shrugging off his jacket. A nearby streetlight flickered the shadows of branches over Juniper's form, and Cory's eyes relished how the shadows danced with the jacket as it slid away from his shoulders. Juniper turned to hang his jacket on a tree branch, and a giggle of delight very nearly bubbled out of Cory, though in the end he let it out as just a soft, light hum. He unbuttoned his own jacket, then, already envious of Juniper's freedom from his own. It was tempting to rush through it, but Cory slowed himself with the thought that Juniper might enjoy the sight of Cory disrobing in this manner just as Cory had enjoyed the sight of him. He hung his jacket near Juniper's and briefly admired the sight--two suitjackets hanging cladestinely off the path under shadowy dappled light--and then, he turned his attention back to Juniper.
The man stood by a tree, his breath heavy with anticipation as he nodded permission to Cory. Cory's smile widened with excitement as he stepped closer to Juniper, breathing through the rush of butterflies in his stomach. Shyness threatened to rear its head and stall him, but Cory just replayed the sound of Juniper's voice--a tube of paint in your hands. Juniper wanted to be touched, and Cory wanted to touch him. With a weighty exhale, Cory stepped closer still, eyes watching his own hand reach tenderly for Juniper's chest and then press its fingers in gently beneath the man's collar bone, palm resting flat over his heart. Slowly, his hand began to caress toward Juniper's shoulder, and Cory raised his eyes to Juniper's to check in on how this seemed to be landing. Hopeful, his other hand slowly began to lift from his side, yearning to join the first on the man's chest.
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
Juniper tracked every movement Cory made as Cory also unbuttoned his jacket, and though they both certainly still had plenty of clothing on, the metaphor was clear in Juniper's mind--they were revealing another layer of themselves to each other. To help himself with patience, Juniper listened to the light sound of clothing rustling against itself and ran his eyes over the smooth, slow way Cory shifted his shoulders as his jacket's sleeves slid down his button-down shirt. When Cory turned around to place his jacket beside Juniper's on the branch, Juniper took a deep breath, steadying himself. It was a good sign that Cory was being methodical--Juniper preferred when people didn't simply rush headlong into things, not that Juniper had significant experience in these matters.
Cory's smile brightened in the low light, only barely filtering through from the streetlamp on the other side of the path, and began approaching Juniper. The artist stepped nearer and nearer until his hand, rising now from Cory's side, settled on Juniper's chest just beneath his collarbone. Instinctively taking a breath at the contact, Juniper felt the subtle rise and fall of his chest delicately change the pressure of Cory's touch. But Cory's hand didn't stay there for much longer before Cory traced a path to Juniper's shoulder. Swallowing with pleasure and curiosity about where Cory might go next, Juniper sighed pleasantly, releasing a layer of tension.
Lifting his head slightly to meet Juniper's eyes, Cory poised his other hand, ready to add another dimensionality to the touch they were sharing. Though some part of him worried about not being the one leading the interaction or providing guidance on where they might go next, he wanted Cory to explore him. He wanted to know what about his body called to Cory, and that Cory had started with his chest seemed a good sign. Perhaps their desires had more in common than Juniper feared.
He did allow himself to bring a hand up toward Cory's face, using his thumb to gently caress the place where Cory's jaw met his neck.
Cory's smile brightened in the low light, only barely filtering through from the streetlamp on the other side of the path, and began approaching Juniper. The artist stepped nearer and nearer until his hand, rising now from Cory's side, settled on Juniper's chest just beneath his collarbone. Instinctively taking a breath at the contact, Juniper felt the subtle rise and fall of his chest delicately change the pressure of Cory's touch. But Cory's hand didn't stay there for much longer before Cory traced a path to Juniper's shoulder. Swallowing with pleasure and curiosity about where Cory might go next, Juniper sighed pleasantly, releasing a layer of tension.
Lifting his head slightly to meet Juniper's eyes, Cory poised his other hand, ready to add another dimensionality to the touch they were sharing. Though some part of him worried about not being the one leading the interaction or providing guidance on where they might go next, he wanted Cory to explore him. He wanted to know what about his body called to Cory, and that Cory had started with his chest seemed a good sign. Perhaps their desires had more in common than Juniper feared.
He did allow himself to bring a hand up toward Cory's face, using his thumb to gently caress the place where Cory's jaw met his neck.
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
The subtle shifts in Juniper's breathing as Cory approached, touched, and caressed him danced pleasantly as gentle tingles across Cory's skin. Juniper swallowed as Cory slowly lifted his gaze, and the impulse arose in Cory to divert his second hand from its original intention to gently touch the man's throat instead--but the thought pulsed a brief thump of fear through Cory's chest, and he ultimately still placed his second hand on Juniper's chest, his own throat swallowing.
Then, Juniper raised one of his hands, and bright elated thrill danced through Cory's nerves as Juniper's thumb caressed Cory's neck just behind his jaw. He drew in a deep breath, emotion beginning to swell in him again. For a moment he tensed briefly around it, stiffening subtly and gently curling his fingers into Juniper's shirt, but then he let the breath out, allowing the emotion to express softly in a long, shaky sigh, and his body relaxed, loosening, as tears began to well in his eyes. He closed his eyes then, and leaned subtly against Juniper's hand, lest the man think that his touch wasn't aboslutely wanted. His fingers also began to gently knead into Juniper's chest, beginning to explore the lines and surfaces of the muscles beaneath the man's skin. It was soothing, and sent a gentle wave of tingles up Cory's arms and down his back, relaxing his own body a layer further. Then, tentatively, Cory began to caress one hand up over Juniper's shoulder, his touch growing light and airy as he crossed the threshold of Juniper's collar, finally brave enough to let his fingers begin to explore the man's neck.
Then, Juniper raised one of his hands, and bright elated thrill danced through Cory's nerves as Juniper's thumb caressed Cory's neck just behind his jaw. He drew in a deep breath, emotion beginning to swell in him again. For a moment he tensed briefly around it, stiffening subtly and gently curling his fingers into Juniper's shirt, but then he let the breath out, allowing the emotion to express softly in a long, shaky sigh, and his body relaxed, loosening, as tears began to well in his eyes. He closed his eyes then, and leaned subtly against Juniper's hand, lest the man think that his touch wasn't aboslutely wanted. His fingers also began to gently knead into Juniper's chest, beginning to explore the lines and surfaces of the muscles beaneath the man's skin. It was soothing, and sent a gentle wave of tingles up Cory's arms and down his back, relaxing his own body a layer further. Then, tentatively, Cory began to caress one hand up over Juniper's shoulder, his touch growing light and airy as he crossed the threshold of Juniper's collar, finally brave enough to let his fingers begin to explore the man's neck.
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
Cory breathed deeply as Juniper's hand connected, and Juniper relished in the warmth of Cory's skin, the subtle weaving of muscle and tendon over jawbone. Simultaneously, Cory tightly curled his fingers into Juniper's shirt, and Juniper sought Cory's gaze, wanting to check in with the man. Cory's eyes were wet, and he let out a shaky breath that nearly made Juniper pull away, but Cory soon closed his eyes and put pressure with his jaw onto Juniper's palm, only encouraging Juniper's tentative exploration. The artist's fingers uncurled and instead pressed into the muscles of Juniper's chest, seeking the softer, tender places, which made Juniper draw in a quick breath. Perhaps he should have been prepared for Cory's fingers to have a wisdom all their own, even on the canvas of flesh and bone, but still it surprised Juniper. His torso relaxed without needing to consciously move or shift at all.
As Juniper continued to marvel and glide his thumb over the angled shape of Cory's jaw, one of Cory's hands moved up past the edge of Juniper's collar and toward the sensitive skin of Juniper's neck.
How long has it been since another man touched me like this? Juniper wondered.
Several years at least. Juniper gave up on exact calculations because the memories were too painful to contemplate, and besides, he didn't want anything to distract him from the sensations Cory was painting onto his skin. What colors might Cory be using? Juniper imagined Cory dipping his hands into the orangish halo of the streetlight to start, then a gold reminiscent of the faint, twinkling stars above them--maybe also a midnight emerald as Cory's fingertips danced across Juniper's skin, edging toward music as well as color. Juniper wondered if he could imagine painting Cory as well, adding to the palette of touch they were curating together. Perhaps there was a splash of white as Juniper bravely stroked the edge of Cory's ear and a burgundy as Juniper's other hand squeezed the top of Cory's shoulder.
Juniper sought Cory's gaze again, wondering if the synesthetic experience was a shared one or perhaps only a lingering afterimage from having spent the past few hours in an art gallery. Possibly both. But, regardless, Cory's eyes were still closed, and Juniper could do little else but surrender to the sensuality in every stroke.
As Juniper continued to marvel and glide his thumb over the angled shape of Cory's jaw, one of Cory's hands moved up past the edge of Juniper's collar and toward the sensitive skin of Juniper's neck.
How long has it been since another man touched me like this? Juniper wondered.
Several years at least. Juniper gave up on exact calculations because the memories were too painful to contemplate, and besides, he didn't want anything to distract him from the sensations Cory was painting onto his skin. What colors might Cory be using? Juniper imagined Cory dipping his hands into the orangish halo of the streetlight to start, then a gold reminiscent of the faint, twinkling stars above them--maybe also a midnight emerald as Cory's fingertips danced across Juniper's skin, edging toward music as well as color. Juniper wondered if he could imagine painting Cory as well, adding to the palette of touch they were curating together. Perhaps there was a splash of white as Juniper bravely stroked the edge of Cory's ear and a burgundy as Juniper's other hand squeezed the top of Cory's shoulder.
Juniper sought Cory's gaze again, wondering if the synesthetic experience was a shared one or perhaps only a lingering afterimage from having spent the past few hours in an art gallery. Possibly both. But, regardless, Cory's eyes were still closed, and Juniper could do little else but surrender to the sensuality in every stroke.
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
Cory was breathlessly happy as he sank into touch, his awareness now so thoroughly tactile. Warm, pulsing, shimmering tingles danced across his neck and scalp and back from where Juniper touched his jaw, and he relished the ways that Juniper's body relaxed and welcomed touch from his own fingers.
Then thrill and excitement shuddered through his attention as Juniper's fingers stroked the edge of Cory's ear, though it caused him to stall out for a moment, his hands gently curling again into Juniper's shirt. All at once a great deal of his concentration was wrenched into his lungs, to relax his throat and let out his breath slowly, lest it come out as a moan. The touch to his ear had felt amazing, but embarassment bloomed in the wake of its impact, and then the melancholy came pouring back in.
Cory took the liberty of stepping yet closer to Juniper with a sigh, all but burying his face against the man as his hands caressed around Juniper's sides and up against the backs of his shoulders, pulling their bodies close together. At least they had found a place where they could do this much. He tried to just be grateful for that.
Then thrill and excitement shuddered through his attention as Juniper's fingers stroked the edge of Cory's ear, though it caused him to stall out for a moment, his hands gently curling again into Juniper's shirt. All at once a great deal of his concentration was wrenched into his lungs, to relax his throat and let out his breath slowly, lest it come out as a moan. The touch to his ear had felt amazing, but embarassment bloomed in the wake of its impact, and then the melancholy came pouring back in.
Cory took the liberty of stepping yet closer to Juniper with a sigh, all but burying his face against the man as his hands caressed around Juniper's sides and up against the backs of his shoulders, pulling their bodies close together. At least they had found a place where they could do this much. He tried to just be grateful for that.
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
Juniper paid close attention to every little reaction from Cory, trying to map out this man whom Juniper had only begun to get to know. Perhaps the stroke across Cory's ear had been altogether too much--the artist's fingers slid back down to curl into and grip Juniper's shirt, perhaps hard enough to leave wrinkles. Cory let out a long, slow breath, and Juniper had the distinct impression that Cory was about to cry. Come to think of it, there had been quite a lot of this push-pull sensation with Cory--it seemed that he both wanted this and didn't want it, somehow.
Cory distracted that train of thought when he stepped closer to Juniper, pulling the two of them into a full embrace as Cory buried his face into Juniper's chest and allowed his hands to roam over Juniper's back.
"It's all right if you're not all right," Juniper felt compelled to say, albeit quietly. He didn't want there to be anything unsaid in the air between them. If there was something more wrong, even here in the relatively privacy of the maple grove, Juniper would rather know about it. He placed a hand on the back of Cory's head, momentarily worried about the tear stains that might soon cover his starched shirt. But, he relaxed, coming to the conclusion that this moment was well worth whatever he would pay to replace it. And, in all reality, it was far too easy for Juniper to imagine keeping the shirt as a treasure.
Cory distracted that train of thought when he stepped closer to Juniper, pulling the two of them into a full embrace as Cory buried his face into Juniper's chest and allowed his hands to roam over Juniper's back.
"It's all right if you're not all right," Juniper felt compelled to say, albeit quietly. He didn't want there to be anything unsaid in the air between them. If there was something more wrong, even here in the relatively privacy of the maple grove, Juniper would rather know about it. He placed a hand on the back of Cory's head, momentarily worried about the tear stains that might soon cover his starched shirt. But, he relaxed, coming to the conclusion that this moment was well worth whatever he would pay to replace it. And, in all reality, it was far too easy for Juniper to imagine keeping the shirt as a treasure.
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
"It's all right if you're not all right."
Cory was stunned by Juniper's words, how natural and soothing they sounded spilling from the man's lips. They were at once relieving and devastating--was Cory... not all right?
Juniper placed a hand on Cory's head, and Cory gripped more tightly around the man's shoulders in response. His throat ached, his eyes beginning to burn with tears that felt ready to overflow at any moment. He felt like he should speak, should answer Juniper in some way, but when he tried, he found himself stuck in the sensation that he was simply altogether unable to make any sound. So, his fingers kneaded at Juniper's back instead, hoping to somehow communicate gratitude--for this experience, for his patience, for all of the beauty that had led them here in the first place.
"Just..." he finally managed a soft whisper. "Hold me. Please."
Cory was stunned by Juniper's words, how natural and soothing they sounded spilling from the man's lips. They were at once relieving and devastating--was Cory... not all right?
Juniper placed a hand on Cory's head, and Cory gripped more tightly around the man's shoulders in response. His throat ached, his eyes beginning to burn with tears that felt ready to overflow at any moment. He felt like he should speak, should answer Juniper in some way, but when he tried, he found himself stuck in the sensation that he was simply altogether unable to make any sound. So, his fingers kneaded at Juniper's back instead, hoping to somehow communicate gratitude--for this experience, for his patience, for all of the beauty that had led them here in the first place.
"Just..." he finally managed a soft whisper. "Hold me. Please."
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
That Cory held more tightly to Juniper's shoulders seemed an indication that Juniper had made a correct assumption, though he still didn't fully understand what was going awry. Regardless, Juniper wanted nothing more than for the man in his arms to feel comfortable and safe with him, so he would be patient. He thought he heard Cory open his mouth as though to reply several times, but no sound came out. Instinctively, Juniper caressed the back of Cory's head, pulling him closer to his chest, willing a sense of safety to envelop Cory.
You can talk to me. It's all right, Juniper thought.
Cory's fingers began kneading down Juniper's back, preventing him from tensing what would otherwise have been anxious muscles. Juniper's eyelids grew heavy with the pleasure of it all, even though he still had the sensation that this moment hung in the balance--though between what, he did not know.
"Just..." Cory said, almost too softly to hear, "Hold me. Please." Obliging Cory immediately, Juniper wrapped his arm more fully around Cory's head and wrapped his other arm around Cory's back, pulling Cory in tightly toward his chest, nestling his chin gently against Cory's head.
"Of course," Juniper said, softly brushing his fingers against the fabric of Cory's shirt, "Of course." Juniper had the impulse to say more soothing words, though whether he was saying them to Cory or to himself, he wasn't quite sure. "There's nothing we need to do. There's nowhere we have to go. We're here, right now, together, and this is beautiful. It is an honor to be in this moment with you."
You can talk to me. It's all right, Juniper thought.
Cory's fingers began kneading down Juniper's back, preventing him from tensing what would otherwise have been anxious muscles. Juniper's eyelids grew heavy with the pleasure of it all, even though he still had the sensation that this moment hung in the balance--though between what, he did not know.
"Just..." Cory said, almost too softly to hear, "Hold me. Please." Obliging Cory immediately, Juniper wrapped his arm more fully around Cory's head and wrapped his other arm around Cory's back, pulling Cory in tightly toward his chest, nestling his chin gently against Cory's head.
"Of course," Juniper said, softly brushing his fingers against the fabric of Cory's shirt, "Of course." Juniper had the impulse to say more soothing words, though whether he was saying them to Cory or to himself, he wasn't quite sure. "There's nothing we need to do. There's nowhere we have to go. We're here, right now, together, and this is beautiful. It is an honor to be in this moment with you."
Re: Edward Hopper's Art Show
"Of course. Of course." Juniper's voice was soft and soothing. He wrapped an arm around Cory's head, the other around his back, and Cory relaxed a little into the wholeness of the embrace. His throat was still tense, and he cradled a quiet throb there, but the rest of his body felt so deeply held and cared for. "There's nothing we need to do," Juniper offered. "There's nowhere we have to go. We're here, right now, together, and this is beautiful. It is an honor to be in this moment with you."
"Thank you." Cory managed, glad that speaking was at least more easeful now than it had been. There might still be a knotted throbing in his throat, but it seemed to be making peace with allowing conversation through. He let out a long, slow sigh and nuzzled himself gently against Juniper, his hands squeezing and then caressing Juniper's back. Slowly, his body was relaxing further, trusting that everything was safe. He was quiet and blissful like that for a moment, grateful to be held and to feel Juniper's body next to his, their breaths interplaying quietly in the silence of the park. It was really quite thrilling that they were here, doing this. Happiness--giddiness, even--began to bubble up within him, a fresh smile lighting his face, and the melancholy finally dissipated into his periphery.
"I've... really enjoyed everything so far, " he said, the urge to explain himself finally stepping into this new opening. "I just..." his fingers curled gently against Juniper's back, his cheeks growing warm with a boyish embarassment. "Maybe... enjoyed the ear touch almost too much."
"Thank you." Cory managed, glad that speaking was at least more easeful now than it had been. There might still be a knotted throbing in his throat, but it seemed to be making peace with allowing conversation through. He let out a long, slow sigh and nuzzled himself gently against Juniper, his hands squeezing and then caressing Juniper's back. Slowly, his body was relaxing further, trusting that everything was safe. He was quiet and blissful like that for a moment, grateful to be held and to feel Juniper's body next to his, their breaths interplaying quietly in the silence of the park. It was really quite thrilling that they were here, doing this. Happiness--giddiness, even--began to bubble up within him, a fresh smile lighting his face, and the melancholy finally dissipated into his periphery.
"I've... really enjoyed everything so far, " he said, the urge to explain himself finally stepping into this new opening. "I just..." his fingers curled gently against Juniper's back, his cheeks growing warm with a boyish embarassment. "Maybe... enjoyed the ear touch almost too much."