There was a weight in the air after Juniper set the dessert plate down on the coffee table. Cory felt it, and he was sure that Juniper felt it, too: where to sit? Normally it was a trivial calculation--couch or chair; Cory was happy with either--but, for once, it was perhaps on the table to share the couch, and Cory had not anticipated the complexity that that possibility added to the mix here. But, there was something quite pleasant, no matter how they ultimately sat, that Juniper seemed to be taking a moment to grapple with the very same thing--or at least, Cory liked to imagine that he was.
In the end, Juniper was the first to move, and he settled onto the couch, leaving the possibility open. Cory savored an imagination of climbing onto the couch next to Juniper and laying his head on the man's shoulder, their bodies settling into one another. But, when it came to actually moving his feet, Cory was not ready for that just yet. He moved over to the chair, resisting the impulse to at least slide his shoes off there, and keeping his feet on the floor for now, though he did lean his arm against the armrest closest to Juniper.
"It's... stunning," Juniper said. Cory raised his eyebrows, surprised--somehow, it took a blink to sink in that Juniper meant the studio, and his smile widened a little crookedly as the understanding sank in. "I've... never been in someone's studio before. I can imagine it would be... vulnerable. Personal. Thank you for your trust."
Cory cast his gaze down toward the floor in a nod, the hand not resting on the chair coming up to rub briefly at his neck.
"It... is a bit terrifying, if I'm being honest," Cory said, though his tone was light, and he brought his gaze back up to Juniper with his smile still wide and crooked. "But... also a delight. In the end, art longs to be beheld, even unfinished."
His eyes really started to take Juniper in, then, finding their ways to the lines of the man's jaw that he found beautiful, the shape of his lips. But, he blinked out of it after a breath or two, not wanting to get too far ahead of himself.
"Speaking of," he perked up a bit playfully, glancing pointedly down at the plate on the coffee table before refocusing on Juniper's eyes. "I'm dying to unveil your dessert."
Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory ultimately settled into the chair, though he did lean into the armrest nearest Juniper. After Juniper's statement of awe and gratitude, Cory looked down at the floor and rubbed the back of his neck--possibly getting yet more charcoal on his skin. Juniper couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face at the sight.
"It... is a bit terrifying, if I'm being honest," Cory said, though he quickly looked back up at Juniper with joy in his crooked smile, "But... also a delight. In the end, art longs to be beheld, even unfinished."
Juniper's gaze lingered on Cory, the beauty of his statement briefly stealing any words Juniper might use in reply from his lips. He was grateful for their sitting positions if only because it was easy to lean in just slightly closer and wonder at the flecks of contrasting color in Cory's eyes.
Cory returned Juniper's attention, except Cory's eyes didn't quite meet Juniper's--they were lower on Juniper's face, and Juniper enjoyed the thought that Cory was getting curious about how he might draw his jaw, maybe even his lips. Juniper had the impulse to wet his lips with the tip of his tongue but refrained, trying to keep them in position. But, soon, Cory blinked and whatever moment they had entered had finished.
"Speaking of," Cory said, though it took Juniper a moment to remember what Cory was referring to, "I'm dying to unveil your dessert." Cory's eyes darted playfully to the plate on the table before he looked again at Juniper.
Art longs to be beheld.
Perhaps truer words were never spoken.
Juniper raised his eyebrows knowingly and nodded with an audible, "Ah," though he did not move just yet. He contemplated letting Cory do the honors so Juniper could watch how the artist would approach uncovering something he wanted. He was briefly distracted by a split-second fantasy of Cory gazing at him, trying to choose which article of clothing to remove first.
But, the charcoal on Cory's fingers caught Juniper's attention, and he ultimately decided that he'd rather not spoil this cloth if he could help it. They had gone out of stock last year, and Juniper hadn't many more pristine versions of them left.
Juniper pulled his arm off the armrest and sat forward with a pointed tilt of his head Cory's direction to make sure the artist was still watching. Then, Juniper held his hand about a foot from his chest for a few moments as he leaned closer to the plate, at least until he lightly gripped the left corner of the thin cloth. With a second of pause, only breaking eye contact with Cory to look at the cloth briefly before returning to behold the artist's expression, Juniper pulled the cloth slightly to the left and then uncovered the full plate with a flourish to the right.
Sitting up, he then busied himself with gently folding the cloth into a neat square as he spoke. "What we have here for this afternoon are star-cut strawberry and dark chocolate brownies with a white chocolate drizzle. The flour is stone-ground from a mill to the west, the eggs are fresh this week from a farmer just outside the city, and the strawberries are the last of the season from my own garden, supplemented with a few from the grocer down the street from me, whom I trust." Having finished with the cloth, he set it on the table to the left of the plate. "Oh, yes, and the dark chocolate is imported from a chocolatier in the Netherlands who assures me of their fair trade practices. Although, admittedly, the white chocolate is a bit of a splurge from a traditional grocery store, but it was necessary for visual interest."
Juniper then looked at Cory, indulging in the memory of Cory's lips around the strawberry.
Yes, of course I remembered, Juniper imagined saying in his mind, You made quite the impression.
((OOC: Juniper wants it to be known that the brownies have a thin layer of crunch on the outside with a slightly gooey middle, and there is a line of drying liquid chocolate underneath the strawberries.))
"It... is a bit terrifying, if I'm being honest," Cory said, though he quickly looked back up at Juniper with joy in his crooked smile, "But... also a delight. In the end, art longs to be beheld, even unfinished."
Juniper's gaze lingered on Cory, the beauty of his statement briefly stealing any words Juniper might use in reply from his lips. He was grateful for their sitting positions if only because it was easy to lean in just slightly closer and wonder at the flecks of contrasting color in Cory's eyes.
Cory returned Juniper's attention, except Cory's eyes didn't quite meet Juniper's--they were lower on Juniper's face, and Juniper enjoyed the thought that Cory was getting curious about how he might draw his jaw, maybe even his lips. Juniper had the impulse to wet his lips with the tip of his tongue but refrained, trying to keep them in position. But, soon, Cory blinked and whatever moment they had entered had finished.
"Speaking of," Cory said, though it took Juniper a moment to remember what Cory was referring to, "I'm dying to unveil your dessert." Cory's eyes darted playfully to the plate on the table before he looked again at Juniper.
Art longs to be beheld.
Perhaps truer words were never spoken.
Juniper raised his eyebrows knowingly and nodded with an audible, "Ah," though he did not move just yet. He contemplated letting Cory do the honors so Juniper could watch how the artist would approach uncovering something he wanted. He was briefly distracted by a split-second fantasy of Cory gazing at him, trying to choose which article of clothing to remove first.
But, the charcoal on Cory's fingers caught Juniper's attention, and he ultimately decided that he'd rather not spoil this cloth if he could help it. They had gone out of stock last year, and Juniper hadn't many more pristine versions of them left.
Juniper pulled his arm off the armrest and sat forward with a pointed tilt of his head Cory's direction to make sure the artist was still watching. Then, Juniper held his hand about a foot from his chest for a few moments as he leaned closer to the plate, at least until he lightly gripped the left corner of the thin cloth. With a second of pause, only breaking eye contact with Cory to look at the cloth briefly before returning to behold the artist's expression, Juniper pulled the cloth slightly to the left and then uncovered the full plate with a flourish to the right.
Sitting up, he then busied himself with gently folding the cloth into a neat square as he spoke. "What we have here for this afternoon are star-cut strawberry and dark chocolate brownies with a white chocolate drizzle. The flour is stone-ground from a mill to the west, the eggs are fresh this week from a farmer just outside the city, and the strawberries are the last of the season from my own garden, supplemented with a few from the grocer down the street from me, whom I trust." Having finished with the cloth, he set it on the table to the left of the plate. "Oh, yes, and the dark chocolate is imported from a chocolatier in the Netherlands who assures me of their fair trade practices. Although, admittedly, the white chocolate is a bit of a splurge from a traditional grocery store, but it was necessary for visual interest."
Juniper then looked at Cory, indulging in the memory of Cory's lips around the strawberry.
Yes, of course I remembered, Juniper imagined saying in his mind, You made quite the impression.
((OOC: Juniper wants it to be known that the brownies have a thin layer of crunch on the outside with a slightly gooey middle, and there is a line of drying liquid chocolate underneath the strawberries.))
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Juniper raised his eyebrows knowingly and nodded with an audible, "Ah," which Cory found utterly charming. He nibbled on the inside of his lower lip, sure that if he didn't he'd erupt into a ridiculous grin. Juniper was still for a moment, seeming to contemplate something, and Cory couldn't help but simply watch him, studying the nuances of his expression, the shapes of the outer edges of his eyes. There was something mischievious there, surely, but just what was it? Simply letting Cory sit in anticipation of the dessert's reveal? Well, it was working.
At last, Juniper leaned forward, his hand hovering somewhat majestically over the dessert plate, his eyes on Cory's the whole way. Cory leaned forward himself, not entirely aware of it, his own gaze blinking between Juniper's eyes and his hand, unsure which would be the more interesting focal point in the moments to come. Once the man's fingers finally grasped a corner of the cloth, Cory's attention remained fixed there, finding a fresh appreciation for the cloth as the wrinkles of Juniper's touch brought extra interest to it. He really had put together a work of art for Cory, hadn't he? Cory's chest felt warm as Juniper lifted the cloth with a flourish, revealing a plate of rich dark brown and succulent red stars drizzled with white.
"What we have here for this afternoon are star-cut strawberry and dark chocolate brownies with a white chocolate drizzle." Juniper spoke, and Cory's gaze blinked back up to him instinctively, though as his words sank in and Cory realized he was narrating the dessert, he returned his gaze there, appreciating the brown and red and white stars in the new light of their actual substance. Chocolate and strawberries, two of Cory's most favorite tastes.
"The flour is stone-ground from a mill to the west," Juniper continued as Cory marveled at the brownies' texture, the cuteness of their shape, the aesthetics of their drizzle, and the depth that the strawberries added. "The eggs are fresh this week from a farmer just outside the city, and the strawberries are the last of the season from my own garden, supplemented with a few from the grocer down the street from me, whom I trust."
Cory smiled up to Juniper briefly, particularly delighted by the knowledge that the man grew strawberries in a garden, and charmed by his attention to the ingredients. His gaze was drawn back down to the table as Juniper set the cloth down there, having folded it into a neat square that now sat somehow perfectly next to the plate. The scene was its own beautiful little painting.
"Oh, yes, and the dark chocolate is imported from a chocolatier in the Netherlands who assures me of their fair trade practices. Although, admittedly, the white chocolate is a bit of a splurge from a traditional grocery store, but it was necessary for visual interest."
Cory let out a soft, sweet breath of a chuckle as he brought his eyes back up to Juniper's again, nearly blissful under the man's gaze. There wasn't an ounce of nervousness or humility in the man's expression, only a confident curiosity patiently taking in the expression on Cory's face. Cory wished helplessly that he had a work of art to show Juniper that could muster such confidence in himself, but--well, he had brought some of his drawings from that night, but.... Cory's cheeks grew warm, his gaze averting down to the brownies with wonder and his grin finally thoroughly ridiculous, teeth no longer even thinking to try to bite anything back from his expression.
"Absolutely beautiful." Cory's voice was a warm murmur, his head shaking just slightly in awe. He was quiet for another moment, then, just taking in the sight that Juniper had laid out before him--perhaps as though he really might paint it.
((OOC: Considered continuing, but I really do think Cory's going to be beholding for a long moment lol. Figured there was a chance Juniper might say or do something before Cory actually gets around to it at this point.))
At last, Juniper leaned forward, his hand hovering somewhat majestically over the dessert plate, his eyes on Cory's the whole way. Cory leaned forward himself, not entirely aware of it, his own gaze blinking between Juniper's eyes and his hand, unsure which would be the more interesting focal point in the moments to come. Once the man's fingers finally grasped a corner of the cloth, Cory's attention remained fixed there, finding a fresh appreciation for the cloth as the wrinkles of Juniper's touch brought extra interest to it. He really had put together a work of art for Cory, hadn't he? Cory's chest felt warm as Juniper lifted the cloth with a flourish, revealing a plate of rich dark brown and succulent red stars drizzled with white.
"What we have here for this afternoon are star-cut strawberry and dark chocolate brownies with a white chocolate drizzle." Juniper spoke, and Cory's gaze blinked back up to him instinctively, though as his words sank in and Cory realized he was narrating the dessert, he returned his gaze there, appreciating the brown and red and white stars in the new light of their actual substance. Chocolate and strawberries, two of Cory's most favorite tastes.
"The flour is stone-ground from a mill to the west," Juniper continued as Cory marveled at the brownies' texture, the cuteness of their shape, the aesthetics of their drizzle, and the depth that the strawberries added. "The eggs are fresh this week from a farmer just outside the city, and the strawberries are the last of the season from my own garden, supplemented with a few from the grocer down the street from me, whom I trust."
Cory smiled up to Juniper briefly, particularly delighted by the knowledge that the man grew strawberries in a garden, and charmed by his attention to the ingredients. His gaze was drawn back down to the table as Juniper set the cloth down there, having folded it into a neat square that now sat somehow perfectly next to the plate. The scene was its own beautiful little painting.
"Oh, yes, and the dark chocolate is imported from a chocolatier in the Netherlands who assures me of their fair trade practices. Although, admittedly, the white chocolate is a bit of a splurge from a traditional grocery store, but it was necessary for visual interest."
Cory let out a soft, sweet breath of a chuckle as he brought his eyes back up to Juniper's again, nearly blissful under the man's gaze. There wasn't an ounce of nervousness or humility in the man's expression, only a confident curiosity patiently taking in the expression on Cory's face. Cory wished helplessly that he had a work of art to show Juniper that could muster such confidence in himself, but--well, he had brought some of his drawings from that night, but.... Cory's cheeks grew warm, his gaze averting down to the brownies with wonder and his grin finally thoroughly ridiculous, teeth no longer even thinking to try to bite anything back from his expression.
"Absolutely beautiful." Cory's voice was a warm murmur, his head shaking just slightly in awe. He was quiet for another moment, then, just taking in the sight that Juniper had laid out before him--perhaps as though he really might paint it.
((OOC: Considered continuing, but I really do think Cory's going to be beholding for a long moment lol. Figured there was a chance Juniper might say or do something before Cory actually gets around to it at this point.))
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
After placing the cloth back on the table, Juniper's eyes had not left Cory's face, drinking in every reaction with delight. When Juniper finished speaking, Cory let out a short and incredulously breathy laugh, meeting Juniper's gaze. It felt incredibly indulgent to have made such a dessert, to have brought it, to have revealed it and described it the way Juniper had--perhaps over the top--but now that they were here and Cory was in awe of what Juniper had done, it felt right and natural.
Cory's face reddened slightly, and he looked back down at the brownies with a dazzling, full-mouthed smile Juniper thought he might like to kiss one day.
"Absolutely beautiful." Cory's tone was soft and luxuriant, reminding Juniper of how quiet it was here in a space where they were, at last, alone together. No prying eyes, no one to walk in on them--just four gorgeous walls covered in all the beauty Cory had allowed to flow out from his mind and his hands and a beautiful place to sit in each other's company. Cory gently shook his head as though in disbelief, an echo of Juniper's own.
Cory was still staring at the brownies, and Juniper was somewhat surprised that he hadn't picked one of them up yet. Patiently, Juniper again indulged in studying the artist, wondering what might be going through the man's mind. Was he sketching out the lines and shadows of the dessert? Was he contemplating their meaning or why Juniper felt inspired to make them in the first place? Was he building anticipation for when he might give Juniper the unique pleasure of watching someone else take a first bite of something he made from scratch?
Juniper looked to the brownies then himself, the butterflies in his stomach becoming sharper and more restless. There were so many things he wanted in this moment. He thought about informing Cory that he could, in fact, eat them, that they were not simply for show, but surely the man knew that, and Juniper didn't want to rush the process. No, if Juniper accepted that the dessert was a work of art they might admire together in a museum, then he could continue to indulge in the artist's attention and find his own ways to be fascinated again with his own creation.
He was proud of the star shape they held. It hadn't been easy, calculating out how many of them he could get out of the pan, and he was pleased that they had retained their points well. Only one or two of them had broken off in the process, and he had tucked them neatly in the center of the stack. The strawberries really did look delicious the way he had cut them, displaying as much of their pink and red insides as possible with a thin and confident vertical slice, which increased the surface area and therefore the contact with the tongue. He reminisced about melting the white chocolate and placing it in a bag from which he experimented with the perfect size for the drizzle--thin enough to leave room for the other elements of the dessert to come through the frame the lines created. It had been important to add the drizzle and let it dry before making the shape cut such that the drizzle did not extend past or muddy the sharpness of the points.
Juniper didn't realize that his eyes had begun to water in the process, perhaps on some level imagining himself what it would be like for someone else to have made him a dessert with such care and attention to detail, simply on a whim and not because he ordered it and paid for it. It was a beautiful and heartbreaking thought, somehow. Blinking back the would-be tears, Juniper looked again to Cory, eyes inevitably shining with an cautious, unattached hope that maybe, just maybe, this man could genuinely and fully appreciate his offering.
Cory's face reddened slightly, and he looked back down at the brownies with a dazzling, full-mouthed smile Juniper thought he might like to kiss one day.
"Absolutely beautiful." Cory's tone was soft and luxuriant, reminding Juniper of how quiet it was here in a space where they were, at last, alone together. No prying eyes, no one to walk in on them--just four gorgeous walls covered in all the beauty Cory had allowed to flow out from his mind and his hands and a beautiful place to sit in each other's company. Cory gently shook his head as though in disbelief, an echo of Juniper's own.
Cory was still staring at the brownies, and Juniper was somewhat surprised that he hadn't picked one of them up yet. Patiently, Juniper again indulged in studying the artist, wondering what might be going through the man's mind. Was he sketching out the lines and shadows of the dessert? Was he contemplating their meaning or why Juniper felt inspired to make them in the first place? Was he building anticipation for when he might give Juniper the unique pleasure of watching someone else take a first bite of something he made from scratch?
Juniper looked to the brownies then himself, the butterflies in his stomach becoming sharper and more restless. There were so many things he wanted in this moment. He thought about informing Cory that he could, in fact, eat them, that they were not simply for show, but surely the man knew that, and Juniper didn't want to rush the process. No, if Juniper accepted that the dessert was a work of art they might admire together in a museum, then he could continue to indulge in the artist's attention and find his own ways to be fascinated again with his own creation.
He was proud of the star shape they held. It hadn't been easy, calculating out how many of them he could get out of the pan, and he was pleased that they had retained their points well. Only one or two of them had broken off in the process, and he had tucked them neatly in the center of the stack. The strawberries really did look delicious the way he had cut them, displaying as much of their pink and red insides as possible with a thin and confident vertical slice, which increased the surface area and therefore the contact with the tongue. He reminisced about melting the white chocolate and placing it in a bag from which he experimented with the perfect size for the drizzle--thin enough to leave room for the other elements of the dessert to come through the frame the lines created. It had been important to add the drizzle and let it dry before making the shape cut such that the drizzle did not extend past or muddy the sharpness of the points.
Juniper didn't realize that his eyes had begun to water in the process, perhaps on some level imagining himself what it would be like for someone else to have made him a dessert with such care and attention to detail, simply on a whim and not because he ordered it and paid for it. It was a beautiful and heartbreaking thought, somehow. Blinking back the would-be tears, Juniper looked again to Cory, eyes inevitably shining with an cautious, unattached hope that maybe, just maybe, this man could genuinely and fully appreciate his offering.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory gazed at the brownies for a long time, something unfurling luxuriously in the spaciousness to let his eyes follow the patterns of the drizzle, the creases and textures of the brownies, the subtle glistens of the strawberries, the arrangement of it all on the plate, the neatly folded cloth to the side.
Finally, perhaps his eyes were sated, or perhaps his taste buds grew eager, or perhaps he just felt Juniper's gaze on him. In any case, his eyes rose to meet Juniper's, and he saw in them a sweet, hopeful bliss that made him stare even longer, soaking in yet a new beautiful sight. But, he began to feel self-conscious quickly there, aware that he himself was also being beheld, and, was he making Juniper wait? Well, perhaps he was making himself wait, in fact. As beautiful as all these sights were, he really did want to try the brownies, did he not?
With a deep breath, Cory began to lean forward, his eyes still on Juniper with a gentle question entering his gaze as he began to reach a hand forward. But, before Juniper could answer his silent question, something about his own hand caught his attention: smudges of dark gray across his fingers. His eyebrows raised, a soft "ah," falling from his lips as he pulled his hand back, some sheepishness in his expression.
"I should probably--" He turned his sheepish smile back to Juniper, inviting some playfulness into it as he spread his fingers toward Juniper, showcasing his smudges plainly. Then, he nodded toward the sink against the wall behind him, and finally pushed himself to his feet and shuffled over that direction and wash his hands.
Finally, perhaps his eyes were sated, or perhaps his taste buds grew eager, or perhaps he just felt Juniper's gaze on him. In any case, his eyes rose to meet Juniper's, and he saw in them a sweet, hopeful bliss that made him stare even longer, soaking in yet a new beautiful sight. But, he began to feel self-conscious quickly there, aware that he himself was also being beheld, and, was he making Juniper wait? Well, perhaps he was making himself wait, in fact. As beautiful as all these sights were, he really did want to try the brownies, did he not?
With a deep breath, Cory began to lean forward, his eyes still on Juniper with a gentle question entering his gaze as he began to reach a hand forward. But, before Juniper could answer his silent question, something about his own hand caught his attention: smudges of dark gray across his fingers. His eyebrows raised, a soft "ah," falling from his lips as he pulled his hand back, some sheepishness in his expression.
"I should probably--" He turned his sheepish smile back to Juniper, inviting some playfulness into it as he spread his fingers toward Juniper, showcasing his smudges plainly. Then, he nodded toward the sink against the wall behind him, and finally pushed himself to his feet and shuffled over that direction and wash his hands.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory's delight was beautiful, and Juniper leaned in toward the man somewhat unintentionally, eyes drawn to the beautiful mouth that might soon partake of the dessert. But then Cory took a deep breath and leaned toward the table instead, his eyes on Juniper as he reached a hand toward the brownies. But, then, Cory looked down at his own smudged hand, making an echo of Juniper's earlier breathy exclamation.
He pulled his hand back, embarrassment at last creeping into his features, and Juniper's heart pounded at the thwarted moment. Cory had been so close.
"I should probably--" Cory started, smiling shyly at Juniper and spreading his fingers in the air between them to put the charcoal remnants on full display. Juniper raised his eyebrows and half-smiled, unsure if Cory had realized how obvious the charcoal smudges had been before. Ultimately, he decided the artist's lack of awareness of it was endearing. And, really, what had Juniper expected, coming directly to an artist's studio?
Cory moved to his feet and approached the sink, interrupting Juniper's attempt to find a conversation thread. Now, with the running water, he wasn't sure Cory would be able to hear him, and he didn't want to shout. Not here.
Instead, Juniper tried to pull inward, calming his nerves. He rubbed his hands down his thighs and took deep breaths with his eyes closed as he gently urged the butterflies in his stomach toward stillness. Surely, when Cory returned, he would simply kick them up again, but for now, Juniper might be able to give his stomach a break. It didn't help, however, when his mind started supplying fantasies of going over and standing behind Cory at the sink, taking the artist's hips into his hands and rocking gently from side to side in a sort of dance. Or perhaps Juniper would kneel on the ground in front of Cory as he sat in the chair, kissing up from the hem of Cory's shirt.
Ah, everything was a-swirl again.
As Cory returned, the urge to strike up conversation flared once more, but Juniper didn't want to distract Cory from tasting the brownies. They could talk afterward. Juniper waited for Cory to take a brownie in hand before he reached for his own.
He pulled his hand back, embarrassment at last creeping into his features, and Juniper's heart pounded at the thwarted moment. Cory had been so close.
"I should probably--" Cory started, smiling shyly at Juniper and spreading his fingers in the air between them to put the charcoal remnants on full display. Juniper raised his eyebrows and half-smiled, unsure if Cory had realized how obvious the charcoal smudges had been before. Ultimately, he decided the artist's lack of awareness of it was endearing. And, really, what had Juniper expected, coming directly to an artist's studio?
Cory moved to his feet and approached the sink, interrupting Juniper's attempt to find a conversation thread. Now, with the running water, he wasn't sure Cory would be able to hear him, and he didn't want to shout. Not here.
Instead, Juniper tried to pull inward, calming his nerves. He rubbed his hands down his thighs and took deep breaths with his eyes closed as he gently urged the butterflies in his stomach toward stillness. Surely, when Cory returned, he would simply kick them up again, but for now, Juniper might be able to give his stomach a break. It didn't help, however, when his mind started supplying fantasies of going over and standing behind Cory at the sink, taking the artist's hips into his hands and rocking gently from side to side in a sort of dance. Or perhaps Juniper would kneel on the ground in front of Cory as he sat in the chair, kissing up from the hem of Cory's shirt.
Ah, everything was a-swirl again.
As Cory returned, the urge to strike up conversation flared once more, but Juniper didn't want to distract Cory from tasting the brownies. They could talk afterward. Juniper waited for Cory to take a brownie in hand before he reached for his own.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory glanced nervously toward Juniper mid hand-wash, expression prepped with an awkward apologetic smile. Juniper's eyes were closed, though, his breathing deep as his hands gently rubbed over his thighs. Cory breathed out some of his own tension, his smile relaxing into serenity as he turned the water off and set to drying his hands.
Juniper's eyes were open again as Cory made his way back to his chair, re-lighting some nervous jitters. They'd both been quiet for some stretch of time now; should Cory say something? No, there was only one action that genuinely called his attention now, and if he wasn't mistaken, Juniper's own silence held no small amount of anticipation for it, too. Smiling bashfully, Cory collected a playfully mischievous glint in his eyes before reaching anew for a brownie, ultimately turning his gaze down to the plate as he selected the one most ready to be relocated out of Juniper's lovely arrangement.
Juniper reached for his own brownie once Cory had collected his, and Cory raised his brownie in a playful 'cheers' motion, his other hand diligently hovering beneath it just in case any crumbles decided to dislodge during the gesture. Blissfully intact, Cory at last brought the brownie slowly to his lips, already feeling saliva pool beneath his tongue as he anticipated the pleasant flavors and textures to come, eyes sliding shut as he shifted his attention fully into the experience.
One texture which Cory did not fully anticipate was a pleasant crust--a feature which delicious brownies did sometimes manage, but it was a rare treat which Cory was delighted to encounter, made all the more scrumptious with the added interest of the chocolate drizzle on top. And then, beneath the crust was lush and rich, exactly the decadent gooey chocolatey texture that kept Cory coming back to brownies time and time again as a favorite treat. Finally, the strawberries within brought a burst of sweetness, soft flesh and playful juices dancing over Cory's tongue with the brownie's voluptuous body and a layer of molten chocolate whose sultry flavor ultimately lingered to keep him company once Cory finally swallowed his first well-relished bite.
He'd let the experience play out across his expression far more freely than he'd done with the strawberry at the party--he wasn't thinking about eyes on him, wasn't trying to hold together some sort of polite, appropriate-feeling mask. His eyebrows rose with the delight of the crust encounter, and then melted into bliss as he relished in the brownie texture he loved so dearly. A soft "Mmmm" hummed through the experience as he met with the strawberries, his brows drawing together and his posture melting a bit as he savored the dance among the layered flavors and textures that his tongue and teeth explored and relished together. Then, at last, an indulgent exhale as he swallowed, his tongue tracing over teeth to savor and help guide the last of the bite back to his throat.
Cory's awareness that there were in fact some eyes on him--or at least, there might be--did wash back in as the experience faded to the lingering tastes, and he braced himself through his next inhale, his smile curling a little nervously before at last he mustered the bravery to open his eyes and look at Juniper, unsure whether he would find the man staring or enthralled in his own first bite experience.
Juniper's eyes were open again as Cory made his way back to his chair, re-lighting some nervous jitters. They'd both been quiet for some stretch of time now; should Cory say something? No, there was only one action that genuinely called his attention now, and if he wasn't mistaken, Juniper's own silence held no small amount of anticipation for it, too. Smiling bashfully, Cory collected a playfully mischievous glint in his eyes before reaching anew for a brownie, ultimately turning his gaze down to the plate as he selected the one most ready to be relocated out of Juniper's lovely arrangement.
Juniper reached for his own brownie once Cory had collected his, and Cory raised his brownie in a playful 'cheers' motion, his other hand diligently hovering beneath it just in case any crumbles decided to dislodge during the gesture. Blissfully intact, Cory at last brought the brownie slowly to his lips, already feeling saliva pool beneath his tongue as he anticipated the pleasant flavors and textures to come, eyes sliding shut as he shifted his attention fully into the experience.
One texture which Cory did not fully anticipate was a pleasant crust--a feature which delicious brownies did sometimes manage, but it was a rare treat which Cory was delighted to encounter, made all the more scrumptious with the added interest of the chocolate drizzle on top. And then, beneath the crust was lush and rich, exactly the decadent gooey chocolatey texture that kept Cory coming back to brownies time and time again as a favorite treat. Finally, the strawberries within brought a burst of sweetness, soft flesh and playful juices dancing over Cory's tongue with the brownie's voluptuous body and a layer of molten chocolate whose sultry flavor ultimately lingered to keep him company once Cory finally swallowed his first well-relished bite.
He'd let the experience play out across his expression far more freely than he'd done with the strawberry at the party--he wasn't thinking about eyes on him, wasn't trying to hold together some sort of polite, appropriate-feeling mask. His eyebrows rose with the delight of the crust encounter, and then melted into bliss as he relished in the brownie texture he loved so dearly. A soft "Mmmm" hummed through the experience as he met with the strawberries, his brows drawing together and his posture melting a bit as he savored the dance among the layered flavors and textures that his tongue and teeth explored and relished together. Then, at last, an indulgent exhale as he swallowed, his tongue tracing over teeth to savor and help guide the last of the bite back to his throat.
Cory's awareness that there were in fact some eyes on him--or at least, there might be--did wash back in as the experience faded to the lingering tastes, and he braced himself through his next inhale, his smile curling a little nervously before at last he mustered the bravery to open his eyes and look at Juniper, unsure whether he would find the man staring or enthralled in his own first bite experience.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Juniper had a difficult time not staring at Cory. He was still delightfully smudged and painted, and though there were so many details and textures in the room that begged for Juniper's attention, there was nothing so alive and vibrant as the man who came again to sit and contemplate the dessert in front of them both.
Cory smiled as he reached once more for a brownie, and something about the set of his eyes made Juniper think he must be aware of how much anticipation the hand washing had added to the situation. Juniper had not expected his whim to carry so much weight, and yet, he was committed to riding this wave, even if also anxious that what he made might not live up to expectations.
Juniper mirrored Cory and took a brownie off the top, holding it in his hand and wondering if he should also have brought plates as he brushed a few stray crumbs from his pants. Looking Juniper's direction, Cory raised his brownie slightly as though he were holding a drink, and Juniper did the same almost without thinking, a small smile crossing his face.
Back in his kitchen, Juniper had, of course, tasted some of the edges of the brownie, those which had not made it into the shape he cut. He enjoyed it and looked forward to a fuller experience, but ultimately, what he wanted was another memory of Cory to carry back home with him tonight.
So, though Juniper took a bite of his dessert at the same time as Cory--reminding his tongue of the slick sweetness of the strawberry, the smooth drizzle of the chocolate, the juxtaposition of outer crunch and inner softness, each taste making themselves known in succession--his eyes were fixed on Cory, pleased to know that the artist was having something of the same experience.
Whatever shy demeanor Cory held before and after he had gotten up to wash his hands, it seemed to vanish as soon as his teeth touched the brownie. His eyebrows immediately rose. That Cory let out an audible hum, quiet though it may have been--delighted Juniper. That certainly hadn't happened at the party where Cory had bitten into the strawberry. Cory's body visibly relaxed into his chair as he chewed slowly, his eyebrows returning to soft stillness. The artist was melting like the molten chocolate at the center of the dessert.
Cory's tongue darted out just enough to catch a small amount of chocolate that lingered on his bottom lip, and Juniper sighed happily, having swallowed his own bite. He swallowed again, a bit unnecessarily this time, as Cory smiled shyly, inhaled deeply, and opened his eyes to look at Juniper. Briefly, Juniper worried that Cory might think he might not equally be enjoying the dessert--Juniper certainly hadn't melted for it the way Cory had--but it was rather late now for a similar showing, Juniper thought. Instead, his eyes darted toward the brownie in his hand. He thought about trying to say something witty or perhaps he could make some remark about the process of making the dessert, but instead, he looked at Cory with slightly narrowed eyes and a tilt to his head, weighing the idea that next came to mind.
Setting his bitten brownie back on the plate, careful to make sure it didn't touch any of the others, Juniper looked at Cory and asked, "May I..." his voice caught, some anxious part of him shocked that he was about to ask this question. But, another part of him replayed the sound of Cory saying, please, take me somewhere I can touch you, when they were outside the museum together, and it gave him the last ounce of bravery he needed to follow through. "...feed you your next bite?"
Cory smiled as he reached once more for a brownie, and something about the set of his eyes made Juniper think he must be aware of how much anticipation the hand washing had added to the situation. Juniper had not expected his whim to carry so much weight, and yet, he was committed to riding this wave, even if also anxious that what he made might not live up to expectations.
Juniper mirrored Cory and took a brownie off the top, holding it in his hand and wondering if he should also have brought plates as he brushed a few stray crumbs from his pants. Looking Juniper's direction, Cory raised his brownie slightly as though he were holding a drink, and Juniper did the same almost without thinking, a small smile crossing his face.
Back in his kitchen, Juniper had, of course, tasted some of the edges of the brownie, those which had not made it into the shape he cut. He enjoyed it and looked forward to a fuller experience, but ultimately, what he wanted was another memory of Cory to carry back home with him tonight.
So, though Juniper took a bite of his dessert at the same time as Cory--reminding his tongue of the slick sweetness of the strawberry, the smooth drizzle of the chocolate, the juxtaposition of outer crunch and inner softness, each taste making themselves known in succession--his eyes were fixed on Cory, pleased to know that the artist was having something of the same experience.
Whatever shy demeanor Cory held before and after he had gotten up to wash his hands, it seemed to vanish as soon as his teeth touched the brownie. His eyebrows immediately rose. That Cory let out an audible hum, quiet though it may have been--delighted Juniper. That certainly hadn't happened at the party where Cory had bitten into the strawberry. Cory's body visibly relaxed into his chair as he chewed slowly, his eyebrows returning to soft stillness. The artist was melting like the molten chocolate at the center of the dessert.
Cory's tongue darted out just enough to catch a small amount of chocolate that lingered on his bottom lip, and Juniper sighed happily, having swallowed his own bite. He swallowed again, a bit unnecessarily this time, as Cory smiled shyly, inhaled deeply, and opened his eyes to look at Juniper. Briefly, Juniper worried that Cory might think he might not equally be enjoying the dessert--Juniper certainly hadn't melted for it the way Cory had--but it was rather late now for a similar showing, Juniper thought. Instead, his eyes darted toward the brownie in his hand. He thought about trying to say something witty or perhaps he could make some remark about the process of making the dessert, but instead, he looked at Cory with slightly narrowed eyes and a tilt to his head, weighing the idea that next came to mind.
Setting his bitten brownie back on the plate, careful to make sure it didn't touch any of the others, Juniper looked at Cory and asked, "May I..." his voice caught, some anxious part of him shocked that he was about to ask this question. But, another part of him replayed the sound of Cory saying, please, take me somewhere I can touch you, when they were outside the museum together, and it gave him the last ounce of bravery he needed to follow through. "...feed you your next bite?"
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory found Juniper's eyes looking right at him, trilling a warm, exciting certainty in Cory that the man had indeed been beholding him. Juniper looked down to his own brownie--which was also short a bite now--but brought his eyes back to Cory just as quickly, his gaze narrowed in a way that sparked Cory's bashful excitement into nervous thrill. Cory was enraptured by the man's expression, watching quietly as Juniper set his brownie carefully on the side of the plate, and then spoke.
"May I..."
Cory's heart pounded heavy in his chest, his mind supplying ponderances of what Juniper may be leading up to in the pause that the man left open. Perhaps it was only fair, after Cory's handwashing bit. Had they arrived at the point where Juniper might ask for a kiss? Was it absurd to contemplate that possibility so soon after meeting today? And yet, was it not in the air? What else might the man be leaving open such a pause in preparation for asking?
"...feed you your next bite?"
Cory's breath fully escaped him and his eyebrows raised, surprise and something quite akin to arousal striking him with a not unpleasant jolt. His mouth had fallen open slightly, though he closed it presently to swallow the saliva that had freshly pooled beneath his tongue. The impulse rose to nod, but he hesitated, perhaps still in disbelief that he had heard correctly. But what else could Juniper possibly have said? And, if he had heard correctly, he dare not ask Juniper to repeat himself, lest the man lose his nerve.... so... Cory really did want to say yes, then, didn't he? His cheeks were hot, surely showing color, and at last he nodded, though a fresh awkwardness settled over him as he began to wonder what came next. Did he just... wait in his chair for Juniper to come take the brownie from him? He wasn't sure he could handle the anticipation, the fear that he really had misheard and that Juniper might expect him to do something altogether different. So, before the thrill in his chest had enough time to turn to anxiety, Cory mustered a shy smile and asked,
"Hhow would you like me?" He'd tried to speak smoothly, warmly, richly, and somewhat managed it by the end, though some breathy nerves did slur the beginning together. He swallowed, hoping Juniper might still find it charming. He held his brownie out in his palm front of him, available for taking if Juniper did want to walk over by Cory's chair for this next moment. Cory's eyes also clocked a spot he might imagine kneeling in front of Juniper if beckoned, though a fresh wave of nervousness darted his eyes away from there quickly, instead settling on the couch next to Juniper--yes, probably the more sane approach, if Juniper preferred for Cory to come to him.
"May I..."
Cory's heart pounded heavy in his chest, his mind supplying ponderances of what Juniper may be leading up to in the pause that the man left open. Perhaps it was only fair, after Cory's handwashing bit. Had they arrived at the point where Juniper might ask for a kiss? Was it absurd to contemplate that possibility so soon after meeting today? And yet, was it not in the air? What else might the man be leaving open such a pause in preparation for asking?
"...feed you your next bite?"
Cory's breath fully escaped him and his eyebrows raised, surprise and something quite akin to arousal striking him with a not unpleasant jolt. His mouth had fallen open slightly, though he closed it presently to swallow the saliva that had freshly pooled beneath his tongue. The impulse rose to nod, but he hesitated, perhaps still in disbelief that he had heard correctly. But what else could Juniper possibly have said? And, if he had heard correctly, he dare not ask Juniper to repeat himself, lest the man lose his nerve.... so... Cory really did want to say yes, then, didn't he? His cheeks were hot, surely showing color, and at last he nodded, though a fresh awkwardness settled over him as he began to wonder what came next. Did he just... wait in his chair for Juniper to come take the brownie from him? He wasn't sure he could handle the anticipation, the fear that he really had misheard and that Juniper might expect him to do something altogether different. So, before the thrill in his chest had enough time to turn to anxiety, Cory mustered a shy smile and asked,
"Hhow would you like me?" He'd tried to speak smoothly, warmly, richly, and somewhat managed it by the end, though some breathy nerves did slur the beginning together. He swallowed, hoping Juniper might still find it charming. He held his brownie out in his palm front of him, available for taking if Juniper did want to walk over by Cory's chair for this next moment. Cory's eyes also clocked a spot he might imagine kneeling in front of Juniper if beckoned, though a fresh wave of nervousness darted his eyes away from there quickly, instead settling on the couch next to Juniper--yes, probably the more sane approach, if Juniper preferred for Cory to come to him.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Juniper's stomach became utter turmoil through Cory's breathy exhale, raised eyebrows, and parted lips. As the artist swallowed, a deep blush came across his cheeks. The seconds ticked by, and Juniper began to doubt himself. Had he embarrassed Cory? Had he moved too quickly through this? Juniper remembered at the park when Cory had been worried about enjoying what they had been doing too much, though surely that had changed now that there were in the privacy of Cory's studio, right?
Just as Juniper was pulling a dismissal of his question together in his mind, nearly having given up on his proposition, Cory's shy smile returned, and he nodded, asking, "H--how would you like me?" The first two words mingled together in his mouth, though there was a confidence to the end of his sentence that sent blood rushing downward through Juniper's body. He took a deep breath so as to not act rashly when Cory held the brownie out in his palm.
Juniper realized that he had been imagining kneeling in front of Cory to offer the brownie, but now, presented with the possibility of posing the artist, Juniper freshly considered his options. He might have felt slightly anxious about the way he slowly looked around the space, but given how much anticipation Cory had built up earlier, Juniper decided it was well within his rights to keep the man waiting, playfully, at the very least.
He took in the space behind Cory and next considered the coffee table before landing on the couch beside him, still available. With a slight smile Cory's direction, Juniper stood, gently plucked the brownie from Cory's palm, and sat down in the far seat on the couch, nodding toward the now-empty space he had previously been occupying. Juniper settled in gracefully, elbow resting on the back of the couch as he held the brownie aloft, waiting patiently, his eyes and smile slightly sly and daring.
Just as Juniper was pulling a dismissal of his question together in his mind, nearly having given up on his proposition, Cory's shy smile returned, and he nodded, asking, "H--how would you like me?" The first two words mingled together in his mouth, though there was a confidence to the end of his sentence that sent blood rushing downward through Juniper's body. He took a deep breath so as to not act rashly when Cory held the brownie out in his palm.
Juniper realized that he had been imagining kneeling in front of Cory to offer the brownie, but now, presented with the possibility of posing the artist, Juniper freshly considered his options. He might have felt slightly anxious about the way he slowly looked around the space, but given how much anticipation Cory had built up earlier, Juniper decided it was well within his rights to keep the man waiting, playfully, at the very least.
He took in the space behind Cory and next considered the coffee table before landing on the couch beside him, still available. With a slight smile Cory's direction, Juniper stood, gently plucked the brownie from Cory's palm, and sat down in the far seat on the couch, nodding toward the now-empty space he had previously been occupying. Juniper settled in gracefully, elbow resting on the back of the couch as he held the brownie aloft, waiting patiently, his eyes and smile slightly sly and daring.