Juniper looked around the space in the wake of Cory's question, and Cory waited patiently, though anticipation buzzed in his chest, his cheeks still burning hot and his heart thumping loudly in his ears. Still, this part was absolutely Juniper's prerogative to draw out, and Cory could not fault him for it. He was surprised by some of the directions of Juniper's attention, though--behind Cory at first, and then later to the coffee table, neither of which Cory's imagination could make much sense of. Perhaps just directions Juniper was looking while thinking, or drawing some sort of inspiration from? At last, the man's gaze also fell upon the empty cushion beside him on the couch, and then his eyes were upon Cory again, and just like that Juniper was standing and stepping toward him. Would he keep Cory here in the chair after all?
No, Cory watched breathlessly as Juniper stepped away again, having plucked the brownie from Cory's hand, and settled back down onto the couch, but taking up the other cushion this time. Juniper settled in with a pose that was absolutely picturesque, his elbow resting on the back of the couch, brownie held aloft, waiting. Yet another beautiful painting. Cory couldn't help taking a moment to appreciate the sight, even as Juniper's sly, daring smile kept Cory's heartbeat hot and heavy in his body. Finally, Cory swallowed again and slowly rose to his feet, following the pull of Juniper's beckoning pose.
The awareness hit him with his first step that he was still wearing shoes, which he lamented with a soft exhale, though he did not slow his approach. He did, however, pause by the couch, angled slightly so that he could slip his shoes off out of the way by the arm rest, practiced at using one foot to brace the heel of the other so as not to need to involve his hands. It felt risky, perhaps--maybe Juniper might experience some revulsion to this act in such proximity with food--but no part of Cory wanted to settle onto the couch and experience his next bite of brownie whilst being aware of wearing shoes. He compromised and kept his socks on, in any case. And, here was hoping the gesture was so sure and steady that Juniper might not even think much of it at all. Cory hoped for that, and pivoted smoothly to settle down onto the couch next to Juniper, one leg bent in front of him to allow him to face the man fairly directly, foot tucked neatly beneath the knee of the other, which kept its foot on the ground.
Cory grew aware again of his pooling saliva, but he did not swallow yet. He moved his tongue subtly in his mouth to savor the sensation as he met Juniper's eyes and began to lean toward the man, meeting the daring look in his expression with a sort of calm resoluteness in his own--though his burning cheeks surely betrayed him to some degree. He swallowed at last as he met some invisible threshold--the moment when his center of gravity shifted thanks to his approach and his body tensed subtly as a mere matter of physics, also prompting him to come to a pause. His gaze shifted from Juniper's eyes to the brownie, undoubtedly motivated in part by shyness, but also in part by a seriousness about the endeavor he was about to embark on. Yes, this would be an interaction between himself and Juniper, but it was an interaction between his mouth and the brownie it would partake of again first and foremost, and that aspect deserved his full attention.
His tongue moved subtly against the bottom of his mouth again, stirring the next building collection of saliva as Cory recounted the textures and flavors of his first bite, building anticipation for those delights that would await him on this impending reprise. Sexual connotations did occur to him as his tongue moved inside his mouth, preparing to come into contact with Juniper's offering, and he supposed it would probably be naive to think that they hadn't occurred to Juniper in kind. That did start a new flurry of nervous butterflies in Cory's stomach, shyness making a powerful bid to back out--was this all just a little too overt? Was he being too eager? Would they end up skipping over drawing Juniper entirely and--
Cory closed his eyes with a soft exhale as he braced his hands on the couch in front of his leg, allowing the muscles in his torso to relax a little. A pleasant shudder cascaded up his back as he recalled Juniper's hand near the waist of his pants the other night, the man's gentle stroke of Cory's ear. This was not coming out of nowhere for the two of them, he reassured himself. And in fact, wasn't it kind of awe-inspiring that they were finding their way back to this so easily? This.... blissful appreciation; this relishing of beauty in each other and their environment; this quiet, persistent friction of the possibilities that lay beneath the surface, nearby but unimposing. Cory wanted to trust that he was exactly as eager as he should be--which was to say, that his genuine interest in being fed his next bite of delectable dessert from this beautiful man's hand was no more or less 'inappropriate' than anything else that they'd done together so far, and may yet do. That appropriateness didn't actually matter, here in the privacy of his own art studio, in the wake of their interactions beneath the maple trees. That this was just him and Juniper, beholding this work of culinary art together that Juniper himself had created, free from the unknown judgement of strangers, in exactly the way that they both most wanted to enjoy this experience. It didn't have to be anything more or less than that.
The flurry of butterflies thus soothed, Cory opened his eyes again slowly, his lids heavy and his lips subtly parting. He looked first at the brownie again, indulging once more in the sight and the anticipation of it, before he finally lifted his gaze all the way to Juniper, and swallowed, nodding.
((OOC: If Juniper starts bringing the brownie at all closer to Cory, Cory is prepared to retun his attention to the brownie and probably close his eyes as he accepts a bite. But, I think this moment of looking at Juniper again is also serving as a brief check-in if Juniper seems to be having any hesitations of his own. Cory will not approach the brownie himself past this point without more data about what he'd be approaching lol.))
Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Juniper liked that Cory was looking at him, and the pleasant buzz of satisfaction about the situation Juniper had at least partially curated kept his anxiety at bay.
Before too long, Cory swallowed and stood, walking over to Juniper but pausing before sitting. Cory was moving his feet in a way that Juniper could not quite make sense of until Cory settled onto the couch with one leg tucked under the other. The artist had taken off his shoes.
Fair enough--this was his studio after all. It took a moment for Juniper to understand why the thought brought such heat to his face. Something about Cory wanting to be comfortable, wanting to take a step toward being yet more casual, made this moment all the more real.
Cory worked his lips as though his tongue were seeking out every crumb of brownie from his teeth, and Juniper's breath caught as he noticed the artist simultaneously leaning forward in his direction. Their gazes did not leave one another, both of them eager and curious as Cory continued to close the distance between them, swallowing as he came to a gentle stop.
Cory glanced at the brownie, reminding Juniper that the next move was his. Widening his eyes slightly, his fingers tightened fractionally on the dessert, preparing.
But before his hand would otherwise move, the tip of Cory's tongue traced the bottom of his lip, and Juniper's eyelids grew heavy with desire. Surely, the artist knew what he was doing, and there was no need for Juniper to hide his naked expression. It was just the two of them here, and Juniper couldn't help the mild shiver that passed over him as he clenched muscles that had had too few opportunities for pleasurable use.
Cory wasn't pulling away; in fact, he was leaning in further, placing hands on the couch between them as a shudder of his own passed through his spine, revealing, just momentarily, a flicker of skin below the hem of Cory's shirt.
My fingers have been there, Juniper thought, feeling yet more emboldened. There was no convincing himself out of the obvious signs of attraction Cory offered, his eyes closed now. Juniper's expression softened, in awe of Cory's trust and willingness to be in Juniper's company. As much as Juniper might have tried to tell himself that asking to feed Cory had been a gesture among friends, there was no doubt that they had crossed some elusive threshold. Again, Juniper added, thinking of their coats swinging in the light evening breeze.
And would Cory outpace Juniper, seeking some quick release and a hasty goodbye after whatever happened next? No. No, Juniper was not sure Cory would be capable of rushing this if he tried, and the thought brought a warm smile to Juniper's lips. They could take their time. They had all afternoon, at the very least.
Cory's eyes opened slowly with heavy lids and parted lips. Cory was not doing Juniper a favor--if Juniper had to guess, this had been as much a fantasy in Cory's own mind as it had been in Juniper's. So, when Cory looked at the brownie again and raised his eyes to Juniper to ask silently for what he wanted, what Juniper had offered, Juniper indulged them both.
Slowly bringing the brownie to Cory's lips, breath shakier than he would have preferred, Juniper gave himself permission to stare openly at the artist's jaw, swallowing as he imagined what it would be like to kiss down the man's neck from his ear as he softly chewed.
At last, the brownie made contact with Cory's open mouth, teeth curious and tentative as he closed his eyes and bit down.
A tiny moan escaped Juniper's throat before he could stop it, and that was it. All plausible deniability about his motives here gone out the window. He was officially engaged in a more-than-friendly encounter with this man, and he had no intentions of turning back now.
Before too long, Cory swallowed and stood, walking over to Juniper but pausing before sitting. Cory was moving his feet in a way that Juniper could not quite make sense of until Cory settled onto the couch with one leg tucked under the other. The artist had taken off his shoes.
Fair enough--this was his studio after all. It took a moment for Juniper to understand why the thought brought such heat to his face. Something about Cory wanting to be comfortable, wanting to take a step toward being yet more casual, made this moment all the more real.
Cory worked his lips as though his tongue were seeking out every crumb of brownie from his teeth, and Juniper's breath caught as he noticed the artist simultaneously leaning forward in his direction. Their gazes did not leave one another, both of them eager and curious as Cory continued to close the distance between them, swallowing as he came to a gentle stop.
Cory glanced at the brownie, reminding Juniper that the next move was his. Widening his eyes slightly, his fingers tightened fractionally on the dessert, preparing.
But before his hand would otherwise move, the tip of Cory's tongue traced the bottom of his lip, and Juniper's eyelids grew heavy with desire. Surely, the artist knew what he was doing, and there was no need for Juniper to hide his naked expression. It was just the two of them here, and Juniper couldn't help the mild shiver that passed over him as he clenched muscles that had had too few opportunities for pleasurable use.
Cory wasn't pulling away; in fact, he was leaning in further, placing hands on the couch between them as a shudder of his own passed through his spine, revealing, just momentarily, a flicker of skin below the hem of Cory's shirt.
My fingers have been there, Juniper thought, feeling yet more emboldened. There was no convincing himself out of the obvious signs of attraction Cory offered, his eyes closed now. Juniper's expression softened, in awe of Cory's trust and willingness to be in Juniper's company. As much as Juniper might have tried to tell himself that asking to feed Cory had been a gesture among friends, there was no doubt that they had crossed some elusive threshold. Again, Juniper added, thinking of their coats swinging in the light evening breeze.
And would Cory outpace Juniper, seeking some quick release and a hasty goodbye after whatever happened next? No. No, Juniper was not sure Cory would be capable of rushing this if he tried, and the thought brought a warm smile to Juniper's lips. They could take their time. They had all afternoon, at the very least.
Cory's eyes opened slowly with heavy lids and parted lips. Cory was not doing Juniper a favor--if Juniper had to guess, this had been as much a fantasy in Cory's own mind as it had been in Juniper's. So, when Cory looked at the brownie again and raised his eyes to Juniper to ask silently for what he wanted, what Juniper had offered, Juniper indulged them both.
Slowly bringing the brownie to Cory's lips, breath shakier than he would have preferred, Juniper gave himself permission to stare openly at the artist's jaw, swallowing as he imagined what it would be like to kiss down the man's neck from his ear as he softly chewed.
At last, the brownie made contact with Cory's open mouth, teeth curious and tentative as he closed his eyes and bit down.
A tiny moan escaped Juniper's throat before he could stop it, and that was it. All plausible deniability about his motives here gone out the window. He was officially engaged in a more-than-friendly encounter with this man, and he had no intentions of turning back now.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Thrill cascaded through Cory's chest as Juniper began to bring the brownie to Cory's lips, not even a hint of hesitation that he could discern in the gesture; just a gentle patience for Cory to be ready, and confidence to proceed when he was. Cory felt utterly blissful, letting his eyes fall shut as the brownie touched his tongue and his teeth gently pressed down through that delightful crust, taking this next rich, delicious experience fully into his mouth.
A soft moan graced Cory's ears, and he wasn't altogether sure it wasn't his own until his jaw made its second bite into the captive sample of brownie, and the fresh burst of flavors and textures from the strawberry and chocolate dancing over his tongue invited a soft moan to vibrate in Cory's throat--cascading shivers of sublime understanding down the back of his neck and beneath his shoulder blades that Juniper had moaned the moment before. Cory's eyes opened, softly, heavy-lidded as he looked hazily toward Juniper's face, his tongue taking a moment to dance with the strawberry and molten chocolate, pressing the supple body of the brownie against the roof of his mouth in a way that felt deeply satisfying. He closed his eyes again with a soft exhale through his nose as his tongue gently swept the brownie's flesh to the side along with some strawberry, positioning the sample so that his teeth could bite through those textures once more.
His fingers inched closer to Juniper on the couch, longing toward touch but terribly shy about it. He certainly didn't want to be ungrateful for the delicious, decadent delight that danced within his mouth, and he contentedly sank back into that experience as his tongue arranged the next bite for his teeth once more and then again, though some small slice of his attention did linger on where his fingers fidgeted subtly against the couch, index fingers softly caressing tips against one another in lieu of other touch. It was a pleasant split, or expansion really, thoroughly enjoying the experience that had been explicitly offered while also exploring the closest edge of something more. His eyes opened hazily again after a moment, offering his longing more plainly, if the man hadn't noticed his fidgeting fingers. It wasn't even longing for anything specific, really--touch of some sort would be delightful, yes, but so would another moan, or a pleasant whisper, or just a naked expression on Juniper's own face; anything to give Cory some small taste of how his own experience with the brownie echoed in Juniper, if he'd be willing to share such a thing.
A soft moan graced Cory's ears, and he wasn't altogether sure it wasn't his own until his jaw made its second bite into the captive sample of brownie, and the fresh burst of flavors and textures from the strawberry and chocolate dancing over his tongue invited a soft moan to vibrate in Cory's throat--cascading shivers of sublime understanding down the back of his neck and beneath his shoulder blades that Juniper had moaned the moment before. Cory's eyes opened, softly, heavy-lidded as he looked hazily toward Juniper's face, his tongue taking a moment to dance with the strawberry and molten chocolate, pressing the supple body of the brownie against the roof of his mouth in a way that felt deeply satisfying. He closed his eyes again with a soft exhale through his nose as his tongue gently swept the brownie's flesh to the side along with some strawberry, positioning the sample so that his teeth could bite through those textures once more.
His fingers inched closer to Juniper on the couch, longing toward touch but terribly shy about it. He certainly didn't want to be ungrateful for the delicious, decadent delight that danced within his mouth, and he contentedly sank back into that experience as his tongue arranged the next bite for his teeth once more and then again, though some small slice of his attention did linger on where his fingers fidgeted subtly against the couch, index fingers softly caressing tips against one another in lieu of other touch. It was a pleasant split, or expansion really, thoroughly enjoying the experience that had been explicitly offered while also exploring the closest edge of something more. His eyes opened hazily again after a moment, offering his longing more plainly, if the man hadn't noticed his fidgeting fingers. It wasn't even longing for anything specific, really--touch of some sort would be delightful, yes, but so would another moan, or a pleasant whisper, or just a naked expression on Juniper's own face; anything to give Cory some small taste of how his own experience with the brownie echoed in Juniper, if he'd be willing to share such a thing.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Juniper's shoulders softened as he stared openly at Cory, having already crossed some threshold between friend and lover and not having any intentions of retreating. As Cory moved the textures around inside his closed lips, Juniper delighted in the viscerality of it all:Cory's tongue working over Juniper's lovingly selected and prepared ingredients; the brief moment when Cory's eyes opened halfway to a roll, unable to fully focus on Juniper; Cory's jaw softly flexing such that every part of his mouth could join in the experience.
Juniper could hardly breathe for all the ache in his chest at the sight.
It didn't seem enough for Cory to move only his mouth--his fingers reached forward slightly on the couch, ghosts of charcoal smudges still visible across the landscape of his freshly washed hands. Juniper longed to reach out and touch them, maybe even lift one hand to kiss it, maybe even slide one finger into his mouth to see if he could taste the remnants of whatever Cory had been working on just before Juniper arrived, his tongue eagerly inviting Cory deeper in.
As though to tempt Juniper further, the tips of two of Cory's index fingers began caressing each other in a way Juniper had never seen in his life. The slow, sensual movements completely stole his attention from Cory's mouth as his own lips fell apart in awe, though some thread of awareness lingered about the dessert that had inspired such raw, erotic, and tantalizing beauty.
Juniper's own fingers twitched and the brownie in his right hand grew heavy as he imagined twining his fingers with Cory's, each of them delighting fully in the contact and writhing together in a wild and furious display of passion. Juniper brought his left hand to his chest, his breath obviously quicker as his eyes flicked back up to Cory's face where the artist was watching him, his gaze just as hazy as it had been just after Juniper had fed him.
If Juniper had crossed a threshold between friend and lover, Cory was surely now meeting him there, and Juniper swallowed in profound anticipation, his tongue wetting his lips in an attempt to invite in any remaining sugar left from his own bite of the dessert, lingering just behind his lower lip. Though there was terror in the idea of his impulse turned action, Juniper slowly brought his left hand to meet the fingertips of Cory's right, gently slipping his hand under Cory's and raising them both with measured grace toward his lips, making subtle contact with the flesh between Cory's thumb and first finger as his own eyes grew hazy but never left Cory's.
He was openly attempting to seduce this man, and he couldn't quite believe it.
Juniper could hardly breathe for all the ache in his chest at the sight.
It didn't seem enough for Cory to move only his mouth--his fingers reached forward slightly on the couch, ghosts of charcoal smudges still visible across the landscape of his freshly washed hands. Juniper longed to reach out and touch them, maybe even lift one hand to kiss it, maybe even slide one finger into his mouth to see if he could taste the remnants of whatever Cory had been working on just before Juniper arrived, his tongue eagerly inviting Cory deeper in.
As though to tempt Juniper further, the tips of two of Cory's index fingers began caressing each other in a way Juniper had never seen in his life. The slow, sensual movements completely stole his attention from Cory's mouth as his own lips fell apart in awe, though some thread of awareness lingered about the dessert that had inspired such raw, erotic, and tantalizing beauty.
Juniper's own fingers twitched and the brownie in his right hand grew heavy as he imagined twining his fingers with Cory's, each of them delighting fully in the contact and writhing together in a wild and furious display of passion. Juniper brought his left hand to his chest, his breath obviously quicker as his eyes flicked back up to Cory's face where the artist was watching him, his gaze just as hazy as it had been just after Juniper had fed him.
If Juniper had crossed a threshold between friend and lover, Cory was surely now meeting him there, and Juniper swallowed in profound anticipation, his tongue wetting his lips in an attempt to invite in any remaining sugar left from his own bite of the dessert, lingering just behind his lower lip. Though there was terror in the idea of his impulse turned action, Juniper slowly brought his left hand to meet the fingertips of Cory's right, gently slipping his hand under Cory's and raising them both with measured grace toward his lips, making subtle contact with the flesh between Cory's thumb and first finger as his own eyes grew hazy but never left Cory's.
He was openly attempting to seduce this man, and he couldn't quite believe it.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory was surprised to see Juniper's gaze aimed downard, but only because he hadn't realized that his fingers would solicit visual attention. In a way, he was delighted that they had. Juniper brought his gaze back to meet Cory's shortly, and Cory took in the tantalizing beauty of the man's throat as he swallowed, of his tongue gently wetting his lips. Cory's own tongue gathered a collection of brownie to swallow, enjoying the sensation of it moving down his throat, and also finding some satisfaction in the echoing of a gesture he'd just witnessed.
Then, Juniper's free hand reached for one of Cory's, and Cory grew more aware of his heartbeat in his chest, and of his breathing as he exhaled through his nose a little heavily, his mouth still occupied with brownie remnants to savor and enjoy. He was pliant as Juniper's fingers slipped beneath his own, his eyes watching the elegant ascent of their hands together as Juniper brought them toward his lips. He shyly flicked his gaze back to Juniper's eyes, freshly aware that the man had of course been watching him the whole time, and then closed his eyes, perhaps getting swept up in his tongue sweeping over teeth to collect more of the delectable brownie that lingered in his mouth, or perhaps too overcome with anticipation for whatever Juniper had in store for his hand to keep watching. In any case, a soft hum vibrated through him, his hand in Juniper's relaxed and patiently eager for whatever sensation it may be about to experience.
Then, Juniper's free hand reached for one of Cory's, and Cory grew more aware of his heartbeat in his chest, and of his breathing as he exhaled through his nose a little heavily, his mouth still occupied with brownie remnants to savor and enjoy. He was pliant as Juniper's fingers slipped beneath his own, his eyes watching the elegant ascent of their hands together as Juniper brought them toward his lips. He shyly flicked his gaze back to Juniper's eyes, freshly aware that the man had of course been watching him the whole time, and then closed his eyes, perhaps getting swept up in his tongue sweeping over teeth to collect more of the delectable brownie that lingered in his mouth, or perhaps too overcome with anticipation for whatever Juniper had in store for his hand to keep watching. In any case, a soft hum vibrated through him, his hand in Juniper's relaxed and patiently eager for whatever sensation it may be about to experience.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Juniper enjoyed watching Cory's tongue continue to dance behind his closed lips as he raised Cory's hand toward his own mouth, a soft hum vibrating out from Cory's chest. With heavy breath, Juniper's lips brushed across the soft skin between thumb and forefinger, his lips pressing patiently with the tiniest of sounds as he withdrew slightly only to kiss again, even softer and longer this time, his lips moving minutely from where they had begun, working his way slowly toward Cory's wrist. By the time he had indulged himself in a third and fourth kiss, Juniper was brave enough to slide his tongue out just enough to match his lips, its texture so subtle as to be indistinguishable. The round curve of Cory's wrist bone tasted sweet and earthy, and a mild shiver passed over Juniper's back, prompting him to sit up leisurely and turn over Cory's palm. He then set the rest of the brownie in Cory's hand, looking at the remaining bites with a soft smile.
"Would that I could draw you and then maybe I could keep the taste of this dessert for a lifetime," Juniper said wistfully, only meeting Cory's eyes once he had finished speaking, hoping that what went unsaid between them was undeniable nonetheless.
"Would that I could draw you and then maybe I could keep the taste of this dessert for a lifetime," Juniper said wistfully, only meeting Cory's eyes once he had finished speaking, hoping that what went unsaid between them was undeniable nonetheless.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Lips brushed pleasantly over the skin by Cory's thumb, and a gentle shiver washed through him, some feeling of awe or even disbelief making him feel floaty. The lips withdrew and then made contact again, having traveled just minutely across Cory's hand, and the artist hummed softly, swallowing the next sweep of brownie down his throat. He felt more anchored with each fresh kiss, reveling in the wonder of what was happening. Juniper made his way to Cory's wrist bone, his tongue very gently joining his parted lips against Cory's skin, and Cory openly shivered, enough of the brownie swallowed now to allow for a soft gasp to escape his lips.
Juniper's hands gently guided Cory's to turn palm-up, and the artist was pliant, more than happy to be posed. He at last opened his eyes when he felt weight in his palm-- the brownie, two delectable points of the star missing from its lush visage.
"Would that I could draw you and then maybe I could keep the taste of this dessert for a lifetime," Juniper said, drawing Cory's gaze to meet the man's eyes. Cory felt aware of the heat in his cheeks, even as he slowly licked his lips and gathered the last little remnants of brownie with his tongue to swallow, keeping contact with Juniper's eyes all the while. It was tempting to comment that he might well paint at least something to do with these brownies, but he reminded himself that he was trying not to extend his to-do lists. Besides, if he did indeed make such a painting... he wanted it to be entirely inspired on its own, not because Cory had told someone else he would do it; least of all the person he would ultimately like to gift it to.
He was torn on what to say--or do--next, though. He was of one mind to set his brownie down and kiss the man, but some fearfulness dragged at the fantasy; a tumbling sensation, the likelihood of slipping on a too-steep hill. No, Juniper had made reference to drawing, and in the end, Cory was quite aware that he'd regret it if they didn't get to that.
Cory exhaled slowly as he shifted to set his brownie down on the plate next to Juniper's, equally careful to angle where he had bitten away from the other brownies. Then, he brought his gaze back to Juniper, a calm resolve in his eyes as he said, "I would very much like to draw you, today."
His ears burned a little in the wake of the statement, though, suddenly feeling that he'd come off more forecefully than he'd meant to. He sat back a little, his hands gesturing gently with palms down, a little like trying to calm a horse, maybe--but perhaps more a gesture at himself than at Juniper.
"H-however clothed you would prefer to be. If-- if you're open to it, of course."
Juniper's hands gently guided Cory's to turn palm-up, and the artist was pliant, more than happy to be posed. He at last opened his eyes when he felt weight in his palm-- the brownie, two delectable points of the star missing from its lush visage.
"Would that I could draw you and then maybe I could keep the taste of this dessert for a lifetime," Juniper said, drawing Cory's gaze to meet the man's eyes. Cory felt aware of the heat in his cheeks, even as he slowly licked his lips and gathered the last little remnants of brownie with his tongue to swallow, keeping contact with Juniper's eyes all the while. It was tempting to comment that he might well paint at least something to do with these brownies, but he reminded himself that he was trying not to extend his to-do lists. Besides, if he did indeed make such a painting... he wanted it to be entirely inspired on its own, not because Cory had told someone else he would do it; least of all the person he would ultimately like to gift it to.
He was torn on what to say--or do--next, though. He was of one mind to set his brownie down and kiss the man, but some fearfulness dragged at the fantasy; a tumbling sensation, the likelihood of slipping on a too-steep hill. No, Juniper had made reference to drawing, and in the end, Cory was quite aware that he'd regret it if they didn't get to that.
Cory exhaled slowly as he shifted to set his brownie down on the plate next to Juniper's, equally careful to angle where he had bitten away from the other brownies. Then, he brought his gaze back to Juniper, a calm resolve in his eyes as he said, "I would very much like to draw you, today."
His ears burned a little in the wake of the statement, though, suddenly feeling that he'd come off more forecefully than he'd meant to. He sat back a little, his hands gesturing gently with palms down, a little like trying to calm a horse, maybe--but perhaps more a gesture at himself than at Juniper.
"H-however clothed you would prefer to be. If-- if you're open to it, of course."
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory's blush and the way he licked his lips before swallowing the last portion of the brownie in his mouth delighted Juniper, his brows lifting fractionally. Their prolonged eye contact brought waves of excited pleasure through Juniper's body. At last, Cory broke their shared gaze and put his brownie down on the plate next to Juniper's, angled in a similar way.
Looking back at Juniper, Cory said, "I'd very much like to draw you, today." The way Cory emphasized the word today vanquished any doubts Juniper had about Cory's intentions or the authenticity of the former invitation. It hadn't been something thrown out into the space between them on a whim with no substance behind it--it was truly the reason Juniper was here today; he was now certain of it. The realization stole the breath from his lungs. There was no wiggling out of it on account of his disbelief in Cory's desire. It had been so naked in his words.
Cory then sat back a little, gesturing with his palms moving downward above his own thighs as though Juniper were a wild animal Cory was attempting to approach and calm. Had he looked that startled?
"H-however clothed you would prefer to be. If-- if you're open to it, of course."
It was Juniper's turn to blush now, the fullness of the invitation now out in the open. Juniper swallowed, contemplating the reality of taking off everything he was wearing, revealing exactly how excited being in front of this man made him.
On the one hand, hearing the mild stammers in Cory's voice betrayed that this was more than an impersonal drawing session, but on the other, it would be easier to slip into a business-like mode of interaction, pretending again that there was only superficial interest in interacting with each other here. Juniper weighed the options, looking down from one of his knees to the other as though options where there on his pantlegs.
He could say he wasn't open to it, but that would be a lie born out of fear, and he knew it. So, what level of clothed was he prepared not to be? He was tempted to admit his arousal, to make a confession now so it didn't surprise Cory later. But would the drawing be altogether too inappropriate if Juniper couldn't keep his excitement under control? None of the men in Edward Hopper's nude drawings had been erect, after all.
"Where would you like me?" Juniper asked, hoping that more information would help him make a decision. "What would you like me to be doing?"
Looking back at Juniper, Cory said, "I'd very much like to draw you, today." The way Cory emphasized the word today vanquished any doubts Juniper had about Cory's intentions or the authenticity of the former invitation. It hadn't been something thrown out into the space between them on a whim with no substance behind it--it was truly the reason Juniper was here today; he was now certain of it. The realization stole the breath from his lungs. There was no wiggling out of it on account of his disbelief in Cory's desire. It had been so naked in his words.
Cory then sat back a little, gesturing with his palms moving downward above his own thighs as though Juniper were a wild animal Cory was attempting to approach and calm. Had he looked that startled?
"H-however clothed you would prefer to be. If-- if you're open to it, of course."
It was Juniper's turn to blush now, the fullness of the invitation now out in the open. Juniper swallowed, contemplating the reality of taking off everything he was wearing, revealing exactly how excited being in front of this man made him.
On the one hand, hearing the mild stammers in Cory's voice betrayed that this was more than an impersonal drawing session, but on the other, it would be easier to slip into a business-like mode of interaction, pretending again that there was only superficial interest in interacting with each other here. Juniper weighed the options, looking down from one of his knees to the other as though options where there on his pantlegs.
He could say he wasn't open to it, but that would be a lie born out of fear, and he knew it. So, what level of clothed was he prepared not to be? He was tempted to admit his arousal, to make a confession now so it didn't surprise Cory later. But would the drawing be altogether too inappropriate if Juniper couldn't keep his excitement under control? None of the men in Edward Hopper's nude drawings had been erect, after all.
"Where would you like me?" Juniper asked, hoping that more information would help him make a decision. "What would you like me to be doing?"
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Cory watched with nervous intrigue as Juniper's cheeks gained a subtle shade of color, and the man swallowed, drawing Cory's gaze to the way the action changed the contours of his throat. By the time Cory raised his gaze to Juniper's face again, the man's own eyes were aimed down toward his knees, presumably contemplating. Cory's heartbeat rattled his awareness momentarily, nervousness striking that he had gone too head-on at this; that he should have done more to ease them both into it, somehow. His mind began to reach for ways to backpedal, but nothing actually made sense to say.
"Where would you like me?" Juniper asked, drawing Cory's attention back into the man's expression, his posture, all of the angles that Cory might like to draw. "What would you like me to be doing?"
Cory felt a brief wave of overwhelm at the thought of making decisions in this context. First and foremost, he wanted Juniper to be comfortable, but he could scarcely predict what the man would be comfortable with. He considered simply stating his desire for Juniper's comfort, but he was convinced that would not give Juniper what he was actually looking for. Cory drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, focusing purely on the sight of Juniper. Perhaps the way to start was by simply giving himself the permission to start taking the man in as he would while he was drawing.
That shift prompted Cory to sit back a little, both relaxing his own posture and taking in as much of Juniper as he could without altogether moving seats. His eyes were easily drawn to the man's jaw and neck, first and foremost, though Cory encouraged his attention to zoom out, taking in the overall shape of his shirt and vest and pants, his posture on the couch. Cory decided that this would not be a good pose for a drawing, certainly not from this angle.
Cory might be able to direct Juniper into a different position on the couch that would work well, or he could move over to the chair... some part of him lamented the idea of moving further away from Juniper, but it would give them many more options for posing...
At last, Cory's eyes returned to Juniper a little tentatively, as a question of his own occurred to him to ask, which might help him better choose a direction to go.
"Do you... would you prefer a drawing you might like to show to someone else, or... just for us?"
"Where would you like me?" Juniper asked, drawing Cory's attention back into the man's expression, his posture, all of the angles that Cory might like to draw. "What would you like me to be doing?"
Cory felt a brief wave of overwhelm at the thought of making decisions in this context. First and foremost, he wanted Juniper to be comfortable, but he could scarcely predict what the man would be comfortable with. He considered simply stating his desire for Juniper's comfort, but he was convinced that would not give Juniper what he was actually looking for. Cory drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, focusing purely on the sight of Juniper. Perhaps the way to start was by simply giving himself the permission to start taking the man in as he would while he was drawing.
That shift prompted Cory to sit back a little, both relaxing his own posture and taking in as much of Juniper as he could without altogether moving seats. His eyes were easily drawn to the man's jaw and neck, first and foremost, though Cory encouraged his attention to zoom out, taking in the overall shape of his shirt and vest and pants, his posture on the couch. Cory decided that this would not be a good pose for a drawing, certainly not from this angle.
Cory might be able to direct Juniper into a different position on the couch that would work well, or he could move over to the chair... some part of him lamented the idea of moving further away from Juniper, but it would give them many more options for posing...
At last, Cory's eyes returned to Juniper a little tentatively, as a question of his own occurred to him to ask, which might help him better choose a direction to go.
"Do you... would you prefer a drawing you might like to show to someone else, or... just for us?"
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Immediately, Juniper worried he had been unfair with asking questions of the artist rather than responding, but surely Cory was accustomed to his models seeking direction. Perhaps they could collaborate on something together, if Cory couldn't land on something he liked. Though, the thought of that made Juniper's stomach sink a little, and he realized that some part of him had hoped that Cory had been imagining Juniper in the position he wanted for quite some time now. Well, that was assumptive of him, wasn't it?
Cory inhaled deeply and leaned back, surveying Juniper. The artist's eyes landed first on Juniper's throat and neck, prompting another unconscious swallow from Juniper, but Cory then assessed Juniper's clothing, and he was grateful he had donned the green vest but had left the bowtie at home. The center creases in his cream pants were still holding up. Yes, his clothing was fashionable, and surely decent for drawing... if he were going to keep it on.
But, Cory's mouth frowned slightly, perhaps not enjoying the way Juniper was sitting. And, fair enough, it was slightly awkward the way he was turned partially toward Cory with a knee on the couch and a foot hanging off like Juniper had attempted to cross his legs but had gotten lazy with it. Cory's gaze became contemplative, and Juniper enjoyed the thought of him considering other options--other positions and other locations.
Then, Cory's attention returned to Juniper's eyes, something lighting him up in a way that made Juniper think the artist had made a decision.
"Do you... would you prefer a drawing you might like to show to someone else, or... just for us?"
Juniper's lips parted immediately as he let the meaning of Cory's words sank in. His brows lifted erratically as he gazed, absolutely stunned, at Cory, his fingers curling into his palms and back out again several times, slowly. ...just for us?
It was altogether too much to think that, not only had Cory invited him to his studio and offered to draw him but that he was also now offering to make a work of art that no one currently outside this room might ever see. This was... not modeling. This was... something altogether different. Cory wanted to draw Juniper simply for the experience of doing so, or was at least willing to.
Tears welled up in Juniper's eyes, and he turned his head away slightly, looking down at his foot where it rested on the ground.
"Well, I..." he started, trying to search for something to say. He blinked and looked back at Cory, thinking he had the situation under control, but seeing the artist's earnest, eager expression unraveled something in Juniper, and tears flowed freely down his face, though he took a handkerchief out of his pocket in time to dab at his eyes before they reached his shirt. He cleared his throat and closed his eyes, trying to get a hold of himself, though it helped to remember that Cory had cried at the end of their last meeting. Surely Juniper was allowed to shed some tears of his own.
"Perhaps," Juniper said, a fresh stream of tears overflowing as he dabbed again, "let's assume it's just for us. At least for now. Then, we can..." Juniper took a deep breath as more tears threatened, his voice still unsteady. "Then, we can have the freedom to do what we'd like." He looked at Cory again, then, hoping the artist would understand and not get scared off by Juniper's tears in the daylight.
Cory inhaled deeply and leaned back, surveying Juniper. The artist's eyes landed first on Juniper's throat and neck, prompting another unconscious swallow from Juniper, but Cory then assessed Juniper's clothing, and he was grateful he had donned the green vest but had left the bowtie at home. The center creases in his cream pants were still holding up. Yes, his clothing was fashionable, and surely decent for drawing... if he were going to keep it on.
But, Cory's mouth frowned slightly, perhaps not enjoying the way Juniper was sitting. And, fair enough, it was slightly awkward the way he was turned partially toward Cory with a knee on the couch and a foot hanging off like Juniper had attempted to cross his legs but had gotten lazy with it. Cory's gaze became contemplative, and Juniper enjoyed the thought of him considering other options--other positions and other locations.
Then, Cory's attention returned to Juniper's eyes, something lighting him up in a way that made Juniper think the artist had made a decision.
"Do you... would you prefer a drawing you might like to show to someone else, or... just for us?"
Juniper's lips parted immediately as he let the meaning of Cory's words sank in. His brows lifted erratically as he gazed, absolutely stunned, at Cory, his fingers curling into his palms and back out again several times, slowly. ...just for us?
It was altogether too much to think that, not only had Cory invited him to his studio and offered to draw him but that he was also now offering to make a work of art that no one currently outside this room might ever see. This was... not modeling. This was... something altogether different. Cory wanted to draw Juniper simply for the experience of doing so, or was at least willing to.
Tears welled up in Juniper's eyes, and he turned his head away slightly, looking down at his foot where it rested on the ground.
"Well, I..." he started, trying to search for something to say. He blinked and looked back at Cory, thinking he had the situation under control, but seeing the artist's earnest, eager expression unraveled something in Juniper, and tears flowed freely down his face, though he took a handkerchief out of his pocket in time to dab at his eyes before they reached his shirt. He cleared his throat and closed his eyes, trying to get a hold of himself, though it helped to remember that Cory had cried at the end of their last meeting. Surely Juniper was allowed to shed some tears of his own.
"Perhaps," Juniper said, a fresh stream of tears overflowing as he dabbed again, "let's assume it's just for us. At least for now. Then, we can..." Juniper took a deep breath as more tears threatened, his voice still unsteady. "Then, we can have the freedom to do what we'd like." He looked at Cory again, then, hoping the artist would understand and not get scared off by Juniper's tears in the daylight.