((OOC: Continued from Edward Hopper's Art Show))
Cory had made it through his morning rather successfully, going about this Saturday like any other. Oh, there was certainly a good deal of anticipation, excitement, nervousness, but it was a pleasant tingle in his stomach, bringing enjoyable wafts of memories and the occasional fantasy to mind. But once he arrived at his studio after lunch, the anxiety was palpable, all of his doubts washing in. Would Juniper have taken his letter at face value, and be arriving in more of a business mindset? Was Cory even remotely prepared for that--practically, or emotionally? He wasn't so sure, on either count. And even if Juniper did understand the true nature of Cory's note, had trusted the sentiments they'd shared on their museum evening... well, there were all the nerves entailed in that, also. And, what if Juniper didn't show up today at all? Had it been a mistake to give options?
Trying to get out of his head, Cory took to a fresh piece of paper at his drafting desk, scribbling out his nerves with some charcoal on the page. It of course wasn't what he was 'supposed' to be working on, but he'd given himself a generous allowance for that today, considering. And besides, while that voice could be strong sometimes, he knew it was better to follow where his creative energy was flowing regardless, lest it get clogged up entirely.
The charcoal helped immensely--almost too well. Cory was deep into refining his scribbles with smudges and eraser and discerning marks when the buzzer rang, and he almost didn't register it. Thankfully the sound did echo through his consciousness for a moment, eventually rattling its way to a part of his brain that realized that it meant he should stop drawing. He shot to his feet with an unexpected jolt of alarm, then, and ran a hand nervously through is hair on impulse, not thinking about the charcoal the gesture would smudge over his forehead. It was hardly the first mark on him today, anyhow.
He took a quick cursory look around the room, lamenting that he hadn't really thought to spend time curating it in any way for Juniper, but nothing jumped out as needing to change, and now hardly seemed the time to fuss. With a deep breath, he gathered his nerves and headed out to go meet his visitor.
Cory did indulge in a peer through the peep hole, deciding his nerves could use a breath to settle once he confirmed who had come, one way or the other. It was right on time for Juniper, and Cory certainly wasn't expecting anyone else today, so it seemed absurd to be nervous on that front, but even so, he didn't want to risk navigating the surprise of an unexpected guest in this context without at least a moment to gather himself.
He exhaled deeply at the sight of Juniper, distorted as it was through the tiny glass viewport, giddy tingles dancing through him in relief and excitement and anticipation.
His smile was bright and warm when he finally opened the door, his appearance admittedly a bit disheveled. Most of his hair was back in a low ponytail, but much had come loose, and a few different marks of charcoal graced his face. He wore a soft cream-colored shirt, long sleeves rolled up near his elbows and collar a loose v-neck. It was tucked into light brown trousers, themselves a bit loose and held up with suspenders. Varying-colored paints decorated the trousers, particularly around the thighs, and the occasional fleck traipsed across the shirt as well.
"Welcome, welcome," Cory said, animated with excitement as he stepped back, gesturing for Juniper to join him inside.
Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
Re: Cory's Art Studio
When Saturday at last came around, Juniper woke up early, not exactly by choice, and made himself a leisurely breakfast. Doing so gave him the idea to make something for Cory as a gift, partly to thank the man for inviting him and simply to be further into Cory's good graces.
Assessing what Juniper had on hand, he decided he needed to gather more ingredients and went out to the local grocery to that end. That finished, he spent much of the rest of the morning and even a small part of the afternoon baking. He didn't want to go too far out of his way, but he did want to give Cory something that looked nice and tasted delicious enough that Cory savored every bite in that beautiful way he had at the party.
Before too much longer, he had something he was content with--a dark chocolate brownie with molten chocolate and strawberries inside--he drizzled melted white chocolate over the top for added visual appeal. He then used a seven-pointed star-shaped cookie cutter to add some more interest to them, plating them and covering them with a pristine white kitchen cloth once they had fully dried. Collecting some mint from his garden, he tucked that under the cloth, arranged it nicely on the plate, and went upstairs to change, dropping his apron off on the way.
He didn't have as much time as he had anticipated to choose his outfit, and it was difficult to know what to wear when he was ostensibly going to get nude later. He decided to keep it a little more casual than usual with a dark green vest and a tea-green button-down. He forewent the bowtie and wore cream-colored cotton trousers, pressed so they had that crisp line in the front, though they were light and airy to wear for the warmer weather.
Juniper decided to have his driver drop him off at Cory's studio given that he was to be carrying a plate now, and he was ten minutes early when he arrived. He waited in the car with the driver, wondering if it would be a terrible faux paus to show up exactly on time. But, then, Juniper also worried about showing up late and missing his chance. What if Cory had other appointments later in the day. Ultimately, Juniper got out of the car exactly at 2 p.m. and made it to the front door at 2:01.
He looked at the buzzer on the door, which was a little rundown but still appeared to be functional and pressed the button for Mr. Cory Carter, artist.
The buzzing sound echoed throughout Juniper's stomach as he waited.
He knew that Cory was several flights up, so Juniper may need to wait for the elevator. His anxiety only mounted as the seconds ticked on and on. He paced in place and walked around in circles a few times just to give himself something to do, trying not to think too hard about what might happen when he went inside.
At last, the door opened to reveal Cory with dark smudges on his face, hair, and hands; his clothes covered in paint of every color, and admittedly very attractive suspenders holding up loose pants.
"Welcome, welcome," Cory said excitedly, not seeming in the slightest aware or bashful of his appearance. Juniper felt overdressed, even in his most casual clothes. He felt his eyebrows raise, his smile curl up on one side, his mouth open in happy astonishment. When had Juniper ever witnessed a person so free in their expression? It was simultaneously alluring and terrifying. Juniper wanted to run away and get closer at the same time. He was rather dumbfounded. Shaking his head subtly, he stepped inside at Cory's gesture, prepared to let him lead the way.
"I baked a dessert," Juniper said breathlessly, nodding toward the covered plate he held in one hand.
Assessing what Juniper had on hand, he decided he needed to gather more ingredients and went out to the local grocery to that end. That finished, he spent much of the rest of the morning and even a small part of the afternoon baking. He didn't want to go too far out of his way, but he did want to give Cory something that looked nice and tasted delicious enough that Cory savored every bite in that beautiful way he had at the party.
Before too much longer, he had something he was content with--a dark chocolate brownie with molten chocolate and strawberries inside--he drizzled melted white chocolate over the top for added visual appeal. He then used a seven-pointed star-shaped cookie cutter to add some more interest to them, plating them and covering them with a pristine white kitchen cloth once they had fully dried. Collecting some mint from his garden, he tucked that under the cloth, arranged it nicely on the plate, and went upstairs to change, dropping his apron off on the way.
He didn't have as much time as he had anticipated to choose his outfit, and it was difficult to know what to wear when he was ostensibly going to get nude later. He decided to keep it a little more casual than usual with a dark green vest and a tea-green button-down. He forewent the bowtie and wore cream-colored cotton trousers, pressed so they had that crisp line in the front, though they were light and airy to wear for the warmer weather.
Juniper decided to have his driver drop him off at Cory's studio given that he was to be carrying a plate now, and he was ten minutes early when he arrived. He waited in the car with the driver, wondering if it would be a terrible faux paus to show up exactly on time. But, then, Juniper also worried about showing up late and missing his chance. What if Cory had other appointments later in the day. Ultimately, Juniper got out of the car exactly at 2 p.m. and made it to the front door at 2:01.
He looked at the buzzer on the door, which was a little rundown but still appeared to be functional and pressed the button for Mr. Cory Carter, artist.
The buzzing sound echoed throughout Juniper's stomach as he waited.
He knew that Cory was several flights up, so Juniper may need to wait for the elevator. His anxiety only mounted as the seconds ticked on and on. He paced in place and walked around in circles a few times just to give himself something to do, trying not to think too hard about what might happen when he went inside.
At last, the door opened to reveal Cory with dark smudges on his face, hair, and hands; his clothes covered in paint of every color, and admittedly very attractive suspenders holding up loose pants.
"Welcome, welcome," Cory said excitedly, not seeming in the slightest aware or bashful of his appearance. Juniper felt overdressed, even in his most casual clothes. He felt his eyebrows raise, his smile curl up on one side, his mouth open in happy astonishment. When had Juniper ever witnessed a person so free in their expression? It was simultaneously alluring and terrifying. Juniper wanted to run away and get closer at the same time. He was rather dumbfounded. Shaking his head subtly, he stepped inside at Cory's gesture, prepared to let him lead the way.
"I baked a dessert," Juniper said breathlessly, nodding toward the covered plate he held in one hand.
Re: Cory's Art Studio
Juniper smiled a heartwarming, open-mouthed smile, and Cory basked in the warmth of it as Juniper stepped inside.
"I baked a dessert," Juniper said, drawing attention to the covered plate he held in his hands. Cory managed to carry through his motion of closing the door behind Juniper, even as his eyes fixed on the plate, eyebrows raising as the reality of baked dessert sank into him. He was a little bit too stunned to know what to do with this delightful news, though. One thought surfaced to immediately remove the cover and see just what Juniper had brought--curiosity certainly bubbled--but he knew that was too eager, for a myriad of different reasons, really. He raised his own little crooked, open-mouthed smile to Juniper as he pulled himself away from the impulse, re-centering on the fact that he was glad that Juniper was here; the dessert was just an unspeakably wonderful bonus.
"I can't wait to try it," Cory finally said, and then at last gathered the wherewithal to actually start leading the way to his studio.
His nerves resurfaced as he began walking down the hallway, uncertain now how to pass this transitional moment.
"I'm really glad you came today," he chanced after a few paces, offering Juniper a warm smile before shyness overtook him and drew his gaze back toward the elevator they slowly approached.
"I baked a dessert," Juniper said, drawing attention to the covered plate he held in his hands. Cory managed to carry through his motion of closing the door behind Juniper, even as his eyes fixed on the plate, eyebrows raising as the reality of baked dessert sank into him. He was a little bit too stunned to know what to do with this delightful news, though. One thought surfaced to immediately remove the cover and see just what Juniper had brought--curiosity certainly bubbled--but he knew that was too eager, for a myriad of different reasons, really. He raised his own little crooked, open-mouthed smile to Juniper as he pulled himself away from the impulse, re-centering on the fact that he was glad that Juniper was here; the dessert was just an unspeakably wonderful bonus.
"I can't wait to try it," Cory finally said, and then at last gathered the wherewithal to actually start leading the way to his studio.
His nerves resurfaced as he began walking down the hallway, uncertain now how to pass this transitional moment.
"I'm really glad you came today," he chanced after a few paces, offering Juniper a warm smile before shyness overtook him and drew his gaze back toward the elevator they slowly approached.
Re: Cory's Art Studio
As he closed the door behind Juniper, Cory stared with raised eyebrows at the plate, and Juniper suddenly doubted whether he had understood the nature of this meeting fully. Perhaps Cory had meant the invitation as more of a business meeting, just a way to sell Juniper some of his art. Was it too much of a show of his cards that Juniper had gone so far as to also offer a gift, homemade at that? But Juniper pulled to mind the maple leaf and imagined tracing his finger across its markings, feeling the textures beneath, and that soothed his nerves somewhat.
Juniper thought Cory might take the dessert right then and there in the hallway, and Juniper very nearly pulled the plate back away from Cory out of fear and embarrassment. Not here, he thought.
At last, Cory met Juniper's eyes with an open-mouthed smile that would have been heartbreaking if it had been turned on anyone else. Had anyone looked at Juniper in such a way? But perhaps Cory offered that kind of attention to everyone.
Cory broke through Juniper's worries with, "I can't wait to try it," diffusing a fair amount of the tension that had built in Juniper's chest, tugging his eyebrows together. Cory then began leading the way down the hallway, and Juniper's stomach did flips, wondering just how much of their art museum daydream was about to become real.
"I'm really glad you came today," Cory offered, looking back at Juniper with another warm smile, this one more confident in itself. It didn't last long, however, as Cory turned his gaze toward the elevator. Juniper took a deep breath to steady the nerves coming from a stunning number of directions, this newest wave on account of the elevator itself. It was one of those that had exposed metal so one could watch the mechanisms as they worked. It unnerved Juniper somehow, the thought of crashing in a terrible heap a more palpable reality.
As they stood in front of it, Juniper gave Cory a nervous smile, trying to calm his fluttering heart, now beating erratically.
He didn't know how to respond to Cory. In some ways, the jury was still out about whether this had been a good idea. Perhaps Juniper was too far out of his depth, or perhaps Cory was. They were truly coming from two different worlds here. And yet, the thrill of the idea of being alone in an enclosed, private space with Cory delighted Juniper, regardless of what might actually happen next. He had to take this chance and see what might come of his curiosity for this paint-covered, smudged man, a man who could describe details in a painting like a caress.
And then Juniper's breath caught in his throat as he realized that he would soon be inside Cory's art studio. It wasn't just the proximity to Cory or the potential for being drawn in the nude--Juniper would be surrounded by this man's art. If it was anything like the maple leaf he had drawn on the corner of a letter, Juniper didn't know how he would even begin to process such an abundance of beauty. Even now, he was getting dizzy at the thought.
"I've been looking forward to it," Juniper said with momentarily heavy eyelids, his own vocal resonance pulling him back from his reveries. It's been difficult to think of anything else, was on the tip of Juniper's tongue, but he could not quite bring himself to say it. Instead, he veered toward a safer option. "And, I thought you might like to know that we settled on a location for the lounge I mentioned. We are considering a dessert theme, so I suppose I've had it on the mind." It was more comfortable territory, and it softened the offering, perhaps making it less out of the blue, which Juniper thought might be a good thing. Juniper gave Cory a sidelong glance that was the slightest bit coy to match the small, nervous smile on his face.
Juniper thought Cory might take the dessert right then and there in the hallway, and Juniper very nearly pulled the plate back away from Cory out of fear and embarrassment. Not here, he thought.
At last, Cory met Juniper's eyes with an open-mouthed smile that would have been heartbreaking if it had been turned on anyone else. Had anyone looked at Juniper in such a way? But perhaps Cory offered that kind of attention to everyone.
Cory broke through Juniper's worries with, "I can't wait to try it," diffusing a fair amount of the tension that had built in Juniper's chest, tugging his eyebrows together. Cory then began leading the way down the hallway, and Juniper's stomach did flips, wondering just how much of their art museum daydream was about to become real.
"I'm really glad you came today," Cory offered, looking back at Juniper with another warm smile, this one more confident in itself. It didn't last long, however, as Cory turned his gaze toward the elevator. Juniper took a deep breath to steady the nerves coming from a stunning number of directions, this newest wave on account of the elevator itself. It was one of those that had exposed metal so one could watch the mechanisms as they worked. It unnerved Juniper somehow, the thought of crashing in a terrible heap a more palpable reality.
As they stood in front of it, Juniper gave Cory a nervous smile, trying to calm his fluttering heart, now beating erratically.
He didn't know how to respond to Cory. In some ways, the jury was still out about whether this had been a good idea. Perhaps Juniper was too far out of his depth, or perhaps Cory was. They were truly coming from two different worlds here. And yet, the thrill of the idea of being alone in an enclosed, private space with Cory delighted Juniper, regardless of what might actually happen next. He had to take this chance and see what might come of his curiosity for this paint-covered, smudged man, a man who could describe details in a painting like a caress.
And then Juniper's breath caught in his throat as he realized that he would soon be inside Cory's art studio. It wasn't just the proximity to Cory or the potential for being drawn in the nude--Juniper would be surrounded by this man's art. If it was anything like the maple leaf he had drawn on the corner of a letter, Juniper didn't know how he would even begin to process such an abundance of beauty. Even now, he was getting dizzy at the thought.
"I've been looking forward to it," Juniper said with momentarily heavy eyelids, his own vocal resonance pulling him back from his reveries. It's been difficult to think of anything else, was on the tip of Juniper's tongue, but he could not quite bring himself to say it. Instead, he veered toward a safer option. "And, I thought you might like to know that we settled on a location for the lounge I mentioned. We are considering a dessert theme, so I suppose I've had it on the mind." It was more comfortable territory, and it softened the offering, perhaps making it less out of the blue, which Juniper thought might be a good thing. Juniper gave Cory a sidelong glance that was the slightest bit coy to match the small, nervous smile on his face.
Re: Cory's Art Studio
Juniper was quiet for a moment after Cory's comment, though he did take in a deep, steadying breath. It was oddly soothing to Cory--reassurance that this wasn't just a business meeting, surely, if the baked goods hadn't been enough--though Cory did wish he knew how to put Juniper at ease. Juniper smiled nervously to Cory, and Cory had a vision of kissing the man right then and there. He smiled back, intending it to be warm and reassuring, though he was sure some crooked nervousness of his own slipped in. Perhaps that was just as well, too.
"I've been looking forward to it," Juniper said at last, and Cory thought he heard a delightful echo of the sultry tone he remembered from their walk to the train after the park. Cory smiled ridiculously down at the floor for a moment, a bright warmth momentarily overtaking his senses.
"And," Juniper continued, his tone more lighthearted now, "I thought you might like to know that we settled on a location for the lounge I mentioned. We are considering a dessert theme, so I suppose I've had it on the mind."
Cory brought his gaze back to Juniper just in time to catch a small, coy sidelong smile on the man's face, and again, the urge arose to kiss him. They weren't there yet, Cory knew--certainly not here in front of the elevator--but he loved basking in the warmth of the constant tug. He wondered if Juniper felt it, too.
"A dessert theme sounds brilliant," Cory beamed as he stepped into the elevator, sure to keep them moving. He wasn't sure what would happen once they were to the studio, but he was eager to find out; to reach the freedom that they'd be afforded in the safety of privacy there. "And, congratulations on the location! That sounds like a big milestone."
"I've been looking forward to it," Juniper said at last, and Cory thought he heard a delightful echo of the sultry tone he remembered from their walk to the train after the park. Cory smiled ridiculously down at the floor for a moment, a bright warmth momentarily overtaking his senses.
"And," Juniper continued, his tone more lighthearted now, "I thought you might like to know that we settled on a location for the lounge I mentioned. We are considering a dessert theme, so I suppose I've had it on the mind."
Cory brought his gaze back to Juniper just in time to catch a small, coy sidelong smile on the man's face, and again, the urge arose to kiss him. They weren't there yet, Cory knew--certainly not here in front of the elevator--but he loved basking in the warmth of the constant tug. He wondered if Juniper felt it, too.
"A dessert theme sounds brilliant," Cory beamed as he stepped into the elevator, sure to keep them moving. He wasn't sure what would happen once they were to the studio, but he was eager to find out; to reach the freedom that they'd be afforded in the safety of privacy there. "And, congratulations on the location! That sounds like a big milestone."
Re: Cory's Art Studio
There was a new tension in the air as Cory met Juniper's gaze standing in front of the elevator, more of a magnetism than an anxiety. Perhaps Juniper was imagining it, but the sensation made it easier to lean in, to trust, to wait and see what happened.
"A dessert theme sounds brilliant," Cory said as the elevator arrived, stepping into it easily out of habit. With a deep breath, Juniper followed him in, the close quarters only making the anticipation drop more deeply into his belly. He tried not to think about whether there was a basement floor as the door closed in front of them.
"And congratulations on the location! That sounds like a big milestone."
As Cory pressed the button for his floor and the elevator began to move, Juniper was immeasurably grateful that he had begun an easy line of conversation. He shifted the plate of brownies from one hand to the other somewhat awkwardly before answering.
"It is. It's becoming real," Juniper said, not entirely certain he was exclusively speaking about the lounge. Within the relative privacy of the elevator, it was tempting to tell Cory exactly who the lounge was for, but he suspected a more perfect moment would come if he waited.
He took another deep breath, and then he worried that Cory might misattribute at least some of his anxiety, so he hastily added, "I still haven't gotten use to these metal contraptions. Perhaps I'd be more comfortable if I understood more about how they worked." He looked at Cory with a sheepish smile. "But I suppose for today I will trust the prowess of human ingenuity."
Surely it would only be a few moments more before they would exit and be blissfully alone together inside a scene Juniper had so vividly fantasized that it was already almost reality.
"A dessert theme sounds brilliant," Cory said as the elevator arrived, stepping into it easily out of habit. With a deep breath, Juniper followed him in, the close quarters only making the anticipation drop more deeply into his belly. He tried not to think about whether there was a basement floor as the door closed in front of them.
"And congratulations on the location! That sounds like a big milestone."
As Cory pressed the button for his floor and the elevator began to move, Juniper was immeasurably grateful that he had begun an easy line of conversation. He shifted the plate of brownies from one hand to the other somewhat awkwardly before answering.
"It is. It's becoming real," Juniper said, not entirely certain he was exclusively speaking about the lounge. Within the relative privacy of the elevator, it was tempting to tell Cory exactly who the lounge was for, but he suspected a more perfect moment would come if he waited.
He took another deep breath, and then he worried that Cory might misattribute at least some of his anxiety, so he hastily added, "I still haven't gotten use to these metal contraptions. Perhaps I'd be more comfortable if I understood more about how they worked." He looked at Cory with a sheepish smile. "But I suppose for today I will trust the prowess of human ingenuity."
Surely it would only be a few moments more before they would exit and be blissfully alone together inside a scene Juniper had so vividly fantasized that it was already almost reality.
Re: Cory's Art Studio
"It is. It's becoming real," Juniper said as they settled into the elevator. He took in a big breath, and then hastily added, "I still haven't gotten use to these metal contraptions. Perhaps I'd be more comfortable if I understood more about how they worked." He looked at Cory with a sheepish smile. "But I suppose for today I will trust the prowess of human ingenuity."
Cory offered a sympathetic expression, perhaps with a touch of apology.
"Well, I can show you the stairs on the way back down," he offered with a soft shrug.
He debated delving further into conversation--was there more Juniper might like to share about the lounge, perhaps?--but the elevator was already rising, and it was only a couple of floors. Perhaps it still would have been kind to distract Juniper for the short ride, but Cory's mind felt a bit scattered for some reason, maybe calculating whether he ought to have taken Juniper by the stairs to begin with? He knew it wasn't what he wanted to be thinking about, but he couldn't quite shake himself from it.
Thankfully, his determination to keep moving perked right up when the elevator reached its destination, and stepping over the threshold into the hallway was enough to release him from his brief tangle and back into the excitement for the moment they were approaching. He looked back to Juniper with a warm, bright smile, and then didn't quite fully contain a small skip in his step as he returned to facing the final couple doors before his studio.
Cory offered a sympathetic expression, perhaps with a touch of apology.
"Well, I can show you the stairs on the way back down," he offered with a soft shrug.
He debated delving further into conversation--was there more Juniper might like to share about the lounge, perhaps?--but the elevator was already rising, and it was only a couple of floors. Perhaps it still would have been kind to distract Juniper for the short ride, but Cory's mind felt a bit scattered for some reason, maybe calculating whether he ought to have taken Juniper by the stairs to begin with? He knew it wasn't what he wanted to be thinking about, but he couldn't quite shake himself from it.
Thankfully, his determination to keep moving perked right up when the elevator reached its destination, and stepping over the threshold into the hallway was enough to release him from his brief tangle and back into the excitement for the moment they were approaching. He looked back to Juniper with a warm, bright smile, and then didn't quite fully contain a small skip in his step as he returned to facing the final couple doors before his studio.
Re: Cory's Art Studio
Cory caught his gaze and pulled his brows together in sympathy, which made Juniper's chest ache. The last thing he wanted to do right now was make Cory feel responsible for his anxiety.
"Well, I can show you the stairs on the way back down," Cory offered, shrugging gently. Juniper swallowed, embarrassed, both of them looking elsewhere now. Had Juniper gone and made it terribly awkward? He closed his eyes and tried to pull his excitement back up instead. He was mere inches from this man whom he had been fantasizing about every night for the better part of a week and a half. If he wanted, Juniper could reach out and touch the man, even perhaps pull him into a kiss, and Cory might even enjoy it.
Juniper looked at the lit number on the elevator console--it was only a few floors up from the ground. They would be there soon enough, and then...
The elevator stopped, and Juniper opened his eyes, a fresh wave of stomach butterflies erupting coupled with a stirring from lower in his body.
Cory stepped easily across the threshold once the doors opened and quickly looked back to Juniper with the warmest smile he had offered yet, softening Juniper's expression. Juniper followed, grateful to be on more stable ground. As Cory turned back around, he bounced a little as he walked, leading the way past several other doors, to his studio.
Juniper followed behind obediently, curious if he should say something, maybe some preface or caveat he wanted to offer before they entered, but he was stunned with the delight of watching Cory excitedly walk in front of him. Somehow, it was easy to believe that Cory didn't have that much enthusiasm for just anyone he invited to his studio. Maybe, just maybe, this was all for Juniper.
"Well, I can show you the stairs on the way back down," Cory offered, shrugging gently. Juniper swallowed, embarrassed, both of them looking elsewhere now. Had Juniper gone and made it terribly awkward? He closed his eyes and tried to pull his excitement back up instead. He was mere inches from this man whom he had been fantasizing about every night for the better part of a week and a half. If he wanted, Juniper could reach out and touch the man, even perhaps pull him into a kiss, and Cory might even enjoy it.
Juniper looked at the lit number on the elevator console--it was only a few floors up from the ground. They would be there soon enough, and then...
The elevator stopped, and Juniper opened his eyes, a fresh wave of stomach butterflies erupting coupled with a stirring from lower in his body.
Cory stepped easily across the threshold once the doors opened and quickly looked back to Juniper with the warmest smile he had offered yet, softening Juniper's expression. Juniper followed, grateful to be on more stable ground. As Cory turned back around, he bounced a little as he walked, leading the way past several other doors, to his studio.
Juniper followed behind obediently, curious if he should say something, maybe some preface or caveat he wanted to offer before they entered, but he was stunned with the delight of watching Cory excitedly walk in front of him. Somehow, it was easy to believe that Cory didn't have that much enthusiasm for just anyone he invited to his studio. Maybe, just maybe, this was all for Juniper.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
The silence as they walked down the hallway was comfortable; warm and pleasantly anticipatory. Cory felt positively giddy, although alongside that sensation was also a buzz of nervousness, the reality quickly building that Juniper was about to behold a great many in- progress things, which Cory had a wide range of feelings about. But, he knew it would also feel exhilarating to be open in that way. And, perhaps only fair if Juniper did take him up on his offer. Cory didn't want to be too attached, but thinking about the possibility did fill his whole body with a pleasant, blissful warmth.
He paused a little dramatically with his hand on the knob once he reached the door, pivoting to meet Juniper's gaze with a wide smile and eyebrows raised, a little like silently asking, Ready? He didn't wait for an explicit response, though, before he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The door opened into its own small hallway, another door off to the right before opening up into a larger space. Cory led the way inside, though quickly realized the hallway wasn't quite large enough to comfortably accommodate inviting Juniper past him. But, he felt he'd committed to this approach now. Reluctantly, he let go of the door handle, hoping Juniper would not find it too awkward to take up that small relay.
"Restroom, should you need to avail yourself at any point," Cory gestured lightly to the side door on his way past. Along the wall in the hallway opposite the restroom was a thin table with a few eclectic knick-knacks, the wall above decorated with numerous different canvases, mostly small still-life paintings in warm earthy tones. Cory did not pay much of any attention to them, perhaps eager to get to the open space at the end of the hall.
Cory stepped to the right, then, very briefly out of sight. In truth, it was habitual; normally, he would slip off his shoes and socks there, eager to be barefoot, but he hesitated and thought better of it, at least so soon into Juniper's arrival. Instead, he pivoted around, playing it off that he'd stepped aside simply to allow Juniper to come into the room next to him, which was at least a happy side-effect. He smiled to Juniper, and then turned to simply behold his own space and invite Juniper to do the same, with a bit less rush now than he'd felt before he'd gone downstairs.
The room itself was well lit and had a high ceiling with a fan slowly turning, keeping air gently circulating throughout. The flooring was laminate with large geometric shapes of gently varying neutral to earthy colors, the walls a light neutral cream with numerous canvasses and drawings hung or simply leaning against the wall throughout: a mishmash of abstracts, landscapes, textural details, portraits, and city scenes, some more finished than others.
To the right of Cory, next to where he'd nearly taken off his shoes, was a sitting area - a plush if somewhat scuffed-up couch against the wall facing the rest of the studio, with a matching chair on the other side of a small coffee table, and a leather messenger bag sat on the ground beside it. Against the wall on the far side of the sitting area was a low cabinet, on top of which sat a few more knick-knacks and a couple of books.
Beside the sitting area was a large table scattered with paints and pencils and papers and a couple canvasses on small easels, with somewhat random-looking objects in the center arranged in a strangely pleasing way, relative to the pleasantness of the objects themselves--a vase with flowers that were past their prime; an odd little statue of a duck; a piggy bank; among other things. Against the wall was a fairly sizable industrial sink, paint brushes and jars spotting the counter on its side.
Next was an easel with a large in-progress nighttime cityscape painting, and a large rack in the far corner of the room that held several canvases and papers drying on different levels, several more canvases leaned against the wall.
On the far wall by the drying rack was a decent-sized window above another low cabinet. The view out the window was nothing to write home about--just the building next door--but a nice leafy plant sat in a pot atop the cabinet, looking quite cozy in its home there.
Finally, a drafting desk sat in the corner across from the entrance, still displaying the charcoal abstract Cory had scribbled out before Juniper’s arrival.
Cory felt a fresh clench of embarrassment--or maybe just simply exposure--laying eyes on the drawing, but there was nothing to be said about it right this moment. Instead, he simply brought his gaze back to Juniper, curious where, if anywhere, the man’s attention had settled.
Then, Cory’s eyes fell to the dessert plate that Juniper still held in hand.
“Shall we sit?” he asked, nodding gently in that direction.
He paused a little dramatically with his hand on the knob once he reached the door, pivoting to meet Juniper's gaze with a wide smile and eyebrows raised, a little like silently asking, Ready? He didn't wait for an explicit response, though, before he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The door opened into its own small hallway, another door off to the right before opening up into a larger space. Cory led the way inside, though quickly realized the hallway wasn't quite large enough to comfortably accommodate inviting Juniper past him. But, he felt he'd committed to this approach now. Reluctantly, he let go of the door handle, hoping Juniper would not find it too awkward to take up that small relay.
"Restroom, should you need to avail yourself at any point," Cory gestured lightly to the side door on his way past. Along the wall in the hallway opposite the restroom was a thin table with a few eclectic knick-knacks, the wall above decorated with numerous different canvases, mostly small still-life paintings in warm earthy tones. Cory did not pay much of any attention to them, perhaps eager to get to the open space at the end of the hall.
Cory stepped to the right, then, very briefly out of sight. In truth, it was habitual; normally, he would slip off his shoes and socks there, eager to be barefoot, but he hesitated and thought better of it, at least so soon into Juniper's arrival. Instead, he pivoted around, playing it off that he'd stepped aside simply to allow Juniper to come into the room next to him, which was at least a happy side-effect. He smiled to Juniper, and then turned to simply behold his own space and invite Juniper to do the same, with a bit less rush now than he'd felt before he'd gone downstairs.
The room itself was well lit and had a high ceiling with a fan slowly turning, keeping air gently circulating throughout. The flooring was laminate with large geometric shapes of gently varying neutral to earthy colors, the walls a light neutral cream with numerous canvasses and drawings hung or simply leaning against the wall throughout: a mishmash of abstracts, landscapes, textural details, portraits, and city scenes, some more finished than others.
To the right of Cory, next to where he'd nearly taken off his shoes, was a sitting area - a plush if somewhat scuffed-up couch against the wall facing the rest of the studio, with a matching chair on the other side of a small coffee table, and a leather messenger bag sat on the ground beside it. Against the wall on the far side of the sitting area was a low cabinet, on top of which sat a few more knick-knacks and a couple of books.
Beside the sitting area was a large table scattered with paints and pencils and papers and a couple canvasses on small easels, with somewhat random-looking objects in the center arranged in a strangely pleasing way, relative to the pleasantness of the objects themselves--a vase with flowers that were past their prime; an odd little statue of a duck; a piggy bank; among other things. Against the wall was a fairly sizable industrial sink, paint brushes and jars spotting the counter on its side.
Next was an easel with a large in-progress nighttime cityscape painting, and a large rack in the far corner of the room that held several canvases and papers drying on different levels, several more canvases leaned against the wall.
On the far wall by the drying rack was a decent-sized window above another low cabinet. The view out the window was nothing to write home about--just the building next door--but a nice leafy plant sat in a pot atop the cabinet, looking quite cozy in its home there.
Finally, a drafting desk sat in the corner across from the entrance, still displaying the charcoal abstract Cory had scribbled out before Juniper’s arrival.
Cory felt a fresh clench of embarrassment--or maybe just simply exposure--laying eyes on the drawing, but there was nothing to be said about it right this moment. Instead, he simply brought his gaze back to Juniper, curious where, if anywhere, the man’s attention had settled.
Then, Cory’s eyes fell to the dessert plate that Juniper still held in hand.
“Shall we sit?” he asked, nodding gently in that direction.
Re: Cory's Art Studio (Cory & Juniper, Part 3)
As they walked the hallway, Juniper's thoughts strayed from Cory's enthusiastic step to assessing his own expectations. He had had so many fantasies about what Cory's art studio might be like--floor-to-ceiling windows, a red chaise lounge, massive landscapes adorning the walls--but he realized that this sort of building likely wouldn't have any of that. Yes, he needed to ground his expectations closer to reality lest he be disappointed. And then, of course, there was the other fear--what if Juniper didn't actually like Cory's art?
When Cory paused with a hand on the doorknob and looked back Juniper's direction, his smile wide and eyebrows raised, Juniper blushed and remembered the real reason he was here in the first place. The artist himself was a wonder. It didn't matter what the building looked like or how he furnished it or even what kind of art he actually did--Cory was himself a work of art that Juniper wanted to spend hours upon hours admiring. That was, if it suited the artist.
Juniper nodded his encouragement for Cory to open the door, and at the same time, Cory pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The view from the hallway was a bit of a tease as it opened simply into another hallway, the inner mysteries still safely keeping their secrets inside.
Cory let go of the door handle slowly, passing it off to Juniper, who stepped inside tentatively, peering around the corner with butterflies pleasantly flying in his stomach.
"Restroom, should you need to avail yourself at any point," Cory said, waving a hand toward a door on the right. On the left, there was a narrow table with a couple animal figurines--a bear and an elk--with a human-shaped art figure in the middle. As Juniper closed the door and walked further into the hallway, trying not to stare with mouth agape, he looked above the table at a series of intricate still lives. The deep shadows in the background allowed for the muted colors of the foreground to take center stage, their textures almost touchable. Juniper looked closer in an attempt to see the individual brushstrokes, wondering how long each of these had taken Cory. They were simple--maybe not quite suitable for the lounge--but Juniper did enjoy seeing the artist's eye for light and other detail. Briefly, an image occurred to Juniper, one of Cory painting the very brownies Juniper held on the plate for the lounge, and Juniper blushed more deeply, wondering if he was going to make it out in the open section of Cory's studio without his face being the same color as the strawberries in his dessert.
It took Juniper a moment to realize that Cory had already turned the corner. Tentatively, moving at a speed appropriate to the gravity of the reveal, Juniper emerged out into the lighted, high-ceilinged room. In soaking in the sights, Juniper began first with Cory's smile, which lingered on his face only briefly before Cory beheld his own space as though encouraging Juniper to do the same. From there, Juniper clocked the light breeze from the fan, which subdued the warmth emanating from his cheeks, and trailed down toward the window--there was a window--out of which Juniper could see the next building over. A plant basked in the abundant sunshine, and Juniper felt a wave of relief.
And, anyway, floor-to-ceiling windows wouldn't have actually been discreet for the sort of art Cory had proposed. No, this was surely preferrable, in reality.
From there, Juniper took a few steps closer to the drafting desk in the corner, admiring the raw charcoal abstract and all its energy, which lay on its surface. Juniper longed to touch this one, to feel the difference between the rough scribbles and the smooth textures, but he refrained. He suspected he would end up smudged like Cory if he did; in fact, perhaps this was the reason there was charcoal in the man's hairline in the first place. The thought warmed Juniper deeply. Although, if all went well, Juniper might be covered in smudges far more damning than the salt stains on his shirt before the afternoon was through. His blush returned with force.
Perhaps it was natural, then, that it was the sink next that begged Juniper's attention, the eclectic mix of paints and brushes there exactly what Juniper might have imagined in his fantasy. The drying rack piqued his curiosity as he found himself craving something that Cory had worked on recently, something that captured the essence of the artist in this very moment, but from his current vantage point, he couldn't quite make out their images.
Beside several canvases leaned up against the wall, a large easel held an enormous night-time cityscape. While it was in progress, Juniper stepped closer with stunned interest, curious if he could recognize where the vantage point was. He decided he couldn't, not having been in the city long himself, but he thought he might return to the puzzle later after he had taken in the rest of the room. The painting itself was life-like in detail, the brush strokes here deeply varied in texture, size, and length. Again, Juniper was tempted to touch, but he refrained and instead shifted the plate of brownies again from one hand to the other.
Turning toward a small sitting area, Juniper looked at the nearby table, which featured an unruly smattering of paints and pencils, coupled with much smaller easels and their accompanying canvases. There were some strange objects on the table as well, which Juniper could only imagine were to be used in a still life. There was something mysterious about the theme of the objects: a vase of drying flowers, a duck statue that could have been taken straight out of a thrift store, and a piggy bank. Whatever the philosophy behind the arrangement, it eluded Juniper's grasp, but he moved on from the collection smoothly, happily, the cream walls and softly colored geometric tiles on the floor luring him into a sense of ease and lightness.
Standing near to the sitting area now--not a bright red lounge but a pleasantly plush burgundy couch--Juniper recognized that Cory was looking at him and probably had been for some time. Had Juniper's inspection pleased Cory? Had he spent enough time taking in the sights of the room?
"Shall we sit?" Cory asked, nodding gently in the direction of the well-loved couch and its matching chair, complete with an empty coffee table.
Juniper nodded, took the cue, and set his plate down on the table, grateful to have the weight off his arms.
Then Juniper set about the phenomenally difficult task of deciding whether to sit on the couch or the chair. Was it presumptuous to sit on the couch, hoping that Cory would join him there? And if Cory did, would that be an uncomfortable position for Juniper's neck, craning to look at Cory? But, if he sat in the chair, would Cory think he would prefer distance? Finally, Juniper decided to sit on the side of the couch closest the chair to let Cory decide for himself. Perhaps Cory would want to have the more artistic angle here, anyway, if Cory were going to draw him. How many other nude people had Cory drawn on this couch? Juniper wondered idly.
"It's... stunning. I've... never been in someone's studio before. I can imagine it would be... vulnerable. Personal. Thank you for your trust," Juniper said, eager to smooth over any concern Cory might have that it was not up to snuff.
When Cory paused with a hand on the doorknob and looked back Juniper's direction, his smile wide and eyebrows raised, Juniper blushed and remembered the real reason he was here in the first place. The artist himself was a wonder. It didn't matter what the building looked like or how he furnished it or even what kind of art he actually did--Cory was himself a work of art that Juniper wanted to spend hours upon hours admiring. That was, if it suited the artist.
Juniper nodded his encouragement for Cory to open the door, and at the same time, Cory pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The view from the hallway was a bit of a tease as it opened simply into another hallway, the inner mysteries still safely keeping their secrets inside.
Cory let go of the door handle slowly, passing it off to Juniper, who stepped inside tentatively, peering around the corner with butterflies pleasantly flying in his stomach.
"Restroom, should you need to avail yourself at any point," Cory said, waving a hand toward a door on the right. On the left, there was a narrow table with a couple animal figurines--a bear and an elk--with a human-shaped art figure in the middle. As Juniper closed the door and walked further into the hallway, trying not to stare with mouth agape, he looked above the table at a series of intricate still lives. The deep shadows in the background allowed for the muted colors of the foreground to take center stage, their textures almost touchable. Juniper looked closer in an attempt to see the individual brushstrokes, wondering how long each of these had taken Cory. They were simple--maybe not quite suitable for the lounge--but Juniper did enjoy seeing the artist's eye for light and other detail. Briefly, an image occurred to Juniper, one of Cory painting the very brownies Juniper held on the plate for the lounge, and Juniper blushed more deeply, wondering if he was going to make it out in the open section of Cory's studio without his face being the same color as the strawberries in his dessert.
It took Juniper a moment to realize that Cory had already turned the corner. Tentatively, moving at a speed appropriate to the gravity of the reveal, Juniper emerged out into the lighted, high-ceilinged room. In soaking in the sights, Juniper began first with Cory's smile, which lingered on his face only briefly before Cory beheld his own space as though encouraging Juniper to do the same. From there, Juniper clocked the light breeze from the fan, which subdued the warmth emanating from his cheeks, and trailed down toward the window--there was a window--out of which Juniper could see the next building over. A plant basked in the abundant sunshine, and Juniper felt a wave of relief.
And, anyway, floor-to-ceiling windows wouldn't have actually been discreet for the sort of art Cory had proposed. No, this was surely preferrable, in reality.
From there, Juniper took a few steps closer to the drafting desk in the corner, admiring the raw charcoal abstract and all its energy, which lay on its surface. Juniper longed to touch this one, to feel the difference between the rough scribbles and the smooth textures, but he refrained. He suspected he would end up smudged like Cory if he did; in fact, perhaps this was the reason there was charcoal in the man's hairline in the first place. The thought warmed Juniper deeply. Although, if all went well, Juniper might be covered in smudges far more damning than the salt stains on his shirt before the afternoon was through. His blush returned with force.
Perhaps it was natural, then, that it was the sink next that begged Juniper's attention, the eclectic mix of paints and brushes there exactly what Juniper might have imagined in his fantasy. The drying rack piqued his curiosity as he found himself craving something that Cory had worked on recently, something that captured the essence of the artist in this very moment, but from his current vantage point, he couldn't quite make out their images.
Beside several canvases leaned up against the wall, a large easel held an enormous night-time cityscape. While it was in progress, Juniper stepped closer with stunned interest, curious if he could recognize where the vantage point was. He decided he couldn't, not having been in the city long himself, but he thought he might return to the puzzle later after he had taken in the rest of the room. The painting itself was life-like in detail, the brush strokes here deeply varied in texture, size, and length. Again, Juniper was tempted to touch, but he refrained and instead shifted the plate of brownies again from one hand to the other.
Turning toward a small sitting area, Juniper looked at the nearby table, which featured an unruly smattering of paints and pencils, coupled with much smaller easels and their accompanying canvases. There were some strange objects on the table as well, which Juniper could only imagine were to be used in a still life. There was something mysterious about the theme of the objects: a vase of drying flowers, a duck statue that could have been taken straight out of a thrift store, and a piggy bank. Whatever the philosophy behind the arrangement, it eluded Juniper's grasp, but he moved on from the collection smoothly, happily, the cream walls and softly colored geometric tiles on the floor luring him into a sense of ease and lightness.
Standing near to the sitting area now--not a bright red lounge but a pleasantly plush burgundy couch--Juniper recognized that Cory was looking at him and probably had been for some time. Had Juniper's inspection pleased Cory? Had he spent enough time taking in the sights of the room?
"Shall we sit?" Cory asked, nodding gently in the direction of the well-loved couch and its matching chair, complete with an empty coffee table.
Juniper nodded, took the cue, and set his plate down on the table, grateful to have the weight off his arms.
Then Juniper set about the phenomenally difficult task of deciding whether to sit on the couch or the chair. Was it presumptuous to sit on the couch, hoping that Cory would join him there? And if Cory did, would that be an uncomfortable position for Juniper's neck, craning to look at Cory? But, if he sat in the chair, would Cory think he would prefer distance? Finally, Juniper decided to sit on the side of the couch closest the chair to let Cory decide for himself. Perhaps Cory would want to have the more artistic angle here, anyway, if Cory were going to draw him. How many other nude people had Cory drawn on this couch? Juniper wondered idly.
"It's... stunning. I've... never been in someone's studio before. I can imagine it would be... vulnerable. Personal. Thank you for your trust," Juniper said, eager to smooth over any concern Cory might have that it was not up to snuff.