Torin had been waiting since 11:00. What if he didn't show up? What if he thought it was weird? What if… What if…

With each minute that ticked by, Torin grew more anxious. He knew he was early in waiting, but he couldn't help himself. Torin had found his angel - Rikan.

Rikan was perfect in all the imperfect ways. He was very trusting, yet a little distant. He was always smiling, but a bit sad.

Torin had been surprised when Rikan had taken his hand the day before. Rikan's hand was warm and calloused. It gripped tightly, which showed that he was in need of support.

One of Torin's favorite parts of Rikan was that he didn't pretend to be something he wasn't. It was clear to anyone who payed attention to details that he blamed himself for his wife's death.

Torin had been taken aback when Rikan spoke so openly about his wife. Perhaps he shouldn't have been. After all, Torin had spoken to Rikan about things he hadn't told his closest friends (not that he had many). Something about Rikan made Torin feel… lighter.

Everything about Rikan, especially the endearing habit he had of running his hand through his hair, made Torin fall even harder for him. Torin knew he was setting himself up for heartbreak - Rikan had a deceased wife whom he had loved very much. Rikan was obviously not interested in men.

Then why did he take your hand like that? Why was he so open with you? Why did he open and close doors for you? Why did he pull out your chair for you? Why did he want to see your smile? Torin's mind was a hurricane of unanswered questions.

It was 12:15. Fifteen minutes late. Rikan wasn't there. Torin could feel his insides shatter. But what more could he have expected? Who asks a person if they could draw them? Even with these attempted consolations, Torin's pain didn't lessen. Yet he stayed, waiting.

12:20

12:30

12:40

Torin, heart in pieces, got up to put his art supplies away. Stars, he had wanted to see that smile so badly. Forget that, he had wanted to see Rikan so badly.

His doorbell rang.

Torin turned around, his spirits lifting before he crushed them down again. He's not coming, you idiot.

Torin trudged to the door, an ache in his chest.

He turned the knob.

Slowly opened the door.

And it was like the clouds had parted, revealing the sun.

Torin couldn't help his huge smile as he saw Rikan's apologetic one.

"I'm sorry - I must have kept you waiting..." That gorgeous voice. "...I'm so sorry. I had to stay at the office… I wanted to leave, I promise… Just to see your fa—" Rikan stopped, his face turning a deep shade of red. Torin's mind was slow to catch on; he was still dwelling on the fact that Rikan had indeed come.

Just to see your face? Torin felt a blush rising on his cheeks too. His smile didn't fade, though. Torin opened the door a little wider and let his muse step inside.

"That's fine. I'm overjoyed that you came." Torin's heartbeat was the speed of a flying bullet. Rikan smiled gently.

"I'm glad too." They both stood there for a second or five, looking at each other. Then Rikan shook his head and snapped out of it.

"Anyway, you're doing a full-body portrait of me?"

Torin nodded. Rikan grinned mischievously. "Okay. Would you show me where the restroom is so I can change?"

Torin tilted his head so he could look Rikan in the face. "Change?"

"Yes. Do you mind if I get ready before you draw or paint or whatever?"

Torin gave him a confused smile. "You're fine just the way you are, but if you'd really like to… It's down the hallway, to the left."

Rikan nodded, that mischievous smile still on his face. He went on his way. Torin shook his head, chuckling as he turned to get his brushes and canvas ready.


"Torin? Is this okay?" Rikan called.

Torin turned around and his jaw dropped. Rikan was wearing… nothing. He was stark naked. Not a stitch of clothing from head to toe. Torin felt the roots of his hair turn rouge.

What was even worse was that Torin did not mind one bit.

"Y-you, er… You don't have to…" Torin trailed off, realizing that Rikan was also exquisite without clothing. Torin's eyes wandered down Rikan's chest then back up to Rikan's smirking face. Torin cleared his throat. "You don't have to be… um… nude, if you want." Torin felt the need to add the last part, for he himself didn't entirely want Rikan to put clothes back on.

Rikan grinned. Why, why, are you so glorious? Torin thought, frustrated. He could feel his face burning.

"Nah, I think I'll stay like this," Rikan said… flirtatiously, perhaps? But Torin noticed a slight pink tinge to Rikan's ears also.

"Er… okay," Torin squeaked. He huffed internally. When do I ever squeak?

"Are you going to start anytime soon?" Rikan joked. Torin bit his lower lip, his face turning even darker.

"Uh… yeah…"


The following hours were tantalizingly slow. (Or tantalizingly fast, Torin couldn't decide) As an artist, Torin never looked at the body in the way that would make him embarrassed. He thought of the body as a work of art. And Rikan was a work of art indeed.

However, Torin couldn't help blushing because of Rikan's beauty. Why did Rikan decide to take off all of his clothes? Was it possible that Rikan was… that Rikan was… falling for him?

Torin hoped so.

The two spoke as Torin sketched him. With every smile, every laugh, every word, every breath, Torin was pulled deeper into the abyss of love. There was no use denying it at this point - Torin loved Rikan. He had only known Rikan for a day, but he was becoming more and more confident that one couldn't put a time limit on love.

Torin told Rikan he was finished. Rikan smiled somewhat shyly and moved to redress himself.

"Rikan?" Torin was doubting himself already.

"Yes, Torin?"

"You… You're a very beautiful person to draw." Luckily, Torin got it out quickly. He kept his back turned from Rikan. He could almost feel Rikan's smile.

"Well, you're a beautiful person to look at."

Torin spun around, staring at a now fully dressed Rikan. Rikan chuckled, his ears glowing pink. Torin dropped his gaze.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me for the truth."

Torin held back a smile, still looking at the floor. Stars, I love him.

A firm grip tilted his chin up. Torin's eyes met the heavenly ones of Rikan, whose fingers were warm. Rikan laughed lightly and his hand dropped.

"It's funny, actually. I've only known you a day, and I'm still in the process of healing from…" Rikan cleared his throat. "Yeah. But I feel like I've known you a lifetime."

Silence. Rikan continued.

"It's strange. You're an artist, but I feel like you're the artwork. Yes, you're stoic and don't smile that much…" Rikan sounded like he was talking to himself now. "...but when you do smile, it's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. I can't help but want to make you smile over and over again. Torin…"

Torin knew he was blushing. He knew he was staring at this man like he was priceless. Which Rikan was.

"I love you," Torin breathed. Rikan's eyes widened, then he smiled such a gentle smile.

Rikan held Torin's face in his hand, leaning in. Right before their lips met, Rikan whispered, "That's what I was about to say."

They kissed and it was impossible for Torin to describe how perfect that moment was. How flawed it was. How angelic.

It is easy to get lost in artwork… And love is most certainly a piece of art. But sometimes… you don't want to navigate out of it.

Torin closed his eyes and sunk deeper into the kiss.

Yes, I have found my angel.


This two-shot was inspired by this prompt: Imagine Person A is an artist, and they need to paint a full body portrait of a person, either for a school grade or for their own practice/enjoyment. They need a model, and ask Person B to be one. Person B complies, and upon arriving at Person A's place, they say they're going to the bathroom to freshen up/get themselves ready/whatever. Person A is getting all their supplies and the canvas ready, and Person B comes out stark naked. Person A stutters as they say they don't really have to be in the nude, but B shrugs and goes with it anyways. (Bonus if they aren't a couple yet.)

I hope you liked this piece! Thank you for reading! -Aurum19