So this was 10 pages longer (& included Uncle Wayne), but I didn't think I could meet the deadline as even where those last bits were going it still didn't feel like the proper ending. So if anyone likes this, I can see myself writing a Part ii and maybe some other blurbs as I did leave some things open.
SUMMARY: Eddie didn't think anything of volunteering to be a nude model for a college art class.
Eddie didn't want to admit it to anyone and especially to his Uncle Wayne, but moving and living in the city wasn't exactly peachy.
There was freedom to not being called a freak or a Satanist. There was barely any judgment about his long hair, the clothes he wore, and the music he blared through his Walkman. He felt invisible. It was a weird feeling considering in Hawkins it felt as if his every move was watched and dissected.
It wasn't a hasty decision to move to the city. Just after finally graduating high school. There was nothing really left for him and he couldn't imagine selling pot to kids when he was finally out of high school. Also, why would he stay in a town that hated him and cursed him when they stubbed their toe.
He didn't want to leave his Uncle Wayne. However, Wayne had always been understanding. Maybe to understanding to a fault. So Eddie left Hawkins and didn't plan on coming back.
He found an apartment above a tattoo shop and a job as a sandwich artist where the pay was shit and left them with barely any change to pay to rent a movie. So the one night he splurged on a night out at the bar, the flyer with the paper tab to rip off wasn't something he seriously considered.
It amused him a bit. Yet, it was a paid gig, and an easy $25 an hour he was needed. A lucrative supplement that would work around his schedule. It would also be an extra bit of change for him to buy the new guitar string he needed and the part he needed for his shitty van.
So on a cool Monday morning, he stood in a stark white classroom. There were 12 easels surrounding a small stool where he would be sitting. As he feels the draft in the room, maybe this wasn't the best idea.
Eddie was up for trying anything at least once. Yet, maybe he was out of his element here, deciding to be a nude model for the semester for an art class at the university.
The professor, Benson, was warm and welcoming. The man gushed about his curly hair and how he thought this would be a good chance for his students to draw hair with texture. He had assured him everything would be anonymous and would be paid weekly.
Eddie had nodded as he admired some works of art that seemed to be in progress. His eyes caught what seemed to be an oil painting rendition of the poisoned apple from Sleeping Beauty.
Students filed into the room with low hushed voices. A part of him was waiting for the pointed stares and harsh whispers. Instead, if anyone caught his eyes, they gave him a soft smile before finding their seat. Most seem to be around his age. There are a couple of older students that seem to be in their 40s. Yet, most students are busily prepping their station. He knows he is the one staring until he reaches the end of the semicircle. Eddie's eyes land on a beautiful girl. Hair was up in two space buns. She had black glasses framing large brown eyes. Lips were plump and highlighted by a glossy sheen. Recognition tickled his gut as his eyes met hers. He imagined if her skin was as white as his, it would have turned pink. Instead, her eyes widen a bit before a closed-lipped smile is thrown his way. She broke eye contact as she fiddled with her area.
Once the room was filled, that's when Eddie felt nervous. He was in a room full of strangers and was about to be nude as the day he was born for the sake of art. He was feeling self-conscious about his kitchen scratch tattoos and soft tummy.
On Benson's cue, he disrobed. Eddie thought he would prefer the taunts and whispers to the clinical silence. The cool air made his nipples taunt and for a moment he was concerned, what if he popped a boner?
Although the ridiculous warm-up poses Benson had him do he thought he deserved to be paid more than $25 an hour. Someone just got a glimpse of his asshole. Too late for manscaping.
Benson had him stand still. Eddie didn't know how he was going to stand still for over an hour, especially when there wasn't any music playing. He was told to keep a neutral expression, which wasn't too hard. He had to resist the urge to tap his fingers along his side.
His eyes focused on the wall behind the flock of students. He didn't want to make awkward eye contact with anyone. Yet, after five minutes, he has already grown bored. It's then onto reciting the whole Metallica's Master of Puppets album. That only killed about 20 minutes, thankfully. He sighed in relief when Benson called for a 10-minute break. Benson was immediately at his side with his robe. He gave him a grateful smile as he covered up for modesty's sake.
Most of the students went to the bathroom and to the water fountain. Eddie wasn't sure what the protocol was, but he felt it was evasive to look at incomplete drawings even if they were of him. Instead, he leaned against the wall and thought maybe he would smoke a joint before this. Then he shook his head as he eyed the space buns girl concentrating hard on her drawing. Her tongue peaking out between her full lips. Benson did a walk around had lingered on her and he could tell by the smile it was good. The last thing he needed was a boner as he tried to rake his brain on how he knew her.
That was what he focused on for the rest of the class. Maybe she just was a frequent customer at the sandwich shop. He didn't think she could be from Hawkins. He would have remembered a face like hers unless she was an upperclassman. Yet, he became distracted by the itch to scratch his nose and as he focused on that irritation class was called to a close.
Eddie walked behind the small partition as he pulled on his clothes. He slid on his clothes and welcomed the weight of the rings on his fingers.
Everyone else was cleaning up, but he noticed Space Buns was still sketching on her paper.
"Wasn't so bad was it?" Benson asked.
Eddie shook his head. "Different for sure."
Bensen smiled and a pensive smile came over his face as he eyed Eddie. "Do you mind wearing those rings for the next session?"
Eddie looked down at his mood ring, silver pig, skulls with a cross, and his vampire skull. He shrugged. "No problem."
The next class went the same as the first. He did an awkward warm-up sketch before being directed by Benson on the "look" he wanted.
However, he fingered out why Benson required him to wear his rings as the easels were placed a bit differently. Some were further away from him while a few were about 6 feet away, thankfully nowhere near his exposed, flaccid dick.
However, he had no other exception than to stare at Space Buns as her easel was directly in his line of sight. She had the pleasure, in his lovely opinion, of drawing the profile of his face and his hands where his rings were the most prominent.
Her brown eyes connected with his, and she gave him a shy smile. He watched her face morph into total concentration as she studied him. It was only fair he did the same to her.
She had her hair styled with those same Space Buns. She was wearing blue jeans tucked into a pair of pink vans with a Joan Jett shirt. There was a cluster of barely there freckles across the bridge of her nose. She stuck her tongue out when she was really concentrating. He admired her pouty lips and how her lip gloss accentuated her cupid's bow. He wondered how plump they would get if he nibbled on them. The feel of them slotted against his. Eddie quickly corrected that thought, as the last thing he needed was his excitement scaring the class.
He would have inspected her further if the easel wasn't in his way.
The time seemed to move a bit faster compared to the first session. His bones felt relief when Benson called for a break. Space Buns snickered at his cracked bones. He found his opening. He quickly tied his robe around himself. As he padded towards her, he ignored the chill of the ceramic tiles against his feet.
"Mind if I see?" He asked.
His answer was a nod of her head, and he walked around to find a sketch of himself. The attention to his rings was incredible to him. Although a work in progress, he felt as if he was looking in the mirror.
"Damn," Eddie said with a whistle.
"What?"
Eddie smiled, and he did an exaggerated bicep pose. "You make me look…pretty. Mysterious. Sexy," he added as his tongue crowded his teeth.
She giggled. It reminded him of wind chimes.
"So, this is your major?" He asked.
She nodded. "Yeah, I'm in my junior year."
"Cool," Eddie replied.
"Are you a student?"
Eddie snorted. "Nah, just a plain old citizen needing extra cash."
The other students filtered back into the class and Eddie thought it was time to head back to his stool. He had butterflies in his stomach and he still didn't know the girl's name.
Eddie wasn't totally friendless in the city. He was cool with his co-workers. It was a mixture of ages and personalities. He was never bored, that's for sure, it was just the work wasn't very fulfilling. Out of all his co-workers, he hung out with Andy Barber the most. The man was a couple of years older than him, but he felt Andy stilled believed he was in high school. He didn't think the man hung out with anyone his age.
He found himself trailing behind Andy, who was invited to some college party. Eddie didn't really want to go, but he didn't have much of an excuse not to go. He just knew Andy was going to ditch him for some girl. Eddie only came for the free booze and potential weed. The party wasn't awful; he supposed. There were sweaty bodies gyrating against each other, copious amounts of alcohol, and the haze of smoke everywhere.
Eddie found himself a beer, as he was not going to drink from an open cup, and took a healthy swing. He rarely went to parties in Hawkins unless he was selling. His type of party was just going to Reefer Rick's and smoking. Sometimes movies, music, or video games were on, but it was just smoking and laughing. Talking about things and confusing their brains.
A few girls caught his eye, which was new for him. He gave them a charming smile back before a body slammed into his chest.
"Ahh!"
Eddie looked down at the body that bounced off him and landed on the floor. Red juice stained her grey David Bowie shirt.
"Space Buns?" He questioned. Her hair wasn't up. It was down and exposed tight curls that framed her face like a halo.
"I…," her mouth opened, then she closed it. Her fingers pushed her glasses up her nose. She took a deep breath before he helped her off the ground. She didn't seem drunk. "I don't know your name."
"Eddie," he told her. "You okay?"
She pulled at her shirt to inspect the damage. "I guess I will live," she muttered. "What are you doing here?"
"Came with a friend," he told her. "You?"
"Same, but this isn't really my scene," she admitted. "And Space Buns?"
Eddie chuckled. "Oh, because you always seemed to have your hair in buns."
"Oh, my name's Jensen," she told him, the stain on her shirt forgotten.
Her name rolled around his tongue in a good way. "Nice to meet you, Jensen," he greeted with a bow. Jensen giggled as she curtesy in response.
Eddie's smile was large as it showed off his teeth.
"You need a drink," he offered as they were in the kitchen. Jensen nodded as he found a beer and passed it to her. He thought they would go back to the party. Instead, Jensen hopped up onto the counter. He leaned against the counter next to her.
He didn't know how long they talked. He learned that she had dreams of obtaining a fellowship to study art overseas. She hoped to make a living being an artist and opening up her own art studio and gallery. Her favorite color was pink. Her favorite movie was Rebel Without a Cause. She loved nachos and cheese. Her time of day was night despite the lack of natural light to draw.
He shared things as well. She never made him feel less compared to her experience, as it was apparent she came from more money than him. He didn't have much to tell her due to living in such a small place as Hawkins. He left out the nasty bits of being bullied by most of the town. Yet he boasted with pride of his time as Dungeon Master with Hellfire club. The fact she knew what Dungeon and Dragons was had his heart soaring. She listened with her full attention and even laughed at his lame jokes.
"Jensen!" Both jumped at the loud call of her name over the music and chatter of the partygoers. She gave him a sheepish smile. "I think it's time for me to go."
Eddie nodded, sad to see her go.
"I'll see you at the studio," she called out as she disappeared into the crowd.
As the contract, he arrived early before the students showed up. Benson wanted him to be aware of what poses they expected him to try to bring. From the layout of the red velvet loveseat, Eddie had a pretty good idea.
Benson wanted a sensual pose. Eddie scratched his nose. He didn't know if he could do sensuality. Benson's advice was to think some pleasant thoughts. Pleasant thoughts to Eddie could accidentally pop a boner. As usual, Eddie stripped down to his birthday suit in exchange for the fluffy robe. He sat on the couch as he tried to figure out poses. So far, he was only having luck finding poses that required his legs to be spread open. He propped his knees on his elbows and placed his chin on his hands. This position seemed to bring the most comfort.
"Different pose for sensual, usually most lay across the couch," Benson observed. "Just can't look bored with your face. It's going to be about the eyes for this one."
Eddie huffed. He tried to think of something that would rouse him enough to bring a heated gaze. He thought of a good D&D campaign or him finally mastering "Master of Puppets" with his sweetheart. Then he thought of dimples on caramel skin. Curly hair tickling his nose and studious fingers tracing his body to memorize every contour. His cheeks burned, and he felt the heat spread to his neck and chest. Especially as his object of affection walked into the room.
Benson chuckled from next to him, "See, not so hard. The body and its mechanics are simply art. Don't be embarrassed."
Eddie sighed, but his gaze found Jensen, who gave him a little wave. She only had one bun in her hair today with two swords in them for decoration. There was a blue shimmer to her eyes and lips today as she wore a Michael Jackson Thriller-era shirt. She looked beautiful.
He gave her a small smile in return and he prayed to every god out there he didn't pop a boner.
Eddie walked the familiar journey to the art studio. It filled his stomach with flattering bat wings at the thought of seeing Jensen again. He thought about her too much to be considered normal over the passing days. His boner may not have made an appearance during their last class, but in the confines of his apartment, it was a different story.
He almost tripped over his feet as he found Jensen already at the studio early. She looked at him with a bright smile and waved in greeting.
"Hey."
Eddie walked into the empty classroom. No Benson in sight. "You're here early," he observed as he placed his things behind the partition Benson had given him.
"Actually, I wanted to ask you something."
"Yeah?"
She looked nervous as she played with a pencil in her hand. Her teeth trapped her bottom lip before she stood straighter. It was making him slightly nervous about what she was going to ask him.
"You know you already seen my dick, so whatever you have to ask, I'm sure is pretty tame," Eddie said, hoping to ease the tension.
Jensen huffed. "Right." She pushed her glasses up on her nose. "I was wondering if you could be the subject to a series of work I want to do."
"Nude?"
She shook her head. "No. It would require…um…I want to play with the identity of femininity and masculinity. So some makeup and feminine clothing are going to be part of the outfits. I…since it's for school, I won't be able to pay you, but um a dinner…or beer whatever you like I can give you instead."
Eddie put his hands up and chuckled. "Whoa, its okay. Yeah, I'll do it."
Her eyes were wide and hopeful. He wasn't prepared for the hug she rewarded him with. Oranges and vanilla filled his nostrils.
"Thank you, Eddie."
Jensen had given him a very thorough paper on the meaning of what she was hoping to showcase with her end-of-the-year exhibit. She also planned to use this work as a submission to the fellowship she wanted.
She also left details to her apartment as they scheduled the session on a Saturday afternoon. She mentioned that he wouldn't have to pose as he did for class. As she wanted options, it was going to be just a long photo shoot. She was going to pick her favorite photographs to paint. He may only be needed for a few references for getting skin tone or potentially mimicking a pose for a reference.
Eddie eyed the repurposed warehouse building she resided in. He chewed on his fingernail before he pressed the buzzer to enter her building. Her voice came over the speaker, letting him in. He walked towards the elevator and he got to the fifth floor where Jensen greeted him wearing a pair of denim overalls. Her hair was in their infamous Space Buns.
"Did you find the place, okay?"
"Yeah, helped you have parking," he told her as she opened the door.
She lived in a loft. There were a bunch of canvases lining the ground some were clean and others painted. Stepping in it was just an open floor plan, being the kitchen and living room that was strategically blocked off. He made note of an art area set up. He figured where the photos would be taken.
The stairway he imagined led to her bedroom and bathroom.
"You live alone?" He asked.
"Yeah," she replied. "So I was thinking we pick out the outfits you are comfortable in and then I can treat you to dinner?"
"Oh, you don't have to."
"It's no bother. It's the least I could do."
Jensen gave him a more thorough tour of his place. She grabbed his jackets and placed them on the hook. He kicked off his sneakers and placed them next to her pink Converses. He eyed her extensive record collection that he was itching to scour through. The place was warm and cozy until his cold place. There weren't many pictures of her family, he noticed. The place was filled with artwork.
"Is this all your work?" He asked, as he admired a painting of a man caressing another man's face. It was an intimate picture. He wondered how she came across that.
"Yeah, I was hesitant to hang them up…"
"They're beautiful," he told her. Eddie liked to sketch himself occasionally, but he was nowhere near as good as her.
"Thank you."
She finished the tour of her place. It was much, but it was more than he had. He imagined that it could be lonely living in such a big place like this. She led him over to her drawing area. It surprised him to only find two outfits: a baby pink ballerina outfit with white tights and a black suit.
"I was expecting more," he told her honestly.
"I thought if I did too much, it would get lost. So with the ballerina suit, I was just thinking of leaving you more natural. Maybe paint your nails?"
"Hey, you're the boss. I'm following your lead."
"Okay, I was thinking of black for the nails," she muttered. She explained that for the black suit that she wanted him to wear makeup. Black eyeliner around his eyes, nude lipstick, and some blush. She was debating if she wanted him to wear glitter eyeshadow. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"
Eddie shrugged. He wasn't one to get all tangled up with what was considered appropriate for their respective genders. He snatched the ballerina outfit with the tights. "Let me get changed and you can paint my nails."
Eddie walked into the bathroom, more so for modesty's sake. He had to remind himself that Jensen has seen him naked multiple times at this point. The ballerina leotard was snug. He was grateful for the tutu, as it really didn't leave much to the imagination. He grabbed his clothes and placed them neatly on the edge of her bed before trailing down the steps where Jensen sat at her dining room table with the black nail polish.
"Be careful walking down the steps. You could slip in those tights," she warned.
Eddie took his time walking down the steps, holding onto the railing. Jensen looked up at him and admired his form.
"You like what you see?" He teased as he did a twirl.
"I think you know you're pretty, Eddie," she replied.
"So you think I'm pretty?"
"It's one of the reasons I asked to draw you."
Eddie chuckled as he sat down opposite her. He placed his hand out in front of him. He didn't have much nails, considering he bit them out of a nervous habit. Her grip was soft but firm as she grabbed his thumb first.
"So, how long have you lived here?"
"Just the beginning of this year," she informed him. "My dad owns a lot of real estate. This is one of the new buildings he bought."
"And he let you move here all by yourself?"
Jensen shrugged. "I guess."
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to pry." He backpedaled. He could tell when someone didn't want to talk about their family life.
"It's not like that," she licked her lips as she concentrated on not getting the polish on his skin. "Just we're not a close family. My dad provides for me. I don't feel unloved. It's just…"
"Are you the only child?"
"I have an older brother. He is in business. Don't ask me what he does because I have no idea."
Eddie nodded.
"What about you?"
Eddie blew a raspberry. He told her all about his uncle Wayne. It felt a disservice to even say he was an uncle when he was his father. There were many times his uncle and dad fought over the way his dad took him around to steal cars. The lack of a stable home. He told her all of that without shame that he knew how to hot wire a car at the age of 6. His mom left without a trace in the darkness of the night when he was 7. Eddie thought he could walk down the street and not even recognize the woman that gave birth to him. Things like that used to make him embarrassed, but now he knew it was just a fact of life. No one's life was shiny or perfect. Everyone was a flawed individual with pluses and minuses.
She finished painting his nails, and he was unprepared when she grabbed his hand and began blowing on it. It caused him to jump in surprise. She didn't comment on it.
Instead, she asked him about his favorite movies.
Eddie eyed the black nail polish on his nails as he stood in front of Jensen. He thought it was weird he felt more exposed right now than he did buck naked in a room full of people. Jensen was messing around with a camera as he rolled on his heels. The radio was on and low in the background. She told him to just be himself and not think. So he knew that he could exactly run around like a Tasmanian devil. She did put his hair up in a bun and he sort of felt like a ballerina.
He tried to think of poses ballerina did, but the only move he could think of was Stevie Nicks on the cover of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours album.
He stilled when he heard the click of the camera.
"Don't worry about me, just do what's natural," Jensen commented.
Eddie quirked a brow and shook his body. He did a bunch of exaggerated poses as he hopped around the room and twirled. He did bows and kicks. The attempt to stand on his tippy toes didn't result in a broken toe.
Jensen didn't interrupt. She just continuously snapped pictures, and it made him wonder how much film was in a camera.
But he was having fun. It was something different and a story to tell his uncle for sure. However, if he was going to be himself and she was looking to capture something, it had him standing straight. "Hey, I have an idea."
Jensen moved the camera from her face as she looked at him curiously. He jetted upstairs to where his clothes were and grabbed his cigarettes and lighter.
"You have any beer here?" He asked as he rushed down the stairs.
"No, only wine," Jensen said with a frown.
"Oh, Jen, if we are going to be friends you need to keep a 6-pack on stock," Eddie said as he swiped a bottle on her countertop.
"Duly noted," he heard her reply.
Eddie removed the cork and took a swing. He didn't think he ever had wine. It wasn't as if he knew anyone that drank it until now. He placed a cigarette between his lips and lit it.
"Now this is model material," he said, muffled by the cigarette in his mouth.
Jensen took a photo before the words were out of his mouth.
She only took a couple dozen more photographs before she announced she believed it was time for a wardrobe change. He couldn't believe it was going on for two hours since he walked through her door. Now, he was in a suit that seemed to be worth three months of his rent. His hair was in her signature space buns. His eyes were outlined with black and she had put a gold eyeshadow on his eyes. They debated on a lip gloss or a nude matte lipstick before the lipstick won out. It felt weird on his lips.
Jensen had directed him to be more still, like his poses for the art class. It would be a more thoughtful pose. She was kneeling on the floor to take pictures. It seemed she was playing with angles and close-ups. She wanted him to make more faces, from funny to serious. Mouth open with his tongue out or lips pursed in mock irritation.
She didn't take as many as she did when him in the pink leotard and tutu. He was standing with his hands behind his back as he stared up at the ceiling. "Okay, I think that should be good."
She gave him a bright smile. "I can't thank you enough for doing this, Eddie."
He shrugged. "It's no problem."
"So pizza and wings?" Eddie nodded his head, and Jensen walked over to her phone to order the food.
He walked upstairs back to her bathroom to change back into his regular clothes. He didn't care about the nail polish on his fingers. Jensen would supply nail polish remover if he asked for it. The issue was in trying to remove the eyeliner, which he should have left alone. He had tried to wipe it off with some tissue, but he only ended up looking like a dry rat or a cartoonish raccoon.
He threw the soiled tissue away and opened the door. Moving out of the bathroom, he could hear Jensen humming along to Marvin Gaye. He stood at the top of her steps with a smile on his face as her hips swayed.
"Hey, Jen?"
She jumped a little and fixed the glasses on her face. She rushed over to the bottom of the steps. As her eyes gave him a full appraisal, a giggle escaped past her lips. "Need some help, yeah?"
He nodded his head as she walked up the stairs. "Come on, silly."
"Hey, it's not like makeup is a staple in my wardrobe," he said to defend himself.
Jensen directed him to sit on the toilet while she grabbed a wicker basket that contained small, expensive-looking bottles.
It looked exhausting being a girl. Her nimble hands grabbed a light pink tube that had the words' milk and Honey on them surrounded by roses. Squeezing the bottle, a clear substance lined her fingertip.
"With makeup, it's best to work on dry rather than wet," she explained. "I ran out of my oil cleanser, which would be best for the first wash."
"First?" Eddie said with wide eyes. How many times did a person need to wash their face to get makeup off? It made him think of the band KISS and the fun they had wiping off that face paint.
"When you have a full face of makeup, you got to get it all off. I don't care for a repeat of high school with pimples all on my forehead." She told him as she rubbed the mixture onto his face and instructed him to close his eyes.
"Could always get some bangs," he suggested.
"Is that what you did?"
Eddie hummed as he got used to someone washing his face. For Eddie, he washed his face when he was in the shower. Just rubbed some soap between his hands to form some suds and rubbed his face. He thought doing anything else was excessive.
But Jensen was gentle as she rubbed his face. He may have pressed his face further in her hands like a dog from the gentleness of it.
"Okay, we need to rinse your face," she informed him, and her fingers disappeared. He kept his eyes closed as she lead him to the sink and guided him to bend down. He used his hands and wiped away the suds. When he was down, Jensen handed him a towel - a very soft towel - he might add. He began rubbing his face, and it startled him when Jensen released an affronted squeak. She ripped the towel from his hands.
"Hey, what was that for?" He asked. His brown eyes were wide in alarm.
"You're going to ruin your skin drying it like that," she told him. The artist moved closer to him. It wasn't until they were practically chest to chest that he realized how tiny the woman in front of him was. "You're supposed to pat gently."
Eddie huffed in amusement. He bent down to give her a better angle as she patted his skin dry. "Wouldn't want to ruin this pretty face with premature wrinkles, now would we?" He mumbled between the pats.
"You're one for flattery, aren't you?" Jensen observed after she finished drying his face.
His doe eyes were wide with mirth. "Flattery will get you everywhere, pretty girl."
Jensen grabbed a small glass jar and unscrewed the lid. "So you think I'm pretty?"
Eddie's cheeks went hot. Butterflies tickled his ribs. She scooped out a glob of white cream and made multiple markings on his face. He wasn't aware he was getting a spa day out of this. "Erm, I think it's pretty obvious."
She paused, rubbing the cool substance into his skin. She looked at him curiously. Her eyes searched for something in his. He wasn't sure, but he didn't break eye contact. She did. Her fingers trembled against his skin.
He brought his hand up and grabbed her own. Her hands were small and smooth compared to his rough, calloused ones from playing guitar and helping his dad steal cars when he was younger.
"Did I say something wrong?" He asked, perplexed. He brought their hands down and used his thumb to rub a soothing circle.
She looked at their hands. "I just didn't think…someone like you would look at me like that."
Eddie was confused. "Someone like me?"
She looked up at him and pushed up her glasses despite there being no need to. Eddie was starting to think it was a nervous tick of hers.
"Ya know…" She bit her bottom lip.
"Someone that likes heavy metal? Long luscious hair? Dungeons and Dragons? I'm more partial to weed over coke," he teased as he listed the things that made him a freak in Hawkins, as he tried to work a smile on her pretty face.
He could tell she was fighting a smile, but she brought her hand up and highlighted the contrast of their skin.
Eddie licked his lips. Jensen was a black woman, and he was a white man. He wasn't going to act like he wasn't aware of that fact. He knew his view of the world was very different from hers and if something would be pursued; it would be a learning curve for him in the sense of realizing the privileges it afforded him.
"Should I not like you?" He asked instead.
"Just because you think I'm pretty is very different from liking me," she pointed out.
Eddie nodded his head. "Do you like me?"
"I think you're pretty."
"Not what I asked," he said as he dropped their hands. He wasn't sure where this conversation was going and it was making him nervous. He gripped the edge of the countertop and emotions swirled through him.
Jensen never answered the question as the buzzer to her apartment rang, announcing the arrival of the pizza man.
Eddie wasn't sure what happened in Jensen's apartment. Once they left the space of her bathroom, they never brought up what happened. The tension was still there, but instead of releasing it, they let it fester.
Eddie had left shortly after the pizza and back to his bleak apartment. He followed the motions for the next couple of days. He ignored Andy's inquisition about Jensen from the party. Eddie wanted to keep her to himself as he was still reeling from how the atmosphere changed between them at her place. It made him all the more nervous for the next studio session.
When he arrived, Benson told him to be sad, which Eddie knew wouldn't be a problem. He chewed on his nails as he watched people arrive. His eyes waiting for Jensen's presence in the room. The brunette was curious if she was out of sorts like he was. If she even thought about him as much as he had her. She trailed in with her pink Converses and a pair of denim overalls. Hair up in two space buns. It worried him that she may ignore him. Yet, any sadness lingering eased as before she sat down at her easel. She waved at him.
Eddie thought he was a goner if such a simple gesture made his heart swell.
Eddie slid his arm through his leather jacket as he moved out from behind the partition and was startled to see Jensen still there. Her things were packed in the large tote bag she carried as she stood by her easel. Benson was still in the room and Eddie could see from the corner of their eyes he was discreetly watching them with a smile.
"Hey?" He greeted.
"Do you have a minute?" She asked.
Eddie nodded as she lead him out of the studio. She led them to a small nook that contained two chairs with a small table in between. The pleather seats groaned from their weight.
She pushed her glasses up. "I…just wanted to say sorry for what happened at my place."
"You don't have anything to apologize for," he told her.
She shook her head. "No, I assumed things. And you've been really nice and sweet."
Eddie's cheeks went pink at the compliment. He wasn't sure what to say, but Jensen continued on, "I…I was wondering if you would like to go on a date with me?"
Eddie's jaw dropped to the floor. He was speechless, but his brain rapidly caught up with the situation. "Um….do you want to go now?"
Jensen giggled.
The first date was simply getting ice cream, and Eddie got a brain freeze. Eddie didn't kiss her, though, but he wanted to. He learned that she didn't have a car, which surprised him. He ended up dropping her off at her place. She parted giving him a kiss on the cheek. He liked Jensen a lot.
In the following class, he had to model. It was hard not staring at Jensen and keeping the flush out of his cheeks. He thought it was a bit juvenile being in his early 20s, acting like this over a girl. Yet, he never got to have movements like these in high school. Sure, there were girls he thought were pretty. He admired them from far away. It wasn't like he could act on those interests. The only time he regularly talked to girls was if they were making a deal with him.
He learned that Jensen had a pretty open schedule. She mainly focused on making art pieces to sell and he learned she volunteered at a local community house helping with art classes or things like production designs for theater projects.
So when they planned things, it was around his schedule. She had invited him over to her place, as she had to put the finishing touches on a commission. Since he was going to be working two doubles, they would see each other until his time as a nude model.
He had the code to her place and bypassed the buzzer easily. She was waiting for him by the elevator. He greeted her with a kiss on the cheek before she dragged him to her open door by the hand.
"So what are we working on today?" He asked as he kicked off his shoes.
"The usual. The deceased pet of a very rich lady," she told him as she walked back to her studio. She was using oil pastels for this drawing. His eyes flicked over to seven easels, all covered by sheets. Those were the oil paintings of the photoshoot they did that he was not allowed to see until they were done.
He was confused at first about why she would want him over while she worked. There wasn't anything wrong with watching her paint and draw. He enjoyed seeing that intense level of concentration. Heck, it even allowed him to improve his own meager doodles he did for D&D campaigns. Sometimes, she would eye the piece and give him pointers on how to improve. Yet, he figured that maybe Jensen didn't like to be alone. Since he began to fill the spaces of her life, there hadn't been any mention of her family since the day of the photoshoot.
Eddie stood behind her as he looked at the scrunched face of a pug. Jensen somehow made the ugly dog cute. "I'm almost done."
"Take your time," he told her over her shoulder. It amazed him he got to witness Jensen work on original pieces like this. He knew she would be something someday.
She turned her head to look at him, and he gave her a smile. He could see the freckles that trailed across her nose. She had no makeup on it seemed. Just a slight tint to her lips.
His eyes lingered on her lips before he trailed to her eyes. "Can I kiss you?"
"You don't have to ask that, Eddie," she whispered.
Eddie leaned forward and pressed his lips softly to her. He didn't know what to expect out of their first kiss. But he liked how her breath hitched that allowed his tongue entry to meet her own. She tasted like oranges and he hummed deep in his throat. Jensen shifted in her chair and turned. Her chest pressed against his, her hands tugged on the bottom of his shirt. He knew there would be pastel stains there.
The need for air became apparent, and he pulled back, licking his lips and tasting the cherry chapstick.
"You feeling a movie or game?" He asked.
"I think I can kick your ass in Guess Who."
"Those are fighting words, baby."
Jensen laughed. Eddie couldn't resist planting another kiss on those sweet lips of hers.
Eddie hummed to Metallic as he worked on his orders. Another perk of being a sandwich artist was being able to listen to his preferred music without shame. The shop wasn't particularly busy today. They had their few regulars that left generous tips and some left field orders. He had just finished wrapping a sandwich up that was due for a pickup when he heard a familiar voice that made his ears perk.
He spun around to find Jensen, no space buns, but hair out in her natural curls, at the register talking to Andy. She caught his eye and gave him a wave. Andy turned to look at him and threw him a wink.
Eddie shook his head. He took off his latex gloves and cleaned his hands with some hand sanitizer.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" He asked as she subtly pushed Andy out of the way.
Jensen gave him a shy smile. "Well, I was in the area…"
Eddie threw her a look, as he knew she was not in the area. His sandwich shop was fairly new and nowhere near a close vicinity to her place. Besides, the lack of any type of shopping bags gave away her little fib.
"So you thought this was your chance for me to cook for you?" Eddie teased as he drummed his fingers against the countertop.
He watched those lovely brown eyes roll to the back of her head. She had red glitter eyeshadow on today. She was wearing an AC/DC shirt with a pair of black jeans and a pair of red Converse. It always amazed him how well Jensen matched down to her pair of socks.
"I would hardly call slapping meat on a sandwich cooking, Eds," he retorted.
"See, with that attitude, I'm revoking the free cookie I was going to give you." He told her with the waggle of a finger.
Jensen giggled. "I was wondering if you wanted to stop by after work. We can have a movie marathon or something. I know you work the morning shift, but you can stay the night if you want."
Eddie's head snapped up at her words. Things had been progressing slowly between the two. Not that he minded. But spending the night meant potentially sharing the same bed.
He cleared his throat. "Um, yeah, sure, if that's okay."
Jensen smiled. "So, what do you recommend?"
Eddie gave her a lecherous smile as he tapped his lips pointedly. Jensen rolled her eyes as she leaned over the counter and gave him a kiss.
"I don't think Eddie Munson kisses are on the menu!" Andy hollered from behind him.
Eddie packed a simple overnight bag. He had been a tad bit embarrassed about showing Jensen his place. It wasn't warm like hers. His place was impersonal. A place just to rest his head. It wasn't as cluttered as he had it back at his Uncle's. He still had some of his posters and all his music with a small TV, but that was about it. He preferred having his rent paid than an actual dining room set or TV.
Jensen didn't comment on his lack of material possessions, but she did admire his sweetheart that he had hung on the wall.
He didn't know what to expect for this movie night. His palms were sweaty as he sat on her soft couch. He didn't expect anything to happen. Things were going at a nice pace and if he was honest with himself, he had no idea what he was doing.
The world of dating and intimacy was new to him.
Eddie rubbed his face as before the movie it subjected him to participating in her nightly skincare routine. By the extra headband he had to wear and the bonnet she got for him, he suspected she was planning this for a while. He could admit his skin was nice and soft. Smooth to the touch. Or hydrated, as Jensen pointed out.
Jensen came back in with the bowl of popcorn. She swore a very appealing cheetah print shorts with a black tank. It didn't leave much to the imagination, and he liked the way her ass looked.
She settled next to him and placed the bowl on her lap. He pressed play with the remote to the VCR, starting the movie. Jensen was a horror movie queen. Eddie leaned towards the fantasy realm. He loved the action adventures. Not saying he didn't enjoy a good horror, he had a good knowledge of them, but Jensen did put him to shame with all the trivia and behind the scene facts. He believed she enjoyed them due to the practical effects and makeup. It fit with her being an artist.
They stayed pressed together on her couch. Jensen would interject little trivia facts. They had gotten to the end of their popcorn, leaving them with buttery fingers. Eddie had been about to move to grab them some napkins when he watched Jensen pop her fingers in her mouth. She chucked on them like a cherry lollipop.
He imagined her tongue swirling around the tips of the appendages. He swallowed the lump in his throat as she showcased the spit soaked tips glistening in the glow throughout the living room. Christ, Eddie felt himself getting hard.
He shifted in his spot, as he knew he would need to make a trip to the bathroom soon. However, the moment caused Jensen to look at him. He knew he needed to make a quick escape as he looked at those full lips shiny in butter and spit.
He waved his hand out. "Uhh…I…need to wash my hands."
"Wait."
Jensen grabbed his greasy hand, and he was going to question what she was doing when she popped the tip of one of his fingers in his mouth and sucked.
"Shit."
He felt her tongue swipe at his finger and he choked out a moan.
"Jen…I…ummm," he was at a lost for words as he felt himself fatten in his very light cotton pajama pants.
She gave him some mercy as she released his finger with a pop. "Do you not like it?"
"Oh, I do," Eddie admitted. His face was hot with lust and nervousness. "It's just you do things like that…" He trailed off and her gaze went to the tent forming in his shorts.
"You know I have seen your dick before," she remarked with a tease.
"Trust me, I know, but…I mean…" Eddie took a breath. "I'm a virgin," he admitted, as he didn't know where this night was going to go. He just wanted to prepare her for any disappointment.
"Really?" She asked in disbelief.
He scratched his head and nodded. "I wasn't…lets just say I'm surprised you give me any attention."
"I guess their loss then," Jensen stated.
"Your gain?" He joked. Jensen's face heated. "Are you a virgin?"
"No. I had a boyfriend in high school. He was my first."
Eddie nodded.
"Does that bother you?"
"Oh, no. I figured one of us should know what we are doing. Why would it?"
She shrugged. "Most guys get weird about those things."
"I thought we figured out I'm not most guys."
Jensen licked her lips. "Do you want me to take care of that?" She motioned to his erection, which was not going down anytime soon.
"Um, do you want to?"
Jensen nodded enthusiastically and moved from the couch to down to the floor in between his knees. He gulped.
He helped her shimmy his shorts and boxers down. "I don't think I'm going to last long," he warned. This was the first time he ever had a girl down there. He was sure as soon as she touched him, he was going to explode.
"That's okay," she told him as she stood taller on her knees. Her hands gripped his heated flesh, causing a drip of pre-cum to dribble out from the tip. He choked as she gave him a kitty lick.
"You're so pretty, Eddie," she crooned before licking him from base to tip.
"Red and swollen and leaking all for me. Ain't that right?"
"Yeah, yeah," Eddie croaked as he gripped the couch's cushion.
He watched as she sucked on his mushroom tip and Eddie couldn't even describe the noise that escaped from his throat.
He cursed when she took him fully in her mouth, and he felt the back of her throat.
"Fuck, shit, baby, I don't think…" he could already feel that tightening in his balls and that tingling at the base of his spine. She took him out of her mouth and his throat went dry as a string of spit was on her lips connected to his dick.
"I want you to come in my mouth, okay," she told him before he had a chance to ask if she was sure as she sucked on his tip again and her tongue swiped at his slit.
"Jen, I'm coming," he told her as he accidentally bucked his hips into her mouth and he coated her throat. She hummed around him as she took it all and kept him there until he was spent.
She took him out of her mouth gently and it embarrassed him at how quick he came.
"Hey, don't be embarrassed," Jensen told him from between his knees. "Did you like it?"
"Of course, I liked it," Eddie said with a chuckle.
Jensen smiled and Eddie leaned forward and place a kiss on her mouth and found he didn't mind the taste of him on her tongue.
"Can I return the favor?" He asked.
"You don't have to feel obligated."
"I don't. I want to," he reassured her. "Just show me what you like."
"Okay, let's go to my room," she suggested. They don't bother cleaning up the living room as they head to her room. Eddie tucked himself back into his shorts and trailed after her. Nervous butterflies in his belly.
Jensen removed her glasses and placed them on her nightstand. She sat in the middle of the bed with her. She removed her shirt and bottoms, leaving her bare before him. He joined her on the bed and immediately brought her into a kiss. He gave her a deep, wet kiss as his hands trailed to her bare breasts and gave them a squeeze. His ringed fingers swiped against the hardened bud. Jensen's back arched and she gasped into his mouth.
He gave her spongy kisses on her jaw as she trailed down to her neck. His mouth left a trail of hickeys on her neck and chest. She seemed to love the cool contrast of his rings to her heated skin, if her moans and pants were any indication.
His thigh was coated with her wetness as she rubbed herself against him. He could feel himself hardening at the thought of only his thigh getting her off. He popped off her nipple with a loud smack.
Her hands were tangled in his hair, her eyes looked black, like a demon in the darkness of her room and with her dilated pupils.
He licked and nipped at her tummy as he made the venture down south. She had soft curls that showcased her arousal. His mouth water at the sight.
Her soft hand grabbed his, and she placed it on her swollen pink button.
"This —ahhh," her words got caught off as she parted her lips and gave her a long swipe. Her taste tangy and intoxicating. Jensen's legs try to cage him, but he uses his hands to bring them down on the bed to lie flat.
"Eddie," she whined as he sucked on her clit.
"Shh, I got you," he cooed as he licked and sucked in intervals.
"Are you sure you haven't done this before?" Jensen question between sharp mewls.
"Positive," he told her as he felt her juices stain his face. "But if you can make full sentences, I don't think I'm doing my job right."
He brushed his nose against her clit as he stuck his tongue inside her hole. Jensen released a strangled scream, and he felt her fingers grip his hair tightly as she tried to ride his face.
Eddie doubled his efforts, and he released one of his hands off her thigh as he brought a finger down to her hole and gently pushed it in and they both moan as she accommodated his finger eagerly.
He curled his finger and gave her clit a hard suck, and he felt another gush of wetness and her pussy tighten around his finger. Jensen's grip on his hair was painful as she released drawn-out moan. Her thighs tried to cage his head as she rode out her high.
Eddie gave her a soft, sweet kiss on her pussy. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
Jensen laughed.
. . .