"Don't fidget," Sanzo exclaimed, a little exasperated. It was the fourth time in the last ten minutes he'd had to remind the other.
Goku returned his hands to where they were supposed to be, unable to help a little laugh. "Sorry. It's weird having you stare at me like that."
"Well, you don't want me to give you a big nose and a mutant toe, do you?" Sanzo pointed out.
He had his newest sketchbook out in front of him, the basic outline of the other already placed down. Despite his fidgeting, it had been Goku's idea for Sanzo to sketch him. He'd been excited about Sanzo's drawing when the blonde had returned home, pretty much demanding that he have his picture done.
It had caught Sanzo off guard. He'd never shared his art with someone else before, except for his mother. It was something very private to him, even if most of the drawing subjects were just things like the fake plant in the corner or the view out the window. It was because, dispersed around things like those, were visions of whimsy that had come to him. Things which represented himself in ways that he would never dare show to other people.
Even so, he hadn't been upset. He'd been pleased with the compliments that had spilled from Goku's mouth, feeling more than a little smug over his ability. When Goku said that Sanzo just had to draw him, he'd agreed. Drawing always relaxed him, calmed any ruffles in his day, and he'd honestly been wanting to sketch his boyfriend since their first date.
They'd decided to pose Goku by the window. Although he was set up to look like he was just casually reading a book, the brunette needed to keep as still as possible until Sanzo had the majority of the outline finished. After that, Sanzo would be able to fill in the details from memory.
"How long have you been drawing?" Goku asked, visibly having trouble keeping his fingers from playing with the pages of the book in his lap.
Sanzo shrugged, carefully tracing out the line of Goku's cheeks and jaw before beginning the task of building the face. "I've drawn since I was little. I started taking art in junior high, and found that I really enjoyed it. Since then, I've drawn a lot in my spare time."
For a boy, Goku had a very pretty mouth and eyes. The wide honesty in shimmering gold and upon full lips was something rare to see these days. So many people were so caught up in their lives, guarding their emotions and placing themselves so much apart from everyone else. Sanzo knew it had been Goku's face that had first struck him. The still rounded cheeks of a youth, liquid gold framed by eyelashes that were almost on the long side. And that mouth, almost always smiling, lips sometimes parted as though anticipating the next kiss to come.
Sanzo forced himself away from Goku's face, realizing that he'd already finished the eyes when he'd only planned to get their basic shape. Still, it wasn't much better to move down to the body. The youth's long neck, with the curl of slightly long hair caressing the nape, invited kisses just as much as his mouth did. Goku had dressed in his usual denims and T-shirt. Normally, the casual clothes wouldn't attract too much attention, but the brunette really did look good in them.
The shirt hung off slender shoulders, loose but still tight enough to show a hint of the planes of muscle along Goku's chest and abdomen. The pants weren't much better, tight along the curve of the youth's buttox and thighs, tempting Sanzo to follow that line not just with his eyes.
"You're really good you know," Goku commented, pulling Sanzo away from his thoughts. "Have you ever thought about selling your work? You could make good money for some of these."
Sanzo laughed a little at the innocent question. "Certainly not. This is just a hobby. I could never depend on artistry as a career. I'd have to sell a lot every month just to be able to pay rent and bills, and it's just not dependable enough."
Goku frowned. "Is that the only reason? I mean, if you enjoy it so much and have so much talent, why not do it while working part time or something?"
Sanzo shook his head. "Being an attorney is a full time job. I just wouldn't have the time to produce sellable art. Trust me, I've thought about it. It's a tempting thought, to draw and paint for a living, but I've dedicated my life to becoming an attorney. I can't just throw all of that away. By the way, you can move now."
Goku uncurled his legs and came over to sit beside him on the couch. "Speaking of which, have you decided what you're going to do with your assignment?"
The blonde nodded, beginning the shading from the light of the window. "I made up my decision about it a while back, actually. If I hadn't had the extra information from you, the case would of looked pretty cleanly cut with the details I was given. A human couldn't of caused those injuries, nor could a weapon short of a rake or something like that. I'm going to go with the fact that Yamakura and the unknown person were attacked by a wild alley dog or a similar animal."
"I don't want you to have to lie for me," Goku said sadly.
Sanzo gave the youth a stern look. "I'm not lying for you. I'm simply going by the facts I was given with the case," he stated.
Goku nodded, but didn't say anything.
Sanzo sighed, setting his book to the side for the moment. "We already had this discussion, Goku. You shouldn't feel bad for something that was out of your control. Besides, I dug around today and found out they're going to be building a new library at Yamakura's school. I called in to suggest they use the opportunity to commemorate Yamakura's death. Turns out, they were already planning to."
Goku's eyes widened. "Really?"
The blonde smiled. "Yes, really. So, you see, a gesture is already being made and his family is honored by it. The loss is remembered, but the issues have been put in the past. You can do the same."
The brunette nodded, his smile returning. "I'm glad. I think I can, you know. I had to hold this over my shoulders for so long, it's comforting just to be able to discuss it with someone else."
Sanzo leaned forward and kissed the youth's forehead. "If you ever have a problem, know that I'll do my best to help you work through it. Promise me that you'll remember that."
"I promise."