These Days
Chapter 6- Inner Angel
"Girls don't like boys, girls like cars and money. Boys laugh when they're not funny…something something…"
Drake looked up from his project and stared at his lover who was comfortable on the couch. He chuckled as JJ tried to recite the lyrics to the song 'Girls and Boys.'
"Boys don't like boys--" JJ stopped. "Wait. No.."
Drake snorted. "Boys love boys, JJ."
JJ smiled and nodded. "Touché." He then began humming another tune, one Drake didn't recognize until words began pouring out of his lips. "Maybe it's intuition, but some things you just don't question. Like in your eyes, I see my future in an instant. And there it goes, I think I found my best friend. I know that it might sound more than a little crazy, but I believe…I knew I loved you before I met you. I think I dreamed you into life. I knew I loved you before I met you. I have been waiting all my life…"
"Pretty," Drake commented as JJ's tuneful voice rang throughout the living room.
"I know I am." He continued singing the rest of the song.
"Mmm. That you are not." Drake received an evil glare. "Pretty is too femme. I would say handsome, attractive, gorgeous…" JJ smiled and turned to the side. Drake frowned and snapped his fingers. "Don't move. You're messing me up."
"Oh sorry." He relaxed his face and breathed heavily as he waited. Since he was always restless, it was hard for him to just lay there and watch, but he wanted Drake to be able to do this.
JJ felt like he was in a movie. The one he thought most particular, Titanic. He was Rose sprawled out in front of the artist, Jack. Minus the huge jewel and complete nakedness. A silky white sheet draped across his waist, otherwise he was nude. And the pencil was replaced with a brush.
It was their Saturday night routine. After dinner they would retreat to the living room, lights were replaced with the soft glow of candles, JJ would strip down and lay down in the same position as last week, and Drake would take his place at the easel.
This has been going on for weeks, and JJ has yet to see the painting his lover has slaved over. Drake refused to show him until it was complete. He would hide it in the unused guest room and lock it. JJ attempted to sneak a peek at the artwork, but was punished for trying and he never tried to look again.
The blonde was fascinated at Drake's expressions when painting. That alone preoccupied JJ's mind enough to stay still.
"You're awfully quiet," Drake noted, eyes trained to the brush creating a blue line on the canvas.
"I'm not suppose to move," JJ replied, trying to keep his mouth a thin line.
"Didn't stop you before."
"I'm being good today." He tried not to smile. "Do I get a reward?"
Drake's eyebrow raised but his eyes never left the artwork. "What did you have in mind?"
"Oh I dunno…maybe I could, um, see your painting--"
"No."
"But-"
"No."
"Will I ever--"
"Maybe."
"Drake--!"
"When it's done," Drake stated. He looked up into JJ's blue eyes. "You're not making it go any faster though.
"Well then," JJ huffed, "You'll just have to paint faster."
"Maybe I should tape your mouth shut," Drake suggested.
"Well, maybe I should, uh…" JJ couldn't think of a witty reply so he shut his mouth and settled himself further into the couch.
"Uh huh. That's what I thought," Drake mumbled. It was quiet for a few minutes. Too quiet. "Say something," Drake pleaded. "It's too quiet." JJ smiled but said nothing. "I'll take this," Drake help up a brush with blood red paint, "and I'll put it on your face."
The blonde grinned wider and gave in to his lover's demands and broke the silence. He said, "If you put it on my face, you'll ruin your five week project."
Chocolate eyes glimmered in the candlelight. "I wasn't talking about on the painting," Drake explained. He held up the brush with his other hand underneath so no paint would drip onto the carpet as he slowly crept towards the laying figure.
JJ's blue eyes went wide as the brush came closer. "Don't you dare--!"
"Don't move," Drake warned with paint dripping onto his hand.
"Uh…" JJ contemplated on whether or not he should bolt.
A soft spatter fell onto his cheek. He closed his eyes and felt the paint slide down to his chin. A gentle chuckled filled his ears.
"Looks like you were shot." JJ grunted and felt prickly bristles on the tip of his nose and moved in a circular motion. "Rudolph." Another laugh.
The brush moved up the bridge of his nose to spread the red against his forehead. The hairs of the brush twisted, turned, and lifted in what JJ supposed was a word or two.
"You better not be putting 'loser' or some form of that on my forehead." He heard Drake chuckle and say, "No, nothing like that."
"Then what?" He opened his eyes when the brush lifted. Drake was no where in sight. "Where'd you go?" JJ called. He received no answer. He gazed into the tv trying to get a glimpse of his reflection but it was too dark. He got off of the couch and grabbed a candle by the end table and held it near the tv. Still, he couldn't read the blood-like words. He sighed in defeat and sat down on the carpet.
He looked around again for his boyfriend, but instead found an unoccupied painting. He double-checked to make sure the coast was clear. When he saw Drake definitely wasn't near, he rushed over and saw the masterpiece. JJ's mouth dropped. He couldn't believe his eyes. It was the most gorgeous thing he had ever laid eyes on.
It was most definitely him with an almost pained expression. The soft glow of the candles' flames were enhanced to give the feel of anger and tenderness. What enchanted JJ the most was the pair of semi-transparent wings perched on his back. They were broken, torn, and bloody. Further completing the pained ambiance.
He wanted to cry because he felt Drake saw him for what he really was without really being told. He understood the deep feelings buried way in his heart.
"Like it?"
JJ jumped making the candle he held tip over and spill hot wax onto his hand. JJ ignored it as he was searching his lover's face for anger, but found none. His brown eyes showed no emotion whatsoever.
"Do I like it?" JJ restated. He looked back at the painting and felt tears stinging his eyes. "It's the most beautiful thing in the entire world."
Drake nodded and rested his head on JJ's bare shoulder. "What are you thinking?" He wiped away the streaming tears, a little red paint coming off with it.
"I'm thinking how much I love you." JJ learned back against the strong embrace.
"Hmm. Anything else?"
"You can see right through me and it scares me."
"It's an artist's job to see what others usually do not."
JJ asked, "So you think I'm--what? A fallen angel or something?"
"Mm hmm." He nodded and added, "Also a complete idiot but whatever."
"Where's the idiocy in the painting?"
"Well," Drake turned JJ's head to the side to face the mirror he now held up. JJ couldn't make out the words at first until he brought the candle closer.
"Yot xes s--ek-ard…" JJ blinked in confusion. "What?"
Drake began laughing hysterically. "Shit. I should've wrote 'You are an idiot.'"
"What? I don't get it!" JJ studied his reflection not understanding.
"JJ, honestly…" Drake retreated to the table by the couch and rummaged through the drawer. He retrieved a pen and scrap of paper and handed it to JJ. "Write down what you see, exactly the way you see it," he instructed.
The blonde did as he was told and wrote down what he saw. When he was done, Drake flipped it over. When JJ looked at it now, he realized how stupid he had been. He slapped his face, dry red paint flaking off onto the wood floor..
"Did you figure it out?" Drake asked with a grin.
"Yes." JJ had to laugh as he read, "'Drake's sex toy.' Nice. Real nice." He held up his hand in the 'ok' gesture and clicked his tongue. What a nice way to ruin a tender moment.