AN: Returning to a storyline from 7+ years ago...! That's right - Professor!verse (specifically, Chapters #7, #26, #27, & #28 - albeit out of order).

"He's in love with the statue in a marble block
He's in love with the girl that time forgot.

She just shuts her ears
She's fallen too far with salt in her scars
Won't let him taste her tears, She's fallen too far; the girl that time forgot..."

- Hellberg, The Girl

How in the hell was he supposed to tell her? How was he to walk up to a young woman and casually mention that she was his muse for a masterpiece? That he'd spent the better part of a semester perfecting the Venus Felix, and the young woman who inspired the piece had no idea. That he had never bothered to ask her permission. That he'd been a man possessed, his hands bent on creation. There were a thousand conversations he'd started in his head - questions and discussions or even the mention that this sculpture, bound to be remembered for generations to come, was based entirely on her. That he couldn't have stopped himself if he tried.

Would she be flattered? Insulted? Would she refuse to speak to him?

From their limited interaction in class, she seemed a bit of an enigma. She took direction well and...he didn't want to think about her other (many) assets. Having sketched bodies of various ages and sizes for the past fifteen years at least, as a physical specimen, she was without fault. Beauty, defined. Classically stunning, he'd watch some of his students (from both genders) approach the model after class, only to be gently rebuffed. She was a mystery, his muse. She could have her pick of any of the men or women in any of his sections, but chose not to. Was she not attracted to them? Or was she seeing someone else?

His smartphone rang, interrupting his thoughts. He recognized the New York area code and picked up, "Keith here."

"Good afternoon."

"Do I know you?"

"No, pardon my intrusion, Mr. Logan, but my name is Ace Gordon."

Even Keith was not so egotistical not to have heard of the famous agent. While his art sold mostly to private collectors, he understood the need for a relationship with others. Still, he was torn at the idea of having the sculpture made public. It was inevitable. Even in the confines of his private studio, he had shown a few loyal friends, both from the art world and not. Their reactions had all confirmed his belief. He knew it was a matter of time before the piece would be shared with the world. Before she would no longer be his.

But first, he had to tell her...

"I never knew."

Keith raked a hand through his hair. Was she happy? Angry? Grateful? Impressed? Her beautiful face remained impassive.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"I... It's me." Mina walked up to the marble and placed a palm on the smooth cheek of her stone doppelganger. The face, those lips he had painstakingly released, one strike at a time.

"It is."

"It's beautiful."

"You... Yes."

"And you're going to sell it?" She turned and trained those devastatingly light blue eyes in his direction. There was no way of capturing their particular color - he knew, and had tried mixing any number of paints, only to fall hopelessly short.

"There's been interest." He was silent, wondering if she would add anything further. "Unless you have a problem, of course..."

"No. After all, she's yours."

Is she? Was she? Half of him wanted her to tell him to keep it forever. Tucked away from the prying eyes of the world. A piece just for his eyes. But then, wouldn't that be inherently selfish? Did the world deserve this beauty? He struggled. "I..."

Mina walked towards the door and, pausing him to kiss his cheek. He had to restrain himself from leaning into her scent. As she moved away, she said, "Let her be free. Thank you for sharing this with me."

AN: Long time no see - hope you are well!