Sorry it took me so long to update this. But I'm back and I'm going to post two chapters in a row. So I hope you like them.
I hope you had an awesome holiday! :D Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate it. And also a happy new years to you all. I hope this new year is filled with love and joy for all of you!
"So will you tell me what has you so stressed out lately?" Simon asked.
He and Raphael had decided to hang out together. Three days after the little gig Simon had the other night, they had been talking non-stop. They had figured out their college schedules matched a bit and they had a free period in between classes at the same time, where they decided they could get lunch together. Those had been the best three days of their lives so far.
Raphael was now 7 days away from the deadline to get his final project finished and he still hadn't even started. No matter that he and Simon were now really close. In fact, they were very close. The first day they had hung out together to grab some lunch, Simon had stumbled on a step as they walked inside the restaurant and Raphael had quickly steadied him, getting a hold of Simon's hand and his arm. He had not let go of his hand afterwards. Simon had blushed almost the whole time, much to Raphael's delight, but he had not taken his hand away. In fact, he had smiled shyly at Raphael and laced their fingers together. It had grown from there. In the days that followed, Simon would walk really close to him and loop their arms together. They would bump their knees and shoulders as they sat next to each other. Simon would even cuddle close to Raphael whenever he got cold.
So while they were getting very close, borderline on dating, Raphael still hadn't mentioned his final project. He knew he had to, if he didn't want to fail the class and if he wanted to appear in the gallery. But whenever he thought of asking Simon, something pulled him back.
Which is where he found himself right now. They were in the gardens of their college, just lying down in the grass and enjoying the small space of peace they got. Raphael was lying on his back, his arms behind his head, and his eyes closed. Simon was sitting next to him, picking up flowers and making flower crowns out of them.
"What are you talking about, lindo?" Raphael asked, opening his eyes to peer at Simon. Simon blushed softly before answering.
"I can tell something has been bothering you" Simon shrugged "I don't think it is anything too bad...so maybe something from your classes?"
"Yeah" Raphael sighed closing his eyes again "I have a final project that's due in 7 days I have not worked on it"
"Rapha!" Simon exclaimed "Why are you chilling here then? You have to work on that"
"It's not that easy" Raphael groaned, grumping a small 'joder' before sitting up.
"What is it about?" Simon asked curiously.
Simon lifted up the flower crown he had just finished and grinned at Raphael. It was a small and delicate thing, Raphael noted. It was made of small white flowers that were all over campus. He didn't really understand how Simon did them, but it certainly had it's beauty. Raphael had never been a fan of flowers, or at least he had never really paid them much attention. Until Simon.
Raphael took the flower crown Simon's hands and placed it carefully in the boy's head. Simon bowed his head and allowed for Raphael to place the crown in his head. When it was done, Simon looked up. Raphael had not taken his hands away from his head and instead the hispanic boy trailed the back of his hand over Simon's temple and cheek. Simon blushed, pulling at the sleeves of his sky-blue sweater, but smiling shyly at Raphael.
"I have to make a photoshoot" Raphael started to explain as he took his hand away from Simon's face.
"What about?" Simon asked, pulling his sweater's sleeves and covering his mouth with one hand. His other hand started playing with Raphael's fingers.
"Just a photoshoot" Raphael shrugged "We can choose a theme, but we have to use a model we had never used before"
"Oh" Simon nodded "Do you already have someone?"
"Not really" Raphael shook his head.
"Maybe Clary would help you...or Isabelle!" Simon said grinning up at Raphael "Izzy would love the attention"
"I'm not really looking for a female model" Raphael said softly.
"Oh...Okay" Simon said "Well...maybe...I could help? I mean. I know I'm not much of a model, and you probably already have someone else in mind. But in case you don't...and you're really desperate for help, I wouldn't be against helping you. I mean, if that's okay with you. I mean, if you want me to..."
"Simon...Simon" Raphael tried to interrupt the other's rambling without success "Bebé!"
Simon silenced at the sound of the nickname. Raphael smirked at him, moving his hand to brush a strand of hair away from his eyes. His eyes sparkled with something soft, even though his voiced dripped sarcasm.
"Would you stop speaking before you give me a headache?"
"Sorry" Simon mumbled, his ears turning red in embarrassment.
"I was actually thinking about asking you" Raphael said then "To be my model, that is"
"Seriously?" Simon asked with wide eyes "Why?"
"Well, you see the theme I chose is very specific" Raphael shrugged "Plus, I only know one person who can pull off pink sweaters and flowers"
"Are you making fun of me?" Simon asked, a frown forming in between his eyebrows.
"No! Para nada" Raphael quickly exclaimed in Spanish "Not at all, Simon. I mean it...I never thought pastel colors and flowers could look so good on someone, but here you are"
Simon grinned, but he ducked his head so Raphael could not see his face. Raphael still noticed the smile on Simon's lips, so he took it as a small victory.
"So?" Raphael asked softly "Will you help me?"
"What do I have to do?" Simon asked, looking up to meet Raphael's eyes.
After Raphael had told Simon about his idea for the photoshoot, Simon had instantly stood up and dragged Raphael with him. They made their way towards Simon's dorm room. There he opened his closet and started looking through all the different clothes he had.
"I can't believe you have this many sweaters" Raphael shook his head in amusement.
"Hey!" Simon protested "I like sweaters...they are comfy"
"I'm sure" Raphael hummed, looking around the room. "Where's your roommate?"
"Probably with his girlfriend" Simon shrugged "I don't really know"
Raphael just nodded and kept looking around. There were two desks in the room, just like there was in his own dorm room. Raphael knew instantly which was Simon's desk. It had piles of books on top of it and sheets of paper that went everywhere. There seemed to be song lyrics and old homework. Above the desk Simon had pasted a lot of photos in the wall. There were also some post-its with reminders or just funny comments. Raphael started looking at the photos, most of them were of his friends, Clary and Isabelle appeared in some and Jace appeared in a few as well. Simon rarely appeared in the photos, it seemed they were all taken by him. Though the ones where he appeared were very adorable, in Raphael's opinion. Of course, if someone asked him, he would just make a comment about the light of the photo or angle it was taken.
"Do I have to wear different outfits?" Simon asked "Is it a different outfit for every photo? Because carrying 12 change of clothes is not going to be easy"
"No, we don't need that many" Raphael said "Plus, we're not taking all the photos today"
"We're not?" Simon asked, pouting slightly in disappointment.
"Light is going out already" Raphael pointed at the afternoon sky through the window "We can take the studio ones today, and I thought we could go out in the weekend to take the rest"
"Oh...sure" Simon smiled "So tell me what do I have to take?"
Raphael turned around and went to stand next to Simon. He really did have a lot of different sweaters. He didn't know much about clothes, and even though he had a clear idea about what he wanted for the photoshoot, he was not good with fashion. So he let Simon decide what to wear. It would work better if Simon was more comfortable with what he was wearing anyways. He just told him to get three different outfits and they could work with that.
Then they moved towards the accessories. Simon took a few flower crowns that combined with the clothes he had chosen. Raphael had told him it was all about the flowers, so he decided not to take anything else.
"I'll have fresh flowers be delivered at the studio" Raphael said as they packed the things in bags "We'll figure out how to go from there"
Simon had just nodded and then they were off. Raphael had then directed them towards his own dorm room. He needed to get his equipment after all. After making sure he had his lights and the lenses and everything he would need, they made their way towards the arts building.
"They let you use the studios here?" Simon asked, looking around the building in awe.
"Yeah" Raphael nodded "As long as they don't have a reservation before, you're free to use any of them when you need them"
"That's so cool" Simon said "Do come here often? To take pictures, I mean"
"Sometimes" Raphael shrugged "I'm not much of a studio photographer. I like going out there, take them live and in more natural scenarios"
"Like the college's gardens?" Simon asked, giggling when Raphael rolled his eyes.
"Yes, like the gardens" Raphael said.
They entered one of the free studios. It was a big room, white walls everywhere. The floor was made of wood. It had no windows, though other studios did. They all depended on what type of shot you were gonna work with. There was also a big white screen on one side of the room.
Soon after they arrived, the flowers Raphael had asked for were delivered. He quickly paid for them and then places the flowers in water so they would not dry before they could be shot. Raphael ordered Simon to change into one of the outfits he had brought. There was a changing room in the other side of the studio, so Simon went there instantly.
He changed into soft pink skinny jeans and a big over-sized grey sweater. He also wore white converse. His hair was messy, and when he walked out of the changing room trying to comb it, Raphael shook his hands away from it.
"Don't touch your hair" Raphael instructed.
Simon noticed the change in Raphael. He was all business now. This was a side Simon had not seen from Raphael before. The one who concentrated on his work. The serious photographer who worked with precision and sharpness. Though he was not rude, never rude. He was direct with his instructions, but his hands were gentle as he tried to arrange Simon's hair in a way that would look good for the photo.
As Raphael started to arrange the lights and the setting Simon started to grow nervous. He didn't know why he had agreed to this. He didn't like having photos taken of him. He had often protested when someone took a photo of him. But here he was, about to model for a photoshoot. A photoshoot he had offered to model for. He still didn't know why he had offered, or what had led him to offer. Maybe it was the fact that Raphael was the photographer. And that this handsome man had decided to notice him and decided that he wanted to spend his time with Simon. Simon knew he was crushing on Raphael, badly. And he craved the idea of getting the other's man attention. Just thinking about Raphael finding another model for his photo, another male model, someone who would probably be drop dead gorgeous, made Simon's stomach tighten. Raphael took his photography very seriously. He liked to concentrate when he was taking a photo, and just imagining Raphael completely focusing on someone else made him want to vomit. So he offered himself. Thought it couldn't be that bad to have Raphael's complete attention on himself.
Now though. Now he was not so sure.
"Come on" Raphael spoke, taking Simon's hand and leading him to the centre of the white screen. "I like this sweater"
"Thanks" Simon said, looking down at the sleeves as Raphael backed away from him and left him standing in there. "It's very comfortable and warm"
"It looks like it" Raphael nodded "Where did you get it?"
"Oh I don't even remember" Simon said "I think H&M, though I'm not so sure"
Without really noticing, Raphael took a photo. Of course, Simon looked up when he heard the shutter go off. He stared wide eyed at Raphael, but the other man was prepared for Simon's reaction and quickly took another one. Simon protested softly, blushing deep red all of a sudden. Raphael took another photo.
"That's not fair" Simon protested "you're not even letting me get ready"
"You're perfect right now" Raphael said "Just...don't worry about it"
"But Rapha" Simon pouted "How am I supposed to know what to do if you don't give me directions?"
"If I tell you to act natural, all it is going to do is make you act not natural" Raphael explained, putting down his camera "Just...relax. If I need you to do something I'll tell you"
Simon nodded, and then looked down at his shoes. Raphael took another shot.
"You're adorable" Raphael said suddenly
"I never thought that word would be in your vocabulary" Simon chuckled. Raphael took another shot.
"If you tell anyone I said that, I'll deny it" Raphael said seriously.
"Your secret is safe with me" Simon smiled shyly. Raphael captured it.
"Okay, I'll take a closer shot, alright?" Raphael said, changing the lens of his camera and walking a bit closer. He looked through the visor of the camera before moving the lights slightly.
"Okay" Simon said confused
"I'll take a medium close up" Raphael explained. He thought it would help Simon relax if he knew what was going on around him.
"I have no idea what that is" Simon said honestly, making Raphael chuckle.
"Primer plano" Raphael said in Spanish "Basically, a photo taken from your shoulders up, though it is a medium because it shows the background"
"Oh...alright" Simon nodded "Have I told you I like when you speak Spanish?"
"No" Raphael shook his head "Do you know any Spanish?"
"Not really" Simon shook his head. "I took a few classes in middle-school, but that's about it"
"I can teach you some time" Raphael offered
"I would love that" Simon smiled and Raphael took a photo.
"Can you play with your sleeves?" Raphael asked "Just take them over your hands...yeah like that...and now, you know you do this thing where you cover your mouth...uh huh, yes that's it"
Raphael slowly started to give instructions to Simon and the other started to get more and more relaxed. He even got bolder with the shots and came up with different poses. Though they were not much, it was just what Raphael needed for his photo. Raphael took a final shot of Simon, where he had his eyes closed and his hands were covering his mouth, almost like in a silent prayer. He looked so...delicate. Raphael slowly lowered the camera and walker closer to Simon. He moved a strand of hair out of Simon's forehead, though it wasn't really necessary. Startled Simon opened his eyes and gasped when he noticed how close Raphael was. He didn't step away though. He just lowered his hands slowly and stared into Raphael's eyes.
They were so close, they could feel each other's breath. Raphael's eyes flickered towards Simon's lips just briefly and Simon gulped audibly. Raphael's fingers grazed Simon's cheek softly, until his hand was cupping his jaw. Simon moved a few inches closer, afraid to move too much but feeling bold enough to want to be closer to Raphael. Raphael searched into Simon's eyes for any kind of hesitation. When he found none, he leaned closer. Their breaths were mixing together now, their lips so close that if any of them moved they would be touching. Simon fluttered his eyes closed, his hands moving to grip Raphael's waist, though his hold was unsure and weak, not really knowing where to place his hands or where to touch. Finally, the tension was too much. Raphael placed both of his hands on Simon's jaw and brought his mouth to his.
The kiss was delicate, barely there. Their lips touched softly, featherlike. Almost as if they were afraid to press too close or everything would shatter to pieces. But then Simon surged closer, his arms wrapping around Raphael's waist and bringing his body closer. Their lips pressed together more forcefully, though not less chaste. For a moment they just stood there, holding each other closely and pressing their lips together. Raphael breathed hard through the nose, and moved his lips slightly, opening them just barely. Simon followed after him and pressed their lips together once more. Soon they were getting bolder and bolder, until they started to open their mouths to breath. Raphael took Simon's lower lip in his and tentatively reached with his tongue. Simon met him halfway and soon their tongues were dancing together.