Hello!
I know I have been gone for too long. I am very sorry for that. This new year of college is getting to me and I am still trying to figure out my time :P
I will publish the last two chapters together just so I leave this done and you can read it :)
Thanks for the support
The last days before Raphael had to turn in his project flew by. He and Simon had chosen the 12 photos that were needed. Raphael had then spent the last few days working non-stop to get the photos ready. He edited them all. Coloring as he wanted, making a few edits in Photoshop but still managing to get them to look as natural as possible. When Raphael had printed all the photos, he had been stunned for a very long time, just looking at all the photos. His breath had been taken away. The whole photoshoot was cohesive in a way that none of his other works had been. This were all about delicate touches and gracefulness. Simon was the most beautiful man he had ever seen. Raphael almost didn't want to turn in the photos and keep them all to himself. At this point he didn't care about the gallery. He wasn't sure if his photos would be chosen to be displayed at the gallery. While he hoped and was very confident in his job, he would accept whatever came.
They gave their projects to Professor Jocelyn Fairchild on the last day of classes. She received them all carefully, looking them over and congratulating each student with their work. There were some very stunning pieces of art in there, it would be hard choosing which would go to the gallery. Raphael was the last one to turn in his project. He was in no rush to turn it in, like other of his classmates. He actually wanted all of his classmates to be out of the class when he gave his project. He didn't want any of them to look at the photos. Not because he was ashamed of his work, the contrary really. It was more because he didn't want his classmates to look at the photos of Simon and start asking annoying questions about it. He knew for a fact that if Lily Chen saw them, she would not stop until she got some answers out of him.
Lily Chen was one of Raphael's classmates. They were close, always did group projects together. They would not call each other best friends, of course. None of them were the mushy kind of friends. But they worked well together and they acknowledged each other's well being. So if Lily saw the photos Raphael took of Simon, she would ask questions, and Raphael really didn't want her prying into his private life.
"Raphael" Jocelyn Fairchild said as she looked at Raphael's work "This is stunning"
"Thank you Professor" Raphael said politely.
"I knew you would do great in this project" The professor smiled at her student "You are one of my most talented students"
Raphael inclined his head in a silent thanks, but didn't say anything else. His professor continued looking at his work. Looking closely to each of the photos.
"I'm surprised Simon allowed you to take photos of him" Jocelyn said after a moment. "I didn't know you knew each other"
"You know Simon?" Raphael asked with a frown, instantly recognising it had been a stupid question.
"Of course I know my daughter's best friend" Jocelyn grinned "Simon's like a son to me. I've known him since he was just a little kid"
"Yes...of course you do" Raphael said under his breath and then shrugged "He was the perfect subject for my project"
"Of course he was" Jocelyn nodded "I doubt anyone else would have made this work"
"Yeah" Raphael nodded.
"Well...I expect Simon to invite you to dinner one of this days" Jocelyn smirked.
"Excuse me?" Raphael asked, lifting both of his eyebrows.
"I mean, I gather you're dating, are you not?" Jocelyn lifted an eyebrow "I doubt Simon would have allowed you to see him shirtless were that not the case"
Raphael was left speechless, which did not happen often. He was not expecting his professor to catch to that so quickly. Jocelyn just laughed softly and put Raphael's project away. She promised she would not say anything and winked at him.
Raphael quickly excused himself and walked out of the class. He did not understand what had just happened, but did not want to think too hard about that.
"How was it?" Simon asked nervously, playing with a few loose ends of his sweater.
They had decided to grab some lunch together. Both of them were already out of classes for the semester and decided to celebrate. They didn´t get anything too fancy, just some chinese restaurant. Simon knew the restaurant very well, he used to go there a lot back in high-school with Clary.
"How was what?" Raphael asked, raising an eyebrow and looking at Simon over the menu.
"How was your project?" Simon huffed "Did your professor see it? What did they say?"
"She liked it" Raphael shrugged "Though didn't really check it too hard. We'll get the results next week"
"That's cool" Simon nodded, looking down and still playing with the threads of his sweater.
Raphael frowned, but did not comment any further. Instead, he decided to observe Simon for a moment before the waitress came to take their order. Simon was wearing a wool lilac sweater. It looked really soft against Simon's skin. He was also wearing light skinny jeans, ripped a little in the knees. His hair was messy, almost as if he had not bothered to comb it that morning. In his hair he wore a flower crown. The flowers were of different shades of purples and pinks. Raphael really liked this look on Simon, though he probably would not comment on it.
"Something is bothering you" Raphael stated. "Want to talk about it?"
"What? No...no nothing is bothering me. Everything is good! it's fine! it's perfect...why would you say something like that? I'm good!" Simon rambled, his words barely making any sense as he said the too fast and he was blushing furiously.
"Simon, bebé, calm down" Raphael said "I didn't understand a word you just said"
Simon blushed even darker and looked away. He mumbled something under his breath, which Raphael did not catch.
"Simon...What's going on?" Raphael asked, his brows furrowing in concern.
"Would you go with me to the end-of-semester gallery?" Simon blurted out, his voice more loudly than necessary and catching the attention of people around them.
"You wanna go see the gallery?" Raphael asked "Sure...I was going to check it out anyways, we can go together"
"No...I mean" Simon sighed and started folding the napkin. "I meant the gala for the opening night"
"Wait...you're going to the gala?" Raphael asked with his eyebrows raised "Only those who are presenting their work during the gallery are invited!"
"They invited me today" Simon smiled shyly "They want me to play for the concert on Friday Night"
"Simon! That's amazing!" Raphael exclaimed.
"I still can't believe I'm going" Simon said with a grin "I always wanted to take part of it, but was never really chosen for it...I've gone to the gala a few times with Clary, because she is always chosen. But this year she's going with Jace this year...NOT that you're like a back-up plan or something. I didn't want to go with Clary anyways. I mean...not because she's bad or something, she is my best friend after all...but I wanna go with you. if you can and if you want to go with me. Of course, I would understand if you don't want to or if you want to go with someone else...I mean, if you are chosen for your photographs. I mean, I'm sure you will be chosen, of course you will be, you're amazing and talented and-"
"SIMON!" Raphael exclaimed, silencing the other instantly. "You're rambling...again"
"Sorry" Simon mumbled, looking down.
"You don't have to be so nervous" Raphael said "I'm your boyfriend, it's alright if you want us to go somewhere together"
"So you'll go with me?" Simon asked hopefully. "As my date?"
"Yes Simon, I'll go as your date"
Simon smiled brightly, almost jumping on his seat from across Raphael. Raphael smirked, trying not to laugh. Simon then decided to change seats, and he moved to sit next to Raphael on the booth they had taken. Raphael was taken back, but did not complain. Instead he allowed Simon to cuddle next to him, wrapping his arm around Raphael's waist. When the waitress came to take their order, they both ordered a big plate to share.
Just a few days later, Professor Jocelyn informed Raphael his project had been chosen to be displayed in the end-of-semeter gallery. From his class, only three of the projects had been chosen. The fact that Raphael was one of them had him beyond happy.
Magnus, of course, had decided they needed to celebrate his triumph. Raphael did not think it was necessary, but Magnus only needed an excuse to organize something. Of course, he decided to celebrate that Clary and Simon had also been chosen, so Raphael could not go completely refuse to the idea. Magnus already knew Raphael would do anything for Simon, and he decided to take advantage to that when it was convinient for him.
Of course, both Simon and Raphael refused to do something too big, so their group of friends just got together in the coffee shop where Simon and Raphael had been set up by Magnus previously, and then would get together at Clary's parent's house for a movie night.
When Magnus and Raphael walked inside the coffee-shop, everyone else was already there. Magnus immediately moved towards his boyfriend, pecking his lips as a greeting and joining the conversation with Isabelle.
Raphael moved towards Simon, though he hesitated a few steps behing him. Simon was talking to Clary, as he often did. Raphael knew Clary was not completely alright with their relationship. Simon had been very upset when they first started dating and he told Raphael how Clary had reacted. Raphael knew Clary did not like him, and to be honest he did not like the red head either. In his eyes, she was selfish and manipulative and took advantage of Simon's kind heart more often than not. Of course, he would not comment on it because he knew Simon would get upset. She was his best friend after all.
When Clary noticed he had approached them, she instantly quieted down and looked away. Raphael knew by her reaction she had been talking about him. He raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed. At her actions, Simon turned around. He brightened instantly when he saw Raphael behind him.
"Raph!" Simon exclaimed, throwing his arms around his boyfriend and hugging him tightly. "Congratulations on being chosen!"
"Thank you, bebé" Raphael chuckled, wrapping his own arms around Simon.
"I knew you would make it!" Simon grinned, pulling back but still staying close to Raphael "You are super talented!"
"Wouldn't have without the model" Raphael shrugged, making Simon blush.
Soon they moved towards their table, sitting down. They joined tables together, so the 7 of them could sit down together. Raphael was sitting just next to the window, with Simon next to him. They pulled their chairs together so their thighs and shoulders were touching. Underneath the table, Simon laced his fingers together.
Simon was chatting happily with Isabelle and Clary while Jace, Alec, and Magnus were deep in a discussion Raphael had no interest in. Raphael didn't mind not taking part of any conversation. He was a reserved man, and he wasn't too close to any of them aside from Magnus, and obviously Simon. Plus, it gave him time to just observe the whole environment and how Simon interacted with his friends. It brought him some kind of peace, being next to Simon holding hands, while Simon chatted happily with his friends.
"So Raphael" Isabelle said suddenly, catching his attention. "You are presenting at the gallery as well?"
"That's right" Raphael nodded.
"Will it be Simon's photos you're presenting?" Clary asked, more harshly than necessary.
"The project he helped me do, yes" Raphael asked, his cold eyes meeting Clary's and then smirking a bit "Problem?"
"Noup! not a problem at all" Simon said quickly, glaring at his best friend "Right Clary?"
"Right" Clary said, looking away guilty "Not a problem at all"
"I'm sure the photos are amazing!" Izzy gushed.
"Oh they are" Magnus nodded.
"You've seen them?" Alec asked "I thought the projects were private until they gallery opened"
"I helped Raphael have them printed" Magnus shrugged.
"You mean you demanded to see them while I got them printed?" Raphael raised an eyebrow.
"As I said...I helped" Magnus winked and then changed the subject.
They discussed the gallery for some time. Talking about the opening gala, and how Jace and Clary would be going together as well as Simon and Raphael. They later on made plans to go together to see the whole exposition when it opened. Magnus said he would invite Ragnor and Catarina, since he knew both of them would like to see Raphael's work. And just like that they planned it and then moved to different subjects. Teasing one another and joking. It was all so friendly and homey. Simon cuddled against Raphael's side as the hispanic boy talked to Magnus and Alec...it was great.