“Welcome, you can set your things on the table over there and then take a seat on the stage when you’re ready.” The male model gave me a nod, and proceeded to do so as directed. I prepped my easel and sketching tools.

This was the end of the year project and we were instructed to capture an emotion in its purest form. But to make a model sit there for hours with the same expression can make a person’s face freeze. And thats the thing i want to do to this guy.

“My name is Austin by the way.” Amidst all the stress over this project, I have clearly forgotten my manners, my face flushes red with embarrassment.

“Oh! Yes, apologies for my rudeness, I’m Finley, but you can just call me Fin.” I shake his hand, the rough calluses were a shock to me, but the tanned skin just beneath his clothing told me he wasnt any ordinary model.

“No worries, this is my first time modeling for an artist.” He proceeded to remove his shirt effortlessly as though no one was watching. Beneath the cotton, he was an Adonis. Sculpted perfection with sun kissed skin to match. Along his chest and stomach were even darker markings. Freckles that marbled his skin, bleeding off at the edges to mix with the rest of him. He moved to the stage in the garments i left him, not realizing I was staring too hard. “So, what are you wanting from me?” My eyes shoot to his face, beat red across his freckled face. My own cheeks reflected his.

“Ah, uh yes!” Scattering to find my notes, flipping through pages in my notebook book till i found what i was looking for. “I will be capturing the emotion Love. So I want you to sit with your legs open…” just now realizing how revealing this pose is, my face burned even brighter. “Your hands resting on the inside of your thighs and to look at me as if it was love at first sight.” From my peripherals, Austin moved to how i explained, and as i met his gaze, the sun light hitting his eyes just enough to show the pale green from under the shadow of his eyelids.

Deep within his gaze, I saw it. The raw emotion that can be a man’s greatest weakness and greatest strength. The one thing that drives humans to live every day. There in the eyes of a man i never thought would be attractive lied pure love, and he pointed it at me.

“Fin?” His voice gentle and deep brought me back, my heartbeat rapid as my body shook.

“Y-yes, sorry again.”

“You don’t have to keep apologizing, it’s ok if you stare.” He took a slight shakey breath, showing that my own gaze affected him too. “But only you can stare.”