It makes Balthier glad, that David had people like that. And that warmth is making its way onto the paper, though really, how could it not? He's glad he's drawn David so many times before; it's making it easier to capture what he wants quickly.
His eyes are intense as he keeps looking back to David. He forgets to respond for a minute, and when he catches himself, he grins.
"My apologies, love. I'm so enthralled with the twist of your chest and the gorgeous way your hips transition to your thighs I've no room for other thoughts." He feels a pang of heat in his gut as he teases. Well, he said David wouldn't be the only one waiting and anticipating. He's certainly never drawn anyone before where he already knows what all that flesh and muscle feels like. Certainly helps to get it to look right.
"My only regret is I'm not working in color. Your skin is so radiant in this light."
"Yes, but isn't it the duty of the artist to focus more upon the completed project than upon the earthly distractions of the model?"
David felt it was appropriate at least. Not that he'd mind some distractions.
"Oh let's not talk about lighting and my skin. I have an hour long rant about the industry failing to account for proper lighting of the skin of darker toned individuals."
"Whoever gave you that idea is an amateur," he says. "Indulgence properly belongs in the arts." There are entire debates about schools of thought and the benefits and weaknesses of a more...emotional approach to art, and some other time he's sure he and David would enjoy getting into it. But he doesn't quite have the brain to spare right now. Already multitasking.
He doesn't understand the aversion to the latter, as art history has gone a different way here, but he understands a wound. "Fortunate I'm working in grayscale then."
There's an intimacy he loves to drawing, anyway. It's the most private art form, in a lot of ways. A record of one's thoughts and times, not a production.
"I am a professional scoundrel and you wouldn't have it any other way," he says. Nevermind the years of lessons, or that he's probably been around more artists than most of Ivalice.
He smiles to himself as David's eyes close, at the admission. "Good. I'd be terribly jealous if you were posing nude for some other dashing sky pirate."
Balthier very much knows that, but he still likes hearing it, and he grins at David over his pad.
He keeps at this pose a little longer, but satisfied he has enough down to come back to it later, he goes to a new sheet. "Alright. I want you to just arrange yourself comfortably. I can get you a blanket if you like."
He waits for David to do so; posed images are lovely, but he really wants to get a sense of the way David holds himself, the intimacy of the two of them just being together. Plus he can do a much slower drawing this way.
Arranging himself. That's nice. David groans in relief as he moves, instead moving to lay across the couch, mostly flat on it, as if he was going to read a book.
"I could use another blanket instead. And my book?"
Balthier chuckles at David's groan. "I fear you didn't take me to heart when I said you could move if you became uncomfortable." Also why he wasn't going to push things until David said to stop. He's noticed his beloved has a tendency to forgo his own comfort if Balthier's needs -- or pleasure -- are on the table.
He rises to get a blanket, and a proper pillow. "We're losing the light, so I'll shut the door. If you want this over you, let me arrange it." He leans down to kiss David's head, then his neck, because what is he if not a menace. He doesn't really give David time to react before he goes to retrieve his book, too. Reading is about the most David thing he could do. Perfect.
Balthier comes back with his book and tucks the blanket around him so the draping will be pretty. It's a good thick blanket that holds its folds well, and there's something deeply tender about tucking David in like this.
"I'm leaving your chest bare so I can draw you," Balthier informs him, "But this time, really, if you're uncomfortable please shift. I'm going to be slower."
"You just like my muscles," David hummed happily as he took the book and opened it to his page. "And you know I'm not uncomfortable. I love reading. Though a cup of tea to sip would be suited."
"Guilty." The thing is, Balthier's not even that preoccupied with bodies, but he adores David's because he adores David. And he loves knowing all the ways David uses those muscles, the way he moves in combat or at home.
And then he laughs. "You're enjoying this." The attention, being doted on.
He'll draw for another hour or two, chatting with David periodically and also falling into long stretches where the other reads and Balthier falls deep into focus. Anything David needs, he's happy to get, giving them both a moment to stretch and an excuse for touch.
"ALright," he says after awhile. "Last set. Take the blanket off for me, sit up, and tell me when you realized you were in love with me." This grin is wicked, and he knows he isn't going to get through these without absolutely dying to touch David.
It takes a while, but David's happy to go through with it since he's still got his book to work through. But in the end, he's happy to take the advice from his partner, tugging the blanket aside.
"An interesting question to ask of me, Balthier. Are you sure?"
He pauses for a moment, studying David's face. Then he nods. Because now he's going to wonder. Besides, he's doing this for the facial expressions. Mostly.
"It was silly," he admits after a moment. "The second time you took me to the tavern to eat, and you chose to sit down with me rather than talking to some familiar people there. You just... you paid attention to me, this mess that had walked into your life."
David absolutely gets a look on his face that Balthier wanted to capture, but he's aware there's a warm, dreamy look on his own. That early, really? And for something that was entirely Balthier, not a performance. He laughs to remember his worry that he was either being overbearing or not supportive enough.
"I fail to see how that is silly." They've had the argument about his being a mess before, so Balthier won't sink into it today. But he does offer, "You know when it was for me? Another night we were out, and I'd introduced you to some people I knew. Someone made a slight at me, I don't remember what it was, but you shot it down. Threatened for the both of us to leave."
David laughs at the information of what it was for Balthier.
"You didn't need me to defend your honor, but I couldn't just stand there and take it. I refused to stand by and let someone talk like that about a friend."
"I know," he says. "Just like I couldn't let someone addled and far from home spend an evening alone."
He finishes the sketches he's making, warmed up enough that he's getting what he wants quickly. His body is stiff, and he's getting hungry; it's worth it though. He goes to sit beside David on the couch, handing him the drawing pad as he drapes an arm around him.
"Your labors." There are a few full body drawings, a few busts, and a few more of his face. All easier to do when he's already drawn him a hundred times, but easier too for being able to really look. It's very clear there's love in those depictions.
Balthier wraps his arms around his very naked boyfriend and pulls him close, kissing the side of his head as he flips through the drawings. Even with everything they've been through, this is still vulnerable, a part of him he hadn't entirely shared before.
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His eyes are intense as he keeps looking back to David. He forgets to respond for a minute, and when he catches himself, he grins.
"My apologies, love. I'm so enthralled with the twist of your chest and the gorgeous way your hips transition to your thighs I've no room for other thoughts." He feels a pang of heat in his gut as he teases. Well, he said David wouldn't be the only one waiting and anticipating. He's certainly never drawn anyone before where he already knows what all that flesh and muscle feels like. Certainly helps to get it to look right.
"My only regret is I'm not working in color. Your skin is so radiant in this light."
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David felt it was appropriate at least. Not that he'd mind some distractions.
"Oh let's not talk about lighting and my skin. I have an hour long rant about the industry failing to account for proper lighting of the skin of darker toned individuals."
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He doesn't understand the aversion to the latter, as art history has gone a different way here, but he understands a wound. "Fortunate I'm working in grayscale then."
There's an intimacy he loves to drawing, anyway. It's the most private art form, in a lot of ways. A record of one's thoughts and times, not a production.
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Still, he's pleased that Balthier is enjoying himself, and lets his own eyes drift closed for a moment.
"I don't think I'd ever let anyone else draw me like this."
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He smiles to himself as David's eyes close, at the admission. "Good. I'd be terribly jealous if you were posing nude for some other dashing sky pirate."
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Though he laughs at the very idea of them being dashing sky pirates being after him.
"There's only you for me."
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He keeps at this pose a little longer, but satisfied he has enough down to come back to it later, he goes to a new sheet. "Alright. I want you to just arrange yourself comfortably. I can get you a blanket if you like."
He waits for David to do so; posed images are lovely, but he really wants to get a sense of the way David holds himself, the intimacy of the two of them just being together. Plus he can do a much slower drawing this way.
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"I could use another blanket instead. And my book?"
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He rises to get a blanket, and a proper pillow. "We're losing the light, so I'll shut the door. If you want this over you, let me arrange it." He leans down to kiss David's head, then his neck, because what is he if not a menace. He doesn't really give David time to react before he goes to retrieve his book, too. Reading is about the most David thing he could do. Perfect.
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Still, the offer of a blanket has him smiling and nodding.
"That sounds like a very good idea, dear. Please."
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"I'm leaving your chest bare so I can draw you," Balthier informs him, "But this time, really, if you're uncomfortable please shift. I'm going to be slower."
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And then he laughs. "You're enjoying this." The attention, being doted on.
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He'll draw for another hour or two, chatting with David periodically and also falling into long stretches where the other reads and Balthier falls deep into focus. Anything David needs, he's happy to get, giving them both a moment to stretch and an excuse for touch.
"ALright," he says after awhile. "Last set. Take the blanket off for me, sit up, and tell me when you realized you were in love with me." This grin is wicked, and he knows he isn't going to get through these without absolutely dying to touch David.
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"An interesting question to ask of me, Balthier. Are you sure?"
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"I am."
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"I fail to see how that is silly." They've had the argument about his being a mess before, so Balthier won't sink into it today. But he does offer, "You know when it was for me? Another night we were out, and I'd introduced you to some people I knew. Someone made a slight at me, I don't remember what it was, but you shot it down. Threatened for the both of us to leave."
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"You didn't need me to defend your honor, but I couldn't just stand there and take it. I refused to stand by and let someone talk like that about a friend."
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He finishes the sketches he's making, warmed up enough that he's getting what he wants quickly. His body is stiff, and he's getting hungry; it's worth it though. He goes to sit beside David on the couch, handing him the drawing pad as he drapes an arm around him.
"Your labors." There are a few full body drawings, a few busts, and a few more of his face. All easier to do when he's already drawn him a hundred times, but easier too for being able to really look. It's very clear there's love in those depictions.
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"You make me look as beautiful as your words often make me feel. For this I thank you."
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"Just giving you the truth, love."
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Gonna wrap this one
It's been a good day.
It's been a good year, all things considered. What a magical thing, the promise of more days like this.
roger, ftb here I think.