TianShan, A Model’s Salary
The art was commissioned to me by @millpang on Twitter. I have been given permission to post. This is my story to go with the art.
——————————————
The white vinyl backdrop overtook the length of the wall in the photography studio, with the cameras, the lights, and the softboxes looming over the set in a way that made whoever stood before it appear ethereal-like with the glow and perfect focus of the lenses centered on their being alone.
Behind all this, people were bustling in and out, with the photographers and the make-up artists scrambling people about, appearing as if a whirlwind of events were taking place all at once. The room seemed too small for so many people, making Mo feel claustrophobic.
“It’s too loud,” Mo Guan Shan thought. Why did he even agree to this? Mo Guan Shan was given a pair of red swim trunks by a blushing young intern, and he was made to change behind a foldable changing screen made of panel-woven bamboo. It didn’t offer very much cover, so he felt exposed as he took off his sweatpants and put on the designer trunks, changing as quickly as he could.
“They look good on you,” He Tian said. Mo spun around to find that He Tian had come behind the screen and stood next to him, his black eyes gazing at him fondly. He them began to strip immediately and ignored Mo’s curses to go to another screen. He took his time undoing the buttons of his white-collared shirt, his toned abs slowly becoming exposed until the material slipped to the floor. As He Tian got to the buckle of his belt, he caught Mo’s eyes and grinned. “Enjoying the view?” He asked.
“Idiot,” Mo Guan Shan replied, but his ears tinged red and he turned away, getting ready to take off his t-shirt.
“I can get that for you,” He Tian said. Mo felt He Tian’s hands brush along his waist as his t-shirt began being lifted suddenly, his fingers grazing over Mo’s taut muscles. Mo Guan Shan gasped and stepped back, feeling He Tian’s chest behind him. His words were cut off as the shirt was going over his head, and once it was flung away carelessly by He Tian, Mo Guan found the words to say, “Bastard.” He Tian took off his pants next, his slim but muscular legs even more fitting in the tight black swim jammers he was now putting on. It left little to the imagination as the nylon material clung to his body and accentuated his body attractively. “Ready?” He asked Mo.
“How much did you say they would pay again...?” Mo Guan Shan asked, beginning to regret his decision. He Tian brought his arm around Mo’s shoulder naturally, enjoying the warmth of Mo’s body under his touch and replied, “Enough to make this worth it.”
As they stepped out together, the director of the photoshoot nodded his head and looked at them approvingly while many of the women working there stepped back and started to squeal. “Oh yes, oh YES, this is what I’m talking about!” He picked at his glasses and squinted many times like he had something in his eyes. A habit, it seemed. “Marvelous, ten out of ten. You brought me a good one, He Tian, my love. Can I keep him?”
He looked Mo up and down, and Mo looked away under his uncomfortable stare. “Definitely a bad idea,” Mo thought.
“He’s taken,” He Tian answered smoothly, winking at the direction of the ladies who very nearly collapsed in their swooning.
“Shame, such a shame. You never did learn to share,” the director replied playfully. “In any case, let’s not waste any more time. Time is of the essence here. He Tian, you know the drill.”
“Come with me, Little Mo,” He Tian whispered as he dipped his head close to Mo’s ear and led him towards the white backdrop. As they positioned themselves at the center in front of the cameras, Mo Guan Shan began to fidget. The lights were glaring and a bit overwhelming. There were too many people staring at them, too.
Sweat was beginning to gather along Mo’s forehead, and his breath started to become uneven. He Tian noticed this, and turned Mo around by his shoulders so that they were now facing each other. “Don’t look at the cameras,” He Tian instructed him. “Just look at me. I’m right here with you.” He Tian then turned to the director and asked, “Can you get someone to bring us a chair?”
“You heard him,” the Director called out to one of the workers, and within minutes a sturdy wooden chair was brought over. Mo Guan Shan looked confused when he saw He Tian take a seat (just one chair?), only to have He Tian grab his arm and suddenly yank down. Mo Guan Shan tumbled onto his lap with a gasp and blushed crimson, while the attending ladies and even some of the men blushed at their display. “My boy, you’ve done it again!” The Director cried out. “Always coming up with poses even I have not thought of! Come now, why are you slacking, cameraman! Now is the time to capture them, it will make for the perfect shot!”
“The fuck are you doing...” Mo Guan Shan said under his breath, aware he was being watched at every moment. Mo Guan Shan made as if to stand, but He Tian still held onto him, his hand now gripping Mo’s wrist firmly. He Tian brought his other hand down to Mo’s hip, his fingers playing with the material of his red shorts.
“Little Mo, look at me,” He Tian said softly, his voice low and hot as their faces were within inches of one another. Mo Guan Shan slowly turned to look at him, his eyebrows knitted in his usual scowl, and found himself looking at the warm expression on He Tian’s face. He Tian was smiling sincerely, as if he could not be happier, and his eyes were shining brightly. Even for Mo, He Tian looked enticing, and Mo couldn’t hold his stare for long.
During this time, Mo Guan Shan did not hear the multiple clicks of the camera taking photo after photo, and he could barely register any of the noise that overwhelmed him in the beginning. It felt as if everything in the background had faded out, or as if none of what was happening around them mattered while Mo had gazed into He Tian’s face. He almost wanted to reach out and—
“This is the one!” The Director said while pointing at the screen showing all the photos that were taken. “I want this on the cover of the swimsuit magazine.”
“Are we done now?” Mo Guan Shan asked.
He Tian ruffled Mo’s hair and replied, “Yes, we are. See, it wasn’t so bad. Go ahead and change now while I finish up something here.” He Tian allowed Mo to stand. Mo was relieved and eagerly went over to change. As he stepped around the foldable screen, his hand lingered on the edge of it and Mo watched as He Tian walked over towards the Director, pointing at all the photos and whispering something into his ear. The Director laughed boisterously at whatever was said, and the last thing Mo saw before turning away completely was the peaceful expression on He Tian’s face as he gazed down at the screen.
-littlemomountain
