#ingu

“Will you ever let me live?” He groaned in exasperation as Daniel laughed, coming into the bathroom to stand beside him and look at their reflections in the mirror.

“I’m your older brother, it is my birthright to torment you all the days of our lives. Only my favourite people get my special kind of sass.” His twin announced dramatically before reaching over to tousle a few locks of his hair. “Don’t scrape it all back, you’re going for Soft Artisté, not Mormon Missionary.”

“Even though that’s what we would’ve become.” Simon snorted back a laugh as Daniel rolled his eyes. 

“Yeah too bad we got infected with the Gay and escaped that shit.” There was a moment, just the one, where those words sunk in a little too deeply and Simon realised how far they’d come from those days. He snaked an arm around Daniel’s waist, leaning his head on his shoulder.

“If only they could see us now, huh?” Daniel grinned. “Gay disasters dating a crime scene forensics scientist and a fancy bisexual artist.”

“We’re alright, aren’t we Danny?” Simon asked, feeling just a little too vulnerable. His brother bumped their heads together fondly.

“We’re survivors, Si. We’re more than alright.” He pulled back and flicked his temple. “Now come on, if you take any longer I’m not driving you to the gallery. Out of the two of us, I’m the gay who can drive so if you’re not ready in five, you’re taking the bus.”

“Danny!”

*~*

The Abraham Kamski Memorial Gallery was teeming with life, and it took Daniel two turns around the block before he had a free spot to pull over. 

“Let me know if you want a lift home, otherwise Mr Louis Vuitton will probably keep you overnight.” His brother teased as Simon swatted his shoulder. 

“Can you behave yourself for one moment, just one?” Simon groaned.

“No, absolutely not. Also I put a condom in your back pocket just in case.”

“Danny!”

“I don’t care if he’s some fancy artist, he dresses like a rich fuccboi so I’m making sure to keep you safe!”

“I will kill you!”

“Again, the gay out of the two of us who can drive.” Daniel drawled as Simon tried to will away the red from his cheeks. “Anyway enjoy the show and uh, whatever it is people do at gallery openings.”

In all actuality, Simon himself didn’t know what people did at gallery openings. He’d never been to one, ever, unless he counted the Spring Art Show Carl Manfred so generously sponsored for the kindergarten. There was a queue to get in and two security guards on either side of the entrance, as well as a petite blonde lady holding a tablet just inside the door.

“Name please?” 

“Simon-”

“This one’s with me.” Markus interrupted with a wink, snaking an arm around his waist and guiding him to step out of the queue. “Hey gorgeous, so glad you could come.”

“H-hi Markus.” Simon felt that cursed flush heat his cheeks. “Congratulations on your show.”

“Hey, you haven’t even seen it yet. It could be horrific.” He grinned, leading Simon down the crowded hallway. People parted for them, darting starstruck glances at the artist and slightly curious ones at the man he had an arm around.

“Oh I highly doubt that.” Simon laughed softly, taking a moment to admire Markus in his handsome attire. The heavily embroidered floral cream jacket hung from his shoulders like a cape, over a burgundy shirt and trousers. An indigo scarf was looped casually around his neck, framing the slice of skin glimpsed between the partly unbuttoned shirt. “You look so stylish. I didn’t know what to wear, I hope this is alright.”

“Simon you’re gorgeous.” Markus reassured him with a charming smile. He guided him to stop in front of a huge towering canvas swathed in shades of blue. “I did it by memory so I have to check I got it right.”

“Got what right?” Simon blinked in confusion, looking at the canvas to admire the soft angelic face with its eyes closed and hand pressed over its chest.

“The shade of blue in your eyes.” Markus smiled, brushing the back of his fingers along Simon’s cheek. “I think I did a passable job.”   

“That’s-”

“You.” Markus finished with a somewhat self-conscious smile. 

“Markus I- I don’t- I don’t know what to say.” Simon stammered, unable to process the sheer magnitude of the work that went into the piece versus the emotions it elicited now that he knew he was the subject. 

“Remember that day when you got caught in the rain?”

“When I slipped and fell on my face and ended up looking like a drowned rat in the store? Yeah I don’t think I can ever forget that one.” Simon winced, rubbing his forehead subconsciously even though the graze had long healed.

“You looked so soft, I couldn’t forget it.” Markus confessed, smile a little shy. “I had to put it on canvas but I couldn’t ask you to model for me. I still thought you and Daniel were the same person at that point.”

“He’ll never let that one go.” Simon sighed as Markus laughed. 

“I’ll spend forever making it up to you, I promise.” 

“There’s absolutely nothing to make up for, Markus.” He stepped closer, slipping his hands into his. “That I’m yours is more than enough, more than I ever dared to hope for.”

“You deserve everything.” Markus urged, leaning in to gently press their lips together. 

“Alright,” Simon pretended to sound put upon, rolling his eyes, “come here you.” He wrapped his arms around him and Markus laughed as he embraced him tightly in return. Burying his face in the crook of his shoulder, he murmured. “I love it, thank you.”