Chapter Text
"Don't move."
"What?"
"Sh--" Yusuke lunged toward the window, preparing to push Goro back into place if necessary.
"What in Heaven's name is so important that I can't move from my place? I have things I need to do, Kitagawa."
"As do I."
"You haven't answered my question."
Yusuke did not say a word, only continued scratching away at his sketchbook. Goro took this as his signal to leave.
"No!"
"What do you need?" Goro snapped.
"For you to stay in place. You are the model of my latest masterpiece."
"I don't remember signing up for this..."
"Enough talk. Stay." Yusuke paused for a moment. "Please?"
Goro would never let is show, but the genuine glimmer in Yusuke's eyes melted him faster than any fire.
"...fine."
"Thank you. Now extend your left leg slightly. Less than that. Perfect."
Goro could not have properly estimated how long the entire endeavor took. It seemed that in an instant a year had passed and he had turned into a statue, perched up next to a window, staring at a snowy wasteland. But finally, the endless percussion of pencil against paper subsided, Yusuke releasing a sigh of satisfaction.
"You may go now."
"Can I least see my own portrait?" Yusuke shifted into a more defensive stance for a moment, but then released it.
"Alright. You can see."
Leaning in close beside the artist, Goro saw himself as Yusuke saw him: beautiful and infinitely complex.
"Thank you, Kitagawa," was all he could say.