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Peter was sitting at the island in the communal kitchen when he got a text about 15 minutes before his model was supposed to arrive. He had planned with the guy about a week ago to set up this shoot and of course he cancels just before they’re supposed to start. That was just Peter’s luck.
Peter huffed out a sigh and started to pick up his bags. He headed back to his room to try to figure out what he was going to do about this project now.
As he was walking out of the kitchen with his head down, concentrating on his phone, he bumped into a body and startled back.
“I’m so sorry!” Peter squeaked out as he caught his footing. He looked up and saw one James Barnes standing over him. “Shit! I’m so sorry Mr. Barnes. I-I wasn’t looking where I was going and I was in a rush and-”
“Hey. It’s okay. I wasn’t paying attention either so I’m sorry too. And seriously Peter, just call me James.” James cut Peter off before he could continue his rambled apology. “Where were you rushing off to anyways?”
Peter shuffles his feet, picking at the edges of his sweater. “Oh… um… well I was supposed to be doing a shoot for this really big project that I’ve got due soon but my model just texted and said he can’t make it. I was just gonna head back to my room and try to maybe find a new model I guess.”
James thought for a moment before he responded, “Why don’t I be your model?” Peter shot his head back up to James “I mean it’s not like I’ve got much better to do right now.”
“A-are you sure? It’s not a ummm standard photoshoot.” Peter stuttered out.
“I’m sure, Peter. It’s not like much really phases me anymore and I want to help you.” the sincerity in James’ voice made the choice for Peter. “Okay, if you’re sure…”
“I’m certain. When do you want to do this?” James clapped his hands and rubbed them together, as if he was warming up for a game or a fight.
Peter huffed a laugh before responding, “I’ve got all my stuff for it set up right now if you’re not busy?”
“Sure!” James sounded excited even as he didn’t really know what he was getting himself into.
Peter nodded and started to lead the way to his room. Mr. Stark had made sure that Peter had plenty of room for shoots in his apartment at the tower.
When they got to his room, Peter hesitated for a moment. “So I’ll explain what I need from you once we're in there but don’t be alarmed by the uh, pile of ropes in there. It’s for this and I promise it’s nothing dangerous.”
James started to become a little bit weary as Peter opened the door and ushered him in. Peter really wasn’t kidding, there was a huge pile of ropes set in front of a backdrop in what looked like a very sturdy metal frame, in the middle of the room.
“Okay, so, for this project my professor told us we were to find a form of restraint, a lot of people just used handcuffs, and photograph them in use in a way that most people don’t typically see. I chose ropes. Most people see them used to tie one thing to another. But there’s this ancient Japanese practice called shibari. It uses ropes tied in beautiful and intricate patterns to restrain an individual. Sometimes it’s in a sexual way but it’s often just for art too. So that’s what I’m doing for my project. I’ve been practicing my knotting for weeks and I’m really confident in it now. But um… are you sure you’re still okay with this? Also for the exact look I’m trying to get you’d have to be in just your underwear cause I want the contrast between the skin and the rope.”
Peter blushed high on his cheeks as he finished explaining the project to James, who had been listening intently the entire time, intrigued by the basis and Peter’s choice for the project. “This sounds like a really interesting project and like you’re very passionate about it. I'm still happy to help you. But are you sure you want me? Y’know… with the arm and all?” James mumbled out the last part.
“Definitely!” Peter shouted before he could stop himself. “I-I mean yes. If anything your arm will add a-whole-nother level to this!”
James smiled at Peter’s enthusiasm and stood up. “Okay then, I’ll get out of my clothes I guess, then we can start.”
Peter watched as James went into the bathroom to get ready. When the door closed behind him, Peter let his excitement show finally.
With a silent scream and a little wiggle dance, Peter stood up to get everything else ready.
When James came out of the bathroom Peter had to force himself not to stare at his bare legs and abs.
James was wearing a pair of navy blue briefs that hugged his ass perfectly. Accentuating the curves and leaving very little to the imagination.
He stalked over to where Peter was down on his knees laying out the black ropes. He had finished making sure the backdrop was perfect and had needed something to with his hands while he waited.
When James reached Peter he cleared his throat and stood tensely, as if he were waiting for a handler that didn’t exist anymore to come and collect him.
Peter stood quickly and stumbled over his words for a moment before asking James if he was ready.
“As I’ll ever be.” James responded as Peter motioned him to kneel down with Peter.
“Okay, so I’m gonna start with your arms. They’ll be behind your back and held a little bit apart. The knots will be between your arms for the most part so there shouldn't be too much pressure on your skin. Um.. It’s also gonna go around your chest and torso kinda like a harness. So, yeah. I’m gonna start now if that’s okay?” Peter knew he was starting to ramble by the end so he cut himself off there. Looking down at his hands and fiddling with the rope between his fingers.
“Go ahead Pete. I’m kinda excited now honestly.” James let out a slightly nervous laugh and turned around, placing his arms behind him so that Peter could begin.
Once Peter finished with the knots he looked over all his work, making sure nothing was too tight and all of the knots sat exactly where he wanted them to.
Peter sat back on his feet and sighed, “Okay so that part’s done. I think I’m gonna take a couple shots like this then I’ll make a few adjustments for some more.”
James smiled at Peter as he stood up to move to where Peter wanted him. Kneeling carefully as he was told, James got into position in front of the backdrop, facing it and on his knees with his legs spread, back straight, and head down. It was a simple uneven gray that would keep the shot looking clean while not distracting from the main focus.
Once James was positioned properly Peter went and grabbed his camera off the bed.
As Peter prepared for the first shot he got distracted. The ropes looked so beautiful against James’ skin. The pale honey of his arms contrasting greatly to the dark black of the ropes. Peter quickly shook himself out of his ogling and instructed James into position.
“Okay. Tilt your head down and let your hair fall for this one. Make sure you keep your back nice and straight too.” Once James was situated perfectly Peter adjusted some settings and took a few photos.
“Umm, could I tie your hair up in a bun for one?” Peter asked.
“Sure, go for it.” James’ voice wavered ever so slightly and when Peter’s hands met his scalp a shiver ran down his spine.
Peter pulled James’ hair up into a messy bun at the crown of his head, getting distracted by the softness of James’ hair. How it flowed through his fingers and sat so perfectly atop James’ head.
Shaking himself out of his stupor, Peter stepped back once he had finished, “Okay, I’m gonna take some more now.”
James sat still as Peter continued to take pictures. His head felt a little fuzzy and he wasn’t sure why but he found that he really didn’t mind it. He did, however, miss the feel of Peter’s hands in his hair. Not that he’d admit that out loud.
When Peter had finished taking a multitude of photos he remembered the last piece that he wanted to add to get the perfect shot.
Peter had gone to the flower shop on the corner just down the street that morning and bought a bouquet full of roses and baby’s breath.
He went over to where he had kept them in a vase and started cutting off the blossoms he wanted to use.
Peter placed clumps of baby’s breath in James’ hair, weaved around his head like a crown of tiny white buds. He took a few of the red roses and placed one in each joining knot between James’ arms with more baby’s breath weaving around the ropes.
James watched as Peter placed each flower with utmost care. Finding the perfect placement for each in a way that only an artist could.
Once Peter had placed every piece of baby’s breath, he sat back on his knees behind James and just stared at the beauty of the dark rope against James’ pale skin, the accent of gold from James’ prosthetic, the contrast from the red of the roses and the delicacy that the little blossoms of the baby’s breath added. He felt like he had never seen something as perfect.
After Peter had been staring a while he got back up and went to his camera, feeling the need to capture the beauty that sat in front of him. He focused the camera perfectly on the ropes weaving along James’ back, then on the crown of baby’s breath around James’ head.
Looking down at the photo on the screen of his camera he mumbled out a quiet, “Beautiful.” And James, from where he was still kneeling and restrained, turned around to look at what Peter was talking about. Seeing the boy's eyes fixed on his camera he knew there was only one thing he must have been looking at. James felt a swell of emotion, what must have been adoration and a hint of longing for Peter.
James looked back at his lap and got lost in his thoughts. His head swirled. He felt grateful and happy that he was able to help. But the feelings that caught him most off guard were the safety he felt wrapped in these ropes and the way he felt pretty like he wasn’t a monster and he wasn’t ugly but he was something, someone, that people might actually want to look at.
Peter was in awe of how well the pictures had turned out. He’d fix them up even more later when he’s editing but they would barely need anything. He looked back up at James and saw him sitting there still tied up and looking at his lap. He truly was gorgeous.
Peter walked over to James and came around to stand in front of him. He looked as though he was lost in thought. His eyes glazed over slightly and a distant look on his face. Peter was once again struck by James’ beauty.
Peter knelt down in front of James and reached out, hesitating for a moment before cupping James’ cheek and lifting his head slightly so he could meet Peter’s eyes.
Once they locked eyes, Peter huffed out a quiet, “Hey,” with a shy smile gracing his lips and a soft look in his eyes.
James forced his eyes to focus and upon seeing Peter right in front of him, knew he must have zoned out for a minute there.
He smiled shyly back at Peter and asked, “Did you get the shot?”
“Yeah, yeah I did. And it looks amazing. Better than I thought it would.” Peter beamed back at James. Gazing into each other’s eyes and just basking in the feeling of comfort.
Peter hadn’t even noticed till they were almost touching noses that he had been slowly leaning in. He took in a stuttering breath and whispered, “Can I?”
James simply glanced down at Peter’s lips and nodded. Peter closed the gap between them and gently pressed their lips together.
The kiss was gentle, sweet and slightly hesitant but absolutely wonderful nonetheless.
They stayed like that for a few moments, enjoying the feel of each other's lips against their own and the feeling of love and comfort that wrapped around them.
When they finally parted, Peter had a blush high on his cheeks and James thought it was absolutely adorable. He had to admit, James was definitely not unaffected by the kiss. He was half hard in his underwear and hoping that it wasn’t too visible.
Once Peter had composed himself, he remembered that James was still tied up and bounced to his feet to start untying him.
“Oh! Right you’re still tied up. Here I’ll untie you now.” Peter mumbled out as he settled behind James and began undoing his knots.
As each knot was undone and the flowers removed, James found that he missed the feeling more and more.
Once he was finally free of all the ropes, James stretched out his muscles, enjoying the pleasant ache from being held in the same position for so long.
Peter continued tidying up all the ropes and flowers. James figured now was the best time to get himself dressed so he walked over to where he had left his clothes and pulled on his jeans, grabbing his top and slipping it over his head as Peter finished up and turned to look at James.
“Um… thanks again for helping me with this James. I really really appreciate it.” Peter said as he ducked his head down and his blush came back full force.
James walked over to him and tilted Peter’s head back up by the chin. “I’m happy I could help. And besides, I really enjoyed it myself.” James smiled down at Peter before closing the distance between them once again. Leaving a gentle peck on Peter’s lips and pulling back to see the boy’s eyes gazing up at him with the softest expression.
James knew that if Peter ever needed a model again he’d offer himself up in a heartbeat. Plus he’d love to be wrapped up in those ropes (or Peter’s arms) again sometime.