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"Ow! Fuck!" Cronus hissed, shaking his hand in an attempt to alleviate the pain of having pricked his finger with a needle. Looking down, he saw a tiny drop of violet forming. Dammit. Not again.
Sticking his finger in his mouth, he sighed at the black denim jacket in his lap. He'd been working on it for a few months now, adding patches and pins he'd either made himself or bought online. Currently, he was in the process of sewing on a handmade patch with the words "All Blood is Beautiful" stenciled on it. How fitting.
Once his finger stopped bleeding, Cronus went back to sewing. He wasn't the best at it, but even if his stitches were a little crooked, they still held up well enough. And with another few hours and some fiddling with spikes and safety pins, he was done.
"Here's to hoping he actually likes it," he mumbled.
Tap tap tap.
"Ah, shit."
Frantically, Cronus shoved all of his sewing supplies into his desk drawer behind his pens and guitar picks, hid the jacket in the back of his closet, and grabbed a pair of jeans to quickly pull on. He hoped it was just his roommate coming in to grab something and leave. But when the door didn't open right away, he realized it might be someone else.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Okay, it's definitely not Kurloz. Unless he forgot his keys. Or he's been caught smoking weed again and he's got cops on his ass.
He opened the door cautiously. To his relief and surprise, it wasn't a police officer or the RA on duty. It was Kankri Vantas, carrying a large sketchbook and a few pencils. You know, the celibate theological studies major he kinda has a major crush on?
"Uh, hey chief… What brings you here?"
Kankri seemed to sigh at the nickname, but said nothing of it. "Hello, Cronus. I hope I am not interrupting your studies."
"Huh? Oh, nah, no worries. I was actually just, uh, takin' a break from somethin'."
"Oh, good. Taking breaks is always important. Would you by any chance have some time to assist me with something?"
Cronus tried to ignore his heart fluttering. Kankri wanted his help? Well, damn. He'd do just about anything if he asked. Still, he didn't want to come across too needy or desperate. He had to play it cool for now.
"Yeah? Like what?" He asked, realizing he should probably know what he was getting himself into first.
"Well, I am currently taking an introduction to drawing course for my art credit, and my current assignment involves four timed sketches of the same model. I am supposed to set a timer for intervals of one, five, ten, and twenty minutes, respectively. I was wondering if you would be interested in modeling for me. I understand if you are busy, but I thought it might be interesting and educational for me to choose a model with different anatomical features than my own. Your fins, for instance, would be quite fascinating to draw."
"My fins..?" Cronus definitely hadn't seen that one coming. "Ah, well, if that's all you want, I see no reason to say no."
"If you are uncomfortable with me drawing you, I completely understand. I can always ask Porrim or-"
"No, no, I'm cool with it. Just a little surprised you'd choose me is all."
"Oh. Well, in that case, I would like to start as soon as possible. There is a protest this evening advocating for more gender neutral restrooms on campus, and I would very much like to be there for it."
"Sure, sure."
As Cronus stepped aside to let Kankri in, it clicked. A protest? That would be the perfect time to wear a sort of punk ish battle jacket. Now he just had to figure out a way to give it to him without being awkward. He had a feeling that might be much easier said than done, unfortunately.
"Do you mind if I borrow your desk chair?" Kankri asked, seeming a bit uneasy as Cronus shut the door.
"Go right ahead. Uh, where do you want me to sit?"
"Anywhere you feel comfortable. You'll have to sit still for some time, so I would recommend a pose that won't cause much strain."
"Yeah, good point. I was thinkin' of doin' somethin' goofy, but I'd probably fall over after the first minute," he joked.
Kankri looked less than impressed, although he seemed to pick up on the joking tone. "I am supposed to be drawing portraits, not heaps on the floor."
"Heh… alright, uh, how's this?" Cronus asked, sitting down on the edge of his bed with one leg tucked under and the other foot resting on the floor.
"Good. Now don't move."
"Yessir."
Cronus held himself as still as he could. He watched as Kankri took out his phone, set a timer for one minute, and quickly began to sketch. Every few seconds, he would glance up to study his model. Strong cheekbones, sharp, jagged fins, and a few piercings. Starting to feel a bit dizzy...
"You're allowed to breathe," Kankri said after a few glances.
Oh. That explained it.
Cronus let out a heavy sigh, laughing a little. Whoops. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath.
"Sorry. I just didn't want to ruin your sketch."
Beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep.
"Ah, shit. I shouldn't have distracted ya."
Kankri shook his head. "You don't have to worry about that. Part of the exercise is learning how to deal with the complications of drawing a live model as opposed to an inanimate object or from a photograph."
"Ohhh, I gotcha. I'll, uh, try not to be too complicated, though."
"I appreciate your efforts."
The next thirty-five minutes passed in relative silence. And very slowly. Cronus found it very difficult to sit still on a good day, and today he was particularly antsy. He wasn't sure whether it was because he was nervous about giving Kankri the jacket or the energy drink he'd had earlier to help him finish said jacket. Both seemed equally likely culprits.
During this time, he took note of an incredibly adorable habit of Kankri's that he'd never noticed before. When he was focusing intently on something, the tip of his tongue poked out a little. Sure, cat bleps are adorable, but a Kankri blep? Fucking precious.
Beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep. Beep-beep-beep.
Finally. The last time he would have to hear that annoying beep. Alarms are supposed to be annoying, sure, but do they have to be that annoying?
With a heavy sigh, Cronus flopped over onto his bed and sprawled out like an exasperated sea star.
"Are you alright?" Kankri asked, slightly concerned.
"Yeah, I'm okay. I'm just not good at sittin' still for so long," he said to the ceiling.
"You seemed to manage very well, although I do not mean to assume that you did not find it difficult. I merely wish to commend the efforts you made for my sake."
Cronus laughed a little, propping himself up on his elbows. "Nah, don't mention it. I don't mind helpin' a friend."
"Well, I appreciate your help nonetheless," Kankri said as he gathered his things, preparing to make his way to the door.
"You're not gonna show me?"
"Pardon?"
"Come on, the least you could do is show me what you drew. Even just one. It can be your favorite one. Please?"
Kankri sighed softly, opening his sketchbook again. He flipped through the sketches, debating which one to show. Eventually, he settled on the last sketch, the twenty minute one.
"Now, I will warn you, I am not the most experienced artist. Please keep that in mind."
Slowly, he turned the sketchbook around.
Cronus's eyes widened. He sat up and scooted to the end of his bed to see it better. Every detail from the folds in his shirt to the placement of his fin and septum piercings was there, even the scruffy attempt at facial hair he had going on. He'd even had time to sketch some of the bed and a Footloose poster on the wall behind him.
"I… wow."
"I know it isn't much, but-"
"No. Nononononononono. That. Is amazin'."
A bright red flush washed over Kankri's cheeks, and he seemed to be struggling with his words for once. This was, in Cronus's eyes, incredibly cute.
"Seriously, Kanny. You've got talent. I don't care how much time you give me, I would never be able to draw like that. And you made me look good."
"Cronus, please. As much as I do appreciate your compliments, such excessive flattery is unnecessary. You have made your point clear, and I am glad that you find my work to be a positive portrayal. I merely intended to portray you as accurately as possible."
"So you think I'm hot, then?"
Almost immediately, Cronus regretted having ever opened his mouth. Really? He wanted to punch himself in the brain for letting that slip out past the dumb shite filters. Of all the stupid bullshit he could have said in that moment, that one took the fucking cake, are it, shat it out, and baked it into a pan of brownies for the neighbors.
"I… Well, I suppose I would have to say yes, objectively speaking. Not that I'm objectifying you in any way! Moreso in terms of, perhaps, aesthetic attraction. Platonic, even."
Cronus blinked. What. Did he just get away with being a complete idiot?
"You know what… I'll take it."
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"Uhhh…" Don't say anything stupid, Cronus. "Like, in the sense of if that's your way of sayin' I'm not ugly, I won't argue with that. You're allowed to have your own opinions, ya know?"
Kankri nodded. "I understand. I know that almost every troll experiences issues regarding self-image and worries about their appearance, but there is one saying I find particularly helpful in times when I feel uncomfortable in my own skin. If you don't find yourself attractive, that's okay. That just means you aren't your type."
"Heh… I like that. Er, thanks."
"You are very welcome. I am glad that I could provide at least some comfort and validation. Now, I really must be going. I need to be there before the protest starts, as I am one of the leaders."
Cronus watched as Kankri once again gathered his things and headed for the door. Crap. He was running out of time! He had to do it now. Come on, Ampora, get it together. Make it quick, and don't make it awkward.
"W-" He cleared his throat. "Wait!"
Kankri paused, his hand on the doorknob. Turning back to Cronus, he looked slightly confused and more than a little annoyed. True to his ways, however, he kept his tone neutral.
"Yes? Is there something else you need?"
"I, uh… I have somethin' for ya," he said, getting up and digging through his closet somewhat frantically.
"Cronus, this better not be…"
His voice trailed off as Cronus found what he was looking for. He stared wide-eyed at the jacket, reading some of the patches. All blood is beautiful. Lowblood liberation, not rainbow capitalism. Gender is a social construct. Down with the cis-tem. Even a patch with he/they pronouns and a demisexual flag. And a tiny crab pin! Oh, and the spikes on the shoulders painted red!
"It's too much, isn't it..?" Cronus asked, almost not wanting to hear the answer.
"No… it's, it's incredible. You made this for me?"
"Yeah… I picked out a few jackets from the theater storage clearout sale a while back, an' one of them didn't quite fit right. I thought it might look better on you, an' I got a little carried away with this idea I had like what if I added some patches to make it more, like, y'know… Anyway, here," Cronus said, taking it off the hanger and offering it to Kankri.
Kankri, still quite shocked, quickly set his stuff on Cronus's bed. They took the jacket and looked it over for a minute before carefully putting it on over his favorite red sweater. It fit surprisingly well, and it was comfortable too.
Turning to the mirror on the closet door, Kankri adjusted the jacket a little bit and tested out a few subtle poses. Cronus watched, trying not to stare too much but at the same time unable to tear his eyes away. Look at them! He's wearing the jacket, the very jacket he'd poured hours of literal blood, sweat, and tears into, and he looks happy! He couldn't help but feel a little bit proud of himself.
"So, uh… whaddya think?"
"Oh! My goodness, I'm so sorry. I hardly ever get caught up in my own reflection like that. I… I love it. Thank you."
Cronus grinned, a heavy violet hue across his cheeks. Come on, now. Play it cool, Ampora. "Heh. I'm glad you like it."
Kankri turned to gather his things once again, trying unsuccessfully to hide a smile. He paused for a moment, looking down at their sketchbook and the jacket.
"Cronus… would you like to come with me?"
"Y'mean to the protest?"
"Yes. I should have clarified."
"No, no, I gotchu. I just don't know if it would be good for someone like me to, y'know, get involved with that kind of-"
"I don't see why, although I of course have no intention to force you to participate if you are uncomfortable. The focus is on trans and nonbinary issues this week, not anything directly tied to the hemospectrum. Not that you would be unwelcome if it were. Having someone of your level of privilege take part in our protests may in fact draw more attention or even convince those that are on the fence about speaking out to join us. Not to mention it would mean a lot to me personally…"
Was Cronus crazy or did Kankri know exactly which buttons to push? He was sold on the idea now, without a glimmer of doubt.
"Alright, alright. If you insist," he joked, following Kankri out the door and taking another good look at the back patch he'd made. It was a little bit sloppy, but the bright red Cancer symbol stood out against the black background.