Chapter Text
Art school was simultaneously the best and worst decision of Otto's life. The best because he's surrounded by likeminded people who share the love of art. The worst because he's three weeks into his first semester and already has homework and assignments coming out of his ears.
It's not all that bad though. He has his friends, Awsten and Geoff, to help him. They're all taking similar classes, so they share the frustration of all the work expected of them.
Otto knows every little tic and habit his best friends have. For example, Geoff bounces his knee and clicks his pen when he’s stressed and/or stuck on a question in class. Awsten, on the other hand, has many habits. Otto notices every time the other man fiddles with his rings, or his bracelets, or his necklaces. Or the way he gets only slightly insecure about his heterochromia when someone brings it up. It’s not often, but enough for Otto to notice the raised shoulders, furrowed eyebrows, and the rings now spinning on his fingers.
He often finds himself staring at Awsten. They’re roommates, so seeing him every day is a given. But the way Otto’s eyes linger too long on Awsten’s…it’s different. It’s strictly platonic, though. Otto’s into women, and so is Awsten…but their eyes tell a different story.
Introduction to Art Photography 101. Otto picked this class because he loved photography. It was interesting in a logical way, but gorgeous in a creative way. The tutor was nice enough, and the class provided its students with cameras for the duration of the course so that was also a bonus.
This courses big assignment was a duo project. To take photos of your partner’s face, then each feature that makes them unique. Their eyes, nose, mouth, etc. Awsten’s in this class, so Otto naturally gravitated towards him when it was time for the partners to be picked.
”So…what makes me ‘unique’?” Awsten mumbles as he reads the assignments task sheet on his laptop. Otto lays on the bed beside him, throwing a rubik’s cube up in the air and catching it again.
”Your eyes,” he replies without any hesitation. The room goes silent, the air still with tension. Otto opens his mouth to backtrack but then thinks better of it. “No, I— I mean it. Your eyes make you unique, Aws. I like them.”
Awsten nods, slow at first until the other male’s words fully register in his head. The corners of his lips quirk up, only slightly, but enough for Otto to notice. In turn, a smile of his own creeps up. “You’re blushing,” he teases, using his foot to nudge Awsten’s side.
”Asshole,” the other male replies, shaking his head as he scrolls through the task sheet again. “You wanna start this shit or put it off until the last day?” he asks, tilting his head in Otto’s direction.
Otto grins, rolling over slightly to grab his camera off the bedside table, "Let's get it over and done with," he jokes, groaning as he stretches and arches his back off the bed. He feels Awsten's gaze on his body and a warm, tingly feeling goes down his spine. Standing up, he fiddles with the camera until it turns on, "Let's shoot this, bitch!" he proclaims, as if he were filming a movie and not doing his assignment for uni.
Awsten stands, doing a little spin as he moves to position himself in front of the window. Part of the task sheet is to have a "unique" background, so the two men are using the window out to the university campus. Otto lifts the camera, holding it up to his eye and looking through the lens, "Say cheese!"
FLASH!
Photos get taken one after another, a few of Awsten’s face as a whole. After about five photos, Otto steps closer, “Stay still…” he mumbles, lips parting slightly as he aims the camera towards Awsten’s eyes. He tries to capture them both, before moving to capture his natural pink lips.
”Smile for me,” he mumbles, words tight in his throat, “…please,” he adds. Once that beautiful, toothed smile appear on the shorter man’s face, Otto snaps the photo.
They take about 100 more photos, of all angles and features from different perspectives. Otto has many options for what to put in his assessment portfolio. He places the camera on his desk, looking back at Awsten, who's now typing on his phone, "YOu have...a beautiful smile," he comments, looking away once the words are out. Awsten pauses, looking up at the other man, "...You like my smile?" he asks, tilting his head.
"Mhm! And your eyes...and your lips," as soon as those words leave Otto's mouth, he regrets them. His face turns a dark crimson as he looks at Awsten, who lets out a squeak. "You like my lips?" he asks, eyebrows shooting up in amusement and...something else.
Otto simply nods, smiling sheepishly, "I do..." he mumbles, shrugging. He doesn't notice the other man approaching until they're almost pressed together, Awsten's front pressed against the other's side. "Woah, what're you--?" he's cut off by the blonde male cupping his cheek, pulling him closer until their lips touch. Otto freezes, before his eyes flutter closed and he leans into the kiss.
When they pull away, Otto's the first one to speak, "I'm not a--"
"Me neither."
"I should go," Otto murmurs as he suddenly turns and walks off, grabbing his camera and bag on the way. He opens the dorm room door with more force than necessary, slamming it behind him. He doesn't look back.