Work Text:
The College of Art and Design contained a multitude of different art-related majors. Studio art. Graphic design. Photography. Animation and game design. Art history. Even fashion and make up. Students from the different majors shared some classes, so they developed friendships across mediums. It was great for networking.
Duang never thought of it as networking, just making friends. And he would always help a friend in need if he could.
“P’Duang, please sit still,” the second-year student, Star, said, frowning. “I can’t apply eyeliner if you don’t.”
“Sorry sorry!” Duang gave an apologetic wai, then tried to stay still. But he was waiting on a text from Qin and couldn’t stop checking his phone!
Qin’s band had their first gig that day and Duang had been anxiously texting encouragement and questions every few minutes. So far, no response. They did show as Read, however. That meant his messages were getting through, and that was enough.
“Thank you for helping us with this, P’Duang,” Rhyme, another second-year student, said.
Duang smiled. “No problem! Happy to help!”
Where Star majored in makeup, Rhyme majored in photography. There was a third student in charge of the outfits, and a fourth for lighting. As they had explained it, the project called for using their combined skills to create a photoshoot for a fictional client. Their ‘client’ wanted something fantasy based for a perfume company. No actual perfume was involved, but a decorative glass vial with purple tinted water was. Duang was one of three models.
Star’s makeup was the final step in Duang’s transformation into some kind of fairy prince. He already had the shirt—he’d marveled at the fine, lacy details and insisted it was silk, but was told it was not—and black slacks the team had gushed over—“they make your legs look so long, Phi!” His usual hoop earrings had been replaced with ones that dangled several inches, as well as matching ear pieces that jutted out behind his ears to make them look pointed like an elf’s. A matching necklace hung around his neck. With Star’s makeup, Duang’s hair was pushed back from his face except for a single fashionable lock, his skin looked flawless, his eyes popped, and a fine sheen of glitter acted like an evanescent domino mask.
“Wow! You’re all really talented!” Duang cheered, clapping his hands and wiggling his fingers.
They preened under his praise. Then Rhyme ushered him to the set. It had lots of flowers and greenery, like they’d created a magical garden in a corner of the studio. Pinks, purples, reds, blues, whites, oranges. They must’ve emptied the storage of flowers to make it.
Duang checked his phone again while they made last minute adjustments to the set, cameras, and lighting. There was talk about how Lemon couldn’t just bend the light to her will because ‘that’s cheating’ and ‘but I’ll do it in an actual job, so why not now?’ that Duang didn’t pay much attention to. Qin had responded!
💞😻❤️The Cutest Faen❤️😻💞
Gig ended.
It went well.
We’re scheduled for six more now.
OMG
OMG
OMG
THAT'S FANTASTIC
GREAT JOB, TER!
I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT!
How was the photoshoot?
Just starting
Hair and makeup take sooooo long
But I look so handsome.
I’d send a pic but they asked me not to until after the project
But I’m super hot
You’re always hot.
QIN!
“Duang?” Rhyme called, before Duang could fully freak out over Qin’s flirting. “We’re ready.”
“Okay!” He left his phone on the side table and headed for the set.
Duang had modeled enough times to know the basics they would ask for, and he delighted in their praise when he followed directions well. If he didn’t love creating art so much, he might have become a full-time model instead. Alas!
An hour of posing and lighting changes—Lemon got her way and used her power to make the lights change colors and vibrancy—Duang felt sweaty but accomplished.
As the last camera flash dimmed, he caught sight of a figure by the far door, arms crossed, eyes on Duang.
Face breaking into a beaming smile, Duang called, “Ter!” Duang set the ‘perfume’ down and raced to his boyfriend, taking his hands. “You’re here!”
Why was he here? Since when? This was great!
“I came to pick you up,” Qin said. Even as butterflies erupted in Duang’s chest, Qin dragged him close and whispered in his ear. “You weren’t kidding about being hot. If you could hear my thoughts instead right now…”
Duang went still, then jerkily turned to the team. His words tumbled over each other in their haste. “I’ll bring the clothes back tomorrow, okay? Gotta go. Bye!”
He dragged Qin out so fast that Qin’s soft laugh was left in the dust.