Authors: Mika Fox
Dominic
frowns, eyeing the guy up and down where he sits.
"Why?"
he asks, reluctantly curious. Killian shrugs.
"No
reason," he says, glancing back at him. "But you are, then?"
Dominic
blinks, as Killian puts the lollipop back in his mouth.
"Yeah,"
he says. "I guess."
Killian
nods, satisfied but unmoved.
"Great,"
he says, muffled by the candy. He looks back out over the water. "Looks
like Jemma owes me a beer."
Dominic
straightens a little. He tries to think of what, exactly, their classmate might
have to do with any of this.
"Wait,
what?" he says, but Killian isn't fazed.
"Yeah,"
he says flatly, taking out the lollipop. "She said you weren't, I said you
were. I win."
Dominic
frowns incredulously, mouth slightly open.
"What,
you're betting on me?" he asks, his tone matching his expression.
"Well,
not just you," Killian replies. "But yeah."
"That's
not really the issue," Dominic says, sounding a bit more outraged than
intended. "Why would you even do that?"
Killian
turns to him, clearly confused as to why Dominic is reacting this way.
"Relax,"
he says, frowning. "No one cares. I just noticed you kept blowing off that
red-haired chick, and Jemma and I had conflicting theories as to why. Obviously,
mine turned out to be the right one."
He
puts the lollipop back in his mouth, and Dominic stares at him for a little
while longer. It occurs to him then that Killian has actually been noticing
him, so much so that he has paid attention to Dominic blowing off advances from
other people. He doesn't mention how he hasn't been blowing off Annie, as much
as just not hitting on her, and that there really hasn't been a need for
either, so far. He's not exactly into her, and she knows that. At least, he assumes
she does.
"Alright,
fine," Dominic says, sounding a little petulant. "But how would you
like it if people bet on your straight-
ness
?"
Killian
cocks his head, taking the lollipop out of his mouth.
"Well,
that would be difficult," he says. "Seeing as how I don't have any
straight-
ness
to speak of. Although, people have
misguidedly called me
half-
straight
,
so there's that
.
"
Dominic
turns his attention to him properly now, a little surprised, eyes slightly
narrowed.
"So,
you're...?" he trails off, and Killian looks at him.
"Say
it," he whispers dramatically. "Out loud."
Dominic's
expression falls at the lame movie reference, morphing into one of flat,
unamused
boredom, while Killian widens his eyes to add to
the drama.
"Bisexual,"
he says, as though talking about some mythical creature, and Dominic rolls his
eyes, muttering wordlessly in exasperation. He hears Killian snicker as he puts
the lollipop back in his mouth, and another few seconds pass before he speaks.
"In all seriousness, though," he says, taking the lollipop out.
"I don't like picking sides. And there's enough of me for everyone."
Dominic
scoffs.
"You
sound awfully sure of yourself," he says dryly, and Killian hums.
"I
like to think I have reason to," he says, and Dominic looks back at him.
There's nothing teasing about his expression, nothing charming or appealing
about his general vibe and personality, so it's hard to see why anyone would
want to be around him too much. That being said, he
is
hot, and now knowing that he also swings both ways, Dominic
can't help but more acutely notice that. It seems that having even the most
miniscule shot with someone increases their attractiveness threefold, and he
does his best not to eye the raven-haired artist up and down too obviously.
Killian
raises his eyebrows a little, perhaps noticing the way Dominic's gaze has
shifted ever so slightly from just observational to curious, maybe even
interested. He doesn't mention it though, just drags his eyes away from Dominic
to glance over at the locked building behind them.
"Doesn't
look like they'll be opening up, anytime soon," he says. "I'm gonna
head home for the night."
Dominic
blinks, honestly a little surprised.
"And
here I thought we were having a moment," he says sarcastically, hiding his
vague disappointment, while Killian gets up from the ground with a huff. He
puts the lollipop back in his mouth, brushes off his clothes.
"Fuck
off," he says in a muffled voice, and Dominic knows he should be offended,
but he somehow can't find it in him to be. He just scoffs instead, trying not
to smile.
"See
you around,
douchebag
," he says, and gets a
middle finger from Killian in return, before the guy saunters away, slinging a
dark, worn-out satchel over his shoulder. Dominic watches him leave, observes
the way he walks, hands in his pockets, as though he just doesn't have a care
in the world as he makes his way along the paved path that leads away from the
art building. It's only after several seconds of staring that Dominic tears his
gaze away, and he looks back out over the water. It's completely still, apart
from a few mallards swimming around.
The
sun is setting properly now, and the lights along the paved paths are
sputtering to life. It's not cold outside, but just sitting here suddenly feels
rather lonely and pointless, and Dominic sighs, folding his arms over his knees
and resting his chin against them. He glances to his left, where Killian, a
pain-in-the-ass guy whose name he didn't even know twenty minutes ago, just
sat, and he chews his cheek thoughtfully.
It
takes another minute or so before he starts feeling that familiar restlessness
set in, and he gets up from the ground, grabbing his shoulder bag and stepping
out onto the path which Killian took. He starts walking in the opposite direction,
back the way he came.
Chapter 3
Killian
It might just be
in Dominic's head, but he could swear that Killian actually looks non-hateful
over the next few days. As in, he doesn't so much glare at Dominic, but instead
seems to eye him with recognition and some kind of appreciation, and Dominic
honestly can't say he minds. Knowing that there might actually be a shot with
the guy just makes his attractiveness all the more compelling, and Dominic
rather welcomes the shift in attention.
They
still run into each other, all the time, Dominic still trying to make sense of
the photos he manages to take. What time he doesn't spend working at the store,
in the printing room, or on his laptop, he spends outside, snapping pictures of
pretty much anything he can find, while waiting to be struck with a sudden
burst of inspiration. As usual though, it's not much use. He was hoping that a
class like this would take the pressure off, let him have fun with his art, but
instead he finds himself oddly stressed about it. This is what he
loves―he should have no problem finding a suitable subject for his
project.
That's
the theory, at least.
Killian
is almost always there when Dominic enters the art building, hidden behind his
easel. At this point, he could just be standing there and waving with a brush
for all Dominic knows, seeing as how he has never actually laid eyes on any of
the guy's work. He must admit he's curious, but he still decides not to push
his luck, and he refrains from thinking too hard about whether or not Killian
has anywhere else to work. He must have a home, right? An apartment, a dorm
room? And yet, whenever Dominic is here, Killian is too.
Dominic
has noticed that he sometimes switches back and forth between painting on a
canvas and sketching on a huge pad with a piece of charcoal secured between his
fingers, and although Dominic would never willingly admit it, he kind of likes
watching him. He has on occasion―generally when the printers are
occupied―settled with his laptop in the art room to look over and edit
photos. It's mostly a ruse, as he'll spend a lot of his time just peeking over
the edge of the screen to see Killian work on the other side of the room.
Dominic
has so far only been caught in the act two or three times, at least as far as
he knows. The way Killian will suddenly look up at him―directly at
him―from across the room, often makes him feel like Killian already knows
he's watching him, and Dominic will automatically look down and sink deeper
into his seat to hide from view, behind his laptop screen. He's too afraid to
really check if Killian is ever watching
him
,
but he somehow doubts that he is. Since their conversation the other night,
they haven't so much as spoken to each other, after all.
It
goes on for a few days, this routine, Dominic doing his thing while Killian
keeps working on his end. Dominic finds himself looking forward to visiting the
art building, regardless of his practical reasons for it, and he'll often just
sit in the main room, a few other students scattered around and working away
with whatever projects they have settled on. Dominic can't help but feel like
he's the only one without his shit together, when it comes to that, and their
diligence reminds him of just how badly his own project is going. He's still
just fumbling in the dark for something that might fit the stupid theme.
It's
on a rather quiet afternoon―the place for once sans Killian―that he
gives it another valiant shot, camping out in the printing room for a while to
try out some photos he took yesterday. This time there's company, however, in
the form of Annie, sitting on a vacant table next to the printer Dominic is
working with, dangling her legs over the edge.
"And
then there was Matt," she says, practically rambling at this point, as she
lists all of her exes and their flaws. "He was fun, but not very smart.
Then there was Julian, who was a pretentious dick, but good in bed. I guess you
just can't have it all, can you?"
Dominic
doesn't look up, just nods and hums absently as he watches the printer work its
magic. Annie smacks his arm.
"What?"
he says.
"Are
you listening?" his friend asks, and Dominic nods, glancing at her before
looking back at the photos being spat out of the machine.
"I'm
listening," he mumbles. "Matt, what's-his-name, the whole
douchebag
parade."
"They
weren't all
douchebags
," Annie says, but she
doesn't quite sound like she means it. "They just weren't what I was
looking for."
"Well,
who knows," Dominic says. "You might find it here."
He
remembers saying almost the exact same thing to his sister, and sure enough, he
gets almost the exact same response.
"I'm
not some maiden who sits around waiting for a prince," Annie says,
sounding bored. "Honestly, I don't even have that many requirements. If
he's good in bed and can make me laugh, I can overlook most flaws."
Dominic smiles at that, thinking of how his criteria look pretty much the same.
"And besides," Annie rambles on, "there are barely any cute guys
around here, except you of course, and I just―"
"I'm
gay," Dominic blurts, and Annie stops dead. Then, after a few seconds of
silent eye-contact between the two of them, she shrugs.
"Okay,"
she says, as though not entirely sure why he felt the need to tell her. Dominic
just looks at her, and Annie tilts her head. "I mean, I guess I kind of
figured. Call me shallow, but you haven't exactly been eyeballing me like most
guys do, so I figured either you were gay, or I had suddenly lost all of my
charm and good looks."
Dominic
scoffs, smiling.
"Trust
me," he says, "both your charm and looks are fine. I just prefer
people with dicks."
"I
feel that," Annie says sagely, with a nod. "Why the sudden
admission?"
"Well,
you never know," Dominic says with a shrug. "I mean, I didn't assume
or anything, but let's just say that I've kind of been yelled at by a girl
before for not saying it right off the bat. So I'm taking the precaution."
Annie
raises her eyebrows.
"Really?"
she asks, and Dominic nods.
"To
be fair," he says, "I didn't even know she was into me. And it never
really came up. Until she made a move, that is, and I was kind of backed into a
corner. So, yeah."
He
shrugs again, for lack of anything else, and Annie smiles amusedly.
"That
bad, huh?" she says, and Dominic cocks his head, returning his attention
to the printer. "Well, for what it's worth, don't worry about it. I mean,
I am into you, but as a person. Not like that. And besides, you're not really
my type. You are cute, though."
She
nudges his arm playfully, and Dominic glances at her, smiling. He doesn't
mention how he really only thought to tell her about his sexuality because of
what Killian said about him blowing her off, as though she had been showing
interest he was being completely oblivious to.
The
fact that he even let Killian's comment get to him is annoying, for some
reason.
"So,"
Annie says conversationally. "Gay, huh? I suppose that does explain a few
other things."
Dominic
looks up at her pensive tone, and finds her gazing aimlessly into space,
tapping her chin with her finger. He frowns.
"Like
what?" he asks, involuntarily curious.
"Well,"
Annie says. "Like the whole lingering-glances thing you've got going with
that painter guy."
Dominic
straightens a little, glancing around the room as though Killian might show up
out of thin air and glare at him mockingly. Thankfully, he and Annie are alone.
"What's
that supposed to mean?" he asks, and Annie gives him a pointed look.
"He's
been keeping an eye on you for a while, you know," she says. "And
lately, I can't help but notice how you've been checking him out, in return.
Guess I should have figured there were some more carnal interests going on
behind the scenes."
"I
haven't even touched the guy, yet," Dominic says tiredly, trying not to
get too excited about Killian's alleged interest, and Annie perks up.
"Yet?"
she asks, making Dominic sigh and scratch the back of his head as he turns back
to his work.
"Don't
you have somewhere you need to be?" he says. "Aren't there some
strangers or flowers you should be drawing, or some shit?"
"Nope,"
Annie says, sounding way too pleased. "I'm all yours. So tell me, what
is
up with Painter Guy?"
Dominic
sighs in defeat.
"His
name's Killian," he says. Annie hums appreciatively.
"Killian,"
she repeats, letting the name roll off her tongue. "I like it. He into
boys, then?"
"And
girls, apparently," Dominic says, and Annie nods.
"Got
it," she says. "Nice to know there's some flexibility there."
She says it thoughtfully, and it makes Dominic give her a pointed look of
subtle warning. She catches it, and raises her hands disarmingly. "Hey,
you called dibs. I respect that, don't worry about it. Just entertaining the
idea."
"Yeah
well, knock yourself out," Dominic says, snatching up the photos as
they're slowly being spat out of the printer. He eyes the first one, pleased
with the coloring, but not so much with the overall result. "Pretty sure
it's not happening, on my end."
"Why
not?" Annie asks, sounding genuinely confused.
"He's
kind of a dick," Dominic says. "And I don't think he likes me
much."
Annie
scoffs.
"He
doesn't seem to really like anyone," she says, before leaning in to
whisper theatrically in Dominic's ear. "But last time I checked, you don't
need to like someone to fuck them."
Dominic
pulls back a little as he turns to her, eyebrows raised. Annie actually
giggles, and Dominic must say that her casual cussing clashes beautifully with
her sweet look and overall demeanor. He raises the corner of his mouth in a
crooked smile.
"That's
very wise of you," he says, as Annie pulls back again. "And I'm
inclined to agree. But I'm honestly concerned that he might stab me in the neck
with a paintbrush if I tried anything."
Annie
throws her head back in a dramatic, bored groan.
"Oh,
what's a little threat of dismemberment and injury in the face of carnal
pleasures?" she says, before looking back at her friend. "Make a
move. I'm pretty sure he'll let you know if he's not interested. Without
stabbing you in the neck, be it with a paintbrush or any other kind of
improvised weapon."
"Uh-huh,"
Dominic says absently, picking up the next photo as it slides out of the
printer. He wrinkles his nose at it; it's nice, but so generic that it hurts
his eyes. Annie picks up the first photo to see for herself.
"Pretty,"
she says, eyeing the motif of dewdrops gathered in a spider web outside the
kitchen window of Dominic's apartment. Dominic raises his eyebrows at her.
"I
think you mean cliché," he says flatly. "Or uninspired, or
pretentious. But thanks."
Annie
smacks his arm.
"I
mean it," she says. Then she studies the photo more closely, tilting her
head. "I mean yeah, it could use some more originality. But it's
nice."
Dominic
grunts.
"Would
you say it has
heart
?" he says
with some sarcasm, and Annie gives him a sheepish smile, proving his point.
"Exactly.
Nice
isn't gonna cut
it."
He
waits for the next photo to be printed, patiently watching the slow process of
it. He sometimes considers switching back to analog, but then remembers that
developing film would take longer and be more complicated, and he has found
that he’s much too fickle for something as deliberate as analog photography,
anyway. He thought of himself as quite the artist back when he started out,
figuring that it wasn't
real
enough
if it was digital, and so he would spend small fortunes on film and hours in a
dark room at the local studio he freelanced with, to get it right. It took him
a long time and a lot of swallowed pride before he realized that being
"real" wasn’t worth the extra effort, and that the possibilities that
came with a computer screen and some editing software were worth so much more.
"We're
only a couple weeks in, you know," Annie says comfortingly, handing back
the photo. "There are lots of us who haven't gotten our project sorted out
yet."
Dominic
doesn't reply to that. He's not sure why, but it just annoys him to no end that
he can't think of a subject, can’t find a single thing that might represent
heart.
It's driving him crazy, to be
honest. Of course his performance issues and perfectionism would get in the way
of this just being easy and fun over the summer.
Annie
keeps him company for a little while longer, until her phone
ding
s and she gets it out of her purse
to check.
"Oh,
I gotta go," she says, hopping down off the table. "Hot date. But
I'll see you around, yeah?"