This is a work of fiction. It is straight out of my imagination, except for most of the pagan practices mentioned. This is written for adults and if you are not supposed to read this where you live, then please don't.
Part 23
Monday came quickly, and I had forgotten that August was coming to pose. He showed up at the door at half past ten in the morning. I answered the door with a forced smile and ushered him to the studio. I had not taken Ryan's painting down, and it sat on an easel next to my desk.
"My, is he not a handsome one," August said, looking at the painting.
"Oh, thank you," I said, and removed the painting to a storage area.
"Is he a friend," August asked looking around at the other works hanging on the walls.
"He is my lover, and my student," I said moving back into the room with a fresh canvas and a package of paper.
"You teach him to paint then," he asked looking down at my tidy desk.
"No, I teach him the craft." August smiled and looked up at me. "Are you going to be attending the ball? I know Steven is not a witch, but I know you are."
"How do you know, Mr. Blackwatch?" He smiled and subconsciously reached for the necklace that was hidden beneath his shirt.
"I know many things. I must admit there are things about you that I can not read, but your magick is obvious."
"I don't know what to say. Should I be impressed or insulted," he asked looking a bit put off.
"There is nothing wrong with wearing your magick."
"Thank you, Mr. Blackwatch," he said and sat down on the edge of the riser.
"Please call me Caison. Now how do you wish to pose," I asked turning to pick up my supplies. I turned back to find him completely nude and standing on the riser. His pale body was slender and not very muscular. He had almost no hair on his body except for the small black patch above his penis and thin wisps in his pits.. His abs were flat, and toned, but his chest was less defined. His long legs were thin and his arms were slightly toned.
"I didn't know this is what Steven wanted," I said with obvious surprise in my voice.
"I want to be in a painting like your fellow. He is so beautiful, his body, so natural. Can you make me look like that."
"I can try," I said with a little doubt. I loved Ryan, and it showed in the art. I was uneasy with August being nude, and hoped that didn't carry through the same way.
I posed him, standing with his arms behind his back and turned to the side. I felt it lent him an air of innocense that he needed to balance his personality. I sat and began sketching. I began to feel more comfortable. I finished the gestures and some of the detail sketches. It was getting close to lunch and I asked if he would like to eat with me.
"Oh, I am sorry Caison, but I have a date for lunch," he said, then giggled. His giggle set me on edge. I got a cold chill as it echoed in my ears. It was familiar. Actually, several things about him were familiar, but I could not remember if I had met him before. He was young; perhaps I met him when he was a child. I thought about asking him about his childhood, but for some reason, I couldn't bring myself to question him.
"Well, hold the pose and I will take a few photos, and we will be done," I said as I grabbed my instant camera.
"Oh, um, photos," he said looking upset.
"You sound like Ryan," I said with a laugh. In the world of the internet, it is dangerous to have embarrassing photos floating around. " I will destroy them as soon as the painting is done."
"Couldn't I just come and pose for you," he asked almost pleading. "I can come anytime you wish."
"Alright I suppose," I said and put the camera away. I helped him off of the table and left the room for him to get dressed. When I returned he was bending over to pull up his black jeans. He wore no underwear, and I got a glimpse of his anus, deep in the cleft of his ass. I looked away and stepped back out the door. I waited anther minute and walked back in. I led him to the front door and asked that he come back the next day, in the afternoon. The door opened and Ryan entered.
"What are you doing home so early, honey," I said kissing him on his cheek. He eyed the young man standing near us.
"Looks like I am just in time," he said folding his arms and trying to smile.
"Um, oh, this is August Merlot. He is Steven's assistant."
"Lover," August corrected.
"Um, well, yes..., well, August, this is Ryan Summerbreeze," I stumbled, taken aback by his frankness.
"Nice to meet you Mr. Merlot," Ryan said unfolding his arms and extending his hand.
"Please call me August," he said, taking Ryan's hand.
"If you call me Ryan," he countered. We all stood silent for a moment. Ryan stood looking upon August with skepticism. August studied Ryan, with what I would have to call, fascination. I on the other hand, was nervous.
"I came home for lunch," Ryan said to me, without taking his eyes off of August.
"Oh, I think I left my cell phone in your studio," August said turning to me.
"I will go get it," I said, and I quickly left the room. I didn't want to leave them alone, so I hurried to get the phone as fast as I could. I returned, and slowed down when I heard them talking. I know I shouldn't have, but I stopped to listen to them.
"I am not interested, August. I am in love with Caison, and I couldn't cheat on him."
"I didn't know it was like that. I just thought he was keeping you," August said.
"Keeping me? No, he and I are in love. I don't know what kind of relationship you have with Mr. Sanders, but I think it is different with us."
"I am very sorry. Please do not be angry with me. I just didn't know. I live quite a different life, and I must admit, I envy what you and Caison have."
"I hope you can find love," Ryan said, almost whispering.
"I had love at one time, and it was taken away. Maybe someday soon, I will have it again." I got a chill as August spoke. I tip-toed down the hall and then walked loudly towards the foyer. I felt like I was in an old sit-com. The two turned to greet me, and I handed the phone over to August.
"Remember, tomorrow, mid-afternoon," I said and opened the front door.
"I'll be here," he said and left. I turned to Ryan and smiled sheepishly.
"You didn't actually think I was messing around with him," I asked, making a mental note to hide the sketches and painting. No need for him to know the painting is a nude. I reconsidered this and decided I should let him know. "Do you want to see his painting," I asked motioning to the studio.
"I suppose," he said. We walked into the studio, and Ryan stopped in his tracks and looked at the canvas. "He is nude," he said. "Why is he nude," he asked.
"Um, well, he wanted to be nude. Hey, I am an artist, and I have painted many nudes. Most of them were men. You wouldn't ask me to give up part of my art would you," I asked rather unfairly.
"No of course not. I love you and I love your art. I could never ask you to stop painting nudes. It's just him. Why him?" Ryan walked over to me and took my hand. "I have a bad feeling about him. He is trouble."
"I will finish it quickly," I said. He smiled a little. "And I won't do a good job," I added. He laughed and pulled me into a kiss. I fixed Ryan and I some lunch, and sent him back to work.
(To be continued)
The next chapter will be submitted soon.
I welcome comments, twinkchaser@excite.com