~A Muse of an Artist~ (Akira&Shiki & Funny Otaku)

[Akira&Shiki]

Fiore slumped down and frowned to himself. It wasn't like he was getting things done by sitting in a classroom and listen to a professor ramble and lecture about the importance of art.

 

Ugh! Fiore always thought to himself, there's no point in taking an art class if we don't draw or paint!

 

Fiore was eager, immensely so, and a tad impatient. He hated to sit idly and he hated to just watch. He wanted to do, to get things done.

 

"Fiore!" the professor exclaimed, tapping his fingers in a rhythm. "What in heaven's name are you sleeping for?"

 

Fiore grumbled to himself and sat up, very frustrated and embarrassed. Some of his classmates mumbled to themselves, eyeing Fiore. He glared at them, even angrier. In his classes, he was usually ostracized for his radical ideas. If he even thought of voicing his opinions in a lecture at college, someone would immediately shut him down. And that hurt his pride as an artist.

 

After class, Fiore rushed home, eager to look at his paintings. But his excitement dulled once he walked into his studio.

 

I forgot… he thought to himself, I can't draw anything.

 

He had forgotten that he lost the spark. Maybe if he had a muse or something… but no muse had shown up to him.

 

"Fuck," he muttered to himself as he kicked over a few paint cans.

[Funny Otaku]

Echo sat in his one room apartment he had begged for when he was 16. Since his parents weren't around much they agreed on the condition he goes on with his modeling carer. Of corse his parents visited him back then at least once a week. But now was different...Now he was 18 going to college and juggling his carer. He was majoring in journalistic science, and minoring in writing. He wanted to start a magazine but not with pictures of people but scientific discovers.

 

Echo sighed grabbing his satchel, and glasses. He wasn't much to look at in his normal clothing, and with his hair, glasses covering his amazing face. He wore a blue button up, black jeans and headphone on his head.

 

Grabbing his phone and keys as he left. He groaned looking at the missed calls from is agent..His parents had got him an agent from the rip bold age of 7.

 

Ignoring the missed calls, he turned his music on. Soon Panic!AtTheDisco and All Time Low, flowed through his ear on his way to school. He passed house and window shop and many thing as he walked but really all he thought about was how he was gonna handle his manager and parents....

 

"Somethings Gotta give." He mumbled along with the song.

[Akira&Shiki]

Remembering his funk, Fiore stumbled to his kitchen. He looked inside of his refrigerator and sighed heavily. Of course! There was nothing in there that was consumable.

 

"To the grocery store I go," he grumbled to himself as he slipped on some shoes and grabbed his wallet. "Maybe I can find myself a muse."

 

That last part was saracstic and very… sarcastic. He hadn't meant it that way, but that was how things had become. They weren't as pleasant as they were when he started painting five years ago. When he started painting, it was for someone he liked. But soon on, it became his passion. Fiore was serious about painting and art. But his main problem was his need for a muse… and a model.

 

His last model started school again, so he had to find a new one. At first, he thought that hiring a new model would be easy, but it wasn't. First, he had to find someone that he liked. Fiore was extremely picky, so he had a hard time to find the right model.

 

After rushing through the supermarket, Fiore took his favorite route home: the route that passed a professional artist's studio. He loved going by there. Every time he looked at the kiosk where the artist's paintings were displayed, he'd become empowered to go professional with his work. As he passed by the kiosk that particular day, he stopped in awe. The most beautiful painting was displayed that day; on it was a woman in a yellow sundress. She was incredibly beautiful and a thought hit Fiore.

 

Fiore gasped and jumped in happiness, causing a spectacle. He had gotten an idea! And now he needed a model!

[Funny Otaku]

Echo hummed and walked into his, Journalism class.

 

"Echo." He heard a sharp female voice call, rolling his eyes he turned to the women.

 

Her name was Sam, the only reason she was even remotely nice to him was the fact she found out about his job.

 

Her dream was to fall in love with a model and be rich for the rest of her life.

 

"What is it this time Sam." He grumbled, obvious annoyance in his voice.

 

"Oh just wondering if there was anyone new?"

 

"No." Echo mumbled shyly but stern all the same.

 

Walking to his chair. The lecture went on and on. Echo, though he loved the class the teacher had a monotone voice making anyone on the edge of falling asleep.

 

Hours passed one class lead to another, tiredness lead to more tiredness.

 

After college ended, his phone had even more, missed calls from now his mom and his dad. He groaned and called his agent, knowing he couldn't delay it anymore.

 

"Echo where have you been for the last 2 day?!" Yelled Jack his agent on the other end of the phone.

 

"I don't know college." Echo mumbled sarcastically, he was quiet person.

 

"Get here. NOW! You have a job, I got you." He continued then hung up.

 

"Whatever." Echo sighed

 

He walked to the agency his parents worked for and well him too. It wasn't far from college.

 

As soon as he got there, he was grabbed given clothes changed and natural make up put on him. He was told it would be a swim suit add, he wore a pair of trunks and a sports long sleeve jacket.

[Akira&Shiki]

Maybe it was because he had yelled like a crazy person, or because he had caught everyone's attention, but someone saw Fiore and approached him. This someone was Kia, a classmate of Fiore's. They took a general studies class together, but Kia worked as a model. She and Fiore became great friends from the start, despite Fiore's odd obsession with art.

 

"Fiore?" Kia asked, nearing her classmate.

 

Fiore completely calmed down and looked at her. "Kia…"

 

Kia smirked. "Great."

 

She was dressed in a sun dress and wore a bikini below it. She looked dressed for the beach.

 

"Are you going to the beach?" Fiore asked.

 

Kia chuckled. "I'm going to a modeling gig. Wanna come?"

 

Fiore was unsure… what could he do at a modeling shoot? Stare at models? Though modeling may have been a form of art, it was not his piece of cake.

 

"I'm not so-"

 

Kia cut him off and smirked. "You've been looking for models recently, right? Then cmon!" And she grabbed Fiore and pulled him along with her.

 

As they rode in a taxi, Fiore continued to question her:

 

"What kind of modeling gig is this?"

 

Kia grinned. "A swimsuit ad. It's great, because I'll be working with a famous model! He's so handsome, darnit! I'm a huge fan of his!"

 

Fiord sighed. "So this is a big modeling shoot with big stars? I'm not sure if that'll work…"

 

She snickered because she knew how picky her classmate was. If he had a certain idea in his mind, he'd refuse to go with anything else. So if the idiot artist had thought of his ideal model, then he'd settle for that exact model. That was when Kia wondered if it had been smart to bring the slightly obsessed Fiore along…

[Funny Otaku]

Echo was in the conner with huge headphones on. Of course he still had his modeling cloths on but he hear the other model had school so she was a bit late.

 

He didn't mind, so he just sat there reading 'The devil is a part-timer.' Also listening to music.

 

The only difference now was he had his big glasses on so he could actually see.

 

When he modeled he usually didn't where them.

 

His agent came over and sat next to him.

 

"Echo you okay..." He was in his mid 20's and had know Echo for quiet awhile...

 

Echo turned to the other, taking his headphones off.

 

"Ya I've just been tired and had lots of homework lately ." Echo sighed and looked at the other. The make up on his face was covering his dark circles but besides that, even without makeup his face was nearly perfect.

 

"It's okay."

He agent ruffled echo's hair.

[Akira&Shiki]

Fiore and Kia marched into the studio, fashionably late. As much as they had rushed to get there, they still ended up late. The bustling people and beautiful models awed Fiore… but none of them caught his eye as "the one".

 

A manager came by and looked at Kia in surprise. "Kia, you're late!"

 

Kia gave a meek grin. "Sorry Bess… I needed to pick up a friend."

 

The manager looked at Fiore and shrugged. "Just make sure he stays out of the way."

 

And Kia was pulled away hurriedly, leaving Fiore to wander about. He walked around the studio, watching the photographer and s whole bunch of managers and workers. Fiore sighed to himself. What was he going to do now? Watch everyone? As his eyes roamed the room, someone caught his eye. The guy wasn't aweing, but… gosh, there was something about him. Fiore moved closer and peered at the guy, who was reading some book and enjoying his music.

 

"Um… hi there," Fiore said. "I'm Fiore."

[Funny Otaku]

Echo took off his headphones looking up at the standing guy. Being a model and growing up in the industry the first thing he did was eye the person down physically. As he pushed up his glasses.

 

He had somewhat long, stunning blonde hair. He wanted to ask what he used on it. It just looked so soft. Emerald green eyes, that stuck out because of his hair. Looking more closely the other had a colorful tattoo from his shoulder to his hand. Wow....Was this the person, who was modeling with him...But I thought it was a girl? Echo thought.

 

Standing up he was shorter then the other.

 

"Nice to meet you Fiore? Was it?" He asked shyly. "Im...Echo."

 

He stuck his hand out to shake.

 

"um....Are you the one working with me? I mean you are attractive enough but....I was told it would be a girl..." He mumbled the last part.

 

He looked at the floor, waiting for Max (agent) to save him. Of course in such a formal working area he would never call his name like he used to as a kid...

 

Looking around he started to blush as he looked at the other man. By now he should at least be use to seeing other beautiful men but..Fiore had something different.

[Akira&Shiki]

"Echo?" Fiore asked, ignoring Echo's hand and pulling off his glasses. "You look… wow…! You look stunning without your glasses…"

 

It was like a total transformation with his brownish hair and piercing eyes. And the transformation was totally unexpected.

 

"Are you the other model?" Fiore added, handing the shorter guy his glasses.

 

With his green, cat-like eyes, he studied Echo. Not only was Echo handsome, he looked well rounded and intelligent. And how was his personality? He seemed shy, but that could have been just because Fiore was a stranger. Did he act differently when he modeled?

 

Though he's short, Fiore thought, he'd make a great model… especially for my new idea. I wonder if…

 

Just thinking about Echo made Fiore practically jump… well mentally. He'd never jump in giddiness in front of others. That was too embarrassing. And anyways, what if this Echo guy wasn't as good as he looked? What if he was just good looking but was talentless as a model? Oh… Fiore hoped not. He'd had too many encounters with models like that. They would smile nicely but would have no presence when the camera is flashing. If Echo succeeded in that… Fiore decided that he'd hunt that guy down.

[Funny Otaku]

Echo was a bit shaken as the other took his glasses.

 

"Hey!" He screamed but his scream was more of a squeak.

 

Once he got his glasses back he put them on.

 

"I guess thanks for the compliment. um, Ya I am I guess you are not then." He sighed. "I'm surprised you haven't seen me in magazines actually, I have being to this since i was born."

 

Echo was called over by Max. He waved a quick goodbye and ran over to him.

 

"Yes?" he asked.

 

"The other models almost ready so they said were gonna get into the single photos first."

 

Echo nodded, handing the other his glasses to hold onto. Then Max quickly made sure he looked good and Echo ran off to infront of cameras.

 

As the photos started he posed. No one was really giving him direction knowing all the experience he had. His piercing almost deadly eyes looked into the camera. He posed so well that some of the staff was amazed. Too look so good without any direction. He was a different person infront of the camera....That was the person his trained him to be.

[Akira&Shiki]

Fiore watched as the lights flashed in a rhythm, almost like a band that was playing a very loud and obnoxious music. He watched it, letting his green eyes take in the interesting scene. And that Echo kid... he was unbelievable. How could anyone transform so quickly and drastically? But that didn't freak Fiore out at all. In fact, he found it even more intriguing and thought provoking. He wanted this Echo person to model for him.

 

He already had the idea of his art work in his mind, but seeing Echo made him reconsider his decision. Not only was this model handsome and suave, but he also was enchanting.

 

"What the heck can I do with this guy if he models for me?" he muttered to himself, making sure that his eyes scoped every inch of Echo.

 

He watched Echo for a few more moments and finally went to find Echo's manager. At first, the search seemed fruitless. But after a few minutes, Fiore came across a group of men talking. They were watching Echo's photoshoot and whispering amongst themselves.

 

"Um, hello there," Fiore interrupted them as he twisted his hair out of his face.

 

He made sure that he'd use his best facial expression… maybe he'd be attractive and would seduce the manager… Yeah right, that was a silk conjecture! That would never happen.

[Funny Otaku]

Echo was to focused on what he was doing to see Fiore go up to Max and the others.

 

Max turned around and looked at the man that was in front of the group. Max being a manager for one of the best modeling companies he immediately scoped him out. He was a nice looking guy but Max didn't sense the thing he usually did in a great model. But he stuck out his hand at the other.

 

"It looks like he's here for me so you guys are free to work." He commented over his shoulder to the others.

 

"Okay now to you, what would you like young man, My name is Max and yours?"

[Akira&Shiki]

"Max, huh?" Fiore started, trying his best to sound professional. "I am Fiore. You're that guy's model right?" He pointed at Echo. "If so, can he model for me?"

 

There… he said it. It felt weird at first, and kind of awkward. Maybe he had said to little? Maybe he had said too much? Oh gosh, he hoped that this Max guy would at least listen to Fiore, instead of outright rejecting him. Most models had a busy schedule, so he would understand. Maybe Fiore should have talked to the model first instead of the manager? Well, too late and too bad. Fiore had already proposed the idea to Max.

[Funny Otaku]

"What type of modeling do you do I would be fine with it any job is a good job. But see you have to convince Echo I saw you talking to him earlier. He's a bit shy and hates modeling but if you could get him to do it I'll cancel his other appointments..."Max paused sighing.

 

"You see...I want him to have at least one person close to his age group, He's like my little brother...It would be nice." He smiled.

 

 

Max was an easy going guy. He just wanted the Best for Echo. He had always been there for him and when Echo was littleir he would call him brother. Of course Echo's parents are and were loving and caring for him it was just Max was always there. He set his hand on the others shoulder.

 

"Look I know...As someone who scopes out models I know what you feel.."

[Akira&Shiki]

"Well I paint. I would love to paint Echo… I'll pay whatever price…" Fiore stopped. "Wait, you said he doesn't like modeling? So how do you get him to come out here and model? Because I've got to say… he's a great talent."

 

And that was the absolute truth. He totally believed it. Because when modeling, Echo had a certain charisma around him… and Fiore felt like he needed that.

 

"You said that Echo and I are around the same age? Then that means he goes to college?" Fiore asked, turned back to Max. "See that female model? She's a classmate of mine and she attends the same college as well. If you're worried about Echo's social life, then maybe we can have them befriend each other? It's just an idea, though."

[Funny Otaku]

"As the price don't worry about it let's just say echo already has enough money." He smiled at the other. "He hates it.. he's not a kid who likes attention, I got him here because he knew that his parents would be pissed if he didn't come to at-least 1 this month. Both is parents a famous models..." He put his hand on the others shoulder, turning them to look at Echo.

"He has much talent and I know he knows that but, he just wants a normal life."

 

He paused for a minute looking at echo happily.

"Yes he attends the college in town, He's going for a major in jounarlistic science I think. He loves it, if he could he would send day in the lab and writing about his findings. Now as for your friend..Let's see how he is around you first...He is very shy..."

[Akira&Shiki]

"So you're saying that I've got to befriend him?" Fiore asked.

 

But he didn't wait for an answer and instead started planning. For instance, what did Echo like to do? What was his favorite band? What about favorite food? Fiore found himself a little more interested then he should have been. After all, he didn't want to become friends. He could do that any other time.

 

All he needed was the right model. But against his conscious, he found himself wanting to know a little more about Echo. But according to Max, Echo was shy. And that was very inconvenient.

 

Giving a heavy sigh and muttering a quick "Thanks" to Max, he walked over to wait for Echo.

[Funny Otaku]

After it was over Echo ran to the dressing rooms changing into his black jeans and button up with a sweater vest and a bowtie. When he got out he took his glasses from Max hugging him good-bye.

 

There he is again.....Was all Echo thought the guy from before. He had his book bag that was a satchel which was over his shoulder big head phones around his neck and his huge bottle cap glasses.

 

Echo uncounsouly went up to the other...

"Did...Did...You like it..." He asked nervously looking at his hands as he played with them and twiddled.

 

He looked the other in his eyes through his glasses as a blush from anxiety coated his cheeks.

[Akira&Shiki]

Fiore froze. He was talking to him first? That was... What? Yeah, it was very unexpected.

 

Fiore smiled. "You were great, Echo. I guess I didn't introduce myself first. I'm Fiore."

 

Seeing Echo's face made Fiore realize that this guy… was pretty cute… But he wondered why he was thinking this. After all, Echo, despite being cute, was a guy… but still.

 

"Anyways!" Fiore quickly said, trying to dispel his thoughts. "You looked awesome. I envy you."

[Funny Otaku]

Echo's blush grew as the other talked...He like Flore......Echo had know he was gay for quiet awhile, he came out when he was around 16. This was bad though....He didn't know if the other was...Echo needed to get his head straight.

 

"Thank...Thank you...That means a lot...i've been do this for a very long time so...It just means a lot."

 

"You shouldn't envy me I envy..you..you have a normal life."

[Akira&Shiki]

Before Fiore could even answer, Kia burst out laughing from behind them. She had come out from nowhere!

 

"Normal?!" she laughed sarcastically. "Fiore is SO not normal! He loves art! Art is his life and he breaths it! That's not normal."

 

Fiore frowned at her. "Shut it, Kia."

 

Kia grinned. "No need to act so shy about your passion now, Fiore. And stop trying to get with cute guys like Echo!"

 

"I am not, Kia!" Fiore exclaimed. "Would you go away?"

 

Kia shook her head, a little too happy. "I enjoy you, Fiore… but what about your project?"

 

"Leave me-" Fiore stopped and turned to Echo. "Hey, your manager, Max, told me that you're majoring in journalistic science. Do you think that you could help me with this project I've got due?"

 

Fiore decided that this painting would have to wait… he needed Echo as his model. But first, he needed to befriend his soon-to-be model.

[Funny Otaku]

Echo jumped a little in shock of the others voice. He laughed quietly as the other went on and on about Fiore. He Blushed even more at the mention with the other saying 'stop trying to get with cute guys like Echo!. Letting out an eep, in surprise.

 

Echo sighed as the other said he wasn't.

 

Damn Max...He was alway trying to make echo make friends. Echo nodded.

 

"Ya I go to the local college..." He paused looking at the ground...."If Max said I'm open then thats okay...."

"I wouldn't mind spending more time with you." He said smoothly. but as soon as he said it He shook his head. "You know like helping."

[Akira&Shiki]

As soon as they got to Fiore's studio apartment, Kia stopped him.

 

"What?" he argued.

 

"Is it clean? You sure you want Echo to see your man cave?" Kia asked.

 

Gosh, she annoyed him sometimes!

 

"It's not junky, Kia! I just… ya know…" Fiore chuckled. "All of my art equipment is on the ground…"

 

Kia sighed. "You're a horrible host, Fiore!"

 

Fiore turned to his door to unlock it, but spoke to Echo, "I'm sorry if it's appalling."

 

He opened up his front door to reveal the familiar scent of paint. Canvases and paintings lay around the room, taking up most of the space. His floor is covered with painting equipment and different art books. Fiore shoved his shoes off his feet and sat down on his stool, then he looked at one of his paintings. It was a painting of his mother, a beautiful woman with blonde hair like his. It was Fiore's best painting yet. He just hoped that this next painting with Echo as his model would be the best he'd ever done.

[Funny Otaku]

Echo walked in taking of his shoes. He tried not to step on the supplies on the ground as he awkwardly tried to get to the other..

 

"Wow, she's amazing, who is she?" He asked about the painting. It was amazing the women in it looked like she had wrinkles and flaws but instead of making her "ugly" It added to her beauty.

 

"She's stunning."

 

He stood next to the other looking at the paint amazed at it.

"Your so good."

[Akira&Shiki]

"Oh…" Fiore snapped out of his daze and looked at Echo. "That's my mom… and thanks."

 

Kia sighed and made her way over to them. "I'll be making dinner. Fiore try to make space to eat, please!"

 

"Stop nagging…" Fiore sighed back, then he turned to Echo. "That's the first painting I've done. But anyways…"

 

He sighed and averted his gaze from Echo's face.