Shadow and Sunlight (Oliver)

[hayaki]

Hayaki stared at himself in the mirror, knowing he was being ridiculous and not being able to help it. He'd picked his clothes very carefully-no tattered threads or worn spots for him tonight. Casual still, but nice...he'd had to go buy a new shirt. The thought made him blush; he'd not noticed just how many of his clothes were worn or ragged before Oliver had noticed the fray on his jeans last night.

He smoothed his hand over his shirt, then glanced at the clock. Just past nine; the sun was all the way down. He didn't have any idea of Oliver's actual hours of operation, but Oliver had said he liked to be open at night. Grabbing his bag, he made sure again that his sketch book and pencils were there, then double-checked his keys. All in place. Glancing at the mirror one last time, he shook his head at his vanity-or was it nervousness?-and stepped out of the room.

The trip to the store was uneventful. Hayaki was finally figuring out his way around. Pausing on the threshold of the shop, he took a deep breath to settle his nerves, then smiled and pushed the door open. He hoped Oliver wasn't with a customer; if so, he'd wait patiently. After all, he couldn't expect Oliver to drop everything just to spend time with him.

Except that traitorous little voice in the back of his mind was wishing for just that...

[oliver]

"Oh how I just wish..."

He didn't finish that line, knowing full well that while he didn't believe in imps and evil jinns, he did believe that there were certain forces of nature that were listening and could very well turn his words around to bite him hard in the behind. Looking over at his cat sitting peacefully on the armchair of choice, he could tell his feline friend felt exactly the same way.

"I know Pye, I know, should be careful what I wish for," he sighed, pulling his glasses off and tossing them on to the work table where the beginnings of his latest project lay, "And yet, does man not wish for so many things in his lifetime?"

Yes, how he wished indeed.
How he wished that he wasn't this adversed to sunlight.
How he wished that he didn't have to live off a diet of blood.
How he wished that he didn't have to lie to Hayaki like this...

If only, he could tell him the truth.

"Right, and maybe by then humans and vampires will co-exist in perfect peace and harmony." he snorted, pulling out another commission given and hiding the pet project... After all, he wanted Hayaki's promised garment to be a surprise.

The half completed gown with its cream undertones reminded the tailor of skin that looked similar in shade and felt even softer than the satin itself. Such musings over clothes, distracted and unfocused... Oliver sighed and shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts. He absolutely refused to check his appearance in the mirror again and resolutely decided to just wait out the time it would take for his human guest to arrive.

Oh be still my unbeating heart...

Then he noticed the way Pye stiffened in his seat, heard the ever familiar thumping of an approaching heart and he panicked a little. Hands ran through his hair and straightened the folds of his rolled up sleeves, barely giving him any more time to prepare himself when the door swung open.

"Good evening Master Hayaki, we've been expecting you..."
A warm smile as he stood up from his work bench, hands held out in a welcoming gesture.

[hayaki]

Hayaki blushed and held his own hands out, slipping them over Oliver's and smiling. "We? Ah...Pyewacket...I suppose he's just excited that he'll have another excuse to shed all over me." Hayaki said softly, laughing. "He won't be happy until I'm nothing but a giant walking ball of cat hair..."

He wrinkled his nose, staring up at Oliver. God...he was so nervous. Should he try and kiss him? Should he not? The rules for this sort of thing-there were rules weren't there?-he didn't know. His previous lover had been the instigator, and Hayaki was unsure of how far he could-should push. After all, wasn't it him that had said he thought things were going too fast?

But he didn't want to go slow, either. He wanted to go faster, to skip past all the uncertainty and awkwardness. He wanted to...he blushed. He knew what he wanted, and yet...it was so confusing. So much to consider. But when he was around Oliver, he seemed unable to consider anything. Just feel.

He gently ran his hands over the back of Oliver's hand, a slight frown marring his face. "So cold..." He said softly. "Oliver, you're so cold. I noticed the other day...are you just naturally like that?" he asked, innocently, pulling Oliver's hand to his chest as if he would warm it with his body heat.

[oliver]

Pyewacket peered through barely opened eyes, his tail thumping in time to a beat that none could hear. But at Hayaki's words, he merely purred smugly and leaped off the seat to search for errant mice at the back of the store. His master fed him well, but he enjoyed the sport.

Oliver on the other hand was enjoying the feel of warm living hands in his, able to feel that rush of blood through veins beneath the skin, like every single living cell was speaking to him all at once.
"You should consider it as a compliment Master Hayaki," he teased with a soft chuckle, "Usually he just wouldn't give anyone the time of day... His shedding on your person is perhaps the highest form of affection he knows."
Let the cat shed fur.
The vampire will do the rest.

It was dangerous though, this closeness, it would only amplify the differences, highlight the anomalies and push forth the fact that he was not normal.
Not like him.
Not the same.
Not human...
And he knew that the danger of being exposed like a rude awakening came ever closer like a false dawn. Especially when brows furrowed slightly, his hands becoming questing instead of just affectionate touching.

"So cold..."

Always cold...

"Oliver, you're so cold. I noticed the other day...are you just naturally like that?"

Guilty eyes looked away, his palm trembling lightly under the warmth of flesh and blood. Again like an actor with his given lines he would reply his mortal guest with the same words used on so many others before...
And Oliver was getting sick of the script.

"I was never really a healthy child to begin with, with my allergy to sunlight and thus my lack of love for sport. I become more prone to the cold." he said gently curling fingers around Hayaki's own and bringing it to his lips for a chaste kiss . Barely a brush of lips across his knuckles, but he didn't want to startle the man into thinking he was up to no good.

"Please don't worry for me, I'm sure there are many others out there with a similar condition," A rub of a cool cheek against warm fingers before he releases them to fetch the teapot.
"Do make yourself at home, I'll just get the tea ready."

Away from Hayaki's eyes he palmed the hot porcelain in his hands, willing them to warm up a bit before he returned to the man's side. Uncaring of the near scalding sensation he took one last deep breath and brought it out with the tray.

"Anything else you'd like Master Hayaki?"

[hayaki]

Hayaki watched Oliver move across the room, still frowning a little. Something...

Something not right. The way he'd looked away. The tremble in his hand. Something hidden. But he smoothed away his frown; it wasn't for him to press at Oliver's secrets. Maybe, someday, Oliver would feel comfortable enough with him to tell the truth. Hayaki was willing to wait. Slipping off his backpack, he sat down, rubbing his finger in his eye.

"No thank you, Oliver. Just tea, please." he said softly, brushing his pants off before leaning on the table, his eyes moving to the clothes that Oliver had been working on before he came in. "So...did you get a chance to think about what you're making for me?" he asked, trying to lighten the mood back up again.

"I brought my sketch book." He added after a second, smiling again. "And my pencils...and I did some random sketching around the town. Londen is so beautiful..." he sighed, leaning on his hand.

[oliver]

He could sense it, the shift of suspicion that felt like the changing of autumn breezes to winter winds. The tailor grit his teeth a little and just pleaded to anyone who watched over insane vampires trying to earn a living...
Please, just let me have this for a little while longer.
A small inward sigh and he sets down the tray on the work table.
Let me have this one illusion of serenity and contentment before it leaves me.

Just like everything else had...
His parents, his sire, Adrian, his life. All gone because of what he was and what he had become, and this was he cruelest punishment of his immortal curse. One by one like melting candles, the ones he loved or learned to love slowly faded away. And just the thought that this bright young man would one day leave him for a world of dark earth six feet under was enough to make a vampire cringe in anxiety.

"So...did you get a chance to think about what you're making for me?"

Bless that dear heart.
Oliver felt himself feeling better already, the heavy burden of paranoia lifted from his shoulders ,allowing him to breathe. Popping himself next to the work table, he grinned at his human companion and wagged a finger in a faux chiding manner, "Now ,now good sir, all will be revealed in due time, I won't even be telling you what I have i mind for you..." allowing himself a little smirk of satisfaction, Oliver winked, "All you do have to know is that I have already decided on what I am making for you, and it is already underway. You'll just have to be patient."

A fond smile stretches over his face when he sees Hayaki's tools of the trade and nods approvingly, "Yes, London will always have her charm. That regal air and age old glamor... No place like London really."

The tailor walks around the large oak work table, his hand trailing lightly over the wooden surface as he glanced at his charge from over his shoulder, "So, how do you want me Master Hayaki?"

[hayaki]

Haya laughed gently at Oliver's teasing about what he was making; he'd expected it, but it was still funny. Silly man. He shook his head, his eyes dancing. "I think..."

"So, how do you want me Master Hayaki?"

WHUH...

Hayaki found himself not breathing for just a moment. Oh, my...god. He flicked his tongue over his lips, mentally chanting. That was...with that look, and the smile...Oliver...

He coughed a little nervously, wondering if Oliver had done that on purpose, or just...well...he was blushing suddenly, mental images and naughty thoughts nearly getting out of hand. So wrong. So bad. Bad Haya. Bad, bad, bad Haya...

"Uhm." He grabbed his sketchbook, biting his lip. "I..." Damn it. Pull it together. He laughed, rubbing his face with his finger. "H...however you want." he managed, blushing harder. Damn, that sounded just as bad. Was it just his stupid brain? Taking everything out of context? Or...

He stood, his lips curling up in a shy smile. "However it feels right." he clarified.

Oh, that didn't sound any better.

Completely flustered, he dropped his notebook and bent to pick it up, taking the opportunity to rub his face. Calm...down. Calm...calm....

[oliver]

The sudden wave of pheromones hit him like a ten ton feather, nearly bowling him over despite the fact that it was merely scent. Nostrils flared and pupils dilated in sympathetic response to what the human was emitting like smoke signals. The tailor barely suppressed a shudder as he settled into his seat at the work bench, keeping his palms firmly pressed onto the sturdy wood as if seeking its strength.

"H...however you want."

"O-of course."

"However it feels right."

"Of course."

This time he actually manages not to stutter at all, his own smile warm and reassuring, a way to show that while he wasn't planning on rushing things at full steam ahead, he was receptive to both the attention and attraction. His head bowed slightly, as always humbled that he was the recipient of this man's current interest.

"I'll just work here and let you do what you need to yes?" he pretends not to notice Hayaki's embarrassment and takes out a roll of cream-coloured satin ,letting the almost liquid-like material slither from his fingers and down onto the table where a measuring tape awaited.
At first he is nervous, unsure about whether he was offering the man his good side or whether his current position was too dull or ordinary a pose. But after a while ,as he eventually gets drawn into his work, the awkwardness is lost and he relaxes enough to just perform his duties in front of another person. Chalk to mark the fabric, dotting a line all the way from one end of the cloth to the other without the aid of a ruler, careful not to fold or crease while he worked.

Only after he was satisfied with the measurements did he look up momentarily from the table to where Hayaki was seated.

"Is the lighting sufficient Master Hayaki? I'd be lost in despair if I find your eyesight damaged."

And such lovely eyes they were too.

[hayaki]

Hayaki got settled, flipping the notebook open and smiling at Oliver. God, he was so... he sighed and started sketching, getting lost in the form, the movement...the shape of Oliver's face, the graceful hands. He shifted a few times, his eyes lingering on Oliver. What a great idea...now he got to stare as much as he wanted to. The thought brought a blush to his cheeks, but a small smile curved his lips.

He flipped the page quite a few times, sometimes getting whole-body sketches, sometimes focusing on certain things. The way his hair fell over his ear. The way his back was positioned just so. Such a beautiful man, so graceful as he worked. Even when he was deep in thought, he seemed to move with an odd grace.

When Oliver spoke, he looked up, dragging his mind from the sketching. Oliver's words made him blush and he wrinkled his nose, his eyes dancing with laughter. "It's fine." he said softly, flipping the page again. "I actually need a break...you want to see what I've gotten?"

He stood, running his hands through his hair, and moved to sit closer to Oliver, glancing at the lovely satin. Giving Oliver a quick, sideways smile, he reached out, gently running his finger across the smooth surface. So soft to the touch. But it wasn't as nice as Oliver's skin.

[oliver]

"It's fine. I actually need a break...you want to see what I've gotten?"

An excited grin and he nods, keeping enthusiasm levels as discreet as possible, even if the glint in his eyes wasn't from just the lamp light alone.

"I'd be honored good sir."

Shifting aside to give Hayaki some room, Oliver was treated to having him settled close enough to feel the warmth of his body heat, to hear the thump of his heart creating comfortable rhythms and patterns he could easily lose himself in. Like floating listlessly on the waves of ebbing tides...
But he couldn't go losing himself here, at least not just yet. He had a human to see to and he planned to be as attentive as possible while he was able to spend these few waking moments with him.

Dark eyes widened at what was revealed on the notebook paper, his bottom lip dropping slightly in awe.
"W-why... t-that's me," he whispered, pointing at the etched figure, "They are all... me."

Each pose, each minor movement he had made within the few moments that he''d been busy, captured perfectly with just a few simple strokes or sketchy renderings that imitated movement. It was like he was seeing himself through the eyes of another, and he never realised that anyone could make him look so fluid and alive. And his face...
Fingertips hovered just above the drawing, not wanting to smudge or ruin the piece, just wanting to sort of feel it without touching.
Oliver was by no means vain, but he did hold a certain amount of pride in his appearance. But what he saw in the mirror and what he saw now, were almost completely different , yet not. As if the mortal man had taken his very essence and created something better.

"I-Is this, how you see me?" his voice was still soft, tempered by wonderment, "Oh Master Hayaki it's so... it looks... Beautiful."

[hayaki]

Hayaki watched him looking at the sketches, a smile still curving the edges of his lips. He was normally shy about letting people see his drawings, but he wanted Oliver to see them. He wanted to see his reaction.

Oliver's words made the smile grow; reaching out, he took Oliver's hand in his, drawing it to his lips. "You are beautiful." he said softly, simply, kissing the cool fingers gently. "You are beautiful to me."

He blushed, but still the smile lingered, sweet and shy. He knew that he was rushing into this, but...it felt so right. Everything just felt so...right when he was with Oliver. He knew it was hopeless; he was captivated by Oliver, somehow.

He raised his eyes to meet Oliver's, bringing his hand to his chest. "I only draw what I see."

[oliver]

Olive was many things, but least of all a narcissist.
But he just couldn't stop looking at all the little 'Olivers' ,flat on paper.
Eyes that were riveted to the drawings of himself soon found themselves captivated by something even better... That of the young man's eyes, and the sight of his pale hand being cradled by another, as if it were something precious...
As if Oliver was something precious.

"You are beautiful. You are beautiful to me."

A sharp intake of breath at those words. So simple and plainly stated, without the flowery overtones so often used these days until poetry became cliche. And if Oliver still had a heart that could beat, well, this one single mortal man had just managed to make it skip a beat. Gentlemanly and oh so chivalrous in the way his hand was kissed, burning an invisible imprint into the skin... Or maybe there was a mark, faintly pinked and lip-shaped.
Sweet markings carved into tree bark.

"I only draw what I see."

"D-do you now."
The tailor takes his time to search the man's face, not sure what it was that he sought in the first place, but he did indeed like what he saw anyway. The flush of blood across his face, blush-kissed and of so alluring in a way that delighted the vampire. The captive hand stretches out to feel the beating pulse beneath, the warmth he offered and Oliver smiled, head tilted.

"I wish I could see what you see... To have your vision would be like seeing everything in new light." he mused aloud, "You have so much verve and life and..."

A deep breath to slow himself down before his speech turned into brainless babble.

"I wonder if your were created with the intention of being this ,enchanting."

[hayaki]

Hayaki ducked his head, blushing harder, and peeked up at Oliver through his bangs. "I'm not." he protested softly, that pleased,embarassed smile lingering on his lips. "Thank you."

He sighed, then released Oliver's hand reluctantly, his fingers lingering as long as possible on his skin. "I'm going to paint you." he said quietly. "I can already see it; when it's done, I'll bring it for you." He smiled again. "Perhaps we can exchange then-your painting for my garment?" he teased.

He tipped his head to the side and nibbled on his lip, his gaze falling to the notebook again. "I told you I'd paint the sun." he said softly. "To make you warm again..." he looked back up at Oliver, his expression growing faintly sad, almost hopeful-as if he was seeking permission, or approval.

[oliver]

"Nothing to thank me for, you draw what you see, I say what I feel."

In a way it was true, while Oliver may not be horribly blunt in his ways of conversing with many individuals , but he prided himself on not colouring the truth when it came to matters concerning personal opinions. In his line of work his job was to flatter the figure of another by the use of materials and cut, not by spewing false phrases that ended in results that neither he nor his client were satisfied with.

He wasn't just flattering Hayaki either.

"I'm going to paint you. I can already see it; when it's done, I'll bring it for you."

Oliver ducked his chin and smiled in return, flattered beyond anything for knowing that he was to be the object for Hayaki's latest project.

"Perhaps we can exchange then-your painting for my garment?"

His shy smile curled up at the edges, a hint of a smirk dancing gleeful sparks in his eyes, "That, Master Hayaki, I can promise you." Oliver allowed a hint of pride to seep into his voice as he spoke, "I guarantee you perfection and nothing less."
The vampire watched in curious fascination as the mortal cocked his head to the side, and Oliver in turn did the same, watching pearly whites worry a plush bottom lip.

"I told you I'd paint the sun. To make you warm again..."

The uncertainty had returned in anxious eyes, and he certainly couldn't have that. Beaming at the nervous young man, oliver reached out and let his thumb run over the slightly swollen lip, "Don't abuse it so," he said softly, "You wouldn't want to scar such a mouth..."
Once he was sure that the man would no longer chew it any further, the slightly callused thumb swiped gently at the tip of a gentle-sloped chin, almost feminine in its shape and yet not overly so. Hayaki had somehow struck a good balance between both ends of the spectrum, and he wasn't even trying.

"You know sometimes, it feels like forever since I last felt warm. I tend to forget, and soon enough, don't think about it at all. And I'm certain that what I see on the television screen cannot compare to the real thing..." soft wistful sigh and he lets his hand fall away, "And you with your fresh perspective ,will be able to capture that sunbeam for me... I cannot wait."

Much to the tailor's amusement (secret of course) ,he felt for all the world like he was being courted.

[hayaki]

Hayaki's breath stilled as Oliver's finger moved over his lip; he smiled against the finger, then felt it move to his chin. Anything he would have said in that moment got lost; he just watched Oliver, smiling.

Oliver's soft, wistful words made him sigh. "I can't imagine." he said softly back, "Never seeing the sun again." He looked sad, trying to think about how that would be. He loved dawn; he loved to watch the sun rise above the horizon. To never see it again...it would be like going blind, in a way. He shuddered, pushing the thought from his mind, and picked up his neglected tea, cupping his hands around it as if to draw warmth from the liquid.

"Oliver..." he said slowly, looking down at the murky brown surface. "I need to change hotels. The one I'm in is very expensive." he sighed. "The best thing would be if I could find a little place to rent...a little apartment. Then I could paint without worrying if the maids are going to come in while I'm gone and mess it up." He grinned crookedly; one of the maids had surprised him this morning. He was getting tired of strangers prancing around his hotel room.