the artist → muke

t h r e e

michael realized that he was a really big idiot when he still continued following the long-legged blond through the busy new york streets when he realized this: he never even talked to people.

michael had always avoided everyone, even his friends sometimes, because he was just that antisocial and overprotective of himself, and now here he was following an "artist" to his apartment or something.

luke was quick on his feet, and easily avoided bumping into people while michael kept getting slammed around by the thousands of people dotting the streets of new york. he was surprised when luke paused to wait for him before descending down the dirty steps into a subway station. michael followed behind him much easier in the basically empty stairwell. when they reached the bottom, they both pulled out their ticket passes, which were annual since who is going to pay each individual time they ride the subway?

when they passed through the turnstiles, luke smiled at him, and motioned for him to follow after him. michael was surprised that they didn't head for a subway going towards times square, or the art fucking district or something, but to the farthest corners of the city in brooklyn.

"i bet you thought that i lived in the art district," luke chuckled at michael's wide eyes, and michael flushed.

"how'd you guess?"

"people have asked me before why i don't. then they see my place and they get it." luke shrugged, and michael didn't know what to say in response so he just nodded awkwardly.

the subway ride was long, and quiet, but it made michael feel at peace. the peace of the subway car as it sped through the tunnels.

when they finally reached their stop, luke tapped michael to get him to stand up, and they hurried off the car before it started moving again. luke gestured for michael to follow closely behind him, and led him down a block or two of streets before again down an alleyway.

at the end of the alleyway lay one of the most beautiful buildings that michael had ever seen. no, not in a modern way or in a clean way. in a beautifully old fashioned way. michael loved historical buildings. they were his strange addiction. michael loved the way that they held so much character in their layout and furnishings.

"your house is beautiful," michael spoke with his jaw dropped.

"it's not much. i like this area of town much better than the newer parts, and even though it's secluded, it's cozy. away from any trouble on the streets. no one comes down this alleyway." luke shrugged. "i'm glad you like the outside, and i hope you love the inside just as much. follow me."

luke pulled out a key ring from his pocket and first unlocked the black iron gate that was in front of the house, and led michael past his collection of flower pots, the beautiful shades of pink on the flowers making michael believe that this guy couldn't be that bad if he appreciated art, pretty flowers, and old fashioned buildings.

the door was a gorgeous wood piece, mahogany michael supposed. the windows, like most windows in new york, had the same black iron bars protecting them from intruders, but it worked with the house's aesthetic.

inside was so beautiful michael almost wanted to cry.

a humongous crystal chandelier hung in the entryway, a piece michael never would've expected from the old exterior, and the floors were a stain darker than the mahogany door, but still held the same timeless quality. michael could see a dining room and a living room from his position, that was how open the layout was.

"i haven't seen this much square footage since i visited my mom back home how in the world could you afford this place? it's a hidden gem!" michael exclaimed, spinning in a circle to take it all in again. michael felt giddy like a kid in a candy store, and luke found it surprisingly endearing.

"i'm an artist, michael. the money i do make isn't necessarily a small number." luke chuckled. "wanna see more?"

michael nodded excitedly, and luke chuckled.

"come on," luke replied, and he began to lead him through each room of the house like a real estate agent, which made michael laugh, and begin to warm up to luke even more. he never thought that the attractive blond would be as kind to him personality wise as he was kind to the eyes.

luke led him through the dining room, and michael stared in awe at the magnificent china cabinet that adorned the wall on the far side of the room. next came the living room, and then his art studio.

it was an odd room to say the least.

"this is where the magic happens," luke smiled, his arms opening wide as he entered the black room. literally, michael noted the dark grey cement floors and the walls were painted black. simple white shelves adorned the walls. some of the shelves held bottles of paint, cups filled with paint brushes, copic markers, pencils, and huge sketchbooks. the other shelves held forms that looked almost like voodoo dolls.

"luke, what are those?" michael asked. well he thought that luke was normal... maybe it's an artist thing?

"oh these?" luke asked, crossing the room and picking up one of the little dolls with a small smile on his face. the doll had a fucking needle sticking out of its eyes, and resembled a girl with hair that was two different colors on either side.

"yeah," michael said, his confusion only growing, and almost a feeling of regret along with it.

"i have a friend name halsey. she's an artist too, but instead of painting, she designs and makes dolls like these. she sends me some of them," luke chuckled. he spun the doll between his fingers, looking at it oddly. [a/n: spinoff series ?]

"oh," michael laughed. he was mentally laughing at himself for assuming luke was some kind of voodoo weirdo. "so when do you want to do the painting thing? today? tomorrow? next month? i can try to lose some weight before if that'd look better or whatever, and i'm basically always free since i have no friends and do nothing with my life so, uh, yeah."

if it were anyone else, luke would've done the sketch that day. he would've done it all.

but for some reason, he wasn't ready. not today with michael.

he wanted to plan it. he wanted to make it perfect.

"not today," luke sighed, and he looked next to him. michael was so close to him. luke wanted to touch his porcelain skin. luke noticed the blood rise to michael's cheeks in a soft blush as luke stared at him.

"when?" michael asked softly. luke didn't respond. "why are you staring at me?"

luke leaned forward and pressed his lips softly next to michael's mouth, pulling away from him slowly.

"tomorrow," he replied softly. "tomorrow."

and with that, michael left.

and luke?

he began to sketch and plan. he couldn't wait to paint michael.