Portraits (Nick Clark x Artist! Reader) (FTWD)

"You know, I never expected my occupation to be scrounging for supplies and fighting off the undead." I let out a huff as I shoved the canned goods into my bag. A small laugh escaped Nick's lips. The floor of the abandoned building creaked as he approached me, earning my full attention. I stared at him curiously as he eyed me back questioningly.

It hadn't been too long since I met Nick. He and his family showed up at my family's farm a couple months ago, so I still had many things to learn about them. Nick didn't seem like the average guy. I wasn't quite sure if that was a good thing or not. He did make supply runs less boring, that's for sure. It was nice having backup for once.

"A picture will last longer, you know," Nick joked. I shook my head, pulling myself from my daze.

"Well, I don't have a camera." I shot him a quick smile, then my expression morphed into a more serious one. I tilted my head to the side a bit, propping myself against the wall. "What'd you do before all of this?" I paused, crossing my arms and staring curiously. "Any hobbies? Dreams?"

"I, uh, was an addict. Does that count?" He paused for a few seconds. "Never thought the apocalypse would be the thing to get me clean though."

"Never say never," I smirked, clasping my hands together. "Come on, you have to enjoy something."

"I can't think of anything," Nick shrugged his shoulders. "What about you? What did you like to do, ___?"

My face fell at Nick's words. Honestly, looking back I felt like I had wasted so much time. I had a passion for art. I worked so hard bettering myself and practicing. I fully intended to have a career centered around my talent once the time came, but it didn't. I haven't picked up a pencil since the world fell.

"I- um," I paused for a moment, fiddling with my fingers. "Nothing special." I sighed deeply.

"Come on, tell me," Nick pleaded, tugging on my sleeve like a child.

"Fine," I sighed once again. "I liked to draw a lot."

"Like cartoons?" Nick smiled slightly, seeming interested.

"Cartoons?" I let out a huff and smirked. "Portraits," I spoke, feeling confident. "Cartoons are child's play."

"I don't believe you," Nick smirked, crossing his arms. "Why don't you prove me wrong once we get back?"

"Don't worry, I will." I gave him a smug look before heading back to the car with my bag of supplies.

Once we were back at the farm, I plopped down onto the grass and got comfortable. Nick handed me a pencil and a clipboard with a piece of paper secured on it. I tapped the pencil on my head gently, not knowing what to draw.

"You said you draw portraits. Why don't you draw me?" Nick spoke, sitting down in front of me.

"Okay, but you have to be still for a while. I'm just going to do a sketch because I know you're not willing to stay still for too long."

I placed my pencil to the paper just before looking up at the boy, studying his features. He looked a bit uncomfortable as I silently stared him down. I laughed lightly before finally moving my pencil on the paper.

"What are you laughing at?" He questioned me. I kept my eyes on the paper and smiled as I continued to move my pencil.

"Nothing. Just be quiet." Nick let out a huff just before going totally silent. I continued to move my pencil, occasionally looking back up at him for reference.

I hadn't really focused on Nick in direct sunlight like this before. He really was quite adorable, especially when he got nervous. He was fun to draw too.

When I finally finished the piece, I dropped my pencil beside me and let out a sigh. I shot Nick a smile before getting up and pressing the clipboard to my chest. Nick got up too, eyeing me with excitement.

"Are you finished?" Nick asked. I nervously clung to the clipboard, having second thoughts about showing it to him. Even though I was fairly satisfied with my work, it had been so long since I had drawn or shown anyone my art.

"Um, yeah." I nervously handed the clipboard over to him.

I watched as his eyes widened as he intensely stared at my art. My face flushed as I became nervous about his reaction. Nick ran his finger across the portrait.

"Wow, ____! This is incredible. I would have never imagined you were such a talented artist."

"Thanks," I nervously fiddled with my fingers a bit. "Sorry if I took up too much of your time. I know this is time consuming and you probably could have been doing something more important."

"I would have just been wandering around the farm doing nothing. You saved me from that." Nick laughed lightly, smiling at me. "Besides, it was fun hanging out with you. I really do think your art is amazing too." Nick crossed his arms. "And maybe the artist can teach me a thing or two sometime. My drawing skills are nonexistent." My face lit up at his words. I hadn't felt this happy since before the world fell. I just couldn't contain my smile.

"Sure thing," I paused for a moment, clasping my hands together. "Thank you for helping me remember how much I love drawing. Even if I don't have a career centered around it, doing it in my free time makes me happy. I can't remember the last time I felt this happy." Nick was just about to say something when I leaned forward and pressed my lips to his cheek. Before he could react, I darted in the other direction towards the house. It was the best day I had had since the end of the world started.