Photography Project [Sheriarty]

Photography Project: Part A, finding a model

© 2014. All Rights Reserved by weirdpurplepanda

—

Jim felt like someone had mercilessly plunged a hand through his chest and wrapped their fingers tight around his heart before ripping it from his body, allowing it to fall to the floor with a sloppily plop before brutally stomping on it three rapid times to ensure they've destroyed him.

Sherlock Holmes was going to be the death of him.

The boy was two years older than him, in year 13 at his school's sixth form. And he was absolutely gorgeous. Drop dead sexy, if Jim was being honest. So beautiful in fact that Jim wanted him to be his model for his photography project that was worth 70% of his final Photography grade (30% was the exam).

Now, that gorgeous boy was walking away from Jim for the fifth time this week.

Each time Jim asked him to be the model, he said no.

"You're too beautiful to say no! You belong in front of my camera, Sherlock!" Jim calls, attracting the attention of most of the students that passed by.

Without turning around, Sherlock raises his arm and turns his hand to give Jim the finger.

Jim huffs. "Well," he says to himself "he doesn't have to be polite to be beautiful"

Jim checks the time and decides he can spare the time today to follow Sherlock and pester him. He was very aware that he was practically stalking the boy and harassing him but Jim wasn't going to use anyone else for this project. He wanted Sherlock. No one else.

With a grin, Jim takes off after Sherlock. He easily catches up and when he settles into a walk beside the older boy, Sherlock groans.

"Are you following me home now?"

"Yes" Jim smiles, tugging his school jumper down.

Being in sixth form, Sherlock didn't have to wear uniform. Today, he wore formal trousers and shoes with a smart white cotton shirt. He had the top two buttons undone and Jim very much wanted to remove his camera from the bag over his shoulder and snap a few pictures of him.

"I'm not being your model" Sherlock says, eyes forward.

"You're too beautiful to say no!"

Sherlock holds up two fingers. "You've said that twice"

"It's true. I'll say it a hundred times" Jim replies, shoving Sherlock's hand away from him.

"Look, as adorable as this crush you have on me is —"

"What?!" Jim asks/shouts, unable to contain his laughter. "Y-you think I have a crush on you?! Oh my God. That's hilarious"

Jim realises a moment too late that his reaction wasn't helping his cause. Sherlock looks at him with accusing, narrowed eyes (almost hurt...)

Jim felt like Sherlock was ripping his heart out again. His eyes could be so cruel... As could his tongue. Sherlock was rude and mean but Jim wanted him in his pictures.

"I, uh, sorry" Jim mumbles. "But I'm not crushing on you. I just want you in my pictures. You're gorgeous"

They stop walking. Sherlock first and then Jim. They look at each other for a long time and Sherlock raises an eyebrow, as if trying to figure Jim out.

"You're not doing this because you fancy me?"

Jim shakes his head. "No. I'm doing this because you are insanely gorgeous and I want to take hundreds of pictures of you for my coursework"

"What's the gain for you?"

"Well, hopefully, a decent grade"

Sherlock nods. "And what would I gain from this?"

"You'd be told how beautiful you are every day and will probably get a huge confidence boost. You'll feel better in your skin" Jim tells him. "Happens all the time when the photographer seeks out the model - not that youneed to be given a bigger head"

Sherlock chuckles, mouth spreading into a smile. Jim's breath escapes him.

He had to get a picture of Sherlock laughing like that. Genuine, relaxed, calm. Beautiful.

When Sherlock stops laughing, he doesn't say anything. He looks at Jim, and Jim can tell he's deciding. This feel like a make or break moment. If Sherlock said no now, it's possible there's no chance of convincing him.

"You're too beautiful to say no..." Jim says with a cheeky smile.

Sherlock grins, making Jim itch to pull his camera out again. "Three times"

"Is that a yes...?"

"How long does the project last and what kind of photos would you be taking?" Sherlock raises an eyebrow.

A rush of excitement passed through Jim and be starts bouncing on the balls of his feet. Sherlock is considering it!

"The deadline is exactly four months away. As for the pictures, I'm setting up ten themes minimum. Naturally, I'd discuss them with you in depth and if you're not comfortable with a theme, you can say no. Clothes stay on, if that's what you're asking. There may be a few shots were you have your shirt off so your shoulders are bare, giving the illusion of being bare and vulnerable" Jim speaks in an over excited rush, smiling getting bigger and bigger.

Sherlock nods. "Okay. When do you need me for the first shoots?"

"There's a bit of written work to do - specifications and a few busy pages for themes. So maybe we can talk at the end of this week about the themes and then get to work straight after?"

Nodding again, Sherlock reaches into his backpack and produces a pen. He takes Jim's hand and begins writing on the back of it. "I'm giving you my number. Text me when you need me to discuss these themes"

"Thank you, Sherlock. This means a lot"

Sherlock looks up at Jim through his lashes, head still tilted down as he scribbled on Jim's hand. Jim's breath caught again. God, that was a beautiful angle.

Sherlock finishes and his eyes flicker down to read the number over before he drops Jim's hand and slides the pen back into his back.

"I hope this means you're not going to follow me home"

Jim laughs and shakes his head. "Nope. No need, now"

"Okay. Well, goodbye Jim"

Sherlock starts to walk away.

"Bye! - Wait!" Jim gasps "How do you feel about sleepovers?!"

Sherlock looks over his shoulder at Jim, with a frown. "Aren't they for thirteen year old girls?"

"I'm offended! I love sleepovers!" Jim giggles.

"Of course you do" Sherlock answers with an eyeroll.

"Hey! Stop being mean! Anyway, I'm asking because it might be a good plan if you come to my house Saturday and stay the night. That way we work all through the weekend" Jim grins at this brilliant idea of his.

With a raised eyebrow, Sherlock asks "And you just assume I'm free?"

"Oh. D'ya have a girlfriend to keep happy or something?" Jim slumps, question ending up being half mumbled.

He could see why Sherlock had assumed he fancied him.

"Girlfriends... aren't really my area"

"Oh? Oh! A boyfriend, then?"

Sherlock shakes his head. "No boyfriend"

"So you're free?"

"...Yes"

"So, is that a yes to the sleepover?" Jim asks, hopeful.

Sherlock pauses before nodding. "Fine"

This time, watching Sherlock walk away isn't heart breaking at all.