((I wanted an art school au. So I made an art school au. For @saiyuki-69mins prompt for week 14, school vs work. These two are absolutely capable of a Pure and Wholesome friendship ok. I absolutely stand by that. They help each other out, ok. I didn’t proofread this and I’m falling asleep but I did the thing.))
------------------------
“Genjo, I need you to do me a favor.” Jyoan’s words come as a surprise, startling him enough that he turns without thinking, cocking a brow in confusion.
“With what?”
“I need you to model for me. Someone canceled last minute and this presentation is today.”
There’s a note of genuine distress in his roommate’s voice, and Genjo knows the plea hadn’t come without him exhausting every other available option. They aren’t in the same field, and Genjo doesn’t model.
“You sure it’s okay?”
“Yes, I called my teacher. The clothes should fit you, and I’ll tell you exactly what to do. I just need a live model who can pull off the look right.” Jyoan’s eyes meet his, and there is enough desperation there that he can’t stop himself, despite his misgivings.
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
To Jyoan’s credit, in his element he directs well; the perfectionist in him giving him an eye for detail. And yet, Genjo never feels uncomfortable with what he is told to do, though it’s certainly not his forte.
The class never seems to catch on, and he hears several of them mutter amongst themselves trying to find out when he’s booking. Genjo ignores them, because there’s only one person who can talk him into this shit. Jyoan tells him to keep the clothes when the project is graded and done - a perfect score - and hands them off to Genjo like it’s nothing. Genjo doesn’t miss the slight pride in his eyes on their next trip to the bar when he just so happens to find Jyoan’s design in his closet.
The clothes are comfortable, he says, and he leaves it at that.
----
“Jyoan, I need you to model for me.”
Weeks later find Genjo at Jyoan’s door, the same tone of pleading in his voice. When Jyoan turns to look at him, he sees his own confusion mirrored in delicate features.
“You do? Why?”
“Figure painting. None of the models are available until after it’s due. It has to be live.”
The concern in Jyoan’s voice is genuine, brows knitting together in uncertainty.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. It’ll be fine. You just have to pose long enough for me to get the sketch down. I’ll direct you where I need.” He doesn’t miss the pleading in his own voice, and neither does Jyoan. The verbal confimation almost isn’t necessary, the look on his face saying more than enough.
“I’ll do it.”
Jyoan barely needs any direction, and he stays impressively still for as long as Sanzo needs, despite the pose. With the light falling just so, the fabrics draped just right, and hair falling just so, the lines of his body make an elegant, delicate picture. Neither the professor nor the class can find anything to say, and it’s Genjo’s highest grade to date. They all praise the subject, and the remarkable way Genjo captured the look in his eyes. He doesn’t tell them his roommate is a predictable man.
When Genjo brings it home, Jyoan insists on hanging it on the living room wall, to celebrate, he says. He looks back every now and then, the same look of wonder crossing his features. Like he’s never realized what he is capable of.
He says art beautifies a space, and Genjo doesn’t argue.
----
They make a good partnership between the two of them. They work together well, and somehow manage to draw out the strengths of their programs, in their own ways. Genjo has an eye for design, even though he won’t admit it, and Jyoan knows color even better than Genjo. And if they both happen to model a lot in the process, it’s an added bonus.
Their professors learn not to comment on the sudden increase in designs and paintings with the same subject matter. After all, they’re roommates.
On August 19th, Freshlive will host a livestream of the Saiyuki Ibun event that will take place at Shinjuku Loft! Tamura Shin (Houmei), Onuma Shota (Toudai), Fukazawa Taiga (Genkai), Futaba Yuu (Jyoan) and Tsukioka Hirokadu (Ganpuku) will appear as guests.
For the @saiyuki-69mins first week challenge: Past vs Present
Jyoan-centric, introspective, angst. Rating G
(Yeah, I can’t help myself. Jyoan is my patronus. Literally, given the title. This little introspective piece was inspired by the little we know of his backround, so before reading this I suggest you go check this page out. This was written in under 60 minutes but with a little extra for spell-check and a bit of editing, please keep in mind I’m EFL so~ also not betae’d, so I’m praying there will be no major mistakes. Ok I think I said enough, hope yo enjoy~)
Growing up he often felt like a caterpillar, crawling through the rubble and dirt of a devastated land. With reddish eyes, pale skin, and a body too weak to stand up, too fragile to fight, crushed under the weight of hunger, war and violence. Helpless, neglected, ill-treated and deprived of his childhood, he soon realized the only way to survive was by defending all he had left, which was himself. His weak, underdeveloped insect body. He slowly built a shell around it, to protect himself from the ugliness of this world. An armor thick and coarse enough to push everyone away, not allowing anything to reach the inner, most vulnerable part of himself. His caterpillar's heart. He lived like this for so long, feeling safe inside his cocoon of grief and fears. But as the years started to go by, the chrysalis began to disintegrate, allowing the world to see what has been growing inside of it. By taking the time to heal it and nurturing it, the once gaunt exterior now looks beautiful and bright; a dazzling butterfly comes out of it, colorful and showy, fluttering around with grace and catching everyone's attention. The more eyes on him, the more he shines. His vibrant, multicolored wings have become his second armor, as an extension of the shell that once enveloped the same fragile, brittle body he still carries, ready to shatter at any given moment.
Don’t look at me Jae @nighttimefjaeril ,I WAS CARRIED AWAY WITH THIS SETTING. Have been wanting to do train interior but idk then your message came asdfghjkl RIP Gio goodbyeeeEEEE
With dad inside everyone looks so tiny.
-
<not accepting complaint about small runt hanging in background>