slicings | ink written on your soul;

ink written on your soul;

[ dan feng will be arriving shortly, and yingxing can't help but to feel slightly nervous.

it's odd, for him, he's never nervous before his clients come in. he knows his worth, knows his own level of skill - he is one of the luofu's most sought after tattoo artists, most clients need to book well in advance, and yingxing is self-assured enough to never be anxious. but dan feng.. he's different. the moment he first laid eyes on the man, yingxing was entranced, and he knows for damned sure that he wants this tattoo to be up to his highest standards, to perfectly match the elegant, beautiful canvas he'll be applying it on.

they've only met in person once or twice now, to go over the design, most of their correspondence has been via email as yingxing worked on developing the piece, but to say he's got a stupid schoolboy crush would be an understatement. it's embarrassing, honestly, and unprofessional as well, so he's made sure to maintain the healthy boundary between them, even if the idea of seeing dan feng again is enough to get his heart fluttering against his ribs. ridiculous. he's well into his thirties, there's no reason to behave as if this man is his first crush, as if he's not a grown man with a job to do.

even still, once dan feng arrives it gets easier. something about the man simply puts yingxing at ease, calms his soul. he's just finishing sanitizing his station when dan feng appears in the doorway, and yingxing offers him a nod. ]

Come in. I'm ready for you.

[ he says, gesturing to the bench in front of him as he snaps on a pair of black nitrile gloves. ]

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[Even knowing what Yingxing likely means -- knowing he's talking about where he's laying -- it doesn't stop Dan Feng's heart from fluttering in his chest. Aeons but he needs to hold himself together. Especially since they would be here for quite a while.

Dan Feng hums quietly as he's reminded of what they'd discussed, eyes drifting closed as he takes a slow breath. He'd done a fair bit of his own research when it came to picking where his tattoo would be and what to expect... but in the end he wasn't all that worried.]

I will if I need to, but I should be fine.

[There's something about the hum of the machine that's rather grounding in this otherwise quiet space, and Dan Feng allows his focus to drift between the comforting hum and the touch of the artist's hands. Ever since the accident, there hadn't been much pain that could get to him... and he's rather certain that this will be no exception.

That isn't to say there's no pain of course. It's simply... manageable pain. Other than a brief furrow of his brow when Yingxing begins, Dan Feng remains quite relaxed.]

[ once he sets to work, it's quite easy for yingxing to get into the zone, to fall into the mindset necessary for his work. he is, after all, a professional, no matter how distractingly beautiful his client may be.

his hands work smoothly and with assured certainty, blocking in the linework in delicate arcs and loops, varying the weight of the lines to give them attractive, elegant shapes. slowly but surely the dragon begins to take form as yingxing concentrates, his own hair pinned back as well, to keep it from falling over his shoulders. the hum and buzz of the machine is relaxing, and soon enough he's fallen into his own focus, bringing the dragon to life on dan feng's skin.

dan feng who is, of course, an excellent canvas, barely moving at all, save to breathe. soon enough the linework is complete, and yingxing sits back, wiping away the gathered blood and applying another thin layer of ointment, eyeing his work with a critical eye. ]

All right, finished the linework. Still with me?

[ rolling his stool back, he peels off his gloves to lift the hand mirror again, so dan feng can take a look. ]

[Yingxing isn't the only one to consider the hum of the machine relaxing, and Dan Feng allows his focus to shift inward for a time. It would've been ideal to have been able to get this tattoo while his parents were alive.. but to get it instead in their memory would have to be enough.

Traditionally, this tattoo would be designed by the parents, always following certain specifications.. but with a little personalization unique to the individual. He'd not been able to participate in that tradition... but he'd worked with his grandmother to take design elements from the tattoos his parents had. He'd never get them back, but perhaps this way he could still feel connected.

Yingxing's voice is easily enough to draw him from his thoughts, seafoam eyes blinking open and adjusting to the light in the room again.]

Ah, yes. I was a little lost in thought, sorry about that.

[He shifts carefully when Yingxing lifts the hand mirror, eyes focusing on the progress made so far. The linework was extraordinarily beautiful, another thing particularly unique to his tattoo compared to those of his elders. Dan Feng doesn't notice when his expression warms and softens.]

It looks beautiful..

[His voice is gentle as he speaks, his smile coming through in those quietly appreciative words.]

[ it's been a long time since yingxing was last nervous about pleasing a client. call him arrogant, but he knows his work is good, knows it's worth the price, but this one feels more important somehow, and he's a little bit anxious about dan feng's reaction.

but that soft smile says it all. yingxing's mouth curves into a slanted smile. ]

.. glad you like it.

[ dan feng looks truly, honestly pleased, and that pleases yingxing in return. and ah, that smile.. he catches himself staring for a moment, enraptured by dan feng's delicate beauty, by the warmth in his smile. but soon he takes the mirror back again. ]

Do you need a break before we push in the color, or?

[Does he need a break... well, if it's just about his pain levels or how long he thinks he can remain still, then he's certainly fine with continuing now rather than waiting. At the same time though, if a break would be best for his healing process -- and especially best for Yingxing -- then he'd not mind a break.

In the end he turns just a bit to glance toward Yingxing.. and does his best to ignore the way his heart flutters. When he'd relaxed during the process, he thought that perhaps he'd pushed the odd feelings away.

Clearly not.]

Well, if the only factors are my pain tolerance and how long I can remain still, then I don't need a break... but if you think it would be best, I'm not against taking one.

[He shifts just a little, considering any stiffness he could feel. Dan Feng certainly doesn't feel any discomfort that people had mentioned being a thing during their tattoo appointments as well.]

I haven't made any plans for the rest of the day, so I'm fine to go along with whichever you recommend.

[Dan Feng wasn't sure if Yingxing had any appointments after his today, but he didn't want to take up too much of the man's time regardless. If the artist wanted to push through to the end and get this over with, then he would do it.]

[ yingxing shakes his head. ]

It's just for your comfort. If you're good to keep going, so am I.

[ yingxing has certainly gone for much longer sessions than this, he's mostly just thinking of dan feng's comfort levels. this is his first tattoo, and it's in a delicate place, so if he needed a breather, yingxing wanted to offer him the chance. ]

Color might heart a little more than the linework had, but I'm sure you'll manage.

[ he's been excellent so far, staying nice and still for him, so yingxing doesn't foresee any problems. gesturing for dan feng to lay on the bench again, he pulls on another pair of gloves, and gets the colored inks ready. ]

[Perhaps he's gotten too comfortable in Yingxing's presence, something he blames on the way his heart has been fluttery ever since they met, but Dan Feng finds himself speaking before he can convince himself otherwise.]

I've experienced far worse discomfort, this is no trouble..

[His voice quiets just a little as he speaks, gaze shifting away as he moves to settle back down on the bench. It was dangerous how comfortable he felt. Certainly Yingxing hadn't given him reasons to be wary... but he'd not signed up for information on Dan Feng's life, either.]

Regardless, I'll be fine.. nothing to worry about.

[Dan Feng takes a slow breath, one that he sighs out as he lets his eyes drift closed again. He would continue talking if Yingxing wished, but he didn't want to risk making anything strange between them...]

[ yingxing is more than a little surprised by dan feng's candor, but he makes no comment on it, even if the idea of this man suffering in any way is upsetting. he doesn't know dan feng well, doesn't even know him somewhat well, but it's easy to see that he's a gentle, kind person. people like him shouldn't be made to suffer.

back to work, yingxing begins packing in the color, beautiful gradients of teals and blues, seafoam green and sparkling white, with just a dash of deep red around the dragon's eye. ]

You're pretty tough.

[ he murmurs after a moment, though he's still deep in concentration, pushing the needles along delicate skin as he applies the color in waves. it'll burn a bit more than the linework had, since he has to pass over the skin multiple times to saturate the color properly, but dan feng is a good canvas, and doesn't move. every minute or so he wipes the fresh tattoo to check the state of the color, before going in again, working carefully, methodically, but still quickly, so as not to have dan feng under the gun any longer than he needs to be. ]

Almost done.

[It's something of a blessing that he doesn't have to speak up much once the process has resumed, even if he did find an odd sort of ease in Yingxing's presence. They weren't friends -- they were barely acquaintances at this point. The artist didn't need to hear anything more than would be appropriate from a client, surely...

The color definitely hurts more than the linework, but once again the only way Dan Feng reacts is by furrowing his brow. Perhaps just a little more than the first time, but he remains just as still.]

Mm, sometimes people have to be.

[He murmurs carefully in response, certain not to move anywhere near enough to disturb Yingxing's work. As far as he was concerned, anyone could be tough if they needed to be. Dan Feng hadn't been, when he was a child.. but it was something that came to him with life experience... even if what happened shouldn't be called 'life experience'.

It doesn't feel like all that much time has passed before he hears Yingxing mentioning he's almost finished.]

Mm-hmm..

[Dan Feng breathes his acknowledgement, but otherwise keeps himself completely still. They would have time to talk once the artist was finished with the tattoo.. if Yingxing wished to speak any more, of course. He couldn't be certain if he would.

... why did he not like how that thought felt...?]

[ sometimes people have to be, indeed. yingxing certainly knows that much.

but he'll make no further comment. dan feng doesn't need to hear about his life, and honestly, yingxing isn't keen on talking about it, anyway, doesn't need anyone knowing what a failure of a man, a failure of a son he has been. but it roils in the back of his mind now, anyway, as he wonders just what it is that has made dan feng commit to this line of thinking. perhaps it has something to do with the importance of this tattoo.

he can't say. all he can do is keep working, his strong, nimble fingers moving over dan feng's skin as he adds the finishing touches, the translucent water winding around the dragon in smooth, elegant arcs and bursts of soft sea foam, splashed in like watercolor. the dragon dances with the sea.

with a soft hum, yingxing sits back again, giving the tattoo one final wipedown and looking over his work with a critical eye, to be sure that he hasn't missed anything, that it looks absolutely perfect. only once he's completely satisfied does he turn off the machine and set the gun down, before carefully wiping away the remaining droplets of clinging blood, and applying a thin coat of moisturizing antiseptic ointment. ]

.. all right. Ready to see it?

[ with a smile, he gestures to the mirror again. ]

[Similarly, Dan Feng isn't certain just how keen he is on the idea of sharing more than he already has. There's a lot of pain that still haunts him, a lot of regret.. a lot of wishing things had turned out differently.

His survivor's guilt still gripped him more often than he'd care to admit... and he still felt useless to this day that he hadn't been able to heal his parents. It didn't matter to him that he'd nearly died alongside them, just that he'd failed.

... but none of that mattered right now. What mattered was not making Yingxing uncomfortable.

Dan Feng doesn't open his eyes until he hears the hum of the machine fade away, his luminous eyes once again adjusting to the room around him as he remains still. There was an ache of course, he expected it could take time to fade, and it's easily something he can tolerate.]

Oh absolutely.

[His voice is still a soft murmur as he pushes himself upright, long hair still pulled forward over his shoulder as he settles in to look at the tattoo in the mirror provided.

At first, he is completely speechless, a gentle sort of awe in his expression as his keen eyes slowly take in every single minute detail. He has to swallow down the swell of his emotions, expression softening further.]

It's perfect.. I... thank you.

Yeah?

[ while dan feng looks over the tattoo, yingxing begins to clean up, tossing his gloves into the garbage bin, along with the bloodied paper towels and other things that need to be discarded. but it isn't long before he looks back to his client, seeing that warm, soft smile that makes his chest tighten.

yingxing is pleased. he likes happy customers. ]

I'm glad you like it. It suits you.

[ the colors go well with dan feng's overall look, and of course it hasn't escaped him that this young man is vidyadhara, carrying the blood of long. of course a dragon would be perfect for him, well suited to his scales. resting his elbows on his knees, yingxing smiles, looking over his work again, though it's really just an excuse to look at dan feng. ]

I'm going to wrap it up to protect it, but take the cellophane off once you're home. No soaking, no long showers, keep it out of the sun, and keep it moisturized. Ointment is your new best friend. [ he reaches to open a drawer at his workstation, pulling out a care sheet to hand over. ] It's going to itch like hell, but absolutely no picking or scratching.

[Dan Feng doesn't quite notice the way Yingxing is looking at him, his gaze still taking in every single detail. It wouldn't be something he would be able to simply look at whenever the mood arose after all, though he was sure he would admire it frequently enough.

Of course, just because his eyes are so focused doesn't mean he doesn't hear every word Yingxing says to him. It was largely things he'd read about during his research... and while it wasn't especially pleasant to not be able to soak even in a long shower, it would be worth it.

He's finally able to tear his gaze away from the tattoo when the care sheet is handed to him, his bright eyes looking over every instruction.]

I should be able to get what you recommend on this on my way home.

[As for how much it would itch... if he'd managed to get through bandages over itching, aching wounds, this would be simple enough surely. After a moment he chuckles softly, eyes lifting to meet Yingxing's.]

I promise you that I'll follow your instructions to the letter.

Good. Don't put that beautiful piece of art in peril, all right? Take good care of it.

[ everything he'll need to know is on the sheet, at least. how to keep it clean, how often to wash it, and with what, and the absolutely enormous importance of keeping it well moisturized. at the very least, vidyadhara are fast healers, from what he knows, so dan feng shouldn't have to baby it for long. ]

And keep it clean.

[ an easy smile, and yingxing winks, then draws back to begin seeing to his things again. his station and tools will need to be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, of course, and that'll take a little bit of time. ]

I'll send the invoice up front for you. Oh - and if you post pictures of it anywhere, tag me, yeah?

[ it's free publicity, after all. as well as an easy way to talk to dan feng again. but he's trying not to think about that. ]

Oh I wouldn't dream of risking it, I assure you.

[Dan Feng is careful with the way he moves when he tugs his jacket back on -- only once the cellophane is in place of course -- testing what moving around would feel like while the tattoo healed. All things considered it's certainly not as bad as people complained it was.

He takes a moment to stretch his legs a little when he pushes himself to his feet finally after the entire appointment spent on his side, brushing his hair back over his shoulder finally when Yingxing speaks again. Dan Feng chuckles softly, the sound light and warm.]

Once it's healed, I do plan to post pictures.. I'll certainly tag you.

[Up front though.. well that was it, he supposed. It felt... strange that they wouldn't be communicating back and forth as they had been. But that was the nature of business.]

I'll be coming back here for my next tattoo, as well.. so thank you again.

[He lingers in the doorway a moment longer, but this is surely goodbye for a while. One last smile.. then he makes his way to the front to settle the invoice and make his way to the store.]

[ coming here for his next tattoo, huh.. yingxing hopes that's the truth, and not just a kindness in passing, though he knows full well that he shouldn't be too hopeful. dan feng is beautiful, but like as not he's barely even into his twenties, while yingxing is pushing forty. not only is it inappropriate in the workspace, he probably shouldn't be chasing college tail, right? right. so he puts it out of his mind as best as he can.

even if he can't stop thinking about dan feng - about his smooth voice and his cool skin, his eyes that yingxing could find himself falling into with ease, and all of that gorgeous dark hair. it's an infatuation, he thinks, that's all - soon enough it'll pass.

except he finds himself laying eyes on dan feng even sooner than expected. as an artist, yingxing is always keeping his skills honed, which means plenty of private study, yes, but also picking up courses here and there, as well as teaching a few himself. so when the local university calls him in to host a guest studio event, he accepts.

he enjoys it here in the studio, the large warehouse windows let in plenty of beautiful light, and the scent of paper and paints; it takes him back to his own school days, first learning to craft and paint, to bring beautiful things to life with his own two hands. he's instructed at these events multiple times, so he recognizes many student faces, just as they recognize him, and yingxing chats with them as he waits for the model to arrive, before taking his place at the front of the class, arranging his newsprint pad on the easel, and arranging his charcoal sticks. ]

[Dan Feng has never before had difficulty putting someone out of his mind... and yet ever since the day he received his tattoo, Yingxing has been on his mind in one way or another. At first he was certain that it was because he had the care of his tattoo on his mind -- because of how often he would find himself looking at it when he was at home.

But even weeks later he finds himself opening his phone to look at the photo Jingliu had helped him take of the tattoo to share -- to tag Yingxing as he'd promised once it was healed. Dan Feng even finds himself occasionally remembering the touch of the artist's hands on his skin... and subsequently considering getting a second tattoo sooner rather than later.

... but that's problematic. The man needs to be comfortable at his workplace. He certainly doesn't need someone possibly making him uncomfortable... yet Dan Feng can really think of nobody better for the job.

The artist is still on his mind on the occasions when he allows it to wander by the time he'd promised to be the model for a one day specialty course at his university. It wasn't the first time, but it was the first time he was told there would be a guest lecturer that day.

... he didn't expect that the guest would be the man who's been on his mind all this time.

Dan Feng doesn't know who it is until he makes his way into the room from a side office -- one that connected to the classroom next door so he would be able to change into the robe he would be wearing for this class. Really, he doesn't even know who the guest is until he makes his way into the room.

It's absolutely silly the way his heart skips and tumbles in his chest as he makes his way to the seat where he'll be posed... but he manages to give Yingxing what he hopes is a fairly normal smile.]

I didn't realize I'd be seeing you sooner than I expected to.

[That he expected to see him.. well, he'd decided that no other artist would do for his next tattoo. So he would have seen the man again eventually.]

[ yingxing is still working at his station at the front of the room when the model arrives, and he hears the pad of soft feet approaching, turns - only to find the eyes that have been haunting him looking directly into his own. surprise blooms across his expression, but only for a moment before he offers an easy smile. ]

Fancy meeting you here.

[ gods, he's just as beautiful as he'd been when he first stepped into yingxing's studio.. but he's got to keep it together. this only confirms his suspicions that dan feng was quite young. all the more reason to keep his thoughts and his hands to himself, as much as he is able.

dusting charcoal from his hands, he gestures to the comfortable chair that the model will be seated in, ignoring the warmth in his ears. ]

Have you modeled before?

[Well it was certainly nice to know he wasn't the only one surprised to see the other, and a flicker of amusement makes its way through Dan Feng's eyes. That it seemed to be a pleasant surprise for both of them as well made it feel even better.

Dan Feng can't help but feel like it's a bit of a shame that he's supposed to keep his back mostly turned to the room. Even turned slightly, he wouldn't really be able to see Yingxing well. He'd have rather liked to watch the man work -- he hadn't been able to with his tattoo either after all.

Perhaps that was for the best.]

Only for special events like this one, though I've been their model whenever I had the time available ever since I first began taking classes here.

[He hums quietly in thought, idly adjusting the robe around his shoulders -- it was loose, considering the way it was supposed to rest for this pose... but it meant he needed to hold onto it while he walked.]

It's been six or seven years now, I believe.

[He'd been seventeen still when he'd first enrolled, so at his estimation about seven years had passed.]

[ six or seven years? yingxing can only imagine that he must be working on a masters or doctorate - impressive. while he himself is an alumnus of this university's fine arts program (which is why they occasionally ask him to guest instruct), he'd barely been able to manage four years of schooling to complete a bachelor's. he'd done well, graduated at the top of his class with full honors, but organized schooling was never really his ideal environment. ]

Great, so you know what you're doing, then.

[ he won't need to have his hand held through the entire thing. which is.. well, kind of a shame, in a way, but it also means that he'll be able to see how dan feng models. if he's been at it this long, surely he must be decently good at it. ]

We'll start with three minute croquis, then five, ten, and the last'll be thirty minutes. The alarm should already be set.

[ it'll beep at the correct intervals, so dan feng can change up his positioning to give the students interesting poses to depict. ]

[Though after the accident he'd veered away from the idea of becoming a doctor, Dan Feng had still opted to go into the medical field in a different way. It had been fairly nice to be able to continue going to this university, especially because it was much easier to pass his days if he had studies to keep up with. Between his classes and his job at the physical therapy clinic, he was able to stay out of his large, empty house.

... but none of that was at all important, not for this interaction. The modeling he'd done had been another nice distraction though.]

Mm, I suppose you could say that. It depends on how picky the instructor happens to be feeling, sometimes.

[His voice is fairly light -- it had certainly not been something that bothered him when people got particular about how his hair was styled for the pose... but sometimes it could get to be a bit much.]

That arrangement suits me fine, either way. You're certainly welcome to be as particular as you'd like.

[Dan Feng makes sure to make that statement as an open-ended offer -- he had no expectations over what Yingxing may or may not want after all. In the end, being cooperative had given everyone the best, and certainly smoothest, results.

For now though, he'll get himself settled on the comfortable seat prepared for him. The poses he opts for are always relatively simple in their elegance -- he clearly knows how best to pose his body and tail.

His last pose of the day has his back toward the class at about a 3/4 view, and it's just a bit more difficult for him to adjust the way his hair rests when he can't see behind himself to do it. At least he can adjust the way the robe has slipped off his near shoulder on his own...]

[ dan feng takes his place, and the class begins.

yingxing sketches carefully for the first few poses, demonstrating to the students how best to capture form and mass, what to focus on and what not to, before he's weaving his way slowly through the class, looking over each student's work with a critical eye, offering ways to improve, tips about how to use light and shadow to create shape, and how to hold the wrist to best create comfortable movement and flow. he's a bit of a stern instructor, but learning to accept constructive criticism is crucial to growing as an artist, and all of these students have great potential.

thankfully, with all of the teaching he's doing, he's able to keep his eyes.. mostly off of dan feng. it keeps his thoughts from straying too far, at least, when he'll occasionally catch dan feng's gaze across the room, or find himself struck by the beauty of a particularly delicate pose.

but soon enough they're onto the final, longest pose, and yingxing returns to his own easel, flipping to a fresh page as dan feng settles in. the long curtain of his dark hair obscures much of the shape of his body, so yingxing steps forward. ]

Behind you.

[ he warns as he approaches, then carefully helps to position his model. longer poses can get uncomfortable to hold for the full thirty minutes, so yingxing helps him to move his arms a little, before he's carefully sweeping that soft, silky hair over one shoulder, the tips of his fingers brushing the back of dan feng's nape. ]

[As it always is when he has a job to do, Dan Feng allows his focus to hone in specifically on how he needs to or not to move in any moment. It had been the only way he could get through his first few times as a model, nervous as it made him to have so many eyes on him for so long.

There's something very different this time though. He finds that he wants to do this job especially well, with Yingxing's eyes on him. It's absolutely ridiculous of him, focusing on the other man's presence as some sort of driving purpose to do well... if he hadn't already decided that this was the only person he wanted to give him tattoos, he'd seriously consider looking around. The last thing he wanted was to cause problems.

The sound of Yingxing's voice as he's approached sends his heart fluttering in his chest, and Dan Feng can only hope that it isn't noticeable at all. He remembered giving permission to adjust his pose as he needed to, but he'd not really expected the way he felt light and warm when Yingxing adjusts his arms.

... he can't help the way his breath catches so quietly when those skilled hands adjust the way his hair lays for this final pose -- when he feels the brush at the nape of his neck. Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous. He needed to remind himself that he was working. They both were, really.]

Thank you..

[The words are so quietly murmured, just enough that even in a full class, only Yingxing would really hear him. Perhaps... that he wasn't used to poses with his back turned was a blessing today...]

[ yingxing isn't sure whether or not he's made up that soft intake of breath that he swears he hears dan feng take. it's enough to make his ears warm and his abdomen tighten a little. surely he can't be the only one thinking that there is something incredibly electric between them, and has been since the moment they first laid eyes on one another.

or maybe he's just a delusional creep, thinking too hard about someone far too young for him. regardless, he soon has dan feng arranged perfectly, so he takes a few steps back with a light chuckle, and lifts his charcoal again.

this time, he doesn't yet walk around the room. it's time for the students to show him what they're made of, to take everything they've learned in their quick croquis and apply it to this final pose. so yingxing works as well, studying dan feng's shape and form as he drags his charcoal across the soft paper, mapping out every curve and dip, bringing life to the image on the page, capturing every contour, and the elegant shape of dan feng's body beneath his thin robe.

he's so damned beautiful that yingxing can barely stand it.

it seems over all too soon, when the alarm sounds again, signaling the end of the final pose. wiping excess charcoal off of his fingers onto a rag, yingxing addresses the class again as he makes his final rounds, assessing each student's portrait and giving his critique, leaving his own drawing as an example at the front of the room. ]

[Whatever this thing is that's sparking between them, Yingxing certainly isn't the only one to take notice. No matter how much Dan Feng had attempted to put the man out of his mind, he always seemed to return. Maybe... maybe it was time for him to simply accept this fluttery crush he seemed to have on the artist.

Perhaps the sooner he accepted it, the sooner it would pass...

... Yingxing's chuckle sounds nice, and Dan Feng does his level best to ignore the warmth he can feel at the tips of his ears. He enjoyed listening to the other man talk far more than he expected, after they'd not seen one another for weeks.

Once all of the artists settle in for this last pose, the room is filled with such peace for him. He couldn't watch them certainly, but he could hear the way each approached their art.. he could hear the couple that talked quietly to themselves as they made their decisions, could hear how some were somewhat more heavy-handed than others. It was genuinely one of his favorite things about accepting these modeling requests.

The alarm sounds far too soon, and Dan Feng has to take a moment, blinking as he shifts his focus back to the world around him in a more... conscious way. He's eased himself back to his feet, the robe more modestly in place by the time Yingxing makes his rounds through the class. This was the moment that Dan Feng would typically use to change back into his normal clothes, so he quietly makes his way into the office to do just that.

He always returned once changed though, especially since some students seemed to want to show their work to him... but it's Yingxing's drawing that catches his eye. Dan Feng tugs his jacket more securely around his shoulders, the last moments of class spent taking in the man's work just as he'd done with the tattoo.

Yingxing surely made him look far better than he actually did.]

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