[ credence doesn't think he wants to do this forever - or more like not even until his looks start to fail and interest in him wanes - but it's good for now. it means that people will know who he is, know his face, so when he does something else he'll have less trouble getting a footing even if some people think that models aren't worth much of anything outside their looks. but credence is wickedly sharp, intelligent beyond his years, and just shy enough to draw up a sense of mystery about him.
it's been a whirlwind since being recruited suddenly. credence accompanies graves to the mostly-boring events that he has to attend these days, the well-protected charge of the director. he's shy but kind and has a backbone where most people would assume he doesn't. whip-crack wit means people remember him for more than simply the face at the director's side. once, someone had called credence graves' ward and credence had laughed and said that's a little batman and robin, isn't it? we're not in gotham and, well. it had endeared him.
it's at one of these events that the plus-one of one of the attendees spends rather a lot of time talking to credence. a surprising amount. it becomes more clear though when it turns out she's a famous and well-recommended agent for models: she wants to add him to her roster. credence is skittish at first but graves can tell he's interested and encourages him, so he accepts.
it's not a lot of money as a beginner but credence's looks aren't traditionally attractive, placing him more along with something etherial and he does avant garde shoots for fashion magazines more than anything else, masculine, feminine, androgynous. as he does more work and gains more popularity he ends up having events of his own that he brings graves along on when he's able to get away - otherwise he attends at the arm of one of his rotation of guards. the director's charge is well-protected, after all. men in dark suits go to his shoots even, standing aside and at times making dressers, makeup artists, and photographers nervous.
it's strange - credence gets so much verbal affection heaped on him like this that he doesn't know what to do with it. compliments on his looks, his personality (what do they know?), on everything he does. it's different than what he has with graves, who so rarely verbalizes how he feels. this is not to say that credence doesn't love graves just the same - and he knows that graves loves him too, by now - but it's so easy to get flustered, to blush and look through his lashes and not know what to say. it's not on purpose by any means. he just gets overwhelmed and doesn't know how to respond.
today they're at some party that credence doesn't really want to be at and graves has been tugged away to discuss the state of the country (the poor man has a moment off work, let him be) by some man that thinks he has the answers to everything: marijuana. which credence wishes he had some of right now as he's still wracked with nerves and feels awkward even if graves is only eight feet away. of course, it's now that someone (another model - they've done a couple of shoots together) comes up to speak with him. he's vapid and annoying but he always piles affections on credence that make him owl-eyed and flushed and practically stammering. tonight he's in top form, hand on credence's arm and murmuring to him coyly.
at first sight, it's difficult to tell if credence is enjoying it or wishes he had an escape route. ]
[ at first sight, it's difficult for graves to tell as well -- he seems to be enjoying the company of a beautiful young man who can't seem to keep his hands to himself; and even caught in conversation, graves can see how the exchange is going, the blush on credence's cheeks at the attention, the wide eyes and how graves knows he laps it up. credence enjoys the attention, the praise, and graves thinks there's nothing wrong with that, although something about this exchange rubs him the wrong way.
the past few months have been good for credence, who has somehow found his calling in the fashion industry. graves has encouraged him ever since he'd been scouted, but had taken every precaution to keep him safe all the same -- fashion houses and runways are not known for their security. he doesn't give a shit what it looks like to the others, of course; but the bodyguards aren't so much of a problem when it's discovered that credence has a natural gift for the catwalk, a beauty that is ethereal and unforgettable.
it's the cheekbones, he thinks, the generous, sensuous mouth and the high cheekbones, the dark eyes that seem to speak to you. graves has long loved credence's face, his lean body and long limbs, and of course he's willing to share, just a little. credence is beautiful in ways that draw the attention. there is no value in being traditionally attractive, not when it's become some sort of staple now.
and so it's not surprising that rave reviews and compliments have started coming in for credence -- and for credence, who has never quite had something like this before; it must seem like a whole new world.
a few more moments, and graves excuses himself when he decides that enough is enough. credence has been fawned over and hogged for long enough, and a small flicker of possessiveness courses through graves when he comes up to the both of them pleasantly, a striking, handsome figure in a bespoke suit. ]
You both must have so much to talk about. [ he plucks a flute of champagne from a passing waiter's tray, a hand in his pocket as he regards credence first, then the other. young, beautiful, the face on quite a few billboards. ] Would you like to introduce me to your friend, Credence?
[ credence can't imagine why people feel the need to compliment him the way they do now - he hasn't ever expected it of anyone and now it's just... a lot. he doesn't even know how to describe why it's strange to him so he doesn't, just smiles along with it even when he feels almost as though his chest is tightening from the weight of words from people that wouldn't even have looked at him twice before.
(graves looked at him like this from the first day. graves has taken care of him. graves does thing rather than just say them.)
credence startles in surprise at the introduction of another voice but as soon as he notes who it is he relaxes, smiling fondly. you're like a frightened rabbit, credence, the other model says, and credence laughs. ] Not any more. [ a private joke for graves and himself, perhaps. but then he looks at graves and nods. ] Percy, this is Charles. [ just charles, like cher, the man adds in a manner he surely thinks is helpful. credence lofts a brow. ] Only Cher is like Cher, dear. Charles, this is Percival Graves.
[ when charles opens his mouth to speak, credence looks at him. ] I think calling him Mr. Graves would suit best. Or did you forget that I told you I live with the director? [ you know, that director. in any case charles is cowed from his normal habit of being overly familiar first off. even credence calling him percy, which he usually only does when he's playing the spoiled brat, is something graves will recognize as happening at these events when credence wants to stake a claim, to make people aware of their closeness, and signal that someone is getting too close. ] I'm sorry about that man cornering you, I hope he wasn't too insistent. He was at my last appearance, looking for you. It's as though people see us as a package deal.
[ charles still has his hand on credence's arm, but most of credence's attention has immediately shifted to graves. ]
[ graves stifles a smile -- credence can be quick-witted and snarky when he puts his mind to it, and graves is aware of just how credence is positioning them both, his loyalty and faithfulness evident in the way they share that private joke, deflecting the other model's obvious interest.
credence belongs to him; the young man is wholly, undeniably his, and establishes protocol even when calling him by a name credence usually does when he's feeling particularly possessive. they are of one accord, then -- and graves knows in this moment that there is nothing to worry about. he nods, then, a hand coming to rest on the small of his young man's back as he regards charles. graves is staking his own claim, making it clear that credence is unavailable.
the other model is pretty as anything, and obviously someone who's on the up and coming with an eye on credence. ] So they do. [ he muses, before he gestures to charles, who's giving him a once-over. ] But I'm sure he enjoyed watching you as well.
[ anyone would. credence has a gift for modeling; his unconventional beauty turning heads wherever he goes, drawing suitors like moths to a flame. graves is not naturally predisposed to jealousy, but he makes a rare exception in certain circumstances. this is not quite it, yet. charles is charming, of course, leaning forward to flirt -- ah, mr. graves. credence here was telling me all about you. i never knew he could turn a shade of red that lovely! he's very beautiful that way, isn't he? ]
Yes, [ graves tells him pleasantly as he takes a sip from that glass, because graves is rarely ever rude. ] He is very beautiful, isn't he?
[ the hand at his back is grounding and credence smiles, leaning toward graves just a little bit, pointedly. charles has the look of a man that knows what he's being told but somehow doesn't actually care, which says a lot about him. he's shameless about his flirting anyway, and as long as he doesn't try anything he's relatively harmless.
credence raises his eyebrows at graves' first comment but then smiles coyly, nudging him with a hip. ] Just because you like watching me whenever you get the chance doesn't mean everyone does. [ he knows he's popular - it's not about that. it's just another reminder that graves does get to watch credence whenever he likes.
ahem. and then: ] Charles, those moments were in confidence! I'm too old to sound like a schoolboy with a crush. [ sly. ] Percy's just the greatest constant in my life. I'd be lost without him. Surely you know how that feels.
[ credence is, in fact, slightly flushed from being called beautiful by graves in public - more than slightly, having to turn his head away for a moment - and he feels a little like his heart is pounding. you look like a schoolboy with a crush right now, credence, charles teases, and it's just as lovely on you as ever.
laughing, credence tips his head forward to fan his face slightly. ] No, no, I'm just warm.
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→ gimme a sign
it's been a whirlwind since being recruited suddenly. credence accompanies graves to the mostly-boring events that he has to attend these days, the well-protected charge of the director. he's shy but kind and has a backbone where most people would assume he doesn't. whip-crack wit means people remember him for more than simply the face at the director's side. once, someone had called credence graves' ward and credence had laughed and said that's a little batman and robin, isn't it? we're not in gotham and, well. it had endeared him.
it's at one of these events that the plus-one of one of the attendees spends rather a lot of time talking to credence. a surprising amount. it becomes more clear though when it turns out she's a famous and well-recommended agent for models: she wants to add him to her roster. credence is skittish at first but graves can tell he's interested and encourages him, so he accepts.
it's not a lot of money as a beginner but credence's looks aren't traditionally attractive, placing him more along with something etherial and he does avant garde shoots for fashion magazines more than anything else, masculine, feminine, androgynous. as he does more work and gains more popularity he ends up having events of his own that he brings graves along on when he's able to get away - otherwise he attends at the arm of one of his rotation of guards. the director's charge is well-protected, after all. men in dark suits go to his shoots even, standing aside and at times making dressers, makeup artists, and photographers nervous.
it's strange - credence gets so much verbal affection heaped on him like this that he doesn't know what to do with it. compliments on his looks, his personality (what do they know?), on everything he does. it's different than what he has with graves, who so rarely verbalizes how he feels. this is not to say that credence doesn't love graves just the same - and he knows that graves loves him too, by now - but it's so easy to get flustered, to blush and look through his lashes and not know what to say. it's not on purpose by any means. he just gets overwhelmed and doesn't know how to respond.
today they're at some party that credence doesn't really want to be at and graves has been tugged away to discuss the state of the country (the poor man has a moment off work, let him be) by some man that thinks he has the answers to everything: marijuana. which credence wishes he had some of right now as he's still wracked with nerves and feels awkward even if graves is only eight feet away. of course, it's now that someone (another model - they've done a couple of shoots together) comes up to speak with him. he's vapid and annoying but he always piles affections on credence that make him owl-eyed and flushed and practically stammering. tonight he's in top form, hand on credence's arm and murmuring to him coyly.
at first sight, it's difficult to tell if credence is enjoying it or wishes he had an escape route. ]
no subject
the past few months have been good for credence, who has somehow found his calling in the fashion industry. graves has encouraged him ever since he'd been scouted, but had taken every precaution to keep him safe all the same -- fashion houses and runways are not known for their security. he doesn't give a shit what it looks like to the others, of course; but the bodyguards aren't so much of a problem when it's discovered that credence has a natural gift for the catwalk, a beauty that is ethereal and unforgettable.
it's the cheekbones, he thinks, the generous, sensuous mouth and the high cheekbones, the dark eyes that seem to speak to you. graves has long loved credence's face, his lean body and long limbs, and of course he's willing to share, just a little. credence is beautiful in ways that draw the attention. there is no value in being traditionally attractive, not when it's become some sort of staple now.
and so it's not surprising that rave reviews and compliments have started coming in for credence -- and for credence, who has never quite had something like this before; it must seem like a whole new world.
a few more moments, and graves excuses himself when he decides that enough is enough. credence has been fawned over and hogged for long enough, and a small flicker of possessiveness courses through graves when he comes up to the both of them pleasantly, a striking, handsome figure in a bespoke suit. ]
You both must have so much to talk about. [ he plucks a flute of champagne from a passing waiter's tray, a hand in his pocket as he regards credence first, then the other. young, beautiful, the face on quite a few billboards. ] Would you like to introduce me to your friend, Credence?
no subject
(graves looked at him like this from the first day. graves has taken care of him. graves does thing rather than just say them.)
credence startles in surprise at the introduction of another voice but as soon as he notes who it is he relaxes, smiling fondly. you're like a frightened rabbit, credence, the other model says, and credence laughs. ] Not any more. [ a private joke for graves and himself, perhaps. but then he looks at graves and nods. ] Percy, this is Charles. [ just charles, like cher, the man adds in a manner he surely thinks is helpful. credence lofts a brow. ] Only Cher is like Cher, dear. Charles, this is Percival Graves.
[ when charles opens his mouth to speak, credence looks at him. ] I think calling him Mr. Graves would suit best. Or did you forget that I told you I live with the director? [ you know, that director. in any case charles is cowed from his normal habit of being overly familiar first off. even credence calling him percy, which he usually only does when he's playing the spoiled brat, is something graves will recognize as happening at these events when credence wants to stake a claim, to make people aware of their closeness, and signal that someone is getting too close. ] I'm sorry about that man cornering you, I hope he wasn't too insistent. He was at my last appearance, looking for you. It's as though people see us as a package deal.
[ charles still has his hand on credence's arm, but most of credence's attention has immediately shifted to graves. ]
no subject
credence belongs to him; the young man is wholly, undeniably his, and establishes protocol even when calling him by a name credence usually does when he's feeling particularly possessive. they are of one accord, then -- and graves knows in this moment that there is nothing to worry about. he nods, then, a hand coming to rest on the small of his young man's back as he regards charles. graves is staking his own claim, making it clear that credence is unavailable.
the other model is pretty as anything, and obviously someone who's on the up and coming with an eye on credence. ] So they do. [ he muses, before he gestures to charles, who's giving him a once-over. ] But I'm sure he enjoyed watching you as well.
[ anyone would. credence has a gift for modeling; his unconventional beauty turning heads wherever he goes, drawing suitors like moths to a flame. graves is not naturally predisposed to jealousy, but he makes a rare exception in certain circumstances. this is not quite it, yet. charles is charming, of course, leaning forward to flirt -- ah, mr. graves. credence here was telling me all about you. i never knew he could turn a shade of red that lovely! he's very beautiful that way, isn't he? ]
Yes, [ graves tells him pleasantly as he takes a sip from that glass, because graves is rarely ever rude. ] He is very beautiful, isn't he?
no subject
credence raises his eyebrows at graves' first comment but then smiles coyly, nudging him with a hip. ] Just because you like watching me whenever you get the chance doesn't mean everyone does. [ he knows he's popular - it's not about that. it's just another reminder that graves does get to watch credence whenever he likes.
ahem. and then: ] Charles, those moments were in confidence! I'm too old to sound like a schoolboy with a crush. [ sly. ] Percy's just the greatest constant in my life. I'd be lost without him. Surely you know how that feels.
[ credence is, in fact, slightly flushed from being called beautiful by graves in public - more than slightly, having to turn his head away for a moment - and he feels a little like his heart is pounding. you look like a schoolboy with a crush right now, credence, charles teases, and it's just as lovely on you as ever.
laughing, credence tips his head forward to fan his face slightly. ] No, no, I'm just warm.