When Ryo had seen the advertisement of an adult summer class in photography offered by the local community college in the paper he jumped at the chance to take it. He had always had a passion for photography, in fact, it was a hobby of his on his free time though he had never taken courses in the study of it. His superior was so thrilled that when the work-a-holic Ryo had requested the use of his vacation time he had even offered to grant him more time if needed, just to get Ryo out of the office. Ryo had been touched by his generosity and his caring.

As Ryo reached the counter he smiled at the handsome man working behind it and was graced with a familiar hello and a nod in return. The man, who had enthusiastically introduced himself as Dee the second day Ryo had entered the shop, was tall and lean and he had an air of warmth and happiness that surrounded him. He had messily cut, yet complimentary dark hair that reminded Ryo of rich, expensive imported chocolate and vibrant emerald eyes. He wouldn’t go as far as calling Dee his friend, but the word acquaintance he was more than comfortable with.

Dee leaned over the counter and asked, “ The same as always?”

Ryo liked a particular Brazilian blend. Stronger and thicker than most coffees not too many people could handle it, none the less, it suited Ryo just fine. However, after two weeks of being filled with great knowledge and having wonderful fun Ryo was met with his first disappointment and he wanted something that he could casually sip while stirring in his malaise.

Ryo shook his head, “ No...how about one of those cold coffees with the whip cream and caramel.”

Dee looked at Ryo worriedly for a while, but then in his lighthearted voice answered, “Alright!”

Ryo walked over to his usual table by the window and waited to hear his name. He took out his last assignment and with a sigh looked at the score. 75 percent. It wasn’t the worst in the class, but it was the worst for him. The assignment seemed simple enough, they were to find someone and take a picture of them, a portrait. They had worked on still life and landscape and the class had all taken to those assignments with ease. However, the entire class had failed the portrait instruction, in fact no one made over a 85 percent. Ryo looked at his picture with a sigh, he had asked a woman in his apartment complex if he could take a picture of her daughter. The woman, whom Ryo had spoken with many a time before, was thrilled that he had chosen her four year old little girl having seen the wonder of his other photographs. He still didn’t quite understand his professor’s disappointment, the picture was well done with the right lighting and her smile was bright and true. With yet another sigh Ryo tucked the portrait away, never the less the mother would receive the picture, just as he had promised her.

Dee walked over to Ryo’s table holding the plastic cup full of the iced caramel coffee. He took the opposite seat and just looked at the other. Dee had always found the older Ryo attractive, but his features were heightened in this current sullen state. Even with the slight frown the lines on the smooth face were captivating. The sculpted nose that lay beneath shining brown eyes and sat above graceful lips, the entire face framed by a fall of dusty blond hair. Dee stared at the quiet man before whispering.

“ Is it really that bad?”

Ryo finally looked at his companion and smiled weakly, “ Here,” he reached down and fished out the photograph and handed it over to Dee.

Dee took the photo within his long fingers. He looked down at the toddler and with a smile declared, “ Cute kid.”

“ Yeah, now look at the sticky note on the back,” Ryo scowled as he took a sip from his coffee.

Dee flipped the page over, “ Ouch,” he said with a gentle chuckle.

Ryo frowned, “ It’s not funny.”

Dee leaned back with a charming smile, “ Let me guess. Teacher’s pet Ryo has never had a grade lower than a ‘B’? Not sure how to act when you are among the average.”

Ryo pursed his lips at Dee’s mocking tone, “ I am not the ‘Teacher’s Pet’! I just...well...” Ryo looked at the table for a minute, “ Lower than an ‘A’ is closer to the truth,” Dee raised an eyebrow, but wasn’t really amazed. He figured Ryo was the honor roll type. He leaned forward as Ryo continued, “ Anyway, our professor is having us do the assignment again,” At the end of his sentence Ryo looked up.

Dee had turned towards the window, his gaze detached. He was listening to Ryo just not looking at him and his profile was as thoughtful as it was beautiful. Ryo remembered his professor’s words and suddenly it all made since. He had said there was a difference between taking a photo for the family scrapbook and taking one in the name of art. Ryo stared at Dee’s face with a renewed sense of awe. The sunlight washed over his countenance gently, softening the contours and adding a feeling of nobility within the illuminated aura. The light glittered within the depths of the emerald eyes, lightening the color to a bright jade that shone like a polished jewel.

Before he could contemplate what he was doing Ryo had pulled his camera from his tote slowly, he was even holding his breath, and his fingers were actually trembling as he brought the object to his face. Dee’s eyes scanned over and after widening a bit at the sight of the camera pointed in his direction, turned his gaze back to the window and listened to the click click whirl of the camera. Ryo let out his breath and with a sheepish smile whispered:

“ I should have asked your permission...”

Dee turned his head and looked at Ryo with a warm smile, “ I knew what your intentions were. I could have said stop. As it is I don’t mind,” standing he began to walk from Ryo and over his shoulder called back, “ Good luck with that, bring it back so I can see it ‘k.”

Ryo nodded and whispered, “ ‘K,” but he was sure Dee didn’t hear it.

Their professor finally stepped into the small classroom and the students became silent. Professor Berkely Rose was well known and respected within the community, his family name having a hand in everything from law enforcement to politics. He had gained a reputation in his own right through his photography. Berkely Rose’s works could be seen in countless galleries and in national magazines. His passion for photography was deep yet not as deep as his desire to teach. The thought of turning others on to the world of photography was nothing sort of an adrenaline rush. As far as he was concerned there couldn’t be enough photographers.

Rose was always polished, wearing pressed slacks and a crisp white dress shirt with a solid color tie and tailored vest. His posture was superb and he held his students to a high standard. He ran his course efficiently and had told all of them on the first day that his critiques were to guide them and help them learn. Nothing he said was personal or meant to attack ones self esteem and it was because of this that the critiques were given during class in front of everyone.

Professor Rose sat with a heavy sigh and began to look through his pupils portraits. The room was still and silent as they watched him glance over their work. His eyebrows would raise now and again and once he came across a picture that made him shake his head slightly. Then quickly he stood and holding up a photograph began his lecture and critiques.

The hour was coming close to it’s end, but Ryo was pleased that the only critique his professor had for him was positive and he had even used his picture to explain points to the class. At ten minutes until the end of class Rose turned and wrote four words on the chalk board. Then turning back to the class spoke with his deep velvety voice.

“ I am extremely pleased to see that you have all took my past words and produced higher quality work. However, the work isn’t nearly to the level that I know you all can do. For that reason I have decided that for the rest of the week we will focus on the portrait,” at that time he pointed to the four words on the board, “ Each day you will pick a word of your choosing from this list and take a photograph that represents that word. You must use the same model for all four words, however, if you need to find a new person than the one you used for today’s portrait then you may. Just be advised that this person must be able to model these four words. This week’s long study starts today. On your way out pick a word,” the bell sounded and Rose gathered his things, “ Good day, see you in the morning.”

Ryo was the last one to walk up to the board and he took in the words with mixed feelings of excitement and dread:

Anger. Sorrow. Happiness. Passion.

Leaning down with his hands behind his back, Dee let a smile stretch his lips as he spoke, “ Well...?”

Ryo smiled up at him and pulled the picture from it’s place on his lap and handed it to Dee. He took it while pulling out the chair opposite Ryo and looking at it whistled, “ Damn I look good!”

Ryo laughed, “ Turn it over.”

“ Ninety seven percent,” Dee nodded, “ Nice.”

Ryo smiled, “ Yes and I didn’t receive any negative criticism either.”

“ That’s great,” Dee slid the portrait back, “ the usual or do you want that iced coffee again? ”

“ Actually...” Ryo blushed and it was the first time Dee saw such a sight on the blond. He found it rather cute, but Ryo was still talking, and there would be time to think about Ryo’s attractiveness later, “ I need to ask you for a favor...”

Dee tilted his head like a curious puppy and the action helped reduce Ryo’s nervousness some, “ Okay...what’s up?”

“ Umm...I know we don’t know each other that well, but I need a model and since your picture came out so wonderful this last time I was hoping that you...maybe...could you...”

Dee was enjoying watching Ryo struggle with his words and the resulting flush that followed. He could watch this all day, but as it was he had work to do and Ryo needed to be put out of his misery. Dee let one of his dashing smiles forth as he whispered, “ I’ll do it.”

“ Really?!” Ryo looked up at Dee and hadn’t realized he hadn’t been looking at the man until now, “ I mean, it would be for the rest of this week...are you sure? We aren’t friends or anything...”

Dee stood, “ Well, I don’t find that a problem, but if you do meet me at that crab place off of 30th at six o’clock tonight. We’ll have dinner. If you don’t show then I’ll have to eat alone,” Dee made a childish pout, “ and that’s no fun,” he turned and walked away before Ryo could answer.

Ryo felt his breath catch. It occurred to him that he had only seen Dee in his work clothes, a polo shirt and black pants with a bright green apron over the top of it all. However, tonight Dee seemed fit to change his attire, wearing a cream dress shirt tucked into dark brown, almost black, slacks with a black tie and a long black trench coat. He walked toward Ryo with long strides as if he was eager to get to him with his hands in his pant pockets. Once Dee reached the table he sat with a smile, Ryo waited for an apology, but when none came he found, to his surprise, he didn’t mind.

“ You order yet?” Dee was looking through the menu.

Ryo shook his head, “ Just my drink.”

Dee looked up, “ I think we should get the pound and a half of steamed snow crab legs and share the load.”

“ Sounds good to me.”

“ Then it’s settled,” Dee closed the menu and looked up at Ryo with an expression so powerful and intimate Ryo felt his mouth go dry. Dee’s voice was a deep whisper, “ I am so happy you came. I was afraid you wouldn’t come.”

Ryo found the timbre of that voice oddly arousing and he cleared his throat and licked his lips to try and shake the feeling, “ Well, I couldn’t have you eating alone.”

Dee’s lips tilted up faintly, “ I sincerely hope that wasn’t the only reason you showed up.”

Ryo’s eyes grew wide for an instant, “ What?”

The waitress walked up then chirping away that her name was Mandy and then proceeded to list off the specials of the evening. During her giddy speech Dee’s emeralds never left Ryo’s browns and though the stare was intense Ryo found that he couldn’t look away. He was relieved when Mandy asked for their order and Dee broke the gaze, taking it upon himself to tell her that they would be having the crab legs and that two plates and two sets of silverware needed to be brought to the table. When Mandy raised her eyebrows then gave a wink to the two men Ryo choked on his tea.

Dee looked over at him after Mandy had left watching as Ryo continued to cough, “Dude, you okay?”

Ryo gazed at him through watery eyes, “ Yeah...just...” he took another sip to sooth his throat and finally the coughing subsided, “ I believe she thinks we are on a date together.”

Dee smiled mischievously and with a raised brow asked, “ And that’s a bad thing?”

This time the glass slipped from Ryo’s fingers and hit the table with such force that some of the liquid sloshed over the side. Dee chuckled as Ryo wiped up the mess. Then Ryo was looking at him angrily which only made Dee want to laugh.

“ Don’t joke about that!” Ryo practically hissed and this time Dee really did laugh out loud.

Dee raised his hands as if to surrender, “ Okay, okay. Calm down...” he let his smile drop, “ but don’t assume I’m joking.”

Ryo’s lips parted and he looked deeply into the other man’s eyes, he couldn’t place what he saw behind those green orbs, but he had the feeling that if he explored any longer he would find something very pleasant or very unnerving. So he averted his gaze and changed the subject.

“ So you really don’t mind being my model?”

“ Nah,” Dee leaned back, “ I mean, I’m getting paid right?”

Ryo frowned slightly, “ Uh..well...about that...”

Dee laughed, “ I am joking this time!”

The dinner went by pleasantly with the two men talking more than eating. Ryo enjoyed the time greatly so when Dee asked if they could do it again sometime Ryo quickly said yes.

They were in the parking lot now, standing next to Ryo’s car, having reached his first. They were still talking, finding out little things about one another. Dee had apparently took the coffee shop job to pay off his school loans. He had started college later in life, but fully intended to finish it. In fact he went to the same community college Ryo was talking his adult summer course at. Dee was majoring in Criminal Justice, but wasn’t really sure what he would do with it yet. Ryo told some stories about his accounting job and Dee had remarked that he couldn’t imagine doing a job like that.

“ Well I think it would be a good idea to exchange numbers,” Ryo blushed after speaking the words remembering Dee’s earlier statement in the restaurant, “ So I can contact you if I need to.”

Dee nodded his consent then waited as Ryo took out two business cards. One he gave directly to Dee while the other was used for Dee to write his number on. After the exchange was complete an awkward silence settled over them. Ryo knew in his heart that the night was over, but he found that he didn’t want to leave Dee’s side and he had the thought that Dee was feeling the same thing.

“ So what now?” Dee asked as he stuffed his hands in his pockets.

“ What do you mean?” Ryo furrowed his brow.

“ I feel as though I should give you a good night kiss,” Dee chuckled as he spoke.

Ryo frowned and the angry face returned, “ I thought I told you not to joke like that!”

Dee’s soft chuckle was abruptly halted at Ryo’s words and he stepped forward, closing in on Ryo’s personal space. His emerald eyes narrowed and when he spoke it sent a chill through Ryo, “ And I thought I told you not to assume.”

Ryo opened his mouth to speak, but before he could Dee had placed a light peck on his right cheek. The kiss, though light, warmed Ryo’s body and he found himself closing his eyes, melting into the touch. Then as if he was just realizing what was happening Ryo jerked back and with wide eyes looked at Dee. Dee was smiling that charming smile of his and before Ryo could say a word he had turned his back to him and was waving over his shoulder walking toward his car.

“ I look forward to posing for you!” Dee’s voice was full of glee as he yelled back at Ryo.

Ryo touched his cheek and with a sigh opened the door of his car. This was going to be real interesting. Ryo leaned back in the driver’s seat, closing his eyes he took a deep breath. What have I gotten myself into?