( great. this is great. he really should have expected the laughter, but even so, it seems to both flicker at his temper and force him deeper into embarrassment; his cheeks go pinker, and frustrated, he lifts up a hand, pushing back through his unruly hair as though that might offer him some kind of reprieve. the room feels warmer all of a sudden, though that's likely because he's absolutely mortified--the kind of mortified that he would attribute to his friends messing with him in front of strangers, and not anything like this.
the offer that shalem makes is kind: but he can't take him up on it. it would be completely rude to force someone else to do work and forfeit the pay; at the same time, he needs the coin, and he doesn't like the idea of giving up on something when he should be pushing himself to continue learning and growing in this place.
with a glance over his shoulder at the artist, and then back at shalem, he presses his lips into a thin line--and reaches, with cold, gentle fingers, to touch at one of shalem's wrists, almost bidding him to come closer. )
...It's fine. I'll do it. ( there, now he's gone and said it. no taking it back now. ) But can you just...stay? With your eyes closed or something?
no subject
the offer that shalem makes is kind: but he can't take him up on it. it would be completely rude to force someone else to do work and forfeit the pay; at the same time, he needs the coin, and he doesn't like the idea of giving up on something when he should be pushing himself to continue learning and growing in this place.
with a glance over his shoulder at the artist, and then back at shalem, he presses his lips into a thin line--and reaches, with cold, gentle fingers, to touch at one of shalem's wrists, almost bidding him to come closer. )
...It's fine. I'll do it. ( there, now he's gone and said it. no taking it back now. ) But can you just...stay? With your eyes closed or something?