Darius POV
I return the peck with a slow, deliberate press of my lips against Elijah's, my hands resting firmly on his waist as the music pulses around us. "I've got this because I've got you." I whisper against his mouth before stepping back, my eyes holding his with that intense focus I usually reserve for deadlifts and victory. "Watch me make your art come alive, Elijah." I turn and stride onto the runway with the kind of powerful, intentional presence only a bodybuilder knows, every step controlled, every muscle flexed to showcase Elijah's design exactly as he dreamed it.
Elijah POV
I watch from behind the curtains cheering Darius on as he walks. It is now time for the finale flood (Chanel style). I grab Darius' hand as we walk together in front of all the other models. One would think it is an artist and his muse but we know it is so much more. I bow at the end of the runway individually then hand in hand with Darius. Tears roll down my face as I get a whole 15 minute standing ovation from my professors, fellow classmates , friends from Boston, family members and sponsors who were invited by Morehouse College. "Thank you so much everyone!" My voice is a whisper in the sea of praise and applause. I whisper in Darius' ear. "Thank you for everything." We walk backstage as the MC wraps up the event leading the patrons into the barn that was transformed into an outdoor gala area.
Darius keeps my hand locked in his as we step backstage, pulling me into a tight embrace that lifts me off my feet for a moment. "You were magnificent. They’re not just clapping for the clothes, they felt your heart in every stitch." He sets me down gently but keeps his arms around me . Darius' voice low and rough with emotion. "And that walk with you? Felt like we were claiming something bigger than both of us. Now go enjoy your moment, superstar. I’ll be right here when you’re ready to be swept off your feet again."
I enter the gala area to another sea of applause and shower of compliments. I take Darius' hand leading him to our seats in the gala area set up in the barn. "I am starving. I have not eaten any real food for the past week." I look deeply into his deep brown eyes. "Sorry for postponing our lunch dates last week. I hope you understand."
Darius guides me toward the buffet, piling a plate high with quinoa salad, grilled vegetables, avocado, and a generous scoop of sweet potatoes before handing it to me ."You think I’d hold your passion against you?" Darius leans in, his voice dropping to that intimate rumble I’ve grown used to. "Watching you create that collection was better than any date. But now you’re eating every bite on this plate. I didn’t spend weeks admiring that body to let you fade away on an empty stomach."
I smile as I take more bites of my food. A few minutes later, Eduardo is pulling me to take pictures and talk to all sorts of reporters, both regional and national. I lose Darius in the midst of the sea of flashes and people. I manage to slip after an hour of interviews and walk out onto the pastures, looking at the stars littered all over the dark sky.
Darius finds me leaning against the white picket fence, watching the stars, and comes up behind me without a sound, his large , warm hands settling on my hips. "Needed a break from all that flashing, huh?" He presses a soft kiss on my shoulder. "You handled it like a pro. I was watching from the back, couldn’t take my eyes off you." He turns me gently to face him, the distant gala lights catching the proud smile on his handsome face. "Ready to get out of here? My truck’s parked just beyond the barn. I’ll drive slow, give you time to come down from all that glory."
I hold Darius' hands tightly. "Let us stay out here. " I lean on Darius' strong ,broad shoulder. "You know stars are like humans." I point to a faintly visible single star. "You can barely see that one but..." I point to a constellation. "look at how brightly those ones shine when they are together." I hold Darius' face as I look up into his deep brown eyes. "I think you are the other star that makes up my constellation. You pushed me to host this showcase, despite my constant refusals for the past two months. I had always postponed it before but after i met you ,here we are post event . What I want to say is I love you Darius Jackson . I totally understand if you don't feel the same but I want you to know that is how I feel."
Darius POV
I pull Elijah in so close , I can feel his heartbeat against mine, my hands cradling his face as I look down at him with all the tenderness I usually reserve for our quietest moments. "Elijah". My voice comes out rougher than I meant it to, full of emotion. "You think I’d put this much time, this much energy, this much heart into someone I didn’t love?" I kiss him softly, slowly, pouring every bit of what I feel into it before pulling back just enough to speak. "I’ve loved you since the first time you tried to pretend you weren’t checking me out at the gym. You’re not just my constellation, you’re my whole damn sky. Now come here." I lift him easily, holding him against my large chest as we both look up at the stars. "Let’s stay like this for a while."
To be continued...
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