The Famine in Fine Arts

*The Next Day*

"If you don’t mind, I’m going to stay out here.”

Fabian looked at the red in his father’s cheeks, "A-are you blushing?”

Alaric shook his head, "NO! I’m just contemplating if maybe I should have sent your mother for this one.”

Fabian tilted his head, "Will you stop acting weird?! I’m already irritated as it is about this.” He sighed, "It may have gone well for Callum and Waylon…but I’m different. You know that.”

Alaric embraced his son. "You are and that’s okay. You deserve happiness too Fabian.”

"It’s not possible dad,” Fabian had made so many strides. Absolving his addiction that threatened to pull him back every day. Though he still consumed blood, and fed off sexual energy, he accepted the empty feeling that would always be there. He went completely numb aside from the interactions with his family. Still, he wasn’t on drugs and he was home every night for dinner, so for him, that was a major start and he was content with his progress. He looked at the studio in front of him. "So, she’s an artist? Interesting I suppose.”

His father smirked, "She’s a bit more than an artist. You know what? I’m coming with you, I have a feeling you’re going to need emotional support.”

Walking inside the art studio, Fabian mouth dropped to his shoes. A large sculpture of a phallus sat in the middle. The walls lined with images of fruit, and flowers, and Fabian tilted his head.

"Are those-”

His father chuckled, "Yep.”

"Oh, great you’re here!”

Fabian turned and his mouth dropped again. One blue eye, one brow, skin the color of pure chocolate. Paint on her stunning face, she skipped towards him and looked him up and down.

"My, my, I was expecting cute at most, but I’m certainly pleased.” She shook his hand. "Thanks again for agreeing to do this, as I told your father it’s a test run, but if it works out then consider yourself full time.” She winked, "I promise I pay well.”

A new emotion flowed through Fabian. He looked at his father in horror, and Alaric leaned in, "That’s embarrassment. You’ll get used to it.”

"Oh, please tell me you’re not shy. That’s not going to work for a nude model.” Eyes huge he stared at her, trying to comprehend her words without looking at her full lips.

"I-I’m not shy.” He stammered out.

She smiled, "Well that was convincing. Want to try that again?”

He cleared his throat, "I’m not shy.”

She laughed, "Good because I’m not either.”

Deciding it was the best time to officially introduce them, Alaric stepped in between. "Fabian meet Fiona. She specializes in fine arts and…sex therapy.”

"WHAT?!” Fabian shouted a little too loudly.

Fiona laughed uncontrollably, "Oh! You’re absolutely adorable. I specialize in helping people discover their true sexual awakening.”

Fabian smirked, "No offense, but I do just fine there.”

She looked him up and down, "Bet you do.” His face reddened again. "But a lot of times people don’t understand that like any substance, sex can also be a way to cope. A way to feel through their numbness and provide them with a high. Eventually it diminishes, and they find other ways to get the same feeling.” Her words poured into his chest, and she tilted her head.

Alaric excused himself. "I’m going to be over here looking at the…um everything.”

Laughing she turned back to Fabian. "As I was saying, I help people find fulfillment outside of that, so when they are having sex, they can truly enjoy it. I also help couples reconnect in the bedroom, and people work through their issues and figure out what they like.”

He looked around, "And the art?”

She shrugged, "I love sex, I’m great at it. Probably more than most.” He choked on his spit and she cackled, "Don’t mind me, I’m pretty forward. Anyway, I found art to be my source of fulfillment, and for many of my clients, it’s the same. So, I opened a studio as additional therapy for them and for me.”

He eyed her, "So, you made the large-”

"Penis in the middle of the room? Yep.”

"It’s uh…interesting.” He tried to understand how someone could make oversize overalls and converse look so sensual. Paint brush behind her ear, she stepped into him.

"May I?” He nodded and she removed his shirt. "Great bone structure, amazing build. Yep, you’re perfect. Would you like to start Monday?” He was hardly paying attention. Though she had removed her hands, he could still feel them on his skin.

"Sure,” he said finally, and his eyes, turned to a ring pinned on her overalls.

A large emerald, she looked down, "Got it for myself in my teens, as a present for completing rehab.” His eyes widened and she sighed, "I know more than most, about the other coping mechanisms to stop feeling numb. Been working there as a counselor for five years after my first year clean.”

*Fucking Hell…an emerald? A little obvious, don’t you think?! And those eyes...different...just like me.*

"You’re perfect.” He blurted out and she laughed.

"Thank you…I think?”

"I just meant, is there anything you can’t do?”

She pouted, and he almost kissed her. "Start the day without coffee. It’s the one vice I can’t seem to kick.” He stared at her, and she looked down to her shoes clearly shy under his gaze as he shook her hand.

"See you Monday,” Fabian said and she perked up.

"Great! See you then. BYE ALARIC!”

Alaric waved to her, and as she walked away, Fabian noticed the sculpting clay stains on the back on her arms. He smiled and left the studio, rolling his eyes at the smirk on his father’s face. "She’s the devil.”

"So are you.”

Fabian laughed loudly, "Aunt Lucifer picked her, didn’t she?”

Alaric patted him on the back as the two made their way home, Alaric spoke, "What was the first thing that tipped you off?”