Color of Inspiration

A/N: Happy Birthday,Twanza! We hope you have a fantastic day.

As ever, we do not own Twilight - it owns us.

ooOoo

Design

Looking up from my Physics book, I find Edward concentrating on his art project. His tongue is sticking out, his hair completely defying gravity, and I can’t help but smile.

He’s adorable.

Whenever I tell him that, though, he huffs and rolls his eyes.

My secret is that sometimes I tell him that to see his reaction.

With a sigh, I force myself to stop staring at my boyfriend and go back to studying for my final. I have to admit that sometimes I’m jealous that his coursework includes colored pencils and pastels, but we’re both doing what we love.


Mutter

I'm trying to focus on my studying, but something keeps pulling me out of my concentration. It takes me a minute to realize it's Edward, muttering under his breath.

Looking up, I frown when I see him rummage through his pencils with an air of frustration, his lips moving with words too quiet for me to catch.

Straightening up, I ask quietly, “Babe, what's wrong?”

“Huh?” he looks up, blinking confusedly.

Stifling my grin, I try not to show the fond affection I feel at his dishevelment. Instead, I nod to his work and repeat my question.

“Oh... nothing, just...”


Flustered

He stammers for a minute, alternating between trying to talk and searching through his pencils some more. Finally, he looks up and grumbles, “There’s no color for your eyes.”

Bemused, I tilt my head. “What are you talking about?”

He flushes and glances away before meeting my gaze. He sighs and bites the inside of his cheek. “My final project is to umm… to create something for five words: innocence, desolation, redemption, justice, and… ahh… inspiration.”

At the last word, he blushes furiously, making me furrow my brow. “What are you working on, baby?” I ask quietly.

He sighs softly.


Understanding

He shuffles the short distance over to me on his knees, holding his pad to his chest. When he reaches me, he hands it to me, his eyes focusing on everything but me.

I cup his flushed cheek, brushing it gently until he meets my gaze. I smile and peck his lips, murmuring, “I love you, Ed. You don't have to show me if it makes you this nervous.”

Though I'm dying to see his work – as I always am – I know how personal it is to him, and how uncomfortable it is for him at times to share it.


Revelation

“No, I mean… I want you to see it. It’s going in the gallery anyway, and…” He shrugs as he trails off, chewing his bottom lip nervously. “You should see it first.”

“You’re sure?”

He nods, and I smile as I turn the pad over. My smile fades as my eyes widen, stunned by what I see. I can’t draw a straight line, and seeing Edward’s creations never fails to amaze me. This time, I find a flawless rendition of my face, save that he’s made me far more beautiful than I am, with full lips and artistically messy blond hair.


Wonder

My fingers hover just above the paper. I wouldn't dare touch it, but the temptation's there. I can't seem to tear my gaze away.

From the corner of my eye, I see Edward fidget nervously. Placing my hand on his thigh, I squeeze lightly.

“Edward, I- This is beautiful. I can't believe this is me,” I whisper, awed.

Edward puts his finger under my chin, tipping my head up. He smiles. “You are beautiful, love.”

This time, it's my turn to blush as he leans, kissing me tenderly.

“Now if I could only get your eyes right,” he mutters.


Question

“Baby?” I murmur, trying to catch his attention before he becomes absorbed in his work again.

“Hmm?” he asks absently.

I smile and shake my head, but I really want to know the answer to my question. “Why were you blushing?” I ask. “Which one is this for?”

He drops the pencil he was holding. “Oh. Umm…” If anything, his blush deepens as he finishes softly, “inspiration.”

Swallowing, I echo him. “Oh.”

He meets my eyes, and I feel a smile spreading across my face. I carefully move his pad to the table and slip to my knees beside him.


Tender

His green eyes follow my every move as he stays absolutely still. He doesn't move until I'm climbing onto his lap; only then does he put his hands on my hips.

He bites his lip, smiling shyly at me.

Cupping his face, I watch him intently for a moment before ducking my head and kissing him languidly.

After a while, I pull away with a soft hum. Kissing Edward has always been one of my favorite things to do. Like his art, he puts everything he has into it – his whole heart.

“Why inspiration, baby?” I ask with quiet curiosity.


Answer

He gives me a shy smile. “Because…” Swallowing, he breaks off. He doesn’t meet my eye, toying with a button on my shirt as he finishes, “Because when I look at you, I want to create.”

I can’t answer at first, too stunned to believe I could inspire anyone that way, let alone the beautiful man beneath me. “Thank you,” I finally say.

He glances up at me through his lashes. “Thank you.” He lifts his chin and kisses me gently, nuzzling against my jaw as he whispers, “You make everything in my life come alive. I love you, Jazz.”


Content

Minutes pass, and all I want to do is remain here, in the bubble we've created. We kiss, holding each other close and murmuring sweet words back and forth.

He tells me more about his project. I feel honored, and proud, to be such an integral part of it.

After a while, he groans and tries to shift underneath me. With a chuckle and one last kiss, I murmur, “Sorry, babe. We should probably get back to work, huh?”

I climb off him, and he stretches his legs, grimacing at the pins and needles shooting through them. “Yeah, I suppose...”


Smile

As the feeling returns to his legs, he cups my cheek and kisses me again before we both return to our work reluctantly. I pick up the Physics book, reading the passage with a renewed vigor. Having someone like Edward putting so much stock in me makes me want to be the best man I can be.

He sits back at the table, studying his drawing for a few minutes before turning back to his pencils. “Too light,” he mutters, shifting one to the side. “Too purple…”

I listen to him sorting the colors, hiding my smile behind my book.