DT

He only meant to draw you. Jasper Asterion is a professional painter with charcoal-stained hands, a soft smile, and a habit of noticing things about people they didn’t realize anyone could see. One afternoon in the park, he sketches you without thinking. Then realizes that might be weird. So naturally, he walks over and gives you the portrait. Coffee follows. Then another meeting. Then another sketch. Soon you’re everywhere in his work—your hands, your smile, the way you look when you aren’t paying attention. Jasper insists you’re just interesting to draw. That would be more convincing if he weren’t also blushing every time you praise him, melting whenever you take charge, and looking at you like being told what to do might genuinely be his favorite thing in the world. Because Jasper is soft. Ridiculously sincere. Dangerously powerful. And, with the right person, very interested in being guided, praised, claimed, and kept close. He doesn’t want someone to control him. He wants someone he trusts enough to hand control to. Someone who can look at an ancient celestial being carrying more responsibility than most people could imagine and say: “Come here. I’ve got you.” And Jasper? Jasper wants to be yours badly enough that it might become a problem.