Kit blushed as he watched Bentley button up his shirt. The scratches on his chest were very visible, and Bentley was practically showing them off as he and the other models got dressed backstage. The makeup artist had given in to Bentley’s request and given him eyeliner, and Kit discovered that it was possible to make this guy look even sexier. Add to that the fact that he was wearing a Kit Edwards original, and Kit’s emotions were all over the place.

“Fuck, I look good.” Bentley smoothed down the fabric of his shirt and did a spin in the mirror. He winked at himself before tucking the shirt in. “Whoever designed this deserves to top tonight, don’t you think?”

Kit rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t stop the smile from playing at his lips. “You really do look amazing. I’m going to ask the hairstylist what product he used. I need it for myself.”

“Okay, but do you see this outfit?” Bentley was really feeling himself as he took a few steps forward and posed.

“He does look good, Kit,” Eva said. She had just finished hemming up the skirt her model wore. “I refuse to believe an 18-year-old created that.”

“I know, right? My boyfriend is wise beyond his years,” Bentley bragged.

Kit could not deny that he looked amazing. “Come here. Let me fix your collar.”

Bentley walked over and smiled. “Someone’s nervous.”

“Just a little bit.” Kit looked around at the hectic backstage area and took a deep breath. “Just a little bit.”

Bentley smiled. He placed both hands on Kit’s waist and spoke once he got eye contact. “I’m so proud of you. Thank you for letting me be the first person to wear your creations. Thank you for Team Benny. Thank you for everything you do. I feel like a fucking superstar.”

Kit blushed. “Baby…”

“I’m going to gallop across that stage and make you proud.”

“Gallop? Really?”

“Just like a horse, Kit.” Bentley smiled, enjoying Kit’s laughter. “I’m kidding. But loosen up. This is your day. Your dad is in the audience, our friends are in the audience, and this is only the beginning for you.”

“If you make me cry, Bentley…” Kit trailed off, smiling at the kiss that met his lips. Bentley tasted like pineapple lip balm. Why was he so basic?

“I mean it,” Bentley repeated. “Now, look me over.” He took a step back and did a slow twirl. “How do I look?”

Kit smiled proudly. “Perfect.”

“Alright, everyone. Gather around,” the fashion club director began. “We’re a little behind, but we will be starting in five minutes. At this point I expect hair and makeup to be complete. If you’re doing last-minute sewing, you have thirty more seconds.”

Bentley placed another kiss on Kit’s lips, much longer this time. “I’m going to go be a runway model now. See you afterwards.”

Kit kissed him again. “Remember. You have to change into the second outfit super quick and carefully.”

“I’ve watched America’s Next Top Model, babe. You can trust me.”

Eva and the other models whistled Kit over. “Our front row seats are calling our names, Edwards.”

Bentley smiled at him. “See you on the other side.”

“Yeah.” Kit waved goodbye. “Love you, baby.”

“And I love you.” Bentley watched him walk off before the fashion club director dragged him over to the group of models by the ear. Kit laughed.

??

Bentley had never been so confident.

Right now, he was wearing the threads of none other than the Christopher John Edwards. These other models looked mediocre at best. No offense to them, but Bentley wasn’t sure they didn’t buy their threads from K-Mart and pass it off as their own creations. He was in a floral-pattern button-up with a white collar and white cuffs. Kit made his dark skinny crop pants the perfect fit, and the only reason Bentley was looking forward to taking off this outfit was because he’d get to try on the second one.

He lined up behind a shorter guy and peeked out at the venue. All of the designers sat in the front row. Kit looked like he was going to puke any second. Bentley smiled. One day, Kit wouldn’t doubt his greatness so much. Bentley was going to be by is side through it all.

“Are you ready?” the fashion club director asked him.

Bentley nodded. “I was born ready.”

She gestured out to the stage. “It’s all you.”

Bentley watched the person before him reach the end of the runway before he stepped out. He held both hands level at his side and swayed perfectly down the pathway – his eyes on Kit as he did so.

Kit stared back.

Bentley walked confidently, a poised smirk on his lips. He stopped at the end of the runway, put his hands in his pockets, and winked at his designer. As the audience catcalled, Kit bit his lip into a smile. Bentley removed his hands and turned on his back foot, making his way backstage once more.

If that walk didn’t make Kit want to top him, he didn’t know what would.

??

So, that was that.

Kit had taken his bows after the fashion show with his classmates. He was awarded a stipend to use on a trip to New York Fashion Week in the winter. Kit had never been to New York City before, and he felt like his heart was going to blast out of his chest. He would probably die. There was no way he’d survive New York Fashion Week. Nope.

He posed for pictures backstage with his classmates and then with Bentley. Bentley refused to change out of the second outfit, much to the irritation of Kit’s fashion director. She explained that she needed  to put the designs on display for two weeks before returning them, and Bentley really gave her a hard time about it. Kit eventually convinced him to change back into the clothing he wore there. They still had to get Tawny back with her cheerleading team to return to Ohio, and then head off to dinner with their parents. Bentley abided, and after a few minutes, he walked over to Kit in his jeans and t-shirt, placing a kiss on his forehead.

“Are you okay? I promise as soon as she gives me the okay, I’ll pick up both outfits for you,” Kit said.

Bentley shrugged. “It’s okay. I still have my purple socks until then.”

Kit smiled. “Let’s go find everyone.”