It Was True That Nicaise's Complexion Wasn't Quite As Clear As It Had Once Been, Between His Slight Stubble,

It was true that Nicaise's complexion wasn't quite as clear as it had once been, between his slight stubble, and the temporary imperfections that inevitably heralded the transition from childhood, and the way the Akielon sun had peppered his otherwise pale skin with constellations of freckles over years of exposure. His lips were also no longer quite as pouty as when he'd been fifteen. In general, Nicaise's youthful roundness had sharpened. It had left his jaw more angular, and his cheekbones prominent enough to cast slight shadows that sharpened his face. They emphasised his eyes, which were no less huge, or any less blue, framed behind long eyelashes that were dark even tonight, when he hadn't bothered painting them after the exertions of the hunt.

That was all just part and parcel of Nicaise now looking more like a man rather than a boy, in Nikandros's opinion. He looked different, but certainly not lesser than before to anyone who didn't prefer unripe, doll-like features. Nikandros knew that Nicaise was painfully aware of how men with such preferences did exist. Apparently, those courtiers might be among them. But Nikandros definitely wasn't. Nikandros kind of wished that he could claim that he didn't find the signs of Nicaise's maturity attractive, because it was Nicaise, but Nikandros wasn't a very good liar when it came down to it.

"You're more appealing now by far than when I first met you," Nikandros assured Nicaise.

Nicaise met his eyes, not quite hiding his surprise. Or his hopefulness. "Yeah?"

It sounded like he was asking for more than Nikandros's confirmation of what he'd just said.

Despite himself, Nikandros heard himself saying it anyway. "Yes."

From @justanotherdaylikeanyother's Inevitably Ensnared (Chapter 8 specifically,) which I enjoyed immensely from start to finish (and honestly, the entire Veretian Flytrap series deserves a read.)

I actually had a lot of fun illustrating a scene from here and just really love being able to illustrate an older Nicaise (I had a little too much fun with the freckles but whatever, it made up for screaming at rendering drapery. Chiascuro helped with the background though.) In person, the eyes were done with a bit of colored pencil to make the blues pop!