Lukas stood there with the small towel barely covering him and looked at the amused faces of two guys sitting on a table having breakfast. Although their intention was now squarely focused on the red-faced hunk standing just a few meters away from them, body glistening from a mixture of sweat and lotion, muscles still standing out a bit from what must have been a light morning work-out and a sizable bulge under the white towel he had wrapped around his waist.
They had noticed him before on the hallway when he carried a bunch of furniture under the strict guidance of his apparent girlfriend and had already suspected quite the body under the tight-fitting pants and shirt he had worn that day. But they had thought to best not disturb them lest they get roped into actually having to help them carry some of the heavier things. Simon and Christoph, as they were called, preferred to leave the heavy lifting to others and their new neighbor seemed to be doing just fine.
To now have him standing almost fully nude before them and having caught a glimpse of everything earlier when h was startled by their amusement felt like a gift from above. They noticed his obvious discomfort at the situation and Christoph, the slightly older and more jovial of the two, tried to break the tension by breaking into a smile and greeting him in his most casual and friendly voice. "Hey there, you must be our new neighbor. I see you've already made yourself comfortable in your new home! No need to feel embarrassed, it's just us guys here, unless your girlfriend is planning on joining you out there soon."
Lukas had taken his air pods out and kept them in one hand, the other still clasping his towel to avoid any further slip-ups. He took a clearer look at the pair. The one that had just extended the greeting must have been in his late thirties, a bit heavy-set, but not unattractive, with a full head of salt and pepper hair and a beard and his warm smile.
He wore a brightly colored shirt and shorts that ended a good few centimeters over his knees and wrapped tightly around the sturdy legs. He had a deep tan that looked like he spends a lot of time outside. This was in contrast to his friend (Partner? Flat mate?) sitting next to him, who seemed to be around Lukas's age. Lukas immediately noticed his short, bright red hair and very pale skin, that would probably burn easily, which explains the thick coating of lotion still visible on his face and skinny arms and legs. He was probably just a bit shorter than Lukas, but lacked the broadness and muscles. He actually seemed a bit embarrassed to have caught him in the buff, while his friend looked fully at ease.
"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?" the older asked him again, still sounding amused.
Lukas stopped his scanning of the two and coaxed some words out, "Sorry, sorry, just a bit startled. I didn't expect anyone to be up this early on a Sunday and I hadn't met anyone else living here, so I thought I would be alone. Sorry for my lack of clothes, I hope I don't make you uncomfortable."
That brought a smile to both of their faces. "Don't you worry about that, buddy, you ain't got nothing we don't have ourselves. Apart from maybe a few pounds of muscles. You must work out quite a lot. By the way, my name's Christoph and the skinny guy next to me is Simon," the older guy pointed out.
Lukas relaxed a bit when he noticed they really didn't seem bothered by his appearance at all. "Nice to meet you, Christoph and Simon, I'm Lukas. Me and my girlfriend just moved in a couple days ago, but she's sleeping in today," he explained.
"Just wonderful, always nice to have a young couple as neighbors, and such an attractive one at that!" Christoph teased, making Lukas blush again. He was now sure that Christoph must be gay or at least bi, so Simon was probably his boyfriend, although he couldn't really get a read on the younger guy, yet, who seemed to prefer to observe rather than take part in the conversation.
Lukas sat down on the end of the lounger and continued the conversation. "Yeah, we're really glad we got this place, it's a very nice area and our old apartment started to feel a bit small. I just finished my studies and Kathrin will as well soon, so we thought it's a good time to look for something new. Have you been living here long?" he asked.
"Well, I have lived here for, let me think, about 5 years now, and Simon joined me last year. You're gonna love the apartment and if you need any help with the decoration, just ask Simon, he has an eye for aesthetics like no one else I know," Christoph said while patting his boyfriend on the arm.
Lukas noticed his eyes were fixated on his lower body. He followed his gaze and just then noticed that he had sat down with his legs spread quite widely, as was his habit, but in this case, it probably put him on display again. He sheepishly closed his legs, wondering what they must think of him, flashing them now for the second time.
"You seem to be quite well endowed and your musculature is nicely defined, too. I wouldn't mind doing some sketches of you at some point, if you allow. You seem to have no problem showing off," Simon suddenly said in a very matter-of-fact tone that reminded Lukas of a strict teacher and would fit better with a man double the age of that he guessed was Simon's.
"Please excuse him, as I said, Simon here is an avid artist and when he sees something that piques his interest, he is not beating around the bush. He could work on his bedside manners a bit, but I'm trying my best," Christoph shot his partner a not quite friendly gaze and tried his best to smooth things over.
Of course, he would be happy to enjoy more of his neighbor's amazing features, but from experience he knew that you must be careful with straight men. Everyone likes a bit of positive attention, but not necessarily to be treated like a piece of meat. He could see Lukas clamming up a bit.
"It's alright," he said a bit shaken. "I guess I'm just not used to people taking such a direct tone with me. I would be lying if I said I never noticed guys checking me out, but so far none have been quite so bold."
Christoph could hear astonishment in his voice and maybe a hint of a stroked ego. Maybe Simon noticed something in their neighbor that he hadn't and just took the chance. "Well, I find it hard to believe that you never had a guy coming onto you. But I guess your size can be a bit intimidating," Christoph said, giving Lukas' body another once over.
The way Christoph stressed the word size made Lukas wonder, if he meant his general body or a more specific part of his physique that they had now seen twice. "Yeah, I guess, maybe to some. But don't worry, I am very friendly and if anyone had propositioned me, I would have felt flattered, but let them down gently. I am very happy with Kathrin and have been for almost 10 years now," Lukas answered with a bit of force behind it to make sure the couple knew that, while flattered, he was not available for any fooling around.
"10 years you say? But you seem so young, I guess you must be high-school sweethearts! Oh that warms my heart. We should get dinner together, soon," Christoph exclaimed while Simon had reverted back to his role of silent observer.
Lukas took a certain liking to Christoph's jovial nature, but Simon gave him the creeps a bit. Every time he looked at him, his eyes seemed fixed on another part of his, as if he was trying to commit everything to memory, lest he would not be given a further chance. And Lukas wasn't sure he would be offering him one. He stood up and stepped toward the balcony's handrail, extending an arm to his neighbors.
"That sounds like a wonderful idea, we should stay in contact about that. I do think I should put some clothes on now and wake my girlfriend for breakfast," Lukas said shaking Christoph's hand. He noticed the strong grip of the bearish looking man. When he stuck his hand out to Simon, he was first given a business card and then shook a rather limp, but pleasantly warm hand.
The card read, "Simon Mueller. Photography, Painting, Sculpture. For commissions reach me under the phone number or email".
He had to hand it to the skinny guy, he was persistent. "Think about it, you will not stay this young and fit forever and a piece of art can capture your essence much better than any quick progress shot made with a cellphone. I might even be willing to waive my usual fees and work on you just for the enjoyment," Simon stated in his monotone voice earning a jab in the ribs from his partner.
