Chapter 2 - Shadows of Desire
The day had stretched on endlessly for Alex. The words of his professors had washed over him, not making any sense. He was physically present in the classrooms, but mentally, he was still in that bathroom with Leon, reliving every moment, every touch, every look.
Classes ended, but the echo of the morning's incident did not subside. He walked through the campus, an island in the middle of the sea of students, lost in the whirlpool of his thoughts.
The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the college grounds. The once bustling pathways were now relatively quieter as students retired to their dorms or local hangouts. He walked on, the weight of the day pressing heavily on him, his mind a cacophony of questions and confusion.
He wore Leon's shirt under his coat, the fabric feeling oddly comforting against his skin. It felt like a talisman, a physical proof that what he'd experienced wasn't just a figment of his imagination.
His apartment building was in sight, a beacon of solitude that he desperately needed right now. As he reached for the keys in his pocket, a sudden thought struck him. He paused, keys in hand, and looked back at the sea of students milling around the campus.
He paused, keys in hand, and looked back at the sea of students milling around the campus. Among them was Leon, his stance towering and bold, surrounded by his team. The team was a smoldering palette of charisma and vigor, each member possessing an allure of their own. With their chiseled faces, playful smiles, and muscular bodies emphasized by the tailored athletic wear they adorned, they were like Greek statues brought to life.
Suddenly, Alex felt a knot in his stomach. His heart began racing and a sheen of cold sweat covered his brow. He was panicking, trapped in the sea of bodies, yet his gaze remained fixed on Leon. His tall, muscular frame rippled with strength, his dark hair tousled in a way that was distractingly attractive. His eyes, intense and captivating, radiated an energy that Alex found hard to resist.
And then, like a hunter spotting his prey, Leon's gaze locked with Alex. A flash of recognition crossed his face, and he started to run towards Alex, threading effortlessly through the crowd. Leon reached him, out of breath but with a sincere look on his face.
"I'm really sorry for what happened this morning, man," Leon said. His voice was low, almost apologetic.
Alex blinked, swallowed hard, then said, "Leon." Leon's eyes widened in confusion. "How do you know my name?" he asked.
Alex simply shrugged, his eyes flickering towards his own coat. The simple act of moving revealed a glimpse of Leon's shirt under Alex's coat. Leon's gaze followed, his expression darkening with confusion.
"Isn't that my shirt? How is that possible?" he asked, his voice carrying a note of disbelief.
Alex grimaced, a deep flush creeping onto his cheeks. He'd hoped Leon wouldn't notice the shirt, but now he had to come up with a plausible explanation, and fast.
Leon's sudden display of confusion had unnerved Alex, making the reality of the situation dawn on him. Stumbling over his words, he cut Leon off mid-question, his voice tinged with a slight edge of panic.
"Just... just stop talking and follow me," he ordered. He didn't know if Leon would listen or not, but it was worth a shot. For a moment, Leon looked taken aback by the abrupt command, but then, his eyes glazed over again, his gaze turning vacant.
"Sure, man," Leon responded, his voice oddly empty.
Alex let out a sigh of relief he didn't know he'd been holding. He spun around, starting to walk towards his apartment, feeling the heavy gaze of Leon's eyes on his back. Alex couldn't help but steal a glance at Leon from over his shoulder, catching sight of the towering, muscular figure following him obediently.
'What have I gotten myself into?' Alex thought as he fumbled with the keys to his apartment. The weight of the situation was sinking in, and he wasn't sure how he would navigate this strange and bewildering circumstance.
"Come in," Alex gestured towards the interior of his apartment, holding the door open for Leon. Leon followed the command, his sizable form shadowing the entire entranceway as he stepped inside. His presence was commanding, filling the room with an unseen weight that left Alex slightly breathless. Leon stood in the middle of the living room, like a statue, his eyes vacant and glazed.
"Sit down," Alex indicated the couch, a slight tremor in his voice. It was a modest piece of furniture, dwarfed by Leon's imposing height. He watched as Leon navigated his way around the room, his every move carrying an understated power. He sat down, the couch creaking slightly under his weight.
With Leon seated, Alex took a moment to gather his thoughts. His mind was racing, struggling to make sense of the situation. His heart pounded in his chest as he wondered what to do next. He knew he had to say something, anything that might help him figure out why Leon didn't remember this morning. But the words were stuck, a lump in his throat, leaving him speechless in the face of the situation.
Pulling himself together, he took a deep breath. "Leon," he began, his voice stronger than he felt, "We need to talk about this morning..."