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..."
"Leon, could you... uh, remove your jacket and coat?" Alex managed to stutter out, his voice shaky. He didn't understand what was happening to Leon but figured trying to replicate the conditions from the morning might help.
Without uttering a word, Leon complied. He slipped out of his coat and let it fall onto the floor, then proceeded to unzip his varsity jacket, revealing his bare torso underneath. There was no shirt, Alex noticed, swallowing hard as Leon's skin was bared to his gaze.
Leon's body was a marvel. Sun-kissed and sculpted, his chest was a landscape of well-defined muscles, a testament to countless hours spent in the gym. Each line, each curve was perfectly delineated, exuding raw masculinity and pure strength. The washboard abs that defined his midriff were hard as rock, the lean striations of muscle hinting at the power contained within. His pecs were firm and rounded, tapering down to a narrow waist that disappeared into the waistband of his jeans.
The light from the window danced on his skin, highlighting the ripples of his abdominals and the broad expanse of his chest. His arms, brawny and veined, were left bare, showcasing the sinewy muscles of his biceps and triceps. Even at rest, his physique radiated a potent virility that was both intimidating and tantalizing.
There was a mesmerizing allure to his physique, a magnetic pull that demanded attention. His body was like a piece of art, each muscle and curve flawlessly etched. Alex found his eyes roaming, taking in the intricate details, unable to look away. He could feel his heartbeat quicken, heat spreading across his face as he became acutely aware of the intense physicality of Leon's presence.
Lost in the spectacle before him, Alex felt a knot of tension building in his stomach. He felt drawn in, captivated by the raw sensuality of Leon's form. It was a sight that stirred something within him, a primal urge that he had never experienced before. As his gaze lingered on Leon, he felt his breath hitch, the room growing uncomfortably warm.
"Leon..." he found his voice again, a whisper barely louder than the beating of his heart, "Do you... remember anything from this morning?"
Leon remained silent, his vacant gaze still trained on some unfathomable point in the distance. He didn't even seem to register Alex's question about the morning. It was clear to Alex now that Leon was only responding to his direct orders.
In a voice barely above a whisper, Alex murmured, "Leon... could you, um, remove your...pants?" His heart pounded in his chest as the words left his mouth. He held his breath, but Leon didn't move. He just stood there, stoic and silent as a statue.
Alex's mind raced. He had no idea what he was doing, or why he was doing it. But he had come this far. He took a deep breath, steadied his voice, and spoke again.
"Leon," he said, this time with a more commanding tone, "remove your pants."
To his relief--and surprise--Leon obeyed. He unfastened the button of his jeans, his movements slow and mechanical, and let them slide down his legs, revealing a tight white jockstrap that did little to hide the rippling muscles of his thighs and the sculpted curves of his glutes. His body was a masterpiece, a sight that left Alex breathless and entranced.