The pavement below him was solid but slightly uneven, worn smooth by countless footsteps. As Theo walked, he caught glimpses of storefronts, street signs, and the impressive skyscraper in the distance, its glass facade gleaming in the sunlight.
He had only planned to text Marco and get to know him better before taking it any further. And yet, somehow, he was on his way to meet him only a few days after their first-ever conversation.
He shuddered as someone's hand settled on his shoulder. When he turned to see who it was, an older woman with graying, shoulder-length hair met his cautious gaze. Letting go of his shoulder, she kept walking, encouraging Theo to keep up with her pace. He did as much, letting out a sigh of relief.
"What are you doing in the city?”
"I'm just dropping by to meet with Sylas."
He flinched at his mother’s words.
"Oh. That's nice."
Audrey's eyes narrowed, but she kept quiet. As they continued down the busy street, a spark of tension hung in the air.
Theo had to break the silence himself.
"I'm, uh… Meeting up with someone, too."
"Devin?"
"…No."
She didn’t respond and instead wrapped a firm hand around his.
That was always her way of hugging or showing support. Theo never really wondered why she didn't do it 'properly.' To him, it made sense. She had been like that since the beginning, reserved and cautious.
"I have to turn at the next corner."
"Have fun." The hint of a smile tugged at her lips as she retracted her hand.
He gave her a quick nod, then picked up the pace.
With a final lingering look back, he rounded the nearest street corner.
All around Theo, throngs of people pressed past each other, hurrying to get themselves and their relatives through the ticket gates.
One individual scooted into the main line, his eyes locked on Theo. It took him a second to realize who it was.
Others were moving up behind him, but he still beckoned with his hand for Theo to join him.
Theo’s stomach tightened as he looked between Marco and the rest of the line. Wouldn't he be skipping them? But that should be allowed since they're supposed to go in together, right?
… and every other imaginable question.
Marco tried to extend his arm as far as possible, mouthing something Theo couldn’t interpret.
"Theo."
In the end, the only thing that actually got him to move was a louder version of the voice that pulled him in at the bar.
He squeezed himself into the queue with hesitant steps, finding comfort in the large form beside him.
It certainly wasn't helping that the people behind him were scrunching their noses and glaring at them.
Hiding wasn't possible, was it?
"Were you about to run away?" Marco laughed.
"Uh, maybe. I just don't want to bother …"
They're still staring.
"… Anyone"
"Hey, at least you're not bothering me." That was only somewhat calming. He had no reason to be, so that was purely to make Theo relax.
"That's… good."
"So, who was the woman you were talking to?"
"You saw… Well, that was my mother. She doesn't actually live here, though. Said something about visiting my brother, Silas."
Marco's brow arched when he noticed how Theo recoiled at the name.
"Not a fan of him?"
"That's putting it mildly. I mean, he even has to live in the same city as me? Really? Right at …" He almost stopped himself, but Silas’s address slipped out.
“No need to worry. I'll help keep your mind off him. Just focus on me.”
How could Theo say no to that?
The zoo was large and expansive. Its walkways were smooth and winding, leading visitors through enclosures and exhibits. The sound of chirping birds and distant roars created a lively atmosphere.
They felt the sun's warmth on their skin as they strolled through the landscaped areas and well-maintained gardens.
The first exhibits they visited were inhabited by various exotic bird species.
Marco's face lit up at the colorful sight.
Casting a quick glance at his arm, Theo was reminded of the tattoo.
“So, birds are a big deal to you?”
“Well, I'm mostly a fan of corvids. But yeah, love ‘em.”
“That kind of makes me wonder what you usually do. Like, fun or work.”
“Ah, a classic question.”
Theo sensed a hint of disdain in his tone.
“I mostly just try to survive at my office job and work out. Sometimes, I dare venture out into the nightlife. As you saw.”
For some reason, Theo expected this guy to be doing more… daring things? He had no idea what that would even be, but still.
“Pretty much the same for me. Except for the working out part. And the office part. Uh, anyway, I just work at a gas station. But I do like to travel sometimes. When the money is there.” So, not very often.
“I’d love to travel too, but I don’t have much time for it.”
Theo wanted to question him further, but Marco was already headed for the nearest enclosure.
They walked past a multitude of different animals. Stopping mainly at the crocodiles, other smaller reptiles, and wolves.
By the time they reached the tiger exhibit, their conversation had turned to everything involving carnivores and that one wolf that practically stared them down.
“Ruthless, aren’t they?”
“I guess… but I like them. Despite their size. I got one of the smaller ones at home.”
“You have a cat?”
“Ever since I first moved out, yeah.” Theo’s eyes drifted to the other end of the park they were currently in, landing on a red-brown sheen coming from a few flowing locks.
Devin.
He had to go see him.
Marco was about to speak up but stopped himself.
“I-I’m sorry. I might have to cut today short.”
“Oh… that’s alright.” He carefully eyed the person Theo had been gazing at.
“We’ll figure out a new time as soon as possible.”
“Great.” Marco slid his hand down Theo’s arm, making his face flush.
“Oh, uh, yeah. Bye.”
Slipping out of his loose grip, Theo headed after his friend.
"Devin! What's up? I didn't expect to see you here." Of course he did; he mentioned wanting to go. Formalities.
Devin stepped back in surprise.
"I should be saying that. Who—"
In his eagerness, he cut Devin off.
"Hope all went well with your friend."
“It was fine. You know how those things are. It's usually not that black and white…” He glanced past Theo’s shoulder.
Theo turned his head just as Marco disappeared from view.
"I'd rather you tell me what's going on with that guy."
"Oh, Marco? Yeah, he's… nice."
"Ooh." Devin's lips curled up.
"Didn't you just ditch him for me?"
”Yeah, but… You probably had to deal with some tough feelings. You need the company more. If my company is worth much, that is.”
Devin listened intently, furrowing his brows by the end.
“Always."
A house, huh? That was the first time he had met someone around his age who didn’t have an apartment, especially in and around the city.
Even though it had been a while since they last saw each other, Theo was still fiddling with his shirt sleeves, glancing both left and right as if someone was going to sneak up on him.
“I got work pretty early after finishing school. And I’ve just been saving up since then.”
“Impressive…”
Marco stepped back, standing just behind his door frame.
“Don’t look so nervous; we’re not going there right away. Unless you want to.” Looking back over his shoulder, Marco disappeared into the dark, his footsteps receding into the distance.
Theo gulped. At least now he knew they were on the same page.
The inside felt modern, with cold, smooth marble flooring that reflected the soft ambient light from the pendant lamps.
His living room was certainly a spectacle. The large windows let in natural light, casting warm, inviting shadows on the velvet furniture.
Velvet, huh?
Admittedly, he was just trying to distract himself. It was growing a bit quiet.
“I know I said we weren't. But, looking at you standing there so innocently, I…”
Marco's voice snapped him back to reality. Who were they kidding?
“... Where's the bedroom?” A tinge of pride was attached to those words.
The other man’s eyes widened at that.
“Well then… right this way.”
Under him lay the softest sheets he ever had the pleasure to touch. He could fall into the depths of Marco’s king bed and disappear forever.
But that would mean having to ignore the man towering above him.
“Just relax. I'll take care of everything.”
As his black shirt was thrown to the side, Theo finally saw the rest of the bird's head. The artist must have spent quite a while making it. The details were so finely done he shuddered to think what it might have cost.
Nothing left Theo's lips. He just watched Marco’s half-naked body as he took something out of the nightstand.
He traced the ink with his finger, taking in a deep breath to calm himself. Their eyes connected for a moment. Marco was already ripping a tiny packet open with his teeth.
Straight to the point.
“Oh…”
Shedding them both of their clothes, Marco slicked his rubber-covered cock in lube.
His hands then ever so gently traveled across Theo's thighs. And with a light but steady grip, he pulled him closer.
As Marco buried himself deep inside Theo, one thought remained. But only for a moment before vanishing with a sudden jolt of pleasure. One that made his mind go blank and kept it there for the rest of the night.
How was he so slow and caring but controlling at the same time? Something wasn't matching in his head—a disharmony of sorts.
“I want you. All to myself.”
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