The dim lighting, punctuated by spotlights, highlighted the attendees' eclectic outfits and the striking merchandise on display.

It was almost impossible to count the number of harnesses and similar articles of clothing hanging in nearly every booth—if clothing was even the right word for that.

Many of them also had quite an assortment of sex toys.

Most of the people there weren’t wearing much, and some even changed into the clothing they were buying right as they put their credit cards away.

Theo and Luca were wearing all black to try and fit the theme since they didn’t have any gear. Luckily, Devin had done the same, but for more personal reasons.

"I'm glad you could come. It means a lot when you bother with all my weird interests, Theo."

"You're saying that like I'm not curious about it, too."

"Wait, you are? Why haven't you told me? There's so much I have to show you."

Pulled by the arm, Theo wandered around the vendor market with him. Luca followed close by.

It was nice to see Devin looking better already. There really was something about being engaged in a place that meant so much to you.

At the same time, Theo was trying to calm himself. There wasn't much keeping him from running out of here and chasing down Marco.

"Oh—"

Devin waved into the crowd, and soon enough, another person responded. He then held up his index finger, indicating for them to wait.

"I need to catch up with them. It's been so long. But… One second. Before I leave, I want to say something to you, Theo."

Theo stayed quiet, only giving him a quick nod.

"You know best what needs to be done. I'm not here to tell you to do it, because I don't know if that's the best decision. All I ask is that you give it proper thought before doing anything rash."

"I can't promise anything." There was a tinge of hollowness in Theo's tone.

"Then… At least promise me to take some control back. For once."

Devin didn't wait for an answer. Their eyes lingered on each other for a while as he turned to meet up with his friend.

A hand landed on Theo's shoulder, followed by a whisper, bringing him out of his trance.

"I know you want to rush out. But let's stay a little longer. A break would be good for you."

Continuing through the rest of the indoor area, they hurried through what seemed to be this convention’s version of a bar. They ended up passing through that area fairly quickly since it brought back some not-so-welcoming memories.

They also came across a room dedicated to the men who wore what Devin had told him were puppy hoods. There was more to it, but that's all he knew from the one brief exchange they had about it.

The place contained an obstacle course of sorts and cages that some were currently inside.

Theo would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little intrigued by the men playing around in the ball pit.

The temptation to interact with them was strong, but he held himself back. Luca, however, greeted one with a wave, which made him shake his glove in response. Presumably, that was also a wave, but they couldn't be sure.

What caught their attention next was a large stage. Although nothing was happening on it at the moment, it was likely being set up for later. The surface of it was massive, with large screens covering most of the background. Though currently blank, it was easy to imagine the many colors and lights that would shine there at night.

After heading through numerous dark tunnels, they reached a sign displaying a list of etiquette rules. For a term Theo had never heard of. One of them wasn't a rule, though; it simply stated that they carried both lube, condoms, and gloves.

"Ooh, these are fun." Luca smiled.

Considering the nature of the sign, Theo could only imagine what went on inside the opening it was plastered above.

"What happens in there?"

"You're telling me that that's not obvious?"

"Oh, I think I know. I just want you to say it." Theo's gaze caught Luca off guard, causing his face to heat up under the dim lights.

"A lot of… casual sex. The dark makes it more anonymous."

Neither of them said another word. Their hesitant, shared glances meant enough.

Thin strips of red LED lights lined the section between the walls and the ceiling, providing a minuscule amount of light.

In the darkness, he could primarily discern the other men by their hair. The glow reached some shoulders, but that depended on their height.

Even the man standing in front of him was hard to make out, his most prominent feature being the glinting piercing above his eye.

As the stranger got closer, his head dipped down until the soft touch of his lips pressed against Theo’s neck.

Heat rose through his body as a pair of hands felt him up. He sighed but heard the guy beside him match it with an even sweeter moan.

Luca. He must have also found someone.

His sounds were… directing Theo’s blood, to say the least. Not to mention, they were getting louder and louder.

“Ugh… Oh, sorry.” Louder because Luca was close enough to bump shoulders with him.

Brought out of his daze, Theo looked past the hair of the man by his neck, locking eyes with Luca. The lights shone so brilliantly on his face.

“It's okay… Luca.”

The sight of the man entangled with Luca stirred an unfamiliar jealousy in him.

He wanted to push the guy away. To switch places with him. To be the one that made Luca moan like that.

“Theo…”

A third hand slid up his arm.

The man before him backed up once he saw what was happening.

“Yeah?” The hopeful tone in his voice was embarrassingly clear.

“Do you… want to?”

Theo gulped, followed by a slow, deep breath.

“Please…”

They found themselves in a smaller, separate area, which could almost be considered its own room.

Theo’s leg knocked against something. A silhouette, its shape and edges blending into the dark. The object looked to be made of leather, catching the faintest glimmer of light on its smooth, glossy surface.

Theo sat on it, leaning back as Luca’s knee pressed into the bench between his legs.

Luca had already picked up a tiny bottle and one of the rubber packets offered on a table by the room's entrance. Since the bench was low to the ground, he could easily place them on the floor, and a soft thud sounded as he did.

“You're breathing way too fast. Relax…”

Theo felt something soft prod his lower stomach. As it pressed flat against his skin, he realized it was Luca's hand sliding up under his shirt.

The precise, gentle touch sent a shiver through Theo, his senses attuned to the other man's next move.

“You're making that… very difficult.” With his vision impaired, he was more acutely aware of Luca's every action. More sensitive. Every time skin met skin, he sucked in a sharp breath.

“Oh, really? How so?” Luca chuckled as he pushed Theo’s shirt further up. It took much longer than Theo would have liked before he pulled it all the way off.

“S-Shh.”

With another quiet laugh, Luca fiddled with the rest of Theo’s clothes until the cold air hit his fully exposed body.

“Is someone embarrassed?”

Luca’s warm hands roamed over every part of him, lingering near his thighs. The contrast in temperature made him squirm.

Such a sensation was new to him, especially since the effects of the darkroom were enhancing it.

“Nnh, shut… up.”

Luca brushed his fingers against Theo’s cock, causing his body to heat up as his legs trembled.

“Hmm, I can't believe you're still talking back to me like this.” Though Luca’s voice was steeped in sarcasm, he withdrew his hands from Theo’s body, leaving him without even the slightest touch.

“Luca…” Theo whimpered. He heard the faint noise of someone swallowing their own saliva.

From what little he could see of Luca in the weak red glow mixed with the rustling sounds he was making, his best guess was that he was getting his clothes off.

“Patience.”

Theo reached his hand out, hoping to make contact with Luca. With some luck, his fingertips grazed the man’s stomach.

Light sloshing noises came from him, which, considering the way Luca’s body moved, had to be because he was wrapping up and lubing his cock.

“Don't stall.” As Theo ran his hand up Luca’s body, he heard him breathe in slowly and more manually.

“I… wouldn't dare.” There was a tinge of playfulness to his tone, even as he shuddered from Theo’s sudden grip on his chest.

“Good…” With a smile, Theo flicked Luca’s nipple and twisted it in his fingers.

“Ah—” Luca’s body jerked closer, leaning into the touch. One of his hands came down onto the bench, landing next to Theo’s head.

“Then, fuck him out of me.” Theo reached behind Luca and crept his hand up the back of his thigh.

“Hah…”

He groaned as Theo’s fingers dug into his skin.

“I don't want even a sliver of his sweat left on my body.” He swiped his palm across Luca's ass, earning him a sweet moan in response. The satisfaction Theo felt just from that was immense.

“Nngh… Sir, yes, sir.”

Oh, Luca liked that, did he?

He grabbed Theo by the legs, rubbing his thumbs against his inner thighs. He was teasing him, making it harder for Theo to determine when he'd finally obey.

But… he didn't have to wait long.

A sigh barely escaped Theo before his breath hitched in his throat. Luca had him skewered on his cock with a rough pull of his body.

“F-Fuck.” One of Theo’s arms fell onto the bench, while the other held tightly onto Luca’s arm.

This was already way rougher than he was used to, but it was also exactly what he needed.

It didn't take long for Luca to adjust to Theo’s body, learning in record time how to make him cry out in pleasure.

Every slam against his furthest, most sensitive depths was making him arch and quiver from the impact.

Theo didn't find it hard to admit that this man was significantly better than Marco.

“I… wish I could see you better.” His grip tightened around Theo’s thighs.

“No… I- I look like a mess…”

Theo felt precum leak down his cock as Luca's rhythmic thrusts made his body shudder, a wealth of whimpers and whines escaping him.

His face was practically buried in the leather bench, tears staining the stretched fabric.

“Mmh, a hot one…” Luca’s chuckle was enough to heat up the already-burning Theo.

He writhed, an unbearable pressure building up in his lower body.

“O-Oh god, I—” His legs shook and trembled as his eyes rolled back from the sheer ecstasy. Theo’s world went dark. It felt as if he merged with the darkroom, becoming one with it.

Mixed with his gasps came another deep moan from the man above him. This one sounded much more final and was accompanied by Luca lingering deep inside him.

“Nnh… fuck…” He dragged himself out of Theo. And before long, exhausted panting filled the room.

The reality of the situation dawned on them. The silence was heavy, but Theo didn't regret his actions.

If anything, he felt so damn good, it was impossible to articulate.

“Luca… You're the best I've ever had.”