Daniel woke slowly, the familiar comfort of his own bed doing little to ease the strange mix of emotions swirling inside him. He lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling as the memories from last night began to flood back—each one more vivid than the last. His body felt different, achy but not unpleasantly so. It was the kind of soreness that comes from being touched, moved, worked over by someone who knew exactly what they were doing. Michal’s massage had been unlike anything he had experienced before—erotic in its restraint, sensual in its subtlety.
His muscles ached with the memory of Michal’s hands, strong and deliberate, the way they had glided over his skin with a controlled intensity. Daniel couldn’t quite shake the thrill of it, how intoxicating it had been to lie there, completely at Michal’s mercy, while the younger man held him in that strange space between pleasure and frustration. It hadn’t been sexual—not exactly—but it was more charged than any sexual encounter Daniel had ever had. And the fact that Michal had held back, had deliberately kept it that way, only made it more powerful.
Michal. His face kept flashing in Daniel’s mind, those deep green eyes darkened with a lust that was carefully contained. Daniel could still picture him, standing over him, his hair falling over his forehead in loose strands, his expression unreadable except for the burning desire behind his gaze. There was something about the way Michal had looked at him, something animalistic, primal, as though he was holding himself back only because he enjoyed the restraint. And Daniel had let him. Wanted him to.
It was strange to realize how willingly he had given up control, how much he had enjoyed it. Michal had taken the control Daniel had offered and, with an almost imperceptible shift, made it his own. And Daniel had wanted that. He had needed it, even. He couldn’t help but replay the moment when Michal’s hands had moved from the massage to something more—how he had grabbed both of Daniel’s wrists, pinning them effortlessly above his head. Daniel’s heart had raced, shock mixing with excitement as he realized what was happening. Michal had kissed him then, his mouth hot and insistent against Daniel’s neck, their bodies pressing together in a way that left no room for doubt about what they both wanted.
But even then, Michal had held back. His voice had been low, thick with his Slavic accent, when he whispered in Daniel’s ear. “You are good boy, Daniel.” The words had sent a shiver down Daniel’s spine, the gentle bite at his ear igniting something deep within him. Michal had teased him further, “Tomorrow, when you stay with me… then, I’ll make you cum.”
It was the promise of more, of release, but only when Michal decided. And Daniel, in that moment, had accepted it completely. He had looked at Michal, his breath coming in short gasps, silently begging for more, but Michal had only smirked, his eyes glinting with something darker, something dangerous and thrilling. Daniel had felt like he was staring into the abyss of Michal’s mystery, unsure of what he would find there, but desperate to dive in nonetheless.
Michal had kissed him then, deeply, possessively, but it had felt like a goodbye. Daniel had known, even in the midst of the kiss, that it was the last one of the night. And he hadn’t been wrong. When Michal finally pulled away, that small, knowing smile on his lips, Daniel had felt a pang of disappointment, mixed with a strange satisfaction. He was never going to be in control with Michal. And the truth was, he didn’t want to be.
“Ok, big boy, enough,” Michal had said with a soft laugh, and Daniel had forced himself to smile, hiding the tangle of emotions that had been swirling inside him. He could have tried to prolong that moment, but he knew it would have been futile. Michal was always five steps ahead, always reading him, knowing him, in ways Daniel hadn’t fully understood yet. And that made him yearn for Michal even more.
Now, as Daniel sat up in his own bed, those memories lingering like a soft hum in the background, he felt the full weight of his longing. His body responded immediately, the tension in his muscles returning, but it was more than just physical. There was something about Michal—his control, his restraint, his mystery—that had ignited a fire in Daniel that he hadn’t felt in years. It was as if Michal had unlocked something within him, something he hadn’t even realized he had been missing.
Daniel stood, his body heavy, stiff and sore, the remnants of last night’s tension still clinging to him. As he made his way to the bathroom, he felt unusually self-conscious, his mind replaying every moment, every touch, every look. He could hear Alex downstairs already, his usual morning routine in full swing, and it made Daniel feel even more out of place in his own home. How had he ended up here, caught between the familiar and the thrilling unknown that Michal represented?
He couldn’t let himself dwell on it too much—not today. Today was the day he would go back to Michal, and they would have more time together. He could already feel the anticipation building, the excitement humming just beneath the surface. But there was more to it than just the promise of physical release. This was about something deeper. Michal had shown him what it meant to let go, to relinquish control, and Daniel found that he was more than willing to let Michal take the lead again.
Michal had promised him something, something more than just the massage, more than the kiss, and Daniel was ready to see where it would lead. He trusted Michal, trusted him to guide whatever came next, and that was new for him. For the first time in a long time, Daniel wasn’t trying to control the outcome, wasn’t trying to manipulate the situation to suit his needs. He was living in the moment, letting it unfold naturally, and that was exhilarating in itself.
As he splashed water on his face, Daniel’s thoughts turned to the day ahead. He knew that tonight, he would get to actually sleep with Michal, not just in the physical sense, but to lie beside him, to be with him in that quiet, intimate space that comes after the excitement fades. And whatever else happened… well, that was up to Michal. And for once, Daniel was completely fine with that.
-
Thankfully, Daniel had planned the workday to be a short one. He was going to leave at 1 pm and go to Michal, but the morning was slipping away, fraying at the edges. Every moment, another interruption, another email, another small crisis. And yet, his colleagues, whom he usually cherished working with, felt like obstacles today. It unnerved him—this wasn’t the Daniel they were used to.
For three years, he had been a steady force at the organization, rising through the ranks almost effortlessly, and it was one of the few things in his life that filled him with pride. Daniel was the head of an organization that fed and housed people, one that aligned with his core values in a way his old life never had. He was proud of that, of being needed, of making a difference. In his past jobs, it had all been about self-gratification, control, status. But here, he felt like a new man. Usually.
Today was different. He wasn’t in control, and he hated it. Deep down, he knew why: it wasn’t the work, it wasn’t Sophie’s report, and it certainly wasn’t Juriaan’s question about next week’s meeting. It was Michal. His presence, even in absence, rattled him. Every message from Michal felt like a reminder that Daniel had surrendered something, that he wasn’t steering this new phase of his life.
The third time Sophie appeared in his office, holding the municipal report, her face bright with determination, Daniel snapped.
“I will tell you when it’s ready, Soph! Jesus, what’s wrong with you today?” His words came out sharper than intended, cutting through the air between them.
Sophie’s face fell, her usual warmth replaced by a quiet shock. She turned and left without a word, and the silence she left behind felt damning. As the door closed, Daniel’s gut twisted with guilt. Sophie was one of the best people he knew—passionate, tireless, and breathtakingly beautiful, not in the superficial sense, but in a way that radiated from her spirit. She didn’t need makeup or designer clothes. Everything about her was natural, from her freckles to her dark, practical clothes. Daniel admired her deeply.
And here he was, treating her like an inconvenience.
He rose from his desk, still fuming, though now more with himself than anything else. As he stepped into the hall, he saw Sophie speaking with Juriaan, their heads close in conversation. Juriaan—tall, with a kind of effortless elegance typical of Dutch men his age—looked over, his brow furrowing slightly. He was a direct man, always saying what he thought, but his kindness softened the edge of his words. Daniel liked that about him.
Without hesitation, Daniel approached them. He didn’t bother hiding his embarrassment.
“Sophie, I’m really sorry,” he said, the words tumbling out before he even registered her expression fully. “That was out of line.”
Sophie blinked, her lips parting slightly. But she didn’t seem upset. Instead, she looked at him with concern, her sharpness melting into something gentler. “Is everything okay, Daniel? You know we’re here for you, if you’re feeling overwhelmed.”
Her question took him off guard, striking him in a place he hadn’t expected. He looked between her and Juriaan, realizing how much he truly cared about these people, how much they weren’t just colleagues—they were friends. And they saw him, in ways perhaps no one else did.
“I... I’ve been under a lot of stress,” Daniel admitted, the words almost foreign to his lips. He wasn’t the type to confess these things, to lay bare his vulnerabilities. But here, with Sophie and Juriaan, he didn’t need to pretend to have everything under control. “I appreciate both of you. I don’t know what I’d do without your support.”
Juriaan gave him a steady look, nodding. “We know, Daniel. Just don’t forget to ask for help when you need it.” His voice was calm, reassuring, as if reminding Daniel that it was okay not to have all the answers, not to always be in command.
Daniel reached out and took Sophie’s hands in his. “I adore you, Sophie. I’m sorry for snapping. You didn’t deserve that.”
Sophie smiled, the warmth returning to her eyes. “It’s alright. Just don’t keep it bottled up next time, okay?”
As they hugged lightly, Daniel felt a sense of calm wash over him. He had handled it well in the end, but something about the incident gnawed at him. He didn’t like the old patterns re-emerging—the flashes of temper, the need for control. He had changed for a reason, and Michal... Michal was threatening to unravel that progress. As he returned to his office, he told himself he needed to be careful—not just with Michal, but with himself.
Throughout the morning, Michal kept sending pictures. At first, it was endearing—images of the city through Michal’s eyes, places Daniel had never bothered to visit, even though they were practically at his doorstep. One picture showed the Peace Palace, bathed in morning light, majestic and serene. But it wasn’t the backdrop that made Daniel’s breath hitch.
It was the selfie.
Michal stood in front of the palace, a white button-up shirt tucked beneath a checkered sweater vest that gave him an old-world charm. His hair, slightly windswept, caught the sunlight, and his face held a look of casual confidence that Daniel found electrifying. It reminded him of Fannar, a boy from his childhood who always dressed like he was going somewhere important, even if they were just in their small coastal village. But Fannar was never quite as polished as Michal, never had that edge of style.
Daniel stared at the photo, his heart thudding. There was something alive in Michal’s eyes—a glimmer, a spark that could be lust, could be playfulness, could be something else entirely. The ambiguity excited him, made his pulse quicken. Was Michal playing a game with him? Was he as confident as he seemed? The way his lips curved ever so slightly... it left Daniel wondering if Michal was teasing him, daring him, or simply being.
He felt the heat rise to his face and lower, tightening in his crotch. What was Michal thinking in that moment? What was this Czech man going to do with him today? A part of him longed to take control, to step in and assert himself. Maybe that’s what Michal wanted—a man to claim him, to dominate him. But the thought made Daniel pause. Was that the dynamic here? Was Michal playing a game, or was this something more?
And why did he want so desperately to know?
Daniel shoved the phone into his pocket, shaking his head. He needed to focus. He had wrapped up the report, settled things with Sophie, and was heading out for the weekend. But the thought of Michal lingered, tantalizing, just out of reach. As he stepped into his car, he reminded himself to stay grounded. He couldn’t lose himself in this again—not like before. But as the engine roared to life, so did the rush of excitement.
Day two with Michal was about to begin.
-
The last message Daniel had received from Michal said that he was at the hotel waiting for him. “A bit tired,” Michal had said, after walking all over the city since 7 a.m. Daniel could easily imagine the exhaustion catching up to him now—especially after the day before, when Michal had spent nearly fourteen hours traveling overnight, on a bus, with no sleep, just to get to him.
Daniel hoped he’d find Michal asleep in the hotel room. He had sent a quick message to say he’d be running late, but that he’d be there by 2 p.m. Michal hadn’t reacted to the message like he usually did—no heart, no “haha,” no quirky emoji. Normally, Daniel found Michal’s little reactions endearing, even if he didn’t fully understand them. It was part of what made Michal feel fresh, different, like he was pulling Daniel back into a version of youth that wasn’t his anymore.
At thirty-five, Daniel was well aware of his place, well aware of the age difference between them. He didn’t try to mirror Michal’s digital expressions, fearing it would betray his age. But he also told himself that Michal liked him this way—liked the dad style, the older presence, the sense of humour that came from a different time. Michal had joked about it enough to make him believe it was true. Sometimes sweetly, sometimes teasingly, sometimes sexually.
As Daniel opened the door to the hotel room, a wave of warm, heavy air greeted him, thick with a scent he hadn’t anticipated. It was the smell of boyhood rooms, the kind he remembered from his two brothers: testosterone, sweat, a humid closeness to the air that suggested neither windows nor doors had been opened in hours. He breathed it in and smiled, feeling a strange nostalgia. It was a musky mix—faint sweat, body heat, maybe even the tang of desire. A ball-scent, he thought wryly.
For some reason, the smell made him think of Michal in a different light, more real, more flesh-and-blood. Less polished, less perfect than the image Daniel had built up. Maybe Michal had… well, done something to relieve himself before his nap, or maybe this was just him, unfiltered. Daniel liked it. It amused him. It intrigued him, and somehow made him feel closer to Michal—like this was a part of him he hadn’t been allowed to see yet. A small reminder that Michal wasn’t always in control.
The curtains were drawn, shutting out the afternoon light, and the room was almost entirely dark, except for the thin lines of sun sneaking in through the edges of the heavy fabric. Daniel walked further into the room and saw him—Michal, sprawled out on the bed, wearing nothing but a pair of tight grey briefs. His chest rose and fell rhythmically, his face serene, as if he had drifted into a deep sleep. Daniel hesitated, not wanting to disturb the peaceful sight before him. He moved to sit in the lounge chair by the bed, trying to be careful.
But as soon as his weight hit the chair, it creaked loudly, the frame protesting under his size. Daniel grimaced, hoping the sound wouldn’t wake Michal. He shifted, trying to make himself lighter somehow, but then he felt it—a tug. Michal’s hand, reaching out, gripping his wrist and pulling him toward the bed.
Without much choice, Daniel stumbled forward, his body tipping over, and he landed heavily on top of Michal, still fully clothed. They both burst into quiet laughter, the kind that comes from being caught off guard but not minding it. Daniel felt the hardness of Michal’s slender, fit body beneath him, the warmth of his skin, and a rush of something deeper.
“Sorry…” Daniel began, but the word never fully escaped his lips. Michal silenced him with a kiss, deep and lazy, his breath warm but still sweet, as if sleep had only softened the edges of his passion. Daniel let his weight fall more fully onto him, feeling Michal stir beneath the press of his body. He was careful not to crush him, but he could feel the effect his size had on Michal, the way Michal responded with more hunger, more urgency.
Michal’s hands slid around to Daniel’s side, fingers digging into the softness of his large belly, grabbing with a sense of possession that made Daniel’s pulse quicken. Most men he had been with hadn’t dared to touch him like this, scared to let their desires guide them. But Michal… Michal didn’t hesitate. He went for it without a second thought, grabbing Daniel’s flesh the way so many men wanted to but never did. Daniel had always been open about it—he loved being touched like this, loved how his size and weight drew men in, how his body was something they craved but rarely allowed themselves to indulge in. There was power in that, in knowing that his largeness, his fullness, was part of what made him irresistible. Most guys danced around it, afraid to embrace what they really wanted, but not Michal. He wanted Daniel’s fat body without shame, without hesitation. And that made Daniel feel even more desired, more seen.
Without breaking the kiss, Michal shifted, trying to roll Daniel off to the side. Daniel, knowing Michal wouldn’t be able to move him on his own, played along, letting himself be pulled just enough so that they were lying next to each other, still close, still entangled. His large belly still pressing on, spilling over Michal’s hip, as they faced each other, the moment intimate, their breaths mingling in the dim light.
“Hey there,” Daniel murmured, brushing a kiss to Michal’s forehead, inhaling the scent of his hair—earthy, warm, and intoxicating in its own way. Michal snuggled closer, his smaller frame curling into Daniel’s as if seeking the heat he radiated.
“I was dreaming about you,” Michal said, his voice hushed, sleepy but playful. His hand slid up to Daniel’s plump chest, grabbing a handful, and his eyes sparkled with mischief. “You were smothering me with these.” He laughed, and the sound filled the room, both of them knowing it was silly, but also feeling the weight of the desire behind the joke.
“Is that so?” Daniel smiled, his heart pounding. Michal didn’t move his hand from Daniel’s chest. If anything, his grip tightened, and for a moment, the laughter faded into something heavier, more electric. Michal’s gaze flickered over Daniel’s body, as if contemplating whether to turn the dream into reality.
Daniel felt his breath catch as Michal kissed him again, slower this time, deeper, almost as if savouring the weight, the warmth, the solidity of him. There was something primal in the way Michal touched him, something that made Daniel feel helpless, and he loved it. Michal knew exactly what he wanted, and it wasn’t some slim, chiselled figure. It was him—large, heavy, undeniably present.
But just as quickly, Michal stopped, pulling back with a teasing smile. “I’m glad you’re here, mister,” he said, his voice soft again, and Daniel felt his heart melt, his body sinking into the bed as if he could stay there forever.
He wanted to give Michal everything. He wanted to be everything. And that was dangerous. This boy—this young man with the sleepy smile and the teasing hands—had a power over him that Daniel couldn’t fully understand. It felt almost supernatural, as if Michal held some ancient, elemental force within him, like Poseidon commanding the tides. Was Daniel just another vessel pulled into the current? Or was he seeing something that wasn’t really there?
He shook the thought away, knowing it was silly. It was just the allure of youth, the magic of the moment. But still… there was something about Michal that made him feel like he could control the world, control Daniel, without ever raising his voice.
Don’t get too lost, Daniel reminded himself. But in that moment, lying there in Michal’s bed, with Michal’s hand still resting on his chest, he couldn’t help but think that maybe—just maybe—he didn’t want to be found.
A few more moments passed between them in the hotel, their kisses slow and teasing, fingers trailing over each other as if testing boundaries. Daniel felt the pull to take control, to finally guide Michal where his body longed to go. But he held back. It wasn’t the time, not yet. There was something delicate about the way Michal resisted, a tension that begged to be understood, not unravelled too quickly. And though it left him aching, Daniel was strangely content to let this game play out a little longer. After all, waiting could be its own form of pleasure.
By the time they got in the car, the rain had thickened, a relentless curtain against the windows, isolating them inside their own world. "Leiden?" Daniel had asked earlier, a little surprised at Michal's choice. Most tourists aimed for other cities, but Michal seemed to have something else in mind.
“It’s beautiful,” Michal had said, eyes flickering with that usual restraint. “Old canals, history. I’ve read about it.”
Daniel nodded, eager to see what drew Michal to the quiet, academic town. He had read that Leiden was famous for its centuries-old university, Rembrandt's birthplace, and its small but significant role in Dutch history. Perhaps Michal found comfort in its quieter, less commercial charm.
The heavy downpour had turned their journey into something almost otherworldly, the sound of rain insulating them from the rest of the world. Daniel figured this would be a good chance to break past the barriers Michal so carefully maintained.
“What’s your life like in the Czech Republic?” Daniel asked, casting a quick glance at Michal while navigating the wet road. His voice was gentle, careful not to intrude too much, but direct enough to prompt a real answer.
Michal stared out at the rain, the rhythm of it drumming against the car roof. "It’s less rainy," he said with a small smirk, but the joke barely landed.
Daniel pressed on, sensing this was the moment to go deeper. “No, I mean... What’s going on with you there? How’s everything? You mentioned something about university.”
The shift in conversation seemed to unsettle Michal, and Daniel immediately felt a pang of guilt for veering away from their usual flirtation. But Michal had been hard to read, hard to connect with on a deeper level. He wasn’t going to let this chance slip away.
Michal sighed and shrugged, still staring out the window. "I don’t know. I’m not happy, I think." The words were quiet, tentative, as if he hadn’t meant to reveal so much. He blinked, then added quickly, "It’s green now."
It took Daniel a second to realize Michal was talking about the traffic light. “Oh, right. Sorry,” he mumbled, flustered as he shifted gears. Once they were moving again, he ventured, “What’s bothering you? Is it the move? You can talk about it, if you want.”
The silence in the car grew heavier, but Michal didn’t shut down. Not yet.
“I’m scared,” Michal admitted after a long pause, his voice softer than usual. “I don’t like change. I’m leaving my parents, my friends... everything I know. And I can’t sleep. I’ve been... crying about it.” His words tumbled out in a rush, and Daniel could feel the tension rise again, Michal already regretting saying too much. “I don’t cry much, though,” Michal added quickly, his accent growing more pronounced in his defensiveness. “It’s just hard time.”
Daniel’s heart clenched. He glanced at Michal, seeing the vulnerability in his posture, the way he turned his face toward the rain to hide it. He wanted to comfort him, to say something that mattered.
“I get that,” Daniel said, his voice low, thoughtful. “It’s hard when things change. When I left home for boarding school, it was rough. Everything felt so distant, like I’d never fit anywhere again. But... it got better. Slowly.”
Michal looked at him then, his expression softening. The weight of Daniel’s words seemed to hang between them, and Michal leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Daniel’s cheek, an unspoken thank you. “It’s hard because I didn’t expect to feel this way,” Michal murmured, almost as if testing the waters of his own emotions. “I thought I’d be excited, you know?”
“I think it’s normal to feel both,” Daniel said, his hand slipping back onto Michal’s leg. The rain hammered down outside, but inside, they were cocooned in this unexpected intimacy. “Being excited and scared... It’s a lot.”
Michal was silent for a moment, chewing on his lip. “Yeah. I guess I didn’t expect to be scared about missing them this much... my parents, my friends.”
“You’ll make new friends,” Daniel said, his voice reassuring. “You’re smart, kind... people are drawn to that.”
“I hope so.” Michal squeezed Daniel ’s hand, his voice a little more vulnerable than before. “My best friend and I, we weren’t close for a long time. She was with this guy... a real piece of shit, homophobic piece of shit. But we patched things up recently. I’m scared to be far from her.”
The flood of emotion in Michal’s voice touched something deep in Daniel. It reminded him of his own youth, the fear of letting go, the anxiety of being on the cusp of something new and terrifying. “I think you’re stronger than you realize, Michal,” Daniel said softly. “And I’m glad you’re talking to me about this. It’s important to stay open, to let people in, you know?”
A quiet laugh escaped Michal’s lips. “I’m here with you, aren’t I? That’s pretty open.”
Daniel smiled, feeling the shift between them, a small victory in their growing connection. Michal had let him in, just a little more. The rain continued its downpour, but for now, they were safe in the car, moving through it together.
“There’s the parking garage up ahead,” Michal said, his accent slipping in, his guard shedding just a bit more. Daniel glanced over, heart warm, excited by the sense that this moment, this conversation, had unlocked something new between them.
-
They walked together under the large umbrella Daniel had stashed in his car. The rain came down harshly, but under that shelter, with Michal’s hand slipped firmly under Daniel’s jacket and resting on his side, Daniel felt a warmth spread through him. It wasn’t just the physical closeness, though that was intoxicating enough; it was the rhythm of their steps, the way they moved in unison as if they had been a couple for years, not just two days. Daniel smiled to himself. It felt oddly natural, comforting in a way he hadn’t expected. The thought lingered, and for a moment, they really did feel like a couple, even if the rain showed no sign of stopping.
“Maybe we should stop at café, wait for this weather to clear up,” Michal suggested, turning to meet Daniel’s eyes. There was a mischievous look there, one Daniel recognized all too well by now. Before he could respond, Michal leaned in, kissing him deeply, pressing his hands into Daniel’s belly with a playful squeeze. “Besides, I need to get some food into this belly,” Michal grinned, jiggling it gently. “You haven’t been eating enough since I got here, mister.”
The touch, the words—they hit Daniel in all the right places. He felt a rush of arousal and hunger, an odd mix that only seemed to heighten his senses. “I agree,” he said, chuckling, “let’s find a place to eat and see if the rain takes a break.”
They wandered a little longer, searching for a café until they stumbled upon a charming little spot named PIPA. It was perfect, a cosy retreat from the downpour, with the faint smell of coffee and warm pastries greeting them as they entered.
They settled into a small corner table, both relieved to be out of the rain. Daniel ordered drinks and suggested they dive into some local Dutch treats—fried Bitterballen, croquettes, and thick-cut fries with a healthy dollop of mustard and mayonnaise.
Michal watched Daniel with obvious delight as the food arrived, especially when Daniel began indulging, savouring every bite. “You should order more, big boy,” Michal teased after the first round of food disappeared. There was no malice in his voice, only admiration, and Daniel, who loved good food, found himself happily ordering more.
As the plates emptied, Daniel noticed how different Michal’s encouragement felt compared to past experiences. He wasn’t like those who only fetishized Daniel’s body, calling themselves ‘feeders’ and turning his size into something forced, something he had to perform for. Michal’s pleasure came from seeing Daniel indulge and be comfortable in his own skin, and that comfort extended to their dynamic. There was no force, no pressure—just the quiet understanding that this was who Daniel was, and Michal seemed to love it. He didn’t try to make Daniel feel like he had to change or apologize for needing to take things slow. That was new. And it felt… good.
When they finally paid and left the café, Daniel was pleasantly full, his belly heavy with the meal. Michal kissed him in full view of everyone, a bold and affectionate gesture that made Daniel blush. “Thanks, handsome,” Michal whispered, his hand resting on Daniel’s now even fuller belly. It sent a little thrill through Daniel, a reminder that Michal found his size not only attractive but comforting.
The rain had cleared, and as they stepped outside, the sun was shyly making an appearance through the clouds. The town of Leiden sparkled in the fresh post-rain glow. Daniel marvelled at its charm. The narrow streets, the old brick buildings lining the canals, the towering windmills—it was beautiful in a way he hadn’t quite expected. He was glad he’d taken the time to read up on the city beforehand, even if only to impress Michal.
They wandered through the town, taking in the sights—winding along the canal paths, pausing at old churches, and eventually climbing the steps to the fortress, Burcht van Leiden. It was breath-taking up there, a little piece of history tucked away in the heart of town. The stone walls of the old fortress wrapped around them, and as they stood at the top, a massive tree in the centre of the courtyard cast long shadows across the ground. The light filtered through the branches, dancing on the stone, and Daniel was taken by how magical the place felt.
The climb hadn’t been easy for him. His body, heavy and full from the meal, struggled with the steep, narrow steps, and he often had to pause to catch his breath. But Michal… Michal was patient. He stayed beside Daniel the entire way, offering quiet words of encouragement, his hand resting lightly on Daniel’s back or arm whenever he needed support. He wasn’t pushing Daniel, wasn’t making a spectacle of his struggle. In fact, Daniel began to realize that Michal seemed… excited by it, turned on in some subtle way by Daniel’s sheer size and the effort it took for him to move.
As they reached the top, Michal placed his jacket on the stones and told Daniel to sit and catch his breath. Daniel, red-faced and sweating, did as instructed, feeling both exhausted and strangely elated. Michal stood over him for a moment, smiling, then gently wiped the sweat from Daniel’s brow with a tissue he pulled from his bag. “Good job, big guy,” he said, planting a soft kiss on Daniel’s forehead. There was a tenderness in the gesture that nearly overwhelmed Daniel.
This was new. In the past, men had claimed to love Daniel’s size, but when faced with the reality of what it meant—the slower pace, the need for rest—they grew frustrated, disappointed. But not Michal. There was no judgment here, no expectation for Daniel to be anything other than what he was. And that realization stirred something deep in Daniel, an emotion he wasn’t quite ready to name.
They spent a while exploring the fortress, taking pictures against the stunning backdrop of Leiden, the town spread out below them like a painting. Michal, who seemed to come alive when the camera was on him, posed with effortless grace, while Daniel observed the stark differences in their generational views on photography. Michal’s generation lived for these moments, capturing life in perfect snapshots, curating their experiences. Daniel, on the other hand, had always preferred the candid, unpolished moments—the ones that felt more real, more reflective of the truth behind the lens. But there was something undeniably authentic in Michal’s way of being too, and Daniel found himself admiring it.
As they made their way back to the car, the sun now fully out and casting long golden rays across the streets, Daniel felt a sense of contentment he hadn’t in a long time. His body ached from the day’s activities, his feet sore and his muscles weary, but there was a deep satisfaction in the memories they had created.
On the drive back to The Hague, Michal broke the comfortable silence. “I know your feet are killing you,” he said, glancing over at Daniel, “but can we go to the beach? Just for the sunset, before dinner.”
Daniel smiled. He didn’t have it in him to say no, not to Michal. “I know just the spot,” he replied, thinking of Zuidstrand, the quieter, more local beach that was one of his favourite places in the city. It was a spot where they could park close to the sand, with hardly any walking required.
By the time they arrived, the sun was low on the horizon, casting the sky in hues of soft pink, gold, and lavender. The ocean was calmer today, waves gently rolling in, the sound of surfers slicing through the water reaching them faintly from a distance. It was serene, beautiful in a way that made Daniel feel lucky to be there, to share this with Michal.
“This is perfect,” Michal said, practically bouncing with excitement as they made their way to the sand. He took Daniel’s hand, leading him closer to the water’s edge. There was an ease between them now, a comfort that had deepened throughout the day.
“Can I take some pictures of you?” Michal asked, his eyes gleaming with affection. “Your blue eyes… they’re amazing in this light.”
Daniel chuckled, dropping his jacket. “Of course. Where do you want me?”
They spent the next few minutes taking photos of each other, laughing as they posed and captured the beauty of the moment. When they finally found a large rock to sit on, the sun sinking lower by the minute, Michal snuggled under Daniel’s jacket, his arms wrapped around him from behind. His hands moved softly under the fabric, tracing gentle patterns across Daniel’s body, not in a way that demanded anything, but simply to show how much he adored him.
As the last rays of light faded, Daniel couldn’t help but feel that something magical was about to happen tonight. The day had been filled with closeness, tenderness, and revelations. And now, as they sat on the beach together, Michal’s breath warm against his neck, Daniel knew that tonight would be the culmination of all the emotions, all the unspoken desires between them.
Whatever happened next, he was ready for it.
