Leo lived for the quiet hum of his studio, a sanctuary of soft lighting and the scent of sandalwood. As a professional massage therapist, he’d seen it all, but there was something different about Marcus from the moment he walked in. Marcus was tall, with broad shoulders that looked like they were carrying the weight of the world, and a shy smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. "First time?" Leo asked, his voice low and grounding.

Leo nodded understandingly. "Lie face down. We’ll start with the back and work our way down. Just breathe."

When the session finally ended, Marcus stayed still for a long moment before slowly sitting up. He looked at Leo, his eyes clearer and his smile finally reaching them.