Heaven Tastes Like Peaches

Sławek Domejczuk realized, of course, that there were millions of rootless people in the world. Not everyone had that luxury like family home. But not everyone needed him either.

Some longed for wandering and adventure, and the world was home to them. Others wanted a separate place for themselves and voluntarily cut themselves off from their family home, returning to it only for Christmas or not at all. Sławek, however, felt close to the land where his ancestors had grown up, and if he were to lose it, he would feel as if a piece of his heart had been torn out. He couldn't even imagine the loneliness he would feel then. Therefore, he had to do everything, absolutely everything, to get the money to pay off the debt.

Therefore, he had to complete this pieta.

He entered his grandfather's studio and unveiled the sculpture. Mary was finished, just like the body of Jesus, only his face remained a block of wood without features. These, however, were already in Sławek's imagination and he was slowly beginning to shape it. Now it was enough for him to pick up a chisel and touch the wood with it to make this shape ever smaller. In a moment she will start giving him individual features - beautiful and familiar. Exactly as his heart dictated.

***

"Would you believe that such coincidences really exist?" Yussuf ibn Muhmud asked, energetically sitting down in the chair of the hotel suite. His secretary stood politely in front of him.

"It really is an unusual case," he admitted. He himself was impressed with the information he had just verified. "If I believed it, I would assume it was destiny."

"Right? Out of the seven billion people… Ha! Maybe it is actually a sign from heaven."

"I dare to doubt. Rather, a genetically inherited talent."

"True too," Yussuf laughed. "I would like to see this talented boy now, but I'm afraid that Kowalski is right. The revelations we have for him could disrupt his peaceful creative process."

"But if ..."

"Yes?"

"I was wondering…"

"Speak. Since when are you so shy?"

"I am a bit afraid, what will happen to a young, sensitive artist when your Majesty appears in his life? Will the world that opens before him destroy the beautiful sensitivity that he currently has?"

"Do you think I will demoralize him so much?"

"Not at all, but ..."

Yussuf ibn Muhmud sighed.

"Yes I know. I know," he repeated, and fell into thought. "It will have to be approached delicately, with caution."

"As always with your Majesty."

"Well, well, you don't have to try to please me. You already got your bonus this month."

"It's never too early to start working on the next one."

"Does it seem to me, or do you become cunning and… more calculating every year?"

"I take care of my personal development."

"So, learn all about this boy's circumstances as you work on your next bonus. I want to know everything about him."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The morning was definitely beautiful, Konrad said, leaving Sławek's house a little before ten. The sun was bright, but it wasn't as hot as it had been in the last few days. It was a relief, especially for him, who began to feel less and less calm while being in the company of Sławek. He knew what the symptoms meant, and he had no idea what to do about it.

He just liked Sławek. Physically.

It wasn't love. Konrad just felt drawn to him. He liked Sławek's company and his hormones were buzzing around him. The young sculptor had a beautiful face, his sky-colored eyes were warm and bright, and his lean body had an alluring bounce.

Throughout history, physical rapprochement between men has been socially acceptable, sometimes taboo. The present world probably couldn't decide which side to take, so tolerance was intertwined with prejudices, and Konrad heard statements like: "Two fagots? Let them do what they want, but not where I can see them." It was neither acceptance nor outright condemnation. It was indifference, but there was reluctance behind it, because everything was fine, until someone had to confront themselves with the truth that someone they knew was gay. People lied to themselves claiming to accept the existence of sexual otherness, but when it came to looking at a gay man in the face, they looked away from him with distaste.

But actually, does feeling same-sex attraction mean you are homosexual?

Skalski remembered all those situations when he got excited seeing an excited man in the film. The actor might not be appealing at all, but the very fact of his physical readiness made Konrad's body react as well. It was pure biology. If something was exciting, it was just like that and Sławek definitely fell into that category.

Konrad's mother would say that man is not a slave to lust. Of course she would be right, but if both parties are eager and curious about the experience, why not try something new?

The question was, are both parties really willing in this case?

Unfortunately, there was no way he could just ask it at breakfast.

Then, in the barn, Konrad Skalski definitely sensed his friend's hardness. But he had no reason to conclude that it had arisen because of him. I mean, most likely because of him, but was it just random physical stimulation, or were the reasons a little more complicated? In fact, there was no reason to complicate matters, because even if Sławek only reacted to a physical stimulus, there was a reaction, and that was enough.

The boy sighed and looked at the clear blue sky. He really started to wonder what it was like to be with a man?

No, he corrected himself immediately. He was curious what it was like to be with Sławek.

Not only his mind but also his body expressed the same curiosity, and now, under this bright, warm sky, Konrad felt anxiety in his pants. Blushing, he looked around anxiously. He breathed a sigh of relief because no one was around. He looked down at his crotch and felt a little more confident. Fortunately, his jeans were stiff and not too tight, and his shirt was long enough to hide all signs of excitement.