Heaven Tastes Like Peaches

Suddenly Konrad laughed. He realized that he had stopped liking the little one just because she liked Sławek. It's so childish. After all, this little girl was no threat. After all, an eighteen-year-old will not even look at such a child ...

Wait a minute, why should he care about whom Domejczuk will look or not?

He stopped laughing.

After all, Konrad cannot be jealous…

***

It was after 8 p.m. when Sławek finally left his studio. He had been locked in it for so long that if Konrad had not heard the tapping of a hammer and a chisel from behind the door, he would have thought the boy had passed out. And he probably missed it, Skalski decided when he saw his friend. He was pale, with dark circles under his eyes, and red eyes, and his eyesight was a little blind. He looked as if he had been working all day without taking a break. Twelve hours spent. As a result, his long face was even longer and his slim figure looked even thinner. His face and clothes were all covered with dust and shavings that fell off him with every step.

Konrad's chest twitched at the sight of this. Something like anxiety, but also pride. It was the first time he had seen an artist at work and his level of devotion to art, without rest and without food. It was impressive. If someone puts so much commitment and heart into their work, it will certainly be exceptionally beautiful.

"Are you okay? You look miserable" Konrad noticed walking up to Sławek.

"I'm tired."

"And probably hungry, eh? Wash yourself and I will prepare something to eat. It is true that I am not a chef, but I can make hot dogs. What do you say about them?"

"Sure, thanks!"

Sławek disappeared in the bathroom door and Konrad took out a saucepan and threw sausages into it.

Hot dogs were one of the few dishes he could prepare, and only because it consisted of slicing, heating and pouring ketchup. He learned it during one of the school trips and stated that it was the only valuable thing he had learned from junior high school. Even culinary talents like him could quickly prepare something hot. Some made the salads themselves, but he relied on the ready ones. Mother always had some in the fridge, and the supermarkets now had a wide range of them. Even here, in this small village, he spotted a plastic cup of Coleslaw and immediately thought about buns washed down with beer.

Domejczuk spent some time in the bathroom, but he left it, wiping his hair. Washed and disguised, he didn't look so pathetic anymore, but he still touched a sensitive chord in Skalski's heart. Konrad swallowed hard.

"How's your progress at work?" He asked.

Sławek looked at him and then quickly averted his eyes. His face was flushed, probably from heavy scrubbing or cold water.

"Well. I'm almost done."

"Really? You must have been inspired today if you've been sitting in the studio for so long!"

"I guess so."

"I can't wait for you to show it to me!" Skalski was enthusiastic. "But did you really go that fast?"

"You know, a sculptor is not a nine-to-five job. When it doesn't go, it doesn't go, but when it does, it's hard to stop."

"You impressed me! Seriously! Sit down, I have to feed you. Plus a beer."

"Beer ... I don't really ..."

"Come on! You barely got your mouth wet lately! We should celebrate every, even the smallest, success! Anyway, a beer will help you relax after such an intense day and you will sleep better."

"Maybe you're right," he admitted hesitantly, but he accepted the glass of amber liquid covered with foam.

Konrad smiled as soon as his friend took a sip. Behind the alcohol he served were not only the intentions for Sławek to get a good night's sleep. He wanted the boy to relax enough to let him know if Domejczuk had any inclinations towards him. He was sure he wouldn't get anything out of him sober, but a little bit of alcohol should loosen his tongue.

Their conversation over dinner was not complicated and was limited to series that were fashionable. Sławek did not have time to be up to date and he probably did not feel like it either, but Konrad was killing the time spent in the countryside, when his only local friend devoted himself to his work. So he introduced Domejczuk to the current action, observing how the beer in his glass was decreasing. With the last sip he felt a sense of triumph and was already getting ready to talk loosely about the homosexual motive when he noticed that Sławek was preparing to get up from the table.

"Hey, you don't want to tell me you're drunk!"

"What?" Domejczuk was clearly foggy. "No. I just… want to sleep."

"Don't be kidding! One beer knocked you out?"

"I guess I worked too much," he said, and yawned wide without even covering his mouth.

Yes, it is true, Konrad had to admit. He even felt remorse that he talked so much at dinner instead of letting Sławek rest. He never sculpted, so he did not fully imagine what this work was about and whether it really was a great physical challenge, but Domejczuk seemed extremely exhausted. One beer is actually not much, but when you feel tired, it can work faster and harder.

"Then why don't you lie down?" he suggested.

"Yes, I think I will" agreed Sławek and stood up. His alcohol-stained cheeks flushed red on his pale face, and his eyes were clearly blurred.

"Come on, I'll help you," Konrad Skalski suggested and gently directed the dazed Sławek. He led him to the bedroom and helped him sit on the bed.

"Thanks," the sculptor muttered, and yawned again. He lay on his side and, covering the blanket, fell asleep immediately.

Konrad was about to leave when his eyes met the sleeping man's face. Though the room was dimly lit, he could clearly see the contours of his jaw and nose, long eyelashes almost lying on his cheeks, and moist, alluring lips. Sławek's lips moved in his sleep, more as a reflex than a word, revealing his teeth and tongue. Suddenly Skalski was right next to them, fascinated by their color and line. If he was to touch these lips with his...

Sławek groaned in his sleep and rolled over to the other side.

Konrad jumped back, scared that his friend had woken up and Skalski was caught in a wrongdoing, but he quickly saw that he was wrong. Domejczuk simply changed his position to a more comfortable one.

Then Konrad felt irritated. Only centimeters were missing for him to kiss his friend! The second such opportunity may not be repeated!

But Sławek was still asleep, only turned over to the other side.

Skalski silently climbed onto the bed, so as not to wake Sławek, and lay down, facing him, face to face. He looked at the beautiful, gentle features, the alluring nose and sensual lips, and slowly, very slowly, he began to approach them.

Sorry, he thought I was taking advantage of the moment while you were asleep, but if I don't, I think I'll be down…