39 The Dark Sauna

"I'm sorry, babe :/", read the text from Brad. "Some kid got hit by a bus on campus grounds and it's really serious so we're having a meeting right now. I'll make it up to you :) ttyl"

"It's okay, maybe another time then", I typed.

I looked up from my phone to see a blue neon sign that read 'Fizzy Soda Sauna'. Brad and I had originally planned to come to this gay sauna after he had received two vouchers for free spa sessions. I stared at the neon sign. Even if Brad couldn't come, I could still check out this sauna, I thought, and since the vouchers expire tomorrow, I might as well enjoy my free spa experience. And so, I entered.

Walking through a dimly lit hallway while bass-boosted lo-fi music was playing, I was greeted by a fit young male who insisted I just call him Austin.

"You're here for the hammam spa with the voucher, right?" He asked in a Turkish accent.

I nodded, continuing to follow him down the hallway leading to a black door covered by dark velvet curtains.

"Here is a towel and the key to your locker," He placed it onto my open palm. "The locker number is engraved onto the keychain. Private sauna room is on the right, public on the left. Press the button on your keychain when you're ready and we'll send our masseur. You got all that?"

"Yeah, I think so. Thanks." I slipped the key into my pockets.

"Don't lose your key, pretty boy." He slapped my shoulder and walked away.

Slightly flustered, I opened the door.

I was immediately greeted by a gush of cold air. A long row of matte black lockers sat on top of glossy black tiles that covered the entirety of the room with a large mirror extending over most of the dark grey wall. The only illumination in the room came from some blue and pink neon lights that were hung from the ceiling. I took off all my clothes and stuffed them into my locker, tying the fluffy towel around my waist. "Maybe I should opt for the public sauna," I thought, looking towards the black door on the left.

A spacious marble table was located in the middle of the white sauna room, a huge contrast in colour scheme to what I've seen in the hallways. The walls were completely white, with the floors covered in marble tiles, a sleek and modern look compared to most saunas I've been to. I could barely see some guys lying down on the marble table with their towels covering their behinds and some sitting on the marble benches with their eyes closed in the gushing hot steam. A faint and calming scent of peppermint and tea tree drifted through the wet air as I took deep breaths.

I sat down in an area that was less populated, and leaned against the wall behind me letting out a sigh. I hadn't been to a sauna in forever and it felt really nice to relax for once, by myself. My school life was pretty hectic, and Brad wasn't easy on us this semester. I knew I wouldn't get special treatment, him being my teacher and all, but he didn't need to be that harsh on us… I still had so much work to do… But I guessed that was exactly why I needed to relax. I headed to the marble table and laid down, with my back facing upwards. The steam made my breaths heavier and deeper; I closed my eyes and my mind began to drift away.

"Hello," I felt a pair of hands touching my shoulders. "I am your therapist. Let's begin the massage."

"We're doing it here?" I asked, my eyes still closed.

"Yes, that's how we do it."

"Okay then," I replied, but not before realizing I hadn't pressed the button on my keychain yet.

"Wait," I said. "I haven't even pressed the button to call you. Are you really my- "

I turned to face the so-called masseur.

To my absolute surprise, I found Christian of all people standing before me, with a cheeky grin on his face.

"Oh hey! What are you doing here?" I smiled, giving him a good pat on his back.

"I come here often," He sat down next to me on the table. "What about you? Where's your man?"

"He's busy," I shrugged.

"Then you're all mine now." Christian let out a laugh. "Let me guess, you're here because of the free massage voucher?"

"How did you know?"

"It's what they always do to attract new fresh studs to come and join their Fizzy Soda Club," He scratched his head. "They have real nice membership benefits though, that I can't deny."

"So you also knew this place because of their massage vouchers?"

"Nope. I'm the 'Green Hurricane', remember? They invited me to their club."

"Oh yeah, sometimes I forget you're famous now. Christian, the famed gay stripper…" I joked, moving my hands in a gesture to almost tease him.

"Very funny, Ped." He ruffled my hair. "Don't you have a free massage waiting?"

"You don't mind me going, right?"

"It's still kind of early, and the massage is only half an hour long, so maybe you'll see me out here then."

"Sure," I pressed the keychain. "See you then."

The masseur quickly showed up, and brought me to another private room where I could lay down on a warm marble table. The man began the massage, covering my entire body with soapy and light bubbles. Fragrant warm water was soon poured onto my body while the masseur worked his hands on my muscles and body. His gentle but firm movements made the massage feel heavenly, almost as though he was untying a knot I didn't know I had in the first place.

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I left the therapy room, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. And fair enough, Christian was still there relaxing in the now empty public sauna room.

"Oh, you're done already?" He noticed my presence as soon as I entered the room.

"Yeah, and what about you? You've never left the room?"

"Of course I have. For refreshments and chats with some of my friends. How are you feeling now then?"

"It was amazing. I feel so light now." I stretched my arms.

"Come follow me." Christian stood up. "I can show you around."

"Sure," I replied, noticing a little smirk on his face.