This really was the last place Vlad expected to find Danny.

"Daniel?" He said in disbelief, only to watch Danny's shoulders tense up. They both froze, unable to confront the reality of these very strange circumstances. Danny slowly turned around, his eyes wide, guarding his emotions within. The guests around them gossiped among themselves. Was that the Vlad Masters? What was he doing, chatting with this hot new young artist? This Danny guy must have connections.

"Oh shit," Danny whispered to himself, trying not to appear anxious. "H-Hey, Vlad."

Vlad gave a courteous nod. He looked around at the photographs on the gallery walls. Pictures of nude bodies twisting in pleasure contrasted against the white concrete. Black and white pixels with splashes of color on the ropes, showing off intricate designs, giving intimacy and submission an erotic take, but with a hard and artful edge.

Vlad was impressed. "So, this is what you're doing now," he said.

Danny wished the ground would just open up and swallow him whole. "Um, yeah. Look, can we talk later?" He asked, trying desperately to not make it sound like he was begging. "I just-I can explain. But this isn't a good time."

Vlad raised an eyebrow. "You don't have to explain anything to me."

"I know, I just-" Danny sighed sharply. "I'll come find you after the show, okay?"

Vlad watched Danny as he disappeared quickly into the crowd, no doubt wanting to put as much distance between himself and Vlad as possible. The older man exhaled a sharp but faint laugh, not believing the situation he got himself into. Who knew? Life certainly had a penchant for messing with him.

He walked around the room, gazing and appreciating the eroticism in Danny's art. On one wall, there was a photo of a woman with her back arched, with ropes crisscrossing down her torso like a harness. She was hung up, surrendering herself to gravity, with single column ties binding her wrists and legs. Her expression was one of pleasure, her eyes closed and mouth half-opened in mid-orgasm. Vlad felt the warm tingles travel down south and peered down at the small plaque in the corner.

Artist: Daniel Fenton, it read. Medium: Photography. Shibari bondage.

So, this was what he was doing now, Vlad thought to himself and took a sip of his wine.

There was just so much of it. His eyes snapped to a couple of photos depicting male models, chiseled and strong, bound into submission by crisscrossing ropes and thick column ties around their limbs. Vlad lingered around these pieces, mesmerized by the strong forms succumbing to their desires. Something about these men and their gazes intrigued Vlad, who suddenly wanted to know how it felt, being rendered unable to move, with the rope pressing against their sensitive spots, tightening like a possessive lover's hands, making him gasp and ache for release-

Someone cleared his throat behind him and Vlad blinked, snapping out of his daydream.

Danny glanced at his photos before settling his eyes on Vlad. "Uh, the crowd's thinning out. I should be done soon."

Vlad nodded and gestured to pictures on the wall. "I see you've been keeping yourself busy, little badger. It's quite the show."

Danny felt self-conscious. "It's not a pervert thing," he blurted.

"I beg your pardon?"

Danny shoved his hands into his pockets in frustration. "I mean, I enjoy it. But it's not-" he bit his lip. "It started out as something fun. I didn't anticipate it to turn into a career. But here I am."

"That's nothing to be ashamed of," Vlad commented. "These are quite artistic. It seems like a good outlet."

Danny seemed surprised. "Oh yeah?" He said, hopeful. "It's not...to risqué for you?"

Vlad couldn't help but laugh at that. "Oh, Daniel," he said, amused. "I'm much too over the hill to be shocked by something like this. But I will admit that I was surprised to see you take an interest in bondage."

"Well, to be fair, I was fifteen when you knew me and I was still stealing my dad's playboys," Danny chuckled. "So, how could you have foreseen this?"

Vlad snorted at the playboy comment. "It's nice to see you, Daniel," he said sincerely. "You look well."

What an understatement. The young man was handsome. Chiseled jawline and charming smile. Danny never really knew and appreciated his own assets. His hair was longer now, falling into his eyes and gathered into a messy bun. The boy never truly got his hair under control, Vlad thought. But it was the eyes that drew him in. Blue like the calm waters in Greece, filled with secrets.

"Been keeping myself alive," Danny said self-deprecatingly. Vlad felt a distinct disappointment when Danny looked away, taking the oceans with him. "You don't look half bad yourself."

"Thank you. It takes considerable effort to keep people envious of me," Vlad smirked and flicked a piece of nonexistent lint off the lapel of his suit.

"Ha!" Danny cackled. "I see you haven't changed one bit, fruitloop."

The pair fell into comfortable silence, their eyes on each other, taking in how long time has changed them both. Vlad was still a silver fox, Danny thought. The years practically slid off his back, leaving him untouchable by time. His eyes were still intense as always, but seemed unburdened with emotional toil. It left Danny wondering if Vlad had changed even if he didn't appear to on the outside.

"You're not here to stalk me, are you?" Danny asked teasingly. "It's an awfully long way from Wisconsin just to check me out."

"I do have priorities and a life outside of you, Daniel." Vlad rolled his eyes. "It just so happens that I'm in town for business for a week."

"Oh, so you're staying for a few days."

"That's the plan," Vlad said nonchalantly. "Depending on how this merger goes, I may be able to wrap this up quickly-"

"Oh, blah, blah," Danny interrupted, losing his patience. "Merger this, merger that. It's like you businessmen don't have a personality when you're away from your desks."

"And I see you are as insolent as ever," Vlad muttered to himself. "Prat."

"Heard that," Danny smiled. "Why don't you drop by my studio and we can grab lunch tomorrow?"

Vlad peaked up, interested. "Oh? A work visit and a lunch date? My, you really do know how to charm your way into a man's heart."

"Shut up," Danny pouted. "It's an offer, fruitloop. Take it or leave it."

Vlad smiled, mentally penciling Danny into his schedule. "I'll see you tomorrow then."

Lunch, it turned out, was a very abstract concept in Danny's world.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, but the shoot went overtime and I can't just drop everything and leave right now," Danny said apologetically, wringing his hands. Behind him, a nude model was partially bound, and had a blanket to protect his privacy.

Vlad glanced at his watch. "How long do you think you need?" He asked. It was almost one in the afternoon.

"Um..."

"Daniel," Vlad said, exasperated. "I'm afraid I'm on a tight schedule here."

"I'm sorry," Danny apologized again. "But I just can't right now."

Vlad sighed. "I can wait for another hour, but then I'm afraid I must go."

"Alright, I'll try my best."

"Please do."

Danny walked back to his work, calmly talking through a series of complicated knots he was about to do. Vlad saw the model nod subtly and position his hands behind his back, taking a deep breath to ready himself. Danny said something to the guy, who turned to take a look in his direction. Neither of them seemed to really mind, though, and Vlad casually took a seat to observe the proceedings.

There was a degree of seriousness on Danny's face as he concentrated, his agile fingers dancing across the ropes, manipulating them into the right shapes and angles. Diamond knots formed in the wake of his mastery, traveling up the model's arm and securing their hold on the limbs. There was a quiet intimate tenor to Danny's voice as he talked soothingly into the man's ear, putting him at ease as he was bound into submission. Column ties bound the man's legs together, hard knots placed strategically across his hips and in between his legs. It was faint, but Vlad heard it, the beginning of a moan from the model's lips.

Vlad felt something within him stir to life.

Danny continued talking, gently maneuvering the man into position. There was a set of harnesses and ropes attached to the ceiling, secured with iron clips. Vlad watched, enraptured, as Danny knelt in front of the man and started pulling the harnesses on. Danny wasn't really the type, Vlad thought, but in that moment, something about the young man felt powerful in a way he couldn't describe.

"I'm going to attach you now," Danny said softly. "I'll make you feel like you're flying. Will you let go for me?"

There was a blush dusting across the model's cheeks as he nodded. Danny whispered something soft and caressed the guy's face, and then Vlad saw it, the adoring look in the young model's eyes as he looked at Danny.

Oh, he thought, prickling jealousy being masked by his growing arousal to the scene. This was interesting.

Photo after photo was taken of the young man, suspended from the ceiling. Despite the fact that he was bent forward, his back curved gracefully, the ropes accentuating every duvet of his muscles.

"Feel yourself give into the sensations. Don't fight it," Danny said softly. "See where it takes you."

The black and white professional lighting painted him in monochrome but failed to hide the subtle breaths and moans he was making, capturing the bound victim slipping into subspace. The rope tightened whenever he fidgeted.

"You're doing so well. Let it curve and mold itself to you. Let it pull you in and touch you because it wants you."

Vlad blinked and got up hurriedly to make a subtle exit. It was a bad idea to be here right now.

By the time Danny finished, it was well past three in the afternoon. But Vlad couldn't make himself leave. He waited in the lobby, biding his time. There was no good reason for him to stay like this. He was a busy man, and it wasn't like he had all day to meander around. It was probably a good idea to just shoot Danny a text and bid him good luck, and hopefully see him around some other time. But Vlad stayed rooted to the spot, the feeling of anticipation not leaving him.

He felt pathetic.

"Vlad, you're still here." Danny sounded shocked when he came out. "I thought you left. I was about to call you-"

"Who was that back there?" He didn't mean for it to sound so accusatory, but there it was.

Danny looked thrown. "Uh-Why?" He asked, suspicious.

Vlad shrugged and breathed calmly. "I was merely curious. It seemed that the young man was quite taken with you."

"Oh, ha," Danny chuckled. "No way. He's got a boyfriend."

"It certainly looked like he was regretting his choice earlier."

"Oh, stop it, Vlad. It's just work," Danny said casually. "Plus, he's not really my type."

Vlad raised an eyebrow, but didn't push the matter.

They ended up at a small diner. My treat, Danny had insisted, to make up for the wait. Vlad was happy to oblige. Two warm coffees and sandwiches and pies later, they were chatting like no time had gone by.

"I don't know what it is," Danny mused out loud, bathed in the warm glow of dim lamps. "Something about you feels different."

"It's called age, my boy," Vlad said. "Just wait. It'll catch up to you too one day."

"Like you're not still hot," Danny scoffed, making Vlad almost spit out his coffee.

"Never one to mince your words, are you, little badger?" He coughed into his napkin.

"It's the truth." Danny seemed utterly unabashed. "But that's not it. Something just feels different with you. It's the eyes, I think."

"My eyes?"

"Yeah, they seem...less bitter and resentful." Danny peered closer. "Like you finally allowed yourself to breathe."

Vlad blinked. "Well, perhaps, I should give thanks to my therapist," he said. "She has been most helpful."

"You've been getting therapy?" Danny smiled. "Aw, does this mean I can't call you fruitloop anymore?"

"Like it's ever stopped your before," Vlad said flatly.

"Well, I'm glad that you decided to get some help," Danny said sincerely. "So, since you're not scheming for world domination anymore, what do you do to pass the time?"

"That, I'm afraid, is something I'm rather stuck on," Vlad said. "I took up a lot of hobbies, but none of them seemed to quite stick. Aside from watching football and doing my research, there hasn't been a lot of things that I want to devote myself to."

"That sounds like a lot of pressure you're putting on yourself. Why not just go with whatever captures your interest in the moment?"

Vlad hummed, looking at Danny thoughtfully. The scene back at the studio cropped into the forefront of his mind again, and Vlad would be lying if he wasn't interested. There was something so raw and freeing about what he saw, and it has been a long time since he's felt that.

"Daniel," Vlad said and set down his coffee. "If I were to follow through with your advice, I would appreciate your assistance."

Danny was confused. "Hm? What do you mean?"

"You can't judge me."

"Okay, I won't judge you," Danny nodded slowly. "Within reason."

Vlad took that as a satisfactory answer. "What you did back there, with that young man," he said. "I would also like to try."

Danny's face held a blank look. "I'm sorry, I just heard circus music in my head. You want to try what?"

"I'm serious, Daniel." There was no humor in Vlad's eyes. "I want you to bind me, and I want you to teach me to like it."

"...Holy fuck."

"I can't believe I let you talk me into this," Danny muttered as he brought Vlad back to his small studio apartment. The keys jingled as it unlocked his front door. "Don't judge me now. It isn't much, but it's home."

Vlad ignored him, walking in and taking his time to familiarize himself with Danny's humble abode. It was the usual bachelor pad, a stray takeout container here and there, along with a sock or shirt or two. A decorative fireplace was along one wall, covered in rustic red brick. Vlad walked up to take a peek at the mantle, filled with knick-knacks from friends and shot glasses from different states. A few old photos were among the mix. One was of Danny with Sam and Tucker at their high school graduation, another was of Danny's entire family on some camping trip together, a few photos of Danny's friends at a party here and there. Vlad raised an eyebrow when he spotted an old photo somewhere in the back of him and Danny, taken during the boy's first visit to his Wisconsin castle.

"Didn't take you for the sentimental type, little badger," Vlad smirked, gesturing at the photo. Danny flushed a faint pink and mumbled incoherently under his breath. Vlad chuckled and plucked the photo from its lineup to take a closer look. He did look cruel, the man noted as he stared at his past self. Those cold eyes felt like they were from a lifetime ago.

Vlad frowned and put it back.

Turning around, he distracted himself with professional photos on the walls and colorful ropes hidden behind a vintage partition in one corner, along with throw pillows and blankets on the floor. He walked closer to look at the shots. The artistry behind it was undeniable. Danny was quite talented with the camera. Vlad took in the raw expressions on the models' faces, men and women, vulnerable and open and absolutely devastating. For everyone to see. For Danny specifically.

"Friends of yours, I believe?" Vlad inquired. "Or do you just invite anyone into your home?"

"Jealous, Vlad?" Danny teased. When Vlad gave no response, he rolled his eyes. "Relax. They're just models and they were all paid gigs."

"For the work?" Vlad smiled slowly. "Or the after-hours entertainment?"

"Shut up, Vlad." But Danny was blushing, and Vlad found himself feeling kind of surprised. Who knew the young man was so experimental with his private life?

Vlad cleared his throat. He was suddenly feeling a bout of anxiety coming on. "So, how do we start?"

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Danny said nervously. "Y'know, there's nothing wrong with taking up knitting or something at your age."

"Ha ha." Vlad said dryly and shed his coat. "And here I thought ageism is beneath progressive thinkers like you, Daniel."

That made Danny laugh. "Okay, fine. If we're doing this, then I'm going to be serious. Why don't you undress to your comfort level first, fruitloop?"

"Hardly seems fair, with me stripped down to my bare essentials and have you be completely clothed."

Danny just sighed and dimmed the lights. "Fine. Then I'll do it with you, you big baby."

Fair was fair, and Danny was a man of his word. Vlad was sure the young man was teasing him by standing too close and stripping at an aching pace, revealing toned abs and pale smooth skin underneath his t-shirt. Vlad was self-aware that he looked impressive for his age, with his abs still there and barely an ounce of fat showing. But Danny was downright beautiful under the dim glow of pale mood lighting. His light blue eyes were electrifying, staring into his own, and Vlad felt himself jump when cool fingers reached for the zipper of his fly, pulling it down painfully slowly.

Vlad stared at the slim fingers dancing along the hem of his slacks, not noticing that Danny had leaned in, taking the breath out of Vlad's lungs the moment he made contact with those ocean eyes. They drew him in like waves, and the man found himself drowning.

"Is this part of the routine?" Vlad muttered against Danny's lips. They were soft and molded to him effortlessly. "Not quite professional, are we?"

"I make exceptions," Danny whispered, pulling away. "You're the first one, how lucky."

Vlad grunted, chasing after those kisses. "You're too good at getting what you want."

"And you've gotten far too soft, fruitloop," Danny smiled and pushed him gently down onto the pile of blankets and pillows before crawling on top of him.

It didn't take long before Vlad's pants were off. Danny felt the tensing of his muscles as he slipped a hand into the waistband of Vlad's briefs. So that was where he drew the line. "It's okay, Vlad. Underwear stays on."

If Vlad was relieved, he didn't show it. They made out slowly, taking their sweet time and savoring each other. It was almost like an out-of-body experience. Vlad couldn't believe what he was doing, kissing someone who used to hate him and was at least twenty years his junior. Life was funny sometimes.

They didn't proceed until Danny was sure that Vlad was relaxed and comfortable (not to mention turned on, Danny noted the man's growing bulge). He reached for the pile of hemp rope and started twining them around his hand. Vlad noted that they were blue. "I'm going to try a few simple knots and ties for tonight, just to gauge your reaction. I have scissors on standby, so if you want out, just say 'ghost'. It's our safe word," Danny smiled.

Vlad nodded, excitement and anxiety shooting through his nerves. Danny reached forward and caressed his cheek.

"Just relax and enjoy yourself, fruitloop," he whispered. "Tonight, I'll take care of you."

It shouldn't sound so hot coming from Danny's mouth but it did, and Vlad wasn't complaining.

The ropes wounded around his arms first, bringing his forearms close together in front of him. He watched with rapt attention as skilled fingers flew through the bindings, creating neat columns from his wrist.

"I see the way you look at them. The models. The bindings," Danny said softly. "You love what you see, and you love to feel what they feel."

Vlad felt himself get defensive and opened his mouth, only to be silenced by Danny's finger against his lips. "Nuh-uh. Tonight, you listen and you obey. I'm in charge, Vlad."

The man felt his cock twitch at the simple command, said so softly and firmly that it took the breath right out of him.

Danny didn't miss the way his authority seemed to affect Vlad. "You liked that, huh?" He purred. "Sitting behind a desk all day, making decisions and doing business. You must feel so frustrated that you can't just let loose, that you can't just let go." Danny emphasized by tightening the rope just a smidge, enough to make Vlad gasp sharply.

The young man crawled behind Vlad, his hands lingering on his arms, his chest, his back. He was everywhere. "Heavy is the head that wears the crown." The sultry whisper near Vlad's ear sent tingling sensations through his body. "But don't worry, baby, I'll get you to fall apart in my hands just the way you always wanted."

Vlad dared to be a little defiant. "And what way is that?"

"Slowly. Devastating. I'll take you for all you have." Danny then smirked. "And I want to feel you come undone by my hands."

A flush graced the older man's cheeks. Apparently, Danny didn't miss a thing.

Blue ropes found their way down Vlad's chest as Danny tied simple knots, laying them gently on his nipples. Vlad hissed at the scratchiness of the ropes against his sensitive spots. There were some simple ties here and there, molding themselves to Vlad's muscles and torso. The ropes finally looped in between his thighs and up his back, making Vlad moan as the ropes tightened against his clothed bulge. He was bound and trapped, Vlad realized. Every time he tried to sink lower onto his knees, the ropes would tighten around his sensitive area and pressure points. The knots pressed intimately against his nipples, sending shocks of pleasure down into his groin. Vlad shuddered and sat back up, where Danny was patiently waiting, kneeling above him, piercing him with those blue eyes. The whole thing was set up perfectly, and Vlad felt his heart swell with the care and effort Danny had shown, how intimately he knew his body, when he hasn't even touched him yet.

Danny traced Vlad's jawline with his finger, mapping out the angles and contour like an explorer and held the man's face in his hands. "Look at you, so overwhelmed with sensation for me. Did you like what I did, baby? I designed it with you in mind."

A shudder ripped through Vlad and he rested his forehead against Danny's chest, body trembling slightly from the pull of the ropes. The slow burn of the twine hugged his skin and Vlad shifted, hoping to feel that tightening feeling of the bondage taking control of him, manipulating his pleasure and the moans coming out of his throat.

A hand slipped into his long hair and pulled, exposing his neck and Adam's apple. "Keep that head up for me, Vlad. I want to see you ruined."

Vlad whimpered, a noise that had no place coming out of him like this. Slow kisses trailed up his throat and his eyes slid shut. Danny pushed him down gently, further onto his knees and Vlad's mouth opened silently, pleasure caught in his throat. The ropes tightened around his groin and pushed against it, the friction tethering on the edge between good and too much. "Oh God," he begged, twisting against the ropes. "More."

"Beggars can't be choosers, babe." Was the response. "But I just might agree because I love seeing you on your knees for me."

If Vlad had any sense of pride, they were completely gone. Danny tugged him up by his hair before letting his weight drop again, ropes tightening in the right places, and the older man had to grit his teeth from crying out. A warm hand palmed his very obvious erection, massaging and stroking it painfully slowly. "Why so quiet?" Danny smirked. "Come on, babe, let me hear you lose it." He then forced him to grind against the ropes a little harder. Vlad barely stifled a groan.

"I don't know why you're being all shy," Danny mumbled, his lips brushing Vlad's intimately. "Because I want the neighbors to hear just how good I make you feel, and if we want the neighbors to hear us, you'll have to speak louder." He forced him lower on the ropes again, and this time, Vlad moaned loudly, unable to stop himself.

"That's better," Danny cooed, slipping Vlad's cock out through the slit in his briefs for better access. He smeared the pre-cum across the tip with his thumb, stroking it slowly and feeling it pulse in his hand. "Someone's happy to see me."

"Stop teasing," Vlad panted.

Danny pouted. "But that's half the fun," he said and lowered himself onto the floor. He eyed Vlad's erection hungrily. "But I guess you deserve something special, hm? You've been really good for me tonight."

Without warning, he then deep-throated Vlad and swallowed.

"F-Fuck," Vlad cursed at the feel of Danny's throat tightening around his tip. He felt his knees buckle. "Jesus Christ." But Danny wasn't nearly done torturing the man. He reached up behind Vlad to pull on the ropes, forcing the man to grind against them. Above him, Vlad cursed, resting his elbows on Danny's shoulders as he hunched forward from the pleasure, enveloping Danny into him.

The ropes scratched his skin, burning him slowly as the knots dug into his intimate areas. Vlad found himself writhing to feel that sweet rough friction, while Danny got busy giving him the best head of his life.

He was near his breaking point, Vlad thought fleetingly as he felt the familiar sweet pull in his stomach. He was so close.

"I'm close," Vlad whispered frantically, issuing his warning. "Daniel, I'm close-"

But the young man just kept going. Vlad cursed and gave his blessings to a deity he didn't believe in before coming hard into Danny's mouth, spurred on by the erotic feel of bondage and Danny's greedy hands grabbing him around the waist.

"Holy shit-" Vlad panted and laughed in disbelief. "That was..." There were no words.

Danny just silently milked him dry, taking his sweet time and enjoying it. It wasn't until Vlad was hissing about over-sensitivity that Danny finally took pity on him and pulled away, leaving the older man trembling from the aftershocks of his climax.

Danny grabbed his pair of scissors from the floor and went to work, untying Vlad and freeing him from the ropes easily. When they were done, they fell back against the cushions and blankets, tired, satiated, and spent.

"How was that?" Danny asked.

"I think that was a success," Vlad panted, catching his breath. "Well done."

Danny seemed satisfied. "Hopefully that wasn't too rough."

A scoff. "I don't think you know who I am."

"Yeah, yeah, fruitloop," Danny chuckled. "Just wanted to check in. It wasn't exactly my standard session."

"Oh?" Vlad smirked. "I didn't exactly realize I was in the presence of someone with such worldly experience in sexual deviancy."

"S-Shut up, Vlad! You know that's not what I meant!"

Vlad just laughed. "Do calm down, Daniel. You should know by now how much I love to tease."

"Ugh." Danny threw an arm over his face. "I regret my life choices."

"Well, it's a little too late to take this back now-"

"Also not what I meant," Danny mumbled. "But I hope you have a plan on where to go from here, because I'm fresh out of ideas."

Vlad thought for a bit. "Well, I guess I could stay a little longer. Jolie can always push my meetings."

Danny looked at Vlad in surprise. "You can do that? Isn't she gonna kill you?"

"She can't. I'm her paycheck," Vlad said. "Unless, you don't want me here."

"I didn't say that," the young man blurted out before shutting his mouth. "I mean, I just don't want to get in your way."

"Daniel, you can't ever get in my way," Vlad said honestly. Danny grinned and shuffled closer, cuddling up against Vlad and stealing his warmth. They didn't really know what this was yet, but somehow neither of them wanted to leave. This felt effortless and right.

"Well, since you're not in a rush or anything," Danny said after a beat of silence. Vlad knew he was up to no good immediately. "Want to go for round two?"

End.