chapter 6

Alphonse’s first month living with Rudolf was a busy one. The younger man spent his days doing exactly what he had been doing in the bathhouse, cooking and cleaning. Things weren’t exactly the same, however, as he was actually enjoying the work. Seeing how impressed Rudolf was with his progress each evening filled the younger man with joy. Al made sure to have a warm meal waiting for the businessman every night when he got in from his office in town. Rudy hadn’t eaten such a variety of foods in years. Alphonse had purchased a new cookbook and dedicated himself to improving his culinary abilities.

There were small things about being around Rudolf that would push Alphonse to the brink. Watching Rudolf dress himself for work in the morning was Alphonse’s favorite part of the day. As the weeks went by, there’d be more of a struggle to do up the buttons on his shirts and trousers. Before he could start his day, Alphonse would have to touch himself, thinking about Rudy’s masculine frame lumbering out of their bedroom on his way into town. The businessman was naturally large, with the biggest hands and feet Alphonse had ever seen. But recently, the floorboards had begun to creek more with his steps and the bed would sink a little bit lower when he laid down. Alphonse took note of all of these things, becoming more and more sexually frustrated the longer he stayed in Rudolf’s home.

One evening, Rudolf ripped his trousers right up the back. His meaty backside had caused him great difficulty getting dressed that morning, and he had yet to see his tailor. Most of his clothes fit a bit more snuggly in the month Alphonse had been preparing the meals. He noticed his weight gain and tried his best to keep it hidden from his almost-lover. He slipped away and changed his pants before returning to the dining room for dinner.

He had news to share, courtesy of one of his company’s investors.

Rudy sat at the dining room table and they ate a plentiful meal. They spoke of their days and how they were feeling. Alphonse made sure Rudolf had generous helpings of braised beef, white bean stew, and freshly baked bread. There wasn’t much of anything left over and Al felt good about making food that Rudolf enjoyed so thoroughly. Alphonse began to clear the dishes and platters that still covered the table.

“Al, I’ve been invited to an opera and was informed I could bring one guest,” Rudolf said, feeling this was the appropriate time to bring up the news he hoped would excite Alphonse. “Won’t you join me?”

“Me?” Alphonse asked, stacking the dishes on top of one another. “I’ve never been to an opera before. Don’t you think it would be best to take someone else?”

Alphonse knew he did not understand the high-class lifestyle Rudolf and his colleagues enjoyed. He had been poor his entire life. He wasn’t well educated and knew nothing of world affairs. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he embarrassed Rudolf in public. He figured it would be for the best if things continued on as they had been, with him remaining behind, doing what was useful to Rudolf at home.

“I wish to take the one who has been taking such good care of me.” He smiled at Alphonse.

“Surely you could attend with a colleague from the office. Perhaps make it a business meeting.”

“Do you not wish to go with me?”

“I never want to leave your side,” Alphonse stated honestly. “It’s just—I don’t want to make a fool of myself. I don’t want to do anything that might make you look less than. Opera houses aren’t for people like me.”

“You shall never think that way again, do you understand?” He looked seriously at Alphonse, who stood with the stack of dishes in his hands. “You are just as important to this world as any other man. You being yourself will never embarrass me.”

“Rudolf, I—.”

“Won’t you join me?” Rudolf asked once again, unwilling to take no for an answer. “I will take you to be fitted for a suit and it’ll be such fun to enjoy your presence outside of this house.”

“All right, if you insist,” he agreed, nodding, trying to suppress an overly enthusiastic grin. Alphonse went into the kitchen to fetch dessert. He paused for a moment when he was alone. He knew that he’d recently faced a sizeable hardship, but he hadn’t the time to feel melancholy. Being with Rudolf raised his spirits immensely.

He allowed himself a wide smile, feeling embarrassed at his own glee. He’d be attending an opera with a man he was falling in love with. Three months ago, Alphonse was certain he’d never work his way out of Papa’s clutches, but here he was enjoying life despite its setbacks.

Everything about Rudolf had Alphonse in a state of constant arousal. The way Rudolf smelled after a shower was just as appealing as the slightly sweaty smell he’d have after a long day of work. He appreciated Rudolf’s shy smiles and calm chuckles. Al was especially excited by how some of Rudolf’s garments tightly encased his large, powerful body. He feigned obliviousness that very evening when Rudolf split his pants in the back, his penis standing at attention as he watched the businessman shuffle off to their bedroom with nary an excuse or explanation.

Al took in the cake he’d prepared that afternoon, continuing to smile to himself, knowing it was the perfect way to celebrate their plans to attend a function together publicly. He held it carefully in his hands as he returned to the dining room.

“What’s this now?” Rudolf asked, amazed at the confection before him.

“We almost forgot dessert,” Al exclaimed. “In the market today cocoa was on sale. I’ve wanted to make a chocolate cake for a long time. I do hope you’ll enjoy it.” He excitedly cut a slice for Rudolf and set it in front of him. He remembered the day where their relationship really began to develop, with that box of decadent chocolates. Just thinking about how Rudolf sucked on his fingers was getting Alphonse excited.

Rudolf leaned forward slightly, plate in hand, as he shoveled large forkfuls of the chocolatey dessert into his mouth. His dress shirt strained slightly, the button on the roundest part of his stomach pulled taught, revealing a sliver of his corpulent flesh underneath.

“Mmm, this is delicious Alphonse,” Rudolf said as he finished his first slice of cake. “Your food is the best I’ve ever eaten. You’d think a trained patisserie had baked this.”

“Really? That’s fantastic.” He grabbed Rudolf’s empty plate and put another substantial slice on it before placing it back in front of the businessman. “Please, have some more.” Rudolf happily dug into this piece as well. He never ate dessert when he lived alone.

Alphonse enjoyed cooking for Rudolf almost as much as he enjoyed his growing stature. He’d always had an eye for the larger patrons in the bathhouse, and as nervous as he was during his auction, he was silently happy his virginity was purchased by such a handsome man.

Al saw Rudolf’s growth as a sign. It was a sign that he was doing something that created progress. He was able to give something to Rudolf, who had given him so much. The larger Rudy got, the more Alphonse saw him as a strong, intelligent, powerful man, who would always need someone to prepare his meals and—hopefully—make love to.