Daniel had never expected to work at the library before. For that matter, he'd never truly expected to step inside of one. Despite his love of reading, the social stigma of spending time in such a place always kept Daniel away. After all, libraries were just for nerds, right? His average looks and timid demeanor already left him as a bit of a social outcast. Spending time at the library would surely seal his fate.
At least, that's what the young man thought until one day, at his university's fitness center. While running on the treadmill, Daniel overheard Roger, one of his classmates and an infamous gym-nut, talking to his friends.
"Hey, Roger. You coming to the game this weekend?"
"Nah, man. I've got work Saturday night."
"What!? Bro, you've been way too busy since you got that job at the library. Can't you take a night off or something?"
"Yeah, ditch the nerds and old ladies and come hang with us."
"No way, man. I need the money. And besides, I'm pretty sure my boss could lift more than you two combined."
Listening to their argument as they departed, Daniel took a big drink of water and considered what he'd just heard. Surely it wasn't true that Roger was working at the library? Daniel considered a jock like that to be the exact opposite of a book nerd. But maybe if a guy like Roger could find a place at the library, then Daniel could visit without worrying.
And so Daniel found himself cautiously wandering to the library the following day. Despite his trepidations, he desperately wanted to witness inside. He'd spent countless hours imagining the interior of the municipal library. From the outside, it dwarfed the buildings around it and filled Daniel with imposing purpose. With a deep breath, the young man marched inside, eager to set eyes on the marvelous books within.
As he pushed through the entrance and entered the central atrium, Daniel gawked at the cavernous layout of shelves filled with books, magazines, music, movies, and so much more. He spied Roger in a tight green sweater behind the front counter, cheerfully assisting an elderly visitor. Unsure of whether to approach, Daniel slowly wandered forward, hoping that he wouldn't get recognized. It's not like he and Roger ever interacted in any way. What would he even-
Daniel's thoughts screeched to a halt as he walked face first into a wall. Or at least, that's what he would have assumed. The surface was sturdy and unmoving, but with a soft outer texture. As the young man staggered back with a start, he looked up and beheld the "wall" he had just confronted. Only it wasn't a wall. Merely the torso of a man, apparently in his mid-40s, standing over 8 feet tall and clad in a soft green polo shirt and pressed khaki pants.
Staring up at this mountain of a man, Daniel desperately wanted to apologize, but the words wouldn't form. He could see the ripple of thick muscles under the man's tight-fitting clothes, and he was left absolutely speechless. His heart started racing as blood rushed to his face. What was he supposed to do now?
"Are you okay there? I'm sorry, I must have been in the way." A deep voice cut through Daniel's thoughts as the large man gazed down at him with a soft smile.
"O-oh, no... I'm sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going and..."
"That's quite alright." The man studied Daniel for a moment before continuing. "I haven't seen you around here before. This must be your first time. My library's a bit overwhelming, isn't it?"
Daniel nodded quickly as realization dawned and he looked up in wonder. "You own this place?"
The man chuckled and his smile widened, showing off his rows of perfect shining teeth on his statuesque face. His eyes seemed to glow with joy as his wide body shook jovially. "I do indeed! My name is Dorian by the way." He extended an enormous hand and Daniel timidly took it to shake. Dorian's grasp was surprisingly tender and the feeling of his warm hand wrapping around Daniel's own made the young man blush even more than he already was.
"I-I'm Daniel..."
"Well Daniel, seeing as it's your first time here, would you like me to show you around?"
Daniel looked up with surprise and nodded, eager to see all this library had to offer. The next hour went by in a flash as Daniel was whisked from section to section, getting to see the immense offerings the library contained. He marveled at every shelf and fawned over the sheer volume of knowledge and art contained within these walls. The anxiety Daniel had first felt melted away as he smiled and admired the marvels of Dorian's library.