Bus stop barber shop by Dwane.Perry@yahoo.com

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Every morning, Daniel sat on the bus, watching the same city streets blur past the window as he made his way to work. He didn't mind the routine—work was work, and he had his life pretty well mapped out. But there was one thing that had started to capture his attention in recent months: the barber shop on the corner of his bus route.

The small, rustic shop stood out against the bustle of the city. Its large windows, framed by red and white striped poles, often held glimpses of people coming in and out, though it was always the same figure inside that caught Daniel's eye. The barber. A tall, well-built man with a gleaming bald head, and the kind of charisma that made him impossible to ignore. He wore a crisp white apron over his sleeve tattoos and exuded a sort of effortless coolness that made Daniel feel oddly drawn to him.

The two of them exchanged glances almost every day. As the bus passed by, Daniel would look up, and for a brief moment, their eyes would meet. The barber’s gaze was warm, confident, and always accompanied by a subtle smile—a smile that, for reasons Daniel couldn’t explain, seemed to say more than words could. At first, Daniel thought it was just a polite exchange, nothing more. But then it became a regular occurrence, and each time, the barber’s smile seemed to linger a little longer, as if inviting him in.

For a long time, Daniel didn’t do anything about it. He had short brown hair, nothing too remarkable—certainly not the kind of hair that would make a barber's chair seem like an exciting prospect. But as the weeks passed, Daniel began to feel a strange pull, a curiosity he couldn't shake. He found himself looking forward to those brief exchanges with the barber, even if they were just fleeting moments. He wondered what it would feel like to step into that shop, to feel the touch of the barber’s hands as they worked their craft.

One Friday, as the bus rumbled toward its stop, Daniel felt an unexpected wave of determination. Without overthinking it, he pressed the bell and stepped off the bus a few stops earlier than usual. His heart thudded in his chest as he approached the barber shop, his feet almost moving on their own.

The bell above the door jingled as Daniel entered, and the familiar scent of shaving cream, hair products, and aftershave hit him. It was the kind of scent that felt both masculine and inviting. The barber looked up from the chair where he was cleaning up, his deep brown eyes meeting Daniel’s with a knowing smile. That smile again, but this time it felt more intense, almost as if he’d been expecting him.

"Well, well," the barber said in a smooth, low voice that sent a thrill through Daniel. "Look who finally decided to step inside."

Daniel swallowed, his palms suddenly clammy. "Yeah, I thought I’d try something different."

The barber raised an eyebrow, eyeing Daniel’s short brown hair, which looked perfectly fine, even if a bit ordinary. "Different, huh? What kind of different are we talking about?"

"I… I don’t really know," Daniel stammered, his heart racing. He had no idea what to expect, but something about the barber’s presence made him want to be bold. "I trust you. I’ll let you decide. You’re the expert."

A mischievous glint flashed in the barber’s eyes. "You sure about that? You might not know what you’re asking for."

Daniel nodded, his voice firmer now, though still a bit unsure. "I want you to choose. Whatever you think would look best."

The barber’s lips curled into a slow, pleased smile. "Alright, you’re in my hands now." He gestured to the chair, and Daniel sat down, his nerves buzzing.

The barber moved behind him, gently touching his hair as he assessed it. There was a tension in the air—something palpable, something Daniel couldn’t quite place but that made his skin flush. The barber’s fingers brushed against his scalp as he began cutting Daniel’s hair, the sensation both startling and pleasurable.

As the barber worked, Daniel felt his body respond in ways he hadn’t anticipated. The steady rhythm of the scissors, the soft hum of the clippers, and the closeness of the barber’s presence ignited something deep inside him. He couldn’t explain why, but being in this chair, under this barber’s touch, felt intimate, charged with an undeniable attraction.

The barber took his time, his hands deftly shaping Daniel’s hair, but there was something about the way he lingered around Daniel’s ears, his fingertips tracing the edge of his jawline. Daniel’s breath quickened, and he felt the heat rising in his body. When the barber finally spoke, his voice was low and deliberate.

"You know," he said, "I think you’re ready for something... a little more daring."

Before Daniel could respond, the barber’s clippers buzzed to life. "I’m going to shave you bald," he declared, his tone carrying a hint of something deeper, something thrilling.

Daniel’s heart pounded as he looked into the mirror. His reflection seemed distant and surreal. But before he could second-guess himself, he nodded. "Alright. Do it."

With a confident smile, the barber moved swiftly, the clippers buzzing against Daniel’s scalp. The sensation was surprisingly soothing, and Daniel felt a sense of release as his hair fell away. Each stroke of the clippers seemed to remove more than just his hair—it felt like shedding layers of doubt, of inhibition.

As the last of Daniel’s hair disappeared, the barber ran his fingers over the smooth, freshly shaven scalp, his touch almost reverent. "You look incredible," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Daniel met his gaze in the mirror, his pulse still racing. He wasn’t sure where this would go, but the connection between them, the charge in the air, was undeniable. The barber’s smile was full of approval, and Daniel could see the flicker of something deeper in his eyes.

"Glad you came in," the barber said, his voice rich with unspoken promise. "You made the right choice."

Daniel smiled back, a thrill rushing through him. He had come in for a haircut, but now, he realized, it was something far more exciting. Something he hadn’t expected, but something he was more than willing to explore.

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