Page 35 of Love Language

But while Marco had heard about how Greg still kept up the same daily routines that Richard had set, a tribute to his past Dom, he’d also said that he liked how Marco’s space seemed “lived in.” He’d even mentioned it when he chose to stop some of routines, describing a mixture of regret and satisfaction.

The final aspect was what was most confusing. It seemed like Richard hadn’t done much of the praising and doting that always made Greg light up. Not, of course, that there was just one way to be a Dom. And maybe Greg hadn’t needed it as much before. Or perhaps Greg found that too personal to share.

He certainly hoped Richard had given that to his boy, because Greg absolutely thrived on Marco’s compliments. He glowed whenever Marco did something special for him, like finding restaurants with good reviews for their dulce frío con limón.

He didn’t ever want to critique someone else’s relationship, but he’d been wondering for a while if Greg was actually as well-matched to Richard as he thought he was.

Or maybe he was more of a chameleon, adapting his enjoyment to what his Dom wanted. Yeah, that probably made the most sense. Some purer form of submission that was about being pleased with whatever made his Dom happy.

Even though Marco wasn’t really Greg’s Dom, he probably noticed what Marco liked giving him and responded to that. That at least made a bit more sense.

Well, regardless of what he had done before, it was Marco’s turn now.

The way that Greg had absolutely melted into Marco’s ropes when he tried them for the first time… Yeah, maybe some experimentation would be good for him. It sounded like he had a lot to explore.

Marco needed to just appreciate how fortunate he was to be able to provide that. Even if he was still an experiment.

For tonight, he thought, looking over at Greg’s tense shoulders, he already had an idea.

Back at his house, Marco asked Greg to help him spread out an old sheet over the bed.

For some reason, Greg found this amusing, and it broke the tension a bit. Marco remembered that Greg had been surprised by this the last time, and he finally asked why.

It’s just… There was that little flash of pain, here and then gone. ...with Richard, everything was a big production. If he was going to do something with me, he would set it all up, and then bring me in to the scene. Like, if he wanted a sheet on the bed, he would get it ready without me seeing it. It would probably be a new one, too, and black or red.

A new sheet wasn’t what he wanted for this evening at all. That seems like… an interruption. What if you were already spending time together?

Greg shrugged. He’d probably make me kneel in the living room. Or maybe tell me to take a shower.

Oh, right. Marco hadn’t really thought of that, but he realized he should have.

Leaving a sub kneeling had a lot of psychological impact, but he’d mostly played with people at the club where they were already psychologically geared up for the evening. Or he’d play at home with folks whose kinks didn’t lean that way.

He would have to remember that for next time.

Except that he’d just said that he wouldn’t do things the same way that Richard did.

So, does it bother you, helping me set things up?

No, Greg was quick to reply. It’s a bit like peeking behind the scenes. And it’s… more comfortable, I think. Friendlier.

Friendlier. Exactly the compliment every Dom wanted to get. Even as a Daddy Dom, he wasn’t sure if that was a good sign.

Was it bad, from Greg’s perspective, that he wasn’t into that darker, psychological stuff?

Marco liked the rush of control, the thrill of having someone submit to him, the buzz of pushing someone just to their limits and watching them give in to the sensations.

He wasn’t a sadist, though. He didn’t like pushing someone to their limits just for his own cruelty and amusement. He didn’t want to take anyone apart.

He more wanted to… find what they needed and give them just the right amount so that they fell apart.

Maybe the expectation he’d set of doing things differently from Richard would be good for both of them.

He realized suddenly that he’d been woolgathering instead of paying attention to Greg. Now Richard was taking up space in both of their brains. Fuck.

Mentally, he pushed himself into Dom mode and strode aggressively toward Greg. He could see the fear and excitement in his eyes. Alright, so maybe he was just a little bit into that psychological stuff.

Strip, he signed.