Page 17 of Love Language

There was something about Marco’s quiet listening that made him want to share more. Like his words meant something.

He felt even more vulnerable saying this next part, but Marco deserved to hear it. I don’t know you very well. But you make me feel safe. And… I think you’re very attractive. I don’t know if you’re still interested after the way I keep freaking out. But if I’m going to try something, I’d like to try it with you.

Marco’s eyes shone with the praise. He was so much more open with his feelings than Richard had ever been.

Maybe it was because Richard had been so mature and experienced while Greg had been emotional and impetuous and young. With the tables turned in their ages, perhaps Marco didn’t feel the same need to constrain his emotions.

Or maybe Marco was just a different person.

I’m honored, he signed one-handed, the other hand still on Greg’s foot. We don’t have to do anything tonight, though. We can just do this.

With Richard, Greg had rarely asked for anything. Usually he communicated through either utter subservience or over-the-top bratty dramatics. When he made a request, it was flashy and flirty, with the full realization that Sir might turn him down.

But that didn’t feel like him anymore. He felt too old and tired to be a brat. And Marco didn’t seem like he would appreciate it anyway.

It felt foreign, but he realized that he needed to just… ask.

I… We don’t have to do anything tonight. But if you would like to, I would, too.

Marco’s smile warmed him.

You told me your interests and limits in the car, but I think you were answering on autopilot, based on what you used to do.

Greg started for a moment, then realized it was true. He’d explained what he did with Richard, what his limits had been in that relationship. He had no idea what they were outside of it.

I… yes. I probably did, he admitted. I don’t know what my limits are anymore. He’d answered almost everything earlier with variations of “maybe” or “I’m not sure” after discussing the things he’d done before.

I’m thinking more of your interests. You said that you enjoyed bondage.

Yes, Greg agreed. But he didn’t really understand. Bondage was… well, it was like turning up the heat a notch. If they were already going to be doing something, binding his hands or feet added a little extra edge of intensity.

Marco must have seen the puzzled look on his face.

Have you tried Shibari before?

Ah…. That made more sense. I’ve seen it. It looks beautiful. But I’ve never tried it. I don’t know if I’d like it or not.

Would you like to try it?

Greg hesitated. It seemed… risky. The pain and aggression and role playing that he was used to held its own sort of risk, especially with a new partner. Especially when it wasn’t Richard.

But trying something new… What if he hated it? Or what if it was just… blah?

What if he’d worked himself up for trying this new experience, his first one after three years of mourning, and it was just… blah?

Again, Marco seemed to be able to read him, to be able to step in just when he was needed.

What if we start with that and move on to something else if it’s not working for you?

Greg nodded. He could do that. It was… trust.

Trust that Marco would figure out what his needs were and take care of them. Even if he did it in a way that pleased himself.

Marco had already been eerily good at reading him.

I would like that. He hesitated. He’d made his body language submissive, his signs small, using the non-verbal grammar of ASL to indicate his place in their relationship. He wanted to add some signifier like “Sir,” some name indicating that they were in a scene.

He definitely wasn’t ready for “Daddy,” though. He wasn’t even sure if that was something he would like.