Page 34 of Love Unlimited

It was fascinating shopping with Zhong. Landon had kind of imagined that they’d deliberate over things together, but Zhong knew exactly where to go and what he wanted to buy. Landon would have waffled around all day trying to decide what items he needed and which brand was best. But Zhong picked up a package of little plastic cones from the sports area and a hula hoop from the toy section in seconds, checking off each item in his notebook.

They hunted together for one of those pop-up tunnels made out of fabric and wire, and when the only one available came in a kit with a pop-up house, Zhong got the whole thing, commenting that he could put a sheet over it for Ash to decorate if they didn’t like the fire house theme.

How the man could imagine for a minute that he wasn’t an amazing Daddy was a mystery to Landon.

Next, Zhong headed to the pet supply section and only there did he stop to deliberate between choices. There were several types of large dog beds, and he actually put one of each on the floor for both of them to sit on before choosing the one he liked best. He piled two on top of the cart, one in deep purple and one in leopard print.

Landon had expected a lot more conversation, especially since Zhong said he had questions. Instead, he mostly trailed along, pushing the cart and observing. Zhong seemed to be deep in thought, and he didn’t want to interrupt.

It was only when they made it back home—well, Dustin’s house that Landon was testing out thinking of as home—that Zhong finally shared his thoughts.

The two of them had unloaded the plants onto the lawn beside the mulched bed that was going to become the vegetable garden, and consulted briefly about the sunniest spot for the tomatoes. Zhong had stashed all of the puppy play stuff on the back porch, apparently confident about using the space.

Now they were kneeling in the dirt, spacing out seedlings and digging holes with the trowels.

Do you mind if I ask you something? Zhong asked as he popped in the first plant and covered the roots with soil.

Sure. Landon assumed it was about kink or something related.

Are different kinks interchangeable? Or sex and kinks? Can you use one as a substitute for another?

Landon shook his head emphatically. God, no. I dunno how much Dustin has told you, but I assume he probably mentioned something. But we just tried not to be kinky for a couple months, and it was horrible. We were still having sex– Landon assumed this was OK to talk about since Zhong never shied away from those conversations –but it was like all of the best parts of our relationship were missing. Or maybe it was like hiding the most important parts of myself. It sucked.

Oh. Zhong looked dejected.

And now Landon felt like an idiot. He’d been answering from his own experience, but of course Zhong was asking about Ash. Dammit.

Um, I think I left out a key piece, though, Landon scrambled to explain. I think we actually would have been better off with the kink and without the sex. I mean, the sex is fun, and sometimes the kink leads to sex. But kink is about our identities and who we are to each other. It’s about meeting a lot of different needs that go way beyond getting off. Especially because we’re… moving toward being more lifestyle.

Landon wasn’t so sure about where everything was going. But the more time he spent with Dustin as his Daddy, the more he craved having that feeling wrapped around him all the time. It didn’t mean that he needed big scenes every day. But… he’d been noticing himself pushing back more and more often.

And there he was thinking about himself again. Ash seems to be pretty twenty-four/seven, Landon mentioned. So I’m guessing the kink is pretty important to them, too.

So… would you be OK without sex? Would the kinky parts be enough for you?

Landon cut off that line of questioning. Not that he would mind answering if he had time to think about it, but it wouldn’t be helpful. What I want or need isn’t the point. What did Ash say about their needs?

They said just the Daddy parts are enough. Zhong didn’t look like he believed it, though. They also said they like to have sex at least once a week. It was before we were dating though. So I just have to figure out how to give them that.

Landon popped the next tomato plant into the soil. It sounds like you need to talk with them more about it and trust what they say. Not that Landon was a great example of that all the time, but communication was pretty much always the key.

Yeah, Zhong agreed. I try to. I’ve just been getting conflicting information.

Landon hid his grin. It was such a Zhong thing to say, as if relationships and emotions could all be lined up into little columns, immutable regardless of the circumstance.

They both finished their rows of tomato plants and Zhong decided on putting in the peppers next. Landon scouted out the other end of the garden for the pumpkins and squash.

They got back into the groove of planting when Zhong asked his next question.

What about kinks? Are they interchangeable?

Landon tilted his head from side to side, thinking. I think sometimes I’m more in the mood for one thing than another. Sometimes I want something that’s kind of mellow where I can just drift away on the sensations. I mean, it’s kinky so it’s still intense, but calm-intense. Other times, I want something that’s more intense-intense. But once it’s in that emotional range, I don’t think it matters much what the kink is, at least for me. It’s more about the feeling.

Landon shrugged. I guess as a sub, I also like not having to choose a lot of the time. It’s nice when Dustin can read my mood and take all of the control out of my hands.

Zhong sighed heavily, then moved over to the next spot. He’d run out of peppers and moved on to chard. So do you think age play and puppy play are interchangeable? Or could age play replace spankings and punishment? I think I can read Ash’s mood well enough to do some of them, and if I don’t they usually let me know. But could one of those substitute for the other?

Landon pressed his own seedling into the soil, taking care with the fragile stem. Only Ash can tell you that. Are you worried about it?