be discreet

[msmage]

It's not much later, in Isabella's room, that she asks:

"So... is Alex really a dom?"

Comments

[alicornucopia]

"I'm the sub. Maybe it's different for you somehow because you're a switch...?"

[mrmage]

"Um. No. No it's not. As far as I'm aware, and as far as all those sex ed pamphlets and classes say, the sub can also choose what goes on in a relationship, because relationships are supposed to be mutually satisfying," he explains carefully. "That is also the reasoning behind safewords and aftercare."

[alicornucopia]

"That can't possibly mean I'm just supposed to sort of randomly say it, that's - that's ridiculous."

[mrmage]

"Before we started going out, Isabella asked me to write a list of my interests and limits and stuff. I think the fact that it was a written list was more an Isabella thing than a common thing, but typically the dom is supposed to care what the sub wants, and typically the sub is supposed to be able to say it, especially if it's something they don't want. Again, safeword. Usually 'safeword' is the default safeword itself. But yeah, bringing it up by saying, 'by the way, next time could you not use that toy? I don't like it much' should cover you."

[alicornucopia]

"If he wanted to know he'd ask."

[mrmage]

Yes, I know, he does not say.

"He might have assumed you'd safeword out or mention it otherwise if you didn't want it," he does.

[alicornucopia]

"Maybe," says Jackson dubiously.

[mrmage]

"So, uh, yeah, you should probably tell him that next time."

[alicornucopia]

"Maybe," repeats Jackson quietly.

[mrmage]

He sighs. "What's the sticking point now?"

[alicornucopia]

"Why do you think I know?" asks Jackson, frustrated.

[mrmage]

"Because you're the one feeling it."

[alicornucopia]

"That doesn't mean I know exactly how to say it so you'll get off my back about it."

[mrmage]

"If you ask me to get off your back about it, I will."

[alicornucopia]

Jackson purses his lips and nods.

[mrmage]

"Then I'll get off your back about it. Is this supposed to be for this conversation only, or indefinitely...?"

[alicornucopia]

"It doesn't even help, why would you do it again?"

[mrmage]

"Well, today I might have convinced you to actually ask your dom to not do a thing you want him to not do, so it's debatable that it doesn't help."

[alicornucopia]

Jackson mumbles grumblingly.

[mrmage]

"So. Should I not get on your case in the future, too?"

[alicornucopia]

Frown. Nod.

[mrmage]

"Okay. If I think your health or your life's in serious danger, though, I reserve the right to attempt to interfere after making sure I'm not overreacting."

[alicornucopia]

"If anything really bad happens a mage can fix me. I'd go to the health center if it was really bad."

[mrmage]

"Uh huh."

[alicornucopia]

"Why don't you believe me?"