Rowan taps the side of his phone, debating sending his next text. Mal had said this was a two-way street—their Dom/sub relationship. And he knows that, but he still feels a bit weird asking for things he wants. So far everything they’ve done he’s enjoyed, and honestly he’d rather let Mal take the metaphorical reins while they’re still getting used to each other.

From the bit of research he’s done online so far, he knows that for some partners, their ultimate goal is to know exactly what the other wants and needs at any given moment, and to deliver that. Rowan doesn’t know how realistic that is for them, or for pairs in general, but the idea of getting to that level of comfort and trust with Mal makes him giddy.

He sends the text.

[RC] How do you feel about ass to mouth btw?

[MS] as long as it’s my own ass it’s hot

[MS] don’t really trust mfers i don’t know

[MS] why, you wanna do that?

[RC] Well yeah I wasn’t thinking of anyone else’s

It’s pretty hard to focus on anyone else’s ass when Mal’s is right in front of him.

[RC] And yeah if you’re cool with it

[MS] yeah

His excitement simmers, the week-away anticipation stagnating when he remembers something Mal said to him in the diner last night: I think we can do better.

[RC] Hey so when you said we could do better yesterday, is there something more you want from me?

[RC] I mean obviously I’m gonna get better and learn you as we go but like is there anything specifically I can do next time?

Waiting on Mal’s response, he takes another bite of his long-forgotten sandwich.

[MS] be rougher

As his phone lights up on the table, Rowan’s fingers clench, soft bread dimpling in his hands.

[MS] and meaner

A sharp squeeze and a cucumber slides out onto his plate. Rowan drops the rest of his lunch with it, quickly picking up his phone as Mal texts him again.

[MS] seemed like you might’ve been holding back a bit

[MS] don’t

[MS] assuming you like that and you’re not more of a soft dom

And yeah, Rowan won’t lie. He did want to be rougher. Meaner, as Mal put it. He wants to see how far he can push Mal, how desperate he can get him, how quickly and completely he can make him lose it. Like a deep-seated itch he only now realized was there but he can’t quite scratch yet. With shaking fingers, Rowan types out his reply.

[RC] I was worried it’d be too much

[MS] that’s typical for new doms

[MS] and it makes sense while we’re still getting the hang of things

[MS] don’t get me wrong yesterday was fuckin hot