really,” Aiden said finally.
“That’s good.”
Aiden twisted so that he faced Keaton, and pressed
his head against Keaton’s chest. “I was scared, Keaton,”
he whispered.
“Tell me why.”
“I didn’t like being alone in here. I wanted to be in
the kitchen with you. I was pissed at myself for being
such an asshole.”
“You weren’t an asshole.”
“I know I was. I did it on purpose. I was just so sick
of wondering when you were gonna show your true
colors.”
“My true colors?”
“You’re a top. And I thought you wanted me here
because I was a sub, and you… I just kept waiting for
you to try to… whatever.”
Keaton held Aiden tighter. “Poor boy. No. That’s
not what I wanted at all.”
“I just wanted to know how you would punish me.
If you were like Scott or—different.”
Keaton rubbed his back. “I see.”
“I don’t get the corner time thing. I thought you
were trying to build anticipation—get me freaked out
before you started hitting me or whatever. Or that you
were going to make me sit there while you called me
things. Mostly I just didn’t like being alone and knowing
I’d pissed you off.”
Keaton sighed, angry with himself. He should
never have attempted any form of discipline, however
mild, without first communicating with Aiden. “I’m glad
you’re telling me this,” he said. “Come here.” Keaton led
Aiden to the couch and sat down, settling the boy against
him. “I truly didn’t mean to scare you or make you feel
alone. I thought that time in the corner would let you
relax—give you a break from me. If I’d known how it
made you feel, I wouldn’t have done it. I should have
talked to you about it first and explained my intentions.”
“I wouldn’t have listened. I was too busy being
horrible.”
“You weren’t horrible.”
Aiden snorted.
“Anyway it’s over now. I guess what we need to
discuss is what you want from me while you’re here.”
Aiden tensed, but Keaton went on petting him until
he relaxed again. Aiden took a deep breath. “I feel out of
control without—without someone in charge. But I’m
done with the lifestyle. I don’t want a dom. I want to
learn how to be in control on my own.”
“There might be a solution to that.”
“What?”
“Do you know what domestic discipline is?”
“I’ve read stories about it. It’s like when people
spank their spouses. Right?”
“It’s an arrangement between two partners in which
one partner makes the rules and major decisions in the
relationship, and enforces those rules with corporal
punishment. And yes, spanking is probably the most
common form of domestic discipline.”
“So is it like an age-play thing? Where one partner’s
the kid?”
“Not
exactly.
A
true
domestic
discipline
relationship isn’t play. Dominant and submissive aren’t
roles the partners assume and shed at will. The partners
live together, love one another, share dreams and desires
and ideas. But one needs the other’s rules, boundaries,
certainty, and guidance. The other feels a deep need to
provide those things.”
“Is this what you’re into?” Aiden asked.
“It’s what I’m into,” Keaton said. It was a relief to
finally admit it to someone he genuinely cared about.
“It’s what I need.”
Aiden swallowed. “Are you saying we could have
something like that?”
“That depends. We don’t know each other that well
yet. A relationship like this requires a lot of trust. It’s not
just about discipline—it’s about the partnership itself.”
“Oh.”
“I like you a lot. But you don’t trust me yet. Not
fully. There’s no way you could.”
“I want to.”
“That’s a start. If you feel you’d like the sort of
guidance a discipline relationship can provide while
you’re here, I can set some rules, and together we can
decide on the consequences for breaking those rules.”
“Together? Aren’t you supposed to be in charge?”
“I’ll be in charge of enforcing them. But the
arrangement is one we structure together.”
Aiden was silent for a moment. “What would the
rules be?”
“I want you to take care of yourself.” Aiden tipped
his head up to look at Keaton. “I’d ask you to get back on
a regular meal and sleep schedule. To finish your
graduate school applications.”
“That’s it?”
Keaton chuckled. “That might be harder for you
than it sounds. There are other things we can discuss. If
you’d like to be responsible for a share of household
chores, or if you have any habits you’ve been trying to
break yourself of—” Keaton smiled as Aiden stopped
picking at a hangnail on his thumb. “But your primary
goal would be getting yourself back in peak health.”
“So what would you do to me if I broke the rules?”
“That depends. The butt-to-brain communication
route is extremely efficient. I often find that a spanking is
the fastest, most effective way of making a lasting
impression.”
“And the hottest.” Aiden laughed.
Keaton didn’t reply.
After a few seconds, Aiden looked up at him
uncertainly. “Keaton?”
“A lot of people are turned on by spankings,”
Keaton said. “And that’s fine. However I want you to be
aware that I don’t get off on administering corporal
punishment. A disciplinary spanking is not intended to
be sexually stimulating.”
Keaton felt Aiden tense again. “So why do it?”
Aiden asked. “I mean, if it doesn’t turn you on?”
“What satisfies me is the mutual trust. Knowing my
partner believes in my ability to make decisions that are
in his best interest.”
“I usually get turned on by spankings,” Aiden said
quietly. “So it might… not work.”
“Many people find that the mind-set they’re in
when they receive a disciplinary spanking is quite
different than the mind-set they’re in when they receive a
spanking as part of a BDSM scene. Were you turned on
by the swats I gave you a few minutes ago?”
Aiden shook his head.
“That mind-set shift might be enough to eliminate
any pleasure you normally get from a spanking. If not,
there are other punishments.”
“Like what?”
“Writing lines, having your mouth washed out with
soap. Restrictions, loss of privileges, early bedtime,
corner time—though that might not be the best option for
you.”
Aiden ducked his head. “It’s punishment,” he
mumbled. “I’m not supposed to like it.”
“But the point of discipline is to correct a behavior,
not leave you feeling scared, frustrated, alone, or
resentful.”
Keaton hoped the boy couldn’t feel how fast his
heart was beating. He couldn’t believe he was actually
having this conversation with Aiden Cole. It was a while
before Aiden spoke again.
“Keaton? I’m interested in this idea. I think I might
want to try it. But… ”
“Yes?”
“I do have a high pain threshold. You might have to
hit me really hard to make me feel it. But I don’t know if I
want to go there again. You know? Blood? Marks?”
Keaton ran a hand through Aiden’s hair. “I would
never—
never
administer a punishment that left you
bruised or bleeding. There may be color or soreness that
takes a few hours to fade. But anything beyond that isn’t
discipline.”
Aiden bit his lip. Keaton continued. “Like I said,
the discipline mind-set is different from the kink mind-
set. It’s not always the pain that hurts—if that makes
sense. But if you find that corporal punishment isn’t
making much of an impression on you, we’ll look at
other options.”
“Okay. And the other thing?”
“What other thing?”
“The… relationship part?”
“Ah.”
“Would I still just be your houseguest? Or would
we be, like… ”
“Lovers?”
“Yeah.”
Keaton thought for a moment. The idea of refusing
a sexual relationship with Aiden Cole was almost
unfathomable. “I don’t want to rush you into anything.”
“I can take care of myself,” Aiden protested. “Well,
except for eating right, sleeping well, and making plans
for my future.” He and Keaton both laughed. “You can
make those decisions for me. But I’ll make this one. I
think you’re sexy and beautiful and a good man. I want
you. I just don’t know if you want me.”
Keaton touched the boy’s cheek.
Aiden closed his eyes.
“More than anything.”
“Then take me,” Aiden whispered.
Keaton leaned down and kissed him. It was a soft
kiss, brief. Keaton lifted his head, closed his eyes, and
savored the lingering feel of it. He kissed Aiden again,
letting his tongue explore the hot and cool spots in
Aiden’s mouth. He accepted the boy’s soft moan into his
own throat, let his fingers drift along Aiden’s jaw.
They were interrupted by the smoke detector
blaring in the kitchen.
“The pizza,” Keaton said.
They hurried into the kitchen to find the oven
emitting a steady sheet of smoke. Aiden stood on a chair
and hushed the detector while Keaton opened the oven,
releasing a black cloud and the smell of charred onions,
peppers, and cheese. Keaton opened the back door, the
rush of chilly air helping to cool both the room and his
groin.
“That’s your specialty, huh?” Aiden teased,
nodding at the black disc in the oven.
Keaton grinned. “Watch it, brat.” Keaton took out
his phone. “I’ll order us some subs. What do you want?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m not very hungry.”
Keaton shook his head. “Not gonna work anymore,
kid. Three meals a day, remember? You might as well
get something you like.”
“Turkey? No onions, no mayo.”
Keaton placed their order. “Twenty to thirty
minutes.”
“What are we going to do while we wait?”
“You can tell me exactly what you still need to do
to complete your applications.”
Aiden made a face. “Keaton.”
“Yes?”
“Can’t we finish what we started in the living
room?”
“Oh? What did we start?”
Aiden looked at the floor. “I thought you were
going to fuck me,” he grumbled.
“Quite the romantic, aren’t you?”
“I try.”
“You’re going to show me your applications. Then
we’re going to eat dinner.”
“Then?”
“Then, once you’ve finished every last bite, I’m
going to take you upstairs. And I’m going to make love
to you.”
Aiden let out his breath. “Can’t we do something
now? I’m so hard.”
Keaton quirked an eyebrow. “Was there anything
unclear about what I just said?”
Aiden flushed and dropped his gaze. “No, Sir.”
“Keaton,” Keaton said softly.
“What?”
“Call me Keaton. Not Sir.”
“Oh.” Aiden looked suddenly uneasy. “I might
forget.”
“Then I’ll remind you. We’re partners. Equals.”
“If we were equals, then I’d be able to spank you
when you did something I didn’t like.” Aiden’s tone was
only half-joking.
“Maybe we should rethink this,” Keaton said
quietly.
“No! Keaton, I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. I just don’t
quite get it, I think?”
“Easy. I’m not upset. Let’s talk.” Keaton sat at the
table, waving traces of smoke from his eyes. Outside,
crickets chirped, and an owl hooted. Aiden looked wary
but eventually sat down across from Keaton. “This isn’t
going to be like what you had with Scott. I’m not your
master. I’m not your dom. I’m in charge, but that doesn’t
make me superior to you in any way. You need limits. I
need to provide them. Your submission is a gift I value,
not something I demand or expect. That you defer to me
doesn’t make you weak. It doesn’t make you less than
me. Understand?”
“I think so. It’s just weird. I’ve never done this
before.”
“I’ll help you.”
“What if I really piss you off? Will you kick me
out?”
“You’re free to leave anytime of your own volition.
You’re also free to back out of the discipline portion of
the relationship. But I won’t ever kick you out.”
Aiden nodded. He looked at Keaton. “I have to do
personal statements for my applications. But I don’t
know what to say. I don’t feel like I have anything
important to offer a grad program.”