Page 91 of The Menagerie

He lets the quick change of subject pass, intrigued by the prospect of edging Mal. By now Rowan definitely has a good enough handle on getting Mal to come and knowing his tells for them to try edging, and he’s immediately on board with it.

[RC]Definitely

[RC]You mentioned a fleshlight last time we talked about edging, want to use that too?

[MS]yeah that’d be good. got one of those clear cock sleeves and a vibe i can bring

[MS]and a blindfold if you’re cool with it

That’s a new one. He’s about to question it when Mal’s explanation comes through.

[MS]usually like to do that when there’s more praise than normal. blocks everything else out

[RC]Yeah sure

He’s read enough about sensory deprivation to know that it can make everything much more intense—physical feelings and emotions alike. But in the back of his mind, Rowan does wonder if Mal doesn’t like making eye contact when someone tells him he’s being good.

[RC]Do you like/want to be tickled when I’m edging you?

[MS]no. just pull away before i cum

[RC]Got it

[MS]some people like or need it, but i hate being tickled

[RC]Glad I asked then

[MS]might want to use the cuffs again too, but not sure atm. you mind if we figure that part out right before?

[RC]Fine with me, just lmk

[MS]cool

Rowan sends Mal a thumbs up emoji.

[RC]Enjoy the rest of your night

You sure you don’t want to talk?he wants to send.

He doesn’t.

[MS]you too

“YOU’VE BEENcoming here over a month now, right?” Jeremiah asks as he places a foaming glass of beer in front of Rowan.

It’s a slower Saturday night, the music turned down to a level that allows easy conversation across the bar.

“Yeah, why?”

“No reason. It’s nice to see Malcolm stick with someone again. Leave some for the rest of us for a change.” He laughs.

Rowan huffs a short laugh of his own. “You guys all talk about him like he’s a mythical creature or some shit. He’s just a guy.”

If Rowan’s directing that particular message tohimselfrather than to Jeremiah, no one needs to know that.

But the smile never falls from Jeremiah’s lips, and the glint never fades from his coffee-colored eyes, and Rowan gets the feeling once again of being dissected.

“You like him.”

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