Defying Dominance (MxM) (18+)

12

Chapter 12: Daniel

"Hands," Rook orders gently, smiling when Moth sticks their hands out. "Practicing the knots themselves is one thing, practicing on objects is another, and practicing on actual people is a whole other ball game. Always leave enough give to fit bondage scissors under your ropework. Always. No exceptions." Rook smiles as he finishes what he's doing, patting Moth on the head. "If you need anything, baby, tell me, okay?"

Moth nods slowly. They've gotten a very relaced look on their face, and they're watching Rook like a hawk. "Yes, sir."

Rook grins and turns to face us. "Alright. I don't care who gets tied up first, but make sure you wait to untie them until after I've checked your work. You all may begin."

I turn my chair a bit to look at Jace. He's been quiet the entire time, his leg bouncing under the table. "Do you want to tie me first?"

"Yeah," Jace says immediately. He's got a weird look on his face, almost like...he's scared. But he quickly schools his expression and grabs his red rope while I hold my hands out to him.

His hands are shaking again as he wraps the rope around my wrists the first time.

"Jace...it's okay. You'll do great," I whisper.

Jace glances up at me and gives me a thin smile, but stays silent until he finishes the rope cuffs. "I'm done."

Rook steps away from where he's nuzzling Moth's face gently to approach our table, scooping up a clipboard and pen on the way. I watch him scrawl Jace's name at the top, then he starts studying the rope wound around my wrists.

"Not too bad. It's quite loose. Enough wiggling, and he'd slip right out. B."

Jace shrugs. "B is fine." He starts pulling at the knots he'd tied, hands still trembling ever so slightly, but not as bad as before.

As Rook moves on to check someone else's work, I pick up my rope. "Hands?"

Jace does so, but he's still shaking a bit. I don't comment on it, though, just focus on doing this as perfectly as possible. I glance at Jace when I'm nearly done.

He's gotten this weird look in his eyes. His pupils have gone a bit wider than normal, and he's got this barely-visible blush on his face.

"Jace?" I say softly.

His eyes meet mine. Something about his expression looks familiar. I glance from him to Moth, then back at him. That look...It's the same look.

"Jace," I say again.

Jace seems to almost jolt back to reality. "Finish it."

"Wait, are you-"

"Finish the rope cuffs, Daniel. Get your grade and take them off," Jace says. He sounds...tense.

"Are you alright?"

"Fine. Just finish this."

I do so as quick as I can, worried that something is wrong. Jace looks to be on the verge of tears the entire time Rook is looking over my work. I can't even be thrilled with my A because of my concern for Jace, as he flees the room with his backpack once I untie him.

"Daniel," Rook says, at the next table over. "Go check on him, okay? Make sure he's alright."

I nod and grab my own bag, setting off to figure out where he went. He won't answer my texts, or the one time I try and call him. So I text Avery instead. Maybe Avery has Cameron's number?