La Maison 3: Pretty (Complete: mxm)

Chapter 28: Flott

A/N: the penultimate chapter. Smutty McSmuttigton 

"Are you ready, Mateo?"

Gray's smile was its usual effortless combination of warm and amused as he watched Mat's eyes widen at the array of ropes laid out on the bed. Mat had been practicing, but only had a few of the patterns memorized. Plus, he hadn't had to do any of it in front of anyone else, and River knew he felt the pressure to perform.

"Uh...will I do the whole thing myself? It's just, we did the training, but maybe I should practice more before-,"

"It's fine. River doesn't expect you to know every detail immediately. Though he does enjoy the ropes, so may I suggest you invest in a mannequin to practice on before you start doing the complex patterns? Chase?"

Chase stepped out of the shadows where he'd been waiting for his cue. When Gray had suggested Chase as an option to join them, River had been eager, though he'd waited for Mat to be the one to agree. He had no idea if the fact that the two of them seemed so similar in their attitudes would be great or terrible, and he definitely didn't want Mat to feel any kind of conflict.

But, as usual, he had simply recognized the enthusiasm in River and agreed instantly.

"Chase, are you happy to do the majority of the knots, and Mateo can do the wrist and ankle binds?"

"Sure thing, Boss."

"Chase..."

"Sorry, but you know these two don't want too much ceremony."

"No. But the least River deserves as your sub for the scene is to be respected fully by you maintaining the right attitude."

"Sorry, Sir."

Chase hung his head, but he peeked from the corner of his eye, winking and sticking his tongue out, making River have to bite his lip not to giggle.

"Okay, Mat, you wanted a scene with another Dom. What are your thoughts?"

"Well, I wasn't sure how much I'd be controlling it-,"

"If I may...River is always the one in control. But in terms of deciding on the scene and directing it once it happens: you're his Dom and therefore you're making the decisions. In a circumstance like this, where you've chosen to scene with another Dom, it would be usual to discuss it before you get started, and ensure that your scene partners are all aware of expectations."

"Okay," Mat straightened his shoulders and turned to Chase, "so, this is what we were thinking..."

River let himself zone out, standing in Waiting. He didn't have to listen, because he and Mat had discussed the broad details, at length, the day before, and he trusted all three of the Doms to be considering his needs above all else. Instead, it was his chance to wallow in the mindset that came so easy to him and to let himself feel looked after.

When Chase approached with the fine green rope, River couldn't hold back the tremor, his mind jumping back online at the warm lust directed at him. He used Mat's strong body, poised behind him, for a moment's support, watching Chase's eyes darken as he held the rope up, as if deciding where to begin. But really he already knew exactly where, gently looping the rope around the nape of River's neck, bringing the two sides together and forming a secure knot in the center of his sternum.

River didn't really have a sensation yet, allowing Mat to keep him secure, until Chase passed the rope around his back and to the front for the second knot, already pulling it more tautly. The first knot pressed firmly against his chest then, making him gasp. His eyes rolled just a little when the second knot was in place, and he could feel the unique rough-smoothness of the rope – the way the soft strands still managed to scruff across his skin.