“No, Bunny,” Nico said, mouth dry.
Some people called their doms sir, master, Daddy, any number of things. But they’d decided to stick with Bunny. It was gender neutral, which suited them, and people were used to hearing Nico call him that if he slipped up in public.
Mal tilted his head, taking Nico in, expression unreadable. “No?” He leaned in close once more. “Are you just so desperate for punishment that you’re acting out already? Did I go too easy on you this morning?”
Yes, he had, but Nico wasn’t going to tell him that. Not yet.
“No, Bunny. I just wanted to do this instead,” Nico said, giving him his biggest puppy eyes and the pout he knew he couldn’t resist. “Can’t I?”
Mal crouched down beside him so they were eye-level. He caught Nico’s chin between thumb and forefinger, costing himanother shot, not that Nico cared. Mal’s touch burned through him. “Of course, Fidget.” The smile that spread across his face was bone-chilling. “You have free will.”
Goosebumps erupted along Nico’s thighs. Fuck. He’d sort of hoped Mal would lose his cool, that he’d drag him away from the computer and put him over his knee right then.
“Th-Thank you, Bunny,” Nico said, breathless.
“Sure, Fidget,” he said, getting to his feet once more. “I’m gonna shower. Join me in the living room when you’re done with your game?”
“We’ll see.”
Seven’s mouth fell open at Nico’s boldness. Only Seven truly understood the depth of Mal and Nico’s dynamic. To the others, it was just a silly little kink thing. Seven knew the truth. Nico was happy to have him to talk to. He’d adamantly tried to talk Nico out of this, but he was determined.
Mal pressed his lips right to Nico’s ear. “Somebody’s feeling brave.”
It was barely more than a whisper, but it lanced through him like a spear, sending a jolt through his whole body, making him shiver.
Mal didn’t miss it. “Let’s see if you keep that same energy later.” Before Nico could respond, he picked up his hand and kissed the back of his knuckles softly. “Enjoy your game, baby,” he said sweetly.
“Thanks, Bunny,” Nico managed.
“See ya, Seven,” Mal said, waving.
He felt more than saw Mal moving around the room, grabbing a change of clothes before heading to shower. Had he planned on leaving Nico on the bed, belt in hand, while he’d showered alone? It wouldn’t be the first time.
It was only after the door shut that Nico collapsed into his chair. Seven stared at him with wide eyes. “Are you sure you know what you’re doing?”
Nico grinned, then shrugged. “Do I ever?”
Seven caught his gaze and held it. “He didn’t look ready to snap.”
“Not yet, anyway,” Nico countered. “You know how annoying I can be.”
“Bruh, you’re crazy,” Seven marveled. “Like, the calmer Enzo is, the more worried I get.”
They continued to play their game for another thirty minutes. Was Mal finished with his shower? Was he cooking? Was he watching television? Was he just lying in wait for Nico to finally finish his game?
“I think you should go, dude,” Seven said. “There’s pushing your luck and then there’s a death wish.”
Nico snorted, relying on sheer bravado at this point. “What’s the worst that can happen?”
Seven’s mouth fell open. “Well, I mean he’s not gonna kick you into a meat grinder, but that’s a really low bar.”
“That’s the problem. He’s too soft. This morning, I was supposed to get spanked one hundred times. One zero zero. We stopped after fifty. He said I was crying too hard, and he didn’t want me to be too sick for work.”
“What an asshole,” Seven deadpanned. “It’s almost like his job is to take care of you.”
“He gives in too easily. It’s because I’m so cute when I cry. I just want him to stop acting like I’m some novice.”
“You are some novice, idiot. You know how I know? Because an experienced sub would know to be way more nervous than you are right now,” Seven said.
