“No, it’s not. Let’s be serious about this,” Leaf amended.
“So what’s okay and such? If there’s something that’s just between you two, I’d rather know now instead of fucking up at some point.” Dev looked vulnerable suddenly. He really did seem to want this and didn’t want to mess up—that much was obvious.
“How about this,” Seth started, then finished the thought in his head before speaking again. “Everything goes. Whatever pace we take individually, that’s fine. What’s between me and Leaf is between us, what’s between you and Leaf is between you, and when it’s just you and me, that’s just us?”
Dev grinned. “I’m pretty sure there would’ve been an easier way to explain that, but okay. Fine by me.”
“Anything you like or don’t like specifically?” Leaf asked Dev. After all, he and Seth knew each other better than Seth had once thought it was possible to know another person.
“Nothing too kinky. I’m pretty basic. Love giving and receiving blowjobs. I consider myself switch, so…,” Dev said, shrugging. “You two?”
“First of all, Leaf is getting hard already,” Seth said, smirking and ignoring the groan behind him. “I can’t do oral. Well, I can’tgiveoral. I have a gag reflex, and it also freaks out about some textures and tastes. But Leaf here loves to get BJs, so….”
“Duly noted.” Dev’s little salute and smirk were sinful.
“We both switch too, albeit Leaf tops more than he bottoms.” Seth tried to figure out how to explain his own particular needs, but Leaf beat him to it, of course.
“Seth needs it rough sometimes. I… I can’t do that. I don’t like hurting anyone like that, even a little, even if he asks for it. Even if it’s pleasurable for him,” Leaf confessed, and Seth turned to look at Leaf, who was frowning at himself.
“Hey, it’s been a decade, love. It’s nothing new.”
“I suppose I can help with that, then.” Dev smiled at them both. “As long as it’s not chains and whips, I’m pretty open for rough.”
“Nothing like that. Just what a vanilla person would consider rough is fine. We can discuss it at some point.” Seth smiled back at him.
“So, I know I don’t have any STDs, but I’d still prefer condoms. It’s less messy, and you know… I’ve never had sex without one.” It was Dev’s turn to look vulnerable, and it struck Seth just how young Dev was compared to them. He could’ve had a lot of sex already, but they still had years and years on him.
“Sounds good to me,” Leaf murmured in his deep, kind tone.
“Okay, now that this has been discussed, is the next date yours?” Seth asked, taking them back to a more cheerful mindset.
“Sure.” Leaf looked at Dev. “I’ll be home for at least a couple of weeks now. I’m open for anything, really.”
“During the day while Seth’s at work?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Any thoughts?”
“Could we maybe go on a little hike with the dogs somewhere? I’d love to learn more about the area and get out too.”
“Absolutely. I’ll figure out a good place and we’ll go,” Leaf promised, sounding truly happy and excited, and Seth’s heart soared for him.
“I’ll need to grade all day on Saturday,” Seth said thoughtfully. “So you could go then?”
“Stay out of your way and so on?” Dev guessed correctly.
“Yeah, Leaf needs attention when he’s at home, and he and the dogs come to bother me while I grade.” Seth rolled his eyes for extra drama.
“Like you mind…,” Leaf grumbled.
“Want to pick me up on Saturday, then?” Dev asked Leaf.
“Yeah, sounds like a great idea. The weather should be fine too.”
“It’s a date!” Dev enthused, and they all chuckled at his tone. “Okay, I think I should go before my brother reports me missing. Can you send me Leaf’s phone number?”
“Yeah, I can do that now.”
They all got to their feet and Seth grabbed his phone. By the time they were all at the door, Dev’s phone pinged in his pocket.
