Regardless, they were quickly outgrowing the apartment. Aimee, fortunately, showed no signs of wanting to leave behind her self-appointed 'protective older sister' role, but when she'd turned eleven, she'd still insisted on having her own space as a birthday gift. They'd managed to block off the dining portion of the main living space with a mix of bookshelves and room dividers. While it made her happy, it had made having more than just the quietest and most basic adult times even more impossible when the kids were with them.
Getting a bigger place couldn't come soon enough.
"Thank god it's a long weekend," he muttered, thinking back over how hectic the morning had been.
"Because it means we can nap?" Miles asked with a grin.
"Because we didn't make the kids late for school," Darren shot back, closing the bedroom door behind them.
Miles pulled him into a warm kiss. "I really love you, you know that? Thank you for doing this with me."
Darren cuddled into him. "Thank you for letting me. I... don't think I realized how rewarding it would be. Thank you for trusting me with them."
"How could I not?" Miles cupped his cheek with a smile. "Besides, after everything you've taught me, it's kind of nice to teach you how to parent."
? ? ?
––––––––
Dozing in the familiar, strong embrace of the man who'd become his perfect partner had been a delectable way to while away the rest of the morning. When he woke before Miles, he stayed still, not wanting anything about the lazy sense of warmth and well-being to change. It was hard not to think back to the morning's worries, though. Needing to move was a good problem to have, he told himself. It meant they were doing everything right.
Hopefully, his other worry was also the result of doing everything right. Hopefully, Miles would be able to see it the same way.
"Mm... awake already, love?" Miles stirred against him, nuzzling a kiss to his shoulder.
"Mm. Just thinking about things." Drawing his fingers slowly through Miles's ash blond hair and down the back of his neck, Darren finally broached the question. "....are you satisfied with our play, my love?"
Still warm and lax in his arms in the aftermath of slumber, it took Miles a few moments to begin to rouse to answer his question. Darren didn't mind. He appreciated the careful consideration his husband brought to any decision. It always felt good to reward him for it, like he would if they'd already had playtime. To cuddle and spoil and praise Miles for his devotion.
And yet, Darren knew that the time had come for him to do more if he wanted Miles to truly continue to benefit from their journey together. Miles had been an ideal student, but he could be so much more. For some people, the answer would be escalation: more extreme adventures, more adrenaline, more risk. But that wasn't right for Miles, and for all Darren's practical experience in the arts, he knew it wasn't right for him either.
Fortunately, he had another option. If he could help Miles understand the benefit.
Miles nuzzled his jaw with a pleased moan. "Our play is so good, love," he sighed, warm and dreamy, cuddling closer to him. "You always take such good care of me. Spoil me so...."
Darren gave a pleased hum, returning his nuzzle and stroking a hand up into the short, ash blond strands of his hair. "As much as you spoil me, darling," he murmured, once again feeling a soft wave of wonder at what they'd found together.
After over three years of being together, he knew just how far to push Miles without breaking him. How to push him to the point where the test of his strength and endurance became relief and release. Miles had grown from a natural devotee with limitless potential to a wonderfully experienced one. The deep pleasure of knowing exactly how to turn his ideal lover into putty in his hands was the most rewarding pleasure Darren could ever ask for as an authority in the lifestyle. Whether Darren finished thesession by riding his husband or by claiming every part of his incredible body, there was little he found more delightful than feeling Miles come apart underneath him, buzzing high on the endorphins of submission.
It was so easy to relax into domestic bliss with Miles. But already Darren could see both of them becoming far too comfortable with their routine. As wonderful as it was, was that really the best thing for Miles?
They'd always have this to come home to. He needed to help Miles find more.
Miles was ready to take those first steps, but he'd need all his skills to get him there. And first, he'd need Miles to understand exactly what he was asking.
? ? ?
∞ 2 ∞
Mentoring Miles
Cuddled in bed after a late morning nap, Darren looked up into his husband's adoring face. Miles would understand what he was asking of him – and why wouldn't he?
"I want to spoil you more, Sir," Miles purred, stroking a hand up into his hair. "No kids next weekend. Nowhere to go. Could make you breakfast in bed.
Go to the market." He lowered his voice with a grin. "Work out in bed before cooking dinner. Then, give my hard-working master a massage."
Darren returned his kiss with an appreciative groan at the thought. It would be easy to agree. Miles was excellent at decadently pampering him with service submission and a toe-curlingly good ravishment (or three). But it was a safe suggestion, and one Miles had begun to fall back on all too readily.
