Page 27 of Expanding Command

Miles's stomach tied itself in another knot. "I don't want to push him."

"You're not. You're communicating. And that's important. If he's not ready for this or not ready to make a decision, he can tell you that. But it's your role to ask now." He rubbed Miles's side reassuringly with his thumb, his gentle but serious admonition reassuring. "You're his dom. But I'm yours. I'm here with you, pet."

Miles let out a long breath. "I'm being avoidant, aren't I?"

"A bit." Darren smiled, kissing his nose. "It's alright. You're still learning. We both are; they're new to us. That's why we talk about things. Now, did he say anything after you told him this afternoon? Think back for me. Try to separate your feelings from his words."

Miles made himself draw a slow, deep breath, blowing it out and focusing on it before going over their conversation. "He thanked me for telling him. He understood about my ex because he had a bad dom before Leander. It sounded like he was pretty manipulative."

Darren gave a hum of understanding. "Is it possible those memories are what's distracting him?"

"Or worry that I'll be like that?" Miles gave a helpless laugh. "If he finds me too imposing - even if he's not consciously thinking it, there must be some part of him - "

"Hey. Stop." Darren squeezed his hip. "No assumptions. We talk. You're going to tell him what you want from him, and his options, and ask him to be truthful with you. You're going to take the lead as his dom. Can you do that for me? And for him?"

Darren was right, of course. It was his responsibility, but framing it as a service to them both made it easier. Miles took another deep breath, grounding himself, and nodded. "Yes, Sir."

"Good boy." Darren kissed him gently. "I'm here to support you. I'll help if you falter. But you'll be okay. I know you can do this."

Miles nodded, managing to joke, "And here I thought being dominant was just going to be about sexy spankings."

Darren chuckled. "You wouldn't want it if that was all it was."

As they returned to the house, Tristan and Leander entered the kitchen, visible through the large glass doors. Tristan hung back as Leander put a bottle of something in the blast chiller. Taking a deep breath, Miles strode ahead of Darren to go inside.

Both men turned to him, Leander breaking into a hopeful smile. "Can we feed you? We've got a few things in the freezer, but it might be faster to order... if you still want to stay."

"Let's talk about that." Despite his stomach still tying itself in knots, Miles clung to his husband's words, trying to channel his surety. He held a hand out to Tristan, putting a touch of command into his voice. "Come here, little bunny."

Some of the tension left Tristan's form at his words. He crossed the room obediently, letting Miles pull him into a gentle embrace. "Yes, Sir?"

His deference was more reassuring. "There's been a lot going on this weekend already, Tristan. "We'd like to stay for dinner - I'd like to stay with you. But we talked about some heavy things this afternoon. If you need more time to think it over and talk to Leander about me, I won't be angry. We can head home and make plans to meet up again soon. Alright?"

The sudden surprise in Tristan's gaze was reassuring. "No. I don't need time to - it's not about you, Miles. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you think... I'm not upset about you."

A soft sigh of relief escaped his lips. "Will you tell me what it is, then?"

Tristan's gaze slid away to the floor, not his husband, which made Miles worry. "I... that's kind of the problem," he started slowly. "That's... what I'm struggling with."

Miles cupped his cheek gently. "You're worried I won't want to hear it?"

Tristan gave a soft, soundless laugh. "In a way. Yeah."

Miles tried not to become overwhelmed by helplessness. He stole a glance towards Darren, letting his husband's soft, reassuring smile ground him. "Tristan, listen... I need to do right by you," he started quietly. "You and Leander. That's always been the most important thing for me in all of this, since Dare and I started looking. It's why I want to do any of this. Please talk to me. I promise I'll do my best to listen and be honest about my own needs, and Darren will help me. Will you do that for me now, sweetheart?"

In his arms, Tristan shivered, jaw clenching. But the ball was in his court now. Miles had given his order.

It would be up to Tristan to decide if he could obey him.

~~~

16 - An Invitation to Stay

Tristan Chase-Morgan

Tristan knew he was ruminating as the afternoon moved on, his mind returning again and again to his shortcomings. He knew Miles had noticed - they'd all noticed - but despite Leander's subtle attempts to reassure and cheer him up, he couldn't break out of the cycle.

It all came rushing back as he stood with Miles in the kitchen, trying his hardest to focus on his old friend's heartfelt entreaty to be truthful with him. No, not an entreaty... an order. He needed to obey.