Page 85 of Zero Confusion

Miles noticed and nudged him with his elbow. “Let’s get ready for bed.”

Zach rushed through his nighttime routine and returned within ten minutes. Miles was already under the covers, and Zach turned off the lights before sliding next to him.

“Are you staying?” he asked.

“Just the night. I have an early flight.”

Zach pressed closer, desperate to take advantage of every single second they had before Miles was ripped away from him.

“I was hoping you’d stay longer,” he whispered into the darkness.

“Me too, Zee.” There was regret in Miles’s voice. “This was the cheapest round-trip ticket. Ray’s been sitting on that website you recommended for the past week, and this was the best deal he could get. I offered to drive, but that would have taken too long, and we’re still short-handed. My dad’s lucky Ray isn’t into wedding planning, otherwise we’d be two workers down instead of one.”

Zach understood why he had to go back, yet a selfish part of him still wished to have Miles entirely to himself. Despite the exhaustion, he stayed awake as long as he could, listening to Miles’s soft breathing.

At the crack of dawn, they got a ride to the airport, holding hands the entire way. After watching the love of his life go through security and disappear into the crowd, Zach was fully prepared to feel depressed the entire way home, but Miles texted ten minutes later—a sweet I love you with multiple hearts—and Zach’s resolve to wallow in despair faded away.

They would see each other again in a few days, and while it would be an uphill slog to be separated for the next year, they would video chat every day and text and call as often as they could. They’d do whatever it took. Both of them were fully invested in making their relationship work.

For once, Zach was cautiously optimistic.

He got home and immediately booked a ticket for the weekend, wincing at the cost. He was lucky he had his work-study gig at the library next year, because the summer travel costs had eaten through his savings. His budget had allowed for an occasional club visit and cheap takeout, not multiple flights and rental cars. At this rate, he’d barely save enough tuition money to cover one graduate class.

Despite the hit to his wallet and the trepidation about seeing his family, not going wasn’t an option. Besides being one of his only opportunities to see Miles in the foreseeable future, he was weirdly honored to be Raymond’s best man. They barely knew each other, but they were intrinsically linked by their love for the Carter men and the short conversation that had ultimately been the catalyst for everything that had come to pass.

Zach would be forever grateful to Raymond for opening up to him. His words were meant to spare Zach a lifetime of pain, and he appreciated that more than he could say. The least he could do in return was stand up beside the man on the most important day of his life.

Kink Talk

SubSequins: I went to a kink club last weekend and was kinda surprised to see a lot of couples. Like, real couples. I know it happens, but I didn’t realize it was so common. For some reason, I always assumed the whole BDSM scene was like one giant orgy.

DomPetty: You’re not completely off base. For obvious reasons, people in the scene tend to be more open and flexible, and even established couples can have arrangements where they share or play together. It can definitely give off that “giant orgy” vibe.

SubLime: That’s not a requirement, is it? If I have to choose between kink and exclusivity, I definitely choose exclusivity every time. I want my partner all to myself.

SubAir: Not a requirement at all! Yeah, people are more open, but you’re still allowed to set boundaries. And the club scene can really skew your perspective. You never meet the couples who only play at home and go to bed by ten.

SubScribble: So does that mean Domicron’s wild days are over?

SubScribble: I tease, I tease!

SubAir: Honey, his wild days are just starting, and they are all mine.

SubScribble: Rowr!

SubLime: So what’s the general consensus? Does everyone eventually want a long-term D/s relationship? A regular relationship with some D/s stuff? One night stands forever?

SubMarine: Long-term is the dream, but I’d be happy with a play partner for now. Hell, I’d be happy with a one-time partner at this point.

DomAndDommer: Dude, that’s such a sore subject for me right now. I’ve gone on a million dates, and I’m getting nada. At this point, I’d consider giving up kink entirely if I could only find a real connection.

DommyBoy: No relationship for me. I’m still getting my feet wet, and I’m happy to jump into that giant orgy with no strings attached.

SubSequins: Has anyone heard from Zero? There are so many missed joke opportunities in this thread.

DomPetty: Probably busy getting laid.

SubLily: Or just busy. People do have lives outside of this chatroom.