With spring in full bloom, April was a favourite time of year for many people; Briar included. It was warmer than winter which meant there were more clear days for activities, he and his lovers taking frequent evening walks together after dinner, but it was still far enough away from summer to make holiday plans.
For the young man though, there was no holiday to be had. Unfortunate as it could seem to many, a fraction of his summer would be spent working but rather than dreading it, the closer the date to the first day of shooting approached, Briar found himself becoming increasingly excited.
This was going to be a new, positive and helpful experience for him- he was sure of it.
Standing alone in the gym locker room in only a towel, he took a moment to look in the mirror. Muscles that had been long unworked were now stronger, skin pulled tightly over them so they stood out rather prominently. Where he once looked and saw a body that could never be truly loved by anyone the way he desired, now he could hardly believe such a time or thoughts existed.
Briar knew that should he go home at that very moment and strip down naked; Jesse would slap him on the ass and make some blush-worthy comments, Quinn would complement him using art-related words Briar wouldn't understand followed by a sweet kiss to his cheek. And should he do the same in front of Devon, well, the pretty boy could imagine how the dominant man would gaze at him like a beast, eyes full of dark promises and no words needing uttered.
While he had only been physically intimate with his other two lovers on a few occasions, Devon still had made no further advancements. And Briar was surprisingly okay with their slow approach to intimacy, truly appreciating being allowed the time to research his possible limits and gradually be welcomed into the world of dominance and submission.
Harlow never complimented my body without also pointing out a flaw. Never touched me sweetly, only hurriedly and when he wanted to, only to stop completely once other people started paying to hold it. He never cherished me the way I tricked myself into thinking he did. The way he made me feel about myself...
Looking back on his past relationship no longer filled him with the longing for a love long past. Instead, it made him feel sick. Sick for the person he had been made into with Harlow, overwhelmed with sadness that he had allowed himself to be treated so lowly. But then came the gratitude towards the man for abandoning him, because now he truly felt alive, loved and hopeful towards his future- a future he knew would only get happier and happier, fuller and fuller. Sometimes, just thinking of his new life made his heart fit to burst.
"Hm" a voice rumbled behind, making Briar jump as arms came around his waist and startled him from his thoughts. Looking back into the mirror, he smiled at the man.
"You smell so good".
"And you don't, so get off" he grimaced, turning in strong arms to push Devon away by his sweaty shoulders. The dominant pouted.
"Aw, love, don't be like that. This is the smell of a man".
Wrinkling his nose and walking to his gym bag, Briar pulled out some clothes. "Yes- the smell of a man needing a shower. Better get on that".
Unwrapping his towel from his waist to put on some boxers, his earlier thoughts were confirmed when he caught Devon in the corner of his eye, watching his thick thighs and soft cock disappear into the piece of lacy fabric, dark gaze then moving to Briar's abdomen that tightened under those eyes, gradually raising to his stiffening nipples and plump chest.
"I can't decide if you do this shit by accident and really are that oblivious to how sexy you are, or if you do it deliberately to rile me up" the dominant uttered, finally looking away to grab his own towel and shower gel- the same one Briar borrowed for his own shower, simply to smell the same as his lover.
The long-haired man didn't answer, not sure if admitting he often did things outright suggestively because it was fun to tease his lover was wise. Briar was still figuring out the small nuances that indicated Devon's moods, his unspoken desires and needs. Jesse had advised that it was sometimes good for a submissive to anticipate their dominant's needs and wants, rather than always relying only on direct commands. Or, at least, that it was something Devon preferred from his submissives.
And he wanted to be the very best for Devon.
"Are you going home after your shower?" Briar asked, finishing brushing his hair into a ponytail and putting on the rest of his clothes.
"Well, I had planned on taking you shopping for a new dress, maybe get you a mannicure or whatever people get done to their nails, but you mentioned you had plans?".
Oh no, don't do this to me!
He really wanted to go get that dress and be pampered. Briar wondered if any of his lovers could truly appreciate just how it felt for him to be supported so fully in his choices towards education, career and even down to his cross-dressing hobby. How amazing it felt to actually be accepted rather than tolerated. It seemed absolutely natural to them to do all of this for him, which was constantly mind blowing.
But he had something very important to do- for himself, but also his lovers. The dress would have to wait.
"I wish I'd known this morning when you invited me to work out together! I would have cancelled and gone with you instead".
Well, he doesn't need to know I wouldn't have cancelled this appointment either way.
"It's okay Pancake, you can spend your free time as you wish, but maybe we can go in a few days and make a day out of it".
"That sounds perfect" he sighed wistfully, already anticipating it and going to Devon for a hot kiss. Although, just as he forgot all about his man being sweaty and stepped closer, letting his tongue join the others, the creaking of the locker room door had him springing backward.
Oh my god, I forgot we're in public!
"Care to join me in the shower?" Devon murmured to the blushing man, who shook his head frantically with a squeak.
"Stop it, you fiend! I'm leaving".
Laughing, the blue-eyed man winked and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before the two chatting men who just entered rounded the corner and went to their lockers.
"Okay, I'll take your bag back home with me. Have a good day, love".
Nodding, Briar forced himself to take another step away. "See you tonight" he promised then took his leave, stepping out into the early afternoon air that felt frigid against his wet hair.
I should have time to get a quick cup of tea and snack before my appointment...
So that's what he did, stopping in at a cute little cafe owned by a charming elderly couple he had gotten to know during his frequent visits after the gym, chatting with them over his light lunch before going on his way.
***
Getting out of the taxi and paying the slightly creepy driver who was far too interested in making inappropriate comments, Briar's head craned back to look at the building with a looming sense of anxious anticipation.
It looks just like the photo's but still... it's intimidating.
Not wanting to risk being late, he followed the instructions given to him by email and went around to a side door reading the club's name, Tryst, pushed it open and entered.
It was... nice. Really nice. He knew this was only the nightclub aspect of the building, and he was seeing it during the day when it was closed off to the public, but he already vibed with it. The colour theme was predominantly red and black, occasional splashes of gold making appearances in the form of cracks in the black marble-effect flooring and wrapping around black pillars. But what Briar truly appreciated was that the building didn't try to hide what it was behind elegance and propriety, fully embracing its nature in the form of erotic artwork on walls and the general undertone of sensuality.
It was a BDSM club through and through, even if the upstairs was only accessible to registered members and pre-approved associates, and Briar was kind of shocked that they really existed. Sure, he read about them online and heard his lovers mention them from time-to-time, but it seemed odd for such a thing to actually be in the world. Or at least, for it to be legal considering what he knew went on between consenting adults on the upper level away from innocent eyes.
"I'm sorry, but we aren't open yet. I'm going to have to ask you to leave".
Turning away from gawking at the fully stocked bar lined with red lights, Briar startled upon seeing the absolute beauty before him. Wearing naught else but a deep red miniskirt with a black bralette, alongside extremely thin heels of an intimidating height, nothing of her curvaceous body was left to the imagination. Short, silver hair cropped close to her heavily pierced ears, smokey makeup applied to icy-grey eyes and lipstick that matched her skirt perfectly left Briar with a very distinct impression.
One along the lines of; whoa.
"Oh, uh, I'm sorry for just walking in. But I'm supposed to be meeting Master David in fifteen minutes?" he proposed as a question rather than a statement, despite knowing full well he was indeed supposed to be doing that. Sometimes he really was just too awkward.
The woman's face lit up, eyes losing that icy edge, and poison-apple lips parted to reveal a line of perfect teeth that revealed just enough gum to be genuinely friendly. Briar breathed out in relief that she looked to be a good person.
She isn't going to throw me out. Thank God.
"Wow! You must be the newbie I heard would be stopping by today, how exciting! Hello cutie, sorry if I came across as a bitch just now, but you'd be surprised at the number of unsavoury folks we get trying to sneak in during the day so they can take photos of everyone upstairs at night. Last thing we want, or need, is someone planting cameras or trying to blend in and hurt someone".
Unfortunately, Briar couldn't actually say he was surprised. Some people seemed to have no concept or respect for privacy if it meant they gained something from it. And from personal experience, he knew of just how perverse and unsettling humans could be. Not all, but a frightening amount for sure.
He was curious as to why she was so happy to meet him but supposed it could've been because they hadn't had any newcomers lately, which left him feeling oddly pressured to live up to whatever expectations she had.
"No, no, you were very friendly! And I promise I'm not here to creep on anyone!" he rushed, and she cocked an eyebrow with crossed arms.
"Listen, I've been called many things in my thirty-three years and friendly ain't one of them. But you're cute, so I'll pretend you were flirting. And if it makes you feel any better, you look far too shy to be a creep anyway" she winked and he blushed heavily before looking down, confused on why she made him feel...
Submissive. Do I feel submissive with her? Why? She hasn't done anything.
"Aw. How cute. Anyway, I need to discuss something with Master David so how about I show you to his office? He's in his upstairs one right now and the layout up there can be kind of confusing to new folk. Come along little puppy".
And without second thought, the moment she turned her back and walked past the lounge area, he followed and stayed right on her heel, not going to her side as he would a usual person or straying too far behind as he would if he felt uncomfortable.
Am I being rude, not walking by her? What if she wants to talk but I'm accidentally coming across as unapproachable? She seems nice, I don't want to-
"Puppy" she called, stealing his attention, "don't think so much. It makes you look constipated- and if that is actually the case, there's bathrooms over there. Otherwise, just do whatever comes naturally and don't worry about me, m'kay?".
He nodded and with one brief, nearly missed glance from the corner of her eye, he felt he had done something wrong.
"I mean, yes Miss".
Was that it? It felt like I should've said that, but maybe I just made things weird...
"Well done, perfect manners".
And just like that, he relaxed completely, following her like the puppy she claimed he was up the stairs and listening intently as she stopped to point out various things along their journey, becoming particularly interested in the dance floors they passed on the lower level. It was huge and the Drunk Briar in him was excited by such a large surface to be an uncaring slut on.
Drunk Briar was a beast he didn't let out often.
"Oh, where are my manners? I'm Evelyn but while upstairs, everyone knows and addresses me as Mistress Eve. Would you like to tell me yours, cutie?".
"I-I'm Briar. Your name really suits you, Miss" he observed, smiling to himself.
"How so?" the woman asked, interest piqued as they began up the stairs.
"It means beautiful bird. And as you seem to like the colour red, it reminded me of a red cardinal, who are often seen as symbols of passion. It feels like it suits you well".
And when she turned her head to give him a lovely smile, he was yet again stunned by her beauty as well as how naturally calm he felt with her.
"You really must be spending far too much time with Quinn if he has already roped you into his bird-talk. Still, I appreciate the compliment. The usual, 'you're so beautiful' gets old very fast" she winked, and he snapped his head to look at her, only now realising she was actually slightly taller than his height, probably only an inch or two under without the heels.
"You know Quinn?" he blinked, and she chuckled loudly while shaking her head, the sound low as was her voice. Honestly, it was oddly attractive for such a gorgeously feminine woman to have a deep voice. Like her name, it suited her.
"Considering he and those other lovers of his have been coming here at least once a month for the past six years, yes, I know him quite well. Well, they used to at least, until a certain little puppy drew their attention" she spoke, smiling slyly and looked over her shoulder.
Well, it makes sense, Briar supposed. After all, he had chosen this club because it was the one his lovers frequented until recent months where, as far as he was aware, they hadn't gone at all. But he hadn't expected anyone other than Master David to know who he was. What if she told his lovers that he had been seen at the club? Perhaps the question he should have asked was how she knew that Briar knew Quinn.
"Miss-".
"Here we are! After you, cutie" she smirked, stopping outside a large, dark door as they entered the top floor. Feeling little other choice than to obey her words and ask his questions later, he stepped past her and pushed open the door.
"Ah, here's the little beauty I've been waiting on. Come on in, Mr Everton".
___________________________________________________________
A/N:
Hello, my Little Lovelies!
At some point in the future, I will maybe do a Q&A so if you have any questions, feel free to drop them here. They can be about anything; this story, the characters, themes, myself, food, aliens or whatever, so have fun with it!
So, this chapter! Why on earth would sweet, delicate Briar be at a BDSM club without letting his lovers know? And will his choice be for the better, or worse? Who knows...
Me! I do, I do, I do!
I'm going to go start writing the next chapter, see you beautiful people next time and as always, it means a lot to have so much support.
Bye!