SMS | Chapter 8.3

It’s clear that Junhyuk is not Mino’s owner or partner. However, there could be someone else, like the man in the hat I saw when I unexpectedly visited his rooftop apartment. There could be a play partner. But Mino asked me if I could become his owner, indicating his choice.

Dohoon recalled Mino’s knee injury. Logically, continually injuring the same area doesn’t make sense. Perhaps the injury worsened while playing with some unidentified person. The thought soured Dohoon’s mood. Aggravating an open wound without treatment surely indicated a lack of basic understanding of infection.

Regardless of who else might be there, I forcefully suggested he choose me, but if Mino dislikes that, there’s nothing I can do. I found Mino irresistibly adorable as he boldly pulled me inside. Dohoon struggled to contain his rising desire and to calm the smile that kept creeping onto his face.

He looked down at Mino standing before him with as much composure as he could muster. It was cute how he pretended not to notice but glanced at the devices in the room or how his chest heaved with excitement.

Seeing the strength in the hand that pulled at his sleeve, Dohoon thought Mino was ready to start something. I wanted to push him to the point of tears and make him tell me everything. Eventually, Dohoon burst out laughing at Mino, who kept flinching and alternately looking at his face and around the room.

“I’m going crazy too, but stop egging me on and listen to what I have to say.”

I could tell Mino wanted to play with me. But there were things I needed to make clear beforehand. I didn’t want to appear too eager, especially since I guessed that the people Mino had previously met were a mess. I wanted to emphasize that I was different.

“You might have guessed, but I’m a dom and a sadist. I’ve got a fair bit of experience, and I’ve always ended things with previous partners by mutual agreement. I’ve been without a partner for a few months now. I assure you, Mino, there’s nothing for you to worry about.”

As Dohoon recited his credentials in a gentlemanly manner, Mino felt a strange emotion. He was glad that Dohoon was a reliable dom, but he was also bothered by the fact that Dohoon had far more experience than him. Unaware of this, Dohoon continued talking in his usual kind and gentle tone.

“I said we need to take responsibility for each other, but I’m not forcing you.”

I wish he would pressure me like he did earlier, but Dohoon seemed too adept at handling the situation. Mino listened with a slightly hardened expression, and Dohoon asked with a smile.

“Remember when you promised not to leave me just now?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“I don’t plan to leave Mino, but we must consider that you might not like me after we play.”

I wanted to argue that it wouldn’t happen, but honestly, I didn’t have enough experience to back that up. It had been 13 years since Dohoon had awakened his deviant nature, and in that time, he had met many people and gained experience, while I had only fantasized alone.

The fact that Dohoon was that guy back then was a nostalgic thought, but there was no time to dwell on it. It was embarrassing to realize that all the fantasies I’d masturbated to involved Dohoon.

“Honestly, I think it’s right to differentiate between a play partner and a lover. In a relationship, there are emotions, and that can lead to saying yes to things one might actually dislike during play. So, Mino, there’s one thing you need to promise me.”

Mino waited for Dohoon’s words. Based on what he had said so far, it seemed he strictly distinguished between lovers and play partners. That’s why he had asked that question earlier. As someone who had never even considered distinguishing between a lover and a partner, I couldn’t guess what Dohoon wanted me to promise. Dohoon spoke seriously as I linked my little finger with his.

“You must never say you like something when you don’t.”

“What?”

“It means you shouldn’t force yourself to endure uncomfortable play just because you’re afraid of losing me.”

I was honestly impressed. His point was valid, and it explained why he distinguished between lovers and play partners. Even though he had sadistic tendencies, Dohoon’s approach was grounded in common sense and didn’t differ from his usual demeanor.

I remembered the provocative things Dohoon had said during sex. That was his true nature. The fact that he had shown his broken side to me, who distinguished between lovers and partners, was thrilling.

As Dohoon’s gaze shifted away from me, I reflexively turned my head. He was surveying the devices on the wall.

“It might be good to try some light play, but that’s for Mino to decide.”

I swallowed the saliva pooling in my mouth. Despite the turbulent circumstances, the thought of potentially playing with someone else for the first time was exciting.

“Or you could tell me about any play you’ve had before.”

Casually asking about my past, Mino pondered. Can what I did alone be called play? As someone who had never even formed an online DS relationship, I had nothing to say about past experiences. Mino cleverly diverted the question.

“Aren’t you going to tell me about yours?”

I also wanted to know about his preferences. Watching Mino ask a dangerous question with innocent eyes, Dohoon chuckled bitterly.

“If I start talking, you’ll just try to read my reactions. I don’t want that. So for today… as hard as it is to resist, it’s better if you go home now.”

Mino was momentarily dumbfounded. Go home? I was so bewildered that my grip on Dohoon’s sleeve tightened. Dohoon held my hand, soothingly continuing.

“I’ll give you some time. Write down honestly about your preferences and experience with different plays. Think of a safeword too—one verbal, and one non-verbal.”

His voice detailing each point was sweet yet sinister. My face flushed red. Even though I wasn’t well-informed, I knew. Dohoon was properly following the steps for a formal play arrangement.

“Send me the file by Thursday evening. This coming weekend is a holiday, and I need time to prepare. If Mino comes back to this house on Friday, that’s when it’ll start.”

Imagining being confined in this basement all holiday made every part of me tingle. The room was filled with formidable devices at a glance.

“If you agree, we’ll write a contract after a light session. Got it?”

“…But, Seonsaeng-nim.”

“Why?”

His low voice almost made me erect, but I resisted out of sheer willpower.

“If I tell you my likes and dislikes first… maybe you’ll hide your own preferences, right? I want to know your honest preferences too…”

It was a curiosity I had when he told me to list my likes and dislikes. I wanted to know more about Dohoon. I also wanted to appear as a competent and dazzling sub because I was afraid of feeling inadequate to someone so experienced. Then, Dohoon caressed the corners of my eyes and murmured softly.

“That’s for Mino to find out on his own.”

“What?”

“The plays are set up by me, anyway. My preferences will already be reflected there.”

Ah, that makes sense. It was too right to question further. I was still curious, though. It would be nice to know in advance, but following what he explained, it seemed not ideal for a sub to know the dom’s play preferences in advance. If that was the conventional wisdom in the SM community, I had to pretend to know.

“And since Mino is the one being matched and controlled, you should know what I like.”

“Huh…”

Dohoon pressed his thumbnail against my eyelids, causing a sharp pain. I gasped for air.

“You have to work tomorrow. Let’s go now.”

“Seonsaeng-nim…”

I looked like I was about to cry as I grasped at him moving away. Dohoon looked down somewhat awkwardly as he asked.

“Are you hard?”

“I really, really feel fine; can’t we just try it once?”

“It would be trouble.”

“Trouble… I like it, though.”

“I don’t know who your previous owner was, but I feel like finding and killing them, so don’t talk like that.”

Mino clamped his mouth shut at Dohoon’s rarely angry tone. Had I done something wrong? With no knowledge, I couldn’t understand why he was upset or why he mentioned a non-existent previous owner. If I really had to name an owner, it would be the school-uniformed Dohoon from 13 years ago. Dohoon calmed the shocked Mino by coming close enough to kiss.

“We’re lovers, so if you want, we can just kiss. But even then, I won’t play.”

“Seonsaeng-nim…”

“If you could be satisfied with sex, then we wouldn’t need this room.”

“Uh, ah…”

Dohoon’s lips twitched near mine, enticingly.

“Mino, you choose. Either have plain sex with me and never enter this room again. Or…”

“I’ll wait, I can wait.”

“That’s right. After you enter here on Friday night, you’ll have to endure much more.”

Although he said he wouldn’t reveal his preferences before play, I felt I knew at least one thing. He definitely wanted to control everything from one to ten, true to a dominant’s nature.

“Save up your strength; no masturbating until Friday. You like pain, so ordinary masturbation won’t do. If I find a new wound when I inspect…”

Orgasm control is a basic play in BDSM. Ejaculation must occur strictly with the dom’s permission.

Mino bit his lip, imagining a rosy future. To him, play had already started from this moment, given the constraints Dohoon had set. What would happen if he broke them? Would the play intensify? What kind of threats would Dohoon make?

Considering deliberately causing himself injury, Mino watched Dohoon, who smiled sweetly yet firmly.

“There will be no play.”

For Mino, that was the most formidable threat.