I take a slight step back, holding the end of my rope and wondering if I’ve done something right or something wrong. I look at Cree, suddenly glad for his presence instead of annoyed by it, and he gives me a reassuring nod.
“Rock him,” Cree whispers.
“Like a baby?” I whisper back.
“Something like that.” Cree takes a quiet step backward and gives me another smile as he stands near the door.
I finish off the end of the rope and then take a long breath before I kneel down behind Rocco. I place a hand on his shoulder and another on his back. Slowly, I tilt him back a little, then forward again. He moves easily with me, and the ropes make the task easier as I move him back and forth a few times. He lets out a long, slow breath.
I close my eyes and let myself feel the weight of him in my arms. He turns slightly to the side and places his head against my shoulder, slumping against me. I’m not even sure if he’s still conscious.
I look at Cree to find him a bit wide-eyed. I can only assume this isn’t typical, but I don’t know what to think about it. Cree gives me a half smile.
&nbs
p; “I’m going to go check on Kas,” Cree says quietly. “Take as much time as you need. We’ll be heading to Gym after dinner in case you want to join us.”
I listen to Rocco’s slow and steady breathing, unaware of how much time passes. Though I didn’t have any clear expectations of how this was going to go, having him fall asleep on me wasn’t something I had considered. Eventually, my arm starts to fall asleep, and I know I have to bring this to a close.
Slowly, I push against Rocco until he’s back in a seated position. I hear his breathing change though he doesn’t open his eyes. I wrap one arm around his chest, still holding him, as I run my other hand down his back. I find the end of the rope and begin to untie him.
I work slowly, letting each strand of rope run across his body as I remove the knots and drop the ropes on the floor beside us. Rocco drops his arms, resting his hands on his knees as I rub his shoulders and upper arms.
“Was that okay?” I ask, and he nods in return. “I think you fell asleep.”
“I didn’t,” he says quietly.
“But you liked it?” I let go of his shoulders and shift over to sit on the floor next to him.
He nods again.
“Do you want to do it again?”
More nodding.
“Tonight? At the dungeon?”
He nods again, and that’s starting to bother me.
“Give me a verbal response.” My tone is demanding but not overly harsh. At least, I hope it isn’t.
Rocco stiffens a little, then replies with a yes.
“Good. I’d like that, too.”
I sit for a minute, waiting to see if he’ll say anything else, but he doesn’t. He’s back to staring at the floor. I’m hoping for some kind of sign from him—something that says he is interested—but I get nothing.
“This isn’t really a kink thing for you, is it?”
“Not sure what you mean.”
“I mean, you aren’t getting off on the rope.”
“Never really thought about it.”
“Never thought about it?” I laugh. “Rocco, you do know that Gym is a dungeon full of kinky people doing kinky things. While you’re getting tied up, everyone around you is getting off on something.”
“I...” Rocco stops and lets out a shuddering breath. “I don’t really pay any attention.”