It had been almost since Frank had been let down from Ty's elaborate knots. The scene had ended and after a fascinating exchange between the two Dominants, Ty had left their house. Frank continued to think back to when he had been curled up on the sofa in a fleece blanket as Tyler and Gerard discussed something else in their shared foreign language. Frank's head was so soggy and dazed that they could have been speaking English and it would have sounded just as garbled. He looked up when Gerard said goodbye, gazing with intrigue as the two Dominants clasped left hands and brought their heads together, resting forehead-to-forehead with their eyes closed. It was only for a mere second or two before they stepped apart. Ty glanced at Frank, giving him another subtle wink before he pulled his beanie down over his head and turned, climbing into his enormous black Jeep.

It was safe to say that Frank was drained from what he had been put through by the two Dominants. He had enjoyed it, which was an egregious understatement seeing as he felt used in the best way possible, but now that it was over and the adrenaline rush had dissipated. Frank stood in the same room as his Dominant, watching him prepare a bath that he felt he so sorely needed; his ass throbbed intensely, his joints ached from the weird rope positioning and his jaw and throat felt raw. The pain wasn't as bad as it had been during the scene, but that was a different kind of pain and Frank felt like he couldn't cope with the constant dull heat. It made it uncomfortable to do anything, including standing, while he watched Gerard adjust the faucets.

Frank had yet to step foot into his Master's bathroom as it had been off-limits for him until now and every other aftercare bath he had received had been in his own bathroom. Gerard had led him there without Frank even realizing, and he swore that he felt like he was coming down with a cold, but that didn't stop him from admiring the large bathroom; Frank had never seen a bathroom like it. The size alone surprised him, seeing as his own ensuite was tiny in comparison. The fact that it even had a fireplace made Frank just a little jealous as well as the black, white, and grey tiles in a 3D cube-pattern lined the expansive floor. A glass shower stood in the corner nearest to the fireplace and, even though Frank felt so unwell, his mind was bombarded with colorful and sordid thoughts of how his Dominant could take him against the pristine glass. There were white cabinets that stood opposite the marbled hearth under a large mirror that spanned out across the wall. Potted plants dotted the room, and a beautiful leather chair had been placed in the corner near the window which overlooked trees and greenery. The one thing that caught Frank's attention was what stood in the center of the room; it had been the first thing he laid eyes on when he walked in. The enormous rectangular white-tiled bathtub sat centrally in the room in between the cabinets and the unlit fireplace. His body ached to sink into the steaming ablution that Gerard was filling for him and he was so grateful that it was big enough for him to properly relax.

"How are you feeling, boy?" Gerard asked, looking over at Frank who had his arms wrapped around his chest. Frank didn't register the question for a second, watching Gerard pour a dark pink syrup from a bottle into the bath that made bubbles blossom on the water's surface. He looked at his Master, seeing that he was waiting for him to answer, but Frank's brain had begun to slow drastically like an old laptop with far too many tabs open.

"Huh- P-Pardon? Sorry," Frank apologized, looking down at his feet, "I was listening, I swear, sir."

"How do you feel?" Gerard asked again, seeing that Frank didn't entirely look like his usual self right now. He was definitely quieter but that was expected after what he had been through. He could tell that Gerard had seen the drained look in his eyes, but he answered anyway.

"I will admit, I don't feel too good." Frank finally answered; it was the all-over feeling like he was just 'off' right before he got sick, which he knew enough about from being constantly sick when he was younger. He also felt exhausted on top of it all, like standing was far too great a task much for him.

"That's expected," Gerard said casually, turning the faucets until the water stopped entirely. He bent down to grab a fluffy beige towel from inside one of the cabinets.

"I might be coming down with something. Sucks." Frank groaned. He knew exactly how he was when he was sick; more helpless than a person should be whilst full of snot and all things disgusting that came with being sick. Gerard didn't need that and Frank really didn't want to put him through the ordeal of his sub being helpless and pathetic with several boxes of tissue in his arsenal.

"You're not getting sick," Gerard told Frank, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up to his elbows, "My boy, what you are experiencing is your first proper subdrop. You've had bouts before but Ty put you through the ringer this afternoon and I expect no less than you flopping around like a shored fish."

Frank didn't know what to say; he remembered reading about it in his contract, but it hadn't been mentioned since. He could barely remember what it meant, but if this was what he was experiencing, then this really did suck just as much as the many times he had gotten sick.

"You do remember what a 'subdrop' is, don't you?" Gerard asked, watching Frank nod slowly, "If you didn't have one I would've been surprised."

"Thanks," Frank mumbled out before giving Gerard a weak smile and then remembered something he had overheard earlier, "Sir?"

"Hmm?"

"I was... I mean, I wasn't eavesdropping or anything, I just heard something earlier and I wanted to ask..."

"About?"

"When Ty was leaving, he asked you about your 'topdrop'? Is that a thing?" Frank curled his toes against the tiles, "Is it... Is it like a 'subdrop'?"

"It's similar." Gerard explained as he walked Frank carefully toward the bath slowly, "During the scene, you would have experienced a release of endorphins and natural chemicals in your brain. Now the scene is over and you've used all those up, there is no way for your brain or body to replenish them as quickly as you used them. So, this is where the 'subdrop' comes into it. Your body has gone into withdrawal. As does mine. But it's different because you experienced more of the impact than I did. I don't experience the same symptoms, either. Nor does Ty."

"What do you guys experience?" Frank paused with burning curiosity and Gerard stood there and bent down to look him in the eye sternly. At first, Frank thought that he had said the wrong thing and he was about to be scolded, and then realized that Gerard was indeed checking his vitals and looking into his eyes- Especially when he made Frank follow his finger for a moment.

"For example, my 'drop' is more of a body ache that I can fix with a good sleep or exercise. Sometimes I get toothache because, I don't know if you notice, but I clench my jaw a fair amount when I hit my Domspace or an intense scene. Whereas Ty experiences a lot more. He goes through a migraine and a pit of hunger I've only seen on college students with the munchies." Gerard snorted.

"I don't know if I prefer this over being sick," Frank grumbled, noticing that Gerard was trying to help him get out of the things that he was wearing. Frank had thrown on a loose t-shirt and some baggy sweats to cover himself up seeing as Lindsey was home. He resisted his Master's help, knowing that he could undress, but the look Gerard gave him made his entire stomach jump. He gave in, holding his arms up when Gerard lifted up the hem of his shirt, pulling it off as Frank added, "Being sick sucks, but this sucks, too... I just don't know which one is worse."

"Do you get sick a lot?" Gerard asked curiously, tossing the t-shirt into the hamper by the door.

"Not so much anymore. I mean, I still do," Frank told him, running fingers through his sweat-dampened hair, "But when I was a kid I was always sick. Don't know why. I think I was just unlucky."

Frank sucked in a breath when he felt Gerard's hands go to the loose elastic that was sitting on his hips. He knew that taking his pants off was going to hurt; his ass was raw and covered in welts that he didn't want to consider. At that moment, it had felt exquisite, but now, Frank shut his eyes and held his breath, only whimpering out in pain a little when Gerard ever so gently removed the item of clothing.

"Sorry," Gerard apologized in a whisper, tossing the pants to one side, "I don't understand why you adorned them in the first place."

"Because I didn't want Lindsey seeing my mangled ass if we bumped into her," Frank replied honestly with a soft chuckle in his voice. He may have felt run down, but his sense of humor was still there, even if it was a bit watered down, "How does it look, sir?"

Gerard carefully turned his sub to put his back to the floor-length mirror and he crouched down slightly at an angle to examine. Frank looked over his shoulder into the reflection and took a peek at the marks he could see. There were welts that ran across his ass in raised lines and various shades from soft rosy pink to burgundy and some exceptionally intense purples. In some places, the skin had broken and beads of dried blood were scabbed and smeared. Frank whimpered softly and looked down at his Master, "I don't have a frame of reference. Is that good or bad?"

"It looks like you had a severe caning," Gerard said far too simply, making Frank roll his eyes at the obvious statement, "I'll ignore the eye-roll this time due to your unfortunate condition, seeing as it is partly my doing. The bath will do you and your God-crafted ass some wonders. Then I have some lotion to put on you. You'll be fine in a day or two."

Frank had been looking forward to the idea of getting in the bath, now that he was naked, he was beginning to think that maybe it wasn't such a good idea. The air in the room had grown hot and moist due to the steam rising from the bath, and the heat in the air came in contact with his sizzling skin, making it hurt more. Frank shrunk back at the idea of even stepping into the bath, but Gerard took hold of his arm, insisting that it would do him the world of good while he helped the boy step into the warm and foamy water.

Initially, the warm water felt good around Frank's shins; it helped the muscles in his body unwind slowly thanks to the warmth and the smell of lavender that was emanating from the bubbles. But when Frank tried to get into the bath and sit down, he could feel the resistance in him and his trembling arms, knowing that this was going to hurt. There was no getting out of that. When his ass finally came in contact with the hot water, he shot back up, yelping like a kicked puppy and cursing at the shock of white-hot agony that bloomed from his skin all the way into his bone-marrow.

"Well, I think that's enough time in the bath for me," Frank decided as he tried to stand again since there was no way in fuck-about-shit that he was submerging his lower half in Satan's cauldron. He wasn't giving in, but neither was Gerard as he held onto Frank's arm, gripping him tighter, giving him another effectively rigid fix that made Frank stop immediately. He was halfway to fully standing up, his knees still bent, his thighs shaking and his ankles crossed.

"Don't be silly, boy," Gerard pushed, "You need the aftercare or you'll end up feeling much worse than you are now."

As much as he didn't want what he was about to be put through, he didn't want to feel worse. How he felt right now was bad enough, but was this going to be worth it? He gave in with another soft groan, finally sinking into the bath, biting down on his bottom lip hard as he fought the urge to scream. His tortured skin throbbed more than it had when he was standing in the bathroom. The pain took Frank's breath away while he adjusted, fighting every urge in his soul just to get out of the bath and practically climb Gerard's tall frame like a frightened cat up a tree. But the pain eventually began to subside; it didn't go away entirely but he eventually felt comfortable enough to sit down and breathe through it. Frank shot Gerard a sideways scowl when the pained goosebumps went up over his submerged skin.

"You'll thank me for this later, Sour Sally. Wipe the scowl from your face or I wipe it for you."

"We'll see," Frank grumbled, straightening his legs out in front of him so he could at least attempt to relax- 'Attempt' being the keyword. What Frank found most relaxing was when he watched as Gerard grabbed a washcloth from the cabinet, he squirted some honey-looking body wash onto it and lathered it with his long fingers before he began to wash Frank's back with circular motions. It took Frank by surprise but in a nice way. From how Gerard had been with him earlier in the scene, he was much gentler and more caring. It was one of the few times Gerard was completely softened, after a scene, much like the time they had shared a shower together. Was it because of his topdrop, Frank wondered as Gerard instructed him to lay back to wet his hair.

"Feeling better, my prince?" Gerard asked as he soaked the washcloth with water before squeezing it out over Frank's black locks, scraping his fringe back and out of his face.

"Still feel like crap..." Frank admitted. His body wasn't as sore as it had been thanks to being in the hot water, but the dull ache throughout him was present. Frank still felt drained, but at least he felt like he was being pampered, which was something that he had been craving for a long time, "But this is really nice, Mon Apollon."

Having someone else wash his hair was something that Frank hadn't entirely experienced. Of course, he had had his hair washed before when he got it cut, but this was a completely different experience. This wasn't some acrylic-nailed blonde with salon-perfect hair washing his scruffy mop while asking him if he was going anywhere nice on holiday. This wasn't someone washing his hair because they were being paid to do it, nor was it the aforementioned blonde woman scraping his scalp raw with her fake nails and him being too nervous to tell her it was hurting him or that the water was far too hot. This was his Dominant doing it because he wanted to make him feel better, this was Gerard massaging shampoo into his hair- Actually giving him a massage; Frank hadn't expected that His usual shampoo-and-rinse lasted under two minutes. He closed his eyes, groaning as Gerard rubbed small circles across his scalp with his fingers, making Frank feel like he was melting in the bath, groaning when his Master moved and started massaging the back of his neck firmly.

"You carry your stress here," Gerard whispered firmly.

With what Gerard was doing, it was hard for Frank to stay awake. He could feel himself slipping into the beginnings of a heavy molasses-sleep as he lay back in the bath with one elbow resting on the side and his other arm draped over the other side of the bath. He felt completely blissed despite being sore and feeling under the weather, but the tender coils in him were loosening. Gerard was helping and working magic with his hands that Frank hoped wouldn't stop anytime soon. At the same time, he hoped that he wasn't going to fall asleep while Gerard kept massaging his aching skin. Unfortunately, Gerard stopped after a moment or two when he moved his hands, going to rinse the shampoo out of Frank's hair far too soon for the sub's liking. Frank opened his eyes when he felt water being poured over his sud-laden locks.

"How do you do that?" Frank had to ask, his voice a little thick from being relaxed, feeling Gerard smoothing down his hair when he had finished rinsing it.

"A gentleman's secret," Gerard chuckled, "It's one of my many qualities."

Frank wanted to say something about him doing it again, but after the massage, he felt a little too relaxed to bother. Frank was more than happy to lie there, completely content with what had happened, even though the water was starting to cool down and suds on the water starting to diminish. Frank didn't entirely want to get out of the bath just yet; he wanted to remain comfortable for a little while longer. Frank adjusted in the bath, hoping that Gerard wasn't going to say anything to him while he lifted his foot out of the water, toeing at the hot tap before he managed to turn it open. Frank pushed it a little further with his big toe, getting a slow stream of hot water trickling into the bath, warming him back up as he looked at his Dominant with a complacent smile. Gerard didn't say anything even though he could see exactly what Frank was doing and if he wanted to stay in for longer then it seemed fine. Frank smiled happily as he watched Gerard pull the chair in the corner only a smidge closer before sitting in it gracefully with a long leg over the other. Frank turned the hot water off and sank back into its depths up to his chin.

"Can I ask you a question?" He asked after a long moment of silence. He looked over to see that Gerard was still looking at him and seemingly admiring him from a distance. Frank blamed the pink in his cheeks on the hot water and steam.

"Of course you can," Gerard nodded and tilted his gaze to the side with the smallest hint of a frown, "Is there something bothering you?"

"No, no," Frank shook his head quickly, "I was just curious about something you said to me earlier."

"Oh?" Gerard quirked an eyebrow "And what did I say earlier?"

"You said about there being different types of Dominants," Frank reminded his Master, seeing the look of recognition on Gerard's face almost instantly, "How many are there, sir?"

"I wouldn't worry too much about training right now, my boy," Gerard told Frank with a small wave of his hand, his platinum watch clinking in the echoed bathroom, "You need to relax, and I'm undoubtedly sure that you're doing rather a good job of that."

"But I want to know..." Frank whined a little and gave his Dominant a wide-eyed and pleading pout, "I don't want to just lie in the bath and turn into a prune without doing something. What if I want to do some training now?"

"If that's what you want then I won't stop you. Just tell me if you need a break at all, alright?" Gerard leaned forward in the chair, "So, what exactly do you want to know?"

"Well, how many types of Dominant are there, sir?" Frank questioned, sitting himself up gingerly in the bath so he could pay attention; he knew that if he kept lying down then he'd definitely end up dozing off.

"Roughly, there are about twenty-three different types of Dominant, many subcultures within the lifestyles have different Dominants within those, like subcategories, but I'll give you a run-down of the main ones" Gerard answered, "And then, of course, there are about ten different types of submissives."

"Wow," Frank muttered under his breath, "And you said that you fall into some of those categories, sir?"

"Indeed, I do," Gerard nodded, sitting back in the chair, picking at a loose thread on the hem of his shirt while he continued to talk, "But understanding what makes me 'me' isn't everything. There is a wide range that, if you want a better comprehension of the lifestyle you are involved in, would help you realize that no two Dominants are ever going to be the same, understand?"

Frank nodded, "So, you said some of them earlier, but... What are the different kinds of Dominants?"

"First of all, you have to understand what it means to be a Dominant," Gerard began to explain as Frank sat up and lay his chin on his hand on the edge of the tub, eyes fixated on the deictic man with whom he shared a bed, "A Dominant is a person who is intrinsically drawn to taking a role of power and control over others, through means of consent. And that's where we draw our line of life, if that makes sense. Consent is an integral part of what makes a Dominant who they are and separates them from the scum of the Earth who take what they believe is owed to them."

"So, I guess it's like having a 'thing' for power?"

"Not at all," Gerard shook his head, "Having a power kink is when the person merely wants to feel powerful. Merely wanting to overpower, even overrule, someone; which is not what being a Dominant is at all. There is a quote that I often refer to in explaining how I function as the kind of person I am," Gerard cleared his throat before continuing, "'Being a Dominant has nothing in common with being domineering, in fact, one is a contradiction to the other. A respectful Dominant does not rule arbitrarily, based on choice or that of a personal whim. A Dominant does not possess unbridled supremacy or limitless power'. We may control, but again, as I said before, you have the power to stop me at any given point. If it were merely about power for me then that wouldn't even come into it. You still have the choice and a voice, even though I may be the one who takes charge."

"I didn't realize that." Frank muttered as he began drawing on the ceramic with the water droplets on his finger, "I assumed it was the same thing."

"Well, now you know," Gerard stated firmly, "The first type of Dom that doesn't necessarily qualify intrinsically as a Dominan is a 'top'. They are the ones who take control during a scene. The ones who give rather than take, even in regular relationships."

"But I thought a 'top' also meant the person who was doing the 'do'. The fucker, so to speak," Frank smirked, "Like I was made to be against my natural instincts that I didn't even know I had."

"My boy, you were the most unlikely top I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and making mine," Gerard chuckled and watched Frank's cheeks take on a pleasant pink tint, "Yes, a top is that as well, but a top is different from your typical Dominant. The top is in control of the scene as I said, while a Dominant is someone who will take control outside of a scene, too."

"So, you're both, then?"

"I take control in scene and out of scene so, yes, I am both," Gerard agreed, "As I previously mentioned, even though I may fit into several types of Dominant roles, I do identify most with being a 'Gentleman' and a 'Mentor'."

"And what are those two, sir?"

"'Gentlemen' are respectful and always carry themselves off with good manners. Whoever they are with, be it with their submissive or anyone who chooses to interact with them, they always behave in an honorable way and are one-hundred percent chivalrous."

"So, even when I first met you... Before I realized what you were," Frank recalled their first meeting, "You technically were still a gentleman, not just in the lifestyle."

"Being a gentleman doesn't just have to be something that is intrinsically linked with the lifestyle," Gerard told the boy while he crossed one leg over the other, "It's day-to-day. You get further by being nice and respectful to all kinds of people, no matter what. Gentlemen are cut from a different cloth and, with how I've seen people acting now, I've begun to wonder if they even make that specific fabric anymore."

"Well, I've never met anyone like you before in my life so I guess you are a rarity," Frank smirked, shifting in the bath and regretting it almost instantly when it made a score of pain flare up through his flesh. He winced before adding, "Like a modern-day Mr. Darcy... Just with whips and chains and an impeccable dress sense. Less bonnet, more..."

"You're proud of that compliment, aren't you?" Gerard said after taking a moment to savor the fact that Frank had said such a compliment to him. Frank nodded, smiling, still feeling proud of his choice of words, "Just remember, flattery won't get you everywhere, but it is nice to hear accolades every once in a while. Now, moving on. Mentor."

"Yes." Frank sat up as straight as he could in the bath, his hands flat against the bottom of the tub. He watched his Master intently, his hair beginning to dry and flop down against his forehead again.

"'Mentors' and 'Trainers' are people in the lifestyle who guide and teach others, in one form or another, in aspects of the lifestyle," Gerard told Frank, "As you probably remember from when I first told you about how I got into the lifestyle, Tyler was my Mentor. So was Bert as well, and they taught me what I needed to know and understand when it came to me walking into something that I knew very little about back then. Mentors can be a top or a bottom or even a switch."

"What was it like starting out?" Frank had to ask. He couldn't imagine Gerard being any other way than he was right now, but even he knew that everyone had to start somewhere, no matter where.

"Daunting, exciting, nerve-wracking. As though I had finally found a place wherein I fitted so perfectly," Gerard answered, "I assume it was probably a similar feeling for you as well, yes?"

Frank hadn't even considered himself in all of this while they spoke, but it clicked for him because he had been in the same situation as starting out. It had been daunting, he had been nervous, and he definitely had been excited because he was finally going to be back with Gerard. No matter what it entailed, something about it all just slotted into the right place in his chest. Like a missing piece that he had gone without for six years. He wasn't suggesting that something like this would have ever saved his relationship with Ryan; he knew he was definitely wired differently from his ex-boyfriend.

"Kinda, yeah," Frank nodded in agreement, "I mean, I think I was more shocked when I figured it all out, but it was the kind of shock that I welcomed. It made me realize that whatever was in me that was being ignored was something similar... I just didn't know the extent of how far it could go."

"And that is why I am also your Mentor," Gerard pointed out, "You came into this with no knowledge of what I do and how you were supposed to act and behave. You understood, but I've had to teach you and train you to be the submissive that I know you can be."

"Am I that kind of submissive yet?"

"We'll get onto that when I bring that kind of submissive up- ah, don't start," Gerard pointed a finger at Frank, who was wanting to know what he meant. Nothing but a small noise left Frank before he closed his mouth, looking down at the water that surrounded him before Gerard carried on, "Good. Now, 'Findoms'. Do you have any idea what that kind of a Dominant is, boy?"

Frank just shook his head, "They... Like fish? Mermaids? Ocean-themed roleplay?"

"Relax, this isn't a television game show." Gerard chuckled at the quick-fire answers that fell from Frank's lips in succession. He watched the blush form on Frank's cheeks as he gave him the correct answer, "A 'Findom' is a Dominant who gets their submissives to send them tributes, which is usually in the form of money or expensive gifts as part of their submission. They also control other financial aspects of their subs' lives."

"So, that's like, controlling what the subs buy?" Frank queried, hoping that he was on the same page as what Gerard had said to him.

"That's part of what being a Findom is, yes," Gerard nodded at Frank's understanding, "I don't do that to you, though, but if you were wanting to spend a large amount on something then you would have to ask permission. It wouldn't be you asking me for money because your money is yours. Not mine to control as such, it's just letting me know what you are doing. With this type of Dominant, we could go onto 'Owners'."

"That's owning the submissive, right?"

"Correct," Gerard replied with a proud smile at Frank, "They are tops who treat their submissives as their own property. For example, something of which I am not. But Ty is. He likes to physically own his submissive."

"I know you said that I am yours, but how is that different from a Dominant owning a sub?"

"Well, generally you get pets and slaves and people who wish to be nothing more than objects wanting to be literally owned. Some are even tattooed or branded with their Dominant's name as a symbol of ownership. Like a territorial stamp. It's an 'each to their own' kind of thing," Gerard explained casually, even though Frank thought back to every time that his Master had used him as a footstool recently, "You may be mine, but I would never say that I am your owner. Being your Dominant is wholly different from being your owner. You are not my property. You are your own person and, even though I say you are mine, I would never treat you the way that an owner would. It is an altogether different part of the lifestyle."

Frank nodded at that, trying to wrap his head around it all, "O-Okay. Got it."

"Seeing as I already mentioned it, the next type is 'Masters'. This one, I think you may already know, because..." Gerard waved a hand for Frank to answer. The boy blinked at him for a second, wracking his brain and blushing because he felt like he had taken too long.

"You are m-my Master. In the sense of a Master, with less use of the... Title, sir." Frank stuttered on his words a little despite knowing he had said the correct thing.

"Do you know why?"

"Because I signed a contract wherein you were noted as such," Frank said with a nasal drawl, reaching forward to the taps at the same time so he could add a little more hot water to the bath before turning them off.

"Good boy," Gerard beamed softly at Frank and his little tidbit of humor. They both knew it meant that his headspace was returning to normal. He was answering questions, maybe not as confidently as Gerard expected him to with what he should have known by now, but still, at least he wasn't sitting there. Gerard sat up and lay his ankle on his knee, "A 'Master' is also a Dominant who has mastered a craft or technique of BDSM. That's the difference between actual Masters and just those who use the term. It is a very outdated term that some Dominant's prefer not to use for obvious reasons but it doesn't always have the negative connotation. Again, as an example, Ty is probably more of a Master than I am, but he never refers to himself as such nor does he allow his submissives to call him one."

"Because of slavery?"

"Exactly. But the word has other meanings. Like a Master's degree. Should we change that title of certification just because it shares a name with a very unethical part of history? No. Same with the two kinds of 'Master' in our lifestyle."

"Nice example, sir." Frank smiled as he poured hot water onto his shoulders.

"I may always be learning when it comes to BDSM, but I know enough about the lifestyle and how it is practiced correctly that I fit not just as your Master, but as a Master of what I do. Now, Frank, I must ask..." Gerard carried on swiftly, looking Frank right in the eye before he brought his question out into the open, "At the beginning of all of this, did you trust me?"

"Well, yeah," Frank snorted a little, "If I hadn't then, I guess, I wouldn't be lounging in your bath right now."

"Quite," Gerard nodded at the obvious truth, "But I had to ask because you said 'yes' to it all so quickly. There must have been something in the back of your mind that wondered if, and how, you could trust me when you knew very little about what you were stepping."

"Well... Yeah," Frank sighed, "But, I realized that you knew exactly what you were talking about. You weren't just some kid who believed that this was them and they could do it with no experience whatsoever. I mean, even if you had said to me that you were starting out in this lifestyle and said that you still wanted me to be your sub, I would've still trusted you. Because you've got your head screwed on straight and you're a lot cleverer than pretty much everyone I know put together. I trusted you a lot quicker than I probably should have done, but, I knew that I was in good hands and I still am. I don't think I will ever lose that trust to be honest. It did take a small knock with what happened but... You didn't lose my trust entirely. You explained and I've forgiven you."

"That's good to know, boy," Gerard smiled a little and ran a hand through his pale yellow locks, "Trust can be a very hard thing to define because it can mean different things to different people. Some say that trust can only be given over a long period of time. Others say that there must be at least some form of trust, to begin with for a relationship to even be formed. I believe that both theories coexist. Yes, you earn the trust over time, but there still needs to be something there for it all to come together between a Dominant and a submissive. Do you understand, boy?"

Frank nodded at his Master's words, "Yes, sir."

"A submissive must trust the Dominant with their very life," Gerard carried on, making Frank look up at him when he said that, "Once a sub is bound and gagged, nothing can stop said Dominant from doing anything that they wanted to, including killing them," Gerard saw the way that Frank flinched at that, recoiling at the thought. Gerard continued, "This is why you must always and only play with someone that you trust with your life. You must also be able to trust your Dominant to have your best interest in mind, and to care for you, not abuse you, which sadly happens sometimes."

"I-I know that this is probably important, but-" Frank stammered as a small fuzzy knot of anxiety was starting to make his throat tingle, "Can we talk about that another time, if we need to really discuss it in detail? When I'm not feeling like a huge bag of breathing crap."

"Of course. My apologies, my prince," Gerard stood up and strode over to Frank. He stopped to run a hand through his still-damp hair, leaning down and pressing a kiss on top of Frank's head before he straightened up and continued, "But from that, you do get Dominants called 'Instas' or 'Instant Dominants'," Gerard air-quoted the words with his fingers as he slowly walked around the bath with Frank watching him intently, "These are the ones who come across a small amount of information about the lifestyle and then they decide they are instantly a part of it. There was an influx of them earlier this year when 'Fifty Shades of Grey: was published."

"My mom raves about that book," Frank chuckled, "It's a horrible thought, thinking about your mom reading something like that and enjoying it."

"Well, rave all she likes, that appalling piece of literature paints BDSM in a bad light. It may have been aimed at middle-aged ladies as more masturbatory reading material, but as much as people say that the relationship is purely BDSM, it is far from that. We are about safety, comfort, and consent. That drivel is more about domestic and sexual abuse. These 'Instas' believe that they know what they are doing thanks to this terrible book and other things like it but, in fact, they are the ones who are more than likely going to cause harm, injury, or even death because they haven't the slightest idea on how to be a proper Dominant. They believe Christian Grey to be a God, but in fact, he is nothing more than an abusive and possessive stalker. He's only attractive because he's damaged, rich and mysterious. His dominant traits were forged by an abusive woman into a melded man who has no idea how to properly dominate without traumatizing."

"Wow," Frank whispered, taken back. He had never read a single page of the book because it was far too 'hetero' for his liking. He looked at his feet, "I guess I never really knew, or wanted to consider it, when my mom wouldn't shut up about it."

"Count yourself lucky that you're not with someone like Christian Grey," Gerard snorted derisively as he came to a stop near the foot of the bath, "Moving on... I'd like to touch upon one even if it isn't valid for our relationship. You will find that quite a few of the ones I mention don't fit with what we have, but they are still valid nonetheless."

"R-Right." Frank nodded along, not quite sure of what Gerard was going to bring up next.

"You have your female Dominants or 'Femdoms', as they are known in some places," Gerard began, taking to walking around the bath again while he explained, "In its simplest form it is when a woman is a Dominant partner, or 'top' partner. A Dominant female may go by other names, such as a Dominatrix, Domme, Mistress, or Madame. The sad fact is that a lot of these Femdoms are stereotyped, expected to be hard and tough in order to be in control. This is a myth, and one that, more often than not pressures women into pushing those who bottom to them too hard which can lead to serious injury."

"Are there many Femdoms in the lifestyle, sir?"

"There are enough but not as many as you expect because of the stereotype. Mistresses tend to be in a bit of a short supply while the demand is high," Gerard sighed, "They tend to be older, too, and don't go to as many social gatherings as male Dominants do. It's a shame. The lifestyle is so diverse, yet some steer clear because of how they are perceived to be."

"I'm still holding you to taking me to one of these 'social gatherings' you keep talking about," Frank gave Gerard a sideways smile as he toyed with his fingers.

"Soon, my prince," Gerard hummed at the idea and put his hands behind his back, "When you're ready and not in the midst of a subdrop. Now, the next one I know you're not keen on the whole subject, but 'Mommies and Daddies'."

Frank shuddered, "I'm still not into it, I'll have you know."

"I know, my boy," Gerard reassured him with a hand in his hair while he paced around the bath, "But you wanted to know about this and this type of Dom or Domme is just as valid as the next. And I did explain that just because a Dom likes to be referred to as a 'Daddy' or a 'Mommy' doesn't mean they engage in ageplay. Some just find the term itself to be an endearment from their sub as they care for them and are looked up to by their submissive."

"I know," Frank sighed unhappily, "But, do I really need to know about it?"

"I'll make it brief for you then, boy. I also don't like that judgemental tone on you. It paints you in a rather ugly shade. We, in this lifestyle, do not judge others for the things that they enjoy, and they judge us not," Gerard stated firmly, and Frank sunk back a little into the bath until the water rose up to his lips, "These Dominants are the ones who take on the role of a Mommy or a Daddy to a submissive or someone who practices infantilism. They focus more on guiding and caring for a submissive like a parent would for a child. It's not always sexual. A lot of the more responsible participants of the infantilism lifestyle only practice it outside of a sexual relationship because of the headspace and consent issues. It's a long story."

Frank pursed his lips as he looked at his Dominant and knew he was about to touch on a sensitive subject but he couldn't resist when the question was practically hanging from his tongue, "What was it like... When you were a Daddy sir? Who was it with again? Billie?"

Gerard froze instantly and Frank knew straight away that he had struck a nerve with his Master. Immediately, he regretted asking it and looked away from Gerard, his eyes cast down at the water. Frank knew that he should take the question back; he knew that he had overstepped the line with his Dominant, but what surprised Frank the most was the fact that Gerard seemed to unfreeze, clearing his throat, "I can easily say that it was a learning curve for me. Back then when I met Billie, I was still learning and I was nowhere near as knowledgeable as I am today. I believed that I could fit myself into the psyche for that kind of relationship. It's different from what we, as in you and I, have because as a Dominant, you are not just a Dominant but a carer for someone. You are taking care of your little, protecting them, guiding them, nurturing them, spoiling them, and keeping them safe. Billie didn't just want to call someone 'Daddy' and continue with a regular relationship. I may have been on board with it back then"

"So, did you have to be someone that you weren't for him?" Frank wondered aloud, "Is that why it didn't work out?"

"It's not about that," Gerard shook his head, "The space in you where you know you are not just a Dominant but a carer, you have to become one with the identity of a 'Daddy Dom' at the same time. I tried to do this, I wanted it to work, but I knew very early on that maybe this wasn't something that I was enjoying. I couldn't get into it fully. I still tried my hardest because Billie was a wonderful submissive and we did have similar interests and fetishes outside of his main headspace. He just deserved someone who could care for him better than I could. I could go into this more but I know this subject makes you uncomfortable, and you know that this is a hard limit for me as it were."

"I know," Frank retorted, screwing his eyes shut because he felt guilty, "I just... I only wanted to understand; I didn't want to bring anything back up for you."

"Relax, boy," Gerard reassured with a small glimmer of a smile, "Let's just move on, shall we? Only thirteen more to go."

"Th-Thirteen?".

"Yes, and I would like to have you out of the bath before midnight. Now, Performers. These are the ones who tend to jump into a sometimes stereotypical role of a Dominant. They put on shows or are more than likely the ones who will put on demonstrations with their submissives. They don't tend to be in the lifestyle fully, only sometimes and only during performances. But there are those, like Ty, who put on displays for classes and courses in the lifestyle of the things he practices himself. Like shibari and rigging. Or his hook suspension. He would classify as a 'Performer'."

"Right." Frank nodded and tried his best to ignore the fact that not only was he sore from his scene, but getting slightly numb from sitting against the porcelain for so long.

"A 'Service Top' focuses on giving service or pleasure to the bottom in their care, while a 'Caring Dominant' focuses on taking care of their submissive, not in the sense of servicing them, but by caring for them physically, mentally and emotionally."

"Kind of like how you are caring for me right now?" Frank put it out there, wondering if this was another type of Dominant-box that Gerard ticked with his expensive pen.

"Much like I am, yes," Gerard agreed, "The submissive's welfare is always important. Aftercare is always important because so much of what we do can take its toll on the sub. Caring shouldn't just be put to one type of Dominant, though. It is an all-round act that every Dominant should practice to help their submissive cope and run at their best."

"So, sticking me in the bath wasn't just an excuse to see me naked again?" Frank asked with a small dry laugh.

"My boy, I could have you naked whenever I want," Gerard reminded him with a suggestive lilt to his voice that made Frank blush. They both knew that that statement was absolutely and irrefutably true. Gerard leaned himself gracefully against the wall nearby with his arms folded, "Now, focus and keep your head out of the gutter while I'm teaching you. I may test you on it later, little runt."

"Yes, sir." Frank swallowed. This was a lot to take in. He knew he would remember it, but if that kind of test was anything like the last one Gerard had given him then Frank was sure that he wouldn't have had his Master undressed as quick as he had done the last time.

"'Role Play Dominants' are those who take on various roles for a scene and take control through those avenues. These Dominants can take on the role of anything that might be fitting for their submissive, such as playing the role of a boss, or a cop, or even the whole student-teacher role play. Also included is incestuous roleplay or even mythical creatures like vampires, werewolves, and things like that.

"Or even role-reversal." Frank blurted out quicker than his brain would let him process.. Instantly, Frank shrunk back in the bath, blushing profusely and feeling his Master's widened eyes on him. Frank didn't say another word and just waited for Gerard to say something- anything- about what he had just put out into words.

The idea had been deep in the back of his mind ever since the first time he had even had any sort of desire to be with Gerard. He knew that it wouldn't happen, but seeing as Gerard had brought up the whole idea of role-playing, he couldn't help but wonder if this was something that wouldn't just, one day, be a thought in the back of his mind.

"Are you serious?" Gerard chuckled at the blushing boy in his bathtub, "Frank, from the moment I met you, I couldn't even picture you as a top. You and topping don't exactly come across as the perfect combination."

"How do you know?" Frank narrowed his eyes at his Master, "I topped for over six years. Maybe if you gave it a chance..."

"Yes, your six years are much more than my twelve years but sure," Gerard snorted softly, "Maybe one day we can see just how good of a top you apparently are."

"Holding you to that... Some other time," Frank mimicked, trying to sound as confident as possible. Frank couldn't wipe the smile from his face and the giddiness in him that he could barely contain.

"I'm sure you won't let me forget it, now, the next one," Gerard moved on, sensing that Frank was getting a little too excitable about the role-playing idea, "Sadists. They are the Dominants who reap sexual pleasure from inflicting pain on others. This can be physical or mental pain. With this you get 'laughing sadists' who will be very Joker-esque with their play, often laughing as they perform impact play or hurt their consenting submissive. The other kind are 'sensual sadists' and these will couple pain with pleasure. The next one, 'Riggers', you already know about through experience."

"Ty," Frank nodded, "He's a Rigger."

"And, oh, is he a Rigger, boy. A fine example. Care to have a go at explaining what a Rigger does?" Gerard posed the question with a snide smile.

"You s-said he was a Rope Master," Frank recalled through the fog, "They specialize in suspension with ropes and, like Ty, hook suspension."

"Correct," Gerard nodded, "And, as you know, he does it as a profession, too. 'Riggers' may only focus solely on this, or they may partake further in the lifestyle. Ty is a Dominant, too. He combines within the lifestyle, his knowledge of his profession, and who he is."

"Does Ty have a sub, sir?"

"He doesn't at the moment," Gerard replied, pausing for a second, "But I'm quite convinced that he has his eyes on someone that's somewhat sparked his interest."

Frank raised an eyebrow, "Oh, yeah?"

"A 'Protector' is someone who watches over the safety and well being of a submissive during scenes and events. Again, you will see them more at parties and scenes; behind closed doors at the party. They can be a Dominant outside events or they may choose to only serve for the scenes. Then, 'Junior Tops' refers to a top or Dominant who is learning under the care and supervision of a mentoring Dominant."

"So, you were one of these?"

"Obviously," Gerard chuckled dryly at the more than an easily perceivable question, "I had Tyler and Bert mentoring me. Under the right supervision, I was able to become who I am today. They were both excellent mentors."

"And lucky me gets the end result," Frank winked at Gerard, watching him shake his head, "What?"

"I do hope you are paying attention, boy, not just fooling around and ignoring everything that I'm telling you," Gerard warned, his tone had Frank sucking his smile back in sheepishly.

"Sorry, sir," Frank mumbled quickly, averting his eyes from his Master who was standing at the foot of the bath with his arms folded across his chest, "I am listening, sir."

"Good. The next type of Dominants is 'Primals'. These type of Dominants act less on thought and more of basic animal instinct," Gerard carried on as he moved away from the foot of the bath, walking over to the cabinet where he leaned against it, "Rather than following the structure of a scene that a non-Primal Dominant would do, they tend to go more with raw emotions. They go with their urges, choosing to not think about their next action, acting on instinct instead. They wouldn't be the kind of Dominant to fetch props for the scene, more choosing to use whatever is in reach when the basic primary need takes over."

"That sounds... Daunting," Frank swallowed back, wanting to ignore the swirling churn in the pit of his stomach over that explanation, but he just couldn't when it sounded enthralling. He grinned slightly, "But also a turn on."

"You wouldn't be saying that if there was any form of 'nailing' happening." Gerard pointed out, making Frank rethink the choice of words. He grumbled to himself when the mental image crossed his mind.

"'White Knights' are the kind of Dominant who enjoy playing the hero," Gerard moved on as Frank recovered from the previous thought, "They long to rescue damsels, or danes, in distress."

"A little like when you rescued me from Ryan," Frank added as he shifted in the bath, starting to realize that he did actually need to get out soon. The water was going cold again and, as much as he wanted to warm it back up with more water, he hoped that Gerard would be done soon so he could ask to get out without interrupting his Master's flow.

"You rescued yourself, my prince," Gerard smiled only slightly before he added, "I don't need to be a white knight when I know my boy can save himself from monsters."

"I-" Frank stopped himself, taking a moment to consider what he was about to say before he vocalized his thoughts, "I never would have labeled him as a 'monster', per se."

"Sometimes monsters hide in plain sight. They mask themselves so well that we don't even realize until they do unimaginable things to us," Gerard began, "Even then we are so set on them being the good guy that we won't even say that they were a monster when they have been exactly that. What Ryan did to you, again and again, was nothing more than venomous outbursts that you eventually came to realize. He was not the good guy and you broke free from his clutches. You did the best thing for you. He may be someone else's soulmate, or whatever you deem the right term, but he wasn't yours."

"Where were you when it all started to go wrong?" Frank sighed out, shaking his head, "I could have done with this when the cracks started to show in our relationship."

"I was always here; more than willing to show you what you truly deserved, but you had to come to your senses with Ryan all by yourself. I couldn't do this for you," Gerard noted, "If I had done and then we didn't work out, I would be to blame for it all, and I never want to put myself in a position where I am the reason for something coming to an end, no matter how much the end was needed from you."

"And you just knew that I wouldn't stick around in a loveless relationship just to keep the peace?" Frank wondered. If things had transpired differently and he hadn't realized that he needed more than his then bland Ryan, then he probably would have still been with him. Still doing the same things day in day out, living a life of monotonous routine with little to no sex life. Frank knew that he needed out of that fast, but if he hadn't have done, then how could Gerard have been so sure that he would have saved himself.

"You have more fire in you than you give yourself credit," Gerard complimented, leaving Frank a little speechless, "You wouldn't have stood for it, and I think even you know that."

"Stop being right all the time," Frank muttered out under his breath. He heard Gerard chuckle in response and clear his throat.

"Anyway..." Gerard carried on, "We only have a few more Dominants to go through. The next one is 'Controlled Dominant'. These are ones who are being controlled by another Dom or a Mentor as an agreement in a scene to follow certain rules or they are learning a new technique that requires being watched over. 'Controlled Dominants' are different from 'Junior Tops' as it only pertains to particular scenes or lessons. Controlled Dominant can also be someone who is following rules that have been laid down by protectors in particular scenes; not necessarily a learning opportunity."

"The controlling being controlled," Frank smirked to himself and looked over to see Gerard's unwavering expression, "Come on, that was clever."

"I didn't say a word, boy," Gerard sighed softly, "Another one that I will run over swiftly... 'Feeders' and 'Breeders'."

"That sounds..." Frank couldn't even find an initial fitting word as he screwed his nose up. He was waiting with bated breath for the description in the hopes that it was different from how he was interpreting.

"I know that this won't be your idea of 'enjoyable'," Gerard said in a near-apologetic tone that only made Frank wince more, waiting reluctantly, "'Feeders' are those who focus on feeding their submissives with the sole intention of them gaining weight or to watch them eat. 'Breeders' are also linked because they enjoy the fantasy of breeding their sub even if it's not possible for breeding to occur. It's the roleplay that they mainly enjoy, the headspace of spawning and breeding their mate over and over, not even for pleasure but for the sole purpose of procreation. These types of Dominants usually look at things from a human-animal perspective. It's also interlinked with lactation fantasies and that sort of thing."

"Please don't," Frank practically begged, "I think I can imagine well enough."

"Things like feeding, breeding, and milking scenes are incorporated into scenes with this type of Dominant." Gerard went on but paused when Frank hung his head, "Are you okay? You look a bit green, boy. There is only one more to go, Frank."

"I'm okay," Frank drew in a shaky breath, pushing any sort of thought he had had to the back of his mind, "The last one. Go on, sir."

"This one, unfortunately, gets stereotyped a lot because of the connotations attached to it. 'Leathermen' are Dominants who practice leather traditions. They have gone through their lessons and put in a lot of time and effort to earn their leathers and their position within the community, so they choose to wear their leathers all the time instead of just in scene."

"Do you own any leathers?" Frank inquired curiously, "I mean, I've seen you in leather before but... I'm sensing that Dominant Leathers aren't exactly the same as just a pair of pants."

"I do, but I only choose to wear mine in scenes." Gerard told Frank, seeing the look of confusion on his face, "You're probably wondering why I haven't worn them with you?"

Frank nodded, "Yeah."

"Because you're still learning. I didn't want to overwhelm you with too much too soon. I knew that, when the time was right, it could be introduced into our scenes." Gerard made it clear for Frank.

"And when will the time be right?"

"Soon," Gerard assured his boy while going to reach for a towel in one of the cabinets behind him, "But for now, you are done with 'Dominants'."

"That was all of them?" Frank breathed a sigh of relief, hoping that all of what Gerard had told him was gonna stick after today. He looked at his Master, "Can I get out of the bath now, sir? I'm starting to get cold."

"Of course," Gerard told him, holding out his hand for Frank to take to help himself up on shaky legs. The air in the bathroom was warm, but the cooling sheen of water that clung to his frame made him feel frigid to his bones. He stood up in the bath, wrapping his arms around him in a pathetic attempt to keep warm and stop his thighs from shaking, "Here, onto the mat."

Frank carefully stepped out onto the soft black bath-mat and felt butterflies in his stomach when he realized he was still holding his Master's hand. Gerard instantly wrapped a large and soft towel around his shoulders. The feeling of his Master's arms wrapped around him was extremely comforting to his anxious head. Frank took hold of the corners of the towel in his hands and wrapped it tighter around his shoulders. He shook his head in an attempt to move the still-damp strands from his eyes. Gerard brushed Frank's hair back with his fingers, smoothing the locks down with the palm of his hand.

"How are you feeling, my prince?" Gerard asked, seeing the tired look on Frank's face.

"A bit better, Mon Apollon," Frank had to agree. The bath had helped to a certain extent, but he still felt under the weather and this unpleasantly low feeling was starting to settle in him, "Still sore, though. Especially now that I've moved."

"That's understandable," Gerard said before he began to dry Frank off with skilled movements. For a moment, Frank didn't know what to do with himself while his Master rubbed the towel over his wet skin, but Frank remained still. It was comforting and relaxing, and the connection between them seemed somewhat closer. The same feeling of their moment in the kitchen when Frank had first come up with the nickname for his Master. It was like that, but somehow different but in the best way possible. Gerard dried his legs swiftly, "I'm going to need to tend to your behind."

Frank chuckled tiredly and Gerard looked up at him with a raised eyebrow, "What, boy?"

"Nothing- just... God, if only you meant that in a sexual way," Frank sighed, wincing at the thought of what Gerard was going to do. He had finished drying Frank off, throwing the towel to one side before he pulled the plug out of the bath as Frank wondered aloud, "It's going to hurt, isn't it?"

"Well, it's not going to be pleasant, to say the least," Gerard sugar-coated as he dried his hand on the small towel by the bathroom sink, "But it will help. You should know that by now."

"I know, I know," Frank sighed, doing as he was told when Gerard instructed him to stand next to the cabinet facing away, "Aftercare is key, sir."

"Precisely," Gerard agreed while he retrieved the bottle of lotion, "Once this is done, I will take you to bed, in a nonsexual way may I add," Gerard felt the need to point out, "You need to rest, dear boy."

"Stay with me, though?" Frank asked, looking over his shoulder to see Gerard as he kneeled down behind him. Frank's hands gripped the cabinets, preparing for the pain that he was expecting, knuckles whiting through nervous anticipation.

"I will for a bit, don't worry," Gerard told him while he uncapped the lotion and poured some out onto his fingers, "If you're feeling up to it, we can go over the submissives if you want. You might even learn a thing or two about yourself."

"Sure. Why not?"