Page 39 of Body and Soul

I let out a shaky breath, the weight of the commitment settling heavily on my shoulders. But it was a good weight, a grounding one. A promise of stability and belonging—things I hadn't had in so long.

“Very good,” Shepherd murmured. “Let's move on to your specific duties.”

I nodded, scrolling to the “Service Tasks” section. My eyes skimmed the bulleted list as Shepherd read them aloud: mostly household chores and errands. I was surprised at how excited I felt that he’d trust me to do some shopping. He’d previously trusted Gavin to do it, and it meant something that he was extending that same level of trust to me.

My gaze snagged on a line: Anticipate Sir's needs and proactively attend to them. I furrowed my brow. How was I supposed to know what Shepherd needed before he asked? A wave of anxiety unfurled in my gut. What if I failed? What if I couldn’t figure out what he wanted? I felt like I was walking a tightrope, trying not to fall.

“What is it, boy?” Shepherd asked gently. “You look concerned.”

I bit my lip, debating whether to voice my confusion. But communication was important, and I needed to ask. “This line about anticipating your needs... How will I know what you need if you don't tell me?”

“Anticipating my needs is about being attentive,” he explained. “It means paying attention to my routines, preferences, and moods. Noticing small things, like when my glass is empty. If you're ever unsure, you can always ask. But there’s a protocol Iprefer you adhere to if you need to ask a question, and we’ll cover that at the end.”

I nodded, absorbing his words. It made sense, in a way. Anticipating needs was about being observant and intuitive. A chance to prove myself to Shepherd.

“I understand,” I said, my voice steadier now. “I'll do my best to be proactive.”

Shepherd smiled, approval shining in his eyes. “I know you will, boy. You're a quick learner.”

The praise sent warmth through my chest, easing my lingering anxiety. I scrolled down to the next section: Safe Words and Check-Ins.

“A safe word,” Shepherd explained, “is our safety net. It’s a predetermined signal for when you feel overwhelmed or need to halt everything. No questions asked.”

I swallowed hard. The idea of needing a safe word was unsettling, but it was also a relief to know it was there if I needed it. I stared at the blinking cursor, racing through possibilities for my safe word, rejecting each one.

“Icarus,” I finally typed, feeling a sense of finality.

Shepherd raised an eyebrow. “Interesting choice. Any particular reason?”

“It feels right. Flying too close to the sun, getting burned...”

He nodded thoughtfully. “I can understand that. Now for your caution word—something to use when you're approaching your limits but don't necessarily need to stop.”

“Pause,” I typed, simple and straightforward.

“Excellent,” Shepherd said. “For check-ins, I want us to have a quick one each morning after breakfast.”

I nodded. “That sounds good.” I appreciated that Shepherd was building moments of connection into our dynamic. It made me feel cared for.

“I also want a more in-depth discussion once a week on Sunday evenings,” he continued. “A time to address any issues that arise. How does that sound?”

“I like that idea a lot,” I said. “Like a family meeting.”

He smiled. “Exactly. Never be afraid to come to me with concerns, boy. Understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” I replied, the honorific rolling off my tongue more naturally this time.

Shepherd looked pleased. “Good. Now, let's move on to limits and consequences.”

My stomach fluttered with nerves. This part drove home the intensity of what we were doing.

“It's crucial that we're on the same page about your limits,” he said. “Both hard limits—things that are completely off the table—and soft limits, things you’re hesitant about.”

I nodded, my throat feeling dry. “I understand.”

“Let’s start with my hard limits,” he prompted gently. “For this contract, sexual contact is a hard limit for now. Permanent marks, such as tattooing or branding, and any scenes with strong religious connotations are out of the question. My soft limits are fire play, scat, and public play, excluding designated areas of The Playground. And what about you, Elias? What are your hard limits?”

I swallowed, my mind racing. “Um... anything involving blood or bodily fluids other than cum. Scat, watersports, that kind of thing. And nothing that causes serious pain or injury.” I paused. “As for soft limits... maybe sensory deprivation? I don't think I’d like not being able to see or hear. And humiliation; it's just not my thing.”

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