Page 14 of Love Lessons: Expanded Edition

He forced himself to stay focused on the conversation, even if he was still far too aware of Landon sitting next to him. Landon whose knee sometimes drifted over until it was resting against his thigh and stayed there. Dustin was aware of every square inch of that heat.

He’d never had anyone hit on him so directly. It was… kind of nice. His APD made him a bit awkward, more awkward than he thought of himself on the inside, but it still meant that he hadn’t done a lot of dating after college.

He let those thoughts settle in the back of his head while they talked. The conversation was surprisingly normal. They talked about their work, though Landon stuck to funny stories instead of the impending loss of his job.

They compared stories of where they’d learned ASL. Landon had gone to a Deaf school up through middle school then chosen to be mainstreamed for high school, while Ash had been raised completely Oralist. When they started Gallaudet, where all the courses were in ASL, with only a few beginner courses for experience, they’d gotten dropped into the deep end.

Dustin shared that he’d learned ASL from an aide in second grade when his APD was finally diagnosed, and then gone to a Deaf school for a few years, before returning to a hearing middle school in classes with an interpreter. He’d been practically failing out of school up until he learned ASL, and he still felt like that enterprising aide had saved his life. He’d loved his years at Gallaudet—and just missed Ash—so finding Deaf community here in the kink world that he was possibly considering venturing into was amazing.

A few times during the conversation, someone new came into the room and Landon dispensed greetings and hugs. He popped into other conversations and often had people waving in his peripheral vision or tapping his shoulder to pull him in to other discussions. It seemed like he was the social hub of the group, not just the organizer.

Whenever he got up, Dustin tried not to watch him, even though it was where his eyes wanted to go. Was he standing as close to that woman as he had to Dustin? Did he just wink at that man? Did everyone get those disarmingly exuberant smiles?

Around the fourth time that Landon got up—when Dustin had barely taken the first bite of his burger—Dustin started to realize that Landon was way out of his league. He shone like a star, drawing everyone into his orbit and spreading light to the room. And just like the sun, he was completely untouchable.

Dustin tried not to feel disappointed when he eventually had to acknowledge that Landon probably had been flirting with him. But only because he flirted with everyone. He was the gallant gentleman. The charming boy next door. The life of the party.

Dustin just got to reflect a bit of his light for a moment, like the lonely moon.

Dustin turned his attention fully to Ash, reminding himself that he hadn’t known Landon long enough to feel regret. He was here to make friends, and Ash was pretty cool. Landon could be a good friend, too. Or at least someone who he could be friendly with if he came back to the munches.

Ash had apparently noticed his attention wandering, though. Landon’s cute, isn’t he?

He certainly seems to be friendly with everyone, Dustin hedged.

He likes to hop around. He’s a switch. Dustin knew the word, but he wasn’t sure he understood it here. Fortunately, Ash filled him in. He claims he’s mostly a sub—he fingerspelled and then moved one fist below the other to show the sign—but that never stops him enjoying both sides of things. With anyone who moves. Ash rolled their eyes. You can ask him to tell you more—he’s pretty public about it and likes to educate people.

Dustin nodded, absorbing all of that. They were talking about kinky things now. He’d read about all of this, but talking about it, just like any other normal conversation, was a little nerve racking. Even when Zhong brought it up he usually felt a bit flustered.

The things that he’d started to try with his ex, the things that he wanted to do now… they felt private. Scary and exhilarating and not quite something that he could share with a stranger.

How about you? Ash continued. Are you a sub?

No… He hesitated because he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to claim the title. I’m a Dom, I guess.

Ash's eyes widened. Hallelujah! A Deaf Dom! Tell me you’re single.

Dustin leaned back. Had that really just happened? Not one, but two people hitting on him on the same day? Although Ash had been much more direct.

He wasn’t quite sure what to say. Ash seemed nice. They were cute and fun, definitely someone he’d like to get to know better, even if it didn’t go anywhere.

He couldn’t quite believe that this was what munches were usually like, or that he’d suddenly become so popular. He hesitated to respond, not quite sure what to do. He was used to being the outsider, the observer. When he could even be bothered to leave the house. And while he’d been feeling more comfortable than he expected, he didn’t know how to handle Ash trying to pick him up.

Wasn’t that the Dom’s job, anyway? He’d thought that the Dom was supposed to control things like that, but apparently, he didn’t know what he was talking about.

Now that the possibility was on the table with Ash, though, he kind of wanted… well, he wasn’t sure what. He just hadn’t expected to be hit on this quickly, even if it was happening in a playful way.

So, Ash leaned forward eagerly, undeterred by his lack of response. Do you think you’re a Daddy?

Dustin assumed, from context, that they meant “Daddy” in a kinky sense rather than, say, being the father of actual children, since the sign was the same. He wasn’t quite sure what all that entailed. In porn, it seemed to be older men with younger guys, and he wasn’t that old. I don’t think so.

Ash made a huff of exaggerated disappointment but didn’t actually seem that upset. So Ash wanted… a Daddy? Huh.

Just then, Landon returned, plopping back down into his chair, his sneaker casually pressing against Dustin’s. Why did he find that little bit of pressure, through several layers of rubber and fabric, so exciting?

Dustin’s a Dom, Ash reported to Landon.

Sexy! Landon signed with gusto. I saw him first.