Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“No.” That was an easy question, thankfully. “Our culture is based on being strong and…and individual? I think that is the word. Touch between parent and child is normal and touch between mates is necessary for the bond and enjoyable from what I am experiencing.”
How enjoyable it would be had been downplayed.
Maybe it varied between mates?
“We do not randomly engage in touch such as the handshake and social hugs and pats the men at the diner provide.” They touched everyone unless something called boundaries were engaged. They were like verbal fences that provided structure for social situations.
My people had many boundaries and were very good at engaging in them.
Humans did not have as many but they were vocal regarding the ones they did have.
“Well, you don’t have to touch people here if you don’t want to.” He pulled back unexpectedly, frowning at me. “Except me. You have to touch me. That’s one of my limits. If we need to talk through it that’s fine, but I get hugs and sex of some sort with my mate.”
That was not unexpected.
“Thank you for sharing your limits with me. I am green with that limit.” Providing him with the special word got another smile from my mate and he pressed himself back against me. “I will explain when something is red or yellow, as well.”
Once I understood the red and yellow concepts, it was clear why I’d been told to let the locals know when I was green.
It was based on the human stoplight colors.
I would have guessed that sooner if there were more of them in the area.
“You’re doing great and thank you.” Wren kissed my cheek and snuggled closer again. “I’m glad you understand safewords.”
“They were confusing at first, but I met a local at the current social gathering who explained them and what being little meant.” Our people on Earth had greatly adapted to human customs. It was going to provide our scientists with much to study.
“I will do my best to answer any questions that you have, but I’m glad you found people to help already.” Wren leaned back and smiled again. “It helps you understand that I’m not nuts.”
I knew that one.
“No. I understand you have your mind intact and do not suffer from any human mental conditions.” Breeding with another species could produce unexpected results, but I could not determine if the local behavior was because of gene comingling or social exposure.
“I don’t.” Giggling, he curled back into me again. “I’m chatty and fun and little, but I told you that, and I’m a sub and I like spankings and I can’t wait to bond with my mate in all kinds of fun ways.”
His wiggling against me was making me question what kind of bonding my mate had in mind.
Wait.
“Spankings?” I was familiar with the word but it seemed I was missing context.
Context mattered.
Especially on Earth.
“We need to get this bonding going so that you can read my mind.” Wren gave me another kiss and hugged me tight. “I know lots of words and ideas and I think that’ll help.”
Yes. It would.
“There is a conversation we must have before a deeper bonding should be pursued.” Some surprises seemed to be a good thing in their culture. However, the portal was not the same thing as an unexpected social event.
“That you’re an alien that came through the portal?” Wren sat up and shrugged as I nodded. “I guessed that part, so we’re good to bond.”
“Am I allowed to find your acceptance curious?” It may have been rude but Wren’s laughter said otherwise.
“Yes, Daddy.” Wiggling again, he seemed intent on distracting me based on his expression and smiles. “I’m here to talk about the portal and to figure out what to do with it now that it’s open, so it’s not that big of a surprise.”
Should it have been?
“Am I attempting to be human wrong?”
Hmm…was that the right way to question that?
No.
Ask that.
“No.” Wren shook his head. “You’re doing great and the diner men haven’t even realized you’re not from this planet because they’d have already told everyone.”
I hadn’t thought of that.
Hadn’t.
Had not.
“You just…” Wren frowned but stayed close to me. “It’s the gaps in your knowledge and what confuses you that makes you stand out.”
“Ah.” That was unfortunate but not unexpected. “We were given a spell to acquire your language but the woman we obtained the language from had what may be called a sheltered vocabulary?”
No.
“A limited knowledge?”
English was so unfortunate.
“Oh.” Wren’s smile and facial expression said he understood my explanation. “That makes sense. We’ve got some people around here that aren’t really up to date with the rest of the world.”
That seemed highly accurate.
“We can do the spell on me to help with the knowledge and vocabulary issue or we can get the bonding going and see if that helps?” Wren’s words agreed that he was looking to be helpful, but his expression was one that the diner men had called suspicious when it had been used by another little.