As Francis speaks, Bashir stays quiet and still. He's careful to keep his expression gentle and positive until it's his turn to speak.
"Thank you for telling me this." He knows that this is an important moment, and he needs to tread carefully and speak thoughtfully. "Speaking about your boundaries is more important than being able to call out some code word."
Putting his cup down, he reaches out to lay one warm hand on Fran's shoulder. "That you can recognize this about yourself, speak to me about it, and let me know, that's what matters. It's a hard thing to speak about and I'm so pleased and proud that you're comfortable enough to say it to me."
It's not an easy thing to admit to, makes him nervous as he talks about it, but Julian doesn't seem to judge him for it. That was at least part of his fear; that he was too messy, that he wouldn't want him. And there are other people he plays with, but he's still important to him. Friends, as he had said earlier.
He exhales softly, hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath until his fingers touch against his shoulder and he starts to relax, ease as he smiles softly as he looks up at him. There's something that flushes his cheeks and warms his skin about the way that he says he's proud, makes him feel like he's done something right, and he does try his best.
"I- trust you," he says, voice soft and warm as he looks at him. "Do you still want me in a collar?" Just saying the word quickens his breath. There haven't been many people that have put him in a collar so far, but he likes the way it makes him feel. The safety and ownership of having something like that wrapped around his throat.
"I do, very much. Go pick one out and come back here." Assuming that Francis does as he's asked, Bashir is going to take the time to tidy up just enough that he'll be able to keep reading and he makes a point to put the softest blanket he owns out on the sofa.
He's not going to do anything overtly sexual this evening, just give Francis some time and space to rest.
There's a smile at that, a certain energy in the way that he moves when Julian tells him to pick out a collar. It takes him a few moments, but when he returns, it's nothing complicated. Just white leather with a ring at the front. He holds it out for Julian in between his hands, a slight tilt of his head. It makes his breath catch, his heart skipping in his chest.
He doesn't know exactly what Julian had in mind, but he's willing to go along either way. It's part of the idea here, after all. Talking and just an edge of something that makes it easier to keep him focused, so that he can breathe. He didn't imagine they were aiming for an actual scene, although he certainly wouldn't say no.
Once Francis has returned and handed over the collar, Bashir gestures for him to sit beside him. "I'm going to put the collar on now and then you are going to get comfortable. Lay down on the sofa with your head in my lap, under the rather heavy but quite soft blanket."
"Once you're settled, I'm going to ask you a question or two, but other than responding to me or asking for what you need, you ought not speak."
Francis does as he's told, sitting down next to Julian, tilting his head just so to make it easier for him to slide the collar around his neck. He nods in silent agreement, and he couldn't explain it, but there's something about being told not to speak. To just be quiet and answer questions if asked, but to just- it's like permission to let the world be a little bit less loud for a while.
He doesn't quite know what the intention here is, but he trusts Julian. Trusts him with his hands on him and when it's words and direction, too. And there's a certain comfort in having the other man set the direction rather than just what Francis had the insight to ask for. So he settles, puts his head in his lap, shifting just to make sure he can hear him.
"You know, I've never put a collar on anyone before." Bashir cards his fingers through Francis' hair, moving down to cradle the back of his head. As leans in to adjust the buckle, his expression is fond and affectionate and he presses a quick kiss to the top of Francis' head.
"Now, I have some reading and work to finish, but I would like you to lay down and rest your head in my lap." Assuming that Francis does as he's told, Bashir will get to work and absently just keep touching his friend as if he's a treasured pet.
Francis just murmurs soft as Julian slides fingers through his hair, easy and pliant as he lets the other man carefully wrap the leather against his neck, fingers tightening the buckle until it sits snug but not tight against his skin. It feels like something, a weight, but he likes it. Different than when Caleb had put him in a collar back at the Galleria, but still nice.
His eyelashes flutter at the press of lips to his hair, and he does as he's told, settling down nicely with his head in his lap. He doesn't talk, just lets himself nuzzle lightly into the way that Julian absently touches him as he does his work. It makes him feel like a pet, which makes him think about Caleb, which inevitably puts a flushed smile on his face.
Once Francis settles down, Bashir lets out a contented sigh and gets to work. He has rather a lot of reading to do, and while he does it, he's happy to just keep petting his friend. Twirling a bit of his hair or trailing his fingers over the warm, soft skin of his neck (and over the collar), it's all simple and pleasant.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
"Thank you for telling me this." He knows that this is an important moment, and he needs to tread carefully and speak thoughtfully. "Speaking about your boundaries is more important than being able to call out some code word."
Putting his cup down, he reaches out to lay one warm hand on Fran's shoulder. "That you can recognize this about yourself, speak to me about it, and let me know, that's what matters. It's a hard thing to speak about and I'm so pleased and proud that you're comfortable enough to say it to me."
no subject
He exhales softly, hadn't even realized he'd been holding his breath until his fingers touch against his shoulder and he starts to relax, ease as he smiles softly as he looks up at him. There's something that flushes his cheeks and warms his skin about the way that he says he's proud, makes him feel like he's done something right, and he does try his best.
"I- trust you," he says, voice soft and warm as he looks at him. "Do you still want me in a collar?" Just saying the word quickens his breath. There haven't been many people that have put him in a collar so far, but he likes the way it makes him feel. The safety and ownership of having something like that wrapped around his throat.
no subject
He's not going to do anything overtly sexual this evening, just give Francis some time and space to rest.
no subject
He doesn't know exactly what Julian had in mind, but he's willing to go along either way. It's part of the idea here, after all. Talking and just an edge of something that makes it easier to keep him focused, so that he can breathe. He didn't imagine they were aiming for an actual scene, although he certainly wouldn't say no.
no subject
"Once you're settled, I'm going to ask you a question or two, but other than responding to me or asking for what you need, you ought not speak."
no subject
He doesn't quite know what the intention here is, but he trusts Julian. Trusts him with his hands on him and when it's words and direction, too. And there's a certain comfort in having the other man set the direction rather than just what Francis had the insight to ask for. So he settles, puts his head in his lap, shifting just to make sure he can hear him.
no subject
"Now, I have some reading and work to finish, but I would like you to lay down and rest your head in my lap." Assuming that Francis does as he's told, Bashir will get to work and absently just keep touching his friend as if he's a treasured pet.
no subject
His eyelashes flutter at the press of lips to his hair, and he does as he's told, settling down nicely with his head in his lap. He doesn't talk, just lets himself nuzzle lightly into the way that Julian absently touches him as he does his work. It makes him feel like a pet, which makes him think about Caleb, which inevitably puts a flushed smile on his face.
no subject