Aftermath

The recovery time, or Aftercare as Seth called it after 'play' was a mandatory process for Subspace. In fact, there were special recovery rooms if required, but according to Seth, it all could be done in the room they played in since that was where it had started. We decided to stay in the same room and it was Seth who went to the table in the corner where the sex toys were. He picked up a laminated document and brought it over.

"What is this, a restaurant?" I asked, eyeballing the menu that offered replenishing beverages like Smart Water, orange juice and Propel, along with snacks like meats and cheeses all the way to full-blown meals.

"The owners of Subspace are extremely thorough when it comes to recovery times and what's offered. From the moment we leave, to the moment we get home--even though it's not their legal obligation to assure our safety when we actually leave the facility--we're considered under Subspaces protection. Once we get safely home, is when the individual contract for that session ends."

"Hmm, the only thing I signed was for actually signing up," I said.

Seth shrugged. "It's more of a verbal contract. One that Subspace takes very seriously. Look at the fine print on the menu," Seth said, pointing to the very bottom. "Every hour of play requires thirty minutes of recovery. Now that was in the signing up contract so it's not negotiable."

"This is incredibly detailed," I mumbled, squinting to read the ant-like words.

Ethan nodded. "It has to be. This is very important. Most people don't take care of themselves as is, so when doing something that can be extremely strenuous on the body it's necessary to do this. When you give blood, you have to stay in one spot and eat or drink something before you can leave. It's pretty much the same thing."

"I see."

Seth went to the intercom on the wall and glanced back. "Orders please!"

"I guess I'll have meat, cheese, and crackers. Some grapes too, and a Smart Water," I supplied, passing the menu to Ethan.

"I'll just have the same," Ethan said, putting the menu down.

Once it was out of the way, he scouted closer to me, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me into his lap, snuggling his face into my neck.

We'd settled on a small, leather couch with folded blankets on top. It was something I hadn't noticed upon the first inspection of the room. Being naked, wrapped in a blanket with Ethan was more calming than expected after what we just did.

I rested my head on Ethan's shoulder and wrapped my arms and legs around his body. "I want to burrow into you and stay there," I whispered against his neck.

He gave a gentle groan of approval as he continued to caress my back in circular motions.

When Seth was finished ordering, he joined us, sitting behind me. "Give me some more blankets," he grumbled, nuzzling his cheek against my back and placing kisses against my shoulder blades.

This was different. Far different than any snuggling we'd done before. This was intimacy on a different level and the realization of that forced me to swallow the huge knot that lodged into my throat. I didn't even know I was crying until my tears pooled into Ethan's shoulder. I knew they could hear and feel the gentle sobs that wrenched through my body, but they didn't ask if I was okay. They didn't question my response at all.

The level of trust we'd hit was so foreign to me. I hadn't even achieved that with Ethan and I'd known him forever.

"Cass, you were amazing tonight. Thank you for doing this for us," Seth said around the gentle kisses he hadn't stopped placing on my back.

"You're thanking me?" I laughed, pulling away from Ethan's shoulder so I could lean back and rest the back of my head on Seth's. He brushed his cheek against mine and hummed his answer against me. "Well, thank you for letting me be a part of it!"

"You're welcome. This is part of the aftercare, showing our appreciation for what went on, the freedom that was allowed," Seth said softly.

I raised an eyebrow and turned my head enough so that my forehead rested against his. "Oh."

The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It was comfortable. It felt like a place I could belong to forever. The desire, the pleasure, the appreciation, the communication--it was on a level I never expected. It was something I hadn't realized I needed until it happened.

"What are you thinking?" Ethan asked.

I hummed with content. "That I'd like to do this again before you leave. I didn't know--"

"Leave?" Seth interrupted. "Who is leaving?"

I felt Ethan stiffen as Seth pulled away. Biting my lip, I tried to hide my face. "Ethan is. I thought--I mean I saw that he got accepted to intern in London so I--"

"You applied for something all the way out in London? For how long?"

Ethan took a deep, shaking breath. "Six months. I couldn't turn it down."

Seth stood up and I was forced to watch the interaction. "I'm sorry. I thought he knew and you both hadn't told me yet," I whispered, bowing my head. The warmth that had once been there melted away.

"I didn't know anything about it. Don't you think I should have though? I mean, we're in a relationship. We have to talk about these things. When do you leave?" Seth asked through gritted teeth.

"I can get an early flight and leave in two weeks, but the program starts in about a month."

Seth cursed. "Why did you tell Cassie and not me? Why wait until the last minute?"

"I didn't tell Cassie. I don't know how she found out!"

I swallowed. "I didn't mean to pry. It's not like you were hiding your opened mail. It was on the desk just before we left to come to Subspace. I saw the congratulations on it and kept reading."

"Do we not have any say in whether you go or not?" Seth asked.

"Not that we don't want you to go, Ethan. Seth, it's something he's wanted his entire life. We aren't stopping. You should go, but maybe you should've told us sooner is all. Right, Seth?" I said, glancing at Seth.

One thing I knew about Seth is he didn't like things changing too much. It's why he still hadn't moved in with Ethan. It's one of the reasons he was so against me carrying a baby for a family that couldn't have one. The uncertainty and danger that came with any type of change were frightening. Seth's had to deal with the downside of change too often. I understood his fear since it was mine as well, but I also knew we couldn't let our hiccups get in the way of Ethan's dream.

"You're okay with him leaving us for sixth months to go to London?" Seth asked, his eyebrows rising into his hairline.

"It's not that I want him to go. He needs to go. Sixth months is long, but not when it allows Ethan to pursue his dream career."

"Let's get some take out and discuss this at my apartment," Ethan said softly.

"No. I'm getting an Uber. You guys discuss it," Seth said, his voice tight with a wave of anger he was trying to hold in.

"Seth, we have to talk about this," Ethan called out to him, but Seth had already gotten dressed and was darting out of the door.

"Ethan, give him tonight to think it over. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to--"

Ethan turned towards me, his eyes wild. "Things change and he has to learn how to deal with it. He can't be the only one doing things with his life. He knows what I'm studying. He knows anything worthwhile in this field is starting connections overseas. Sure I should've said something sooner, but he's not an idiot. An idiot wouldn't be anywhere near taking his Bar exam. Why does he act like this?"

"There are times when you're so understanding about a situation and times when you're not. It's the same with everyone. This was a trigger for him because he loves you. Maybe he doesn't know what to do without you... you've been together so long. Give him this time to adjust because it is a big life decision and then we can talk."

Ethan's shoulders expanded as he heaved a heavy sigh and ran his fingers through his hair. "Okay. Do you want me to take you home? Do you need time to think about my life as well?"

"Ethan, don't be that way. You both have invested three years of your life into each other. You're a unit plus one now. It's not just huge for you, but for us too," I paused, watching his face, "To answer your question, no. I want to spend as much time with you as possible before you go. If it's okay with you, that is."

Ethan gave a lopsided smile and reached for my hand, pulling me to my feet. He wrapped his arms around me and settled his chin on top of my head. "It's definitely okay with me."

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