It really boggles me though that someone could reblog my post which is entirely about the dubious-consent-as-romance-novel-trope element of Heated Rivalry with a "I agree, but I don't think they're kinky at all."
That person was blocked, by the way, for a few reasons, but they apparently live rent-free in my head, because:
...what do you think that dubious-consent-as-romance-trope IS?
The idea of someone being able to look at you and immediately know that, despite your protestations and show of reluctance, you really do actually want this, is a KINK fantasy.
It's specifically a D/s trope, because it involves the dominant overruling/ignoring the express wishes of the submissive for his own (with the unspoken understanding that the submissive is into it). Dubcon and CNC are D/s fantasies.
And honestly, there are a lot of kinks packed into those five episodes. Off the top of my head, I can think of examples for: obedience, exhibitionism, voyeurism, manhandling, orgasm denial/teasing, cockwarming, glasses, roleplay, and cnc.
I do get why a casual non-kinkster might not see it this way, because it is different from the tawdry, showy version we tend to see in themed HBO shows or police procedurals. We don't see whips and chains and leather suits (possibly because, with four or five encounters a year and never staying the night, they don't have TIME for that shit. Also, how do you explain having that in your luggage if you get searched at the airport? These men ARE famous, remember.)
But I shouldn't be able to list 9 kinks off the top of my head, if this series was really vanilla. And if the idea of these guys being kinky bothers you, then maybe you should do some contemplating about why that is.
gamechangershow
romaincrisis
gummygunk
prguitarman
turnnoffyourmind
ellievsbear
