As promised, as soon as Johnny told him that he understood and they covered everything he’d said, he lifted himself upright and bent at the waist just enough to grab Johnny by the neck and shoulder with one hand. They got the paper and got settled at the couch and Dallas gave him a good boy before reading the essay. The grammar made it difficult, but Dallas knew Johnny and he cared, so he took his time and read through it. He understood. With a few nods, he set the paper aside and leaned in closer, taking one of the submissive’s hands and placing it on the Dominant’s shoulder because he knew he’d get no resistance. Dallas wouldn’t let himself take what he wanted from Johnny because he felt he didn’t deserve the submissive, but he had no problem with dominating him to take care of him when he needed it. Dallas didn’t mind doing anything for Johnny, he’d give the other man his last dollar and the shirt off his own back. Nobody else could say that, and nobody else could talk through anything with Dallas. He wouldn’t listen. Leaning in close, he rested his cheek against Johnny’s and spoke quietly. “You’re real smart, Johnny. This is real good, your teacher is an idiot. We’re gonna start there and you’re gonna tell me that you’re smart and here’s why– because you deserve it, you are smart, and you need to believe in yourself so you can get that across to the rest’a these pieces of shit out here. Your teacher has one job and it ain’t bein’ done, that’s not your fault. You’re gonna graduate with everyone else, we’re all on the same page now. Your next paper, you’re gonna bring to me. All you gotta do is leave your directions for the assignment out on the table, I’ll see it. I’ll help ya, and I’ll look it over before ya hand it in.” His hand found the submissive’s free hand and entwined their fingers. “I’m right here, all you gotta do is tell me when you need somethin’. Anythin’. Any time. Trust me, like you say you do. Like I know you do. I will always give you everythin’ you need and I will always make it easy. Now keep your hands where they are, let me help you up into my lap. We’re gonna sit here for a minute, then we’ll worry about food and shit.”
The nerves built as Dallas read over the paper, and Johnny’s hands began squeezing at the Dominant’s thighs, almost unintentionally, trying to place his energy somewhere but not wanting to disobey by moving from the position he’d been put in. Trying to focus his mind anywhere but on how badly he felt, Johnny continued to stare up at Dallas. In his mind, he wondered what might happen if he were to just take what he wanted for the first time in his life, what the consequences might be, and what Dallas might do. He’d almost convinced himself to go for it, to try it, but the fear of ruining what he had with the other held him back. It was better to have a little bit of Dallas Winston than it was to have none. Johnny snapped to attention when the Dominant moved, and when his skin brushed his own, he shivered again, but remained in place. He listened while Dallas spoke, opening his mind to all that the Dominant was saying. Nodding, he took in a breath and prepared himself to say what Dallas had instructed him to say. “Yes Sir. I’m smart.” He repeated, his voice as quiet as it ever had been, but his eyes remained steady. “Thank you, Sir. That...I’m sorry. I’m sorry that’s what you’ve gotta do for me. But thank you for being willing to do it.” Dallas hand found his, and Johnny gave himself easily, no hesitation and no second thought. Johnny took the words he was hearing to heart. They rang in his ears, and against his own will he began to associate them with the other feelings he was having. The feeling of wanting to test what might happen if he were to make some kind of move. That wasn’t in his character, not with anyone else, not in any other part of his life. But here was Dallas Winston, the Dominant and man Johnny trusted more than anyone else, telling him he could have anything he wanted. Dallas hadn’t ever denied him anything before, and in fact had always gone above and beyond to make sure that Johnny was on as even of a playing field with everyone else as he could have been. He nodded at Dallas direction, keeping their hands intertwined while he moved to sit in the man’s lap. Even this wasn’t necessarily unusual for them, and he began feeling even more comfort than he had. Johnny studied the Dominant’s profile, heart pounding while he debated what he’d do next. Nodding, he opened his mouth, closed it, then opened it again. “Dal...” He began, holding his breath. Without saying more, he leaned forward quickly before he could second guess his own self, kissing Dallas on the cheek, then righting himself so quickly he had to ask even himself if it had happened. His grip tightened and his eyes squeezed shut for a moment while he tried to prepare for whatever was to come.