Chapter Text
Lights are low in the stage room as Steve sweeps through the bodies. The plastic solo cup of water Robin sent him to fetch is cold against his chest, grounding against the heat and business of the people. She wasn't lying, this is definitely different from a munch. On the upside, Steve feels like he melts into the background much easier in this environment. He's not stopped for conversation as he makes his way out the "old front door" as Robin called it. Outside a small, brightly lit shed stands Robin.
Steve envies her choice to bring a thick cloak-like cover for the night. His own black mini dress doesn't do much to keep him warm, and his heeled ankle boots are killing him. Robin seems to read his sour expression perfectly as she pulls back the plastic liner to let them both into the shed.
"The heater has real fire in it, so be careful," she warns as she takes the cup.
"I don't even get a 'thank you'?" Steve grouses.
More people in various states of dress are spread through the area. Most have a vape or cigarette in hand, while a few are taking sneaky drags off pens. Technically, it's not legal, so the venue can't allow it on the premises because of liability. Steve's just about to curse himself for forgetting his vape inside when it appears in front of him.
"Don't bite the hand that feeds you, bitch." Robin's smirk undercuts her thoughtfulness, so Steve simply rolls his eyes and takes a hit.
The mint is sharp in his mouth as he steps back towards a wall near the heater. He looks around the small group through the screen of his cloud. Majority of them are sat on the provided benches and camping chairs, invested in a woman telling some story about someone who performed the week before. She looks familiar, but Steve can't quite put his finger on it until he turns to ask Robin. She's has full-on heart eyes as she watches from Steve's side. Everything clicks into place when the woman's arm extends without looking their direction, and Robin practically drifts over to her lap.
The woman's name is Alyssa, the same one Robin's been talking about non-stop for the last couple months. It's been nothing but gushing about how kind and funny she is. Steve knows all about how they met after an impact demo when Robin approached after to ask some questions. The gushing really started in the last three weeks, now that they're hanging outside of the club more often. Steve would call them dates, Robin would squawk at him for even suggesting such an outrageous idea.
Before the sinking feeling of being left alone in a group can really sink in, Alyssa extends her arm once more. It's casual, continuing her conversation without pause as she waits patiently. Somehow, it's one of the most intimidating things to happen in the last hour of being at the venue. But he looks to Robin, sat snugly in the woman's side, who nods encouragingly.
A few people on Robin's other side are shooed back so Steve can stand beside her. An anchoring hand finds his bare thigh, wrapped securely with short nails biting his skin just enough to keep him from feeling like he'll float away. Alyssa doesn't seem phased by Steve's preference for Robin's side over hers. She's busy laughing at a joke from a tall blonde sat on one of the benches. Steve lets his mind wander, a moment to himself as he plays with Robin's half-up-half-down hair.
Steve had done her hair after she picked out his outfit — not without some self-conscious push-back on Steve's end — and he kept it fairly simple. Two braids pull from her temple away from her curtain bangs in a halo, ending in a ponytail. She still wanted some flowy interest, so he left the bottom half of her hair down to brush against the top of her undone checkered button-up. The leather harness across her chest had been Steve's project to clean while she got herself ready. It looked pretty damn good against her lightly tanned skin, especially since she ditched the sports bra once they arrived. The distressed jeans seemed against the point of a BDSM club until she explained she most likely wouldn't be doing any scenes since it's Steve's first time. She doesn't want to be separated from him like that; Steve will never admit to the prickle in his eyes at her thoughtfulness.
The style picked for Steve seems a lot more inline with a BDSM club, even though he keeps having to pull the dress down to keep his entire ass from hanging out. Thankfully he'd built up the confidence in the years since he was in high school to dress feminine without feeling like an imposter. The top surgery right after graduation definitely helped, a final fuck you to his parents before he ditched the small town for the big city with Robin. Still, a new environment with such revealing and distinctly "woman" clothes rubbed at that inner voice a little. Robin's pep talk about how many queer and trans and non-conforming people helped, especially once he saw it with his own eyes. It made the short ankle-boot heels feel less glaringly outrageous on his body, and the knowledge he was wearing black lace boyshorts faded to the back of his mind. In place of the harness, Steve let Robin do some smudged eyeliner, lip stain and gloss, and a plethora of jewelry. His everyday lyre necklace is framed by a long chain necklace, with some dainty necklaces wrapped around his wrists to be matching bracelets. His hair was artfully messed up at least three different times before he deemed it satisfactory.
The urge to use his dark phone screen to check his hair is pushed away as Robin squeezes his thigh a couple times. The story must've concluded as people dispersed into their own conversations around them. Robin looks up at Steve with slightly narrowed eyes and a tight mouth, only relaxing when Steve lightly squeezes the back of her neck once.
Alyssa watches the exchange with a curious patience, a small smile playing at her dark-lined lips. Her whole style seems to be gothic, now that Steve is looking closer. Her apron belly and large chest hugged by a velvety body suit, sleeves that look like bat wings draped over her arms, sheer tights decorated with gothic crosses and roses — she kind of reminds Steve of a fat Morticia Addams. She even has the long curtain of shiny black hair. If Robin wasn't obsessed with her, Alyssa's the kind of person Steve would definitely have wet dreams about.
Steve must've been staring for a while. Alyssa's chuckle startles him a bit as she says, "It's nice to finally meet you, Birdie has told me a lot about you. Do you like handshakes?"
"Oh, um. Sure. I'm St—" He clears his throat as he remembers the whole conversation he'd insisted on having about protecting his identity. "Orchid. My name's Orchid."
"A pretty name for a pretty boy."
Heat flashes across his cheeks as he shakes the manicured hand offered. A hip check to Robin's shoulder for her snickering ears an elbow to his leg. He flicks her forehead and she pinches his hip and then they devolve into a petty slap fight until Alyssa clears her throat. They settle into narrow-eyed glares for a moment before turning their attention back to Alyssa.
"How long have you been in the scene, Orchid?"
"I've been to a couple munches, but this is my first time at a club." He doesn't miss the way Robin's nose scrunches at the mention of the munches. "Other than that, I've done a lot of research, but haven't been involved until a few months ago."
It seems Alyssa didn't miss Robin's expression, either. "Did you enjoy the munches?"
"Ah… They're not really my scene, no pun intended." Steve relishes in the chuckle he pulls from the woman at his joke.
"I'm sorry you didn't enjoy them. They're not for everyone, for sure. Some people just need to find their circle to go with, others don't enjoy them much at all."
"You did like that class, though," Robin chimes in. "The 101 in July or August?"
"Oh yeah! That was really fun, actually. I knew a lot of the basics, but it was nice to learn the social rules. And the teacher was really nice."
"That's good, classes are very important. Are there any kinks you're particularly interested in?"
The questions shouldn't catch him off guard, but it does. It's a kink party, kink is going to be talked about. Hell, Steve saw a guy getting stepped on by a tall woman like ten minutes after walking in. This shouldn't be embarrassing. It's not embarrassing. Still, he looks around to find most of the people have gone back inside before he answers in a quieter voice.
"Um, impact is a lot of fun. Sensory stuff, too."
Robin reaches for his leg again and squeezes with a small smile. This is a completely normal conversation in this setting.
"I love topping for impact and I've done a few sensory scenes as well. I also enjoy ageplay and petplay."
Steve eyes snap to Robin, who is already watching him. They've talked about it before. Steve's history of interest and the one relationship he actually got to explore it with another person. Robin's solo play and warning that it's a bit controversial within some parts of the community. Middle of the night links sent to each other of pacifiers and sippy cups, the shared look every time one of them bought a stuffed animal at the store.
Alyssa's eyes burn into him, though he's sure she doesn't mean for them to. Robin isn't surprised by the topic being brought up. If anything, she must've been anticipating it. She wouldn't knowingly put Steve in an unsafe situation.
Steve can't muster the courage to voice his own interest before the thick plastic flaps are smacked open behind him. He damn near jumps out of his skin as he throws his head to look. A tall, slender man is strolling in, decked out in a fishnet top and ripped jeans just like Robin's. Chunky silver decorates his hands and neck, glinting as he bobs his head and mimics a guitar riff no one but he can hear. He stops when he sees the three of them, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
"Morticia, Birdie!"
"Kas, I was just thinking of you."
Alyssa extends her hand as the man dramatically bows to kiss her knuckles. Robin gets the same treatment. He straightens when he reaches Steve.
"And who is this lovely creature?"
That heat returns as those big eyes roam Steve's face. The smell of high quality leather wafts in the air, mixing with something floral he can't put his finger on. It's an odd smell, but it mixes well.
"That's Orchid, he's new," Robin offers in his place.
Kas's arms sweep out as he does another deep bow with a silly grin.
"Welcome to the house of sin!"
Steve can't help but laugh at the dramatics. It brightens Kas's smile as he straightens up again. He holds out a hand, palm up, and Steve places his own on top. Kas's lips are warm as they touch gently to his skin.
"It's nice to meet you, Orchid."
Alyssa's hand snaps out against the back of Kas's thigh and he releases Steve with a yelp.
"Yes, yes. You're very charming and sweet, now sit down and leave that poor boy alone."
Kas follows the orders with a pout as he plops down on the bench on Alyssa's free side. Steve uses a hit of his vape to hide his amusement at the man's expense. Robin does no such thing as she giggles shamelessly. However, one raised eyebrow from the intimidating woman is enough to quiet her down, which is very new to Steve. That will definitely be stored in the Give Robin Shit Bank for later.
"So, Orchid, what's your poison?"
The smoke in his mouth buys him time to get over the renewed surprise at the directness of the question. It's different with Kas — a man he knows nothing about — than the woman Robin waxes poetic about. As he blows it out, he reaches down to adjust his dress again. Robin gives another encouraging squeeze.
Steve tries to inject some confidence in his voice as he says, "Impact and sensory."
Excitement colors Kas's wide eyes and bright smile. "Ah, my specialties! Do you bottom or top?"
"I've really only bottomed." There's moment of tightness in his chest. Is bottoming for that stuff something that isn't considered manly? Will he think Steve's even less of a man, on top of the way he's dressed? Why is Steve even worried about this?
"Hell yeah, man. I top, personally. But I wouldn't be able to top if bottoms didn't exist, y'know?"
"There's a shortage of silly Tops, we can't lose you to the bottom shortage," Robin says with a sagely nod.
"It's all about fun for me. No shame on the serious people, but for me, if you can't laugh then what's the point?"
"I like that. It's intimidating when it's all 50 Shades of Grey."
Steve's comparison is met with enthusiatic agreements from the group.
"50 Shades of Grey is a scorch mark on the community," Alyssa sighs.
"As if there wasn't enough hate for us," Eddie groans. "On top of the in-fighting about what consenting adults do with each other and the morals of kink."
"We're already godless heathens, what does our brand of heathenry matter?"
"Who cares if I want to take care of my partner and like to be called Daddy? Ageplay is really just a corruption kink dressed up in pastels when it's sexual. And when it's not, it's just a different way of relaxing and finding structure and routine. I mean, who can hate on cartoons and soft blankets and juice?!"
"God forbid a girl calls me Mommy and I spoil her with comforts. I must be a horrible person for listening to her wants and needs."
As she says it, the arm Alyssa has around Robin's waist squeezes. Red spreads across Robin's face, and Steve can't blame her. It all sounds so wonderful, he would kill to have that relaxation and care again. If it wasn't Robin, Steve would honestly be a little jealous she has a real chance of having it herself. Instead, he's just glad she gets the opportunity to explore it with someone who enjoys it so much.
"What about you Orchid? What's your stance on the ageplay debate?"
Despite the relaxed smile, Kas's eyes are laser-focused on Steve's. A chill runs through him as the feeling of a mouse who's tail is under a cat's paw takes over. Luckily, he's able to be truthful, though he's still not used to talking about it.
"I believe what we do as consenting adults is our own business. We deserve to choose what we do with our bodies."
That relaxed smile grows into a prideful grin and warmth settles in Steve's stomach. Robin looks up at him in the corner of his eye and he hopes she won't mention the redness in his cheeks. More smoke fills his lungs to give his mouth something to do other than chew his nails. It blows out above him and he watches it curl in the yellow lights of the shed.
"And that mentality is what should be driving the community. Well said, Orchid."
"Thank you," Steve murmurs as he breaks eye contact to look at Kas's boots. They could use a little love. He wonders what routine Kas has for the leather, if any.
"Very polite," Alyssa praises. Steve might melt into the floor.
Robin stands from Alyssa's lap, taking Steve's hand and dragging towards the plastic drapes. "Pee break!" she throws over her shoulder as she squeezes them past some people filtering in. A set of indulgent chuckles are almost too much and Steve squeezes Robin's hand in thanks for the break from attention.
Music and heat wash over the two as they make their way back inside the main building. Some slowed down version of a rock song is playing over the speakers as Robin snatches her tote bag from the row of hanging racks. Luckily, the big bathroom is open and she wastes no time shoving him inside and locking the door behind her. The music is barely muffled and the bright light overhead makes him squint. He takes the tote so Robin can sit down and pee.
"What do you think of Alyssa?"
"She's sweet, very commanding but not in a controlling way. She's really pretty, too. Reminds me a lot of Morticia, if I'm being honest. But she seems like a really good match for you so far. Do you think she'd want to do a more vanilla hangout in a cafe or something?"
"Absolutely. I was thinking we go to that cafe across from work? The one with the really good muffins."
"As long as I get my peppermint mocha before they put it off the menu for the season."
Robin hums and cleans herself up. Steve busies himself with fixing his lipgloss and wiping away some mascara crumbs. He hopes no one's waiting on them. Or think they're fucking.
"What do you think of Kas?" She catches Steve's eye in the mirror. He stubbornly ignores the smirk dancing on her lips.
"He's eccentric." Robin hums and Steve sighs. "And I guess he's cute."
"He's a Daddy and a primal top. Seems right up your alley."
This time, Steve hums.
"Runs a record shop, huge nerd, flaming bisexual—"
"A total stranger, could be a murderer, out of my league."
"Love how being a murderer doesn't automatically disqualify him."
"Regardless," Steve sighs yet again, "I haven't dated in a while. I'm not sure I want my first step back into the dating world to be with someone who wants to whip me black and blue."
The silence after his statement pricks at his skin. Scrolling through his notications is Steve's only distraction from Robin's analytical look through the mirror. It's not as useful when she gently pushes the phone down and stands facing him.
"I wouldn't suggest someone I didn't think was safe for you, dingus. And I'm not telling you to jump right into bed, or even go on a date with him. I'm just saying he's a good fit for you, even as a friend. Try not to overthink it. You can trust me."
With a peck on his lips, she smiles and takes his hand. They make their way out of the bathroom as a bassy song starts over the speakers. Steve thinks he recognizes it from Robin's sole rock playlist, "Blackhole" or something like that. It's good, thumping through his chest just a bit as they take stock of the stage room. People are scening on the main floor.
A spanking bench is taken by a couple with the bottom laid out on their stomach, ass bared to the room. It's bright red with some welts from crop in the top's hand. Their mouth is occupied by the top's dick, as the top keep leaning over to suffocate them while they rain hellfire on their ass. A set of three is off to the side doing a floor tie; the one tied up is blissed out as the two tops caress them so lovingly with the rope. They occasionally share kisses over the bottom's head.
The stage, though, is taken over by a couple both wearing decorative rope ties on various parts of their bodies. One is on their hands and knees, ass to the air in a thong with a flipped up skirt. There's writing on their ass, though Steve can't make it out. What really catches his attention is the Top welcoming people to come up and select from an array of toys to either do some sensation play or impact with the bottom. And as someone rains a flurry of hits with a flogger, the bottom's head flies up and Steve can see a bit of what's covering their face. It's a leather mask with a detachable blindfold and detachable mouth cover, both snuggly in place. It's beautifully crafted from leather, the bright pink nicely constrasting the warm brown of their skin. A matching collar has a leash that's tied up to the folding table beside them, likely more for the mental play than physical restraint. An object for others to enjoy without knowing when or where it'll happen.
Steve squeezes his thighs together to curb the fire inside him.
It takes considerable strength to pull his gaze away. But when he does, it falls to a cushioned bench near the stage where those piercing brown eyes from earlier once again catch his own. Kas's head is tilted in curiosity as he watches Steve, and it takes so much not to hide behind his own hands as he realizes that he caught Steve drinking in the public scene. It's made worse by Robin pulling him in that direction, since Alyssa is sat beside Kas. She's engaged in a conversation with someone standing in front of them, but they're politely dismissed as she sees the two approaching. She grabs some pillows from behind the bench and sets them on the floor in front of her with a warm smile.
Kas hasn't stopped staring. Steve digs the nails of his free hand into his thigh to ground himself, but the pain only fans the flames in his belly.
Kas grins.