A/N: okay, I'm a little concerned that this is getting rather complicated - of course Gray remains the protagonist and the only one we get 1st person pov from, but there are many other characters we've had limited 3rd person pov from - because I feel like it's necessary for understanding the characters' personalities and therefore their subsequent interactions with Gray - plus I like giving them some personalities and desires so hopefully we care a little more about them.

But, is it too much? Is it hard to follow? I'm aware a lot of this is inside my head - is the setting and exposition clear?

* * * * *

On his first day as a trainee, River knocks nervously at Master François' huge wooden door as the yellow cab speeds off. No going back now. Unless he just hails a new one...But no, he isn't going to do that. 

River doesn't know why he feels this way, is confused by his reactions, but ready to explore them. 

Before Ellis had told him he was a submissive, and then, at Mat's prompting, told them some of what that actually means, River had never had any inkling he might even like something like that. Giving yourself up to someone else's whims? Allowing someone else to control you? Being whipped and hung upside down and stopped from coming? On the face of it, it wasn't his scene. River might be a bit shy and quiet, but he is confident in himself and the loss of power sounded daunting – yet somehow exciting too. 

Although River didn't know much about Ellis' childhood he'd long suspected that there was something...not great about it. Ellis didn't speak of family, and certainly never visited any. He had a full scholarship and worked part time in a music store to allow him some extra funds, but there was nothing coming from elsewhere. 

In contrast, River had had a picture-perfect childhood. One brother and one sister, both of whom he was still close to despite living hundreds of miles away. Popular in school, and smart. Plenty of girlfriends (of course, that was before...) and friends. Athletic and with loving parents, despite them having divorced when he was young – the kind of divorced parents that genuinely get along, not just for the sake of the children. 

He even loved his stepdad and his stepmom, who had brought two more, younger, step siblings who were sweet and fun and looked up to River. They lived in middle-class bliss, in a nice neighborhood with nice people. 

River could never have guessed he would get aroused at Ellis' descriptions of his Master looking after him. Even less so when Ellis had told Mat how sometimes his Master would take him over his knee and paddle him for answering back. C'mon, that should have been weird, not hot, right? 

But here he is. After just one night in the club. One night with Master Gray, who is hot as fuck on his own, but something else wielding a flogger. And he doesn't want to evaluate Mat's presence that night. Too complicated. Especially because it's thinking of his times with Mat – those friends with benefits situations they'd been in many times in the two years they'd known each other, where Mat had always led things, controlled things, that adds to his discomforting arousal at the mere idea of this. 

Luckily, before he can send himself insane with his own mind, Ellis throws open the huge door and pulls River into a fierce hug. 

"I'm so excited you're here!" he squeals. 

"Okay," River is not squealing back, not only because he isn't quite as over-excitable as Ellis, but also because he thinks he might vomit. 

"Nervous?" Ellis tips his head to the side, waiting for River's nod. "Do be. I'm not saying that to scare you, just that one of the things you'll learn is that you have to listen to yourself, listen to your body and your mind. It does no good to mask." 

A young man in a strangely smart suit comes into the hall and takes River's bag, disappearing up the stairs. 

"Allie is taking your bag to your room. I know, weird name for a butler, right? I'll show you later though. Master François wants to see us both first." 

They enter the den, a large comfortable space, where François is seated in a vast armchair that even manages to dwarf his huge frame. 

"Sit on the couch, boys. Right, River, you are here to discover what living as a submissive would mean, rather than simply getting a bit kinky in the bedroom. Ellis and I have intentionally not discussed this at all prior to your arrival, because we decided you seeing us discuss it would be a good learning experience for you. 

"Ellis, it's my thought that you will need to act fully submissive while River is in the house, in order to demonstrate the role." 

"Yes, Sir, I agree. Although I want us to behave as we normally do when he isn't here, and I would point out that if I make any transgressions that require punishment under that basis, but would not require punishment under our normal conditions, you can merely tell River that a punishment would occur rather than needing to carry it out." 

"Such as?" 

"Such as, if I forget and call you Suzu, which I am allowed to do normally, but which would require punishment under the full submissive role." 

"I understand. That is satisfactory. Now, River. You will of course be allowed to go to school for lessons, but if you want to do anything else you must ask permission. You must call me Master François or Sir when you address me, either is fine. You can continue to call Ellis Ellis. If you do anything that requires punishment that will be carried out by one of the other Doms, at the club." 

"Sir, if I may?" 

"Yes, Ellis?" 

"I have been thinking about my role in River's training. And I think we can possibly do some of the training in punishment and skills here, if I am allowed to be present." 

"And take part?" 

"Possibly. But only with River's approval." 

"That would be acceptable to me. River? You don't have to make your mind up straight away. Particularly as you were expecting this part of the arrangement to be somewhat...non-contact." 

River looks between them, wide-eyed. He wasn't expecting that. Ellis had told him that his master didn't do anything sexual with the subs he trained, but what is being discussed suddenly sounds very sexual indeed. 'Contact' in fact. And at Ellis' instigation. He chooses his words carefully. 

"Sir, and Ellis. I am theoretically amenable to that. But it is very important to me that the training you're giving me doesn't cause...conflict in your own relationship. It is my understanding that you don't normally do that..." 

He trails off, not sure how to continue the idea. 

"River, Master François used to train new subs in every aspect, from punishment to pleasure. I didn't like it much, but that was because I was kept completely separate from it. We have discussed it since, and I am okay with him doing it provided I can be present. Being trained can be a very emotional experience and my main reason for being willing to do that with you is because I want to be there for you, and I know Master François is the very best there is." 

"Okay, well I am okay with that then. But, I don't know, what if I'm uncomfortable later?" 

"River, if at any point the training makes you feel uncomfortable, you may discuss it with us – in fact you must discuss it with us. It's part of your agreement. If it happens during a training session you must safeword," Francois is severe. "With that in mind, have you chosen safewords?" 

"Yes, I thought Adagio for slow down and Coda for stop, as long as they're not too complex." 

François lets out a loud laugh. "I can manage that. They're the same as Ellis' – you musical boys! Right, if you are ready to begin, River, I thought Ellis could do some one to one with you on positions, and practice until you have them down. Ellis, you may use the playroom. And River, you must always ask if you're unsure. Do it politely and appropriately and you will never get punished for ensuring your understanding is clear." 

"Sir," Ellis whispers, "is the playroom...?" 

"Yes, baby, I put away all of the more intimidating apparatus." 

"Okay, thank you Sir. You ready River?" 

"I'm ready." 

* * * * * 

River understands the positions and learns them quickly; from waiting, which he already knows, to inspection, forgiveness, and punishment, as well as the occasions when they should be used. François is impressed when he comes to check on progress a short while later. River is a quick learner with excellent posture and Ellis is a good teacher. 

"River, I don't want to push you too far too quickly, but is there anything in particular you want to learn?" 

"Well, Sir, I'm wondering what to do with my hands?" 

François' face is a mask of incomprehension. 

"Sorry, Sir, I mean, normally, not during anything..." 

"Sir, I think what River is trying to ask, and correct me if I'm getting this wrong River, is that he's not sure what to do when it isn't during a scene. Like how he should behave just normally." 

"Okay, I see. Well it varies on the needs of the submissive. Some will look for a Dom who fully controls them, they aren't allowed to do a thing without their Dom's permission. They would stay in waiting at any time they hadn't received instruction. But I don't feel that's what you'd be looking for, so you want to know a general way to behave that is still submissive?" River nods. "Well, it's a difficult one to answer, because it very much depends on the expectations of the Dom, and what has been agreed. 

"For example, Ellis and I agree that when we're at home, he can call me Suzu, which is a nickname reserved only for him, and he doesn't need to avert his eyes. He will ask my permission to do something like change the television channel if we're both watching, or to have food or drink other than water. If I ask him to do something he will always obey, although he's within his rights to question politely why I want him to do it. If he wants friends to come, he'll ask, and if he wants to go out he'll ask." 

"What happens, Sir, if you say no?" 

"Well, I wouldn't say no, now, without having a reason, as that is what we've agreed, though some Doms retain the right to be completely arbitrary in order to demonstrate their power. For example, if Ellis asks if we can have popcorn while we're watching a film, but we have dinner plans shortly, I may say no, but I'll tell him why. Same if he wants someone to come over but if I'm working I may say no. I suppose the difference between us and a vanilla relationship is that I make the decision, and he will accept it. How does that sound?" 

"It sounds reasonable. To be honest, it sounds nice not to have to make those kind of decisions about my own wellbeing, though I feel a little weak for avoiding them. But I've lost count how many times I've eaten too close to dinner and ended up feeling nauseous, or seen friends when I know I should be focusing on school work instead." 

"River, you shouldn't feel weak for removing those kind of decisions. If anything, I find Sir having that control helps me with my decision-making skills, because I make better decisions on my own now, because I've learnt from him. And it also makes things less stressful, because I don't feel pulled in multiple directions," Ellis is eager to ensure River understands. 

"Sir, what is it you get out of it? I ask, because surely your life is more stressful because you have more decisions?" 

"I don't mind decisions, I wouldn't be a Dom if I did, just like you wouldn't be considering submission if you were eager to maintain control of them. But having a submissive who listens and follows what I say actually does make my life easier. And it's a very enjoyable feeling to have someone I know will be open and honest about how they feel and not 'play games'. Except, of course for the games we agree on, so there's obviously the sexual side of submission and dominance, which is highly enjoyable." 

"I like the sound of that." 

"Just remember, River, relationships take work and D/s relationships probably take even more, because of the level of trust that's needed. Master François and I weren't always at this stage, we had to work for it. If you choose to just work with a Dom rather than have a full relationship, the rules are harsher, but easier to understand, because you are always in sub-mode. Which of those options you end up going for, if either, is up to you." 

* * * * *

A/N: Sorry, it's another explanation-heavy chapter but the next one will be smutty. In fact, possibly even 'warning' smutty for kink, who knows ;-)