AN: pumping out chapters like I'm getting paid for it. Sadly, I'm not. I don't even own these characters! Once again thanks to Peggy for proofreading If you're enjoying this story, please leave a review and let me know! It doesn't have to be long or worded professionally, just let me know what you liked and maybe what you'd like to see in future chapters!

(To the readers who are new to or aren't knowledgeable in BDSM: I'll be using a lot of BDSM terms from here on out. I'm going to start doing a small glossary section at the end of each chapter with definitions/explanations of the terms/acts/tools mentioned. They'll be marked with an asterisk (*) as per fanfic norm.)

"Would you really be okay with never having sex with me and never meeting up like this again?" His gaze was intense, but Malik didn't shrink away from it. "You wouldn't feel angry, or betrayed, or bitter if I said 'no' to a sexual relationship?"

"Of course I wouldn't."

"Then I suppose I've found myself a Dom worth keeping."

The words rang in Malik's ears like a fire alarm, not fully registering what was said for several seconds. Had he even heard Seto correctly, or was his brain playing tricks on him?

He was obviously surprised, judging by his expression; wide eyes, mouth slightly agape, brows arching high. Seto watched, amused, tilting his head curiously. "Why Malik, you seem surprised at that. Did you think I wasn't interested in being your sub?"

Malik shook off his surprise. He acted nonchalant, leaning back in his seat and stretching his arms over the back of the booth seat. "You have to admit, those questions leading up to that didn't exactly scream 'dominate me'."

Seto hummed an acknowledgement, taking a sip of his coffee. "I suppose so. I just wanted to make extra sure I could trust you to accept a 'no'." Trust did not come easily for Seto, and he didn't really have a reason to trust Malik as much as he did. To be so willing to enter a relationship based solely on trust was startling to Seto, and the irony didn't escape him. Therefore, he had to test Malik to make sure he was worthy of that trust, however misplaced. He supposed he could take Malik's word for it.

Malik nodded in understanding, though he seemed a bit annoyed that he'd been lead on. "What kind of person would I be if I didn't accept a 'no'?" He couldn't think of anything he had said or done to give Seto the impression that he wouldn't accept a no, nor did he think Seto had any reason to doubt him. Since day one he had done his absolute best to be open and honest with him, and he was a little offended that Seto didn't seem to think he was trustworthy after all.

"Exactly." Another sip of coffee, his lips lingering on the rim of the cup as he thought of his words carefully. "I don't want to enter a relationship where I can't trust my partner, especially if BDSM is involved. The amount of trust I need to place on you… If I intend to submit to you, I have to know that you have my best interests in mind, and that you won't take advantage of me. I don't tolerate being forced, coerced, manipulated, or guilt tripped into anything I don't want to do. Do you understand?"

"Of course." Malik drank from his own cup, licking his top lip when he was done. For a moment he stared down into his coffee cup, watching the whipped cream further melt into the beverage. He supposed he could follow Seto's train of thought. After all, they'd only spoken online before this. "I guess I can't blame you for that." He lifted his eyes to meet Seto's, smiling to show he understood. "I wouldn't want you to feel like you can't trust me. But you have my word that I will do nothing to force, coerce, manipulate, or guilt trip into anything you don't want to do. Your 'no' is final."

"Are you willing to sign a contract to that affect?"

Malik looked at him with a bemused expression; one eyebrow arched and mouth a lopsided grin. "Depends. Will it be legally binding?"

"You know that BDSM contracts don't hold up in court. Though now I'm tempted to get my lawyer to make one that is."

Though Seto's tone was stern, Malik could tell by the way the corners of his mouth curled up that he was teasing. He tsk'ed and shifted positions again, crossing his arms on the table in front of him and leaning on them. "You don't have to get me to sign any contracts. You have my word that as your Dom, I will do nothing to violate your limits or boundaries, and that all your 'no's and safe words will be respected."

Seto practically purred. "Good. I'll hold you to that, you know."

"I know you will."

They met each other's gaze, holding it for several long seconds, desire sparking between them once more. Seto was the first one to break it, turning to look down at the briefcase on the seat beside him. He supposed this was as good a time as any to bring this up… He cleared his throat.

"Now that that's out of the way, I figure it's wise to discuss our limits*," he said, his voice taking on his customary no-nonsense tone to hide the desire he felt. He brought his suitcase to his lap, retrieving a stack of forty or so sheets of paper from inside. They had already discussed some of their likes and dislikes online; their biggest turn on's and hardest limits, but they hadn't discussed everything. Only the things that were relevant to the current conversation.

"I took the liberty of printing off the most complete checklist of limits I could find," Seto explained, closing the briefcase and laying the stack of paper between them. Malik stared at it unsurely. "Relax, I printed it off four times," he added, seeing Malik's look. "This way we can both have a copy of our own and each other's limits, and we can update them as needed." He removed the paperclip keeping the pages together. He'd already stapled each copy together, and he passed two of the stacks to Malik.

Malik shook his head and immediately began scanning over the first page. "You're more prepared than I am. You're making me look bad."

Seto smirked himself, taking out two pens from a pocket inside his jacket. "I am a businessman. Besides, I would rather over prepare for this and know exactly what I'm getting into, rather than letting you have your way with me without any discussion at all and hope for the best."

Malik snickered, glancing up at him. "You want to fill these out now? There's like, twenty things on each page."

"We don't have to fill them out right this second, or even today. I admit I would prefer to fill them out together so we can discuss or compromise on some things, but it's not absolutely necessary."

Malik hummed thoughtfully, on the second page now. He didn't even know what some of this stuff was. Catheterization*? He didn't even know how to pronounce that, let alone what it was. "Uh…I'd like it if we filled these out together, too," he said, brows scrunching. "Preferably after a bit of research."

Seto gave him an appreciative, though somewhat amused, look. "Then, if you're free tomorrow morning, perhaps we can meet up again and fill them out?"

Malik couldn't help but snicker again at this, and he glanced up from his papers. "Well, well, look at you. I'm the Dom here, and yet you're making all the plans and arrangements."

Seto feigned a glare at him. "You'll find I am much more than my sexual preferences, Malik. I do run a business, after all. Making plans and arranging meetings is a daily task of mine, one I am quite good at." He smirked then, finishing off his coffee. "Besides, what is it they always say? The sub is ultimately the one who's in control."

"I think that's in reference to scenes*, not lunch dates."

The glare was back. "Do you have a better idea?"

Malik chewed his lip, pausing for a moment to think. "Actually… Yeah, kind of."

Seto cocked an eyebrow to indicate interest. Malik caught the look, pursing his lips as he thought about how to phrase it. "Well… If you're free for the rest of the day, we can go back to my place. Lots of privacy there. We can fill the checklists out, looking things up as needed; maybe have some dinner if it gets that late. If we finish filling out the checklists, we can see what happens from there." As he spoke, his tone got lower and more suggestive, leaning over the table so he was closer to Seto. Seto found himself subconsciously leaning in as well, not realizing it until he felt Malik's warm breath on his cheek. His cheeks reddened and he sat back, clearing his throat quickly.

Malik grinned when he saw how flustered that had made Seto, a bit surprised it had been that easy to make him blush. Oh, playing with him was going to be so much fun. "Well, sound good? By all means, we can do it your way…but do you really want strangers to accidentally overhear just how much you want to be tied up and spanked?"

Seto glanced up at him, not looking pleased. Malik did have a point, and he hated to admit it, but he was right. If even one person overheard him discussing potential scenes, he'd be ruined if they opened their big mouth. Even now he glanced around to make sure no one was listening in, even though the coffee shop was empty all for one hipster with their headphones on. "I…"

Being alone with Malik, nothing but their inhibitions keeping them from reenacting their hottest Skype calls… The thought was tempting- extremely tempting- and he was curious as to how the night would progress between them. If they ended up in bed together, vanilla or kinky, he would be happy as long as the checklists were filled out. And besides, he had already let Mokuba know he might not be back until the morning, so he didn't see the harm in going over, perhaps even spending the night…

Seto smirked for what felt like the twentieth time that night. "Alright, then we'll go to your place."

Malik grinned in return, resting his chin on the palm of his hand. "Glad you see it my way."

*Limits: Generally used to refer to acts, scenes, or fetishes that people are unwilling to partake in (but are not limited to BDSM). Saying that something is a hard limit means that it should not be done, and that the person stating the limit is totally unwilling to consent to it. A soft limit is something that people are hesitant or apprehensive about trying, or something that they are only willing to consent to if certain conditions are met. As a very vanilla example, some people view penetrative anal sex as a hard limit, while more "casual" anal stimulation such as annalingus with dental dams is a soft limit.

*Catheterization: Bathroom use control, usually involving medical catheters inserted into the area controlled by the bladder. (A hard limit for Malik, Seto, and the author, lol.)

*A scene/scenes: The stage or setting where BDSM activity takes place, as well as the act itself. It is almost always discussed and planned out in advance by one or all parties involved, with a defined beginning, middle, and end. An elaborate sexual play, if you will.