[ Unlike in other circumstances Fraser doesn't even realize he's doing it for any other reason than to lay out the truth. It's just that the truth so often sounds like guilt tripping. The result is the same either way; Ray seems to at last accept his proposal, but only after keeping Fraser on ice for a few seconds longer.

Okay. Okay, this is progress.

Which is why he tilts his head abruptly at Ray's suggestion. That isn't how it works, is it? Do submissives get to make suggestions for rules? That sounds counterproductive. He blinks, twice, then takes another step forward. There's still half the room between them, but the flight risk has passed, at least for the time being. ]

I don't think that's necessary, Ray. Besides, without your commentary I suspect we'd have some difficulty making progress at all.