Page 117 of A is for Aftercare

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I take Archie to one of the guest bedrooms, which I've already set up with everything we'll need for our play session. The lights are low, and there's a massage table set up in the centre of the room. There's a table next to it, with a heavy glass beer mug containing isopropyl alcohol, a candle, and a wand that I've made from a metal fondue fork, with cotton gauze secured around the end with pure cotton thread. There's also a folded pure cotton towel. Lastly, there's a bucket of sand on the floor. Archie looks at me with excited but questioning eyes.

I motion to the bed, and we sit together. I gather his hands into mine and stare into his eyes as I talk to him with a calm and reassuring voice.

“If you’re willing, I thought I’d introduce you to fire play tonight.”

“Fire play?”

“Yes. It’s a form of sensory play. I’ll warm your skin with fire and treat you to a relaxing massage with plenty of aftercare when I’m done.”

“Sounds amazing.”

"It should be," I say. "We need to talk safety before we begin."

Archie nods. “Of course.”

“I won’t intentionally burn you, but there is a chance that it could happen by accident.” I squeeze his hands. “We won’t go any further if you’re not comfortable.”

“I’m a little nervous,” Archie admits. “But I’m also intrigued. And I trust you, Sir. I know you’d never do anything to hurt me that I haven’t agreed to in advance. Plus, I have my safewords, so if I’m not having fun, I can let you know.”

I smile. “For the most part, I’ll hold the lit wand close enough to your skin that you can feel the heat without the flames ever touching you.”

Archie nods in understanding.

"But there are some techniques where I'll put burning alcohol on your skin or even swat you with the end of the wand. Your safety is my priority, Archie. I won't let the fire stay on your skin for more than three seconds. I'll aim to make you relax, not burn you. Are you happy to go on?"

“Yes, Sir.”

“Then undress and lie face down on the massage table.”

I remain seated while Archie stands and slowly strips, taking off everything except his glasses and the delicate collar around his neck. He lies on the massage table, and I give him a minute to shuffle and adjust himself.

"Comfy?" I ask once he's still.

“Yes, Sir.”

“Even with your glasses on?”

He chuckles. The way he’s lying has made his glasses crooked on his face. “I prefer to keep them on if that’s okay, Sir?”

“Of course. You know I find them sexy.”

He smiles, watching me as I drape the towel over my shoulder. “What’s that for, Sir?”

“Safety. I can use it to smother the fire if it accidentally gets away from me.”

His eyebrows twitch together.

“Are you still happy to continue?”

He takes a breath, and his forehead relaxes. “Yes, Sir.”

I will never cease to be awed by the amount of trust he's willing to place in me every time we play.

“Then let’s begin. You can watch or close your eyes, whichever you’d prefer.”

I light the candle and then lift the wand, dipping the cotton gauze in the alcohol. I use the lip of the pint glass to squeeze the gauze, one side, then the other until no drips are coming from it. Next, I light the gauze with the candle flame.