Martin is a sub. But no one hires subs as pilots, and no dom wants their sub working a dangerous job. So after his jealous, controlling doms sabotage one attempt at getting his CPL after another, Martin decides he doesn't need a relationship. He doesn't lie about being a sub, exactly, he just--doesn't bring it up.
Except that one day, for whatever reason, Douglas sees him without his shirt. Martin has scars--the kinds of scars that only subs get, if they have careless or cruel doms. Realizing that Martin is a sub, all Douglas's protective dom instincts kick into high gear--Martin lives in a moldy attic! Martin's tired and malnourished! He's been hurting Martin's feelings, when he ought to have been looking after him! NONE OF THIS IS OKAY.
Martin, of course, is terrified, because he thinks Douglas is going to take him even less seriously as a pilot than he did before, not to mention that he always seems to attract doms who like to take advantage. But in fact, Douglas takes him much more seriously now that he understands how hard Martin has worked to get to where he is. He's just furious at the way Martin's been treated and wants to make it up to him as best he can. Martin is scared and uncomfortable, but also secretly thrilled. He does trust Douglas, after all.
BONUSES: After Martin is outed as a sub, he tells Douglas, in a NON-SEXUAL CONTEXT, that he doesn't even have a safeword anymore because the last dom he was with never asked him for one, or never listened when he used it. Douglas is simultaneously nauseated and apoplectic.
Subs are supposed to like pain. Martin used to, but--not since his last dom. He doesn't like to be tied up either, for the same reason. He's afraid that any dom he meets will either force him or walk out on him, but Douglas instinctively knows what to do to make him comfortable. Martin discovers that having his wrists and hips penned down makes him feel safe, not trapped.
Arthur is a dom, and he's known all along that Skip was a sub. He could just tell. He's amazed Douglas couldn't.
TL;DR, Douglas is a dom, Martin is a traumatized secret sub, Douglas finds out and desperately wants to take care of him.
TW abuse: bdsm AU, secretly sub!Martin
Except that one day, for whatever reason, Douglas sees him without his shirt. Martin has scars--the kinds of scars that only subs get, if they have careless or cruel doms. Realizing that Martin is a sub, all Douglas's protective dom instincts kick into high gear--Martin lives in a moldy attic! Martin's tired and malnourished! He's been hurting Martin's feelings, when he ought to have been looking after him! NONE OF THIS IS OKAY.
Martin, of course, is terrified, because he thinks Douglas is going to take him even less seriously as a pilot than he did before, not to mention that he always seems to attract doms who like to take advantage. But in fact, Douglas takes him much more seriously now that he understands how hard Martin has worked to get to where he is. He's just furious at the way Martin's been treated and wants to make it up to him as best he can. Martin is scared and uncomfortable, but also secretly thrilled. He does trust Douglas, after all.
BONUSES:
After Martin is outed as a sub, he tells Douglas, in a NON-SEXUAL CONTEXT, that he doesn't even have a safeword anymore because the last dom he was with never asked him for one, or never listened when he used it. Douglas is simultaneously nauseated and apoplectic.
Subs are supposed to like pain. Martin used to, but--not since his last dom. He doesn't like to be tied up either, for the same reason. He's afraid that any dom he meets will either force him or walk out on him, but Douglas instinctively knows what to do to make him comfortable. Martin discovers that having his wrists and hips penned down makes him feel safe, not trapped.
Arthur is a dom, and he's known all along that Skip was a sub. He could just tell. He's amazed Douglas couldn't.
TL;DR, Douglas is a dom, Martin is a traumatized secret sub, Douglas finds out and desperately wants to take care of him.