Deciding the Domination

Meredith pov:

The morning light feels too bright even through the curtains and my head is throbbing with a stubborn heavy ache that radiates from the stitches at my temple all the way down my neck.

Every tiny movement makes it worse. My stomach feels queasy, and I'm cranky from the constant pounding and the leftover fog from the concussion.

I'm buried in the middle of the big bed surrounded by all five of them. Jeremy's uninjured side is pressed warmly against me his arm draped carefully over my waist. Sebastian's leg is tangled with mine. Edison breathes steady against my back. Dexter's large hand rests heavy on my hip. Alex has my fingers loosely linked with his.

When I shift just a little the pain spikes sharply. I can't help the grumpy whimper that escapes.

Jeremy stirs right away his voice low and rough with sleep but already full of concern. "Morning, principessa. How's that hard head feeling?"

"hurts," I mutter pressing my face harder into his chest to block out the light. "I thought it would feel better by now."

Edison's hand starts rubbing slow circles on my back. "It's only been eighteen hours, baby. Concussions take time. The swelling is still there. We're keeping everything very gentle today."

Sebastian glances at the bandage. "No pushing through it, piccola. Apparently thats something you do. You're staying in bed or on the couch. We're handling everything."

When Dexter sits up and mentions breakfast my stomach twists and my crankiness flares hotter.

"I'm not hungry," I snap softly curling tighter into Jeremy. "My head hurts too much and my stomach feels gross. Can't I just sleep more? I don't want anything right now."

Dexter's deep voice is gentle but firm. "Not today, sweetheart. The meds need food in your system. You managed a little last night, but you're eating properly this morning. No skipping."

I close my eyes to roll them.

Jeremy helps me sit up slowly propping pillows behind me. His hand cups my cheek his thumb brushing lightly under my eye. "Babygirl, listen to me. I know the pain is stubborn right now...it's normal this soon after the hit. But arguing about food won't make the headache any better. You're going to eat at least some oatmeal with berries and a little toast. Small bites. That's not up for debate."

Again like stop.

I scowl the stubborn spark igniting fully despite the pounding in my skull. "But it might make me feel sicker. Please? Just this once? I don't want to eat."

Alex squeezes my hand, tone soft but unwavering. "We know you don't feel like it, baby. But we're being firm because we care alot you. You were good about the food last night. You can be good about this too."

Sebastian returns with the tray warm oatmeal with berries, soft toast cut small, and juice. They don't back down. Jeremy tries to feed me the first spoonful but I turn my head away petulantly.

"I said I'm not hungry," I grumble crossing my arms even though it makes my head throb harder. "Why are you all ganging up on me? Sebastian, you're not even my Dom anyway, so you don't get to boss me around like this."

The room goes quiet for a second. Sebastian raises an eyebrow but his voice stays calm. "I may not be your Dom yet, piccola, but they are. And right now they're telling you to eat because it's what's best for you."

I huff glaring at all of them. "Well, why are you all ganging up on me? It feels like you're all against me."

Edison sighs softly still rubbing my back. "Baby... would you rather us be on opposite pages as your Doms? Disagreeing with each other while you're hurting?"

I pause the crankiness flickering. My voice comes out smaller. "I'd rather you all be on my page."

Sebastian chuckles low. "That's cute, but that's not how this works when you're not feeling well. They're your Doms, and they're making the right call. Eat, principessa. For them."

The firm but loving circle of them their steady voices the way they're all watching me with concern and authority eventually wears down my stubbornness. I let Jeremy feed me a few bites of oatmeal then take some toast and juice. It's slow and reluctant and I complain under my breath the whole time but I manage about half the bowl. They praise me quietly anyway — "Good girl," "That's our tough principessa," "Doing so well even when you're cranky."

By the time the tray is cleared my stomach feels a tiny bit steadier though the headache is still stubbornly pulsing.

Jeremy carries me to the bathroom despite my weak protests that I can walk. He checks the stitches again under the brighter light. The area is tender and swollen but he says it looks normal for less than a day old. He reapplies ointment puts on a fresh bandage and kisses the uninjured side of my forehead.

"This is going to ache for a few days, babygirl. No touching. One of us will help you with everything showering, hair, or whatever you need. You're not doing it alone."

Later in the afternoon they move me carefully to the big sectional couch downstairs wrapping me in soft blankets. Someone is always touching me rubbing my back, holding my hand, and or stroking my hair away from the bandage.

They put on a movie something light and familiar I picked. The curtains are already drawn tight and the TV brightness is turned way down but after twenty minutes the screen still starts making the throbbing worse. Bright colors and even the soft movement send sharp little spikes through my skull. I squint shifting uncomfortably trying to hide it.

Sebastian notices first almost instantly. His hand pauses on my ankle. "Piccola, your face is all scrunched up. The movie is hurting your head, isn't it?"

I shake my head too quickly and immediately regret it as pain flares. "It's fine. The curtains are already drawn and the TV is turned down. I don't want to lay there and do nothing. I'm already bored just lying around all day."

Jeremy's fingers gently card through my hair avoiding the bandage. "Babygirl, it's not fine. Even with the curtains drawn and the brightness low, the movement and light from the screen are still too much for your concussion right now, thats okay. We're turning it off and taking you back to bed to rest properly."

"I don't want to!" I protest my voice coming out whinier and crankier than I mean it to. The stubbornness surges again. "I've been lying down all day. I don't want to just stare at the ceiling doing nothing. Why can't I just watch? You're all still ganging up on me."

Edison sighs already reaching for the remote to pause it. "Again we're not ganging up, baby. We're on the same page because that's what good Doms do when their girl is hurting. You need quiet rest right now not focusing on soft stimulation that's clearly making the pain worse."

Dexter's deep rumble is gentle but final as he starts to stand. "Come on, sweetheart. Back to bed. No arguments this time."

I cross my arms pouting hard even as Jeremy carefully scoops me up. "This is stupid. I'm not a baby who has to be carried everywhere and told when to lie down. The curtains are drawn and it's already dim...I should be able to handle a little movie."

Sebastian chuckles softly as he follows us upstairs. "You may not like it, but right now you kind of are our baby who needs looking after. And we're all on the same page about it whether you like it or not."

I grumble under my breath the whole way back to the playroom, but I don't fight when they settle me into the middle of the big bed again surrounding me with pillows and blankets. The lights stay low. No screens. Just quiet voices and gentle hands stroking my arms, my back, and my hair.

My head still hurts. The stubborn pain lingers like it has its own agenda. But even through the crankiness, I can feel how safe I am wrapped up in all of them their unwavering presence refusing to let me push myself.

I sigh shakily pressing my face into Jeremy's chest again. "It still hurts a lot... but I guess I'd rather have you all on the same page than fighting about it."

Jeremy kisses the top of my head very gently right above the bandage. "That's my good girl. The pain is normal this soon. It'll ease slowly. I got you. We all do. Rest now. No more fighting the quiet. Just let us take care of you."

The others murmur soft agreements their hands never stopping their soothing touches.

I close my eyes the steady rhythm of their breathing finally pulling at me despite the stubborn throb in my head and the faint echoes of the nightmare.

It's only been one day.

The nightmare still feels too close sometimes.

But I'm safe.

I'm home.

And even when I'm cranky and stubborn, they're not letting me go through any of it alone.

I'm back in the big bed after the whole "movie is hurting your head" lecture propped up against a mountain of pillows with Jeremy's arm around me and the others scattered close by.

My head still throbs stubbornly but the quiet and their constant gentle touches have made it a little more bearable. The crankiness from earlier has mostly faded into a tired grumpiness and I'm feeling just brave enough to poke at Sebastian a little.

Because there is nothing he can do.

Ha ha

I tilt my head slowly because well ouch and look up at him where he's sitting on the edge of the bed one hand resting on my ankle. The other reading on his phone. His brows furrowed together.

"You know," I say my voice still a bit whiny but teasing now, "you were really bossing me around earlier about the movie. 'No pushing through it, piccola. You're staying in bed.' I attempt to sound like him. 'Like you get to tell me what to do."

I narrow my eyes playfully.

"If you keep being that sassy and bossy with me I might just say no to you forever. You're not even my Dom yet, remember?"

Sebastian's eyebrow arches that familiar smug, dominant smirk pulling at his lips . He licks his lips. Then he leans closer his voice dropping into that low velvet tone doms do so well that always makes my stomach flip even when my head hurts.

"Honey," he drawls amusement thick in his words, "I don't think you could handle me anyway. You marked out a lot of things on with my brothers contract I'd very much like to try with you."

I blink up at him curiosity winning over the headache for a second. "Like what?"

He doesn't even hesitate. "Primal play, for one."

I wrinkle my nose immediately pulling a face. "Eww, that's gross. Like... with animals?"

The room explodes into laughter.

Jeremy chuckles deeply beside me his chest vibrating against my side.

Edison shakes his head with a grin.

Dexter lets out a booming laugh and even Alex covers his mouth eyes sparkling.

What did I say?

Sebastian's smirk only widens but there's affection in it. "No, piccola. You're thinking bestiality, and that's a hard no for all of us too. Primal play is something very very different it's chase, capture, raw instinct, growling, biting, and being taken like you're prey. Very human. Very intense. Kinda close to CNC."

Dexter wipes a tear from the corner of his eye still laughing. "Jesus, babygirl. I thought you said you looked at the stuff when you first signed our contracts."

I shrug my cheeks warming a little as I sink deeper into the pillows. "What's the big deal? There was a lot of stuff on those papers. I skimmed some of it. I was nervous, okay?"

Edison leans in brushing a gentle strand of hair away from my bandage his voice warm but teasing. "Well... if you didn't actually look everything up properly, we might as well redo the entire contract from scratch. Make sure you know exactly what you're agreeing to this time."

Jeremy nods pressing a soft kiss to the top of my head. "He's right, principessa. We can sit down together when your head feels better. Go through every single item slowly. No skimming. No guessing. We want you to understand what you're saying yes — or no — to."

Sebastian's fingers give my ankle a light squeeze, his eyes still sparkling with mischief. "And maybe then you'll stop threatening to say no to me forever, hm? Because once you actually read about primal play... you might find yourself saying yes instead."

I huff but I can't quite hide the tiny smile tugging at my lips despite the stubborn headache. "Maybe. Or maybe I'll still say no just to be difficult."

Alex grins from the other side of the bed. "We wouldn't have you any other way, babygirl."

The teasing lingers in the air like a warm familiar blanket cutting through the stubborn throb in my head. I'm still nestled against Jeremy's chest his good arm wrapped around me while the others stay close on the big bed. Sebastian's fingers keep lightly stroking my ankle that smug smirk still playing on his lips.

I huff again but it comes out softer this time almost a laugh. "You're all impossible. But Fine. We can redo the contract when my head stops trying to split open. But I'm only agreeing because you're all ganging up on me again."

I tease but still slightly serious.

Dexter chuckles his deep voice rumbling through the room as he sit in the chair. "That's our girl. Stubborn even with a concussion."

Jeremy presses another gentle kiss to the top of my head. "We'll take it slow, principessa. No pressure. Just honest answers. We want you to know exactly what you're saying yes to... or no to."

Edison shifts behind me his hand still rubbing slow circles on my back. "And we'll explain everything properly this time. No skimming. Primal play isn't gross or animal-related. It's about raw instinct, power exchange, chase and surrender between consenting adults. Very human. Very intense."

I wrinkle my nose again but the curiosity is winning out over the crankiness. "So... like running away and getting caught? Growling and stuff?"

Sebastian's eyes light up with that dangerous dominant spark. "Exactly. Picture me chasing you through the woods at night catching you and pinning you down taking what I want while you fight back just enough to make it fun. No actual animals involved. Just us primal, feral, completely lost in the moment."

I feel my cheeks heat up despite the headache a heat I'd never mention pools in my belly. "Oh... that doesn't sound completely terrible."

Alex laughs softly from the other side of the bed. "See? Told you she might like some of the things she marked out."

I shoot him a playful glare. "Don't get ahead of yourself. I still might say no to half of it just to keep you all on your toes."

Sebastian leans closer his voice dropping low and teasing again. "You can try, honey. But once we go through the list properly, I have a feeling you'll be marking a lot fewer things 'no' this time."

I stick my tongue out at him carefully because any sudden movement makes the pain flare and mutter, "We'll see. But if you keep bossing me around before you're even officially my Dom, I'm definitely marking primal play as a hard no. Just to spite you."

The room fills with warm laughter again. Dexter shakes his head, grinning. "There she is. Headache or not, our sassy principessa is still in there."

Jeremy's chest vibrates with a quiet chuckle as he holds me a little closer. "Be careful what you wish for, babygirl. Sebastian doesn't need to be your official Dom to make you regret teasing him. He's patient... but he remembers."

Sebastian winks at me. "Exactly. And I have a very long memory, piccola."

I settle back against Jeremy with a dramatic sigh but I'm smiling now. The stubborn ache in my head is still there, pulsing away, but the teasing and their closeness make it feel smaller. Safer.

"Fine," I say closing my eyes and letting myself melt into their warmth. "We'll redo the contract. But only after my head stops hurting and I can actually think straight. And no laughing at me when I ask dumb questions about what 'primal play' really means."

Edison kisses the back of my neck softly. "No laughing. Promise. We'll explain everything until you're comfortable."he says seriously.

Dexter rumbles in agreement. "And if you still say no to primal play after you understand it... we'll respect that. But I have a feeling you might surprise yourself."

I don't answer right away. Instead I just burrow deeper into Jeremy's chest letting their voices and gentle touches lull me. The nightmare from yesterday feels farther away now replaced by this safety, teasing, love, and the quiet promise of exploring things together when I'm ready.

I'm still curled against Jeremy's chest the steady beat of his heart under my palm helping to ease the stubborn throb in my head. The teasing about Sebastian and primal play has left a light playful energy in the air and even though my headache is still there the curiosity is winning out.

I tilt my head just enough to look up at Sebastian, keeping my movements slow. "Okay... so primal play isn't gross animal stuff. Got it. But since we're apparently redoing the whole contract anyway..." I pause biting my lip. "What other stuff did I mark out that you guys actually like? Or that you think I might like once I understand it better?"

The room gets a little quieter but in a good way attentive not tense. Jeremy's hand strokes my hair gently. Edison shifts closer behind me. Dexter and Alex both lean in a bit giving me their full focus.

Edison's voice is calm and reassuring against my back. "there's bondage more than just wrists. Rope, cuffs, maybe suspension honestly. You marked a lot of that as 'no' maybe because it felt too restrictive. But there are ways to do it that still make you feel safe and in control even when you're tied up."

I shift a tiny bit the idea sending a little flutter through me despite the headache. "Like... pretty rope? Not the scary kind that leaves marks for days?"

Alex smiles softly, squeezing my hand. "Exactly. Decorative and functional. We can start with simple wrist ties nothing that traps you completely yet but I think you'd like being a rope bunny. And I also personally think sensory play blindfolds, ice, feathers, temperature play. You marked most of that 'maybe.' It's about heightening everything else when you can't see or predict what's coming next. I actually seemed to enjoy that when we tried."

Dexter picks up again his tone teasing but gentle. "Then there's breeding kink. You marked that one as a hard no. A lot of girls do at first because it sounds intense, but it's mostly dirty talk, possessiveness, the fantasy of being claimed and filled. No actual pregnancy required... though in our family, marriage does come with the expectation that we at least try for an heir eventually. Worst case, we adopt like our mom did with some of us."

I wrinkle my nose again shaking my head firmly. "Still a probably a no for me. Honestly... I never wanted kids really. Like, ever. The whole pregnancy and birth thing just grosses me out completely. I saw this video when I was a teenager so health class scared me for life."

The room gets noticeably quieter for a second.

Jeremy's hand stills in my hair. Edison shifts behind me. Dexter's grip on my hip tightens just a fraction. Sebastian raises an eyebrow more curious than surprised.

Edison clears his throat voice calm but clearly surprised. "We... didn't realize it was a probably no a baby. We always assumed it was something you might be open to eventually."

Dexter rumbles low. "Yeah. A few years down the line, when things settle with the family and the business... an heir is going to have to happen. We thought... well, we hoped it might be you carrying that."

Jeremy stays quiet for a beat but I can feel the surprise in the way his body tenses slightly against mine. "That was always part of the long-term picture for us, principessa. Not right away. But eventually... it was going to happen."

I blink up at them genuinely bewildered imagining me giving birth I push myself up a little on one elbow slowly because my head protests. "And you want that to be me?! Have you seen anyone give birth? They poop. In front of everyone. No thanks. I'm not doing that. Ever."

The room erupts into laughter warm, deep, and genuinely amused.

Jeremy chuckles pulling me back down against his chest. "Babygirl... you think poop bothers any of us? You're mistaken. We've had our own tongues on that dirty place on you. If we can lick your asshole and love every filthy second of it, a little poop during birth isn't going to scare us off."

My cheeks flame instantly. "Jeremy!"

Dexter's booming laugh fills the room. "He's not wrong sweetheart. We've buried our faces between your cheeks plenty of times and enjoyed every messy moment. Birth? We'd be right there holding your hand, wiping your forehead, and telling you how beautiful and strong you are poop or no poop."

Edison grins and pressing a kiss to the back of my neck. "Exactly. We're not delicate. We are men. We've seen you at your some of most vulnerable most intimate sides. A little normal body function during labor isn't going to change how much we want you. Or how much we want to put a baby in you one day... if you ever change your mind."

I groan burying my burning face deeper into Jeremy's shirt. "You guys are the worst. I'm telling you I don't think want kids, that the poop thing is a deal-breaker, and you're laughing about licking my asshole like it's no big deal."

Alex is laughing softly too squeezing my hand. "It is no big deal to us, babygirl. We love every single part of you the pretty parts and the messy ones. If having our heir means being there for all of it... we're in. No hesitation."

Sebastian leans in closer still grinning at my clearly red face. "And if you really can't or won't do the pregnancy part? There's always adoption, just like our mom did. But the expectation for marriage is that you at least try. That's the tradition."

I peek up at them my cheeks still hot but a reluctant little smile tugging at my lips despite the stubborn headache. "You're all ridiculous. And gross. And I still don't want kids right now. The poop thing is grosser than anything you've done to my ass thank you very much."

Jeremy kisses the top of my head gently right beside the bandage. "Message received, principessa. No pressure right now. We'll talk about it more when you're feeling better and when the time actually comes. But just know... if it ever gets to marriage, trying is part of the deal. Poop and all."

I groan again and hide my face but I can't stop the tiny laugh that escapes.

My head still hurts.

The conversation is ridiculous and embarrassing and a little overwhelming.

But I'm safe, surrounded by their warmth and laughter, and even talking about poop, heirs, and licking my asshole feels... normal. Loved. Like they really do want every single part of me.

The laughter dies down slowly, leaving behind a warm comfortable quiet in the room. My cheeks are still burning from the whole "poop during birth" conversation but the way they're all looking at me with that mix of amusement, affection, and zero judgment makes it impossible to stay embarrassed for long.

Even with the stubborn throb in my head, I feel... held. Like every ridiculous thing I say is safe here.

I burrow deeper into Jeremy's chest letting his steady heartbeat ground me. Edison's hand keeps up those slow soothing circles on my back and Sebastian's fingers are still lightly stroking my ankle like he's claiming that little piece of me already.

After a minute I mumble against Jeremy's shirt my voice still a little muffled and whiny from the headache, "Okay... but seriously. No kids talk right now. My head hurts too much to even think about pushing a human out of me. I'm not saying no exactly but can we go back to the contract stuff? The less scary parts?"

Dexter chuckles low and deep the sound rumbling through the room like distant thunder. "Fair enough, sweetheart. No pressure. We'll shelf the heir conversation for when you're not recovering from a concussion."

Alex squeezes my fingers gently his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "What else do you want to know about, baby? We can keep going through the list. Or Whatever you're curious about."

I tilt my head just enough to peek up at Sebastian again careful not to jostle the stitches. That smug little smirk is still playing on his lips and it makes something flutter low in my belly even through the pain and tiredness.

"Fine," I say still trying to sound bratty but mostly comes out just tired-grumpy. "Since you brought up primal play... what else did I apparently mark 'no' on that you think id like? And don't laugh at me again if I get it wrong."

Edison presses a soft kiss just below my bandage. "Pet play. You marked that one 'maybe' but I think you were picturing something different at this point. It's not literal animals... it's more like you getting to be our sweet little kitten or puppy for a scene. Ears, tail plug, crawling, being praised and petted and told what a good girl you are while we take care of you completely. maybe even a leash if you like feeling guided and owned. A soft cage for quiet time if you ever want that complete surrender."."

My face heats up again. "A tail plug? Like... in my—?"

Dexter grins wide and unapologetic. "Yes, sweetheart. Right in that pretty little ass while you're on all fours being our good girl. No pressure, though. Just something to think about."

I groan and hide my face in Jeremy's chest again. I shift attempting to hide my arousal."You guys are going to kill me with embarrassment before the concussion does."

Alex laughs softly. "We love how easily you blush, baby. It's adorable."

Sebastian's fingers give my ankle a little squeeze. "And then there's the Master kink stuff. You marked a soft 'maybe' on that too. Some girls love calling their Dom 'Daddy' or Master while he takes care of them, spoils them, and then fucks them senseless. It's the ultimate mix of nurturing and filthy dominance."

I peek one eye open curious despite myself. "Like... you want me to call you Master?"

Sebastian shrugs, that dangerous smirk deepening. "Only if it feels right for you. No forcing it. But yeah... I wouldn't mind hearing it from those pretty lips while I've got you bent over."

I let out a tiny mortified squeak and bury my face completely. The room fills with warm chuckles again but they're gentle and never mean.

"Stop," I mumble even as a reluctant little smile tugs at my mouth. "My head hurts and you're making me all... fluttery. That's not fair."

Jeremy kisses the top of my head careful and tender. "That's the point, principessa. Even when you're hurting and cranky, we want you to feel safe enough to be curious. To ask questions. To say no if something truly doesn't work for you but to try and understand first."

Edison's voice is soft against my back. "Exactly. We're redoing the contract so there are no misunderstandings. You get to ask anything, dumb questions, gross questions, scared questions. We'll answer honestly, and we'll only move forward with what you genuinely want. If not we can just explain each thing and see what interests you when you know more about it."

I stay quiet for a moment letting their words sink in. The headache is still pulsing, stubborn and heavy, but the warmth of them surrounding me makes it feel... manageable. Like I don't have to fight it alone.

Eventually I sigh the sound shaky but softer than before. "Okay. Fine. When my head stops trying to explode, we'll sit down and go through everything. For real this time. No skimming. And I get to ask as many embarrassing questions as I want without you laughing too hard."

Dexter rumbles in agreement. "Deal, sweetheart. And we'll explain every single thing until you're comfortable. Even the poop-in-birth stuff."

"Dexter!" I whine swatting weakly at the air in his direction.

More laughter, warm and loving.

Edison leans down and presses a careful kiss to my uninjured temple. "You're safe with us, Tesoro. Always. Even when you're being a stubborn little brat about movies, food, or contracts."

I huff but it turns into a tiny tired smile. "I'm not a brat. I'm concussed."

"Same difference today," Jeremy teases gently his arm tightening around me.

I close my eyes letting their voices and touches lull me again. The nightmare from yesterday feels distant now pushed back by the steady safety of five men who refuse to let me push through pain alone.

My head still hurts like hell.

But I'm home.

I'm theirs.

And even when I'm cranky, stubborn, and asking dumb questions about primal play and tail plugs... they're right here, laughing with me, not at me, and they are ready to take care of every single part of me.

The conversation drifts into softer things gentle teasing, promises of more talks when I'm better, and quiet plans for the rest of the day more rest, more cuddles, and sadly no screens. I let myself drift, safe in the middle of them, the stubborn throb in my skull slowly easing just a little under their constant care.

For the first time since waking up with stitches and a pounding head, I feel like I can actually rest.

Because they've got me.

All of me.

I wasn't alone.