fandomhigh | The Science of Sexuality, Monday

"Welcome back to class, everyone."

You didn't really need to be a genius to know that was coming from John. "We thought we'd start these lessons off in chronological order. Last week, we started out with a bit of sexual preferences, now we're moving on to communication. Which is crucial, even-- no, especially with intercourse, much like the rest of the romantic arena. You have to be able to talk freely about what you want, or even if you want it, and how."

Meanwhile Sherlock remained sitting behind the desk, typing away on his phone. This whole communication thing was really more John's area of expertise.

"A skill most people lack judging by the divorce rates," he added dryly. "Any relationship, sexual or otherwise has rules that allow it to work. For example, I am no longer allowed to perform experiments in the bath because someone was squeamish."

"I'm not squeamish," John said, rolling his eyes. He refused to look back at Sherlock. "I just don't think the tub is the right venue to use for toxicological studies of body parts."

No, seriously, Sherlock. Seriously.

"Well, where else was I supposed to put it?" Sherlock asked, still not looking up from his mobile. "The sink was being used."

"Not in the bath!"

Cough.

After that little detour. "Sorry about that," John segued. "Anyway, communication. Make sure that you and your partner are at an even keel no matter what kind of relationship you pursue. If you don't want to engage in intercourse in the forseeable future, let them know as openly as you can. If your partner won't communicate with you, it might be a good moment to reconsider."

... Shut up.

They had a perfectly healthy, codependent relationship! Really!

"Break off into pairs and come up with whatever rules for a relationship your hormone addled brains can manage." Sherlock was such a kind, caring teacher.

"Just based on your personal wants and needs," John added, hastily. "No need to reveal anything intimate you don't want to reveal, or simulate a relationship."

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"Perhaps 'rules' might be too limiting for some people," Cally answered guardedly. "Communication about what you like and don't like doesn't necessarily have to be worked out in advance, I suppose."

"See, exactly," Nathan said, sitting back and looking triumphant. "Besides, if you and I were going out and I just started listing off this huge long thing of rules before our date, you wouldn't get turned off?"

Cally shrugged. "That, I don't know; it would depend what they were."

"The fact that I had them and felt the need to tell you beforehand, making it look like I completely don't trust you wouldn't make you think twice?" Nathan asked.

"Perhaps. If they were things that any decent person ought to know without asking. But aren't there some things you'd like to know so you don't accidentally ruin the experience? Like... I don't know. 'I don't like to be touched without warning because it makes me jumpy,' for example."

Edited 2011-01-10 22:16 (UTC)

"I just can't agree with that being a rule rather than something you learn over time," he replied, showing some rare level headed thinking there. "Say, if I go to touch you, yeah, and you don't like it, you tell me then, not before I've even done anything. That'd freak me the fuck out, having things dumped on me immediately."

"I can follow that," Cally replied, nodding. "Certainly a list of things, anyway, would feel strange. Then again, I'm not sure we're meant to be coming with a list of rules we'd really give to a potential partner."

"You mean you're not going to carry around a little laminated card to hand to all potential partners?"

He went for mock shock and gaped at her.

"I have so misunderstood this activity. And here I was hoping to have a gift for all the girls I wanna shag!"

"Do you really need a card for female and breathing?" Cally asked after a moment's pause. "You could probably fit it on something smaller, say a poker chip? Or perhaps a contraceptive wrapper."

"Aaaah, good idea!" Nathan said, waving finger and smiling in Cally's direction. "What would some of your rules be, then? Male and breathing or are you a little more discerning than I?"

"Male is optional; breathing isn't." Not that those were the only requirements on the list.

The Science of Sexuality, Monday

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