Dear Author, The right to own sex slaves has just been made illegal. The government is taking the slaves to a reeducation camp where we can learn to be a part of everyday society. But what they don’t understand is that I’ve been with Master for 7 years and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be than kneeling at his feet, with his collar around my neck and being used in any way he needs. I’m his. Master and I love each other, and more, we need each other. Help us be together in the way that we need. Photo Description: The subject of the photograph can be seen through the inverted-V of a tall, looming man’s legs. A young, white man kneels on one knee while desperately gripping the other, head down. A chain is locked around his neck, and the man standing in the foreground is holding an alarming-looking whip. This story was written as a part of the M/M Romance Group's "Love’s Landscapes" event. Group members were asked to write a story prompt inspired by a photo of their choice. Authors of the group selected a photo and prompt that spoke to them and wrote a short story. This story may contain sexually explicit content and is intended for adult readers. It may contain content that is disagreeable or distressing to some readers. The M/M Romance Group strongly recommends that each reader review the General Information section before each story for story tags as well as for content warnings.

People say love conquers all, but that’s a bunch of BS. Love doesn’t really conquer anything. D doesn’t believe in love. Sure, it exists—for other people. But any chance she might have had at love was pretty much taken care of by three years chained to a bed is some monster’s back room. It doesn’t matter how much she wants to take refuge in some stupid dream of curling up next to someone, or how often her friends nudge her in a very specific someone’s direction, D’s not taking chances. Sure, some people get to fall in love and live happily after. She just isn’t one of them. Teddy didn’t plan to fall for the young woman next door, but he can’t seem to help it. That their two best friends are getting married doesn’t help matters; all he really wants is one damn day without talking about weddings and cake choices and if the shade of D’s dress is going to clash with the rose in his boutonniere. When a volunteer job turns into the biggest opportunity he’s ever had, he realizes he’s not exactly the brave one here. Maybe both of them could stand to take a risk. Can two people ever really commit to one another honestly? Or is true love—like the perfect wedding—just another myth? Warnings: Contains mentions of past sexual and physical violence, but no flashbacks or PTSD. Also, a trans main character who transitioned a long damn time ago.

Sometimes you have all the answers, but none of the right questions. Maizy’s watched her two best friends settle down, she’s risen in the ranks of her organization, and she’s decided to surrogate a baby. Her life has a lot of meaning, so why does she lie in bed sometimes feeling like everything she’s doing ends in a question mark? Stan and Jean start out as friends of a friend, but Maizy likes them. Stan’s bashful, Jean’s self-assured and both of them make her laugh. She entertains them with stories of her many two-night-stands, but she’s still totally shocked when they ask her if she wants to sleep with them. Together. Pregnancy is totally insane, morning sickness lasts all day, and Maizy’s so horny she might explode. Should she risk a friendship to see what happens if they try for more? Or is the entire thing a crazy fever dream that will burst the second she gives birth?

There is no possible way Rory’s going to survive the holidays. Parents. Kids. The holiday season. Make that: estranged, haven’t-seen-them-in-twelve-years parents. And a three month old. Rory has the family he always wanted and never dreamed he’d get: his husband Geo is both his best friend and his rock. Their daughter is definitely the smartest, most amazing infant on earth. It’s Thanksgiving, and Rory’s got a whole lot to be thankful for. Inviting his parents out for a holiday reunion seemed like a good idea at the time. The reality is driving Rory to find hiding places all over the house. His dad hardly speaks, his mom keeps shooting weird looks at Geo, and their huge extended chosen family is bouncing off the walls. The only thing keeping Rory tied to the moment is Geo. Well. Geo and the ball gag in his pocket.