This is fantasy - do not try at home

***

PART 2

Do you believe in love at first sight?

***

I arrived, late, for the Asphyx Club induction session.

"Excellent! I was afraid our open evening had scared you away. Let's get started."

Peter led me into the gym hall used for the Asphyx Club.

"Let me introduce you to the other new club members. Here's Jane..."

An athletic looking girl with sharp features, her reddy-brunette hair pulled back in a pony tail. She had a dusting of freckles, and green eyes. She was dressed in a green sweatshirt, cropped jeans, and sneakers. "Hi", she said, with a slight Irish accent.

"And Kitty..."

Next was a Chinese girl, with long, straight, shiny black hair. She wore a tight pink t-shirt, skinny black jeans, and flats. She glanced up from her phone, nodded, then returned her phone.

"And finally, Alex..."

A boy of similar height to me, wearing a faded grey hoodie, ripped skinny jeans, and battered green converse high-tops. He had a rounded face with a smooth golden complexion. He had mid-length golden blonde hair, messily tousled. He smiled a welcome, and my heart melted. I wanted to drown in his blue eyes.

"Wait a moment while we get everything ready."

I wandered over next to Alex. I tried to find something to say, wanting to break the ice. I pointed to my red converse, box-fresh, bought the previous week to start university. "Snap."

Was that the best I could do? Inwardly, I cringed, wanting the ground to swallow me.

Before Alex could respond, my embarrassment was saved by Peter returning, accompanied by an older student. He was taller and more well built than me, maybe 6 foot tall or just above. He had cropped dark hair, tanned skin, and a strong jawline. Yet there was a softness around his dark brown eyes that offset his intimidating sports jock appearance. He was wearing a black t-shirt and pale grey sweatpants.

"Right, let's get started. Let me introduce Jon, who you've all met before". He paused, enjoying our confused reactions. "Jon was inside the suit during the new student fair." Peter turned to me. "And you nearly asphyxiated him when you visited our stand!"

"Sorry" I responded.

Peter and Jon laughed. Jon said, "Don't worry - it was the best part of my afternoon."

Peter continued, "Now, I'll take you ladies for your induction. And I'll leave you lads in Jon's safe hands." Peter led Jane and Kitty away, leaving Alex and me with Jon.

***

"Now, there are two basic types of breathplay. Alex is experiencing the first type," said Jon.

Alex was bound to a chair. His wrists were attached by straps to the arms, his ankles to the legs. Further straps ran across his thighs and chest, ensuring he was securely held in place. A clear plastic bag was over his head, and was tied off around his neck. The bag inflated and deflated with every breath.

"The first type is when you can breath freely, but the oxygen available is restricted in some way. This is the gentlest breathplay experience, and so it's a great way to start. How are you feeling in there?" Jon asked.

"Fine - although I can't say I feel anything," Alex responded.

"Don't worry - you will - just give it time," Jon said. "While we are waiting, let me share the three rules of Asphyx Club. The first is the most important, and I cannot stress this enough: you only do breathplay at the Asphyx Club. Breathplay is very dangerous. There is no safe way to play alone - too many people have died over the years, which is why Peter formed the Asphyx Club. Even with a partner it is dangerous. I completed 6 weeks training this summer to be qualified to run breathplay sessions, and that is just the first certification. Peter has done this for years, and has received a doctorate for his medical research into the impacts of breathplay."

I was surprised there was so much formality and structure. I'd thought this was just a kinky club, that had somehow sneaked past the university leadership.

"How are you feeling now?" Jon asked.

"Slightly light-headed. A little tingling in my fingers. But OK," Alex said. He was breathing harder now, the inside of the bag slightly misted.

"Great! Now, with the heavy stuff out of the way, let's move to the second rule of Asphyx Club. This is the fun rule: bring your fantasies. Whatever you want to try, however you want to do it, just say. Don't be embarrassed - we've seen everything before: dressing up, bondage, role play. This is for your safety also - if there is something you want to do, but are too embarrassed to do here, there is a risk you'll try it outside of the club. So have fun, be creative, and enjoy yourselves. For this reason, we suggest bringing a change of clothes to the club that you don't mind getting dirty. Something easy to wash, say, some sports kit. Some people have, how shall I put it, a natural physical reaction from the breathplay... from the enjoyment." I thought back to my experience in the noose - so that was normal? "You don't want to be walking around the university afterwards without cleaning up first. There are changing rooms and showers here, if you need them."

"Excuse me," Alex interrupted. He was panting hard now, the bag collapsing onto his face with every deep breath in. "I've used up the air now. Can you let me out?"

"That brings me onto the third and final rule of Asphyx Club: we always play to blackout."

Alex moaned. "No... please..."

"This is for your safety also. If we don't go all the way, you might be tempted to try that one step further outside of the club. Just try to relax and enjoy the sensation," Jon said.

He didn't seem to be enjoying it. His hands clenched the arms of the chair, he struggled fruitlessly against his straps. He was beyond words now, consumed by fear.

"This is when a breathplay partner can offer some reassurance," Jon suggested.

I reached out and held the back of his hand, taut beneath mine. I didn't speak, as Alex seemed beyond listening.

Finally, he took his last breath. His head dropped onto his chest, his body relaxed, and his hand softened under mine.

***

Now it was my turn. I was strapped into the chair, and Alex sat beside me. He glowed, his cheeks rosy. He seemed unable to suppress a beaming smile. I recognized how he felt: I'd also been buzzing after my hanging. That feeling of having faced a challenge and conquered it. Of doing something you'd never felt possible, beating your fears, and achieving something that no one could take away from you.

I felt surprisingly relaxed and confident. The bag seemed less frightening than the noose. Also, Alex had already done this, and I did not want to show I was afraid of the same.

Jon stood behind me, out of sight. Alex looked past me at him, then smiled at me, and reached out to hold my hand. I could not believe my luck - I squeezed his hand and smiled my thanks. Was this just a return of my previous reassurance to him? Or did it mean something more? I hoped...

Jon laid a hand on my shoulder. "I want you to close your eyes, breath out as hard as you can, and then hold this for five seconds."

This was easy - I breathed out and started counting in my head. One... two...

I felt something rubbery cover my face. I fought the instinct to open my eyes and breath in, and continued counting: three... four... five...

I opened my eyes to darkness. I tried breathing in, but got nothing, just the rubber even tighter to my face.

"Now the second basic type of breathplay is when your breathing is restricted. You are completely unable to move air into and out of your lungs."

I panicked, trying desperately to pull any air in. All I got was rubber smell, and even rubber taste as it sucked into my mouth.

"This is a more intense experience than the first type of breathplay, although it tends to be shorter. Some people have preferences for different types, others enjoy the variety."

I fought hard against my bindings, but without success. I wanted to call out for help, for relief, but with no air in my lungs, I could not vocalize any words or sound.

"Of course, you can mix and match in a single session. For example, a well judged hanging starts with the first type, before progressing to the second to finish."

My heart raced, blood pounding in my head. My lungs strained and ached. I felt the symptoms I recognized from my hanging: the light-headedness, the lights flashing in my eyes. But also the growing glow and pleasure between my legs, as I felt myself stiffen. I did not want to cum in my jeans in front of Alex. I tried to focus instead on his hand, and the growing etherealness that I knew was advanced oxygen deprivation.

Finally, the all encompassing darkness embraced me, and I dropped into oblivion.

***

Sensation slowly returned. Light, sound, touch. Awareness followed: where I was, what I had done, who I was with.

I was no longer bound to the chair. Jon was in the corner, packing things away. I shifted in the chair. Relief - no dampness between my legs. Alex still sat next to me, massaging his hand.

"I'm sorry," I said, slowly realizing it was my fault, as memory continued to return.

"That looked quite... intense."

"Yes, it was a shock... but kind of good." I smiled, feeling the familiar rush of pride, but also one-upmanship of having done something tougher than Alex.

"Say, do you want to grab a coffee?" Alex asked. "I'd like to know what that felt like."

"Sure - I'd love to!" I felt a wonderful rush, wanting to spend every moment possible in his company. Happiness that we now had a connection, a topic for conversation.

"We're done here, feel free to go." Jon called from across the room. "Just remember the three rules, and see you next week."

Alex and I left together. I felt I was walking on the air that I had previously been deprived.