Negotiation
The conversation partners have before a scene to agree on what will and won't happen.
Negotiation is the conversation — or series of conversations — partners have before a scene to decide what will happen, what definitely won't, and how everyone will communicate during it. It can be as quick as confirming a safeword and a few limits, or as detailed as working through a full checklist together.
Good negotiation covers more than just the activities themselves: it can include aftercare preferences, how to handle an unexpected reaction mid-scene, and what each partner needs to feel ready to begin.
Negotiation isn't a one-time event locked in forever — the same partners might negotiate again before a different scene, or revisit and update an earlier agreement as their interests or comfort levels change.
Communication & Consent
Treat negotiation as an ongoing skill, not a box to check once. Asking clarifying questions, restating what you heard, and being specific about limits all make the conversation more useful than a vague "I'm open to most things."
A negotiated agreement describes what's being consented to going into a scene — it doesn't override anyone's ability to pause, change their mind, or use a safeword once things are underway.
Related Terms
Related Guides
Ready to Document Your Own Interests?
Create a private profile, note where you stand on Negotiation — and everything else — and share it only when you're ready.