Emma,
We have all had 'feelings' way before the age of consent. Boy babies hold their penis before they can walk, apparently. My first conscious 'feelings' were around age 4, if not before.
But the rules of this site are clear !
All readers 18+. All models shown 18+. All stories 18+. No ifs, buts or maybes !
To have consensual acts, the story characters have to be the age of consent. Under 18s exploring 'feelings' is still under the age of consent. If I masturbated alone under 18, I ain't harming anyone. If I 'explored feelings' that lead to sexual arousal with an underage friend, or while I was underage, that is unlawful.
Furthermore I disagree 100% that it is OK. Who knows what perves get fun from reading the internet (no I don't mean us 18+ perves, unless it is non-consensual.)
What 18+ adults do with consenting 18+ adults is lawful, unless you break another law like being naked in public. Under 18 ain't, even if it is just 'touching'. Kids playing with each other to arouse sexual feelings, is still acts which are under 18. Frankly I am shocked and horrified at your ignorance of the law !!
I am not the first author who has been approached by 'well-meaning' people asking for stories involving under 18 characters. The polite answer I give is "I am not interested". If they are stupid enough to pursue it further, I report them and I have no qualms doing so.
If you don't know what is acceptable, you had better find out. If Gromet misses something, that is not the same as saying he approves.
In the eyes of the law, consent involves someone of adult mind, hence the age limit. The law views under 18s as not being old enough to know what consent is. So by definition, you cannot claim under 18+ is consensual.
Daffy