Page 26 of Wrecked for the Holidays

“Everyone needs a picture with Santa at least once in their life. Let’s go.” I took his hand again and wound our way through the store. There’d be plenty of time to look at the toys afterward, but the line wasn’t likely to get any smaller. We might be the oldest ones in line, but I didn’t give a damn. Jakob needed a picture with Santa, and he would get one on my watch.

“Papa, is it okay if we do this?” he murmured against my ear.

“Why wouldn’t it be okay?”

“Because I might be little, but I’m not a kid. What if they kick us out of line?” Jakob’s worried tone was too much.

“There is no age limit on Santa Claus or the holidays. If someone doesn’t like it, that’s on them. It’s not my problem, or yours, to worry about.” Jakob looked unconvinced, but I drew him closer for a hug. Once he was tucked in close, I whispered in his ear, “The only thing Papa needs you to do right now is think about what you want to ask Santa to bring you for Christmas. Can you do that for me?”

“Yes, Papa,” he whispered back. I kept him close as we shuffled our way through the line.

Chapter 13

Jakob

“Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” Santa’s booming voice echoed throughout the store, but that might have been my imagination. The elves didn’t make a fuss when we reached the front of the line. I got the distinct impression they didn’t care who was in line for Santa because they got paid regardless. Fair enough.

“Go on, love.” Papa gently pushed me forward, and I walked toward Santa.

“Hello there. Come sit next to me and tell me what you want for Christmas.” Santa patted the settee next to him as I approached with reluctant feet. “C’mon, it’s okay. Has it been a while since you’ve come to see me?” His kind eyes crinkled at the edges, and his beard looked so realistic you’d think it was his real hair.

“This is my first time visiting Santa. My Papa—I mean, my friend—thought I should do it at least once.” Ugh, I wanted to kick myself for my slip-up.

“Is your Papa the handsome man smiling at us?”

Oh, I guess he had heard me. I nodded mutely.

“Well, he looks happy to be your Papa. Is he nice to you?”

I nodded emphatically. “My Papa is the best Papa. We do fun things together.”

“That’s sweet of him.” Again, I nodded. “So tell me what you’d like for Christmas.”

“I don’t know if you can help me. Well, you maybe can help me with one, but I don’t think so for the other.” I knew exactly what I would ask for when I got in line, but now that I was faced with saying it, I realized how silly it was.

“If you tell me what it is, I’ll tell you if I can help,” Santa said gently.

I huffed out a breath before I answered. “I want to keep my Papa forever and a stuffie.”

It sounded silly when I said it out loud, but those were what I wanted most in the world. If Papa were to fall in love with me, that would be the most wonderful thing ever. He was smart, funny, gave great blowjobs, was a good kisser, and was the kindest man I’d ever met. As for the stuffie, I couldn’t remember ever having one. Every year at Christmas and on my birthday, I’d wish for something that had nothing to do with expanding my mind or school. It wouldn’t have mattered what it was so long as it was something,anythingfun. It never happened. If I told myself it didn’t matter enough, maybe I could convince myself it was true.

Now, almost everything I’d wanted was so close. I knew I was gay without having sex, and I knew I was a little, even though I’d never fully regressed. I should have put that on my life list too. After my quick trip down the rabbit hole, I saw Reed watching me. He seemed so happy and proud, and my chest puffed out slightly. My Papa may not love me yet, but he did like me, which surely meant we were headed in the right direction.

“Well, young man, I can’t promise the keeping, but I’d say it looks pretty good. As for the stuffie, I see one in your future.” When he said it, he looked at Papa, and a grin crossed his face. I didn’t know Santa was so sneaky. Honestly, I was a little surprised.

“Now, let’s smile for the elves, and they’ll get our picture.” Santa chortled. I settled next to him, but before the camera elf could snap the picture, Santa raised his hand and gestured for Papa to join us. “C’mon over here and join us for the picture.”

“Jakob, is that okay with you?” Papa asked.

“Of course it is.” He came to stand beside me, but Santa shook his head in suspiciously exaggerated sadness. “Is something wrong?” I asked him.

“The camera will cut off your Papa’s head,” Santa said. Reed’s eyebrows shot up at the description.

“It’s okay, Papa. Santa knows who you are.”

“That’s right, I do. So, hop up, young man, and let your Papa sit down, and then you can sit on his lap. We’ll all get in the picture.” Santa’s grin was devilish. He knew exactly what he was doing. Sneaky, sneaky. He was good people.

Papa insisted on buying the big picture from the elves. He said he wanted to see it in his office without squinting, which was silly because he already wore contacts. He also brought the world’s ugliest frame to put it in. I told Papa that wasn’tneeded, but he said to hush because we looked too good for a boring frame. His argument made no sense, but I felt too happy to fuss with him.

---