Page 19 of Just A Little Fling

“I already said apology accepted.”

“You haven’t asked what happened.”

“I figured you’d tell me if you wanted me to know.”

His hair wasn’t sopping wet anymore, so I laid the towel across the bedpost and resumed my scalp massage. His soft sighs were welcome sounds.

“They’d gone out to dinner for someone’s birthday.” I made noncommittal sounds but kept my mouth shut, hoping he’d continue. My restraint was rewarded. “They messaged me and mentioned it, but that part was an accident. And I got to feeling some way about it. I couldn’t cancel because I’d look like a baby.” The grumpy had returned to his voice by the end of his explanation.

“Why do you think it’s an accident?”

“Because they said so.”

“Ouch. I didn’t mean to add to your hurt feelings, but I did, and I’m sorry for that.”

“S’kay, Babbo,” Nico answered quietly. “I felt like a kid again—like an actual kid, not a middle. Copy and Paste always had plans together. When I was invited, it was an afterthought or forced by our parents. I was a pushy, obnoxious kid, and that didn’t go over well in third grade or any of them. Know what I mean?”

“I do, but I like your pushiness, and I’m a divorce lawyer, which kinda sorta makes me pushy by definition, so I’m not the right one to ask.”

“Now you’re being silly.”

“Just honest. Unfortunately, it’s late for me, and I need to work tomorrow. And you do too, right?” Nico nodded. “So, are you sleeping in here with me? Or do you want the guest room?”

“With you, Babbo. But, umm, I’m not really in the mood…”

“Stop right there,” I interrupted. “We’re not doing anything until we’ve hashed it all out at a decent time with clear heads. Sleep means sleep.”

The remaining tension whooshed out of Nico’s body and left a soft, compliant boy who just wanted to be cuddled behind. Done.

“Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me for not being an asshole. All right, you, get under the covers so we can get some sleep.”

“No matter how late it is, I can’t sleep without reading a little. I like to put on audiobooks, so it feels like I’m getting a bedtime story,” Nico admitted sheepishly.

“Fantasy, right?” Nico nodded eagerly at my question. “All right, get comfy. We can read at least part of a chapter.”

With Nico tucked beside me, I opened my book app and found a proper tale of heroes and dragons. He was asleep before I got five pages in. Snuggled next to me, Nico’s guard was lowered. His face relaxed and a small, contented smile curved his lips. Everything was going to be all right.

* * *

Sweet Boy

Thanks for letting me stay over.

Levi

No worries. That’s what Daddies are for.

Sweet Boy

So I’ve been told. But, yeah, about that…

Levi

About what?

Sweet Boy

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