Page 51 of Just A Little Fling

Mrs. Wellington-Chaumont attempted to stare me down with a look of disgust and disdain. I gave exactly zero fucks. The urge to get to Nico ate away at my insides.

My sunshine needed me.

* * *

After parking my car in the garage, I headed to Gabe’s office. His vagueness on the phone had me concerned something was seriously wrong for Nico to use the word Babbo in front of other people. I wasn’t even completely clear if Gabe knew Nico was a middle. He certainly didn’t know he was little.

“Levi, thanks for coming,” Gabe said when I pushed open the door.

I glanced around. The waiting room in the office was empty, including the reception desk.

“I got here as soon as I could.” I tried to be settled but gave up after a beat or two. I glanced around the room, but there was no sign of Nico.

“Is Babbo parking their car?”

Well, shit. During the quick drive over from my office to this one, I went over all the possibilities of how I would handle the non-appearance of Babbo.

Gabe didn’t even know that Nico and I knew each other beyond tenant and landlord. I knew he only called me because he thought maybe Nico had introduced me to someone visiting and given me a name. That Gabe was sure Nico wouldn’t want his family involved had me a little worried. Was there such a thing as a little emergency?

Explaining to someone who wasn’t involved in the age play community what exactly it was and why it was a perfectly healthy thing to do wasn’t a quick conversation while their relative was in a regressed state. My mom was pretty open-minded, but I wouldn’t want that conversation with her either. And given how much Nico prized his independence, he likely wouldn’t want anyone to see him in such a vulnerable state.

“No, I’m here alone.”Was it a lie by omission? I glanced around the room, looking for some clue as to where Nico could be hiding.

“Who’s Babbo?” Gabe looked perplexed.

“Gabe, I appreciate you calling me rather than his folks to ask that, but I’m going to be as honest as I can and say that I’m not comfortable answering.”

Thankfully, Gabe accepted my non-answer, walked over to the closed door to the side of the room, and pushed it open a little but blocked my view.

“Hey, Nico, Levi is here. Is it all right if he comes in?”

I didn’t hear an answer from the other side of the door, but it must’ve been an agreement because Gabe stepped into the room and opened the door far enough for me to walk through. I quickly followed behind them and saw Nico on the couch.

He and Rory sat at the coffee table with coloring books and crayons spread out in front of them. They looked happy enough sharing a book while each worked on one side. Nico was dressed in his typical suit. Today, it was deep purple, while his collared shirt underneath was lavender with white eggplant flowers. I smothered a chuckle because, well, read the room, but I’d never been so grateful my mom used to make me work in the garden with her. One of the things I liked best about Nico was his ability to be cheeky even when no one but him was aware of it.

“Hey, sunshine, how’s it going?”

Nico and Rory broke their concentration and looked up. Rory gave me a confused smile since it was likely he had no idea who I was, while Nico’s face registered his recognition and gave me a relieved smile.

“Me and Rory are coloring. Wanna see my picture?” Nico attempted to project confidence, but I heard the wobble in his voice and uncertainty in the question. The smile plastered on his face was bright, but his eyes were clouded. Whatever had happened today had thrown him for a loop.

“Yes, please.” Rory took his hands off the book, which allowed Nico to hold it up so I could see it. “I love it. Boys, you did a fantastic job, but, Nico, I think it’s time to go home for the day, okay?”

Gabe hustled in with Nico’s messenger bag and handed it to me.

“Nico, he’s right. We’re closing up shop early today, and everyone is going to take the afternoon off.”

Rory jumped to his feed and rushed over to Gabe. “Does that mean we go to the zoo, Daddy? I love the zoo. ’Member you said we were gonna go, and if you don’t have to work, then we gotta go today. I wanna feed the ’mingos. I like their feet.”

“Are you sure it’s their feet you like and not their feathers?” Gabe chucked Rory under his chin when he asked his question.

“Maaaaaaybe I like both,” Rory answered with a sly smile.

“I can’t take the responsibility for you not seeing flamingos, so I guess we can go to the zoo today.” Rory did a happy dance that reminded me very much of his friend, Jakob.

“You wanna go to the zoo with me, Nico? We have fun and look at the animals and we all have popcorn and ice cream and soda and cotton candy.”

Gabe stood next to Rory with his arms folded over his chest. He had a stern look on his face, and he shook his head.

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