Page 57 of Just A Little Fling

“I like seeing it from start to finish. I like opening a file, and it’s blank, but when I close it, there’s a whole building there that’s well-designed and preserved. Plus, I can find anything I need to know about that building, from the specs to the budget, in that file. And I can look at it and see that I helped make it happen.”

“It really does sound like you enjoy project managing.”

“I like being responsible for those files. I’m a little proprietary over them.” Nico fell silent, and I could feel his brain working overtime. I didn’t want to press him for more information but rather give him a chance to process everything he had managed to articulate this afternoon. Nico needed a distraction.

“Well, I can appreciate a good file, but I’m tired of sitting here staring at mine. Play a game with me? Are we keeping score?”

“Only to see who needs to pay up at the end of the afternoon,” Nico answered with a wink.

* * *

The sounds of crashing and laughter filled the living room while Nico and I battled it out for supremacy. The racing game wasn’t complicated, but it was enough to take our minds off our respective worries. I knew there would be a reckoning at my office tomorrow, and as much as Nico was worried about his promotion at work, I was worried about being fired from the firm. If that were to happen, I’d be fine. Over the years, I’d put aside enough for a decent rainy day fund. But being a single parent, Jack didn’t have the same options.

“Babbo, you know what we never got a chance to decide about the other day?” Nico stared down at the cloth of the couch and picked at the fuzzies off the throw pillow next to him.

“If you mean confirm the structure of what this looks like between the two of us, then yes, I do know that. You want to talk about that?”

“Yeah, I do,” Nico agreed.

“You already know I wouldn’t feel comfortable with you sleeping with someone else. I understand it’s casual, but it really is a health and safety issue for me.” This, ultimately, was the thing that ended my three-year relationship, and I wanted to address it head-on.

“Yeah, I understand. If I wanna go outside of us, I’ll let you know before I do it, but what do you need from me?” Nico asked.

“I’m gonna need to be allowed to take care of you. Whether it’s when you’re little or middle doesn’t matter, so long as I’m the one who’s there.”

“I’ve been thinking about things…”

“Yeah? Come to any conclusions?”

“Maybe I’m not a middle.”

“Why do you think that?”

“Because when I started experimenting with age play, I assumed I was a middle, so that’s what I said I was. I liked the middle sort of things, so good enough was good enough,” Nico said with a shrug.

“They’re not mutually exclusive.”

“When I fell into little space, it felt like that’s where I needed to be and the part I’ve been missing. So, yeah, I don’t think I’m much of a middle.”

I pulled him close to me. I ruffled his hair and kissed his temple. “Sunshine, you can be anything you want to be with me.”

“There is one thing I read about that, I think, might help me…umm…center myself.” Nico sounded hesitant enough when he said it that my curiosity was piqued.

“What’s that?” I tried hard to keep my voice neutral, but I didn’t think I was entirely successful because Nico gave me a knowing smirk.

“You sound very curious, Babbo.”

“I just want to make sure I’m helpful to you,” I said primly and then promptly ruined it by bursting out laughing.

“I read about…this is embarrassing…maintenance spankings.” Heat bloomed on Nico’s cheeks, which was adorable. But if he wanted them, I’d be more than happy to provide them.

“There’s no reason to be embarrassed about that. I thought it was something truly terrible, like you wanted a rule that said only socks could be worn with your Birks.”

“You would not dare even suggest something like that. I don’t even own Birks, and even if I did, I damn sure wouldn’t wear them with socks.”

“Hmm, looks like I found an effective punishment.”

“I can’t even imagine what I could do to warrant something like that.”

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