Page 17 of Soothe Me, Daddy
“How did you know that was what I was?”
“I didn’t!” Henley shook his head, eyes wide. “Are you?”
Isaac nodded slowly, and Henley beamed.
“I had hoped to get to know you and introduce you to the lifestyle in case it was something that appealed to you. I didn’t realise you were actually a Daddy!” He brought his hands to his cheeks, fingers fanning over his mouth as he stared at Isaac.
They were interrupted by the arrival of their drinks, but once the waiter retreated, Henley burst out, “Seriously? You’re not joking with me right now?”
Frowning, Isaac leaned forward. “I would never joke about something so serious. I have been a Daddy for a long time and been in several long-term relationships. I just…lost hope after the last one ended.” He rubbed his thumb through the condensation on his glass, watching the movement.
“Is this what you brought me here to talk about?”
“Yes, and we still have things to discuss. Such as, how deep into being a boy do you like to go?”
Henley’s brows drew together. “I don’t like playing with toys or wearing nappies. That doesn’t appeal at all. But I like the idea of someone looking after me, taking control, helping to calm me when my thoughts get all messed up.”
“I have noticed that you’re obedient, for the most part. So, you like being told what to do. If we try this, you will be listening to and obeying me.”
“Yes. Please.”
Their conversation paused once more as their food arrived, and they ate in near silence, which was strange from Isaac’s point of view. He was so used to the constant chatter from Henley.
“I don’t want you to change yourself for me, Henley.”
“What do you mean?”
“You need to be yourself from the beginning. Don’t act or speak how you think I want you to. If I think something about your behaviour needs correcting, I will discuss it with you and help you alter it.”
“Through punishments?” Henley asked, eyebrows raising.
“If I believe that is the best way to remind you, yes.” Isaac hesitated. “For me, being a Daddy is a twenty-four-seven responsibility. I would need you to realise that everything I do for or to you is for your own benefit. I want to help you become all that you can be, and in return, you need to trust me wholeheartedly. Telling me the truth at all times, even when it scares you. You need to trust that I will catch you should you fall. I will hold you close and protect you with everything I am.”
Isaac gazed at Henley, seeing a shimmer begin in his eyes before they filled and overflowed.
“Come here.” Isaac issued the order, and they both scooted out of their opposite seats, Isaac guiding Henley to slide over in the booth seat so he could sit next to him. Isaac wrapped his arm around Henley’s shoulder, hugging him close and resting his fingers against the side of his face as his tears continued to fall soundlessly.
Once Henley had calmed, Isaac lifted his face. “Are you okay?” Henley nodded. “I need your words, sweetheart.”
“I’m okay,” he croaked. “I…You…It’s everything I want.”
“Alright. Let’s eat our food, and once we’re full, we can talk some more.”
Isaac reached for Henley’s plate from the opposite side of the table and placed it in front of Henley. Henley smiled, and though a little watery, it filled Isaac’s heart with joy. He couldn’t believe he had found someone who already knew about Daddies and boys, and in fact, was one.
After they had finished their meal and Isaac deduced Henleydidn’twant a dessert, he gripped Henley’s hand and left the restaurant. It wasn’t particularly late, and the air was warm, so he suggested a short walk.
“For a relationship to work with me, I would need to give you a routine to stick to—”
“What kind of routine?”
Isaac raised his eyebrows at Henley, waiting until he apologised for interrupting before continuing, “Things like when you’d need to go to sleep, when to wake, when to eat. I don’t do this because I think you are incapable of doing them yourself. I do it because then I will know you are looking after yourself like I have asked you to. I trust that if I ask you to do something, you will do it. For example, if I ask you to eat at midday, and you agree, I expect you to eat at midday, barring any unforeseen circumstances.”
“That sounds good.” Henley glanced up at Isaac from underneath his eyelashes. “I do sometimes forget whether I’ve eaten or not.”
“Good to know, and thank you for being honest with me. I have seen that you can be a little excitable at times. I would like to help you find a way to manage that. I think your work, however amazing you already are at it, would benefit a great deal from you being calmer and more in control of your actions.” He paused and smirked. “And mouth.”
“Hey!” Henley pouted for a second before grinning. “Yes, okay. I know I can be a chatterbox. But I have so much to say.”
