Page 62 of Wishes and Research

“Well.” I sighed and shrugged like I was supposed to. “You have to keep me. That’s what the internet said, so I can’t really complain.”

Ha.

He had to keep me because I was his little and his mate.

That was double keeping me.

“I’m glad you understand how important it is.” Daddy sounded very matter-of-fact as he rubbed my back. “This also makes it easier to get you a healthy breakfast in the morning.”

Nodding against him, I did a good job of hiding my yawn. “Yep. You said that was a Daddy job and the bakery people are more confusing than the diner people.”

Daddy groaned. “Ugh, I’m not Daddy enough right now to ask what else they said. You can tell me tomorrow.”

Giggling, I patted his chest. “Okay, it’s late and you had a long day.”

Letting out a big cracking-sound yawn, Daddy gave me a hug. “I worked hard. I found your bugs and I got to keep my mate. I made you food and I even got you all clean.”

He had done lots of work.

“It’s hard having a little or even a kind-of-little.” The internet said so. “They need lots of attention and food and cuddles and getting them clean over and over. You got me lots to drink too.”

“That was hard work.” Kissing my head, Daddy rubbed my tummy. “But no more juice or you’ll wake up in the middle of the night to pee.”

Probably.

“That’s okay, though.” I was going to tell him why but he already knew.

“Because the internet said so.” Daddy gave me a squishy hug and giggled. “You’re so smart and I love that you wanted to read all about being little, but I think it’s time for us to go to bed since you learned so much last night.”

He might’ve had a point.

“The internet said I’m supposed to whine and tell you I’m not tired, but that might be wrong?” Sitting up, I frowned at Daddy. “I liked cuddling with you and taking naps.”

Daddy shrugged. “Every Daddy and their little do things a bit differently. It’s possible the person who wrote that article or blog post really doesn’t like sleeping. They might not know other people like it.”

“Oh.” That was kind of sad. “Naps are nice and snuggling is nice and…oomph. Daddy.”

Daddy laughed as he picked me up. “Dragon.”

Hmm. “That’s why you said I wouldn’t squish you.”

He giggled and gave me a kiss before setting me down. “Yes. But carrying you up the stairs sounds…not very smart. So you get to walk and hold my hand.”

Yes.

No carrying up the stairs.

“I like holding your hand, Daddy.” It wasn’t as good as cuddling but it was close. “I don’t have pajamas. I don’t have my toothbrush. I don’t have my charger. I don’t have…something else. I forgot what I forgot.”

Daddy nodded because he knew they were all important and he kissed my forehead. “Let’s get that figured out then. I have an extra charger upstairs, so that’s not a problem. Do you want to sleep in just your undies or do you want one of my shirts and some boxers? I have an extra toothbrush for you.”

“Will you help me remember what I forgot? I think that’s a Daddy job too.” The internet hadn’t said so but it might’ve been what they’d forgotten.

“That is definitely a Daddy job, but we’re going to try to focus on the stuff we remember first.” He shrugged as he took my hand. “Don’t give me that look. I’m not an idiot.”

“You’re very smart, Daddy.” Most of the time.

Sometimes he was just wrong.

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