Page 4 of Lance & Clayton

Michael pushed his lower lip out in a pout as I laughed. "But Daddy, I said please! I wasn't pushing him into doing anything. And I promise to be good. I just need a friend to have naps and baths with, to fight my wolf figurines, and to build blocks with me."

Michael was adorable and if Clayton made half as cute of a Little as him, I would be a lucky man. I never imagined myself being a Daddy but as John had said, life surprised you when you least expect it.

"But I do all those things with you, little one," John said, running his fingers through his hair. "Is my love for you not enough?"

"You're being silly, Daddy." He rubbed his cheek against his shirt and gave John a quick peck on the lips. "You're the greatest Daddy in the whole world, but having a Little friend is different."

"I'll bring him around, Michael," I said as he put a pacifier in his mouth and rubbed his eyes, slowly slipping into sleep. "I'm sure he'd be just as excited to have a Little friend. You could teach him to be a good boy.”

“A naughty boy, more like.” John scoffed as he grabbed a stuffed wolf from the floor and handed it to Michael to cuddle with. “So, you want to learn everything there is about age play. You’ve come to the right Daddy. But let me tell you something. A Daddy and his boy’s relationship is unique. Every relationship is different and it also applies to an age play relationship. As a Daddy, it is your duty to take care of your boy’s needs, and every boy has different needs. Some boys, like Michael here, like to be a Little all the time. While some Daddies might find that exhausting, I wouldn’t change a thing about my boy. So, I want you to listen to your boy and be the Daddy he needs in his life.”

Would Clayton want to be a Little all the time too? Since I hadn’t been looking for a relationship in the first place, I didn’t have any particular set of expectations. But I knew one thing, I was going to be the best Daddy he could ever have.

Chapter 3: Clayton

I had gotten away with coming home late the day I had gone to the club, but I wasn't as late as I was today. I was out with Julia, my sister, and since we weren't allowed to watch films at home, we decided to go to the movies behind our parents’ backs. Mom always said that films these days weren't holy enough.

I opened the front door and just as expected, my parents were on the couch waiting for us.

"Julia, Clayton," dad said, switching the news off and walking up to us. "Where have you guys been? Your mother and I were worried sick. It's way past curfew."

I hated curfews for they made me feel like a child. We were old enough but they didn't trust us enough to make our own decisions.

"We met Matha from church on our way home, and we got lost catching up," I lied, knowing full well that confessing where we were would lead to punishment. "We haven't seen her in ages. Besides, people our age don't have curfew, dad."

Mom frowned and looked at us in disbelief. "You can't afford to be like kids your age, Clayton, and you know that. Kids your age are godless. Now go to your room. It's way past your bedtime. We'll come up with a suitable punishment for you in the morning."

"Sorry, mom," I said and went upstairs to my room.

Minutes later I was in bed trying to sleep, but I couldn't. I was too preoccupied with the battle within. Do I defy my parents and be who I was? Or do I just continue trying to be a good son knowing it was making me miserable?

I jumped out of bed and tiptoed my way to Julia's room, knocking on the door before letting myself in. Julia and I were fraternal twins, which was why I was the closest to her. I had come out to her a week ago and despite my fears, she was very supportive.

"Can't sleep either?" She said, sitting up in bed and patting the spot next to her. " Action films do that to me too."

"It isn't that," I said, taking a seat. "I've been thinking about something a lot lately. You know I love God just as much as mom and dad, right? I've always believed in God just as much."

"Yeah, of course." She nodded. "What's the matter? Have you been questioning your faith lately? It's okay to do that, you know. I go through these thoughts too, sometimes."

"No, it's not that." I took a deep breath and sighed. "it's just that, my idea of God is so different from what mom and dad make him out to be. I just don't believe God can be so hateful."

"Nor do I," she said slowly. "This is about you being gay, isn't it? You're right. God isn't hateful. He doesn't hate gay men as some believe. Despite what mom and dad think, you can be both gay and have faith, you know. You don't have to choose."

I shrugged, getting teary-eyed all of a sudden. "I don't know about that. It's beginning to look like I don't have a choice. If I choose to live as an openly gay man, our parents will never be on speaking terms with me for the rest of my life."

"There, there." She began rubbing my back. "You don't have to tell them, you know. It's quite obvious they'll be furious. Once you're financially independent, you can move out and lead the life you want. It's the only way if you ever want to have a boyfriend."

"I made up my mind to spend my life alone." I blinked away the tears beginning to form. "But God, I don't want to grow old alone, Julia. I'm so scared."

She pulled me in for a hug and it calmed me down. "You won't end up alone, silly. I'm sure a lot of gay men would kill to go on a date with you."

"Yeah, about that," I said, breaking the hug. "I went to a gay club a few days ago and I think I've met someone. Remember how I've told everyone I'm going out with my friend this weekend? Actually, it's a handsome older man named Lance I'm going on a date with."

Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped. "You went to a gay club and you didn't even ask me to come with?"

It was the last thing I expected her to say.

I laughed and shook my head. "Trust me, it's not for the faint of heart, but that's what you got out of that? I'm going on a date and if I don't fuck it up, I'll have a boyfriend."

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