Page 41 of Saving Little Clark

"Hey man," I greeted, smiling reflexively. "Nah, no need for a pity party on standby. The date's still on, we just decided to stay in and keep things low-key tonight."

I could practically hear Will's grin through the phone. "Oh, low-key, you say? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"

"Shut up," I huffed, flushing despite myself. "We're just gonna watch a movie and chill."

"Uh huh. Netflix and chill, I got you. No judgment here, bro. You do you. Or him. Whatever makes your—"

"Will, I swear to god--"

"Hey, is that Uncle Brody?" Alex's voice filtered through the background noise, quickly followed by the sound of scuffling and Will's indignant yelp. A moment later, Alex’s sweet tones filled the line.

"Uncle Brody, hey. Sorry about Daddy, you know how he gets. Teenage boy trapped in a 40-year-old's body, I swear."

I snorted. "Pretty sure he came out of the womb wagging his nonexistent eyebrows."

Alex giggle. "Accurate. Anyway, I just wanted to check in and make sure everything's going okay with you guys. Clark texted me that you know about his Little side now. This is all pretty new for Clark. He's been through a lot."

Something in his voice, an undercurrent of protectiveness and worry, made me pause. I glanced at the closed bedroom door, imagining Clark on the other side, probably hugging his knees to his chest and chewing his lip raw as he waited for me to return.

Suddenly, I understood with perfect clarity why Alex had always been so fiercely devoted to his role as Clark's protective best friend.

"I know," I said quietly. "I don't take a single second of with him for granted."

Alex was silent for a beat. When he spoke again, his voice was rough with approval.

"I'm glad he has you, Uncle Brody. Just keep being patient with him, okay? Let him set the pace. Don't push, even if you think you're doing him a favor."

"I won't," I vowed. "His comfort and safety is my number one priority, always."

"I know it is," he said warmly. "I wouldn't have encouraged this thing between you two if I didn't think you were exactly what he needs. He's lucky to have you."

"Pretty sure I'm the lucky one," I said hoarsely.

"Of course," He paused, then added wryly, "And hey, don't tell him I said this, but you've got blanket permission to put him in time-out as needed. Lord knows I've had to a time or twelve when he gets too bratty for his own good."

A startled laugh burst out of me. "I'll keep that in mind for when the sass gets out of hand."

"Oh, hey," Alex said with mock solemnity. "Before you go, can you pass along a message to the boy wonder? Tell him his favorite dinosaur misses him very much, but he better behave himself and listen to his Daddy if he wants to play with it again."

Just then, a soft whimper sounded from the vicinity of the bedroom. I froze, instantly on alert.

"Will do," I said hurriedly, already heading for the door. "Listen, Alex, I gotta go. Tell your Daddy I’ll talk to him later, yeah?"

With that, I hung up, pocketing my phone as I slipped back into the darkened room.

Clark was just where I'd left him, curled up small on the edge of the bed. His face was hidden in the crook of his elbow. In an instant, I was across the room and gathering him up, tucking his chilly form against my chest.

"Hey, what's this?" I crooned, rocking him gently. "What's got my sweet boy all worked up, hmm?"

Clark shook his head mutely.

"None of that now, baby boy. We talked about this. No more hiding what you're feeling."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, voice cracking. "I wasn't trying to be bad. It's stupid."

"Nothing that upsets you this much could ever be stupid," I said firmly.

Clark swallowed, a miserable crease marring his brow. "I can't stop thinking about it," he finally admitted, sounding pained. "About you getting tired of this. Of me. Realizing you don't really want to be a Daddy after all and just leaving."

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