Page 17 of Asher's Answer
It turns out I really do like having my cake and eating it, too.
I get to be Daddy, but I also get the partner that I’ve always wanted. We’re equals as adults. We get to hang out, have a beer, see ‘grown up’ movies…but we also get to indulge our other needs, too. I get to play make believe with him, or with racecars or blocks, read him books, bathe him and give him nightly snuggles…and neither of us feels like we’re missing out on anything. Or, at least, that’s my impression.
“So, are you ever going to introduce your boy to your friends, or will he be your little secret forever?” Josh asks me over lunch.
“He’s not a secret,” I snap back, feeling far more defensive than I should. I jab a carrot stick in his direction. I’ve been packing Asher’s lunch and my own at the same time, and it’s just easier to prep the same snacks for both of us. “We’ve only been together, like…” I tilt my head from side to side, as if I don’t know that it’s been exactly five weeks and three days, “five weeks.”
“Uh huh,” Josh gives me a look that says I’m not fooling anyone. “You’re head over heels for him already, big brother. Does it matter how long it’s been? And, also, don’t you think the guys are gonna start poking their noses in if you don’t touch base?”
I shrug. My friends are all fairly easy-going, and they get that my work schedule is bumpy. We can go months at a time without catching up, and I’ve been staying somewhat involved in the group chat, so they know I’m alive. “They’ll meet him eventually.”
The guys in question -Chance, Spencer and Ted- are daddies like me. I met Ted at The Grove years back when I was getting involved with my first little and needed some mentoring. Spencer and Chance came along in a similar fashion when our littles at the time were close and had playdates often. All four of us have been in and out of relationships with littles in recent years, and Spence is the only one of us currently in a long-term relationship with his little, Emma.
Well, he was. Now that I have Asher, that makes two of us, I suppose. Not that Ash and I have been together for more than a handful of months, but I can see us being together long-term. Maybe the guys reallyshouldmeet him soon. Damn Josh for being right.Again.
Josh sometimes joins our circle of friends, but he’s usually more comfortable when other subs are around, something I understand because all that Daddy Dom attention can be overwhelming when you’re the only one. Especially when you’re a brat like my brother.
I’ve waited too long to respond, though, and Josh’s impatience wins out. “Okay, look, I might have an ulterior motive,” he admits when his initial line of questioning fails to get him the result he wants.
Arching an eyebrow, I lean back in my seat. “This should be interesting.”
“I met a new little at The Grove and I think he’d be good for Chance.”
Huh. Not what I’d expected. “You know I’m not into matchmaking, J.”
He holds up his hands in surrender. “I know, I know. But he’s new to town and he’s into all that gaming stuff like Chance is…” He shrugs. “Plus he’s hot. A bit older than most boys, and a lot bulkier, but Chance has never gone for the young twink type.”
I find it ironic that Josh is talking about not fitting the boy stereotype. With the way he’s built, nobody could call him a twink, either.
“I don’t matchmake,” I reiterate with a sigh. “But if he’s looking to make friends who understand the lifestyle, sure. I’ll organize a get-together with the guys and you should invite him along. If nothing else, he and Ash might hit it off.” My boy would probably love some additional playdates with other littles.
And that’s how, a week later, I wind up hosting a potluck at my house on my next weekend off.
I’ve got the grill fired up in the backyard with burgers on the go and am keeping a cautious eye on Asher who keeps glancing nervously at the clock. The guys are going to start arriving somewhere in the next fifteen minutes or so, and the closer we get to that point, the more anxious Ash seems.
“Josh,” I sigh when another glance in Asher’s direction is met with more fidgeting and lip biting, “watch these patties for me.”
He takes over without argument, and I make my way to my boyfriend. He’s big right now, but squirming and clearly nervous. “Come on, babe,” I usher him inside, into the living room where his blankie is draped over the couch. He clutches at it the second we sit. “Talk to me.”
“I don’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends,” he divulges, and there’s a hint of Little Ash in the way he speaks. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him quite so anxious and I hate that I’m responsible for it. Even though Ash and I had talked about this meeting and his potential concerns the night Josh brought the idea up, I should have known he’d panic.
“Little lamb, you won’t. I promise.”
His lower lip wobbles.
“If you wanna be little for today, nothing’s stopping you.”
Those hazel orbs go wide with abject horror. “In front of strangers? Fuck no.”
“Language,” I correct, and he arches an eyebrow.
“The rule is only while I’m little, Charlie.”
“You’re not entirely big right now,” I reason.
Ash moves to argue and then sighs. “No, you’re right. I’m…God, I don’t know what I am.”
“Nervous,” I say, keeping my tone soft and supportive. “And that’s okay. But, baby… little or big, they’re gonna love you.” I’ve already told him that the guys are all involved in the same kink circle, and that none of them would ever judge Asher or me. “If anything, I’m gonna have to keep my eye on Ted. He might try to steal you away.”
