Page 15 of Rekindling Little River
River had obviously noticed the direction change, but that was all right. He didn’t mind sharing his plans.
“Well, we can’t attend Pirate Day without at least attempting to look piratey.” He wasn’t sure piratey was a word but oh well, it was now.
Dave’s jaw almost hit the floor before he was able to school his features while River pumped their fists into the air, wiggled their hips, and crowed their victorious pleasure so loudly that Dave wondered if they could be heard in the Bermuda Triangle.He’d apparently never seen a truly excited River either. They were beyond fucking adorable.
River
“Ahoy, Liam!” River greeted. They were completely unable to contain their excitement. Pirates was a game River had always wanted to play. There had just never seemed to be time when they were younger or an opportunity in recent years. Tomorrow was going to be the best day ever!
“Ahoy, matey!” Liam was so cool and River loved how he just played right along without missing a beat. “Is this your lucky dinner escort?”
“Liam, this is my Daddy, Dave. Daddy, this is Liam. He helped me find my outfit yesterday.”
As they shook hands and exchanged greetings River decided to begin perusing the racks. They saw several things that could possibly work for a decent pirate outfit. Still, after yesterday, and with the fact that their new friends recommended him as well, River really wanted to see what Liam came up with.
“So, what can I help you find today, River?”
“Arrrg, we be searchin’ fer new duds befittin’ a pirate, matey!”
They heard Daddy coughing and looked over to make sure he was okay. Turned out, he was absolutely fine and just struggling to keep a laugh in. That was fine, he wouldn’t be laughing when he saw them dressed in the most amazing pirate outfit of all time. Besides, he didn’t know it yet, but he was getting a pirate outfit too.
Liam was once again phenomenal. As soon as he heard “pirates,” he was off gathering this and that from all kinds ofplaces in the shop. He got items from the fetish area, items from clothes, even went and got a few things from the toy section. River and Dave just watched in awe as he loaded baskets in a way that seemed completely random.
After only a few minutes, he was leading them back to the dressing rooms, ushering them into their own separate room, handing them each a basket and instructing them to put on everything in it. River was having the time of their life watching the picture develop in their head as they drew on tan riding pants, and knee high, flat soled, brown boots, a white top a few sizes too big, and a brown corset around their waist. A scarf momentarily confused them until they realized the red material should be tied around their hips. The hat was easy to figure out, but the stuffed parrot didn’t have any place to go. Still, he was a super cute little guy and River decided he was coming with them to see the full effect.
When they stepped out, they stopped short at the sight of their Daddy in full pirate gear. When the maker created Dave, they gave him a little something extra that came to life in western wear and, apparently, pirate gear. Because the only word they could think of to describe him right then was “yummy”.
He caught their eye in the full-length mirror and something passed between them. Something that sent zings of pleasure through River, igniting flames in their blood and making heat pool in their core.
Before they could contemplate the feeling too long, Liam approached and exclaimed, “I knew that would be amazing on you! If that’s what you’re going with, then I have a way to make the parrot sit on your shoulder.” He held up some Velcro strips and a threaded needle.
Yep, this was going to be the best Pirate Day in history!
CHAPTER 14
Dave
Goddamn, River was adorable. They literallybouncedbeside Dave, holding his hand as they left the shop and headed for lunch. They talked nonstop at the restaurant about all the things they hoped they got to do as a pirate, wiggling in their seat when they talked of something they found particularly exciting. They were so antsy and wound up that Dave ended up having to hand feed them their macaroni and cheese just to get some in their tummy. He wasn’t going to lie, he hoped he got the chance to hand feed them often. It settled something inside him that he hadn’t even known was agitated.
After lunch, he walked River to his door instead of theirs. He’d gotten notified while River was playing that the items he’d ordered had been delivered and he couldn’t wait to show them everything. They didn’t even seem to notice at first, too busy talking away. It seemed that while Big River appeared to be quieter and more reserved, Little River was a nonstop talking machine. The contrasts between the two sides of River were endlessly fascinating.
Dave knew the moment River had spotted the massive pile of bags on the bed. Their words trailed off as their eyes got wide and they stopped in their tracks.
“What’s all that, Daddy?”
“It’s some stuff Daddy ordered so we could make the most of our time here.” He gestured to the bed and asked, “Would you like to look through it?”
A light sparked in River’s eyes and they rushed to the bed, jumping up and while most likely hoping to land on the mattress, they misjudged the distance, ending up on their ass on the floor. There was a moment of pure, silent shock that reflected in their open mouth and saucer-wide eyes before tears gathered and the first wail filled the air. Dave rushed over, dropped to his knees and gathered River into his arms. He rubbed circles on their back and cooed soothing words as he held them close. All the while, he hoped he’d ordered enough first aid supplies for his accident prone Little one.
River
River’s bum-bum was still hurting when they managed to climb onto the bed in their Daddy’s room. They were trying to ignore the pain though. Daddy had done his best to make it better, and they were super excited to see what was in the bags. So many bags, so little time. They’d have to remember not to bounce when they got excited. That should be easy, right?
They settled on the mattress crisscross-applesauce and reached for the first bag in the treasure trove. Nothing was wrapped or hidden so as soon as they peeked inside, they knew what it held. Still, they pulled each thing out, one by one, inspecting and admiring them respectively.
The first thing they pulled from the bag was a binky clip. It was perfect, simple in design with a rainbow-colored strap.
“I saw you searching for your paci this morning and thought it might help,” Daddy explained.
