Page 16 of The Defense Rests
Me: I'm here now. I will be here for a couple of days. What's up?
Amber: That's wonderful. I mean, if you're free. We are hosting a community fair at the shelter on Wednesday. Could you come? We could offer free basic health services to our clients (blood pressure, temperature, etc). Talk to them about safe sex. That sort of thing.
Me: I would love to help. If I had more notice, I could have set up a small clinic to conduct more thorough exams.
Amber: Sounds great. Maybe in the future? I'll text you the information. It's Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Me:
Kai stirring next to me causes me to put my phone away and give him all of my attention. The movie was long forgotten by both of us as the ending credits scroll up the screen. Poor guy slept through the whole thing.
"Sorry I crashed on you," he says in a groggy voice, sitting up. His little persona is nowhere to be seen.
"That's okay. You had a rough morning." I tell him, checking my watch because the grocery delivery is expected to arrive soon. "Are you hungry? I ordered some groceries forus, but since you're out of little space, maybe you would want something else."
"Pizza sounds good, if you don't mind saving the groceries for later." He stands, picking up the bottle from the coffee table and heading into the kitchen.
I follow.
"Pizza sounds perfect." And it will give us a chance to
talk.
He stands at the sink washing the bottle before tilting it upside down in the rack to dry. With his hands on the counter, I can tell he's deep in thought about something. I let him take the time to process whatever it is that has him deep in thought.
"Whatever happens between us," Kai starts, "I just want you to know that I will fight my hardest for you in this case."
"I know you will. I trust you, Kai." I tell him in all honesty.
He turns and faces me. Tears already filling his eyes, and I cross the room in a few steps. "I trust you, too. It's been years since I slipped into littlespace so easily. Most of the time, I'm hovering, but I never allow myself to fully immerse in the lifestyle. I’ve miss it so much. It’s the only time I can fully relax."
"Oh, baby boy." I hold my arms out, and he steps into them willingly. I wrap my arms around him, and he lets me hold him for as long as I want. Unfortunately, the doorbell ringing breaks the moment.
He opens a drawer and hands me a takeout menu for pizza. "This is the best pizza in the area. Order whatever. I like it all. I also have cash for the delivery driver, so you don't have to pay. I'll check the door."
Hanging up the phone, "Pizza will be here in about forty-five minutes." I tell him.
"What did you do?" He asks with a mock-stern expression on his face, holding a mid-sized box.
"Just a little something to tell you thanks for representing me in the case and allowing me to be your daddy again, even if it was just a one-day thing." I don't know why I added that last part, and Kai's mock-sternness takes on a real contemplative one.
"One time," he whispers. Looking defeated. "Is that what you want?" He asks, looking like I kicked his puppy.
"No. Not at all. I would like to get to know you again. I know we can't pick up where we left off because we have both changed over the years, but it would be nice to learn about the new you." I tell him, and his shoulders visibly relax. "I want to take care of you. I enjoyed this afternoon very much, but I wish we had played more. You don't have very many little things here."
He looks down at the box he set on the table. "I have a few things in the closet, but I never allow myself to enjoy them."
"What? Why?"
"Just been focusing on my career, never allowing myself to enjoy what I like because I work so much." He tells me, and I nod my understanding. I was there too when I first started in the clinic.
"I understand that. But, maybe together we can both find some balance so we can explore this old-new dynamic together." I walk over and put my hand on his back.
"I'd like that." He tells me, and this time I don't kiss him on the temple. His eyes tell me that he is longing for it too, so I lean in and brush my lips softly across his. When we pull back, he whispers, "I missed you, Daddy."
"I missed you, too, butterfly. Now, open your prezzies."
Kai walks over to the drawer from which he got the menu and pulls out a pair of large scissors.
