Page 42 of Snuggle Bug

BJ giggles as he saddles up to Bryce. "Now, we’ll have to judge the rest of the huggers together."

Bryce laughs. "What did I get myself into?"

Bryce and a few other Daddies blow a whistle, leading everyone to the center of the room. We huddle around exactly like we do for Saturday night group hugs, only this time, we’re not here to make friends. I mean, we sorta are, but we’re mainly here to win. The competition should be called King of the Hug Club.

I feel like I’m taking this too seriously, but then again, hugs are no laughing matter. If you don't pour your all into your hugs with your Daddy, how can you expect him to do the same with you?

Bryce reads from his clipboard. "I’m excited to kick off this year’s Best Hugger competition. Tonight is a very special night, and one lucky couple will win a prestigious award. This beautiful teddy with a custom Hug Club sweater will go home to a lucky boy to take care of for the rest of his life. This teddy needs lots of hugs and love, so the boy better be a great hugger. No, he needs to be the best hugger at the Hug Club, which is how I know that the teddy will be safe."

Every Little bounces on the ball of their feet. Their eyes widen as they look at the teddy, no doubt imagining pressing it to their chests.

BJ peers at the clipboard and picks up where Bryce left off. "The rules are as follows. No hugging your Daddy before the competition begins. I suspect most of you know that, if you’ve spotted the sign on the wall, unlike my future Daddy, Bryce, who bungled that rule already. We’ll judge on five criteria. Cutest hug, longest hug, cuddliest hug, silliest hug, and perfect form. Each of you will have to score the highest points in all categories to win."

Gasps sound around the room. "That’s a lot of work!"

I nod in agreement. "Talk about pressure, " I murmur.

Greyson massages my lower back. "Now, now, boy. You can hug as well as any other boy here, and in my estimation, much better. We’ve got this in the bag."

Waxley shoots us a look. "You two are going down."

Bryce snatches the clipboard back. "BJ, I didn’t say you could read the rules with me. You’re going in timeout."

"You’re not my Daddy. You can’t put me in timeout."

Wow. Just wow.

I can’t ever picture speaking to Greyson that way.

Then again, Greyson is my Daddy, and BJ makes a dang good point about Bryce not being his.

A Daddy can’t put a boy in timeout unless he’s his Daddy. Otherwise, he’s just acting like he’s in control.

Bryce buries his face in his clipboard. "I need a gin and tonic."

BJ and Bryce are so adorable that I can’t stand it. Next to BJ, Bryce looks at least triple his size. Whereas Bryce is a big, fluffy, furry beast with a heart made of marshmallow fluff, BJ is a bouncy bite-sized boy who only wants to dig and build things. BJ’s zest for life is contagious, and even though he has a tiny lil’ attitude, Bryce has more than what it takes to balance him out.

It sucks that Bryce hasn’t given himself over to BJ yet, but I have a funny feeling this may happen very soon. Plus, I heard that Bryce just got the permits to begin work on his new affordable housing development for under-housed LGBTQ+ community members in Upstate New York, which means that he’ll be enmeshed in another big-time construction project. This would be perfect for BJ to help him with, because BJ is part of the LGBTQ+ community and would love to do something positive for his fellow members.

When Bryce looks at BJ, though he’d never admit it, it’s impossible to miss the spark of longing that hides under his coffee irises. Bryce stares at BJ with a longing that’s hard to explain, and BJ shoots Bryce the same look right back. When BJ leans in and apologizes for reading the rules without Bryce’s permission, Bryce sighs and brings BJ in for a loving, caring hug. They’re both already disqualified, so the hug won’t count against them. In my estimation, it’s one of the best hugs I’ve ever seen.

A Little to my left applauds in agreement. "It’s a shame that BJ and Bryce are disqualified. That was a perfect hug."

Wren has tears in his eyes. "Oh, that’s the hug of all hugs. You two need to make an instructional video on hugging."

Waxley bursts into tears on Wren’s chest. "BJ looks so cute in Bryce’s arms. Oh, tell Bryce that he must make BJ his boy, Daddy. It’s not fair to BJ to have such a perfect hugger in his life who won’t be his Daddy. BJ is a sweet boy who needs a little love to smooth out his rough edges."

Waxley’s crying makes me cry. "Quit crying, Waxley! You’re getting me all emotional before the competition!"

Even Bryce has tears in his eyes. "I’m still working through a few things, but I’m open to discussing this arrangement."

BJ gasps as he stares into Bryce’s eyes. "Do you mean it?" A flood of tears bursts out of BJ’s eyes. "This could be the start of the rest of my life."

Bryce pats BJ’s head. "There, there, boy. Don't cry. We’ll judge this competition together, and then see what happens. You’re a very sweet Little boy, and I’ve been resisting you for too long. For one, you’re so itty-bitty that I feel like I’d crush you in my arms, but I can learn to be gentle and soft with you. Although, something tells me that you’re not the type of boy who’d say no to a spanking. One thing at a time."

BJ blushes. "My future Daddy reads me too well."

Bryce and BJ officially start the competition. Each couple wraps their arms around one another, hugging each other tight. Sighs and coos fill the air, making my heart fill with warmth.

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