3. Drake

Chapter three

Drake

O h fuck. I'm getting hard.

As Ash looks over at me with his gorgeous large almond-shaped eyes and confidently tells me he wants a Daddy, I'm over here popping a damn boner. That title or phrase has never made me hard before, but have it rolling off Ash's tongue and I'm fucking here for it.

"Oh my gosh. Uh, uh." Ash turns red and looks around frantically. "I gotta go potty!"

My eyes widen. He's totally freaking out. I get the feeling he doesn't have to go to the restroom, but just needs a moment to himself.

I slide out of my booth. "Of course, take your time. Unless you want me to help you?"

We both freeze.

Oh crap, why did I say that? Awkward. "I mean, do you want to meet me next door in ten minutes?"

Ash's head bobs eagerly, his wild black hair flopping back and forth. He scoots out of the booth and speed walks toward the restroom.

Right before Ash walks inside, he pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts frantically tapping on the screen.

Holy shit. I think I need a moment to myself as well. Grateful for the privacy, I step out of the restaurant and slowly walk next door. There's a line of people inside, so instead, I walk over to an open patio table and sit down as I reach for my phone, too.

Pulling up a favorite app, I toggle over to the group chat option.

I need some advice. While none of us are roommates anymore, this group owes me some explanations.

Roommates Supporting Roommates Group Chat.

Thursday: 7:03 PM

Drake: Guys. I'm drowning.

Rowan: Is your phone waterproof? Call for help. Don't message us!

Drake: Not literally.

Jules: Hey Drake. How can we help?

Alec: Is everything okay?

I smile at the flood of concerned messages that come pouring in. They might have all known about Ash, which in all honesty makes me feel out of the loop, but it wasn't their secret to tell. They really are good friends.

Drake: Ash told me that he's a little.

Jules: Finally!

Alec: Thank god!

Rowan: Yes!! Does this mean you'll be his Daddy???

My eyes widen at that last message. Fucking Rowan, always so damn sassy. I didn't even think about what that could mean for Ash and me. Would I be willing to be a Daddy? His Daddy? What does that even mean?

Drake: I'm not entirely sure I'm Daddy material. What does a Daddy even do? And is everyone in this damn chat kinky, and I just had no idea?

Jules: You can totally be a Daddy. Look it up when you have time. And yes, I'm a submissive into pet play. I'm a fox.

Rowan: I'm an absolute delight. Oh, and a boy!

Alec: Totally kinky. BDE here.

Drake: Yeah, okay man. I don't need to hear about you oozing big dick energy.

Alec: Oh, no. I meant Big Daddy Energy. I don't go by the title, but Juni knows what's up.

Juniper: You remember you added me to this chat, right, Alec? But yeah, he's right. Alec totally has Daddy vibes.

Alec: Sure do, sweetheart. *Winky face*

Rowan: Every Daddy is different, but I bet Ash is looking for someone sweet, and cuddly.

Rory: Just popped on, catching up now.

Oh shit. I forgot Rory was in this chat too. Crap. Did I just out Ash to Rory?

Rory: Hehe. Jacob is totally my Daddy. He's someone who makes me feel loved and safe.

Jules: A good Daddy is caring. He makes sure his little or boy is taken care of.

Rory: Yes! A good Daddy loves taking care of his boy.

Rowan: Drake, don't worry. Do some research. If you need any advice talk to Hudson.

My mouth falls open. Rowan just confessed that he's a boy. So, of course, his boyfriend, aka my co-worker and friend, had to be his Daddy. Oh crap, I'll never be able to look at Hudson with a straight face again.

Jules: I'll send you some informational links that are actually relevant. Some online stuff can take you down a weird rabbit hole.

Rory: I agree with Jules, you don't need to worry. You practically ooze Daddy vibes and already act like one too.

Alec: BDE! I'm telling you. It's a thing.

Jules: I don't think you know this, but Cal is my Daddy, and the co-owner of Dark Satin, the kink club at the edge of town. Cal can give some real advice to someone who's new to the lifestyle. Trust me, it isn't as scary as it probably sounds, but if Daddy kink isn't for you, you have to tell Ash. You can't force this stuff, it's just part of who you are.

Drake: Thanks, guys. I feel a little better, but clearly, I need to read up on more.

Rowan: Oh, and Drake?

Drake: Yeah?

Rowan: Welcome to the club.

I smile as I click on a link that Jules sent and quickly scan through the first article. The tension leaves my body as I read. Damn, have I been a Daddy this whole time and haven't even realized it? According to this ‘ littles and FAQ ' article, a Daddy tends to be a caregiver who looks after their little. There are all types of Daddies, but overall, most of what the article lists already feels like second nature to me. Originally, whenever I heard the term, I just assumed it was about a sexy older man with gray hair. Kind of like that hot John guy Ash talks to.

"Hey." Ash is standing by my side. I didn't even hear him approach. Bookmarking the site, I save it for some late-night reading.

"Are you ready for some frozen yogurt?"

He smiles at me and nods.

We walk inside and spend a little time trying out the samples until I settle on a pineapple sorbet, and Ash gets a chocolate vanilla swirl. He piles so many toppings onto his frozen yogurt, that I wonder how he's going to taste anything other than the candy.

"Do you mind if we walk in the park while we eat?" I suggest, waving my hand at the park across the street. It's a nice location filled with grass and trees, with a long walking path that runs parallel to the beach. The sun is high in the air, but there's an ocean breeze that makes the heat bearable.

"I'd like that." Ash grins before we make our way toward the park's entrance, all while licking the frozen treats from our spoons and sneaking glances at each other. We take the dirt path, ocean waves crashing in the distance.

"Can I ask you what being a little looks like for you? You weren't gone long, but I scanned an article that gave me a vague idea, but I want to know about you, specifically."

"OK. Sure. Well, I like to regress to different ages depending on my mood. But it's usually between the ages of four to maybe about eight. Some littles have an age they enjoy most, but I don't really keep track, I just do what feels right. I love wearing clothes that make me feel little, and I really like to color and draw."

"But you already draw, and you are definitely more talented than any four-year-old," I reply.

"When I draw during a scene—that's what I call it when I get into a little headspace and play—my drawings aren't very complex. So you might actually see some drawings that look like a toddler drew it, instead the of more complicated drawings you're used to seeing from me."

I snap my fingers. "That's why you had all those papers scattered on the coffee table at your sister's last month. You told me some little drew it. I thought you meant some little kid."

"Guilty." Ash bites his lip. "Yeah, that was me." He glances down at his yogurt, bobbing the spoon up and down. "It helps me relax. Drawing and coloring are the easiest way for me to get into little space without drawing too much attention to myself."

I frown.

"I don't think my sister would let me regress if she knew it was a form of age play. Angela kind of frowns down on anything she deems immature."

"I'm so sorry, Ash. You shouldn't have to deal with all that. I'm so fucking proud of you for moving out."

Angela took advantage of Ash for too long, continuously guilting him into staying, just so she could save money on rent. She constantly manipulated him to get what she wanted, and I hated what it did to his self-confidence.

"Do you mean that?" Ash asks softly. "That you're proud of me?"

"I do mean it. You put up with her shit for way too long, but did your best to always be kind. I could never figure out why she did it to you specifically, but your other sisters don't treat you like that. Just because Angela is the oldest doesn't mean she has the right." I huff, ready to defend Ash.

He leans forward in his chair and throws his arms around me, surrounding me with that tantalizing blueberry scent. "Thank you, Drake."

"You're welcome, little one," I whisper in his ear. Ash shivers against me and I grin. It makes so much sense now, the way he reacts when I call him little one. It's an endearment that just pops out when I'm feeling especially sentimental. The first time I called him little one, I winced. He's a good six inches shorter than me, and I was afraid he'd think I was making fun of him, but it was the complete opposite.

"What else would you like to know?" He pulls away from my embrace, and I already miss his warmth.

"Hmm." I tap my chin with my index finger. "Do you have any items that help you feel little?"

Ash wiggles in his chair and claps his hands in excitement. "I have a huge stuffy collection. And my favorite stuffy is Nelly. She's the Chibico you got me when the anime came out. Oh! And I have my Pokémon plushies, and my coloring pencils."

Everything he said felt like a puzzle piecing itself together to form a clearer picture. Seeing Ash like this makes so much sense; it's always been there, just under the surface. I'm even more eager to learn about this side of Ash. It clearly means everything to him, and I silently vow to prove to him that he can show me anything in the future. No more hiding.

The more Ash tells me about the things he owns, the higher in pitch and louder he gets. Almost as if his little side is coming to the surface. Then it hits me; it is coming to the surface. He's coming to the surface. Ash is bouncing his legs and moving his hands around animatedly. He's so fucking adorable that I want to bring him to the store this instant and buy him another stuffed animal for his collection.

"Wait," I reply. "Where are all these things? I haven't seen them."

Ash's eyes dim a little. "I usually tuck everything into Tupperware that slide under the bed."

Oh, baby boy. My poor Ash doesn't need to hide himself. Especially from me.

"I can't wait to see your collection. I bet you have the cutest stuffies." I make sure to use the word he used, adding it to my word bank next to nuggies. I'm used to saying stuffed animals or stuffed toys, but stuffies is kind of cute and it totally suits Ash's personality.

Ash completely lights up. "Omg, now that you know everything about me, maybe I can pull things out of the Tupperware and display them in my room. I mean… if that's okay. And uh, assuming I can still live with you."

Fuck. His sad tone tears me up inside. Screw anyone who made him feel this way. "Of course, you're still going to live with me!" If I had it my way, I'd have him move into my bedroom, where I can cuddle up with him and protect him from any asshole who wants to judge my boy.

"Now," I say. "Why don't we go home, and you can show me some of your stuffies, and then maybe we can cuddle up on the couch and watch a movie? Or maybe I can watch you play Harvest Moon ?

Ash's large eyes sparkle with excitement. "Thanks Da-Drake!"