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Chapter Thirty-One

Rocky

"They really care about me."

Aiden's voice broke the silence later that night. Rocky was holding him close and had assumed the other man was sleeping, but when his voice cut through the air it wasn't tinged with sleep.

"Who?"

Rocky had a fair clue who Aiden was talking about but he tried to never assume when he could get clarification. Assuming only led to misunderstanding. Rocky wasn't one to waste time and energy on avoidable arguments when he could simply ask and be sure.

"The guys."

Aiden's surprise at this would have been shocking if Rocky hadn't quickly learned that Aiden didn't always pick up on clues. He preferred to be told outright, much like Blade had done earlier that day.

"They do. We do. We care about you very much."

"You really think they'll still care when they find out?" He sounded so unsure of himself and it broke Rocky's heart.

"Baby, I think they already know and they still care. At least, I think they've suspected for a long time, just like I have. None of them would say something before you're ready, but I'd be willing to bet they've figured it out already and don't give a flying fuck because being gay and Little doesn't change who you are as a person. They care about you, not your sexual orientation or how you identify."

Rocky had been rubbing up and down Aiden's back as he spoke, his hope slowly building with every word he said. He felt as Aiden grew tense, he noticed the moment that tension eased and when he sensed Aiden's deep breath everything in Rocky went still, waiting for what Aiden would say.

"I don't want to say anything." Rocky felt the disappointment keenly until he realized that wasn't all that Aiden was going to say. "I don't want to keep hiding, though. Do you think it would be okay to be open but not make some grand announcement?"

Rocky got it, Aiden didn't like to be the center of attention so he wouldn't want some kind of big gathering to explain. Rocky was absolutely ecstatic that he wouldn't have to hide what Aiden meant to him anymore though.

"Yeah, baby. I think that's the perfect way to go about this."

With that settled, Aiden seemed to snuggle in closer and within moments his breathing evened out and a small snore floated to Rocky's ears. His boy had found sleep, but it would be a long while before Rocky himself was able to shut down. It had been a long day with a lot of progress made for Aiden, and a lot of worries added to Rocky's mind. When he did finally fall asleep, it was with thoughts of keeping his boy safe playing over in his head.

Aiden

Aiden was struggling with how nervous being back in the clubhouse was making him. This was still the same office he'd been working in for years, he was still doing the same job, he was still interacting with the same people. Yet, somehow, the fact that he knew someone was listening in was making him feel like the lead role in a production he didn't even know the lines for. Deciding to no longer hide his feelings for Daddy or the fact that Rocky was his Daddy was only adding to his unease.

Logically, it was illogical. Nothing had really changed since the last time he was here, but he felt as if he'd changed. Aiden reached into his desk drawer and into his bag that he had stored there. He wrapped his hand around one of Octavia's long tentacles and rubbed his thumb over the stuffy's textured underside to bring himself comfort.

He'd been rubbing the soft fur for a few minutes before he realized that he no longer needed to hide what he was doing. There wasn't any reason to keep Octavia banished to the dark anymore. He opened his drawer more and reached in with both hands, removing his precious friend and putting her on the top of his desk where he could see, touch and talk to her anytime.

Now that he'd freed his friend he wasn't sure what he should do. Aiden wasn't the best with pretending to be doing something. Usually, he wouldn't waste time with pretense, but this particular occasion called for it and he felt as if he was failing at it.

He looked back at his computer, open to some random tab he wasn't even sure what to do with, and decided he'd play a bit of a computer game. He'd been known to clear his head with a few rounds of some mindless puzzle game, so doing so wouldn't be too out of the ordinary.

Just as he reached the game he wanted a voice called out from the door, "You're back!" Aiden startled and looked up to find Rich in the doorway. "Heard you conked your noggin. You feeling better?"

"Um, yeah." What was Rich doing here? Aiden thought everyone was being kept away while the remodel was being done.

"I thought I'd come see if you were here and ask if you wanted to have lunch. I've missed your face since they shut this place down."

"Um, sure let me make sure Rocky doesn't have plans for us."

Aiden was already mid-text when he realized what he'd said. It had come out so naturally, he hadn't even noticed at first. The silence from Rich clued him in first before he looked up to see the other man looking at him with an expression that could only be described as sheer glee.

"I wondered how long it would be before the two of you got your heads out of your asses." Rich started to laugh before something seemed to startle him and he said, "You did, right? You're together now?"

Aiden chuckled before he nodded, confirming for the first time to someone else that he and Rocky were indeed a couple. That felt right, too. So right.

Aiden: Rich wants to grab lunch.

Daddy: Not without me.

Aiden: But can you go? He knows we're a couple so I can just tell him you want to come.

Daddy: If you want to, we can.

Aiden: I do.

Daddy: See you in a few minutes, baby.

Aiden: Okay.

Aiden looked up from his text exchange to see Rich studying Octavia as he waited. Part of Aiden tensed waiting for judgment. Instead, Rich looked her over with a look close to longing. "She's pretty. Can I touch her?"

Aiden appreciated the fact that Rich asked before just reaching over. He wasn't sure how he'd have felt if the other man had simply grabbed her.

"Sure, she's really soft."

Rich ran his hands over the soft fur and smiled a bit, but something about it was off, sad somehow, "She really is."

"Hey, baby. Are y'all ready?" Rocky's voice caused both men to jump, not having noticed him in the doorway.

"I am," Rich answered first as he stepped away from the desk and put his hands in his back pockets.

Aiden wasn't sure, but he felt like there were things he should maybe be talking to Rich about. He didn't want to be a bad friend, but he also wasn't completely sure what Rich needed from him. He'd ask Daddy about it later. Maybe he'd know what Aiden should do.

For now, Aiden rose and grabbed his bag, following the other two men from his office and locking the door behind him.

"Ralf's okay with y'all?"

"Sure, I'll meet y'all there," Rich replied and took off before Aiden could give his own answer. That was okay though, he loved Ralf's.

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