Page 51 of Scars
Fresh tears roll down my face as Daddy turns off the water, gently nudging me out of the shower. He carefully dries every inch of me, and I almost melt from the sweetness. I know most see the monster beneath his skin… But there’s more to him. There’s the man who will do anything for those he loves, including offering a softness that others will never get to experience. I’d feel sorry for those who miss that side of him, but I’m too happy to bask in it for as long as I can.
“Come here, Baby Boy.”
I startle at his rough voice, but as he takes my hand, I let him tug me out of the bathroom. He pulls me toward one of the closets, and I’m surprised when he opens it some of my clothes are mixed in with others. My breath hitches, emotions swarming me again, overloading my senses, and the sniffles turn to sobs once more.Fuck. At this point, I’m going to be dehydrated, and Doc will yell at me, since Sarah probably doesn’t want to be my friend anymore.
“Shh…It’s okay, Little Monster,” Daddy whispers as he pulls me into a hug. Our bare skin touches, and I shudder for another reason, but I push it aside ruthlessly. It’s not time for sex. “Let’s get you dressed and then we’ll talk—and cuddle.”
I almost melt at the thought of Daddy cuddles. It’s exactly what I want and need. But fuck, I don’t deserve it at all. Still, I let him dress me as if I’m nothing but a doll. I smile briefly at the clothes he chooses. It’s not a suit. As much as I enjoy wearing suits, I admit I do love the flair of Javi’s outfits.
He puts me in comfortable khakis and a fun polo that has dancing teddy bears on it. I giggle at it, touching them in wonder as I slide deeper in myself, to a place that’s all my own. One that’s happier, even amidst the chaos that swirls on the outer edges. Daddy cups my face and smiles down at me, before picking me up and taking me to the bed. I erupt in more giggles at the swooping movement and the small bounce I give when I hit the bed.
When Daddy crawls onto the bed, his exaggerated movements remind me of a panther, and I can’t help finding the joy inside me, pushing everything else away. The world takes on a slightly fuzzy quality, and I sink into safety, where nothing bad can touch me. When he opens up his arms, I practically jump on him, eliciting a small, “Oomph”.
“Cuddles!” I demand, loving it as he holds me tight.
“That’s right, Baby Boy. Time for cuddles with Daddy. We’ll talk afterward,” he softly says to me. “And maybe you can take a little nap. You’ve had a tough time, haven’t you?”
I want to argue that I’m not tired, but the yawn that escapes me proves I may be a tiny bit sleepy. It’s just…his arms are so comfortable. I’m not looking forward to talking, so I close my eyes and let myself drift. I'm safe for now, until I have to face reality again…
Lio sleeps cuddled up on me, his soft breaths ghosting across my skin. His weight is barely noticeable as I hold him close.
Never did I think I’d be here. Hollis was, and always has been, my end goal. After him…every single lover I acquired has been a bonus. I’ll care for and protect what’s mine, because that’s how I’m built. It’s how Cristian was able to snag me for so long. He snuck in before I even realized what, or who I am, managing to gain loyalty and devotion he didn’t always deserve.
How far I’ve come from the younger version of myself. Now, I have people who I consider mine for entirely different reasons. Including the Boy in my arms who calls meDaddy. The honor of that…the trust he’s giving me… Fucking hell, I think this Boy has broken me with his stupidfeels whisperertitle.
But if that’s what he needs? I’ll give it to him. So he can continue being Death.
Lio stirs, his body stiffening, as if he’s realizing, upon waking, where he is and what happened. He sank so fast and deep into his Littlespace in the bathroom that he didn’t fully process where we were. Now? It’s not so easy for him to let go and ignore the grown-up shit that comes with breaking your own heart.
I tighten my arms around him as he props himself up to watch my face. “Hi,” he says, soft and shy, still Little, but as he stares at me with those dark emerald eyes, I can see he’s not as deep in that headspace as before.
“Hi, Baby Boy. Good nap?”
He nods. Chewing his lip for a moment, he looks worried, before saying, “Thank you, Daddy. For being here.”
Reaching up, I brush some of his hair from his face, enjoying the way he turns into my touch, his lips skimming across my palm.
“Always. I’ll be here whenever you need me, Little Monster.”
Tears fill his eyes. “But you won’t… Not when you know what I did.”
“Let me be the judge of that. You don’t get to decide what your Daddy can or cannot handle.”
His bottom lip wobbles. “I… Fuck! I messed up, Daddy. Sir…Hollis…he’s never going to forgive me.”
I tighten my arm around him until he lets out a small gasp. “Hol is stronger than he thinks. He loves you, Baby Boy. Nothing you say can, or will, change that for him.”
He shakes his head, tears falling fast down his face. “Not this. I…I gave him an ultimatum. I tried to force his hand, even though I know it’s not my place. But… But…I don’t want to be justthisanymore!” He pushes against me and I let him go, watching carefully as he scrambles up, gesturing to himself. “Ican’t just be his Puppy…or even your Baby Boy. As much as I love it. I need to be a Council ruler too. I am Death.”
I sit across from him, ignoring my instincts to reach for him, trusting he’ll ask for help when he needs me. “You are,” I agree. “It’s part of the reason we love you so much.”
He sniffs. “I just wanted him to listen.” His voice is so soft and small. “I needed to know he saw and heard me, but maybe I was fooling myself the entire time. Maybe…maybe it was like when Master asked me to marry him to unite the Families. Hollis only wanted what I could give him, and now he doesn’t anymore because I’m too much work. I'm not the perfect submissive he thought I was.”
Lightning fast, I move over to him, gripping his chin firmly in my hand, knowing he’ll have bruises, but not giving a shit.
“You are so much more than your submission. I see it, and Roman sees it. So does your Master and your Owner. Especially, your Owner.”
He shakes his head. “Then why didn’t he listen?”
