Baby Bear

by Brina Brady

  Abel woke up with a backache, dehydrated, and sore. His eyes were puffy from crying himself to sleep. Sobs had racked his body; no one should be able to cry that much. Daddy Darius’s blatant rejection of his behavior, without even discussing it, had suffocated him, stealing his breath from him.

  Abel didn’t know how far he’d gotten last night; he was lost. His stomach growled from hunger, and his head ached. What was he supposed to do? He got up, looked around, and decided to keep moving.

  Abel hiked along the path lined with sweet-smelling wild orange flowers. Branches scratched his legs and arms. Birds were singing accompanied by the constant hum of background traffic noise, granting Abel’s hope that he’d make it to the main road. He stumbled upon a creek across which dogs were growling. They spooked Abel—he had been afraid of dogs since he could remember. Nevertheless, he had to keep going, and he passed the creek, hoping the dogs wouldn’t be chasing him. He was thirsty, hungry, and dizzy, but he pushed along the path without hesitation. Traffic grew louder, which meant Abel must near the highway. When he reached the side of the main highway, he stretched his arm out with his thumb up as he continued walking. A few cars passed by without stopping. He felt invisible. Abel walked and walked, and when he didn’t think he could go on much longer, finally a gas station came into sight. He hurried to make his way there.

  “Can I use your phone?” Abel asked the man behind the counter.

  “Why?”

  “My phone is dead, and I ran out of gas. I need to call someone to help me.”

  “Make it short.” The man handed him his cell phone.

  Abel tapped Daddy Darius’s number, praying he would pick up.

  “Hello.” The sound of Daddy Darius’s voice soothed Abel’s heart.

  “I’m in trouble. I need your help.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m at North Shore Gas Station off exit 23. I ran out of gas, and my phone is dead.”

  “Don’t move. I’m on my way.” Daddy Darius ended the call.

  Abel returned the phone to the man and looked around the store for something to drink. He grabbed a bottle of cold water and paid for it at the register. Daddy Darius hadn’t said much on the phone, but on the good side, he was on his way. He’d help him get gas for his car, although he made no promises he could go back home with him—he was probably angry with him, especially since he’d disappeared overnight. Would he believe him if he told him everything? He went outside and waited for Daddy Darius. He hoped Daddy Darius would take him back and keep him. He really needed to feel his strong arms wrapped around him. Being held by him would help make things a little easier. After about fifteen minutes, Daddy Darius’s truck pulled up beside where he was standing.

  Daddy Darius rolled down the window and said, “Get in.”

  Abel slid inside the truck and started shaking. Daddy Darius reached over and put his arms around him.

  “I’m taking you home, and I’m going to wrap you in my arms and never let you go. I know what happened, and I’m sorry.”

  “I’m sorry too,” Abel said as tears filled his eyes.

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

  “My car is on the highway.”

  “No, I had it towed to the cabin. I was out of my mind when I couldn’t find you last night.”

  “I took a shortcut through the woods to get to the gas station, but it got dark, and I couldn’t find the highway. I slept by the creek.”

  “Why didn’t you stay on the highway?”

  “I remembered there was a shortcut, but I was so tired and upset I couldn’t concentrate and I must have gone the wrong way.”

  Daddy Darius ruffled Abel’s hair and kissed him. “I’m so glad you called me. We have a lot to talk about, but first, I want you in my arms and in our bed.”

  “I want that too.” Abel rested his head on Daddy Darius’s shoulder as he drove them home. He felt much better now he was with his Daddy Darius.

  As soon as they entered the bedroom, Daddy Darius wrapped his arms around Abel’s waist and kissed him on the top of his head. Then his lips found Abel’s.

  “I missed you so much, Abel. I need you in my life. I’m not perfect at being a Daddy for you, but I’ll try better. I just want you to stay with me, so we can grow together.”

  “I’m not going anywhere. I wanted to find my father, but being here with you makes me appreciate what I have. Seeing him wouldn’t bring my mother or sister back, and I don’t even know where he is.”

  “You wanted some kind of explanation and closure. Sometimes, you can’t get that closure, but we can visit Utah if you want. I’ll take you wherever you need to go.”

  “Do you mind if I take a shower?” Abel preferred not to talk about his family; it would only start him crying again. Right now, he wanted to feel the safety of Daddy Darius’s arms.

  “Of course, you can. Let me take care of you. I love you, Abel. When I thought I’d lost you for good, I hurt badly.” Daddy Darius removed his clothes.

  “I want to explain what you saw.”

  “Abel, Benson told me everything. There’s no need for you to relive it.”

  Abel followed Daddy Darius to the bathroom, where he turned on the water until it was warm. He helped Abel into the shower and stood beside him.

  Daddy Darius spurted shampoo onto Abel’s hair. He closed his eyes, reveling in Daddy Darius’s touch.

  “That feels so good,” Abel said.

  “I’m going to make sure you’re feeling better.”

  With the hand shower, Daddy Darius thoroughly rinsed all the shampoo out of Abel’s hair. Then he applied conditioner, gently massaging it into his scalp. He took his time, then rinsed out the conditioner and brushed the tangles out.

  “Am I clean yet?”

  “Not yet.”

  Daddy Darius spurted pine-scented body wash into his hands and washed his neck and shoulders, then worked his way down his back. His scrubbing felt like a massage. He washed under Abel’s arms, then the front of his body and limbs. Daddy Darius played with his cock and balls, kneading his sack with lots of suds and playfully squeezing. He scrubbed his cock using slow motion, then played with his slit, driving Abel crazy.

  “Turn around and bend over. Need to wash your ass,” Daddy Darius ordered.

  Abel did as he was told and leaned his hands on the tile.

  Daddy Darius slowly moved his fingers inside his hole, played in there a little bit with his soapy fingers, and rinsed him with the hand shower. He kissed his ass, which surprised Abel.

  “You’re squeaky clean now.” He smiled at Abel when he turned around.

  “Thank you. Let me wash you, please.”

  Daddy Darius handed him the body wash. “Let me kiss your beautiful lips first.”

  Daddy Darius hugged him and slipped his tongue into Abel’s mouth to kiss him. He responded by sucking it. Their tongues danced together as Daddy Darius’s hands wandered all over Abel’s body. He pulled away from Abel, staring at him with pride.

  “You’re making me hot,” Abel said.

  “Wash me first.”

  Abel pumped some body wash into his hands, lathered it up, and stroked over Daddy Darius’s back, his arms, then his front. At last, he washed Daddy Darius’s balls and cock. Spending a bit too long playing with his ass. Daddy Darius gave Abel a playful swat across his ass. It stung but in a good way. “Now my hair too, please.”

  Abel listened to Daddy Darius and washed his hair and rinsed it. “You’re squeaky clean.”

  “That makes two of us.”

  Daddy Darius held Abel’s waist and spun him around so Abel faced the tile. Daddy Darius poured body wash onto Abel’s ass and rubbed it between his cheeks to lather up his hole. Then he stuck his finger inside him, moving it around to stretch him. Abel looked down at his cock standing at attention as the shower rained down on them.

  Daddy Darius slipped a condom on and thrust his hard cock inside Abel, balls pounding. Daddy Darius pulled out, allowing
only his cock head in, then slammed in again. For a few minutes, he kept up this relenting rhythm, then changed to a slower pace. Abel was in love with Daddy Darius because he made him feel things he had never felt before. He didn’t know how to slow down his feelings without getting hurt from wanting everything Daddy Darius gave him. He’d said those words, that he loved him. He was sure he meant them.

  “What’s my Baby Bear thinking?”

  “I’m feeling so close to you right now, more than any other day we’ve been together.”

  “I feel the strong connection we have, and I know we’re both closer than we were. I can feel it, and I don’t mean sexually. That too, but it’s so much more. It’s as if I woke up and knew you were mine, and I have to step up for you. I want to take care of you.”

  Daddy Darius continued that fast-slow-fast pattern while he stroked Abel’s cock with his slick hand. Instinctively, Abel raised his butt even higher to meet each thrust. Daddy Darius nibbled and kissed his neck. For the first time in a long time, Abel felt cared for and loved by a man. He knew what he was feeling was real, and he wasn’t afraid anymore. He’d found the right man, one who would meet his needs. At this moment, Abel rested in his bliss.

  “Do you like how my big cock feels inside your little ass? Tell me, Abel.”

  “Hmmm. My ass loves your big cock.” Precum dripped from Abel’s cock as Daddy Darius continued hammering his prostate. “So good,” Abel panted.

  Daddy Darius’s pumping became faster and faster.

  “I’m going to come,” Abel moaned.

  “Come, Abel.”

  Daddy Darius slowed down and cupped his hand in front of Abel’s cock to catch his cum as it shot out. After he rinsed Abel’s cum from his fingers, Daddy Darius held Abel’s thighs with both hands and resumed his fucking.

  With a driving completion, Daddy Darius gasped and flooded his condom with plentiful amounts of cum. He pulled out of Abel, breathing deeply, slid the shower door open, and flung his used condom into the trashcan.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Darius

  Waking up beside Abel was the best thing about the mornings. He held on to his Baby Bear. He was everything to him, his entire world. He would take care of him in the best way possible. There would be no more jealous rants. While Abel slept, he took a quick shower, then lay back on the bed beside Abel.

  “Morning, Daddy Darius,” Abel whispered.

  “Feeling a little better?”

  “I was hoping you’d spend the day with me. There are some things I need to talk to you about.”

  “Sounds serious.”

  “It is. Don’t worry. It’s not bad for us. I need to do this, but I’ll go crazy if I have to wait until you get home.”

  “Emma is opening the diner, so I’d already planned to be with you.”

  Abel snuggled up to Darius and kissed him. “I love you so much.”

  “I like hearing you say that. I love you too. I just didn’t know it until you were gone last night.”

  “I was going to call you for help, but my phone died.”

  “I have a new rule for you. Your gas tank must be full and your phone charged, or I’ll spank you. That’s dangerous behavior. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, Daddy Darius.”

  “That’s a good Baby Bear.” Daddy Darius kissed him. “Hey, get dressed. We’re going to have a picnic breakfast out the back of the cabin. Are you up for it?”

  “Yes.” Abel tore himself from under the comforter and hugged Darius. “Thank you for keeping me.”

  “Thank you for calling me and letting me keep you.”

  Darius collected all the food and drinks, paper plates and cups. He even found the camping coffee pot. He carried everything outside and moved the table closer to the fire pit, where he lit a fire. He’d just added water and coffee to the pot when Abel showed up.

  “You really are a lumberjack.” Abel smiled with enthusiasm. “That’s how I imagined you when I first saw you in the diner.

  Daddy Darius laughed and kissed his nose. “I am a lumberjack, and when I first saw you on the pole, I wanted to be your Papa Bear.”

  “You’re the best Papa Bear.” He hugged Daddy Darius.

  “Are you hungry?”

  “Starving.”

  “Scramble the eggs while I fry the bacon.”

  Abel went to the table and cracked the eggs into the bowl, then beat them with a fork. The bacon smelled so good. Daddy Darius had another pan with potatoes in it. Abel moved beside him and poured the eggs into the smaller pan.

  “You look a lot better today. I hope I can help you heal.”

  “You’ve already made me feel so much better. I wanted to kill my father, but I’ve realized he’s not worth it. I don’t want to lose you.”

  “You wouldn’t lose me, but please don’t because I wouldn’t want to visit you in prison. I need you here with me.”

  “That’s what I mean. I don’t want to be separated from you.”

  They piled the cooked food onto their plates and carried them to the table.

  “Everything looks so good,” Abel said.

  “Thanks for helping with the eggs.”

  “Anytime. Can I talk about what I want to do?” Abel asked.

  “Sure you can.”

  “I’ve decided I want to quit my job. There is a reason why, and I want to explain how I made that decision to you.”

  “I definitely want you to tell me why you want to quit the job you love.”

  “Part of my decision is about us, and the other part is about me. I hate having opposite working hours to you because we can’t enjoy each other. I’m selfish. I need and want to see you every night. I can’t do that with a job that’s in the late evening. I also know it bothers you, even though you say it doesn’t.”

  “It does bother me, but the bottom line is I want you to be happy. If that’s what you want, I’m fine with your decision about working or not working there. As I said before, it’s your decision.”

  “The other part is my weakness to say no. I didn’t want to sit on Mr. Benson’s lap, and I understand why he wanted me to, but it broke our agreement. I know it’s because Mr. Benson paid my way to Minnesota from Utah. He got me through some bad times. I’ll always feel like I don’t have a right to say no, but should. I’m grateful for everything he’s done for me, but he can’t come between us, and he does. I want us to start fresh.”

  Darius grabbed Abel’s hand and kissed it. “I appreciate you telling me what was on your mind. I’m so pleased with your decision. If you want to stay home and take care of things at the cabin, I’m for that too. Whatever you want, I’m here to help you. I’d like you to go to school, but that’s up to you.”

  “Do you think I lack an education because of how I was raised?”

  “I don’t know much about your education, but when I talk to you, I don’t feel anything is missing.”

  “I went to regular schools in Utah and graduated from high school. I don’t have a college education because I never had the money or the time. I want to work with you.”

  “You do? What do you want to do?”

  “I want to learn how to be a bartender at your hotel, but I guess that would mean working nights too.”

  “You wouldn’t be working until closing, so we could figure it out. But you have to go to school and get a license. Are you willing to take the course?”

  “Would we have opposite hours if I bartend?’

  “I have roving hours. I was going to train Emma to take over the diner so I can spend more time at the hotel. We could live in the hotel or here.”

  “Where would I learn how to bartend?”

  “They have a school about an hour away. It would take twenty-five to thirty-five hours of training at your own pace. I’d suggest five hours a day. Then you’d be there for a week plus take the test.”

  “Can I commute there?”

  “I think we should go and stay at a hotel in Saint Paul. Then at night, we can go out.
”

  “What would you do while I go to school?”

  “Go with you. There’s no reason why I shouldn’t have a review course too.”

  “You’d do that?”

  “Yes, it would be fun. I know how to make drinks, but I need a review, and it would be fun to go to class together.”

  “How much will it cost?” Abel asked.

  “It costs three hundred. I’d pay for both of us.”

  “I don’t want you to pay for me.”

  “Who’s the Daddy here? You or me?”

  “You are.”

  “And Daddy Darius says he is paying, so you’d better pass the class.”

  “I promise.”

  “We’ll sign up after we come back.”

  “Come back from where?”

  “Let’s clean up, and I’ll show you a surprise.”

  Abel got up and filled the large pail with water while Darius squeezed in some dishwashing detergent.

  “Fill the other one with plain water to rinse them, then dry them. Put them in the large bag.”

  Abel scrubbed the pots and pans and rinsed them while Darius put more coffee in the pot. “I’m making us another cup.”

  Abel seemed less emotional today than last night, but Darius wasn’t sure Abel was feeling better.

  “Let’s sit in the rockers by the fire pit.” Abel finished the washing and drying, then put the items in the bag. He sat beside Darius with his coffee mug in his hand.

  “What do you want to do today?” Darius asked Abel.

  “I don’t know.”

  “Would you like to go shopping with me?”

  “For what?”

  “Wait here. I have to get something to show you.” Darius went inside the house and found the tickets. Abel needed a vacation, time away from work, but Darius worried about his decision to quit his job. Did he mean what he’d said? Would he want to return to dancing, or would he be happy serving drinks all day? He wasn’t sure Abel wanted to quit his job, but maybe taking a leave of absence might do him good. Sure, he’d love for him to work at his hotel, but he really didn’t have bartending in mind. Abel was still very young, and he might not know what he wanted to do. When he returned, Abel was on his phone but ended his call when he sat down.