by Alexis Woods
Dylan wet his lips and went for it, giving Christian a kiss on the cheek, learning that his daddy’s skin was as soft as it looked. Christian jerked back, staring with wide eyes at Dylan. Dylan nibbled on his bottom lip. “Sorry, Daddy. I couldn’t help it.”
Christian’s gaze softened, then he offered his hand to help Dylan out. He kept hold while he grabbed Dylan’s backpack, since Rhianna occupied Dylan’s other arm. “I’ll get your suitcase later.”
“M’kay.” Dylan giggled. Christian didn’t seem to know the first thing about being a Daddy. It made Dylan wonder how much mischief he could get into.
Mr. Charles along with other “teachers” taught him how to be a little. Dylan never expected someone would have to teach him how to act like a child. Having his teddy bear was one thing, but it turned out that there was a big difference between being a little kid and being an adult little. He had to unlearn or, at least, pretend to unlearn details like tying his shoes or buckling his seatbelt.
Christian led him along the simple concrete path to the front door, which opened as they stepped onto the porch. He stopped unexpectedly, and Dylan bumped into his back. Dylan bounced off, dancing backwards and rubbing his nose for effect.
“Daddy, why’d you stop?” he whined. Christian didn’t answer, his attention rooted on whoever had opened the door. Dylan peered around Christian.
Mmm. Yum. Hunky hotness wrapped in faded jeans and a rust-colored polo stood in the doorway with a huge, bright grin staring at Christian. He sported a crew cut a shade lighter than Dylan’s dark blond, and though his hands were tucked into his back pockets, between the thick forearms and skin-tight jeans, Dylan could tell he had a wealth of muscles.
Hottie’s gaze slid from Christian to Dylan’s backpack and then to Dylan’s face. New guy’s smile faded. “Who’s this?” he asked, his growly dislike clear.
Uh-oh. Dylan stepped behind Christian to avoid the piercing glare leveled at him.
“Welcome home, Brian. This is… This is…” Christian twisted to snag Dylan’s arm and bring him around in front. “This is Dylan Crane, my little.”
“Your little?” Deep creases formed across Brian’s brow.Dylan sneered at the venomous tone. Fine. He thinks he’s all that? F-you, Brian. I don’t have to like you anyway. He buried his face in Rhianna’s fur and whimpered, acting like the little he contracted to be, but internally he seethed. Why did Brian hate him? He’d never even met the guy before. It wasn’t like he was putting the guy out of his house, or for Goddess’ sake, Christian’s bed—
“You needed a little?” Brian continued to rant. “Seriously? Why? I’m right— You know what? Forget it. I gotta get outta here.” Brian disappeared and reappeared, keys now in hand. He pushed past them, striding fast towards his car. Brian had the door open and slammed shut, the engine revving, before Christian even got close enough to explain.
The lightbulb in Dylan’s brain clicked on. Brian wanted Christian, and Dylan had just usurped his place. Ugh, this makes everything so much more complicated, and Dylan hated complicated.
“Damn,” Christian muttered as he watched Brian back out and drive away. A hint of dismay and a lot of confusion filled Christian’s expression. Once the car disappeared from view, Christian apologized, “Sorry about Brian’s behavior. I don’t know why he did that?”
Dylan shrugged. He felt bad for Christian, but there was no way he’d let Brian derail his plans. He wasn’t leaving anytime soon. Ryan was close, he could feel it. “It’s okay, Daddy, but I still gotta pee.”
Christian grinned sheepishly. “Well, let’s go.”
Chapter 3
Ryan
After the third crash and bang coming from the kitchen, Ryan Crane went to investigate. Brian, his weekend kit-sitter and confidant, paced furiously, raising a raucous: slamming pans on the stove, the cutting board on the island counter, and the contents on the refrigerator door rattled every time he yanked open the door then shoved it shut.
“What’d that potato ever do to you?” Ryan teased as he leaned in the doorway, watching Brian mutilate a couple of spuds.
Brian laid the large knife down, pressed his hands to the countertop, and drew in a slow breath.
“What’s wrong?” Ryan asked, stepping closer and pulling out a stool. He hopped up to sit across from his friend. It wasn’t even the weekend, which made it doubly strange to see Brian here in his house.
“Nothing.”
“Yeah, right.” Ryan reached across the island and tapped gently on the back of Brian’s hand. “You’re here on your day off and taking out your frustrations on a poor, defenseless tater. I wouldn’t call that nothing.”
Brian sighed. He shuffled backwards to lean against the counter behind him. “Christian brought a little home.”
Ryan grinned. “That’s great.” By Brian’s frown, Ryan could tell, however, his friend didn’t concur with his opinion. “You don’t agree.”
“It’s hard to be happy when I want what this new little has.” Brian peered at Ryan. “He kinda looks like you, younger though.”
Ryan crossed his arms and rested them on the counter. Brian was technically his kit-sitter on the weekends, taking over for Miss Jen with the cooking and cleaning, but they’d bonded over a similar love of action movies. Ryan considered Brian a friend, although one he still had to get permission from to go outside when Daddy Eli or Daddy Jon weren’t around.
He hadn’t known Brian wanted to belong to Christian, but he rolled with the news. He would support his friend no matter what. “Tell me about Christian’s little—I’m assuming he’s a man. Maybe we can get rid of him and insert you in his place.”
“Like I said, he looks sort of like you. His hair’s a different shade: dark blond, cut short on the sides, with a bit of length in the front, but you have similar facial features and matching dark blue eyes. He’s skinnier and shorter than you, and he smelled like an avian shifter. Christian said his last name is Crane, same as yours which was weird. I think Christian said his name was Derek, or maybe it was Dolan, something with a D.”
Ryan sat up at the mention of an avian shifter. It can't be... “Dylan?” he asked hesitantly.
Brian stilled. “Yeah, I think that’s the name Christian said. You know him? Same last name, but I thought you were…”
“Human.” Ryan cursed under his breath and drummed his fingers on the counter. He stared hard at Brian. “Promise me you won’t say anything.” After Brian zipped his lips, Ryan explained, “I’m half-crane. I haven’t told anybody, not even Eli or Jon know I’m a hybrid. My father—whoever he was—was human. I can’t shift. The only benefit I have is amazing eyesight from my mother’s crane-side.”
“That had to suck growing up. I’ve heard birds are stubborn about pure lines.” Brian’s sympathy was appreciated, but not needed.
Ryan shrugged. “Pretty much. It’s why I left right after graduation, and why my debt load was huge with no help from the family.” School loans and lack of job prospects had driven him to join Scion House and train to become a little under Mr. Charles tutelage. After several disastrous contracts, he’d finally landed on happiness with first Eli and then Jon.
“So you know this guy Christian contracted with?” Brian asked.
“Very well, and I’m sorry, but I may not be able to help you after all.” Ryan’s heart sunk. He wanted something good for his friend and wished he’d known sooner that Brian coveted Christian. He might have been able to help before, but now… Now he had to tell Brian the truth, and his Daddies.
“He’s my brother.”
“Who’s your brother?” a curious voice behind him asked, one Ryan knew intimately.
Double fuck. Ryan tipped his head back. Why me, Mother Goddess, why me? Looked like it would be sooner rather than later. He twisted on the stool towards Eli. “Hey, Daddy. Phone conference all done?”
“Yes.” Eli wrapped an arm around Ryan. “Hi, Brian. I wasn’t expecting to see you here, especially since I just passed Jen dusting
in the living room. Everything okay?”
Brian ducked his head and shrugged.
“Mr. Christian brought a little home,” Ryan offered when Brian refused to speak. Brian pierced him with a sharp glare for his indiscretion. “Hey, now. Don’t kill the messenger.”
Eli squeezed him. “Was it your message to tell?”
Ryan grimaced. “Sorry, Daddy. Sorry, Mr. Brian. I only wanted to help.” Falling back on little mode always earned him brownie points with Eli.
“Hm. Well, we’ve known Mr. Christian has wanted a little for a while now. It was inevitable.”
Oh, damn. Christian had once tried to solicit Ryan into being his little. Ryan had brushed the encounter to the side while he’d focused on being the best little for his daddies. Brian had been away visiting his family at the time, and Ryan had forgotten about the incident and never told Brian what had happened.
Brian made a small noise of discontent, and Eli picked up on it right away. “What’s the problem?”
When Brian refused to look at Eli or answer, Ryan gently nudged him. “You can tell him, Mr. Brian, about Mr. Christian. Daddy doesn’t bite. Well, sometimes…” He giggled in an attempt to ease the tension filling the room.
“Brian? Is there something wrong with the little? Do I need to find you a new place to live?”
“No!” Brian’s head snapped up. His eyes widened and mouth parted before performing some crazy contortion. “Sh…oot. Sorry, sir, I didn’t mean to yell. I don’t want to move. I lo… like living with Mr. Christian.”
“Then what’s the problem?” Eli peered at Brian.
Ryan rolled his eyes. He tugged on Eli’s sleeve, motioning for him to come closer so he could whisper. Ryan cupped his hands around Eli’s ear. “He likes him, Daddy.”
“Who?” Eli whispered back.
“Mr. Christian.”
Eli’s brows shot up. “Really?”
Ryan nodded. “Uh-huh. Like a lot.”
“Is this true, Brian?” Eli straightened, sliding his hand to Ryan’s neck. “You’re interested in Christian as more than a housemate?”
“Yes, sir,” Brian answered and then groaned, still staring at the counter.
Eli gave Ryan a quick squeeze before circling the counter to stand next to Brian. He gently placed his fingertips under Brian’s chin and tilted Brian’s head up to see his eyes. Ryan’s heart ached to see the dampness and tears on Brian’s cheeks.
With careful swipes, Eli dried Brian’s face. “I’m not sure what I can do to help, but I’ll try if you want. I can speak with Christian, let him know how you feel. If he doesn’t reciprocate at all, then moving you out of the house would be best.” He gripped Brian’s hands. “Perhaps, Christian feels the same way, but thought you were also dominant. Or sometimes, it’s the ones right under our noses that we never see until someone else points them out. Maybe he’ll want you both, though that would depend on the little. Not everybody can handle two.” Eli winked at Ryan. “What do you know about this new guy?”
Brian shrugged and then peered over at Ryan. “Ryan knows him.”
“You do?”
Ryan sighed. “I do, but I think we should wait for Daddy J to come home. It’s a long story.”
“If you’re sure?”
“Yeah, Daddy, I’m sure.” Ryan grimaced, and it was all Daddy Eli needed to see. He rushed over and swept Ryan into his arms.
****
Brian
The remainder of the afternoon passed in a blur for Brian. He had to wrap his head around Christian contracting with a little, which meant he’d lost his chance to be with the alpha fox.
He let Ryan drag him out of the kitchen and into the playroom, sinking into one of the beanbag chairs in the library corner. Ryan plopped into the other one, two sketchbooks and an assortment of pencils in his hands. He passed half of the supplies to Brian, ordered him to draw, then started his own.
Brian tapped a red-colored pencil on the sketchbook. How could he draw when he was angry? He glanced at Ryan's page. Hearts, stars and rainbows. Brian huffed. Not feeling any of those. If I draw what I feel it'll be all knives and guillotines, black hearts and poison arrows. Eh, what the hell…
Had Brian known Christian wanted a little, he would have tried to be that for him. It wouldn’t have felt natural, but he’d long ago fallen in love with Christian. Could he have regressed and allowed someone to care for him?
Ugh. So not me. I want to take care of him, but not in a dominant way. He knew deep down he wasn’t a true alpha. So what does that make me? He’d gladly have dropped to his knees for the alpha fox. All Christian had to do was give Brian a sign he wanted him.
“Geez,” Ryan muttered, “tell me how you really feel.”
Brian frowned as he looked over his artwork. Stick figures in macabre positions, their eyes X’s, their arms akimbo. Various weapons stuck out from their bodies. “Sorry, guess I’m not very good.”
“No shit, but you know that wasn’t what I meant.”
Brian nodded. He laid the sketchbook to the side and shifted to face Ryan. “What’s your brother like?” Maybe I can learn to be more like him, if that’s what appeals to Christian.
Ryan snorted. “No clue, B. Last time I saw him he was thirteen and could do no wrong. How did he look to you?”
“Like you, but lighter.” Brian had watched Christian and Dylan’s arrival through the front window of the house, and a lightning bolt of jealousy had struck him. Brian was Dylan’s polar opposite. Tall and broad to Dylan’s short and slender. Darker skin and hair versus Dylan’s fair head and pale skin. And the stylish clothes Dylan wore… Brian couldn't complete with his plain jeans and simple shirts.
There’d be no “Christian and Brian.” None. He’d lost his chance to be with the alpha fox before he even knew he had one. He sagged deeper into the nest of beans and mourned the relationship that never was.
Chapter 4
Dylan
Dylan accompanied Christian through his two-cent tour. The entire house took only a few minutes, since the upstairs was off-limits as Brian’s domain. Even Christian, as alpha of the house, didn’t impose on his space. He showed Dylan the kitchen and the open concept dining and living room. Christian joked about the kitchen also belonging to Brian’s because if Christian had to cook for himself, he’d fail to thrive. He rattled off a long list of favorite meals that Brian had cooked for him over the years. They moved on to Christian’s office, filled with an imposing desk and locking file cabinet, and ended at a spare guest room which would be Dylan’s to decorate as he wished. Dylan glanced longingly at the closed door at the end of the hallway. Behind it was Christian’s bedroom, and he wondered what mystery it held. King or Queen? Hardwood or metal? Bold colors or muted shades?
Dylan’s “room” in comparison to his imagination of Christian’s was bare bones. White walls, a double bed, and a single nightstand. He carefully nestled Rhianna in the pillows, then dropped his backpack on the bed before lifting his suitcase to the mattress.
“I got you something,” Christian said from his place just inside the doorway. He had his hands stuffed into his pants pockets and he rocked onto his heels. Nervous daddies were adorable.
“A surprise?” Dylan squeaked, clapping his hands. “What is it?”
Christian jerked his chin towards the double-door closet.
Dylan grinned, bouncing on his toes. “It’s in here?”
“Yes, go on.”
Dylan drew the doors open. The closet was as wide as his arms could reach and half-filled with clothes. He pulled out two pieces on hangers, fingering the tags as he read them. His size. Sweet Mother. They were all in his size. Slacks, tees, shirts, skirts, leggings. Dylan backtracked. Skirts? Camisoles? Flashy tees with sequins and glitter?
Okay, he breathed. He could deal with this unexpected twist. Dylan loved to dress up, and if Daddy wanted him even more femme, he could do it. In fact… Dylan smiled with unrestrained glee. He hadn’t had a reason to use his eyeliner, mascara
, and lip products in a long while.
He turned and leapt at Christian, throwing his arms around the startled fox. “I love them, Daddy. Thank you for this amazing gift!” He planted a big smacking kiss to Christian’s cheek.
Christian’s shoulders sagged.
Aw, the sweet man was nervous I would hate his present for me. Dylan couldn’t have that. He took a page from his little training, spun around, and spoke fast. “How did you know, Daddy? Did you pick all these out yourself? I’m gonna be the prettiest boy around. Gonna make all the other littles jealous.”
Laughing, Christian tugged Dylan back into his arms. “I hope so. Would you like to pick something out and wear it?”
Dylan gave him a coy smile. “Yes, please. Can I shower first?”
Christian pushed Dylan’s hair off his face. “Of course, my beautiful colt.” Dylan gasped, and Christian chuckled. “l’ll admit I had to look up the name of a baby crane.”
“Sadly, it doesn’t roll off the tongue.” Dylan pouted.
“I’m sure I can come up with some other pet name that’s agreeable to both of us. There’s another little here whose Daddies are mixed races. One calls him kit and the other pup. How he doesn’t get confused is beyond me.”
That sounds like Ryan! Sweet Mother, could it really be this easy? Ryan’s daddies were a fox and a coyote. It made sense they’d each call him by their own baby names, though they could’ve just stuck with “baby” or “little boy” with him more human than shifter. Dylan, however, kept his mouth firmly shut, shook away his musings, and nudged Christian out of the room. “We’ll figure it out, Daddy, now let me freshen up and get beautiful for you.”
Christian’s smile lit up the room. “Okay. I’ll be in my office.”
Dylan shut the door and turned towards the closet. Mother help him, he had quite the decision to make. He had half the clothes pulled out before he settled on an ensemble. Dylan replaced the unchosen items in the closet, stripped, and stepped into the bathroom.