Saving Little Clark (Brave Daddies #4)

Chapter 12 Clark

Today was the day, my first official date with Brody. As excited as I was, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anxiety as well. I wanted everything to be perfect, from the ambiance of my living room to the carefully curated playlist humming softly in the background.

Of course, Alex was having none of my neurotic fretting.

"Oh no!" he gasped, clutching at his chest with exaggerated horror as he watched me fluff and re-fluff the same throw pillow for the tenth time. "The cushion is one degree off-center. The entire date is ruined."

He threw himself onto the couch with a dramatic wail, his arms flailing like a man drowning in a sea of decorative textiles. "How will you ever recover from this devastating blow?”

I rolled my eyes, grabbing a nearby stuffed animal and chucking it at his head with a huff of laughter. "Excuse me for wanting my apartment to look nice for my first real date in... well, pretty much ever."

Alex sat up, his expression softening as he tossed the stuffed animal back to me. "Brody isn't going to care about the angle of your throw pillows or the feng shui of your bookshelf. He's coming here to spend time with you, not to judge your interior decorating skills."

I sighed, flopping down beside him on the couch and resting my head on his shoulder. "I just don't want to screw it up like I always do."

Alex frowned, poking me gently in the side. "That's just your anxiety brain talking, and we both know that bitch can't be trusted. And this is Brody we're talking about. The same Brody who has listened to you ramble on about comic book continuity for hours on end, who has literally caught you when you stumbled and fell on your ass in front of the entire office. Do you really think a slightly crooked pillow is going to send him running for the hills?"

I bit my lip, feeling a flush of warmth bloom in my chest at the reminder of all the ways Brody had been there for me over the past few weeks.

"I know it's stupid," I mumbled. "But I worry he'll realize that I'm too much work, and too Little for someone like him."

"Oh, Clark," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to my temple. "You are so much more than your Little side, you know that, right?”

"I want to believe that," I whispered, my voice cracking slightly. "But the last time someone found out about my Little side, it didn't exactly end well."

Alex winced, his expression turning pained and angry all at once. "Liam," he said flatly, his free hand clenching into a fist at his side. "That absolute bastard. I still can't believe he ghosted you like that, just because he couldn't handle a little age play."

I shrugged, feeling a dull ache throb in my chest. It had been during our senior year of college. Liam had been the first man I had ever dared to imagine a future with. We’d been dating for a few months. One night, he had accidentally walked in on me in my Little headspace, surrounded by stuffies and coloring books.

The look of shock and disgust on his face had haunted me for months afterwards, had sent me spiraling into a pit of self-loathing and despair.

But Alex had been there, had pulled me back from the brink with his unwavering love and support. He had held me while I cried, had made me laugh with his ridiculous jokes and over-the-top impressions, had reminded me that I was worthy of love.

"You saved my life, you know," I said softly, leaning into his embrace with a shaky sigh. "Back then, after Liam, I don't know what I would’ve done without you, Lex. You were the one person who never made me feel ashamed or broken or wrong."

"That's because you're not, Clarkie. And if I ever see that smarmy little prick again, I'm going to kick his ass so hard he'll be tasting shoe leather for weeks."

I laughed. "My hero," I teased, bumping my forehead against his affectionately. "Always ready to defend my honor with violence and bad puns."

"Damn straight," Alex said, puffing out his chest with exaggerated bravado. "Nobody messes with my best boy and gets away with it. Not even some two-bit, wannabe frat bro with a trust fund and a stick up his ass."

I grinned, feeling a rush of warmth and gratitude sweep through me like a tidal wave.

"So," Alex said with a playful nudge. "What's the plan for your big date today? Dinner and a movie? Or are you going to skip straight to the good stuff and break out the whipped cream and cherries?"

"Alex!" I yelped, swatting at his arm with a mortified laugh. "Get your mind out of the gutter, you perv. This is a first date, not a porno."

Alex cackled, dodging my halfhearted blows with ease. "Okay, I'll stop," he said, holding up his hands in surrender. "But seriously, have you practiced your flirting face in the mirror yet? Because let me tell you, the smolder is key. The smolder is what separates the men from the boys. Maybe we should do a little role-playing, hmm? A little dress rehearsal for the big night?"

"Role-playing?" I repeated, my voice cracking slightly. "Alright, fine. Let's do this. But I swear to god, Lex, if you make me say anything too cheesy or embarrassing, I will end you. Slowly and painfully, with a fork and a smile."

Alex just laughed, hopping off the couch and striking a ridiculous pose, one hand on his hip and the other pressed to his forehead like a swooning damsel. "Why, Clark!" he drawled, pitching his voice into a low, seductive purr. "Fancy meeting you here. Don't you look ravishing this evening?"

"Not as ravishing as you, Brody," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady and suave. "That shirt really brings out your eyes."

"Why thank you," Alex purred, fluttering his lashes at me. “Now, tell me, what are your thoughts on the current state of the global economy? Do you think the recent fluctuations in the stock market are a cause for concern, or merely a temporary blip on the radar of fiscal stability?"

I stared at him, my mouth falling open in a mix of shock and amusement. "What the hell kind of date do you think this is?" I asked, barely containing my laughter. "A job interview? A congressional hearing?"

Alex cackled, flopping down beside me and throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Ooh, Brody!" he simpered, batting his lashes at me exaggeratedly. "Talk fiscal policy to me, you naughty boy. Whisper sweet nothings about marginal tax rates in my ear until I swoon from the sheer, unbridled eroticism of it all!"

We collapsed against each other, howling with laughter.

"Makeover time!" Alex crowed, jumping up from the couch and striking a dramatic pose. "We're going to turn you into the hottest piece of arm candy, my dear Clarkie.”

I groaned. "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" I mumbled, my voice muffled by my fingers.

I allowed myself to be dragged towards the bedroom with only minimal resistance.

Alex rummaged through my closet with a look of fierce concentration. "Aha! Here we go. The perfect ensemble for a night of passion and seduction."

He held up a pair of black skinny jeans and a fitted blue button-down. I hesitated, running my fingers over the soft fabric of the shirt. It was a good color on me, I had to admit. And the jeans did wonders for my ass, if Alex's appreciative whistles were anything to go by.

"Now," Alex said, clapping his hands together briskly. "We've got to transform you from a caterpillar into a beautiful, sexy butterfly who's ready to spread his wings and fly straight into Brody's arms. Now strip, baby, strip. We've got a lot of ground to cover before Prince Charming arrives.”

And with that, he shoved me towards the bathroom with a playful swat to my ass, cackling gleefully as I yelped and stumbled over the threshold. I closed the door behind me and started the process of scrubbing, primping and preening.

Waiting for Brody’s arrival, Alex and I sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by a colorful array of superhero figurines.

"Ooh, I know!" Alex exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "We could do a superhero-themed double date! You and Brody can be Batman and Robin, and me and Will can be Superman and Lois.”

"I love it," I said, bumping my shoulder against Alex's with a grin. "But only if I get to be Batman. No way am I running around in those little green booty shorts, no matter how much Brody begs."

Alex cackled, a wicked gleam in his eye. "Just think of all the delicious roleplay possibilities. But seriously, the idea of going on double dates with you and Brody makes me really happy. Like, stupidly, giddily happy in a way I never thought I would feel about something so domestic and cheesy."

"Me too," I whispered, leaning into his side with a shaky sigh. "God, can you believe this is really happening? That we're actually sitting here, plotting out a future with the men of our dreams like a couple of goofy teenagers?”

Alex's smile softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I can, actually. Because I always knew that someday, some lucky bastard would wise up and see you for the incredible, amazing, utterly perfect catch that you are.”

I groaned. "Ugh, I still can't believe I let you talk me into wearing these ridiculously tight jeans. I feel like a sausage stuffed into a denim casing. I just hope I don't pass out from lack of circulation before we even make it to the restaurant."

"Nonsense," Alex scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. "A little light-headedness never hurt anyone. Besides, if you do pass out, I'm sure Brody will be more than happy to give you some mouth-to-mouth. You know, just to be safe."

I snorted, shoving him away with a playful scowl. "So, there’s something I want to ask you. Are you really going to let me go on this date alone? After all the makeovers and role-playing sessions we've had? What if I get tongue-tied or start rambling about comic book continuity errors and scare him off with my nerdiness?”

He rolled his eyes. "Okay, first of all, I resent the implication that your nerdiness is anything less than adorable and endearing. And second of all, it’s like you’re asking me to be the third wheel. But I accept, I guess? It’s been a long time since you’ve been on a proper date, so I understand. And besides, I'll just be there for moral support, you know? A friendly face in the crowd to remind you that you've got this, and that you're not alone.”

Before I could get too lost in the warmth of Alex's embrace, a sudden knock at the door startled us both.

"Oh shit," I hissed, pulling back with a panicked look. "Brody's here, and I'm not ready. Fuck, where did I put my shoes? And my wallet? And my dignity?"

Alex snorted. "Relax, drama queen. Your shoes are by the couch, your wallet is in your back pocket, and your dignity... well, I think we both know that ship sailed a long time ago."

I glared at him, feeling a flicker of indignation mingle with the anxiety humming beneath my skin. "Rude. See if I invite you along on any more of my dates after this."

Another knock sounded at the door. We swiftly began hiding all the toys and superhero figurines.