Saving Little Clark (Brave Daddies #4)

Chapter 17 Brody

The ride back to Clark's apartment passed in a blur. Every so often, I'd sneak a glance at my boy beside me, marveling at the contented smile playing about his lips, the way the passing streetlights gilded his skin in honey and gold. He looked peaceful, like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

As I pulled into a spot outside his building and killed the engine, Clark turned to me with a start.

"Oh shoot, don't we have that reservation at Le Bernardin in like, an hour?" He glanced at the dashboard clock. "Just give me like ten minutes and I'll be ready."

"Hey, slow down," I soothed. "It's okay, sweetheart. We don't have to go to some stuffy restaurant tonight."

Clark paused. "But you made those reservations a week ago. I thought it was supposed to be this whole big romantic thing, with the tasting menu and the wine pairings."

Tugging him closer, I brushed a lock of hair off his forehead, smiling at the way he automatically leaned into my touch. "Sure, I thought it would impress you. But today made me realize that I just want to spend time with you, in whatever way makes you feel happy and cared for. So why don't we have a cozy night in instead, hmm? We can do whatever your little heart desires."

A slow, disbelieving smile spread across his face. "No one's ever wanted to just hang out with Little me before."

"Well I do," I declared firmly.

Clark giggled, the sound light and giddy as he clambered out of the car. He barely waited for me to lock up before seizing my hand and tugging me into the building.

The second we crossed the threshold of his apartment, he cast furtive glances at his bedroom.

"Why don't you go get changed into something comfier while I call the restaurant and let them know we won't make it tonight?"

He scurried off down the hall and I chuckled, endeared by his obvious eagerness.

I busied myself with the phone call, apologizing profusely to the hostess and hoping my generous tip would make up for the late cancellation.

Faint rustling noises emanated from the direction of his bedroom - dresser drawers opening and shutting. I crept down the hall and rapped my knuckles lightly against the partially open door.

"Sweetheart? You doing okay in there?"

A gasp, followed by a thud and muffled curse. Then Clark's breathy voice drifted out. "I'm just trying to find something to wear."

I nudged the door open a fraction, just enough to poke my head in. Clark stood by the closet, his back to me, shoulders hunched and arms wrapped tight around his middle. He was clad only in a pair of snug briefs.

"Hey," I murmured, slipping into the room. "What's going on?”

"Nothing, I'm fine. Just being indecisive, I guess."

I settled my hands on his shoulders. "Talk to me, baby boy.”

At the sound of his cherished nickname, he shivered. The pieces fell into place - the nerves, the hesitation. He was feeling self-conscious about being Little in front of me, stripped bare of his usual big boy armor.

"I think my sweet prince deserves a little pampering tonight. Starting with a proper Daddy-approved outfit for our movie marathon."

Clark blinked in confusion. "What do you mean?"

I made a show of eyeing the closet critically. "Well, we're gonna need something extra cozy for snuggling, obviously. Maybe some fuzzy socks to keep these little piggies warm?"

I wriggled my fingers in the vicinity of his bare feet, delighting in his giggle as he shuffled back half a step. I then began pawing through the closet and dresser with enthusiasm.

I pretended to be a fashion photographer on a shoot, calling out increasingly ridiculous poses and commands until Clark was a giggling, wiggling mess, wholly unable to hold onto an ounce of self-consciousness.

"This dinosaur onesie is perfect for showcasing your fierce cuteness. These rainbow socks will make you the envy of every Little at the playdate. That's it, baby, give me fierce! Pout for the camera, yes! Oh, now do Blue Steel! Magnum! Work it, work it! You're a star!”

By the time I pronounced him ready, every last item of Little gear in place, Clark was loose-limbed and glowing, his eyes sparkling with unrestrained, childlike glee. He preened under my over-the-top flattery, twirling in place to show off his outfit from all angles.

"Well?" he demanded breathlessly, striking one last silly pose. "How do I look? Am I cute enough for our date night?"

Catching him mid-spin, I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him flush against my front, smacking a noisy kiss to his lips just to hear him giggle.

"The cutest," I declared solemnly. "In fact, I'm not sure I'll be able to keep my hands off you all night. Prepare to be snuggled within an inch of your life, my boy."

"Ooh, death by snuggles!" Clark giggled. "There are worse ways to go, I guess.”

I chuckled, indescribably charmed by this bubbly, Little version of my usually reserved boyfriend. The chime of my cell phone shattered the warm, hazy cocoon.

"I'll get it. You just sit tight.”

I hurried to fish the offending device out of my pocket and stepped away.

"Brody!" Will's voice boomed. "You still on that big date with Clark? Alex wants to know if he needs to wait up with the ice cream and rom coms."

"Hey man," I greeted, smiling reflexively. "Nah, no need for a pity party on standby. The date's still on, we just decided to stay in and keep things low-key tonight."

I could practically hear Will's grin through the phone. "Oh, low-key, you say? Is that what the kids are calling it these days?"

"Shut up," I huffed, flushing despite myself. "We're just gonna watch a movie and chill."

"Uh huh. Netflix and chill, I got you. No judgment here, bro. You do you. Or him. Whatever makes your—"

"Will, I swear to god--"

"Hey, is that Uncle Brody?" Alex's voice filtered through the background noise, quickly followed by the sound of scuffling and Will's indignant yelp. A moment later, Alex’s sweet tones filled the line.

"Uncle Brody, hey. Sorry about Daddy, you know how he gets. Teenage boy trapped in a 40-year-old's body, I swear."

I snorted. "Pretty sure he came out of the womb wagging his nonexistent eyebrows."

Alex giggle. "Accurate. Anyway, I just wanted to check in and make sure everything's going okay with you guys. Clark texted me that you know about his Little side now. This is all pretty new for Clark. He's been through a lot."

Something in his voice, an undercurrent of protectiveness and worry, made me pause. I glanced at the closed bedroom door, imagining Clark on the other side, probably hugging his knees to his chest and chewing his lip raw as he waited for me to return.

Suddenly, I understood with perfect clarity why Alex had always been so fiercely devoted to his role as Clark's protective best friend.

"I know," I said quietly. "I don't take a single second of with him for granted."

Alex was silent for a beat. When he spoke again, his voice was rough with approval.

"I'm glad he has you, Uncle Brody. Just keep being patient with him, okay? Let him set the pace. Don't push, even if you think you're doing him a favor."

"I won't," I vowed. "His comfort and safety is my number one priority, always."

"I know it is," he said warmly. "I wouldn't have encouraged this thing between you two if I didn't think you were exactly what he needs. He's lucky to have you."

"Pretty sure I'm the lucky one," I said hoarsely.

"Of course," He paused, then added wryly, "And hey, don't tell him I said this, but you've got blanket permission to put him in time-out as needed. Lord knows I've had to a time or twelve when he gets too bratty for his own good."

A startled laugh burst out of me. "I'll keep that in mind for when the sass gets out of hand."

"Oh, hey," Alex said with mock solemnity. "Before you go, can you pass along a message to the boy wonder? Tell him his favorite dinosaur misses him very much, but he better behave himself and listen to his Daddy if he wants to play with it again."

Just then, a soft whimper sounded from the vicinity of the bedroom. I froze, instantly on alert.

"Will do," I said hurriedly, already heading for the door. "Listen, Alex, I gotta go. Tell your Daddy I’ll talk to him later, yeah?"

With that, I hung up, pocketing my phone as I slipped back into the darkened room.

Clark was just where I'd left him, curled up small on the edge of the bed. His face was hidden in the crook of his elbow. In an instant, I was across the room and gathering him up, tucking his chilly form against my chest.

"Hey, what's this?" I crooned, rocking him gently. "What's got my sweet boy all worked up, hmm?"

Clark shook his head mutely.

"None of that now, baby boy. We talked about this. No more hiding what you're feeling."

"I'm sorry," he whispered, voice cracking. "I wasn't trying to be bad. It's stupid."

"Nothing that upsets you this much could ever be stupid," I said firmly.

Clark swallowed, a miserable crease marring his brow. "I can't stop thinking about it," he finally admitted, sounding pained. "About you getting tired of this. Of me. Realizing you don't really want to be a Daddy after all and just leaving."

My arms tightened around him involuntarily. "I would never--"

"You don't know that," he cut in, a thread of desperation leaking into his tone. "How could you? This is all so new. Too much. Everyone always says so. They try, in the beginning. When it's still fun and novel. But it always ends the same. They get bored, or frustrated, or just fed up. And then they always leave."

I gathered him closer, pushing his form to my chest as if I could absorb his hurt through sheer force of will.

"Not me," I bit out, emotion making my voice ragged. "Clark, I've never been surer of anything than I am of us. Can you trust that I'm not going anywhere, no matter what?"

For a long, breathless moment, he simply stared at me, searching my face for any hint of deception or uncertainty. I let him look, keeping my expression open and honest, willing him to see the truth of my words etched into every line of my being.

And then, like a sunrise breaking over the horizon, a tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth. "I trust you," he whispered.

"That's my good boy," I praised, stroking a thumb over his plump lower lip. "You just relax and let me take care of you tonight, okay? No more worrying allowed."

I grinned, giving his hip a playful squeeze to get his attention. Those big eyes blinked open, hazy and half-focused.

"Hey, peanut," I said, deliberately pitching my voice low and coaxing. "Why don't we come up with a special phrase for you to use whenever you start feeling scared or insecure like this again? Something that will help remind you how loved and wanted you are, no matter what."

"Like a code word?"

"Exactly. And when you say it, I’ll know it's time for some extra snuggles and reassurance. We can even make up a little ritual to go with it, if you want. Something just for us."

His eyes went wide, a hint of excitement sparking in their depths. "I like that idea," he said shyly. "Would it be okay if it was kinda silly? To help make me smile when I'm feeling icky?"

"Of course." I paused, pretending to think. "How about Daddy's little Sunshine Bear?"

He giggled, swatting at my chest. "It's gotta be something I can actually say with a straight face. What about Baby Bug? I could say I'm feeling like a sad little Baby Bug or something? And then you could..."

He trailed off, cheeks pinking adorably as he peeped up at me through his lashes.

"And then I could scoop you up and cover you in kisses until you're a happy little Baby Bug again," I finished for him, warmth spreading through my chest at the thought. "We could even do a special Baby Bug Snuggle. I'm thinking lots of cuddles, silly songs, and tummy tickles."

"Yes!" he exclaimed, bouncing a little in place.

I caught his wandering hand and pressed a lingering kiss to his palm. Clark shuddered out a breath, pink lips parting on a soft, wondering exhale. I wanted to kiss him. So I did. Slowly, tenderly, with every ounce of love in my soul, I joined our mouths in a kiss that felt like coming home.

We clung to each other, lost in sensation. Eventually, desperate little whimpers began to spill from Clark's throat, his hips pressing insistently against my thigh.

As much as I ached to lay him out and worship every inch of his sweet, responsive body, I knew it was too much too soon. Tonight needed to be about building trust, not sex.

So I gentled the kiss, easing out of the hot clutch of his mouth with a regretful sigh. Clark mewled in protest, his eyes glazed and hungry when they finally fluttered open.

"Shh, easy," I murmured, petting down his flank. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We've got all the time in the world for that later. Tonight, I just want to focus on making my baby bug feel good in other ways."

Clark pouted, but I could see the relief lurking underneath the facade of disappointment. He wasn't ready to take that step either, no matter what his body was telling him.

"Hey sweet pea," I murmured. "What do you say we rustle up some dinner, hmm? Can't have my growing boy going hungry."

He nuzzled deeper into the crook of my neck. "I'm not hungry. Wanna stay here with you forever."

"Oh, baby bug," I crooned, "Daddy would love nothing more than to cuddle you forever. But even the cutest little bugs need to eat if they wanna grow up big and strong."

It was the first time I referred to myself as his Daddy. I knew he needed more time to call me that.

I tickled his sides for emphasis, delighting in the squeaky giggle it earned me.

"Brody," he whined playfully. "I'm already a big boy."

I raised a skeptical brow. "From where I'm sitting, you still look like Daddy's itty bitty snuggle bug.”

Clark huffed, his nose scrunching adorably. "Fine. But only if I get to be helper.”

With a sudden burst of energy, Clark clambered off my lap and darted toward the kitchen, all traces of reticence vanished. Chuckling, I stood to follow at a more sedate pace, only to pause when I noticed his blue binky peeking out from under the pillows.