Chapter Four
Remi
Remi had about fifteen minutes to get things prepared for his boy. His boy. Remi shook his head. Dom had finally approached Remi and Remi was not going to let this opportunity pass him by. He’d been waiting for months for Dom to realize how much better his life could be with Remi.
Giving Dom small glimpses of what Remi had to offer seemed to have finally worked. He would have taken care of the boy even if he hadn’t been attracted to Dom, because that made Remi happy. Was who he was on the inside.
It made it even better that Dom was the one that came to him.
He was thirty-seven years old. There had been a time when Remi hadn’t believed that he’d even make it to this age. Now he was looking forward to a much better future. To have a boy like Dom by his side was his ultimate goal. No matter what Dom thought, Remi was in this for the long haul. Dom had proven himself to be smart, caring, and as much of a fighter as Remi had been.
There was no way now that Remi had Dom as his boy that he wouldn’t be keeping his sassy little.
This would be the weekend that would start them off on the right foot.
He stopped by Dom’s room to make sure that everything was ready for his boy to sleep peacefully. The covers of the bed had been pushed to the foot so he straightened them before looking around.
Jimmy’s cage was already covered for the night.
Remi picked up a few things off the floor and made sure the room was clean before he headed down the hall.
The house was dark except for the dim light coming from the television that Remi had left on when he’d fallen asleep. Remi strolled straight down to the basement and the remodeled playroom.
Crossing the room, he went to the cabinet that held some extra of the little stuff that they’d been stocking up on. Remi picked up a binkie still in a package. That should be perfect for his boy. He slipped the binkie in his pocket before going to the bookcase in the corner.
Remi picked a book with a spotted dog on the front.
Checking his watch, Remi needed to get back to his boy.He stopped at the closet where they kept the cleaning supplies. Remi did need to clean the bathroom. He wouldn’t be able to sleep leaving a mess behind. On a shelf he spotted some lavender bubble bath and a basket of toys from when Brandon had used the hall bathroom as his own. Dane had bought new stuff for their recently renovated suite and must have forgotten about this. He grabbed the cleaning supplies he needed, bubble bath, and toys before returning to the bathroom.
Dom looked exhausted with the dark circles under his eyes, but Remi wanted to make sure the boy was relaxed and comfortable. He dumped everything he gathered in the hall before crossing the room.
“Let’s get you in the shower,” Remi said.
Dom jerked as his eyes sprang open.
“I wasn’t asleep!”
He wasn’t even going to respond to that little lie. Remi helped Dom stand. “Shower.”
“I usually just stick my head in the sink and wash the dye out,” Dom told him.
Remi shrugged. “I thought you could shower and wash your hair before I had you relax in a nice warm bubble bath but if you don’t want—”
“I want!” Dom said quickly.
Yeah, just what he thought. “I’ll clean up in here while you shower.”
“Okay.” Dom turned to start the shower.
As hard as it was to keep his eyes on his task and not ogle Dom as the boy quickly shucked his clothes, Remi gave Dom privacy.
The shower curtain rattled. “You can look now,” Dom teased.
Remi lifted his head, but Dom was tucked behind the closed curtain. “I was being polite,” he admonished.
“You are about to give me a bath.”
That was true. Consent was big for Remi. In his line of work he’d seen too many people being taken advantage of or outright harmed by those that were supposed to love them. It would be a fine balance with a BDSM relationship. That was why after Dom’s little weekend they would be having a conversation and limits and boundaries before taking some deeper steps into their relationship. Like having penetrative sex. Remi would pleasure Dom, hand jobs or blow jobs but he wouldn’t take Dom’s body until they were fully aware of the rules. “Just wash your hair.”
“I’m washing! I’m washing!” Dom sing-songed at him.
Dom was such a contradiction and Remi enjoyed it. At least Dom would keep him on his toes. Remi really wasn’t surprised to hear about Dom wanting to be a younger little. Like he’d told his boy, Remi was an observer. When Dom was really relaxed, he would slip younger than he portrayed before pulling back out of the mindset.
Remi scrubbed the sink and vanity. Even got the few drops that had fallen on the tiled floor. Once the bathroom was clean again, he returned the cleaning supplies.
He opened the package that held the binkie and washed it and headed back to the bedroom. He took the binkie and book setting them beside the bed before returning to the bathroom. He placed the toys and bubble bath on the counter as the shower turned off.
“Done!” Dom declared.
“I’m opening the curtain,” Remi told him.
“Okay.”
Remi pushed the curtain aside. Dom stood soaking wet in the tub. This time Remi took the opportunity to run his gaze over Dom’s slender body. The boy was beautiful. Long legs with little muscles. As much as he was attracted to Dom, there would be plenty of time to get his hands on his boy later. Tonight was about getting Dom comfortable with him.
“Let’s get the bath started.” Remi plugged the tub before he restarted the water. Making sure it was still warm. “Go ahead and sit.”
Dom dropped down, putting his feet under the running faucet, giggling.
Returning to the counter, Remi picked up the bottle of bubbles.
“Bubbles?” Dom asked as he spotted what Remi carried over.
“Yes, baby,” Remi replied. “I want to get you in the right headspace to have a good night’s rest. You have a busy day ahead of you tomorrow.”
Dom grinned as his eyes lit with anticipation. “I do?”
Remi bent to pour a good amount of bubbles into the water. “It’s going to be a great weekend,” he promised.
Stretching out his legs, Dom appeared more content than Remi had ever seen him. Remi’s heart warmed at the sight. He’d been the one that had brought that look to Dom’s face.
“I have something else for you,” Remi told him. He stashed the bubbles under the vanity before grabbing the basket of toys.
“Toys?”
Remi chuckled. Sitting on the edge of the tub, Remi offered Dom the choice of what toys he wanted to play with.
Dom sucked on his bottom lip before making a happy sound. He grabbed a ship and a couple of mermaids.
“Great choice,” Remi praised.
“Here!” Dom shoved the ship into his hand. “You have to be the captain.”
“That is definitely a job for Daddy,” Remi agreed.
He was not surprised to find that Dom was a bossy little. Dom was very sure about how he wanted the action in the tub to happen. Remi was mostly along for the ride. They played in the bubbles, Remi cutting his ship through the water, mermaids chasing him for his treasure. Dom’s giggles filled the room.
In the past Remi’s involvement in play time had been making sure the boys had the toys they wanted, passing out snacks, and keeping the mess was kept to a minimum. This hands-on experience, getting to play, this Remi hadn’t known he’d been missing.
The blue mermaid who Dom had named Betty was faster than the red named April. Remi tried to press his boy to how he came up with the names, but his response had been a shrug and Dom stating because that was their names. So, there was still some learning he needed to do. Remi had already picked up how important names were for stuffies and dolls, even if he couldn’t figure out why.
Sounds farther in the house drew Remi’s attention. He’d left the bathroom door open.
Passing over the ship, Remi rose. “Finish playing really quick and then we’ll get you out of there.”
“Already?” Dom whined.
“It’s late, remember,” Remi said gently. “And you have a big day tomorrow. Well, later today.”
“Yeah!” Dom grinned. He splashed with the mermaids.
“And don’t make a mess,” Remi ordered.
“K!”
Remi stepped out of the bathroom as Dane and Maverick strolled into the hall. The lamp from Remi’s room barely lighting the area.
“Hey,” Remi greeted quietly. They were standing in front of Annabelle’s room. Her door was closed, with a monitor going from her room to Eric and Ezra’s, but they still needed to be quiet to not wake her.
Dane grinned. “Sounds like things have progressed with you and Dom.”
“Yes.” Remi knew his smile was huge. “He asked me to be his Daddy.”
“That’s great!” Dane rushed forward, grabbing the back of Remi’s neck and pulling him forward until their foreheads met. “You were right. I thought you were crazy for waiting but he came to you.”
“It’s the way it should be,” Remi confirmed.
Dane’s eyes darted to the door. “And everything is going well?”
“He wants a full little weekend,” Remi shared. “I’m going to give him that. Let him relax and not have to worry about anything. Once that’s over, we’ll sit down and talk. Work everything out. He needs this weekend though.”
“Is there any way I can help?” Dane asked.
Remi considered. “I don’t have much for him. Dom mentioned wanting diapers and bottles.”
“I’ve got you covered for those.”
“Are you sure that Brandon won’t mind?”
“Brandon loves Dom. If this is what Dom needs, then the boys will be happy to share. Besides I just got an entire case of diapers in a few days ago. We have plenty of bottles that Brandon won’t even notice.”
“I’d really appreciate. At least until I see what Dom has of his own.”
“Why don’t I grab you some for tonight,” Dane offered. “I’ll let Maverick in with Brandon and grab what you need. I’ll even fill the bottle with some milk and leave it and the diaper on Dom’s bed.”
“Only about four ounces,” Remi said. “I still have to watch how much fluids he takes in.”
“Shit.” Dane shook his head. “Didn’t think about that.”
“Thanks, man. I really appreciate it,” Remi told his friend.
“Anytime. I’m really happy that this is finally happening. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this happiness more than the two of you.”
Taking a deep breath, Remi whispered his concern. “I just hope I don’t screw this up.”
“You won’t.” Dane gave him a firm shake. “You know what to do. Instincts. Trust your instincts. You already care for Dom. Want to make him happy. That’s a good start.”
“True.”
“Now get back in there with your boy,” Dane told him. “I’ll leave everything on the bed.”
“Thanks.” He hesitated. “How’d the bust go tonight?”
Dane ran a hand roughly over his face. “It was a good bust. We found about fifty of those new party pills but the suspects are refusing to talk. I hope some time in the holding cell will make them see how serious of a charge they’re facing.”
“We need to find the suppliers,” Remi said.
“I know.” Dane shook his head. “We’re picking up the local dealers but it’s not enough. This shit is laced with some bad stuff. Eric still going under tomorrow?”
“Yeah, he got a job at one of the clubs. They’ve had three overdoses already.”
“I wish people could see what this drug is doing to others. That they understood,” Dane said softly.
Remi had very personal experience with the subject. When he’d been an addict, he’d known the dangers. The addiction had been too strong. The need. Remi hadn’t ever thought that he would become one of the street people that most didn’t even see.
Star athlete. Football, basketball, and baseball. He’d played the three big sports. His parents had been so proud of him. His father had attended every game with a front-row seat. All the promise, his bright future, everything had been lost when Remi had torn his ACL and the doctor had provided him with strong pain meds. Opioids.
He’d gone back on the field too soon. Reinjured himself which had led to more prescription drugs until he found himself in a fog and didn’t care about anything but feeling good.
His parents had tried their best.
Rehabs. Therapy. Church counseling.
They had blamed themselves.
Remi had blamed them. And his coaches. The doctors.
In the end Remi had walked away from everyone who had wanted to help him, to chase the high. Once the prescriptions were unavailable, he used everything that he could get his hands on.
At nineteen Remi had been sleeping under the tunnels of the Las Vegas Strip, being high most of the time.
Then came the arrests, the cops knowing him by sight, and finally his savior.
The cop that had seen past the dirty and high kid to someone worth giving another chance to.
“Rem?” Dane pulled him from his thoughts.
“I better get back to Dom.” He turned, heading for the bathroom door. “Thanks again.”
Dane and Maverick moved past him down the hall.
Remi had to get himself back in the right mindset. The past needed to stay far behind him. He opened the door to find Dom happily splashing and playing. Remi needed to be with his boy.
* * * * *
Dom
The bathroom door opened and Dom glanced up. His Daddy stood at the threshold, smiling softly at him. Dom waved, slinging water everywhere. “Oops!” He dropped his hand back down.
“Silly boy,” Remi said before closing the door behind him. “It’s time to get you out of the bath.”
Dom pushed his lower lip out in a pout. “No more play?”
Remi crouched down beside the tub. “How about a bottle and story?”
Oh! That was a great idea! “Baba and story?”
“Baba and story,” Remi repeated for him.
He had the best Daddy. Dom wanted to tell Remi that, but he was sort of embarrassed. It hadn’t taken him long to fall back into his baby mindset. But those were big boy worries and Dom was just a baby!
His skin was slick from the bubbles, making it fun to squirm around as Daddy tried to wash him. Dom laughed and splashed water but eventually Remi was lifting him from the tub.
Dom shivered but he didn’t need to worry. Daddy was there with two towels. One was thrown over his wet hair while Daddy dried off his body with the other. It wasn’t long before Dom was snuggled with a towel around his shoulders as Daddy led him from the bathroom.
Tucked under Remi’s arm, Dom was ushered into his bedroom. The blankets were folded back and sitting on top was a pair of jammies and a diaper. Dom had not left those there when he’d gone to dye his hair. He peered up at his Daddy.
“Dane is letting us borrow some things until we can get our own,” Remi told him as he closed the door.
“I have little stuff!” Dom shared, dancing happily to the end of the bed. “I got babas. And blankies. And stuffies. And diapers. And toys. And…”
“And lots of stuff.” Remi picked him up and set him on the bed. “We’ll get it this weekend.”
“K.” Dom flopped back.
Daddy chuckled. “Guess you’re all ready for me to get you dressed.”
“Baba and story,” Dom reminded him. He’d been a good boy. Good boys got rewards.
“Come here, little one.” Remi grabbed his ankle before pulling him down the mattress.
Giggling, Dom squirmed. The towel wrapping around him.
“I thought you wanted a story?” Daddy teased. His fingers light on Dom’s ribs, tickling.
“You silly!” Dom accused.
“Me?” Remi helped Dom lie flat. “I think that is all you. With the playing and laughing.”
Staring up into Remi’s eyes, Dom smiled. “Just happy.”
Remi cupped his face. “I like seeing you happy, baby boy. But I don’t want you to get cold.” He held up a diaper.
Dom nodded. Diaper! It was nice. A light blue with teddy bears on the front. They weren’t as neat as the special ones that Dom had but they were there and his were not. Diaper! He clapped his hands as Remi tapped his hip.
“Up,” Remi said.
“Up!” Dom repeated, lifting his hips off the mattress.
Daddy got the diaper placed under him and Dom dropped his bottom.
The diaper crinkled, bringing tears to Dom’s eyes. The sound so familiar but one that he hadn’t heard in a very long time.
“It’s okay, baby,” Remi soothed. “Daddy is here.”
He tried to blink the tears away but a few still fell.
Remi wrapped the diaper around his front before he secured the tabs. The dark blue jammie set looked super soft. The bright planets and stars of the design fun. It looked new too.
He was dressed in no time at all. Remi still took his time taking care of Dom. Not missing anything. Eventually they were curled up against Dom’s headboard with Dom’s cheek on Remi’s chest.
“How about some milk, baby?” Remi offered.
Dom smacked his lips before accepting the nipple. He sucked down some cold milk and peace filled him. He’d missed this so much.
“That’s it, honey,” Remi said quietly. “Relax and Daddy will read to you.”
This might be the best moment of his entire life. Dom trusted the man that held him, gave him his bottle, and whose low, deep voice read from a child’s storybook. It didn’t really matter what book Remi had. Dom just needed the security of being in such a strong man’s arms. To know that he was no longer alone in the big scary world. That there wasn’t anything he needed to worry about as he finished the bottle of milk.
Remi plucked the bottle from between his lips without stopping reading to him. Before he knew it, Remi was offering Dom a binkie.
Dom grabbed the binkie and shoved the rubber nipple into his mouth. His eyes grew heavy as he began to suck. Remi was still reading to him as Dom hovered on the very edge of consciousness.
He smiled around his binkie when Remi’s lips brushed against his forehead.
“That’s it.” Remi spoke gently. “Rest and dream about how much fun you’re going to have tomorrow.”