Chapter 9
August
I don’t know if I’ll diminish the meaning if I keep saying that this is the best birthday ever. But the longer the weekend goes on, the more I mean it.
After the emotional conversation over breakfast, we were able to shake it off while Tallis reheated some bits and made us fresh eggs so we could all get a proper meal inside us.
We talked about what Oliver’s been studying, seeing his enthusiasm for classics in particular.
It’s clear he’s uncertain where his degree might take him, but we didn’t push him on that.
A part of me wants to throw caution to the wind and tell him we’ll be here to take care of him and guide him to his full potential from now on.
But considering the freak out he had about the money, I know not to push my luck.
Besides, this could all really fizzle out after tomorrow night. It’s best not to rush into anything.
No matter how much my gut feeling is telling me that Oliver is too precious to let go.
That’s something to ponder another time, though.
Once we finished our food, we cleaned up and put Oliver in the outfit Tallis had bought for him.
It was just some khakis and a T-shirt, but it took a minute for our boy to get on board with being dressed, I think purely because he was just so thrown by the concept.
However, once he relaxed, he seemed to really enjoy it.
I don’t want to add another kink on top of an already intense few days. Tallis did explain that while he’s far from being a virgin, this is Oliver’s first true experience with the scene.
Talk about jumping in at the deep end.
Anyway, I honestly have no doubt that this is the lifestyle for him. And one day, he might want to explore age play further. But for now, I’m content to skirt around the edges of regression without naming it to test the waters.
It occurs to me that he might want to try that kind of play with a different Daddy. Someone else after us. That thought leaves a sour taste in my mouth, so I do my best to shove it away and focus only on the time we have ahead of us still.
As predicted, nobody pays us much attention while we’re out shopping, except for the store assistants who are nothing but friendly and polite while they help us.
After the first couple of places, Oliver finally seems to chill out and stops automatically looking for the price tags before he decides whether or not he likes something.
I do understand it. My family wasn’t rich growing up and I remember being a student where I counted every cent I was spending.
But those days are long gone. It just so happens that the job I love doing pays extremely well, so it’s only right in my eyes to distribute that wealth as best I can.
It doesn’t take long at all for Oliver to feel my joy and enthusiasm, so he lets that bleed into his own feelings as well, his worries visibly melting away.
I deliberately haven’t asked more about his plans after he graduates.
There’s a vibe that tells me it’s a touchy subject.
Naturally, my overwhelming urge is to try and fix whatever the problem is, as I’m sure is Tallis’s instinct as well.
It took me a while after my first ridiculous paycheck to realize that throwing dollar bills at a problem isn’t always the best approach and can in fact be insulting.
We just saw firsthand how delicate the subject of money can be.
So for now, I just focus on making Oliver smile and am prepared to listen if he ever wants to talk about what’s on his mind.
“What do you think of this one, Daddy?” Tallis asks me.
I love that he’s calling me that in front of Oliver.
He’s never once made me feel bad for needing this kink, but being a submissive just isn’t something he could ever give me.
And he’s always been supportive when we’ve played with boys or littles, or when I’ve met up with them by myself.
This is just the first time he’s joined in so enthusiastically.
We’re all set up in the living room where Tallis is enjoying dressing Oliver in the new clothes we bought him today. Our boy struts across the room, giggling as he spins for me like he’s giving a one-man fashion show.
“Fantastic,” I say just as excitedly as I responded to the last few outfits.
We bought so much, it was easy to forget half of it, so I think we’re all enjoying reminding ourselves of our triumphs. Besides, the designer jeans we got him look like they’ll go with everything from the other stores, so it makes sense to mix and match the various items now we’re home.
“Thank you, Daddy,” Oliver cries, skipping back to Tallis so they can try the next thing on.
I chuckle affectionately as I turn my attention back to the new laptop I’m setting up. After a little pressure, Oliver admitted that his had been on the fritz for a while and he’d been relying on the library computers and confessed that the librarian could be a little intimidating sometimes.
He tried to argue that because he was graduating in only a couple of months, he didn’t need a new one. But when Tallis pointed out that pretty much everyone needs a computer for life, not just studying, he sensibly didn’t put up a fight much longer.
I get engrossed in uploading decent antivirus software, so it takes me a while to realize a new outfit hasn’t appeared like I thought it would.
Instead, when I look up, I see Oliver standing in front of Tallis who’s on the couch, wearing only the jeans, his feet and torso bare.
He’s between Tallis’s knees with his hands resting on my husband’s shoulders, while Tallis has his hands on our baby boy’s hips.
The way they’re gazing into each other’s eyes makes me inhale softly.
It’s so breathtakingly tender that I almost feel like I’m intruding.
Except then I remember who I’m talking about and know that Tallis would never want to hide anything like that from me.
He knows I’m included in this moment even if they aren’t looking my way.
It’s actually probably for me.
And I love it more than I can possibly say.
After a few more seconds, Tallis takes a breath and blinks, like he’s coming out of a trance, and turns his attention my way.
“My darling,” he says warmly. “Are you finished with your task?”
There are a few more things I want to tinker with before I’d be happy sending Oliver off with the laptop, but I’m sure I can find time to do those later. For now, I close it and beam at my husband and our boy.
“I am, Master. Did you have something on your mind?”
He nods and looks back at Oliver. “I was thinking about how our little treat was angling for a punishment this morning with his cheeky behavior. But he’s been so good today letting you spoil him, I’ve decided he deserves a reward instead.”
Oliver’s eyes go wide. “Really, Master?”
Tallis rubs his thumbs against Oliver’s hips. “Yes, sweetheart. But I was wondering if you might agree to one more thing first. You will still get the reward, but I want to see if we can push you just that little bit further.”
I’m not sure what Tallis is planning, so I doubt Oliver does either. Our boy considers his words before responding.
“So I can try whatever the thing is,” he says slowly. “But if I can’t do it or decide I don’t want to do it, that’ll be all right?”
“Exactly,” Tallis confirms proudly.
Oliver nibbles on his lip. “Okay…what is it?”
I move to the sofa beside my husband, intrigued as to where this is going. Tallis glances at me and gives me a quick nod.
“Oliver, I would like you to ask me or your Daddy for something you need.”
Our boy blinks uncertainly. “Anything?”
Tallis nods. “Anything at all.”
We give Oliver several seconds while he bites his lip, looking away with a frown. My husband chuckles and shakes Oliver gently by the hips, making him snap his attention back to us.
“This isn’t a trick, little treat,” Tallis says. “I just want you to be brave enough to ask us for something you need. It can be tiny or it can be enormous. But I want to show you that you can ask for help, for things you deserve, without being afraid.”
Oliver lets out a soft “Oh” sound and flicks his gaze between us. I understand what Tallis is doing now, but Oliver still doesn’t seem entirely convinced.
“What’s the worst that can happen?” I ask him.
“You’ll say no and think I’m a terrible, greedy person for being so selfish,” he blurts out. “You’ve already given me so…so much.”
“Whoa,” I say with a laugh, reaching out so I can take one of his hands. Tallis moves him over so his thighs are pressed against our knees and then takes Oliver’s free hand, so he’s equally split between us. “There were a lot of assumptions you made there, young man,” I say.
“All of which were untrue,” Tallis adds with a scowl.
But I shake my head. “No, not all of them. Oliver, I want you to ask for something completely outrageous. Impossible, even.”
I think he’s still convinced this is some kind of test designed to set him up to fail, when in fact it’s supposed to be the opposite.
“Um, okay. Daddy, Master…I would like…a unicorn.”
I grin, feeling like we’re finally making progress. “No, baby boy, I’m afraid you can’t have a unicorn.” I quirk an eyebrow at Tallis. “See? There are things we’ll say no to, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.”
“Okay, I get you,” Tallis grumbles, bumping his shoulder against mine.
“Ask for something else, Oliver,” I suggest.
He lets out a nervous little laugh and nods his head. “Um…how about…a Nobel prize?”
Tallis winks at me before answering him. “Nope, you can’t have that either, little treat. But you’ve seen that this is safe space to ask for anything without us judging you or punishing you, yes?” Oliver nods. “Excellent. So now try asking for something you do need.”
I hold my breath as Oliver thinks.
“Um,” he begins in a small voice. “I need…a hug. Please.”
“Good boy,” Tallis says earnestly, pulling him into a tight embrace that I join in on.