Chapter Twelve
Knox
Stupid Reynolds forgot to mention one negative thing about not having any neighbors. One very important very negative thing.
IT’S SCARY!
I was able to sleep for a few hours, but that was only cause it was still daylight outside when I fell asleep.
Sure, I’ve been here for two weeks now and have slept just fine. But I’ve also never been alone.
“Titan, you can be pretty scary, right?”
He looks up, and I watch as his nose twitches.
“What do you smell, boy? A robber?” I ask, looking around for intruders. “I don’t have any monies, robber man. Wait, that’s a lie. I has a dollar on the kitchen table. Take it and leave, please.”
I only have that dollar cause Hayes said a bad word, and Papa made him pay up.
“I has a very spensive laptop in here with me, but you can’t has that cause I’m a very portant person when I’m Big and I needs it. But you can has my phone.”
“Really, baby?”
I scream an embarrassingly loud scream and fall on my butt next to the bed.
“First and foremost,” he says, leaning against my bedroom door frame. “If you think there is an intruder in the house, don’t call out to them. And, secondly, don’t tell them that you’re hoarding expensive things and expect them to leave.”
“Oh,” I say. “Prolly not a good idea, huh?”
“No,” he straightens and walks towards me. When he’s standing at my feet, he kneels down and cups my face. “Hi there, Pup,” he smiles. “I’m really glad to finally, officially, meet you.”
I open my mouth to deny it but freeze.
Okay, so maybe my Little isn’t completely dead.
“I don’t know whats you’re talking about, old man,” I say instead.
Papa’s eyes grow wide, and I know I only has seconds to jump and run away before he attacks.
“Outta the way, Titan,” I yell. “I gots ta get out of here.”
But it’s no use. Papa has me up on my bed and tickling the living daylights out of me.
“I’ll show you old man, Pup,” he says. “Say, uncle. Say it. Say it.”
“I refuse to give in to the man”s demands,” I say when Papa pauses to let me breathe.
“Then I must continue this battle until I claim victory.”
“Fine,” I laugh. “Uncle. Now stop, or I’m gonna pee.”
“We can’t have that, now, can we?”
He stands, pulling me with him.
“How about some breakfast?”
“I’m not hungry. I just woke up and need coffee.”
“Little boys don’t get coffee,” the meanie says. “How about some orange juice, eggs, and bacon?”
“Sure,” I shrug. I like bacon.
Papa smiles, but his eyes look heavy.
“Or we could just has cereal so you can take a nap.”
Papa looks at me for a long time before a soft smile creases the corners of his mouth.
“You’re very kind, baby boy. But I want to take care of you. I’ll take a nap when you do.”
“Well, you has a problem then cause I don’t take naps.”
“Papa says you do. And I know you didn’t sleep well last night, so after breakfast I’m going to tuck you back into your bed, and you’re going to sleep.”
“Are you gonna sleep in your room?” I ask. “What if you get scared and need Titan?”
“Hmm. You have a point,” he says, full of concern for his bravery. “Maybe Titan can take a nap in my bed with me. He’s really good at giving snuggles when people get scared.”
“That’s a good idea,” I nod, but secretly, I’m a little sad that I won’t has anyone to nap with. But I won’t tell Papa that.
I really shouldn’t have thrown out all of my stuffies.
“Titan is a good snuggle buddy, but what I really need is a very big stuffie.”
My eyes grow wide with excitement.
“How big?” I wonder. “I has a friend who sells massive stuffies for people who need extra love.”
“I think we should save that one for a Little who doesn’t have a Papa, don’t you think? I was actually wondering if you would want to take a nap and cuddle with me. I’m very tired, and it would help me rest better if I knew you were safe.”
“And I would be safe cuddled against you?” I ask, wondering if Papa would protect me against intruders.
“No place in this world would you be safer than in my arms, Pup,” he says. “What do you say?”
“I say yes. But what if I wake up Big and get scared? I don’t think Big me is as brave as Little me.”
“Then Big Knox and I will handle that if it happens. Now, want to crack some eggs for me?”
“Duh. Papa always asking silly questions, Titan.”
Titan barks his agreement.
***Taylor***
Over the past two weeks, I have seen more and more of my Pup come out to play. Sometimes for five minutes and sometimes for a few seconds. The second I looked into his eyes after he invited the non-existent intruder to take his dollar and his phone, I could clearly see that he had fully regressed.
He might be a little younger than I initially thought, but that’s perfectly fine with me. My little Pup is a fun little thing.
I think being alone and scared may have pulled his Little out without him being fully aware. It tends to happen when Little’s get scared or overly excited. It could also have been the cause of his upset stomach.
“Come sit on my lap, Pup so that I can feed you.”
“I’m not a baby,” he whines. “I can feeds myself.”
“Of course,” I nod. “But it would make me happy if you let me feed you this time.”
Sighing, Knox comes over and flops on my knee. Chuckling, I adjust the little brat until he’s sitting across both of my legs.
“Open up, Pup,” I order.
Knox hasn’t been eating, and if I have to guilt trip my Pup into letting me feed him, I will.
I feed myself a bite every time Knox takes one. It takes longer than normal to eat this way, but I don’t mind. By the time we’re finished, both of our plates are empty, and my Pup is looking exhausted.
“Hmm, I might have to feed you every meal,” I say. “You were such a good boy to eat your breakfast.”
I carry Knox to the couch and lay him down.
“I’m going to take Titan outside and feed him his breakfast, and then we’ll take a nap,” I say. “Sound good?”
Knox mumbles as he closes his eyes.
Making sure my Pup is safe and secure, I turn to do exactly that. By the time I get back, he’s fast asleep. I can’t help but smile as I lift him in my arms and head to my room. He doesn’t weigh nearly as much as he should for someone his size, but I’ll fix that.
It doesn’t take long to get him tucked into bed. Knowing I won’t rest until I shower, I make quick work, being sure to put sleep pants on, before crawling into bed beside my beautiful Pup and pulling him close.
“You have the potential to destroy me, baby,” I whisper my most feared truth.
With a kiss on his forehead, I quickly join him in sleep.