Chapter 8
Once Ash released Ethan's hand, Koa was quick to grab him and drag him from the room.
“We'll let the Daddies and Papas sort it out,” he said as he led them back to the playroom where they'd been relaxing. “I need to be Little after all that tension, and I bet you do too.”
Ethan squeezed Koa's hand to say he agreed. He agreed so much, in fact, that he didn't want to say a word. He wanted quiet and peace and comfort.
Part of him wanted his Daddy too, but he knew Jacob had work to do, and Noah had been flustered earlier by Dill and might have gone home.
Finding out his former boss was interested in him romantically made Ethan question so many of the moments they shared. Would he have ever picked up on the truth had he stayed?
Quitting had been an act of defiance, yet it seemed to have brought him so much more.
Thinking of his former job made him wonder if Ash coordinated the severance package. The answer came as quick as the notion appeared. Ash definitely had to have made the call.
Maybe one day Ethan would ask him. Or maybe he’d leave it a mystery. Too much thoughts. He needed Little time.
In the playroom, Koa tugged Ethan down, wrapped them both in a really large blanket, and opened a coloring book. “You do that page, I'll do this one, okay?”
Ethan picked up a crayon and went to work.
With Koa in charge of their playtime, he didn't have to make any decisions.
He could simply exist as his true self. He could turn his mind off so he wouldn't weigh out the possibilities and potential conflicts that came with allowing Ash back into his life.
With every scratch of the crayon, he could feel himself settling more and more. “I color, I play, I do this all day,” he sang softly, the little tune repeating over and over.
Koa giggled, occasionally singing along, but mostly basking in the closeness. Briar came to visit, as did Nia, one of the Wednesday Wiggles leaders. Manny showed up at one point with snacks, and the two ate them, thanking him before he disappeared again.
It wasn't until much, much later that Ethan looked up with a clear mind. His body was relaxed, calm in a way he so rarely got to experience. He startled a bit at the sight before him.
Manny was seated between Jacob and Ash on the couch in the spot most Daddies took up to keep an eye on their Littles. Knowing that two of the three men on that couch technically belonged to him, warmth surged through him.
“I see a good-looking group,” Koa teased, bumping Ethan's shoulder.
Ethan shook his head and looked at his friend with his brows raised. “I tell Daddy you say that.”
Koa pressed a hand to his chest. “No! Do not do that!”
Ethan giggled, and then the two were caught in a laughing fit they couldn't seem to stop.
All of the tension and exhaustion fled as they enjoyed time together with the Daddies watching over them.
Looking at the couch, at the three of them sitting there, Ethan felt it — the start of something good, something he hoped would be lasting.
A week passed with no true change. At least nothing negative.
Ash showed up at the club consistently, alongside Ethan and Jacob. The pair were apparently texting one another to align their schedules, and with Ethan no longer working, he was available pretty much any time of day.
Ethan had gone back to his own place because there was no need to stay with Jacob full-time with Ash newly back in the picture, however differently things stood now. And Koa was happy to have his friend around even more.
When Koa offered Ethan a full-time job at the club again, Ethan didn't hesitate to say yes.
“Really?” Koa had asked him.
“Yeah, I think it's what I need.”
Ethan was brought in to sign paperwork, given his all-access badge, and told to make his own schedule.
His Daddy was delighted by the fact that they could plan their days together.
He'd been quietly upset about Ethan returning to his own place, though he said he understood.
Ethan wasn't entirely a fan of it either, but he knew diving in all the way immediately was a recipe for disaster, especially with the new and still-uncertain connection with Ash.
By the second and third week, they had a comfortable routine in place.
Ethan had half-expected Ash to drop out by then.
Three weeks. Twenty-one days. Many of them working days, and yet every time, Ash was there on time.
When he couldn't make it, he sent things instead: small gifts for both Ethan and Jacob or he would sponsor an event at the club.
Ash had also signed up for membership immediately after groveling in the office that first day.
Briar had put him through his paces, vetting him through multiple sources and questioning Manny at length about Ash's character.
She knew enough about his history with Ethan to know it wasn't a simple yes based on a credit and background check.
Ethan woke up every morning with a sense of wonder about his life.
It had gone nothing like he'd planned, and every minute of every day he had to remind himself to keep his cool.
The world wasn't ending. Things weren't falling apart.
The people in his life wanted to be there.
In fact, they were vying for his attention.
The end of the first month brought Ethan to a crossroads.
If he was going to pursue anything with Ash, he wanted to get the ball rolling.
It wasn't impatience. He simply didn't like the idea of continuing on in this half-state.
The sooner he could decide whether being with Ash would be romantic or only platonic, the better.
Honestly, he was amazed to be in this position. A few weeks ago he wanted to curse Ash’s name. Now he was considering if the man was meant to be more.
Ethan texted his Daddy first thing and asked if they could get breakfast to chat. Jacob agreed and knocked on his door twenty minutes later, a bag of food in hand and a cautious expression on his face.
“What's wrong?” he asked as soon as he had Ethan seated with his food cut into pieces.
“Nothing, Daddy,” Ethan said. “I just thinking about stuffs.”
Jacob's shoulders dropped and he let out a sigh. “I have a feeling I know what you want to talk about.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I suspect you've been watching Ash and know now that he's serious about changing.”
“Is he, though?” Ethan questioned in a soft voice. “Because last time, I thought it was real too.”
His Daddy hummed. Then he placed his hands on Ethan's knees and turned his boy to face him.
“I think the time before was already tenuous.
Ash made it clear in that room that he had always considered you part of his work environment.
He had no idea he even had a chance with you, so he self-sabotaged in a way that doesn't make sense to us but made sense to him at the time.
The man I've seen these last four weeks, the man I've spoken to more than once in private.
He's a complete 180 from that. This Ash is dedicated and loyal.
He's committed to delegating tasks at the office and trusting others to carry them.”
Ethan heard what his Daddy said, but he was hung up on one particular part. “You’ve been talking? Without me?”
“Yes, we have. I couldn't possibly allow him to grow closer to you without knowing more about him. As your Daddy, it's important for me to vet the people in your life. Not in a controlling way, but in a protective one.”
Ethan gave a happy wiggle at that. He loved the idea of his Daddy being in charge, but knowing that his safety was a top priority made him feel cherished. He was still getting used to the idea, but thankfully Jacob was dedicated and consistent.
Just like Ash.
“Do you think it's silly for me to cave already, Daddy?” Ethan whispered, ducking his head.
Jacob put a finger under his chin and lifted his face until they were looking at one another.
“Sweetheart, this life is short, and sometimes people have to hit rock bottom to understand that they were wrong. They have to lose everything to wake up and see the world around them for what it really is.”
“Lonely,” Ethan said quietly. “He's… lonely.”
It wasn't a question, so Jacob didn't answer, keeping quiet as Ethan turned the idea over in his mind.
“He was a workaholic and lonely, so he did what he knew,” Ethan continued. “And yeah, it wasn't right, but he has been better.”
“He has,” Jacob agreed. “And I think it will only get better with time. You could always take it slow with him. Maybe start by holding his hand, or giving him a hug. Something that involves touch and closeness, but doesn't go as far as a kiss or anything more. Let it build.”
Ethan wanted to groan at the picture his Daddy painted.
Something more was still up in the air. While he and Jacob often took care of one another in tender ways, they had not yet gone all the way.
He'd wanted to hold off, to clear his mind about Ash first and make sure he wasn't jumping into anything because he'd just left a difficult situation.
The movies always claimed that relationships built on high adrenaline were the best kind. He didn't fully believe that, and he didn't want to risk being a statistic.
“I think I have to try,” Ethan said.
Jacob squeezed his knees and sat upright. “Then we try.” His Daddy made it sound so easy.
Three days later, Ethan got his first real chance to try out this new connection with Ash.
They were heading to the club but had decided to get brunch together first. Brunch on a weekday meant Ash would be missing quite a bit of work.
It wasn't meant to be a test, though it definitely had the characteristics of one.
Ash arrived in comfortable clothing. He'd abandoned his stuffy suits and formal wear since his change in attitude. Ethan quite liked seeing him more relaxed. It made it easier to picture this new version of the man rather than the old, controlling one.
“Hi,” Ash said in greeting, lifting a hand.
Jacob smiled and waved back. His hand moved to Ethan's lower back, and with a single tap of his finger, it was all the encouragement Ethan needed. His Daddy knew what he wanted, and he saw this as an opportunity.
Ethan took the few steps forward to close the distance between himself and Ash. He slowly lifted his arms, giving Ash the chance to move away if he didn't want this.
Hopefully he wanted it.
When his arms wrapped around Ash in a hug, the other man jolted, then sank into the embrace.
“Hey, sweetheart,” Ash whispered, running a hand down Ethan's back like he was holding something precious.
They stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other. Ethan had only ever felt this comfortable with Jacob. No other partner or friend had made him want to close his eyes and trust he'd be taken care of.
When they pulled apart, there were tears in Ash's eyes. “Thank you,” he said.
Ethan had to bite his lip. He wanted to cry too.
Thankfully, his Daddy stepped up, wrapped an arm around Ethan's shoulder, and gripped Ash at the back of the neck. “No need for tears. You've more than proven yourself lately. Our boy wanted to show he's opening up.” He paused, his tone dropping just slightly. “Don't blow it.”
Then he turned away with Ethan in tow, moving towards the hostess stand.
Ethan looked over his shoulder at Ash, who was watching them, his heart in his eyes. Ash wiped the trails of tears from his cheeks, then strode forward. He moved up beside Ethan, and very gently pressed his forehead to Ethan's shoulder.
Other people might see that and think nothing of it. They might question what it even meant. But Ethan understood. It was Ash respecting boundaries, not taking more than Ethan was willing to give, while still reaching for more touch, more connection.
Taking another bit of Jacob's advice, Ethan held his hand out to Ash. His fingers were immediately wrapped in Ash's, and the connection held even as they moved into the restaurant.
People looked at them, no doubt noticing the way Jacob had a possessive hold on Ethan and Ash seemed to be following along like a lovesick shadow.
Ethan couldn't help but smile at it all.
It was surreal. It didn't mean that he and Ash would work out forever.
But a step in that direction was happening, and all parties were open to it.
Brunch turned into a long, relaxed affair, with Ethan's hand being held by one or both of his men throughout.
They fed him bites of their food alongside his own.
He was pampered and at ease, not a care in the world.
If this was what it was like to have two Daddies, Ethan would take it for the rest of his life.
Sign him up. Give him full membership.
He giggled to himself at the thought, and though both men looked over at him in question, they continued their conversation about stocks while he sat happily between them.
At the club, Ash stuck close to their side. Jacob stayed with them for a bit, but eventually had to pull kitchen duty. Left alone with Ash, Ethan noticed the other man stepping back slightly, as if trying to blend into the background.
Ethan frowned and shook his head. When Ash still didn't come closer, he stomped his foot and whined, “Papa!”
Ash bolted over, dropping down beside Ethan where he sat on the floor. “Yes, sweetheart? I'm here.”
Ethan beamed at the quickness of it. He hadn't intended to call Ash Papa yet. It had simply come out. It felt natural and easy.
And wasn't that how things were meant to be? Why fight what came naturally?
“Play,” Ethan said, pushing a toy over to Ash.
“Okay, sweetheart. I'll play.” Ash settled in beside him, attentive and patient, waiting for whatever Ethan wanted next.
It amused Ethan, but it also pleased him to no end. Having a man like that care for him was everything he'd dreamed of, everything he'd wanted. And while it still seemed almost too good to be true, he believed it. He believed he deserved happiness as much as anyone else.
And it turned out that happiness might just come with two Daddies instead of one.