Bonus Scene Jacob & Ethan
Before the epilogue of Koa’s Caring Daddy
Sunday Snuggles ran like clockwork when Ethan was in charge of it.
Jacob had noticed that early on. The way Ethan moved through the room with calm authority, checking in on each little, making sure no one was left on the edges, redistributing blankets with an intense sort of focus.
Jacob supposed he understood better than most what it meant to have a space that felt safe. He'd built his entire corner of this club around that idea.
He watched from the kitchen doorway, a mug of warm apple cider in each hand, telling himself he was just making sure everyone had what they needed. It was his job, after all. He fed people. He took care of the club in the way he knew how.
It had nothing to do with the fact that Ethan had laughed at something across the room and Jacob had heard it from twenty feet away and immediately wanted to find a reason to walk over there.
He pushed off the doorframe and did exactly that.
Ethan was settled on the floor near the far wall when Jacob reached him, his long legs folded beneath him, a Little named Poe curled against his side and already half asleep.
Ethan had one hand resting gently on Poe's back, rising and falling with their breathing.
He looked up when Jacob approached, surprise flickering briefly across his face before it settled into a smile.
"You're supposed to be off on Sundays," Ethan said, keeping his voice low so as not to disturb Poe.
"I was testing a new recipe." Jacob lowered himself to the floor beside him, moving carefully so nothing sloshed, and held out one of the mugs. "Cider. Spiced. Tell me if it needs anything."
Ethan accepted it with both hands, wrapping his fingers around the warmth. He took a slow sip, and Jacob watched the small furrow between his brows ease as he swallowed.
"It doesn't need anything," Ethan murmured. "It's perfect."
Jacob looked away before the words could do too much damage.
They sat together quietly for a while. The room had the hush of a space full of people all choosing to be gentle at the same time — soft voices, the occasional sleepy shuffle, music low enough that it was more ambiance than sound.
Jacob had come to like Sundays here. He'd just recently started admitting to himself why.
"You do a good job of keeping everyone together," he said eventually.
Ethan glanced at him. "At what?"
Jacob nodded toward the room. "Knowing what people need without making them ask for it. Understanding both the Littles and the Daddies who come to check in sometimes."
Ethan's expression flickered, like a window opening. "I do what I’d want and hope for the best," he said quietly.
"Oh really?" Jacob turned the mug in his hands. "Good to know."
Ethan looked at him for a moment longer than usual. Jacob could feel the tension hanging in the air between them. It had been building for months, maybe longer.
He’d decided recently that he was tired of being careful about it.
"Ethan," he started.
"Jacob." Ethan said his name at the exact same moment, then stopped. A surprised little breath of a laugh left him. "Sorry. You go."
Jacob shook his head slowly. He reached out and tucked a loose corner of Ethan's blanket back around Poe's shoulder, his hand brushing Ethan's in the process. He didn't move it away.
"I just wanted you to know," he said, keeping his voice even, "that I'm paying attention. To you. I have been for a while. I didn't want it to go unsaid anymore."
The room carried on softly around them. Poe shifted in sleep. Somewhere across the space, a Little giggled at something and was gently told to quiet down.
Ethan looked at where their hands rested close together on the floor. Jacob watched his throat move as he swallowed.
"Okay," Ethan said at last.
Just that single word made Jacob’s heart go into overdrive. Ethan’s pinky finger moved the smallest amount and hooked around Jacob's.
Jacob exhaled.
It wasn't everything he wanted. Not even close.
But it was a start, and Jacob, who had learned long ago that the best things took time, was prepared and willing to wait.