13. Reece
Reece
The hotel’s rooftop shimmered under the late morning sun, a secret haven perched high above a city that had more than its fair share of dangers as far as Reece and Faustino were concerned.
“Ah, yes ! This is super-cool, Daddy,” Reece exclaimed.
Reece stepped out of the elevator beside Faustino, his sneakers scuffing the sleek concrete terrace, and let out a delighted gasp.
The roof space sprawled wide and long, edged with a glass railing that framed a jaw-dropping view of the skyline made up of skyscrapers and bright blue sky.
A small table waited near the railing, draped with a red checkered blanket Faustino had ordered from the concierge, and the air hummed with the faint buzz of distant traffic and the sweet, earthy scent of sun-warmed greenery.
As far as Reece was concerned, it was perfect .
“This is so wicked-awesome, Daddy!” Reece chirped once more, clutching Squirt to his chest as he skipped ahead. “A picnic way up high! It’s like we’re in a castle in the sky and I’m the adventurous, super-brave princess!”
Faustino grinned, setting the picnic basket down with a soft thud and unpacking their spread.
“Only the best for my boy,” Faustino said, his voice warm but tinged with a shadow he couldn’t quite pin down.
Faustino had switched out his customary white shirt for a simple black t-shirt that clung to his broad shoulders, his dark hair catching the sunlight perfectly.
The picnic basket spilled out perfect treasures too…
“Yay! Choco-crunches, strawberries, orange sours!” Reece squealed with delight. “Yummy, yummy, yummy!”
Reece was ready to dive in and get eating. But as a Little, he was ready for fun too…
“Actually, let’s play first!” Reece giggled. He snatched a strawberry, popped it into his mouth and chuckled as Faustino settled beside him, stretching out his long, strong legs.
Reece thrust Squirt into Faustino’s hands, his cherished stuffie looking comically small against his large slab-like palms. “You be the dragon rider, and I’ll be the princess he saves from the mean old witch!”
“Squirt might be a little small for me to ride,” Faustino laughed.
“Well pretend, silly!” Reece squealed.
“Alright, princess. Where’s this dragon taking us today?” Faustino asked before he swooped Squirt through the air, making an exaggerated roaring noise that sent Reece into peals of laughter.
Reece scrambled to his feet, twirling around and then darting across the rooftop, pretending to flee an invisible foe. The sun beat down, warming his skin, and the city sprawled below like a toy kingdom, all tiny cars and ant-sized people.
“Save me, Sir Faustino!” Reece squealed, ducking behind a lounge chair as he swooped Squirt down in a dramatic arc and rescuing him from the make-believe witch.
Faustino played along with gusto, his gruff voice softening into a knight’s accent.
“Fear not, milady, thy dragon rider is here!” Faustino bellowed.
Reece darted between chairs, giggling as Faustino chased him with Squirt, his big frame surprisingly nimble as he ducked and weaved. Reece could see it so clearly… he was a great Daddy.
Faustino was patient when he tripped over his own feet, strong when he scooped him up in a mock rescue, silly enough to roar like a dragon just to make Reece laugh.
But every so often, Faustino’s gaze flicked to the horizon, his jaw tightening for a split second, and Reece knew something was simmering beneath the surface.
Is it because of me?
Am I what’s worrying him?
I hope not…
But Reece didn’t allow his fears to hold him down for long.
Breathless and grinning, they finally collapsed back onto the blanket, the game winding down as the sun climbed higher.
“Time for some real food,” Faustino said, firm but kind.
Faustino handed Reece a sandwich, the bread soft and crusty, and they ate in a comfortable quiet, the city’s hum a gentle backdrop to the crunch of their meal. Reece nibbled a cookie once he was done with the sandwich, chocolate melting on his fingers, and watched Faustino sip his lemonade.
But Faustino’s silence was heavier now, and Reece couldn’t ignore it any longer…
“Daddy, what’s wrong?” Reece asked, tilting his head. “You’re all frowny, even with the sunshine and cookies and me being a super brave princess.”
Faustino sighed, setting his thermos down with a soft clink and running a hand through his hair. He looked at Reece and the weight in his eyes made his tummy twist and turn. This was real.
“Trouble’s coming, sweet boy,” Faustino said, his voice low, steady, but laced with something dark. “Big stuff I’ve gotta deal with soon. I don’t know when it’s gonna hit, but it’s close. So we should enjoy this… our time together… while it’s still ours.”
Reece’s cookie paused halfway to his mouth, crumbs dusting his lap.
“Trouble? Like… real bad trouble?” Reece’s voice wobbled, a flicker of fear creeping in.
“Yeah,” Faustino admitted, reaching over to tuck a stray strand of hair behind his ear, his fingers lingering on his cheek. “Bad trouble. But I’ll keep you safe, always. Let’s just have fun today, okay? No worrying.”
Reece nodded, swallowing the lump in his throat, and scooted closer, snuggling into his side. Faustino’s arm wrapped around him, a solid wall of warmth, and Reece let himself slip into Little Space, the world softening and everything feeling all warm and fuzzy.
As Faustino’s steady heartbeat thumped against Reece’s ear it melted his fears into a distant blur.
Faustino reached into the basket, pulling out a milk bottle he’d warmed downstairs, and handed it to him with a gentle smile.
Reece wasted no time and latched on, the sweet warmth soothing him from the inside out, and nestled deeper into his chest. As Faustino’s hand stroked his back, slowly and rhythmically, Reece’s eyes fluttered shut and the rooftop fading as sleep pulled him under like a soft tide.
There might have been danger on the horizon, but right now Reece had never felt more safe and secure in his whole life…
Reece stirred awake in the suite’s bedroom, the cool hum of the air conditioning coaxing him from a hazy dream of dragons soaring over a golden city.
“Daddy?” Reece mumbled, still half-asleep and frolicking in his dreamworld.
The king-sized bed swallowed him, its crisp white sheets tangled around his legs, and the faint glow of streetlights seeped through the blackout curtains he’d left cracked open. Squirt rested beside Reece… but Faustino was gone.
Reece’s heart jolted, a flicker of worry sparking as he sat up, rubbing sleep from his eyes with a yawn. The room was too still. Suddenly, the hotel suite felt too big, too solitary – and a million miles away from the hubbub of his chaotic share house.
“Daddy? Are you here?” Reece asked once more, more in hope than anything else.
Reece blinked, scanning the dim space, and then spotted it, a note on the nightstand, scrawled in Faustino’s jagged handwriting…
Sweet boy, don’t worry. I got called out for a job with Matteo and Michael. I didn’t want to wake you, you looked too peaceful and too damned cute to disturb. Back soon. And remember… you do not leave the apartment without my say so until further notice. That’s Daddy’s Orders. Got it? Love, Daddy.
“ Hmmm ,” Reece said, now wide awake. “I guess I remember him saying that?”
Reece flopped back onto the bed, clutching the note to his chest, when his phone buzzed on the nightstand, cutting through the quiet.
“More messages! I guess I’m more popular than I thought,” Reece giggled as he sprung up from the bed and went over to look at his cell phone.
CK (AGENT): Last minute audition TODAY, 2 PM. TV pilot, big opportunity. Script attached. Don’t miss it – I moved heaven and earth to get this for you, Reece! Break a leg!
Reece’s breath caught, a jolt of excitement surging through him like lightning. He opened the attachment. The script was a gritty drama about a young detective, sharp-witted and fearless, the kind of role he’d dreamed of sinking his teeth into.
Reece’s heart raced. This was huge, a lifeline back to his acting dreams after the mess with Timo.
But Faustino’s warning echoed in his head … Daddy’s Orders.
Reece chewed his lip, glancing at the clock. It was only 11:15. There was plenty of time to prep and get across town. The audition was a quick Uber ride away, maybe twenty minutes, and he could be back before Faustino returned. Right?
Reece’s mind spun, torn between his Daddy’s strict orders and the pull of his career. This wasn’t just any audition, that much was obvious. This was a shot at the career he’d fought for, a chance to prove he was more than a Little hiding in a hotel suite.
And anyway… Faustino had pushed him to be his best, hadn’t he?
Faustino set up the lessons with Adler, he believed in his talent. Surely he’d understand him taking this risk, bending his rules just a little for something this big…
“Squirt, I don’t have a choice,” Reece said, his heart racing. “Just this once, I’m going to have to disobey my Daddy,”
Reece sprang out of bed, determination shoving his worry aside. He’d be fast, careful, and definitely no lingering, just in and out.
Reece darted to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face, the shock waking him fully. His reflection stared back—wide eyes brimming with nerves and excitement, his smile wide and full of enthusiasm for the challenge ahead.
With a final glance at Faustino’s note, he shoved it into his pocket, snatched Squirt for a reassuring squeeze, and headed for his bag.
It was time to get prepped.
Trouble or not, Reece wasn’t letting this chance slip away, no matter the cost…