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Finn wasn’t wrong in his assumption that while Jackson’s submission wasn’t usual, it was there. Jackson wanted someone to prove they wouldn’t leave him? Finn was doing that.
“Why don’t you go work on your puzzle before dinner?” Finn urged Michael toward the coffee table.
Michael eyed Jackson.
“Bubbie will be with me,” Finn told him.
“K!” Michael skipped off.
“He really doesn’t like anyone messing with his puzzles,” Jackson commented.
Finn led the way to the kitchen, Jackson still learning to walk with him. The chain gave enough room that Jackson wasn’t stepping on Finn, but it was a near thing. “You were annoying him on purpose.”
Jackson cackled. “He’s just so cute when he gets frustrated but is still trying to be nice.”
“It’s not your job to wind him up.” Reaching the oven, Finn checked on the casserole that he’d had baking. Michael would love the thick meatballs and spicy marinara. It would also be fun to feed the messy meal to Jackson.
“It sort of is my job,” Jackson argued. He jumped up on the counter, which pulled the chain tight between them. “Have to make sure no one takes advantage of our boy.”
Michael had not only been taking care of himself but also his twin brothers for years. He was both street smart and book smart. As much as Finn spent his time watching over Michael, Finn had to admit that Michael could take care of himself.
“And don’t say Michael can take care of himself,” Jackson grumped. “I know that.”
“You just don’t want to accept it,” Finn said. “But he can take care of himself. Even though he likes me to be little with us doesn’t mean that he isn’t a fully capable adult.”
“I just.” Jackson sighed. “I just want to make sure nothing bad ever touches him again. I had no idea about his parents.”
“I didn’t know the full story.” And that made Finn feel like a failure. “But bad things happen. We have to make sure we’re there for one another if anything bad happens.”
“Not good enough.” Jackson growled. “You have no idea of the things we see.”
“I don’t,” Finn agreed. “Are you ready to tell me? Are you going to tell Michael what you and your friends are into?”
Jackson’s eyes widened in alarm. “Do you think I should? I guess I could discuss it with you. You were military. You saw some shit. But Michael—”
“And we’re back to trying to protect Michael,” Finn pointed out. “Don’t you think that he’s heard the same rumors that I have?”
That gave Jackson pause.
“It’s something to think about,” Finn told him. “Eventually he might start asking questions.”
“I’ll think about it. Maybe asked Skinner and the others what they said to their partners.”
Finn rewarded Jackson with a kiss. “Good idea.” Jackson hadn’t dismissed his advice and had even taken it a step forward to utilizing his friend’s experiences. Finn didn’t think that Jackson often reached out to his friends for help.
Jackson hummed as Finn drew back from the kiss. “Good enough to get a reward?”
Yeah, Finn might be able to give in to that desire, but he would at least make Jackson work for it. Jackson’s punishment wasn’t completely over yet.
“I don’t know.” Finn kissed along Jackson’s jaw. “Do you really believe you’ve been good enough to get a reward?”
“Probably not,” Jackson said with a shrug. “That doesn’t mean that I’ll stop trying.”
“I hope you never stop trying,” Finn said honestly. “You’ll keep me on my toes.”
“And you're sure you can handle it.” Jackson held up his hands. “I’m not being a smartass. I’m genuinely curious what you get out of this.”
Finn kissed Jackson again. This time making sure to sweep his tongue deep and enjoying teasing his boy. “I’m sure,” he said after ending the kiss. “And it’s okay to ask me that. I told you that I would be here when your doubts surfaced.”
