“They’re beautiful, David. I feel the same way about my dresses. Some of my earlier designs are horrible, but I can’t get rid of them because they’re still special.”
David hummed in agreement. “I’m running out of room in this small apartment.” He looked away, his eyes suddenly becoming very interested in one of the paintings on the wall. “I was actually thinking about buying a house soon.”
His head whipped toward me when I gasped in excitement. From the worried look on his face, he must have thought something was wrong, but he quickly realized when I shared my excitement. “David, that’s amazing! I’m so happy for you. Do you have any houses in mind?”
His face turned an adorable shade of pink, and he looked slightly embarrassed. “Yeah... I sent a viewing request to the realtor selling the house next to Daniel’s.”
Laughter bubbled out of me as I remembered their banter from the other day. “That would be so cool getting to live next door. Daniel is going to die laughing if you buy the house.”
I felt a sudden pang of sadness and maybe a touch of jealousy. Tristan would move in with Daniel at some point. Where would that leave me? I wasn’t David... I couldn’t just buy the house next door.
“He’ll definitely get a kick out of it. We tease each other like brothers. I just hope that’s still the case after dinner this week.”
My heart nearly broke for this man. “Hey, I may not have known either of you for very long, but both of you are open-minded, caring people. Daniel is not going to be upset with you. There’s no doubt in mymind that when you tell him, he’ll welcome you with open arms and continue loving you the same way he always has.”
His eyes looked so broken and sad, but there was also a sparkle of hope that was begging to be set free. His eyes became glassy, and a couple of tears ran down his cheek, and I couldn’t just stand there anymore. I made my way over to him and cupped both of his cheeks, wiping the tears away with the pads of my thumbs.
His voice was so small, and it nearly broke me. “And if you’re wrong?”
“If I’m wrong, then he’s a dick and doesn’t deserve to have you in his life. I’ll be right there with you the whole time.”
He carefully placed my bags on the floor and gently grabbed both of my wrists. “Thank you, Ellery. Rationally, I know you’re right, especially after seeing the way he was with you. I’ve never felt ashamed of being trans, but because of it, making friends has been extremely difficult. I’ve been rejected so many times by people I thought I could trust, and I’m terrified of losing the only person I’ve ever considered to be like a brother to me. Daniel is the first friend I could truly be myself with, and if he were anyone else, I wouldn’t give a damn, but the idea of losing him sends me into a panic.”
His tears were falling faster now, and he pulled my hands from his cheeks and wrapped his arms around me before burying his tear-stained face into the crook of my neck.
I hated that the first time I really held him was when he was hurting, but regardless, I was thankful for the chance. His body felt perfect against mine, like we were two puzzle pieces that had finally found their matching piece.
“It’s going to be alright. I know it’s scary, but I can already tell both of you love each other like family. It will be okay. And if it isn’t, then well come back here, and I’ll snuggle you all night long.”
David chuckled through his tears. When he finally stood up, I folded my shirt sleeve over my hand and gently wiped away his tears. “Thank you, Ellie. You have such a beautiful heart.”
His kind words made my cheeks flush. “Thank you, David.”
I knew that for most Daddies, being a caregiver could be just as comforting and rewarding as it was for littles when they regressed.
“Would you like to try some Daddy-little time? I can show you my princess dresses, and then we can look at all your pretty paintings?”
David’s smile was full of adoration and gratitude. “That sounds perfect, darling. Thank you for this.”
He kissed both of my cheeks and then the tip of my nose, making me giggle. “You may be the Daddy, but if we’re doing this, we take care of each other.”
“Yes, princess. I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
He placed a soft kiss on my lips, and I hummed in contentment. His lips felt wonderful against mine. I never wanted him to pull away, but much to my dismay, he did.
“Come on, darling. We have a fashion show to get to!”
Excitement coursed through me as he picked up my belongings and threw the garment bags over his shoulder so he could take my handin his. Our hands fit together perfectly, and the feel of his skin against mine was warm and comforting.
I’d made sure I packed my best princess dresses. I wanted to impress David with both my skill and, of course, how beautiful I looked. This was going to be the best fashion show ever. It had to be. I’d finally found someone who understood me and wanted to take care of me. I was going to make sure he became mine.
My Daddy.
Chapter nine
David
Their hand felt perfect in mine as we walked to my bedroom. I’d hoped Ellery and I would be compatible, but I’d never dreamed we’d click as well as we have. Ellery was everything I could ever want in a partner. Something about them settled my soul.
