"So what we're going to do," Daddy said as he worked, reaching towards one of the corners out to Koa's sides, "is tuck you in with this. It's called swaddling. Are you familiar with the technique?" Koa shook his head slowly side to side as he watched his Daddy bring the corner up and over.
His Daddy draped the fabric across his chest, then tucked it tightly into Koa's side, making sure to go all the way down his legs. His Daddy then moved towards his feet where the pointy end was. "Swaddling is a technique used on babies, and since you are my baby, I would like to bundle you up. It's meant to be comforting. You can tell me if you don't like it and we will stop immediately. Understand?"
"Yes, Daddy," Koa murmured, watching as the tail end of the blanket was folded up. It made his feet feel like they were in a burrito, closed off. The fabric came up and was tucked in on the side similar to the other corner before. Then Koa broke into a fit of giggles, because his Daddy grabbed his sides and rolled him three times until the blanket was no longer spread out but cocooned around him. Koa giggled and giggled, so happy he could barely stand it.
He looked at his Daddy through teary eyes. He couldn't wipe them away because his hands were stuck.
"You are so precious, sweetheart." His Daddy's voice was soft and full of care. His fingers came up to gently wipe away the tears from Koa's laughter. "I am so happy that I came here tonight. I would have hated to have not met you, to have not had this time with you."
Koa's bottom lip trembled as emotions swarmed him. His mind had shifted into baby mode, but he could still understand the depth of the words his Daddy spoke. He understood how unique and intense this was. He could see that their connection, while instant, was rooted in a compatibility he didn't have anywhere else.
Rather than say anything else, his Daddy dropped to the floor and sat with his legs crossed. His arms went underneath Koa, lifting him from the ground and making him feel weightless for a moment, before settling Koa across his body. With his legs draped over one thigh and his back supported by a strong arm, Koa felt safe. He felt loved and cared for. He closed his eyes and leaned his head on his Daddy's shoulder.
Manny hummed some tunes softly. Koa couldn't pick out what it was, but it was soothing enough that he could feel himself drifting to sleep, despite not being all that tired when he was first wrapped up. That's just how easy it was with Manny. How perfect.
Time passed in a haze, and before he knew it, Jacob's voice cut through the fog of his half-sleep. "Sorry to bother you," he whispered, "but the soup is ready. I've got it right here."
Manny spoke softly, thanking Jacob.
Koa took a chance and opened his eyes, leaning his head away so he could get a good look at his Daddy. Manny's eyes were already on him, drinking in his rumpled expression.
"Daddy," Koa said, voice scratchy from not using it. Manny kissed his forehead, then eased him to the floor. "It's time to unwrap, baby. You don't have to be big, but we do need to get the soup to your friend, and I need your help getting it there. I don't know where I'm going."
Koa nodded, understanding what needed to happen. While he hated the thought of leaving, he wanted to be a good friend as well. There would be time later for more regressing. If Manny was being honest, then he would want more time with Koa. That alone gave him the strength to accept that playtime was over. He could handle it if he knew more was coming, if he knew this wasn't the end.
CHAPTER 4
By the timeKoa was fully back in his big mindset, they were almost to Ethan's job.
The building where he worked was huge, and it was kind of intimidating, if Koa was honest. He didn't know how his friend spent so much time there. He couldn't see Ethan in an office. And Koa knew that if he didn't have such a sense of responsibility to the company, Ethan would have been long gone. But his friend always finished what he started, and this job was just another one of those things, which meant Ethan struggled.
And since Koa loved to spoil people, he needed to show up for his friend and be supportive.
When they went inside, it was quiet and dark, with a lone security guard at the front. Koa didn't really know how they were going to get the soup where it needed to go. He'd never come in that late. Of course, he shouldn't have worried.
His Daddy, Manny, stepped right up. He approached the security table, smiling at the man behind the desk.
"How can I help you, sir?" the guard said with a stern tone.
Koa buried himself in his Daddy's shoulder, not wanting to confront the way the guard's voice made him want to run away.
"Hi, my name is Manny and this is my boyfriend Koa. We're here because our friend Ethan got called into work last minute and forgot to eat anything." Manny gently smacked his palm to his forehead and rolled his eyes. It was all very charismatic. Koa appreciated it because he was fully tongue-tied after hearing the wordboyfriend.
The guard smirked. "I know exactly who you're talking about. Ethan's a good guy. I hate that he always gets called in like this."
Manny hummed. "Exactly. Do you think we could take this up to him? Would it be a big deal? We'll come right back down."
The security guard waved a hand towards the elevators. "Have at it. Don't think anything of it. The guy needs a break, I'm sure. His boss is a real hard ass."
Koa's eyes widened at the way the guard spoke so freely about the man who signed his checks. Even if Koa agreed, he wouldn't dare say it out loud where it could be overheard.
Manny thanked the guard once more, then dragged Koa towards the elevators, soup in one hand.
When they climbed inside, Koa pressed the button for the correct floor, then leaned against the back wall. Manny moved beside him, wrapping his hand around his waist and stroking against his t-shirt. Koa wished he could feel his touch on his skin. He wanted more of Manny, wanted to go back to when they were playing and everything was so relaxed, but now wasn't the time. He needed to show up for his friend, to be there for him when he was struggling and needed support.
Manny kept quiet as they rode up the elevator. When they reached the floor Ethan worked on, there were loud voices coming from down the hall. Koa's eyes widened because one of those voices was Ethan's.
Ignoring the way Manny hesitated, Koa took off at a run. When he reached the office area, Ethan's arms flailed around as his boss sat, red-faced, across the desk.
