Page 25 of Love Unlimited

Zhong sighed. I suppose. I’ve never actually brought anyone home to meet them. Well, Dustin knows them, but that’s as a friend. My sisters will love you. My parents will… get over you. Ideally, it would help if we’ve been together longer before we announce it.

Preferably with an engagement ring and a pregnancy, though Zhong knew that wasn’t physically possible for Ash’s body, even if they wanted it. But he wasn’t going to bring either of those up yet. It was way too soon.

That’s fine with me, Ash said easily. You know your parents best.

Once Ash said it, Zhong let go of a little bit of stress that he hadn’t even realized he’d been holding on to. He’d met Ash’s mother and been accepted, and in return, Ash hadn’t put any pressure on him to reciprocate. It was a huge relief.

Ash was so open and carefree most of the time that it was easy to forget how savvy and thoughtful they could be about things that were important. He knew that it looked like he was taking care of Ash all the time, but in fact, Ash did a lot to take care of him, too.

Mostly by demanding attention in ways that made Zhong’s chest swell with warmth and made it difficult for him to concentrate on anything else.

What are you thinking about? Ash asked, looking flirty and sweet. And maybe a bit naughty.

Zhong didn’t answer right away. He’d been thinking about parents and responsibility and respect. About how Ash was so wise about relationships and yet the most delightfully innocent person he knew. About how Ash was his perfect match and deserved everything he could give them.

He’d also been thinking about how he’d been putting off puppy play and that knowing what he was worried about didn’t actually resolve the worries.

He was tempted to just go for it. The sun was shining, and Ash would have so much fun sniffing around the yard.

And yet…

He stroked Ash’s cheek, soaking in their bright smile along with their easy affection and acceptance.

He wanted to get back to puppy play. But not yet. If he couldn’t ease into it at Escape, he needed more preparation. Not for the toys and treats and games. Those he could figure out. But for the emotional aspects of his own hopes and potential disappointment.

However, that didn’t mean he couldn’t spend some special time with Ash this morning. Dustin would likely be holed up in his office for hours and Landon would be busy until the early afternoon, so Zhong would have plenty of time.

I was thinking that I have a present for a certain cute little, he told them.

Daddy, Daddy, Daddy! they exclaimed, thumb on their open hand smacking into their forehead in enthusiasm while they bounced on his knee. Is the present big? They indicated the present being gifted with curved index fingers and thumbs, then expanded it to the width of their arms.

It was always fascinating for Zhong to watch that transformation. One moment Ash was Zhong’s adult partner—even if they still called him Daddy—and the next he was talking with a bouncy preschooler.

Nope. Not big. Smallish. He cupped his two hands loosely together and peered inside them with shoulders raised to show his wonder at the small size.

Small present, Ash agreed happily. What is it? Can I eat it? Can I play with it?

Zhong ruffled their hair. It’s a surprise. But only well-behaved littles get presents.

Ash clasped their hands together in their lap, the ASL equivalent to promising not to talk. Then they immediately released them to sign again. I’ll be really good. Promise. Then they clasped them again. Just too cute.

Zhong managed to keep a straight face, but it wasn’t easy. I know you will.

I know. Because Daddy doesn’t punish me, only gives me treats. They said it with great confidence.

Could it really be that easy?

Maybe for them it was.

Even after their conversation last week when Zhong had admitted that he didn’t want to punish them, it wasn’t something he’d let go of yet. He loved the back-and-forth banter of reminding Ash to sleep enough and eat healthfully, in part because it was so obvious that Ash was only bringing up things like ice cream and late bedtimes to elicit those exact responses.

It was also adorable asking Ash to be his “helper” around the apartment and assign them the same small tasks that they’d probably end up doing anyway. Ash had explained it all to him, and if reminding Ash to put their projects away felt like an expression of affection to both of them, he wasn’t going to stop.

But he couldn’t really imagine punishing Ash. It didn’t sound necessary. Or fun. At least for him.

They clearly weren’t worried about it right now, so maybe he didn’t need to either. You’re so sweet that I don’t think you need any punishments, he told them instead.

I know, Ash beamed. I’m very good. They looked around the room. Are we going to play up here? I can wait right here if you need to go get my present.