Page 46 of Love Unlimited

Chapter 8

Landon

Ash and Landon snuck down the hallway to the top of the stairs. They didn’t need to sneak, since the Daddies obviously knew they were home. But Ash had decided that they should be spies, and it appealed to Landon on some level that was almost like regressing to his bratty teen persona, yet completely different.

They were both wearing their pajamas, rainbow unicorns in Landon’s case and cute little pigs for Ash. Their spa night had turned more into a pajama party with pilfered piles of blankets and pillows on the floor of Landon’s office. Greasy pizza, some nail polish, and a lot of giggles provided a different type of self care that Landon was enjoying quite a bit more.

Ash tiptoed down the hall with exaggerated steps, like a spoof of a secret agent movie. Landon didn’t know how Ash managed to do it, but being around them was just so… joyful. All the time. They had an inner playfulness and innocence that led to the most ridiculous things. Landon just followed them around in awe, a feeling of anticipation and joy fluttering around in his chest that was unlike anything he’d experienced..

He would never have thought of something like this on his own. He was too serious. Or too difficult. With Dustin he loved being defiant and feeling that crackle of tension in the air.

With Ash, things were just easy.

And silly.

Landon tiptoed too, a giggly sense of delight bubbling through him. This was being naughty, but an innocent sort of wickedness, like two kids spying on their grown-ups.

Ash knelt down at the top of the stairs, peering through the railing at the living room where the Daddies were having their date night.

Since their conversation last night, Landon had been trying to recategorize the relationships between the four of them in his head. Dustin and Zhong had a relationship, just like they were always meant to. That part felt more like a relief than he’d expected it to, even if it was still confusing.

At the same time, Landon was working hard to stop thinking about Ash sexually. It was what they had all agreed on, for multiple good reasons. Yet it was difficult when Ash was so cute and flirty. Not to mention that Ash was probably the single person Landon was closest to except for his sister and Dustin. Landon was outgoing, but it took him a long, long time to open up to people for anything deeper. Ash had snuck in when he wasn’t expecting it.

He was already half-wishing that the conversation had turned out differently last night. He knew it was the right choice. Nothing he could have with Ash was worth upsetting the precarious balance of their three new relationships. Having everyone feel comfortable with each other was far more important than kinky sex.

At the same time, he couldn’t help noticing the pink of Ash’s cheeks, the flow of their body as they knelt to peer through the rails of the banister.

Landon crouched beside Ash, their arms touching and sending a sort of thrill through him that matched the spy game and didn’t at the same time. He felt tingly everywhere, just being close to Ash, caught up in their game.

And then there were the Daddies, giving them plenty to spy on.

When they’d gone downstairs earlier to get the pizza, Zhong and Dustin were cooking together in the kitchen. It looked like pretty much any other day, except that both of them were smiling more than usual. Landon had watched Dustin cup Zhong’s cheek for a moment before going back to crimping the little dough circles with the mouthwatering filling inside. The expression on his face had been pure love. An adoring moment of connection that spoke of just how much the two men had been denying themselves.

Now Daddy was stripped down to his underwear, laying face down on a padded mat on the floor. Zhong was straddling his thighs, massaging long strokes down his back. Dustin’s back gleamed with oil, highlighting his lean muscles. The most beautiful part was his face, though, eyes gently closed and lips just parted in utter relaxation.

Landon checked himself again, for probably the millionth time since last night, and he didn’t feel jealous. Not at all.

He didn’t see how anyone could when the way the two men looked at each other was so beautiful. Powerful, even.

He had to admit to himself that a huge part of not feeling jealous was knowing that Zhong was asexual and that both of them identified as Daddies. Landon had no clue how he’d feel if Dustin wanted a relationship with another bratty sub that mostly didn’t include him, but he got the sense it wouldn’t be good. If Dustin were interested in someone new, outside of their little circle, Landon might not be able to handle it. In one sense, he was greedy and protective of his Daddy’s care.

As it was, though, watching the two men together just made him happy. Watching them with Ash somehow made it better.

They’re so cute, Ash signed with hearts in their eyes, two fingers stroking down their chin. The same sign or a slight variation could mean sugar or sweet, as well as attractive, depending on the context and expression. Landon always loved that sign. The two Daddies were both sexy and sweet.

Are you jealous? Landon asked. He already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear the explanation.

Nope. It’s compersion. Ash fingerspelled the word. The opposite of jealousy, when seeing your partner do something that makes them happy makes you feel happy, too.

Ah. I didn’t know there was a name for that. Spell it again?

Ash did. It’s compassion plus… conversion, maybe? They fingerspelled both words. I think because your partner’s happiness converts to your happiness.

Yeah. I like that. Landon watched them again. I really like that. It’s like… He tested out a compound sign. Change and happy. Index fingers curled on each hand, switching places from top to bottom, and then both palms lifting his emotions upward on his chest. Or maybe happy-change-happy. He made them all flow into a single sign.

Oooh! I like that. I haven’t seen a sign for it before, but I’d totally take that one as a home sign. We should ask around if anyone else has a sign for it, though.

They went back to watching. Zhong slid off Dustin’s back, poured more oil into his hands to warm, and then started working his way down Dustin’s legs. Landon wondered if he knew about Dustin’s hamstring that bothered him sometimes when he ran, but he shouldn’t have worried. He could see Dustin’s eyes scrunch up when Zhong hit it, and then his face melted into a dreamy smile.