Page 99 of Love Unlimited

It was only that Landon had been noticing recently that when Zhong cradled Ash in his muscular arms, or when Dustin rested his head on Zhong’s chest, that he wanted to do it too. Zhong had such a magnificent smile, and Landon was feeling more and more like he wanted it aimed at him.

Today, though, he wasn’t thinking of anything so gentle. He shook his head, trying to reason away that skittery feeling of ants crawling over his skin. Maybe he should just leave right now. He’d cause an uproar with his Daddy, until the strict commands and sharp lashes let him feel free again.

That was when he remembered that this was also Ash’s “rock band” night. That was something special, too, that he didn’t want to interrupt. He knew Ash would understand, but it wasn’t like he’d just be hanging out and watching. If he went home now he’d crash through the whole thing and destroy it.

OK. So he was a grown up. He was pissed at the school district, but he knew it wasn’t the end of the world. He could handle this. If Zhong was late, he’d just watch the movie alone. Probably just the first one, and not stay late for the double header.

Landon pulled out his phone. He’d put off texting Dustin and Ash, but he probably should have done it earlier. Even if Zhong was just on a last minute errand or something, one of them would probably know about it and he wouldn’t have to worry.

Just as Landon was composing a text to the group thread, Zhong strode through the door. He looked around quickly, his face lighting up when he spotted Landon. There was that magnificent smile, the one that was usually reserved for Ash and Dustin, but this time Landon got it, too.

He couldn’t help but smile back. Zhong was just so… ugh. So handsome and take charge, with all of his muscles and that way he strode into the room. His eyes were all crinkly, though, like Landon was the best thing he’d seen all day. Because Zhong was the biggest softy on the planet, which made him a perfect Daddy. Even if he wasn’t, strictly speaking, Landon’s Daddy.

He was sure that Ash would let him borrow their Daddy for a bit. Especially since Wednesdays were kind of their trade-a-Daddy night. Not that this was a date or anything. He and Zhong just watched the movies together, and then spent the next few days dissecting the characters, plot, and directorial choices. Whether the movies were breathtaking or crappy, they both enjoyed it, and it was something just for the two of them.

Hey! So sorry I’m late, Zhong signed from across the room while striding toward him. I had car trouble so I took Dustin’s car. Then my phone battery was dead, but he has a different charger. Ugh. And I would have still been on time, but I wanted to grab snacks. I should have had him text you.

It’s fine. It wasn’t fine. The movie’s starting. He turned away.

Dammit. He was doing it again. He’d been waiting for Zhong to get here, and now that he was, he was blowing him off. It was the last thing he wanted, but he didn’t know how to stop it. Sometimes he felt like a wrecking ball. Once gravity and momentum started to take their course, the destruction was inevitable.

It would have been OK with Dustin, but Zhong wasn’t like that. He was all cute lunchboxes and snuggles. Landon shouldn’t be expecting anything else.

He started marching toward the theater, his limbs feeling like they weren’t quite connected, like the wooden pegs of a marionette.

Zhong was a different kind of Daddy, and not at all the kind he needed right now.

A heavy hand fell on his shoulder, halting his motions and then spinning him around. Are you doing alright? Something’s wrong. Zhong looked anxious.

Landon huffed out a sigh. He was feeling defiant, even though he knew it wasn’t the correct response. Zhong was being considerate, and he didn’t want considerate. Why was it so difficult for him to just respond normally? For fuck’s sake. He was an adult.

Tell me. Zhong’s eyes flashed with something dark and serious. Now.

Landon had never seen him look so stern, and it was doing all sorts of squirmy things to his belly. He glared back, hoping and wishing that Zhong wouldn’t let him get away with it.

Zhong gave him a look that said Landon was running out of time. It promised dangerous things.

It didn’t even matter if it wasn’t true, because that was all it took to have everything come spilling out. The school district is moving my program to a different school. So I’m being transferred to a new building and my students are all being transferred with me. The new school legitimately has some better course offerings, but it’s disruptive and I’m going to have to go through a whole process of getting to know all the other teachers and coordinating students’ schedules and orienting the aids and interpreters. I mean, it’s not all my job, but no one really oversees it, so I know I’ll be setting it up. Hell, I have to move my classroom, too. And believe me, I’m taking every damn thing my old school bought for me, because it belongs to the district and I need it for my kids.

That sounds terrible, Zhong commiserated while the fingers of his other hand massaged gently into Landon’s tense shoulder. Do you think it’s a punishment for battling the district last spring?

Oh, fuck. I didn’t even think about it. God. It probably is from the superintendent. I mean, in the long run I think it’s actually an attempt to make it better since the program ended up in the spotlight. But telling me at the last minute… I could totally see that asshole doing that. Now Landon wasn’t just annoyed. He was seething.

What can I do to support you? Zhong asked, looking concerned.

That wasn’t the right response. It wasn’t what he needed. Nothing.

Zhong gripped both his shoulders. Hard. Glaring at him again.

Fine. You can help me drive some boxes over next week.

Zhong just kept glaring. They both knew that wasn’t what he was asking, but Landon wouldn’t budge.

Zhong finally broke his grip. I’m taking you home.

Thank God. That was what he needed, and he needed Zhong to take charge and tell him that. Except… No! It’s guitar night. We can’t interrupt it.

We can interrupt it.