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Brody sighed. Sure. That was likely the sensible thing to do. But his brain was telling him that he deserved to be punished.
“Pup. Look at me.”
He shook his head.
“Pup. Look at me.”
Okay. Brody couldn’t ignore the command in the other man’s voice. He raised his gaze up to meet the Fox’s.
The Fox studied him for a long moment without saying anything. Then he nodded and took Brody’s hand, leading him to the chair. He also grabbed Autumn’s hand, bringing her with them. Then he pointed at the chair.
“Sit. Let me look at your foot.”
“It’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with it.” Brody didn’t deserve any fuss.
“Sit.”
Okay. Seemed that he was going to sit. He plonked his ass in the seat. Then the Fox grabbed a beanbag chair for Autumn, who sat facing him. The Fox crouched in front of him, poking at his toe.
“See, I told you it’s fine,” Brody said.
“Pup, if I need your input, I’ll ask.”
“Is his toe all right?” Autumn asked, giving him a worried look.
“I’m fine, Tutu. Promise.”
“Does he need an ice pack, Daddy? I can go get one.”
“No,” the Fox said firmly. “You stay there. I don’t want you running up and down the stairs when you’re Little. You know that. I need to put in a small freezer down here.”
Autumn nodded. “Yeah, Brody-bear gets lots of boo-boos.”
“I do not.” All right. Maybe he got the occasional one. He could be a klutz.
“It looks all right,” the Fox said. “Not swollen, so I don’t think it needs an ice pack. It is just a bit red.”
“See? Fine. I’m just a big old dork who kicks chairs,” Brody muttered.
“That’s enough,” the Fox said sharply. “Are you allowed to say things like that about yourself?”
“Um. No. But it is the truth.”
“It is not the truth,” Autumn added fiercely. “And you need to stop saying stuff like that. Daddy! I think Brody-bear deserves a hot bottom for speaking about himself like that.” She crossed her arms over her chest and nodded.
“Is that so?” the Fox asked, sounding amused.
“Uh-huh. It’s just as well you got his bad Pup paddle. You’re gonna need it. Otherwise, your hand would get awfully tired since he’s been so naughty.”
“I haven’t been that naughty. Papa kidnapped me!” Shoot. He was moving firmly into Middle headspace. Maybe even younger. That happened sometimes. Right now, he was feeling tired and stupid.
“I miss you, Brody-bear,” Autumn told him. “Why have you been spending so much time at work?”
9
FOX, PUP, AND BUNNY
“Yes, perhaps you can explain your need to work so much,” the Fox said in a low voice.
