So maybe James was being a little greedy but there was so much to play with. So very much. If this was what being a little was, then James was in little heaven and never wanted to leave.
He added the first responder vehicles to the middle of the rug.
James had to pull up his jeans a few times as they dipped low on his hips. Irritating but James didn’t want to stop playing to find something more comfortable. He had a country to defend. And in his country, all were welcome. The soldiers all workedhard to protect one another and make it safe for anyone who wanted to join them.
* * * * *
Jacob
In all his years of experience, Jacob had never seen a more natural boy. James hadn’t hesitated once he’d found the toys that had spoken to him. He hadn’t even glanced over at the toys that were meant for a younger little. No, those hadn’t been what called to James.
More than half the shelves were empty.
James had everything that Jacob had thought the boy would love down on the play rug. It pleased Jacob that he’d known the boy well enough to get the toys right. Watching from his corner had infused Jacob with pure fulfillment.
He didn’t think that James had realized that two hours had passed as he played. It was just past midnight. James’s eyes were still shining brightly with happiness. Although about fifteen minutes ago the boy had started to wilt just a little. It started slowly. A yawn. James moved to his stomach instead of playing on his knees. Then rested his cheek on his hand as he straightened his army’s defensive line.
Jacob folded up the blanket that he’d been using and set it back on top of the stack beside the chair. He couldn’t help but fill every room with soft blankets, even the playroom.
He rose and straightened his back.
At least the cushions of the rocking chair were as comfortable as the reviews online claimed. Jacob could see himself spendinghours curled in that chair. Being close enough to James in case the boy needed him but also giving James the freedom to play and explore.
The boy hadn’t hesitated diving into playtime. For a first-time little, James had fully submerged himself. It was amazing to witness. To be a part of. Jacob had expected that he’d need to draw James into exploring. Had even prepared himself to get on the floor and play so James was more comfortable. That had not been necessary.
Now he needed to get James to bed. If there wasn’t a change to James’s schedule, he would need to be at the fire station around mid-morning.
Strolling across the room, Jacob stopped to crouch at James’s side as the boy yawned again.
“Hey,” Jacob said softly as he ran a hand down the red cape that James still wore.
James covered his yawn before grinning at him.
“It’s getting late. We should get you to bed,” Jacob told him.
“But I’m still playing,” James whined.
“I know, baby,” Jacob soothed. “It’s after midnight. Don’t you have to work tomorrow.”
James frowned as he climbed to his knees. “But—”
“You can stay here,” Jacob offered even though he hadn’t thought about it before that moment. “In the guest room. That way you can play in the morning before you have to go to work.”
“I can stay?” James asked. He rubbed his eyes.
The boy was so tired.
“Playtime before breakfast,” Jacob promised.
James looked at him suspiciously. “What about my toys?”
That was a problem. Normally Jacob would insist that the playroom was cleaned at the end of the night. This was James’s first time being little though. Jacob could deal with the mess for one night. “We can leave the toys where they are.”
James pressed his lips together as disbelief filled his eyes.
“They will need to be cleaned up before work tomorrow,” Jacob added.
James laughed. “Okay.” He held out his hand.
