I quickly thought of everything we would need, plus a couple of extra things to cheer them up, and sent the list.
Thanks, man, you’re the best. They’re still asleep, but I’ll let you know.
You know it ;)
I barked out a laugh and immediately slapped my hand over my mouth, but it was too late. “Dada,” Tristan whined.
“Shh, sweet boy, I’m right here.”
Tristan tried to sit up but winced and flopped back down onto the blankets. “Dada, I dun feel so gud.”
Leaning forward, I brushed his damp curls off his forehead, my fingers tingling from his warmth. “I’m sorry, sweetie. You have a fever, but we’re gonna get you some medicine, and if you’re a good boy and take it, you get ice cream as a reward!”’
He smiled weakly but leaned into my touch, seeking comfort. “It’s gonna be okay, sweet boy.”
Ellery groaned, drawing both of our attention. “Oh shit, why do I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus?” While my boy had woken up in little space, Ellery… had not. I couldn’t help but chuckle at their outburst. “Sorry, Ellery, but you two definitely have fevers. I texted my best friend, and he’s going to bring some things from the store. If both of you are comfortable with it, he offered to stay and hang out for a bit.”
Tristan perked up at my mention of David and grinned. I shook my head, knowing exactly why my boy was smiling. “He really nice. he painted my bwocks and told me about Daddy.”
Ellery groaned and rubbed their face. “That’s fine with me. I’m too sick to care, especially if he brings that ice cream I heard about. He can stay as long as he wants.” Weak giggles filled theroom, both littles too exhausted to really let loose, but at least they were smiling.
Little over an hour later, I had all the sheets and blankets piled in the laundry to be washed, and both littles were showered and in fresh clothes. They were sitting on the couch watching cartoons, sharing a blanket while drinking juice from their sippy cups, when I heard a knock on the door.
Tristan squealed in excitement as I walked to the door and let David in. “Hey, man, did you see the house next door is for sale?” I took the bags from his hands, and we headed inside. “I didn’t. What are you gonna move in next door?” I laughed, half joking.
David lived in an apartment, and I knew he eventually wanted to find a home to settle down in. He was waiting for the right place. “You’re laughing now, but you won’t be when I move in and come over for dinner every night.”
Tristan squealed and tried to get off the couch, but was thrown into a coughing fit. I rushed over to him and handed him his half-empty cup so he could take a drink. When his coughs subsided, I kissed his forehead and stood to check on David. His gaze was frozen, not even noticing I was looking at him. I followed his stare and found Ellery, who was looking at my best friend just as intensely.
I must have looked shocked, cause Tristan noticed me and looked over, grinning at what he saw. I hated to interrupt what was happening here, but I also didn’t want my boy to get the chance to poke at his friend.
“David, can you help me in the kitchen?”
Both David and Ellery shook their heads, seemingly returningto the world around them. “Ellery, this is my best friend, David. He’s going to help me take care of you, little ones, and hang out for a bit. David, this is Ellery Tristan’s best friend.”
David stepped forward and nodded at Ellery. His voice was so soft yet deep, unlike anything I’ve ever heard him sound before. It was all I could do to keep the shock from my face. “Hi Ellery, Sorry we’re meeting when you aren’t feeling well.”
Ellery glanced over at me with a slight hesitation, seemingly asking if he could be trusted. I nodded my head discreetly, and their shoulders sagged ever so slightly with relief. “Hi, David. You can call me Ellie, and I use They/Them pronouns. Thank you, but it could be worse; at least we’re here with you guys and not alone.” Their cheeks heated, and they snuggled further into Tristan’s side, their voice higher-pitched and soft. “Your art is very pretty and magical.”
It was hard to tell with the lights dimmed, but I swear my best friend was blushing. “Thank you, Ellie.”
“Okay, why don’t you boys stay here and we’ll be back with medicine and ice cream?” They both cheered weakly as David and I made our way to the kitchen.
When we made it into the kitchen, David got close to me voice shaking slightly. “Why did you say that?”
I looked at him in confusion. “Say what?”
His eyes bore into me… was he angry? “You said boys.” My thoughts raced as I tried to understand what he meant, but then it hit me, making me burst out laughing. David looked shocked at my outburst, almost outraged. “Whoa, hang on… Sorry, it’sjust barely been five minutes, and you’re already going all protective Daddy on my ass.”
The tension left him slowly, but he still looked concerned. “Ellery is nonbinary and doesn’t conform to gender norms. When I asked them what terms they were comfortable being called, they explained they wouldn’t want to be called ‘a boy’, but being one of ‘the boys’ is more about their role as a little and not about gender, but even so, I also use ‘little ones’ to be more inclusive.”
David looked at me sheepishly. “Sorry… I don’t know-”
“Hey, it’s okay, no harm done. Ellery is an amazing human and a wonderful friend to my boy. If anything, I find it endearing that you’re getting all protective of them.”
David scoffed, grabbed a few of the bags out of my hands, and began setting the contents on the counter. “I was not… I just needed to make sure my best friend wasn’t secretly a transphobic asshole.”
I laughed. We’ve been friends for years, and he knows from experience I’m not transphobic. He was just so blinded by his Daddy side rearing its head. “Yeah, okay, buddy. Whatever helps you sleep at night.”
