Severo swallowed hard, forcing back the words of love that floated to the front of his mind. Not yet… It wasn’t time…yet…
Seri’s eyes fluttered open. Thoughts of last night ran through his head and he smiled, even as his cheeks flushed.
He covered his face, a giggle slipping out. The things he said and did!
Seri couldn’t recall ever getting off on ordering people around. Then again, he hadn’t really had many people he could actually boss around. And Severo had submitted so easily and willingly. After so many years of being under someone else's control, against his will, it had been nice.
It was nice. Severo…all of Severo was nice… Okay, he andithad been more than nice. The man was amazing, inside and out. He really…really…liked Severo. Maybe more than… No…he shouldn’t be thinking that far, this soon. They hadn’t even defined what they were doing—which was scary.
Seri kind of wished they would define it in some way. He wanted to know what would happen after all of this was over. He was also scared of knowing.
What if…it ended?
Being stuck here was horrible, but being with Severo made it better. It wasn’t bad at all, not even in the least. He… He lov?—
Okay, Seri couldn’t go that far yet. It was too soon. And he was way too fucked in the head right now. Ugh…but maybe…one day. He’d like to be in love, and if there was anyone he could choose to be in love with, it was Severo.
Seri wrinkled his nose in disgust—ugh, how gushy. He sighed, and then just laid there breathing in and out slowly… He felt lighter. After all that was said and done yesterday, it felt like just a bit of all the horrible shit that was weighing him down had been lifted. It had been good to write it all down, despite his reaction afterwards.
Seri peeked up and found Severo fast asleep, which was new. He glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost noon. That was late for the man, but it did explain why Seri felt so rested… It was slightly odd he didn’t recall being woken up at eight for Skya’s normal feeding and diaper change. Severo had probably done it then… Skya certainly wouldn’t go without. Ahh…why was it kind of a turn on that the man had done it all without waking him up for help?
The baby monitor on Severo’s nightstand went off, Skya’s cries coming in loud and clear. Severo’s eyes snapped open and the man sat up, mumbling something, and looking not even a bit awake as he went to get out of bed.
Sitting up, Seri chuckled. “Go back to sleep, you goof.”
The Dweller stared at him blankly before flopping back and letting out a loud snore.
Shaking his head with a smile, he got up and slipped on a robe, before heading to the nursery. Entering, his eyes widened when Skya began to cry harder on seeing him.
“Dah-Dah! DAH-DAH!” she wailed.
He rushed to her, scooping her up and holding her close. “I’m so sorry, Skya. Daddy was bad.”
How could he forget?! She’d seen him losing it. How scared she must have been… She clung to him with all her might, snuggling into his chest as she continued to sob.
Severo had calmed her down yesterday… Why had he never thought to go to her?! And then likely when she called out for him…only Severo came… He was such a shitty father.
“I’m sorry, dewdrop. Daddy will do better. I promise.”
“Dah-Dah,” she whimpered.
“Shh.” He kissed her forehead. “Let’s get you changed and then we can get breakfast going.”
Severo walked in while Seri was changing her diaper, looking slightly more awake. He glanced up as he finished her snaps. “I…scared her yesterday.”
The man grimaced. “In hindsight, I should have woken you up. Or just brought her in with us to sleep. I think my brain wasn’t working right. I got the idea stuck in my head that you deserved to sleep peacefully after yesterday. But I should have thought more about what was best for her. I did bring her in to see you multiple times. It calmed her down. But she was up throughout the night. As was I.”
Multiple times? That…explained why the Dweller looked so tired.
“I’m sorry,” Seri blurted.
“Don’t apologize. It’s my fault for not waking you. Well, at least we know she is likely to nap a lot today.”
“True.” He picked her up and, like before, she clung to him.
“Why don’t you get her fed and I’ll make breakfast?” Severo suggested.
“Are you sure? You look tired.”
