Bowie didn’t think there was anything that Kari could tell him that would make that happen. If he believed this was actually happening and he wasn’t somehow at home asleep, dreaming this.
“Are you a serial killer?” he blurted out like an idiot.
Kari’s shoulders shook with the force of his laughter. His eyes twinkled in the lights as he continued to hold Bowie’s hand, despite rocking in his seat.
“No,” he managed between bouts of more laughter.
Bowie found himself giggling with how contagious Kari’s laughter was. It didn’t matter that others were staring, because he was safe with Kari.
The server returned with their dinner, allowing Kari the time to get himself back under control, though he never lost his wide grin.
The distracting scent of the food made Bowie’s mouth water. The server had only taken one step from the table before hepicked up his burger and took a big mouthful, groaning in delight at the juicy burst of flavor combinations.
They ate in companionable silence, Kari sharing the fries and corn with Bowie, like he’d do at home. It was all so normal that Bowie didn’t notice how others stared at them.
When the plates were cleared and an enormous glass bowl of gooey chocolate brownie, marshmallows, ice cream and sprinkles was placed between them, with two spoons, Kari returned to their conversation.
“Bowie, have you ever heard about daddy kink?”
Bowie was glad the spoon hadn’t reached his lips when it jerked over the bowl, plopping ice cream out onto the table. His gaze went to Kari, his mind scrambled worse than eggs. His automatic response was to shake his head, but he nodded, because he couldn’t lie to Kari, no matter how embarrassed he was.
“You have?” Kari asked, wearing a hopeful expression. One Bowie didn’t understand.
He jerkily nodded, knowing that Kari would ask more questions, because that’s who he was.
“Can you tell me what you understand about it?”
Bowie’s breath hissed out in relief at Kari not asking him why he’d investigated what it involved when he’d heard someone at the sex club call a guy ‘daddy’. He’d mentioned it to Ziggy, who, it seemed, was very knowledgeable about such things, and he’d explained that daddy kink was a form of roleplay where a person's sexual preference was to take on the role of a nurturing and authoritative figure, which could be called “daddy,” while the other partner embraces a more submissive and dependent role.
Bowie had spent his time avoiding looking at Jupiter and watching the two men that one had called ‘Daddy’. Something about the dynamic between them left him with an odd feelinginside. Not uncomfortable, like watching some of the other things happening around him. No, it wasn’t like that. It intrigued him enough to search the internet for more information.
He reiterated what he'd learned, stuttering his way through it as Kari patiently listened to him. A light in his eyes came with approval and made it easier to catch his breath.
“Did you read up on the differing types?”
This interest seemed so much more than just general conversation about Bowie’s knowledge, but he didn’t get why. Had Jupiter said something to Kari? Had he seen him watching the couple in the club and thought Bowie was interested? Did Kari think he was kinky and wanted to know more before he decided fully about being interested in him?
Back was the urge to deny he had again, he just couldn’t lie.
“Yes…” he licked at his drying lips, feeling very self-conscious when Kari gave him an expectant look of encouragement. “There’s age play, which is more about one partner taking on the role of caregiver, acting a bit like a parent when the other person is being ‘little’.”
He never said how he’d gone back to a website repeatedly watching the video clips. Drawn to the Littles behavior when he could see himself for the first time and worried about what others would think of him. That was an over-share he wasn’t prepared for. Especially after how awful Rex had been about his bears.
“There’s a discipline and caretaking daddy that can include elements of discipline. The other types mentioned breeding, and then there was something about a boy being a brat and that daddy being really stern and authoritative.” He scratched at the side of his head.
“Then there was one where the daddy likes to give pain.” Bowie shuddered at how the very thought made him go cold, despite what he’d learned. It was all done within the contextof consent, with respect. That those involved understood and agreed on the rules and boundaries. Being hit for being naughty? No, Bowie didn’t think that was a good thing, and he said so.
“Good boy,” Kari murmured softly, holding his gaze.
Good boy…
Is—
He’s a daddy. Kari is a daddy!Bowie said before his animal half could. Bowie scratched at his overheated neck, the spoon in his other hand landing in the bowl forgotten.
“You’re a daddy,” he exclaimed, rather louder than he intended, not daring to look around as he blushed furiously.
“I am.” Once more there was no censure. Nothing in Kari’s demeanor suggested he was angry about Bowie’s loud declaration. “I sit between the first two daddies you mentioned. Since college, all of my relationships have been of this nature.”
