I wander from room to room in my soft pink romper, Brando tucked under one arm, feeling like a lost puppy. Bobby is in the next room, phone pressed to his ear, speaking in low, urgent tones as he coordinates soldiers to various pinch points across the city.
Every few minutes I catch snippets of Bobby’s words… “cover the east warehouse,” “double the watch on the docks,” “if they move early, we hit them first.”
It’s all so serious.
So dangerous.
And I’m just… here. Moping. I hate not being able to help my Daddy, but I know too that there’s probably not much cause for a personal trainer or aspiring actor in a situation like this.
“Pfffft,” I sigh, frustrated.
I flop onto the big couch in the living area and pull a fluffy blanket over my legs. My mind keeps replaying the park: the sharp crack of gunfire, Kirill’s commanding voice telling me torun, the way he sprinted away to draw their fire. Every time I close my eyes I see it again. I’m worried sick about him.
What if he doesn’t come back this time?
What if tonight’s strike goes wrong?
Then, a soft knock at the front door makes me sit up straighter.
Bobby appears from the other room, gun in hand, and checks the peephole before opening it. Two young guys step inside, both around my age, both dressed in cute, comfortable clothes that scream “Little energy.”
One is carrying a big tote bag. The other already smiling like he’s walked into a birthday party.DefinitelyLittle vibes.
“Hi!” the pink-haired one says, waving cheerfully. “I’m Eddie, Viktor’s boy. And this is Landon, Ivan’s Forever. My Daddy said it would be a fun idea for us to come and keep you company. And get to know you too.”
Landon gives a shy but warm wave. “Yeah, we heard you might need some friendly fun while the guys handle…business.”
Bobby nods, looking relieved. “Perfect timing. You three can probably look after yourselves from here. I’ll be in the other room making calls if you need anything.”
The moment Bobby disappears, the two boys set to work like they’ve done this a hundred times. Eddie pulls out bags of candy, potato chips, and an assortment of fun dips: chocolate, caramel, even sour cream and onion. Landon unpacks a huge blanket and some pillows, quickly turning the corner of the living room into a cozy nest.
“Come on, Teddy,” Eddie says, patting the blanket pile. “We’re having a proper play date. No Daddies, no worries, just snacks and fun.”
I hesitate for half a second, then crawl into the nest with them. The sugar and the silliness work their magic almost immediately. We dip chips into gooey chocolate, trade sour candies that make our faces scrunch up, and laugh until our stomachs hurt. When Eddie pulls out his Nintendo Switch and sets up Mario Kart, my mood lifts like someone flipped a switch.
“Rainbow Road!” Landon cheers, grabbing a controller. “Let’s freakin’ go!”
We play round after round, shouting and giggling as our characters crash and spin. For the first time since the park, I feel my shoulders loosen.
These boys get it.
They understand the mix of fear and excitement that comes with being attached to dangerous, dominant men.
They don’t judge. They just… play.
It becomes clear very quickly that we’re kindred spirits. Eddie is bubbly and dramatic, Landon is gentle and thoughtful, and I fit right in the middle—the optimistic one who still blushes when we talk about “Daddy stuff.”
As we play, we tease each other about our favorite stuffies, share stories about dropping into Little space at the worst possible times, and bond over how impossible it is to stay mad at our men when they go all protective and commanding.
By the time we’ve finished three races and started a fourth, I’m laughing so hard my cheeks hurt. The fears that had been crushing me start to wash away, at least for a little while.
Being here with them feels safe.Normal. Like I’m allowed to be small and silly even when the world outside is scary.
And that’s a feeling I could very much get used to…
* * *
Later, the three of us are huddled together inside a makeshift tent we built with blankets and chairs. Fairy lights glow softly overhead. Bowls of half-eaten snacks sit between us. I’m curled up with Brando on my lap, feeling calmer than I have all day.
