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I turned, forcing a smile. "Hey. I'm making breakfast."
He studied me, his eyes missing nothing. "How are you feeling?"
"Fine," I said automatically, turning back to the vegetables. "Just fine."
Novo was silent for a moment, then moved to pour himself coffee. "You left Patches on the floor."
My hand stilled. "I... yeah. I don't need him right now."
Another silence, heavier this time. "Matty, look at me."
Reluctantly, I set down the knife and turned to face him. He stood with his coffee mug in hand, expression gentle but serious.
"What's going on?" he asked quietly.
"Nothing," I insisted. "I'm just... being an adult. Like I should be."
Understanding dawned in his eyes. "Because of last night?"
I looked away, unable to hold his gaze. "You have enough to deal with. Your business burned down because of me. You don't need..." I gestured vaguely, "...this too."
"This?" Novo repeated, setting down his mug. "You mean your Little side?"
I nodded, still not meeting his eyes.
"Matty," he said, his voice impossibly gentle, "look at me."
I forced myself to meet his gaze, expecting to see frustration or disappointment. Instead, I found only concern.
"You are not a burden," he said firmly. "Not in any headspace. Not ever."
"But the fire—"
"Was Harold's doing, not yours," he interrupted. "And my club will rebuild. That's business. You..." he stepped closer, "you matter more."
Something tight in my chest loosened slightly. "I just don't want to make things harder for you."
Novo shook his head. "Your Little side isn't hard for me. If anything, it's..." he paused, seeming to search for the right words, "it's a privilege. That you trust me enough to show me that part of yourself."
I blinked rapidly, fighting unexpected tears. "But I should be helping. Being strong."
"Strength comes in different forms," Novo said, reaching out to brush my hair from my face. "Sometimes it's fighting, sometimes it's vulnerability. Both are valuable."
His words struck something deep inside me, a truth I'd been running from for years. My Little side wasn't a weakness—it was another part of me, one that deserved care just as much as my adult self.
"I don't know how to balance it," I admitted quietly. "I've spent so long hiding that part of me."
"We'll figure it out together," Novo promised. "No rush, no pressure. Whatever headspace you're in, I'm here."
I nodded, some of the tension leaving my shoulders. "Okay."
"Now," he said, glancing at the half-chopped vegetables, "how about we finish breakfast together?"
I managed a small smile. "Yeah, I'd like that."
As we worked side by side, I felt something shifting inside me—a gradual acceptance of all the parts that made me who Iwas. Maybe I didn't have to choose between being an adult and having my Little space. Maybe, with Novo,Daddy, or whatever I called him I could just be myself—all of myself.
After breakfast, Daddy made several calls while I cleaned up the kitchen, listening to the deep rumble of his voice as he coordinated with club members about the fire investigation. When he finally hung up, his expression was grim but determined.