Page 12 of Aries (PAHL #1)

Vin

“My baby’s first professional game in person,” Cherry said as they pulled up to the arena.

Vin turned off the SUV while glancing in the back seat where Aries and his mom sat. “Are you sure that you need to leave right after?” He’d really been enjoying the visit with Aries’s parents and Aries had been sad earlier hearing they needed to go. Even though he was looking forward to having some alone time with his boy finally, Vin didn’t know when he’d get the chance to hang out with the older couple.

She was still holding on tight to Aries, who seemed unbothered while munching on an apple. Where the hell had he gotten that? They hadn’t even run into any teammates to sneak him anything yet.

Vin narrowed his eyes at his boy, who beamed back before taking another big bite.

“Yes,” Cherry said, drawing Vin’s attention away from his sneaky boy. “It’s time we went home. Aries is in good hands, and I have a craft event coming up this weekend.”

“You are gonna do great this weekend,” Aries told his mom.

“Thank you, baby. And be careful out there tonight.”

“I’m always careful,” Aries said with a wave of his apple. “And I have a big vampire protector.”

Vin didn’t feel like a protector. Actually, Vin was nearly sick to his stomach with his own worry about the game. Aries was back to acting like nothing had happened and that he was untouchable. If one thing was crystal clear to Vin, it was that he couldn’t be everywhere at once.

“Protector or not,” Cherry admonished, “you watch your back. Don’t show off. Play hard and score goals.”

“Yes, Mama.” Aries caught Vin’s eye in the rearview mirror and winked.

It was official. This little fruit bat shifter was going to give him a heart attack before the night was over.

“Mama, you have to let go. I need to go get ready.” Aries wiggled in her arms.

“Cherry, let the boy go,” Steve teased from the passenger seat.

“My baby is all grown up!” Cherry cried dramatically.

Aries whined.

Vin grinned. Craziness. He was surrounded by the craziest and most loving family ever. Vin hoped Aries’s parents came back to visit soon and often. Not that he wouldn’t appreciate a little more time with his boy. He’d been going home every night to his own bed since Steve and Cherry arrived. Aries pouted and tried to pull Vin into his bedroom when Vin was saying goodnight, but Vin had been firm. He and his right hand have been on very friendly terms lately.

They all jumped when someone knocked on the back window.

Zany leaned in to peer inside. “Hey, Mama Cherry!” He waved.

“Zany! Oh, and Robbs! I get one more hug!” She finally released Aries and opened the door to get at the other hockey players.

Vin laughed loudly when Robbs tried to duck away but was easily caught by the feisty little woman. Recalling the conversation he’d had with Cherry the previous evening, Vin paid attention to Robbs’s reaction. Cherry had pulled Vin aside to assure him that she knew what consent was and that she did respect boundaries.

Vin hadn’t understood until she’d brought up Robbs.

She’d told him that Robbs had avoided her but when she hadn’t been trying to catch him, he’d looked jealous of those who she had hugged. She also shared that Robbs had hugged her tighter than anyone else, including her son.

Seeing his oldest friend now, Vin had to give Cherry credit. Robbs was indeed holding on longer than what was necessary. Vin swallowed hard. Robbs came from a place and time where packs had been vital for survival. He’d lost his pack before he’d come to play professionally. It was a reminder to Vin that he wasn’t the only one that had struggled after being pushed out of the NHL.

Vin felt like shit realizing that instead of being someone his old friends could turn to in their time of need, he’d closed himself off. Would he have ever figured it out if his little shifter hadn’t come into his life? Or would they all have gone on suffering in silence?

Aries and Steve had exited the car and Vin’s boy was peering over at him in concern. Vin wiped the past from his mind. All he could do was vow to be better in the future. Be the man that he’d always claimed to be. Be a leader on and off the ice. Well, except for Shawn. Fuck that, Vin was snuggling the shifter. Vin was a one-snuggle man.

Pushing open the door and climbing from the vehicle, Vin joined his family. Because that was what they were now, right? Family to him that missed his so much. A pack to Robbs. Friends that Aries had desperately needed. Vin wasn’t sure what to offer Zany but he would figure it out. They were a team. They were in this together.

“Who’s ready to win a game?” he asked once Cherry released Robbs.

“Yes!” Aries danced around before high-fiving Zany. “We’re going to kick butt!”

“You boys go!” Steve waved them away. “We’re going to hit the merch shop and hang around until warm-up starts.”

“Okay.” Aries latched onto Vin’s hand. “See you later. Love you!”

Vin allowed himself to be yanked away and dragged toward the players entrance. It was early enough that they probably beat most of the other players but not all of them. Aries and Zany kept talking all the way until they entered the locker room.

Loud rock music echoed off the walls as half-dressed men roamed around. The sounds, the scents, the people—Vin’s people. Yes, this was family. Whether Vin had wanted to accept it or not.

Aries broke away to go to his cubby as Vin crossed the room.

Every player that Aries passed received a smile or a taunt or a tease. The young rookie had fit right in with the other guys without even trying. They’d all be looking out for him tonight. Vin needed to remember that he wasn’t the only one on ice with a purpose. Or a purpose that included more than just winning a game. No one wanted to see one of their teammates hurt again. It was something that as a group none of them would ever forget.

Vin dropped down on the bench to start his pregame ritual. Even though he wasn’t superstitious, Vin did like routine and needed the time to get in the correct headspace.

They were playing one of the Canadian teams that was always a tough battle. The Vegas Vikings had a perfect record so far and it was something that they all wanted to continue. Would it be nearly impossible to keep up all season? Absolutely. Bad games happened. Whether by players not being on, poor calls by the refs, or even an unlucky bounce of the puck. Still, they had momentum on their side, and they were going to ride it for as long as they could.

“We got his back tonight,” Robbs said, dropping down beside him. “We’ll keep your boy safe.”

Leaning forward to peer around some of the players, Vin spotted Aries and Shawn dancing side by side. Vin grinned. “He’ll be just fine.”

* * * * *

Vin

He was not fine.

Vin growled at the opposing defenseman that had just stolen the puck off the end of Aries’s stick.

Aries was frantically trying to get back into position to fight for the puck but he was off his game. They were all off their game. Vin had seen more penalty minutes than he’d seen on ice. Matty had nearly sent an own goal past Zany, forcing the goalie to scramble last minute.

It didn’t matter which line was on the ice. None of them were playing like they’d ever set foot in a hockey arena before.

Vin smacked the end of his stick as the goal light behind Zany went off and the other team celebrated their three to zero lead.

Aries shouted something that was rare enough that it grabbed Vin’s attention.

Shawn pulled Aries off the ice, where the little shifter dropped down on the bench, fuming.

Skating over, Vin joined his boyfriend and the rest of his line.

Aries was leaning forward, clutching his stomach.

“Are you hurt?” Vin demanded.

Turning his head very slowly, Aries looked at him with a death glare. “I. Am. Fine.”

Confused, Vin shook his head. “Then what’s wrong?”

“What’s wrong?” Aries screeched. He waved his gloved hands around. “We’re losing!”

“Ugh.” Yeah, they were.

“Just focus on the game,” Aries snapped at him.

Vin was taken aback for a moment. Wondering what he had done wrong. It hit him suddenly that he’d never seen Aries in this position. Losing. The boy was not handling it well either. “We still have ten minutes left in the game.”

Aries clenched his jaw so hard that Vin was worried for the shifter’s teeth. “I can see the time, thank you very much.”

Shawn caught Vin’s attention, desperately shaking his head.

Oh, was this a thing? His boy got a shitty attitude when he lost? Well, Vin wouldn’t stand for it. The games were tough. There would be no quit in any of them. The tables could turn in a moment but not if Aries was going to sit on the bench and pout.

Grabbing the back of Aries’s neck, Vin leaned close enough that no one else would hear. “Can you hear me, boy?”

Aries growled. Such a cute little sound. Not that Vin would be telling him that. “Yeah.”

Oh, the boy needed some attention all right. “You sit up on this bench and watch the game. You start running plays and figure out how to score a goal.”

“I can’t score!” Aries wailed. “Nothing is working.”

Vin squeezed hard on the nape of his neck. “Figure it out. Sitting here pouting is not doing anyone any good. Be a good team player.”

Aries began to shake. “I’m trying,” he gritted out.

“You’re the hotshot rookie,” Vin said, low and serious. “Go show Daddy how good you are.”

For a split-second Aries froze. Then something seemed to change. He blew out a long breath while slowly nodding.

“Get ready for our shift,” Vin ordered.

“Okay.”

“Good boy.” Vin released the boy but kept watch from the corner of his eye.

Shawn was staring at Vin with an open mouth.

“Ready?” Vin asked out loud to his line. “We’re going to go out there and score a goal.”

“Ready,” Aries said quietly.

“Go!” Vin shouted.

The line change was smooth as ice. They changed positions and before the other team even knew what was going on, Bane had the puck and passed it to Aries. Aries shuffled forward then dropped the puck back to Shawn.

Vin hip-checked the defenseman away from Bane just as Aries passed the puck back over to them. Less than a minute later the goal light flashed, and they had finally scored a fucking goal.

“Yes!” Aries lifted his arms and shouted.

Bane dropped down and slid in celebration.

It was only one goal, but it was something.

* * * * *

Aries

Standing in the middle of the living room, Aries was at a loss. He had all this pent-up energy and he didn’t know if he was still angry or if he wanted to cry. The game had been an absolute mess. He had failed his team. It was his fault that they lost.

“Hey.”

He jumped as Vin gently placed his hand on Aries’s shoulder.

“Calm down, baby. It’s just me,” Vin said softly.

That tone pushed the need to cry forward more. He sniffled.

“Hey, hey, what’s wrong?” Firmly Vin forced Aries to face him.

“I messed up. I cost us the game,” Aries confessed.

Vin snorted. Which okay, now Aries was mad again.

“The game is not won or lost by one player,” Vin said. He gripped Aries’s chin, making Aries look him in the eye. “It was an off night for all of us.”

“Because I couldn’t get my sh…stuff together,” Aries argued.

Leaning forward, Vin kissed the center of his forehead. Dang it! Now Aries wanted to cry again! Why was Vin being nice to him? “I think you need to get out of your head tonight. We can discuss this again in the morning.”

If he was Nix, Aries would beg Vin to fuck him. To make him stop thinking. And as much as Aries had been thinking of being intimate with Vin, it wasn’t the right time. Aries squirmed. “I’m mad.”

“Then be mad,” Vin said.

“I’m sad too,” Aries said just to be difficult. Even if it was the truth.

“Be sad,” Vin replied.

Aries stomped his foot. “Stop being reasonable!”

“I’m very reasonable,” Vin said. He lifted that single eyebrow. “And I can handle any mood you are in.”

The problem was that Aries didn’t know what kind of mood he was in. Usually after he lost, Aries would lock himself in his room, blare music, and pout. He didn’t want to do that this time. Aries wanted to be with Vin. Even if Aries knew he’d make both of them miserable.

He huffed. What could he say to make Vin see that he needed help?

“I think this is something that Daddy can help his little one with if you’ll allow it,” Vin told him.

There was that word again. Daddy. Vin had said it on the bench and Aries’s mind had short-circuited until all the game had snapped into focus and he could breathe again. It had helped then. “Okay.”

Vin kissed him again. This time running his tongue along the seam of Aries’s lips. Lifting onto his tiptoes, Aries kissed him back until Vin pulled away. “Are you comfortable in what you’re wearing?”

Aries glanced down at his track pants and old college hockey shirt. He shrugged. Would this be okay if he was…little?

“You’re fine as you are but if there’s something else you wanted to wear, we can change you really quick,” Vin said.

“Something like what?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable lounging in. Maybe something colorful and fun?”

Aries shrugged. “I don’t know.”

“Would you like to look together?”

Yes, yes, he did. Aries bobbed his head. It was much easier to be given choices than having to come up with a decision on his own.

“Okay, little one. Let’s go see if we have something that will help put you in the right mindset.” Vin offered his hand and Aries clung gratefully to him.

Aries knew how to get himself worked up for a game, the mindset he needed for practice, interviews, meeting fans. He had no idea what mindset he needed to be in where he could explore being little. He didn’t want to do it wrong!

“Just relax and trust Daddy to guide you,” Vin said as they entered the bedroom. Vin lifted Aries off his feet before setting him in the middle of the mattress. “Remember to tell me if you don’t want to try something or if you’re uncomfortable.”

He nodded. In all honesty, Aries had been waiting for this since Vin had first brought it up. If it was as simple as coloring or writing lines then he didn’t really get it. Yes, that made his mind floaty and he liked knowing what he should be doing but he wouldn’t consider it fun enough to want to indulge all the time.

Aries had seen littles at the club and they loved…well…being little. Most of them had toys or something that they enjoyed. Aries had given up his toys a long time ago. He still had his stuffed animals but that had been about comfort for him. His bed wasn’t as big and lonely when he filled it with plushie friends.

Maybe he wasn’t little and Vin was wrong?

“Is it okay if I go through your dresser?” Vin asked.

“Sure.” Aries flopped onto his stomach, kicking his feet in the air. He didn’t have anything to hide. Aries didn’t even have sex toys. He’d stumbled across Nix’s stash way too often to ever want any of his own.

Vin grinned before he began to open drawers.

Aries watched, curious what Vin would find.

“Ah, here we go,” Vin murmured.

Aries perked up.

Vin pulled out an old pair of thin colorful lounge pants that Aries didn’t even remember that he had still owned. He’d gotten them one time when he’d forgotten to pack something to sleep in when he’d been on vacation with his brothers. Okay, well Nix had picked up the green bottoms covered in red apples. They had been too funny not to buy. Perfect for his apple-loving self.

“And,” Vin continued, “here.” He set the pants on the bed then a red cropped tank on top. “Perfect.”

Aries was pretty sure that crop tank belonged to Nix. He had no idea how he ended up with it but was pleased that Vin seemed happy with it.

Vin rose before turning to him. “Let’s get you changed.”

Bouncing up onto his knees, Aries lifted his arms over his head. He could probably take his own shirt off, but this seemed like a Daddy thing to do.

Vin’s smile showed a bit of fang, which only happened when it was one of his true smiles. “Good boy,” Vin praised.

Now Aries might not be a genius or anything but even he knew that the reaction he had to Vin’s praise was very telling about parts of himself that he had never known. His mama had always said how proud of him she was. Coaches the same. It was just everyone else in his life that often found Aries a little too much. Too energetic, too bouncy, too intense. Vin had never made him feel that way though. Even when Aries had been wary of the grumpy vampire, there hadn’t been a time when Vin had made Aries feel foolish.

Maybe that was why their connection was so strong. The reason for the fact that Aries didn’t normally find himself attracted to someone until months later, but there had been a spark right away between them.

Vin’s quiet words wrapped around him like a hug. By the time that Aries wore his soft lounge pants and the tank that hit above his belly button, that floating feeling was beginning to surface. So it wasn’t only writing lines or coloring that did it?

Vin picked Aries up off the bed and Aries wrapped his arms around Vin’s neck.

“Thank you,” he said, placing a kiss on Vin’s cheek.

Vin patted his bottom. “You’re very welcome, little one. I have a few things to keep you busy while I make you a snack.”

Laying his head on Vin’s shoulder, Aries was very happy.

And Vin carried him all the way to the living room. Aries had always known he was super strong—paranormal, duh—but it was still awesome being carried around. Aries might feel little after all.

“Why don’t you wait here while I grab some things for you,” Vin suggested as he set Aries down beside the coffee table.

“Sure!”

Vin pulled a few of the big soft pillows from the end of the couch and placed them on the ground. “You might be a little sore after the game, so let’s make sure you’re comfortable.”

Aries wasn’t sore yet, but he knew it would come. Even if the game hadn’t been super physical and he had managed to avoid most hits, hockey was a brutal game. Aries moved the pillows under his knees as Vin crossed the room to grab a black duffel.

“What’s that?” he asked.

“A bag,” Vin quipped.

Ha, funny vampire. “What’s in the bag?”

“Stuff.” Vin raised a brow.

Aries huffed. “And after you go through the stuff, you’ll make me a snack? You make good snacks. Not that apples aren’t the best snack ever, but your snacks are good too. And usually, you let me have an apple. Apples are very important to a balanced snack, you know.”

Vin chuckled as he crouched beside the bag. “I’m glad you like my snacks. And I’m not going to keep adding apples to your snack time if you keep sneaking apples behind my back.”

“I’m not sneaking apples,” Aries argued.

Vin paused in whatever he was looking for to glance at Aries.

“Sneaking apples would be like taking them into the bathroom or shower and eating them so I didn’t get caught,” Aries pointed out.

“You did that?” Vin asked.

“I just said that I didn’t,” Aries reminded him.

“But you’ve done that in the past?”

Crap, he’d just told on himself. “That’s not the point. The point is that I didn’t do that. I ate my apples right there in the open.”

“Who snuck you the apples tonight?” Vin demanded.

“I can’t reveal my sources!” Aries exclaimed. He wasn’t a tattletale.

“Then maybe you don’t get any more apples with your snack.”

This was a very tricky situation. Aries did want another apple, but if he ratted Matty out then maybe the captain wouldn’t give him any more. It was funny how his teammates would covertly pass him apples when Vin wasn’t looking. He had the best teammates ever!

“And don’t forget that I know your mom gave you one in the car on the way to the arena,” Vin said.

Dang! Aries might have snuck even more apples than he remembered. “She doesn’t like to see her baby boy hungry.”

“I’d just fed you dinner!” Vin replied, laughing.

At least Vin thought he was funny. And cute. Vin must think Aries was super cute because Aries totally was! “So, snack?”

Vin rose with a groan. “Yes, snack. But first.” He held up a box.

Aries peered closer. “What is it?”

“I ordered this for you after your coloring books came in.” Vin walked over and showed Aries a puzzle with an apple orchard on the front.

“Apples!” Aries clapped happily. Vin totally got him!

Kneeling beside him, Vin opened the box before he dumped the puzzle pieces onto the coffee table. Aries giggled as they crashed down loudly.

“You start putting that together for me,” Vin said.

“Cool!” It had been forever since Aries had done a puzzle. His grandma used to keep a card table in the corner of her living room with whatever puzzle she was currently working on. Every time she passed the table, she would find where one piece went. Whenever Aries and his brothers visited, they always tried to help, and Grandma let them! She died right before he’d hit puberty, and Aries hadn’t thought about puzzles since.

This was kind of cool.

The first order of business was to make sure that all the pieces were flipped on the right side up. Once that was done, Aries began to set aside all the pieces with edges. Edges to the center. That was what his grandma always said.

Low smooth jazz music filled the silence and Aries started to sway to it as he worked. His elbow was nudged and on the table beside the pile he was sorting through was a bright blue cup with a long curly straw.

“Cute!” He picked up his drink and took a long pull. Flavor exploded on his tongue. He loved juice so much!

“You’re doing a good job,” Vin told him. “Keep it up.”

Peering up and up, Aries beamed. “Fun!”

“I’m glad you’re having fun and that I was right about the puzzle.”

Aries nodded before the puzzle caught his attention again. He couldn’t wait to finish his puzzle! Maybe Vin would take his picture with it and Aries could send the photo to his mama. She would get a kick out of it.

He’d been sad that his parents had to leave right after such an awful game but… Aries froze, snapping two pieces in place. The game. The very bad game that he’d played. Aries hadn’t thought about it one time since Vin had taken him into the bedroom to change. Aries had wanted to get out of his head and Vin had come through for him.

Looking up, he saw Vin working at the cutting board on the island, making a snack for them.

Was this really how easy it was to be a little and have a Daddy? Aries was having a wonderful time with his puzzle and having Vin close by. It was possible that Aries might have been overcomplicating things in his head.

He gave a little shrug. No time to worry about it now. There was a puzzle to finish.