Page 13

Vin

“Baby boy.” Vin rubbed Aries back. “It’s time for bed. You’re falling asleep over your puzzle.”

Predictably, Aries began to whine. “I’m not done!”

“We don’t have to clean the puzzle up. It’ll be here in the morning after practice,” Vina assured his sleepy boy.

Leaning against his arm, Aries sighed. “It was harder than I thought once I got the edges done. All the trees look the same.”

“I have faith you’ll get it done,” Vin told him.

“Before we leave on the stupid plane?”

Aries hated to fly as much as Vin. “Just one quick out of town game and then we’ll be back home.”

“They should just come to us. All our games should be here.”

“Now that wouldn’t be fair.” Vin was trying not to laugh at his grumpy guy.

“I don’t care if it’s fair,” Aries argued.

“Remember that once we’re home, we’ll play Gem’s team. You’ve been looking forward to that.”

Aries came off his arm as he grinned. “We’re totally going to beat them! I’m going to score two goals on him!”

Vin patted his back. “I’ll buy you ice cream after the game if you score two times on him.”

“Deal!” Aries gave him a thumbs-up as he yawned.

“Bedtime,” Vin said again.

“But that means that you’ll leave,” Aries mumbled.

Leave? “I’ll just be across the hall, baby.”

“Too far.” Aries rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I don’t like it.”

Well shit. Vin didn’t like leaving his boy either, but it was way too soon to move in together. He chuckled. Aries was just worn-out and pouting. “What if I promise to stay until you fall asleep?”

“No,” Aries replied with his bottom lip sticking out. “Stay all night.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for that?” Vin had to ask.

“Just sleep.” He yawned again. “Please!”

“Just sleep,” Vin said firmly.

“Promise,” Aries said.

“Alright, go to the bathroom and get ready for bed. I’ll lock up the apartment,” Vin told him.

He ended up having to help Aries to his feet. The boy was that exhausted. The evening had gone better than Vin had hoped for. For the first time, Vin was able to watch over Aries when he gave the boy one of his tasks. The puzzle had been a hit and Vin had loved every moment of being there beside his little one.

Normally after a game, Vin vegged out or indulged in a few beers before going to bed.

Having his own tasks had been as fulfilling for him as they seemed to be for Aries.

Making them a snack of pita bread, chips, hummus, and, of course, apple slices had just been the start of his own evening. He’d sat in the chair, making sure that Aries hydrated after the game and didn’t get too lost in his head. Vin had allowed one glass of juice before switching Aries over to water.

As Aries had worked on the puzzle, Vin had done something that he hadn’t thought of doing in years. He reached out to some of his old teammates that he’d been close with that had all retired. Some had played for a few short years in the PAHL and some had never gone back onto the ice once they’d been removed from the NHL. He also messaged his best friend from his older hockey days to tell him about Aries.

He’d kept his phone on silent to not pull Aries from his relaxing time, but Vin didn’t know if he’d had ever reached out if it wasn’t for the boy, so it felt right having Aries close by.

Everyone had seemed surprised but pleased to hear from them. Of course, they were paying attention to the league and had worried he’d be kicked out after he’d gone after Thompson. That led Vin to revealing to more than just his best friend about Aries. He’d pretty much told everyone that he’d ever been close to.

The night had passed as he caught up with old friends and gone back to trash-talking old teammates, all while Aries quietly worked beside him.

Vin was surprised by how quiet Aries was when he was involved in whatever task that Vin thought up for him. A song might come on that Aries knew and he’d hum softly but even when Vin asked questions, Aries wasn’t a big talker, which was the complete opposite of any other time.

Peering into Aries’s handsome face, Vin could see the tiredness, but it did nothing to hide the happiness and contentment that filled him.

“Did you have a good night, baby?”

“So good,” Aries responded.

“I’m very proud of you,” Vin said sincerely.

Aries blinked up at him. “Why?”

“You’re very brave. Trying new things with me that you aren’t sure about.”

“But I wasn’t really being a little,” Aries told him.

“You weren’t?” Vin questioned. He stepped back to sit on the couch pulling Aries into his lap.

Aries snuggled right in.

“You don’t like being a little?” Vin asked carefully. Aries said it had been a good night, and he appeared relaxed and happy.

“I haven’t been little though,” Aries said.

“You’ve been little all night,” Vin told him.

“I was?”

“Well, you let me take care of you. I made your snacks and drinks. You did the puzzle I gave you. You were a great little.”

Aries rubbed his eyes again. “I don’t think I understand. I thought I had to be playing with toys and running around yelling and stuff.”

“That…some littles do that, but you like to have something to do that calms you. You’re kind of bouncy when you aren’t little,” Vin explained.

Aries blew out a breath. “I thought I did it wrong.”

Vin shook his head. “No, baby. If you enjoyed a quiet night with me then I’d say that you did it perfectly.”

“It’s not like the littles I’ve seen at the club,” Aries said.

“And it might not always be like this for us. There might be nights where you’re active and run around and play. Those are okay too.”

“Because we get to decide how being a Daddy and little looks like to us?”

“That’s right, little one. We decide.” Vin kissed the top of his head. “So it was a perfect little night.”

“I like the quiet time,” Aries told him. “I don’t get that often.”

“I’ll give it to you whenever you want or need it.”

Wrapping his arms around Vin’s neck, Aries hugged him tight. “Thank you.”

Vin let him cling for a moment, holding him back, before he patted Aries’s bottom. “It’s bedtime now. Potty, brush your teeth, while I lock up.”

“But you already locked up. You did it went we got home.”

“I’m just going to check to make sure it’s secure before bed. Think of it as a Daddy job.”

“You won’t leave, right?”

“I’m not leaving. I’m going to sleep with you. Just sleep,” Vin reminded him.

“Okay.” Aries climbed off his lap. “Don’t take too long.”

Vin smiled. “I’ll meet you in the bedroom.”

Aries shuffled down the hall, but Vin needed a moment just to gather his thoughts. Aries had thought he wasn’t a good little. That was almost heartbreaking when all Vin wanted to do was wrap the boy up in his arms and protect him from the big bad world.

It would kill him if Aries was ever ripped from his dream of playing hockey and tossed aside like Vin and some of the older paranormal had been. He was thankful for the first time that he’d found a place with the Vegas Vikings.

He heard the toilet flush before the bathroom water was turned on.

His boy was following all Vin’s instructions and he thought he didn’t make a good little. Vin was more attracted to partners that leaned on him, needed him, than he was to the typical brat. Not that he hadn't enjoyed a brat or two, but he much preferred his dynamic with Aries. Aries could be bratty, a cocky hotshot rookie, and a bit of a mess, but when he was forced to slow down and focus, he was sweet and quiet. The perfect little one for Vin.

Rising to his feet he headed into the kitchen. Still thinking, Vin went about putting the dishes in the dishwasher, checking that the door was locked, and turning off the lights. By the time he made his way to the bathroom, it was empty.

He took care of his own nighttime routine before he joined Aries in the master bedroom. In the bathroom he’d stripped down to his briefs and set his clothes on top of the dresser.

Aries stood by the end of the mattress, shifting from foot to foot. He still wore the pants and tank that Vin had dressed him in earlier.

“You okay, baby? It’s okay to change your mind. I can go back to my apartment,” Vin said quietly.

Aries frantically shook his head. His eyes widened as he saw Vin’s naked chest.

“I can put my shirt or pants back on if you’re uncomfortable,” Vin offered.

“I like seeing you,” Aries said with a faint blush.

“You do?” Vin teased. He already knew that. “Should I have packed my sweatpants?”

Aries whimpered.

Vin laughed. “I’ll remember that for next time.”

“Next time,” Aries said with a nod. “Yeah.”

“And you’re sure that it’s okay for me to sleep like this?”

“I like your tattoos,” Aries blurted out.

“Thank you, baby.” Aries hadn’t taken his gaze off Vin’s chest.

“Sleep?” Vin questioned. “Or you can change your mind.”

“You can change your mind too if you want.” Aries cleared his throat before he looked up. “Sorry, I’m being weird.”

Vin smiled. “I don’t think you’re being weird at all.” He was pleased that Aries liked looking at him. “And I’d love nothing better to hold you as we fell asleep.”

“Are you sure?” Aries blinked those big bright eyes at him. “Without having sex.”

“I’m sure,” Vin confirmed.

“Okay.”

“Let’s get into bed.” Vin folded back the top blanket and helped Aries up on the bed.

Aries lay down until he was nearly in the middle of the mattress before Vin joined him. Vin turned off the light then settled more comfortably on the mattress. Wrapping his arms around his boy, Vin encouraged Aries to snuggle him.

The big sigh he received as Aries’s cheek came to rest on his shoulder warmed him.

“I like this,” Aries whispered.

“Me too, baby.”

Aries rubbed his face against Vin’s naked chest, brushing his nose against Vin’s nipple.

Vin stiffened and Aries tried to pull back.

“Sorry,” Aries murmured.

“Nothing to be sorry about, baby. My nipples are just very sensitive.”

“Because of the piercings?”

“Mostly.” Truthfully Vin’s nipples had always been a hot spot for him and that was why he had them pierced.

“Okay,” Aries said. “I’ll be careful.”

Vin laughed as he encouraged Aries’s head back down. “You don’t have to be careful. I like it.”

“Like what?”

“Having my nipples played with, tweaked, sucked.”

“Sucked?” Aries repeated.

“Suckling,” Vin shared. “Having you wrap your lips around my nipple and suck until it soothed you to sleep.”

“I…I can do that?”

“Yes, baby. If you want to try,” Vin replied.

Aries ran his finger across the bar in Vin’s right nipple.

Vin shuddered hard. He couldn’t help it. It felt too good to have Aries touching him. In any way, but especially playing with his nipples. His cock started to harden as well but Vin wasn’t worried about that. He loved falling asleep being suckled with a hard cock.

“The bar is warm,” Aries said quietly.

“Put your mouth around it, baby,” Vin requested.

“K.” Aries laid his head back down before he carefully, gently, wrapped his lips around Vin’s entire nipple.

“Just like that,” Vin praised. “Now suck. Just like it’s a paci or your thumb.”

Aries sucked.

Running his hand up and down Aries’s back, Vin lulled his boy into relaxing.

His boy was suckling gently but as his eyes grew heavy, the suckling picked up. Finally, Aries’s eyes remained closed instead of blinking slowly as he drifted off to sleep. Vin stayed awake a long time after Aries, enjoying their closeness.

* * * * *

Aries

He glared at his closed apartment door as he sat on his couch drinking the bottle of water that Vin had left him. They’d already been to practice and back but Vin had grown-up responsibilities to take care of. Being a grown-up was stupid in Aries’s opinion.

They shouldn’t have to do laundry or clean out their fridges or any of that stuff before their flight the next morning. Not that Aries planned on doing any of that himself. Vin had said he’d come over and help in a couple of hours. Vin was even going to pack a bag so he could spend the night making it easier for them to leave together for the airport in the morning. Aries just wanted Vin with him right then. It wasn’t fair!

He’d tried to get back to working on his puzzle but that didn’t hold his interest.

Aries glared at the door again.

Not that it was his door’s fault. It was totally Vin’s fault for being all responsible and stuff.

Huffing again, Aries rose as he looked around the living space.

His apartment was so much better now. It was comfy and homey with its soft colors and fabrics. There was plenty that he could be doing instead of pouting. Pressing his lips together, Aries considered his options. Nix had a game that night so Aries couldn’t bother him. Gem would be all smart and bossy and Aries only wanted to talk to one bossy man, but he was across the hall doing adult stuff.

Oh!

Aries bounced on his toes. He could shift! It had been forever, and his batty bat self would love to spread his wings. And if he was shifted, Vin totally couldn’t blame him if he had a little snacky snack.

Yes!

He was a freaking genius.

Aries stripped off his clothes and stood in the middle of his carpet and spread out his arms. He closed his eyes and pictured his adorable shifted form because yes, he was a cutie as a bat.

The dramatics weren’t necessary to shift but it was fun!

The shift came quickly. First his body started to shrink. Don’t ask him how that worked. Where his weight or all his human-ness went. It was magic. That was explanation enough.

His skin tightened, hardened, and the tingling started. Aries didn’t even finish thinking about his shift, and he was a bat.

Flapping his wings, he leapt and flew around the room multiple times before perching on the back of the couch. He’d been really disappointed to learn that as a vampire, Vin couldn’t shift into a sky puppy. It would have been so much fun to fly around with Vin. Instead, he would have to wait until he was with his brothers. Shawn would sometimes shift into his jaguar and play with Aries, but Shawn couldn’t fly. Flying shifters were the best ever!

Maybe Nix got to fly with his dragon goalie. How cool would that be? Not that Aries was jealous that he didn’t have a dragon friend, because he had an awesome grumpy vampire! One that he got to kiss and cuddle and do other things with. Like suck on his nipple. Wow, that had been…it had been super sexy, and Aries had been hard when he’d fallen asleep and when he woke up.

Aries wasn’t going to think about that though. Not when said grumpy vampire wasn’t even with him. No, he needed a snack! Ha! Yes! Best idea ever!

Launching himself off the couch, Aries flew over to the island in the kitchen. In the bowl were three pretty red apples. He went ahead and snatched all three apples up before lifting and making circles around the apartment with his prizes in his claws.

He made laps until he started to grow tired. Aries had no idea how long had passed but he did know that a yummy apple would bring back his energy.

Settling on the top of the curtain rod in his living room, where he had the perfect view of his place, Aries attacked the first apple. He destroyed the treat, juices running down his face and through his claws, before he dropped the mangled core and started on the second.

He was nearly finished with the third when his front door opened.

Vin stuck his head inside. “Aries?”

Aries froze. Uh-oh. He wasn’t supposed to be eating an apple until after dinner. And…he hadn’t even eaten just one but the three that he’d been saving.

“Aries?” Vin stepped inside and closed the door behind him.

Aries didn’t move. Maybe Vin wouldn’t see him and he wouldn’t be in trouble.

Vin set his overnight suitcase beside the door as he looked around. Still Aries didn’t respond. He didn’t want Vin mad at him, but he’d needed the apples!

“Baby? Are you here?”

Where else was Aries going to go? He didn’t like driving and Vin had said he’d be back.

Vin searched the apartment and from his perch, Aries was able to admire how sexy his boyfriend was. Except now there was real panic in Vin’s voice as he frantically called out to Aries.

Aries gave a small chirp.

Vin froze as he returned to the living area.

“Baby?”

Aries fluttered his wings.

Vin glanced up and finally spotted Aries way up high. Or maybe it wasn’t as high to Vin because the dang vampire was so tall anyway.

“Well, hello there, cutie,” Vin drawled as he stepped closer.

Aries unfurled his wings. He was a cutie.

“You are just about the most precious thing that I’ve ever seen,” Vin praised.

Tell him more! Aries loved hearing how awesome and cute he was.

“Are you having fun?” Vin questioned, standing under Aries’s perch. He toed the apple cores. “And enjoying your snack?”

Huh. How to get out of this? Aries held what remained of the third apple to Vin.

Vin winced. “No thank you, baby. You’ve pretty much demolished that.”

Aries stuffed the apple in his mouth before pulling out the core and offering it again.

Vin laughed. “Can you come down here? I’d love to pet you if that’s okay.”

Pets? Pets were the best! Aries jumped off the curtain rod and flew over to his boyfriend. Vin held his arm out and Aries landed carefully on him, making sure he didn’t scratch Vin with his sharp little claws.

Vin ran his finger under Aries’s chin before he scratched the top of his ear.

Aries leaned harder into that, because ear rubs…yes!!!

“Hi there, baby boy.” Vin nuzzled Aries’s face with his. “Precious.”

Yep! Shifting had been a great idea. Aries was so smart!