Page 139 of Monster Daddies

He sat up like we were in a cartoon and a light bulb had just gone off over his head. “Yes. It’s hair because we’re an early branch off the human evolutionary tree and we don’t have an undercoat or any of the typical characteristics of animal fur. There’s some debate, but scientists like to argue about everything because it makes them feel important.”

After giving me a giggle, I got a knowing nod from my curious boy. I knew I’d answered his question when he piled up bubbles on his head and pretended it was a hat. “Your hat is sliding off, little Roo.”

We needed more bath toys for it to have been a lot of fun, but he enjoyed himself and piling up the bubbles in different ways. He also seemed to come up with different questions as I finally got out the soap and a washcloth.

He poked at my wet hand and gave me his curious face as he cocked his head. “Do you have a question about my hair getting wet?”

I was getting better at the question game because he nodded.

“In the past it was just air drying and things like diaries indicate we bathed less. We have less oils in our skin than humans so we don’t get greasy.” That was hilarious and I shook my head and smiled as he giggled. “Now we’ve got very nice hair dryers so it’s not a problem.”

He would need to be washed on a regular basis, though, for fun and hygiene. “We’re going to need toys and more bubble bath for you.”

That got excited nods as I lifted one arm to scrub his underarm so he wouldn’t have to keep sniffing himself and worrying.

“I’m going to need to make a list.” I kept up rambling conversational topics as I finished washing his chest and arms, but I had to work at not noticing just how naked he was as I washed lower. “I think I’m going to end up needing to add more desserts to my grocery list too.”

As he sat up on his knees, clearly realizing other bits needed to be cleaned too, I had to restart my mental reminders. “Tomorrow you’re going to have to show me your toys so I know what kinds you like.”

Don’t notice his beautiful body.

Don’t notice his beautiful body.

Don’t notice his beautiful body.

“Alright, all set.” And it was good timing because our bubbles were fading quickly. “I wonder if there’s a spelled object to make bubbles last longer.”

That was hilarious and he kept shaking with laughter as I got him out of the tub and wrapped in a towel. What I hadn’t thought about was how big they’d be on Little Roo, but he thought that was funny too. He was all smiles and happy-binkie sucking as I stretched him out on the bed, keeping him wrapped up as much as possible as I got his diaper ready.

“That’s a reasonable question.” Pretending to frown got more silly sounds from him. “Mages think about everything else. One in town is selling soap bars that never wear out. I don’t know how that works but it’s fishy.”

After another round of giggles, Little Roo brought his hands together and made them wiggle like a fish. “I’m glad you agree. Okay, bottoms up.”

I was coming to the conclusion that I was either the funniest guy he’d ever met of any species or he was getting tired again.

One nap wasn’t going to cut it, so we were going to have an early bedtime.

When the tapes were in place and he was more covered, I unwrapped the rest of my giggling burrito and got him into his jammies. He was very good until his pants were in place, but as soon as he was dressed, he sprang up and wrapped himself around me. “You’re not a Roo… you’re a monkey.”

He made silly monkey sounds and clung to me tighter as I hung up his towel, and he made it clear he wasn’t looking to be put down. Which said to me that I hadn’t pushed any boundaries because he was a very happy monkey as we headed back to the living room.

If he made it through the entire movie I’d by lottery tickets because it would be a miracle, but making sure he enjoyed our evening was much more important than how long it was, so I wasn’t worried either way.

“Time to cuddle and then we’ll get milk.”

Oh… our first yawn of the night… the countdown had begun.

Chapter Nine

Alton

“Is Little Roo hiding as a game or is big Alton nervous?” The whispered, very Daddy question had me burrowing deeper under the pillows on Malik’s bed.

His very big bed.

I remembered him explaining that he had a big bed but it could’ve probably held an entire family with room for them all to stretch out.

“I’m never big.” I was sometimes a grown-up and sometimes an adult. “I’m fine.”