Page 26

I look over at Tyler sitting on the patio floor.

It’s been ten minutes and he hasn’t moved.

He's sitting crisscross and watching his friends play.

The last thing I wanted to do was pull him away from having fun, but I saw the way he was fanning himself and the sweat on the back of his shirt.

He needs to cool down for a few minutes and rehydrate.

The tantrum added a few extra minutes. He lifts the bottle of water to his lips and takes another sip.

I dumped in a full electrolyte mix into it, hoping that it'll be enough for him.

He went to the doctor yesterday and they did some bloodwork.

It came back a bit concerning, so the doctor upped his dosage.

The last thing I want is for him to get dehydrated or the medicine to make him physically sick.

I don't like watching him sit on his own while the others play, but it's for his health.

"You're doing great with him," Remington says. "I'm glad he has someone with actual medical knowledge to help him through all of this. When Austin called me that day and said that he'd fainted, I didn't know what to do."

"Orion came home really worried about him, too." Garrett says. "We all were, but I know seeing it right in front of him scared Orion for a while. I can't imagine how Tyler feels having to go through it."

The way each of them look at my Boy fills me with pride and happiness. This is a fantastic group of friends and I'm glad that Tyler has them as well as them accepting me into the fold. I'm about to say something when Fluff starts meowing dramatically on my lap.

I follow his eyeline. It only takes a second for any of us to register what is going on.

Riley is nudging his head against Tyler's hand, demanding all the scratches and pets.

Tyler's smile helps me relax a bit. We will definitely talk about that tantrum he threw, but for right now I'm happy to see him smiling.

"Someone is not happy with Riley right now," Rachel says.

"Fluff has become very fond of Tyler," I say.

I shift him around so he isn't facing the traitorous Tyler at the moment.

He struggles for a moment before settling down.

"They play together, share a spot on the couch.

I woke up yesterday morning to him sleeping on both of us.

He's Ty's little protector, that's for sure. "

"That's a good quality to have," Garrett says. He pivots the conversation with a quick follow up question. "You said you're planning on moving some stuff this weekend to the new apartment, right?"

"Yeah. I figured we'd at least get one of the beds set up and the living room furniture."

"Do you need a hand with any of it?" Remington asks. "I can come over for a bit tomorrow and help out."

"I have to work tomorrow, but I think Tyler was planning on packing up some of his things from his parents' to move. He might need some help. I'm off again on Tuesday so I’ll be getting most things moved then."

"Use us if needed," Remington says.

"Way to volunteer us," Garrett says in an obviously sarcastic tone. "I'm just messing. Orion and I have dinner plans tomorrow evening with his family, but we can help in the morning. I'm pretty sure Austin and Quinton are staying tonight, right?"

"That's the plan," Remington says. "I'll be back to pick him up tomorrow morning and we can just head over to Tyler's place or meet him at the apartment."

Garrett calls Tyler over then and they finalize a plan of who will be where tomorrow.

I watch him, see that his face is no longer red and he's sufficiently cooled down now.

When he's done talking to the others, I let him know that he can go play now.

He smiles and leans down to give me a quick hug before racing across the yard to join the others.

"Did you wash your hands?" I ask as I pass the bathroom.

I hear an affirmative. "Brush your teeth?

" Another yes. But then I hear the water start running right after that and roll my eyes.

Tyler comes out a few minutes later and I can't help but smile.

After his little meltdown at Garrett's, he had fun the rest of the day.

I think after the first time, the other Littles realized that Tyler would have to take frequent breaks so they moved inside and played board games, pool, and watched a movie in the basement where it was a lot cooler.

Garrett's house is the perfect hangout spot.

I know he works hard and owns his own company, but I don't think I've met anyone so humble who clearly has a lot of money.

Now, Tyler’s in nothing but his underwear. It's just a plain white pair of briefs that are somewhat sheer. He's fully in his big headspace tonight and I know I want to talk to him about earlier today. We settle on the couch together. I'm not sure where Fluff is right now.

This is one of our last nights in this apartment. I’ve lived here for two years and even though it’ll be the same apartment building, it’s a whole new chapter of my life, our lives, that we’re starting.

"Thank you for coming with me today," Tyler says softly.

I look down at him and smile. He's laying with his head on my lap.

I run my fingers through his hair. My other hand rests on his stomach.

His skin is warm from the shower, but he doesn't look pale or sweaty or anything. All good signs. "I had a lot of fun."

"I did too," I say honestly. "It's a nice group of friends you have."

"They're the best," Tyler says.

"Can we talk about something?" I ask, not sure how else to bring it up. Tyler's eyes meet mine and I know he knows what I'm about to talk about. He nods, though he doesn't move to sit up. "Your little tantrum today was a bit uncalled for, wasn't it?"

"I'm sorry." The words are automatic and don't stop what we need to talk about.

I motion for him to sit up and we move so we're facing each other. "I appreciate that," I start. "And you know I don't mind a bit of a tantrum or some brattiness, Ty. What I do care about is when it comes to your health. That's a limit that I don't want to cross, okay?"

Tyler nods and I see him chewing on the corner of his bottom lip. I lift my hand and use my thumb to tug on his lip. He lets it go easily. "I know that I needed to rest and I'm sorry that you had to fight me on it."

"I don't mind going all Daddy on you," I say. I add a wink and smile when he lets out a short giggle. "But you understand why I had you sit down and take a break, right? I'm not going to be around you twenty-four, seven so I need you to start recognizing those signs yourself."

"Yes, I do." Tyler moves closer to me and within a minute, he's curled up in my lap. I kiss the top of his head and rock him slowly. He might still be in his big headspace, but I'll never say no to holding my Boy. "I'll be better about it. I promise."

"Thank you."

"Do you really like when I throw a tantrum?" His question throws me for a loop. I take a second to think over my response before answering.

"I grew up in a household that didn't have many rules," I say.

"My siblings and I were given the basics, taken care of enough to have food and a roof over our heads.

My parents didn't discipline us, or set curfews, screen limits, nothing like that.

" I pause, thinking about what it was like growing up.

"Once I started school, I found that I loved routines, rules, Do this at this time sort of thing.

I thrived in school. When I was home, I started creating my own rules and schedules.

Do homework before supper, play video games for no more than an hour, and bed by ten.

That sort of thing. I grew into those routines and loved it. "

"How does that work with tantrums, though?" Tyler's question is genuine.

"I don't know, honestly." We both laugh at my honesty.

"I think it's a chance for me to remind you of the rules that I've put in place.

I'm not controlling, please don't get that wrong.

You are still you and you can do what you want or tell me if a rule is pushing a boundary.

The rare times I remember my brother, sister, or myself putting up a fight about something, the reactions were not appropriate to the circumstance.

My parents weren't really nice people. So maybe throwing tantrums is a way for me to stick to the rules I've made in a healthy way.

Some therapist could probably analyze that and tell me things about my childhood, I'm sure. "

"I'm sorry, Daddy," Tyler says. "I was almost five when my younger brother came along and the attention shifted.

As we grew up, he was a lot more outgoing than me.

Here lately, my mom has focused more on his first year of high school.

My dad is at work when I get up in the mornings and isn't overly involved in my life much anymore. "

"You said she was there when you got out of the hospital, right?" I wrap my arms around him a bit tighter. He nods.

"She was there the day after, but then it was an all but forgotten thing the next. I don't mind it, though. I mean, I kind of wish that she would have asked more questions or really understood what I've been diagnosed with, but now I'll be living with you so it won't matter as much."

"And Daddy knows all about it now, so no sneaking around or thinking I won't notice the little signs."

Tyler sits up and looks me in the eyes. His eyes are bright. "Can we talk about what happens when I do throw a tantrum with you?"

"What do you want to happen?"

"I like your stern voice," he admits. "When you made me look into your eyes while you spoke. I found that way hotter than it should have been. I think I'd like to experiment with something like that."

"What you're saying is Daddy could tie you up and make you look at me while I do whatever I want?"

Tyler's eyes go wide and it's almost comical how hard he nods his head. "Yes, please."