Page 46 of Love Limits

Something was definitely wrong, and he wanted to make it right again. He stood up, trying to give them space.

They looked up at him mournfully.

Would it be better if he got closer instead? Did they need his support? He stepped forward until his knees pressed against the bedframe, trying to keep things easy and calm. Want to tell me what you’re worried about, then?

Ash took a deep breath. Would it bother you if I, uh, had something in my mouth while I slept?

No? Zhong couldn’t imagine anything that would bother him. Some kind of night guard for their teeth, maybe? He wasn’t sure why it would even be his business. Unless it was something with poky wires, he supposed. Some people had those things with their braces. What is it?

Ash flipped over their hand. In it was a pacifier. A much larger than normal one, he was pretty sure, but a pacifier nonetheless. The part that you sucked on had a long stem and then a kind of puffy circle at the end. There was a yellow duck on the back.

Well, he supposed he should have expected that. He shrugged, pretty sure that he didn’t have any strong feelings about it one way or another. Sure. If it helps you sleep, you should have it.

Ash immediately popped it into their mouth and gave him an exuberant hug, all tangled arms and legs in the bedsheets. Zhong squeezed them back, amused.

They pulled back to sign. Thank you, thank you! I was so worried, but I should have known it would be OK! You’re sure you don’t mind?

Really, really sure. I want you to be comfortable and sleep well. It wasn’t much of a surprise. And it felt good knowing that he’d made Ash so happy by agreeing to such a little thing.

Then hold me, they demanded sweetly.

Zhong smiled at them fondly and settled into the bed so Ash could cuddle up against his side. If this was most of what age play was, he could definitely deal with it. It was like Ash’s usual enthusiasm and charm, but even more pure and open.

Just like Ash had been earlier today when they moved the little snack pieces around the counter. It was such a simple joy, but it overflowed from them in a way that made Zhong feel like he was invited in.

He could see how someone who identified as a Daddy would love it. He thought it was kind of cute himself.

Ash rested their cheek against his shoulder and he could feel the rhythmic motion as they sucked on the plastic. He rubbed their back, feeling their ribs outlined beneath their shirt.

Holding Ash felt nothing like holding Dustin. He was all lean muscles and heavy weight that would pin his arm and leg until he moved away in his sleep. Sarah had been soft and round, keeping her arms and legs tucked in close.

Ash had their own unique place in his arms. Their limbs felt light by comparison, like birds’ wings, one stretched out and curled around his neck. They ran one lazy foot down his leg, catching around his ankle to cuddle their feet together. Ash nuzzled in against his cheek, their loose curls tickling his nose until they settled. He could feel the sucking motion of their jaw against his chest, another small difference that became part of the whole sensation.

Zhong turned the lamp down to the lowest setting, like he always did when someone slept over. It let them still sign in the dark and kept anyone from tripping over things at night.

Ash turned onto their back and Zhong shifted to accommodate them, one arm still behind their neck. Sarah and Dustin were both side sleepers, so that was another difference. Ash tangled their feet back together.

Zhong turned on his side to watch them as they drifted off to sleep. They looked so peaceful and content.

He’d never seen someone look so happy while they were sleeping.

Or maybe that was just his perception, knowing how pleased they were about every little thing this evening. And Zhong was the one who’d made them feel that way.

He brushed their curls back from their forehead and they nuzzled into his hand, sucking a little harder on the bulb.

He questioned again whether the pacifier bothered him, but… nope. Compared to sex, it didn’t even register on his weird-o-meter.

The way that it made Ash so happy though, and the calm delight that carried over even into his sleep, well, that meant a lot.

Chapter 10

Ash

“Your phone’s ringing,” Mr. Isling said, his frail hand tapping their arm. He looked eagerly at the chest pocket of Ash’s scrubs, no doubt hoping for some good gossip.

“Keep your arm still,” Ash reminded as they fished out their phone to turn the ringer off. They weren’t going to read anything, but just knowing that Zhong texted would make their marvelous day even better.

They were still floating from the memory of last night’s snuggles and the most adorable lunch they’d ever seen, packed just for them. The week was going to be busy, but they had plans for Thursday. It was hard to wait.