Page 69 of Love Limits

They sprinted around the coffee table, using it as a barrier. Zhong circled one way, and they went the other, squeaking when Zhong almost caught them.

This. This was exactly it. The thrill of Daddy chasing them with that wide grin on his face.

They feinted to the left, but Zhong was ready. When they circled the other way, he came so close that they shrieked. He reached across the table to grab them and they scampered back, putting the rest of the living room between them.

Their heart was racing and their chest felt light and joyous for the first time in so very, very long. Zhong was playing with them and teasing them, and it was everything they’d ever wanted.

He wiggled his fingers and it felt like tickling, even with all the space between them. They giggled, protecting their sides.

Zhong stalked toward them and they shot around the back of the couch.

He was so fast! They ran down the hall, pulsing with the exhilarating fear of being caught. In the small apartment, there wasn’t much farther to go, so they burst into Zhong’s bedroom.

They tried to shut the door behind them, but Zhong just caught it and pushed it back open.

There was nowhere else to go, so they clambered onto the bed and grabbed a pillow for a shield.

It didn’t work. Zhong pounced on top of them, pillow and all, his body heavy and perfect where it pinned them.

Ash wriggled to be free, but Daddy’s strong arms just pulled them back every time. They struggled harder because they were tiny and adored and felt so, so silly.

At last, they broke free. Victory! Only now Zhong could pull up their shirt and blow raspberries. And those tickled even more! They tried to push him away, even though they never wanted it to end.

Daddy was smiling so hard when he put another one right over their belly button. They giggled and pushed at his shoulder but he was much too strong to be moved.

Oh, but their feet were free! They tried to kick away, but Daddy just straddled their thighs and then they were really stuck.

He tickled without mercy, until their lungs started hurting and they signaled desperately for a time out.

Zhong gave them one last tickle and then gathered them up against him. Ash’s sides were still heaving and laughter spilled from their open mouth.

They met Zhong’s eyes, and that set him off, too, until they were laughing together and Ash was safe and Daddy was here and everything would be just fine.

At last the laughter died down, and they curled into Daddy’s neck, breathing him in. He felt so powerful and caring and just there for Ash, just like a Daddy should. His body lay heavy over theirs, keeping them secure, right where they wanted to be.

It was floaty and cuddly. Even if Zhong wasn’t really their Daddy, they were going to imagine that he was. Just for today.

When he finally started to move off of them, they pulled him back down. They weren’t ready for this part to end.

He gave them an affectionate look, but pulled them up off the bed anyway with a little bounce that ended with them right back in his arms.

You hungry?

Soooo hungry. Then they clawed their hands in little circles over their tummy to show how grumbly it was.

That earned them another tickle when Daddy mimicked the motions on their belly.

Come on. Time to eat. I’ll make your favorite.

Ice cream?

Daddy rolled his eyes playfully. No ice cream before dinner. Chicken first.

With the sauce!

Yes, with the sauce.

It was so good. Tangy and sweet and it had little white seeds on top. They rubbed both palms on their belly and chest to show how good it would be.