Page 85 of Love Unlimited

Now Dustin was at an impasse. If this were just Landon rebelling, he’d have him over his knee with a belt. But with Zhong… they’d talked at length about how he wasn’t comfortable spanking Ash, or even telling them to stand in a corner. There was no way Dustin could propose the same punishment for both of them without crossing a line.

At the same time, he knew, through Zhong, that Ash would have welcomed a relationship that involved punishments, and particularly wanted impact play. Was that what they were asking for? And was he supposed to be involved in it somehow?

No matter what, he was certain that moving forward with something like this wasn’t supposed to happen spontaneously. They’d all need to talk about it first, probably in couples first and then all together.

He gave Landon a stern glare. I don’t know what Ash’s Daddy is going to do with Ash. But my Danger boy is going to have a very sore ass.

Landon and Ash both turned to him with wide, eager eyes, like they were already imagining it. If Ash hadn’t been asking for that intentionally, it was still clear that they wanted it.

But Zhong looked worried so Dustin stepped in again, still addressing Landon. If you’re good, though, you’ll get a reward. Just like Ash.

Landon’s reward might also be his belt, but he wasn’t going to say that right now.

Ash turned to Zhong. Sorry, Daddy. I wasn’t trying to be bad. They visibly brightened as they walked toward him. Can we brush my teeth now? With my special toothbrush?

Zhong looked completely composed, but internally Dustin knew he was sighing with relief. Sure. I have new jammies for you, too.

Jammies! Ash danced around the room.

Dustin felt like some crisis had been narrowly averted.

I’m sorry too, Daddy. Landon told him sincerely. Which was just… fascinating. Do I get a reward?

Now that was an interesting question. Dustin had suggested it because he knew that Ash was motivated by rewards. But was Landon? He gave them spontaneous presents, but rarely rewards. Perhaps he should, though.

Of course you do, he assured him. You and Ash go upstairs and start getting ready for bed. I’ll be up in a minute.

The two of them raced off, giggling and turning their shoulders so he and Zhong couldn’t see them sign.

That left the Daddies alone. And that was really who they were. They were the Daddies. Together.

That seemed like it went in an unexpected direction, Dustin offered.

That’s an understatement. Zhong still looked stressed.

Dustin opened his arms and Zhong stepped into them. He squeezed his best friend tightly, running his hands up his broad back. They stood together like that for a long time, rocking just a bit and being close. When Zhong finally relaxed and buried his face in Dustin’s shoulder, Dustin turned to kiss his cheek.

Eventually, Zhong pulled back enough to sign. Thank you for handling that. I think that got much more intense in my mind than it actually was. Ash was just playing.

Dustin snorted. Ash was just playing, and Landon was riling things up.

Yeah. But still. I think… I want to have another conversation about this. About the four of us. I know that Ash says that they don’t mind some of the things I can’t give them. But the thing is… I feel like if I gave you all the permission to give them some of those things, it would be like I was taking care of them, too.

Have you said that to them? Dustin asked.

Maybe not in those words. But you said it before, right? We’re family? And we might be the weirdest family ever in existence, but I think that would make Ash happy. And that means it would make me happy. I like watching Ash with you and Landon. And I think all of us would be happier together.

I think that sometimes too, Dustin said carefully. In fact, he thought of it all the time now. But it’s not just for the two of us to decide. I think you should tell Ash what you told me. Just listen to their reasons if they say no. I think their reasons not to do it might be different from your reasons to encourage it.

Zhong considered that. I will. Thank you for being my best friend.

Dustin squeezed his shoulder.

And… my love.

Dustin’s whole body flushed with a wave of tenderness. Calling Zhong his boyfriend felt weird. Partner felt… odd, but maybe closer, especially since Landon already filled that role. But somewhere in the middle of that, he was Zhong’s love.

I love you, too. He replied, putting all of his heart into it. You are… my love.