Published: February 23rd 2022, 7:53:44 am
Ch. 1 Ch.2 Ch.3 Ch. 4 Ch. 5 Ch. 6 Ch. 7 Ch. 8 Ch. 9 Ch. 10 Ch. 11 Ch. 12 Ch. 13
Note: Hey everyone, I've been hard at work polishing the next chapter of room for rent. I'm wrapping up for the night about 2/3rds of the way through, so I thought I'd share a little taste of what's to come. I should be posting the complete chapter up tomorrow (Wednesday)!
*****
Robbie's brother Andy had been doing pretty well for himself as a doctor, and had been able to afford what he called a 'comfortable' place for his wife and kids, the youngest of which was already in the first grade. But calling Andy's lifestyle 'comfortable' didn't adequately describe the grand home where Colt and Robbie had been dropped off. This was a classic colonial style house, all brick with a portico over the door and plenty of glazing spread to each side on both floors. It was house enough to comfortably house two families and then some, which made it the obvious choice for this year's family gathering.
Comfortable indeed, snorted Robbie. None of Andy's other brothers could get through a conversation with Mom without a long speech about how wonderful and successful Andy was. But this day, Robbie didn't have it in him to feel jealous, and his annoyance quickly fizzled out. He was just happy to have someone he loved standing next to him. Not just a loved one, but someone he found heart stoppingly attractive no matter how many days they spent together. And after all, it was a nice place. He'd have no problem spending the holiday there, if he weren't in fear of being totally outed as a big baby.
Colt whistled. "Nice place. Is that the beginnings of ivy I see on the east wing?"
"Yeah," giggled Robbie, standing in the driveway. "Imported from the UK..."
"Ooh! Fancy schmancy," Colt said, nudging Robbie in the ribs and making him giggle more. Colt always knew how to cheer Robbie up. It was as if he knew what Robbie was thinking whenever he worried. As if all that 'healthy communication' that Colt insisted on between them was actually paying off.
Colt threw the strap of Robbie's day bag with his juice and snacks and changing supplies over Robbie's shoulder, giving him a kiss on the cheek before picking up a couple suitcases from the pile beside them.
"Let's get a move on," said Colt, jogging in place. "It's a lot chillier than California out here..."
Robbie hesitated. The large driveway where Colt and Robbie stood already had several cars in it, along with all their luggage, meaning that the rest of the seasonal visitors were probably already inside.
Colt gradually came to a stop and looked over at Robbie. "Still nervous about seeing your family?"
"Yeah," Robbie nodded. "I'm more worried about them seeing me actually..." Colt paused for a second and set the bags down.
"Hey, buddy," said Colt, putting a hand on Robbie's shoulder and looking him in the eyes. "It's okay. We'll get through this together..."
"Easy for you to say," says Robbie. "You don't have to be a baby in front of them." Robbie had lowered his voice to a whisper as he said 'baby', as if someone in the house might be at one of the many, many windows listening in.
Colt smiled and shook his head. "No, of course not. But you are a baby, Robbie. My baby. And it matters just as much to me how you are treated as it matters to you."
Robbie paused. "I hadn't thought about it like that..."
Colt sighed. "Look, if you don't want to be a baby in front of them, that's just fine. That can be something you and I enjoy behind closed doors if that's what would make you happier."
"Really?" asked Robbie, brightening up slightly before furrowing his brow. "But then why am I carrying Mr. Cuddles and wearing a..." Robbie looked around before whispering, "diaper?" and Colt couldn't help but chuckle just a bit. Colt's hand was still resting on Robbie's shoulder and Colt gave Robbie a reassuring squeeze.
"Robbie, you don't have to act like a baby. You can act like a big boy if you like. But what you absolutely cannot do is hide the essential parts of you that are little because holding Mr. Cuddles and wearing your diapers are what?"
Robbie recited along with Colt, "They're the healthy things I do to cope with stress."
"That's right my smart boy," said Colt, ruffling Robbie's hair and smiling with pride. "And your family is going to have to accept that. In fact, I believe they already have."
Robbie had been staring off as if deep in thought, but looked up when Colt mentioned that last cryptic tidbit of information.
"What? What do you mean by that?"
"You'll see," said Colt, giving Robbie a little peck on the mouth and a nudge toward the front door, followed by a crinkly butt pat to get him moving quicker. Robbie couldn't decide what was more blushy. The crinkly diaperpats, or the kiss. No, he decided, it was the kiss. Definitely the kiss.
The two of them looked at each other one last time as they reached the front door and stopped. Colt set his bags down to hold Robbie's hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "They'll be cool. And if anyone has a problem with who you are, Daddy's here."
Robbie gulped and nodded, squeezing his teddy tight with his free arm. . "Thanks, Daddy," he whispered.
"You're welcome, sweetie, and before I forget," said Colt, stepping behind Robbie and giving his butt a squeeze. "Do you need a change when we get inside?"
"Daddyyy... Knock it off... I don't want them to see..."
Colt already had one hand on Robbie's tummy and the other was pulling back his waistband.
"Well, that's why I'm checking you now before we-"
"Shhh, no, just hit the doorbell..."
"Are you sure you want to shush me like that, buddy boy?" asked Colt, allowing Robbie's waistband to snap back into place. "Because you know what happens when you shush Daddy... his spanking hand gets mighty itchy..." Colt's stern tone was mitigated by the playful smirk he wore, and Robbie had to fight to hold onto his frown.
"It's not funny..." said Robbie, managing to maintain his angry face, which was still very cute in Colt's book.
"I know it isn't," said Colt, grinning wider. "Disrespecting your pops is a serious offense." Robbie didn't doubt Daddy would follow through on the threat of a punishment without hesitation.
"J-just hit the bell already."
"Alright, baby boy. Whatever you say."
The door opened before Colt's finger reached the doorbell and the friendly face of a man in a plaid shirt and house slippers peeked out. .
"Took you long enough! What were you two waiting to become frozen turkeys yourselves?"
"Hi Andy," mumbled Rob.
The man glanced down at the teddy bear Robbie was holding and he paused for a second, looking at Robbie. "Aww... You still got that ol' bear, kiddo?"
Robbie instinctively gave Mr. Cuddles a Squeeze, nodding, then quickly looked away. Was this really happening?
"Good. He's a good friend," said Andy, ruffling Robbie's hair. And you must be Colt. Nice to meetcha. Do you want some help with the rest of the bags?"
"Sure," Colt replied. "Actually, why don't you take these, and I'll get the last set. Those are the bulkiest."
Robbie, blushed as the two of them talked over him with the unspoken assumption that bulky bags were none of little Robbie's concern. Typical. Even before he met Colt, Robbie's family always seemed to treat him like a kid. Andy hefted the bags and Colt returned with the last of the luggage while Robbie had only his teddy and the diaper bag slung over his shoulder.
"Come on in, guys," Andy said, turning around and waving the two men in after him. "Kick off your shoes. Everyone's in the sitting room, but feel free to go up to your room if you need to to freshen up. We've set everything up for you."
Robbie blushed at the mention of 'freshening up', as he was pretty sure that was a euphemism for a diaper change. And boy did he need it, as Colt would well know by now.
"Well, let's see," said Colt reaching back and taking a squeeze of Robbie's butt. Andy hadn't turned around, but Robbie's heart still leapt into his throat as he prayed that Andy didn't notice the loud crinkle. "Yeah, we might do that once we put all our stuff away. Should at least say hi to the family first."
Robbie now felt more self-conscious than ever as his ears picked up on the loud crinkle of the diaper in his little shorts, which rang through the room with every movement. Neither could he ignore the way his soggy padding sagged between his legs, making his waddle all the more pronounced.
While Robbie was busy fretting over his diapers, Colt took a moment to get his bearings. Big colonial style house. Wooden floors, and heirloom furniture, all dark woods polished to a sheen. The furnishings could have been taken straight out of a pottery barn, which is to say, they were charming, homey, and whatever looked antique was probably brand new. He even caught a glimpse inside the kitchen to see a traditional style setup with a giant wooden block island in the center, mint blue tile behind the cast-iron stove, and every pot and pan you could buy from Williams and Sonoma.
"Nice place you got here," said Colt, raising his eyebrows as he looked back at Andy, who was clearly as concerned with appearances as his younger brother.
"It suffices," Andy replied, shrugging as he stuffed his hands in his pockets. Robbie rolled his eyes. He knew Andy must be loving this.
"Let's go say hi to your folks before we get you changed," said Colt.
"They're this way if you want to see them," said Andy.. "Just leave your bags on the landing for now."
Robbie cleared his throat as the two men began to walk off, and they both turned to look at him. Robbie was staring pointedly at Colt, and raised his eyebrows.
"Don't look at me that way, kiddo, or you're gonna make me think you need a nap before dinner..."
Robbie's eyes bugged out, and he clenched his jaw, squeezing Mr. Cuddles like his life depended on it. Robbie's thumb had made it halfway to his mouth before he noticed, and quickly stopped himself, but Colt grabbed it and guided it the rest of the way into Robbie's mouth.
"You remember the rule," said Colt. "That's one..."
Andy leaned forward to catch Robbie's eye and give him a little smirk.
Robbie blushed heavily. He was going to have to greet the rest of his family in a soggy diaper. It was the most embarrassing situation he could have imagined on top of this being his first time he brought a boy home for the holidays (or anyone for that matter).