Published: February 27th 2022, 9:06:20 am
Pt. 1+2 Pt. 3 Pt. 4 Pt. 5 Pt. 6 Pt. 7 Pt. 8 Pt. 9 Pt. 10 Pt. 11 Pt. 12 Pt. 13 Pt. 14 Pt. 15 Pt. 16 Pt. 17 Pt. 18 Pt. 19 Pt. 20 Pt. 21 Pt. 22 Pt. 23
"W-we can explain!" said Maffy, trying to hide his soggy bobbing butt deeper in the bathwater. Daddy just shook his head and looked over to his big green brothers.
"No need. You see brothers? Our otter brotherlings are "taking care" of the little one just fine. You were right, they're perfect nursery attendants - in fact, it seems like they're right at home here!"
The other two gave a hearty laugh, while my two otter attendants squirmed in embarrassment.
"Maybe we should keep them in diapers too," mused the burly Berenger. "It seems to suit them."
"Goodness, what an idea, brother," said Lissenger. "I don't know if we can handle three big babies, though. They'd need attendants, and then their attendants would need attendants when they became babies, and pretty soon, we'd all be big babies!"
"What do you think, young ones? Would you like to be diapered all the time like our pet here?"
The two otters shook their heads, looking incredibly embarrassed. Maffy kept covering his face with his paws while Laffy was still fighting with his buoyant diaper and failing miserably. Finally he just covered up his crotch as it stubbornly surfaced once more for all to see.
"And why not?" asked Daddy, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow.
"S-sir, please. We've worked long and hard to earn your respect, and we want to prove that we can one day be worthy of induction."
"You want to earn our respect?" asked Daddy, his smile growing.
The other two were no longer laughing but instead looking very seriously down at us, arms crossed. I didn't know if that was a good or a bad thing. Daddy continued.
"You have been exemplary servants, that much is true. But it appears to me that you make very cute babies as well." He laughed a bit as he said this, and the otters hung their heads in shame. I could see Laffy beginning to cry.
"Do not cry, young one. Why are you so sad?" asked Daddy, crouching down.
"I s-suppose Master wishes to d-d-dismiss us now, sir?"
"Do you think I should?" asked Daddy, looking between the two of them.
"M-m-maybe we deserve worse than that," said Maffy. "M-master may wish to... p-p-p... p-p-p... punish us!" He seemed to have difficulty even saying the word punish, though he managed to spit it out with a miserable squeak that needed no translation.
"Or perhaps..." said Daddy, rubbing his chin. "Perhaps I should commend you."
The two otters looked up at him, shocked.
"After all, you have been dependable and loyal servants thus far, so I have to assume that you were doing this to better serve us. In fact... now that I think about it, that seems the most likely explanation, isn't that right brothers?"
Laffy and Maffy weren't the only ones who were captivated by Daddy's every word as he spoke. I too followed his gaze and saw, to my shock, that the other two Beringas brothers were smiling and nodding in agreement.
"There are no potties in the nursery," postulated the gruff Beringer. "Wearing diapers would allow a strategic advantage as these two could attend to Spot without interruption."
"Not to mention, they are quite adorable this way," said the skunk-like Lissenger, with a wide grin. "Spot is cute. I am pleased to see, now, three times the cuteness before me."
"Yes," said Daddy, nodding sagely, "and I'm sure this special attire will make my pet feel more at ease, won't it, my pet?"
It was my turn to nod in agreement. Not wanting to see my only friends leave so soon, I quickly vouched for them. "Yes, Daddy, they have made me feel at ease. I swear it!"
"And do they make you happy?" asked Daddy.
"Yes! I would be so lonely without them. I don't want them to go!"
"Well, you heard that, brothers," said Daddy, shrugging. "I suppose I have no choice but to give them each commendations..."
I heard a squeak off to my right and looked over to see Laffy covering his mouth. Maffy and Laffy were both wearing expressions of shock.
"...for being such good role models and such dedicated caretakers. They have proven their devotion to serving our clan's needs - whatever they are. Would you say, brothers?"
"Yes!"
"That's right!"
Came the response from the two elder Beringas brothers.
"Then it's decided. From now on, the two of you will consider diapers as your uniform whenever you are in this nursery - but only in the nursery. You can decide for yourselves when you should wear diapers outside. Any objections?"
The two otters shook their heads rapidly.
"N-n-no, Master!" they finally managed to squeak out, after finding their voices.
"Good. If I catch you in here without a diaper on, there will be consequences."
"What about me?" I asked. "Can I take my diapers off when I leave too?"
"Nice try, little one," said Daddy, with a witting smile, "but we all know that you need diapers."
The amused oversized marten turned back to my two caretakers.
"Come forward," said Daddy to the two otters. They obeyed without hesitation, climbing up out of the bathtub to stand, dripping, before Daddy and his two brothers. Their rudders were wagging like happy puppies and they raised their heads, ears back, as Daddy touched each of them in the forehead. I saw a brief flash and he pulled his paws back, leaving a white spot about where the Father had left mine.
"I give you your first commendation," said Daddy.
Beringas and Lissenger stepped forward then, Beringas leaving a mark below Maffy's right eye and Lissenger leaving one below Laffy's left.
"We second," the elder brothers said.
"I pledge to help guide Maffy in his path to brotherhood," Beringer said.
"I pledge to help guide Laffy in his path to brotherhood," said Lissenger.
"Feel honored," said Daddy to the two otters who looked like they were about to cry for a whole new reason. "They have each chosen one of you because they see something of themselves in you, brotherlings, but this is only the first step. And given your, ahem, unusual choice of attire..." he added, with a grin. "It remains to be seen if you will join the clan through induction or adoption."
"The father will be notified of this decision right away," said Beringer, turning toward the door and nodding to the skunk. "Lissinger?"
"Oh, must I leave so soon?" asked Lissinger, throwing back his head and rolling his eyes. "I wanted to help change their diapers!"
"Lissinger..." Berenger growled in a warning tone.
"Oh, alright, alright."
Daddy watched them leave before turning back to us and smiling. By this time, I too was headed toward the edge of the pool to climb out. Daddy spoke, his eyes wide with happiness and excitement.
"They had only come to see how things were going here after I told them what a wonderful job you two were doing. I never expected to..." He paused and collected himself.
"Thank you both... for not disappointing me. Now, get yourselves and our little one rinsed clean and hop on the changing table. Daddy is going to diaper you all himself."
I pushed away from the bath's edge, shielding myself from the splash of two very happily wagging otters jumping back in the tub.