Page 55 of Courting Danger

“Talk about changing the face of a sport,” Danger remarked, “or creating a new one. That’s what’s great about ideas. You never know how they are going to turn out until you fuck around and see what happens.”

“Wasn’t that what Pope’s grandpa said about pouring moonshine in the gas tank of Flaming Betty one night when he ran out of fuel?” Roan asked.

“Sure did,” Danger replied.

“I loved that he explained why it won’t work now,” Roan said. “He didn’t care how many questions I asked.”

“You made his day just by being interested,” Pope explained.

“Would you mind if I asked a question?” Danger said, staring down at Roan, hoping the vibe was chill enough that he would feel comfortable answering it.

“Roan is my real name,” he blurted, making all of them chuckle.

“Good to know,” Danger remarked, “but that wasn’t the question.”

“Oh.”

“Hey,” Danger said, stroking his hand up and down Roan’s arm. “It’s not a bad thing. I promise.”

“O-okay,” Roan said, struggling with where to look.

“Do you know what a little is?” Danger asked.

Roan froze; Pope could see it in the way his shoulders went rigid, and his gaze immediately dropped when he nodded.

“Are you one?” Danger asked.

Roan bit his lower lip when he nodded again.

Danger brushed his hair back from his cheek and gently caressed it. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of sweetheart. The only reason I asked is because I’ve picked up on a few things that made me wonder. Knowing just helps me recognize when you’reslipping into that head space so I can watch out for you and make sure your needs are met.”

He blinked, stunned and confused; Pope could tell he hadn’t expected that to be his response. Ocean rolled off Pope’s lap in his haste to reach him, with Pope following close behind so they could hug him and reassure him it was perfectly fine.

“I-I was scared to tell you,” Roan admitted. “Ocean figured it out and I made him promise not to tell anyone.”

“Why?” Danger asked.

“J-just… I want to be a joker,” Roan explained. “And I know there are other Jokers who are littles too, but they all have caretakers.”

“And you didn’t, which is why you were trying so hard to find one,” Pope said, running his fingers through Roan’s hair. “It’s okay. You have two now.”

“Three,” Ocean declared, a low growling rumble in his voice that reminded them all of the pup he was and how protective he’d been in the dungeon space with Kermit.

“S-so it’s okay,” Roan stammered. “You won’t mind if sometimes I just want to play or curl up and be held?”

“Sweet boy, it’s more than okay,” Pope said.

“We can create a play space for you in the office,” Danger said, “not that we’ll be in it as much as we were while I was sorting out shit with Jester’s Delight.”

“You mean I can still work with you?” Roan asked.

“Of course you can,” Danger said. “You’ve been doing an awesome job. I wouldn’t dream of taking your job away from you. But I will insist upon you telling me when you’re not in the right headspace for me to send you off to collect paperwork or work on organizing things.”

“B-but if I tell you, will I have to go back to my cabin, so I won’t be in the way?”

“No,” Danger said, still caressing his cheek. “You’ll still get to stay with me. That’s why we’re going to create a play area, so you’ll have everything you need readily available, including snacks, which we will be stocking the fridge with.”

Ocean was perched on the arm of the couch, usually a big no-no, but tonight, Pope said nothing as Ocean leaned in so he could hug Roan.