Luke

I quickly sneak inside after waving buhbye to Delilah, making sure my dad doesn't wake up from his uncomfortable looking sleep ion the couch. I quickly grab the burning cigarette from his hand and put it out in the ash tray before the heat crawls up and burns his hand.

I smile giddily when I make it up the stairs and to my room, and I jump on my bed, playing over my time with Delilah in my head. I'm so lucky she was a mommy and found me, my dad would've had my ass if I didn't come home till morning and I might've froze to death.

I roll my eyes at myself for checking my phone instantly to see if she's texted yet, surprised when she has. I giggle quietly at the cute message

Delilah: Goodnight little luke.

Luke: Night night!

I reply back, smiling widely. I hope she asks to do something soon. I don't wanna seem clingy so I'm not gonna ask until it's been like a week. But I hope she asks sooner than that because I am clingy.

I remember what she said and get out all my art supplies, doing my best job to make a pretty picture for next time I see her.

***

I woke up the next morning to my dad beating his fist on my door. I quickly pulled the binky out of my mouth and his it under my pillow, pulling off my onesie and pouting on a pair of jeans and a t shirt.

I opened the door and apologized quickly for not answering sooner.

"Fuckin pathetic." He mumbles. "Go- g-go but me a bbb- breakfast. Make breakfast." He drunkenly mutters. I nod and quickly go and make him some bacon and eggs, retreating to my room directly after.

I check my phone to see that Delilah texted me mentioning that she was planning on going to the park and asking if I wanted to come.

Luke: yes please!

Delilah: ok I'll pick you up. See you soon.

Luke: text me when you get here pls. See you!

I run downstairs quickly, hoping my dad has either left or fallen asleep so I don't have to explain myself to him or sneak past him or anything.

Unfortunately, the man sits on the couch watching football, and I try not to groan too loudly from my place on the stairs, which are far enough away he can only see me if he turns around and looks behind him, but if I'm too loud he can definitely hear me.

I run back to my room quietly, deciding I'll go out the back door in the kitchen and hope my dad doesn't see me out the window when I come around front and get in Delilahs car.

I sigh as I sit on my bed and wait for Delilah to text and say she's here. I kick my feet impatiently, trying not to be little, but she's taking much too-

Bing!

Delilah:I'm here, should I come inside?

I don't answer, but run downstairs and put the back.

She smiles when I climb into her front seat.

"Hi." I smile awkwardly.

"Hi little Luke."

"Um, I made you this." I mumble as I hand her the drawing I made. She gasps and smiles widely.

"Aww Luke that's really beautiful. You're a good artist, huh? Thank you so much, babes." I nod, smiling widely, glad she liked it. I try to keep out of my headspace until I ask her my question, which seems increasingly difficult.

"U-Um, when we're at the park, am I al-allowed to be little?"

"Of course, silly." She chuckles as she begins driving. "Why would I take you to the park and not let you be little?" I shrugged, giggling.

"I brought bread so we can feed the ducks." She glances at me, smiling, then back at the road.

"Really? There's gonna be duckies?" I ask excitedly, bouncing in my seat as I start to slip into my little headspace.

"Mhh-hmm." She smiles widely at me excitement.

We arrive at the park quickly after Delilah turns on the music and I sing along softly. I quickly jump out, impatiently waiting for Delilah to grab her backpack before running to the park. She laughs and runs behind me. Luckily there's not a lot of people, as it's a school day and all the little kids are in school.

I immediately sit down on a swing and kick my legs.

"Can you push me?!" I call giddily. She chuckles and raises an eyebrow. "Please." I add, giggling. Delilah nods and comes up behind me, pushing me higher and higher as I hold onto the chains tightly, squealing happily.

"Slides! Wanna do slides!" I yell. She quickly stops me from swinging anymore and I hop off the swing and crawl up the play place. She waits at the bottom for me, tickling me when I reach the bottom. I giggle and squeal and beg her to stop. Finally she does and laughs, letting me up.

"You go down slide too, lili!" I demand. She chuckles and agrees, crawling up the stairs of the playground with me and going down behind me.

"Duckies?" I ask after we play on the playground for another half hour.

"Sure little one." She smiles, ruffling my hair.

"Wait! I gotta go bathroom first." I mumble.

"Me too." She leads me to the bathroom and I go in the boys while Delilah goes in the girls. I finish before her and wait outside, knowing I shouldn't just wonder off.

"Hey freak! What are you doing, acting like a little kid, you weirdo?! Are you waiting for your frickin 'mommy' now? Little boy can't even go to the bathroom by himself! Fuckin pathetic! Keep your weird ass kinks to yourself!" He aggressively pushes me against the wall repeatedly as he yells in my face. Tears begin to pool in my eyes and overflow.

"What?! Cry, you baby! Is mommy gonna come save you?!" He pushes me on the ground, walking away with a scoff. I get up and run to delilahs car, getting in and sobbing into my hands in the passenger seat.

Delilah

I come out of the bathroom and glance around for Luke.

"Luke?" I call into the men's bathroom, frowning when I don't get an answer. I begin to panic as I search the playground. I go to the car, relieved to see him sitting inside, but worried when I hear his sobs. I get in the drivers side and gently lay a hand on his shoulder.

"Luke, what happened, love?" He doesn't answer but just sobs, shaking his head. My heart breaks seeing him like this, so I try to get an answer as to what upset him so much, but after five minutes, I give up. "Okay babe, we're gonna go to my apartment, ok?"

He nods and I gently lean over him to buckle him in. I keep a hand on his thigh, rubbing comfortingly but not in any way that could make him uncomfortable, keeping my hand closer to his knee.

I whisper comforts until we got to my house, and Luke continues to sob.

"Shh, cmon, love." I mumble as I get out of the car, coming to his side and unbuckling him. He pushes me away as I try to comfort him, and quickly follows me inside. He plops down on the couch and continues sobbing.

"Luke, love, are you gonna tell me what's wrong?" I ask gently as I squat in front of him. He shakes his head, glancing into my eyes with his bright blue ones, the red around his eyes bringing out the color.

I sigh and sit next to him, gently pulling him into me. He wraps his arms around my waist and sobs into my chest. I lay back and let him lay on top of me, sobbing into my sweater.

"My poor boy, what happened at the park to make you so upset?" I mumble to myself as he harshly and loudly cries into my chest.

I play with his hair gently, hoping he'll exhaust himself and fall asleep soon.

Eventually he stops sobbing and his cries turn into sniffles.

"Baby Boy? Do you wanna take a nap?" He nods gently.

"Do you want some different clothes?" Again, he nods. I get him some sweat pants from the guest room, that used to belong to my brother. I bring them to Luke and he takes them into the bathroom to change.

When he comes out, he sits on the couch again, rubbing his eyes. I grab the blanket from off the couch and lay down again. "Come here, baby boy." He nods and lays down how he was before again, and as I play with his hair and keep him warm with the blanket, he slowly falls asleep.