Date: Sat, 06 May 2023 03:58:51 +0000 From: anonofsecrets Subject: The Dog Days Are Over WARNING: This work is fiction. Do not attempt what is described here. Please support Nifty because they give us a place to be heard. Preface: This is my first(ish) attempt at publishing a story on here. This is the beginning of a series I hope to keep writing. The pace will be slow, but I believe that makes the reward a the sweeter. All criticism is welcome, please reach out to me at: Anonofsecrets@protonmail.com ________________________________________ He is hunched over, legs crossed, staring at the TV, controller in his hand, laser focus. he wants it more than anything in the world. Vibrant flashes dye his normally fair hair brilliant shades of blues and reds only barely lighting the couch around me. The screen goes red then black. Red letters across the screen read "Game over". He turns to me sitting behind him, a smile blossoms, he's missing a tooth, but that will never change the beauty I see. "Can I try again?". I look to the dull red glow of the digital clock barely visible in the TV glow. 9:45 pm it says. I've given him enough allowance as it stands. I wait a minute to think of excuses I could give my sister. None of them are good. I sigh, put hand on my knee to brace myself to stand up. He can read me already, I see it on his face. He pouts and looks up to me. "Please?" He draws it out as if that would be more convincing. "No, sorry, but it's really late" I try to sound stern and fatherly, though I'm sure I'm not convincing either. He hangs his head, and mutters something. I flick on the light switch. It's a small room, but for a den it's good enough. I can now see him fully in a black graphic tee featuring some unfamiliar character, and his grey pajama pants. "Come on, turn it off" I make another attempt to sound fatherly, though I won't fool myself and think his obedience is some form of success in that. He leans forwards and turn of the console and TV. He looks over to me again and now a devious look before turning away. He raises his arms straight up in the air. I know what he wants. "Come on you're a big boy, you can get up on your own" "No. I need you to help me" he feigns helplessness in his voice. "Fine" our hands intertwine and I lift him up with very little effort. He stands barely half way up my chest, though that is a lot compared to where he was some years ago. 9 years since I was able to hold him in one arm. "Let's go" he blurts out before dashing away past the cased opening and into the darkness of the hallway. I follow less enthusiastically, and flick the light switch off behind me. By the time I'm in the hallway the light from his room a few doors down is already flooding from the open door. When I get to the door he is already in his bed, sitting up, the blanket covering his legs. His room is very organized, though I doubt my sister would tolerate anything else. The walls are a vibrant orange like the setting sun. His bed is against the wall opposite of the door, to the left and right are shelves and dressers and toy boxes. He raises his arms and reaches out towards me. I know what he wants. I walk over and embrace him. Despite his size he gives off a warmth like I've never felt before. I hold on to him, wanting to never let go, but I do. "Alright, goodnight" "Night" he replies, I turn to leave when I'm stopped by him exclaiming "Wait!" I turn to face him "Momma always gives me a kiss before bed" his smile returns vivid as it was the first time. "Well... Okay" I lean down and kiss him on the forehead. "No here" he places a finger on his bottom lip. Those eyes again. I feel the sting of temptation and guilt. If I do this I will be giving into my deepest fantasies. "It's just a kiss" I tell myself, but I know it's a lot more than that. I have to do it. He wants this more than anything in the world. I surrender to him. I lean down again and our lips meet. The Dog day cicadas sing a song of love.