(it may seem like I'm not listing to your guys' suggestions from the last chapter, but I promise I AM. It's just gonna take a bit of time - stick with me people ððð)
3rd November, 2022 - Los Angeles, California
"But she's not like August, Seb." Vincent murmurs, glancing over at Sebastian who's adjusting the weight stack on the bench press. . "August... he's fully embraced this life. He's not curious about the outside world in the same way that Lux is. She's holding onto pieces of her old self, her old life. It's like she's got one foot in this world and one foot out."
Sebastian nodded thoughtfully, his hands gripping the bench press bar as he prepared for his set. "I know," he said, his voice calm but firm. "She's still holding onto the idea that there's more for her than just this. And honestly? I want her to hold onto that. She should."
Vincent leaned against the wall, crossing his arms as he watched Sebastian begin his reps. They were in the home gym - which was nothing short of extravagant. It was a gleaming testament to the men's wealth and commitment to their own physical and mental health.
There were floor-to-ceiling windows that ran along one wall, providing a panoramic view of the sprawling, pristinely landscaped garden and the sparkling pool beyond. The room was outfitted with top-of-the-line equipment: sleek weight machines, a state-of-the-art treadmill with a built-in touchscreen, and a row of weights organized on a custom rack. A mirrored wall reflected every movement, making the space feel even larger and more open. In one corner, a punching bag hung beside a stack of pristine boxing gloves, while another area housed a Pilates reformer and yoga mats rolled up neatly. The room was immaculately clean, smelling faintly of eucalyptus from the diffusers strategically placed on shelves.
"So what does that mean for us, then?" Vincent asked after a moment. "We've built this life for them - this safe, structured environment where they don't have to worry about anything. But with Lux... she's going to want more. School. A career. Independence. How do we give her that while still being the daddies she needs?"
Sebastian finished his set, setting the bar back with a controlled exhale before sitting up and wiping his face with a towel. "We adapt," he said simply. "We meet her where she's at. Lux doesn't have to fit into a box, Vin. We can give her the care, the comfort of being little when she needs it, but we can also give her the tools to succeed in the real world. She deserves that. Hell, she deserves everything."
Vincent nodded slowly, doing a few simple stretches before he stepped onto the treadmill. "I just don't want her to feel like she has to choose, you know? he murmured. "Between being our little girl and being her own person."
"She doesn't have to," Sebastian assured him. "We'll make sure she knows that. This isn't about taking her life away - it's about giving her the best of both worlds. Stability, love, and safety when she needs it, and freedom and opportunities when she's ready for them."
Vincent sighed, a small, weary smile tugging at his lips as he set the treadmill to a gentle jogging pace. "You make it sound so simple."
Sebastian chuckled, leaning back against the bench. "It's not going to be simple, Vin. None of this is. But you and I? We've faced worse. We can figure this out."
"I mean, where do we even start when it comes to Lux's future?" Vincent asks.
"Well, we can start with a tutor. Someone who can come here, work with her at her own pace, help her catch up on anything she's missed. She's a bright kid, V. She just needs the right guidance."
Vincent nodded slowly, his shoulders relaxing slightly as the idea took shape in his mind. "A tutor could work," he agreed. "And it would give her a sense of normalcy. Something to focus on, to challenge her."
"And once she's ready," Sebastian continued, "we can start looking at other options. Maybe a small private school, something flexible that understands her situation. We don't have to rush it, but we can't ignore it either."
Vincent smiled faintly, his eyes meeting Sebastian's. "You've been thinking about this a lot, haven't you?"
Sebastian shrugged, a small smirk tugging at his lips. "I just want what's best for her."
"What about August though?" Vincent continues. "I mean, he's so so little all the time."
Sebastian expression softened, his towel resting over his shoulders as he considered Vincent's question. "August is... different," he admitted, choosing his words carefully. "He's happy in his little world. And honestly, I don't think he's looking for more. With him, it's about making sure he feels safe, loved, and cared for. That's his happiness, his fulfillment."
Vincent slowed his jogging pace, his face contemplative. "So what does that mean for his future? Do we just... let him stay like this forever?"
Sebastian leaned forward on the bench, resting his forearms on his knees as he spoke. "I think with August, it's less about planning for a future like we are for Lux and more about maintaining the life he has now. He's found his happiness here, Vin. We're not forcing this on himâthis is him."
Vincent frowned slightly, "But he'll change his mind one day, right? It's not sustainable to say that he'll want to be our little boy forever."
Sebastian sighed, tilting his head back and staring at the high ceiling of the gym. "Maybe he will, maybe he won't," he said thoughtfully. "But that's the thing about this lifestyle, Vin. It's about choice. August is content, maybe even thriving, in his little world. He's not showing any signs of wanting something different right now. But if that changes, we'll support him too."
He paused before continuing.
"I know that he hasn't been in proper education since he was 14 but it's not like we don't have the money to fund his life he decides to 'grow up'. He won't need an education to thrive in life."
Vincent nodded, his expression thoughtful as he slowed the treadmill to a stop, stepping off and grabbing a water bottle from a nearby shelf. "It's true. We've got the resources to make sure both of them have whatever they need, no matter what they decide. But it's just... hard, you know? Balancing what we think is best with what they wantâor what they'll want down the line."
Sebastian offered a reassuring smile, rising from the bench and rolling his shoulders. "It's hard, yeah. But I think the key is to stop thinking about it as our plan for them and start thinking about it as their plan with our support. For Lux, it's about guiding her toward a life she's excited about, while giving her the care and safety she needs. For August, it's about keeping him safe in the world he's happy in. It's not a one-size-fits-all situation, and it never will be."
Vincent took a deep swig of his water, nodding slowly as he digested Sebastian's words. He hadn't expected to be having this talk so soon but he knew it was necessary.
"I guess I'm just scared of screwing it up," Vincent admitted.
Sebastian stepped closer, placing a firm hand on Vincent's shoulder. "You won't screw it up," he said firmly. "We won't screw it up. Look at what we've already done for them, Vin. They're safe. They're loved. And they know it. Everything else? We'll figure it out as we go."
Vincent exhaled deeply, some of the tension in his body releasing as he gave Sebastian a small smile. "Alright," he said quietly. "But let's start with the tutor for Lux. I think it's a good first step."
Sebastian nodded. "Agreed. I'll make some calls this week, find someone qualified and discreet. Someone who gets her situation but doesn't treat her like she's 'stupid'. She's not."
Vincent smiled, nodding in agreement. "Agreed. She deserves to feel like her future is hers."
The two men stood in companionable silence for a moment, the low hum of the gym's air conditioning filling the space as they each turned their thoughts toward their littles. They knew there were challenges ahead but they also had a quiet determination to do whatever it takes to ensure both Lux and August had the best lives possible.
As the silence stretched, Vincent's lips curved into a small smirk. "You know," he said, teasing lightly, "you might have just signed us up for a few years of math homework help."
"Oh please" Sebastian chuckled. "It's 10th grade math, V. How hard could it get."
Vincent chuckled, his worries momentarily pushed aside as he clinked his water bottle lightly against Sebastian's. "To the tutor," he said wryly. "May they have the patience of a saint."
"Mmm" Sebastian hummed in agreement.
The mood between them lightened, the conversation shifting to practicalities - schedules, balancing their business responsibilities with their time at home, and even the idea of introducing Lux to extracurriculars once she was ready. Piano lessons, art classes, maybe even horseback riding - they wanted to offer her every opportunity to explore and grow.
They finally wrapped up their workout and headed upstairs into their ensuite bathroom for a shower.
Vincent closed the door behind them, his hand lingering on the knob for a moment before he turned toward Sebastian with a soft smile.
Sebastian reached for the hem of his tank top, tugging it off in one fluid motion and tossing it into the small laundry hamper tucked discreetly in the corner. His well-toned physique was due to his dedication to their gym routines, his skin glistening faintly from the sweat of their workout. "God, I needed that," he murmured, running a hand through his damp hair.
"You and me both" Vincent murmured, pulling off his T-shirt, revealing a body that was leaner but no less defined. "Nothing clears the mind like a good workout."
Sebastian grinned, reaching out to tug playfully at Vincent's waistband. "You're telling me. But I think we deserve a good rinse now, don't you?" His voice was teasing, his fingers already working to pull down Vincent's pants.
Vincent smirked, his hands moving to unfasten Sebastian's gym shorts in response. "You always have a way of making everything sound better," he quipped, letting the fabric fall to the floor before stepping out of it. They moved in sync, a comfortable intimacy between them as they stripped down, their movements unhurried but efficient. Socks and undergarments were shed next, joining the pile of clothing in the hamper.
Completely bare now, Sebastian reached over to turn on the shower, adjusting the temperature until steam began to rise against the glass enclosure. The gentle hum of water filled the room as he held out a hand to Vincent, who took it with an affectionate squeeze.
Hot water poured over them, steaming up every surface in the bathroom. The men stood under the shower head, their bodies finally relaxed and at ease after the intensity of their workout.
Sebastian grabbed the bottle of body wash from the built-in shelf, the scent of cedarwood and bergamot filling the humid air as he poured some into his palm. "Turn around," he said softly, his voice almost drowned out by the water. Vincent did just that, facing the glass wall as Sebastian began to lather the soap over his back, his strong hands kneading gently into the tense muscles he found there.
Vincent hummed in appreciation, his eyes closing as he leaned slightly into Sebastian's touch. "You're good at this," he murmured.
"Years of practice," Sebastian teased, his voice warm as he worked his way down Vincent's arms, then his shoulders. When he finished, he handed Vincent the bottle, and the roles were reversed, Vincent taking his time as he worked the lather over Sebastian's chest and down his sides. His touch was gentle but firm, and there was a quiet intimacy in the way they moved around each other, no words necessary.
"Mmmm" Sebastian hums. "Feels good."
He leaned his head back, letting the water run over his face, his expression softened, almost peaceful. Vincent moved closer, his hands gently massaging the lather into Sebastian's skin, his fingers gliding over the smooth surface of his muscles.
The intimacy between them was not just physical - it was because of the understanding and support they'd given each other. They had both invested so much into this life they had built, not just for themselves, but for Lux and August as well.
Sebastian ran a soapy band through his hair as his thoughts drifted back to Lux for the millionth time. She had been so resilient, so determined to hold onto who she was even after everything that had happened.
For Lux, it was all about balance. The balance between being little when she needs to and having a somewhat normal life which can provide her with the future she needs.
She was smart, capable, and perhaps most importantly, she was still a teenager - no matter how old they treated her to be. She was still figuring out what she wanted, who she wanted to be.
With August, it was simplerâat least on the surface. His regression was total; there was no real desire to go back to the life he had before. He had adapted to his new reality, finding peace in the routine, the structure, and the care they gave him. But Sebastian couldn't shake the nagging feeling that one day, August might begin to yearn for more. Or maybe not. Maybe August was meant to live in this new world forever. But what would that mean for him in the long run?
When they finally stepped out of the shower, the steam still lingered in the room, clinging to their skin. Vincent grabbed two fluffy towels, wrapping one around his waist and handing the other to Sebastian. They moved out of the bathroom and into their bedroom, each beginning the process of drying off and preparing for the evening ahead.
Whatever the future held, they would face it together.
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This doesn't mean Lux won't ever be little or in a younger headspace (I promise there will be times when she is little) - I'm just trying to keep this story a little more realistic and sustainable for long term :)