Of Dorms and Diapers (Private)

[jmg1217]

Kyle chuckled and wondered if max would notice that despite his new rule Kyle still wore shoes. He shrugged “no little buddy I’m just a 12” he reached down and pulled off the other sock handing it to Max “can you drop these in the hall way for me buddy boy”

[Lavellan]

Max nodded, tucking his socks into his shoes and hopping down from the bed. It was only as he was setting his shoes in the hall, neatly of course, that he turned to look at Kyle who didn't seem to be kicking his shoes off. "What about yours, Mr. Size 12? It's your rule." He pointed to his own shoes. "Mine are here. So yours go here too." 

[jmg1217]

Kyle gave the boy an impish grin “different rules little guy, I’m the one doing the cleaning  besides that rule only applies to boys who are under 12 or smaller than a  size 7 they tend to be the magic mess makers” he waited to see if Max would push

[Lavellan]

Max's jaw dropped. "But that's not fair!" He complained. "You may be cleaning but your shoes are bigger than mine so you'd bring in the most dirt! And I don't go running through mud puddles daily, you know." His volume grew loud as he protested. And as he finished he crossed his arms and glared defiantly at Kyle. "That's stupid."

[jmg1217]

Kyle shrugged he ruffled Max’s hair then slide his hand down to cup the boys chin “rules are rules pipsqueak and remember you agreed that I’m the head or the decider now shall we move on or do you want to pout first. Sometimes little boys just need time to cry, I totally get that”

[Lavellan]

"I'm older than you." Max weakly argued to at least save some of his dignity. But, he comforted himself, they were just shoes. In the hall, in the room, on his feet, what did it matter? Was he really going to pitch a fit over where they went? And who knows, maybe he was being saved from Kyle's bad foot odor or something...either way, he wasn't going to feed into Kyle's delusion that he was a child. 

"What's your next rule?" He asked instead. 

[jmg1217]

Kyle smiled. “That’s a good boy” he said “okay rule number 2 and please understand this is only for your safety, I don’t want you leaving the room without me or my express permission” before Max could get worked up Kyle added have you seen the size of those guys out there, I just don’t know if they can be trusted around. Little boy like you and I need to keep you safe so if you want to go somewhere ask if I say no you obey”

[Lavellan]

The praise was a demeaning, in Max's opinion. But he'd only further Kyle's childish opinion of him if he fought two simple words. 

And while he felt that Kyle could have put it a better way, he had a point. If even half the guys out there looked even half as intimidating as Kyle, Max was minced meat. "Fine. You can be my body guard outside this dorm. But I don't want to be a prisoner. I have places to be other than classes, you know." It was a weak negotiation. And if Max really felt Kyle was being stubborn, he could just leave. After all, what would Kyle do? Chase him down?

[jmg1217]

Kyle nodded “you can always ask permission buddy and I’ll accommodate you however I can just remember I do t say no without a reason. My job is to decide what’s best for us, your job is to accept those decisions” he smiled “here the thing buddy at least for now that rule applies to the bathroom too so let me know when you have to go and I’ll ummm take you” 

[Lavellan]

"Oh come on." Max whined. "It's not even out of this building. Surely I can just run out and run back." 

He hid his face in his hands out of embarrassment, not able to look the hulking man in the eye when he basically asked to escort him anytime he needed to take a piss. "You can wait in front of our dorm room door even. But walking me there?!"

[jmg1217]

Kyle bent down and stroked the boys hair “hey now, sweetheart, how am I supposed  to keep you safe if I can’t see who else is in the bathroom with you” 

[Lavellan]

"But that's so embarrassing." Max complained. But even he knew it was a weak defense. After all, bullies could be ruthless. And, he was sure, when it actually came down to it, he could persuade Kyle to at least stand outside the bathroom...

"Is that all the rules?" 

[jmg1217]

Kyle chuckled “honey that’s 2 rules, I think we might need more than 2 rules don’t you” he stood “can you tell me about your schedule at home, like what’s your usual bedtime”

[Lavellan]

Max sighed as he walked around Kyle towards his bed and sat down oce more. It was only two rules. And yet it felt like so much already. "I usually go to bed around 1am after playing video games. School never started til 8:30. I'd wake up at 8, get dressed, and walk a few blocks to the campus. Come home, do homework, eat dinner, and repeat..." 

[jmg1217]

Kyle crooked an eye at the little boy and held out his hand “could I have your phone please”

[Lavellan]

Hesitantly, Max pulled his phone from his pocket, but held it close to his chest. He gazed up at Kyle with slight suspicion. "...why?" He asked. Not that he had anything to hide, but he didn't quite know what Kyle was intending. And that bothered him. 

[jmg1217]

Kyle shook his hand “sweetheart I. Guessing you know I can take it if I have to so please just be a good boy and hand it to me”

[Lavellan]

Max's eyes widened. The entire conversation, Kyle hadn't once mentioned using his size against Max. But Max knew he could if he wanted to. Soft words or no, it was a promise as much as a threat...But he wasn't wanting to try him today. Slowly, he dropped his phone in Kyle's hand. 

[jmg1217]

Kyle smiled “that’s a good boy, thank you buddy now what’s your code little guy”

[Lavellan]

"Uh- It's..." Max stuttered. "12340..." 

A simple code, but Max found himself forgetting otherwise. "But why do you want my phone?" He shifted then, sitting up on his knees on the bed to have a bit more height. But even then he couldn't see what Kyle was doing. 

[jmg1217]

Kyle nodded “thanks buddy” he scrolled threw the phone until he found what he was looking for, before hitting call he paused “ah buddy, I forgot to ask, what your last name?”

[Lavellan]

Max looked up at Kyle with worry. He didn't like not knowing what was happening. And Kyle not telling him things... "It's Hayes. But Kyle-" He leaned forward, holding onto Kyle's shirt to not fall off the bed. "What are you doing?" He asked again. 

[jmg1217]

Kyle nodded “sit on your bottom please buddy” he hit dial  and waited for an answer. He smiled as a voice on the other end picked up “um hi Mrs. Hayes hi this is Kyle I’m rooming with your little boy haha well I guess he’s my little boy now anyway yah, I’m Max’s roommate and I just wanted to let you know I’m taking care of your boy but I was hoping you might give me some insight into How you ran things at home like rules and other things” he smiled as Max’s mom picked up the conversation 

[Lavellan]

"Hello?" A kind sounding woman answers the phone. "Oh?" She responded as Kyle introduced himself. She couldn't help but coo as Kyle said he'd be taking care of Max. "That's very sweet of you to do, Kyle. He's very small. Easily overlooked, you know. He could do well with a friend willing to take care of him." 

Meanwhile, Max's jaw dropped. "You called my mom?!" He whispered urgently. 

"I'd recommend making sure he eats enough. Poor thing is very picky and will forget meals unless you bring them to him." She lectures. "And if you can manage, no phone time after dinner or he'll never sleep!" 

[jmg1217]

Kyle nodded “of course, I think I can take care of that. What was Max’s schedule like at home did he have a bedtime on school nights?”