regression Back to Basics (Chapter 11 Posted 4/7/2026)

[Panther Cub]

Hello, readers! I am super-DUPER excited to bring to you the latest chapter! Tristan's story has become one that is just so close to my heart! GAH! I love the little grumpy winged little guy so much! I really hope that you like the latest chapter here! Please let me know what you think!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Basics (Chapter 8  )

 

 

 

by

 

 

 

Panther Cub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"... and we went back the next day. It turns out that a tree had fallen over and punched a hole through the roof. So I've been staying with Mia and Sally. I... uh... actually have been needing a little extra... help, and they've been really nice to not only let me stay with them, but also to give me that extra h-help."

 

 

 

Tristan looked around at the adults-turned babies, several nodding with looks of understanding and sympathy. After Bill had introduced him and then offered Tristan the opportunity to tell his story, the winged kitten had felt nervous. He'd never actually put into words what all had happened, as he realized before opening his mouth. But then, with only the briefest of hesitation, it all came spilling out. Why he'd gotten the serum, the surprise regression, fighting to keep his job, trying desperately to be taken seriously, having to deal with Child Protective Services, meeting Mia, to coming to live with her and her wife. And as he spoke, it felt as though a weight had been lifted off his chest.

 

 

 

"Sometimes... I get scared, though. That I might be enjoying all the attention and... care, a bit too much. I mean, I know physically, I'm a baby. But I'm still my adult self up here," he tapped his head, "so I want to be taken seriously, and maintain my autonomy. I guess I'm scared that if I just... enjoy being babied too much, I'll become one in mind as well as in body. Uh... thanks for listening..."

 

 

 

Tristan jumped a little as everyone politely clapped.

 

 

 

"Thank you for sharing, Tristan," Bill said with a warm smile. "And that is a very common concern for regressees like us. But I want you to know that there is nothing wrong with the way you feel. I know that it can be hard to accept, but it's true. It's not easy, no siree. It's definitely something I would recommend having a frank and open discussion with Mia and Sally about. I think that you'll find that letting go and letting yourself be vulnerable around those that care about you can be an emotionally fulfilling experience."

 

 

 

Tristan seemed to mull the words over in his head as he thought this over. Bill looked around the room.

 

 

 

"Would anyone like to go next?"

 

 

 

Tristan let out an OOF as he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulders pushing him down. Looking a little to his left, he saw that Terra was standing on the top of her chair, leaning over onto his shoulders for stability, her little paw waving in the air as she grunted.

 

 

 

"Okay, I think Terra wants to go!" Bill chuckled as the bunny girl cheered and hopped back down into her seat.

 

 

 

"You all know me, Terra Burrower! Three time recipient of the Realtor of the Year Award, and fairy princess extraordinaire! I had been hitting a bit of a slump, both in sales and in my marriage. So when the serum came out, I was just so darn excited! A youthful and pretty face always helps in sales, and I thought I could surprise my dear Thomas with a 'younger woman'... not that he actually noticed. Always going out on business trips." Terra began to play with the hem of her tutu.

 

 

 

"So it had been a good month of being back in my twenties, and I was showing off a particularly frustrating house to sell. It was a nice property, just a bit on the cozy side, if you catch my drift. Anyways, I was showing it off to this sweet expecting couple when I started to... regress past my selected age of twenty-two. I remember trying not to lose my composure as my blazer and blouse started to feel a bit loose on my person. Heh... I actually remember chalking it up to a new diet and exercise routine I'd started, wanting to keep my body as young looking and healthy as possible. I led them all the way to the kitchen before I fell over in a pile of my clothes."

 

 

 

Terra's thumb snuck its way into her muzzle and she began to suck on it, visibly becoming more calm compared to her previous bouncing self.

 

 

 

"Mr. and Mrs. Cooper were both very helpful and not only called an ambulance, but even left a message both at my office and at my home. I remember feeling pretty surprised that Tom, my husband, hadn't picked up, as he was usually home around that time. But then I kinda... wet my expensive blouse and started crying. Mrs. Cooper had her husband run out to the car to get some of the supplies they had gotten and, well, she cleaned me up... and then put me in a diaper..." Terra crossed her arms and huffed.

 

 

 

"I had half a mind to tell her off right then and there, but she then picked me up and rocked me while humming a lullaby and, well, I guess I musta needed a little bit of a power nap. 'Cause next thing I know, Miles is there, and I'm in his arms, still wearing nothing but a diaper!" Terra let out a growl at that.

 

 

 

"Miles... my most hated rival! He had the gall to be a newbie as a real estate agent and show me up twice! Both with listings that sold for more than ones I had sold at the time! GAH! He thought he could try and come after MY award? Nu-uh! And he was always so underpawed about it! Every day at the office he would have that friendly smile on his muzzle and ask me how things were going, acting like he was genuinely curious! But I knew that he was a cunning hunter putting on a facade! Trying to get in my head and psych me out!"

 

 

 

- - -

 

 

 

Out in the parent group, Miles was showing off some more pictures of Terra and Caroline, these ones clearly taken at a playground.

 

 

 

"I always thought she was pretty cute, even before she regressed. Back when I started at the firm, I always got the feeling that she couldn't wait to see me each day. She was always staring straight at my desk first thing when she'd enter. And she always made a point of saying hi to me first. There wasn't anything romantic about it, considering how much her husband Tom meant to her. Still, I just got the impression that she could really use a friend, so I always went out of my way to try and be a friend for her. So when I played the message left at the office, I rushed right on down."

 

 

 

 

- - -

 

 

 

 

"After I woke up in his arms, I went right back into Real Estate Mode, and sold the house right then and there to the Coopers! HA!" Terra then started to blush and turned to look away.

 

 

 

"Of course, with that done and the ink dried on the papers, that still left me to deal with the fact that I was a baby again... and only wearing a diaper. Miles... I didn't know he had any experience with children or that he even had a carseat set up in his minivan. He offered to give me a ride home and even checked a diaperbag he'd forgotten was in the back seat for something for me to wear. All he found was a pink t-shirt that only covered my diaper a little. So yeah, that was a humiliating drive over to my home. I had to put up with him chatting me up and checking on me in the rearview mirror all the way there. He'd even offered me some toys to play with in case I was bored! Can you believe the nerve of him?!"

 

 

 

Terra was standing on her seat now and stomped her foot in frustration.

 

 

 

"So, anyway, I tried calling Tommy a few more times, and it just kept going to voicemail, so I figured he'd let his phone battery die or something. We pulled up, and despite me saying I can walk just fine, Miles carried me up in his big strong arms! He even checked my diaper to see if I needed a change! Ugh! So, yeah, we got to the front door and as Miles rang the bell, I started to notice that there were a few boxes sitting out on the lawn next to a You-Move-It truck. There were also some pieces of furniture, stuff I remembered picking out for us over the years, like my vanity, and one of the boxes was open to reveal some of my clothes tucked away inside. I thought this was strange, but when Tom opened the door, shirtless and with his fur all mussed up, and next to him was a... another bunny gal... someone who looked half my... half my as of then previous age."

 

 

 

Terra wiped at her eyes and looked down. Tristan felt a pang of sympathy for the little bunny... before he felt a sudden weight on his lap that caused him to let out and OOMPH! He looked down to see Caroline leaning over him to pull Terra into a hug.

 

 

 

"So it was quite the surprising shouting match right there out on the lawn. Tom had been wanting to get all my things packed up onto the truck when he and his new fiance decided to... have a little fun. Then I show up as a baby, screaming and trying to claw his face. Miles looked really shocked about it all, which was when the bimbo let out an ear-piercing SQUEA and snatched me from his arms."

 

 

 

Terra looked like she had just bit into a lemon.

 

 

 

"She honestly suggested that this was the best possible outcome. This way, I wouldn't have to move, and she and Tommy could get started on that family he'd promised her they'd start having. She then held me up and asked me what I thought about her becoming my new Mommy..."

 

 

 

Tristan's jaw was hanging open at the thought of someone being that dense.

 

 

 

 

- - -

 

 

 

 

"Not only does she have a set of lungs on her for a toddler, but apparently a mean right hook!" Miles exclaimed to the stunned Mia and Sally. Neither one could believe someone could possibly be that dense. "I actually had to catch Terra because the lady dropped her as her eyes rolled back in her head!"

 

 

 

Miles then frowned.

 

 

 

 

"That's when her husband started yelling at her. I mean, intellectually, I know she's an adult in a baby body, but at that moment, seeing this dirtbag actually scream at her, making Terra start to curl up in my arms in fear... I'm not proud of what I did, but no one treats either of my little girls like that."

 

 

 

 

- - -

 

 

 

 

"Miles loomed over Tom, who immediately shut up. I guess he must've thought I was scared by that jackass yelling at me about the prenup I signed and how I was no longer the girl he married, and now I'm a pants-filling baby... Terra was smiling a little now, still being embraced by Caroline who was still practically laying on top of Tristan to do so. "And he very calmly and quietly told Tom to shut it and to expect to hear from my lawyer. Tom actually tripped over his new floozy running back inside!"

 

 

 

Terra resumed frowning and let out a sigh.

 

 

 

"So yeah, here I was, tiny and in need of a lot of help, now effectively homeless, sitting in Miles' arms in his car, totally not crying my eyes out as he hugged me and rubbed my back. He then started asking me about any family or friends I could stay with, and unfortunately, I didn't have anyone. So he offered to let me stay with him and his sister Caroline. I... reluctantly agreed, and after a bit of an adjustment period, I decided to take Miles, my former rival and still newbie Real Estate Agent under my wing as my protege. I still work on commission at my firm with him as my assistant, mainly diaper changer, and I've been using my newfound adorableness to help in both sales and haggling."

 

 

 

"Thanks for sharing, Terra," Bill said with a chuckle, starting a clap that the rest of the group followed suit with. "Now would anyone else like to share their own stories before we move on to new business?" The little rhino looked around the room, spotting Meggy handing out bottles and binkies while holding up a hoof-hand in excitement. Chuckling and not seeing anyone else raising a paw, he nodded to the sheep girl.

 

 

 

"Alright, Meggy! It's been awhile since you told your own story!"

 

 

 

"Thank you, Billy," Meggy said, continuing going about the group and seeing to their needs.

 

 

 

"I had just celebrated my ninety-sixth birthday the month prior to my taking the regression serum."

 

 

 

Tristan was startled by that. While curious about the sheep's story, her or anyone here being that old never once crossed his mind.

 

 

 

"I had a lovely birthday party with my oldest granddaughter, Leslie, whom I'm now currently staying with."

 

 

 

 

- - -

 

 

 

 

"Heh, so yeah, I'm now looking after my grandma who's ninety-six going on eleven-ish," Leslie said. Mia had thought that the sheep woman had looked a bit young. She had estimated the girl was somewhere in her mid-twenties. She was currently wearing a black tank-stop that contrasted with her stark white wool, and a pair of short jean shorts. "A bit of a shock for the whole family... and I'll admit, it wasn't the thought that had crossed my mind when my phone started ringing in the middle of the night from my brother, calling about Gam-Gam. But this is far from the first time she's shocked us. Heck, for her birthday she went skydiving... and told us via a video that she filmed just as she was jumping out of the plane!"

 

 

 

Leslie chuckled at that, though Sally caught the wistful smile on the girl's lips.

 

 

 

"She'd always said things had been so... difficult for her growing up, that she wanted to take any and every opportunity while she still had the chance to really live. That's... actually something I've always loved and respected about her. So yeah, even though I'm in college, thankfully I got me a full-ride scholarship; I wanted to be there for her during this... I guess we can call it a new phase of life. It's not always easy, because while she's not as little as the rest of her friends in the group... there are still some things she can't do, at least not yet! Not until she gets a bit bigger."

 

 

 

Mia and Sally shared a knowing look, both being reminded of some difficult conversations that they knew they were going to have to have with a certain little winged kitten. They both looked over to where Amy was entranced by the Growlaga game she was playing right next to them, a stack of tickets next to her almost as big as she was, courtesy of the skii-ball game.

 

 

 

 

- - -

 

 

 

 

"Growing up, my mother was always obsessed with out family's public image, and making sure that I grew up as a prim and proper young lady. Now, as most of the girls in the group here can attest, I do enjoy the occasional tea party and wearing pretty dresses and the like. But you have to understand that it was stifling. A proper young lady does not raise her voice or shriek in excitement. She does not run around jumping in leaves or mud puddles or both. She does not work with her hands unless it's to knit or make a needlepoint or to cook or... well, you get the picture."

 

 

 

Tristan listened and watched how Meggy's ears drooped as she spoke, her demeanor becoming more subdued as she recalled clearly difficult memories.

 

 

 

"All around me, the world was changing, but I felt like I was removed from it, stuck... no, trapped, in a place and time my mother seemed desperate to preserve at all costs. It wasn't until I was sixteen that I had finally had enough. My mother and I had a terrible fight, and we both said some very harsh words. But as much as it stung, I pushed forward, and finally broke free. In the middle of the night, I snuck out with what few belongings I had, and left. It was hard at first... and even downright terrifying, especially sleeping out at night without a tent. But as scared and alone as I felt, I still remember seeing the stars, and I do mean REALLY seeing them, right above me on that moonless night. Goodness, I could've caught pneumonia, but I didn't care... because I was finally free."

 

 

 

Meggy did a twirl causing her cream-colored blouse's hem to raise a little, and Tristan's eyes went a little wide as he saw what was clearly the waistband of a diaper, possibly Pawpers. Having seen it, only now was Tristan able to spot the telltale diaper bulge around Meggy's waist.

 

 

 

"I moved from place to place, apprenticing and learning different skills along the way. One of my favorites was working in an auto garage. The owner, a rather crotchety old warthog, hadn't been too happy about me answering his want-ad, but seeing as he had no other takers, he took me on as an apprentice and taught me how to be a mechanic. There's nothing quite like fixing up an old rust-bucket and hearing that engine purr like a kitten." She reached over with a hoof and began to rub Tristan's headfur, causing him to let out a purr.

 

 

 

"It was when I was working at a butcher shop, however, that I met the man who would become the love of my life, Sven! Mother would never have approved of me dating anyone she hadn't personally vetted, specifically for status, and in no way would she have ever let me near a wolf. Yet there we were, two young fools. I know it sounds cliche, but the moment our eyes met, it was love at first sight. And to think, there I was splattered with blood on my apron, and there was Sven, all dashing even with the large black eye and his fur still smouldering a little... oh dear, I'm so sorry dearies, I seem to have gotten a bit sidetracked!"

 

 

 

Meggy gave a nervous bleat and rubbed the back of her neck while blushing. Bill smiled and waved a dismissing hand.

 

 

 

"Don't worry about it, Meggy. Please continue."

 

 

 

"Right, so anyways, after my most recent birthday, I started thinking about my life and all the wonderful things I've been able to see and do... and I came to a realization that... I still wanted to see and do so much more! But time has a funny way of running out on you, and I knew I didn't exactly have a good portion of it left. Then I heard about the regression serum, saw how it worked on those cute little singing tots, and it got me to thinking. I didn't want to be too greedy, so I figured going back about forty or so years, back into my fifties, would be a reasonable age. Of course, as you all experienced, I had myself a bit of an allergic reaction, and snapped back to being a young girl... with some additional complications."

 

 

 

She blushed and pointed to her waist.

 

 

 

"The doctors believe my lack of... control there is a result of, ironically, not regressing all the way back to babyhood. As it stands, the muscles in charge of controlling things there are... a tad stunted. But... be that as it may, I think that it's a small price to pay to get to be young again!"

 

 

 

Tristan was a little surprised by the sudden enthusiasm.

 

 

 

"For me, this is just one big do-over, just with the knowledge and experiences of my life up until now to go with it! Plus, I've got my loving family, friends, fun new styles to try out, games and the interwebs, and Leslie is even letting me run my own babysitting business, as most of you know." Meggy giggled while a number of regressee's faces blushed. "I've gotten to see so much already, I just can't wait to see what comes next!" She did another twirl and ended with a little bow, prompting the group to clap. Tristan found himself clapping along, amazed at the sheep's positive outlook. He continued to ponder this as the arctic vixen volunteered to go next, taking a moment to smooth out her dress.

 

 

 

"Hello again. Sorry about missing last week's meeting, but you know how it is with photoshoots." She didn't seem to notice the number of blank looks and rolling eyes and continued on. "I'm Veronica Snow, and I've been a professional model for the last twenty years. I won't say what my actual age is, but let's go ahead and agree that it's not in the low single-digits." She chuckled at her own joke, clearly on a roll.

 

 

 

"I've appeared in commercials for some of the finest perfumes, on billboards next to the most exotic and elegant of cars, and modeled all manner of outfits and designs." She frowned as her tail began to tuck itself between her legs.

 

 

 

"Of course, everyone knows that every model, no matter how naturally gorgeous they are, has an expiration date. And, well, I'd reached mine. Job offers began trickling in when they should have been flooding in, shoots started getting delayed and even outright cancelled at the last minute, and in the ones I was able to work, it was always to help introduce some NEW talent, eugh!"

 

 

 

Veronica sighed.

 

 

 

"So yeah, I didn't take much convincing when the serum became available. You can never be too young or too thin... that's what they say. Well, after I had my own allergic reaction... I found out that half of that was a lie. At least when it comes to the jobs I used to do. Now I'm stuck doing... diaper commercials and my photoshoots are for ads for baby products... Still, my manager has been a pretty solid teammate, even letting me stay with her while I apartement-hunt, which is not easy when the rentor finds out that they're talking to a toddler, regressee with money or not. Of course, while I need some assistance, we've been maintaining a working relationship.

 

 

 

 

- - -

 

 

 

 

"And here she is, asleep in the laundry hamper!" The motherly she-wolf in the mom-jeans said with a heavy wag of her fluffy tail. Sally looked at the offered phone screen to see a little arctic vixen asleep in a hamper, only dressed in a diaper. "I've always thought of Veronica like a daughter, and now I get the chance to be an actual mommy to her! I know she still wishes she was big, but I plan on making this new childhood of hers a fun one filled with love and so many cuddles!"

 

 

 

"Well, she certainly seems like a real cutie," Sally smiled, happily exchanging numbers for yet another potential playdate playmate. Mia had been so excited to show how many they'd gotten already. The parent... or rather, caretaker group had been so welcoming to her and her wife that everyone was in a rush to add them to their contacts and vice versa. She looked over to where Mia and Amy were. The cub was sitting on the older panthress' shoulders at the ticket exchange, excitedly pointing at one of the prizes to the amused teenaged jackal behind the counter.

 

 

 

"I will say that Veronica certainly had herself a bit of an adjustment period to get through. Did your little guy go through one as well?" Sally was snapped back to her conversation and quickly nodded.

 

 

 

"We and Tristan are kinda collectively going through an adjustment period still. I mean, I'm just so proud of how far he's come as it is. He's started opening up to us, let himself begin to relax and even let Mia and I start doing things for him. Of course, we still try to be as respectful of his wishes as we can. It can really be a bit of a balancing act."

 

 

 

The she-wolf, whom Sally had learned was named Heather, nodded emphatically.

 

 

 

"Oh my goodness, yes! It broke my heart seeing Veronica struggle with basic everyday things, and I wanted to just jump in and start helping left and right, but I still tried my best to respect her decision to handle certain things herself. Unfortunately, that nasty rash she got, as well as the, uhm, well, no longer usable states of a couple of her favorite outfits was finally what it took to convince her to let me handle diaper changes and bathing."

 

- - -

 

 

 

 

"Thanks again, Veronica, for sharing!" Bill said to the slightly muted claps he got that the vixen was more than happy to bow to. "Would anyone else like to go today?"

 

 

 

He looked around and saw that no one was raising a hand. If anything, everyone was starting to look fidgety in their seats. He smiled, a feeling of excitement growing in his belly.

 

 

 

"Alright, it looks like we can move on to the next segment of today's meeting... having a blast in the arcade! Let's go!"

 

 

 

There was a collective cheer of childish voices as all the tykes bolted from their seats, heading towards the door. Tristan found himself being dragged along by Caroline and Terra, who were each holding one of his paws.

 

 

 

"W-wait! Caroline, I never got to hear your story!" He called out, causing the little tigress to look over as Meggy opened the baby gate blocking the doorway, letting the regressees spill out in little groups. much to the amusement of those at the caretaker section looking on. The tigress simply turned and gave him a wink.

 

 

 

"I'll tell it to ya, sometime, Twinkletoes! Now c'mon! They have the wild west shooting gallery set up!"

 

 

 

"Then after that we can try the Prance-Prance Evolution game, right?" Terra asked. The trio came to a sudden halt, which caused Tristan to stumble and bump into Caroline's back. He looked up, a little confused, to see Mia setting Amy down right next to him. Amy had her arms behind her back and a wide smile on her face.

 

 

 

"Hi, Tristie! I got something super special for when you got done at your secret baby meeting!"

 

 

 

Tristan sighed and got ready to explain, once again, he was not a baby, when he found a bright purple stuffed shark pushed into his face. Caroline and Terra let go of his paws just in time for him to wrap them around the stuffie. It had a large goofy smile with a tongue sticking out and was about as big as he was. It was also very, very soft. He knew that in places like this, prizes always tended to cost many more tickets the bigger they were.

 

 

 

"You got him for me?" Tristan asked, touched as Amy pulled him into a tight hug.

 

 

 

"Of course! You're the bestest baby brother I coulda ever asked for! Plus, as the big sister, it's my job to make sure you're having fun!"

 

 

 

Caroline and Terra and Mia were all cooing at the sight, and Tristan's ears twitched at the sound he recognized as being when a phone was taking pictures. But he didn't care. His eyes watered and he quickly returned the hug, crushing the shark between himself and Amy.

 

 

 

"You're a great big sister," he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was fun to explore some of the backstories of Tristan's new friend group! I might go ahead and make one-offs about each of them one day! Anyways, thanks for reading! Tune in next time for more cute winged kitten adventures!

[BabySofia]

😭 Aww.... 

Glad to see another chapter, looking forward to more! 🙂

[Panther Cub]

50 minutes ago, BabySofia said:

😭 Aww.... 

Glad to see another chapter, looking forward to more! 🙂

This one was lotsa fun to write!

[Pierry Louys]

Loved the chapter where we see others who suffer the same destiny of Tristan ! And hope after this Tristan can feel more at easy to be cared and loved and a little babied by Mia and sally ! Ansious for the next part 

[Panther Cub]

2 hours ago, Pierry Louys said:

Loved the chapter where we see others who suffer the same destiny of Tristan ! And hope after this Tristan can feel more at easy to be cared and loved and a little babied by Mia and sally ! Ansious for the next part 

This was a fun one for me too! It's fun to explore the backstories of others in the same boat as Tristan. It certainly helps put some things into perspective. And I think it will help him to relax some and let them shower him with some much needed tender loving care.

[Tasa]

This chapter makes me wonder if the allergic reaction happens only to people who "need" it or just at random. Tristan had to care for his parents,  Terra was in a bad relationship etc...

[Panther Cub]

3 hours ago, Tasa said:

This chapter makes me wonder if the allergic reaction happens only to people who "need" it or just at random. Tristan had to care for his parents,  Terra was in a bad relationship etc...

It could have a subconscious trigger!

[Panther Cub]

YAY! We're back in action, baby! I hope you're all doing fabulous! I'm super excited to bring you the latest chapter of winged kitten cuteness! Please consider leaving a comment or review, as those are just awesome! Thank you for reading!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Basics (Chapter 9)

 

 

 

 

by

 

 

 

 

Panther Cub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Okay, see the vehicle three cars back?" Tristan asked, not looking up from his screen.

 

 

 

"Red pickup with the trailer attached?" Mia asked as she checked the screen with the camera feeds two feet away from Tristan. The inspection booth could be a little cramped at times with two inspection officers occupying it, but thanks to Tristan's size, he and Mia fit rather comfortably, even with Tristan's special "stool". Using the painted highchair's tray to set his notebook down, Tristan turned and gave Mia a smile.

 

 

 

"Yup! Notice anything interesting about it?"

 

 

 

Mia winked and gave a slight nod.

 

 

 

"Sure did!" She pointed to a picture on the screen of the front of the truck, zoomed in on the license plate.

 

 

 

"While that plate says Grountania at the top, the first three digits on the plate number itself are a T45. Grountania plates never have a T in the first three digits. If they're not just numbers, then they're going to be a Z or a Y. However, plates from Tulocca always start with the letter T like that!"

 

 

 

"And what does that suggest?"

 

 

 

"That that's a forged license plate! And not a good one at that!" Tristan practically bounced in his seat, not caring about the faint crinkling as he did so. Mia really had come a long way since first being hired.

 

 

 

"So what do we do now?" Tristan asked as the truck pulled into their lane.

 

 

 

"We flag them for the officers and collect their registration and license, and fill out a quick confiscation form!"

 

 

 

"I guess that makes me a great teacher then, because you just got full marks!" Tristan puffed out his chest, typing out a quick code on the shared network to report the truck to be inspected. Mia handled opening the booth window to greet the driver when they pulled up.

 

 

 

"Hi there!" Mia smiled at the goat as he put the pickup in park. He pulled down his shades and smirked while giving Mia a once over.

 

 

 

"Well aren't you just the finest feline I've had the pleasure to meet." He gave a wink as Mia's smile became a little forced. His eyes roving about the booth, he quickly spotted the winged kitten in a miniature version of the larger feline's uniform. The same type of khaki slacks, sky blue button-up long-sleeved shirt, a little red necktie, and even a little ID badge pinned to the front of his shirt. "Aww, somebody getting to come with Mommy to work today, bud?"

 

 

 

Tristan rolled his eyes and continued to type away at the computer.

 

 

 

"Sir, I'm gunna need you to pull over to the inspection lane right over there," Mia said, pointing to where a pair of officers were already waiting.

 

 

 

"Aw, c'mon now," the goat leaned out his window, taking full advantage of the gray muscle shirt he was wearing to flex his arms a bit, smirking the entire time to the unimpressed Mia. "How about instead I get your number, you let me through, and then later tonight, after you get a babysitter, we can have some fun together out on the town?"

 

 

 

"She said pull off to the inspection lane, sir!" Tristan shouted, slamming his little paws on the highchair tray as he stood and turned to glare at the guy. His slacks shifted a bit, letting the waistband of his snuggies peek out a bit.

 

 

 

"Looks like someone's probably missing naptime, huh?" The goat tried to joke, but his chuckles quickly died as he saw the unamused look on Mia's face. He opened his mouth to say something, when the two waiting officers strolled over, one on each side of the vehicle.

 

 

 

"Sir," the large white wolf said, leaning over a bit to look at the guy over his sunglasses, both dark lenses reflecting the goat's confidence draining from his face. "You've been asked twice to pull off into the inspection lane. Trust me when I tell you that you won't like it when we have to ask a third time."

 

 

 

The goat gulped and nodded, leaning back into his seat. He shifted gears and quickly pulled off, stepping out when prompted, all with a look of dread on his face.

 

 

 

"What a jackass," Tristan huffed.

 

 

 

"Language!" Mia said, affectionately rubbing his headfur, smiling at the sound of his purr. "We need to remain professional, after all."

 

 

 

"Yeah, you're right," Tristan agreed, looking down, clearly embarrassed. Mia then knelt down to look him in the face, smiling happily at him.

 

 

 

"But thank you. It makes me feel safe knowing you've got my back here," Mia said, to which Tristan blushed a bit beneath his fur.

 

 

 

"Please. I'm the size of a football, and probably just as easily puntable too."

 

 

 

Mia's response was to simply scoop him up into her arms and start rocking the moment she had the kitten in a cradled position.

 

 

 

"It's true though. You know how to keep a calm head in an emergency, you remember the proper procedures to lock down the booth and shelter in place, and to hit the big red button. And you know the codes to say into the radio to let the officers and everyone else know exactly what's happening."

 

 

 

Tristan let himself get comfortable and began to smile again.

 

 

 

"Well... I guess you're right..." He winced a little as he shifted, feeling his diaper squish a bit. Mia saw his expression, her own softening even more.

 

 

 

"I think it's time we took a little trip to the potty and freshened up. What do you say, sweetheart?"

 

 

 

His blush returning, but still smiling as Mia continued to hold him, Tristan simply nodded. Thanks to the inspection, their booth was set to In-Use in the system, with a bright red light blinking at the top of the booth's roof, signaling to drivers that this lane was temporarily out of service. Mia simply had to lean down and grab the diaper bag, shut and lock the window, put the code into the computer that they were on a bathroom break, and ensure the door closed and locked behind them after they exited. Just before they got to the restroom, they were stopped by Lieutenant Haelga just after they entered the employee only section of the main red-brick building. The brown and white-spotted owl waved the two over.

 

 

 

"Hey guys," Haelga was awkwardly rubbing the back of her neck as she looked away. "I saw that you're both entered in as taking a bathroom break." She looked down at the kitten and smiled, clearly knowing what was actually happening, but still looking a bit distraught. "When you're both done, can I please see you both in my office?"

 

 

 

After nodding, Mia and Tristan shared a worried look as she carried him into the ladies' room, locking the door behind them.

 

 

 

"So... that was unexpected," Mia said while opening up the wall-mounted changing table. Settling Tristan down on it, she gave a worried smile down to him that he was quick to return.

 

 

 

"Yeah... but we shouldn't be too worried. Haelga usually only calls people into her office for employee evaluations, but those are usually done one at a time. She's probably gunna ask about our progress or something."

 

 

 

As she unbuttoned and slid his pants off, Mia saw Tristan chewing on his thumb, looking pensive. She pulled out a blue and white pacifier from one of the pockets of the diaper bag. Mia gave a gentle tug of Tristan's arm, surprising him as his thumb left his mouth. He looked up at her confused, before noticing his wet thumb and then the binky being held out to him. With another blush, he accepted the rubber nipple, immediately relaxing and making a nuk-nuk-nuk sound. Mia then started to hum a cheerful tune as she pushed up the hem of Tristan's shirt and then began tearing open the tapes.

 

 

 

Tristan tried not to think about it, but he couldn't help but reflect on how quick Mia was when it came to changing his diaper. That wasn't to say that Sally was a slouch, but Mia definitely had a system down and memorized. Already his old diaper was balled up with the fresh one underneath him. With the smell of baby powder and lavender from the rash cream wafting in the air, Tristan smiled. He even felt like kicking his legs all of a sudden, an urge he fought down.

 

 

 

"There! All clean and powder fresh!" Mia giggled, cuddling Tristan close to her chest. He nestled in closer, still sucking his binky as they exited the restroom. Mia hesitated, causing Tristan to look up at her. Remembering that they needed to talk with Haelga, he tugged his binky out of his mouth and tucked it into his pocket. Mia rubbed his back in between his wings and carried him into the tiny bland beige office, shutting the door behind her at Haelga's request. There were two chairs present, opposite the desk the older owl was sitting at, but Mia elected to sit with Tristan in her lap, her leg starting to nervously bounce the kitten until she willfully made it stop. The Lieutenant looked at the kitten, a sad expression on her face as she let out a sigh.

 

 

 

"So, as you probably are both aware, there's an upcoming vote about allowing regressees maintaining employment."

 

 

 

Tristan scowled while Mia frowned. It had become quite the hot button topic, with many people believing it wasn't ethical or even healthy for what they claimed were basically children and babies to hold down jobs. While there was a lot of pushback from regressees and supporters for them, there were others still who voiced their concerns involving jobs where lives could be on the line being in the hands of someone who needed a scheduled naptime.

 

 

 

"I-if this is about my performance," Tristan spoke up, silently grateful that Mary wasn't still bouncing him, "I'd like to point out that I've caught more fraudulent and incomplete documents as well as violations in the past month compared to everyone else!"

 

 

 

"Yes... yes you have." Haelga looked away, her feather ruffling. "However, it's not about performance..."

 

 

 

Tristan felt his insides freeze over, remaining silent as his paw disappeared into his pocket.

 

 

 

"Lieutenant? What's going on?" Mia asked.

 

 

 

"As of this morning, an email was sent out regarding all state agencies, ours included. Regardless of the outcome of the vote, the governor feels that simply having regressee employees physically under the age of eighteen opens us up to potential lawsuits. Effective immediately, all regressee employees under that physical age range are hereby dismissed from their positions. I'm sorry."

 

 

 

Tristan felt as though the world had dropped out from underneath him. His mind churned, wondering if this wasn't just some bad dream.

 

 

 

"Tristan, I'm going to have to ask you for your keycard and keys back. Also, I am to inform you that all of your accumulated sick leave and vacation leave will be paid out on your final paycheck. And the money deposited into your pension fund will also be returned. Mia, I know that you're Tristan's primary caretaker, and if you'd like to leave early to take him home..."

 

 

 

The rest of the words spoken trailed off for the kitten as he numbly set the keycard with his picture on it and the keys to the facilities onto Haelga's desk. He felt Mia's grip on him tighten protectively. He turned and buried his face into her chest, curling up and shutting the world out, internally feeling his emotions roiling impotently. He wasn't sure when he slipped his binky back in, but the soother was doing its job well. He kept his head buried, not wanting his coworkers seeing him on his final day with a binky in his mouth, or to see the pity in any of their eyes.

 

 

 

Mia rubbed his back as he felt her carry him, occasionally picking up on voices saying goodbye. It was only when he was sure that they were in the car, oddly enough still being held by Mia instead of being buckled into his carseat in the back, that he let the white hot tears building in his eyes spill over. He sobbed. He wailed. He cried there in Mia's arms, with the older feline rubbing and rocking him, whispering how it's all going to be okay. But in that moment, deep in his heart, Tristan felt that things were never going to be okay.

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

Tristan slowly awoke to the song of a soft lullaby drifting down from above. Prying his eyes open, he looked around to see that he was in his room at Mia and Sally's house, safe and sound in the crib. He kicked off the soft warm blue blanket to reveal he was wearing a green footed onesie. Looking above he could see the mobile above slowly spinning, the music coming from it. Spotting a familiar purple plush shark to his right, Tristan pulled Spot in for a hug. He felt so at peace in that moment, and he just wanted it to last.

 

 

 

But, as the memory of losing his job trickled in from the back of his mind, so did the ache. He heard the door to his... to the nursery softly open, and felt relieved at the distraction. In walked Sally as she carefully stepped up to the crib, clearly not trying to wake him if he was still asleep. Seeing his eyes wide open and looking right at her startled the eagle lady for just a moment.

 

 

 

"OH!" Sally chuckled while leaning on the rail and gazing down at him. "You startled me there for a second, honeypie!"

 

 

 

"Sorry," Tristan mumbled around his binky.

 

 

 

"Think nothing of it, sugarplum! Now, do you think you've slept enough? Or do you maybe wanna go back to sleep?"

 

 

 

Tristan mulled it over, softly nursing his pacifier. With a heavy sigh, he reached up and started to make the grabby paws. Sally smiled and reached down with her feather fingers and scooped the kitten up into her arms. After a quick diaper check, Tristan found himself being carried out into the living room, where Mia was sitting with Amy in her lap. Tristan still held Spot in his arms as Sally sat down, setting him down next to her.

 

 

 

"Oh, Tristy!" Amy, wearing a pink sparkling rhinestone unicorn t-shirt and a denim skirt that barely hid her own diaper, scooted closer to the winged kitten. She pulled him into a tight hug and patted his back. "I'm sorry that your bosses were meanie-butts! If my Ninja/Unicorn Cowboy idea gets successful, you'll always have a position there!"

 

 

 

Tristan felt a pang at the reminder of what happened earlier today... but the 'actual' kitten's earnestness both in her declaration and her hug brought a small smile to his face. Mia and Sally watched the pair, Sally with a smile that was slightly wider than her wife's.

 

 

 

"That's very sweet, Amy. I'm sure you'd both make wonderful Ninjas and Unicorn Wranglers," Mia said, taking a sip of her mug of tea.

 

 

 

"YEAH! We'll have to work on your ninjutsu and your lasso work though, Tristy!"

 

 

 

"No lassoing or smoke bombs in the house," Sally said, wagging a feathery finger.

 

 

 

"'Kay, auntie, Sally!"

 

 

 

Tristan couldn't help himself and began to giggle at the absurdity of it all. Amy was quick to join in, followed by Sally and Mia, the two reaching down to embrace the two kittens and each other. Tristan still felt the sting of losing his job, but in that moment, he also felt a warmth and a sense of safety that he could scarcely remember feeling.

 

 

 

"I think that we could all use an ice cream sundae!" Sally announced after they broke apart. Amy and Tristan's eyes both lit up.

 

 

 

"With hot fudge?" Amy asked.

 

 

 

"And caramel?"  Tristan added.

 

 

 

"And whipped cream?" Amy continued.

 

 

 

"And sprinkles?" Tristan queried.

 

 

 

"And cherries on top?" Amy jumped up and down.

 

 

 

Sally chuckled and nodded, letting Amy scramble up onto her back for a piggyback ride. Tristan started to do the same, when he felt Mia's paw come to rest on his shoulder.

 

 

 

"Tristan? Can we please have a word?"

 

 

 

He turned to look up at Mia, seeing the sadness in her eyes. It brought the sensation of dread back to the forefront of his mind. He nodded, sucking harder on his binky as he did so. Sally nodded to the two and carried the oblivious Amy into the kitchen. Mia looked down at her lap and the mug of tea clutched in both of her paws. She let out a sniff and set it down onto the coffee table.

 

 

 

"Tristan... I'm so sorry..." Mia's voice cracked, and suddenly Tristan started to panic. His thoughts began to run wild with ideas of Mia and Sally handing him off to child services, causing him to let out a whimper. The panthress looked over to him and wiped her teary eyes. "I know it wouldn't have changed anything... but I should've spoken up in that meeting today!"

 

 

 

"Huh?"

 

 

 

"There you were, having all this dumped onto you just out of the blue, and I just sat there, silent, when I could have done or said something!"

 

 

 

"Mia."

 

 

 

"I'll understand if you're angry with me." She turned to look back down into her mug, tears starting to run down her cheeks.

 

 

 

"Mia!"

 

 

 

"I'll also understand if... you'd prefer it if maybe I g-gave you some space..."

 

 

 

"MIA!!!"

 

 

 

The older feline was startled and turned to look at the kitten now standing on the couch in his footie pajamas, paws on his hips, his little wings fluffed out, his binky now spit out and dangling from blue lanyard clipped to said pajama. The image of him right then and there with the stern expression on his face was almost enough to bring a smile to Mia's face, despite her deep sense of guilt.

 

 

 

"There wasn't anything you could have done other than get yourself suspended or even fired for insubordination!"

 

 

 

"But--"

 

 

 

 

"Mia, no. I've worked that job for many years now, and I know that when something comes down from on high, then that's it. Heck, I don't even blame Haelga! You were still there for me, ready to pick me up and make me feel better! All you did was keep a cool head and be a good mommy!"

 

 

 

Tristand and Mia both froze, looking into each other's eyes. The kitten broke eye contact and looked down, blushing as he started to play with his paws.

 

 

 

"Oh, Tristan," Mia scooted over and picked up the kitten, pulling him into a hug.

 

 

 

"I-I..." Tristan tried to think of what to say, but instead simply continued to blush as Mia settled him so that his chin was resting on her shoulder. It was then that the doorbell rang, prompting Mia, still cuddling the blushing little feline, to get up and answer it. Tristan turned to see who it was just as the door opened. Standing there, holding three pizza boxes was a rather tall male crow wearing a red muscle shirt showing off a feather-too of a dream catcher visible on his right bicep, and a pair of well-worn jeans. The boxes he was holding had a cartoon sloth on the top with a caption reading 'If you want pizza done right, come to Lazlo's. If you want it done fast, go somewhere else!'

 

 

 

"Lazlo's Pizza..." Tristan mumbled in awe. Lazlo's was practically legendary in the area, but the perfectionist sloth owner and operator, Lazlo, was a known perfectionist when it came to each paw-crafted pizza. Also, he was a sloth. So the wait was also practically legendary. His tummy letting out a rumble, Tristan suddenly became aware of a lull in the conversation between Mia and the stranger.

 

 

 

"O-oh, uh, s-sorry?" Tristan's ears splayed flat in embarrassment.

 

 

 

Mia and the stranger chuckled.

 

 

 

"Tristan, I'd like you to meet my favorite, and only, brother-in-law, Be--"

 

 

 

"UNCLE BENJI!!!" Amy shrieked in pure delight. The little panthress sprinted and jumped to wrap her arms around the crow's legs.

 

 

 

"WOAH! There's my little chaos gremlin!" Benjamin laughed, making sure his grip on the pizzas was secure before leaning down to ruffle Amy's headfur.

 

 

 

"Uncle Benji! Have you met my new baby brother, Tristan? He's really cute and super silly! And he giggles a whole lot if you tickle his little feet!"

 

 

 

"AMY!" Tristan called out, blushing beneath his fur.

 

 

 

"Oh yeah, I've heard all about the little guy who's been keeping an eye over my favorite sister and sister-in-law. Plus all the pictures..."

 

 

 

"What pictures?" Tristan asked indignantly.

 

 

 

"Just some rather... sweet pictures..." Now Mia was looking a little embarrassed. Tristan immediately honed in on how that meant cute. "Come on in, Benji! It's been too long!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there it is, folks! I really do hope you enjoyed the new chapter!

[BabySofia]

Nice to see an update!

Hate to see the intolerance hit the poor guy... I think being a baby at home or in daycare is unfortunately going to be coming sooner than later between this and the protective services they were dealing with.

[Panther Cub]

22 minutes ago, BabySofia said:

Nice to see an update!

Hate to see the intolerance hit the poor guy... I think being a baby at home or in daycare is unfortunately going to be coming sooner than later between this and the protective services they were dealing with.

Nice to have finished an update! :3

Yeah... I mean, I can see where it could be a problem for an employee to basically, physically (and maybe a little bit mentally), be a toddler in some positions. But still, this is gunna be devastating for so many little ones. And yeah, you just know a certain someone is gunna try and stick her bill into this business.

[Tasa]

Poor Tristan, I could understand if he was in construction or some other physically demanding job, but when he job performance is good (although we only see his perspective) and his body wasn't an issue for months its just evil.
At least he already has a safety net of people who love him and want to help him, dont know how this would have ended if it happened 1 month before start of this story. Also I do hope he can find a new job/activity/hobby to fill up his days.

[Panther Cub]

2 hours ago, Tasa said:

Poor Tristan, I could understand if he was in construction or some other physically demanding job, but when he job performance is good (although we only see his perspective) and his body wasn't an issue for months its just evil.
At least he already has a safety net of people who love him and want to help him, dont know how this would have ended if it happened 1 month before start of this story. Also I do hope he can find a new job/activity/hobby to fill up his days.

Yeah, the poor little guy just got the rug pulled out from under him.

And yeah, he has a... well, he has those in his life who are more than happy to have him, care for him, and help him learn and grow! He'll find something, I'm sure.  

[Panther Cub]

Heyo, readers! It's been a minute since I last posted! Sorry about that. Anyways, I'm super excited to bring to you this new chapter! Lemme know what you think!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to Basics (Chapter 10)

 

 

 

 

by

 

 

 

 

Panther Cub

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"So I told the guy, 'If you didn't want a trunk full of fake severed limbs, you shoulda told me!'" Benji slapped his knee as he finished his story. Sally chuckled while Amy and Tristan both giggled. The winged kitten sat, enraptured by the crow's tales of working on the sets of horror movies, in Mia's lap, with all the other seats around the table occupied. Over to his right he saw Amy sitting on her booster seat, sauce splotched around her mouth a little.

 

 

 

"So you really got to work on the set of the original Vile Deceased?!" Tristan was looking over at the crow in awe.

 

 

 

"Yup! I was fresh outta highschool when I got a job helping move camera equipment around for a movie set. And due to some budget problems, I also doubled helping out with the effects. The scene with blood squirting up from the floorboards was basically me and a hand-pump running around outside the cabin!"

 

 

 

"Woah!" Amy and Tristan harmonized.

 

 

 

Mia shook her head and leaned over with a damp washcloth, first cleaning up a bit around Amy's face, and then doing the same for Tristan, who fussily squirmed, unaware of the sauce and some cheese and a pepperoni fragment resting on his chin, nor the splotches on his blue duckie bib.

 

 

 

"I don't think that that's appropriate conversation for Amy," Mia said with a sigh, also tilting her head down in Tristan's direction as she shot Benji a pointed look. The crow chuckled and awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck.

 

 

 

"Right, sorry. When you've worked in the horror movie special effects industry for over ten years... well, a lot of your stories kinda revolve around the scary stuff. But I'll try to be mindful of that around these two munchkins."

 

 

 

"Hey!" Amy and Tristan simultaneously crossed their arms and pouted. "I dunno what a munchkin is, but we're not one of 'em!" Amy declared.

 

 

 

"Aww, sorry, Princess!" Benji reached over to ruffle Amy's headfur. She giggled and batted his feathery hand away.

 

 

 

"And I'm not a baby, so you don't need to worry about scaring me. Heck, I love scary movies! The scarier the better!"

 

 

 

"Oh yeah?" Benji grinned, ignoring the frown Mia was shooting his way.

 

 

 

"How does Mom and Dad's new house look?" Sally asked, clearly changing the subject.

 

 

 

"It's great! Dad really outdid himself with it! He even kept all the pictures from starting with the empty lot through each stage of its construction. Plus, he made intricate carvings on the stair railings and the front door!"

 

 

 

As Benji started showing off pictures he had taken on his phone of a beautiful two-story house, painted a bright white, with large bay windows and a porch; Tristan was vaguely aware of Amy starting to twitch out of the corner of his eye. True to Benji's word, the railings of the steps leading up to said porch were carved to look like dragons from classical Saoloma mythology, with long serpentine bodies. The wooden stairs themselves had carvings that looked similar to some viking wall carvings he had seen at the local history museum. The door was more of an intricate series of twisting gaelic symbols.

 

 

 

"That had to take a long time," Tristan said. "I'll bet--OMPH!" whatever else the kitten was going to say was lost as he suddenly found himself yoinked right out of Mia's lap, being hugged close by Amy. He turned his head to see a look of panic on her face as she looked up at Mia.

 

 

 

"Amy?" Mia asked, turning to face the two tykes.

 

 

 

"Uhm..." Amy gulped and averted her gaze away from Benji.

 

 

 

"I-I think Tristy needs a new diaper. Can I help change him?" Tristan huffed and wriggled a bit, wincing as he felt that she might not be entirely wrong, but still outraged nonetheless about her announcing it to everyone. But, as he looked back up at her with a disapproving frown, he saw her looking downcast, absentmindedly tugging at the hem of her skirt with her free paw. He started to wonder if maybe Amy was embarrassed about being back in diapers at her age. Seeing how she was pointedly not trying to look at Benji though, it clicked in his head that she was embarrassed for anyone other than him, Sally, or Mia to know. Something the eagle and the panthress picked up on at the same time as he did.

 

 

 

"Oh Amy, I think you might be right. And sure, I'll bet Tristan would love to have the company," Mia said, giving a very obvious wink to him and to Benji, who winked back. Tristan wanted to roll his eyes... but seeing how distressed the cub was... he elected to play along.

 

 

 

"Y-yeah... thanks Amy," he said, feigning enthusiasm to the best of his abilities. Sally smiled warmly at him, right before she kicked her chuckling brother's shin from under the table, in turn causing him to start choking on the sip of water he was taking. Mia mouthed a quiet thank you to the kitten and scooped the two of them up in her arms, nuzzling them both on her way to Trsitan's room. They were both sat down on the changing table, with Mia giving them both a hug and nuzzle before explaining she was going to get Amy's supplies first. Sitting there, Tristan felt awkward. Looking over at Amy as she swung her legs a little, she seemed to be feeling the same way.

 

 

 

"I'm sorry, Tristy," Amy said after a beat, looking over to the kitten as she said it.

 

 

 

"Huh?"

 

 

 

"For saying you needed a change. I know you get embarrassed about your diapers."

 

 

 

"That's okay, Amy." Tristan smiled, internally thinking that the young panthress was a good kid.

 

 

 

"Which is silly because you're a baby, so you're supposed to be in them. Plus, you look adorable in just a shirt and diaper!" Amy smiled, and internally Tristan was rethinking his assessment.

 

 

 

"I'm not really a baby though! I just... have the body of one now." Tristan frowned.

 

 

 

"Yeah, but still, diapers are supposed to be natural for babies and baby bodies. I'm biggerer and got to be in tug-ups... but I kept having too many accidents." Amy looked down, and Tristan could see the disappointment in her face. "I think that that's why my Mommy doesn't want me, 'cause I'm still in diapers."

 

 

 

Tristan hadn't been expecting that. His eyes darted to the open door, hoping Mia was about to enter and having heard what was said. After a few seconds of even more awkward silence, and looking over to see the sadness on Amy's face, Tristan sighed internally.

 

 

 

"I don't think that's it," he said, slowly.

 

 

 

"But then... why didn't she take me home with her? Why'd she leave me with Aunties Mia and Sally?" Silent tears were now streaming down her black-furred face.

 

 

 

"Some grown-ups... aren't cut out to be parents. I think she knew you'd be taken care of here, and loved with all of Mia and Sally's hearts." Tristan kept a cool exterior while internally he was panicking, unsure of what else he could say if Amy questioned him further. Amy scooted over and pulled him into a hug. He could feel her quiet tears landing on his shoulder, but said nothing, simply returning the hug.

 

 

 

"You're the bestest baby brother ever. I love you, and no matter what, I'll always be here for you."

 

 

 

Tristan felt his breath hitch in his throat, which was just when Mia finally reentered, now with Amy's diaper bag slung over one shoulder.

 

 

 

"Sorry that took a little bit. I could have sworn I left the bag in the living room... what's going on here?" Mia asked the two as they continued to hug.

 

 

 

"Uhm... I was feeling embarrassed about the diaper change, so Amy hugged me to make me feel better. Being the best big sister she can be." Tristan blushed as he said it, but knew that it would make the cub happy. The cooing from Mia didn't help his blush. Once both Tristan and Amy were 'freshened up', Mia happily carried them both back to the dinner table, sitting down with both in her lap.

 

 

 

"While you three were gone, Benji came up with an idea," Sally said, reaching over to squeeze her paw.

 

 

 

"Oh?" Mia tried to keep the trepidation out of her voice. She loved Benji like a brother, but his track record with ideas left a lot to be desired.

 

 

 

"I just pointed out how you two were always sending updates about going out and about together on dates, doing lovey-dovey couple things, but how that seems to have slowed down a bit lately. So I figured if I offered to watch a certain couple of munchkins for you, and get in some fun uncle time, you two could get in some much needed couple time. Eh?"

 

 

 

"HEY!" Tristan and Amy harmonized their displeasure at being called munchkins again.

 

 

 

"That's a very nice offer, Benji. Right, Sally?" Nia looked to her wife for some guidance.

 

 

 

"It really is. It also makes me suspicious that you're going to spoil these two rotten while we're out."

 

 

 

"What?! Me? I would never!" Benji tried to hide his grin, and failed.

 

 

 

"Mmhmm." Sally rolled her eyes and smiled, turning to regard her wife. "Let's do it, tomorrow!"

 

 

 

"Huh?!" Mia was taken aback by the suddenness.

 

 

 

"While Benjamin might be a big goofball... he's not wrong about the two of us... slowing down a bit, romantically-speaking. So a date night out sounds like a great idea to me!"

 

 

 

"I... w-well..." Mia looked a little uncomfortable, before smiling down at Tristan and Amy in her lap, who now once more had sauce splotched around both their faces. "How would you two like to spend some time with Uncle Benji tomorrow?"

 

 

 

"Uh... okay, I guess..." Tristan said, while Amy started bouncing in Mia's lap.

 

 

 

"Can we go to that candy shop again?!" She practically had stars in her eyes as she asked it.

 

 

 

"What candy shop?" Mia asked, narrowing her eyes at the innocently whistling crow. The afternoon passed into a lively early evening, with Benji giving first Amy and then a surprised Tristan, piggyback rides. The large crow even sat down at the tiny play table with Amy and participated in a tea party with her. As the evening grew later, Tristan found himself being tucked into his crib by Sally, who was humming happily as she set his plush shark into his arms.

 

 

 

"Are you looking forward to spending more time with Benji tomorrow?" Sally asked, leaning over the side of the rails. Tristan nodded and sleepily rubbed his eye.

 

 

 

"Yeah. He seems really cool." Tristan smiled. Sally chuckled at that, leaning down to give his fore head a kiss.

 

 

 

"He might seem cool. But my big brother is actually quite the dork when you get to know him. I've got stories..."

 

 

 

"Sally?"

 

 

 

"Yes, hun?"

 

 

 

"He told both me and Amy to call him Uncle Benji, right?"

 

 

 

Sally nodded, an eyebrow raised.

 

 

 

"Does that mean," Tristan let out a yawn and trailed off.

 

 

 

"Mean what, sugarplum?"

 

 

 

"Does it mean that you and Mia are gunna adopt me?" Sally looked down into his wide blue eyes and smiled.

 

 

 

"Honeypie... would you like for us to legally adopt you?"

 

 

 

Tristan thought it over. When he'd first learned that laws had been amended allowing people to become the legal guardians and even outright adopt regressees, the kitten had been worried. Both about having his adult freedoms being stripped away as well as being snatched up and adopted by a stranger. Thankfully, aside from some cases involving intervention by CPS, consent from the regressee's was still needed. He then thought about his time in Mia and Sally's care so far, how they'd respected his input, gone out of their way to make him feel welcome, as well as take care of him and his needs. He thought about being cradled in Mia's arms, being bounced on Sally's knee, and of course, of Amy just adoring him as her little brother. He nodded.

Sally just beamed with pure joy, despite maintaining a calm composure. Leaning down again to plant another kiss on his forehead, Sally nuzzled the kitten for a second.

 

 

 

"Goodnight, baby boy. Mama and Mommy love you so much."

 

 

 

"I love you and Mommy too, Mama," Tristan said without hesitation. His drooping eyelids shut, and his breathing became rhythmic. Sally stood there, watching the kitten, unable to express the amount of joy she was feeling in that moment. Making sure to exit the nursery quietly, after ensuring that the baby monitor was on, Sally went to find Mia to immediately tell her the good news.

 

 

 

 

 

The Next Day...

 

 

 

 

 

"Gotta admit, I figured you two would get all dressed up and head out to a fancy restaurant later in the day," a slightly disheveled-looking Benji said, a case of bedfeathers causing half his facial feathers to point straight up. Before him was Mia and Sally. Mia was dressed in a pair of olive hiking shorts and a pink button-up t-shirt. Sally was wearing a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a white tank-top.

 

 

 

"Goes to show how much you know, big bro," Sally chuckled.

 

 

 

"While that idea does sound nice, it actually has been a while since Sally and I have enjoyed a nice walk together. And today being such a lovely day... well, how could we resist?"

 

 

 

Benji smiled and nodded, letting out a yawn, being a late-sleeper and all.

 

 

 

"So, since I'm pretty sure you weren't listening, we should be gone until later in the afternoon."

 

 

 

"Now I know you have out phone numbers in your contacts, but just in case something happened I wrote them down on the fridge, as well as a list of emergency numbers. There's also a note on the counter detailing where you can find the bottles and sippy cups for Tristan and Amy, as well as a reminder that Tristan is supposed to take his nap before lunch. He's much less cranky when he has something in his tummy. Amy will probably nod off around the same time as him. If they get scared, Amy's teddy bear is usually found in her room sitting on her little desk. Tristan leaves his little shark plush in his crib. There's also--"

 

 

 

"Woah there, Mia! I've babysat before. Heck, let's not forget that I've changed both your and Sally's diapers."

 

 

 

He snickered as the two both blushed and went silent.

 

 

 

"We all agreed that that was to stay buried in the past," Sally said, her blush deepening.

 

 

 

"Okay, okay. But regardless, I'll take good care of the little munchkins, promise."

 

 

 

"Fine..." Mia let out a pent up breath, before she placed her paws on her hips and narrowed her eyes at her brother-in-law.

 

 

 

"But no scary movies! Amy had nightmares for weeks after last time!"

 

 

 

"It was a cheesy old black and white one from the forties! How was I supposed to know she'd be afraid of a giant roadrunner?"

 

 

 

"Benji..."

 

 

 

"Okay!"

 

 

 

After the two took the time to check in on Amy and Tristan in the living room, who were both engrossed in an episode of Power Princess Troopers, with Mia having to be tugged away from snuggling up close to the two, they were off. Benji watched as Mia and Sally started heading down the sidewalk, holding hands. Letting out a yawn, Benji smiled, and made his way over to the couch where the two tots sat. Amy was hugging Tristan close like he was a plushie, and Tristan was watching and sucking on his binky.

 

 

 

Amy was dressed in a red shirt and black shorts, while Tristan was wearing a green shirt underneath tan overalls. He settled down next to them and watched as the silly and clearly choreographed fight scene continued between the Princess Power Troopers and a bunch of guys in purple "Mushies" costumes fought them each one at a time. The episode ended shortly after the princesses summoned their giant animal-themed robots to fuse together and beat up a giant monster.

 

 

 

"YAY!" Amy cheered as the credits rolled with the theme song playing. Tristan giggled and bounced, freezing when he looked up at Benji. The crow raised an eyebrow as Tristan seemed to make himself settle downand even spit out his binky, which was safely tucked away in the front chest pocket of the overalls.

 

 

 

"I knew the Princesses were gunna save the day, Tristy!" Amy cheered, hopping down from the couch and setting Tristan and the floor. She turned to the crowm naking her eyes as big as possible.

 

 

 

"Uncle Benji... can we go play outside?"

 

 

 

He laughed and ruffled her headfur. "Sure thing, Amy!"

 

 

 

The little panthress cheered and ran to the sliding glass door. Benjamin started to get up, until he noticed Tristan settling down on the couch again, now with today's newspaper unfolded and in his paws. Though, Benji noticed that Tristan didn't seem to be reading the paper, his eyes continually sneaking looks at the crow out of the corner of his eyes.

 

 

 

"Something up, bud?"

 

 

 

"Nope..."

 

 

 

"Are you sure?"

 

 

 

"Yup..."

 

 

 

"The newspaper's upside down."

 

 

 

Tristan froze and sighed, turning it right side up.

 

 

 

"I can still read just fine, by the way."

 

 

 

"I believe you."

 

 

 

Tristan squirmed in his seat. Benji could sense the tension and decided to break the ice.

 

 

 

"Y'know, I've actually got a few friends who are regressees like you. A couple of them had the same reaction, which for them was quite the shock."

 

 

 

"I can imagine..." Tristan said drily, to which Benji laughed.

 

 

 

"Yeah, you probably could!"

 

 

 

"Anyways, a buddy of mine, Dante, he's an actor and now in the same situation as you. It happened on set, during the scene of what was gunna be the masked intruder's first kill of the main cast. Dante was playing the role of college jock who was gunna try and fight what he thought was a peeping Tom bothering him and his girlfriend. He was supposed to round the corner and his character's head was gunna get lopped off by the machete. Instead, he walked a few feet, and poof, shrank right back down to babyhood."

 

 

 

Tristan winced at the thought of a public regression like that, and caught on camera no less.

 

 

 

"The filming has been pushed back a little so that the director can try to write the regression in. Of course, for a while there, Dante was pretty upset and seemed like he was gunna just walk from the project entirely."

 

 

 

"What changed?" Tristan asked.

 

 

 

"He started having fun."

 

 

 

"Huh?"

 

 

 

"He found that, when he just let go of his inhibitions, it was like unlocking the door to pure joy, something he hadn't felt in a long, long time. And with that joy came a revelation."

 

 

 

"Oh?"

 

 

 

"You regressees are gunna grow back up again. That's already a proven fact. But while this can be a big disruption in the trajectory of your lives and plans, it can also be a chance for something else. All that energy, that sense of curiosity and wonder. Experiencing the world and growing up again, but also with an adult's perspective. A great big redo, a grand adventure in the making."

 

 

 

Tristan was silent for a moment, the words striking a chord deep within him.

 

 

 

"Well, that sounds fine and all, except for the fact that I have to depend on people to help me with some of the most basic things now. How's being given baths and diaper changes a grand adventure?" Tristan blushed as Benji ruffled his headfur.

 

 

 

"It sounds rough, little buddy, not gunna lie. But... it also sounds like you've got some folks in your life who care a whole lot about you and don't mind helping when you need it."

 

 

 

Tristan crossed his arms and frowned, not wanting to acknowledge that Benji had a point.

 

 

 

"Like the wing exercises I've been hearing Sally gush on and on about, excited not only she gets to pass the lessons she and I learned as hatchlings down, but also how far you've come in such a short amount of time."

 

 

 

"Really?" Tristan asked, his ears perking up a bit, curious to hear what else Sally may have been saying.

 

 

 

"Yup! My little sister sometimes isn't the most expressive person out there, but when she talks about you and Amy, I can hardly get her to stop! Heck, she kept me on the phone all last week talking about how strong your wings have already gotten, to how you fell asleep in her arms, to how you somehow got a bowl of spaghetti all over your headfur and ears!"

 

 

 

Tristan practically glowed red beneath his dark fur, unable to look up into Benji's eyes.

 

 

 

"And, buddy, getting a good look at them here and now, I gotta say that I think they look strong enough to let you get some good gliding practice in!"

 

 

 

"How do we do that? I'm pretty sure Mia isn't gunna let me just jump off a high structure..."

 

 

 

The strong breeze blew in from the still-open door to the backyard, where the two could see Amy on the swingset. The wind ruffled Tristan's fur and Benji's feathers simultaneously. The crow's smile widened and a mischievous twinkle appeared in his eyes.

 

 

 

"I have an idea!"

 

 

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

"Hun, I know how Benji can be, but I promise he's taking excellent care of the kids. You don't need to worry." Sally's feathery fingers gently squeezed Mia's paw as they walked, enjoying the light breeze and the afternoon sun.

 

 

 

"I-I'm not worried! Who said anything about being worried?" Mia stammered, trying to act cool, while her wife rolled her eyes.

 

 

 

"No one, but you have led us around the fenceline to our own backyard about five times now..."

 

 

 

"I have?" Mia stopped to regard the tall solid wood fence, letting out a sigh as she turned to lean up against it. "I have."

 

 

 

Sally leaned in close and rested her forehead on Mia's. Just then, they could both hear Tristan and Amy laughing as the breeze picked up.

 

 

 

"I get so anxious when I don't have them in my sight," Mia said, rubbing her arm and looking embarrassed. Sally reached under Mia's chin and tilted her head up a bit, so that she could stare into her eyes.

 

 

 

"I know, my love. Some wounds... never really heal."

 

 

 

"I just..." Mia looked down and sniffed. "I just want to scoop him and Amy both up into my arms and never let them go. But then... I also start to worry that Tristan will end up hating us for babying him so much."

 

 

 

"Oh... Mi-Mi," Sally said, making the panthress blush beneath her dark fur. The eagle pulled her wife into a hug and began to nuzzle her neck. "That's never gunna happen. Oh sure, it is quite the tightrope act at times. On the one hand, he's deserving of our respect, no matter how adorable and fluffy he is. On the other hand, physically and to a certain degree mentally, he's a baby, and thus needs a lot of help and care and love."

 

 

 

Mia smiled and Sally continued.

 

 

 

"It's true that he might not be happy with some decisions we're gunna have to make for his sake. Why, he will probably get outright frustrated or mad at times. But at the end of the day, we've earned his trust, and he knows that any decisions we make are only in his best interest. Plus, if we talk things out with him first, it will go a long way to help mitigate some of his feelings of frustration."

 

 

 

"... I suppose you do make a pretty good point, Sally-Wally." Mia smiled, it now being the eagle's turn to blush. Hearing another burst of the children's laughter from just over the other side of the fence brought a smile to the panthress' lips and Sally's beak. Seeing a bit of movement above, Sally froze, seeing Tristan, his wings as fully extended as they would go, tied to a bright purple diamond-shaped kite, a string leading back down to, hopefully, her brother. Panicking a little at the idea of Mia turning around and seeing Tristan riding a kite up in the air, Sally leaned in to give the surprised Mia a deep kiss, internally vowing to kill her brother later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And there we have it folks! I hope you liked it!

[Kaiko-chan]

Lol tied him to a kite

[Pierry Louys]

Still laughing imagining the scene with Tristan flying high and his mommy seeing this hahahah

Anxious to see next chapter hahahah I hope don’t take to long hahaha

[Panther Cub]

8 hours ago, Kaiko-chan said:

Lol tied him to a kite

Kite Kitten!

4 hours ago, Pierry Louys said:

Still laughing imagining the scene with Tristan flying high and his mommy seeing this hahahah

Anxious to see next chapter hahahah I hope don’t take to long hahaha

I giggled while writing it! Benji is indeed a dead crow.

I'll try not to.

[Kitare Siga]

Awesome story! You are still my absolute favorite babyfur author :3

[Panther Cub]

5 hours ago, Kitare Siga said:

Awesome story! You are still my absolute favorite babyfur author :3

Thank you very much!

[Panther Cub]

Hiya folks! Sorry for such a long delay, but I'm back now with a freshly baked new chapter! I hope that you all enjoy it!








Back to Basics (Chapter 11)




by




Panther Cub










"So things were gettin' harrier than a clogged shower drain. I was certain someone was definitely tailin' me, all while I was tailin' my lead. I'd managed to snap a few pics, but in the process I'd kicked a whole hornets' nest of problems. And they were about to get a lot worse. Can't blame a guy for noticin' more silver in the fur around their muzzle and wishin' they could do somethin' about it. Besides, if I was gunna ready myself for a fight, I'd need more than some joints that tend to pop more than a bag of cheap microwave popcorn. I took the serum, and after a bit of a back alley brawl with three big punks that I managed to come out on top of, I hurried to make sure I wouldn't lose my lead."



The black wolf looked around at the others listening to his story. Looking out a nearby porthole, the rain was still coming down in gushing buckets, obscuring the seedy docks beyond.



"I found him alright. But it wasn't like the dame had suspected. It was worse. See, he was meeting with another woman alrighty, and two very young toddlers that called him Daddy. I still double-checked my facts before presenting it all to the client, Molly. I knew she was gunna be devastated... but who wouldn't be if you found out your spouse wasn't just two-timin' ya, but instead had an entire secret family. I was not lookin' forward to the dame's tears, but if I wanted to get paid, I had ta keep goin'. I recorded them at the fairgrounds, the picture of a wholesome family, ain't that ironic, and then did some digging. Found the birth and marriage certificates. All were dated a year after he married his current wife. The genius didn't even try changing his name or something."



He took a sip from his glass, frowning at the sight of the sippi-spout, but the taste of white cranberry more than made up for it.



"So about a week after I took that serum, I presented my findings to my client. As I suspected, she was distraught, and even cried into my chest. What can I say, I can be a sucker for a dame. Then... she started gettin' taller, and not just because, while still teary-eyed, her ears popped up in shock. I felt a tingle all over my body and started to fall, but she caught me under my arms. When I was done shrinking, she was holding me like that, me wearin' nuthin' but my casual white button-up with my fedora almost enveloping my whole head. My trench coat and pants and tie lay there on the floor. You could say that I got a little emotional myself, but I'd regressed back to... uh... well, the doc said I was around two to maybe eighteen months. Anyways, Molly, my client. sniffled but composed herself and smiled at me and planted a kiss right between my eyes."



The wolf cub in the bright blue swim diaper with the matching floaties on his arms sighed as he looked around the group of regressees sitting in a semi-circle facing him inside the plastic pirate ship, water constantly pouring down from above. Squeals and happy laughter from children at play coming from the 'seedy docks' nearby, cordoned off from the Private Party going on.



"I guess my natural charm was enough to help her through the initial shock. Heh, dames, what can you say? Anyways, the new assistant I hired on a couple weeks prior was my only emergency contact, and to say that Sheila was surprised to be handed a toddler and told it was her boss would be putting it mildly. But she sure surprised me. Instead of dropping me off at a hospital or someplace, she actually took me home. Well, after stopping at a grocery store on the way to pick up some... supplies. So we've been co-habitating ever since, and she's even managed to help me on a few cases! No one ever suspects the puppy in the stroller is secretly filming them cheat!"



"Who thinks to suggest an indoor water park to have a support group meeting?" Terra whispered to Tristan and Caroline. The two girls were wearing matching pink glittery one-piece bathing suits with attached white skirts to hide the snaps at the bottom, and also to match the white water wings. Tristan, sporting some orange water wings on his own arms, and blue and purple bermuda swim trunks over his own swim diaper; rolled his eyes.



"Apparently whoever wrote it on the paper Bill pulled out from the meet-up raffle last time," Caroline whispered back. "Also, wasn't it two big punks that he got into a fight with the last time he told this story?"



"My personal favorite is when it involved a bomb on a bus that was rigged to explode if it went below fifty miles an hour!" The two girls giggled.



Just outside the play ship were some blue plastic picnic tables set up around each other. They were packed with the regressees' caretakers.



"I don't like to say that it was fate, especially since I'd had a big argument with my now ex-fiance due to... well, his not wanting to have kids, but it's just so... serendipitous for little Jeffrey to have come into my life like he did!" Sheila, a mature snow white rabbit wearing a simple purple one-piece bathing suit, let out a happy sigh as she looked back over to where the regressees were still discussing things in the play ship.



"One moment I'm sighing, thinking I'm about to go in to another awkward situation where my boss is probably about to get beat up by an angry cheating spouse... again. The next I'm cradling the sweetest little puffball of a pup in my arms, rocking him and humming a lullaby to try and help him calm down. Both from the transformation and for the little accident he had shortly afterwards."



There were nods of understanding from some of the others sitting around.



"It might be odd... but now I can't even imagine my life without my special little detective in it."



Mia reached over and gave the bunny woman's paw a squeeze.



"We know we know exactly how that feels," she said while motioning to Sally sitting next to her. Both were wearing matching red and white-striped one-piece bathing suits. Sally nodded and turned to check on Amy, who was splashing around the little wading pool with other children her age. The little panthress was laughing as she splashed around with a pair of fox twins. She was wearing a bright orange swimsuit, a blue pair of water wings, and a bright pink water ring around her waist.



"We've only had Tristan for a little while, but now it's like we've always all been together as a family!"



Sally took her wife's hands in her feathery own and looked into her eyes.



"We've been blessed by two wonderful little miracles." She and Mia shared a kiss that was all too short in Mia's opinion, but the panthress started purring regardless.



"And actually... since Tristan's birthday is going to be next Saturday, we were planning on having a party for him in our backyard."



"OH!" The chestnut brown horse woman on Mia's right looked delighted, whipping her phone out and tapping on the screen, marking the date on the phone's calendar. "I just know that Billy would love to go!"



"I know for a fact that both Terra and Caroline would never forgive me if I let them miss going to the little guy's birthday party," Miles said with a chuckle. The tiger was wearing a pair of simple white trunks, his tail swishing as he also fished out his phone. "I think Meggy would probably love to go as well. What do you think, Leslie?"



The sheep girl, whom Mia had learned was twenty-eight, was wearing a bright red bikini top with a green skirt wrapped around her lower half. She was also trying not to be obvious in her ogling of the large and muscular tiger or his six-pack abs. Her wool was trimmed short, revealing a much slimmer build than her usual look.



"Hmm? O-oh! Yeah! Gam-Gam would love to go! And knowing her, she'd probably want to make up a batch of her famous peanut brittle as a treat for everyone. U-unless someone's got a nut allergy! Then we can try something else!" She blushed a little as she snuck a quick look at Miles.



"No need to fret, Leslie. I asked around the whole group and no one's got any nut allergies. The worst anyone has is my Billy's allergy to strawberries." The rest of the caretakers also began to join in, all agreeing that they and their charges could make it. Mia was positively beaming, something that brought a smile to Sally's face. The eagle woman gave her wife a kiss on the cheek before getting up to go and check first on Tristan, who was being cuddled by Meggy, the lamb's wool also trimmed short, no doubt due to it getting heavy when wet; and then on Amy, who seemed to be whispering something to the fox kits she was playing with.



"Hi, kiddo." Sally said, taking a seat at the edge of the kiddie pool, letting her taloned ankles rest in the water.



"Auntie Sally!" Amy squealed, clearly excited as she pointed to the boy fox in the green trunks and the vixen next to him in the matching green one-piece swimsuit.



"These are my new friends Adam and Amanda! They're lotsa fun, they both like to play ski-ball, and they're both gunna be in my class when we start Kindergarten! Mrs. Applebee's room!" The little panthress was jumping up and down and splashing in pure delight. Sally felt her heart swell with joy, knowing Mia was going to want to celebrate Amy making some new friends in some way when she heard about it.



"That's wonderful, honeypie!"



"OH! And is Tristy's secret baby meeting almost over? 'Cause I wanna show my baby brother to my new friends!" Amy looked up with pleading eyes that Sally had to admit were always a bit hard to say an outright no to. Looking over and seeing the group of toddlers was beginning to leave the plastic pirate ship they had reserved, she waved Tristan, who was waddling towards the other end of the kiddie pool, over to them. In tow was Terra and Caroline. The former was skipping as she followed along, and the latter was holding a blushing Tristan's paw and clearly not about to let go for anyone.



"Hey there, hun, is your meeting all finished?" Sally asked, lovingly ruffling his headfur and subtly checking to see if he needed a change.



"Uh-huh. So me and Caroline and Terra were gunna go pla--AGH!"



Tristan was surprised when Amy walked right up behind him and lifted the confused kitten up under his arms to carry over to her new friends. His wings flapped in shock before he calmed down.



"Amy?!"



"Here he is! This is my special baby brother, Tristan! My aunties say that he used to be big but then turned back into a baby, but I think that they're all just playing pretend because he's too cute to not have been a baby all along!" Amy declared, proudly presenting the confused and now slightly pouting Tristan to the two foxes.



"That sounds like our new little cousin, Sam!" Amanda said, her tail wagging as she approached the kitten with a big smile on her face.



"Mommy and Daddy keep tellin' us that he's actually our old uncle Sam who was allergic to some medicine and it made him grow down." Adam added, holding a bright red ball out for Tristan to grab. "But we know better! The stork musta gotten lost and dropped little Sammy over at our house. Uncle Sam will come and get him soon, probably."



"Until then we play with him lots! Even when he's trying to watch the boring news and saying he's a grown-up!"



Tristan rolled his eyes but knew better than to try and argue. There just wasn't any way to convince Amy of his adulthood. Figuring she'd be more understanding when she was older, he instead decided to toss, albeit a little clumsily, the ball back to Adam. The fox boy yipped and passed the ball to his sister who in turn tossed it back to the kitten. Soon, Terra and Caroline were splashing over to them as well.



"Can we play too?" The little tigress asked. Soon it became a three on three game of catch, all being watched over by Sally, Mia, Miles, and a fox man named Eric. Mia was especially excited to set up a playdate with him for Amy and the twins.



The day at the waterpark passed by far too quickly, yet Mia and Sally, as well as the other caretakers, made sure to take plenty of pictures to help preserve some of the fun and excitement. All too soon, everyone was packing up and heading home, toddlers corralled to have the pool water washed off, be changed into clean and dry outfits, and be safely buckled into carseats for the journey home. Halfway there, Mia, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned to see both her and her wife's charges completely tuckered out, sleeping away in their respective carseats. Amy held a stuffed raccoon in a lab coat close to her chest, while Tristan lightly snored around his binky as he hugged his large purple googly-eyed shark. She discretely snapped a picture of the two, having to fight back a squeal at the adorable sight.



"They're both just so precious!" She whispered to Sally, who nodded.



"Of course they are. They're our babies, after all."



"And soon it will be official." Mia felt herself practically buzzing with excitement. "I still can't believe he agreed to being officially adopted! It's like a dream come true!"



"If this is a dream, darlin', then I don't ever want to wake up." Sally said as they turned onto their street.





One restful nap later...





Tristan's eyes slowly cracked open. He saw Sally leaning over him, a warm smile on her beak. He realized that he was on the changing table of his nursery, and she was taping on a fresh pair of Snuggies. He yawned and rubbed his eye with a free paw, his binky almost falling out of his mouth. Spot, the big purple shark stuffie, was still in his arms.



"Hey there, sleepyhead. Did you have a nice nap?"



Tristan nodded. He sat up and saw Sally grab a simple green shirt. Reluctantly, he set Spot down next to him and held his arms up.



"Aren't you just the best little helper?" Sally booped his nose before pulling the shirt down over his head, his arms popped out through the sleeves. She reached behind and expertly buttoned the flaps beneath the holes in the back for his wings.



"There, one freshly changed cutie ready to play," Sally said, waiting for him to grab Spot again before she scooped him up off the changing table. Cradled in her arms, Tristan felt so safe and secure.



"Mia decided on making a lasagna tonight. Does that sound good to you, hun?"



"Yeah!" Tristan lisped around his pacifier.



"Good! So in the hour that it should take for it to finish cooking, what do you want to do?"



"Can me and Uncle Benji go fly a kite again?" Tristan asked, trying to look nonchalant. Sally chuckled and gave his cheek a kiss.



"Not without my or Mia's supervision, to make sure that it's only a kite you two will try to fly."



"Uh... I dunno what you mean, Mama." Tristan did his best to look as innocent as possible.



"Uh-huh. That reminds me, I need to have a word with my dear, dear brother about that."



"Awww, c'mon! We were totally safe!"



"I'm sorry, sweetheart. But this is something that Me and Mommy are putting our feet down about."



Entering the living room they could hear voices and laughter coming from the kitchen. Peeking in, they saw Amy standing on a step-stool at the counter next to Benji, who had a black apron tied around his waist. Mia was filming the two with her phone as the large black-feathered bird waved his feathery wings over some silver object in an act of showmanship.



"Alrighty, we let the mixture set in the fridge to chill. And now is the time for the big reveal!"



The silver object had a handle on the top. The rest of it was shaped like a misshapen metal football, with lots of oddly curving wrinkles.



"Is that some kind of brain mold?!" Tristan asked, squirming in Sally's arms, wanting to be set down so he could waddle as fast as he could over to the spare step-stool to get a good look.



"Sure is, little guy!" With another flourish of his winged arms, the metal mold was pulled away to show a jiggly pink substance shaped like a brain. "I used strawberry gelatin for that gooey brain look!"



"Woooooah!" Tristan and Amy both said simultaneously.



"Benji," Sally said, passing Tristan off to Mia so she could stare her brother down, giving him a glare, her feathery hands on her hips. Benji froze and partially turned to give his younger sister a sheepish smile.



"What did we say about exposing the children to scary things?"



"Woah now! Neither one is scared right now, right guys?"



"Nu-uh!" Amy said, reaching over to swipe a pawful of the gelatin.



"Me either! Also, I'm still an adult!" Tristan pouted around his binky.



Sally continued to glare at her brother.



"A-also, Mia totally let me do it!"



"You said it was going to be an art project! You never said anything about making dessert body parts!" Mia huffed, putting her phone away.



"To be fair, I didn't not say that they were body part related..."



"Benji!" Sally growled out just as the doorbell rang.



"We'll get that," Mia offered, shifting Tristan in her arms so that she was cradling him like Sally had been. Heading towards the front door, Mia nuzzled the kitten in her arms, smiling at him. He smiled back just as they reached the door. Mia opened it.



"Can I help you?" The panthress asked. Tristan turned and froze. Standing there, clipboard in her clawed hands stood Kelly, a relieved smile on her bill.



"Hello! My name is Kelly Saunders! I'm from Child Protective Services, and I've been looking for this little cutie for a little while now!"



"CPS?!" Mia looked between the smiling platypus with the clipboard and the winged kitten in her arms, feeling her stomach drop.



"Yup! I was finally able to get a foster family all lined up! May I come inside?"



Before Mia could answer, Kelly brushed right past her, looking around.



"Oh! Baby gates, that's definitely a good sign!"



Tristand and Mia shared a worried glance.









Sorry to leave you all on such a cliff-hanger... hehe, but anyways, I hope you enjoyed the new chapter! Be sure to let me know what you think!

[Pierry Louys]

Great chapter !!! Curious to see what gonna happen next ! And to see Tristan reaction when he have a proper toddler birthday with a lot a fun between diaper changes hahahha

[Panther Cub]

1 hour ago, Pierry Louys said:

Great chapter !!! Curious to see what gonna happen next ! And to see Tristan reaction when he have a proper toddler birthday with a lot a fun between diaper changes hahahha

Thank you! Hehehe, it's gunna be a rollercoaster ride of emotions!

And I think the party is gunna be an interesting day for the little guy!