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His First Employee (Part 2)

copyright comidacomida 2024

Nigel sat silently on his bed, not able to summon up enough courage to look at his bodyguard as Ron finished flipping through the sketch pad. The young man's most private creative work had been laid bare and he felt simultaneously exposed, vulnerable and raw but, at the same time strangely invigorated. The Wolf had seen what it was Nigel chose to do with his creativity and, even if Ron didn't understand the depths of the young man's affections, Nigel was still not rebuked.

Swallowing his apprehension, he had to push forward. "Um... Ron?"

The Wolf closed the sketch book and handed it back to him. "Yeah, Nigel?

Accepting the work, Nigel got up and went to return it to its place within the drawer of his writing desk. There were so many things he wanted to say; things he knew about that Ron didn't. He turned around once his sketchbook was stowed, leaning back against the desk for support. Nigel couldn't bring himself to tell his bodyguard what he was thinking, but it didn't stop him from trying to approach the topic. "My dad said that we'd have to wait a week to celebrate my birthday."

Out of everyone in the house, Nigel knew that Ron was most likely to remember anniversaries. The young man was not let down. Raising an ear inquisitively, the Wolf asked his question in a neutral tone. "Oh? He has something special going on tomorrow?"

Shrugging in response, Nigel returned to his bed. "More business meetings... but that doesn't mean you and I can't do something."

The Wolf cracked a smirk. "Yeah? I have a feeling whatever I might do wouldn't hold a candle to whatever your dad has planned. You only turn 18 once, you know."

Nigel fought to avoid a grimace; it wasn't the direction he'd hoped the discussion would go. "Something stupid. I'm glad he's waiting to celebrate it... but you and I-- we can celebrate proper... you know... with... uh... cigars... or... whatever... and stuff."

The young man generally kept a reasonable assessment of his strengths and weaknesses but he was not really good at coming up with thoughts on the spot. Ron apparently agreed, regarding him with a wry grin. "Smoking, huh? Well... even if you puff cigars rather than inhale, you're still the LAST person I could ever imagine smoking... asthma, and all that."

Fidgeting, the young man shrugged. Nigel was never good at getting to the point, and it hurt all the more to consider. "Either way... I... I just want to have a good birthday, and I want you there."

The Wolf offered a much more neutral smile as he nodded. "Ah, I see. I think I understand where this is going, Nigel." Ron took a deep breath, obviously choosing his words carefully. "You're growing up, and you're thinking about the future... and that's a good thing."

Nigel shrugged, fighting to hold back a scowl. "Honestly? I'd rather not look at the future... I don't really want things to change, Ron."

The young man watched his bodyguard's calm expression, the faintest hint of a smile on his muzzle. "Well, unfortunately time only goes in one direction, and nobody's figured out how to slow it... so we all just do what we can."

Sighing, Nigel rubbed at his arm, hugging himself in a self-soothing manner; he knew that Ron didn't have any idea of the eighteenth birthday party meant, but the young man was more than happy enough to hold off on the family party. "I'd just rather celebrate my birthday with you instead of everyone else."

Ron offered a mellow chuckle. "And that means a lot to me, Nigel. You're an incredible person, and I've had the privilege of watching you grow into a talented young man."

Nigel felt his cheeks flush. "So... we can do a birthday party? Just us?"

The Wolf winked in a conspiratory manner. "Of course, kid. I'm here for you, not just as your bodyguard, but as someone who cares about you deeply... just so long as you understand that things should only ever go so far... right?"

Having had plenty of experience in hiding his emotion, Nigel grit his teeth and pushed down his frustration and pain of his bodyguard's boundaries, but, if it meant that they cold continue to spend time together while they could he would accept it. "Oh... okay... um.. yeah. o-of course... uh... OBVIOUSLY. heh..."

It was obvious to the young man that Ron wasn't buying it. That only became more apparent with the Wolf's ear turned sideways and his whiskers twitched. "What is it?"

Nigel shrugged, trying to hide his continued trepidation. "Nothing."

His bodyguard gave him a gentle poke in the shoulder. "Doesn't seem like nothing to me. Seems like nobody's gone over boundaries with you. Drawing me is one thing, but you KNOW that's as far as it goes, right, Nigel?"

The young man did indeed know; realizing Ron had boundaries didn't hurt as much as what they HADN'T discussed. "Yeah, Ron... I know."

Silence stretched out between them for many long moments but Ron did ultimately break it. "A hug'd be okay, I guess.... you don't get many of those, right?"

Nigel looked up at his bodyguard, keeping his expression as neutral as possible; Ron really did know him well. "Eh... My dad's never liked giving hugs. I mean... they... seem nice, I guess."

Ron nodded, sliding closer. He reached out slowly, gently wrapping his arms around the youth in a warm, comforting embrace. "Hugs are a good thing. You know you're safe with me, okay? I promise. A hug can be a symbol of acceptance, love, and trust."

Unable to keep his body from shaking, Nigel found himself hating his response. He didn't know if he was quivering out of fear or desire or rage-- maybe some of all of it but, after several seconds of being in his bodyguard's arms he managed to get past that, and the shiver turned to one of uncertainty and, a moment later he was able to let out a long, shaky breath, and he grit his teeth when he felt a warm teardrop finds its way down his cheek.

The young man winced when he realized that the tear fell onto Ron's arm and he fervently hoped that it would go unnoticed; it didn't. The Wolf's response, however, was not what Nigel had expected. Pulling the youth even closer, Ron's grip was gentle but firm, paw softly stroking Nigel's hair in a soothing motion. The Human could hear the Wolf's heartbeat where his ear was resting against Ron's chest, a calm cadence that matched the rhythm of his breathing. "Shhh... it's okay, Nigel..."

Nigel had been brought up to never give in or let anyone see him sweat; his father had made sure that he would suck it up and make due no matter what but, for some reason, Ron's reassurances did not help-- they just made his tears worse. A moment later, Nigel began failing at fighting back his tears, and he hated himself for it. "S-sorry, Ron."

Ron, however, didn't seem to mind. The Wolf's muzzle brushed the top of his head, and he spoke calmly and soothingly. "Let it out, Nigel. Sometimes if you don't know what to say, think, or feel, crying is the best option."

It all faded away at the simple permission from his bodyguard... and Nigel began sobbing. He felt Ron's arms tighten around him, giving him a gentle squeeze, and the Wolf let out a soft growl. "Dont worry, Nigel... I've got you, kid. Let it out. Let the storm pass. You're safe with me."

Ron's voice was a soft, soothing hum, a reassurance that slowly weaned him off his tears. As Nigel's tears abated, the Wolf shifted his stance, curling his body around the boy. Nigel fought to match his breathing to Ron, who was breathe deeply, exuding a sense of calm. It really did help... until the young man thought about what started his emotional outburst, and what he knew he couldn't keep silent about any longer; not talking about it didn't make it go away.

Fighting back the emotions, Nigel forced the words out, pushing past the hesitance that wrongly insisted that, so long as he didn't speak it aloud, reality wouldn't come to pass. Ron deserved to know what the problem was-- if for no other reason than for Nigel to be able to prove that he wasn't emotionally unstable. "Ron... I don't want to lose you."

The Wolf slowly disengaged, ears rising up as his bodyguard observed him critically. "Lose me, kid? I'm not going anywhere!"

Digging his fingernails into his palms to keep his focus, Nigel finally spoke the words that identified what had been going wrong all day. "Ron... Abernathy said that you're going to get canned. Now that I'm eighteen you'll be reassigned because you're a mercenary and you don't care-- you just get paid more for watching kids..."

Ron's furry eyebrows furrowed in a mix of frustration and disappointment, holding Nigel at arm's length, blue-grey eyes meeting his. A low growl rumbled in Ron's chest as he spoke flatly. "Firstly, Ron Lewis doesn't get 'canned,' nor do I care about your age or how much I'm paid. My dedication is to protecting you. The implication that I don't care about the kids is insulting to both my integrity and career."

Nigel sniffed, blinking away his tears. "But, Aber--"

The Wolf spoke over him. "Abernathy might have opinions on the topic, but what matters is your well-being, Nigel. This job, us being together, it's about more than just the money or the fact that you're eighteen. It's about trust, and safety, and loyalty."

The young man nodded. "I... I want you to stay, Ron... I don't... want you to leave."

A gentle rumble echoed from the Wolf's chest: a low, assuring growl. He leaned down to Nigel's level, maintaining eye contact. "Your wish is my command, kid. As long as you need me, and as long as I'm able, I'll be right here, by your side. Rest assured, no one is 'canning' me or taking this position away from me. My commitment to your safety and well-being is unwavering no matter how many birthdays you have.

Nigel nodded hesitantly, reaching up to wipe his eyes with the back of his shirt sleeve. He could't help but try and be reassured by Ron, regardless of what he knew. No longer having the gumption to continue the talk, he let his bodyguard's words and deeds change the subject for him. "I... ah... okay. T-the... uh... hug was nice... by the way."

Sharing a small, understanding smile, Ron nodded in response. "I'm here for you, not just as a bodyguard, but also as a friend and a confidant. Remember that."

* * * * *

Ron was relieved when Nigel finally seemed to calm after his out-of-character emotional outburst. For most of the teen's life the Wolf had seen him as a very mild, well-mannered young man and seeing him in such turmoil left Ron surprised. Although the Wolf didn't particularly pride himself on being great with helping others work through trauma or emotional pain, he was thankful that whatever he'd said apparently had a positive effect on his charge. Standing up off the bed, Ron gestured to it. "So... how about it, kid-- ready for sleep? Tomorrow's another day, and so much brighter knowing we stand strong together."

Nigel nodded absently, eyes gazing out the window to the city skyline beyond. When the young man spoke he did so facing the city and not toward Ron. "Hey... Ron?"

Ron moved the chair he'd been using back to the writing desk. He also grabbed some discarded socks off the floor and tossed them into Nigel's hamper. "Yeah, kid?"

The young man sat back down on his bed and began taking off his day clothing. "You don't get hugs very often either... do you?"

The Wolf chuckled in response, grabbing a night shirt and pajama bottoms for Nigel out of his bureau. ""In my line of work, physical contact is usually a bad thing. As for the more pleasant stuff? Yeah... it's somewhat scarce. However, I gather warmth where I can - from a job well done, fulfilling my duties, or engaging in hobbies that truly move me. While hugs are less frequent, they're not completely absent. As for affection..." He dropped the bed clothes next to his ward and reached out to ruffle his hair with a paw. "It's often expressed in other ways--- a bit subtle, maybe, but meaningful. Remember, Nigel: touch isn't the only tool in the box of connection."

Having slid on his night shirt, as Nigel finished tying the waist cord to his pajama pants, he asked "Do you think I could give YOU a hug?"

Ron paused at that, making sure to keep his expression stoic, but he let his eyes soften as he glanced to the boy, then back to the window. "Yeah... sure... if you wanna."

Nigel stepped forward; he was by no means the largest bodyguard out there but, compared to the teen he felt like he was massive, towering over the boy, but his indomitable demeanor melted the moment Nigel wrapped his arms around the Wolf's midsection. He coughed out the hint of vulnerability he felt at the exchange; Ron had to admit that it felt good to be hugged for the sake of hugging. Before he knew it, his chest filled with a low growl and he returned the embrace, tightening the hug.

There was a kind of peaceful reverie in the moment. For a fleeting instant, Ron was able to forget about the world outside the room. He was able to enjoy those precious seconds. Nigel hadn't been wrong that the Wolf rarely got a comforting embrace; on the few occasions he could find a woman (or occasionally a man) interested in some physical intimacy there was almost always an end goal that required pushing past the hug onto something else but, with Nigel, the embrace was the be-all-end-all, and it was wonderful.

Eventually, Ron realized that the time for the act had to conclude and, relinquishing the warmth and comfort of the hug, he knew he'd have to let go. Only once he did so did the Wolf realize that Nigel, having obviously been overcome by the events of the day and the emotions, remaining holding onto him; the boy had fallen asleep in his arms. Feeling his ears blush, Ron delicately shifted the teen to one of his arms so he could heft him up and slowly lower him down onto the bed in a comfortable position.

The Wolf was mindful about shifting the lad's weight in his arms, careful not to disturb him. Once the Human was laid down, Ron set a blanket over him then sat down on the foot of his bed, a soft smile on his muzzle. He examined the peaceful expression on Nigel's face, thankful that he had been successful in diffusing what had threatened to have been an emotional breakdown. Ron couldn't banish his own trepidation, a mix of concern and fondness rising within him. The Wolf, at one time, had been a cold and steely soldier, but that had been many years in his past.

Nigel had changed a lot in the time Ron had been protecting him but, as time went by, the Wolf was starting to realize that he himself had also changed; he used to think that he had been reduced to the role of a protector and caretaker but, in that moment, he realized there was no 'reduction' to it. He was proud of his role. Smiling softly, Ron reached forward and gently caressed the teen's cheek with the back of his paw, voice a soft whisper as he spoke. "Sleep well, Nigel. You're safe with me."

A hand found his paw, gripping it with the surreal strength of a sleeper subconsciously desiring nothing more than closeness. Murmuring Nigel's voice emerged from his slips, slurred in his slumber. "Never leave me, Ron... I love you."

A pang of something unfamiliar lanced through the Wolf at his whispered words. In response, could only pull the Human close, his lupine body offering all the comfort and security it could muster as he whispered with conviction. "Eh... fuck Abernathy. He has no idea what he's talking about, kid. I'm not going anywhere."