Master of his heart (Max and Brielle)

When Max got a call from Tiffanie, he could hear a bit of cheer in her voice, a sign that things were getting better, no doubt helped by him passing on Mason's address. With his own wedding just around the corner, Max couldn't really spare much time for others. He just made one promise:

"Once you're married, I'll get you a couple of mansions."

Tiffanie chuckled on the other end, "Well, thanks in advance, Maxie."

After hanging up, Max noticed a small, curled-up creature at his feet. It was Little Noir.

He scooped up the tiny furball and saw Isaac nearby, holding another one and struggling with a baby bottle.

Ideally, their mom, Noir, should have been feeding them, but she was a bit careless, often squashing the weakest one under her weight.

This little pup was so frail and always lost out to its siblings at feeding time, leaving it constantly hungry and whining.

Max had suggested they bottle-feed this one.

Seeing Isaac trying to feed it, Max quickly took the bottle from him.

"Easy does it. If it can't swallow quick enough, it might choke."

Isaac knew Max wasn't his dad, just someone who looked just like him.

But after a few days together, he was starting to get used to him.

Still, he missed his dad terribly.

Would his dad ever come back?

He didn't dare ask, worried it would make his mom sad and put Max in an awkward spot.

As Max gently taught Isaac how to feed Little Noir, stressing the importance of patience to avoid choking, Isaac looked up at him with innocent eyes. "Daddy... um, Max."

He fumbled over the titles, each feeling awkward and heavy with longing.

He missed his dad.

In Isaac's memories, it was his dad who changed his diapers, stayed with him during fevers, and coaxed him to eat when he wasn't hungry. Now, with his dad gone, he felt lost.

This man was kind, kinder than

most, but in Isaac's world, the

somewhat childlike man who'd net

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always been there for him was

irreplaceable.

He knew he shouldn't feel this way, but he was barely five years old. Why couldn't he just follow his heart?

His eyes welled up, and when Max asked if he missed him, Isaac felt exposed by the man's perceptive gaze.

Embarrassed, Isaac scratched his head, his cheeks turning pink.

After feeding Little Noir, Max placed him back in his cozy bed.

"King used to feed you like this," Max mentioned, bringing up Isaac's dad.

Isaac's eyes lit up at the mention of his dad.

"Yeah."

"And when you were weaning, you gave him quite the headache, didn't you?"

"Yeah, Uncle Joseph said I would just cling to my pacifier and refuse anything else."

Max chuckled softly, ruffling Isaac's hair-a gesture so familiar it warmed Isaac's cheeks with a sense of nostalgia.

"I'm sorry."

Isaac apologized sincerely, his lashes casting shadows over his sad eyes.

"Sorry for what? You've got nothing to be sorry about, little cricket. It's us grown-ups who should be

apologizing to you." Contenvers

Max pulled him into a hug, letting out a deep sigh.

belongs

"Whatever's on your mind, just tell me. Kids shouldn't have to carry such heavy thoughts. Trust me, I'll help you sort through anything."

Now, Isaac didn't feel any hesitation towards Max's closeness.

Though he seemed distant to outsiders, his warmth towards family ran deep and true.

No wonder Brielle was drawn to him.

But then again, Brielle loved his dad too.

Either way, his dad was just as special.