Okay, so before we start this new story, I just want you, my dear readers, to know that this story is different to any I have written before. It has DDlg dynamics to it (short for Daddy Dom / little girl) which is part of the BDSM realm, though it is a softer side of BDSM. It will not be to everyone's taste, and I can guarantee now that some who read it will not understand the lifestyle nor will they like it. And that is okay. All I ask is that you don't leave any hateful or hurtful comments, since there are people (like me) who do enjoy this dynamic, and even identify with it.
Tenten was in trouble. Big, big trouble.
All she wanted to do was go home, snuggle into her couch, and watch a true crime documentary while holding Dodgers until she felt more like herself again and the problem faded away. But she knew she couldn't. This was her fault, and she couldn't get out of it just by wishing it away.
Besides, what twenty-seven-year-old still needed a stuffed bear for comfort? She had tried to bury that side of her for years now, knowing it was wrong. And for the most part, she had been successful. She ignored her desires and feelings to the point where she almost forgot she had them. The only thing she couldn't give up was Dodgers. The old, worn-out bear was the one thing she held dear to.
He had comforted her during some of her most challenging, difficult years. How was she supposed to give him up?
Tenten worried her lip, her mind trying to work out a plan. Her boss' angry voice still rang through her mind even after she had left his office, and she bit down harder on her lip to keep from crying. She did not cry. Ever. And especially not while in the presence of her co-workers and clients.
She was a personal trainer in one of the biggest gyms in town. Her work was rewarding, for the most part. She enjoyed helping her clients become stronger and more confident. It helped her as well, though not in a way she could fully explain. Helping others made her feel wanted, needed.
Something she had felt little of for much of her life. As an orphan and having moved from one foster home to the next, Tenten had never really felt like she belonged. Now, at least with her job, she had people that needed her.
Making her way swiftly to the staff lockers, Tenten decided to go home early. She had no more sessions today anyway, and her boss could go suck a dick for all she cared. Maybe she would let herself wallow for the afternoon, then think of a plan tomorrow. That wouldn't be so bad, would it?
"Tenten."
Suddenly, Neji was in front of her, looking as gloriously beautiful as he always did. Not that she would ever admit that out loud, of course. Especially not to him. The damn lawyer had a big enough head as it was without her adding to it.
Talking to the cocky lawyer was not on her to-do list, especially not right then. Not after getting her ass chewed off by her boss and the threat of being sued hanging over her head. She didn't have the money for legal fees. Tenten already lived off the bare minimum, even with this job. And it didn't help that her client was rich and could afford the best lawyer around. The bastard didn't need her money; he was just doing this because his pride had gotten hurt.
"Tenten? Are you okay?" Neji was watching her with a concerned expression, his lips pulled into a frown.
"Just peachy," she replied with a scowl. Sidestepping him, she added, "Now, if you'll excuse me."
He called out to her again, but she ignored him. She didn't know how to act around the man at the best of times, let alone now, when she was feeling vulnerable and weak. He saw far too much for her liking and was always making her want to spill her secrets to him whenever he gave her a stern look.
She hated it, and yet, secretly she craved it.
Tenten opened her locker and pulled out her gym bag containing her belongings. She usually took the time to shower and change before heading home but decided to skip it this time. She didn't want to hang around here any longer in her fragile state.
"Tenten, did you not hear me calling your name?" Neji asked, and she spun around to see him standing at the entrance of the room. His eyes were hard on hers, disapproving. And worried? She shook her head at the thought. Why would he be worried about her?
She forced herself to stand her ground, though instinct told her to apologise. "This area is for employees only. I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
"If you had not ignored me, I would not have had to follow you in here." His arms were folded against his chest, his body taking up the whole entrance, and Tenten couldn't help a sliver of fear run through her. Not of him, per say. But he was just so imposing, so commanding, that she was afraid he could see beyond the surface to her deepest secret.
"You didn't have to follow me in here anyway."
He gave her a disapproving look, one that made her both want to act contrite and be defiant. "Why are you upset, Tenten?"
When he asked in that low, deep voice, she wanted to tell him. But she stood her ground—she refused to look weak in front of him. "That's none of your business."
"Stop trying to argue with me, little girl, and tell me."
Tenten shot him a glare. He always called her that when he was chastising her, and she didn't like it. Not because it offended her, but because it made her feel things low in her belly she didn't want to acknowledge.
"Fine, if you must know, I stubbed my toe in the boss' office. It hurts like a bitch."
"You know I do not like being lied to, Tenten." His look was stern as he stared at her, and once again she fought the urge to apologise. Like hell she was going to stroke his ego.
"And you know I don't like talking about personal shit, yet here we are."
He growled, his frown deepening. "Language," he warned.
Yeah, for some reason he didn't like it when she swore. Not that it had anything to do with him, and she really wasn't in the mood to cater to his sensitivity right then. "I can swear if I damn well want to."
"You are going the right way for a punishment today, little girl." His voice was low, but the commanding tone behind it made her shiver. "I understand that you are having a bad day, but that does not give you the right to be a brat."
"Excuse me?" Tenten's voice rose in pitch, unable to believe what she was hearing. "Did you just threaten to punish me? And how dare you call me a brat!" She refused to acknowledge just how much his growly voice turned her on. And when he called her 'little girl'? She wished it didn't affect her heart so much.
"I understand that you are angry, Tenten, but you should not take it out on others. Whatever the matter is, it is not their fault."
Tenten winced, knowing he was right. Why was she getting so mad at Neji when all he had done was show concern for her? She wasn't usually such a bitch. "You're right," she admitted, lowering her head in shame. "I'm sorry, Neji. I shouldn't have snapped at you."
A finger touched her chin, tilting her head up, and she found herself looking directly into Neji's pearl-coloured eyes. "Thank you for apologising, Poppet. Will you tell me what is wrong?"
She let out a huff of frustration and rolled her eyes, trying to ignore just how close he was standing to her. "Fine. If you must know, my boss just chewed me out for hitting a client."
He raised his eyebrows, clearly not expecting that. "You hit a client? Why?"
"Because he groped me."
Tenten didn't know Neji well, not really. He wasn't one of her clients. But she saw him around the gym often enough, and they would talk sometimes. Not once had he been anything but calm and collected. But right then? She watched as his eyes turned to flint, his hands clenching at his sides.
"He what?"
"Well, technically this wasn't the first time he's touched me inappropriately, but he is usually more subtle about it." She spoke casually, pretending she wasn't affected, when in reality the man had really scared her.
"And that makes it better?" He took deep breaths as if to calm himself, and Tenten wondered why he would be so affected by the news.
She shrugged, the perfect picture of indifference, when inside she was a rioting, sobbing mess. But she would not show weakness in front of him—she learned long ago that people just used it against you. "He pays well, and I only see him once a fortnight. But he didn't want to take no for an answer today. Said he deserved compensation for being a 'loyal customer'." She made air quotes, a shudder coursing through her at his other words—ones she wouldn't be repeating to anyone, ever.
"That bastard."
Her eyes found his, shocked at his angered outburst. Swearing was everywhere in a gym, but she never heard him utter a bad word. Always so regal and proper, he was.
"Why did you not tell me?" he asked, eyes once again looking stern.
"Uhm, because it had nothing to do with you? I'm his trainer; it was my problem. If anyone, I should have told my boss. Which in hindsight, would have been a good idea, because now he doesn't believe me."
"Yes, you should have told your boss straight away. But you are wrong, Tenten. If a man tries to sexually harass you, then it is myproblem. You understand?"
No, she didn't understand. Why would he want to deal with some lowlife that was harassing her? Why would he care? She saw him around the gym regularly, and they talked sometimes, but she did the same with the other patrons. And none of them were getting all up in her business about this.
"I can take care of myself. I have been for years."
"Yes. And look where that has gotten you."
Tenten flinched, the words hitting her deep. She felt the sudden sting of tears behind her eyelids, but she refused to cry. How dare he say that to her! He had no idea what she had dealt with growing up. She raised her chin and glared at him. "If you're just going to insult me, then I'm leaving. I've got better things to do than deal with your shit."
She turned away to grab her bag, but a hand gripped her wrist and spun her back to face him. "Language," he warned again, voice hard, but he softened his tone as he said, "I am sorry. I did not mean that as an insult."
"How else was I supposed to take it?" she retorted, hating that her voice cracked. The back of her throat was burning. She needed to get out of here now, before she burst into tears in front of him. That would just be the cherry on top of her already crappy day.
"I am just worried. I want to help you." He still had a hold of her wrist, but his grip was light, comforting, and she fought against the desire to step into his arms.
"I don't need your help."
"I was not asking."
Before she could form a retort, or ask what the hell he meant by that, her phone rang. She pulled it out, ignoring Neji's disapproving glare as she answered it.
"Hello?" She stared at Neji in shock as she listened to the person speak. His face began to blur through a sheen of tears, her façade of indifference cracking the longer she listened.
Her day had just gotten worse.
.
Neji watched as Tenten's countenance became more and more distressed, and he had to fight the urge to take the phone off her so he could deal with the person on the other end. Obviously, it was not a pleasant phone call, and he did not like seeing her so upset.
The naughty brat, though. Taking a call while in the middle of a conversation was just plain rude. If she were his, she would be getting a lesson in manners for that behaviour.
After hanging up the phone, she looked at him, her eyes glassy behind a sheen of tears. He waited for her to shake it off and get angry at him again, snapping at him like she normally would. But to his surprise, a sob escaped her, and the tears he had seen hovering in her eyes finally started to fall.
Oh, his poor baby.
Neji didn't know what the call had been about, but he knew it must have been bad for Tenten to break down in front of him like that. She was always so stubborn and headstrong, and it made him want to find out just what was underneath her tough exterior. But not like this. He did not like seeing her upset.
Without thinking, Neji stepped forward and folded his arms around her, tugging her to his chest. She didn't resist like he thought she might; instead, she sagged against him, all her fight vanishing as she sobbed into his shirt.
"Oh baby, it will be alright," he murmured, pressing his cheek to the top of her head. His heart was breaking to see her like this.
He had been so careful these past few months, keeping his distance and getting to know her slowly once he realized how high she had built her emotional walls. But perhaps that had been a mistake. Clearly, his little girl needed a guardian, someone to look after her, and he wanted nothing more than to be that person.
She shook her head, her voice muffled from where it was pressed to his chest. "No, it won't! Why did this shit have to happen to me today?"
Neji could have easily given a warning tap to her bottom for her language but decided against it. Timing was everything, and right now it was more important to look after her. Besides, she had just told him she had been sexually assaulted by a client, and he didn't want her to lug him into the same category as that asshole.
Stroking her hair, he let her cry it out for a few minutes before asking, "Do you want to tell me what happened?"
"Do I have a choice?" was her muffled reply.
He chuckled softly. Even upset she was a sassy brat. "Of course you do, but I would rather you tell me." How else can I fix it? was what he didn't say. She had already hit one person today—he didn't want to make it two.
Neji tried to peel her away from him so he could look at her, but she refused to move, her arms tightening around his waist. "Baby girl, let go and tell me what happened." Not that he wanted to let go of her—she felt damn good in his arms, better than he had even dreamed—but this was important.
Another shake of her head. "I don't want to."
"You do not want to tell me? Or you do not want to let go?" He knew he shouldn't be amused by her actions, but he had never seen her like this before and he was enjoying learning a new side of her.
"Let go," she murmured. "I'm so embarrassed right now; can't I just stay like this and not look at you?"
Oh, how he would love for her to stay like this, pressed against him. He stroked his hand up and down her back in a soft, soothing caress. "Why are you embarrassed, Poppet?"
"Because I just cried a storm into your shirt. I'm pretty sure there's snot on it too."
"So?" Neji placed a hand under her chin and tilted her head back until she was looking at him. Her eyes were red rimmed, eyelashes wet with tears, and her cheeks a splotchy pink. And still, she was incredibly beautiful to him. "Why would that embarrass you?"
"It's gross! And because I never cry in front of people."
"One: it is not gross. And two: it seems to me like you needed a good cry, and for me to hold you through it. There is nothing you need to be embarrassed about, Tenten." Wiping the tears from her cheeks, Neji led her to the bench in the locker room and sat her down, kneeling in front of her. "Now, will you tell me what happened on the phone?"
It took a few minutes for Tenten to find her composure, but Neji didn't push. He was patient, and he wanted her to feel comfortable in his presence, not pressured. Finally, she said, "That was my property manager. A pipe in my apartment exploded and flooded everything. He said it will take at least a week to fix all the damage, possibly two. I need to find somewhere else to stay while it's getting repaired."
Neji kept his features neutral, although he was elated inside. Not because of the damage done to her apartment—no, that was terrible, and he hoped she had not lost anything important to her—but because he had already decided she would stay with him. All he had to do was convince her.
"Baby girl, I am sorry that has happened to you. Are they letting you collect some things first?" As he spoke, he tucked her hair behind her ear, the action causing a pretty flush to dot her cheeks.
She nodded, ducking her head as though shy, something he never would have imagined her being before that action. His little girl was full of surprises. "Yeah. He said I can get some clothes and essentials, but they'll be closing my apartment down at the end of the day, so I need to be quick."
"Okay. We will head over now, then." Neji stood and held his hand out for her to take.
Instead of letting him help her up, Tenten looked up at him with a frown. "We? You mean, I?"
"No, I do not. I will take you home to gather your things, and then you will come stay with me."
"With you?" Her chocolate brown eyes bugged out of her head, and he had to keep himself from smiling in amusement at the sight. "You can't just decide that for me!"
He raised a brow at her. "Do you have someone else you can call?"
"Of course I do!" Her indignance belied the look in her eyes, and he knew she was lying. When he only sent her a stern look at her words, she caved. "Fine, I don't have anyone to call. But I can stay at a hotel. I'm not staying with you."
"You would rather pay for accommodation when you could stay somewhere for free with meals provided?" He was goading her, but he knew she would say yes. Eventually.
"I can't just stay with a virtual stranger for a week, Neji."
"You think us strangers? That hurts, Tenten." He said it jokingly, but the words were true. Was that truly how she viewed them? They had known each other for upwards of six months now, and although they weren't close, he expected more than that.
"Fine," she replied with a roll of her eyes. "Acquaintances. But that's not much better. I'll just find somewhere else to stay. A hostel, maybe since they're cheap."
The last sentence she had murmured, but Neji heard it all the same. And he did not like it. "Over my dead body, little girl. You will not be going anywhere near any sort of hostel."
"Excuse me?" She was angry at him, but he much preferred that than her being upset. When he thought she would say more, she took a deep breath before letting it out, visibly trying to calm herself. "Look, I don't really have time for this. I need to get to my apartment and collect my things before they lock me out."
"Very well." That did not mean that he was finished with this conversation. She could argue all she liked, but she would be staying with him in the end. He wanted to look after her, and he got the sense she was not used to someone doing that. "I will take you home."
"I have my own car. I can drive myself."
"No. You have been upset; you should not be driving while in your current headspace." And it would give him more time to convince her to stay with him.
Tenten groaned and rolled her eyes. Neji tipped an eyebrow at the action, his hand itching to spank her but knowing this wasn't the time. Take it slow, he reminded himself. "Fine, but only because you're bloody persistent and I'm in a rush. But you'll drop me off here afterwards." She glared at him as she walked past, out the door, and mumbled, "God, you're stubborn."
An amused smile touched Neji's lips as he followed her to his car. "Oh, baby girl, you have no idea."
I really do hope you enjoy the story. It is a theme I have wanted to write for quite a while now. This story is complete on my laptop, so I will be able to post a few times a week until it is finished. It's only a short story - honestly, it was supposed to be a one-shot originally - but in true me style, I couldn't stop writing, and it ended up being eleven chapters long oops! XD
Again, if it isn't to your taste, please just leave quietly. I was only going to post this story on my AO3 account, not here, since I wasn't sure what kind of reception it would get, but I decided that I would take a chance. :)
