Tʜᴇᴀ's Lɪᴛᴛʟᴇ : Aᴄᴇ Eᴠᴀɴ

[Eleven]

Ace is still in his Big space and refusing any kind of help from me, he's also too quiet for my liking.

His silence causing a dread to settle in my stomach. I hate to be the reason he's being like this. I've tried everything in my power to thaw the ice he's building around himself, to get him to slip, but he's stronger now. I'm scared it'd impact his mental health at some point.

I serve him a plate of pasta and take the chair across from him at the table, none of us speak as we eat our dinner.

"Ace, baby, I told you I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you or force you to be big. I was just so tired and needed you to co-operate. Please, forgive me, baby." I plea.

"I'm not mad, Thea. I'm trying to be a responsible adult who can take care of himself. I've told you in the first place that I didn't need to be a Little. Because of this exact fear, the fear of burdening someone, you."

I swallow thickly, watching him as he fights back his tears, roaming his fork around the plate. He hasn't taken a single bite yet. He's eating a lot less now, usually he'd at least have his bottle or fruits dipped in yogurt, but now he's forcing himself with big boy food which probably isn't helping with his digestion.

"I never meant for you to feel like you're a burden, Ace. I'm sorry you felt that way, but you know I'd never consider you a burden. You're my boyfriend, my baby, I'd forever take care of you." I pause, taking a deep breath to compose the shakiness of my voice. "Was it too much that I needed a bit of rest for myself?"

He seems to be taken aback by my question, eyes widening a little as the façade slowly started slipping away and his face softened.

"I'm done." He mutters, standing up with his plate and leaving the table.

I sigh and finish my dinner, then take the dishes to fridge and the empty plates to the washer. Ace has gone up to sleep before I'm even done tidying up the kitchen space.

My heart stutters, it's been 3 days since I've held him to sleep.

Pouring myself a much needed glass of wine, I stagger over to the couch and turn the tv on. A few minutes into some random cooking show, my phone buzzes and my face blanches at the ID flashing across the screen.

The social workers. I slide the green button and hold the phone against my ear, clearing my throat before speaking.

"Ms. Donovan?"

"Yes."

"This is Ryla from the Social Service Centre. Do you have a minute?"

I put away my wine glass, shifting on the couch to sit straight and compose my rapidly beating heart.

"Yeah."

"Thank you. As you can probably already tell why am I calling. Yeah, it's about the care-visit. To finalize your pairing with Mr. Evan. Do you think it'd be alright if we come by tomorrow?"

My heart drops. The fucking time they choose for the investigation.

"Uhm yeah, sure. Ace has class from 8-10, maybe you can come by after."

"Of course. We'll be coming whenever it's convenient for you. See you tomorrow then. Take care."

"Thank you."

Fuck.

It's a mess, the situation we are in, if it's visible to their eyes, things could get horribly wrong and I may lose Ace to the system.

What did she mean by, "We'll be coming", why did it sound like they'll be coming after me?! God, I'm freaking out!

Holding my head in my hands, I close my eyes and take deep breaths. I can't lose my shit and present them exactly with what they're looking for—my lack of abilities to care for a Little.