Little Lux

13

15th October, 2022 - Los Angeles, California

"No!" Lux shrieks as Sebastian hoists her down into the warm bathwater. She thrashes harshly against his grip, trying to wriggle free but is hold on her is too firm.

"Sweetheart, stop," Sebastian said, his voice gentle yet firm. "You're all scraped up. I need to clean your cuts so they don't get infected." His large hands held her securely but without causing pain, careful not to add to her distress.

He'd already tried dabbing some antibiotic ointment onto her knees and palms with a cotton pad but she wasn't having it so he figured the next best thing would be a warm bath so he could at least get rid of all the dirt and debris on her.

The warm water lapped at her scrapes on her palm and knees causing her to let out a few upset whimpers. It stung a lot.

She continued to thrash, her movements desperate as water splashed over the edge of the tub. "I d-don't w-want this! I don't n-need you!" she screamed, tears rolling down her cheeks as her emotions boiled over.

Her fists pounded weakly against his forearms, but Sebastian didn't flinch.

"Luxie," he murmured, his voice low but steady. "I know you're upset. I know you're angry. And that's okay. But you're hurt, and I need to take care of you. That's what daddies do."

Lux lets out a cry of frustration, trying to stand up in the tub so that she could get out, only for Sebastian to plop her right back down into the water. She was so angry and frustrated that she didn't even care that she was completely naked in front of him - something which would usually have her mortified.

"Sit still, sweetheart. Fighting me is only going to make it worse. I promise this will be quick." He says softly, bringing a wash cloth up to her palm and gently wiping away the dirt and dried blood from around her cuts.

She glared at him through her tears, her small hands trembling as they gripped the edge of the tub. "You're n-not my d-daddy!" she shouts, her voice shaky and loud from frustration.

"I know you feel that way right now, baby. But I am here to take care of you, whether you want me to or not." He says, continuing to clean up her left palm.

Lux sobbed harder, the feelings frustration and anger mingling inside her. She hated this feeling of helplessness, of being controlled, of having every decision made for her.

Sebastian stayed calm, letting her cry it out. He knew the storm of emotions raging inside her had to find its release somehow. He worked quickly, rinsing the washcloth and carefully dabbing at her knees. She flinched with each pass, her tiny hands clutching the sides of the tub, her knuckles white.

"Luxie," he murmured again, softer this time. "I know it hurts, sweetheart, and I know you're mad at me. But I can't let you hurt yourself more by leaving those scrapes untreated."

"Jus' let m-me g-go!" She screams, lifting her hand up to hit the man but he swiftly catches it and puts her arm back down by her side.

"I can't do that, sweetheart," he said "You're not safe out there on your own. And no matter how angry you are, I won't stop taking care of you."

Lux let out another frustrated wail, her chest heaving as she tried to pull her hand away. "I don't need you!" she screamed, the words echoing in the small bathroom. "I don't want you! Y-you don't care about me! You just want someone to boss around!"

Sebastian sighed, setting the washcloth down for a moment. He knelt beside the tub, keeping his eyes level with hers. His face was calm, though his sadness was evident in the soft crease of his brows. "I know it feels that way right now, my little Luxie. And I'm so so sorry you feel like this. But that's not true. Not even a little bit."