I Am Not Your Master; I Am Your Partner: A (Neko) Dan and (Human) Phil Series

The Curve of the Moon

Phil read while Dan slept between waves of heat. He was still resting his body, taking great care to stay hydrated. Both he and Dan had water at the bedside for this reason.

Dan woke up needy and ready for his daddy. Phil was attentive as usual, satisfying his baby twice in less than two hours. Dan was warm to the touch, which was perfectly normal for heat. Phil always monitored his temperature carefully. Anything higher than the one degree increase could mean illness.

Nekos were more susceptible to illness before, during, and immediately following a period of heat because their bodies were so focused on the need. Phil learned this years ago, and together, he and Dan would be able to help their Neko son understand his body and how to care for it.

Dan quivered in his sleep, softly mewling inside of his closed mouth. Phil stroked his back, wanting to soothe him preemptively. Heat brought intense dreams and even nightmares.

Phil never left Dan during heat, not for more than 15 minutes at a time. He would shower or prepare their meals, but never did he leave Dan alone. Phil was incredibly grateful that his retired parents were ready, willing, and able to help with the baby so that he could continue to support Dan this way.

Phil was currently flipping through the pages of a squat paperback book about baby names. Dan and Phil had already chosen their son's name, but it was still fun to look.

Coming to an agreement on their son's name was characteristically easy for them. Phil said that naming the baby should be fun, not stressful and Dan agreed. So Phil folded a piece of paper down the middle and ripped it in two.

"I thought it would be fun if we each wrote down our top three names, in order, and reveal them to each other." Phil smiled. He turned everything into a game; Dan loved this about him.

"Yeah, okay." Dan laughed. "And if we both have the same name in our top three?"

"Well, then we've named our baby Dan." Phil smiled and winked. He was genuinely curious because they had not yet discussed names. "But 'Chester' is not allowed for obvious reasons." He giggled softly.

"How awful Phil! Could you imagine little Chester Lester?" Dan was laughing hysterically.
Phil joined in; it was even funnier when Dan said it out loud.

"Okay Sweetheart, three names in order?" Phil poised his pencil and looked at Dan, who was already scribbling.

"Yes." Dan nodded without stopping. Phil thought that he looked adorable, his left hand curved inward. His pink tongue poked out the side of his mouth in concentration.

Dan was already done. He held his pencil between his teeth and smiled. He watched Phil nibble thoughtfully on his eraser.

It was tempting for Dan to write down the name 'Philip.' He knew that his husband was far too humble to name his child after himself, but Dan thought it was the most beautiful name in the world.

Phil lay down his pencil and smiled excitedly. "Ready Dan?"

"Yes!" He straightened his spine and flicked his ears. "You first?"

"Me? No, you please. I am dying to know what you like for him." Phil clasped his hands together. "Please?"

Dan smiled and Phil reached over and sweetly poked his left dimple. "Okay, you want me to read them to you or do you want to look?"

"Hmm...I want you to read them Baby."

"Right then." Dan licked
his lips. "My choices are Noah, Michael, and Gabriel." Dan smiled and looked to see Phil's reaction.

He was surprised, covering most of his face with his hands. He was rocking a bit, clearly excited by at least one of Dan's favorites.

"Dan!" Phil laughed. "We just named our son!"