Ducky and Daddy - Snippets

On purpose this time

Ducky was stretched across the couch, her legs over his lap, drowsy and content after dinner. He was rubbing her calves, slow and steady, while an old episode of Scooby-Doo played in the background. Ducky loves Scooby-Doo.

The light was soft. The world was quiet.

And she felt safe.

Not just physically, but underneath everything. Like nothing she could do or say would push him away. She felt secure.

So when he shifted his hand to her ankle, thumb brushing a healing bruise from her latest clumsy misadventures, Ducky whispered:

"Thank you, Daddy."
Not shy. Not stumbling.

It was warm. Sure. Something she gave him — her trust.

He stilled, just for a second. Then leaned forward, pressing a kiss to her shin.

"Say it again," he murmured.

Ducky smiled — sleepy and soft. "Daddy."

He exhaled like it meant something to him. Like it wasn't just a name, but a place he got to live in.

He reached up and pulled her into his lap, wrapped her in both arms and pressed his face into her hair.

"You're a brave girl," he whispered. "And I'm real proud of you for giving me that."

Her throat wobbled. "You're sure?"

His thumb stroked over her lower lip. "I've never been more sure about anything."

She let out a little laugh—part choked, part shaky relief. "I just didn't know someone would want... all of me. Not just the sweet parts."

"Oh, sweetheart." He leaned in and kissed her temple. "I want the giggles and the sulks. I want the smart mouth and the wobbly tears. I want you wrapped up in my arms and I want you across my lap when you're testing the limits."

She blushed furiously.

"You're my girl, Ducky. Not just when it's easy. Always. Not just for cuddles or soft space. Not just when you want rules or comfort," he went on gently, turning toward her just enough to tip her chin up. "I mean all the time, baby girl. When you're sleepy and silly. When you're bratty. When you're scared. When you're you."

She sniffled and looked down at her lap and tried very hard not to cry all over his shirt. But he noticed, of course. He always noticed. He tipped her face into his hands and kissed her again—just once.

"I want all of you too, you know. The sweet and bossy parts." She smiled up at him cheekily.

A chuckle made his chest rumble as he pulled her closer. "You haven't even seen bossy yet, my sweet girl."

Ducky nuzzled close, heart fluttering.

Daddy. It wasn't just a name. It was an acknowledgement of who he was to her. Home.