**New Chapter Release - The Regression Academy**
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT - The Road to Acceptance
The days following Danny’s failed escape attempt were a blur of consequences and adjustments, each one leaving him with a deeper sense of helplessness. His once-clear determination to flee had dissolved into a muddled confusion and quiet resignation, as the days slowly blended into weeks. Each morning, he would wake in his crib, the sturdy bars now a constant reminder of the choices that had led him to this place and the life he had come to live.
Charles had outlined a series of punishments, none of which were easy to bear. The entire school was informed of Danny’s attempted escape, and the consequences that followed were no secret. This public acknowledgment left Danny feeling exposed and ashamed. Former classmates and younger students who had once looked up to him now seemed to view him with a mixture of pity and disappointment. Whispers followed him in the hallways, a constant reminder of his fall from grace.
For the first week, Danny was restricted to his nursery except for brief, escorted trips to the toddler common room. His movements were carefully monitored, and he was rarely without Miss Thompson or another caregiver by his side. It was a stark contrast to the little independence he had once cherished; now, he found himself more dependent than ever before, reliant on others for the simplest of needs.
To make matters worse, part of his punishment required him to wear a special pair of boots outside of class. The boots were bulky and locked onto his feet, with small, uncomfortable spikes on the soles that made it impossible to stand or walk properly. This forced Danny to crawl on all fours, fully embodying the role of a toddler in every movement. The physical restriction served as a constant reminder that he was no longer seen as capable of making his own choices, that he was now, quite literally, grounded.
His early bedtime was another constant source of humiliation. While the other adult toddlers were allowed to stay up until seven or even eight, Danny found himself tucked into his crib promptly at six each evening. Lying there alone as he listened to the distant laughter and playful chatter of the others only deepened his sense of isolation. He would clutch his lion tightly, feeling both the shame of his new status and a bittersweet comfort from the soft toy in his arms.
Even his playtime was restricted, with Miss Thompson only allowing him access to the simplest toys, blocks, stuffed animals, and soft rattles. Gone were the days of exploring puzzles and interactive games with Mia and Alex; now, his playthings mirrored the simplicity of his new reality. At first, the limitation felt infantilising, but gradually, he began to find a strange solace in stacking blocks or snuggling his lion, moments that allowed his mind to escape, if only briefly, from the weight of his situation.
One of the most humiliating aspects of his punishment, however, was the requirement to write letters of apology. Each day, Danny would sit at a small table, painstakingly crafting letters to his classmates, his teachers, and, most painfully, to Charles and Miss Thompson. In each letter, he was required to express genuine remorse for his actions and acknowledge the disruption he had caused. These letters were then reviewed by Charles; if any hint of insincerity was detected, Danny was forced to start over. The process was humbling, a reminder that his actions had consequences not just for himself, but for everyone around him.
In addition to the physical restrictions and written apologies, Danny was subjected to frequent “check-ins” with Charles and Miss Thompson. During these sessions, they would sit with him, gently yet firmly reinforcing the idea that this was where he belonged. They spoke in soft, soothing tones, affirming that this life was what he needed, while also gauging his acceptance of his new role. At the end of each check-in, he would receive ten firm spanks, a punishment that was less about pain and more about emphasising the seriousness of his actions. Though the spanks weren’t harsh, the embarrassment they brought was enough to bring tears to Danny’s eyes, a stark reminder of the position he now occupied.
Danny found himself grappling not only with his punishment but also with the loss of control he was experiencing. The comfort and security he had once found in his nappies now felt like a curse. Despite his efforts, he found that he could no longer keep himself dry, his body seeming to betray his deepest desires to grow beyond this stage. Watching Alex and Mia move on only deepened his frustration. He had overheard them talking about how they had managed to regain control, and he knew that no matter how hard he tried, his body was no longer cooperating.
As the days passed, Danny struggled with a mix of resignation and rebellion, longing for the freedom he had once known while feeling trapped in a role he hadn’t fully chosen. He clung to the comforting presence of his lion, finding solace in the simple pleasures that had become his reality. And though he was surrounded by reminders of his new status, a part of him still yearned for something more, a spark of hope that kept him dreaming, even as his world grew smaller around him.
One quiet afternoon, Ethan stepped into the nursery, pausing just inside the doorway. The familiar scent of powder and the soft rustle of toys filled the space, but something felt off, too still, too quiet. He’d been meaning to check in on Danny for days now. Ever since the failed escape and the restrictions that followed, Danny had withdrawn, his usual sparkle dulled by uncertainty and shame.
Ethan knew part of it was the loneliness. With Mia and Alex having moved up to middle status, Danny had lost the only two peers he’d felt close to. That left a gap Ethan had tried hard to fill. Before his escape attempt, he had spent nearly every afternoon by Danny’s side, reading with him, sitting through mealtimes, crawling around the playroom just to make him laugh. And for a while, it had worked. Danny looked forward to those moments. His eyes always lit up when Ethan arrived.
But now… things felt fragile again. Ethan’s heart ached at the thought that Danny might feel abandoned all over again.
He found Danny in his usual spot on the soft play mat, surrounded by a few scattered blocks. Danny was dressed in his familiar toddler clothes, and the heavy, locked boots on his feet served as a reminder of the restrictions he now faced. Crawling was his only option, and Ethan could see how the boots both restrained him and made his role even more pronounced. Danny looked up as Ethan approached, his expression a mixture of curiosity and resignation.
‘Hey, Danny,’ Ethan greeted, kneeling down beside him with a warm smile. ‘Thought I’d come by and spend a bit of time with you. How’re you holding up?’
Danny shrugged, looking down at the boots encasing his feet. ‘I’m getting used to it, I guess,’ he murmured. ‘It’s just… I feel stuck. I can’t even stand up with these on.’
Ethan nodded, understanding the frustration in Danny’s voice. ‘I know it must be hard. Those boots were meant to keep you grounded, quite literally. But I also think they’re a reminder that, right now, this is where you need to be. It might not be what you imagined, but sometimes letting go can help you find what you really need.’
Danny sighed, picking up one of the blocks and turning it over in his hand. ‘I never thought I’d end up like this. I thought I’d be able to go back eventually, but now… I don’t even know who I am anymore.’
Ethan leaned in, his voice gentle but firm. ‘It’s okay to feel that way, Danny. When I first came to the academy, I didn’t know what to expect either. I thought I’d be here to help others learn and grow, to guide them. But the more time I spent here, the more I realised that there’s a part of me that also craves this kind of care and freedom.’
Danny looked up, curiosity flickering in his eyes. ‘Really? I always thought you had everything under control.’
Ethan chuckled softly. ‘I thought I did, too. But sometimes, you don’t know what you need until you’re right in the middle of it. Being here reminded me of what it feels like to let go, to trust someone else to take care of me. And that’s not a bad thing.’
Danny absorbed Ethan’s words, a faint glimmer of understanding beginning to take shape. ‘I never thought of it like that,’ he admitted. ‘I just… I feel like I’m losing myself, and I don’t know if I can get it back.’
Ethan reached out, placing a reassuring hand on Danny’s shoulder. ‘You’re not losing yourself, Danny. You’re just exploring a different part of who you are. And maybe, this is the part that needs a little more attention right now. It doesn’t mean you won’t change or grow, it just means that, for now, you’re giving yourself permission to be cared for.’
A small, tentative smile crept onto Danny’s face. ‘I suppose there’s comfort in that,’ he said quietly.
Ethan, noticing Danny’s conflicted expression, shifted closer until they were side by side on the soft play mat. He wrapped an arm around Danny’s shoulders, pulling him into a gentle, reassuring hug. The weight of the gesture grounded Danny, giving him a moment to pause and breathe. The comforting embrace from Ethan was unexpected but welcomed, and Danny found himself leaning into the warmth of the touch, feeling more at ease.
Ethan’s hand moved to softly pat Danny on the back, and he chuckled softly. ‘You know, it’s okay to feel a bit lost,’ he murmured, giving Danny a gentle squeeze. ‘We’ve all been there at some point.’
Danny glanced at Ethan, his gaze drawn to the genuine care he saw reflected in his eyes. He hadn’t always trusted Ethan, but at this moment, he could feel a sincere concern and connection that helped him feel less alone. Ethan shifted slightly, resting a hand on Danny’s back, and for a moment, they both stayed quiet, sharing the stillness.
‘You don’t have to figure it all out right now,’ Ethan continued softly. ‘Sometimes, you just need to take things one step at a time. You’re still figuring out what makes you feel at peace, and that’s okay.’
As Danny let out a small sigh, Ethan ruffled his hair playfully, eliciting a reluctant smile from him. Ethan’s hand moved to Danny’s shoulder, his touch reassuring as he glanced down at Danny’s nappy, which was noticeably full. ‘You’ve been through a lot,’ Ethan said with a small grin, his tone lightening. ‘I think you deserve a bit of a break.’
Ethan continued, his tone thoughtful, ‘You know, I’ve noticed how naturally you’ve slipped into this routine. The nappies, the toddler clothes, it all just seems to fit you so well. Like it’s not something you’re struggling to accept but something that actually makes you feel comfortable. Maybe that’s telling you something important.’
Danny looked down, his cheeks reddening slightly, but he couldn’t deny the truth in Ethan’s words. It had become second nature for him to rely on his nappies and accept the routines that came with being in the toddler class. It didn’t feel forced; if anything, it had felt almost natural, and now, with Ethan’s words, he was beginning to realise just how significant that was.
Ethan pulled Danny into a closer hug, his arms encircling him with the ease and familiarity of an older brother. The simple gesture spoke volumes, filling the room with an unspoken warmth and trust. In Ethan’s embrace, Danny felt his worries ease, even if only for a moment, and he began to see that perhaps he didn’t have to face everything alone. Ethan’s support made him feel that maybe embracing who he was here, now, might just be the right path.
As the weeks turned into months, Danny felt his resistance slowly erode. The anger and frustration that had initially fuelled his thoughts of escape began to dissipate, replaced by a growing sense of inevitability. The structure and routine of the toddler class, which had once felt confining, now began to feel comforting. There was a safety in knowing that his days were planned out, that he didn’t have to make any decisions beyond which toy to play with or what snack to eat.
The morning routine, which had once felt so demeaning, now brought a sense of security. Miss Thompson would wake him gently each day, her voice soft and reassuring as she helped him out of his crib and onto the changing table. The process of being changed out of his usual wet and messy nappy and dressed had once been a source of embarrassment, but now it felt like a ritual, a time when he could simply relax and let go of any lingering worries. The feel of the thick nappy being secured around his waist, the soft fabric of his clothes, the comforting weight of his stuffed lion in his arms, all of these things began to represent a life that was simpler, more manageable.
His regression deepened over time. Danny found himself becoming more and more detached from the idea of ever returning to his previous life. The concept of being an adult, with all its responsibilities and expectations, became less appealing with each passing day. He started to find joy in the tiny things, playing in the sandbox, being read to by Miss Thompson, and the gentle, reassuring presence of Charles, who now insisted that Danny call him ‘Daddy at all times.’
Charles, wanting to reinforce the importance of Danny’s new life and the consequences of his past actions, arranged for the police officers who had found him during his escape attempt to visit the academy. Danny had been tasked with writing letters of apology to everyone he had let down, and Charles thought it would be meaningful for Danny to hand-deliver one of these letters to the officers.
The day of the visit, Charles escorted the officers to Danny’s nursery. The room, filled with soft toys, a large crib, and a changing table stocked with nappies, was a stark reminder of how much Danny’s life had changed. The officers looked around with a mix of curiosity and understanding as Charles explained Danny’s regression and why this environment was so necessary for his well-being.
‘Danny’s been through a lot,’ Charles said, his voice calm and measured. ‘He’s found comfort in this routine, in being cared for in a way that allows him to let go of the burdens he once carried. It might seem unusual, but it’s what he needs to thrive.’
Danny, standing beside Charles in his thick nappy and babyish clothes, felt a mix of emotions. He knew the officers were there to help him, but the situation still felt surreal. The sight of him dressed as a toddler, with his dummy clipped to his shirt, was a clear indication of how much he had changed since that night.
One of the officers, noticing Danny’s hesitation, knelt down and offered a kind smile. ‘It’s alright, Danny. We’re just glad you’re safe. You don’t have to worry about anything.’
Danny nodded, still feeling a bit overwhelmed but also relieved. He handed over the letter, his hand trembling slightly as he did. The officer took it with a nod of appreciation, glancing at Charles as if to acknowledge the significant transformation in the boy standing before them.
‘You’re in good hands here,’ the officer said, giving Danny a gentle pat on the shoulder. ‘Remember that, alright?’
As the officers left, Charles could see that the visit had made an impact on Danny. He wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close. ‘You did well, little man. This is your life now, and you’re safe. We’re all here to take care of you.’
Danny nodded, feeling a sense of finality but also relief. The journey to acceptance had been long and difficult, but standing there with Charles, he knew he was where he was meant to be.
By the end of the three months, Danny had come to a place of acceptance. He no longer dreamed of escaping, of returning to a life that now seemed distant and unappealing. Instead, he embraced his role as Charles’ boy, finding comfort in the routine that the academy provided. The punishments that once felt harsh now seemed like necessary steps in his journey towards accepting who he truly was.
After three months of wearing the restrictive boots, Danny had grown accustomed to crawling, even in moments when he didn’t have to. Once the boots were removed, he found that being down on all fours felt natural in a way that surprised him. Whenever he was in the toddler common room, he instinctively dropped to his knees, preferring the familiarity of crawling to standing. The repetitive motion had become second nature, the low perspective and soft thud of his hands against the ground grounding him in his routine.
This shift in Danny’s behaviour didn’t go unnoticed, especially by Ethan, who had spent a great deal of time with him during his punishment period. The two had grown close, their interactions evolving into something deeply sibling-like. Ethan, once seen by Danny with a mixture of distance and mistrust, had become a constant, a calm, familiar figure in the chaos of transition. With Mia and Alex having moved on to middle status, Ethan naturally stepped into the gap, and Danny clung to that comfort with quiet gratitude.
Ethan had supported Danny through some of his loneliest days, offering more than just supervision, he brought warmth, humour, and companionship. During long afternoons in the nursery, he became Danny’s confidant, his partner in games, someone who understood without needing everything explained. He was steady and present in a way that made the hours easier to bear and the world feel a little less overwhelming.
And in private, when they were alone at Charles’ cottage, that closeness deepened even further. Sometimes, Charles would quietly dress Ethan in clothes just like Danny’s, soft onesies, nappies, and padded pyjamas, allowing the two to curl up together as toddler brothers. Those private, protected moments gave Ethan space to explore a side of himself he’d long buried, and gave Danny the kind of sibling bond he had never truly known.
It was a secret they kept tightly held, not out of shame, but to protect Ethan’s role as a teacher. Charles understood the balance and never pushed it into the open. In that quiet, shielded space, Ethan could let go, and Danny could feel understood. It made their public connection all the more meaningful, a quiet thread of truth running beneath every shared glance and every moment of care.
Ethan had been there to support Danny through some of his loneliest moments, offering a sense of stability and camaraderie. During those long days in the nursery, Ethan became his confidant, his partner in play, and a reassuring presence that made the hours pass more easily. He was always ready with a comforting word or an understanding nod, nudging Danny towards accepting the new normal.
As they spent more time together, Danny began to look forward to their daily routines. Whether it was playing together in the toddler room, where Ethan would always make sure Danny was comfortable, or simply talking during quiet moments in the classroom, Danny found that he no longer felt the sting of loneliness. Ethan had become a fixture in his life, his genuine warmth and easygoing nature offering a sense of acceptance that Danny desperately needed.
With Ethan by his side, Danny’s relationship with Charles also deepened. He no longer questioned the affection and care that Charles provided. The punishments he’d received began to feel like part of a larger journey, necessary steps in a path that led him to the security and love he now had.
🏫 Class doesn’t have to end here — the full story is waiting for you on Amazon:
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