Stray
Posted: 12/29/24
Title: Stray
Yan-dad Dexter Morgan x GN petite young adult reader [platonic]
Summary: After a fresh kill, Dexter finds a stray in need of a home.
Author's note: This is about age regression. NOT age play.
[Age regression occurs when you mentally retreat to an earlier age. In all ways, you believe you're back at that point in your life, and you may exhibit childish behaviors, too. Some people choose to revert to a younger age. In this case, it can be a coping mechanism to help them relax and eliminate stress.]
Word Count: 3,941
Dexter Story List/ Master List
Warnings: yandere parental figure, violence, language, age regression
🔞18+ page due to dark and adult themes. minors will be blocked 🔞
"You can't keep them, Dexter."
Harry's voice rings through Dexter's ears as he fixes the wounds of the unconscious child in front of him. Dexter could recognize that you were clearing, not a minor, but with your small frame and helpless situation as far as he was concerned, you were a child.
"They're not a stray to take in."
Dexter doesn't respond to his pestering subconscious. You groan in your sleep as he finishes patching. "You poor thing.." He whispered, sitting down. Filth still covered you. Dirt, blood, and other unknown bodily fluids. The ground scuffed from Dexter's anxious bouncing leg.
"They will go to the police Dexter, and when they do, this is all over."
His jaw clenched and snaps back. "I'm not killing an innocent child." Quickly hopping to his feet, Dexter collects his things.
"They're not a child."
☆
Inhaling caused pain to shoot through your ribs. You whence and grab at your chest. A voice called to you. Everything came rushing back. You were kidnapped. In a panic, you shoot up, trying to take everything in at once. A new room, a new man, and no bindings. "It's okay! It's okay!" He yells over your shouts. "I'm not gonna hurt you!" Swing as hard as you could but it did nothing. Being emaciated and beaten, you had no power. The man catches your wrists and holds them to your sides. "I'm not gonna hurt you." He kept saying. As your strength failed you, he became more gentle. The room was abandoned somewhere but overall not filthy. "You're injured." He holds your eyes. "I only want to help you. Just breathe." You follow his breathing shaking. Slowly, he lets go of your wrist. "I'm Dexter." You don't respond, just watching him kneel in front of the makeshift mattress. Your eyes follow his hands as they let go. They were clean. Your eyes find your hands to see their also clean. In fact, all of you was clean. Clean skin, clean clothes, and slightly damp chopped hair. "I gave you a sponge bath. I thought it would make you feel better. Don't worry, that's all it was."
You don't respond. "I um, also had to cut knots out of your hair. So that's why it's like that. Sorry." That would explain why your head doesn't feel so tight anymore. It was almost as if you'd been wearing a ponytail for too long. "What's your name?" Dexter's eye pleaded with yours to say something. Anything. Fear has made you mute.
You were a deer caught in headlights. He already knew. 'Y/n L/n' Dexter just needed you to say it; he didn't want to freak you out more than necessary. Sighing, he scratches the back of his head. "That's fine. You don't have to talk." When he stands, you flinch. "I got you some food." He says, fetching it. The box was red with a yellow smile. "I'm not sure what you would have wanted, so I got you a happy meal." Attempting to sit next to you causes you to scoot as far back into the corner as you can. Dexter reminds himself it's not personal. "It's chicken nuggets." Opening the box, he begins to lay all the food out in front of you. The 12-piece nuggets, a large frie, a large ice water, a few different dips, apple slices, and a cheap action figure toy. Then He smiles. Just a sweet, simple smile. As if proud of his choice. Yet, you don't move. He knows you're starving. You have to be. "Here. So you know it's okay." Dexter eats a nugget and a frie then finishes with a sip of water. "All safe." Your knees move closer to your chest if that is at all possible. Taking a moment to think about what else to do, he tries not to make an unpleasant face. "Take your time. If it gets cold, I can reheat it." Pointing to the microwave as he stood. Casually, he walks to sit in a corner on the other side of the room. When his butt hit the floor, you started shoving food into your mouth. Dexter's instinct was to scold you. Tell you to slow down so as not to choke, but all Dexter did was watch with pity.
"A happy meal?"
Mocks, Harry. "Their starving. What does it matter?" Dexter whispers back.
"They're not yours to take care of."
Dexter bites his tongue. Of course not, but then who was. You have no family, he checked, and he can't take you to the police. What's else is there? The more nuggets you ate the more you slowed down.
"I need to befriend them. Comfort them."
He thinks. Your eyes stay fixed on him as you eat.
"What do I say? Hey, kid, sorry you saw me kill someone who's been torturing you for who knows how long. Also, I have stranges feelings and want to keep you to care for you."
"I'm sorry." He starts "About what you had to see but I promise I won't hurt you. I killed that man because he was a bad guy..." You pause and watch him talk. "I'm sure you already know that. Uh? He was the one who's been hurting you." Dexter's tone was soft. It's the same one he uses on his son, Harrison. After a moment, you softly nod. A sigh of relief washes over him.
"Finally, a response. A nonverbal one but a response nonetheless."
He mimics your soft nod. "I promise you're safe now." Breaking the moment you rip the lid off of your water cup and chug.
☆
Day after day, Dexter worked to build trust, and the more he did, he realized not only did he see you as a child, but you were actually acting like one.
"Hey, Masuka. I've got a nonwork-related question." Dexter inquiries from his desk. "Shot, buddy boy." Replies his co-worker. "Have you ever known a person to act a lot younger than they are? Like decades younger?" He wasn't sure why he was asking Masuka of all people, but probably because he was close, and the words slipped out before he could think about it. Masuka stops and looks at him. "You trying to hint I'm immature? Because if so just say it, dude."
"You are, but that's besides the point."
Dexter stops himself from rolling his eyes. "No, Masuka. I'm talking about someone else." Masuka looks at him for a moment before giving Dexter an expression of cockyness. "This a sex thing? Because if it is. You're thinking about age play -" Dexter cuts him off immediately. "No!" He takes a breath. "No, Masuka. It's not a sex thing." Masuka's confused for a moment, so Dexter elaborates. "My... friend is a young adult but subconsciously has been acting like a child, a little child." Masuka finally understands. "Oh, bro, that's age regression. Definitely not sexual. Trust me, learn that the hard way... Anyway, it's a coping mechanism where the brain protects itself by reverting to a younger age." Dexter nods, taking it in. "Why would it do that?" Dexter mumbled to himself. Masuka then continues. "Well, few reasons one lack of childhood and/or bad one, or they've experienced some kind of trauma that causes them to revert to an age that felt safe. I'm sure there are more reasons, but for the basics." Again, Dexter nods. "How do you know all this?" He asks. Masuka rolls his eyes sarcastically at the memories. "Like I said, I learned the hard way." Masuka then gives an uncomfortable laugh, making Dexter cringe.
This was enough to send Dexter down a rabbit hold on the internet, and unfortunately, some of that subjugated him to the wrong side every now and again.
"Elck! Masuka's right 'age play' is diffently not the same thing."
However, for all the wrong, he found, Dexter found a lot more good and helpful things. "Everything you need to know about age regression!" And "Tips for age regression caregivers!" Or "Healing through age regression!" A weight lifts off his shoulders. "There's hope." He whispered.
☆
The next morning before work, he visits you again. Bring with him a stuffed animal he stole from Harrison's toy box. He wouldn't miss it, and if he did, he'll buy him twice as many to make up for it.
Considering the sun was barely coming up, he wasn't surprised to find you still sleeping. It was an unpleasant feeling to wake you up, but you had to eat, and with his age regression theory, if you were acting like a child, Dexter wasn't sure how much he could trust you would or could do for yourself, while he went to work. Carefully kneeling his hand gently touches your shoulder, string you awake. "Hey..." He whispered kindly. "Wake up, I brought you some breakfast." You groan, pushing your face deeper into the pillow. "Come on. Get up." He speaks he a normal volume. You shake your head, not opening your eyes. "I brought you a toy." Now your eyes are open. Holding out a stuffed bear, he slightly wiggles it, making its bell jiggle. Sitting up, you reach for it only for him to pull it back. "You can have it if you eat all your breakfast today. Okay?" You nod. He smiles.
"Does this mean Masuka was right? Is it age regression?"
Since you've been eating aggressively, Dexter has insisted on spoon-feeding you almost everything. Opening your mouth, he fed you the first bite of the star-shaped pancake, he made. Dexter was able to find your medical records. He knows all your allergies if you have any. Like a good father or caregiver should. "Chew it up good. The bear will be there." He instructs you when you reach for the toy. Your hands fall in your lap dramatically. Unsure if it was because your appetite was coming back or if it was the promise of reward, but Dexter was very relieved to see you eat every bite.
"Good boy/girl." He says, wiping your face off. Handing you the bear, you ripped it out of his hands and hugged it tightly. "I need to go to work now. Will you be good while I'm gone?" You hug the bear, not looking up. "Y/n?" Without eye contact, you nodded. Dexter rubs your head affectionately. He stands to leave. "Good. I'll try to get off early to come see you." Before he made it to the door, you dropped the bear and ran up to him, hugging him from behind. Dexter's eyes widen. He turns to hug out back. "Y/n?" You were tall enough for your head to rest on his shoulder, wetting his shirt with tears. There was a mumble. Dexter lens closer. "What?" He asks. "Stay..." You mumble a little more clearly. His eyes widen. You spoke. Dexter cradles your face in his hands. "Honey..." His thumb gently wiped away your fat tears. "Stay, papa." His heart clenched.
'Now you've done it.'
Harry says, but Dexter couldn't care less. He gave you a big hug. Unfortunately, with all his sneaking around, Dexter couldn't afford to skip work again. "I'll be back, sweetheart, I promise."
☆
Dexter said it before he really thought it through. A recurring bad habit, it seems. "You're...what?" Ded asks. "I'm adopting," Dexter repeats, making Ded smile. "Holy fuck, dude. Are you serious?" He nods and lets her hug him, thinking about this morning interraction with you. His arms gently hold her before she lets go. Punching his arm harder than intended. "How the hell did this happen?" She asks, following him to his couch. "Um... well, it wasn't intentional. There was a charity thing going on at Harrison's school about adoption, and I wanted to help with the event..." Ded was on the edge of her seat. "Long story short. I found out about an older kid who's been through a lot of trauma and... I don't know. I guess I felt since I've been through that stuff with my mom..." He trails off. Ded smiles, shaking her head. "I knew it. I fucking knew you were a big softy." Dexter smiles slightly. "Guilty." Dexter hates lying to Ded. Maybe one day he could tell her the truth of how he really found you, but for now, this is as good as it gets.
☆
"Your lucky Harrison's side of the apartment has two bedrooms," Ded says, helping Dexter set up the new bedroom. "Yeah." Ded opens an IKEA box to put together a twin-size bed. "So tell me about them." She grins. Dexter shrugged, laying out the pieces. "What do you want to know?" She stares at him. "Oh, come on, Dexter. Everything. There's got to be something special about them for you to want to take them in..." Cleary, he wasn't sure what to say, so she asked a few questions. "Well, to start, how old are they? This room makes me guest elementary." He exhales. "It's... complicated... Remember I told you they've been through some stuff?" He asks, organizing the tools Ded and carelessly tossed around the floor. "Yeah?" She hands him her screwdriver. "Well, the trauma of it causes them to act a lot younger than they are. So y/n is in their late teens but currently has the mind of an elementary kid..." He paused as he explained. The only lie was your real age, which is easily hidden by your size. Ded thinks for a moment, trying to be open-minded. "Oh... thats..." Dexter jumps in. "I know it's strange, but I care about them all lot, and I think I could be a good dad for them." She nods. "No, yeah. I get it. I'm sure I'll get used to it."
☆
After a few quick days of setting up, Dexter was anxiously ready to bring you home. "Are you excited to see your new home?" Dexter asks, helping you dress. You nodded, making him smile. "You'll get to meet your little brother, Harrison, and your Aunt Deb." Your head pops through the shirt hole. Dexter kisses your head and helps you to your feet. You quickly pick up your teddy bear and cling to it. Taking a moment, he looks you over, making sure you were good to go. "Mmm.." You whine, snapping Dexter out of his daze. "What's wrong, honey?" You stomp your foot on the ground, trying to kick off the shoes. "It's been a while since you wore shoes, uh?" You whine again next, liking the feeling of your feet being trapped. "You can take them off in the car, okay, honey?" He can't just let you refuse to stop wearing shoes, so hopefully, wearing them bit by bit will help. "No!" Dexter sighs at you refusal as you try and fail to kick them off. He bites his tongue and takes a breath. "You can either wear them to the car or the whole way home. What will it be?" You stop stomping at his serious tone. "...the car..." He nods and guides you to the car. The sun glares down at you as the breeze welcomes you back into the world. The car wasn't far from the abandoned building, yet the overwhelming feeling of the outdoors stretched the distance. Dexter's hand was firm in your watching to see if you would run or not. Fortunately for him, the child like mindset guided you to cling to the one neutering figure you have. "Here we go." Dexter opens the passenger door before helping you in and buckling your seat belt. "Shoes!" You remind him. "Shoes." His large hands carefully take your socks and shoes off, freeing your feet. "Thank you, Papa." Dexter's genuinely grins. "You're welcome, honey." You watch as he opens the glove box to look at a folder of forged adoption papers. "What's that, papa?"
"Your adoption papers, honey. Means I get to take you home." Dexter informs you before tickling your neck. "Hehe, Yay!"
☆
The car ride home was a bit overwhelming for you. The noise, the lights, and the bump of the roads. "Just breathe, you're okay. We're almost home. Just hug your teddy." You snuggle your teddy and try not to cry. Till eventually, Dexter pulled up to the apartment building and made your way inside. "Welcome home, kid." Your eyes widen at the clean apartment. There are no holes into the wall or dirt. There were even windows so clean it looks like there's nothing there. "Come on, let go see you room." Dexter takes your hand as you wonder at the simple apartment. A door connects to the apartment next door and leads to your room. "Right in here, honey." He opens the door for you. It was a child's bedroom. With the few things Dexter was able to find out you little in the short time, he's known you. "Wow..." Dexter scrubs your head lovingly. "Toys!" You point before looking at Dexter. "Go on." Cheering your drop your teddy bear and run to the box of toys. Dexter phones rings, pulling his attention away from you. The screen read "Debra Morgan." He was never one for cute contact names. "Hello -" Deb’s excited booms through his phone, making him flinch. "Are they there yet?! I'm coming over!" Dexter can barely get a word in. "Yes, we just got here, but it's way too soon for you -" She cuts him off again. "Bash my head through a fucking truck, dexter. It's not too soon! I'm coming over -" She hangs up as quickly as she called. Dexter groans, looking back at you, playing happily. "Honey?" His voice plays you from your make-believe as he approached to kneel next to you. "Remember I told you about your new auntie Deb?" You nod. "Well, she's on her way over to meet you. Shes... loud, so you might get a little over whelmed, but I'll be right next to you the whole time, okay?" You nod again softly. Picking up the lamb stuffed, you shove it against his chest. "Play, papa."
☆
The dooming knocks of an aggressively excited Deb came about 40 minutes later. You jump at the sound. "It's alright, honey. It's just Deb at the door. Why don't you stay here and I'll go get her." He kisses your forehead before softly closing your bedroom door on his way out.
"Hey, loser!" Shouts a happy feminine voice. "Hey, Deb." The front door clocks closed as foot steps echo through the apartment. "Well? Where are they?!" Dexter takes a breath reminding Deb of your situation. "Right, right. I know. Fragile teen acting like a toddler. Got it." She says, trying to sound causal. "I mean it, Deb and no cussing." There voices get closer. "Gggh, fine." Dexter gently knocks on your door before opening it. "Honey? Your Aunt Deb is here to meet you...y/n?" Walking in, they didn't see you. "Damn, lost your kid already." Deb jokes. Dexter rolls his eyes. "Look, they're just hiding under the bed." Dexter walks to the bed before looking under it. "Honey? Are you okay?" You shake your head. "Loud." The word is mumbled. "Aunt Deb is a little loud, uh?" Deb shifts awkwardly on her feet, hating the idea that you already don't like her. "I'll, you know... not be, kid." She tries to comfort still not being able to see you. "See? Honey, it's okay. Why don't you come on out now?" Deds feet shift as you stare at her dirty tennis shoes from under the bed. "Mmm..." The unsure groan vibrates your chest comfortingly. Dexter reaches under the bed and coax you out with a small tug on her hand. "It's okay... come here, honey." As you crawl out, the reality of your situation, sunk in for Deb. Your small teenage appearance contrasts your child like mannerisms. Clinging to Dexter, you stare over his shoulder at her. She clears her throat. "Sup kid?" Dexter turns you in his lap. "Can you say hi?" He asks. "...hi..." Dexter can see Deb trying to process the strange situation. "I know it's a lot, Deb..." She shrugs, playing off her discomfort. "Psh, she's kid in need of a home.... nothing weird... I'm gonna get a beer. Want one?" He shakes his head as she walks out. Dexter exhales before kissing your head. "It's okay, honey. Aunt Deb just needs time to adjust. Just like you." You lay your head on his shoulder. "Okay, Papa..."
"Why don't you keep playing? While I talk to your auntie." You nod as he sets you aside with a toy.
"Deb?" Dexter calls out, walking back to his side of the apartment. He finds her downing a beer leaning against his overly clean counter. "Damn Dex... I mean, I'm not sure what I expected when you told me..." Dexter rubs his neck. "It's... strange. I know... but at the end of the day... they are just a kid... just... a little bigger." Deb nods, puffing her cheeks with beer. "You know the shit i went through with my mother's death... it's fucked me up in ways you can't even understand." He wants to tell her about his need to kill but he loved her too much to ever it right say. "Imagine what y/n went through to be stuck in a child's mind 24/7, Deb..." She finally swallows her beer. "Maybe having Harrison made me soft... but I really like being a father... and they need you."
"Fuck you, dude. Trying to make me cry?" Deb jokes. Dexter chuckles. She moves to the couch and plops down. "I knew you were a big softy." She punches his arm as he sits next to her. "I guess kids can do that to a person." Dexter follows Debra's eyes down the hall to see you peeking around the corner. "Hey honey." Dexter waves. He glares at Deb’s excessive burp. "What?" She asks. He gestures for you to join them, causing you to run full speed to his lap. "Woah! Watch it!" Dexter jokes catching you. Deb smiles, watching him grin and pull you to his lap. You cuddle into his chest and shyly meet Debs eyes. "Sup kid?" She greets before asking herself what she would do if it was Harrison. She reaches your neck. "I'm gonna get ya!" A laugh erupts from you as she tickles your neck. "Fuck yeah! Best aunt ever!" She cheers. "Language!" Deb laughs, making you laugh. "Someone's a grumpy butt." She tells you, making you laugh again. Dexter just rolls his eyes, glad you're both getting along. "Bottle." They look to see your point at Debs beer bottle. She busts out laughing. "Here you go, kid." Dexter snatches it. "Deb!" Knowing that would be his reaction, she plays into the joke. "What? They're a Morgan now!" Dexter's the only one who knows you're old enough to drink, but one he's wasn't about to tell Deb that and two your his baby now. No way in hell your touching beer. You pout as Dexter hands the beer back to Deb. She smiles and finishes the beer with a burp. You laugh again. Dexter has never heard you laugh so much. Which can he blame you? He's kept you in an abandoned building till now. What was there to laugh about? Dexter’s face warms as he holds his new laughing baby. 'They're not a stray, Dexter.' Harry says in his ear, trying to ruin the moment. 'One day... somehow... some way... they will come to understand your meeting... then what?' Dexter shakes the thought. No matter what happens, you're to care for now. Even if it costs him everything. You're his.