Dayton

Dayton: The Junior Guardian Chronicles: Episode 51

The backseat smelled like citrus air freshener and the faint, stubborn ghost of someone’s fries from last week. The SUV idled at the curb for a beat, engine vibrating through the frame, before Nicole’s dad eased them out into traffic like he was threading a needle through Manhattan. 

Dayton sat behind the passenger seat, knees angled toward the center, her tote bag hugged tight against her ribs more out of habit than need. Nicole sat beside her, calm as ever, buckled in, phone already open to a checklist she’d made for LittleMart like this was a field trip and she was the chaperone. 

And between them, on the seat sat Kinsley. 

Six inches of posture and attitude. 

Her hair was pulled back in a tiny elastic. Her little hoodie was zipped up like she was going to practice. Her legs were crossed like she had all the room in the world. The collar at her throat caught light every time they passed a sun-splashed window, a tiny, clean glint that never stopped meaning what it meant. 

Kinsley looked out at the city through the glass like she was evaluating it. Like it might disappoint her. 

Nicole’s dad glanced up in the rearview mirror, eyes flicking down and then away again in the careful way adults did when they were trying to be respectful about something that, if you stared too long, turned into a moral problem. 

“Everybody good back there?” he asked, tone casual, the way he said good like it covered everything from car sickness to existential dread. 

“Yep,” Nicole answered instantly. 

Kinsley’s mouth twitched. She tilted her head up just slightly, voice polite, measured. “All good, dad.” 

“Good,”Mr. Myers said. “We’ll hit a little traffic around Canal, so if you need anything, speak up before we’re gridlocked.” 

Kinsley’s eyes slid to Dayton. 

Dayton felt it like a tap on the shoulder. 

“What,” Dayton said, automatically defensive. 

Kinsley’s smile widened just a hair. “Nothing. Just appreciating that you’re not pretending you could drive.” 

Dayton’s face tightened. “I’m literally thirteen.” 

“Exactly,” Kinsley said, sweet as syrup. “And yet you have this whole vibe like you should be allowed to pilot a submarine.” 

Nicole let out a breath that was almost a laugh and almost a warning. “Kin.” 

“What?” Kinsley said innocently, hands spread. “I’m being supportive. I’m endorsing age appropriate behavior.” 

“You’re being you,” Nicole corrected, still calm, but there was a softness under it, like she was smoothing a wrinkle before it became a fight. “We’re doing this because Dayton asked for pointers. Remember?” 

Dayton’s jaw tightened. She stared out the window at a blur of scaffolding and brick and a delivery guy on an e-bike who looked like he feared nothing. 

“I didn’t ask for pointers because I’m incompetent,” Dayton said. 

Kinsley leaned back, resting her hands behind her like she was sunbathing. “No, you asked because you’re scared.” 

Dayton’s eyes snapped down. “I’m not.” 

Kinsley’s gaze didn’t flinch. “You are. It’s okay. You’re allowed.” 

Nicole watched Dayton’s face for a second, then turned her phone slightly so Dayton could see the screen without it feeling like help. 

At the top: LITTLE MART RUN: EZRA SETUP (MINIMUM VIABLE HOME) 

Under it, a list that looked like it had been designed to survive a hurricane: 

  • bedding set (warm-season + cold-season) 
  • washable liner pads 
  • food (pellets + wet packs) 
  • water system (bottle + bowl backup) 
  • enrichment (safe chew, tactile mat, book stand) 
  • hygiene (wipes, gentle soap, tiny towel pack) 
  • travel case (hard shell, vented) 
  • tablet stand + LittleNet setup cable 

Dayton swallowed, suddenly aware she’d been holding herself too rigid for the past ten minutes. 

“I’m not scared,” she repeated, weaker. 

Nicole’s voice stayed even. “Dayton. This isn’t about being scared of him. It’s about being scared of getting it wrong.” 

Kinsley tapped the seat with one tiny knuckle like she was calling a meeting to order. “Thank you. Someone gets it.” 

Dayton shot her a look. “You’re enjoying this.” 

Kinsley’s grin turned sharp, familiar. “I’m enjoying that you finally have a real problem you can’t solve by color coding it.” 

Nicole made a small sound in her throat. “Kinsley.” 

Kinsley instantly shifted. Shoulders back. Face smoother. Voice sweet as sugar. “Sorry.” 

And that right there was the thing Dayton couldn’t stop thinking about since she’d been at Nicole’s house. 

That switch. 

How Kinsley could be fire with Dayton, then instantly become acceptable for adults. How she could tuck her real self away like contraband when she needed to, because she’d learned that being a Little meant people watched for reasons to label you: difficult, unstable, ungrateful, dangerous. 

Dayton hated that Kinsley knew how to do it. 

Dayton hated that Kinsley had to. 

A taxi honked. Mr. Myers muttered something under his breath that sounded like a prayer, then turned it into a sigh. 

Dayton watched the street, then finally said it. “When you… when you first got… you know.” 

Kinsley didn’t move. Nicole didn’t either, but her fingers tightened around the edge of her phone. 

Dayton forced the words out anyway. “When you first became a Little. What did you want people to do. Like. What helped.” 

Kinsley blinked once, slow. 

Then she looked at Nicole, like checking in with her twin before answering. Nicole gave a tiny nod. 

Kinsley’s voice came out quieter. Not small. Just… real. 

“I wanted people to stop lying,” she said. 

Dayton frowned. “Lying how.” 

Kinsley’s gaze went back out the window. A crosswalk signal flashed a white walking man. It looked cheerful. It felt cruel. 

“Like,” Kinsley said, “everyone wanted to say the same three things.” 

She lifted a finger, counting them off. 

“‘At least you’re safe.’” Another finger. “‘At least you’re cared for.’” Another. “And the big one: ‘You’ll adjust.’” 

Dayton didn’t speak. 

Kinsley’s hand lowered to her lap. “And I get why they say it. It makes them feel like they’re helping. But it’s also a way to not talk about what actually happened.” 

Nicole’s voice softened. “Kin…” 

Kinsley glanced up at her sister and gave her a look that was half love, half I’m fine. Then she looked at Dayton again. 

“What helped,” Kinsley continued, “was when Nicole stopped trying to make me feel better and started giving me control where she could.” 

Dayton’s eyes narrowed. “Control how.” 

Kinsley’s smile returned, smaller now, edged with that old competitive gleam. “Choices. Real ones. Not ‘do you want the blue blanket or the pink blanket’ like I’m a doll.” 

Nicole exhaled through her nose. “Hey, the blue blanket was elite.” 

Kinsley pointed at her twin without looking away from Dayton. “It was. But you know what I mean.” 

Dayton’s fingers tightened on her backpack strap. “I gave Ezra a choice today.” 

Kinsley’s eyebrows rose. “You gave him a choice between ‘come with me’ and ‘be in the habitat.’” 

Dayton bristled. “That’s still a choice.” 

“It is,” Kinsley agreed, and for a second she sounded like she was grading Dayton’s logic. “It’s just not the choice you think it is.” 

Dayton’s voice sharpened. “Then what am I supposed to do. Let him free roam while I’m gone.” 

“No,” Kinsley said instantly. “Absolutely not.” 

Nicole nodded, matter of fact. “No.” 

Dayton’s anger stalled in her throat. She stared at them both. “Okay so what are you saying.” 

Kinsley leaned forward. The motion was tiny, but it had weight. Like a coach stepping into the huddle. 

“I’m saying,” Kinsley said, “if you’re going to use the habitat, make it feel like a home base, not a penalty box.” 

Dayton looked away, jaw tight. “He calls it a cage.” 

Kinsley shrugged. “Of course he does.” 

Nicole added quietly, “He’s grieving.” 

Dayton’s eyes flicked back. “He’s also being dramatic.” 

Kinsley smiled again, a flash of teeth. “Yes. He is. He’s a grown man in a four-inch body. Drama is, unfortunately, in the syllabus.” 

Dayton hated that she almost laughed. 

Kinsley continued, voice more serious. “So you do two things.” 

Dayton waited, annoyed by how much she wanted the answer. 

“One,” Kinsley said, “you don’t pretend the habitat is nothing. You say what it is: a safety protocol. A rule you have to follow because adults and the SEA are watching. You can even say you think it’s dumb. That helps.” 

Nicole nodded. “It does. It separates you from the system. A little.” 

“And two,” Kinsley said, “you give him one thing in there that’s his. Not yours. Not ‘Dayton’s approved enrichment item.’ Something that feels like a person got to pick it.” 

Dayton’s throat tightened. “Like what. He doesn’t even know what he wants.” 

Kinsley’s eyes narrowed like she’d been waiting for that exact sentence. “Yes he does. He just doesn’t want to admit it.” 

Dayton didn’t respond. 

Kinsley leaned back again, satisfied. “He wants context. He wants to feel seen. He wants to pretend his brain still matters.” 

Dayton’s gaze flicked downward, remembering Ezra on her desk in class, asking for “attention” like it was a life raft. 

Nicole’s dad hit a pothole and the whole car jolted. Kinsley steadied herself instantly, palm flat on the seat, body braced like an athlete. It was such a Kinsley thing to do that Dayton’s chest ached. 

Mr. Myers glanced back again. “Everything okay.” 

Nicole smiled. “Yep.” 

Kinsley brightened her voice just a fraction. “All good.” 

Dayton said nothing, but she nodded, because her throat felt too tight for words. 

They rolled past a mural splashed across the side of a building, something bright and defiant, the kind of art that made the city feel alive. Dayton watched it slide away and thought about how Ezra used to talk about symbolism like it mattered. 

Now he was one. A symbol. A warning. A lesson. 

Nicole shifted slightly, lowering her voice. “Also, practical thing.” 

Dayton looked at her. 

Nicole tapped the checklist. “LittleMart is going to be… loud. Bright. A lot of people. Littles in carriers. Families treating it like Target. Ezra’s going to hate it even if he doesn’t say it.” 

Kinsley added, “He’s going to pretend he’s fine. He’s going to try to be dignified. He’s going to fail. And it’s going to make him angry.” 

Dayton’s mouth tightened. “So what. I don’t take him.” 

Nicole shook her head. “Not necessarily. But if you take him, don’t take him for your convenience. Take him because it’s a choice that gives him something.” 

Kinsley’s eyes glittered. “Also take him because it’s funny.” 

Nicole shot her a look. “Kin.” 

Kinsley held up both hands, mock innocent. “I’m kidding. Mostly.” 

Dayton’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She ignored it. For once, she didn’t want a notification to tell her what to do. 

She looked down at Kinsley. “When I came over, you said… you said you still live rent-free in my head.” 

Kinsley’s grin returned full force. “You do remember.” 

Dayton frowned. “That wasn’t the point.” 

“It kind of was,” Kinsley said, unbothered. 

Dayton exhaled through her nose. “Fine. So what’s your final advice. Like, if you could tell me one thing to not screw this up.” 

Kinsley went quiet. 

For a moment, she looked thirteen again. Not a Little. Not a symbol. Just a girl stuck in a situation too big for her, forced to become fluent in survival. 

Then her eyes lifted to Dayton’s, and the rivalry returned, softened by something like loyalty. 

“Don’t confuse obedience with peace,” Kinsley said. 

Dayton’s brow furrowed. “What does that mean.” 

“It means,” Kinsley said, “if Ezra gets quiet, that doesn’t mean he’s okay. It means he’s tired.” 

Nicole nodded slowly. “And it means if he’s loud, that doesn’t mean he’s ungrateful. It means he still thinks he’s a person.” 

Dayton stared at them, feeling something twist inside her chest that wasn’t guilt exactly. It was heavier than guilt. It was responsibility. 

The SUV turned, and up ahead, the LittleMart signage came into view, bright and friendly, like a lie you could buy gift cards under. 

Mr. Myers signaled and merged into the lane for the parking garage. 

Nicole straightened, checklist ready, the competent twin in her element. 

Kinsley adjusted her tiny hoodie and set her face into that polite, presentable version of herself again, the one adults liked because it didn’t make them think too hard. 

Dayton watched her do it and felt a flare of anger at the universe for forcing a person into that kind of performance. 

Then Dayton leaned back against the seat, eyes forward, and made herself a promise she didn’t say out loud. 

Not to be perfect. 

Just to be real. 

Because Ezra didn’t need a flawless Guardian. 

He needed a human being who didn’t pretend this was normal just because the law had decided it was. 

 

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J - Vader
J - Vader
3 months ago

Good god this was amazing!!!!! Perfect advice for Dayton!!!! And her taking to heart makes it better

Lethal Ledgend
Reply to  J - Vader
3 months ago

The question is, will she follow it properly or not?

Nodqfan
3 months ago

I love this discussion between Nicole, Dayton, and Kinsley about Ezra, but it was the part where Kinsley brought up how she wanted people lying around her and Nicole giving her control, and that helped her out when she became a little.

It’s the perfect advice for Dayton because there were times she treated Ezra like a nail, and she was the hammer trying to get Ezra to just accept the sudden change in life without a grieving process, and that is not how it works.

I can’t wait to see how she applies it going forward with Ezra.

C M
C M
Reply to  Nodqfan
3 months ago

giving control and real choice to a little is by far the best thing any guardian can do. it’s why i like Kayla and Kelli, there’s real choice and Kelli’s voice matters to Kayla. Nicole and Kinsley are a lighter version of that, or i guess a more centered version

Nodqfan
Reply to  C M
3 months ago

I agree.

C M
C M
Reply to  Asukafan2001
3 months ago

that’s true, it’s just that difference seems to get things closer to a partnership than the reverse has, or at least thats how it appears to me. like Kelli should be able to have some power in their dynamic, but shouldn’t be discounting Kayla input either. which at the end of the last season (idk if we’d call it that haha) seemed to be the direction they were heading. like Kelli’s understanding what kayla’s actually done for her now and is much more grateful and is probably willing to be more flexible with her care because of how things ended. Granted the collar episode was really hard, but Kayla was immediately sympathetic and understanding to why Kelli was upset.

and That’s kind of why I htink Nicole and Kinsley are the more centered of the two pairs cause they probably went through that before Jordan was even introduced, or did go through it between him escaping and now

Lethal Ledgend
Reply to  Nodqfan
3 months ago

Do you think this discussion makes up for Ezra not going with them?

Because I know you were disappointed by his decision to stay in the habitat, but I think we can all agree that this conversation wouldn’t have happened if Ezra were present.

Nodqfan
Reply to  Lethal Ledgend
3 months ago

In a way, yes, because it’s something that Dayton needed to hear so that she can be a better guardian to Ezra.

The main reason I wanted Ezra to go with Dayton was to have him interact with Kinsley and ask her how it felt to be little and what helped her adjust to being one. Which she’d give him the same answer that she gave Dayton here.

Lethal Ledgend
3 months ago

0) Took me a while to spot Kinsley in the image, lol

1) “Her legs were crossed like she had all the room in the world” I mean she actually would

2) . “Nothing. Just appreciating that you’re not pretending you could drive.” – “I’m literally thirteen.” – “Exactly, and yet you have this whole vibe like you should be allowed to pilot a submarine.” I could see Dayton assuming she’d easily pick up driving.

3) “No, you asked because you’re scared.” – “I’m not.”  –  “You are. It’s okay. You’re allowed.” I like Kinsley trying to be reassuring, but I doubt Dayton is actually scared, she doesn’t seem self aware enough to be.

4) “Under it, a list that looked like it had been designed to survive a hurricane” The list did seem quite comprehensive.

5) “Dayton. This isn’t about being scared of him. It’s about being scared of getting it wrong.” Well, Dayton’s kinda already started this antagonistically, so that ship has sailed

6.1) “How Kinsley could be fire with Dayton, then instantly become acceptable for adults. How she could tuck her real self away like contraband when she needed to” Isn’t that what Dayton’s done? Tucked her real self away to trick the adults (and even other kids like Sara and Chloe) into thinking she’s a better person than she is.  I don’t see why she’d be so surprised at Kinsley for doing the same.
6.2) “she’d learned that being a Little meant people watched for reasons to label you: difficult, unstable, ungrateful, dangerous.” not just Littles

7) “I wanted people to stop lying,” – “Lying how.” White lies that are designed to encourage toxic positivity instead of addressing issues, and probably all the lies of omission that she got, where people gave her partial information instead of the whole story to avoid scaring her.

8) “‘At least you’re safe.’” Another finger. “‘At least you’re cared for.’” Another. “And the big one: ‘You’ll adjust.’” Meaningless platitudes that wouldn’t actually help her. I remember Jordan got that a lot from Sara’s friends (thought they also made sure to mix in huge helpings of Sara praise).

9) “I gave Ezra a choice today.” – “You gave him a choice between ‘come with me’ and ‘be in the habitat.’” – “That’s still a choice.” – “It is, it’s just not the choice you think it is.” I’m Glad Kinsley’s not praising Dayton for what Dayton likely thought was a great act of generosity.  

10) “He’s grieving.” – “He’s also being dramatic.” Oh god forbid a man who’s lost everything show any emotion.

11.1) “you don’t pretend the habitat is nothing. You say what it is: a safety protocol. A rule you have to follow because adults and the SEA are watching. You can even say you think it’s dumb. That helps.” But Dayton doesn’t think the habitat is dumb, she actually seems quite proud of it, 
11.2) “It does. It separates you from the system. A little.” You just told her to stop lying to him, now you’re encouraging it, Dayton is not separate form the system, she’s part of it.

12) “You give him one thing in there that’s his. Not yours. Not ‘Dayton’s approved enrichment item.’ Something that feels like a person got to pick it.” I’m kinda glad Ezra didn’t join them, I feel like they wouldn’t be having this conversation if he was in earshot, and Dayton needs to hear this.

13) “Like what. He doesn’t even know what he wants.” – “Yes he does. He just doesn’t want to admit it.” He also doesn’t want Dayton to use it against him, weaponising it in her oppressive regime.

14) . “He wants context. He wants to feel seen. He wants to pretend his brain still matters.”  I don’t think he wants it to be pretend

15) “LittleMart is going to be… loud. Bright. A lot of people. Littles in carriers. Families treating it like Target. Ezra’s going to hate it even if he doesn’t say it.” – “He’s going to pretend he’s fine. He’s going to try to be dignified. He’s going to fail. And it’s going to make him angry.” Honestly, that reminds me of a lot of young kids being dragged to places they don’t want to go.

16.1) “Not necessarily. But if you take him, don’t take him for your convenience. Take him because it’s a choice that gives him something.” Making sure he benefits is good
16.2) “Also take him because it’s funny.” Real Kinsley?

17) “For a moment, she looked thirteen again. Not a Little. Not a symbol. Just a girl stuck in a situation too big for her, forced to become fluent in survival” It’s good that she and Nicole still look the same age, though, unless Nicole got Kinsey’s remnant immediately, they won’t look the same forever.

18) “Don’t confuse obedience with peace,” – “It means, if Ezra gets quiet, that doesn’t mean he’s okay. It means he’s tired.” Very true, Men tend to stop arguing if they feel like they’re not being listened to, they aren’t conceding any points, just not casting pearls before pigs.

19) “And it means if he’s loud, that doesn’t mean he’s ungrateful. It means he still thinks he’s a person.” That could also means he’s not feeling heard or listened to.

20) “Dayton stared at them, feeling something twist inside her chest that wasn’t guilt exactly” Of course, Dayton isn’t capable of feeling guilt for her actions.

21) “Kinsley adjusted her tiny hoodie and set her face into that polite, presentable version of herself again, the one adults liked because it didn’t make them think too hard.  Dayton watched her do it and felt a flare of anger at the universe for forcing a person into that kind of performance.” Firstly, code switching is a normal part of life; it’s healthy (except in my next example). 
Secondly, Dayton is forcing Ezra to do the same thing, the way he’s had to ask for basic permissions or been silenced during certain conversations.  So even if my first point wasn’t true, Dayton has no right to blame “the universe” for something she’s actively participated in.

22) “He needed a human being who didn’t pretend this was normal just because the law had decided it was.” That doesn’t sound like Dayton at all. It’s a good thing she made that promise secretly; no one will call her out when she breaks it.

Darkone
Darkone
Reply to  Lethal Ledgend
3 months ago

FYI- Thumbs up on the observation that this conversation would probably not have occurred had Ezra been there.

3) Scared might be a bit strong, but there is some fear of not completing this task successfully. She one of those “A Type” personalities that has to get it right every time.

10) Excellent point!

11) They are giving her advice to make Ezra feel better. I see that you don’t like “white lies”, but we all tell them and usually for altruistic reasons. Sometimes they backfire.

12) Finding/Identifying this “item” seem difficult to me.

13) That is most likely true, but both Dayton and Ezra are going to have to change and develop a level of trust before Ezra shares that information.

14) Agreed, “pretend” was a poor choice of word here.

16.2) I think Kinsley was just trying to lighten the mood, the way a kid would normally.

18-19) Possibly some of the best advice in this episode

20) But maybe whatever it is she is feeling will result in a positive outcome.

21) Maybe she will start to recognize this and become more empathetic.

22) Again, maybe Dayton is changing for the better. We can only hope. If she shared this thought with Ezra, it might mean a lot to him. Of course, actions speak louder than words.

Lethal Ledgend
Reply to  Asukafan2001
3 months ago

2) Lol definitely.

6.1) She does though, like how she lied to Sara about how she was treating Jordan, or threatened him again once Sara’s back was turned

7) White lies can be good, but they’re also able to be toxic, In the case of Littles, it’s people always saying how “lucky” they are.

9) Oh but she did, she wanted him to come and definitely thought she went above and beyond for letting him chose.

10) He’s been a Little for a while, but in Dayton’s mind her “wasn’t living like a Little”

11.2) Dayton chose to be a cog Ezra didn’t, that puts a level of accountability on her that wouldn’t be fair to apply to Ezra.

12) Like I said wouldn’t have happened, The twins wouldn’t have been so openly critical of Dayton if Ezra was listening.

13) Are you saying Satan Dayton wouldn’t turn something she knows he wants into a bargaining chip or manipulation accessory?

16.1) Yep

18) Which is a transition many Littles struggle with.

19) He’s been reduced from the stats he had this morning, from his perspective, from Dayton’s perspective he’s just where he’s actually been since shrinking.

20) Fair.

22) True.

Lethal Ledgend
Reply to  Lethal Ledgend
3 months ago

FYI- Thanks

3) That I do believe.

10) Ta mate

11) I don’t like While lies that ignore real problems. Saying “That outfit looks nice” when you don’t actually care is fine, but when you know it looks terrible and will lead to the person being embarrassed is another matter entirely 

12) Indeed, certainly not something he’d be able to come up with in just a day. Although knowing Ezra he’d say “I want my life back”.

13) Changes I don’t think either actually wants to make.

14) No, I think that’s exactly the word they meant

16.2) probably.

20 & 21) You’re optimism is nice.

22) Actions do speack louder than words, but Dayton’s also got actions that speak against her, not just her words. 

washsnowghost
3 months ago

I enjoy the Love those three have for each other. Kinsley asking to get cuddle love and getting it is nice to see and the constant care for each other. I hope in the future the three of them have a relationship like chole & Sara. It would be so good. They are already like family lol.