D'aww! Such a cute cuddle buddy. I'm sure, if the show would've allowed, Spike would have had a few nights where he snuggled in bed with twilight. I'm sure it would make for some really close and touching moments. Especially as Twilight Velvet would not seem like mommy and Celestia isn't the one Spike first got to know after being hatched.

***

There's actually a comic on YouTube where it's Mother's day and Baby Spike was given something to give to twilight's mom. However, when twi says to give the toy to mommy, Spike crawls to her. :)

***

Perhaps, for your story, you could have Phoenix have to gradually ween himself from wanting to sleep with Night Light? Though, at times, she may prefer him to a book. :)

I have had to think a little more about Nightlight’s past relations with Phoenix. When she first hatched him, she enjoyed cuddling with him in bed. But then he turned out to have breathing problems that could set her room on fire. From then on, he had to sleep in a bed of “unicorn fiber”, underneath a table and tablecloth made with the same material.

Partially because of that incident, Nightlight’s affection toward Phoenix has been fairly inconsistent. White Night has had to pick up much of the slack. He can pressure her only so much before he has to accept that she is not ready to be a mother. Phoenix sees White Night as a fun uncle, though sometimes he sees White Night as the father he never had. Skysparkle and her son and niece also love Phoenix’s company. He has had plenty of support from others, but he hasn’t been as grateful as it seems on the surface.

Conversely, part of the problem was that it was hard to detect the exact support Phoenix really needed. Phoenix never shared just how heartbroken he felt underneath about the one who hatched him treating him like a guest rather than a son. Perhaps he wasn’t very consciously aware of these feelings after he weaned off of dragon milk. White Night was much younger during Phoenix’s formative years, so he didn’t know as much about what he was doing, or how to share it with others.

After reconciling with Phoenix, Nightlight longs to show him the affection he should have gotten from her since he was a baby. She finally cuddles with him in bed again, even though she feels weird doing so because he is much older now. White Night himself would have normally felt that this was breaking proper personal boundaries, but he feels Phoenix desperately needs to have what should have been given to him as a baby. As Phoenix feels her warmth at long last, his sleeping problems become much less of a problem. In any case, Nightlight sleeps with a unicorn-fiber canopy around her bed, to contain fire-breathing accidents. Phoenix feels free to feel like a baby again, at least around Nightlight. As a gag, he might put on a diaper at one point.

Nice fleshing out as to what may start the problem with Phoenix as he comes to rebel against Night light for lack of seeing him as 'her child'. His young mind would see the "You sleep under the table with this sheet making it so I can't see you." making him open to doing unfriendly things that, in most cases, children feeling 'neglected' do in an unknowing desperate attempt to get that attention again.

So, in review of what you shared, I say you have the start for the 'conflict situation' and 'result of conflict resolution' fleshed out very well right here for the lesson wherein Phoenix needs to learn what Night Light is working hard to learn herself with the aid of Star Lyre, White Knight, and her new friends.

It has dawned on me that positive support isn’t always enough — even when the other person wants to be a friend deep inside. Sometimes the exact support needed cannot be identified. The other person may not know what is truly broken in himself. Of course, that is not an excuse for ingratitude. Phoenix has to face that he’s betrayed the trust of people who only wanted to be his friends.

Good point. I have a lot of 'well wishers' and 'people believing in me'. However it doesn't change that I can never get those who really need to know I'm more than my sight to recognize me for my talent over my limitation.

So 'positive support' is there more as a 'safety net' where other supports, like tools to be high-functioning to compensate for a limitation are another. Positive support is not going to make people add 'Safe Rooms' to their businesses. Positive support is not going to change corporate cultures. However, at its core, positive support is enough to keep someone trying to find a way to make things better. The only issue being how one goes about 'making things better' can lead into many good outcomes, brick walls, and dark places.

For Phoenix, I don't believe you are making him purposely take the less positive routes for going beyond his 'support system'. However it is as easy to go wrong as it is to go right unless you are aware of what to look for in your journey beyond the 'safe place' created through positive reinforcement of those closest to you.

I was thinking a little more about the scene after Phoenix finds himself in a literal hole. After Nightlight warns him he's about to lose those who wanted to be his friends, Phoenix starts to cry like a baby. Nightlight's eyes start to water up, too.

She hugs and comforts Phoenix like a baby. She tells him, "Fee Fee, you poor baby! Mommy's here for you! Together, we can make things right!" As she pats him on the back, he burps a fireball. Suddenly, Phoenix feels not so bad. He feels as if the world has been lifted off his back. He gives Nightlight a big hug and starts to cry some happy tears. He says, "Oh, Mommy! I love you, too! How could I have done those terrible things to you?"

Nightlight reflects on the days when Phoenix was a hatchling. She comes to realize how little affection she gave him as a baby. Now it's her turn to cry in grief. She cries into Phoenix's shoulder, as she rubs her snout against his. She says, "I'm so sorry, Phoenix! I was a horrible mother! You wanted my love. But I made you feel unloved, and you turned against me. You wanted to be popular. But deep inside ... I think the one you wanted all along was me."

Nightlight has finally stumbled on the true reason behind Phoenix's fall from friendship. Even her big brother, an intelligence agent trained in psychology, could not detect what was truly broken inside. He had always felt like a father or big brother for Phoenix. He was only a teenager when Phoenix was hatched, and White Night underestimated how much Phoenix's baby mind saw Nightlight as his mother. Phoenix seemed to enjoy White Night's company so much that White Night figured his sister's neglect was not a big deal. In this case, White Night might have been at one of the worst vantage points to see the troubled dragon inside.

From then on, Nightlight clings to Phoenix, and he clings to her. From then on, the adoptive mother and son are best friends, almost always seen together. Phoenix becomes a great assistant for her, but she just sees him as one who is always there for her.

This is perfect! The emotion felt is off-the-charts! There is also a lot of character growth coupled with White Knight learning a bit more about what it is to 'look out for others'.

There is almost always something beneath the surface. :)

Your desire to be a baby again, I believe, has been highly illuminating for me in developing an intuitive understanding of child psychology. Among other questions, I have asked myself how I could have sympathy for someone seemingly unsympathetic. The answer seems to be — when I offer my sympathy, I always indicate that I want to be a friend and us to do the things that friends do. I don’t enable anything except what brings us both closer to love and kindness. Whenever a character I like has a rotten moment that never got properly resolved in the show itself, I have to trust that they are enough of a friend to eventually realize that they need help.

*Sighs* I often look back on this 'desire' and wish I did not have it. Though, especially throughout 2020, I feel so 'unwanted' and 'destined for failure' unless I resolve everything that has lingered on since 2007 and find a new way to move forward. Fortunately I know God will guide me through this journey.

As I shared with my therapist, "I have a few choices when I'm feeling mentally overwhelmed. One is to take a medicine that, as all pills do, continues the ongoing damage to my kidneys and liver, or distance myself from everything, wear a diaper, and cuddle up in bed for a mental recharge of available thought resources.".

Video games used to be a great way for me to 'relax' my mind. However I lost the genuine ability to play around 2011. this is even with special glasses, mangifiers, etc. The fact I could play 'Undertale' before I lost the rest of my sight was a total miracle that was aided by my 26x magnification convex lens.

I can do 'Mortal Kombat'. However only if my son is interested in helping me to play by myself, or with him. He's into his own things and, well, I'd be awful if I pleaded to get him to do something he didn't want to do.

Then there is just how everyday people think I am incapable of doing things. Being 'lead' places is embarrassing. My son even will 'latch' on to me during walks as he doesn't trust my Seeing Eye Dog to make certain street crossings.

So, overall, I want to be little again as, if it is myself doing it, I know I have 'control' over it. If I'm to be seen as a lesser / helpless child, I'd rather know it was on my own terms.

***

Fortunately, for Phoenix, he is a child and has a chance to show Night light how he has been long seeking love, care, and respect he hasn't gotten. Night Light and White Knight acting the way they do will keep Phoenix from turning into something, like me. Night Light's passion, love, and support will infuse Phoenix with all the 'stability' and self-confidence he needs to not seek peace through being infantile as he ages into a great 'friend' in 'faith'. :)

I don't believe social stigma should hold you back from being who you are. Your home is your home. The best I can tell from the Bible, nothing is absolutely wrong with pretending to be a baby when you're by yourself. Maybe if you would fully embrace your desire for a more innocent time and place, much of your stress would suddenly evaporate.

As for your son, I don't think he would want to lose his father to liver failure. Right now, there is no artificial substitute for a liver. Moreover, I think he would rather his father be happy but weird -- than to be "normal" but miserable. There is the issue of picking the lesser of two evils -- but there might actually be some positive good.

I understand you're feeling something like what Moondancer once did -- afraid to get into a serious relationship because you fear you will get hurt again. Moondancer had to realize that she was hurting herself all along, living in fear and bitterness. If you keep your heart and mind open, you may find a wife who enjoys taking care of you as a mother.

In your case, it may be a woman many would say is too big. Maybe a woman who reminds you of Toriel from Undertale. All I know is that nothing can be rushed. It will take baby steps.

I myself have never been in love. I suspect that if I ever marry, the falling in love will come mostly after the physical and moral attraction. It may not be until the honeymoon that we feel very romantic. I suspect that is, in fact, the ideal. I believe what went wrong last time was that you put the cart before the horse.

Well, when I get to be 'little' I feel quite happy. I actually just got cuddly and found a new show to listen to on 'Amazon Prime' bout a little penguin. I think it is Chinese, or Japanese, in nature. It reminds me of the world I want to live in. (Mine would just have diapers in it)

As for my relationship with my former wife, it was not rushed at all. We were friends, then lovers, then our son was born and, from there, my vision went to heck, household stability was a zero, and we just, *Sighs* grew apart as she wanted more than I could ever give.

It would be nice to find someone to share time with. However, at my current age, I am not optimistic. Toss in the whole 'Blind' thing and, well, that pretty much does it all in. (I have heard way too many stories from other blind people about relationships gone bad, or where the partner took advantage of the blind person as they knew they had power over them)

I actually don't seek out fellow 'blind people' as I tend to find myself very depressed upon hearing their stories, sex drive, and alcoholism. All blind people are not like that but I have met too many unhappy, jaded, sex hungry, alcoholic people in the blind community to prefer to associate in all groups over staying in one that is, well, toxic to me.

There's always my plushie pals to keep me company. They never get tired of my hugs and snuggles, too.

If something happens, it would be entirely by God's will. If not, I am content.

I’m curious to know when did you get married, and when did you have your child.

Well, my ex-wife didn't want to get officially married nor have a child. So, as she did love me back in 2006, which is one year after I made her the first to know of my diaper thing, we played 'Russian Roulette' and our son was born in 2007. We finally got married in 2010.

There is a lot of things I tried to make work in the name of my family, religious beliefs, etc. However my ex always had regrets of not ever getting out more prior to being my wife.

*Sighs* It is what it is. I simply must just move on and trust The Lord that I am still heading in the right direction.

As a Christian, I would never want a woman who approves of sex outside of marriage. I want a woman who doesn’t approve of divorce except where the Bible indicates the marriage is already good as dead. If you can find such a charitable woman, then half the work may already be done.

Sadly, and this is on me, I feel too uncomfortable making myself that vulnerable again.

When I still had 'usable eyesight', I was comfortable being with a potential spouse. Having zero eyesight puts me at the mercy of everyone and, truly, I don't have the psychological energy left to feel like I could have a repeat of what happened again.

There is also how my ex is now on her 5th relationship in under 2 years. It has hurt Peep a lot and, for Peep, I promised him I will not seek another relationship for how he has seen his mother 'making out' with all these guys at some point. It hurts him and, as a teen, Peep needs to be able to feel some degree of 'routine' and 'safety'.

Peep even told my ex how it made him uncomfortable / sick when he'd see kissing and hugging with the multiple mates. So, for Peep, I'll keep my hugs for him and kisses for my plushies.

I feel almost as if it’s the mother who has abandoned the child. Unfortunately, I don’t see how you and she could get back together unless she is truly converted to following the true God. If you ever wish for a wife again, the best thing you could do would be to bring a mother figure who is a strong example. Your son may eventually thank you for it, and it might help him move on.

Maybe. However my son is actually glad to have peace with me not adding another relationship on top of all those his mother has been in since our separation.

I just want to live out the rest of my life as best I can. There is just too much 'psychological damage' for me to ever find someone to be with. (Plus, 99% odds, they find out about my liking of diapers and diapered cartoons, on top of total blindness, and they'd be running for the door just like my ex)

God will guide me as he sees fit. Everything happens for a reason and God, to me, is the reason while we must decide on how to go forth after his will has been done.

I suppose I am a little surprised how many blind people have fallen into such despair as to be bad company. I get to thinking about people who feel oppressed or otherwise disempowered. Many times, it seems the devil couldn’t have had a better target than if they had been spoiled rotten. Actually, faith in Christ is often tested the hardest when everything goes wrong — as in the Book of Job.

I might have overlooked that you’re not just afraid of another broken heart. I forgot that there is good reason to fear others targeting you as someone to take advantage of. As I’m sure you understand, being isolated and alone is not the solution — but the problem. Those who are on their own may have no power to stop someone who wants to break into their lives. If you do get married again, I feel it should be without a marriage license. In any case, you need a contract that protects your best interests.

I hope your therapist can help you develop secret tests to test people’s trustworthiness. We have to keep our guard — but only to the extent we can actually protect ourselves. The worst risk is trying to avoid all risk. We must take the chances that offer the best sense of hope.

*Plops on his padded bottom and lowers his head* it's even more than that, my friend. *Rocks in place to self-comfort, I am not just at the mercy of a potential partner but also the entire world we live in.

If I want to travel someplace that is over a mile away, or too dangerous to walk, I have to pay Uber, or Lyft, $7 to $10 for a one way trip. I 'could' use para-transit but it gives far less ability to come-and-go as you please. Plus, with para-transit, I have been 'ditched' multiple times due to drivers ignoring how I could not leave work until 'After 5:00 PM', or driver's who wouldn't arrive until after 6:00 PM. Hanging outside of my work building after busting my mind to continually adapt to software built less-and-less for accessibility software is no fun. Plus Peep always thought I was 'mad' when I came home and, often, I had to tell him it wasn't 'mad' but 'frustrated' over all the extra work I need to do in order to just barely show a hint of my full potential.

In 2008, and this is the most unbelievable thing ever, my supervisor at my first job pressured me to 'apologize' for how my 'disability' inconvenienced my colleagues. I was sat in the middle of the room as all 5 took turns telling me how they felt 'obligated' to do things I never asked them to do. Worse was hearing, "When someone said they'd give you a ride home, couldn't you tell they really didn't want to?". (I never could see facial expressions on a real life human being)

Second job, once technology changed, I thought I was ready to ensure I didn't get put in a similar position as with my first employer. this failed epically. I'll spare the details as this is when I felt the unforgettable urge to commit homicide. It's one thing to say, "I'll kill you for that!" and another to genuinely have the devil so far in your head that you visualize and start planning out brutal murder. (God blssed me with a therapist who helped me form an 'escape' before I got to where I was going to act on this Satanic Saporling)

Lastly, and most annoying, is how even adaptive tech makes it difficult to know what is written on a piece of paper. So I need someone to read to me. This is often my ex-wife, which she does kindly.

Right now, thanks to the pandemic, I have to rely on grocery delivery. This means, to get groceries, I have to wait over 2 weeks for an open slot to get food.

*Plops and just wets himself thoroughly* Sorry. I just needed to let that all out as, for me, I want to 'trust' and 'be open'. However I'm far too vulnerable and don't like how things continue to be removed from the grasp of those with limitations. *Slight tear*

I didn’t know that your ex-wife ever did anything nice for you. I hope she eventually listens to her child’s desire for the three of you to be a family again. I now have some new thoughts about when it’s appropriate to re-marry after a divorce. In your situation, it really does seem you should have far more patience with your ex than I might have felt one should have to have. Sadly, your son has never had a properly functioning family. He was born outside of marriage, and he might have been the reason your ex didn’t leave sooner. If your ex ever has a change of heart, it will surely be because of her son.

You know i'm starting to wish I bought this stuffed animal instead of the ones I got

It’s a Build-A-Bear Spike, and I bought two of them on eBay. I’m sure you can find one in good condition, and it may be surprisingly cheap.