It was a long day for little Nikoli. Normally, whenever mommy and daddy went off to do their mysterious grown-up things, they left him with a babysitter or his grandparents. And last night, as they were putting Nikoli to bed, they told him today would be no different and the babysitter would be there first thing in the morning. The kitten was heartbroken at the news. He pouted and pleaded to go along. His grades were good, he ate all of his vegetables, and he never stayed up past bedtime. He’s the biggest, goodest boy there is, why didn’t Mommy and Daddy want to spend time with him?
His sniffles stopped, and frown turned upside upon hearing that magical word “yes.” This morning he was so excited to finally get to peek at the functions of the big grown-up world that he could barely sit still for Daddy to strap his seatbelt on. Although, he soon started to feel that the big grown-up world was a bit more than he bargained for. His parents stopped at a lot of places, including someplace called a tax office, and at some place to pick an “insurance plan” or something.
What his parents did at each place was often a mystery. Even after his dear mommy and daddy did their best to explain it to the curious wide-eyed kitty, grown up business just made his little pink head spin. And worse than how confusing it could be, was how boring it could be. So many long agonizing waits with nothing to do, just listening to grown-ups exchanging what he swore were big made-up words with each other, but not even fun silly ones, just lame sounding monotone business-isms. Sitting between his parents, he sometimes felt so tempted to interject into their conversations by blowing a raspberry or showing these stuffy grown-ups how funny of a word he could make up. Just the thought almost brought a giggle to his lips…but no. He was a big boy now, and being a big boy sometimes meant serious, boring, mind-numbing business.
So, at each place Nikoli patiently waited, staying quiet and still like every good boy does. And at the end of every eternity, the warm smiles and head pats supplied by his proud mommy and daddy always made up for it in the end. Even better when they did it in front of the other grown-ups they spoke with. It made him blush and giggle knowing everywhere they went, everyone got to see just how much of a big boy he was.
As the end of the day neared, his parents had just one more stop at a place Nikoli was much more familiar with, the supermarket. And along the way to the supermarket, his parents decided to get little Niko a treat for being such a good boy all day. They stopped at a drive through and let Nikoli pick out his favorite drink, a strawberry lemonade slushie. He was so happy he drank the whole thing before they were even halfway to the supermarket. He shivered from the residual freeze in both his brain and tummy, but he leaned back in his seat smiling satisfied.  
Continuing his new official life as a big boy, Nikoli for the first time politely declined a ride in the shopping cart seat, those were for little babies. Instead, he took the initiative and helped finish off the shopping list. Dashing down aisles and bringing back the prized food item before his parents could blink or even lightly scold him for scurrying away. He even got to pick out a snack for himself for being such a good helper. In no time, they were on line waiting to check out.
Nikoli was so excited after today he could barely stand still to wait. Although, that might’ve been for another reason. He started to notice the heavy tingly feeling right below his belly. Hmmm, he hadn’t used a bathroom since he first left the house, and that slushie was pretty big…and also pretty yummy. It was clear that he was overdue for a potty break, and as a big boy, it was his responsibility to promptly tell his pare-
“You Ok sweetie?” Mommy noticed the faraway look in Nikoli’s blue eyes and checked in with a nice head rub.
“Yes Mommy.” He cooed, leaning into her pets.
“You must be real tired after today,” Daddy added with a scritch under his chin. “Don’t worry, we’ll be home soon buddy.”
“Ok.” Nikoli purred and blushed at their attention. It made him feel a little too shy to be asking to go to the bathroom, especially right after he said he’s Ok. They’d probably be annoyed to get off line so close to the register too…not very big boy of him. Nikoli shifted his weight a bit, scratching his head trying to gauge where his bladder was. He didn’t have to go that bad, not even near potty-dancing yet. He did feel just a little bit of a twinge though…no, he’s fine. Big boys are always fine, you never hear them complain or cry about wet pants. He could make it home with plenty of time to spare.
Nikoli continued being helpful as was the unspoken responsibility of being a big boy. He assisted in packing the groceries into bags (with just a little bit of help from Mommy to keep everything neat). Keeping his paws busy helped that little pressure in his bladder feel even littler. By the time he had finished packing, he had the biggest happy kitty smile on his face, proud of a job well done. But of course, not as proud or grateful as his parents for the big kitten’s help.
On the walk back to the car he found himself skipping while holding Daddy’s paw. Today was a good day, he found out what grown-ups do, he got to have his favorite slushie, and best of all, he was finally a big boy in his dear parent’s eyes. All felt right in little Niko’s world…so then why couldn’t he shake that feeling in his tummy? No, it wasn’t pee…or was it? He still didn’t think he had to go that bad, although his little legs didn’t want to stop skipping. No, this was a different kind of funny feeling…worry.
Nikoli looked back to the market as they got further and further away with each passing moment. His parents prepared him for moments like these, always telling him it’s never too late to ask to use the bathroom. In fact, they’d say it’s the proper thing for big boys to do, commendable even. But, as they approached the car, he just couldn’t find the words to ask. Sure, it’s what his parents taught him to do, but they’d be so disappointed in him for waiting until they had left the store, completely undoing all of today’s of big boy achievements. And…they were already at the car. Definitely too late to ask. The feeling in his tummy got a suddenly got a lot funnier, but not in the good way.
Nikoli instead tried to focus on helping his parents put the bags in the trunk. Unfortunately, he found that many of the bags he helped pack were too heavy. He frowned when Mommy lifted a bag out of his struggling paws with ease.
“Aww, it’s Ok sweetie.” She kneeled to kiss his forehead. “You already did so much to help today. Daddy and I will take care of this, you can wait for us in the car.”
“Ok.” He mumbled. On his short walk around the car a thought came to his head. What if…just maybe…he peed right here next to the car. A blush appeared on his cheeks at the thought. It wouldn’t be the first time, there had been many emergencies in the past where a wailing Niko begged his exasperated parents to pull over before he exploded. And then he’d barely be able to undo the seatbelt before hopping out on his trembling legs, whipping his pants and undies down, and letting loose on the side of a road in the privacy of the open door.
Often, he’d huff out into the air while tears of overwhelmed relief streamed down his face, undies just barely made it untouched. But sometimes, those undies took a little bit of damage despite his parent’s efforts to pull over as soon as they could. And sometimes, he couldn’t get those troublesome buttons undone…and Mommy and Daddy were late to the rescue…and then the tears on his face would be for a different reason…
Today would be no different, except the guarantee that his undies would remain unstained with his lack of urgency. He looked around, a lot of furs walking and driving by, some busy packing food into their own cars within earshot of a shy kitty’s stream. Not to mention how easy it would be for someone to peek at his exposed tush and privates. No, not the best idea. And probably the least big boy way to go potty.
        	Nikoli hopped into the back seat and clipped his seat belt as taught. Sitting placed his bladder in a more compressed position, he could feel it’s contents more intently and realized his need rose much faster than he anticipated. Perhaps a consequence of consuming his large drink at such a quick pace. His toes scrunched against the discomfort, his paws gripping his knees as his anxiety rose. Despite the pout deepening on his face, and the tiny trembling in his eyes, he tried to reassure himself. He still didn’t have go that bad. Just a little bit of pressure, he could handle that no problem. Mommy and Daddy would be done packing soon, and he’d be back home in no time. In fact, they were already closing the trunk! This was gonna be easy…
        	“Someone looks ready to go home.” Daddy chuckled, seeing Niko’s smile as he got in the driver’s seat.
        	“Mhm-hmm!” Nikoli nodded back.
        	“Yep, me too buddy. Can’t wait to get back and eat. Wonder what your mother’s gonna make.”
	Mommy looked at Nikoli looking chipper in the rearview mirror. “Well, that depends on what Niko wants to eat.” 
	“Really?” Nikoli smiled, he never got to pick dinner before. “Can we have macaroni and cheese? And…um…and fish sticks?”
	“Sure sweetie. You’ve earned it.”
	“Yay!” Today was quickly turning out to be the best day ever. Well, almost as good as the time he went to the circus. Top 10 at least. He was feeling optimistic, but he couldn’t help but give the market one last worried glance as Daddy backed the car out of the parking space. No turning back now. Although, when their car turned out of the parking lot and started cruising along the road, he felt some of his anxieties lift away. He always did like car rides, just sitting back and watching the scenery go by. And Daddy was right, he did feel a little tired. Only a few minutes in and his eyelids were starting to feel heavy. It was all too easy to relax and start a gentle drift into sleep.
Suddenly, the car hit a bump. Nothing dramatic, the kind of bump not even worthy of a surprised blink. However, it was a rude awakening for a sleepy and oversaturated Niko. A small gasp slipped out of him, his head whipped up off the window and eyes wide open. The surprise briefly pushed his bladder to the edge. A paw instinctively went to his crotch feeling an imminent release, but luckily it was a false alarm. He begrudgingly let go and shivered against the fading urgency.
It was probably better that Nikoli stayed awake for the rest of the ride anyway. He felt the heat returning to his cheeks again. He really hated to even think about it, but he does have a history of bed wetting. Whether it be those false toilets in dreams, or a bladder that finally burst while off guard during a nap, he turned into quite the leaky faucet when his eyes closed. But that’s Ok. That’s in the past. He hadn’t had such an incident in nearly two weeks, practically an eternity. Now he’s a big boy kitty whose sheets and pants are perpetually dry…and hopefully they’d stay that way today. 
He looked down, the pressure had grown and the upset from the bump certainly didn’t help. He gripped his knees tighter and kicked his feet out. Every little movement gave just the tiniest feeling of relief, as for a moment the pressure was shifted elsewhere. It was barely a fraction of a second worth, and it left Nikoli more antsy as his body begged for more. How far from home are they anyway? He looked out the window for a clue, but it was in vain. During car trips the little kitten was usually too encapsulated by the pretty scenery to really pay attention to directions. As such, he came to the quick conclusion that he had no idea where they were nor how much longer he’d have to wait. And to make matters worse, they were at a stop light.
His feet begun kicking hard enough to shake his whole body. That’s Ok, he reminded himself again with an anxious puff out of his nose. Red lights don’t last forever. Maybe 30 seconds at best, he could almost hold his breath longer than that. And he still didn’t have to go that bad, he wasn’t even grabbing himself…but the thought did make his paws feel a little itchy, and his knees quiver oh so slightly. As a precaution, he crossed his arms over his belly-oh! No, no, that gentle squeeze placed strain on his bladder, making Niko jump. Better to just let his paws rest on the seat between his thighs. Although now he felt that he needed their help even more, his thighs practically battered them every other second. 
You know, maybe Nikoli just needed to take his mind off it. If he didn’t think about it, he wouldn’t have to go that bad. That’s how grown-ups handle stuff like taxes and insurance right? So, what should he do? Not much inside the car…Oh! His ears perked up, he could look out the window, he loves doing that! No, wait, he doesn’t want to fall asleep. Hmmm…maybe he could still look out the window but do something to keep him more active…like eye spy! “Mommy, Mommy!”
“Hmm? Yes Niko?”
“Can we play eye spy?” 
“Sure sweetie, you start first.”
Nikoli smiled brightly, he could feel his need starting to shrink. “I spy something…blue!”
“Is iiiiiiiiit, the sky?”
“Yeah!” Niko giggled. He gave Mommy an easy one, but it felt good to be something fun. “Your turn!”
“I spy something…red.”
“Red?” Nikoli searched his side of the window, they passed plenty of stores and furs walking through town, though nothing red stood out. It wasn’t until the car started to slow that he realized what must’ve been red. “The stoplight.” He said dejectedly and winced at the spasm in his bladder. He gripped the seat harder and squeezed his thighs together. Mmfh, lights don’t last forever. Remember what Mommy taught you, have patience!
“Nope! The car next to us.”
“Oh.” Through the other window, he did indeed see a bright red car stopped next to them. He wondered if anyone in there needed to use the bathroom too. Hopefully they were having an easier time than him right now. “I spy…” All the buildings outside were the same bland shades of white and grey. Many colorful furs walk around, but they’d probably walk out of their line of sight by the time he picked one…except for the light brown dog sitting on a bench sipping from a cup. “…something yellow.” 
“Yellow? Is it…the sun?”
“No…”
“Hmmm…I give up. What is it sweetie?”
“That guy’s lemonade.” His mother saw Nikoli point through the rearview mirror, though with his head turned she couldn’t see the pained look on his face. An unfortunate sight that hit too close to home for him right now. He pressed his claws into the seat, holding onto it for dear life, and squeezing his thighs tighter. He could feel the growing ocean in him painfully shudder with every breath. “Your turn.” He struggled to keep his voice steady.
“I spy…something red.”
“Is it the stop light?” Niko asked, a fearful tone in his voice. How long have they been waiting for it to change?
“Nope, guess again!”
“I-is it the fire hydrant?” The device used to spray violently high bursting pressures of water? The stereotypical puppy potty? He was starting not to like this game.
“Yep! Your turn.”
“Um…” Niko couldn’t focus on something to pick. For one, because the car finally started moving and there went any stationary objects to spy. But also, because more pressing matters clouded his mind. His seat belt started feeling uncomfortably tight on his bloated bladder. He pulled on it to at least give himself relief from that pressure, while his knees slowly grinded together.
“What’s wrong Niko?”
Should he tell her? What could she do? They were in the middle of town, anywhere they’d pullover would be guaranteed to give him an audience. Maybe if they were lucky, they could find a restaurant or a store with a bathroom, and then beg the owner or a waiter to let Mommy’s little baby go potty before he has an accident and cries. Well, if he wasn’t already crying. His big boy brain told him the only acceptable option. “Nothing…”
“It’s Ok if you want to stop playing, I know how tired you must be. Why don’t you take a nap, we still have a while until we get home.”
A while? “Ok Mommy.” He forced himself to say. Niko’s heart rate quickened. How long is a while? He didn’t remember rides to the supermarket taking that long. But then again, he was always preoccupied at the window, a luxury he couldn’t risk this time. 
His gripped tightened on the belt, his eyes widened feeling the start of a desperation wave down below. His breathing rate rose along with the sharp pain in his loins. Mmmmm, he couldn’t take it! The outside world around him went blurry, his face went red and flustered as he fought the incoming urges to pant, to noisily squirm, to grab himself, and most prominently, to pee his pants. Big boys don’t do any of those, big boys don’t wait to the point they have to squeeze their pee-pees closed to avoid an accident. But Nikoli’s tiring thigh muscles weren’t enough on their own to hold in his gold. He froze, thighs glued to each other, and puffed his cheeks out. Maybe he could hold his breath, close his eyes, clench every muscle, and just ride out the pain. He shook harder, gritting his teeth against the intensifying sensations. Come on…be a big boy…don’t whine…don’t cry…you can do it…
And then…a watershed moment. For a moment everything seemed to happen in slow motion. His bladder teetered on the edge of his willpower. It felt like that teasing drop of water hanging so precariously off the tip of the faucet. And that drop of water, overcome by the ills of gravity and the weight of 1,000,000 more drops behind it, finally fell. 
Niko’s eyes popped open. Immediately his paws whipped to his crotch, squeezing his kitty parts shut before anymore could leak through. He took deep breaths, his whole-body shuddering. Tears started to well in his eyes, he could feel the moist dot on his briefs pressing back against his privates inside. It happened. His undies were officially wet. This doesn’t happen to big boys. The fact tears threatened to fall only made him more upset with himself, that would make the second liquid today he was too much of a baby to keep in. 
Nikoli looked down with a frustrated huff. He took solace in that at least he hadn’t flooded his pants…thus far. His grumpy pout turned into more of a wavering lip sadness. He rocked gently back and forth in his seat, trying to stay subtle enough not to call attention to himself. When he looked out the window, they were still going through town. He allowed himself just the quietest of a raspy groan while twisting his legs. It made him feel a tiny bit better, but of course he was still stuck with nowhere to go.
 He released one paw to wipe away his tears. He’s Ok, his pants were completely dry, and his undies were mostly dry. He could still do this, just remember how grown-ups handle taxes. What else was there to think about? Uh…um…ow! He scooched his hips forward on the seat in an attempt to calm the screaming pain, but it was futile. His bladder was stretching to the point he could feel it pulsate with each heartbeat, like an angry vein scolding the kitty for waiting this long for a potty break. He quietly whimpered back as a meek apology. He didn’t mean to, he was just trying to be a good boy…
Ok, ok, think of something else before you start crying. Uh…nnng! Um…hah… Looking out the window he had the misfortune of seeing another fire hydrant. His hips shimmied, he bit his lip against that painful reminder of his needs. Oh, if only he were a dog like that guy on the bench earlier. He could use a fire hydrant whenever he wanted, and no one would think anything of it. Although, Mommy once told Nikoli that dogs don’t really do that, and it’s a very mean thing to assume about them. Still, it was really funny to think about. What a silly image, a goofy dog relieving himself openly on the street with his butt out, it made Niko giggle for a split second. But, even that short of a mild laugh sent a shock to his bladder.
The poor kitty flinched hard and flopped forward, trying to place as much pressure on keeping his pee-pee shut as he could. But unfortunately, doubling over only compressed his bladder more and had an unbearable effect akin to squeezing the side of a water balloon. His eyes went wide, his heart skipped a beat as the extreme sensation rocked through him. A powerful squirt of urine forced its way through his clamped paws and doused his briefs. He whipped himself back up slamming against his seat.
“You Ok back there buddy?” Daddy asked.
“Y-yes.” He stammered. “I, um…I-I hurt my foot.”
“Ooh, ouch. Sorry buddy.”
Ouch indeed. Nikoli closed his eyes and chocked back sobs. His undies felt hot around his privates, they were thoroughly soaked with fresh urine. A deep throbbing pain emanated from his lower belly, the rest of his golden sea protested for its release. He eventually found the courage to open his eyes and survey the damage. His pants still looked dry despite the spill underneath so at least his parents wouldn’t notice the accident. He sighed, overwhelmed and downtrodden. 
He looked out the window for any hope, anything to distract from his need. He gasped, this time out of surprise, they were finally out of the town! The landscape surrounding the road became more suburban. There were plenty of trees for him to tinkle behind. Nnng, he squirmed in his seat and squeezed down on his crotch harder, his undies squished under his grip. It was getting really hard not to whine out loud. If there was anytime it would be ideal to ask, it would be now. 
He swallowed, feeling the panic rise just thinking about the words to say. What a little baby little Niko’s reduced himself to. Wet undies, crying, and about to ask to pee on the side of the road despite a boy his age being more than familiar with the toilet. Just thinking about how mad they’d be for needing to pull over, again, made him choke up, again. But, he remembered something that Mommy once told him: “it’s Ok to ask for help”. She told him that the time she caught Nikoli trying to climb on top of the cabinet to reach a box of cereal. Big boys don’t risk an accident trying to do something dangerous, instead they ask for help. It could be argued how dangerous this situation was, certainly a hazard for his pants and car seat, but he was sure that right now he needed help more than ever, and asking for it would only be the big boy thing to do. That thought gave him some confidence. No more tears, and with his clearest bravest voice, he asked, “Daddy, can we stop soon?”
“Huh? What’s wrong buddy?”
Nikoli swallowed. “I have to go to the bathroom, r-really bad.” He felt his cheeks burning at the admission. His secret was out. He braced himself for whatever his parents had to say.
“Aww Niko, can you hold it just a little while longer? We’re almost home.”
His ears sprung up. Really, they were almost home?! “Ok.” He nodded, shaky determination in his voice. He made it this far, he couldn’t give up now. A big boy never gives up, and a big boy always uses a toilet instead of an unlucky neighbor’s lawn. However, the struggle ahead intimidated the kitty. “Ah!” Niko let out a sharp cry. The car hit another bump that jostled his bloated bladder, he twisted and writhed in his seat.
His parents shared a chuckle. “Sorry Niko!”
“Mmm…” Niko crossed his legs tightly, his paws trapped against trapped against his crotch. His normally pink face had completely turned a deep shade of red. He really just whined out like a baby. And his parents laughed. “Ooooh…” He moaned as the car leaned into a turn, that shift in pressure really didn’t feel good.
“Ssshhhwwiisshhhwiiisshhh.” Niko’s ears flickered. Was that…water?! “Splish, splish!” He looked around in a panic. His brain was scattered by his efforts to keep his bladder back, part of him really thought there was some sadistic body of water flowing within their car. His parents laughed watching him whip his head around in the rearview mirror.
“Hnnng!” He grunted, lifting his knees towards his chest, and rocking on his rump.
“Hold it in Niko!” Daddy spoke up. “Don’t think of waterfalls!” More chuckles from his parents.
“Daddy! Haaahhh…” In his head he could hear the loud constant splashing of a waterfall battering the rocks below it. Like one million little kitties finding relief at the exact same time.
“Or rivers! Don’t think of wet splashy rivers!” Mommy added in some more sound effects.
“Auggh! Stooooop!” He rasped through an intense strain. All he could think about was water. Splashy, crystal clear, free flowing water. Telling himself not to think of water only made him think of the thing he wasn’t supposed to be thinking about, which made him think of it even more! This conundrum was too much, he could feel the sharp pains rising and bringing his bladder back to the edge.
“I know how much you love waterparks buddy, but now is just not the time!”
“Aaaah!” He shrieked, another jet of urine pushed through his grip and hissed into in his undies. He floundered in his seat as he panicked. The jet went on for a good three seconds before he contoured himself a position tight enough to stop the flow. There was wetness on his paws and his kitty bits felt as if they were in soup. He really, really, didn’t want to look down, he already knew what he’d find. He sniffled as he forced himself to check, and yes, to his horror a large wet patch had grown on the crotch of his pants. His parents, who couldn’t see the accident laughed at their silly son squirming in the back. “D-don’t l-laugh.” He barely choked out before starting to cry. 
“Aww, no…” Mommy turned and reached back to give Niko a reassuring rub on his thigh. “I’m sorry sweetie, you’re just too cute when you need to go potty. I promise Daddy’s going as fast as he can.”
“H-hurry!” He cried, openly sobbing. That was it. With that last “accident,” he peed his pants. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. And now he was crying, basically no different than an infant. His parents couldn’t see it now, but once he got out the car he wouldn’t be able to hide it. And once they did, they’d most certainly put him back in diapers for every subsequent car trip. There goes his big boy title. The very least he could do was avoid completely soaking himself so they wouldn’t have to clean the seats. And maybe that effort showed he still had some modicum of big boyness still left in him.
Nikoli’s tired bladder had reached a point of numbness, a sign of his weakening endurance. He could tell Daddy was going faster from the rougher ride. He mewled and whined, with each bump and turn another stab of pain rose and broke through the numbness. He bounced in his seat with each one. He sucked in his stomach and held his breath in last-ditch attempts to keep his bladder bulge from shifting any lower. He sniffled, he thought that more squirts may have leaked out on each rough jolt, but with his nether regions engulfed in so much pain he couldn’t tell for sure. The thought that he might even have a steady stream leaking out of him but not feel it terrified him, but there was simply nothing he could do but keep holding. He was gonna stay strong, just keep pressing tight and nothing else should leak…
 It almost seemed as if the universe recognized that last point, that it felt Niko’s last remaining skosh of courage and decided to test him on it. For at that moment, the car’s bumps and shakes started to slow, Niko felt his body lurch forward and his bladder briefly compress as the car came to a stop.
He peered at the front window through teary eyes and confirmed his deepest fears, they were at a red light. No…no, no, no, this can’t be! He stared at it, intending to angrily glare and command it to change with his intimidating big boy aura. But instead, he could only manage a heaving flustered pout, and of course, no light could change through mental injunctions, especially not for a crybaby like him. 
Panic started to set in, his heartbeat picked up. He wanted to cry out, to yell, to yell at that stupid traffic light, to call for Mommy and Daddy’s help, to just vocalize all his pain and anxiety out. But before a sound could escape him, he stuffed his thumb his mouth. He blushed bright red, telling himself it didn’t make him a baby. Certainly not as much as one who yells for his parents’ help on the brink of an accident. No, just because this made him feel a little bit calmer, and gave him some of those familiar comfy fuzzies, did not make him a baby. After all, a baby would’ve given up by now, but instead he felt a fragile strand of courage. He can do this, it won’t be long, just another 30 sec…huh?
Nikoli gasped, his thumb slipping from his maw. The numbness in his bladder started to slip. It returned along with his panic, his thumb wasn’t enough anymore. He twisted his legs again, as tight as he could, so tight it hurt. He was so close, the potty could be mere minutes away for all he knew! But the pain kept rising, and through all of his shaking and frazzled panic he could see the light still red. He was doomed.
“Hold on Niko, we’re almost there!” Daddy tried to reassure him. Niko was full on hyperventilating. It hurt so much, this had to be the worst he’s ever had to go. This went beyond even the most intense pains he felt on other unfortunate car trips. He could feel his entire body pulsate in tune with his throbbing bladder, every part of him begged for release, every part of him reached its limit. He strained every single muscle, wheezing through his teeth, but he couldn’t stop it. The feeling kept rising no matter how hard he clenched, no matter how hard he willed it in his poor little head. He finally lost control. 
“Niko, Niko, sweetie breath! It’s Ok!” Mommy pat his thigh. He flinched at her touch. The only thing that hurt more than his insides right now was knowing that he was regressing back into a baby right in front of his parents, right after they were so proud of him for all he did today. He wanted to say “sorry” for what was about to happen, to tell them he tried his very, very best, that he wished he could’ve been a big boy for them, but his voice got caught in his throat somewhere between a sob and a gasp feeling bladder pangs hit a fever pitch. He held onto Mommy’s paw and stuffed thumb back in his mouth to stifle a yell.
Like a flash of lightening, the feeling spilled over and burst through him. He jumped and froze, it felt like something popped inside of him. “Niko? Niko sweetie what’s wrong?” Mommy shook his paw, seeing the petrified look in his eyes.
Then suddenly, he was melting. His expression relaxed and his eyes rolled back. His bladder was so incredibly full, that it took his body a moment to finally recognize it was getting the release it screamed for. All the pain, the agony, just started to literally flow from him. His undies completely flooded and overflowed, the wetness quickly soaked through his pants and into the seat. Within seconds streams of urine flowed down his legs onto the floor. The sound of loud hissing filled the car. 
“Oh Niko…” 
“Aww buddy, we were just about to turn into the garage!”
He couldn’t hear them, his other senses dulled, and he could only feel the absolute pleasure just washing over him. His unfurling legs twitched and shook with relief. The warmth flooding around his crotch and tush felt so comforting too, like a well needed hug after such a long agonizing wait. In his state of absent-minded bliss, he started sucking on his thumb again. Nothing else seemed to matter, he felt like he was in heaven. He wanted to live in this moment forever, but he realized with disappointment that his stream was wanning. He pushed his bladder to keep it strong, but that only emptied him faster, and his stream ended rather abruptly, leaving the car in silence.
	“Did you finish Niko?” Daddy asked, sounding tired.
	Niko blinked. Reality came rushing back to him. Looking out the window, he saw the familiar walls of their garage. He made it home. But…his pants were steaming hot…he felt a lot better too. The seat under him seemed to squish with every little shift. There was a puddle around his foot paws. And…he was sucking his thumb. “Y-yes D-daddy.” He croaked out before he burst into tears. With that, he was officially a baby. A big, dumb, stupid, wet, bad baby. He somehow took all the pride, all the trust his parents placed on him, and completely destroyed it in less than a day. Stupid! A stupid, wet, crybaby who deserved whatever was coming to him. “I-I’m, s-so-so-sorry!”
	“It’s Ok sweetie,” Mommy patted him. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Nikoli wasn’t always the biggest fan of baths, but this time it felt refreshing. The warmness around him for once wasn’t of his own making, and maybe the fruit scented bubbles and some time with his bath toys was exactly what he needed after the day he’s had. It certainly helped, but it could not completely cure his sulking. What a dumb baby he was, too scared to ask to use the bathroom when he knew he should have. He was destined to go back into diapers after this, and in fact, dumb babies like him deserved it.
He looked down at his reflection in the water, a frustrated pout staring back. He felt a sob in his throat, about to cry again like the stupid dumb baby he was…no…no, he wasn’t gonna cry. He sniffed back with an air of determination. He wasn’t a big boy anymore and he was going to be diapered, but what would crying do about it? Mommy and Daddy were probably tired after cleaning up his accident in the car, the least he could do for them is accept his fate bravely. No whining, no fussing, he was going to be the best dumb baby he could be for them. 
When he got out of the bath, Mommy brought him some clean clothes and helped him towel off. Though it wasn’t easy drying such a ticklish kitty. Fully dried and giggled out, Nikoli was surprised to find that the outfit waiting for him after the bath included a fresh pair of briefs. “There’s no…diaper?”
Mommy chuckled. “Accidents can happen to big boys too.” She patted the silly kitty’s head. 
“But…it was a really bad accident, w-what if I have another one?”
“Sweetie, you’re at home. You can go to the bathroom whenever you need to.”
Niko felt conflicted. Mommy wasn’t mad, and despite what happened today, he did indeed know how to use a toilet, yet he still felt like a baby. And after causing such a big mess, he felt—no, he knew he deserved one. “C-can I still have o-one?” He asked meekly. “I feel really bad for making a mess, and I r-really don’t want to have another accident.”
Mommy’s eyebrows raised. “Oh…well…if you really want it, I can give you one for the night.”
“But what if we go in the car again?”
“You can just go potty before we leave.”
“But what if I still have to go? And…if I make another mess…”
Mommy sighed. Nikoli’s ears flattened. He did this to make it up to her, but he feared he was being a burden anyway, until he she saw her start to chuckle. “You’re too cute Niko.” She cooed, rubbing his head. “You really want to be safe for me and Daddy huh? Ok, just for one night and one car ride, but afterwards I’m sure you’ll make it to the potty next time.”
Niko nodded in agreement, a solemn look on his face, but deep down felt as if everything was right with the world. 
Mommy walked Niko back to his room and laid him on his bed. “I haven’t done this since you were a baby…hope I can still do this right.” She said with a giddy smile. Niko’s ears perked about hearing her say “since.” Even after today she still didn’t see him as a baby? “Lift your tushy.” She prodded, patting the side of his hip.
Nikoli did as told and pushed his rear up while she positioned the diaper under him, making sure the frills stuck out properly on all sides. “Ok, back down.” Next, she squeezed a generous heaping of baby oil into her paws. She rubbed them together to warm it up, before rubbing oil up and down Niko’s thighs, groin, and bottom. He blushed, her rubs felt nice, and the sweet-smelling oil was soothing, but he couldn’t help but be embarrassed to be…babied. It even felt weird to call it that, since that’s essentially what he is now.
After the oil came a few generous puffs of baby powder. “Sweetie you have to stay still!” She chuckled watching Niko squirm with each puff.
“It tickles Mommy!” He flinched at the feeling of baby powder dusting every crease and crevice down below. 
“Ok, now just to tape it up…” It took Mommy a moment to re-remember which parts go where, but eventually she successfully taped the diaper back up nice and snug, just like during Niko’s infant days. “…And there.” She finished off with a tickly kiss on his belly button, making him giggle and blush. “You look so cute! How does it feel?”
“Um…” Sitting up, it felt weird. He didn’t remember what it was like to be in a diaper before, but now it felt kind of stiff, yet also kind of nice and soft. He got up and took a few wide legged steps. He liked the crinkly sound it made when he walked, and the wagging duckbutt it gave him was kind of funny. Maybe being a baby for while wouldn’t be too bad. “It feels Ok.” He giggled while marching in circles.
Mommy laughed and smiled wider than he’s seen her smile before. She pulled him into a long hug. “My big boy, I’m so proud of you!”
“I’m a…big boy?” He almost felt like laughing himself. “But I had an…a-accident.” Not to mention his current attire.
“Everyone has accidents sometimes, but only big boys own up to it and face their punishment so…bravely.” She chuckled on the last word, patting his padded bottom, and pulled him into another hug. “You’re the biggest boy of them all Niko!”
Niko was astounded. His jaw dropped while in the hug, before it shifted into a big giggly smile. Honestly, he still didn’t feel much like a big boy, especially not with this diaper on, but he was really happy to see Mommy this happy. Perhaps this meant making mistakes doesn’t mean you’re not a big boy as long as you make up for them by doing the right thing. Even if that “thing” is becoming a baby again. Maybe that’s how grownups make up for not doing stuff like paying taxes and or buying insurance. “You wanna show Daddy your new outfit?”
“Yeah!” Niko skittered out of his room, ready to show Daddy this new definition of “big boy” he’s discovered. Later that night he went to bed a baby, but the next morning he’d wake up as a big boy ready for the potty. And maybe afterwards, he’d give the big tough grown up world one more try too.