Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Avery
Avery laughed as he tossed another fish in the dolphin Petey’s mouth. He’d already fed the penguins and a snake. He glanced over at his shoulder to make sure that Jace was watching. He didn’t need to worry though. Jace was taking pictures of him. Avery grinned wide.
“Okay, that’s enough for Petey,” Mary, their super-sweet guide, said. “He’d let you feed him all day.”
“He is a good dolphin,” Avery replied seriously. He loved Petey. The penguins and snakes had been cool but they hadn’t interacted with him like Petey.
“Can you give him one last pat so he knows he did good?” Mary asked.
Avery was more than happy to comply. “Thank you for hanging out with me, Petey. You’re a good boy.”
Mary clapped her hands before giving a signal to Petey that had him swimming away. So cool.
“Thank you for your help, Avery.” Mary smiled at him. “I have to say you have been one of my favorite guests of all time.”
Jace was chuckling as he joined them. “Avery loves all animals.”
“It shows,” Mary agreed.
Avery blushed. He really did love all animals. Animals didn’t mind that he was awkward and liked to be little. Animals didn’t judge him.
“I have a surprise for you. Don’t go anywhere yet,” Mary said before she walked away.
“I wonder what it is,” Avery whispered to Jace.
“I don’t know,” Jace admitted. “Did you have fun with your special pass?”
“It was awesome!” Avery exclaimed. “Do we have to leave now?”
“No, we still have a few hours. I thought we’d walk around a little more.”
“Great!” They’d done a lot of walking the day before and that day and Avery’s feet ached a little but he wasn’t ready to leave. He never wanted to leave. Except then he would be away from his friends and Avery didn’t like that thought either.
Mary started back over to them with her hands behind her back. “Petey had his own show for a while and we have some stuff left over. I thought you might like this.” She whipped her hand back around to the front and showed him a stuffed dolphin that looked exactly like the real Petey.
“Can I have it?” Avery started to reach for it but quickly dropped his hands. It was rude to grab things.
“I think Petey would want you to have it.” Mary passed over the stuffie.
Avery couldn’t help that he bounced a little. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“It was my pleasure. Truly. You have made me smile all day. Let me show you out so the two of you can enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” Mary motioned them to follow her.
“We really appreciate all you did for us today,” Jace said.
“Yes. Thank you so very much,” Avery agreed.
“I almost feel like I should thank you. I really enjoyed having been assigned to the two of you.” Mary’s smile was genuine. She was such a kind lady.
Jace held his hand as Avery clutched to Petey Jr with his free hand. He had a brand-new stuffie and he couldn’t wait to introduce Petey Jr to Jared, Buster Brown, and Albert.
Mary waved to them as Jace led Avery back to the main section of the zoo.
“Would you like a snack?” Daddy asked.
“Yes please.” There was a food court that had several choices. A small break was perfect as long as Avery didn’t have to decide on anything. Even his brain was tired from all the excitement and activity. It was better that Daddy was in charge.
“Come sit at this table and I’ll go get us something,” Jace said like he knew what Avery had been thinking.”
Avery followed him and sat gratefully down. He watched as Jace strolled over to one of the counters. Resting his cheek on his hand, Avery couldn’t help but think about the amazing man that he loved with all his heart.
When Jace had started coming into the coffee shop, Avery would never had guessed that one day they’d be on vacation together. Or that his life would go through such a drastic change.
He hadn’t known about being a little back then. Avery had been a stress ball on the edge of a nervous breakdown. He still didn’t know how he got so lucky that Jace noticed him, wanted him, but he would never take Jace for granted.
Jace was smiling as he headed back to the table.
“You look very content,” Jace said as he sat next to Avery.
“I love you,” Avery said sincerely. “I don’t know if I tell you that enough. I really do.”
“I love you too, boy. You are the absolute perfect partner. Everything I could ever ask for.”
That made Avery proud. “Kiss?”
Jace grinned as he leaned closer to Avery. Avery lifted his face and received the softest, sweetest kiss.
“Thank you, boy.”
Avery sighed. Jace was wonderful.
“I got you an apple sauce cup,” Jace told him.
“Yay!” Avery wiggled as Jace got his treat open. His Daddy had gotten himself fruit cup but Avery was sure his treat was much better. Who wanted to eat healthy on vacation? Not him for sure.
“Is there anything specific you want to see before the zoo closes?”
“Can we just walk around the enclosures and see what animals are out?” It was so hard to choose.
He loved all of them. Some were cute. Some not.
Like snakes. Snakes weren’t cute. But Avery had still really enjoyed learning about them.
Although he refused to feed the dead mouse to the snake. He just couldn’t do that.
“I think that’s a good idea.” Jace opened Avery’s apple sauce and Avery ate it quickly. They shared a bottle of water. Avery would have preferred juice but he understood that he needed to stay hydrated. Jace had told him enough times.
Once they were done and cleaned up their table, Jace took his hand and led him back to the walkways.
Avery might not have a preference but he was happy to be headed back into the African exhibit.
Jace had enjoyed the lions the day before.
Avery had loved seeing Jace get as into the animals as he did.
They were the perfect match, his Daddy and him. Just perfect.
* * *
Jace
Jace walked out onto the balcony where his boy was stargazing. The suite was so magnificent and even though he had help, Jace was pleased that he could offer Avery something so memorable for their first vacation.
It was their last night in San Diego and after another long day at the beach and shopping, it was late. Avery hadn’t been ready to go to bed though. He’d wanted to stay up and enjoy the time they had left. Jace didn’t see any harm. Avery would be tired for the plane ride home but he could nap.
Soon they’d be back in their house and life would keep them busy. Moments like this needed to be held on to. Although Jace was certain they’d have many more. He set Avery’s cup beside the chair before slipping behind his boy.
Avery leaned back into his chest, not taking his gaze from the sky. They sat in silence for several long moments before Avery sighed. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Jace did his best not to tense. With Avery pressed against him, Avery would be able to tell. But it wasn’t usual for his boy to hide things. Normally they just popped out of his mouth. “Okay, baby boy. You can tell me anything. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out.”
“I wasn’t hiding it,” Avery said quickly. “I just didn’t think that it was something possible. I just sort of put it in the back of my mind. Until now anyway.”
That made sense. Avery was a worrier. A thinker.
But when he was little, he didn’t let things bother him.
Big Avery however would make himself sick thinking about something.
“I know you weren’t hiding anything. And even if you just needed time to think things through, that’s okay too.
I just hope you know you can always come to me to talk things out. ”
Avery nodded. “I do know that.”
It was hard talking to his boy not being able to see his face. But it might be easier for Avery if he didn’t have to see Jace either.
“Before classes ended for the semester, I had coffee on campus with Caleb. Remember? You said it was okay to stay late.”
“I remember, boy. It’s good for you to hang out with Caleb. He’s a good friend to both of us.”
“Yeah.”
“So what happened?” Jace didn’t mean to push Avery but his boy had struggled so much on campus. He didn’t connect with other students. Often he was made to feel weird or different. Jace was surprised Caleb hadn’t told him if something happened.
“After getting our coffees, I walked Caleb to his culinary class in the vocation building. On the bulletin board in front are some listings of jobs and volunteer positions.”
“Okay,” Jace encouraged. He really didn’t know where Avery was going with this.
Avery did a few hours every week at the coffee shop.
He didn’t have to work for money. Jace more than made enough to provide.
It was more about the connection Avery had with those at the coffee shop. Jace thought he was happy there.
“One posting…” Avery trailed off and started playing with Jace’s fingers like he did when he was nervous.
He threaded his fingers with Avery’s. “It’s okay. Tell me.”
Avery laughed softly. “It’s like if I say it out loud, then it’s real. I’ll admit to wanting something. Something I’m not sure I’ll even be able to do.”
Damn. Jace wished he could wipe away all of Avery’s fears. But all he could really do was listen to his boy. Encourage him.
Avery took a deep breath. “There’s a new group in town that’s starting a charity and needs volunteers.”
“Volunteer work is very important in our community. Any community really. I couldn’t imagine this is something I would object to.” Sure it would mean some changes to their schedule but if it was important to Avery, that would be no problem. Maybe Jace could even volunteer some of his own time.
“No, I don’t think you’d mind. It’s just something that I really want to do. But there might not be many open positions and what if I try and they say no?”
“Then you’ll try again when they have another opening. What does this group do?”
“It’s a group of retired veterans. You know, like military.
They train service dogs to give to other veterans that have PTSD or are disabled.
They’re looking for people who can help in the kennels.
They even posted that they were open to working with the volunteers to teach them to help with the training of the dogs. ”
“Avery! That’s fantastic.” That would be perfect for his boy.
“Mary said earlier that she could tell how much I love animals. And I really do. I could help out at the kennels with the dogs. Show them love until they go to their forever home. I wouldn’t even mind having to clean up their poop.”
Jace couldn’t, didn’t want to, hold himself back any longer.
He turned Avery in his lap so Avery was cuddled into his chest and he could see his boy’s face.
“If this is something you want to do, then I’ll support you one-hundred-percent.
When we get home, we’ll look up this organization and see how to apply. ”
Avery bit his lips as he went to petting Jace’s shirt. A substitution for not having his lily. “I really want to try. I was scared before. When I first saw the posting, because I really wanted to do it. I’m still kind of scared but… I want to work with animals. I want to try.”
Jace kissed Avery’s forehead. “I’m proud of you.”
“I might suck at it. They’ll probably fire me.”
“Avery,” Jace said sternly. “You couldn’t suck at it because you love dogs so much. You’ll be the best volunteer there.”
Avery peered up at him. “You really think so?”
“I know so.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” He yawned before laying his head back down on Jace’s chest.
“We should get up and into bed,” Jace said. He didn’t move though. It was nice sitting on the balcony. They had privacy and nothing was better than holding his boy.
“Just a little longer,” Avery begged. “I love the smell of the ocean.”
“Okay, boy, a little longer.” Jace adjusted the back of the lounge chair until they were reclined further.
Avery’s hands went under Jace’s shirt. Avery began to rub his hands up and down Jace’s stomach. Jace’s body responded, like always, to his boy’s soft touches. His cock hardened, straining his pajama pants and pressing against Avery’s leg.
Avery moaned, pushing Jace’s shirt up.
Jace leaned forward long enough to whip his shirt off. He dropped it onto the ground before helping Avery straddle his lap.
Avery’s mouth went directly to his nipple.
Jace grabbed the back of Avery’s head, holding him in place, as he thrust up against Avery’s diaper-covered cock.
Avery suckled him frantically as Jace continued to roll his hips.
He slid his hands down Avery’s back until he was able to reach inside Avery’s lounge pj pants and diaper.
He grabbed two handfuls of Avery’s little bottom.
Jace pushed Avery’s crotch against his. Harder and faster. His boy still sucked his nipple, even nipping the pert bud with his teeth. Dropping his head back on the chair, Jace encouraged Avery more by his own moans.
Hot, he was so fucking hot. Burning up for his boy. He squeezed Avery’s cheeks while thrusting up. He couldn’t really feel his boy’s cock but the friction was just enough.
“Come for Daddy,” he panted. Jace was so close to coming himself.
Avery popped off his nipple as he tried to catch his breath.
Jace didn’t give him time though. He held Avery down on top of his dick and hammered up. Just like he would do if he was fucking his boy’s tight hole.
Avery gasped, shuddered, as he came.
Jace growled before slamming his mouth down on Avery’s. He plunged his tongue deep inside Avery’s mouth. He thrust harder. And finally came in his own pajama pants.
With a bark of a laugh, he collapsed back into the chair, taking Avery with him. They were both trying to pull much needed air into their body.
“So hot,” Avery murmured.
Jace chuckled. It was a dirty way to get off but sometimes his sweet boy liked being dirty. Jace sure the hell enjoyed it. With effort, he slid Avery off his lap. On shaking legs, Jace managed to stand. Leaning down, he picked Avery up.
“I think a shower is in order before bed now.”
Avery nodded before laying his head on Jace’s shoulder. “I might even manage to stay awake for this one.”
Patting Avery’s butt Jace allowed his amusement to show. He wouldn’t count on it. Avery liked nothing more than taking a nap after coming.
He carried his boy inside the suite and through the bedroom.
The floor was littered with toy cars, plastic animals, and even a few Legos. Jace carefully avoided stepping on everything as he smiled. Toys on the floor, stuffed animals and blankets piled on the bed, and even more toys in the bathroom. This was his life. The best life with the best boy.
After their shared shower he’d dress his boy for bed. Give Avery his binkie, lily, and one of his stuffies. Their routine for ensuring a good night’s sleep.
An unusual routine but theirs just the same.
Jace wouldn’t want it any other way.
* * *