Chapter Thirteen
Not seeing Benji at all today has made me feel unsettled. I’ve gone through the day with my usual cheer, but even I can admit that I don’t have the same zeal for running the activities when Benji’s not there to add extra entertainment.
Which is ridiculous, right? I mean, I didn’t volunteer to meet a Boy. I volunteered because I love being a caregiver. Being a Daddy. I love being immersed in the age regression lifestyle and seeing others who share my kinks enjoying themselves.
But it’s been even more fulfilling spending one-on-one time with Benji.
And not just for the sexy stuff, either.
There’s something about him that just calls to me.
Maybe it’s that he does challenge me more than other Boys have in the past, or maybe it’s that I know there’s a super cute, sweet, vulnerable Boy behind all of that bratting.
Whatever it is, I just know I want to spend more time with him.
I want to get to know him properly, beyond just our vacation selves.
But that’s a pipedream. I don’t even know where he lives. Besides, I’m starting a brand new job when I get back to my new home. so now would be the most ridiculous time to also start a new relationship, too, regardless of locality.
But…
I’m infatuated. I can admit it, if only to myself. Or am I just projecting and latching on to the first person to really seem to need me?
No.
I’m not that shallow, for one thing. For another, it’s insulting to Benji to suggest that he’s not as amazing as I feel he is. That our time together over the past few days has been anything short of magical.
The voice of reason hiding at the back of my mind chooses this moment to pipe up and remind me that it has only been a few days. I’d like that voice to shut the fuck up.
Setting arbitrary time limits on what counts as a ‘reasonable’ amount of time to become attached to someone is dumb.
Isn’t love at first sight a real thing?
Not that this is love.
It can’t be.
But it’s certainly a connection.
And camp is halfway over.
Jesus, my inner voice is begging for a spanking.
I want to reach inside my brain and give it a shake, and a firm demand to go to the damn naughty corner, even if it does raise a fair point this time.
Camp is already halfway over. I only have a few more days to spend time with Benji before we all go our separate ways, back to our real lives with jobs and responsibilities and distractions and stresses.
I have to make this time count, especially if I’m never going to see him again. I want to show him that there are Daddies out there who can and will do more with him than rushed bratting scenes. Who want to do more with him.
(And I’ll ignore the spark of jealousy that demands I be the only Daddy for him going forward. That’s irrational and impossible, after all.)
***
Rowan
How’s the age play camp going?
My cousin’s text comes though just as I am readying myself for bed. I flop down on the too-firm, too-thin mattress with a sigh and smile at my phone screen.
Rowan is a distant cousin, who just happens to live in the same city I’ve recently moved to.
He’s about ten years older than me, and it was a shock to both of us when we recognized each other at The Grove.
He was there with his boyfriend, who I also learned was his Daddy, and they were spending some time with friends of theirs.
From what little information he dropped at the time, he’s not super into regression play, but loves hanging out with his friends who are.
I get older Middle vibes from him, though he is quite shy when it comes to talking about his interest in the lifestyle.
Not one to push, I told him that I’m a Daddy who happily enjoys playing with both Littles and Middles, and went on to babble about this summer camp, if only to keep the conversation from getting too awkward.
That confession seemed to relax him more than just the knowledge that I was visiting the kink club —clearly seeking out the same kinks— as him for a reason. And, while we’re not super close, we’ve taken to texting each other every so often at random.
It’s been nice, really, knowing at least one other kink-friendly person in my new home town. Even if we weren’t distantly related, I’d want to foster that kind of connection. It’s nice having like-minded friends.
So, with that in mind, I type a quick reply to his message.
Me
It’s a lot of fun. Very relaxing. If you and your Daddy are ever looking for a kink-friendly vacay, this might work for you.
Rowan
How much of it involves hanging out with strangers? I prefer for us to do our own thing.
Me
The group activities are all optional. It’s really only the meals at the mess hall which are more family-style.
Rowan
That’s doable. I’m still kind of new to the regression stuff, but I know Aaron likes being around like-minded people.
It warms my heart to read that. Aaron seems like a nice guy.
Attentive to Rowan, but without hovering oppressively.
Their dynamic, for the few minutes I watched them interact in the club, was sweet.
I got the sense that, even though Rowan was outside of his comfort zone, Aaron would have dropped everything to take him home if he asked.
Me
I’ll send you the link to their website. They do a summer and a winter camp every year. Worst case, you can try a couple of days and if it’s not for you, just leave early.
Rowan
Thanks.
After a beat, another couple of messages come through from him in quick succession.
Are there private bathrooms? Or are they all communal?
I’m a bit funny about sharing bathroom spaces.
I like my privacy, I guess.
Me
The private cabins have their own bathrooms. I think the cheaper group cabins have shared bathrooms, and there are communal toilet blocks, too.
Rowan
Good to know. Thank you!
Me
Anytime.
Then, before I can stop myself, my fingers fly over the little keypad again.
I’ve been spending some time with a Boy I met here.
I don’t even know why I send the message, but I can’t deny the way my shoulders sag and tension leeches from me once I have.
I guess I just needed to tell someone. And I know I could go talk to Connor, but he’s living his best Daddy life with his camp Littles and I don’t really want him jumping straight to ‘and they lived happily ever after’ territory.
Rowan
That’s cool. Do you think you’ll keep in touch with him after the camp is over?
That’s the question of the day, though, isn’t it?
Me
Maybe.
After I hit send on my reply, my gut twists with dissatisfaction.
I want to be able to answer ‘yes’.
So, I guess that answers the question of the day, really.
Now I just need to man up and see if Benji feels the same way.