Chapter 3
Chapter three
David
The colors before me were bright and cheerful, and music played over the room’s sound system as I swayed to the beat. Despite my dancing, my arm moved effortlessly as I used my paintbrush to apply paint to the canvas with precision.
Jack, the owner of The Naughty Nook, our town’s BDSM club, had hired me to paint a mural for the new pet playroom.
For the longest time, the little room was intended for both littles and pets to play. But in recent months, the club had become more popular, and many of the new patrons were into pet play, so Jack had decided it was well past time for them to have their own space.
We’d chosen a landscape of a lush green field and beautiful blue sky.
Once I was done laying the background, I’d add birds in the sky and place various types of animals among the grass.
Puppy play was the most common, but we wanted to create a mural that made everyone in the pet-play lifestyle feel included and welcome.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible to include everything, but I would do my best to make sure everyone felt seen.
As a gay trans man, there were lots of times in my forty-four years of life that I’d gone unseen.
I wanted to do anything I could to help others know they weren’t alone . . . that they belonged.
I’d always known I was different than most girls my age, but I could never put a name to it.
Then when I was in my late teens, I’d realized I was trans.
My parents were easy-going and always supportive.
While I didn’t believe the length of your hair or the clothes you wore decided your gender, I had always preferred more masculine clothes and had been asking to get my hair cut short since I was five.
Let’s just say my parents weren’t entirely shocked when I came out to them.
It’d been twenty-five years since I started my transition. The journey wasn’t easy, but there was so much beauty and joy to be found in it. I was thankful for every day I got to experience the world’s wonders as the person I was meant to be. If only I had a little to spoil.
“Holy shit, it looks fantastic, David.” Jack spoke behind me, making me startle.
“Shit, man, you scared me. Thanks, I’m pleased with it so far. It’s definitely a ‘trust the process’ kind of painting, but once it all comes together, it’ll be stunning.”
“I expect nothing less from you.” I put down my brush and looked back at Jack. His arm was outstretched toward me, holding an ice-cold water bottle. I suddenly realized how thirsty I was and smiled in appreciation. “Thanks.”
“Not to sound like a broken record, but have you talked to Daniel about those toys?”
The water was ice-cold and blissful as it coated my parched throat. “No worries, man. I talked to him about it, but he was pretty swamped preparing for the craft fair a few weeks ago. He said he planned to talk to you about it, though.”
My mind conjured images of Tristan and his adorable face, and the not-so-adorable lovestruck face my best friend wore anytime he even thought about his boy.
I couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped me.
“But then he had to go and meet his forever boy at said craft fair, and he’s been too busy.
You know how the start of dynamics like ours goes .
. . I’m sure they’ll both come up for air soon. ”
Jack’s eyes went wide with shock. “Daniel just found his boy out in the wild?” His face scrunched up in confusion. “At a craft fair?”
I took another swig of my water and damn near choked from laughter.
“Right? That bastard. You know how Daniel’s little room is dragon-themed?” Jack shook his head and motioned for me to keep going.
“Well, Tristan was also at the fair selling crocheted stuffed animals. Daniel had been at his table and bought a stuffed dragon, and he was all mopey and whining about how perfect Tristan was and how he forgot to get his number. Then the cutie walks right up to us and starts playing with the blocks we had for sale.”
My chest ached at the memory. I had no romantic desire for Tristan. Even so, he was a sub and a little, and as a Daddy myself, I couldn’t help but feel protective toward him. Now he was my best friend’s boy, and that meant I would always look out for him.
“The sweet boy was exhausted, and his little side was barely containable. He asked me if we had dragon blocks, and I nearly lost it. Daniel had already had me make a dragon set and he’d decided to keep it. I knew those two were meant to be, so I took a chance and told Tristan Daniel was a Daddy.”
Jack growled and cocked his eyebrow at me.
“Oh, don’t worry, I’d silently asked him if it was okay, and he’d nodded. I wouldn’t out my best friend like that without at least asking first. Obviously, I didn’t know for sure he was a little, but all the signs were there, and I was right.”
Jack shook his head, holding back a laugh. “Well, I’ll be damned. He’s a lucky bastard.”
A laugh broke free, and I smacked my thigh. “I said the same thing.”
“You’re a good man, David. Your methods seem a bit . . . unorthodox, but you helped two people come together.” My chest felt tight, and my smile turned weary. “You’ll find someone special soon, don’t worry.” I just hoped he was right.
“Thanks, man, that means a lot. And you’re pretty great yourself. A lot of puppies, kittens, and ponies are going to have their own space because of you.”
Jack sighed longingly and stared at the unfinished mural.
Jack was a Daddy, but he didn’t want a boy; he wanted a pet.
I couldn’t imagine how hard it must be for him to design such a space without anyone special to share it with.
Until then, I hoped he would find pride in providing safety and community for others.
“Hey, if I have to have hope, then so do you.”
As intended, Jack laughed and slapped a hand on my shoulder. “You’re right. Thanks, David. I have some paperwork to handle. Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thanks, man. Will do.”
As usual, when I got absorbed in a painting, I lost track of time. It wasn’t until Jack came back at around two in the morning to do rounds before closing that I realized how late it was. I’d spent nearly ten hours on the mural and barely felt a minute of it.
Painting was my passion, my escape. When my thoughts got too loud and the world seemed too dark, I could always rely on the vibrant colors and the sound of my brush moving across the canvas to quiet my swirling thoughts.
Jack was pissed, but not for the reasons you’d think. He’d known me for years, and I’d done several murals at the club for him, so he knew when I got like that, I forgot to feed myself. I was sent home with orders to eat, rest, and not return until at least the next day.
As a Daddy, I understood why he reacted that way.
If I were my boy, I would’ve given myself a red ass for that stunt.
But the passionate painter inside me was pissed.
I loved painting with every fiber of my being, and when I threw myself into a project, it was hard to stop until it was finished.
It was like a siren singing. It pulled me in and kept me enchanted until it was complete.
Usually, I’d pack snacks or set alarms to remind me when to eat or take breaks. Originally, I’d told myself I was just going to sketch it out and get things ready, but the next thing I knew, I’d had brushes and paints ready to go. I should’ve known myself and prepared better.
I grabbed some fast food on the way home and then threw myself into bed the second I arrived. After tossing and turning for hours, I knew sleep wasn’t coming for me, though.
It was barely six in the morning when I heard my phone go off.
Daniel
Hey, man. Tristan and his friend spent the night, and they both have fevers. Any chance you’d be available to drop off some supplies?
My heart instantly went out to him. Daniel was one of the best people I’ve ever known, a true caretaker at heart. I had no doubt seeing his boy sick was tearing him up, but I also knew he was in his element and thriving.
The panic I felt itching at me started to ease. I was getting nowhere, just lying here. Getting out of the house might be exactly what I needed. Being there for my friend and his boy sounded a million times better than sitting here pissed that I couldn’t go to the club and paint.
Wait . . . Daniel said Tristan’s friend was with them too. He had not one but two sick little ones on his hands. I quickly ran through the list of things to do in my head, and I had nothing that couldn’t wait, so I figured I’d offer to help.
I missed my best friend, and helping him take care of two sick littles didn’t sound as bad as one might think. Just like Daniel, I was a caretaker at heart, and the idea of helping make their day a little easier made me feel a little lighter.
Oh, man, you’ve got your hands full. I’ve got no plans today. Text me what you need, and I’ll bring it.
If both of them are okay with it, I can stay and help you out.
I smiled when I saw a small grocery list appear, with several snacks, including ice cream. That man was so far gone for his boy. It was adorable.
Daniel
Thanks, man, you’re the best. They’re still asleep, but I’ll let you know.
His reply made me smile.
You know it ;)
About fifteen minutes later, I received a reply that we were all good to go and that both littles were fine with me coming over to hang out. Apparently, sick littles don’t care who you are if you’re bringing ice cream. I chuckled at the thought and got moving.
Little over an hour later, I was pulling up to Daniel’s house.
I’d always loved his house since the first time I came over for dinner, a little over a year ago.
I made decent money from my paintings and could afford my own house, but I wanted to wait until I found my forever little.
It felt pointless without someone who I could settle down and build our home with.