Chapter Five

Vale

"Hold on, Darcy." That girl was insanely driven when she had a goal in mind. And for some reason, she was hell bent on cleaning out these rooms. But even with the mask, the coughing fits came thanks to all the dust that filled the air. I sat back on a big box and sank inside. "Oof!"

"Oh my God, Vale, are you okay?" She wiggled her way through the sea of boxes to help me out and it took more than one pull to get me loose from the giant box I was stuck in.

"What is this big brown thing?" I tugged at the bundle of matted fur and couldn't make heads or tails of it, so I pulled it out of the box. "It's a giant costume of what I think was once a monkey, maybe a gorilla or a deranged bear." The thing was gangly and quite frightening.

She laughed when I put the mask on. It was a vintage headpiece that weighed at ton. "That thing is awful, and I don't think anybody's gonna want to wear it. I'd put it in the trash pile, it's falling apart. We can offload it with the rest of this stuff when we get back to Seattle."

But the wheels were already turning. "I think I could make something of it. Thanks to my mother's insistence, I learned how to sew. Is there a sewing machine around here?"

"I think there's a couple of them. I know there's a tailor on board. He might have some if none of the ones we have work. Hold on a sec." Darcy wandered down the hall and came back a few minutes later with one. "Here, try this. I don't know how to use them. What are you planning to do with that monstrosity?"

"If we're just going to throw this costume away, I'm wondering if I might be able to have it?"

"What's going on in that zippy little head of yours, Vale?"

"Well, if I tell you, are you going to get mad at me like you did when I had lunch with Jack?" I hadn't shared that it had become a daily thing, no need to set her off again.

"I'm still not happy about that, but no one's said anything and as long as it stays that way we're good. So back to this," she gestured to the giant head I held, "what's the plan here?"

"I've been doing a lot of research on pet play, and I was kind of hoping to check out that room, but I need a costume that covers me, so I don't get caught. I'm just hoping to finally find an outlet for all this energy."

"Vale," she got that sympathetic yet scolding mother sound in her voice. "You better make sure every inch of your handsome face is covered."

I flirtingly batted my lashes. "You think I'm handsome?"

"Handsome in the annoying little brother's going to end up getting us both in trouble way. Just please, promise you'll be careful, Vale."

"I promise, Mother."

"Smart ass."

We worked as long as our bodies could before we called it a day. I tucked the costume away in a corner, out of the line of sight. If I hauled it up to our room, there'd be no space for either of us. My thought process with this monstrosity was to work down here cutting away and saving what material I could and then take the pieces along with the sewing machine up to our room and get to work on a new costume. That way, the box of discarded pieces was down here to get hauled away with the rest of the trash.

"I still think you're crazy," Darcy said, "but I respect and understand your need for an outlet, a way to find and center yourself." She gazed off and I knew where her thoughts had wandered since she'd opened up and shared that personal aspect of herself with me.

"I wish we would have known these things about ourselves sooner. Well, I mean, I guess you did, but you hadn't told me. I do understand the need to keep some things to yourself. But still…" The words trailed off. A tinge of hurt was still there, though I was working past it. This was her story, not mine and she wasn't obligated to tell me everything.

"I didn't keep that from you to hurt you. But in the beginning, I didn't understand the little part of myself until I researched it. Just as you're doing now with pet play. I mean, yes, at times the internet is a breeding ground for idiots, but there are some good sites which you've obviously landed on because you've learned a lot. I mean, look at you now, you're making your own costume to put yourself out there and give it a try. I think that's fantastic and brave. Trust me, there's nothing else I'm keeping from you and if I ever find a Mommy, you'll be the first to know."

We showered and went to bed, but my mind just wouldn't stop so I snuck out of the room and back down to the storage area with a pair of scissors in hand and immediately got to work cutting out the usable pieces of material and setting them aside.

I had an idea of how I wanted this to look, though ideas and reality didn't always align and having it turn out like some cheap ass mascot with patches of fur pasted everywhere wasn't gonna fly. Diligence in covering private and recognizable areas was the main focus.

Creating a pair of shorts and a top, or possibly making it all one piece if I could save the zipper from the current costume, would be tricky. I got to work, trimming the fur down so it wasn't as long and bushy. Even in my mind that didn't sound right.

I was going for more of a monkey than a gorilla or an ape, which this was and by the looks of it, circa 1970. The giant head was cheesy and heavy and unbearable for my use. I drew up a design for a mask of sorts that covered my face with cute ears. The lighter colored chest pieces would work for the center of the ears. The original costume didn't have a tail, so I'd make one and attach it to the shorts. Basically, this was an act of desperation, but I was determined to make it work.

As long as the pieces didn't fall off and skin was revealed, I'd be okay.

I think…

By three a.m., my eyes were floaty, and my body had had enough. I slipped inside our cabin and showered again given I was covered in dust and old gross pieces of what was once gorilla fur. Hopefully when all was done I could hand wash it and get rid of the stale stench. Who wanted to play with a stinky monkey?

"You're not as sly as you think you are, Vale," Darcy mentioned over breakfast the next morning. "I heard you slip out and back in."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you up, but I couldn't sleep. All these ideas for the costume wouldn't wait, so I thought I'd get started on it." If I wore my mind out, I was able to sleep even if only for a few hours.

"I get it, I know how that mind of yours never stops, especially once you've got an idea in it, such as making a costume."

She wasn't wrong. Everything with me became an obsession, whether I wanted it to or not. My mind was complex, and constantly spun until it figured out everything between A and Z. It would exhaust every potential outcome before it would accept failure. This time, failure wasn't an option, but it would accept a temporary fix until something permanent could be obtained. Even when I mostly focused on one thing, there were still several other squirrels on the mental treadmill at the same time inside that crazy skull of mine.

"As soon as you're done with your cabins, radio me and I'll meet you in the storage room. I want to see if we can get finished tonight. I'm ready to be done with that project. Speaking of which, how far did you get on yours?"

I followed Darcy to dump our trash and return the trays as we exited the dining hall.

"Not much. I spent the time cutting out the areas of material that I could reuse and stuffed the rest of it, along with that ginormous head, back into the box to go to the dump. I'll take those pieces and a sewing machine up to our room, and then I can help you finish the storage room."

"These tasks have definitely made for some long nights, and my brain needs a break. So let's try to get out of there by eight p.m. if we can."

"That would be great, then I can work on the costume some more. Would be nice to get that done so I could test it out." Fingers crossed my design and execution meshed. "Do you know what hours the playrooms are open?"

"I don't think there are set times because the cruise has events going on twenty-four-seven, much like Vegas. There are different crew and club members on shift in each room so that the rooms and patrons are protected the entire time."

That made total sense. I'd hate to hear somebody got hurt playing while open let alone when it wasn't. Well, the probability that it would be me was very high. Especially since I didn't have a handler. Could I ask Jack? Maybe it would be best to wait and see how this suit turned out before I risked embarrassing myself in front of him.

Ugh, I foresaw a nasty face plant in my clumsy ass future…

"You look exhausted," Jack said as I stepped inside his room.

"Aren't you a sweet talker." Ugh, how quickly things had turned.

"Sweet boy, I meant no disrespect but it's in my nature to worry. You are absolutely, without a doubt the most adorable man I've ever met but one who clearly is not getting enough rest." He reached out to me but hesitated. "I'm sorry, I must value personal boundaries. May I have a hug?"

I dove into his arms, headfirst into his chest and nearly knocked the wind from him. "Oof!" Jack stepped back as he wrapped his arms around me. "I take it I wasn't the only one eagerly awaiting a hug." I nodded, and even though he couldn't see it, he felt it. "This is wonderful, but before we get too far into our lunch date, I want to make sure we exchange phone numbers and email addresses. So as time allows, we can still contact each other. I know reception on the ship is terrible but at least we do have internet service to email, and it won't cost either of us a small fortune."

"Yes, I agree." I handed Jack my phone and he immediately entered his info, and his phone dinged a couple seconds later.

"I texted myself, so I have your number as well, but make sure and text me your email address." I furiously typed it and his phone dinged a second time. "Thank you, sweet boy. Now, let's eat."

"Your room is clean again. You don't want me to stay longer.?" Had our lunches become cumbersome and boring? Was he done with me already?

"Oh, I do. But instead of putting us both to work again like I did yesterday—by the way, sorry about that. I should've have thought that idea out more beforehand. Today I figured the extra time together could be spent chatting. I really enjoy our lunchtime talks and getting to know you better."

"Ditto. It's a nice break in my mundane days. Otherwise, all I do is clean, clean, clean."

"Is that what's kept you up at night?"

"For the most part, like I'd mentioned, I'm not much of a sleeper. Generally, I get four or five hours a night. But we've been cleaning the storage rooms which is filthy and exhausting, though we're hoping to get done tonight at a decent time. Darcy and I are wiped out." An answer without an answer. It felt wrong not telling the whole truth, but I wasn't ready to give that secret away.

"The Daddy in me wants to be stern and set a bedtime for you, but I know we're not there yet. Plus, based upon what you've told me already, it's likely a waste of time. You know your limits and you know when you reach them. But maybe together we can find a way to help you sleep better."

I wanted to tell him about the costume and that I was gonna try the pet play as he had suggested, but I didn't want to get too far ahead of myself, in case the whole thing went to shit when I began sewing it together.

"I see those wheels turning and when you're ready to share, I'm here to listen."

"Thank you." I loved that he wasn't pushy like some guys who would've pushed. Sadly, before long our lunch was over, and I had to say goodbye.

Jack rose and extended a hand to help me up. Ever the gentleman. "Would it be too forward of me to ask for a kiss?"

Even if I wanted to say no, which I didn't, my head wouldn't have it as it all too eagerly bobbed up and down.

With one arm around my waist, Jack pulled me against him. His fingers traced along my cheekbone and across my lips. Even though it had only been days that we'd known one another, it felt like I'd waited for this forever. He pressed his lips to mine in the gentlest of touches. Sweet, but I hoped for more. Soon, one kiss led to another and when Jack's tongue trailed along the seam of my lips, my mouth parted and his tongue slid inside.

Mine eagerly met his in what I hoped was the first of many dances. I loved kissing and missed it terribly having not dated in so long. Though some from my past whatever you want to call them never gave me more than a simple peck, and to me a kiss spoke volumes. It could be sweet and gentle as ours had started out, timid in the beginning, then escalated to defcon five. A prelude to something more, a happy ending. Or just a way to really get to know a love interest. With Jack my entire body tingled, and my cock hardened. These work slacks were unforgiving and there was no way to hide an erection in them.

"Now that was a solid kiss," Jack said as we drew back, and he kissed the tip of my nose. "I look forward to tomorrow's lunch date."

"Me, too. Have a good day and feel free to text me or email me, but know that it'll be a while before I can respond sometimes. But as soon as I can, I will." Nervous much, Vale? That kiss scrambled my brain.

"I understand." Jack winked and the silly gesture did nothing to deflate my cock. "Until tomorrow."

"Until tomorrow."

By the time Darcy and I finished the room, it was nearly ten. So much for our eight o'clock goal and my endless energy had topped out. Cleaning the rooms and reorganizing the storage area drained me. Had I attempted to venture to the play area tonight I wouldn't have had the energy to do more than watch. After I'd showered I dozed off, though two hours later I was wide awake, quietly hand-sewing the pieces I had measured and cut to put together. I didn't dare use the machine, it would have woken Darcy up and all hell would break loose. I'd just run up tomorrow after my cabins were done to finish up and then try it on.

Fingers crossed all went well.