maipenraikhap.org 2.5

The week following Hunter’s trial photoshoot went quite quickly, and Jack started getting into a routine. Wake up, feed, and dress the boys, get Hunter to school, Zach in preschool, come home and do work, lunch and then pick Zach up, go to the park, go pick Hunter up, go home, homework while doing work, feed them, bath them if needed, get them to bed, do any chores, then relax. It was not easy, but he knew now that he could do it.

Over the phone, he had a talk with Ethan, telling him about his struggles and losing his wife. Ethan had been sympathetic and fully supportive, giving Jack the boost in confidence that he needed.

As Saturday rolled around, their appointment with Ethan was for ten am. Hunter went back upstairs twice, almost seeming like he did not want to go, but eventually, they all bundled into the car and were on their way.

Hunter talked about the first photoshoot for two days afterward and was very proud of himself. Jack found it challenging to give Hunter all the focus he requested, though, and Hunter quickly stopped talking about it. Now in the car, though, he was back to talking about it and really looking forward to seeing Ethan again and dressing up.

“Ah…hello. How’s my favorite family this morning?” Ethan asked as he let them inside.

Hunter beamed a lovely smile, and Zach rushed straight over to the toy box.

“One of my colleagues is here today to help with Hunter’s shoot. Should we preempt any issues, Jack, and just leave you and your other two out here?” Ethan suppressed a smile as Jack fell straight for his plan.

“Yes, that makes sense,” Jack conceded.

“If you need drinks, there’s a machine just around the corner. We will be a couple of hours, though, and there’s a park nearby if Zach gets restless,” Ethan offered, but Jack declined.

“He’ll be fine with the toys,” Jack answered, sitting down on the sofa and pulling out his laptop to start some work.

“Great,” Ethan said. “Come on then, Hunter, let’s go do some hard work.”

He turned away from Jack, almost afraid he would laugh at his own double entendre if he did not. He led the boy into the studio with a hand on Hunter’s shoulder and shut the door behind them.

“Hunter, this is Peter. He helps me with the costumes.”

“Hi, Hunter,” greeted Peter, “you’re what, eight?” Peter gave the line his boss had given him word for word. It was clear Hunter was the age he was, but it had its desired effect straight away—a smile and a little giggle.

“No, I’m nearly six,” he said proudly.

“Wow! How cool, and you’re so pretty.”

Hunter frowned, replying, “Boys aren’t pretty.”

Ethan stepped in as rehearsed, “Some boys are pretty, Hunter. They need to be if they’re models and want to be on TV.” He kneeled down to be at Hunter’s height. “Do I get a cuddle?”

Hunter seemed unsure but allowed himself to be pulled close by Ethan, who pulled him tight with a hand on his rear and back.

“You’re great at hugs, Hunter!” Ethan exaggerated. “You must be a pretty boy to give good hugs like that!” He made every word sound as if he was incredibly proud, and as expected, Hunter lapped it up.

“Now, give Peter a hug.”

Ethan said in a stern voice which stunned Hunter into action. His daddy never really shouted, and the way Ethan sounded was a bit scary. Peter hugged him just as tight as Ethan had. His daddy never hugged that tight, and he knew straight away they were strong.

“You’re right, Ethan. He is a great hugger,” Peter said, smiling over Hunter’s head at his boss. Years of practice had let them hone their skills.

“So, Hunter,” Ethan said as soon as Hunter was released from his hug, “do you have Spider-Man on?”

Hunter went red and glanced at Peter and then back to Ethan, pleading with his eyes to not talk about it in front of the stranger.

“Well?” Ethan said impatiently.

The tone scared Hunter again. He nodded his answer. Ethan really was a patient guy, but he had plans for this cutie, and he needed the boy to know who was in charge. 

“Hmmm, I’m not sure I believe you. Show me.”

Hunter once again looked to Peter, his face red with embarrassment.

Before Hunter could verbalize his protest, Ethan spoke up firmly, “Now!”

“Why are you being mean?” Hunter asked with tears in his eyes.

“I’m not being mean, Hunter. You made a promise, and I don’t want to tell Daddy you can’t keep promises. Now show me, sweetie.”

The sudden switch back to affectionate and kind Ethan had the desired effect on Hunter. Hooking his fingers into his shorts, he pulled them down and let them drop to his ankles, revealing his Spider-Man Underoos from the previous weekend. Hunter was bright red with embarrassment, but he definitely did not want to break any promises.

“Turn around, cutie,” Ethan said kindly.

Hunter did so, almost tripping in his shorts. By turning around, he gave Peter a view from the front and Ethan from behind.

“Wow, that’s a very nice Spider-Man, Hunter.” Peter said kindly, “You’re such a lucky boy that Ethan loves you so much.” Again, this had been rehearsed at Ethan’s request.

Hunter looked confused, however, at the proclamation that Ethan loved him. Ethan noted that perhaps they were moving a bit too fast, but most of their rehearsed scene had played out.

“Arms up, pretty Hunter.”

The boy did as requested, with a bit of reluctance, but he did not want to hear Ethan be mean again. He was left standing in just his underwear with his hands up.

“You’re such a good boy, Hunter. I’m so proud of you. I wish you were my son. Now, go with Peter and change.”

Hunter did not move. He barely knew Peter and did not want to go with him anywhere.

“Would you like me to take you, Hunter?” Ethan asked with a knowing smirk towards Peter.

Hunter nodded.

“Good boy.” He lifted Hunter up into his arms and pressed him close. “You’re probably the bravest and best boy I’ve ever seen,” he said while carrying the boy to the changing room. “I can’t understand why your daddy would say you’re too little.”

Ethan did not hear a response from Hunter, but he felt the boy tense slightly. He would just let that sink in for a while. So far, alienating Hunter from his dad was going to plan.

“So, let’s see what we’re wearing today….” Again, he had already planned the costume hoping that Hunter would turn up in the requested underwear. “Oh…a Batman costume...that’s right, it’ll be Halloween in a couple of months. I had forgotten I needed a really cool, pretty boy to wear a Batman costume.”

Hunter’s eyes lit up at the opportunity to wear a Batman costume. He loved anything to do with superheroes and only got to wear hero costumes for Halloween. He wanted a Spider-Man one this year.

“Oh...” Ethan sounded sad, and Hunter turned around to look at him, “we can’t do that. You have Spider-Man Underoos on. We can’t have Spider-Man on under Batman. It will mess the costume up.”

Hunter looked upset, a tear in his eyes. That made perfect sense to him, and he found himself despising Spider-Man for the first time in his young life. Ethan pulled Hunter to him and hugged him tightly, partly because it worked in his favor, but mostly so he could grin at how easy Hunter was to manipulate.

“It’s okay, Hunter. Don’t be sad, okay? I know it’s a cool costume, but your daddy would be so mad if you took your undies off, and I don’t want him to be mad at you, okay. We will find something else.”

Hunter remembered how he was a brave boy. He had been told that repeatedly by Ethan, and he had an idea, but he didn’t want Ethan to be mad at him.

“Can we keep it secret from Daddy?” the young boy asked.

“Keep what secret, sweetie?” Ethan asked while pretending to look for an alternate costume.

“If I swap undies.”

Ethan saw how red Hunter was and felt a small victory inside, but it was not quite what he had in mind.

“We don’t have any other undies here, Hunter. I’m sorry. I’ll keep looking.”

Hunter looked down at his feet, feeling rejected for his stupid idea.

Hunter was already playing into Ethan’s hands, but he was hoping for a little too much from the nearly six-year-old boy. So, pausing in thought, Ethan suggested what he had wanted Hunter to offer.

“How about we wear Batman, but with no undies? That could work, and only me and you have to know. We won’t tell Daddy or your brothers or Peter.”

Not that Peter needed to be told, he knew it was the plan anyway. Hunter pondered it for a moment. He knew it was naughty, but Ethan was a grown-up, and he trusted him, and it was his idea, and he would get to wear the Batman costume, and no one would know, only him and Ethan.

“Okay.”

The boy was bright red, and he had barely said it above a whisper. Ethan smiled warmly at him.

“Wow, you’re such a brave boy Hunter, are you sure you’re not eight?”

Hunter smiled and shook his head. “No,” he added as further verbalization.

“You’re not sure?”

The witticism was lost on the poor boy, and after a bit of confusion and having to explain the remark, it was no longer funny in the slightest, and Ethan was not sure if Hunter still got it or not.

“Okay, Spider-Man off and Batman on, brave, pretty Hunter.”

Unfortunately, Hunter turned around to take his underwear off, but Ethan did not mind too much; he got a rear view and learned something he wanted to make sure of. Jack definitely was not using Hunter’s boy-cunt. Not that Ethan expected otherwise, it would have just made things easier in the future if he had to deal with Dad. Hunter’s ass was pale, perfectly round, and Ethan was not much of an ass guy, but damn if that was not perfect, he did not know what was.

All too soon, Hunter had pulled the Batman pants over his legs and turned around, still bright red and embarrassed. He needed reassuring praise, praise Ethan gave.

“Good boy, I’m so proud of you, my little cutie.”

Hunter smiled and started putting the top half of his costume on, but Ethan wanted him to get used to having hands-on help, so he moved in and helped him finish straightening it out. “Well, look at how cool and strong you look in that costume,” Ethan praised. “Now the best bit.”

He handed Hunter the fabric hood to put on. The costume was a cheap and tacky thing, bought because you could see through the material in places not obstructed by skin with the proper backlight. Meaning the shape of Hunter’s body—all of it—would be silhouetted inside.

He lifted Hunter up, a hand cupping his rear, and walked back out into the studio. The material was so thin it was almost as if he were touching bare skin. He felt himself plump up slightly at the thought but reminded himself to take things slow.

“That costume is awesome, Hunter!” Peter proclaimed as Hunter took center stage.

With the lights turned down slightly, they began taking shots in various poses that Batman would make, all the while telling the young boy how great he was and how awesome he looked.

After a half-hour shooting, Ethan switched cards in his camera and began posing Hunter similarly to his ‘trial’ photoshoot while Peter stood by and watched, lavishing the boy with praise.

One such pose, reaching up for the sky with his legs apart slightly, the backdrop up full, the camera flashed, Ethan checked his camera to see if he got what he wanted. Sure enough, a round shape could be seen between his legs, silhouetted against the backdrop, letting the thousands of men who would see these pictures know that the boy was going commando. In all the similar poses to last weekend, the photos kept on being taken, and Hunter clearly remembered them. Ethan could tell that Peter was stiff in his jeans, and so was he. Hunter was oblivious to his effect on the men as he continued to pose and be posed. After another hour of taking pictures, it was clear that Hunter was flagging. He was no longer as animated, and so Ethan decided to wrap it up.

“Come here, Hunter.” He scooped up the exhausted boy and smiled at him. “I wish I was your daddy. You’re such a fantastic pretty boy,” he said smoothly. “You did great work today.”

He turned to Peter. “Can you clean up while I help our little hero to change again, please, Peter?”

“Sure thing, boss. Good job, Hunter.”

Hunter let himself be carried back to the changing room where his clothes were waiting.

“Arms up,” Ethan ordered, and Hunter obeyed, allowing his top and hood to be removed in one go.

Ethan went to remove Hunter’s pants, but Hunter stopped him.

“I can do it,” he said, turning around so that he could change with some modesty.

Once more, Ethan was rewarded with a rearview as the boy changed. He would have pushed Hunter to let him do it, but he had accomplished a lot today. He could not wait to see the money start rolling in, and he got a kick out of doing it all without the boy’s dad even knowing.

All too soon, a tired-looking Hunter was dressed and lifted into Ethan’s arms. He carried him back into the studio, where he told Hunter to give Peter a hug. Now, for one more prep for next time.

“Peter, can you go and make sure Jack filled in all the papers.”

Peter ambled off, unsure of why he had been sent out to do something Ethan usually did.

“You did great today, Hunter. Was it okay not wearing your undies?”

Hunter shrugged.

“Well, I won’t tell Daddy, but you know now that undies are just as important in modeling as the clothes we can see, right?” Hunter nodded, obviously not much of a talker when tired. “So, do you think you’re brave enough and sneaky enough to just not wear any undies when you come next time?”

Hunter looked at Ethan as though he had just spoken an alien language.

“Why?”

“It is easier for the costumes, Hunter, or aren’t you brave enough?”

Boys are competitive by nature, especially boys with younger siblings, and Hunter was no exception.

“I am brave.”

“So you’re going to do it?”

Hunter nodded.

“Wow, now I do really wish you were my son. I’d never tell you off for not wearing undies like a cool boy. You’re so brave! I won’t tell Daddy on you, I promise,” he added.

Hunter hugged him. It was unexpected, but Ethan took full advantage of it.

“I bet Jack, I mean, I bet Daddy is always paying attention to your brothers and not you, right?” He felt Hunter nod into his shoulder. “I bet he takes them to the park when you’re at school too, so that you can’t go, right?” It was information he had gleaned by accident over the phone earlier in the week, but he used it to full advantage. He felt Hunter nod into his shoulder again and heard him whimper slightly. “I love you, Hunter, it’s okay. Even if he doesn’t love you much, I love you lots. I think you’re the best boy in the world. I wish I was your daddy.”

Hunter began to sob, holding on tightly to Ethan, finally releasing all of his anger and sadness from the loss of his mommy. For Ethan’s part, he just wanted to make Hunter crave his attention. It was just an added bonus that he could fuck with his relationship with his dad.

“Come on, Hunter, don’t cry. You’re brave, right?” he asked.

Hunter nodded.

“We don’t want Jack to see you crying, do we?” he asked, pulling Hunter from his shoulder so he could look him in the eyes.

Hunter looked at Ethan for a moment; he had called his Daddy, Jack, instead of Daddy, and something in how he asked it, meant that he had to acknowledge him as Jack and not Daddy if he answered. Finally, he relented and shook his head no, wiping his tears away.

“Good boy, I’m so proud of you.”

He held him tight again and then carried him out to where his dad was waiting with his siblings.

“Hi, Jack,” Ethan said smoothly as they walked up. He went to put Hunter down, but the boy held on tight around his neck. “He’s a little sleepy from all that hard work today. I’m afraid he might need a nap to recharge his batteries.”

“Has he been good?” Jack asked, genuinely concerned for his exhausted eldest.

“He’s been fantastic. Lots of pictures, and he’ll get great exposure in my client’s magazine. The theme was Halloween.” He couldn’t help but drop innuendoes in front of Dad. He felt a stir at saying Hunter would get great exposure—if only Jack knew just how much of his son was exposed today for thousands of people.

“Come on, Hunter.” Jack held his arms out for Hunter.

Not taking any chances at his mind games being unraveled, Ethan quickly dismissed him by turning slightly.

“You sort the other two out. I’ll carry Hunter to the car.”

Jack did not even think twice about the offer. Instead, he sorted out the stroller with Lucas in it and got Zach to follow him.

“Good boy,” Ethan whispered into Hunter’s ear for not going to his dad, even though he was sure he would have, had he not turned him away.

As they got to the car, Ethan lifted Hunter into it and fastened him in, accidentally brushing his hand across his lap. He did not feel anything, of course. It was just another way of getting the boy used to contact.

“So, Jack,” Ethan said after all three boys were secured, “don’t you have any friends who can help you out with the boys?” Ethan was a careful manipulator and chose his words carefully. “I mean, it can’t be easy.”

Jack shrugged and closed the rear of the car, replying, “It’s hard, but I’m doing my best. They’re not too difficult most of the time.”

With a thoughtfully timed deep breath, Ethan continued his plan. “Well, I don’t usually do this, but if you ever need any help during the week, I’d be happy to come to your house and watch the boys for you.” Not wanting it to seem too obvious, he back-peddled with precision wording. “I don’t ever usually offer. In fact, I never would even consider it, but I feel for you in your situation. I just want you to know the studio is here to support you all as a family.”

Ethan even believed his own bullshit. He would offer the support, but he just wanted the chance to manipulate things further, and he hoped he was playing Jack like a fiddle.

“Thank you.” Jack offered his hand as he stood by the driver’s side door. “I’ll consider it. And thank you for caring so much. I’m glad I met you.”

“It’s my pleasure, honestly.”

Just on time, as planned, was Peter with some of the clean pictures from the previous camping session, “Here’s last week’s session. I’ve not heard back from my client yet, but should do soon.”

Jack took the offered package and jumped into his car. As they drove off, Ethan smiled a knowing smile at Peter. Little Hunter would be a star. He just had to remember to take things slow.

Later that night, with a bit of editing of the pictures, Ethan revealed the little sack between the legs of an oblivious Hunter. However, try as he might, no amount of editing showed the rest of the package, and with Hunter’s reluctance to let him see in the changing room, he would have to think long and hard about his next steps.