Short, quick update. I'm excited to start diving more into Mark trying to subtly figure Jack out. This story is so much fun to write and this chapter just poured out of me so easily. I'm hoping I'll get the next one out just as fast. :)
Mark devised a little plan to subtly figure out if Jack was really into the stuff he thought he was.
He spent a good chunk of time filtering through websites on 'littles' and 'Daddies' and how their dynamics intermingled. He made a mental list of the things that 'littles' commonly liked and filed it away for later use. He planned to test a couple scenarios (subtly) and watch how Jack reacted. His main goal was just to see if Jack was really a submissive; a bit of an easier task than setting outright to see if he's 'little'. That part can come later. Base roots first.
He decided to start with praise.
He slipped in words of encouragement whenever he could, trying not to be too obvious while still capturing Jack's attention. When they played games Mark was sure to always spur him on with "Atta boy!"s and "Good job!"s. He waited until Jack was already beginning to look a little high on Mark's admiration before whipping out the big guns. They were playing Prop Hunt with Bob and Wade, and Jack was his team mate. Bob's character crouched right next to the little orange lamp Jack was masquerading as, and it looked like the jig was up. Before Bob got the chance to shoot him though, Jack raced out of the room and flipped a corner, immediately switching into a box and blending in with the other twelve or so scattered around him.
Mark was already dead and spectating. When Bob dashed right past Jack and the corner timer finally ran out, signaling their win, he smirked, dropped his voice just a hint and cheered, "That's my boy."
Bob and Wade were too busy laughing and bickering over their loss to notice Jack's lips part and eyes widen. The bright blush came to his face so fast Mark was worried he might have pushed it a little too far. But Jack wears red so well and he's so cute and Mark wants to say something- maybe praise him a little more, maybe point out the obvious pink in his cheeks to see if it will darken, but this is dangerous territory and he can't afford to give himself away just yet.
They eventually brushed past it, but Mark noticed whenever he looked back at Jack's face in the video chat, he'd be back in that tinier physique. His shoulders were closer together and his head was ducked, eyes cast a little downward to accompany his shy smile. It's absolutely adorable.
Mark's in way too deep to back out now.
He worked on the praise more, sticking to the small compliments where he could get away with them instead of risking another big hit like the last time. He doesn't want to scare Jack away before he can get to the bottom of this mystery.
Jack hits a new subscriber milestone and Mark decides to be the first to congratulate him.
He called Jack up in a video chat as quick as he could, hoping to beat the inevitable onslaught of encouragement from friends and family. He wanted to be the predominant voice in Jack's head; wanted Jack to think back on his praise every time someone else congratulated him. Mark wasn't sure where the sudden need to be a paramount figure in Jack's life came from, but he quickly found it impossible to fight off. He wanted to step into that space and make a home.
"Mark!" Jack greeted cheerily, his face bright and his smile wide as he adjusted the camera to better suit his face.
"Congrats on the new subscriber milestone!" Mark replied, getting straight to business.
Jack grinned, clearly proud of himself, "Thanks! You're actually the first to congratulate me."
Mark took down the small victory in his head but did his best to keep his face neutral, "You're doing a really good job." he continued, dropping his tone a little lower again, like he'd learned to do when looking for a reaction from Jack. It's something he'd picked up from a few of the online 'Daddy forums' recommending the best ways to converse with your littles.
He waited until he saw the subtle shift of Jack's demeanor before continuing. Mark's eyes dart to Jack's shoulders as he turned them inward, held his hands between his knees and smiled at Mark like he meant the world; like Mark's approval meant the world. Mark grinned, knowing he'd won as he coyly added, "I'm very proud of you."
Mark's never realized how much he enjoys making Jack's cheeks pink, but when the unmistakable rose rises there, he felt a surge of... something in his belly. He liked it. He wanted to make Jack blush like that all the time. He wanted to spoil and flatter him until Jack was burgundy.
He didn't think too much before he quickly added, "I'm sending you a reward in the mail for all your hard work."
He didn't really have anything prepared or planned... but the delightedly surprised giggle-literal giggle-from Jack solidified the sudden idea. He's gonna have to go buy a present now...
But then Jack smiles again, and Mark doesn't care.
Jack thanked him again and again, and when the package arrived, Jack sent Mark a picture of himself cuddling the giant, stuffed, pink moustache with a big ol' grin that made Mark want to melt. He's just so... cute. Mark might spend all of his money on gifts for Jack if it meant getting cute little photos like that regularly.
He tries very hard not to think about just how much he was enjoying having spoiled Jack. It lights a warm fire in his chest, a content, hearty warmth that holds more adoration than it does lust. He tries not to think about that either, and Mark refuses to think about how much the idea of a 'little' Jack absolutely enthralls him. So he sighs, sticks the photo to his bathroom mirror and heads back to the office to edit the video of the day and take his mind off of it.
He doesn't get very far before he's sidetracked with making plans for his next line of attack.