Not Just for Show

Ace is a chipmunk who has always needed diapers to get through the day. But can his adept hiding skills keep them from being discovered on a live Puppy Pack show?

Not Just for Show

“Ok. Just got to make sure this belt is done up nice and tight”

Ace took the black strap of leather and drew it around his waist, through the loops of his jeans. Pulling it tight, he heard the crinkle from his rear that he hoped wouldn’t come up any further this evening.

“Gah
 stupid diaper
”

The chipmunk was far too old to be diapered in a pair of Teddies. Fresh out of college, in a full-time graduate job, and now living in his own flat the one thing he seemingly couldn’t do independently was make it to the toilet. He’d managed to keep it a secret from most, a few friends and his close family being the only ones he’d trusted enough. Or they’d known since he was very little.

“Littler”

He grumbled. That invasive thought wasn’t really welcome, but it was a common refrain of those who found it funny that a chipmunk in diapers looked the same as many babies of other species.

Making sure the belt was tight, he grabbed his knapsack and made his way to the door. His destination was his neighbor Elsie, someone he’d known for a couple of months who had been extremely welcoming. She was a tall hare, with ears that often clipped the tops of door frames. Her son, Jeremy, was just turning three years old and was incredibly excited for the live Puppy Pack show that was coming to the local park.

The whole thing would normally have been something Ace would’ve avoided, but Elsie had come to him yesterday in a bit of a state. Her husband was currently having to travel for an emergency meeting across the country, leaving her and Jeremy on their own. The kid had wanted to go with his Dad, and had only calmed down when Elsie had said she’d find someone else who could go with them.

With none of her friends, or even Jeremy’s friends, available she’d come to him. Desperation had been obvious in her eyes, and Ace couldn't think of an excuse. He was free, he had no plans, and this was a woman in dire need. If nothing else, chivalry demanded action.

Thus he’d spent last night watching some episodes to try and work out why kids would enjoy it so much. The opening was catchy, he could say that much


Puppy Pack!

Saving the day with their strength and wits!

Helping out friends with their awesome toolkits!

They’re here to save the daaaay


PUPPY PACK!

The beginning of every episode started that way, the chipmunk eventually finding himself humming along to the tune once he was about a dozen shows in. The songs in the shows themselves ranged from corny to just outright awful but he forgave that given its audience.

Even as he knocked on the door to Elsies apartment he found himself humming the theme. Rather than force himself to stop, the chipmunk reminded himself that he was doing this for a toddler and, instead, let his brain remember the words.

“Saving the day with their strength and wits
” he muttered as he heard footsteps coming towards the door

“Helping out friends with their awesome toolkits
” the locks on the inside clattered off the hinges

“They’re here to save the daaaay
”

“PUPPY PACK!”

As the door opened he saw the beaming face of Jeremy, the toddler's face at his height and his ears even taller still.

“Hey Ace!” Elsie bent down so she was at his height “Thanks for this, I really appreciate it”

The chipmunk blushed “It’s nothing, really” he adjusted his trousers a little as nerves started to kick in “Need anything or
”

“Ace, who’s your favorite pup?! I wanna knooooow!” Jeremy was positively bouncing, his excitement clearly only increasing upon hearing Ace humming the theme song.

“Oh, I like Grumble. The big strong one ya know?”

“Yeah! He’s awesome! He’s my favorite too!”

Ace looked at Elsie, a loving smile clearly visible “Shall we get going? Not long until they open the gates
”

“Oh goodness, yes.” She picked up a large bag next to the door, itself decorated in a variety of Puppy Pack designs and stickers, and stood up straight “Come on Jeremy, up you get!”

The bunny took the offer and leapt into his mothers arms, his face still beaming. Ace smiled at the two of them and followed Elsie out of the apartment block, the whole way making sure his shirt was tucked in nice and snug.

*************************************************************************************************************

“Oh gosh, it’s packed!”

Elsie’s shock as they got out of the car was nothing compared to Ace’s gawking muzzle. He could barely see anything over the crowd of people lined up outside the park. Parents and kids were all shouting and screaming, trying to get in through the heavy iron gates. Makeshift toll booths were erected, each one taking the money for tickets or accepting pre-ordered ones.

“You got tickets in advance right?” Ace asked nervously.

“Oh yeah, there was no way I was going to risk missing it. I’ll just get Jeremy’s stroller out of the back of the car”

“Yay! Can I have my Grumble plush too?!”

“Of course sweetie, just make sure to hold onto it”

Ace watched as the hare pulled out the pram and plush from the back of the car. Like the rest of the stuff Jeremy owned it was a Puppy Pack branded device, but one clearly aimed at a larger family.

“Ugh
 why did I buy the double seater
” Elsie mumbled “Having a second was never gonna be on the cards
”

Once the whole thing unfolded, Jeremy hopped into one of the two seats, putting his plush into his lap and letting his legs kick out “You wanna sit next to me Ace?”

The chipmunks face went beat red at the suggestion “Heh, I grew out of riding in strollers a long time ago. Grumble looks like he could
”

“Mommy, can Ace ride with me? Pleeeease?”

Elsie looked at Ace, a slight blush visible behind a nervous smile “Jeremy, Ace is an adult, like me” She bent down in front of the stroller “He doesn’t ride in strollers anymore”

Jeremy crossed his arms and grumbled “But
” a pout came to his muzzle as he cuddled Grumble “Ok Mommy”

Elsie turned round, still crouched down, and smiled at Ace “I think he’s a little confused. Small species and all that. You’re probably used to it”

Ace nodded and chuckled “Yeah, it does come with the territory”

Elsie stood up and started pushing the stroller, keeping her pace slow to ensure the group stayed together as they waded towards the main queue through the crowd. Ace followed behind, able to keep track of her by virtue of her ears poking up above the massed fans. Eventually they reached the toll booths, and the chipmunk was able to hold onto the stroller to keep in line.

“Hi, I’ve got some advance tickets, two adults and one child” Elsie held up her phone and let the assistant scan the code on the screen.

The cashier raised an eyebrow “Ma’am, I don’t see a second adult with you”

Ace furrowed his brow “Sir, that would be me”

Initially the clerk looked confused before looking at Elsie “Does he have any ID?”

“I’m right here, you can talk to me” Ace shuffled up to the booth and took out his driver's license “See, look at the photo and the date of birth”

A grumble was the only audible response he got as the clerk pressed a button to release the turnstile “Alright, alright, don’t get your undies in a twist
” he stopped Elsie briefly “Oh, on that subject, is your kid potty trained?”

“He’s in pull-ups just in case” Elsie responded “I read the conditions, I’ve bought diapers if needed”

He nodded “Just making sure, don’t want the cleaners mopping more than popcorn and soda if you get my drift”

The hare just huffed “I do. Now if you don’t mind
” she pushed the turnstile aside “We’ve got a show to watch.”

Ace followed her through and made sure to keep his hand on the side of the stroller, the hare mumbling under her breath as she moved over to one side to put it some nearby storage

“Can’t believe some people
 You’d think I’d buy an adult ticket when the kids ones are cheaper?”

Ace shrugged “As I said, comes with the territory”

“Still, it’s not fair
” the hare lifted Jeremy onto her arm and locked her stroller in “You’re probably older than he is!”

Jeremy hugged his Grumble plush into his chest and looked down at Ace “Yeah, and I don’t need diapers! I’m big!”

Ace felt heat come to his cheeks again involuntarily “Heh
 yeah you are Jeremy”

Elsie smiled and offered her free hand out to Ace “I know people are gonna think we’re a couple but
” she giggled “It’s the easiest way to stick together right?”

Ace didn’t feel like an adult at that moment. Having a motherly figure offer him a hand to help him get to a seat was going to make him look like any of the children, and he knew it. But he knew she was right. He slowly took hold of the hare's hand and grasped it tightly.

“Now, we’re on the fourth row from the front
”

With the realization that he was trying to keep pace with Elsie, Ace could feel himself starting to pick up some pace. The diaper between his legs made it difficult to keep his stride consistent, his mind becoming acutely aware of the waddle he must have. By the time they reached their seats, he was almost jealous of Jeremy.

“Oh no!” Elsie looked at the seats, her face dropping.

“What’s the matter?” Ace asked, a little confused. The seats were set up for the three of them, two standard setups and one with a booster seat, complete with a strap and leg holes, for Jeremy.

Elsie looked at Ace as she put Jeremy down and strapped him to the seat “Well
 I don’t know how to say this
 You’re not gonna be able to see are you?”

With a horrible dropping feeling in his stomach, Ace suddenly realized what she meant. He would need a booster if he was going to see over the top of the heads in front of him, otherwise his view would be entirely blocked.

“I’ll go get one for you, I’m sure they must have a spare
”

“It’s fine really!” Ace tried to catch her hand again but she had left the row before he got back to her “Wait
”

“Mr Ace!” Jeremy called out “It’s ok! You can have mine if you
”

“No!” Ace felt his hands ball into fists, his muzzle curling “I don’t need a booster seat like a toddler!”

Jeremy retreated back into his Grumble plush “So.. sorry!”

The chipmunk breathed deeply, trying to get a handle on himself. This was turning into a bit of an embarrassment.

“Sorry, it’s not your fault Jeremy. You were being nice”

The hare popped his head above Grumble’s “I know you’re big Mr Ace”

Ace smiled back “Thank you Jeremy. You’re a good kid”

“I’m back! Even got a special Puppy Pack booster!”

Elsie rushed back into the row, putting down the large plastic seat on Ace’s chair before he had a chance to object “Come on, hop in before the show starts!”

Grumbling to himself the whole time, Ace pulled himself onto the plastic seat and let his legs fit into the holes. He grimaced as the front guard pushed into his crotch, forcing his diaper to bunch up under him with a squish.

Wait


Ace felt his entire body sink lower, as if instinctively trying to hide in the bright, branded plastic booster. He’d wet at some point, his diaper suitably damp enough that he could be aware of it in the seat the whole way through the show.

“Hey kids!” an announcer's voice rang out on the tannoy “Are y’all ready to meet the Puppy Pack?!”

Cries of small children rang out through the audience, Jeremy’s included.

“I can’t hear you!”

An even louder roar came from around the park as the kids shouted louder for their favorite characters to appear.

“Well, without further ado
 here’s FI-DO!”

The theme tune began to play behind the tannoy voice, each huge mascot character being introduced in turn until the entire gang was visible. Ace couldn’t help but tap along to it on top of the boosters front guard, Elsie bouncing Jeremy in tune at the same time. While they weren’t precise facsimiles of their cartoon equivalents, the costumes were, Ace had to admit, incredibly well made. Each of them had moving eyes and mouths that cleverly disguised the actors beneath the costumes, easily fooling the kids and making it hard for the chipmunk not to feel like he was genuinely watching the real characters on stage.

The beginning of the show then started in earnest, the main cast all discussing how fantastic it was to be in this city and how much they could help by teaching the kids how to behave responsibly. Fi-Do gave a short speech about the importance of listening to your parents, striking a heroic pose at the end before letting Grumble take over.

“Yay! Grumble! Ace it’s Grumble!” Jeremy was practically squealing in his booster, shuffling back and forth on the chair.

“Sure is
” Ace mumbled, shifting in his own seat for entirely different reasons “Can’t wait to hear
”

“Right kids! Let’s get on your feet for this one!” the announcer said over the tannoy “Grumble’s gonna tell ya how to carry big things!”

Ace sighed with relief as he managed to pull himself out of the chair. He couldn’t see the stage anymore, but the break from having his diaper squished up close to him was welcome.

“Now, I know a lot of you little ones won’t be having back trouble like your Ma or Pa” Grumble started “But you gotta start picking things up smart. Like me!”

Cheers went up from sections of the crowd as the muscular retriever pulled a huge set of fake weights up and over his head, kissing his costume's biceps in the process. Ace could just about get a glimpse through the gaps in the seat, while Jeremy had stood on top of his booster and taken Elsies hand.

“Now, I got a little song to go with lifting stuff. Keeps me from forgetting how to do it! It goes like this:

When ya gotta lift things up

Get down and squat
Put ya butt out
And keep ya feet on the spot!

Lift with ya knees

And keep all steady

Then give a big push with your butt when you're ready!”

The tannoy started playing music as the song started again and everyone began to copy the instructions. Ace followed suit, not wanting to look out of place.

“When ya gotta lift things up
Get down and squat”

Ace could hardly tell what was going on at this height but he could still hear the song.

“Put ya butt out

And keep ya feet on the spot”

Raising his rear high into the air the chipmunk rested his hands on knees to avoid losing his balance.

“Lift with ya knees
And keep it all steady

Then give a big push when
”

“Hnnnggg
”

The last part of the song was masked to the chipmunk as a cramp rushed through his midsection. He was pushing alright, and with his butt. But he was certainly not ready for what was happening. The back of his diaper was filling with the contents of his tummy, his squatting position allowing it to quickly begin spreading itself across his rear as his pants held the thick padding in place and stopped it from expanding too far out.

He’d just pooped himself. He knew it, he could feel it as clear as day, but he could barely believe it.

“Ace
 are you ok?”

He looked up to see Elsie, her face in a small, concerned frown, staring down at his squatting form. The rest of the audience had sat back down ready for the next part of the show.

“I
 I
”

Before he could say another word the hares eyes went to the back of his pants. Initially, they showed shock, a strike of realization crossing her face, before they settled next to a caring smile.

“Jeremy, we need to go to the bathroom, come on”

“But
 but the show
”

“Can wait, you probably need to go potty and don’t know it”

“Awwww!”

She picked up her son and took Ace’s hand, this time not giving him a chance to refuse. As they got through the seating row and headed towards the marked restrooms, Ace could feel the mess squishing against his rear, his blush nearly completely taking over his face.

“Jeremy, can you go potty by yourself in a stall?”

The bunny beamed “Sure mommy!” he ran through one of the doors, locking it quickly behind him.

“Quick” she picked up Ace and headed towards the back of the bathroom “He’ll be a couple of minutes”

“I
 I’m sorry I didn’t
”

“It’s alright, just let me get you cleaned up”

The chipmunk let the hare rest him on a fold out changing table, her hands quickly going to his belt and removing his pants.

“Teddies?” she mused “Guess you’ve always worn them huh?”

Ace could only nod in response.

“Well, Jeremy wanted these. Special Puppy Pack branded ones from Simpli-Fi. So they’ll have to do”

She pulled out the thick white square that had the show's logo printed in bright colors on the crotch from her bag and rested it next to Ace, pulling out powder and wipes shortly afterwards.

“Hold still, won’t take me a minute”

Ace put his hands in front of his eyes as he tried to think about anything other than what was happening. He hadn’t been changed by someone else in over a decade, and now he was at a toddlers park show, having his butt wiped like he’d never seen a toilet before. Elsie was, however, mercifully fast with the powder and before the chipmunk could apologize further, he felt two tapes being secured round his waist.

“There, done! Now let’s get your pants back on before Jeremy gets out”

Ace wiggled his legs into the pants legs, pulling them up to his waist. Grabbing the button at the top he tried to pull it together.

“Ummm
 Elsie
 The button won’t do up”

The hare put her own hands to the task and frowned as she realized the problem “Guess these diapers are thicker
”

“All done! I went poopy all by
”

Jeremy looked over at what was taking place, Ace trying to hide behind Elsie as best he could. His diaper was still on full display as his pants dropped to his feet.

“Mommy
 is Ace in my diapers?”

Elsie looked round to the chipmunk and sighed “Yes honey, he had a bit of an accident. You know, like you sometimes do”

The bunny looked thoughtful for a second. Ace buried his head in the back of the hare, trying as hard as he could to avoid further embarrassment.

“It’s ok Mr. Ace. You can have my diapers. I don’t need them anymore!” he bounded towards his mother and put his arms in the air “Can we go back to the show now?”

Elsie moved away from the table, leaving Ace standing behind her in the diaper and shirt he’d worn coming in. She smiled and gave the chipmunks head a small pat “Come on Ace. People have been mistaking you for a toddler all day anyway
”

With that line the chipmunk fell to his knees and felt the first part of a sob come to his muzzle. He’d proved them all right, he even looked the part now.

“Mr. Ace, do you want Grumble?”

The chipmunk sniffed and looked to see Jeremy, in his mothers arms, holding out his Puppy Pack plush “He’s big and strong and really good at hugs”

All shame lost, Ace took the plush from the toddler's arms and let Elsie pick him up, supporting him on her other elbow.

“You know, next time, I’ll order two kids tickets”

Ace managed to giggle behind the sniffles, pushing his muzzle into the hare's shoulder and letting himself be taken back to the booster seat in the crowd.

Maybe this wasn’t all bad