“I don’t see why it wouldn’t.” I moved some of the condiments on the table so I could extend my hand to him. He offered a timid grin in return as he placed his hand in mine, and I gave it a squeeze. “Your Daddy and I will keep you safe. You can run around and look at all the stuffed animals and candy and help us decide what foods to try.”

He perked up at that. “Can we eat hot dogs all day?”

August and I chuckled.

“You’re about to have that for dinner.” And from what I could tell already, they’d taste much better than any hot dog we could buy at the festival. August had gone all out for an otherwise simple dish. The bread was homemade, for starters—both plain and with sesame seeds. Aside from ketchup and mustards, he’d set out relish, fresh onion, Parmesan, onion strings, crumbled bacon, shredded cheddar, chopped jalapeños, and sauerkraut.

It was going to be damn hard to repay August and Camden for their hospitality. Especially when I wasn’t good in the kitchen.

Camden moved on to the next topic, which he called the most important in the galaxy. Namely, what costume to wear tomorrow.

I suggested one that wouldn’t feel too hot since the weather was gonna be nice, and August advised him to choose a mask that was easy to take off for meals and whatnot.

Camden tapped his chin in thought.

Seeing that August was finishing up by the grill, I walked over there to assist. And to touch his ass a little. It’d been…oh, probably half an hour since we’d touched.

“I didn’t know this was a two-man job.” He smirked.

“Now you know.” I kissed his cheek before I stole the platter with all the sausage.

I’d expected him to sit with Camden, but instead, he moved his plate to my side of the table and took his seat right next to me.

The couple feel did fucked-up things to my chest. It was too soon for me to crave a new relationship, right?

It’d be much easier if August weren’t so damn…him.

It was an uncharacteristically shy Camden we brought to the festival the following day. Decked out in a Spider-Man costume, he stayed close to August and refused to let go of his hand as we crossed the big parking area.

I had a feeling the boy would relax soon. He’d see this for what it was, a fun way to secretly bring their lifestyle into the vanilla world. People around us would just see a kid who was weirdly tall for whatever age they’d guess he was.

As August had said, it was none of their damn business.