Page 121 of Love Unlimited

With the peel still on?

Yup. The peel gets burned, then you scoop out the inside with a spoon.

That sounds good for tomorrow. Right now I’m still too full. Lena leaned lazily against him.

Ash burst in, their marshmallow bobbing wildly. I want one! Can I put marshmallows in it?

Tomorrow, Zhong told them fondly. Dustin’s already making you a s’more.

OK. But I want chocolate in it, too.

We can do that, Dustin agreed. Is your marshmallow ready?

Yep! They held out the stick and Dustin slid it off onto the waiting cracker. Zhong wondered if Dustin felt that same thrill of satisfaction that he did when Ash turned to him for little things like that.

Dustin handed the sticky sandwich over with a flourish and then pulled a napkin out of the shopping bag and put it on Ash’s knee. Just watching them made Zhong grin.

Dustin put another marshmallow on the stick for himself, pulling it out a moment later with a fire glowing all around it. Blow, he told Ash.

They blew on it together, until the fire was out and the confection burned beyond recognition. It was adorable. Dustin popped his marshmallow in his mouth then helped Ash clean up their hands. Now Zhong didn’t even have to guess that he was feeling something too.

Dustin suddenly looked around. Where’s the other tent?

There isn’t another one, Ash replied smugly, their fingers glinting with the white goo.

Zhong shrugged. Don’t look at me. Mine was leaking last time and I asked Lena to order a new one. I think Ash is the mastermind behind buying this monstrosity for all four of us. It was pretty easy to put up though.

Dustin looked it over again, a smile breaking out on his face. You two are devious.

Ash beamed and Lena gave a broad wink.

Actually, I want to talk about that, Dustin said. I mean, not the tent specifically. But the four of us.

Zhong held his breath. Lena was still cozy under his arm, but her body was completely still.

Dustin met each of their eyes, then drew in a deep breath, chest rising in the flickering light of the fire. I was thinking at the wedding today that… I want us to be official. All four of us. Not just three pairs. He drew the pairs separately, contrasting them to the circle of his four fingers. Or even this halfway thing with more pairs. I just want… all of us. Together. In one relationship. I don’t know if I’m saying it too soon, or even what it would look like. But I wanted you all to know it.

At first, no one answered. Zhong’s heart pounded yes, yes, yes, but he didn’t want to announce it yet. If Ash or Lena still weren’t ready, they needed to be able to say that without any pressure.

It still surprised him when Lena responded first. It was just a simple gesture down in her lap, an extended thumb and pinky finger rocking between herself and Dustin. He wasn’t even sure if anyone else was meant to see it, or if she was just thinking it. Me too.

He squeezed her against his side and she melted against him, draped half over his lap. That was enough of an answer for him.

He looked at Ash, trying to convey both a question and his support with his expression.

Dustin turned to them, too. What do you think? You were the one who asked us to slow things down before. What are you thinking now?

Ash turned back to Zhong. Daddy, I want you to know, before I say anything else, that I’ve never been happier in a relationship and I fall more in love with you every day.

Zhong felt his eyes burning. I love you, too.

Ash turned to Dustin. I think I started to love you because it was impossible not to when I saw how much you loved the people who were most important to me. But now you’re special to me because even when you try to fade into the background or think you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re like the net supporting all of us. You’re the one with the big enough heart to make your house into a home for all of us. I love you, Daddy Dustin.

Dustin looked like he was choking up a little bit, too. God, I…. wow. Is it too soon for me to say it? He glanced to Zhong and Lena, making sure they were alright, then searched Ash’s face. I think I love you, too.

Ash threw their arms around him, but then signed over his shoulder. Daddy? Can I kiss him?

Yes, Zhong’s fisted hand nodded frantically. Yes.