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The booth had become kind of a pet project for both K and his boyfriend. Fuma had been all for doling out some greatly needed affection to their community, and K could remember how influential his own first kiss with a man had been to who he was today. It had been a similar situation, a kind set of drag queens and gogo dancers offering to ‘pop cherries’ as it were. Even that second long press of lips was enough to affirm something he’d been speculating for years and settle a part of himself that he didn’t even know needed it.
That being said, that first year did come with it’s own issues.
The idea had been great in theory, but both him and Fuma had worked themselves into a frenzy of worry. When it all finally burst and they actually talked, it turned out that neither of them was jealous or resentful. Quite the opposite really.
They’d both spent weeks worrying themselves sick that the other was jealous or upset and hiding it.
After a lengthy discussion and a couple relieved tears they’d quickly come to realize that the were both secure enough in the emotional connection they shared that they knew these small physical actions were no threat. As the years progressed, that translated into the realization that both of them were more than comfortable with polyamory. They’d had partners come and go over the years, but they remained together and happy with or without an addition.
Of course, they’d found one to keep.
As Jo pushed his way through the curtain, K was reminded again how lucky he was to have a boyfriend that meshed so well with his own interests in Fuma . Jo was younger than them both, and had an air of innocence that was both endearing and concerning. At first that had held K back from acting on the minor crush he’d developed. He’d hesitated to even put him on Fuma’s radar. They were both admittedly a bit intense in the bedroom, and the idea of treating Jo the way they sometimes treated each other made K feel like he was kicking puppies. But then at last year’s booth he’d learned something that solved that for them quite neatly.
Jo was ace.
He’d come up to the booth for a hug, but Fuma was on a food break. When offered the option of Yuma instead, Jo had shook his head vehemently. Yuma, being Yuma, had gotten offended and wanted to know what he’s done to gain such a negative reaction. Jo, ears red and eyes panicked, had stumbled through an explanation that Yuma wasn’t the problem. His hug concept was.
Yuma had joined up to help a couple years back, and he’d appointed himself as the ‘boyfriend option’ early on. His hugs were advertised as lovely and exciting to contrast Fuma’s comfort. In the midst of the commotion caused by both a stalled line and an upset Yuma, Fuma had returned and K had wandered over in curiosity.
Fuma had taken one look at the tall boy who was close to tears and pulled him into his arms.
“It’s okay,” he had said, petting Jo’s hair. “You don’t have to apologize. You’re perfect as you are.” The way Jo had melted into Fuma’s hold, burrowing his head into Fuma’s neck and folding so small was the tipping point. K gave Jo a peck on the forehead that day, eventually adding it to the options, but he hadn’t acted on his decisions until later.
No, he gave Jo a couple weeks to recover from what was surely an embarrassing experience. He used the time to discuss with Fuma about what he was going to do, but Fuma was on board immediately. Soon enough K approached Jo and explained what they were offering.
He thanked his lucky stars daily that Jo had accepted.
K was brought from his musings by Jo’s long finger tapping him on he nose.
“You’re staring.” He was in his usual study attire of sweats with his glasses and headphones. K was willing to bet he’d come straight from the library.
“Hard not to, baby. You know how cute I think you are in your specs.” K loved watching Jo fluster, his blush always started at his ears. Fuma had scolded him several times for flustering him on purpose but well. He was only so strong.
“Shut up,” Jo mumbled. “Maki doesn’t do this to me.” K laughed but reached to brush a hand across Jo’s cheek.
“I guess you already went and saw him?” Jo nodded as he tipped his cheek into K’s hold. Maki’s hug concept had been another change inspired by his quietest love. Jo and Maki had become fast friends, and when Maki had agreed to help with the booth K had made sure that Jo would feel comfortable going to who had quickly become his best friend.
“What about Fuma?” He fought a smile as Jo pouted.
“He has a line.” Jo rarely sulked genuinely, but he had a lethal set of puppy eyes. K could feel himself giving heart eyes.
“I’m sorry baby,” he soothed, pulling him into a hug of his own. Jo went easily, sinking into his hold as always. “When we get home later you can have all the hugs you want.” He felt Jo stiffen in his hold for a moment. He pulled back to try and look at Jo’s face, but he just buried it further in K’s nick.
“What is it,” he asked. Jo shook his head. “Come on, please?” K knew he had a good set of sad eyes of his own, and he wasn’t above playing dirty. When Jo peeked a single eye up at him he got the full effect. Jo groaned quietly before retracting his head.
“Fine. But I didn’t tell you.”
“Cross my heart, now what is it Jo-bear?” Jo huffed.
“Fuma found a new potential.” K heard the unsaid part just as loud as the words. Fuma had found a potential lover. K rushed to assure Jo.
“You know that doesn’t mean you are being replaced, right?” Jo didn’t make eye contact when he nodded, and K abruptly decided that wasn’t good enough. “Hey, baby look at me please.” When Jo finally did look at him, K could see the fear in his eyes. His heart squeezed.
“I mean it, Jo. We love you. I love you. You’re not going anywhere if we add someone else, not unless you want to.” He made sure to let Jo see the sincerity in his eyes as he spoke, trusting Jo’s judgment to ring true. “And besides, if adding someone is this distressing maybe we should wait before-”
“No.”
K was cut off by the quiet word, and his eyebrows shot up.
“No?” Jo seemed to struggle with his words for a moment before he settled on what he wanted to say.
“I saw him. He needs you two, in a way I didn’t,” Jo ducked his head. “In a way I never will.” K wanted to reassure him but he kept talking before he could. “But he’s kind of like I was too. He needs you guys to show him he can be enough. Like you did for me.”
K swallowed, suddenly choked up. He knew that their relationship had had a positive effect on Jo’s confidence but to hear him say that they made him feel like he was enough struck so many chords in his heart it might as well be a symphony. He cleared his throat.
“Maybe so, baby, but I’m more worried about you.” The tiny smile Jo shot him sent butterflies through his stomach, like it always did.
“I love you guys too. I’ll be fine, I know you aren’t replacing me. It’s just,” He grimaced. “I might see if I can sleep over at Maki’s.”
Suddenly several dots connected and K burst out laughing. He was laughing so hard he had to hold onto Jo for balance so he wouldn’t fall. Jo’s pout was back as he whined as K to stop laughing, but a smile was hovering around the edges.
“I’m sorry baby,” he finally choked out. “You’re precious, do you know that?”
“I wanted Fuma hugs and now you’re going to be spending all night being nasty,” Jo whined, fully leaning into the real reason he was sulking. K gave one last chuckle, shaking his head and grabbing Jo’s arm to haul him out of the booth.
“Okay, lets go get you your hug, you dramatic thing. You know you’re perfectly capable of skipping the line?”
“But that’s mean!”
K stopped and shot Jo a dubious look. Jo’s face scrunched before he dropped his shoulder in defeat.
“… I tried but Maki yelled at me.” His pout got even more pronounced. K was sure his laugh could be heard clear across the fair.