By Zephyria 
Seeing his mouth messy again from whatever he had been eating so deliciously, Cassian took out the handkerchief he had tucked in his pocket earlier and skillfully wiped it clean. Bliss waited patiently with his mouth closed, but he felt strange when he saw Cassian shove the cloth back into his pocket.
“Why are you putting it back? You can just throw it away.”
“You shouldn’t litter,” Cassian pointed out sharply before continuing.
“And since this is borrowed, I have to wash it and return it. I might need to use it again.”
He glanced at Bliss’s mouth and suddenly let out a small laugh. Seeing Bliss look back at him with a puzzled expression, Cassian spoke in a much softer tone.
“You really did wait patiently, didn’t you? Good boy.”
At the gentle touch of his hand stroking his hair, Bliss’s mood completely lifted. Seeing Bliss beaming and smiling with sparkling eyes, a thought suddenly crossed Cassian’s mind.
He is quite cute.
“What is it?”
Bliss asked, tilting his head. Only then did Cassian realize that a smile was lingering on his own lips.
“Nothing, really. …Do you want some hot chocolate?”
“Yes! Make sure to put marshmallows in it.”
Instead of answering Bliss’s request, Cassian smiled, gave his nose a playful little pinch, and set him down on the seat. With a contented face, Bliss watched as Cassian rummaged through the house to make the hot chocolate.
I’m so glad I followed him.
As he swayed his body with pride, one of the guys plopped down next to Bliss and gulped down some beer.
“You want some?”
Bliss bared his teeth and made a face of disgust at the man offering his open can, but there was no need for him to retaliate. Another person sat on Bliss’s other side and scolded the man.
“You crazy bastard, what are you doing to a kid? Ignore him, Bliss. That guy is completely wasted.”
The man who had been laughing asked after seeing Bliss’s empty hands.
“What do you want to drink? Should I see if there’s any juice?”
“Um, no. Cassian said he’d bring me hot chocolate.”
As Bliss shook his head and pointed in one direction, the man turned and nodded in realization.
“Then, is there anything else you need? Just tell me, I’ll find it for you.”
“It’s okay. Cassian will do everything for me.”
Bliss spoke firmly and looked at Cassian’s back. He smiled happily as he watched Cassian cut open a bag of marshmallows and drop a few into a cup. Soon, Cassian turned around and approached them.
“What are you guys doing? Move.”
Kicking one of the guys sitting next to Bliss out of the way, Cassian took the spot and handed the cocoa to Bliss.
“Here, drink up.”
“Thank you!”
Beaming, Bliss took the cup with both hands, blew on the cocoa to cool it down, and took a sip. Watching him, Cassian waited until Bliss pulled the cup away from his lips to speak.
“How is it? Is it okay?”
“Yes, it’s delicious. Thank you, Cassian.”
As Bliss smiled brightly, Cassian smiled back and took out the handkerchief from his pocket again to wipe Bliss’s mouth. He repeated this action every time Bliss took a sip and set the cup down. Watching this, one of the guys let out a loud groan of protest.
“It’s because of you that Bliss won’t even look at us.”
“Exactly. We want to be friends with Bliss too.”
“Bliss, play with us too. Please!”
As absurd requests flew in from all directions, Cassian let out an annoyed sigh. Bliss glanced at him and shook his head with a determined look.
“No way. My only friend is Cassian.”
He hugged Cassian’s arm tightly to make a point, but another guy suddenly spoke up.
“If you’re Cassian’s friend, then we’re friends too.”
Bliss blinked in surprise at the unexpected logic, and others began to nod and chime in.
“That’s right. If you’ve become friends with Cassian, it’s the same as being friends with us.”
“We’re all friends, right?”
“Be friends with Cassian, and be friends with us too.”
Is that how it works?
Bliss blinked, bewildered. What should he do? When he looked up at Cassian with a confused face, Cassian only shook his head as if it were all ridiculous.
“You can say no if you don’t want to.”
Cassian said it was fine, but Bliss fell into thought. He didn’t hate it. In fact, he felt quite good. Above all, this was the first time he had so many friends.
“Really…? You’re all my friends?”
At the cautious question, heads nodded everywhere.
“Of course, we’re all your friends.”
“We’re all friends with each other.”
Seeing them gesture widely to include everyone, Bliss let out a loud huff of air through his nose. Then, crossing his arms, he made a bold declaration.
“Alright, I’ll let you be my friends too.”
“Ohhh!”
“But Cassian comes first. You only get married to one person, after all.”
Bliss drew a firm line amidst the cheers. The group burst into laughter and nodded.
“Got it. We’re fine with being second.”
“Bliss is so loyal. I’m jealous of Cassian.”
“You’re really cute. How about me instead of Cassian? Marry me!”
Looking at the man who suddenly shouted and pointed to himself, Bliss frowned and looked disgusted.
“I like pretty things… and you’re not very pretty.”
Pushing aside the flustered man, someone else stepped forward.
“Then how about me? How about me?”
Looking at Eina, the only woman in the group, Bliss hummed and thought for a moment.
“You are pretty… but sorry, I still like Cassian better.”
“Oh my, how cruel.”
Eina giggled and looked around.
“Since I’ve been dumped, I’m going to go cry over there.”
As Eina walked away, the other guys crowded around Bliss to win his favor. Since it was the first time so many people had gathered to be his friend, Bliss felt as happy as if he had come to heaven. While laughing continuously, Bliss didn’t forget Cassian and whispered to him.
“Don’t worry, Cassian. You’re unconditionally the best to me.”
Seeing the child give him a thumbs-up with a silly grin, Cassian chuckled and said, “Thanks.”
Some time passed. Having placed marshmallows on skewers over the fire, Bliss stretched his back with a sigh. Just thinking about the crispy roasted marshmallows made his mouth water.
But there was something to do first. The guys, already tipsy, didn’t notice Bliss quickly turning around and slipping away from the group.
Pee, pee.
Having hurried to a spot where no one was looking to relieve himself, he soon found a suitable place and lowered his zipper. Just as he had finished and zipped back up, he suddenly heard voices.
What is that?
Puzzled, Bliss tilted his head and crept toward the sound, muffling his footsteps. The moment he peeked from behind a tree to identify them, Bliss was startled.
Cassian? And that woman from before?
His bewilderment at the unexpected pairing was only the beginning. Eina was stroking Cassian’s arm as she spoke.
“No one will find us here, not even that annoying little brat Miller or whatever.”
What?
Bliss froze at the woman’s words. As he cautiously peeked his head out from behind the tree, he saw her wrap her arms around Cassian’s neck. Cassian, naturally holding the woman’s waist, spoke.
“Bliss, Eina.”
“Who cares.”
She continued to complain.
“Because of him, we haven’t even had time like this. Do you know how long I’ve waited for you?”
At her light reprimand, Cassian gave a short answer.
“I was busy.”
“Of course you were. It’s summer break, and babysitting? That’s ridiculous. The Duke is too much.”
Hearing the tone full of dissatisfaction, Bliss finally realized. The fact that she disliked him.
What on earth is the relationship between those two?
He hadn’t even known they had slipped away like this. While Bliss had been floating on cloud nine thinking he had made new friends, such an absurd conspiracy was unfolding behind his back.