And that’s starting to become a huge problem. Honestly, JJ doesn’t even know what to call them anymore. They’re obviously co-parents, and they’re no longer enemies, and they’re more than allies or acquaintances, but?—
But “friends” doesn’t seem to fit, either. He’s seen the way Cass acts around Esmeralda Laguerre and Obadiah Smith, and JJ knows how he himself acts around Roma, Bryant, and Chester. He can’t match any of those interactions to him and Cass—or, at the very least, he’s never had a thrill race through him when Roma grabs his arm, never felt his heart stutter when Bryant smirks at him?—
Never wanted Chester to settle a hand on JJ’s hip to tug him in closer.
JJ isn’t surprised that most of the food truck crowd thinks he and Cass are dating. He would, too. And speaking of the food truck crowd…
Frowning, JJ points ahead of them. “Hey, isn’t that Lucia? From Tacos Near Me?”
Cass’s eyebrows shoot up. “Looks like it,” he says, and he tugs JJ and Desi over to her table. “Lucia, I didn’t expect to see you here! Enjoying the bartering life?”
She gives him a dour look. “No. There’s a reason I let Esteban do all the talking for us at the truck, and it’s because me and people don’t really mix. But I desperately needed to purge some old junk from my apartment, so here we are.”
“Valid,” JJ agrees. Desi makes grabby hands towards the dangly bracelets on Lucia’s table; JJ obligingly sets her on her feet and passes her one to examine.
“That’s a pretty one, Desi,” Cass says, and he squints back at Lucia. “Speaking of the truck, though, who’s on cooking duty today? Don’t tell me you left your poor brother all alone.”
“He can handle it for the weekend. And I think Falafel Nick offered to help if they have a rush.”
“Oh, I’m sure Esteban is thrilled about that.”
“Ooh, ooh!” Desi says, promptly forgetting about the bracelets and pointing excitedly at another vendor. “JJ! JJ, look at thekites!”
Fighting back a smile, JJ grabs her hand and raises his eyebrows at Cass. “Meet you back here?”
Cass’s eyes flicker towards the other table. “Just stay close,” he says quietly, and he turns back to Lucia as Desi drags JJ away. “So tell me about this old junk from your apartment. I’ve been meaning to pick up a gift for Ez, so…”
JJ keeps track of the distance as Desi pulls him two vendors away, watching Cass’s reaction. The demon doesn’t so much as twitch with discomfort, so it looks like they’re still in range for the glamours.
Perfect. With a flourish, JJ grabs a fish-shaped kite off the table and holds it up for Desi’s inspection. “So you like kites?”
She looks delighted. “I’ve never had a kite before!”
“Well, I think we should fix that.” JJ peers at the woman running the stall, but she’s currently embroiled in an intense haggling session with another customer, so he turns back to Desi to wait. “Maybe we can fly this at Lakeside after we finish exploring here, and…”
A flash of metal catches JJ’s eye. Frowning, he picks it off the table and holds it up to the light.
It’s a gold pocket watch. JJ doesn’t watch any of Cass’s antiquing shows, but judging by the old-fashioned design and the thin layer of tarnish, he figures it’s at least a century old. The short gold chain has a clip on the end that looks like it’s designed to fit onto a belt or waistband, and?—
And it kind of reminds him of Cass, actually. Old enough to have seen generations come and go, but bold enough to still make a statement in the modern world. Impulsively, JJ kneels down, showing it to Desi. “Hey, do you think Cass would like this?”
Desi’s eyes light up. “Yes!” she says, clapping her hands. “Present for Cass!”
“It’s settled, then.” The vendor walks over with her hard-earned cash from the other customer, and JJ holds up both the kite and the pocket watch. “How much?”
JJ’s haggling skills are atrocious, but he only leaves the booth sixty dollars poorer, so he counts it as a cautious success. They meet Cass halfway back to Lucia’s table, and Cass’s face splits into a smile when he sees Desi’s kite. JJ’s heart melts a little at the sight.
“Are we going to fly that later?” Cass asks, crouching down to let Desi show him.
Desi beams. “Yeah! But I’ve never flown a kite before. Have you?”
“I have. It’s a lot of fun. JJ and I can teach you,” Cass says, and right then, he seems to notice the glint of gold in JJ’s hand. “Picked up something for yourself, Jackson?”
“I—” Suddenly, it occurs to JJ that this was averybad idea. Why the hell would he buy something forCass?They don’t give each other gifts! JJ only even buys him lunch to be polite! “I, um?—”
Unfortunately, Desi is oblivious to his flailing. “It’s for you!” she says cheerfully, grabbing JJ’s clenched fist and shoving it in Cass’s direction. “JJ bought it for you!”
Cass’s expression shifts. “Really?” he asks slowly, pushing himself to his feet. “What, um. What is it?”
