“I understand.”
“It’s good to have someone to walk with.” He smiled at Ciaran. “To talk to. Someone who has a similar passion.”
“I’m glad I could keep you company.” He smiled back. “I’ll be here a while, so we can take more walks.”
They stood and stretched before continuing their walk.
“So, you two have been together for sixteen years,” Ciaran said.
“Yup. Since we were teenagers.”
“I couldn’t imagine what it’s like being with only one person that long.”
“I haven’t only been with him,” Geoff said, but he didn’t turn around.
“Wait,” Ciaran stopped. “You were with someone before Teddy?”
“No.” Geoff turned around, a grin on his face. “Not something we advertise, but Teddy and I do play with other men once in a while.”
“Oh.” That was all he could muster. “So, you’re in an open relationship.”
“Kinda,” he said. “Sit down, and I’ll explain.”
They found another set of rocks and sat.
“Teddy and I do not play without each other. We will invite a third person, whom we trust, to play with. We’ll rent a hotel room for a night and have fun. The next day, we go our separate ways.”
“Why don’t you invite them to your house?”
“Our home is our space, and we want to keep it as a place for just us in that regard. Having friends over, or even having you stay, doesn’t disrupt that.”
“I’ve never met a couple like you,” Ciaran said. “The couples I know are open, and they both play around. I’ve only known one monogamous couple.”
“We didn’t do it for a long time,” Geoff said. “It was only within the last five years. It takes a lot of honesty, trust, and connection. I’d never want him to have sex without me, and I know he feels the same.”
“What kind of guys are you two into?”
“Guys like us,” Geoff pointed between them. “We’re bears and we love bears.”
A thought pulled at his mind.Did they think of having sex with him? Did they find him attractive?
Geoff just smiled.
“We’re not shy about our lives,” he said. “We don’t promote it, but with certain people, like you, we’re open about it. So, if you have questions, feel free to ask.”
“Thanks.”
They finished the trail and headed into the cabin. It’d been years since Ciaran had walked that much, and it showed.
“I think I’m going to read before lunch,” Ciaran said.
“Go for it,” Geoff said. “We’ll call you for lunch.”
“Great.”
Ciaran made his way down the hall, saying hi to Teddy as he came out of his room.
“How was the walk?” Teddy asked.
