There was a bonfire right next to the hyena but the warmth that he was feeling wasn't coming from it. It was something deep inside him dancing, laughing, and enjoying that fleeting moment. The moment when Matt was hugging Kyle tightly from behind as they quietly watched the spectacle unfolding around them. As the foxes around them started moving, they stood still, comfortable in their bubble. They were like a rock in a storm unmoved by what was happening around them and in Zootopia. Liam's glimmer of hope that everything is going to be all right and they would get through it. It was hard to believe that they only met a few weeks ago.

It was hard not to feel like he was intruding on such a delicate and personal moment between them. The hyena's eyes started to wander to give that unusual family some privacy. Around them, fox families were smiling and chatting as they were going to the just open stands with games, things to buy, and food. It was such a stark contrast to the vibe that he got used to in those last few days. The festival was shielded from the gloom of the city by the walls of the park and the light of the flame. And Liam was soaking in that warmth.

In the sea of movement, it was so easy to spot another fox standing still. His green shirt also made him stand out. He was looking at Kyle and Matt with an expression full of hurt and longing. It only lasted a moment because the fox noticed that he was being watched. His eyes met Liam's and the stranger's expression turned into a smirk. He said something to his fennec friend who was holding a baseball bat and pointed at some food stand, moving away from the bonfire.

"Did you get it?" Matt said and startled Liam.

"What?"

"The clip. You were filming us." Matt pointed at the phone in the hyena's paw.

Liam looked down and pressed stop. Luckily he kept filming the whole time. He made sure that it was all there and was pointed in the right direction. "It's all there."

"Great!" Matt cheered and looked at a group of kits gathered at the other side of the bonfire. "There is one more thing that I need your help with."

"Of course," Liam said and handed Kyle his crutch.

The kit's head was swirling around trying to get in all the sights. The boy's tail didn't stop moving as he was gently guided toward the group of kits. From his height, Liam could see what they were doing and it made sense why the bunny needed his help.

"Do you want to stay back while I get one for Kyle?" Liam asked.

"Yes, but could you take Kyle with you?" The bunny asked.

"Of course." The hyena extended his paw down towards the fox. "Let's go little guy."

Kyle had a curious look on his muzzle. He was staying close to the bunny but he wanted to explore more.

"You can go with Liam." Matt encouraged the kit.

Kyle slowly lifted his paw to grab Liam's. He had to reach up while Liam bent down to help the kit with keeping his balance. Kyle was getting more proficient with the crutch every day but still needed a little help. The first thing the boy noticed was the scent. He started sniffing around, probably not used to such a big concentration of the scent. They took a place in the line and when their turn arrived, Liam saw the look of wonder on the boy's muzzle when he saw the small table filled with sausages.

An older vixen smiled at them, "Chicken or bug?"

Liam looked down at Kyle and wondered how much funding orphanages get. There was a really big chance that the boy never had a chicken sausage. Bugs were much easier to keep and required less space which made them much more affordable.

"Chicken," Liam said. It would be great to taste one cooked on a bonfire.

The older lady grabbed two sticks and put sausages on them. Liam opened his mouth to stop her but before he could say anything she was handing the sticks to them. Kyle eagerly reached for one of the sticks letting the crutch fall to the ground. The hyena had never seen the boy so energetic. Liam smiled softly and crouched to pick up the crutch and grabbed the stick meant for him.

"Thank you," Liam said.

That seemed to remind the fox to do the same. "Thank you."

Kyle was using the stick for support as they made their way back to Matt. The bunny was smiling but it wasn't hard to see that he was uncomfortable. Kits with their families already started to gather around the fire to cook their sausages.

"Let's find a good spot," Matt said with an overacted enthusiasm.

"Are you holding alright?" The hyena asked.

"I'm fine," Matt said as he quickly turned away and Liam wasn't buying it.

Luckily the night wasn't windy so any spot around the fire was fine. Liam gently lowered his paw to let Kyle sit down. The boy plopped on the grass and his tail didn't stop wagging. It was such an endearing sight. The boy almost instantly put his sausage into the fire.

"Hold on. You'll burn it that way." Liam sat down next to the boy and he grabbed Kyle's stick, lifting it until the sausage was out of the fire. "You need to keep it close enough to let it cook but far enough so the fire won't burn it. Like this."

The hyena put his stick at the same distance. "You should turn it every few minutes so it'll cook evenly."

Matt sat on the other side of Kyle with his shoulder against the boy's back for support, so the boy could lean back comfortably without resting his front paws on the ground. The bunny had an uneasy expression but he was determined to stay close. But then Liam noticed something that he was way too familiar with. The bunny was breathing through his mouth. His reason for it was different from Liam but in the end, it was because of discomfort.

The hyena fished a pack of mints out of his pocket and handed it to the bunny. "They should help."

Matt stared at them and looked embarrassed. He sighed and took one, "Thanks."

"Don't worry about it too much, you are doing great so far." It had to be overwhelming for Matt. He was surrounded by so many predators in a park that was only lit by fire. The scent of meat was coming from so many food stands. He needed to take Matt's mind off it. "So what will we do next?"

"I'm not sure." Matt smiled. The mint wasn't messing up with his talking too much. "It's for Kyle to decide."

Kyle's eyes went wide and lowered his stick to the fire. Liam grabbed it and pulled it up again. He also turned it so the other side of the sausage would heat up.

"Really?" he asked excitedly.

Matt's eyes shone. "Yes! There are a few stands with games. Some of them have candies and food. We also need to pick up something wooden to buy. We need it for next year."

Next year. Liam didn't point it out to Matt. He just listened to the bunny explaining different games that they could see from where they were sitting. Kyle was nodding eagerly with a big smile leaning a little more into Matt. Liam wasn't sure if any one of them noticed when Matt wrapped his arm around the boy, hugging him closely. They made it so easy to believe that there would be a next year and many more years after that. The hyena took a few photos without them noticing. He could capture a few more precious moments that they would get to remember in so many years. Kyle was such a sweet kit and deserved what was best for him and Matt was just that. The bunny didn't see that but it was just a matter of time.

Liam breathed in deeply. Being so close to those two was so comfortable and nice. It was like recharging his batteries that the city drained. He saw a lady walking around handing out bread. The hyena took two slices and a sudden thought intruded the hyena's mind.

"Would you like to try it?" Liam asked out loud.

"What?" Matt looked confused but it had nothing on how confused Liam was feeling.

"The sausage. It's ready." He pointed to the stick. "Would you like to try it?"

Matt looked queasy. "I don't think so."

Liam slid the sausage off Kyle's stick and gave the sandwich to the kit. "Come on. It's a holiday. You'll regret not trying it." Liam prepared another sandwich for himself.

Kyle didn't wait for them to make the decision. He carefully took a bite and his tail doubled his speed. "It's so good."

"See, he loves it." Liam was handing his sandwich to the bunny. "You want to celebrate with Kyle."

Matt looked unsure but the last comment seemed to pierce through his defenses.

"Ok." Matt said and before he had a chance to change his mind he took a bite. Almost right away he wanted to spit it out and put a hand over his mouth to prevent it. He managed to hold it down and swallow.

Liam's heart was racing. It shouldn't be happening. Matt was a rabbit but he was so unreasonably happy that his friend tried it. "How was it?"

Matt took a sip of water. "Not as bad as I expected. The texture was the worst part."

"You'll get over it." Liam smiled unaware that he started wagging his tail.