#lichqueenofthefae

“Getting them to fight over you can be fun,” Thaisha said. “It can be a lot of fun,” Hal said. His smile said he was remembering something nice. “If you can get everyone on the same page first.” “Which means you’ve gotta talk it out with both of them,” Hal said. “Yes,” Occtis said dryly to cover how terrifying the idea was. “Talking. That famously simple and straightforward thing that has never gone catastrophically wrong.” “Hey, that’s why we’re gonna practice first,” Hal said kindly. “I’m gonna be Thimble, Thaisha is gonna be Julien—“ “Why do I have to be Julien?” Thaisha asked. “You have better hair,” Hal said. “True. Continue.” “And we’re gonna work out a couple rough drafts for how to talk it out, before they kill each other fighting over you,” he finished. “Just like that,” Occtis said. “Just like that.” Occtis sat, ruminating on a starting place. The most monumental experiments were only ever a series of steps, which meant there was a first step. He’d already taken the first step, talking to the only people he’d ever known who had been in a more than two person relationship that didn’t end with someone dead. Second step. That was the problem. “We can start with the worst version first,” Hal said when he’d been quiet for long enough for both of them to refill their drinks. “I’d rather no one die in the process,” Occtis muttered. “Can’t possibly be that bad.” "Guarantee I've heard worse," Thaisha added. Occtis steepled his fingers in front of his nose. Worst version. The worst version was the most honest and unfiltered, given his understanding of poetry, love, and seduction. Julien and Thimble. Imagine Julien and Thimble. “I find the two of you anatomically fascinating and would like to propose a collective study.” Silence at the table. “In a sexual way,” he added. Thaisha did a bad attempt at Julien’s accent. “What, you want to cut me open and look at my balls from the inside?” “If you’re into that,” he said.