Chapter 24: Making Up
Maggie woke up early, and instead of running the gauntlet in Leo's dorm, she gave Leo a long loving kiss, walked back to her own dorm, took a quick shower, and slid into bed with Abby for a nap. When she opened her eyes again, the room was bright with sunlight and Abby was massaging her stomach, her lips on Maggie's shoulder.
Maggie breathed slowly beneath Abby, then lightly massaged her back. Abby, realizing Maggie was awake, lifted up a little to look down at her, her raven hair forming a curtain around Maggie's face. Maggie smiled and pursed her lips, and Abby took the opportunity to give Maggie a soft morning kiss.
Maggie murmured, "Morning, gorgeous."
Abby caressed Maggie's face wordlessly, watching Maggie's eyes. Her fingertips traced the curve of Maggie's cheekbone, then slid down to her jawline, her thumb brushing over Maggie's lower lip. "You're so beautiful like this," Abby murmured, her voice rough with sleep and something deeper. "All flushed and soft. Like you've been thoroughly loved."
Maggie's lips parted slightly at the touch, her breath warm against Abby's thumb. "I have," she admitted, her voice still thick with sleep. "But I always want more of you." She reached up, tangling her fingers in Abby's hair, pulling her down for another kiss—this one deeper, slower, her tongue tracing the seam of Abby's lips before slipping inside. Abby moaned softly, her body melting against Maggie's as she returned the kiss with equal hunger.
Abby's fingers slid down Maggie's neck, tracing the delicate line of her collarbone before dipping lower, over the swell of her breasts. Maggie arched into the touch, her nipples hardening under Abby's palms. "You're insatiable," Abby murmured against her lips, her voice thick with amusement and desire. They made out a while longer, content just to taste and touch each other.
Eventually, Maggie sighed. "I ran into Claire last night, told her we missed her. She's planning on coming by this evening." Maggie looked into Abby's eyes. "I hope I didn't misspeak when I told her you missed her too." Abby shook her head softly above Maggie's face. "I do. I love her. She's my second best friend after you." Maggie nodded. "I feel the same way."
Maggie cupped Abby's face. "Since you mentored me so well, making me in your image of slutty, sex-obsessed tramp, you want to give me some advice?" She grinned and kissed the corner of Abby's mouth to ease the effect of her teasing Abby. "I could really use another woman's opinion." Maggie's fingers traced the curve of Abby's hip, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper.
Abby rolled onto her side, propping her head on her hand, her dark eyes glinting with curiosity. "Always, baby girl. What's on your mind?" Maggie reminded Abby of watching Leo fuck Kimberly via videocall, then told Abby that every time she goes to visit Leo, Kimberly is there. "I like her, Abs. I do. Playing with her is fun, but I want some alone time with Leo on occasion." Abby studied Maggie, her finger circling Maggie's lips as she thought about a response.
"You know, baby," Abby said softly, "I think you're looking at this the wrong way. You're not *competing* with Kimberly for Leo's attention. You're *sharing* him. And that's a beautiful thing." Maggie frowned slightly, her fingers still tracing patterns on Abby's hip. "But I want to be the one he's with sometimes. Just me. Just like sometimes you don't want Claire in bed with us...". Abby's expression softened. She leaned down and kissed Maggie's forehead gently. "I get that, sweet cheeks. But Leo’s not just *his* to have, either. He’s as much yours as he is anyone’s." Abby’s fingers toyed Maggie's neck hairs. "Wanting alone time doesn’t mean you’re excluding Kimberly—it means you’re claiming your own space within this little polyamorous paradise you’re building."
Maggie exhaled slowly, her breath stirring the fine hairs near Abby’s collarbone. "You're right. I know you are." She wrapped her arms more tightly around Abby’s waist, pulling her flush against her chest. "I don't want to hurt her. Do you think it's okay to say, 'Hey, can it just be me and Leo now?' How would you feel if I said something like that to you?" Maggie asked, her voice soft but probing. "If I asked for a night where it's just me and him? Would you think I was being selfish?" Maggie's fingers traced the curve of Abby's hip, her voice barely above a whisper. The morning sunlight filtered through the half-drawn blinds, casting golden stripes across their tangled sheets.
Abby's lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. She shifted closer, her bare thigh sliding between Maggie's legs. "Baby, there's nothing selfish about wanting someone all to yourself sometimes." Her fingers combed through Maggie's messy bedhead, untangling the knots with gentle precision. "We're all human. We all have needs. And sometimes, those needs are selfish. That's okay," Abby whispered, her breath warm against Maggie's ear. "I'd never fault you for wanting Leo to yourself. In fact, I think it's hot as hell."
Maggie's cheeks flushed, her fingers stilling on Abby's hip. "You do?"
Abby chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent shivers down Maggie's spine. "Of course I do. It means you're claiming what's yours. Setting boundaries isn't about exclusion—it's about intention. That's something I admire about you, Maggie. You know what you want, and you're not afraid to ask for it."
Maggie bit her lower lip, considering Abby's words carefully. "I just don't want to make things awkward," she admitted softly, her gaze dropping to where her fingers still traced patterns on Abby's hip.
Abby tilted Maggie's chin up with her finger, forcing eye contact. "Communication is the only way to avoid awkwardness. If Kimberly is someone you genuinely care about—which you've made very clear you do—then she'll understand. And if she doesn't?" Abby shrugged one shoulder lightly.
"Then you'll know she isn't the right person to be sharing Leo with." She gave Maggie's hip a playful tap. "But I truly doubt that's the case. You're not just some girl he's messing around with—you're his girlfriend, his equal in this thing. That means your needs matter just as much as his do."
Maggie exhaled slowly, some of the tension releasing from her shoulders. The morning light painted Abby's skin warm gold as she studied Maggie with affectionate focus. "I just want everyone to be happy," Maggie murmured, her thumb brushing over Abby's collarbone. "Kimberly’s been nothing but sweet to me. I don’t want her to think I’m pushing her away."
Abby rolled her eyes with a playful smirk. "Maggie, you’re not being greedy—you’re being *honest*. That’s the sexiest thing about you, you know? You actually *care* how other people feel. Most people would just take what they wanted and not give a damn." She traced slow circles on Maggie’s hip, her voice softening. "But you *do* give a damn. And that’s why Kimberly will understand. She’s not some fragile little flower."
Maggie's eyes went wide and she laughed out loud as she focused on Abby's eyes. "No, she definitely is *not*. I think Leo's shared her with the entire starting lineup of the men's soccer team." Abby mock-flipped her hair with an exaggerated sigh. "I mean, that man has *stamina*, but even he needs a night off from the never-ending revolving door of coeds."
Maggie laughed, the sound bright and unguarded, pressing her face into Abby's shoulder. The morning had turned from tender to playful so effortlessly it made her chest ache. "You're terrible," she murmured against Abby's skin, her breath hot.
Abby cradled Maggie's head, her fingers stroking through the tangled waves. "I'm honest." She dropped a kiss on Maggie's forehead.
"You know what you need to do?" Abby asked, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You need to tell Leo exactly what you want. No vague hints, no waiting for him to read your mind. You say, 'Leo, I love sharing you with Kimberly, but I want a night where it's just us. I want to feel like I'm the only one in your world for a little while.'"
Maggie bit her lip, considering. "You make it sound so easy."
"Because it *is* easy," Abby said, rolling onto her back and stretching like a contented cat. "The hard part is *thinking* about it too much." Maggie sighed and rolled atop Abby, the hair curtain going from black to blonde. Maggie pressed a long kiss to Abby's mouth.
"See, Abs, that kind of advice is part of why I adore and cherish you." Abby grinned up at Maggie.
"You're welcome, you little slut." Maggie's eyes sparkled as she rolled her hips against Abby's, the friction sending a delicious warmth through her body.
"You know, I think I might actually do it," Maggie mused, her voice laced with newfound confidence. "I'll tell Leo exactly what I want. Make a date night for him and me, Saturday night."
Abby's fingers traced lazy patterns on Maggie's back. "There's my girl," she murmured, her voice thick with pride. Maggie tucked her head on Abby's shoulder as she slid off Abby her kept contact with her. Her fingers moved slowly over Abby's skin, causing Abby to purr. After a soft kiss on Abby's shoulder, Maggie asked, "How would you feel about you, me, and Claire getting an off-campus apartment together after next semester?" Abby's fingers stilled on Maggie's back for a moment before resuming their slow circles. "You're serious?" Abby asked, her voice suddenly soft. Maggie nodded against her shoulder. "I am. I love living with you, Abs. And I know Claire loves you too. We could get a place with three bedrooms, or maybe even a loft with an open floor plan. We could have our own spaces but still be together." Abby was quiet for a long moment, her fingers tracing patterns on Maggie's bare skin. "I'd love that," she finally admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "I love you both so much. It would be perfect." Abby's voice cracked slightly, her usual bravado softened by the vulnerability of the moment. Maggie felt Abby's arms tighten around her, the warmth of her body pressing closer.
Maggie lifted her head to look into Abby's eyes, her own heart swelling with affection. "We'd be unstoppable together," she murmured, brushing a strand of dark hair from Abby's face. "Imagine the parties we'd throw, the nights we'd spend curled up together watching terrible movies, the way we'd support each other through everything."
Abby's lips curved into a soft smile, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Maggie softly kissed at the corner of Abby's eyes. "Three people fighting for a bathroom instead of 35. Having guests over whenever we want, however long we want." Maggie lifted her head to look down on Abby. "Imagine the housewarming party."
Maggie laughs and rolls away from Abby, sitting up so her hair curtains her face. "We'll need it, right? After living in some of the worst dorms this institution has to offer."
Abby sits up smoothly, wrapping her arms around Maggie's waist from behind, her chin resting on Maggie's shoulder. "You're really thinking this through," Abby murmurs, her breath warm against Maggie's skin. "I love that about you."
Maggie leans back against Abby, savoring the solid warmth of her body behind her. "I've been thinking about it for a while actually," Maggie admits softly. "Since Claire disappeared, it's been harder to find time just for us. Imagine the guidelines we'd have to create..." Maggie's voice trails off as she turns her head to kiss Abby's cheek, feeling the softness of her skin. "No roommate drama, no more shared bathrooms, just us and our own space. Our own rules."
Abby's arms tighten around Maggie's waist, her fingers tracing idle patterns on Maggie's stomach. "We'd need a good sound system for those parties," she says, her voice thoughtful. "And a couch that's actually comfortable for more than two people."
Maggie laughs, the sound bright and genuine. "And a bed big enough for all of us," she adds, turning in Abby's arms to face her. She looks at Abby and the laughter drains a little. "You know, Abs, if I lose Leo to Kimberly, I'm coming after you." Maggie's voice was light, teasing, but there was a flicker of something serious in her eyes as she turned to face Abby fully, her knees pressing into the mattress.
Abby's fingers stilled on Maggie's waist, her dark eyes searching Maggie's face. "You're not going to lose him," she said softly, her voice carrying the weight of certainty. "Leo's not the kind of guy who gets lost. He's the kind who finds his way back to what matters."
Maggie exhaled slowly, her fingers tracing the curve of Abby's collarbone. "I know. It's just... this is all so new to me. I've never had to share someone before." She kisses Abby softly. "And that is *so* not the point. I love you, Abby. I could imagine being *your* girlfriend if there wasn't a Leo." Maggie kissed Abby again. "I'm trying to compliment you, Abs."
Abby 's eyebrows rose, her lips curving into amusement. "And I'm trying to assure you, lover." She paused, considering her next words carefully. "You don't have to worry about losing Leo to Kimberly. Kimberly's not like that."
Maggie's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied Abby's face, searching for any hint of dishonesty. "Here I am practically professing my love for you, and you keep talking about Leo! Goof ball!" Maggie tackled Abby and began tickling her sides hard.
Abby wails and thrashes, trying to escape Maggie's relentless fingers. Maggie's hair fans out in a golden halo, her laughter ringing out pure and joyous as Abby squirms beneath her, gasping for air between peals of laughter, "Mercy, *mercy*!"
Abby finally grabs Maggie's wrists and pins them above her head, her chest heaving as she fights to catch her breath. Maggie's grin is mischievous, her knees straddling Abby's hips, her thighs squeezing just enough to keep her trapped.
"Stop!" Abby wheezes, her dark eyes alight with mirth.
"You're *exhausting*, you know that?" She flips Maggie onto her back with surprising strength, pinning her wrists to the mattress. Their laughter still echoes in the small dorm room, the morning sunlight painting their tangled limbs in gold.
Maggie arches beneath her, breathless. "You started it," she teases, her voice husky with lingering laughter. "Talking about Leo when I was trying to be romantic."
Abby's smirk softens as she looks down at Maggie, her thumb brushing over Maggie's pulse point. "I *know* what you were doing, baby girl," she murmurs, her voice dropping to that low, intimate register that always makes Maggie's stomach flutter.
Maggie purred up at Abby. "So. We need to go have breakfast, have a good day, and be ready to welcome Claire home with open arms and legs tonight. Right?" Maggie grinned up at Abby, her cheeks flushed from laughter and the lingering warmth of their bodies pressed together. She wriggled her pinned wrists playfully, testing Abby's grip. "We should probably get up before we waste the whole morning in bed."
Abby leaned down, her breath warm against Maggie's ear. "I mean, what's wrong with wasting the morning in bed?" Her lips brushed the shell of Maggie's ear, sending a shiver down Maggie's spine. "We could order breakfast in bed, eat it off each other, and spend the rest of the day tangled up like this."
Maggie laughed, arching her back to press her body closer to Abby's. "Oh, we *will*," she agreed, "when we get out apartment.
But today, I at least need to get up. I've got classes, and I don't want to go to them with bedhead and morning breath."
Abby groaned, but Maggie could feel her surrender in the way her grip loosened. "Fine, fine," Abby relented, rolling off Maggie with a dramatic sigh. "But only because you're right." Abby stretched her arms above her head, her back arching like a cat in the sunlight. "And because I have that stupid ethics paper due Monday."
Maggie grinned, watching the way Abby's body moved with effortless grace. "You mean the one you've been procrastinating on for two weeks?"
Abby shot her a playful glare. "I've been *strategically delaying* it. Big difference." She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, her bare feet pressing into the carpet. "But seriously, I need to at least outline it today."
---
When Maggie returned to the dorm room later that afternoon, Abby was staring holes into the laptop so hard that she didn't hear Maggie's return. Maggie moved behind her, noting she was still wearing nothing but an old T-shirt, wrapped her arms around her stomach and rested her head on Abby's shoulder. "Any progress, gorgeous?" Abby absently turned and kissed Maggie's cheek. "Lots of thought, not necessarily represented in the outline, but yeah, I think so." Abby’s fingers hesitated over the keyboard before she slumped back in the chair with a sigh. Her dark hair was piled messily on top of her head, wispy strands framing her face like ink on parchment. "I keep going in circles. Ethics isn’t my strong suit."
Maggie stood behind her, massaging Abby’s shoulders with slow, deliberate strokes. The worn T-shirt was thin enough that Maggie could feel the warmth of Abby’s skin through the fabric. "You always say that," Maggie murmured, her thumbs pressing into the knots at the base of Abby’s neck. "But you’ve aced every other paper this semester."
Abby groaned, tilting her head forward to give Maggie better access.
"Yeah, well, this one’s different. It’s about *consent*, Maggie. Like, *actual* consent—not just the kind where you nod and hope for the best." She let out a shaky breath, her fingers curling around the edge of the desk. "I keep thinking about how easy it is to get it wrong. How many times I’ve assumed I knew what someone wanted, only to realize later I didn’t."
Maggie’s hands stilled for a heartbeat. She leaned down, pressing her lips to the back of Abby’s neck, just below her hairline. "You’re not talking about the paper anymore," she murmured.
Her fingers resumed their slow, steady massage, thumbs pressing into the soft muscle beneath Abby’s skin. The late afternoon light slanted through the window, casting sharp triangles across the carpet and illuminating the fine dust motes that danced in the air.
Abby exhaled sharply, her shoulders sagging under Maggie’s touch. "No. I’m not." She turned slightly in the chair, catching Maggie’s wrist and pulling her down into a sitting position on her lap. Maggie came willingly, straddling Abby’s thighs, her skirt riding up just enough to expose the soft, pale skin of her thighs. Abby wrapped her arms around Maggie’s waist, her fingers tracing idle patterns along the hem of Maggie’s sweater.
The weight of Maggie’s body settled against her, warm and familiar. "I don’t know how to explain it," Abby admitted, her voice low. "It’s like… I’ve spent so long thinking I knew what I wanted, what *everyone* wanted. But now I’m not so sure."
Maggie tilted Abby’s chin up, forcing her to meet her eyes. "You’re being too hard on yourself," she said softly. "You’ve always been honest about what you want. That’s more than most people can say."
Abby’s lips twitched, but the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. "Yeah, but honesty isn’t the same as *understanding*.
There’s a difference between saying what you want and *hearing* what someone else needs." Abby’s fingers tightened slightly on Maggie’s waist, her nails pressing just enough to leave faint crescents in the soft skin. "And I’m starting to realize I’ve been really bad at the second part."
Maggie studied Abby’s face—the way her dark brows knitted together, the faint shadow of doubt in her eyes. She reached up, brushing a strand of raven hair behind Abby’s ear. "You’re not a mind reader, Abs. No one expects you to be."
Abby let out a bitter laugh. "No, but I *should* be better at this." Maggie nodded then studied Abby's face, stroking the hair from her eyes. "Have you considered making what you're saying part of the argument in your paper? Surely you're not the only person with this issue?" Maggie suggested softly. Abby’s breath hitched as Maggie’s thumb traced the curve of her ear, sending a shiver through her body. Abby closed her eyes briefly, leaning into the touch like a cat seeking warmth. "Maybe," she admitted, her voice rough with emotion. "But if I can’t even navigate *consent* in my own life, how am I supposed to write about it like I know what I’m talking about?"
Maggie’s fingers stilled for a moment before resuming their gentle exploration. "I don't know enough about the question you're trying to answer to have a definitive opinion. But it seems to me that consent is a slippery slope. What if the problem is not that you don't understand if someone is giving consent or not, but that *they* don't know if they consent. How can you know, and if you don't know, what is your responsibility?"
Maggie murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. "I think that's the real question."
Abby opened her eyes, her dark gaze meeting Maggie's with a vulnerability that was rare for her. "I don't know if I can answer that," she admitted, her voice cracking slightly. "I just know that I don't want to be the reason someone feels violated or confused or... used."
Maggie leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to Abby's forehead, her lips lingering for a moment. "You're not that person, Abs. You never have been. You're the one who always makes sure everyone is comfortable, who checks in, who respects boundaries. You do what you think is best. The alternative, I think, is to do nothing." Maggie's fingers traced the curve of Abby's jaw, her voice soft but firm. "You can't control how other people feel, Abs. You can only control how you act."
Abby exhaled sharply through her nose, her dark eyes searching Maggie's face. "But what if my actions *cause* those feelings?" she whispered, her voice raw. "What if I push too hard, or assume too much, and someone gets hurt because of it?"
Maggie shook her head slowly, her golden hair catching the light like spun silk. "You can't live in fear of *what ifs*," she murmured, her thumb brushing over Abby's lower lip. "You're not a fortune teller. You...we...I do what we think is right based on the information at hand. If that information is wrong, then we apologize and try to fix it. Or help the other person learn more about whatever issue is causing the problem in the first place. But we can't live our lives in fear that we don't know enough to make a decision. That just leads to paralysis, right?" Maggie ventured, her voice a gentle counterpoint to the storm in Abby's eyes. "Freezing up because you're too afraid of screwing things up. But here's the truth—people *will* get hurt. It's inevitable. The only question is whether we bounce back from that hurt or let it define us."
Abby's breath hitched, her fingers uncurling from Maggie's waist as her shoulders slumped forward. "How do you make it sound so simple when it feels like the hardest thing in the world?"
Maggie reached up, cradling Abby's face between her palms.
The late afternoon light caught the wetness on Abby's cheeks, and Maggie's thumbs brushed away the tears before they could fall farther. "Because it *is* simple," Maggie said softly. "We hurt each other sometimes. We mess up. We say things we don't mean or assume things we shouldn't. But we also apologize. We try again. We grow." Her voice was steady, unwavering. "You're not perfect, Abs. Neither am I. Neither is anyone."
Abby swallowed hard, her dark eyes locked onto Maggie's. She nodded slowly, her breathing evening out as she leaned into Maggie's touch. "Yeah," Abby whispered, her voice hoarse. "Yeah, I know that." Maggie stops her from going on with a finger over Abby's lips.
"You make the complex simple for me *all the time* Abs. I cherish you for it." Maggie kisses softly at Abby's tears. "If you, Abby, hurt someone, it's usually an act of omission. I've never seen you *try* to hurt anyone.* Maggie draws back a little and smiles. "You're my hero." Abby blinked a few times at Maggie's words.
Fresh tears welled in her dark eyes, but this time she didn't look away. Instead, she leaned forward and pressed her forehead against Maggie's, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. "You're my hero too," Abby whispered, her voice breaking slightly on the words. She wrapped her arms around Maggie's waist and pulled her close, their bodies fitting together like two puzzle pieces finally finding their place.
Maggie exhaled softly, her fingers tangling in Abby's messy hair as she held her close. The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dorm room floor, painting everything in warm hues of gold and amber. After a long time spent not talking, Maggie drew back from Abby. "Do you want to find dinner and then wait for Claire, or do you just want to pile into bed and wait for Claire?" The corner of Maggie's lip turned up as she asked the question.
"I think I want to wait for Claire in bed. I want to see her face when she walks in and sees us all tangled up together." Maggie kissed Abby's cheek, her fingers still tangled in Abby's hair. "But first, I want to get you fed. You look like you've been running on caffeine and existential dread for days."
Abby laughed, the sound rich and warm, her dark eyes crinkling at the corners. "You're not wrong," she admitted, stretching her arms above her head with a contented sigh. "I could definitely eat. But only if we order in. I don't have the energy to leave this room right now."
Maggie nodded, already reaching for her phone.
"Pizza or Thai?" she asked, thumb hovering over the delivery app. "Or should we just order both and pretend we’re feeding an army?"
Abby grinned, flopping back onto the bed with her arms spread wide. "Both. Definitely both. And maybe some of those spicy wings that make your lips burn for an hour. I need something to distract me from my existential crisis."
Maggie laughed, scrolling through the menu. "You’re ridiculous. But fine, spicy wings it is." She tapped the screen a few times, then tossed her phone onto the bed beside Abby. "Done. Thirty minutes. Now we wait. But I'm warning you, if your lips touch my tender bits after you eat some spicy wings, there will be hell to pay."
Abby grinned up at Maggie, her dark eyes sparkling with mischief. "No promises." Maggie laughed and shook her head, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall. Then she leaned down and slid her hands up Abby's torso, finding nothing from preventing her hands on Abby's skin. They lay together for a few moments, and when the food arrived, Maggie jumped up to get the food. Then she shut the door, took off all her clothes but her thong, and sat with Abby as they picked through the chicken wings.
It was Abby's idea to mix the flavors by each of them having a wing and then kissing. The spice rapidly grew too much for Maggie. Abby finally took pity on her and suggested she have some milk from the small rental refrigerator. Maggie sighed with relief, then made Abby promise she would brush her teeth before her mouth came anywhere near Maggie for the rest of the evening. The two of them stood by the sink and brushed their teeth, then had barely crawled back under the covers when Claire arrived.
She stood in the doorway, her dark curls tousled from the wind outside, her cheeks flushed from the cold. She wore a long wool coat, unbuttoned to reveal a fitted black sweater and jeans that hugged her curves perfectly. Her eyes widened as she took in the scene: Maggie and Abby tangled together in the sheets, half-naked, the scent of spicy wings still lingering in the air.
"Well, well," Claire said, her voice warm with amusement. "Looks like I missed the party." She dropped her bag by the door and kicked off her boots, her gaze flickering between them.
"Did you two at least save me some food?"
Maggie laughed, pushing herself up on one elbow. "I've got something you can eat, and I know you like the taste of it...."
Claire smirked, shrugging out of her coat and tossing it onto the desk chair. "Deal." She peeled off her sweater, revealing a black lace bralette underneath, and crawled onto the bed between them. The mattress dipped under her weight, and Abby immediately wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close.
"Missed you," Abby murmured, pressing a kiss to Claire's shoulder.
Claire turned her head, catching Abby's lips in a slow, lingering kiss.
"Missed you too," she whispered against Abby's mouth, her fingers tangling in the dark waves of Abby's hair. Maggie watched them, her chest tightening with affection, before Claire's free hand reached out and pulled her into the embrace. The three of them collapsed into a tangle of limbs and laughter, the warmth of their bodies chasing away the last of the evening's chill.
"God, I needed this," Claire sighed, her breath warm against Maggie's neck as she nestled between them. "My dorm room is so quiet without you two there to keep me sane." Maggie's fingers traced idle patterns on Claire's back, feeling the tension melt from her muscles. Maggie murmured to Claire's neck, "You have too many clothes." Claire chuckled low in her throat as she wiggled out of her jeans, then pulled her feet free from the tangle of sheets. Maggie watched with keen interest as the lace lingerie was revealed in its entirety. "You're so gorgeous," Maggie whispered, her fingers tracing the delicate lace trim along the top edge of Claire's bra. "Like a pin-up girl from another era."
Abby scoffed good-naturedly from Claire's other side, "Oh please, she's no pin-up girl—she's a *femme fatale*. Look at her, all auburn curls and smoldering eyes. She could seduce a nun out of her habit with just a glance."
Claire laughed, rolling onto her back and stretching like a cat in the sun. "I'll take that as a compliment," she purred, her fingers lazily tracing circles on Maggie's bare thigh. "Though I'd rather seduce *you* two instead."
Maggie leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Claire's shoulder. "You don't have to seduce us," she murmured against her skin. "We're already yours." The words hung in the air, warm and unspoken until now. Then Maggie scooted over, making space between Abby and herself. Claire settled in like she belonged there.
Maggie began kissing Claire's neck wetly as she whispered, "Do we need to talk about why you disappeared? Or have you realized it was a foolish mistake and you'll never do it again?" Maggie's fingers traced the curve of Claire's hip as she asked the question. The room was dim, the only light coming from the soft glow of the desk lamp and the faint neon flicker of the streetlights outside. Claire's breath hitched slightly at Maggie's touch, her fingers stilling on Maggie's thigh.
Claire turned her head slightly, her auburn curls brushing against Maggie's cheek. "I needed some time to think," she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to disappear like that. I just... got overwhelmed."
Abby shifted beside them, propping herself up on one elbow to look at Claire.
"Overwhelmed by what, *exactly*?" she asked, her voice gentle but probing. "Because you *did* disappear, Claire. No word, no text, just... gone. And you know how Maggie worries."
Claire exhaled slowly, her fingers tightening slightly on Maggie's thigh before relaxing again. "I know," she said, her voice thick with something unspoken. "And I'm sorry. I should've said something. But I needed to figure out how I felt about... everything."
Maggie traced a slow circle on Claire's hip, her touch featherlight. "Everything?" she prompted softly. "About us?"
Claire’s fingers stilled on Maggie’s bare skin, her breath catching in her throat. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. Abby shifted closer, her dark eyes searching Claire’s face in the dim light. "You don’t have to explain if you’re not ready," she murmured, her voice low and warm. "But we *do* need to know you’re okay."
Claire swallowed hard, her gaze flickering between Maggie and Abby. "I *am* okay," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I needed to figure out how to handle this. All of this." She gestured vaguely between them, her fingers trembling slightly.
"Being with you two is... more than I expected. And I didn’t know how to process that.”
Maggie’s thumb brushed over Claire’s hip bone, her touch grounding. "More in a good way?” she asked softly. The question hung between them, fragile but necessary.
Claire turned her head to meet Maggie’s gaze, her green eyes glistening in the soft light. "In a *very* good way," she admitted, her voice gaining strength. "I just got scared. Of how much I feel. Of how much I *want*.”
Abby exhaled softly, her fingers tracing slow arcs along Claire’s waist, as if testing the boundaries of what’s safe to say.
"You don’t have to be scared of wanting us, Claire," she murmured, her voice low and steady. "Of wanting anything, really. We’re not going anywhere."
Claire’s breath hitched, her fingers tightening around Maggie’s wrist. "I know," she whispered, "but it’s different when it’s *this*—when it’s not just fun or casual. When it’s real." Her eyes darted between them, searching for something—reassurance, maybe, or permission to keep going.
Maggie leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to Claire’s shoulder. "It *is* real," she agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It started out as fun and now it's more. And that's okay. You can shape it to be whatever you want or need. But it'll work better if you include us in your thought processes." Abby's fingers traced the curve of Claire's jaw, her touch featherlight. "We're not just waiting for you to figure things out on your own. We're here to help you."
Claire turned her head slightly, her auburn curls brushing against Abby's knuckles. "I know," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "But I didn't want to burden you with my overthinking. You both have enough on your plates."
Maggie's fingers stilled on Claire's hip. "You're not a burden, Claire," she said softly, her voice firm. "You're *ours*. And that means we share the good and the bad.
The overwhelming and the mundane. The existential dread and the silly laughter. Everything." Maggie's fingers resumed their slow tracing, her touch grounding, steady—anchoring Claire to the moment, to them.
Abby's hand moved up to cup Claire's cheek, her thumb brushing away a stray tear that had slipped free. "Exactly," she murmured, her voice warm and sure. "We’re a *we* now, whether you like it or not. And we don’t do secrets—not from each other. Not when it comes to *this*." She gestured between all three of them, her dark eyes intent. "And if it really is too much, you won't offend us by saying so and we re-align. We don't have to be so physical with you if you don't want it." Claire took a shuddering breath, her fingers curling around Maggie's wrist as she turned toward Abby. "I want this. I just... I needed to think things through. But I'm ready now." Her voice held a note of finality that made Maggie's chest ache with relief. She bent her head and kissed Claire softly on the mouth, tasting the faint salt of tears and the lingering spice of the wings. When she drew back, she rested her forehead against Claire's. "We've got you, Claire," she murmured. "Always."