No big deal. Just three of my boyfriends who want to meet each other coming to my house tonight. No problem at all.
Jaz was grateful she had invited Nick over to help her make the snacks and drinks. It would have been lonely doing it by herself, and she had already gone to the grocery store. Wasn't that enough time by herself already today? Plus, with one of them already here, she wouldn't have to worry about which of the three of them would get here first and when they would arrive. And, Nick was her neighbor. He was always here. Just in the apartment across the way.
The two of them prepped fancy cocktails with pineapple and mango juice, topped with garnishes of real mango and (canned) pineapple. Jaz had chosen a mid-shelf bottle of tequila, remembering how Ren had chastised her the first time she had ordered him a drink. No shitty tequila for Ren.
She shivered pleasantly at the thought.
Jaz instructed Nick to cut the espresso cheese she had purchased from the bougie cheese section and asked him to cut up the rest of the fruit with the addition of grapes, raspberries, and blackberries to arrange them on a fruit tray.
Maybe it was silly to be going to all this trouble, but Jaz knew from much experience that awkward conversations went better when people had something to eat, drink, or do with their hands. And maybe she wanted to put in a little effort. She had also put on a flowy black top that was short in the front with a cutout in the back to pair with her nicest pair of jeans, so yeah. Making an effort.
The thought of six pairs of hands on her at once came unbidden to her mind. Sure, maybe it was greedy to have... three boyfriends, but six hands? Who could turn that down?
She tried not to get her hopes up about it tonight, though. Ren was usually well behaved in company, but he could get... testy sometimes. He might dodge out unexpectedly, and Jaz would be left wondering if she should go and run after him. No, they needed to tread carefully tonight. She didn't want to push him too hard. This--and polyamory in general--was already a big stretch for him.
Just as Jaz set out the drinks on the coffee table in front of a loveseat and three cozy, disparate chairs, there was a knock at the door.
All Jaz's Boyfriends
All Jaz's Boyfriends
Last edited by andrav on Mon Oct 30, 2023 4:08 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Nick was delighted that Jaz had invited him over to help her prep. He was nervous about meeting her other boyfriends tonight, but it helped to be contributing - making drinks, cutting cheese, setting up fruit plates. Jaz gave him directions which he followed diligently. She seemed a little bit nervous, too - understandable, really - but also seemed happy to have him there to help. He offered her warm smiles when he could, even chanced the occasional touch to her back or her arm to lend her comfort, though he also was sure to give her space when she seemed focused on something.
Jaz set the drinks down on the coffee table and Nick followed with the fruit and cheese plate, though a knock on the door startled him. He glanced to Jaz with nervousness showing fresh on his face, but then supposed there wasn't really anything to do about it besides follow through with setting down the snack plate in the middle of the coffee table between the drinks while Jaz answered the door.
---
Chris had nearly lost his mind over what to wear. Maybe he should have asked Jaz for more guidance, but, he also knew she was probably juggling a lot getting them all four together. But, like, were they all dressing up for each other? Or should this be more casual, like, to avoid one-upping or whatever? But if other people were going to dress up nicer, Chris sure didn't want to be grungy by comparison. But, he didn't want to be the only dunse dressed up, either. Guhhhh.
Finally, after much fussing, he settled on some layers: a comfy plain midnight tee under an open silk button-down with a pleasant grey-blue-black-white abstract pattern, and some plain dark jeans. He'd thought about going for a different tee and his red button-down - it was one of his favorites, a nice rich color and a comfy texture and a fun statement, but he was worried about the statement tonight. He didn't really want to come off as combative, necessarily. Not right off the bat, anyway.
He really didn't know what to expect. Jaz had said she thought that he and Nick would probably get along. And that Ren might just walk out, if he got too uncomfortable. She also liked to talk up Ren's aggression, though, but, maybe that was just, like, their dynamic? Gods, it was hard to say. Chris didn't have much experience with dating at all, let alone polyamory. He didn't really want to like, play games with her other boyfriends. Surely they wouldn't want that either? Like, surely this was as much just, like, guys getting together for drinks? ... Where there also happened to be a girl they're all into? Guhhhhh surely it'd be fine.
With a sigh, he put on his denim jacket and headphones, and headed for the bus to her place, blaring some music to calm his nerves along the way. He shut the music off and stuffed his headphones into his backpack once he reached her apartment building, and drew in a deep breath before finally knocking on her door, his stomach leaping to his throat that same moment.
He must've looked a bit ridiculous - perhaps even ghastly when Jaz opened the door, only to shift to a big, toothy grin as he greeted her with a warm, "Hey!" He was truthfully happy to see her, and genuinely did feel better when... what? Nothing batshit happened the instant he knocked on the door? Gods, his nerves were absurd sometimes.
Over Jaz's shoulder Chris spied someone else - one of her other boyfriends, presumably. Maybe Nick? It'd make sense that her neighbor was already here. Plus, he looked... sweet? Like, he had on a thin but cozy-looking sweater, close to the midnight blue of Chris' tee but maybe a bit more greyish. Reminded him a little bit of his brother Philip at first glance, just... shorter, and uh, well, black hair rather than blond, for one. But then Nick--surely, surely this was Nick--gave Chris a shy smile, and Chris offered a shy smile of his own as he set stepped inside and set his backpack down by the door. Then, he turned to Jaz.
He wanted to hug her. Was that okay? This was about when they'd usually hug, when he came over. She and Nick had probably hugged when Nick came over, right? Probably. So, it was only fair that he got to hug her now? Not that she owned him anything, just... it shouldn't matter that they had an audience, right?
After what was probably a terribly long moment of looking awkward, Chris raised his eyebrows hopefully and gently opened his hands toward her--a silent, gentle gesture to express his desire, hopefully without putting her too on the spot if she wasn't feeling it. Though, damn, he couldn't say that wouldn't hurt.
Jaz set the drinks down on the coffee table and Nick followed with the fruit and cheese plate, though a knock on the door startled him. He glanced to Jaz with nervousness showing fresh on his face, but then supposed there wasn't really anything to do about it besides follow through with setting down the snack plate in the middle of the coffee table between the drinks while Jaz answered the door.
---
Chris had nearly lost his mind over what to wear. Maybe he should have asked Jaz for more guidance, but, he also knew she was probably juggling a lot getting them all four together. But, like, were they all dressing up for each other? Or should this be more casual, like, to avoid one-upping or whatever? But if other people were going to dress up nicer, Chris sure didn't want to be grungy by comparison. But, he didn't want to be the only dunse dressed up, either. Guhhhh.
Finally, after much fussing, he settled on some layers: a comfy plain midnight tee under an open silk button-down with a pleasant grey-blue-black-white abstract pattern, and some plain dark jeans. He'd thought about going for a different tee and his red button-down - it was one of his favorites, a nice rich color and a comfy texture and a fun statement, but he was worried about the statement tonight. He didn't really want to come off as combative, necessarily. Not right off the bat, anyway.
He really didn't know what to expect. Jaz had said she thought that he and Nick would probably get along. And that Ren might just walk out, if he got too uncomfortable. She also liked to talk up Ren's aggression, though, but, maybe that was just, like, their dynamic? Gods, it was hard to say. Chris didn't have much experience with dating at all, let alone polyamory. He didn't really want to like, play games with her other boyfriends. Surely they wouldn't want that either? Like, surely this was as much just, like, guys getting together for drinks? ... Where there also happened to be a girl they're all into? Guhhhhh surely it'd be fine.
With a sigh, he put on his denim jacket and headphones, and headed for the bus to her place, blaring some music to calm his nerves along the way. He shut the music off and stuffed his headphones into his backpack once he reached her apartment building, and drew in a deep breath before finally knocking on her door, his stomach leaping to his throat that same moment.
He must've looked a bit ridiculous - perhaps even ghastly when Jaz opened the door, only to shift to a big, toothy grin as he greeted her with a warm, "Hey!" He was truthfully happy to see her, and genuinely did feel better when... what? Nothing batshit happened the instant he knocked on the door? Gods, his nerves were absurd sometimes.
Over Jaz's shoulder Chris spied someone else - one of her other boyfriends, presumably. Maybe Nick? It'd make sense that her neighbor was already here. Plus, he looked... sweet? Like, he had on a thin but cozy-looking sweater, close to the midnight blue of Chris' tee but maybe a bit more greyish. Reminded him a little bit of his brother Philip at first glance, just... shorter, and uh, well, black hair rather than blond, for one. But then Nick--surely, surely this was Nick--gave Chris a shy smile, and Chris offered a shy smile of his own as he set stepped inside and set his backpack down by the door. Then, he turned to Jaz.
He wanted to hug her. Was that okay? This was about when they'd usually hug, when he came over. She and Nick had probably hugged when Nick came over, right? Probably. So, it was only fair that he got to hug her now? Not that she owned him anything, just... it shouldn't matter that they had an audience, right?
After what was probably a terribly long moment of looking awkward, Chris raised his eyebrows hopefully and gently opened his hands toward her--a silent, gentle gesture to express his desire, hopefully without putting her too on the spot if she wasn't feeling it. Though, damn, he couldn't say that wouldn't hurt.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Nick smiled nervously at Jaz when she looked his direction, and she sent back a warm, reassuring smile. Gods, he was such a sweetie. Melting her heart for sure.
But her stomach was in knots at the thought that it might be Ren at the door. Best to open it as quickly as possible to find out. They were all going to get here eventually.
Chris stood at the door with a wide open mouth briefly before he smiled and said a friendly, "Hey!" Jaz's smile widened, and she bounced on her feet slightly, excited that all this was really happening. Some vague doubt crept into the back of her mind, but she ignored it for now, happy to give Chris the hug he seemed to be sheepishly asking for. She pulled him in close, inhaling the smell of him and the feel of his clothes--a little more toned down than his usual reds and blacks, she noticed. Jaz held him for maybe a little longer than strictly necessary, squeezing firm and tight.
"Come in! We have drinks! And snacks!" She was maybe being a little overenthusiastic, but she was nervous, and she couldn't help it. She'd never done anything like this before... introducing one love interest to another. On some level, it was absolutely absurd. And yet, she wanted this. They all seemed to want this. And that mattered for something.
"Nick made the snacks," Jaz said, gesturing Nick's direction and offering him a sweet touch on the top of his shoulder. Then she went off in the kitchen, convinced she was forgetting something or maybe just to take a deep breath.
But her stomach was in knots at the thought that it might be Ren at the door. Best to open it as quickly as possible to find out. They were all going to get here eventually.
Chris stood at the door with a wide open mouth briefly before he smiled and said a friendly, "Hey!" Jaz's smile widened, and she bounced on her feet slightly, excited that all this was really happening. Some vague doubt crept into the back of her mind, but she ignored it for now, happy to give Chris the hug he seemed to be sheepishly asking for. She pulled him in close, inhaling the smell of him and the feel of his clothes--a little more toned down than his usual reds and blacks, she noticed. Jaz held him for maybe a little longer than strictly necessary, squeezing firm and tight.
"Come in! We have drinks! And snacks!" She was maybe being a little overenthusiastic, but she was nervous, and she couldn't help it. She'd never done anything like this before... introducing one love interest to another. On some level, it was absolutely absurd. And yet, she wanted this. They all seemed to want this. And that mattered for something.
"Nick made the snacks," Jaz said, gesturing Nick's direction and offering him a sweet touch on the top of his shoulder. Then she went off in the kitchen, convinced she was forgetting something or maybe just to take a deep breath.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Gods, Chris was so relieved when Jaz pulled him into a tight hug. He sighed lightly as he relaxed into it, squeezing her happily against him.
"Come in!" she exclaimed once she pulled out of the warm, indulgent hug, her nerves showing then. "We have drinks! And snacks! Nick made the snacks." She gestured to Nick, and gently touched his shoulder. Chris swallowed down a flutter of discomfort, praying it didn't show on his face--and also that he wouldn't have to battle that sensation all fricking night.
"Uh, thanks," he said to Nick, who nodded with another shy smile. Jaz scurried off to the kitchen, and they both looked after her for a moment, before awkwardly turning their gazes back to each other.
"Uh, Chris," Chris offered to Nick after a pause, and extended his hand. A--a handshake was, like, the normal call for this, right? Well, Nick did indeed take his hand, so there was that.
"Nick," Nick replied, then let out a soft breath resembling a nervous chuckle. Chris relaxed a little. Seemed like Nick was just as nervous as he was. That made sense. Not that he really knew how to help the guy out. Finally, his eyes tracked to the drinks on the table. Right. That would probably help. But, was it like, too soon to start drinking? What was the right time to wait for? Guh, why was this so hard?
To Chris' surprise, Nick moved to sit down in one of the chairs. He grabbed the drink in front of it, and then smiled a little crookedly - still shy, but perhaps a bit playful? - at Chris, making a small 'cheers' gesture with his drink. Fair enough, then. Chris sat down in the chair next to Nick, across from the loveseat, and grabbed his drink. He raised his glass in a gentle echo of Nick's gesture, but then Nick's smile grew a little more playful, and he leaned more toward Chris, his glass now in tinking distance. Chris let out a soft, nervous-chuckle breath himself, and then finished the gesture to lightly tink their glasses together. Then, they both took sips of their drinks.
"Jaz really did all the work to get the snacks and tell me what to do," Nick said after a moment, as he reached for a piece of cheese. Then, a thought crossing his mind before he ate it, he cast his gaze over toward the kitchen. "Do you need any help in there, Jaz?"
Chris quietly reached for a piece of cheese as well, and sheepishly nibbled on it as he waited to see what Jaz would say, and awkwardly contemplated whether it'd be okay to follow Nick into the kitchen to not be alone in the livingroom with the uh, scariest boyfriend still on his way, if that's how things shook out.
"Come in!" she exclaimed once she pulled out of the warm, indulgent hug, her nerves showing then. "We have drinks! And snacks! Nick made the snacks." She gestured to Nick, and gently touched his shoulder. Chris swallowed down a flutter of discomfort, praying it didn't show on his face--and also that he wouldn't have to battle that sensation all fricking night.
"Uh, thanks," he said to Nick, who nodded with another shy smile. Jaz scurried off to the kitchen, and they both looked after her for a moment, before awkwardly turning their gazes back to each other.
"Uh, Chris," Chris offered to Nick after a pause, and extended his hand. A--a handshake was, like, the normal call for this, right? Well, Nick did indeed take his hand, so there was that.
"Nick," Nick replied, then let out a soft breath resembling a nervous chuckle. Chris relaxed a little. Seemed like Nick was just as nervous as he was. That made sense. Not that he really knew how to help the guy out. Finally, his eyes tracked to the drinks on the table. Right. That would probably help. But, was it like, too soon to start drinking? What was the right time to wait for? Guh, why was this so hard?
To Chris' surprise, Nick moved to sit down in one of the chairs. He grabbed the drink in front of it, and then smiled a little crookedly - still shy, but perhaps a bit playful? - at Chris, making a small 'cheers' gesture with his drink. Fair enough, then. Chris sat down in the chair next to Nick, across from the loveseat, and grabbed his drink. He raised his glass in a gentle echo of Nick's gesture, but then Nick's smile grew a little more playful, and he leaned more toward Chris, his glass now in tinking distance. Chris let out a soft, nervous-chuckle breath himself, and then finished the gesture to lightly tink their glasses together. Then, they both took sips of their drinks.
"Jaz really did all the work to get the snacks and tell me what to do," Nick said after a moment, as he reached for a piece of cheese. Then, a thought crossing his mind before he ate it, he cast his gaze over toward the kitchen. "Do you need any help in there, Jaz?"
Chris quietly reached for a piece of cheese as well, and sheepishly nibbled on it as he waited to see what Jaz would say, and awkwardly contemplated whether it'd be okay to follow Nick into the kitchen to not be alone in the livingroom with the uh, scariest boyfriend still on his way, if that's how things shook out.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Jaz took some deep breaths in the kitchen, looking around the room to see if there was something else she had to offer. Did they have enough snacks? Did they need something more substantial? She contemplated pulling out her favorite jalapeno chips but decided they wouldn't fit with the flavors of everything else. It would probably be fine--none of them were coming for the food.
But, really, what was her role in all this? Just... hostess? Pffft.
She stalled for a while longer, listening as Nick and Chris introduced themselves and clinked glasses. Yeah, the drinks were a good idea. They would loosen everyone up. She should probably start working on her own drink. Or...
Jaz was halfway through pouring herself a shot of Ren's mid-shelf tequila when she heard Nick call, "Do you need any help in there, Jaz?" Gods, he was sweet. Ridiculously sweet.
"Nope, nope, got it," she said, finishing her pour and searching around for an excuse to have spent so much time in the kitchen. Deciding water was also a good idea, she put a pitcher of ice water and some more glasses on a tray. Downing her shot of tequila--which didn't even need the lime and salt (thanks, Ren)--she deftly carried the tray out to the main room, setting it on a table near the door.
She took a good long look at Nick and Chris, whom she had never seen in the same room, and blushed deeply, her smile so big it caused her to tilt her head slightly toward one shoulder.
She thought of a hundred things to say. Gods, you are both so cute or maybe Good to see you out of my bedroom or Hey, Nick, remember that one time on your couch? but she shook her head, giggling to herself a little before walking around to the loveseat, grabbing her drink, and pulling her legs up closer to her chest. She wanted to bury her face or shout her love for both of them to the sky, but she just sat there, staring down at her drink and getting redder all the while with a big smile that was all lip on her face.
But, really, what was her role in all this? Just... hostess? Pffft.
She stalled for a while longer, listening as Nick and Chris introduced themselves and clinked glasses. Yeah, the drinks were a good idea. They would loosen everyone up. She should probably start working on her own drink. Or...
Jaz was halfway through pouring herself a shot of Ren's mid-shelf tequila when she heard Nick call, "Do you need any help in there, Jaz?" Gods, he was sweet. Ridiculously sweet.
"Nope, nope, got it," she said, finishing her pour and searching around for an excuse to have spent so much time in the kitchen. Deciding water was also a good idea, she put a pitcher of ice water and some more glasses on a tray. Downing her shot of tequila--which didn't even need the lime and salt (thanks, Ren)--she deftly carried the tray out to the main room, setting it on a table near the door.
She took a good long look at Nick and Chris, whom she had never seen in the same room, and blushed deeply, her smile so big it caused her to tilt her head slightly toward one shoulder.
She thought of a hundred things to say. Gods, you are both so cute or maybe Good to see you out of my bedroom or Hey, Nick, remember that one time on your couch? but she shook her head, giggling to herself a little before walking around to the loveseat, grabbing her drink, and pulling her legs up closer to her chest. She wanted to bury her face or shout her love for both of them to the sky, but she just sat there, staring down at her drink and getting redder all the while with a big smile that was all lip on her face.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
"Nope, nope, got it," Jaz called back from the kitchen. Nick shrugged and turned back to Chris, who, very briefly, looked a little bit like he might have seen a ghost. The long-haired boy hastily took another sip of his drink, and Nick sheepishly nibbled on his cheese, his mind wandering in search of how to make this all a little more comfortable. A meaningful conversation topic? Some music, maybe?
"So, uh, how did you meet Jaz?" Chris asked, his expression much recovered. That seemed good, but Nick couldn't help blushing a little in response to the question. What was the balance between an honest, meaningful answer here, and oversharing? Especially so early in the evening, when their final guest wasn't even here yet? Nick's eyes flicked to the door, wondering when Ren would get there.
Jaz returned from the kitchen, incidentally relieving Nick of answering Chris' question for now as she looked at the two of them, blushing and beaming, smile wide. Nick smiled, too, happy to see her happy, and pulled his feet up into the chair with him, getting cozy.
---
Chris was very relieved that Jaz did not need Nick's help in the kitchen, and in some ways, he was honestly very relieved that Jaz came back from the kitchen before Nick answered his question. He'd regretted the question immediately--not necessarily because he didn't want to know the answer, but because now was not the fucking time. While Jaz was in the kitchen, when Ren could arrive at any moment, before they'd done any other type of get-to-know you chatting at all? Ugh, so lame. Madness, honestly. It was all Chris could do not to bury his face in his hands, though Jaz's happy, blushing smile at the two of them did help considerably. Gods, she was adorable. Beautiful.
Chris looked at Nick, curious if he was looking at Jaz with the same expression. Nick seemed a little bit more... comfortable? Which made Chris feel a little bit jealous again. He watched Nick pull his legs up into his chair, clocking his socked feet. Chris looked down at his own sneakers, briefly wondering if he should take them off, but it seemed a bit preemptive to him, so he took another drink instead.
Having set a tray with a water pitcher and some glasses down on a table by the door, Jaz took up a spot in the love seat and gathered her legs up similar to Nick, though whereas Nick seemed genuinely cozy sipping his drink in his chair, Jaz was just staring at her drink, grinning like an idiot and blushing brighter by the moment. Chris smiled a little crookedly; she looked really freaking cute. He caught Nick stealing a look at her too, his own smile a little crooked, and Chris relaxed, finally perhaps seeing something familiar in Nick's expression.
To wit...
Chris mustered some courage and what he hoped was a friendly if conspiratorial grin toward Nick.
"She is pretty cute, huh?"
Nick looked a little startled, and began grinning wide and blushing deep himself, sinking down in his chair subtly as he briefly covered his face with one hand.
"I mean, yeah," he said, eyes darting between Chris and Jaz, his hand sliding down his face and only barely obscuring his ear-to-ear smile. Chris smiled wide himself, his chest warm with excitement and relief and maybe even a little bit of pride, or something like.
"So, uh, how did you meet Jaz?" Chris asked, his expression much recovered. That seemed good, but Nick couldn't help blushing a little in response to the question. What was the balance between an honest, meaningful answer here, and oversharing? Especially so early in the evening, when their final guest wasn't even here yet? Nick's eyes flicked to the door, wondering when Ren would get there.
Jaz returned from the kitchen, incidentally relieving Nick of answering Chris' question for now as she looked at the two of them, blushing and beaming, smile wide. Nick smiled, too, happy to see her happy, and pulled his feet up into the chair with him, getting cozy.
---
Chris was very relieved that Jaz did not need Nick's help in the kitchen, and in some ways, he was honestly very relieved that Jaz came back from the kitchen before Nick answered his question. He'd regretted the question immediately--not necessarily because he didn't want to know the answer, but because now was not the fucking time. While Jaz was in the kitchen, when Ren could arrive at any moment, before they'd done any other type of get-to-know you chatting at all? Ugh, so lame. Madness, honestly. It was all Chris could do not to bury his face in his hands, though Jaz's happy, blushing smile at the two of them did help considerably. Gods, she was adorable. Beautiful.
Chris looked at Nick, curious if he was looking at Jaz with the same expression. Nick seemed a little bit more... comfortable? Which made Chris feel a little bit jealous again. He watched Nick pull his legs up into his chair, clocking his socked feet. Chris looked down at his own sneakers, briefly wondering if he should take them off, but it seemed a bit preemptive to him, so he took another drink instead.
Having set a tray with a water pitcher and some glasses down on a table by the door, Jaz took up a spot in the love seat and gathered her legs up similar to Nick, though whereas Nick seemed genuinely cozy sipping his drink in his chair, Jaz was just staring at her drink, grinning like an idiot and blushing brighter by the moment. Chris smiled a little crookedly; she looked really freaking cute. He caught Nick stealing a look at her too, his own smile a little crooked, and Chris relaxed, finally perhaps seeing something familiar in Nick's expression.
To wit...
Chris mustered some courage and what he hoped was a friendly if conspiratorial grin toward Nick.
"She is pretty cute, huh?"
Nick looked a little startled, and began grinning wide and blushing deep himself, sinking down in his chair subtly as he briefly covered his face with one hand.
"I mean, yeah," he said, eyes darting between Chris and Jaz, his hand sliding down his face and only barely obscuring his ear-to-ear smile. Chris smiled wide himself, his chest warm with excitement and relief and maybe even a little bit of pride, or something like.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Jaz was usually so good at cutting through tension. But for a thousand reasons, this situation already had her tongue-tied and terrified. In a fun, butterflies crawling up her throat kind of way, but still.
"She is pretty cute, huh?" Chris asked Nick, and Jaz's head snapped up, laughing once in surprise.
Nick covered his face with one hand, sliding it down over his enormous grin.
"I mean, yeah," Nick answered, and the two of them visibly relaxed. Well, if they needed to comment on her appearance to bond, then, well, there were worse things.
"Oh, knock it off," she said, but she was relaxing, too, as she took a sip of her drink. It was pretty good, yeah. She'd done okay. The sweet, pulsing burn of her tequila shot started moving through her, and she hummed pleasantly.
"The two of you are ones to talk," Jaz said under her breath, flashing a smile, taking another sip.
"She is pretty cute, huh?" Chris asked Nick, and Jaz's head snapped up, laughing once in surprise.
Nick covered his face with one hand, sliding it down over his enormous grin.
"I mean, yeah," Nick answered, and the two of them visibly relaxed. Well, if they needed to comment on her appearance to bond, then, well, there were worse things.
"Oh, knock it off," she said, but she was relaxing, too, as she took a sip of her drink. It was pretty good, yeah. She'd done okay. The sweet, pulsing burn of her tequila shot started moving through her, and she hummed pleasantly.
"The two of you are ones to talk," Jaz said under her breath, flashing a smile, taking another sip.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Nick was absolutely floored by the boldness of Chris' question, but also delighted, especially as Jaz's surprised laugh sparkled in the air in response. He couldn't help thinking about the comment Jaz had made a few nights before--that she'd give them about 20 minutes before trying to start an orgy. He was pretty sure she'd been joking--at least on the time scale--but, as he looked over at Chris' pleased-with-himself happy smile, he felt like he could see a path that direction, which was exciting. He wondered with a deepening blush if Jaz had made similar comments to Chris.
"Oh, knock it off," Jaz playfully scolded them both before taking a sip of her drink, and Chris just smiled wider, his eyes flicking up to look at her, a subtle blush coloring his cheeks as he swirled his drink in front of him. A soft, pleasant hum buzzed from Jaz's throat, and Nick felt it echo in his warm chest as he took another sip of his own drink.
"The two of you are ones to talk," Jaz said under her breath, and Nick just sank further down into his chair, letting out a soft chuckle as he covered his face more thoroughly with his hand again, delightfully overwhelmed by the energy in the room.
---
Chris was very pleased with himself. It really wasn't every day he had two people blushing at the same time on his account. Well, to be fair, it was his and Jaz's accounts--and, he supposed her blush was on Nick's account, too. He had to admit, this was all pretty interesting? He was really glad that he was finding fun in this weird polyamory situation, and he was starting to feel pretty optimistic about the evening.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
Nick jolted subtly, moving his hand down just enough to peek one eye out, wide and nervous as he glanced toward Jaz.
Chris sat up slightly, eyes widening as he looked at Jaz as well. She should get it, right? Some part of him was weirdly prepared to get up and answer it for her, though, if she seemed hesitant, but he'd definitely give her a moment before acting. He was feeling protective, he supposed, but he also didn't want to step unnecessarily on anybody's toes.
"Oh, knock it off," Jaz playfully scolded them both before taking a sip of her drink, and Chris just smiled wider, his eyes flicking up to look at her, a subtle blush coloring his cheeks as he swirled his drink in front of him. A soft, pleasant hum buzzed from Jaz's throat, and Nick felt it echo in his warm chest as he took another sip of his own drink.
"The two of you are ones to talk," Jaz said under her breath, and Nick just sank further down into his chair, letting out a soft chuckle as he covered his face more thoroughly with his hand again, delightfully overwhelmed by the energy in the room.
---
Chris was very pleased with himself. It really wasn't every day he had two people blushing at the same time on his account. Well, to be fair, it was his and Jaz's accounts--and, he supposed her blush was on Nick's account, too. He had to admit, this was all pretty interesting? He was really glad that he was finding fun in this weird polyamory situation, and he was starting to feel pretty optimistic about the evening.
Then, there was a knock at the door.
Nick jolted subtly, moving his hand down just enough to peek one eye out, wide and nervous as he glanced toward Jaz.
Chris sat up slightly, eyes widening as he looked at Jaz as well. She should get it, right? Some part of him was weirdly prepared to get up and answer it for her, though, if she seemed hesitant, but he'd definitely give her a moment before acting. He was feeling protective, he supposed, but he also didn't want to step unnecessarily on anybody's toes.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Chris looked so happy. Jaz had a difficult time not glancing over his direction. Well, that was good, right? And Nick was sinking into his chair out of embarrassment as though the very thought of thinking Chris was cute, too, was melting him. Maybe he already had a crush. Jaz smiled at the thought. Perhaps this would all be easier than she had worried it would be.
And then there was a knock at the door. Jaz's heart immediately leapt into her throat as she practically jumped off the loveseat, turning back around only to set her drink down.
She was already over to the door before she thought to take a moment to assess herself. She straightened her shirt, fluffed her hair a little, and grabbed the doorknob, twisting it and opening the door. She was full of blissy, floaty panic as little lightning bolts shocked her stomach from the inside.
And then there was a knock at the door. Jaz's heart immediately leapt into her throat as she practically jumped off the loveseat, turning back around only to set her drink down.
She was already over to the door before she thought to take a moment to assess herself. She straightened her shirt, fluffed her hair a little, and grabbed the doorknob, twisting it and opening the door. She was full of blissy, floaty panic as little lightning bolts shocked her stomach from the inside.
Re: All Jaz's Boyfriends
Ren was stiff when Jaz opened the door, one hand tucked into the pocket of his leather jacket and the other holding a tote bag by his side. He looked Jaz over, mixed feelings swirling in his stomach at the color in her cheeks, the flutter of her eyelids. Excitement, for one--he wanted to kiss her, to call her his slut, to just shove her back into the apartment and do away with their plans for socializing. But, he knew he hadn't exactly shown up early. So instead, he moved his eyes over Jaz's shoulder to survey the other guests present.
One sat upright in his chair, feet on the floor, eyes attentive, forearms resting on knees and both hands holding his drink between them. That one must be Chris--Ren had seen him enter the apartment building while he was still stewing out in his car. Chris met eyes with Ren, his brow subtly furrowed. Ren wasn't sure whether he felt irritated or gratified by the look.
The other boy present--Nick, then--looked more nervous. He smiled when Ren met his gaze, then quickly looked away and took a sip of his drink. And, oh, gods damn it, Ren really had met him before. Jaz had said as much, but somehow, there had always been this doubt in his mind like he'd dreamt the whole thing. Well, at least the boy was blushing.
Ren returned his gaze to Jaz, a little weary, but tried to offer her a gentle smile.
"I brought some chips and guac," he said, his hand lifting the tote just enough to draw attention to it. "And stuff for tequila sunrises."
One sat upright in his chair, feet on the floor, eyes attentive, forearms resting on knees and both hands holding his drink between them. That one must be Chris--Ren had seen him enter the apartment building while he was still stewing out in his car. Chris met eyes with Ren, his brow subtly furrowed. Ren wasn't sure whether he felt irritated or gratified by the look.
The other boy present--Nick, then--looked more nervous. He smiled when Ren met his gaze, then quickly looked away and took a sip of his drink. And, oh, gods damn it, Ren really had met him before. Jaz had said as much, but somehow, there had always been this doubt in his mind like he'd dreamt the whole thing. Well, at least the boy was blushing.
Ren returned his gaze to Jaz, a little weary, but tried to offer her a gentle smile.
"I brought some chips and guac," he said, his hand lifting the tote just enough to draw attention to it. "And stuff for tequila sunrises."