Molun eyed him.
“A topic that I thought it would be better we address together came up while we were in town,” he explained. “Walking outside in this weather makes it at least slightly less likely that we’ll get distracted.”
Molun laughed, and Trill grinned.
“Fine, let’s do that,” Molun agreed. “I’m curious now.”
Perian waved them off, looking fondly amused, and they bundled up in their coats and hats and gloves and were soon traipsing across Perian’s land, heading in what was apparently the general direction of the water.
“What’s going on?” Molun wanted to know.
Arvus looked at Trill, who made a face, and Arvus correctly interpreted this as a desire to not have to try to explain.
“The subject of money came up while we were in town. Trill expressed some concern about the state of his finances and how we would react if he acquired money the way he usually does.”
Molun blinked. “Oh.”
That was… not a clear message. Trill really needed a clear message.
“I don’t—” Trill started.
“Trill,” Molun said, turning to face him. “We don’t want to make you unhappy, either.”
This stopped Trill cold. He’d never really thought about that before. Or maybe it was that he’d never before had anyone who could truthfully say that.
It was Trill’s turn to say, “Oh,” a little bit blankly.
They both hugged him, and he stayed happily tucked between them, wishing that he never had to give this up.
“Trill, we’d really like for you to stay with us in the castle,” Molun told him earnestly from his position against Trill’s back. “It, uh, might mean hiding what you are.”
“I’m used to that,” Trill mumbled into Arvus’s chest.
“But you wouldn’t have to hide with us,” Arvus assured him.
Which wasamazing.
“We know it’s not ideal,” Molun added, “and you could still go see your friend and everything whenever you wanted. But would you consider staying with us?”
“That sounds really nice,” Trill agreed, emotions catching at his throat. “I, uh, I’d need to talk to my friend, I guess. They helped me a lot when I really needed it, and I can’t ignore that.”
Yannoma had survived without him in the past and no doubt would again, but not as easily as when he was there. He never wanted to abandon her.
“Of course,” Arvus said, and Molun murmured an agreement. “We’d like as much time with you as you can give us.”
“But what would I do?” Trill asked.
“Have lots and lots of sex with us,” Molun said promptly.
Trill laughed, and Molun’s arms tightened around him.
Molun continued, “And have sex with other people if you want.”
“Is that whatyouwant?” Trill asked uncertainly.
Molun pulled out of the embrace, and they moved so that they could all see one another again, tucked into a tight circle, all standing close. It didn’t feel like Molun and Arvus plus Trill, it felt like all of them together, all of themequal, which Trill couldn’t totally wrap his brain around.
“I think we’re going to have a lot of trouble talking about this if we aren’t willing to say what we would each prefer,” Molun pointed out.
