A Long Conversation

The two Does sat with Blake at a table in the dining, all three munching on sandwiches. The walk across had been uneventful, Daria had noted her absence had not changed the general attitude towards her and Lexi accompanying her had just meant she got the cold shoulder to. She had hoped perhaps that something may have changed, that she may have been wanted again, but had no such luck.

Opposite them sat Blake. The Stallion had some inkling that the pair had talked, this further borne out by the fact that both seemed extraordinarily interested in their lunch presently, with neither broaching conversation. He rather hoped the awkward silence wouldn't go on too long and was about to take the lead when Daria piped up,

"So Lexi and I spoke," She began, choosing her words carefully. She realised discussing this with Blake was very different to discussing it with Lexi, and every now and again her heart would flutter with nervousness. "That thing you two talked about, I'm okay with it." Her pulse rushed slightly, but it felt good getting the words out. Next to her, Lexi also looked grateful she had taken the initiative.

Blake, on the other hand, looked entirely relaxed, and merely nodded, "Alright." He had had his suspicions as to the outcome. The pair seemed to be getting on fine, so it was likely an amicable resolution, which could have only been one thing. He waited for any further elaboration, but none was forthcoming. He swallowed the remnants of his sandwich and prompted the pair, "So, any suggestions on when you would like this to be?"

There was a brief moment of Daria looking uncertainly at Lexi, before the latter answered, "Well, would tomorrow be good for ya? I've gotta free after lunch?"

Blake nodded, "Okay." he said blandly.

His disaffectedness had not gone unnoticed, and Daria nudged Lexi, "Hey, would you mind giving us some space?" She asked.

Lexi looked puzzled, but wasn't exactly going to put up all that much of a fuss, "Sure... See ya later, I guess." She got up, still wearing a look of confusion and wandered away.

Daria turned back to Blake who was staring at her, expressionless. She cleared her throat, "Are- Are you okay?"

The question seemed to break the Stallion out of his reverie a little, "What? Yeah I'm good."

"You just looked a little flat, that's all."

Blake shifted in his seat, "Yeah, sorry. I, uh, thought I shouldn't look too enthusiastic, that's all... Not that I am! I mean- I don't mind... Y'know... but I still want to be clear that I’m with you. It would be odd if I was super excited to have a go with your sister."

Daria laughed, "I admit I didn't expect you to be the more awkward out of us regarding this. I mean, you’re way more used to all this." She gestured broadly at the room around them.

Blake shrugged, "Perhaps. Although, I think that might just be it. You might say I'm kinda old fashioned but I usually don't like sleeping with people I'm not in a relationship with. In fact, I've never done it before." He frowned, "Lexi is only going to be the third person I've ever properly had sex with."

Daria nearly choked on her sandwich, that certainly took her by surprise. "Acck! What?"

Blake repeated himself, nodding, "She's number three."

Daria's mind reeled at the revelation and suddenly she was doubting herself, "Wait? You are okay with this whole thing aren't you? You're not just doing it because you think it will make me happy?"

Blake sighed, "I asked myself that a lot, but no I'm not. I am genuinely curious, and honestly it's not like the experience is going to be terrible, right? I'm friends with Lexi, I'm comfortable enough around her. It shouldn't be too challenging... Hopefully." He added with some humour.

Daria was sighed with relief, "Okay, good..." She cast around for her next sentence, still befuddled by his prior statement, "About the thing tomorrow... I want to tell you something, but I need you to promise not to tell her I said anything."

"I mean, that depends on what your going to tell me."

"Just, please don't tell her alright? You'll see why."

"Okay, I'll not say anything." The Stallion looked both inquisitive and expectant as the Daria took a few breaths, gathering herself for what was clearly going to be a significant disclosure.

"I thought it was just that she wanted to sleep with you because you're..."

Blake smirked, "Well, I am pretty amazing. I can't lie about that."

Daria brushed off the joke, maintaining a more serious demeanour. She took a deep breath and ploughed onwards, "Yes, well it's not that. She, uh, got quite upset and said she needed it to be with someone who actually liked her aside from the whole sleeping with her thing… So if you could, um, act a bit more attached to her, I think that would make her fell better" She sounded uncertain as she spoke.

Blake's smirk faded and er stared at her with a stony expression for a good few seconds, "I don't think you should have told me that."

"But it's important to her, you should know. I just want what’s good for her"

"So you want me to manipulate her? Play up my emotions?" Blake kept his voice calm, but within him he could feel embers igniting.

Daria picked at her food, "I suppose." She sounded half-hearted.

Blake leaned in and put his hand on hers. He tried to relax, but the embers where not subsiding, "Can I ask you something?" His voice was tinted with an accusatory tone, but Daria was too preoccupied to notice.

She nodded, "Yeah, sure."

"How do you see us?... It's been what? Two days since we properly connected and I'm already planning to sleep with someone else. How do you see it?"

Daria was confused, "I don't understand," The embers grew into smaller flames. "We're in a relationship aren't we? I mean, it's the start of one, of course-"

"Does it make a difference?" The accusing nature of his questions where obvious now.

"What do you mean?" Daria was defensive.

"What I mean is, will it always be like this? Are you okay with me sleeping with other people? You're sister? Do you want to do the same?"

Daria blushed, and her voice trembled as she spoke, "I don't want to sleep around and I don't care if you do. I thought that was obvious otherwise I wouldn't have said yes to Lexi..." She paused, and Blake realised the tremble in her voice wasn't fear or sadness, but annoyance, imitating his own. He found it strangely cathartic to see her this way, not that she was angry, but in some other way. He couldn't place exactly what it was, but it helped him. "But I'll ask you again. Do you have a problem with it? Because you seem pretty peeved right now."

The direct address of his feelings finally doused his inner fire. Blake shook his head carefully meeting her gaze.

"It's the meaningful part." He finally said, bowing his head, "Friends with benefits is not something I’ve done before, but I reckon I could do that. This- It changes things. You want me to act like I did with you…. but I can't fake those feelings…” He paused for a moment, considering his words carefully, “I like both of you. I wouldn't have to fake them for her, just like I don't fake them for you.” He stopped again before adding hastily, “It's not love... not yet... but it could be one day, and I'm nurturing that with you. I can’t act like that, because it would have to break that choice."

Daria could see the pained expression on his face, she spoke tentatively, "Then do it for both of us." The Doe said. Her insides where churning, she knew she was taking a risk. This could backfire, this could alienate him.

Now it was Blake's turn to look confused, "I don't follow you."

"Those feelings, for me and Lexi. Nurture both." She placed a hand on his cheek, "I know you're old fashioned. You think it's black and white, but it doesn't have to be, not for either of us. Let your feelings for both of us grow, if..." She withdrew her hand, "If you find it turns into love for her and not me, I won't stand in your way-"

"You can't know that-"

"I can!" Daria spoke defiantly, "You said it yourself, our feelings aren't love, not yet. But I do love her and I can be happy if she is, even if it means only being friends with someone like you."

Blake looked shocked, "You care about her that much?"

She nodded, "I do, I-"

“I don’t know. I need some time to think about things.” Blake spoke quietly, not looking at her.

Daria’s stomach dropped. Had she made a mistake. Her response came barely in a whisper, “O-Okay…” She couldn’t manage anything else, overwhelmed by sickening feeling spreading within her. Blake slowly got up and trudged out of the dining hall. She watched him go, every step he took in thought sending pangs of guilt and anxiety through her. She cradled her head in her hands… What had she done?