Back home

Nyx didn't have much to say the next morning or for the rest of the drive home, she hardly even strummed her guitar and the silence was weighing on you. About thirty minutes from home you pulled over.

"Nyx," you said looking at her as she avoided eye contact, "talk to me."

"It's fine," she said.

You may have been a stupid man but you knew that was not the case.

"I had a lot of fun with you," you said, "on our date, at Yellowstone...and last night."

"I did too," she said finally looking at you, "I," she paused and spoke like the words pained her to say, "I lost someone relatively recently, the only person I ever loved, she," she wiped tears from her eyes, "it's hard being trans in this world. We always talked about Yellowstone, traveling together and after everything it just felt like I had her back in a way."

You took her hand and gave it a soft squeeze, "grief is weird."

"It is," she said giving a laugh through the tears, "I know you and Amy are important to each other and I don't want to come between that but I also can't pretend like these past few days aren't the happiest I've been in a long time."

"We're friends Nyx," you said, "we've only really just met but I want to get to know you better and I hope this can feel like home to you."

"I'd really like that," said Nyx drying her eyes, "ok, I think I'm ready."

You pulled into the complex well after sunset and got as close to the house as you could, it was cold with the sun down and you wanted to get Nyx settled. As you emerged from the truck Amy came flying out of the house in just her oversized hoodie and socks crashing into you as she hugged you. Nyx gave you a look that screamed "told you so" as you hugged Amy. As Amy finally let go of you she and Nyx gave each other a little "hi" as the girl you assumed was Sara came out watching from the porch.

"Sara is staying in this house?" you asked.

"Yea," said Amy wrapping her arms around herself in the cold, "she's my friend."

"That's fine," you said kind of annoyed at not being consulted about the house you shared with Amy, "I just feel bad that she's going to be alone."

"It's fine," said Nyx seemingly trying to ease the tension, "I don't mind."

"Alright," you said, "I'll help you bring your stuff in."

Amy and Sara retreated back into the house and you walked Nyx to the nearest house that had been made ready.

"Never had an apartment to myself let alone a whole house," she said.

"If we're going to be helping as many people as I hope, you might not be alone for long."

"That's fine," said Nyx, "I have a place, I don't have to worry about my next meal or a roof."

"If you need anything," you started.

"I'll be fine," said Nyx giving you a soft kiss on your cheek.

You turned to leave and found Amy standing in the doorway. She stormed out and you followed after her.

"Amy," you pleaded.

"Now I know why you didn't want to come back," she said.

"That's not fair," you said as you both entered your house, "you said we were friends, you said you don't do monogamy and I didn't leave here expecting anything when I met Nyx."

"Did you even miss me?"

"Of course I did," you said trying to put a hand on her shoulder as she moved away.

"Hey Ames," said Sara seemingly oblivious to the conversation taking place, "you going to come tuck me in?"

You gave Amy a look and she suddenly tensed up, "Sara is a friend."

"Yes and you fuck all your friends," you said parroting Amy's words, "which is fine but don't give me a double standard."

You went to your room and locked the door behind you falling face first into the bed. Aftet your phone call with Amy this wasn't the best outcome you were expecting but it also wasn't the worst. Sleep was elusive once more and as you tossed late into the night there was a soft knock at your door. You opened the door and found Amy, her eyes red and she immediately pulled you in for a tight hug.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I'm really sorry."

You sat on the bed with Amy and she leaned against you.

"I'm really happy you're back," she said, "it's just, Nyx and I have history and I was worried you wouldn't need me anymore."

"Amy," you said looking her in the eyes, "I do need you."

"Can I sleep here tonight?"

"Of course," you said and soon you both finally dozed off.

You woke up late for you but you'd also finally gotten to sleep late. Amy came too around the same time you did.

"Morning," she said sitting up next to you, "I'll make breakfast."

"That sounds wonderful," you said.

As yoi headed out you passed Nyx' house, she was out strumming her guitar seemingly unfazed by the cold.

"Morning," she said as you approached, "where are you off to?"

"Animals to take care of, crops to tend."

"Need a hand?" she asked getting to her feet.

"That," you said pausing, "would be really nice."

"You and Amy make up?" she asked as you got towards the enclosures.

"Kind of," you said.

"She and I need to get past our shit," she said, "it'll make things easier."

Nyx was a huge help not shying away from the dirtier or more intense tasks and you were done rather quickly.

"Want to come in?" asked Nyx as you got back to her house, "I can, there's a coffee machine I don't know how to work and I can't cook."

"Come back to my place," you said with a laugh.

"Hey," said Amy with a smile as you entered.

Her smile dropped when she saw Nyx.

"Nyx doesn't know how to cook," you said, "figured she could join, eating alone is lonely."

"Sure," said Amy setting another spot.

Sara came out in an open robe and panties that weren't much hiding her bulge.

"Hey Nyx," she said, "Dave right," she offered a hand, "we didn't actually do introductions last night."

"Nice to meet you," you said.

Breakfast was quiet, you kept catching Amy staring daggers as Nyx.

"Well," you said as you all finished, "I'm going to be lazy for the rest of the day, "it's been a long few days on the road."

Nyx tried to help clean up but Amy snapped at her, "I can do it."

"Still hate me?" said Nyx not really showing any reaction.

"I don't hate you," said Amy, you and Sara sat watching this unfold.

"You sure?"

"I invited you to live here didn't I?"

"Technically Dave did, it's his place."

Amy was now staring Nyx right in the eyes, hardly any space between them.

"I didn't steal her," said Nyx.

"I didn't say you did."

"But that's when everything went south between us," said Nyx.

"And then what, you just dumped her anyway."

"Yea because she was manipulative, and I met," Nyx paused her unfazed exterior slowly breaking, "I met Ciri, and then."

"Ciri," said Amy, "oh yeah," Amy's anger seemed to cool, "where is Ciri?"

Nyx tried to hold back her tears but she broke down and soon Amy was holding her.

"Oh my god Nyx I'm so sorry," said Amy, "I had no idea."

You went over and Nyx clung to you as she tried to collect herself. Amy stayed nearby as Nyx finally stopped crying but stayed in your arms.

"I miss her so much," said Nyx.

"She was a great girl," said Amy.

Breakfast was cleaned up and Amy and Nyx started to chat, Amy's animosity seemingly gone. You did actually mean to take it easy and while Amy and Nyx caught up Sara joined you now wearing a tight t-shirt and tight boy shorts. She had almost jet black hair and a lot of dark makeup.

"Figure we could chat," said Sara, "Amy hasn't been able to shut up about you."

"Good things I hope," you said.

Sara looked you over, "she said you can really take charge."

"You like to be taken charge of?" you asked.

"It depends," said Sara, "wouldn't want to ruin your relaxing day."