The next morning, Nilla woke up groggy but warm. A blanket had been pulled up to her chin, a tray of waffles and fruit was on the coffee table, and both Theo and James were nowhere in sight. For a split second, she wondered if she'd dreamt the whole thing.
Then the door opened and in walked Theo with coffee and James with a juice smoothie in hand.
"Sleeping Beauty awakens," James announced, placing the smoothie in front of her like an offering.
"Still no prince," Nilla muttered, stretching. "Unless I get two now, which, honestly, might be overkill."
Theo smirked. "Then it's a good thing we're here to clarify things."
She blinked. "Oh no. Are we doing the 'what are we' talk? Is this the emotionally intelligent version of the DTR?"
"Exactly," Theo said, sitting beside her. "With less panic and more caffeine."
James grabbed a notepad and pen. "I'm taking notes. You never know when a Google Calendar invite for emotional clarity might be necessary."
Nilla giggled and pulled the blanket around her shoulders like armor. "Okay, okay. Let's do this."
**Step One: Boundaries.**
"I think we need to agree that communication is non-negotiable," Theo started. "If something doesn't feel right, we talk. Immediately."
James nodded. "Agreed. No sulking. No 'I'm fine' when we're clearly *not* fine."
Nilla pointed her spoon. "No emotional ambushing before coffee either. That's just cruel."
"Fair," both men said in unison.
**Step Two: Jealousy.**
James took a breath. "It's normal if it comes up. But I've been thinking—jealousy isn't always about the other person. Sometimes it's insecurity. So… if I feel that way, I'll be honest. And I expect the same."
Nilla raised her eyebrows. "Damn, okay, Mr. Growth."
Theo grinned. "He journals now."
"Shut up," James muttered, turning pink.
**Step Three: Scheduling.**
"I know this sounds weird," Theo said, "but with all our work schedules, it might help to set time aside—just us, one-on-one, and all together."
James made a face. "Are we going to need a shared Google Calendar?"
Nilla snorted. "I'm naming it 'Hot Mess Poly Planning.'"
**Step Four: The Physical Stuff.**
They all quieted for a moment.
"I'm open to all dynamics," Theo said gently. "But I think it's important we move at *your* pace, Nilla. Whether it's solo, or together, or just cuddling for now."
James nodded. "No pressure. Sex doesn't define this. Trust does."
Nilla bit her lip, eyes glancing between them. "You guys are gonna ruin men for me, you know that?"
James smiled. "We're trying to ruin you for other men, actually."
Theo leaned back. "Mission already successful."
**Step Five: Label? No Label?**
"So what are we calling this?" Nilla asked. "A throuple? A triangle of emotional chaos? My villain origin story?"
"Let's not force a label," Theo said. "Let's just… be. And adjust as we go."
"Agreed," James added. "No pressure. Just connection."
Nilla sipped her smoothie thoughtfully. "Okay. But if either of you starts fighting over who gets the last slice of pizza, I'm choosing the dog."
"We don't even have a dog," James laughed.
"I'll *get* a dog," she said firmly.
Theo clinked his coffee cup with hers. "Deal."
And just like that, their chaos had order. Their connection had a container. It wasn't perfect, and it might get complicated—but they were doing it together, with open hearts and open minds.
Now… they just had to survive their first group dinner with Sarah.