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Wrapped in one another's arms, Mason and Nicholas both seemed to
be clinging to their images of one another in the face of difficult revelations
that paradoxically seemed to bring them closer and drive them apart.
Strangers in love.
Mason tried to tease apart the confusion to answer the simple question Nick had just posed: would she like to stay for the night? Sounding stupid to her own ears, she echoed, "Stay here? ... just... stay?"
"If you like. I would like that very much." Nick's voice seemed calm, though the tension in his body increased a bit more.
"I'd have to go check on Brutis... "
"You could bring him back with you. He, and you, are both welcome." He smiles, reflected in his tone.
"He's got used to sleeping on my bed..." Mason's voice trails off. She gives Nicholas a gentle squeeze, hesitates, then goes on. "Nick... I... I think I'd have to talk to Constance? This is ... I mean I know you asked her first, you wouldnt ask me if it werent ok... but..."
"Of course. Shall I fetch her?" Though she nods, Mason doesn't let go, her arms still tight around him. He continues to hold her contentedly. "Whenever you like, Mason." He smiles wider, more than happy to keep her wrapped in his arms.
Mason whispers, "Not being alone feels so good."
"You will never be alone again, for as long as you want," Nick whispers back to Mason. Her arms hold him for what feels like a long, long time - fifteen or twenty minutes.
Finally she looses herself gently .... "Okay... um, you can get her now..." and giggles faintly.
He smiles warmly, kissing the tip of Mason's nose. "I shall be back directly." He rises, carefully, continuing to watch Mason for a moment, then turns to walk down the hallway.
Reaching the bedroom door, Nick knocks softly, opens it and walks in to sit on the edge of the bed closest to Constance's head. He runs his fingers through her hair softly, whispering her name.
Meanwhile, Mason mulls over Nick's 'truth'... thinking it sounds like a scene from a horror movie... wondering if he was coopting a memory, or if it had been a hallucination, or a genuine supernatural experience...
"Constance? Are you awake?" Nick whispers.
With a sleepy smile, Constance answers, "I am now." She rolls over slightly, brushing her hair out of her face so she can see him clearly, then studies him for a moment, reading his face. "She agreed to spend the night?"
"Yes, but she wishes your consent first, I believe. I never understand such things." He looks down at his hands, not uncomfortable, but embarrassed at his lack of skill with social nuance.
Constance pulls him down on the bed with her, wrapping her arms around him. "Are you okay with this, Nicky? I mean... I know it's kinda weird."
Nick smiles. "Yes. I am in love with her, I believe. Are you upset with this?" He looks up, into her face.
Constance chuckles. "Course not. She's very beautiful, and kind, and everything you love. I was expecting it."
"Oh." Nick gets that blank look on his face again.
Constance sits up a bit, rolling over onto him, one leg on either side of his waist, letting her hair dangle onto his face. A pensive look crosses her face. "Have you mentioned spending the night with both of us yet?"
"No. I didn't know if I should - I know you said to wait... and... I'm afraid."
"It's okay, Nicky. I just wanted to know what to expect. Do you think she likes me at all?"
Nicholas thinks a few moments, then answers, "Yes. I am sure she likes you very much, or she wouldn't have asked for your approval."
Constance nods distractedly, lost in her own thoughts. "Enough to sleep with me? with us?" She sighs, crawling off Nick and wiping the sleep out of her eyes. "Only time will tell, I guess." She smiles at Nick, pleased he is doing so well. "Thank you. It would be great if she moved in - joined us. It would make me very happy."
Nick smiles back at her, pleased for her happiness - and for his own. "Yes. It would be very special. Shall I wait here?"
"I don't know. You think she would be uncomfortable if I go out there alone?"
He frowns in thought, sitting up. "I'm not sure. I can wait in the hallway, if you prefer, to see how she reacts."
"Okay. You guys want the bedroom? I can go for a walk, and come sleep on the couch after a while. Take the dogs out. Yes. I can take the dogs for a walk." She grins at Nick, who blushes.
"Ahh well, I was assuming... we would be in the livingroom, but... I'll ask Mason which she prefers." He blushes a bit deeper, dropping his eyes.
Constance smiles at Nick, kissing his forehead. "Okay." She walks out into the livingroom, running her fingers through her hair.
Looking up from her reverie, Mason smiles wanly. "Oh hey... Constance.... sorry to wake you and all..... " She watches Constance, unsure what to say next. "How have you been? sleeping a lot?"
With a sleepy smile at Mason, Constance walks over and sits on the couch, curling up in a ball. "Oh, no problem. Join me for a minute? I hear you want to talk to me. ... Oh, a little."
Mason sits down with Constance, and turns to face her. She speaks tenatively. "Yes... Nick probably told you... he asked me to stay here for the night? and... I guess I felt like it would bother me unless I got your viewpoint on it directly... I mean... how you feel and such?"
"I'm very fond of you, Mason, we both are, and I appreciate you asking... I'm very happy the two of you are getting along so well." Constance smiles, reaching forward to hug Mason. "You're welcome to spend the night any time you like."
Mason feels a lot less reluctant to hug Constance than she did Nick... probably because her emotional pull and inner conflicts arent so strong... she hugs her easily. "Thank you." Mason pulls back slightly and looks into Constance's eyes with a warm happy smile. "But... what about you? Will you feel... left out? Will you be um, inclusive, I mean, I have no idea... I haven't done this you know, I mean, before..."
Constance carefully studies Mason's expression for any sign that she would find such an 'inclusive' arrangment disgusting... instead she sees confusion and a sincere desire for explanations that Nicholas was simply unequipped to provide. With inward relief and pleasure Constance makes a quick decision, and asks in a warm tone, "Would you mind if I were included?"
"No... I wouldnt mind... I don't want to feel like I'm separating you and Nick. You seem so much to belong together."
Constance lets the breath she was holding out in a soft sigh, a look of deep satisfaction spreading across her face. "I wouldn't feel that way even if you minded, but I'm happy you don't. I'd like for the three of us to be very close."
Looking relieved, Mason nods. "I really think I'm in love with him, Constance. I mean, really I do." Mason gazes at her openly and seriously.
"He's a wonderful man. I've always thought there was something... some surreal quality to him... something which draws you in and keeps you warm, safe, you know? I'm very happy for us, Mason. He is in love with you too, and I'm very attracted to you."
Mason nods. "You said before, that you were attracted to me... I am not sure I know what I'd do bout that... but ... you're very beautiful, and I know Nick loves you very much... "
Constance slips forward, across the space between herself and Mason, kissing her softly. She pulls away with a warm, half pout, half smile on her lips, her eyes meeting Masons affectionately. "I could love you very easily." She smiles wider, brushing her fingers through Mason's hair. "Do whatever you feel comfortable with."
Constance pulls away, awaiting her reaction, watching Mason with longing curiosity.