“Can I stay here tonight?” for someone new!au, not long after sarah's joined the relationship?
Stay | Someone New
Poly!Rheesker; sometimes someone needs a reminder
WC: I don’t know lmao
CW: I mean kind of allusion to Spicy Stuff near the end but not enough for me to say minors DNI
***
Ava had fallen asleep on the long sectional couch, her head on Connor’s thigh and her legs sprawled across Sarah’s. Her partners didn’t mind, she had had a long day of surgeries and deserved the rest. Still, it was getting pretty late and Sarah felt a bit awkward. She didn’t want to stay at their place too long in case Connor wanted to go to bed and yet she didn’t have the heart to wake up her girlfriend in that moment.
Sarah had joined the couple a few weeks prior, after a few casual dates and some not-so-casual nights together. She had never been in a poly relationship so it was like treading new waters every day, but she was never truly uncomfortable. She had connected with both Connor and Ava so quickly and something about being with them felt so right. The way she felt when she kissed either of them and the butterflies that woke up in her stomach the second they made eye contact across the room was indication enough. She was falling in love with them both, as a unit and as individuals, and she wanted this quiet comfort to continue.
“Connor?”
“Hmm?” Her boyfriend reached for the remote from where it was wedged between Ava’s arm and the couch. He made sure to lower the volume on the tv, effectively dampening the sound of the TEDtalk they had been watching. She loved when he did that, something so simple as giving her his full attention. Being heard and prioritized wasn’t something Sarah was used to and she had begun to enjoy the feeling.
“Could I-,” she sighed at her the nervous waver in her voice, “Can I stay here tonight?”
His million dollar smile was enough to set her heart aflutter, “Of course you can, baby. You don’t have to ask so formally.”
“Are you sure? I mean I don’t want to intrude or anything but Ava- I mean I don’t wanna wake her up and it’s getting pretty late and…”
“Sarah, slow down,” gentle fingers caught her chin and guided her to make eye contact again, “You’re okay, you don’t have to explain yourself.”
“I-.”
“Sarah Reese if I hear one more excuse I’ll drag you to bed myself,” Ava’s muffled voice piped up from between them. She had been half awake for a while but just enjoyed the comfort of being between her two favourite people. She knew their girlfriend was anxious and unsure about making first moves but she needed to know that this relationship was built on trust.
“Sorry…”
“Don’t apologize, just know you’re always welcome, okay?”
Connor nodded, his hand carding through her hair in a soothing gesture, “You’re here because we care about you, you know that? You’re every part as important in our relationship regardless of how long you’ve been with us.”
Sarah pouted a little at their words, breaking eye contact with Ava because the amused smirk on her face was making her flustered. She was, however, put in an even more flustering situation when Ava shifted on the couch. She settled herself down on Sarah’s lap with ease, grinning at her as she watched the realization dawn on the younger’s face.
“You better believe that,” she murmured, “Unless you need a reminder?”
Unable to contain a squeak of embarrassment, Sarah hid her face in Ava’s shoulder. That made them both laugh and Connor tapped on Ava’s hip gently, “Don’t tease her.”
Sarah grumbled something in agreement but Ava just looked content with herself and the position she had put them in. She kissed the side of her head and peeked at her to see the big smile that had grown on her face. Mission accomplished, Ava decided, because Sarah visibly relaxed into her touch.
“Better?”
“Yeah…”
“Good,” Connor watched them fondly, especially when Ava bent to kiss her but stopped just inches away, asking her quietly if it was okay. They were both surprised when Sarah nodded and ended up being the one to close the gap. Her confidence came in small bursts but when it did it was the most attractive either of them had seen Sarah.
When they parted, Sarah smiled when she saw the way Connor was watching them. He did it a lot, the mixture of admiration and wanting fighting with his wish to not interrupt them. Ava noticed too and laughed, holding onto Sarah’s hand for stability while she leaned over to kiss their boyfriend. Her free hand had moved to Ava’s hip, not wandering but her fingers tapping gently against the bone rhythmically.
It was Connor who said what everyone was thinking, pulling away from Ava momentarily, “Are you sure you don’t need that reminder, Sarah?”