Chapter Text
Ivy heard a rather interesting earth term recently. "Friends with benefits." It apparently meant something along the lines of, "people who are friends but also engage in more intimate activities not usually exclusive to platonic relationships." They weren't exactly sure that that term could fit this exact scenario though.
The only thing Ivy was sure of was that there was something between him and Jonny. There was some comfort in the ambiguity of it all. There wasn't much pressure to define it either, aside from the joking stowaway now and then. What mind they had being interested in Ivy's relationships baffled her.
There was something though, they were right, no matter if the stowaways only saw a small portion of that or not.
Oxytocin* is sure a bitch if Ivy knew one. If it could be completely removed from the equation Ivy was sure this wouldn't be as complicated as it currently felt.
No matter the comfort they look in the ambiguity of their relationship, there was a point to be made though. Jonny made it clear that she also had no idea what was going on between them, which meant, to Ivy's dismay, they needed to talk. For once.
Ivy didn't seek him out to talk, rather, waited for when the two of them would inevitably find themselves together and bored. This ended up being a few days later.
The duo lay there in comfortable silence awhile, Ivy star-fished on Jonny's bed, and Jonny an arm wrapped around them.
Ivy had it on the tip of his tongue for a whole ten minutes before he finally said, "We need to talk."
Jonny groaned and pulled Ivy into a hug, hiding his face in their hair.
"Jonny."
"What if I don't want to."
Ivy wormed his way out of Jonny's grasp, "You know we should though."
"Maybe." Jonny reluctantly said.
"We can start with the obvious bit at least," Ivy sat up and moved to lay against a pile of pillows. "We're not dating or partners, not at the moment, unless you want to be."
"No, I uh, I'm open to the idea in the future if you ever wanted to… but yeah right now, no."
"That's one thing done at least."
Jonny scooted up next to Ivy and laid his head on her shoulder, "Is there even any more to talk about other than that?"
"I guess just," he put this in air quotes, "Feelings."
"Oh come on, you know I'm not good at those."
"Neither am I apparently," her voice got low, "recently has definitely made that apparent."
"Oh you poor thing, how hard is it dealing with three prospective and or active romantic relationships?" Jonny said sarcastically.
"Horrible."
Jonny put a hand on their head dramatically, "It's a surprise you even have time for me."
Ivy playfully shoved him, "It really is given how fucking annoying you are."
"You love me though."
Ivy turned toward Jonny and tucked a strand of hair behind their ear before placing her hand on their cheek, "Somehow. Yes."
He leaned into the touch, "Isn't that something?"
"For…?"
"The Feelings part."
"Yeah, I suppose it can be." Their faces now inches apart, they kissed a moment.
"For the record, I love you too."
"Fucking sap."
"Hey!"
*Oxytocin (love hormone): feelings of contentment, attachment and security