Chapter Text
Arthur had been with a fair share of women in this lifetime, but he had never expected to actually commit to a new relationship, let alone rush into one.
Sometimes, relationships were complicated. When would be the right moment to begin searching for a new partner, for example? Not that Arthur was in a hurry, but after the first one, he couldn’t help but wonder.
And what kind of people Gale liked? Only men, or did she like other women too? Would she want one of each if it was the latter? He was sure she wouldn’t get involved with the other girls who followed her from her time, which would mean some outsider girl, which could be a problem. What about the kind of relationship? Separate partners or attempting to find someone they both liked? Although these were the most complicate to find, Arthur knew of someone they would like to try for that. Would she want one more partner for each of them, or many? Would she want at least one of them to be human? Again, that could be complicated. Well, there was Sebastian, but the chance of the two getting along to that point was minimal.
These were things you usually asked before fully committing to a relationship. Arthur would never have imagined he would be so drawn to someone that these things wouldn’t matter.
The only reason he was thinking about these things was because he’d noticed an awkward interaction between Gale and Isaac, where it was obvious his girlfriend liked him but was also trying to distance herself, and Arthur was wondering if she was holding back because of him.
Arthur found his girlfriend in her room, by the window, watching something in the garden. That something turned out to be one of her sisters, Amy, who seemed, surprisingly, very close to Jean. Surprisingly, because Jean barely interacted with anyone.
“Don’t you think they look a little too intimate?” Gale had asked him. “I know it is Amy we’re talking about and it is easy to misinterpret her, but… do you know if something happened between her and Mozart?”
“Why do you think something happened?” Actually, Mozart was one of the few people Jean interacted with, made sense for him to grow close to his friend’s girl.
“So you think I’m exaggerating about Amy’s relationship?”
“No. I think your deduction was spot-on. Although I doubt they would admit to it yet, and I am a little surprised Wolfie is normal enough to share.” Although not with whom. It would be even more surprising if he were the one dating someone else. “Wanna bet how long it takes for it to become a trio?”
Gale was silent, her expressions changing between thought and confusion.
“And you call this normal? Is this a vampire thing?” She finally asked, looking up at him, genuinely confused.
“And what would you call this, luv? Sebas said it is pretty normal in your time and country, too.”
Gale frowned, looking down again.
“Are we even talking about the same thing, Arthur? Because what I am listening to is you telling me that some form of polyamory is normal in this place, but for me, it isn’t. I wouldn’t say strange… Yuki actually prefers it… but it’s not exactly a norm, but you are acting like it is.”
“Interesting.” It was Arthur’s turn to be pensive for a moment. “When Amy told you Comte’s door didn’t only transport you through time, but also to a different world, you said she was exaggerating. Should we start reconsidering?”
Gale looked up at him, surprised, then looked down again, nodding.
“Well… I was afraid back then that it meant instead of going back home we could end in another world, or this one, but in the future… Guess I wasn’t thinking right.”
“Probably. It is not like my lovely assistant to dismiss an important piece of information like that without investigating further.”
Arthur gently pulled her into an embrace while Gale laughed.
“That won’t happen again.” She snuggled into his chest, still laughing. “But what do we do with this information now?”
Being from different worlds meant someone had to compromise something for a relationship to work. Find something one of them was more flexible about.
Could Arthur be the one to do so? Yes. He had already changed a lot from the man he was before her. Having only one partner shouldn’t be too difficult, right? Gale was the first one he ever fell in love with in this life.
Although he had someone in mind as a future partner. Was it love? Arthur wasn’t sure. He had been wondering when would be the appropriate time to bring the subject up with Gale. He was in no hurry, though.
The reason he was still considering it, though, was the fact he’d seen signs of his girlfriend also having a crush on the same person, that, with the new information he had about her lifestyle, he knew she had already given up so she could be with him.
Could Gale consider the possibility of following her heart instead? It was worth asking.
“So…” Gale spoke first, pulling slightly away to look him in the eyes. “I think, if you really want to find another partner, I could be okay with that. At least if it is not one of my sisters. I had never thought about it before, but I could try it. But the girls in the mansion are quite close to me. I would never date any of them. But I suppose it would be easier for you to date a girl you already know would be okay with the vampire part, right? I wouldn’t mind that.”
She spoke fast, taking so short breaks between sentences Arthur was afraid she would choke on her own words. To know that Gale was considering changing for him was quite the warm feeling. Although all she was saying past that she was okay with trying his way of doing things was unnecessary.
“If we’re going to have separate partners, I would rather you find someone first, unless you really want me to be your only one.” Arthur caressed her cheek, giving her a playful smile. “And who told you I have another female in mind, luv?”
“Didn’t you? I never took you for the kind who like guys.”
“Not often, but it wouldn’t be my first time. II was quite drunk that time, but not enough that I don’t remember. It was quite the experience.”
“With whom?”
“I love your curiosity, but why don’t you find this one out yourself? I actually have someone else in mind. Someone I know you had your sights on, too. Maybe if you approach him first, we can make it work. My attempts have been quite successful so far.”
Gale’s eyes widened, then she closed then, blushing, shook her head and looked back at him.
“You know that these arrangements don’t always work, right? He could accept me, but not you, maybe. Or he could reject both.”
“If he likes at least you, I’ll simply look for someone else. I told you I would like for you to find someone first if we’re going to have separate partners.”
“But you would like to try Isaac first, right? I always thought you actually liked him more than you let on.” She chuckled.
“Yeah. I really fancy him. He’s quite cute and smart, even though I don’t always follow his ideas, and I would like to know more of him.”
“Well, that’s not what it seems when you keep teasing him. Not for him, at least.”
“Just can’t help it. His reactions are fun and adorable. And I admit I know nothing of how to flirt with a guy.”
Gale laughed, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around his neck.
“We should work on that, then. It might not be the most realistic expectation, but, if I’m honest, I love the idea of the three of us together. And if that doesn’t work, we’ll find a new goal together. I want to try new things, explore this new world, as long as I have you.”
Gale pulled him closer, and they kissed, sealing the deal of see where the future would lead them together.