Chapter Text
It was the day Nick randomly went “god, Gary is so fine” that Judy realized they both really REALLY liked him. Nick picked up on it very early on with how much the energy shifted when the two were around Gary. When they visited him, both Judy and Nick would not keep their eyes off of him. When it was suddenly so cold and he’d politely ask for a hug as he shivered, neither mammal would decline and they’d enjoy surprisingly soft scales against them as they were embraced. When Gary would laugh, suddenly Nick and Judy felt like they were floating.
So, when Nick randomly dropped how he was insanely attracted to Gary, the couple began to discuss things over that week. During work, on their breaks, on their day off, they’d talk about their feelings for each other and Gary and if that meant they were polyamory. The don’t know if that’s explicitly what they were, especially since the only other animal they REALLY wanted was Gary. No one else.
As for expressing those feelings to Gary himself, they never really agreed on what to do… not that the topic of telling him ever came up. Mostly because such a thing was a huge commitment and Judy was mostly worried about messing it all up and hurting someone in the process.
So, they never really talked about it…
Until today.
“I think we should ask Gary on a date.” Nick said casually, his eyes on the tv and mouth full of chips. He and Judy were watching a sitcom they both mutually enjoyed, though they can’t recall any moment they actually laughed at it. It was more of a way to wind down after a long day.
Judy paused completely, a chip just inches away from her open mouth. She looked over at her boyfriend and chuckled. “Wait— what?”
“I mean think about it. You like him, I like him, we both find him attractive, and he’s single and has expressed zero interest in anyone else. Why not try it out?”
“Nick, we could never do that!” Judy chuckled, popping the chip into her mouth.
“Why not? It’s all laid out in front of us!”
“Cause he’s… Gary! I don’t want to make him uncomfortable or overwhelmed!”
“Hm. Well, yeah, that’s fair. But it wouldn’t hurt to ask. Just a teeny tiny question? And if he says no, if he’s uncomfortable, we will back off. No worries!”
Judy hummed nervously and shifted in her spot. “Well… yeah, but… there’s also the problem where… w-what if he’s so bothered by it that he… he never talks to us again…? Believe me, Nick, I love him a lot but if we do this and he doesn’t speak to us anymore… it’d be too much. I just don’t want to lose him. I still value him as a friend…”
Nick frowned in understanding. He never really thought about that part until now. “… That… that actually makes sense… I don’t wanna do that to either of you.”
Judy sighed softly before scooting closer to lean against him. He wrapped an arm over her shoulders and pulled her close to kiss her on the top of her fuzzy head.
“Sorry if it seemed like I was pressuring you-“
“No, you’re okay. I know you didn’t mean to… I’m not against asking him. In fact, I’d love for him up be part of this relationship. But there needs to be a bit of a built up to that first.”
“… How do you build up to a three-way?”
Judy chuckle. “First off, not what it’s called. It’s a polycule. Second, you ask him subtle questions. Try and gauge his reactions and get answers out of him. Like if he’s dated before, if he has a crush on anyone, stuff like that.”
“God, it’s like you’re stuck in middle school.”
“Shut up, Nick.” Nick only laughed as Judy elbowed his side. “but you get what I’m saying, right? We can’t just ask him to be part of our relationship out of the blue. But we can’t bombard him with questions all at once. We also need his opinions on polyamory but we can’t do that part so fast.”
“I hear ya, Jude, I understand. Soooo… you wanna invite him over our next day off?”
“… I’ll let you know when I’m ready to start the process.”
“Okay, well, don’t say it like it’s an experiment. But okay, honey bunny, I’m following your lead.” He then cupped her face in his hands and placed a kiss on her soft lips.
Judy hummed softly and smiled. “I love you.”
“I love you more and don’t try to one-up me cause that’ll make you a filthy liar.”
Judy giggled and moved to rest her head on his chest. “You’re so annoying.”