"So, since we've discussed the major things—how about we discuss the little things now?" Lukas rubbed his chin and looked at both girls.
"What did you have in mind, Lukas?"
"What is it?"
It was interesting enough to see that the two girls essentially said the same thing, but in their own ways. Lukas cleared his throat and gestured at Lily.
"So, we spend a lot of hours during work, and I would also like to spend time with Chaerin afterwards."
"Oh... but the time after work is different from work hours." Lily frowned a little, the first sign of distaste that he'd seen.
"Well, it isn't my fault that you're already spending a lot of time with him." Chaerin frowned back.
"Why not give Lukas enough time to rest after work though? Wouldn't he be required to give you too much attention if you're being... needy when he comes home?" Lily said.
"Needy?"
"I... I don't exactly forget what you did to me—you masqueraded as Lukas." Lily's eyes narrowed at her. "Needy is a soft word."
"Is that so?"
"Woah woah, let's not delve into that any longer, okay?" Lukas tried to clear the air. His fears were coming true—it was super difficult to get the two to go along together.
"There would be hidden resentment lingering below the surface if we don't allow it out, Lukas." Lily said. "Please do not let it fester for her."
"Me?" Chaerin scoffed. "You're the one who's bringing it up. If anything, it seems like you're the one who's much more affected by what happened—"
"Which is fair right?" Lukas asked.
"I had my body ruined because of hers. We're even." Chaerin frowned. "If anything, I deserve much more after what she did to me—"
"That's—!"
"Okay, okay, let's just test things out for now, okay? We can adjust next time, but it's definitely a work in progress."
The schedule was like this, every eight hours were spent with Lily at work, and the other eight was spent with Chaerin.
It was like nearly eating all of his entire time, but the two women didn't want to budge so Lukas had to take matters into his own hands.
Lily didn't seem entirely happy, but she allowed it to be so.
"If that is what you want to try, Lukas." Lily said. "However, I must confess that I'm already worried about how taxing it must be for you."
Lukas grinned weakly. "I'll be fine, thank you for the concern."
That was it.
It was terribly hard to manage things, especially in a poly relationship... but this was what Lukas wanted. He liked both Chaerin and Lily and couldn't bear the thought of losing one for the other.
That was why he'd do whatever it takes to make sure it was successful.
Lukas looked up temporarily away from both Lily and Chaerin, he ended up meeting Stacy's gaze and for what seemed like an uncharacteristic moment—she threw him a thumbs up.
A smile curled on his lips. Stacy was so—oh crap.
Lukas ran his fingers through his head and tried to calm down his breathing. It was normal to feel tension with a person, but it didn't mean that he'd have to pursue it right?
Sure, he was with Chaerin and Lily now, but it didn't mean that he needed to go for Serena, Stacy or some other girl.
"Ah, it's getting a bit late." Lily's eyes widened as she checked her device. "My family will start looking for me."
"Shall we walk you home then?" Lukas offered.
"That would be much appreciated." Lily smiled.
And so they did. Even though Lukas was scared about what would happen if he arrived back at Lily's residence and not making it out alive, he wanted to be there for the girl that he cared about.
If anything that was sort of a motivation for him to get stronger—and saying yes to both Serena and Emerys' offer would definitely help him.
Or was that not necessary?
"A penny for your thoughts?" Chaerin squeezed Lukas' hand once they arrived back at their own apartment. She looked up curiously at Lukas and had a cute smile on her face.
Lukas looked down at her and his mind blanked. "So Serena... came around again."
Chaerin's expression faltered. "She... she did?"
"Yes. And well she once again tried to recruit me into the special mission task... including you." Lukas hesitated, afraid of what might happen, but he wanted to be honest with Chaerin.
"You declined her offer, right?" Chaerin went for a weak smile.
"Of course." Lukas returned the smile.
A simple life with the two girls that he adored and cared about... wasn't that more than enough for anyone? He needed not to get dragged into a situation beyond his control.
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