(no subject)

[clumsy_auror]

Nymphadora's just a bit tired, after last night's excitement and the ensuing crying jags that resulted in she and Bernard walking the floor with one child or another until the wee small hours.

Perhaps it's not so surprising, then, that she finds her entire family in her bed when she comes home from work; Bernard's snoring lightly with Anthony asleep on his chest, and Sunny curled close under his arm. Even Ellie's snoozing at the end of the bed.

She grins faintly and goes back out into the living room, making herself comfortable with a stack of paperwork and an oatmeal raisin cookie.

Comments

[clumsy_auror]

"I guess I can understand that."

And yet... Almost reluctantly, 'Dora continues.

"D'you want my advice, or would you rather me just do the comforting big-sister thing for the moment? 'Cause I can do either, honestly."

[awesome_lilly]

"I don't know," Lilly says, considering this.

"Um. Well, I actually do have one thing I'd like advice on. I don't... I don't know if I don't want to be monogamous because it worked out so badly the last time, or because I'm just actually capable of really caring about more than one person at a time. What do you think?"

[clumsy_auror]

"Hm." She swallows another mouthful of ice cream, thoughtfully sucking on the spoon for a moment. "I mean, I really think Alain has something to do with it. And that's not a bad thing -- it just... is.

"But on the other hand," 'Dora continues, "you might well be capable of caring for more than one person. I know I'm not, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything for you."

There's a slight pause.

"Well, actually," she amends, "I might be capable of caring for more than one person at once. But I know I'm not capable of being in love with more than one. For whatever that's worth."

[awesome_lilly]

Lilly nods thoughtfully at this.

"Yeah, if we're going to talk about love, I may need booze."

She goes with milk for now, though.

"See, I don't think I love either of them. Well, I love them but not the in love way. Which may be good. The only way this could be more complicated is if I did fall in love with either or both of them."

[clumsy_auror]

"Well, it's early days with both of them yet, isn't it? So I wouldn't expect you to be in love with either of them at this stage, either."

A fair bit of the ice cream has gone the way of the dodo, by now.

'Dora helps the rest of it along a little further.

"So... let's see. Indy's willing to live with not being the only one, but he's not happy about it. And Jayne's also not happy about it, but doesn't wanna keep on with things as they are. That about right?"

[awesome_lilly]

"Yeah," Lilly confirms. "That's pretty much it."

She pauses.

"Well, there are a couple other people kinda peripherally involved, but they either wouldn't care if we stopped sleeping together and/or are involved with other people anyway. So that's right."

[clumsy_auror]

'Dora sighs, and thunks her head onto the back of the couch, looking over at Lilly after a moment.

"Got any ideas?"

[awesome_lilly]

"Uh. Not so much."

More ice cream is always a good idea.

"Well, I mean. I'm going to think about it, and probably talk to them both some more. I was kinda taken by surprise when Jayne brought it up, so I don't know if he's got any flexibility on this at all. Like, if it was just him and one other guy if that'd be better."

She sighs.

"And if it's not, then... I will think some more, I guess. Because I don't want to make anyone unhappy or hurt anyone but that also includes me, and it'd hurt to lose one or both of them."




"I'm so screwed."

[clumsy_auror]

"Not screwed, precisely, but... well." Quietly, "At least one person's gonna be unhappy, no matter what you decide."

[awesome_lilly]

"Yeah. I know."

Lilly puts the near-empty ice cream carton on the table and curls up.

"Which sucks, but I don't see any way around it. I just wish I knew... well, I know what I want to do. I want to be with them both. I just don't think there's any way that can work."

[clumsy_auror]

"I don't think so, no," 'Dora replies, sounding resigned. "But... like you said, just give it a bit of time. Talk to Jayne again. See how he feels in a day or two. Sounds pretty sure about it, though, from what you've said."

[awesome_lilly]

"Yeah."

Lilly sighs.

"He is. Thinking he might change his mind is probably just wishful thinking. But I'm still going to take some time, think about it, and I guess figure out what I want that can actually happen."

[clumsy_auror]

"Good plan."

She finishes off her milk, pondering the situation. 'Dora knows what she'd do in Lilly's place, but that's neither here nor there. She's not Lilly, and Lilly's got to do what's best for herself.

"Anyway. Wanna hang out for a while? I've got chick flicks."

[awesome_lilly]

"Definitely," Lilly says, brightening.

"I could use some distractions. Thanks, Tonks."

She smiles warmly.

"For all of it."

[clumsy_auror]

"Don't mention it." Grinning, 'Dora stands and ruffles Lilly's hair on her way to grab a few movie choices. "My spoons are your spoons."

Talking is good. And so are distractions from the talking when it's done.

So we'll call the afternoon a success.