After a couple of odd questions I have received, it occurred to me that perhaps the story summary is not visible in all apps. So just a little author's note for clarification: This is a menage story, specifically MMF, and as such will contain sexual encounters between both men as well as the female lead character.

It's Complicated

Complicated: Adjective 1. composed of elaborately interconnected parts; complex: complicated apparatus for measuring brain functions. 2. difficult to analyze, understand, explain, etc.: a complicated problem. Synonyms: complex, difficult, intricate, thorny, convoluted, full of twists and turns…

Prologue September 2007

"So, tell me," he said, relaxing back against the pillows, his normally perfect brown hair slightly tousled, one arm slung casually behind his head and the other laying relaxed across his flat abdomen. "Who's your ideal woman?"

"Why do you ask?" came the quick reply from his bedmate, trying to catch a breath and rolling over into a similar position.

"Just scoping out the competition," he replied with a smile and a slight turn of his head, showing the twinkle in his blue eyes.

"Seriously?" his companion replied, an incredulous expression accompanying the confirmation. "YOU would be jealous of a woman?"

"No. I'm teasing you," he said with a grin. "Actually, I'm kind of asking because this seems to be a good thing between us and I would like to, perhaps, make this a slightly more permanent situation…" he paused, knowing he wanted to broach this subject but not really sure how to go about it with his cautious lover. "I'd like to be exclusive," he stated boldly, then he rocked his head sideways a little then started to hedge, "Well, except, look, we both like women and I have no problem with the two of us picking up one and bringing them home, IF we're together and in agreement, but what if we're not?"

"Together or in agreement?" his companion asked, carefully, wondering where this conversation was going.

"Well, either. Actually, let's back up a minute," he said, turning on his side in the bed and looking directly into his blue eyes, which were closer to an ice blue than his own darker tint. "How would you feel about moving in together?"

"You want to live together?" his companion asked quietly.

"Would that be a problem for you?" his question direct and to the point, but before giving him a chance to answer, he continued, "Your kids aren't in the picture. I've never seen you socialize with anyone from work in your home, so there would be no reason to bring it up if you didn't want anyone to know. I don't mind. It just seems like it would be more convenient for both of us rather than having one of us have to run home every other day or before work to shower and change, since, well, you know, we've been spending so much time together." He shrugged his wide shoulders.

"What about your family, your kids? Unlike me, you have joint custody," his companion asked. "What would you tell them? 'I have a roommate that's a man and we share a bedroom'? Or would we get a place where we both have separate bedrooms and a guestroom for your kids when you have them? That's gonna be kinda pricey in Manhattan, man. Would your ex even allow that? I certainly wouldn't want you to end up in my situation." Obviously his head was reeling with all the questions and possibilities.

"Wow, logistics already, and you know, I could help you with THAT situation," giving him a pointed look but knowing that subject was off the table from their previous discussions on the matter. "So you would consider it?" his blue eyes took on a deeper warm hue and his strong, handsome jawline lifted in his direction knowingly.

"Damn, that's nice." His bedmate said looking up admiringly and taking in the total picture of the very attractive man smiling over at him, letting his eyes follow his long, trim body down the rumpled sheets of his bed.

"Let's worry about all the details later," he said, shrugging again. "Back to my original question…who is your dream woman?"

"My dream woman?" he laughed. "Oh, that's easy. Olivia Benson."

"Damn, you aim for the stars." He said, still grinning and now shaking his head.

"Damn straight." His companion replied. "And never gonna happen."

"She's your exception."

"What do you mean by that?" the older man asked, turning his head so the street light coming in through the window caught at pieces of the silver now starting to take over his formerly brown hair, all hint of any Irish red glints now faded away with time.

"If you are out and about, and I'm not with you, AND you can pick up Olivia Benson. I say, go for it!" He laughed, like that was ever going happen for either of them. "Otherwise, always check with me first."

"Okay. That's sounds workable. Communication is key in any good relationship." he replied, raising his eyebrows slightly and the line between them puckered a little with emphasis.

"And safety first" the somewhat younger man added, with a slightly more serious look in his eye as he gazed at his lover. He couldn't hide how pleased he was with the direction this conversation he had been nervous about initiating had headed.

"Always." He replied. "Wait, so who's your exception?" he asked curiously.

"Well…you took the best one." he said with a twinkle in his eye.