Moresome May, BlaiseTheoDaphne: belong

Character Appreciation: victory

Book Club, Ruby: impulse, excitement, snow

Showtime, Beggars at the Feast: wind

Emy's Emporium, polyamory: Write about a triad

Word Count: 782

Theo feels the flutter of nerves when Blaise and Daphne return to their home. There's a strange tension in their usually relaxed postures, and Daphne's eyes are rimmed with a splotchy pink as though she's been crying. The excitement of their return quickly fades.

"What's wrong?" he asks as Daphne brushes snow from her dark curls. "You look like hell."

She smiles at that, but it's a bitter, hollow sound. Apparently today is not a good day to make jokes. "Thanks for that," she mutters, removing her scarf and tossing it onto the table.

"We just got back from lunch with my mother," Blaise announces, scowling. There's something about seeing his mother that always puts Blaise in a bad mood. Theo suspects there's some history there, but he's never bothered to ask. "She's…"

Daphne sniffs and stalks off, moving to the window, her back to them. Blaise follows behind her, and Theo joins them. For several moments, no one speaks. They stand there, watching the snow swirl in a gust of wind beyond the glass.

Finally, the silence becomes too much. His boyfriend and girlfriend are hurting, and there's no way he can keep quiet for much longer. "What did your mother do?" Theo asks.

"She's insisting that Daphne and I get married."

Theo doesn't know why it surprises him or why it feels like a punch to the gut. Of course it would be expected. The three of them love one another, but it isn't a love the rest of the world would understand—especially not their families with their archaic beliefs that marriages are out of necessity, that anyone who tries to challenge that are a disgrace to Pureblood society. It's hard for them to be open about their relationship; for the most part, the world assumes that Blaise and Daphne are a couple, and Theo is just a close friend.

"Oh."

Daphne shakes her head, trying her best to smile. It doesn't quite reach her eyes the way her true smiles do. "My parents aren't as fanatic about marriages, but they keep pushing as well," she admits.

"Why don't you?"

Daphne and Blaise exchange confused looks before focusing on Theo once again. Maybe it's a strange question, but he thinks it's valid enough.

"We can't all three get married," Blaise points out dryly.

Theo rolls his eyes, snorting. "Really? But it's so traditional," he deadpans. He takes a step closer, kissing Daphne, then Blaise. "I love you. Both of you. I don't like the pressure you're under. Seeing Daphne cry—"

"Wasn't crying," she grumbles, a hint of a scowl playing at her pink painted lips.

"You were," Blaise says, and she pouts.

Theo clears his throat, drawing their attention back to him. "Right. Seeing Daphne cry hurts me. Knowing Blaise gets upset when he's around his mother… I just want you two to be happy."

"We're happy with you," Daphne points out, and Blaise nods his agreement.

"Who says I'm going anywhere? The three of us belong together. It doesn't matter if two of us get married. We have each other, and nothing is going to change that," Theo insists, his heart fluttering with excitement. A broad grin tugs at his lips, and he can't fight the hopeful feeling that seems to flow through his veins. Blaise and Daphne stare at him as though this is some strange impulse, but he knows it will work, that nothing can keep them apart. "You two will get married. I'll be the best man, of course. All the pressure is gone, and you won't lose me."

"Why does that sound ridiculously impossible?" Blaise asks, but he's grinning, and his dark eyes are alight.

Maybe it is impossible. Maybe their love is too complicated, and there's no hope for a happy ending. But Theo doesn't want to focus on maybes. There is nothing solid behind a maybe, and he wants to cling to what he knows: that he loves Blaise and Daphne, that nothing will change that, and that he'll do his damnedest to make sure the three of them can have a happy life together.

All they can do is try.

"You're serious, aren't you?" Daphne asks, her tone hesitant.

"Deadly," Theo confirms.

For a moment, there's only silence and stillness among them. Finally, Daphne squeals, rushing forward. She throws her arms around Theo, kissing his cheek. "I guess there's nothing to lose," she decides.

"We can try," Blaise agrees.

It isn't a perfect solution, and Theo doesn't know if it will even work. But it doesn't matter. The three of them have a chance for happiness together. Just trying and holding on to hope is enough of a victory in his eyes.