It's a nice day out. The sun is bright in the sky, it's just warm enough to be outside without sweating or shivering, and there's a pleasant breeze that wasn't even your doing. So, of course, they asked you to work in the ectolab instead of exploring with Jake. Nobody cares about the buddy system anymore.

At least they're leaving the windows open. And it's kinda nice to spend some time with Dave and Karkat. You've missed those guys. Ever since they started going out it's been hard. As though trying to figure out this new universe thing wasn't hard enough, you have to feel like a goddamn third wheel with your best two buds. God you'd missed them.

With the three of you and Kanaya working together you manage to make some serious progress in breeding birds (Dave was pretty obviously excited about it. His pokerface was failing pretty badly). By lunchtime you have finished few different kinds of wrens and sparrows (some of them have poison talons, because Karkat swears that was common on Alternia). You decide to try to cook something for them, since you were mostly there for help with aerodynamics and you're actually not too bad in the kitchen (especially since you're just making grilled cheese and tomato soup).

You have the sandwiches sizzling on the griddle when you hear someone approaching. When you turn you see Dave standing nonchalantly in the doorway.

"Hey," he says.

"Hi," you reply. "What's up? You guys need me again?"

"Nah. I had a question for you."

"Sure."

"You wanna go out?"

"Go out where?"

He laughs. "I don't mean like that. I mean go out."

"Did something happen between you and Karkat?"

"Nope."

You furrow your brow, "Dave, that's not like you."

"I know. We're trying something new here."

"We?" You ask.

"Goddammit, Dave!" Karkat comes down the hall, "I thought you were going to wait for me!"

"I was, but then you spent five minutes talking to Kanaya about the new rainbow drinker novel she's trying to write."

"Guys, what's going on here?"

"Like I said," Dave replies with a shrug, "We're trying something new and asking you out."

"Can… can you do that?"

"Why the fuck not?" Karkat asks. "We both like you and it's our relationship. So if you're interested in us…"

"I'm- can I think about it?" you ask. "I wasn't really expecting this."

"Yeah, sure," Dave says. "Take your time. Offer's open until we say it isn't."

"And we probably won't," Karkat adds.

Dave actually manages to do a cool sort of gesturey thing and then the two of them leave you staring at the air and wondering what kind of doomed timeline you've ended up in. When you start working again it's hard to keep your eyes off of them. You've thought about them before, during those long lonely years when you were questioning everything about yourself.

You can't deny that you're curious what their bodies look like. And they're your best friends. Where are you supposed to draw the line? You do love them, but you love everyone in your little party. This would be so much easier if you felt romantic or even physical attraction.

What would it be like to kiss them? Their lips are both chapped as fuck, and their breath would be hot and damp and uncomfortable on your face. But would the closeness be worth it? You like the friendly snuggles you've shared with them. It's so warm, so safe. And they've felt so good pressed against you for brief hugs. They're both so solid, Dave with his soft weight and Karkat with sinewy muscle. It would be fun to hold them for a little longer.

But they'll want sex, won't they? You tell yourself you'd be able to do it. You jerk off sometimes, after all. And if you look at it from the "more intimate snuggling" angle it should be fine. How much will that help, though, once everyone's clothes hit the floor?

You can imagine them doing it. You picture it as you type out new gene sequences to alter the feathers just a little bit. It should be dirty, but it's really not. It's like poetry or dance when they move together. Their bodies are so different. You can sort of extrapolate from your contact and the way their clothes sit on their frames, but you're probably a little off in the execution (especially on Karkat. Trolls are still weird to you). They've kissed in front of you, so you just add a little more passion, a little more urgency as white skin rubs against gray. You watch their faces in your mind's eye. They're both so passionate in every day life, you wonder what it's like when they lose themselves to each other and to their love. They kiss, they lick, they gasp, they even exchange a few nips. You see matching red eyes in profile as they stare into each other's souls.

Then you try to step in. You try to reach out and touch. Your hands make contact with their shoulders. They're warm and slick with sweat, but as soon as you make contact they melt away. Of course it does; you can never put yourself in sexual situations.

Instead you change the image. The three of you lie together on the roof of their house. You're between them, looking up at the stars. Then you feel fingers threading through yours. You don't turn away from the sky, but you squeeze back.

It's warm.

In the real world you're smiling.

"Had fun with the hummingbirds?" Karkat asks you at the end of the day.

"It's nice to do something new, you know?"

Dave gives you a sidelong look with a hint of a smile.

Kanaya is more organized than the rest of you. She's already gathered her things. She leaves, shutting the door behind her with a click.

You swallow. "Okay."

"Okay what?" Karkat asks.

"Let's… let's try this. Let's try us."

"Really? I didn't think you'd go for it."

"Haha, yes! You owe me a blowjob!"

You decide to ignore Dave. "Sure, why not? Just once to see if it works." Dave hasn't said anything else, so you look over to him. "As long as if it ends up not really working we can go back to being friends with no hurt feelings."

Dave smiles for real and slaps you on the back. "We'll pick you up tomorrow at eight." And with that he's gone.

"Don't look so fucking worried," Karkat says. "There are three-wheel devices too, you know."

"Thanks."

Karkat brushes his fingers over your hand. "Seriously, man, relax. It's nothing to lose your head about."

"I know."

"Right. He gives you a quick smile and then heads out, following his boyfriend.

You sit down and start losing your head about it.