#wanted some soft amaregi in this chillies tonight

[myselfinserts]

“Please. Don’t even argue.”

The conference started tomorrow. Regi was frantically going over his notes on his laptop, looking through the video demonstrations and adding any missing annotations. He was already on his third cup of tea. Tired. Stress. A little joyful, he’d admit. He was certain this new item would be a hit. 

Or at least, he wanted to be sure. He wouldn’t know until after the presentation. And he had to make sure it was perfect. He tugged at his flannel sleeves, trying to focus on the little details. 

It has to be perfect. It has to be. It just has to-

“What the fuck are you doing up this late?”

Regi nearly jumped, glancing up when he saw Étienne walking over to him. “Oh, hey. I’m not doing anything-”

“You absolutely are,” said Étienne, holding up a hand to silence him. “Please. Don’t even argue. I could smell the english breakfast from upstairs, and you didn’t even put your hair up. Clearly, something is on your mind.” He went over to the cupboard, pulling out a cup to pour himself some. “So what’s going on?”

“Okay,” Regi sighed. “Just going over my notes for tomorrow. I have to make sure this is perfect. You know how it is. Work.” 

Étienne let out a soft hum, taking a seat beside him so he could take a glimpse. A set of gentle, steady fingers lightly brushed through the dark strands of Regi’s hair, causing him to melt. And and all stress was starting to fade away. 

“This looks good. Though I think you might want to change how you phrase that sentence in your speech. You’re making it sound like everyone is beneath you.” Étienne smirked. “And no offense, but you can’t pull that off.”

Regi chuckled. “Fair point. I’ll fix it.” 

Étienne’s eyes studied him carefully. “You know, in the time I’ve known you, I don’t think I’ve seen you relaxed this much before a presentation. It’s  nice change.”

“Really?”

“Mhm. You used to be a completely panicked mess when we met. And even after the breakup, you seemed on edge at being away from home.” He smiled fondly. “Something has changed. Care to share?”

“Well,” he sighed, lightly leaning against him, “you remember how I started dating Luci?”

Regi was pacing slightly as he waited for them to finish making coffee. He’d gone over this in his mind hundreds of times. He expected every possible outcome. Shaking. Sweating. Breathing heavily. This always happened before he planned to leave for a conference. Nothing was more terrifying than this moment. 

Lucien was a delight. They’d only been together two months, and already, things were rather wonderful. Every morning Regi woke up to a kiss on the cheek, or a pair of arms lovingly draped over him. He’d be asked questions about his work, offered assistance where it could be needed. He didn’t feel like he’d come away from a conversation being belittled or feeling like he’d done something wrong. Luci, much like Étienne before, made him feel like a completely different person. Someone more confident. More handsome. More intelligent. Someone deserving of respect. 

But this was different. A support conference was coming up in Paris, and he’d been invited to be a guest speaker as well as to give a presentation on a new grappling hook design he’d been working on. But it was the first conference he’d be away from home for since he and Luci started dating. And there was one little detail about this trip that he was terrified to talk to them about. 

It’ll be okay, he thought. It’s gonna be fine. Luci...Luci isn’t the type to get mad about this. Right? 

“Coffee’s done,” Luci said, bringing the tray over to the table. “I also made cookies. Chocolate chip.” They sat on the sofa, lightly patting the cushion beside them. “Regi, come sit down. You’re shaking.”

Regi took a deep breath, slowly taking his spot. “Thanks love.”

Luci cocked a brow. “Regi? What’s the matter?” They lightly put a hand on his knee, smiling softly. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Can I? They swallowed. “So, uh...you know how I have that conference in Paris next week?”

“Yeah, you’ve been planning for it for a while now. Why?”

“Well, uh...since it’s in Paris, and most of the affordable hotels were already booked...” He reached up, lightly tugging on his ponytail. “Étienne offered to let me stay with him during my trip. It’d be cheaper, and it’s close to the venue. So...would that, uh...would that be okay?”

Luci watched him quietly for a moment. Already Regi was tensing up again, waiting for the entire speech. 

“Surely there’s gotta be a hotel somewhere. Wouldn’t you just be interrupting him with his work? Maybe you should stay here this time. It’s not like there’s not gonna be another conference. You could do much more work here. Do you really need to go?”

“Regi?” Luci called softly. “Regi, you’re spacing.”

“Huh? Oh.” Regi chuckled nervously. “S-sorry. Forget I said anything-”

“Must be nervous about the presentation.” They wrapped their arms around him softly. “Sweetie, it’s going to be great. You’ll knock them dead, I know it. Do you want me to pack some treats to give to your host? I’m sure he’d like something nice.”

Regi stared at them in shock. “Wait. You...what?”

Luci smiled. “Regi, I don’t mind if you stay with Étienne. He offered, and he’s your friend. So why would I be against it?” 

“Uh..it’s...”

Luci kissed him on the cheek. “He’s important to you, so he’s important to me too. I’m not going to keep you from visiting your friends or interrupting your work.” They pulled back slightly. Pink eyes glowing almost a soft, loving red in the light from the fireplace. “The bond you two have is special. And it’s not my place to interfere with that, whatever it entails. All I ask is you text me when you land, stay safe, and call if you need anything. I trust you to know yourself and what you need.”

This was...strange. They were really okay with this? No arguing? No anger? Total acceptance? Why were they so calm about this? This had to be a trick. They were really mad. Upset. Raging. There’s absolutely no way they could be okay with this. What’s going on?

Luci let out a sigh. “Regi, unlike Ceri, I can’t look into your memories and make a deduction on your thinking. But I can figure out what you’re feeling with my quirk.” Their smile faltered. “I know Mary didn’t like it when you left, focused on work, or spent time with Étienne, despite the fact that you two had...agreed to an open relationship at the time.” Their voice sounded sour on that last note. “I’ll admit, I’m a little worried. Maybe a smidge jealous.”

Regi blinked. “What?”

“I...” they blushed. “Regi, you really expect me not to be jealous of that Adonis? I’ve seen how you look at him, sweetie. It’s okay. He’s totally hot. What I wouldn’t give to be a blond like him instead of a walking piece of bubblegum some days.” Luci shook their head. “But those feelings aren’t your problem. They’re mine. And while I’m your partner now, I have no right to get between you and others when you’re spending time with them. However that time is spent.” 

“What do you- Luci, of course it’s my problem.” He lightly took their hands in his, holding tightly. “Luci, you’re my partner. How you feel is more important-”

“It isn’t more important,” Luci groaned. “Regi, there’s no ‘more important’ here when it comes to whose feelings matter. Your feelings matter just as much as mine do.” Their smile returned again. “Still...Your feelings matter more to me specifically, even when I know mine are just as important. Your happiness comes first. And if spending time with your friend, however you choose to spend it, is what makes you happy, then I want you to to embrace it.” They leaned forward, giving him a chaste kiss on the lips. “Your friends. Your work. Whatever makes you happy. I’ll support it. All I ask is we talk it over a little, and you let me know if you need anything. That’s all.”

“Luci...” Regi smiled, leaning in to return the kiss. “You make me happy. I just don’t want to do anything that’d make you upset. That’s why I asked for your permission first.”

“I appreciate that, but you never have to ask for permission to do things like this. I’m your partner, not your parent. Just...keep me in the loop, that’s all.”

“I will, I promise.” He sighed, feeling a weight lifting off his shoulders. “Honestly this went a lot...a lot smoother than I anticipated.” 

Luci chuckled softly. “I’m glad. Last thing I want is to stress you out before a conference.” They pulled away fully, going to pour the coffee. “Now, let’s have the coffee before it gets cold.” They handed him a cookie. “And then maybe talk through boundaries. I feel like that’s a conversation we need to have.”

Regi smiled, taking a bite of the warm, sweet chocolate chips. “Sounds good.”

“And that’s what happened. They saw me off at the airport and...well, now I’m here.”

Étienne nodded slowly, combing his fingers through Regi’s hair. The two had moved to the couch, with Étienne practically using him as a blanket as opposed to a friend to hold. “You’ve certainly upgraded it seems. Well done. I’m glad the two of you have each other” 

Regi smiled. “You’re really okay with it?”

“Why wouldn’t I be? It isn’t like we’re married.”

“True, but...” his face flushed. “You’re my best friend. And I care about what you think.”

Étienne sighed. “Always the sentimental fool, eh?” 

“How long have you known me?”

“Too long.” He rolled his eyes. “I suppose if I had to give an honest opinion...you could certainly do worse. Though I don’t know how you’d do better. Aside from Ceri.”

“Ceri, huh?” Regi teased. “Why not you?”

Étienne scoffed. “Last thing either of us needs is the support tech world debating on who carries the two of us in terms of anything. That’d make getting work for either of us a living hell.”

“Especially since we know you’re the real master mind here.” Regi held back a laugh. “We both know you top everything.”

“You know that better than most,” Étienne said, smirking. 

“I do.” Regi raised an eyebrow. “Still, surprised you said Ceri. Didn’t know you though so highly of him.”

“I will kick you out.”

“Shutting up.” Regi let out a sigh, snuggling in close. “A few more minutes here, then head to bed?”

“Sounds good,” Étienne hummed. “I have to outshine you tomorrow, and I can’t do that if I don’t sleep.” He narrowed his eyes at him slightly. “Would you might sharing a bed though? The heating isn’t working right, and the repair service I use doesn’t open until 8. And you always did run hot.”

Regi smiled, lightly nuzzling him. “Sure. Absolutely.”

The two headed back to bed not long after, curling up in the master bedroom, practically tangled together. Feeling Étienne cling to him like a teddy bear, Regi felt completely relaxed. 

Before they settled, he’d sent Luci a quick text. 

> Sharing the bed with Étienne since his heating is broken. I’ll fix it in the morning. Text you before my presentation. Love you.

He didn’t expect a reply so quickly. A photo of Luci in the kitchen, decorating a cake, with Mealoaf sitting on their shoulders. 

> Mrs. Clifton and Ceri asked me for a hand with the bake sale. Meatloaf misses you as much as I do. You’re gonna do great. Tell Étienne I said hi. Love you too. 

With that, Regi fell asleep peacefully.