Declan's words hang in the air between us, heavy and raw. I stare at him, trying to process what he's just said. My heart pounds in my chest, but my brain hasn't caught up yet. Did he really just say that? Did he just admit that he might be falling in love with Elias?

This isn't something I ever thought I'd hear. Not from Declan. Not from anyone in this dynamic. I mean, we've got enough complications without this kind of revelation thrown in.

"You—" My voice cracks, and I clear my throat, trying again. "You're serious?"

Declan nods, his face a mix of vulnerability and frustration. "Yeah. I think I am. Fuck, Valarie, I don't even know what to do with it."

I take a breath, steadying myself. My thoughts are all over the place, crashing into each other like waves in a storm. "Okay. Okay." I sit down on the couch, gesturing for him to do the same. "Start from the beginning. How long have you been feeling like this?"

He sits down heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "I don't know. It's not like it hit me all at once. It's been... gradual, I guess. The more time we've spent together, the more it's just... there."

I nod slowly, trying to piece this all together. "And when you say 'falling in love,' are we talking the same kind of love you feel for me? Or is it different?"

He hesitates, his jaw tightening as he struggles for the words. "That's the thing. I don't fucking know. I don't know if it's because of how close we've gotten or if I'm confusing our friendship for something else. But it's there, Valarie. It's there, and I don't know how to ignore it."

I let his words settle, my mind racing. This is uncharted territory for all of us. I knew going into this relationship that it wouldn't be traditional, that it would come with its own unique challenges. But this? This is a curveball I wasn't prepared for.

"So... have you told him?" I ask gently, watching his reaction closely.

His head snaps up, and his eyes widen. "No. Fuck no. How could I? I don't even know what the hell I'm feeling, let alone how to explain it to him."

"Declan." I reach for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "You have to say something."

He pulls his hand away, standing abruptly and pacing the room. "I can't, Val. Not yet. What if I'm wrong? What if this is just me overthinking shit? What if I say something and it ruins everything?"

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I hate seeing him like this. So unsure, so tangled up in his own head. This isn't the Declan I know. The Declan I know is confident, steady, a rock for everyone around him. But right now, he looks lost.

I stand, crossing the room to block his pacing. "Look at me," I say firmly. He stops, his eyes meeting mine. "You can't keep this bottled up. You said it yourself. This thing between us, between all of us, only works if we're honest with each other. If you keep this to yourself, it's going to eat away at you. And it's going to affect your relationship with Elias, whether you want it to or not."

His shoulders sag, and he looks away, his jaw clenching. "I know you're right. Fuck, I know you're right. But what if I'm wrong, Valarie? What if I'm just projecting shit onto him because of how close we are?"

"Then you figure it out together," I say softly. "Declan, Elias isn't just some random guy. He cares about you, about us. He's not going to throw this away because you're trying to work through your feelings."

He exhales sharply, dragging a hand through his hair. "It's not that simple."

"It's never going to be simple," I reply, stepping closer to him. "But it's worth it. You don't have to have all the answers right now. Just... be honest with him. Start there."

He looks at me, his eyes searching mine for something. Reassurance, maybe? Or the strength he doesn't feel like he has right now. "What if this fucks everything up?"

I shake my head. "It won't. It might be messy, sure. But it won't break us. You and Elias are too important to each other for that."

He's quiet for a moment, his gaze dropping to the floor. "You think he'd even want to hear this? What if he doesn't feel the same?"

"Then he'll respect you for being honest," I say firmly. "And Declan? If there's one thing I know about Elias, it's that he values the people he lets into his life. You're not just anyone to him. You never have been."

He nods slowly, the tension in his posture easing just a fraction. "I don't even know how to bring it up."

"Start simple," I suggest. "Tell him what you just told me. That you're confused, that you don't know what this is yet, but that you feel something. Let him meet you halfway."

Declan runs a hand down his face, exhaling deeply. "Jesus Christ, Valarie. How do you always know what to say?"

I smile softly, reaching for his hand again. This time, he doesn't pull away. "Because I know you. And I know Elias. And I know that no matter how complicated this gets, we'll figure it out. Together."

He squeezes my hand, his grip strong and grounding. "Thanks, Val."

"Always," I reply, my voice steady. "Now go take a shower. You've been pacing this room like a maniac, and you smell like it too."

For the first time since this conversation started, he cracks a smile. It's small, but it's there. And it gives me hope that we're going to be okay. That he's going to be okay.

***

The steady hum of fluorescent lights buzzes above me, a sound I barely register anymore. My hands move automatically, checking vitals, administering meds, comforting patients. It's muscle memory at this point, the kind of work that demands focus and precision but leaves just enough room for my mind to wander.

And, oh boy, does my mind love to wander.

Declan. Elias. Adrian.

The three of them have taken up permanent residence in my brain, like squatters who refuse to pay rent. Not that I'd kick them out even if I could. Each of them fills a different space in my life, in my heart, and navigating this whole dynamic is like trying to juggle while walking a tightrope. Over a pit of fire.

"Valarie, can you check on Mrs. Greene in Room 203? She's been asking for you," a nurse calls out, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"On it," I reply, forcing a smile. I grab the chart from the nurses' station and head down the hall, my sneakers squeaking against the polished floors.

Mrs. Greene is one of my favorite patients. She's sweet, sassy, and sharper than most people half her age. She greets me with a warm smile as I walk in, her hands knitting away at what looks like a scarf.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Greene. How are we feeling today?" I ask, flipping through her chart.

"Better now that you're here, sweetheart," she says, her eyes twinkling. "You're the only one who doesn't treat me like I'm already halfway to the grave."

I laugh, shaking my head. "That's because I know better. You've got plenty of fight left in you."

As we chat, I check her vitals, but my mind keeps pulling me back to my men. Adrian, specifically.

He's come so far in such a short time, finally letting himself settle into this unconventional relationship. I wasn't sure if he'd stick around at first, if he'd be able to handle sharing me with Declan and Elias. But he's surprised me in the best possible ways. He's willing to try, to experiment, even if he's unsure. He told me once that he wasn't sure group sex was for him, but he's open to the idea, and that means more to me than I can put into words.

"Valarie, dear, you've gone quiet. Everything okay?" Mrs. Greene's voice cuts through my thoughts.

I blink, realizing I've been staring at her chart without actually reading it. "Oh, sorry! Just got lost in my head for a second."

"Thinking about someone special?" she teases, a sly grin spreading across her face.

I laugh, shaking my head. "Maybe."

She winks, and I finish up, promising to check on her later. As I step out into the hallway, my mind shifts gears. Declan. His confession last night still has me reeling. Declan, falling for Elias. It's... unexpected, to say the least. But the more I think about it, the more it makes sense.

Declan and Elias balance each other in ways I never anticipated. Declan is steady, grounded, the kind of guy who doesn't waver once he's made up his mind. Elias, on the other hand, is fire and chaos. He is the best mix of passion and creativity. Together, they're a storm and an anchor, and I can see how easy it would be for Declan to fall for someone like Elias. Hell, I did.

The real question is whether Elias feels the same. I've caught him looking at Declan before, lingering just a little too long, but I've never been sure if it's anything more than respect or friendship. If it is... well, that changes everything.

I tell myself I won't meddle. This is their thing to figure out, and I trust them to handle it like adults. But who am I kidding? I'm me. Of course, I'm going to meddle. The trick is to do it without them realizing I'm doing it.

I can already see the cracks in Declan's armor, the way he hesitates when Elias is around, the way he watches him like he's trying to solve a puzzle he doesn't quite understand. Declan's not great with emotions. He feels them deeply, but expressing them? Not so much. If I leave this to him, it'll take months, maybe even years, for him to say something.

I bite my lip, a plan already forming in the back of my mind. Maybe I can nudge things along, set the stage without making it obvious. Something simple, like getting them to spend more time alone together. A "guys' night" that's just the two of them. Declan trusts me, and Elias? Well, he's not exactly shy about speaking his mind. If there's something there, I'm betting he'll find a way to bring it out.

"Valarie, you're up," another nurse says, handing me a chart. I nod, slipping back into work mode, but my thoughts keep circling back to my men.

Declan, with his steady hands and quiet strength. Elias, with his wicked grin and dirty mouth. Adrian, with his reserved demeanor and the way he looks at me like I'm the only thing keeping him grounded.

They're so different, each of them bringing something unique to the table. And somehow, they've all found their way into my heart.

The rest of my shift passes in a blur of patients and paperwork, but as the day winds down, I find myself lingering at the nurses' station, staring out the window at the darkening sky. I know I need to talk to Declan again, to help him navigate whatever he's feeling for Elias. And I need to check in with Adrian, make sure he's still comfortable with how things are progressing.

Because at the end of the day, this isn't just about me. It's about all of us. Our connections. Our boundaries. Our future. And if there's one thing I've learned from this wild, messy, beautiful relationship, it's that love doesn't fit neatly into boxes. It spills over, defies logic, and sometimes, it demands a little meddling.