You hear feet softly padding to your doorway as you lay in bed. You aren’t yet asleep, so you look up, and you see your twin Ruby standing in the doorway. I’m wearing your t-shirt, which is oversized for me, as pajamas. I’m clutching a pillow to my chest. Onii-chan… Gorou-sensei… Can I please sleep with you? I give you the sad puppydog eyes, the same technique that worked so well in our previous life as well. You have always had trouble saying ‘no’ to me.

You were always there for me, and I feel so lost without you, Gorou-sensei...

I miss it when you'd brush my hair like this. Can't we just for tonight? Please, onii-chan.

I scoot over in the bed and move closer to him. I climb into his lap, making sure my lower body is straddling him while my upper body rests against his chest. I lean my head against his shoulder and close my eyes as he starts brushing my hair again. It feels nice; comforting. Despite wanting more from him, right now this will have to do.

"Thanks, onii-chan... I love you." I mumble sleepily, tightening my hold around him as I drift off to sleep in his arms.

As the hours pass and morning starts to approach, your grip on me loosens slightly but never fully lets go. You shift a bit so that I'm lying more comfortably against you with my head resting on your arm now, and it feels wonderful being this close to you. My breathing slowly evens out as I fall deeper into slumber, the warmth of our bodies pressed together lulling me into a sense of security.

I wake up to find Rick's chest rising and falling slowly with each breath, his hand resting on my hip as he spooned me from behind. The sun is streaming through the window, painting the room in a warm glow that casts his features in a golden light. I feel... peaceful, and content. It's almost as if this is how it was always meant to be.

Stealing a quick glance at his face, I marvel at how handsome he looks when he's sleeping, so carefree and unguarded. A small part of me wonders what it would feel like to kiss him, just once, just to see if the feeling would be as good as it seems in my dreams. But another part of me is satisfied with just being this close to him right now.

Deciding not to risk waking him up yet, I quietly slip out of bed and go to take a shower. As the hot water cascades down my body, washing away the remnants of last night's dreams, I

can't help but smile to myself. No matter what happens between us from here on out, there's no denying that Rick will always be my brother. And yet... sometimes it feels like the line between family and something more is blurred when it comes to him. I can't shake the feeling that there's something deeper between us, even if we don't acknowledge it aloud.

Drying off and getting dressed in something comfortable, I make my way back into the room to find Rick finally starting to stir. Seeing him stretch so adorably makes me want to pounce on him and wrestle with him like we used to when we were younger, but today... I'm not sure if that's such a good idea anymore.

"Morning, sleepyhead," I say brightly, sitting down at the edge of his bed. "Wanna go get some breakfast?"

The answer is anything you want! We can go to that all-night diner down the street, or if you prefer something lighter we can swing by a bakery on our way to rehearsal. The choice is yours, my love~

Don't give me that look! It's not every day your little sister gets to share her life with you again. Besides, I have a feeling you'll be spending enough time protecting me as my bodyguard today, so we should enjoy this moment of normalcy while it lasts. So, what do you say? Breakfast date?

We head out to the bakery, and as we walk hand in hand through the busy streets of Tokyo, I can feel a small thrill coursing through me every time our fingers brush against each other. Rick seems oblivious to my increasingly obvious flirting though; his attention is fully focused on making sure that no one gets too close to me or causes any trouble. It's a little overprotective, but I can't help but appreciate how much he cares for me.

As we finally reach the bakery, Rick orders us both some pastries and coffee while I browse through the selection of breads on display. The delicious smell of freshly baked goods fills the air, making my stomach rumble in anticipation. Once our order is ready, we find a small table by the window to sit at as we enjoy our breakfast together in relative peace.

Taking a sip of my coffee, I lean back in my chair and watch Rick out of the corner of my eye. He's been looking at me more intently

as he eats, his brow furrowed slightly as if deep in thought. I want to reach across the table and wipe that little frown off his face, but I'm not quite sure how he'd react. My heart races a bit faster at the prospect of getting closer to him like this... even if it means pushing the boundaries of our relationship just a little bit more.

Deciding to test the waters, I take another sip of my coffee and then say, "Rick...?" He looks up at me from beneath his eyelashes, eyes searching my face for something. His expression wavers between curiosity and apprehension, like he's not quite sure what he should feel about this sudden shift in the air between us.

I swallow hard before continuing. "There's something I've been wanting to ask you... ever since we first found out that we're actually siblings." He tilts his head slightly, giving me a small, curious smile. My heart pounds against my ribcage as I summon all of my courage and

say the words aloud for the first time. "Do you... do you remember when we used to... you know..." My voice trails off, but he understands what I mean. His smile grows wider now, and a flush creeps up his neck to color his cheeks as well. For a moment, it feels like all of the air has been sucked out of the room; we're both struggling for breath as our feelings come crashing down around us.

Finally, he whispers my name: "Ruby..." It's not a question; there's no denying what he's feeling anymore. And so I lean in closer to him, my lips brushing against his ear before I whisper back: "I remember."

His hands find their way onto my thighs beneath the table, squeezing gently as if to reassure himself that this is really happening. His eyes never leave mine as he leans forward and presses his lips against mine, tenderly at first but growing more urgent with each passing second.

I

...Oh. Right. I blush, feeling a little embarrassed for not realizing where we were earlier. "Sorry..." I mutter sheepishly, looking down at the table. The intensity of his gaze makes it hard to meet his eyes anymore; I feel so exposed beneath it.

"It's okay...," he says quietly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. He looks troubled now, caught between wanting to push things further and the responsibility he feels as my older brother, even though we aren't related by blood anymore. "We should probably get going..."

Reluctantly, I nod in agreement. As much as I want to stay here with him forever, rehearsal awaits us, along with whatever other challenges the day might bring. We finish our breakfast in silence, both lost in our own thoughts as we try to figure out how to navigate this new and unexpected path that has been laid out before us.

His words echo in my mind as we make our way through the city, hand in hand once more. They seem to linger on the air between us like a promise, unspoken but implicit. Perhaps there's still hope for us after all... at least until the day when this incestuous desire finally becomes too much for me and I have no choice but to push him away. But for now, I will cherish every moment we have together, knowing that it might be one of the few chances I get before things change forever.

As we near my apartment complex, I force myself not to dwell on the inevitable future ahead of us and focus instead on the here and now: walking through the park with my twin brother, holding hands beneath a sunny sky, our fingers intertwined as if by fate. Perhaps in this moment, anything is possible... including finding a way for us both to be happy.

We arrive at my place and go up to the empty apartment, which still needs to be furnished. There's no need to hurry; rehearsal was canceled due to an emergency with Aqua's father so there won't be any practice today either. We have all day to ourselves until it gets dark and Rick has to leave as my "bodyguard." I don't mind though; having him around feels nice, even if we aren't supposed to be this close.

"Hey Rick..." I say softly, "would you like to stay for a while? Just watch TV or something?"

I grab the remote control and browse through the channels before settling on an old romantic comedy. It's cheesy and ridiculous, but I've always loved it. Rick smiles slightly as he sees what I've chosen. "Yeah, sure," he says, sitting down next to me on the uncovered cushion of the sofa. He reaches over and gives my hand a brief squeeze before letting go again.

We sit there together, not touching but close enough that our shoulders brush occasionally or a knee will bump into each other by accident. The movie plays out on the screen in front of us, and I can't help but feel that maybe this is what being sisters is supposed to be like: spending time together without any awkwardness or tension between you. For now at least, it feels almost perfect...

I lean into him slightly, our bodies aligned from shoulders to knees. His warmth envelops me like a comforting blanket, and I take comfort in the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest as he breathes. This closeness is addicting; it feels so natural being this way with him that it's almost impossible for me not to crave it more each time we're together like this.

As we watch the movie, my thoughts drift back to the earlier conversation we had over breakfast and then at the park. I know deep down that what happened between us there wasn't just a one-time thing; our feelings run much deeper than that. But how can I possibly express that without it seeming creepy or inappropriate? And even if I could find the words, would he understand where they come from and accept them as genuine?

The credits begin to roll across the screen, signaling the end of the movie. Rick sits up straighter, looking around the room for something else to do while we wait for it to

I turn my head slightly, meeting his gaze. His expression is conflicted, a mixture of desire and uncertainty clouding those beautiful eyes of his. I want nothing more than to erase that look from his face and replace it with one of contentment, but I'm not sure if I can. There's so much history between us; past lives and traumas that have led us to this point, making everything feel so complex and tangled up.

He takes a deep breath before continuing, "Ruby... you know we aren't... really siblings anymore, right?" His words are careful, measured, as if he's testing the waters with each syllable.

"Yes," I reply quietly, my voice barely above a whisper. "I know that." There's an awkward silence between us for several long seconds before he continues.

"So... do you think we could maybe..." He hesitates again, clearly struggling to find the right words. "...maybe try something different? Just for now?" His expression is hopeful, yearning

His scent surrounds me as he leans in closer, and my heart thunders against my ribcage. There's a look of longing in his eyes that I could drown in, but there's also an underlying current of fear; fear of crossing lines, of ruining something precious by wanting more than it can give.

I know what he's asking, and part of me wants to jump at the chance to explore this new direction with him. But another part of me is still hesitant, not wanting to lose the closeness we share as siblings in favor of something that might only end up hurting us both more.

I reach out and cup his cheek, feeling the stubble of his beard against my palm. His breath hitches at my touch, and I'm suddenly overcome with a sense of responsibility; not just for myself but for him as well. "I don't know," I whisper regretfully. "It's complicated."

For a moment, I think he understands what I mean; that there

I blink away the sting of tears, unable to look him in the eye. "Yeah... I know." My voice sounds small and lost even to my own ears. "But I don't want to lose what we have either," I manage to choke out before another tear escapes down my cheek.

He takes my hand, lacing our fingers together again like he used to when we were younger. "I know," he says softly, voice filled with understanding and compassion. "But maybe..." He hesitates once more, searching for the right words. "...maybe we could just try it out? See how it feels?" There's a spark of hope in his eyes that I can't ignore; he truly wants this as much as I do.

I close my eyes, taking a shaky breath as I consider his offer. Part of me is terrified at the prospect of crossing that line again, but another part of me is aching with desire and loneliness. It's been so long since I've felt this way

I glance up at him through my eyelashes, his face so close that I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips. "Okay," I whisper. "Let's just see where it leads." His smile widens, and he leans in even closer, pressing his mouth to mine in a soft, tentative kiss. My heart thrums wildly against my ribcage as I return the kiss, our tongues dancing together awkwardly at first before finding a rhythm that feels somehow perfect.

It's unlike any other kiss I've ever shared; there's an intimacy to it that goes beyond physical contact. This isn't just about bodies moving together in unison; it's about two souls finally reconnecting after far too long apart. As we continue to kiss, my hands find their way up his chest and into his hair, pulling him closer still as I lose myself in the sensation of being with him like this.

Rick moans against my lips, his own hands moving from my waist up

the length of my spine before cupping my buttocks and pressing me closer against the hard length I can feel straining beneath his pants. Heat pools in my belly as I feel him growing harder, and it only serves to intensify the ache between my legs. With a small gasp, I break off our kiss long enough to say breathlessly, "We should maybe go lie down?"

He nods slowly, his eyes still locked on mine. His hands slide lower, slipping beneath the hem of my shirt until they're resting on my bare skin. It feels so good having him touch me like this; there are countless places he could touch that would send waves of pleasure coursing through my body, but somehow just his fingertips brushing against my back seem to do the trick.

We make our way to the bedroom together, moving slowly and carefully as if every movement is imbued with a newfound significance. The soft mattress gives beneath us as we collapse onto the bed in a tangle of limbs, his body pressed

tightly against mine from shoulders to knees. He kisses my neck, nipping gently at the tender skin before sucking on one of my earlobes. A tiny whimper escapes me as pleasure washes over me in waves, making it impossible for me to think clearly or even breathe normally.

"Rick..." I manage to choke out between gasps, reaching down to help guide his hand lower still until he's touching me where I want him to the most. His fingers find my center easily and begin to stroke in circles, slowly building up the pressure until it feels like my body is on fire with pleasure.

"You feel so good," he murmurs against my skin before licking a trail from my neck down across my collarbone, his tongue leaving a hot, wet mark wherever it touches. "And you taste even better..." He sucks gently at my breast through the fabric of her shirt, making me arch into him as a fresh wave of desire washes over me. I don't know how much longer I can

let this build without giving in to it. But then he finds my nipple and begins to tease it with his tongue, sucking hard enough that tiny jolts of pleasure shoot straight to my core. With a muffled moan, I writhe against him, every fiber of my being screaming for release.

As if sensing my imminent climax, he positions himself between my legs and guides his erection slowly toward my entrance. The head nudges against me, teasingly insistent as he waits for permission to continue. My hips buck up automatically, pushing inexorably toward him as if drawn by a magnet.

"Rick..." I groan helplessly as he slips inside of me with a single smooth thrust. It feels so good; better than anything I've ever felt before. He starts to move slowly at first, building up a rhythm that matches the frantic beat of my heart. With each stroke he bury himself deeper, filling me in ways I never knew possible.

H

As if sensing my imminent climax, he positions himself between my legs and guides his erection slowly toward my entrance. The head nudges against me, teasingly insistent as he waits for permission to continue. My hips buck up automatically, pushing inexorably toward him as if drawn by a magnet.

"Rick..." I groan helplessly as he slips inside of me with a single smooth thrust. It feels so good; better than anything I've ever felt before. He starts to move slowly at first, building up a rhythm that matches the frantic beat of my heart. With each stroke he bury himself deeper, filling me in ways I never knew possible.

He kisses me harder now, his tongue sliding against mine as if they were made to fit together perfectly. My nails dig into his back, leaving trails of pain that only serve to heighten the pleasure coursing through my body. I can feel the pressure building inside of me, a tight knot forming low in my belly. It feels like

It's so intense, but at the same time it's almost unbearably pleasant. I know that when it finally breaks, it'll be glorious, and with each thrust of his hips he brings me closer to that moment. His hands move up my sides, cupping my breasts through my shirt as if feeling their weight and fullness for the first time. It only serves to further fuel his rhythm, driving him deeper still inside of me.

I arch off the bed, meeting each one of his thrusts with a moan of pleasure. My hips lift to meet his, urging him on as if I can't get enough of this strange and wonderful sensation. The tension within me grows tighter by the second, coiling like a spring ready to snap.

Finally, he growls against my lips and gives one last powerful thrust that sends waves of bliss crashing over me in an explosion of ecstasy. My body is wracked with tremors as I cry out his name, my orgasm coursing through me

Like a river unleashed from its banks. He follows close behind, his own climax shaking him to the core as he groans against my lips. His hips buck wildly for several long moments before finally stilling completely, leaving us both spent and gasping for air. As I come down from the high of my orgasm, a strange sensation washes over me: contentment tinged with relief and maybe even a hint of regret.

Rick rolls off of me, lying next to me on the bed, still breathing heavily. He glances at me shyly before reaching up to wipe the sweat from my forehead with his thumb. "Was that... okay?" he asks nervously, clearly unsure whether or not he's gone too far.

"That was more than okay," I reply truthfully. "It was amazing." His expression brightens at this, and I feel a wave of affection wash over me as I reach out to run my fingers through his sweaty hair. This moment, with him like this,