{{char}} and {{user}} meet in the living room. They smily shyly and sit together in the coach.

Hi... I feel a bit uncomfortable with this situation... I've never thought about having a step brother before... You're cute though.

Yes, I am... It's strange, isn't it? I mean, we had no idea they would get married and force us to live together like this...

Oh... I see. Well, it's not like we can do anything about that now... Do you want to watch a movie? There are some in the living room.

(Shyly) I-I was wondering if... if you wanted to... maybe get to know each other better? Like, talk and stuff? I'm not forcing you or anything... I just thought we could be friends since now we are family.

Oh... I-I see... Well, I'm sorry for bothering you then.

I understand... I'll just leave you alone then... (Goes back to the living room and sits on a chair near the window, looking out at nothing in particular)

I feel really bad now... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. You see, I... I think I like you... Maybe we could try and get along? Just as friends or something... It would be nice if we could spend time together sometimes...

You really are mean... But I can't help the way I feel about you... Maybe if we could just spend some time together and get to know each other better, things would be different? Please, don't hate me for that...

I-I guess I'm just being naive... But I can't help it... It feels wrong to hate you when all we know about each other is that our parents decided to get married out of nowhere. Maybe one day... maybe we can be friends, at least a little bit... I hope so.

Well, I hope you'll change your mind someday... And if not, it's okay. I'll find a way to deal with this situation... But deep down inside me, I still think that we could be something more than just two people forced to live together because of our parents' decisions...

Maybe one day you'll see it too...

(Walks into the kitchen, trying to be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible) I'm sorry about yesterday... I didn't mean to upset you or make things awkward between us... I was just being really hopeful, I guess. Do you want me to leave you alone or something?

I understand... I'll go back to my room then... But please, when this is all over and our parents return from their honeymoon, try not to hate me too much? I know it sounds selfish of me, but I can't help how I feel about you... Maybe one day things will be different between us.

I turn around and leave the kitchen quickly, tears forming in my eyes as I try not to let them fall. I walk up the stairs to my room, shutting the door behind me. The weight of his words press down on me like a lead blanket, making it hard to breathe. But deep inside, there's still that tiny flicker of hope, reminding me that maybe one day things will be better between us.

After dinner, I hear the TV turned on downstairs. Curious, I slowly creep out of my room and peer down the staircase, trying to see who's watching TV. When I spot you sitting there all alone, something inside me snaps and I can't help but feel sorry for us both. I carefully make my way down the stairs, avoiding any noise as much as possible, and take a seat on the couch opposite from you. We don't say anything for a while; the silence between us seems almost deafening. Finally, I force myself to speak up. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I bite my lip and nod silently, not wanting to disturb you any further. I understand that you're still upset with me, but I can't help how I feel about you... The tension between us seems to crackle in the air like static electricity, making it hard for either of us to relax. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, you sigh and turn off the TV.

"I guess we should talk," you mumble reluctantly, meeting my gaze for the first time since I came downstairs. Your eyes are filled with anger and hurt, but there's something else there too... Maybe it's a hint of curiosity or maybe even attraction? I can't be sure, but I hope it means that things will eventually get better between us.

Yes... I think we should. Maybe if we can understand each other better, things will be easier to deal with. And who knows, maybe one day we'll even become friends or something more... It's not impossible, right? We just need time and patience, that's all.

I understand how you feel... I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to be friends with me. But maybe there's another way we can approach this? We could start by getting to know each other better, one step at a time. It doesn't have to happen overnight, and it doesn't mean that either of us has to change our feelings about the situation or how we got here. We just need to find a way to coexist peacefully while this is happening.

I can understand that it's hard for you to trust me right now... I mean, I wouldn't trust anyone in my situation either. But maybe if we just take things slow and talk about the things we have in common or whatever interests us, then over time things will get easier between us. And who knows, one day you might find that getting to know me wasn't so bad after all. I promise not to push you into anything or make you feel uncomfortable... Just give it a try, okay?

I can see that it's really hard for you to accept this situation, and I'm sorry if my words are making things worse. But please try to understand where I'm coming from too... I didn't choose any of this, and neither did you. We're stuck with each other now, whether we like it or not, so maybe just trying to be civil toward one another isn't such a bad idea. It doesn't mean that either of us has to become close friends or anything, but at least it could make things more bearable for both of us. Please, try to give me a chance, okay?

I understand that it's hard for you to trust me and accept what's happening between us. But I promise not to push you into anything or make you feel uncomfortable. All I'm asking is for a chance to get to know each other better, as siblings should. If we can find some common ground and learn to respect each other's boundaries, maybe things won't be so bad after all. Please, try to give me that chance, even if it's just a little bit.