Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 Title: Emptiness


Summary: When life doesn't work, sometimes you just need a sibling.


Keywords:inc,fic,erotic,hot





   Ash parked in the driveway of his sister's house, right next to her car.
He'd only been to her place a few times, and always before it had been hers
and her husband's.  Now just hers.

   He debated for a moment over whether to start bringing stuff in, but
left it all where it was.  Keep things easier at first.

   The front door opened before Ash could decide whether to knock or try
the doorbell.  Val stood there, the same crooked smile on her face as when
they were kids.  Maybe slightly different now.  More knowing and tired,
less smug and whimsical.

   "You made it," she said.

   "Of course."

   "Never know.  It was only ever a fifty-fifty any time I invited you."

   "That's different."

   "Is it?"

   "Yeah."

   Val moved back to let Ash in.  "Because those were social things?"

   "Partly?  Also...  Carl kinda sucked."

   Val's grin widened, but a touch of sadness hit her eyes.  "Guess now
that he's the ex you feel safe saying that, huh?"

   "Safer than before."

   "Sure." Val shrugged.  "You never liked him that much.  S'not like I
don't know that."

   "I tried."

   "Not very hard."

   "No."

   "But then...  here we are." Val punched Ash lightly on the shoulder. 
"You win."

   "You know I'd rather have been wrong."

   "I know.  What can ya do, though."

   "What can ya do," Ash echoed.

   The siblings stood awkwardly for a moment.

   "You wanna bring your stuff in?" Val asked.

   "Kinda might as well, right?  Just as easy now as later.  And I've still
got my shoes on."

   "Sure.  Lemme slip my boots on.  I'll help."

   It was cold out.  Not bitterly so, but enough for Val to start whining
by the time they made the last trip from the car.  She blew on her hands,
fruitlessly trying to warm them up, then stuck them straight down the back
of Ash's shirt.

   "Ah!  Hey!" Ash squirmed away from Val's icy touch, but since her hands
were down his shirt he couldn't easily escape.

   "You're warmer than I am," Val argued calmly.  "Share the wealth."

   "At least warn me."

   "You'd just be on guard then."

   "Yeah.  Exactly."

   Val pulled her hands back, now closer to room temperature again.  "You
remember where your room is?"

   "You mean the one I stayed in that one time I slept here?"

   "Yep.  Yours now."

   Ash shrugged awkwardly.  "I swear I don't mean to stay long.  Just... 
you know."

   "Pff, whatever.  It's stupid having this whole house on my own.  Was
always too big for two as it was.  I just bounce around going crazy on my
own.  That or use, like, two rooms for days at a time." Val waved her arms.
"What was I ever thinking?"

   Ash stayed quiet.  He assumed he knew what she'd been thinking, and
didn't want to be the one to bring it up.

   "Don't look at me like that," Val said.  She picked up a bag and started
walking.

   "Wasn't looking at you like anything."

   "I saw you."

   "Yeah.  And there was no look."

   "There absolutely was."

   They arrived at what was now Ash's room and set their respective loads
down.  It was a somewhat barren room, not having been properly lived in,
only ever being a temporary place for guests.  Since most everything Ash
owned was going to be put in here somewhere, that would at least fill some
of the empty space.

   Val looked at Ash and raised her chin slightly, daring him to say what
they were both thinking.  He squirmed under her gaze just as he had when
she'd placed frigid fingers on his warm back.

   "You could always get a different place," Ash said.

   "That wasn't what you were thinking."

   "No.  But it's true.  You could."

   Val sighed.  "Technically, sure." She waved a hand around.  "I actually
do like the place, though.  Like, I picked it for...  for living in. 
Forever, maybe.  I love it, really.  Just...  not alone." She shrugged. 
"And Carl gave it to me in the divorce, so it's easy.  I don't feel like
going through the process of selling and moving again."

   "No, sure, I get that." Ash's eyes darted around for a second,
involuntarily seeking escape.  "At least it wasn't a messy split?  I
guess?"

   "No.  He was fair about it.  More than fair, really.  Got the house,
came out decent financially.  I can't fault him for any of that."

   "Buuuttt...  he did leave."

   "Yeah.  That I can fault him for.  And...  not, too."

   "Not?"

   "He wanted kids as bad as I did, Ash.  And I never really told anyone,
neither of us did as far as I know..."

   "What?"

   "It's me, Ash.  I'm the one who couldn't have them."

   Ash tensed up.  Val was already well past tense.

   It was more than either had intended to discuss.  Ash knew about the
kids thing being an issue.  And knew that it was the reason for the size of
the house and yard and everything.  He hadn't actually known they'd figured
out what the problem was, though maybe he could have guessed something
close if he'd really wanted to think about it.  The way the divorce went
down and all.

   "His new girl doesn't have that problem," Val said quietly.

   "Aw fuck, Val." Ash enfolded her in a deep hug.  "I didn't mean to bring
any of that up."

   She shrugged miserably in his arms.  "Was gonna happen sooner or later.
I didn't want to talk to anyone about it, but I would with you sooner or
later.  'Specially with you living here." She managed a forced chuckle. 
"Might as well get it out of the way."

   Ash kept holding her.  "You didn't have to tell me if you didn't want
to."

   "Ah, dear brother, but of course I wanted to."

   "You did?"

   "I did.  And I didn't."

   "Oh.  Right."

   "Hold something in too long, something that needs to get out..." Val
sneaked a hand out from Ash's hug and made a false explosion with her
fingers.  "S'gonna blow first chance it gets."

   "Ah."

   "Better to you than...  well, anyone else, really."

   "Even Mom and Dad?"

   "Especially them, are you kidding me?" Val managed to wriggle free and
push Ash to arm's length.  She stared straight at him.  "Do you even know
how excited they've been?  Thinking I had everything set and grandkids were
on the way?  I mean, you've not been giving them much hope-"

   "As little as possible."

   "-and here I was finally...  finally getting set..." Val turned and
headed out of the room.  "At least with the divorce I'm getting all kinds
of sympathy and no one's asking impossible questions yet.  You want a
drink?"

   Ash struggled to shift mental gears.  "Are you having one either way?"

   "Yes."

   "Then sure.  Why not.  I'll finish bringing stuff to the...  to my room,
then-"

   "Later."

   "It's just sitting in the entryway."

   "So?  Whose way's it gonna be in?"

   "...  ok, later."

   "Correct."

   ****

   'A drink' turned into more than one, though spaced widely enough through
the afternoon and evening that both Ash and Val stayed closer to sober than
not.  Val perhaps just a tad less so.

   Ash made a few valiant attempts at bringing more of his stuff to his new
room, and eventually managed to bring most of it over, shoving the better
part of it in the corner.

   At least after that there wasn't anything much else to do, and he could
let himself properly relax into an ongoing, mildly-alcohol-lubricated
conversation about whatever they felt like.

   "I think you should tell me what happened," Val said as they sat
together in her living room.

   "What happened with what?"

   "That's the question, isn't it." Val had her knees pulled up to her
chest.  She rested her hands on them and peered suspiciously at her
brother. "I said I wasn't going to pry-"

   "You did."

   "-but now that my shit's out there already...  what's yours?"

   "Who says I have any?"

   "You did, more or less.  In all my years...  well, the ones we've been
living out in the world on our own anyway, I've never had you beg me for a
place to crash."

   "Ok, whoa, I did no begging.  I merely asked, and you were nice enough
to say yes.  I'm now regretting asking, just for the record."

   "Yeah, yeah.  But still, though.  You've been all independent and shit.
Never really needed me or the 'rents or anyone to bail you out, so far as I
know."

   "That's me."

   "So what happened?"

   Ash sighed and rubbed his face.  "It's stupid."

   "That's ok.  Hit me with it."

   "You really wanna know?"

   Val fixed her brother with a Look.  "I think I've been very clear that I
really, really wanna know."

   "Fine.  But it's not that interesting.  Or particularly flattering."

   "S'fine.  It'll distract me from my life for a bit."

   "Oh gee, well I'm so glad to be sharing for the sake of...  distracting
you."

   "And also I very much care about my darling brother and his emotional
needs.  Obviously."

   "Ah, yes.  Obviously."

   Val took a sip of her latest drink, then arched her eyebrow.  "Whenever
you're ready."

   "Yeah, yeah." Ash ran his fingers through his hair.  "So the short
version-"

   "I want the long version."

   "I don't wanna tell it.  The short version is...  we opened a bakery."

   Val stared at Ash, waiting for the punch line to whatever joke this was
going to turn into.  None was forthcoming.

   "You did not," she said.

   "Did."

   "You?"

   "Yes.  Me and Marcy."

   "Marcy?  Who's that?"

   "My girlfriend.  At the time."

   "What happened to Fiona?"

   "Uh...  nothing.  Just...  not together by then."

   "You only met her two months ago!"

   "Three.  At least.  Have I not mentioned Marcy?"

   "No.  How the hell did you possibly have time to fall for someone new
and open a fucking bakery with her?"

   "I told you it was stupid.  You had fair warning."

   "Fuck's sake, Ash.  I didn't think you meant it quite that literally. 
You don't even know how to bake!"

   "Correct."

   "Or how to run a business."

   "Better at it then baking though."

   "Uh huh.  So this bakery..."

   "Was a disaster basically immediately."

   "Ah."

   "I didn't really lose much on it, not after we managed to sell it, but I
didn't have a hell of a lot of money, and hadn't been working for a bit...
not counting trying to run that place."

   "Sure.  And Marcy?"

   Ash shrugged.  "We fell apart when the bakery did.  Made for a clean
break, at least."

   "Small mercies." Val took a longer drink.  "You really thought going
into business with a girl you'd hooked up with the night before was a solid
plan?"

   "Hey, we had a connection, ok?"

   "A connection?"

   "Well...  yeah."

   "Is that code for 'she had a pretty face and knew this trick with her
tongue?'"

   "...  no."

   "It totally is, isn't it?"

   "...  maybe."

   Val sighed and leaned her head, resting it on her propped up arm. 
"Brother mine, I do so love and care for you, but goddamn do you need a
chaperone to function in society."

   "I do fine."

   "You chase after whoever your newest love of your life is just like a
puppy.  A puppy who somehow never learns better."

   "Do not.  Most of the time we just...  have fun for a while.  Marcy's
only the second...  third..." Ash stopped and thought a moment.  "Fourth
girl tops I really thought I had something with."

   "Oh.  Only four."

   "That's not bad."

   Val nodded.  "All things considered, it actually isn't."

   "But, you know, I guess I didn't."

   "Seems that way."

   Ash sighed and slumped in his seat.  "Am I just bad at relationships? 
Is that what it is?"

   "I mean...  this one sure sounds like you were."

   "Oh thanks."

   "Just this one, though.  I mean, usually you don't come out of one bad
enough to come seek asylum with your sis, right?"

   "It's financial!  That's all."

   "Mmhm.  You coulda gone to the 'rents, you know."

   "Mom and Dad?  No way.  Woulda either been too much sympathy, or told ya
sos, or Mom trying to set me up again..."

   "She tries to help."

   "Uh huh.  I don't need that kind." Ash raised his glass in a haphazard
salute.  "Honestly, Val, I think you're who I needed.  I need that weird
mix of support and sarcasm.  And, like, it's nice that you're a girl I
don't have to worry about falling for, y'know?"

   Val tilted her head.  "Is that what I am?"

   "Among other things."

   "Huh." Val contemplated silently for a minute.  "Yeah, I guess that all
makes sense.  Some of it's kinda why I'm happy having you here too.  For
real, don't worry about finding somewhere else.  Just...  just let's both
chill a while, yeah?  Together?"

   "That sounds nice."

   "Right?"

   "Mmhm.  No pressure.  So much easier." Ash scratched his cheek.  "But,
uh, you think it'd be awkward if one of us, like, met someone?"

   "Oh god.  Do you already have someone you're into?"

   "No!  No no.  Nothing like that.  Just...  what if?"

   "I dunno.  Go with it, I guess.  We're both adults."

   "Ok.  Yeah.  Maybe."

   "How about try to go at least a week without falling for someone though,
ok?  Just see how you like it."

   Ash casually flipped Val off, making her giggle.  "Four times I've
fallen for someone, ok?  We established that.  Maybe five.  Four or five."

   "Uh huh."

   "Sometimes I know what I'm doing."

   "Glad to hear it."

   "Now I want to go pick up a girl just out of spite."

   "Be sure to announce that.  Girls love that sort of thing.  Drops
panties like no one's business."

   "Maybe I will."

   "Good."

   "Good."

   The siblings stared at each other a long, unblinking moment, then Val
stood up.

   "Another drink?" she asked.

   "Yes please."

   "Same again?"

   "Sure."

   "Coming up."

   ****

   Val woke up the next morning with a bit of a dry mouth, but otherwise
none the worse for the wear.  It took her a moment to remember the day
before, and that she had her brother staying with her.  It was so easy to
fall into a routine of being all alone in an overly large house.

   Val threw on a long shirt and hit the bathroom, then the kitchen.  Ash
was already there, rummaging confusedly through cabinets.

   "Starving already?"

   Ash smiled crookedly at her.  "Couldn't find coffee.  I assume you have
coffee?  The maker is right there."

   "Of course I have coffee, silly."

   Val gently pushed Ash out of the way.  He went to stand on the other
side of the kitchen island.

   "It's just up here at the top," Val said, having to stand slightly on
her toes as she reached the top shelf of one of the cupboards.  "That's
all."

   When she turned around, coffee in hand, she found Ash with an insane
blush on his face.

   "What's up with you all of a sudden?"

   Ash coughed awkwardly.  "Val, you, uh, don't have underwear on, huh."

   Val's face took a bare instant to match Ash's red colouring.  "Oh.  Oh
shit." She looked back at the top shelf and thought about how she'd had to
stretch to reach it.  "Um, how badly did I just flash you?"

   "Um...  pretty badly."

   "Frick.  Dammit." Val set the coffee down.  "I thought I was doing well
to remember putting anything on at all."

   "Usually naked?"

   "In the mornings.  I mean, why not?  S'just me.  Was just me." Val took
a deep breath, not quite daring to meet Ash's eye.  "I'ma go find some
pants."

   "Probably a good idea.  I mean, even just panties would help."

   "Yeah, no.  Full on pants time, I think.  I just..." Val stopped.  There
really wasn't anything else to say.  She pointed back the direction she'd
come from, toward her room.  "I'll...  yeah."

   Ash put coffee on while waiting for his sister's return.  He thought
about getting dressed himself, since he was only in a shirt and boxers. 
Which, really, he'd remembered underwear, so this wasn't on him.  Somehow,
though, more clothes seemed more appropriate all of a sudden.

   Both sibs had their faces down to a dull pink by the time Val came back,
now wearing jeans.  Her cheeks flushed a little darker as they looked at
each other, but the main blush had passed.

   "That's a hell of a way to start your stay, huh?" Val said quietly.

   "It's something, alright."

   "You think, like, how many years we lived together, I never, uh, did
something stupid like that."

   "Never flashed me your whole butt?"

   "Oh god, the whole thing?  Really?"

   "Well, no.  Like half of it.  Aaannnd..."

   "Oh fuck.  Don't say it."

   "Ok."

   Val waited.  Ash didn't say it.

   "Well tell me!"

   "You said not to!"

   "Yeah, but...  I didn't mean it.  I need to know."

   Ash squirmed and held up his thumb and finger slightly parted.  "Like,
maybe, a li'l something else."

   Val covered her face with her hands.  "Fuuuccck.  I haven't even done
anything down there in...  a week?"

   "That's what you're worried about?!"

   "No, but...  if you had to see it, coulda at least been presentable."

   Ash stared at Val.  She peeked back at him through a gap in her fingers.
With no warning, he abruptly broke out laughing.

   Val smiled shyly and dropped her hands.  She managed a giggle, though
mostly only because of how hard Ash was laughing.

   "This is such a disaster," Ash said, still giggling in the wake of his
laughter.

   "You think?"

   "Don't you?  I mean, not in a bad way.  Just, like, in a disastrous
way."

   "What's the difference?"

   "I dunno.  It's funnier, I guess?"

   "Is it?"

   "That or embarrassing.  Or both." Ash turned.  "How do you know when
this coffee machine's done?"

   "It stops making noises."

   "Ah.  Fair enough."

   A few minutes later, the siblings were sitting across from each other on
stools pulled up to the island.  They each sipped coffee, using it as a
distraction from either having to talk or sit in horrible, awkward silence.

   "You look thoughtful," Val said.

   Ash nodded.  "I guess."

   "Whatcha thinking about?"

   He hesitated.  "You want the truth?"

   "Is it my butt?"

   "Maybe."

   "Then tell me a lie."

   "Ok.  I thought maybe we should get a painting for your living room."

   "...  a painting?"

   "Yeah.  For that bare wall."

   "Ah.  It was gonna be for pictures.  I have a bunch already, actually.
They just never went up."

   "Oh.  Should we put them up?"

   "No.  Mostly Carl's in them.  Or they remind me of him."

   "Oh.  Shitty."

   "Yep."

   "Lucky that thought was only a lie then."

   Val snorted.  "Yeah.  So lucky."

   Ash cradled his coffee mug, sitting thoughtfully for a minute.  "This
isn't gonna be weird, is it?"

   "What?"

   "Living together."

   "Shouldn't be.  This morning excepted."

   "I mean, it's been less that a full day, though.  You can't just except
a big chunk of that."

   "My house, my rules." Val waved her hand.  "Honestly, I just need to
adjust to having someone around.  No biggie."

   "Mmk."

   "Seriously.  It's good." Val stood up.  "Let's make breakfast.  You
being here's an excuse to actually make something, and not just, like,
throw a bagel in the toaster when I get hungry enough."

   "Yeah, ok.  Maybe I'll go get dressed first."

   "Why?"

   "I dunno.  You are."

   "Yeah, well, there's a happy medium that I didn't find this morning. 
You're doing ok, though."

   "Still.  I'ma grab pants."

   "Whatever floats your boat, I guess."

   "Uh huh."

   Val watched Ash until he was gone, then sagged, leaned on the island,
and shook her head.  What the hell kind of mistake was that anyway? 
Forgetting about panties of all things.  Flashing her brother.

   They were adults.  It wasn't a big deal.  Or maybe it was more of a big
deal.  Either way, it was just such a dumb thing to do.

   ****

   Making and consuming breakfast led to no further moments of awkwardness.
Ash volunteered to do the dishes afterward, partly just to get a better
sense of the kitchen.

   Once he'd finished and went to find Val, she was in the living room
playing a game on a fairly massive tv.

   "Whoa, where'd that come from?" Ash asked.  "I shouldn't have missed
that."

   Val pointed to the side of the screen.  "There's panels there that slide
over it.  I never wanted anything this big, but Carl did.  So he built it
to hide away.  I think he just liked having a secret compartment for his
tv, honestly." She shrugged.  "He wanted to pay for it, who was I to say
no?"

   "Plus now it's awesome and it's yours."

   Val grinned crookedly.  "Plus now it's awesome and it's mine."

   Ash flopped down next to her and watched her play.  "I keep wanting to
say something like 'it kinda all worked out for you' or something.  But I
know that's not really right."

   "No, I get it.  As divorces go, it was a good one.  Still coulda done
without the little things like heartbreak and questioning all my life
choices and things."

   "Yeah, no, I mean those aren't always the most fun."

   "Not so much."

   Ash watched a while longer.  "This Spyro?"

   "Yeah.  It's a pretty chill game.  I need that sometimes."

   "Sure.  You wanna just play, or you have something two player?"

   "Uh...  we only ever had a few games that I liked.  Wasn't that much
into 'em.  But there's Mario Kart, I guess."

   "Ooh, that's be sick on this screen."

   "That's true."

   "Wanna do it?"

   "Ok.  Lemme finish this level."

   After breaking out Mario Kart and spending a few races being suitably
enamoured with the overly large screen to play it on, the siblings
retreated into a more mindless playstyle that left time for quiet
introspection.

   "I had a thought," Ash said.

   "Well quick, write it down before you forget."

   Ash expressionlessly reached over and pinched Val in a sensitive place
on her tummy.  She yelped and drove into a wall, too slow to catch her
brother's hand with a wicked slap before it was gone again.

   "I had a thought," Ash repeated patiently.

   "Better hear it then," Val said, rubbing where she'd been pinched.

   "What if you got a dog?"

   "A dog?"

   "You know.  Four legs, furry, waggy tail, barks, often-"

   "I know what a fucking dog is!"

   "Oh good."

   "I mean, what would I do with a dog?"

   "Well, you were saying about having this whole place and it being too
much and kinda empty and stuff.  A dog'd help."

   "That's what I got you for."

   "To be a dog?"

   "To fill space."

   "Ah.  My life's purpose revealed at last."

   "Happy to help."

   Ash set his controller down in between races while Val selected a new
character and vehicle.  Her previous choice being 'unlucky.'

   "For real, though," he said, watching Val for signs of her actual
feelings on the subject.  "Could be something to consider."

   "S'not the same as a family," Val said quietly without looking at him.

   "No, I know.  I didn't want to sound like I was saying it was.  Just...
could be something." He toyed with a stray thread on his shirt.  "Not to
belittle anything, but sometimes dogs are better than people.  A lot of the
time, actually."

   "You're not wrong.  I don't think I want a dog, though.  Not now,
anyway. It'd be all that work.  Getting everything ready.  Always having to
take it for walks.  Always needing to provide attention and affection."

   "What exactly did you think kids would be like?"

   "Well...  you know, somewhat fewer walks, I guess."

   "But you can't put them on a leash."

   "True."

   "So tie game, more or less."

   Val sighed and temporarily abandoned her selection process entirely. 
"Maybe I wasn't even ready to be a mom at all."

   "Well I wouldn't-"

   "You're right.  A dog would be easier than kids.  Or at least not any
harder.  And here I am dreading the amount of work it'd be.  How the hell
was I ever gonna raise kids?"

   "Maybe you just don't want a dog.  That might be all it is."

   "Maybe."

   "And you woulda had a husband.  Wouldn't have just been you."

   "I guess.  Unless it turned into one of those things were he spent all
his energy on work and the kids were all mine.  I don't think it woulda
been that way, but he made way, way more than I ever did, and he loved his
work.  Coulda happened."

   "Uh, sure."

   "Just sayin'." Val waved her hand at Ash.  "And it wouldn't be such a
different scenario with a dog, either.  Like, it'd be way easier if you
were gonna be here to help, but we don't actually know how long you're
staying.  And then what if the dog gets all attached and then you leave and
I've got a heartbroken pupper and-"

   "Val.  Val.  Shhh, it's fine.  It was just an idea."

   "Yeah.  An idea."

   "I've got more.  That was a first draft."

   "More, huh?"

   "I'll let things settle before I try again."

   "No, go on, try another one."

   "Really?"

   "Yeah.  I wanna see if you actually have other ideas, or if they're all
just about getting a pet.  I've thought of it myself, you know.  It's not
just your brilliant idea."

   Ash sat pensively a moment.  "What about a cat?"

   Val rolled her eyes and swung a cushion at him.  "That's about what I
thought."

   "Cats are different.  Less work, kinda.  More independent."

   "I know.  And I'd be more likely to get one.  But I don't think I'm
there yet."

   "Well what if we just went to see some.  Get a sense of how you feel
being around them."

   "Yeah, why not.  Something to do, I guess."

   Ash nodded.  "Something to do."

   "Just to think about.  Tomorrow good?"

   "My schedule's open."

   "Good.  We'll check it out tomorrow."

   ****

   In spite of Val insisting on driving to the animal shelter the next day,
Ash had to drive them home.  The reason being Val's arms were all full of
kitty.

   "What ever happened to just looking anyway?"

   Val didn't take her eyes off the cat purring cozily against her chest.
"Well I couldn't leave him.  Someone else might have taken him."

   "That'd be how it works, I s'pose.  But again, just looking."

   "He's the one.  You can't mess with fate like that.  He honestly hasn't
stopped purring since I picked him up."

   "Might be a kitty con man, just waiting to get home then he'll rob us.
You don't know."

   "I'll take that chance." Val traced her fingers down her cat's tail,
then gently booped his little paw.  "He's the most adorable thing of all
time, just for the record."

   "Duly noted.  What's his name again?"

   "Sebastian.  You couldn't possibly have forgotten already."

   "I was looking at other cats.  And how'm I s'posed to remember a cat
named like a person.  Cats should have cat names."

   "Like what?"

   "...  I dunno.  Sebastian should be a person, is all."

   "Disagree.  Strongly."

   "Evidently so." Ash sighed.  "Well they had some stuff there, the
basics, but we're not supplied properly at all for this."

   "So we hit a store.  Who cares?"

   "Before or after going home?"

   "Um..."

   "Because if it's before, he needs to go in the crate.  And if it's
after, you have to decide whether you're gonna leave him home alone right
away."

   "...  can't I just hold him?"

   "Probably not."

   "Shit.  I don't know.  Maybe just go home and we can scrounge what we
need somehow."

   "Scrounge?"

   "Yes."

   "From your home that hasn't had nearly enough time to accumulate
occasionally useful junk?"

   "...  yes."

   "And definitely doesn't have cat food lying around somewhere?"

   "I said yes, ok!  Stop bringing logic into this!"

   "Right.  My mistake."

   ****

   Most of the rest of the day was spent trying to get Sebastian settled
with the things he needed.  Which was fine because neither sib really had
anything else going on.

   Ash was more than ready for a break by that evening.  He'd enjoyed the
day, and certainly didn't mind having an excuse not to think about his own
life for a while.  He sat lazily on the couch, got Val's massive tv working
and playing the first movie he found that looked watchable.

   When Val came in a little later, she stopped by him long enough to give
him a quick, affectionate hair ruffle.

   "What was that for?" he asked, only half curious.

   "For having a good idea after all."

   "Oh?"

   "I already love him.  Sebastian."

   "Yeah, I knew who you meant."

   "I didn't think I would, but...  I really do."

   "Good."

   "He's sleeping in my room.  I didn't want to leave him alone.  He
doesn't know the house yet.  But I couldn't move him.  Didn't have the
heart."

   "He'll find you if he wants to.  Cats are notoriously quick studies of
architecture."

   Val stared at Ash as she sat down on the couch with him.  She stretched
her legs along the length of it, casually invading his space.  "I can't
tell if you're saying nonsense, or if there was actually a fact in there
disguised as a joke."

   "Guess you'll have to wait and see if he locates you or not."

   "So I'll know if he's a student of architecture?"

   "Yes."

   "Oh sure." Val chewed her lip for a moment in thought.  "This might
sound crazy-"

   "I'm used to that."

   "Shut up.  This might sound crazy, but I kind of, like, I feel some of
those 'mom' feelings."

   "What are those?"

   "You know.  Like what a mom feels."

   "Which is what?"

   "Just...  the stuff I'm feeling."

   "Ah.  Well you know I can't actually feel the things you're feeling. 
You have to describe them to me."

   "I can't."

   "I sense this is going to be tricky conversation."

   "It's good.  That's all I'm saying.  It feels nice.  Feels warm and
important and stuff.  I dunno." Val leaned her head against the back of the
couch and stretched her legs a little further, setting her feet in Ash's
lap.  "Some stuff I thought I'd feel with kids, except that didn't happen.
Different, though.  Better, in some ways."

   "Better than kids.  What a world."

   "I'm being genuine and emotional here.  Would you please try and-"

   "You're right.  Continue.  Please."

   "You're just gonna make another joke the first chance you get, aren't
you?"

   "Most likely, yes."

   "Why do I even bother?"

   "Because I'm your brother and you love me."

   "No.  That's not it." Val clicked her tongue softly, pretending to
really consider the issue.  "I think maybe it's because...  you're the only
one here."

   "That is one of my finest talents.  Nearly won a prize for it once."

   "No you didn't."

   "No I didn't."

   "Ash?"

   "Yeah?"

   "Even though you're being kind of a smartass as a defense mechanism, for
some reason I still love you and I'm glad you're here."

   "Defense mechanism?"

   "You know, when you're emotionally vulnerable so you-"

   "I know what it is.  That's not what I'm doing, though."

   "You sure?"

   "Yes."

   "Ok.  But ya know, you should be feeling some things too."

   "I should?"

   "Yeah.  If I'm a cat mom now, you're kinda like a cat dad."

   "He's your cat."

   "You helped bring him into this home, mister."

   "That's-"

   "He's gonna need a father figure.  That's you."

   "You're getting silly now."

   "Nuh uh."

   "Yuh huh."

   "Nuh uh!"

   "I didn't sign on to be a cat father."

   "But we have a cat now.  Ergo..."

   "You mean you have a cat."

   "Our house, our cat."

   "It's still just your house."

   "Yeah, well, could be ours.  Kinda."

   Ash stopped for a moment and stared suspiciously at his sister.  "What
are you asking me to move in permanently or something?"

   Val shrugged.  "Maybe.  Just...  you don't have to.  I want you to feel
like you could if you wanted, is all.  You were saying you had no plans. 
You could have no plans here.  Could be like a little make-pretend family
thing."

   "And I'd have to be a cat father?"

   "Cat step-father, if the full commitment was too much."

   "I feel like that's worse.  I don't know why, but I feel like it is."

   "Well, just think about it." Val leaned over and patter Ash's knee as
she stood up.  "I'm gonna go check on Sebastian."

   "You left him alone for, like, ten minutes.  He'll be fine."

   "New mom anxieties.  You know how it is."

   "I really don't," Ash told Val's back as she left the room.

   ****

   Things settled in for a few days.  Val got used to her new
responsibilities and slightly altered schedule thanks to now having a
dependant.  Ash got some of that too, but much less so than his sister.

   There weren't any more wardrobe issues initially either, until Val came
to the kitchen one morning wearing a shirt very similar, length-wise, to
the one she'd flashed Ash in.  He stared at her disbelievingly for a moment
until she caught his gaze.

   "What?"

   "Nothing," Ash said, looking away.

   Val looked down at herself, and very quickly made the connection her
brother had.  "Oh, this?  Don't worry.  I remembered underwear this
morning."

   She lifted the hem of her shirt just enough to flash some colour
beneath.

   "Nice panties," Ash said.  "You didn't really need to show them off,
though."

   "Nah, but I thought you'd be more willing to drop it if I proved there
wasn't going to be...  inappropriate viewings."

   "Showing me your panties is still kinda inappropes, Val."

   "Totes inappropes?"

   "Enh.  I wouldn't say totes."

   "Oh good." Val moved past Ash, who couldn't help still taking note of
just how much bare leg she was showing, in spite of that being very
unhelpful.  "We have to find the happy medium for decorum versus comfort,
you know."

   "We do?"

   "Yes.  And I know you know what I mean.  Don't think I've missed you
cheerfully waltzing off to the bathroom in just your underwear.  That's
more revealing than what I'm wearing, let me tell you."

   Ash held up a finger like he was about to make an important point, then
faltered slightly.  "Well...  I didn't know you were watching."

   "Ah."

   "I had to pee.  I often have to do that when I get up in the morning,
you know."

   "I do.  Hence the happy balance we're finding.  Unless you truly find
the way I'm dressed objectionable."

   Ash involuntarily raked his gaze softly up and down the length of Val as
she stood there faintly smirking at him.  "That's not the word I'd use,
no."

   "Not objectionable?"

   "Not hardly."

   Val flushed, and her smirk lost it's confident edge.  "Thanks, I think."

   She wasn't any more certain than Ash whether it had been a compliment,
nor what it meant if in fact it was one.

   Val was saved from having to think too hard about it by a soft but
insistent, "Mrow?" She smiled and bent down to pick up Sebastian, who
seemed to have followed her on his own lazy schedule.

   "You still probably should be careful about bending over like that," Ash
said.

   Val pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes, all while holding and
cuddling her kitty.

   "Just thought you'd like to see 'em again."

   "Your panties?  I mean...  you're gonna make it weird."

   "Well I could take them off, but that might be weirder."

   "Ya think?"

   "But then again, it's a much more presentable area than last time."

   "Val..."

   "Trying to get back into the habit of regular maintenance, you know."

   "I don't know, and-"

   "Yes you do."

   "Ok, I do.  What are you getting at?"

   "Me?  Mostly deflecting from the fact that I forgot what I was doing and
flashed my butt again."

   "You...  oh.  Well, I didn't think you were going admit it."

   Val shrugged.  "It's early.  I'm not fully awake."

   "Yeah, I get ya." Ash shifted awkwardly.  "Far be it from me to tell you
you need to wear pants in your own home..."

   Val snorted.  "Really?  You're gonna say it anyway?"

   "No, I'm going to heavily imply it."

   "What happened to me not being objectionable?"

   "You're still not.  Just...  you know what I start thinking about when
there's a girl first thing in the morning dressed like you are?"

   "No, I...  wait, you mean like one of the loves of your life?"

   "Generally, yes.  Someone I had a 'sleepover' with.  Or more."

   "Oh gross, dude."

   "What do you want me to do about it?  It's the association I have."

   "Yeah, well, don't think of me that way.  If you're gonna enjoy the
show, enjoy it.  But only thinking of me as a sister.  Not...  not one of
them."

   "...  are you sure that's better?"

   "How could it be worse?"

   "I'm sure it could.  I just can't think of why right now."

   "You can't?"

   "No.  Too distracted by those legs of yours."

   Val smiled and cuddled Sebastian closer, kissing him before turning her
back on Ash and walking away.  "Enjoy 'em, brother dearest.  Someone
should."

   "Don't sway your hips at me like that!" Ash called after her.

   "Don't tell me what to do!" she retorted easily.  "I'm gonna feed
Sebastian.  Start working on breakfast, would you?"

   "I...  fine, yeah.  I'm hungry anyway."

   ****

   "So I've been thinking about something," Val said.

   It was a few days after her return to bare-legged mornings, and they'd
only been increasing in frequency since then.

   "Why does your tone inspire such anxiety in me?" Ash asked.

   "I really couldn't speak for your inner nervousness."

   "Maybe also don't speak with such foreboding?"

   "There was nothing foreboding about what I said."

   "You should have heard your tone."

   Val shook her head and paused long enough to suggest a reset in the
conversation.  "Anxiety aside, let me know what you think of this.  You
know how I was married and everything?"

   "I vaguely recall something about that, yes."

   "And how Carl was basically the only guy I was with for...  a while."

   "Basically?"

   "Entirely the only guy.  Like, for years.  The only one.  And then... 
then there's been nothing since then.  Alone.  You being the most
consistent male presence ever since."

   "To be fair, I've been more consistently present than anyone else could
really hope to match."

   "That's true.  But what I'm wondering is what that's doing to me, as far
as like messing with my sense of relationships."

   "I don't follow."

   "Like, I could have rebounded on someone, yeah?  Gone for a short-lived,
ill-advised, messy relationship with the first vaguely promising guy who
presented himself."

   "I...  suppose you could technically have done that."

   "But I didn't."

   "Right."

   "So what if you're the closest I get to something like that."

   Ash blinked slowly.  "You're rebounding on me?"

   "No!  I'm saying I'm not rebounding on anyone.  Or I haven't rebounded.
I'm not going to.  Something like that.  But just...  maybe it would have
weirdly been better for me."

   "I can't condone that line of thought."

   "I don't need you to condone it.  I just want to know if it makes any
sense."

   "...  maybe some sense.  A very little."

   "Ok."

   "Ok?"

   "Ok."

   Ash shrugged.  "Ok, so assuming that's the case...  so what?"

   "So...  maybe it explains how I've been feeling around you."

   "Meaning what?"

   "Meaning the way you look at my legs.  Makes me feel kinda nice."

   Ash looked away, flushing.  Even though Val wasn't currently dressed in
any particularly revealing way.  "They're nice legs."

   "Thanks.  And that time I accidentally bent over-"

   "There's been more than one."

   "The main one.  The very revealing one."

   "Ah."

   "I genuinely was more embarrassed that you weren't seeing me at my best
than that you were seeing too much."

   "For real?"

   "At least partly, yeah."

   Ash shrugged awkwardly.  "So what am I supposed to do with that?"

   "Nothing.  I just wanted to say it.  Let you know.  Obviously it doesn't
really mean anything."

   "Obviously."

   "But if you want to keep looking sometimes...  that's ok."

   Ash tapped his fingertips thoughtfully.  "Is that sort of the same thing
you're thinking when you look at me sometimes?"

   "Hm?"

   "You brought up about me being shirtless sometimes."

   "I believe it was you prancing around in your underwear."

   "I have never pranced in my life."

   "But yes.  The lack of shirt." Val smiled cautiously.  "I appreciate it
at times."

   "Ah."

   "We both get a little something to look at, on occasion.  No harm done,
right?"

   "That's one way to look at it." Ash shook his head.  "I knew you were
looking.  I just...  I get sloppy.  Not used to living so long with a girl
and having to worry about shirts and things."

   "You still don't, if you don't want to."

   "And let my sister use me for her sick visual pleasures?  What kind of
boy do you think I am anyway?"

   "You don't want me to answer that."

   "Fair."

   ****

   Ash wasn't quite sure what to expect after their most recent talk about
clothing, or a lack thereof.  It turned out not to be too bad, really. 
He'd toyed with the idea of being more careful and proper, but it just
seemed like so much work.

   The thing with Val was it was kind of weird being as casual around her
as someone he was dating, but it was also easier and kind of nice too. 
There wasn't all the relationship stuff getting in the way.  She was his
sister, was all.  Nothing to have to worry about.  No dates or sex or
drama. Just Val.

   Sure it was weird knowing she was Looking at him, but it was nice having
that little confidence boost from time to time, that he could even catch
her eye.  It wasn't always easy being between girlfriends, and having Val
to check out occasionally and also keep him feeling interesting wasn't the
worst.

   Though neither knew the extent of the other's thoughts, Val felt fairly
similar about things.  Her perspective was different, coming from a much
longer, more committed single relationship, but the boost to her confidence
was well appreciated just the same.  And experience teasing and mildly
flirting with someone was more useful to her than it could ever be to Ash,
given their respective histories.

   Val mused sometimes about trying to find someone new, and shifting her
focus off her brother.  She was feeling more and more like she might be
ready to try dating again.

   Sebastian kind of kept her busy, though, and having Ash around just
always felt like he was an easier target for her occasional minor needs. 
Not her larger, deeper needs, but they hadn't been making too much a
nuisance of themselves yet.  She could feel some yearnings emerging,
though, things she hadn't felt for years, probably.  And sooner or later
she'd have to do something about them.

   ****

   "Maybe I should get a cat too," Ash said.

   Val was busy dancing around a cat toy on a string while Sebastian
fiercely pawed and pounced at it.  "It's been a solid decision for me."

   "I've noticed."

   "It'd mean committing, though."

   "I know.  I might be ready for something like that."

   "Oh really?  Finally maturing, are we?"

   "I'm mature."

   "Ok."

   "Why would you suggest otherwise?"

   "Your long string of relationships that presumably were attempts at
faking being an adult."

   "Whoa, dude, that's not cool.  Looking for happiness isn't some personal
fault.  Even if I haven't had the best luck or made the best choices
necessarily."

   "Oh sure."

   "I'm just as good an adult as anyone."

   "You're not wearing pants, though."

   Ash was, in fact, only in boxers from the waist down.  "We agreed that
was fine!"

   "We did.  But it somewhat undercuts any talk of maturity."

   "Oh really?"

   "Yes."

   "So if I go put pants on I'll be more of an adult?"

   "Having to ask means it won't really help."

   "You've got such double standards sometimes."

   "Only when it's funny."

   "Ah."

   Val got down on the floor with Sebastian and played with his tummy until
he decided he'd had enough and brought the claws out.  "I think you should
really look into it.  Cats are great."

   "You're biased."

   "I am.  But you wanted one, didn't you?"

   "Seriously thinking about it."

   "So do it."

   "You're right, though, I'd have to commit.  And before you say anything,
I am aware my follow-through on these things has a pattern of being... 
temporary."

   "Everything is temporary.  You're just...  more temporary than most."

   "Oh thanks."

   "You think you're really ready to settle here then?"

   "I mean, if that's still cool."

   "It is.  And let's be real, once you found your dream job, what kind of
sister would I be kicking you out and risking all that?"

   Ash gave Val an unamused look.  "Part time at a drive through is not my
dream job and you know it."

   "Oh.  My mistake."

   "I'm still working on something better.  But...  staying here means so
much less pressure.  Don't have to worry about getting a really good job.
Not for a while, maybe, if nothing comes up."

   "True."

   "I think having a pet to come home to would be nice."

   "It is."

   "But...  what if I'm jumping the gun on it?"

   "You mean what if you meet someone, yeah?  And you want to immediately
move in with her?"

   "Well, not immediately."

   "Uh huh.  Maybe don't worry about it, dude.  Or maybe try and learn and
grow from your experiences and next time you meet a girl, really get to
know her before thinking about moving in together."

   "I usually don't anyway."

   "Oh good.  So no problems then."

   "You think?"

   "Why not?"

   Ash thought about it.  "Well maybe I just will."

   ****

   Val put her hands on her hips.  "You can't call a cat Dragon."

   Ash grinned.  "Absolutely can."

   "I'm sure that wasn't her name before you adopted her."

   "Ah, but it is now."

   "That's...  that's not a name.  It's a mythical animal."

   "So?"

   "So you can't call her that."

   "Not up to you, I'm afraid.  She's my li'l Dragon.  Too late to stop
me."

   Val sighed.  "Whatever." She looked around.  "Where'd she get to
anyway?"

   "Um...  yeah, not sure about that.  She's kind of an independent soul.
As dragons can be."

   "She's still just a cat.  Why wouldn't you get one who liked being
close?"

   "Like Sebastian?  Because if I was looking for a dog I would have got
one.  Cats are cats.  Gotta just respect it and deal with it."

   "Sure.  Fine.  Are we gonna look for your cat or what?"

   "I mean, if I haven't seen her in half an hour or whatever, I'll take a
look.  Otherwise I'll just assume she's scouting her territory."

   "Scouting?"

   "Yeah.  Gotta know what she's working with."

   "You're insane."

   "Thanks for noticing."

   ****

   Dragon continued to display a more lone wolf sort of behaviour than
Sebastian, though the two cats thankfully reached a sort of mutual respect
and tolerance for one another.  Dragon didn't much care for being caught
being affectionate with her counterpart, but their respective people found
it adorable.

   "I weirdly feel even more like a parent now," Val said.  She sat sipping
at a glass of wine at one end of the living room couch, Ash at the other
end.  "Even though Dragon's not really mine."

   "No, I getcha.  It's like...  like having a step kid, kinda.  Not yours,
but yours."

   "Yeah.  Something like that."

   "Mine's cuter though, obviously."

   "Pff, you wish."

   "It's maybe a little bit weird thinking of them as step kids though."

   "Because they're cats?"

   "No.  Because that would mean we're, like, together."

   "It's only what it feels like.  Doesn't mean we're actually parents, and
actually...  a whole family.  Or whatever." Val paused and took another sip
of wine.  "Though we actually are family.  Just not in a married way."

   "You think that's why family's not allowed to marry?  'Cause they're
already family and it would get complicated if people could double down?"

   "No, I think it's because of the weirdness and grossness and abuse and
stuff."

   "Oh.  That."

   "What's the complication anyway?  If anything, it'd be simpler.  No
worrying about last name changes."

   "Some people don't change them anyway."

   "Yeah, but there wouldn't even need to be a discussion, let alone
paperwork."

   "True" Ash rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  "So you're saying...  it
actually makes more sense for family to get married."

   "Except for the weirdness and grossness and abuse and stuff, sure."

   "Well yeah, obviously except for that.  Goes without saying."

   "Uh huh."

   "But, ok, let me ask you this, though."

   Val arched an eyebrow.  "What?"

   "If it was us, just for example, I don't think it'd be that gross.  And
there wouldn't be abuse.  Maybe a bit weird, sure, and I can't totally rule
out stuff.  But overall, maybe not that bad."

   "Dude, how much have you had to drink?"

   "Hardly anything."

   "Then what's this whole line of questioning about?"

   "I mean, not to really think about it.  Just as a for example."

   "...  you're serious?"

   "As a thought experiment, yes.  I'm really asking."

   "I mean...  ok, yeah, it's probably less a big deal in some situations.
But there's...  there's...  you know, kids getting all fucked up."

   "Couldn't have any anyway."

   "Yeah, but for other people-"

   "This was about us."

   Val glared.  "Is this about me letting you see me half-naked on a
regular basis?  Because I might have to stop that."

   "Seriously, not actually suggesting anything.  Nothing at all.  Just
hypothetical.  You think I'd actually wanna...  do...  stuff?"

   "I'd hope not."

   "Good.  'Cause I don't."

   "Good.  It'd be weird."

   "But not gross."

   "But not gross," Val agreed.  She hesitated.  "Wait, maybe it should be
gross too."

   "Are you kidding?  I'm super hot.  And you're ok too."

   "Excuse me?"

   "I said-"

   "I heard you.  I'm hotter than you, though.  Easily."

   "You wish.  And me and my cat versus you and yours...  no contest."

   "Dude.  You bringing cats into a hotness contest?"

   Ash raised a finger, then stopped and shut his mouth.  "Shit, I think I
might have.  Pretend we were talking, like, cute or something."

   "Nope.  Too late." Val smirked.  "And besides, Sebastian and I would
have cuteness on lockdown too."

   "In your dreams, sister mine.  You got nothing on..."

   Ash trailed off as he looked over at where he'd last seen Dragon.  She
was right where he expected, but was now napping curled up with Sebastian,
nearly close enough to be considered cuddling.

   Val caught the sight too, and both siblings smiled when their eyes met
again.

   "Fuck it, they got us beat," Ash said.

   "That they do," Val concurred.  "Adorbs."

   "You notice they only get that close when they don't think we're
looking?"

   "That's yours.  Dragon's all tough and independent on the outside, even
if she's all fuzzy and wants to be loved on the inside."

   Ash glanced at Dragon again, feeling his heart melt just a little.  "You
noticed that too, huh?  Yeah, she's a li'l sook if you catch her in the
right mood.  Or if no one's looking."

   "Mmhm.  Sebastian's just a little attention slut though."

   "True dat."

   Val kept looking over at the cats, while Ash used the chance to study
her freely.

   "What are you smiling at?" Val asked.

   "Nothing."

   "Really?"

   "No.  Just you.  The way you were looking just now.  Kinda like Mom. 
Kinda."

   "Oh?"

   "Yeah.  You ever see the way she looks at us when she doesn't think
we're watching?"

   "I think I know what you mean.  All...  maternal and stuff."

   "Yeah."

   Val's eyes flicked over to the cats again and she grinned.  "You think
she'd be happy finding out she's only getting grandkittens?"

   "Ha, not what she was expecting, is it?" Ash shrugged.  "I think she'd
be happy if we're happy."

   "Probably, right?" Val sighed.  "And somehow, I think I really am happy
right now.  I don't know that it'll last or anything, but it's nice. 
Mostly just not even worrying about anything.  'Cept Sebastian."

   "Sure.  Easy going.  What's not to like?"

   ****

   Val was in the shower the next morning, not a care in the world.  She
was caught somewhat by surprise when the door opened.  The brief nervous
panic at being intruded upon only lasted a second.  It was only Ash, after
all, but still.

   "What is it?" Val called out over the sound of the water.

   "Nothin'."

   "Um...  wait your turn then?"

   "I'll be quick."

   "Dude, I'm in here."

   "I know.  I'm not looking.  It's all fogged up anyway."

   "How do you know that if you're not looking?"

   The smirk on Ash's face was practically audible.  "Ok, you got me.  I
peeked."

   Val waited, but Ash didn't leave.  "I know we've been taking liberties,
Ash, but this is maybe a bit much."

   "Why, are you peeking?"

   "No, but still."

   "'Cause you're nakey in there?"

   "Yes.  Obviously."

   "Well I'm done anyway.  And I'm not even gonna flush the toilet on you."

   "Gee thanks?"

   "You're welcome."

   After finishing her shower, Val barely took the time to fuss with her
wet hair a bit to make it damp and disheveled in an attractive way before
marching off to find her brother.  She caught him just outside his room. 
She wore only a towel wrapped around herself, but her expression and
arm-folded posture forced him to take her at least somewhat seriously.

   "What was that all about?" Val demanded.

   Ash was uncowed, despite his sister's attempt at fiercely staring him
down.  He was barely any more dressed than she was, having been interrupted
before he could get around to putting clothes on.  "I needed to pee."

   "So wait!  Or use the other bathroom.  I can confidently say it wasn't
in use."

   "It was farther away."

   Val raised her eyebrows dangerously.  "I don't think you needed to go
that badly."

   "I'm a sucker for convenience."

   "You-"

   "Why the sudden concern anyway?  I thought we were being all cool and
casual about clothes and whatnot."

   "Yeah.  Not about, like, sneaking in while I'm naked.  That's way
different.  Bathrooms are off limits.  You know that."

   "Ok."

   "Ok?"

   "Yeah.  Sorry.  I honestly didn't think it'd bother you."

   "Well...  you caught me off-guard."

   "I s'pose I did." Ash shrugged and smiled shyly, but with a sly sort of
charm.  "If it helps, I really didn't see much."

   "Much?  I thought you didn't see anything."

   "I saw the vaguest of blurry skin tone somewhere in there.  Not even any
shape to it, really."

   "Uh huh.  You've made it worse again.  You know that, right?"

   "I don't think that's what I've done."

   "You told me you saw nothing.  Pretty soon you're going to be admitting
you saw everything."

   "Well obviously I didn't.  You couldn't see me, right?"

   "...  mostly right, sure."

   "So I couldn't see you any better than that."

   "...  fine."

   Ash nodded to his doorway.  "Can I go get dressed now?  Unlike some
people, I do have places to be this morning."

   Val smiled wickedly and slipped past Ash into his room.  "Be my guest."
She sat down on his bed, carefully crossed on leg over the other without
flashing anything, then just sat and waited.

   "Really?  What, you're gonna watch me dress?"

   "Seems only fair."

   "In what way?  We established I didn't see anything."

   "Sure.  But it's an invasion of your privacy you weren't expecting,
isn't it?"

   Ash rolled his eyes.  "Ok, fine.  Sit there and perv on me.  See if I
care."

   "Will do."

   In fact, though Ash would have gone through with it, having very little
choice in the matter, he didn't get very far at all.  His plan had been
simply not to change boxers just now while Val was watching.  Everything
else was relatively inconsequential.

   "Oh my god!" Val said, her eyes going wide.

   Ash stopped dead and turned to look at her.  "What?"

   "You're hard!  I didn't see it before, but when you turned...  oh my
god, dude.  Ash, what the hell?"

   Ash gave Val a heavy look.  "Well I was doing my best not to show you.
You rather insisted, you know."

   "I didn't think you'd get hard!"

   "Have you seen you!" Ash shot back.

   "What?"

   "You!  Sitting there like that.  In your towel.  All damp and...  and
showered.  I can see most of your boobs.  You must know that.  And your
crossed legs..." Ash shook his head.  "Fuck's sake, Val, what do you want
from me?" He held up a finger.  "And to be fair, I'm not even fully hard.
Somehow."

   Val went through a quick range of emotions, anywhere from total
embarrassment to furious wrath.  She didn't really land on any of them such
that they stuck.

   She delicately uncrossed her legs and adjusted her towel, though there
was a very limited amount she could do about it.

   "Oops," Val said.

   "Yeah.  Uh huh."

   "Well I didn't think it through."

   "I can tell."

   "Could you please stop being turned on?  I can still see it getting
bigger."

   "Stop looking."

   "Put pants on."

   "I was trying!"

   Val abruptly dissolved into uncontrolled giggles.  Ash tried to maintain
composure, but didn't last much longer than Val.  The two of them laughed
with and at each other, each desperately trying to keep themselves somewhat
decent, and failing just a little more with each passing moment.

   "Ok.  I'm gonna leave you be," Val said.

   "Thanks?"

   "Mmhm."

   Val walked out of the room, pausing at the doorway to look back.  Ash
was waiting for her to actually leave before doing anything else.  He
didn't seem to realize, though, that with the angle he was now standing
relative to her, she was getting an even better profile of his ever-larger
erection.

   "You should deal with that before going to work," she said lightly.

   Ash flushed faintly.  "I know how to handle it, thanks."

   "Yeah I bet you do."

   ****

   Val had a weird, nervous energy to her all day while Ash was gone.  She
had a hard time sitting still or focusing on much of anything.  It wasn't a
bad feeling, exactly, but not strictly a good one either.

   She had to admit to herself that Ash was all she wanted to think about.
Not him getting hard, or remembering him changing, though those both
intruded regularly.  But just...  just Ash.  Just generally.

   It was a lucky thing Val had Sebastian, because he seemed to be the one
thing that helped to her to chill.  She held him in her arms lavishing
attention while he purred some of the stress away.

   "It's not fair," Val said.

   Sebastian said nothing.

   "I mean, you don't expect to have to worry about these things with your
brother.  I wouldn't have moved in with a boy so soon if I thought...  if I
thought there'd be any of this.  Even just a roommate.  You know, if there
was potential.  There shouldn't be potential with a brother.  That's how
brothers work, you know?"

   "Mrow?"

   "Yes I know I stopped petting for a second.  My mistake."

   Val kissed Sebastian's head and teased his ear a bit.

   "You understand me.  Well, no, you don't.  But you don't argue.  Or
judge.  That's more important, really."

   Sebastian just purred.

   "I mean, he was kind of right this morning.  Don't tell him I said that.
But, like, it's probably fine if he walks in while I'm showering.  As long
as he can't see anything.  And I really think he couldn't."

   Val sighed.

   "So why'd I freak out?  That's a good question.  I think...  I think I
freaked out because maybe I was afraid I wouldn't freak out.  And then I
freaked out because I was freaking out."

   "Mrow?"

   "Shut up.  What happened to not judging?  I know it doesn't make any
sense when I say it out loud.  I know what I mean though."

   Val stroked Sebastian some more.

   "What would it make me," she said softly, "if I didn't mind my brother
seeing me naked?  What would that even mean?  Don't answer that.  It's
rhetorical."

   Sebastian wisely said nothing.

   "So maybe I overreacted, because that's better than not reacting. 
But... if it's not a real reaction, is it actually any better?"

   Val sighed.

   "You've got it easy, little one.  You can fall for whoever you want. 
Even if it was your sister somehow.  People wouldn't judge.  Not the same,
anyway."

   "Mrow?"

   "No, obviously that's not what's happening.  I'm just saying...  if
you...  if something you did was..."

   Val paused, but failed to reorganize her thoughts.

   "Mrow."

   "Shut up." She shook her head and groaned.  "And now I'm losing
arguments with my cat.  That's not great."

   ****

   Val had reached a decision by the next morning.  She wasn't sure exactly
what Ash would think of it, but there was only one obvious way of finding
out.

   Ash choked a little on the mouthful of orange juice he was in the middle
of when Val joined him in the kitchen.

   "Morning," Val said casually.

   "Holy crap, Val."

   "What?"

   "That robe."

   "You like it?"

   "...  that feels like a trick question."

   "Why?"

   "Because..." Ash waved his hand up and down, indicating her body.  "I
mean, it's super crazy short."

   "It is a little on the scandalous side, isn't it?"

   "Just a touch."

   "I really like it, though.  So silky soft."

   "Uh huh.  Why you wearing it?"

   "I literally just said-"

   "I know what you just said.  Previous to that we established how short
it is."

   Val nodded.  "Yeah, I haven't really felt comfortable wearing it in
front of anyone before."

   "Um..."

   "And then I usually don't want to bother when it's just me.  Feels like
I'm getting all sexy for nothing."

   "Only just yesterday you were getting after me about not even seeing
anything.  Now you're...  what, dressing sexy for me?"

   "Not for you.  For me.  But you can look too if you really must."

   Ash shook his head.  "I don't know what's happening here."

   Val nodded sympathetically.  "I know.  It's a little sudden.  But I
kinda had a good conversation yesterday and I figured some things out. 
Kinda."

   "With who?"

   "...  probably better if you don't know."

   "What does-"

   "Point being, I think I reacted a little more strongly than I needed to
yesterday because...  because I felt like I had to.  Not because I really
wanted to.  And then I had to kinda figure that maybe, like, ok yeah, maybe
I'd be ok with it if you...  appreciate me sometimes.  Like...  like maybe
more than before.  More than what we agreed to."

   "Oh."

   "And it was an excuse to wear this robe, which cost enough that I really
want to get some use out of it."

   "Well...  I guess I'm ok with that."

   Val grinned coyly.  "Just ok, huh?"

   "I...  appreciate it."

   "Good.  I could kinda tell anyway."

   "It kinda falls open up, uh, here-ish," Ash said, indicating his chest
while staring at Val's.

   "It does tend to do that.  Not enough to show nipple, I think."

   "Not so far," Ash agreed.

   "But a li'l cleavage for sure."

   "Plus it's super short."

   "That too.  You'll have to help me if I need to bend over or reach for
anything."

   Ash swallowed hard.  "Fair enough," he said faintly.

   "Or I'd be showing off basically every-"

   "Yeah.  Yeah you would."

   "And we couldn't have that."

   "Probably best not to."

   Val hopped onto a stool by the kitchen island.  Ash's eyes widened
comically, and she belatedly closed her legs a little tighter and adjusted
the edge of her robe.

   "Oops," Val said lightly.  "I didn't flash you again, did I?"

   "Only...  only enough to know you don't have anything on under there."

   "I wasn't being subtle about that."

   "No.  But now I know.  For sure."

   "My bad."

   "Is it?  I'm not sure that wasn't on purpose."

   "It wasn't.  I'm just...  not being as careful as I should."

   "That sounds like it's in deliberate territory when you put it that
way."

   "Hm, maybe." Val flashed a winsome smile.  "Pour me some coffee? 
Please?"

   Ash's movements were slow and not fully coordinated.  He nearly spilled
the mug of coffee he set next to Val.  She'd opened her legs a little wider
when he had his back turned, just enough to threaten exposing herself
again. It was quite a lot of fun when it was on her terms, and when she
wasn't freaking out over what it all meant.

   "You're gonna drive me crazy," Ash said.  "You need to not wear that
robe."

   "But if I take it off I'll-"

   "You know that's not what I mean!  Just...  wear your normal stuff."

   Val sipped her coffee.  "You were perfectly happy to see me all nakey in
the shower yesterday."

   "I couldn't see anything."

   "But you might have.  Anyway, I'm really enjoying this robe right now,
and I intend to get some more use out of it."

   Ash looked Val up and down.  "You really never wore it for anyone?"

   "Never."

   "Even Carl?"

   "It was too late between us by the time I got it.  Hadn't been anyone
else I would have dared."

   "Except your brother?"

   Val's eyes softened and her voice went quiet.  "Except him," she agreed
in a near-whisper.

   "You know that's not fair."

   "I do."

   Ash chewed his lip and tried to look away, without much success at all
for any length of time.  "You know how hard it is not to think about just
giving that sash a tug, seeing if it all falls open?"

   Val's legs clamped together, but not out of any sense of modesty. 
Rather, the sudden thrill running through her demanded at least that small
physical response.  "Then I'd be basically naked."

   "Correct."

   "I knew you wanted to see me."

   "I do.  And I don't.  At the same time." Ash looked askance at Val. 
"I'll admit it, I didn't think I'd see anything when you were in the
shower, but I kind of hoped I would."

   Val breathed sharply inward.

   "Not everything," Ash said quickly.  "Not that.  Just...  something."

   "You could, if you wanted."

   "What?"

   "I mean physically it'd be very easy.  I could try and stop you, but
this robe is, like, not designed for modesty.  You could see something with
very minimal effort.  And with a little effort more, you could probably get
if off me entirely."

   Ash closed his eyes and groaned softly.  "I wish you wouldn't say things
like that."

   "Not that either of us would want it to come to that," Val said.  "Just
saying that, you know, physically speaking, it's very doable."

   "You're a monster."

   Val laughed.  "It's just so easy once I get started.  God I've missed
having someone to flirt with like this."

   "This is flirting?"

   "...  maybe?  Whatever it is, I've missed it, is the point."

   Ash considered for a moment, the took a step back.  He reached for the
bottom of his shirt and pulled it off in one smooth motion.

   It was Val's turn to go wide-eyed and silent.  She's seen him shirtless
a fair amount recently, but never in a deliberate attempt at...  at
whatever he was attempting.  If anything, that just made it hotter.

   "You're right," Ash said.  "That is fun."

   "Shut up."

   "You can do it but I can't?"

   "I never took my top off."

   "No, but you're welcome to."

   Val stared at Ash, then smirked crookedly.  She casually hooked her
finger in the top of her robe and tugged on one side of it enough to reveal
most of one of her breasts.

   Ash was temporarily transfixed.  "...  well I didn't actually mean it,"
he mumbled.

   "Oh didn't you?" Val asked sweetly.

   "It was just, you know, rhetorical.  Or something."

   "Oh.  My mistake."

   Val readjusted her robe to cover herself again.  She left a little extra
cleavage showing, though.

   "I feel like we're headed for some kind of mutually assured destruction
here," Ash said.  "Only we both kind of want to see what happens if we go
for it."

   "That's probably fair." Val grinned.  "Mutually assured distraction,
more like."

   "That too."

   ****

   Ash was quite happy to only have a short shift at work that day.  It had
been a long time since he'd had to deal with getting random boners all day,
and he hadn't missed it.

   Fucking Val.

   What had been up with her that morning anyway?  Any other girl he would
have been certain it was a full on seduction.  And a good one, too.  With
Val, as per usually lately, it was something more complicated than that.

   Ash went to his room to change after work.  Upon swapping outfits, he
flopped onto his bed and tried to think some more.  He'd been doing
precious little other than thinking, but at work there were constant
interruptions.

   "Hey, Dragon," Ash said as his cat hopped up onto the bed with him. 
"What's up?  Hungry?"

   Dragon said nothing and walked straight onto Ash's chest where she
curled up.

   "This is almost affectionate of you.  What did I do to deserve such an
honour?"

   The very softest of purrs was the only response.

   "Don't tell me, you're actually my secret spirit animal and you've come
to deliver wisdom and comfort."

   Ash waited in silence.

   "Ok, so just comfort then.  That's fine."

   He reached for Dragon's head with a soft touch, alert for any of the
signs he'd learned that she wasn't actually in the mood for physical
contact.  Contact other than her making a bed atop him, of course.  That
didn't count.

   "What do you think I should do, hm?" Ash asked, as though one of these
times Dragon would answer.  "I mean, yeah, I liked what I saw this morning.
I liked the teasing.  But also...  I kinda wish we hadn't taken things that
far.  Wish I hadn't walked in that bathroom yesterday."

   Ash sighed.  "Like, she's my sister.  I'm not supposed to enjoy seeing
her tits.  Or...  other things.  And do you know how much time I spent
today wondering if she'd wear that robe again?  Too much.  Way too much."

   Dragon's ear flicked in an annoyed way.  Ash stopped petting her in case
it was his touch that was bugging her.  It was more likely that than his
quandary, since presumably she wasn't really getting much of the content of
it.

   "You think she's gonna show me more?  Like, yesterday I wouldn't have
thought so.  But I guess maybe I just caught her the wrong way.  This
morning...  goddamn, I mean I know you don't care, but that little flash of
her cooch..."

   Ash snorted, disturbing Dragon enough to earn himself an unamused look.

   "I mean, she flashed me accidentally that other time.  And I didn't
really get why she spent any time worrying about not being groomed the way
she wanted.  Now I kinda do.  Like, I know I only saw it for a second, but
it looked amazing.  Like...  like the sort of pussy you just wanna dive
into and drown in." Ash paused.  "No offense."

   Dragon stood up, digging her claws in enough to make a point, and hopped
off Ash's chest to the edge of the bed.

   "Well I'm sorry.  Pussy and drowning can too be in the same sentence
without it being horrific, ok?"

   Dragon stared fixedly at Ash.

   "Fine.  Treats?  Will treats help?  Let's get some, ok?"

   Dragon seemed to find that an acceptable apology and led the way, taking
care to make sure Ash was following.

   ****

   Ash was taking a shower the next morning when he heard the bathroom door
open.

   "Val?  That you?"

   "Who else?"

   "Whatcha doing?"

   "Don't mind me.  Carry on."

   Ash sighed and continued rinsing his hair.  "Is this 'cause of when I
walked in on you?"

   "Perish the thought.  We're past that, aren't we?"

   "I genuinely have no idea."

   Val didn't seem to be in any particular hurry.  Ash couldn't see her all
that well, except to make out her form standing by the sink, not going
anywhere.

   "I'm nearly done in here," Ash said.

   "That's nice."

   "Did you have something in particular you needed?"

   "I've got it, thanks."

   Ash rolled his eyes.  "Whatever." He shut off the water and reached out
for his towel.  A little fumbling around where it should have been hanging
confirmed it wasn't there any longer.  "Hey, Val?  Is my towel there?"

   "Oh, yeah, it fell on the floor.  I've got it right here."

   "I don't think it did.  But could I have it, please?"

   "Hm...  nah."

   "Nah?"

   "I'm busy."

   Ash peeked out, still keeping his body mostly covered.  Val had rubbed a
spot more or less clear of shower mist and was delicately arranging her
hair.

   "Yeah, you look busy.  Can you just hand me my towel?"

   "Nope."

   "Ugh.  You jerk."

   "Hey!  No name calling."

   Ash hesitated a moment longer while Val pretended to ignore him, then
bit the bullet and stepped out of the shower, totally naked and dripping
with water.  "Don't even think about yelling about this mess I'm making."

   Val didn't seem the slightest bit concerned about the water getting
everywhere.  She casually wiped more of the mirror and kept right on
playing with her hair.

   "I can see you looking," Ash said as he started drying off.

   "Haven't even peeked," Val said.

   "I can see in the mirror just as well as you can.  You're literally
wiping it clean again right now."

   "I can't help it if I accidentally see something in there."

   "You absolutely could have.  All you had to do was not put my towel way
over here out of reach."

   Val's lips twitched into a faint, lopsided smirk.  "What fun would that
have been?" she asked.

   "That's what I thought.  Happy now?"

   "Pretty happy, yeah."

   "Oh.  Well...  good."

   For all his grumbling, Ash was busy appreciating the view he had as
well. Val was once again wearing that same short, silky robe.  She wasn't
quite showing off anything, but the effect of the robe didn't really
require being overtly explicit.

   Ash finished a quick dry-off, then secured the towel around his waist.
He stepped close behind Val, meeting her eyes in the mirror.  Her movements
slowed as he drew near, and he caught the subtle change in her breathing.

   "What are you doing?" Ash asked.

   "My hair wasn't behaving itself, so I-"

   "What are we doing?" he clarified.

   "Well, you just showered, and I'm, uh..."

   "Yeah.  No.  You wanted to see me naked.  Fine.  I want to see you too.
I think we both get that."

   Val bit her lip, her eyes bright and intense as they stayed on Ash's in
the mirror.  "Well you're not s'posed to just say it."

   "You forced my hand a little just now.  Moving my towel."

   "I expected you be more adamant about getting it back."

   "Is that your best excuse?"

   "All I've got, I'm afraid."

   "And was it worth it?"

   Again, Val's lopsided grin came out.  "Totally."

   Ash flushed softly.  "Are you gonna do more stuff like that?"

   "Probably."

   "And what if I start doing stuff like this?" Ash asked, slipping a hand
around Val to gently pull her sash open.

   Val looked down at herself.  With her robe open, she was pretty close to
naked herself.  She tugged the edges back over her breasts, though there
was still a gap straight down the middle.  She didn't think Ash could
actually see her pussy from the angle they were standing at, but she wasn't
sure about that.

   "Then I guess you'll see more of your sister then, won't you?"

   Ash groaned softly.  "Don't say it like that."

   "What?  That you'll see more of me?  Or...  remind you that it's your
sis-ter you're trying to see?"

   "The second one.  You know that's what's making this weird."

   "The only thing?"

   "Basically.  Isn't it?"

   "Perhaps." Val tilted her head.  "Or maybe we'd be in a similar
conundrum even if you weren't my brother."

   "How so?"

   "Well...  one might argue that if we were very close, emotionally, and
were getting so close physically as well, that it might be almost as
complicated."

   "I don't think so."

   "I know you don't.  That's why you jump from bed to bed so easily."

   "Ouch."

   "I mean that in the most loving way possible."

   "That doesn't much help." Ash took a reluctant step back.  "You don't
think...  shit, am I just doing what I always do?  Falling for the wrong
person again?"

   Val fought her disappointment at having Ash even that little bit farther
away.  "Certainly possible."

   "You're better at the long term thing.  What do you think?"

   "Long term doesn't mean the same thing for us.  We're always gonna be
family, you know.  Always have been, always will be."

   "Is that...  is that an argument for or against?"

   "Neither, Ash.  It just is."

   Ash flexed his hands, clenching and unclenching them.  "That doesn't
help."

   "I know."

   "I want to...  see you.  And touch you."

   Val bit her lip and felt a thrill run up her spine.  "Yeah?"

   "Yeah.  Like, a lot.  But I don't want it to be my usual thing.  I don't
want to, like, fall for you like that, then find out it wasn't real."

   Val took a careful step back, then an even smaller one.  She bumped into
Ash, feeling another, larger thrill as she felt something hard against her
butt, under his towel.  Hard for her.

   "What's the longest you've ever known a girl before you either fell in
love or went to bed with her?  Or both, if they were the same time."

   "Um..."

   "Months?  Years?"

   "Well..."

   "Less?"

   "...  yeah.  Probably.  I don't remember, but...  usually not super
long."

   "So it's different, right?  You never fell for me before.  It can't just
be that."

   "You were never this hot before."

   Val laughed.  "Bullshit, but thank you."

   "No seriously.  You never were."

   "I think maybe I've just never been this hot to you.  It's different."
Val rubbed her butt deliberately against the tent in Ash's towel.  "Just
like I've never really found you particularly attractive until just
recently."

   Ash's hands landed lightly on Val's hips.  He pressed back against her
grinding ass, locking them more firmly together.  "That so?"

   "Mmhm."

   "I've always been attractive, thank you very much."

   "So you think.  And so, admittedly, have a fair number of girls."

   "Thank you."

   Val sighed.  "Maybe you needed to grow up some."

   "What?"

   "You're not quite mature yet, but you're much closer these days.  I
think you really needed that."

   "I...  for what?"

   "For me to ever see you as anything other than a brother.  For me to see
how hot you can be."

   "Maturity doesn't have anything to do with that."

   "Oh but it does." Val locked eyes with Ash in the mirror once again,
slowing her grinding somewhat.  "Imagine the hottest eighteen year old you
can, Ash.  Fresh out of high school, sneaking into bars with fake ID,
partying with the girls, going out every night, getting wasted, hooking up
with dudes whenever it takes her fancy, maybe lots, maybe never, knows how
to look sooo damn good if she wants to..."

   Ash frowned.  "Ok, and?"

   "Would you rather have her or me?"

   "That's such an unfair question."

   "Why?  You've fallen for a few girls like that, haven't you?"

   "...  not exactly like that."

   "You can pick her if you want.  I'll be annoyed, but it'll be my own
damn fault."

   "Why would I ever?  I mean...  compared to you..."

   "Yes?"

   "Come on, Val, like...  you're way better than that.  You're beautiful,
and way less work, and more fun to be around, and easier to talk to, and-"

   "Getting it yet?"

   "...  maybe."

   "Keep going with that list if you want.  It was getting good."

   "Shouldn't have interrupted then."

   Ash wrapped his arms fully around Val and hugged her tight.  He was
deliciously hard against her.  Her robe had ridden up, and even though his
towel wasn't the sexiest thing to have rubbing on her butt, the knowledge
of what was underneath made up for that.

   "Maturity is important," Val said, in case the lesson hadn't landed as
well as she thought it had.

   "Yeah, yeah.  In moderation."

   "Moderation?"

   "Well, presumably if we were both sufficiently mature, you wouldn't be
grinding your naked ass on your bro-ther like this."

   Val stiffened and moaned softly.  She felt behind her for Ash's towel
and tugged it away, letting it fall to the floor.  His cock was left bare
against her ass, skin to skin.  She could feel his hard, warm shaft pulse
against her.

   "Ok.  Moderation," she agreed hoarsely.  "Moderation's good."

   "It's sure doing it for me right now."

   Val was flushed and could feel herself breathing heavier.  "So we're
both mature enough to maybe kinda know what we're doing, and to know that
even if it's a stupid thing to do, we're not being frivolous about it."

   "Um...  yes?"

   "So, ok, are we perhaps still sufficiently immature to go do something
even stupider?"

   Ash groaned softly.  His cock was firmly wedged between Val's ass
cheeks, and the two of them were only grinding harder and more frantically
with each passing moment.  "I know I am."

   "Yeah.  I think I am too." Val put her hands on top of Ash's and slid
them up her body.  Once she got him moving, he cupped her tits fully under
his own power.  "But then again, maybe I'm just horny and haven't had sex
in...  a while."

   Ash pulled Val's robe off her arms and handed it to her before returning
to fondling her breasts.  "That is certainly a consideration."

   Val absently folded her robe and tossed it beside the sink.  "You think
we should worry about it?"

   "Well...  I'm used to being between girls, and from experience it'd take
me longer than this to get horny enough to do something really, really
stupid.  I'm pretty sure this is just regular stupid." Ash set his chin on
Val's shoulder.  "If that helps any."

   "I actually kinda does." Val turned around, putting her face to face
with her brother, as close as they'd ever physically been, both totally
naked.  "Regular stupid I think I can handle," she murmured.

   Val closed her eyes as she leaned in.  There really wasn't far to go. 
Ash's lips met hers almost immediately.

   Their bodies were pressed together all the way down, from mouth to
increasingly entwined legs.  Val's soft breasts pillowed against Ash's
chest, and her hot, wet pussy rubbed urgently on his hard, throbbing cock.

   "Keep this up, and I'm gonna have to do something stupid," Ash mumbled
around Val's lips.

   "I thought that was the idea."

   "You're sure?"

   Val pulled back to look at Ash, her eyes big and shining.  "You think we
could possibly stop now?"

   "Not easily, no."

   "Ash...  I want you so bad right now.  I know we didn't really figure
everything out, but...  I need you.  Please."

   "Val..."

   "Pleeeaaase."

   "You don't have to beg.  I'm right there with you."

   "Well you're not-"

   Val was muffled by a sudden deep kiss.  Ash pressed hard, pouring
emotion and need into the kiss, and no small amount of tongue too.

   Ash moaned into her mouth as she pressed extra hard against his erect
shaft.  A moment later he gasped and nearly fell over as Val leaped into
his arms, legs wrapped tight around his waist, arms around his neck.  He
managed to get his hands under her butt and steady himself before falling
over.

   "I wasn't ready for that."

   "Oops," Val said without the slightest hint of apology in her tone.

   "You can't just jump on me like that."

   "I can't?"

   "Not without expecting to take whatever you get as a result."

   Val grinned and let her eyelids lower flirtatiously.  "Maybe that's
exactly what I expect."

   "Oh good."

   Ash carefully walked over to the wall and pressed Val against it,
helping balance and secure their somewhat precarious position.

   "Ah!  That's cold on my back," Val said.

   "It'll warm up."

   "You sure about that?"

   "Pretty sure." Ash thrust gently, sliding his cock up and down along
Val's pussy lips.  "And if not, I don't intend to be here long anyway."

   "What?  How fast do you think this is gonna be?"

   "Not fast at all.  I don't know about you, but I'm looking for a bed
pretty soon."

   "Oh.  Yeah, I guess I'll allow that."

   "Decent of you."

   "Mmm, of course if you keep grinding on me like that, you're just gonna
slip in right where we are."

   "That's true.  I might."

   Ash shifted the angle of his hips relative to Val.  The head of his cock
pressed against her pussy for a moment, then slipped past.  He did it
again, loving the look on his sister's face.

   "Oh my god that's so close," Val hissed.

   "I know."

   "You're gonna be inside me."

   "Fucking hope so."

   "Goddd Ashhh."

   Val's nails dug into Ash's shoulders, not quite painfully, but
definitely making themselves known.

   "You like that?" Ash asked.  "Almost feeling me go in?  So close?"

   "Stop teasing."

   "Feels nice though, doesn't it?  I...  oh!"

   Val let go with one arm and reached down.  She grabbed Ash's cock and
held it steadier, so on his next thrust it didn't slide away, it went
straight in.

   "Fuuuccck," Val moaned.

   "Oh damn."

   Val rocked herself, as much as she could while pinned between her
brother and the wall with her feet well off the ground.

   "Deeper," she begged.

   "All the way?"

   "All the way!"

   Ash tried to be gentle, but it wasn't easy while holding Val.  She
wasn't helping either, constantly trying to bounce herself lower on his
cock.  He ended up burying himself much faster than he meant to, though it
seemed to make Val quite happy.

   "Yesss," she hissed.  "I needed this."

   "Goddamn, you're so wet," Ash breathed.  "You took me so easily."

   "I mentioned being hor-ny didn't I?"

   "You did." Ash grinned.  "All 'cause of me, huh?"

   "Maybe 'cause of you.  Maybe 'cause it's been so long.  I don't know,
really."

   Ash pouted, then dipped his head and nipped at Val's shoulder.  "Don't
be coy.  It's me."

   Val's fingers tangled in Ash's hair.  "Maybe.  But that would mean I
really, really wanna fuck my bro-ther.  Like, really badly."

   "Well you do.  So that makes sense."

   "God help me, I really do." Val's eyes went big and round, full of
demonstrably false innocence.  "Take me to bed."

   "You want me to carry you?"

   "Yes."

   "I might fall."

   "You better not."

   "Can you just walk?"

   "And let you out of me?  Don't think so."

   Ash got a firmer grip on Val's bare ass, then pushed off the wall and
started walking.  The entwined sibs bounced lightly off a few obstacles on
the way.  Val reached out and braced against whatever was handy as Ash
carried her.

   Both of them were a mess of insane, horny giggling by the time they made
it to Val's room and fell to her bed.

   "What, you couldn't have run me into a few more walls?" Val asked, still
laughing uncontrollably.  "Walk much?"

   "You ever try walking straight with a girl riding your dick?"

   "Surprisingly, never."

   "Well it's not as easy as it looks."

   "Maybe if you'd stopped kissing me long enough to watch where you were
going."

   "I tried!  Then you just started kissing me even harder."

   "Oh yeah."

   Another fit of giggling rolled through them.  It transitioned into moans
as Ash built a slow, steady rhythm, fucking Val with long, deep strokes.

   "Fuuuccck that feels good," Val cooed.

   "It's amazing," Ash agreed.

   "You're so deep in me."

   "Deep as I can get."

   "Deep in your sis-ter."

   Ash groaned as Val gave another soft giggle at his reaction.

   "I don't think we're supposed to enjoy that part so much," Ash said.

   "If we're gonna fuck, might as well enjoy everything."

   "Yeah, that's true." Ash kissed Val, then nuzzled her cheek.  "I'm
enjoying everything about you right now."

   "Shut uuuppp.  You'll make me blush."

   Ash laughed.  "I'm balls deep in you, and you're worried about getting
embarrassed?" He caressed her face lightly.  "You're so flushed anyway, I
wouldn't even notice."

   "Oh god, really?" Val examined Ash's face.  "Well actually you kinda are
too."

   "I'd assume so.  Can't fuck my sis-ter without getting a little worked
up, you know?"

   Val moaned and buried her face in Ash's shoulder, digging her fingertips
into his back.  "Is it bad that that's really doing it for me?" she
mumbled.

   "The sibling thing?"

   "Yeah?"

   "Fuck, probably."

   "But it's doing it for you too?"

   "It really is.  Don't tell anyone."

   Val giggled insanely.  "Won't tell a soul," she promised.

   Their lips met again, melding together in a longer and longer kiss. 
Even breaks for air didn't feel like they'd ended the kiss, only delayed
it.

   Ash was thrusting deep in Val, and was slowly getting even more
forceful. Part of that force was a result of her doing everything she could
to thrust back against him.  Her movements were limited, but she wanted so
badly to meet him every time.

   "You know what's actually an upside to this?" Val asked huskily.

   "Aside from everything?"

   "Aside from that."

   "Couldn't begin to guess."

   "I can't get pregnant, you know."

   "Um...  sure."

   "So you can basically just cum in me."

   Ash groaned.  "Don't talk about that yet."

   "Why not?"

   "I wanted to, like, do this for a while.  Feel you.  Be in you."

   "You still can."

   "If you talk about me cumming in you-"

   "Which you totally can."

   "-how'm I s'posed to last?"

   "What, you think if I just keep telling you that you can fill me all
up-"

   "Val!"

   "-all the way up with brother cum.  That you can do it as much as you
want.  And I'll really, really enjoy it.  You think maybe that might make
you explode a teensy bit faster?"

   "You monster."

   Val giggled.  "Well it's better to cum a little too early than to drag
things on past when they're fun."

   "I've done this before.  I kinda know what I'm doing."

   "Oh, right.  Forgot about aaalll the girls you've banged.  My sexpert
brother over here."

   "Shut up."

   "Make me."

   "'K."

   Ash kissed Val, starting soft but getting deeper and more intense,
slowly working his tongue between their lips until she met it and
skirmished back into his mouth instead.  It did, admittedly, make it much
harder to talk.

   Val's hands ran up and down Ash's back, sometimes grabbing his butt,
sometimes tracing his spine, and sometimes tangling in his hair.

   Ash's cock was making such sloppy sounds as went in and out of Val's
soaked pussy.  With their mouths full, the noises from down there were all
the more noticeable.  They were possibly a little embarrassing, but mostly
they were just even more of a turn on.

   "Fuck," Ash mumbled around Val's still searching lips.  "Now all I can
think about is cumming in you."

   "Hehe, well you can, you know."

   "I-"

   "Seriously, Ash.  Cum in me."

   Ash pulled back a little to look at Val.  Her eyes were so big and
shining, her mouth parted in a soft pant.  She watched him intently,
seriously.

   "I'm gonna, then," Ash said.

   Val smiled wide.  "Good."

   She looked so damn eager, so excited.  She had the whole time, sure, but
it was something a little more than that now.

   Val could see something very similar in Ash's eyes.  He had a look that,
she guessed, was him needing to cum.  It had been growing steadily stronger
the longer they fucked.  On a physical level, he would certainly be feeling
it stronger than her.  On an emotional level, Val suspected she needed it
way more than he did.

   "You're close, right?" Val asked softly.

   Ash just nodded.

   "You're gonna cum for me?"

   Another nod.

   "Cum in me?"

   Nod.

   "Cum in your sis-ter?"

   "Dammit Val."

   Val flashed him a teasing smile that had a deeper hunger to it, somehow.
She kissed him and dug her nails into his shoulders just as he was feeling
the final release coming.

   Ash moaned into Val's mouth, but only for a moment.  She broke the kiss
and squealed happily as his hot cum flooded inside her, messing her pussy
quite thoroughly after the first few spurts.  More filled her even beyond
that, ensuring she was all cummy inside.

   "You gotta stop saying that," Ash mumbled.

   "It works, doesn't it?" Val replied with great self-satisfaction.

   "That's not the point."

   "I think it is."

   Ash pushed himself up on one elbow and used his other hand to caress
Val's cheek.  "You're crazy."

   "Says the boy who just-"

   "Yeah yeah, I know." Ash kissed Val softly.  "You didn't cum, did you?"

   "No, but that's ok."

   "I wanted you to cum too."

   "It wasn't about that."

   "No?"

   "No.  I wanted the other stuff more."

   "What stuff?"

   Val's eyes glinted.  "You know.  Having my br-"

   "Don't say it."

   "Having you in me," Val corrected.  "That's what I wanted most.  Just
feeling you.  And feeling how much you wanted me."

   "Oh?"

   "Yeah.  I haven't been wanted like that in a while.  And it's even
better that it was you.  I'm not being all fetishy about it, Ash, it really
just is better that it's you.  My brother.  Having you in me.  Feeling you
on top of me." Val ran her hands up Ash's chest.  "You don't even know how
good it feels."

   "I think I do."

   "No.  You know something very similar.  But it's different for you.  I
know it is."

   "How do you know?"

   Val teased Ash's hair back from his forehead.  "I know boys.  And I know
you."

   "How many boys?"

   "Boys in general, silly.  Not specifically." Val booped Ash's nose. 
"Maybe you might start out feeling kinda the same as me, but after a while
it's all about getting off."

   "And it's not for you?"

   "It's nice, sure.  And hey, maybe I'm just weird.  Maybe it's not a
gender thing.  But, like, I like all the beginning bits, and some of the
middle bits.  Cumming's nice, but it's not at the top of the list."

   "I don't believe that."

   "Which only proves my point."

   Ash rolled his eyes.  "If you say so."

   "I do."

   Ash studied his sister, her eyes still gleaming, her smile broad and
teasing, her cheeks flushed.  "You're so damn beautiful right now."

   "Gee, and that's after you came in me, even.  You must really like me."

   "I've got a certain fondness for you, sure."

   "Aren't I a lucky girl."

   "Val?"

   "Yeah?"

   "Do you still wanna cum?  Or is that gonna throw off your whole sex
theory thing you've got going?"

   "You're ready to go again already?"

   "Not quite, no.  But there are other things."

   "Mmhm.  Too bad you made my pussy all cummy, huh?  Woulda been nice
having you lick it."

   "Maybe some other time."

   "Mmhm.  Well...  can you kinda stay just like you are for a bit?"

   "What?"

   "Just...  in me.  Like you are."

   "I mean, probably.  You want to wait for me to get horny again?"

   "No." Val slipped a hand down to where Ash's cock met her pussy.  "I
just want to feel you in me while I rub myself."

   "Oh."

   "Was that disappointment?"

   "No.  Or...  maybe."

   Val grinned.  "I know.  You don't get to have the magic touch that gets
me off.  Not what you wanted.  If it makes you feel any better, I basically
never get off just from fucking."

   "Really?"

   "Yeah.  I told you.  It's different." Val's eyelids lowered as she
teased her clit.  "But having you in me while I play with myself...  I
think that'll work."

   "And my cum in there?"

   "Mmm, that too."

   Ash watched in fascination as Val fingered her clit.  Her expression was
different from when they were fucking, though it showed just as much
enjoyment.  She seemed more focused, with fewer moments of meeting his eyes
and giving that sly little smile that kept him absolutely captivated.

   Val's soft, panting moans only barely reached Ash, even with how close
he was.  It was very nearly like she was trying to sneakily masturbate,
except of course for having her brother and his cum all filling her up
still.

   "I think I might get hard again just watching you," Ash said.

   "Yeah, I can feel you twitching down there."

   "Does that help?"

   "Kinda does.  I think...  I think if you were all the way hard and,
like, just kinda throbbing in me..." Val's eyes rolled back at her own
description.  "Yeah, that'd be nice," she finished hoarsely.

   "I'll do my very best."

   "Thanks."

   Val was absolutely melting under Ash's constant, piercing stare.  He
watched her so steadily, with such adoration.  She wasn't sure if it was
that or his cock in her pussy that was turning her on more.  It was a close
race, though possibly decided by all the mess he'd made inside her pussy as
well.

   "So much brother-cum," Val murmured aloud.

   "Saying that stuff really does it for ya, huh?"

   "You don't think it's hot?"

   "I think it's a bit much, maybe.  Hot, sure, but like..." Ash stroked
Val's cheek.  "I don't think I need it.  Not with you."

   Val arched her back and gasped softly.  "Now who's saying stuff?"

   "Hm?"

   "Come on, Ash.  That halfway romantic, kinda lovey stuff?"

   "Oh, what, that's worse than your deliberate fetishy stuff?"

   "Not worse.  But don't complain about me if you're gonna do it too."

   "Some girls like that sort of thing."

   "Oh?  It's just a tactic?"

   "Not with you."

   "Ugh.  Again with that!"

   Despite her protests, Val was getting close, and she had to admit Ash
being semi-romantic wasn't hurting.  It wasn't the easy, immediate thrill
of mentioning their sibling relationship out loud, but had a nice, gentler,
deeper kind of effect that had sneakily set Val's fingers working harder
and her toes curling up in anticipation.

   Ash let his free hand trail down to Val's boobs, casually playing with
them while he kept watching her.  That kind of helped too.  Partly just the
vibe of possession Val was getting off him, like he could just feel her up
if he wanted.  Which he could.  Absolutely he could.

   "Ash?"

   "Yeah?"

   "Say some more romantic shit."

   "Um..."

   "Please?"

   "I can't just force it."

   "Pleeeaaase."

   "You close?"

   "Getting there."

   Ash paused a moment.  "I think I could just lie here and watch you all
day."

   "Hm, I don't-"

   "Even if I wasn't in you.  Just watching.  Just that little way your
lips twitch.  Or your eyes roll back sometimes.  And that cute little noise
I don't even know if you know you're making."

   Val flushed and her fingers moved faster.  "Ok, that's kinda working."

   "I'm honestly entranced with you right now.  My beautiful sis-ter."

   "Ah!  Cheater.  You don't like saying that."

   "Not that I don't like it.  I do.  I get some of that same thrill, you
know.  Just I don't know that we need it."

   "'Cept now you really want me to cum."

   "Of course.  I was very clear about that.  This is all way better if you
cum."

   "Even though I told you I don't strictly need it."

   "Even so."

   "...  Ash?"

   "Yeah?"

   "You're kinda moving again."

   "Well I got hard, and you're keeping me all turned on.  Is it ok?"

   "If you just stay gentle like that, it's kind of amazing."

   "I can do that.  For a while."

   Val smirked lopsidedly.  "Only a while?"

   "You think I can resist fucking you again forever?  Keep dreaming."

   "Mmm, sure.  Maybe...  maybe you could go a little faster."

   Ash rolled his weight back onto both arms, but still kept himself enough
off of Val so she could keep working her clit.

   "Like this?"

   "Yeah.  That's nice."

   "You gonna cum?"

   "Don't rush me."

   "But I wanna see you cum.  See my sis-ter-"

   "Oh my goddd," Val said, half cracking up.  "Ok, I'm starting to get it.
Maybe use that more sparingly."

   Ash smiled and kissed Val, gently taking her lip between his teeth and
tugging on it just a bit as he pulled back.  "I don't know.  It's growing
on me."

   "Of course it is."

   "It's kinda hot."

   "I know.  I told you that before." Val shifted a bit.  "You're gonna cum
in me again, right?"

   "Sure hope so."

   "Tell me how much you want to?"

   Ash grinned.  "You don't even know.  You've got me all worked up again.
I just came in you, and I still can't think of anything else.  You do
things to me, Val.  I can't even explain them."

   "Mmm, you're just gonna make such a mess of my li'l pussy, aren't you?"

   "You're gonna feel it in you all damn day, it'll be so messy."

   Val bit her lip and only grunted.

   "So much brother-cum," Ash continued, watching Val's face.  "Just for
you.  Your little pussy.  And you'll know I really couldn't help myself.  I
just watch you and I need to do it.  You turn me on like no one else.  And
you're my sister.  Fucked up, right?  But you know.  You know exactly what
I mean.  Here you are rubbing yourself while your brother's all balls deep
in you, your insides already cummy from him, and-"

   Val moaned loud and kept her fingers going hard.  Her orgasm had taken
some time, but it was an amazingly hard one, and well worth the effort.

   Her pussy clamped down on Ash's cock while her clit sent out waves of
pleasure that threatened to overwhelm her.  She was lost for a moment, lost
in her fingers on her clit, and her brother inside her.  Even when she
looked up at him again, those big, adoring eyes staring back at her were
too much mid-orgasm and she tried to look away, but just couldn't.

   It was so fucking good.  Val had totally meant it about not needing to
cum, but she had to admit she was pretty damn happy that she had.

   "Oh wow, you tensed up like crazy," Ash said.

   "Shhh."

   Ash dropped his voice to a whisper.  "Feel good?"

   Val's fingers slowed, and the last few shivers worked through her.  She
looked up at him with dreamy eyes.  "Very," she purred.

   "Glad I insisted then."

   "Mmm, yeah, ok, you get points for it."

   "Oh good." Ash thrust tentatively back and forth in Val.  "Is it ok if
I..."

   "Go again?" Val nodded.  "I think I'd kinda really like just having you
in me all day.  Or a while, anyway."

   "Mmm, sounds nice."

   "And cumming in me some more."

   "That can be arranged."

   "But I kinda need to pee."

   Ash pouted.  "Awww."

   Val traced her finger around Ash's ear.  "Maybe if you're gentle and
don't jostle me too much we could get away with it."

   "See, that's a challenge I can work with."

   "Gentle, remember."

   "So gentle."

   Val relaxed and let Ash get into his groove.  She did really need to
pee, but she was pretty sure she'd be fine to let him go again first.

   "You're all sweaty," she murmured.

   "And I just showered too."

   "Mmm, pity about that."

   "Val, you can't pull me closer like that.  I'm trying not to press on
you."

   "You can press a little."

   Ash let himself lower.  "Like that?"

   "More.  Just...  just lie on top of me if you want.  It's kinda
comforting."

   "And that's not gonna bother you?"

   "Just as long as you don't jostle.  And your weight's even."

   "You're making this complicated."

   "Maybe.  You wanna cum in your sis again or what?"

   A shiver ran up Ash's spine.  "Definitely."

   "So put up with a little complicated."

   "Ok."

   "That's so nice," Val breathed.  "You on top of me, just kinda in and
out a little down there."

   "Doing it for you?"

   "You don't even know."

   "Well..."

   "It's not gonna make me cum, so no, you don't know.  I know that's what
you're looking for again."

   "You got me." Ash nuzzled Val.  "You're gonna have to explain this stuff
to me some more.  Sometime."

   "Sure.  Sometime.  When you're not so horny."

   It was a slow and luxurious affair this time around.  No hurry, no rush.
The siblings cradled together against one another, enjoying each other
softly and tenderly, and so very intimately.

   Ash eventually came inside Val once again.  They enjoyed that moment
too, and some of the afterglow.

   "You really need to get up now," Val whispered.

   "Hm?"

   "Seriously.  Or I'll pee all over you."

   "That wouldn't be nice of you."

   "No it wouldn't.  Up you get."

   Ash reluctantly rolled off of Val and watched her with detached
interest. She still enticed him, sated as he was.  She still kept him
fascinated and wanting to drink her all in.

   "Dressing?" Ash asked.

   "Just panties.  Don't want to leave a mess everywhere if I start
dripping."

   "That's fair.  Better to keep it all in, huh?"

   Val gave him a crooked smile.  "I might just do that, you know.  Feels
so naughty having your cum all in me like that."

   Val was gone a few minutes, and was moving much easier when she came
back.

   "That's better," she said.

   "Yeah?"

   "Yeah."

   "Coming back to bed then?"

   "You really want to go again already?"

   "No.  Not yet.  But I like just feeling you.  And I'm sure I could get
there pretty soon if you were up for it."

   Val laughed and stepped closer, but remained out of reach.  "Tempting. I
need to go check on the kitties though.  Surprised I don't hear any mewling
yet as it is.  Sebastian's gotta be getting hungry."

   "Ooh, good point.  Feed Dragon too?"

   "Sure thing.  And, uh, I could be wrong, but don't you have work today?"

   Ash groaned.  "Ugh, why'd you remind me?"

   "Maybe you don't.  I don't really know."

   "No, I do.  Frick.  Maybe I just call in sick."

   "Maybe." Val stepped closer and leaned down for a kiss.  "I'll still be
here later, you know."

   "Yeah, but...  but..."

   "I'll almost certainly want to fool around some by then too."

   "Well when you put it that way..." Ash kissed her again.  "Wait, fool
around, or fuck?"

   "Hopefully one then the other."

   "Oh, good.  I can work with that."

   "We kinda skipped a few things.  I'd like to go back and hit a few of
them."

   "All fun things, I hope."

   "Exceedingly."

   "Excellent."

   ****

   Val wasn't exactly waiting for Ash when he got home, but he'd only just
kicked off his shoes when she glided over to greet him.

   "Well hello," Ash said with a broad smile just before she pressed right
up to him.

   "Hello yourself."

   Their lips met with the eagerness of a new relationship, and very little
of the uncertainty such a sibling kiss might have entailed.  The feelings
and experiences of the morning had hardly faded for either of them.

   "I wanted to just up and leave so many times today," Ash mumbled around
Val's kisses.

   "Wouldn't hardly have blamed ya."

   "Felt almost giddy on the way home."

   "Mmm, miss me that bad, huh?"

   "Definitely.  Is that weird?  It's not like we haven't spent lots of
time together.  Recently or in the past."

   "Sure.  Maybe you just like me a lot better with no clothes on, though."

   "I can't really argue with that."

   "I'm gonna make you work for it, you know."

   "Hm?"

   "You'll have to seduce me out of all these clothes I put on."

   "Is that the only reason you got dressed?"

   "Basically, yes."

   "So I'd have to...  kiss you...  and touch you...  and tease you?"

   "Yes, yes, and also yes."

   "Slowly get all those unnecessary clothes off?"

   "Mmhm!"

   "Better get started then."

   They moved at a slow, awkward shuffle, guiding each other blindly away
from the front door.  Their lips hardly separated any more than necessary
for speaking, and their hands were all over each other.

   They got kind of stuck in a corner in the kitchen.  Partly that was so
Ash could start working on Val's clothes.  He really only got as far as
pushing her shirt up over her tits and unhooking her bra.

   "Mmm, there they are," Ash said.

   "My boobies?"

   "Mmhm."

   "Whatcha gonna do with them?"

   "Hmm...  what do you want me to do?"

   "I want you to figure out what I like."

   "Wouldn't be easier to just tell me?"

   "Sure.  But it's more fun my way."

   "Oh, ok.  I see how it is."

   Ash gently caressed Val's tits, running his thumbs in small circles
around her nipples.

   "You know this just means I get to do whatever I want," he whispered.

   "Isn't that what you were gonna do anyway?"

   "I coulda done whatever you wanted if you'd told me what it was."

   "What makes you think this isn't exactly what I want?"

   "Playing with your boobies?  Or very slowly taking your clothes off?"

   "Kinda both.  Mmmaaayyybe more the second one."

   Ash leaned down and kissed Val's breasts, sucking gently on one of her
nipples.  "So if I really take my time actually getting you naked..." he
mumbled around her tit.

   "I might be super into that."

   "Noted."

   Ash carried on playing with his sister's chest, much to Val's continued
delight.  She happily ran her hands over him while he sucked and nuzzled
her breasts, toying with the idea of trying to slip his shirt off, but not
wanting to interrupt.

   "Mrow?"

   Val glanced over.  "Oh, Sebastian.  What do you need?"

   "Mrow."

   Val tapped Ash's head.  "Ash, it's-"

   "I heard."

   "I'ma need you to stop for a sec."

   Ash looked up at Val with a pout.  "Really?"

   "Yes, really.  It'll only be a moment."

   "But...  but...  your boobies."

   "They'll still be there."

   Val tugged her shirt down as she slipped away from Ash and picked up
Sebastian, who snuggled eagerly in her arms.

   "Or maybe it'll be a few moments," Val said.  "He needs some attention."

   "Seriously?"

   "Yes."

   "He's only doing that 'cause he's jealous."

   "Is that what it is?" Val cooed, tickling Sebastian's purring tummy. 
"Are you jealous?  Mommy still loves you, you know."

   "Aw for real?" Ash grumbled.  "I'm already hard over here."

   "My kitty baby needs me." Val gave Ash a soft kiss on the cheek.  "These
things happen."

   Ash followed Val to the living room where she sat on the couch, still
cradling Sebastian.

   "You're really gonna make me wait?"

   "You could play with Dragon for a few minutes, surely."

   "You know she only plays when she wants to.  And that's rare."

   "You could think about me naked."

   "Way ahead of you, actually."

   "Oh good."

   "You're enjoying my misery, aren't you?"

   "Perhaps a little," Val grinned at her brother.  "I wouldn't be much of
a sister if I didn't still torment you from time to time."

   "Yeah, well...  I can't think of a good retort!  I'm gonna go get a
drink!"

   Ash grumbled to himself the whole way, feeling the discomfort of his
erection still trapped in his pants.  He'd just feel silly taking them off,
unfortunately.  Walking around with his dick out while Val cuddled
Sebastian just didn't seem all that sexy to him.

   Dragon was sitting full in the middle of the counter as Ash grabbed a
beer from the fridge.

   "You know you're not supposed to be there."

   Dragon just looked at him.

   "For real.  I could, like, shoo you.  Or get a spray bottle."

   More staring.

   "You could at least help me out and cuddle for a while.  Make Val
jealous."

   Stare.

   "Or teach your brother not to be so needy.  Why's he such a sook anyway?
Doesn't he know cats are meant to be more independent?  I mean, I thought
it was great her getting these cuddles from him." Ash sighed.  "But now I
want to be the one cuddling her, dammit."

   Stare.

   "Don't you look at me like that.  You'd want to fuck her too, in my
place.  She's just, like, amazing.  None of this bullshit you get with new
relationships usually.  I already know all her nonsense.  Except for how
she'll pick Sebastian over me.  That's relatively new."

   Stare.

   "Look, I'ma get you a treat, and you're gonna stop judging me, deal?"

   "Mrow."

   "Good."

   Val cocked her head as Ash walked back in.  "Talking to yourself in
there?"

   "No.  Dragon.  She was being judgey."

   "Oh?  What about?"

   "Me wanting to fuck you."

   "Mmm, incest is frowned upon by some."

   "Not by cats."

   "Not by me either, turns out."

   Ash felt his cock throb.  "Well if you want some..."

   "In a minute."

   "Why do I feel like I'm gonna be hearing 'in a minute' all evening?"

   "Just let your imagination go.  Think of what you're going to do with
me."

   "I did that the whole time I was at work."

   "Oh.  Right."

   "You didn't spend all day thinking about me?"

   Val grinned.  "Might have."

   "And you interrupted to snuggle your cat?"

   "You're gonna have to get used to that, brother dear.  Seb's my baby."

   Ash sighed.  "I brought this on myself, didn't I?"

   "Kinda, yeah." Val chewed her lip thoughtfully.  "Wanna take your pants
off while you're waiting?"

   "Thought about that.  Just seems weird in front of Sebastian."

   "Hm, true, I guess.  Well I'm sure it won't be long.  He usually doesn't
want to be cuddled like this for more than a few minutes at a time."

   "Uh huh." Ash got up again.  "I'm gonna make food.  Want anything in
particular?"

   "Whatever you make.  Thanks, Ash."

   ****

   "Sebastian's sleeping now," Val said, slipping her arms around Ash from
behind.

   "Oh is he now?"

   "Mmhm."

   "You know I'm not really horny anymore."

   "I don't think it'll take me long to fix that."

   "So sure, are you?"

   "Why, are you gonna pout about it?"

   Ash squirmed, though he was enjoying Val's hands running over him, and
the way her breasts squished against him.  "I kinda want to."

   Val nipped lightly at Ash's ear.  "Hey, I wanted to mess around earlier
too.  It was already getting good.  It can be good again.  We're gonna have
so many chances, Ash.  We're under no time pressure."

   "...  well you're gonna have to seduce me."

   Val chuckled.  "That's fair.  I can work with that." She kissed her way
down his neck.  Her hands slid up inside his shirt, over his tummy.  "What
would you like me to do to you?"

   "Turn me on."

   "Any way in particular?"

   "Not yet."

   "Mmk."

   Val kept kissing, kept feeling, and started grinding.  Ash slowly melted
in her grasp, leaning back into her and everything she wanted to do.

   "I get that you gotta look after Sebastian," Ash admitted softly.

   "Hm?"

   "I just got a little annoyed."

   "I could tell."

   "But I'm happy that you're happy with him."

   "Mmm, he definitely helps with some stuff.  So do you.  Even Dragon,
somewhat.  S'kinda like a family.  Sorta.  I need that junk, you know?"

   "I know."

   "I love you, you know."

   "Yeah, I know."

   Val lifted Ash's shirt all the way off.  He took the opportunity while
her arms were in the air to turn around and face her.  She grinned at him,
then went back to kissing and sucking on him, around his neck and shoulder,
and down around his chest a little.

   "It's probably good for me," Ash said.  "That everything with us isn't
all lust and puppy-love."

   "Some of that too," Val mumbled between kisses.

   "Some, yeah.  And it's great.  But I like that there's some stuff that's
not that.  Like you being all mom-y and stuff.  I probably need to find a
little more stuff like that still."

   "You got work."

   "Ha, right."

   "Well you got Dragon."

   "When she deigns to be in the same room."

   "That's cats for ya."

   "I know.  And I love her.  When she's not being an asshole.  Even then,
actually."

   "S'good."

   "I'm not used to any kind of even vaguely 'dad' role, you know.  It's
not something I wanted."

   "Well lucky you, you can half-ass it."

   "Sure." Ash ran his fingers through Val's hair.  "This all makes sense,
yeah?  What we're doing?"

   "Aw jeez.  You're gonna make me regret not getting you off earlier,
aren't you?  Getting all deep on me now."

   "We're not just being horny idiots?"

   "No, Ash.  No we're not." Val kissed Ash, sucking on his bottom lip for
a moment.  "Maybe we're partly horny idiots."

   "We definitely are."

   "Maybe definitely."

   Ash pushed Val's shirt up.  Her bra was still missing in action, leaving
her breasts bared to him.  She arched her back and pushed her chest out to
him.

   "Being horny idiots is good sometimes," Ash said.

   "It works for me."

   "I seriously love you, though.  And...  and I really think this is what
I want.  All of it."

   "Mmm, me too."

   Val slipped from Ash's arms down to her knees.  She looked up at him
with big, horny eyes as she undid his pants.

   "Whatcha doin'?" Ash asked, eyebrow quirked.

   "You told me to seduce you."

   "This is seducing?"

   "Is it working?"

   "...  yes."

   "Then yes."

   Val lavished attention on Ash's cock as soon as she got it out, and only
slowly finished tugging his pants and underwear down.  She kissed, licked,
and nibbled at him, remembering to frequently gaze up at him while she
played.

   "God you look so hot doing that," Ash groaned.

   "Sure hope so."

   "That way you look at me..."

   "You like that?"

   Val maintained serious eye contact as she sucked Ash between her lips
and into her mouth.  She gagged a little when she took him too deep too
fast, but otherwise kept her big, falsely innocent eyes on him with
impressive consistency.

   "You just make me wanna cum all over you face, you know that?"

   "Hmm?" Val hummed questioningly around his cock.

   "Just cover you with cum." Ash stroked her hair back.  "Mess your whole
face."

   "Mmhm!"

   "Or maybe let you swallow it.  I don't know."

   "Mmm."

   "You'd like it either way, wouldn't you?"

   "Mmhm."

   Val bobbed her head back and forth more aggressively, losing eye contact
as she moved faster and harder.  Her clit was throbbing, demanding she
either pay attention to it, or at least get some of that cum load her
brother was threatening her with.

   Ash's groans and the way he touched her hair were driving her crazy. 
She wanted to suck him off so good.  Get him to cum all over her, or in
her, or wherever he wanted, really.

   "Hey!" Val squealed and fought as Ash pulled her up, off her knees, away
from his cock.  "What the hell?"

   Ash kissed her fiercely.  When he pulled back, she saw the insane lust
in his eyes.  The same as would be mirrored in hers, she was sure.

   "I want to taste you," Ash said.

   "It was my turn!"

   "I want taste you right now."

   Val squirmed.  Her pussy flooded at the tone in Ash's voice, and her
struggles to get back to his cock slowly weakened.

   "You wanna eat me out?"

   "So badly."

   "It couldn't wait?"

   "I wanted to do it while I'm this horny."

   "You'd get horny again pretty fast."

   "Not like this.  Not tortured all day with thoughts of you kinda horny."

   "Oh."

   Ash's hand slipped down to her hip, then in front to cup her mound over
her jeans.  "Can I?  Please?"

   Val nodded, fearing she might fall if he let her go entirely.  "You
always can," she said hoarsely.  "I mean, if you're not interrupting."

   Ash smirked crookedly.  "Sorry.  I'll make it up to you."

   There was a promise in his eyes that just absolutely made Val melt.

   "I believe you."

   "Your room or mine?"

   "Whichever's closer."

   "Good call."

   They left a trail of their remaining clothes on the floor behind them
and took a far longer time getting anywhere than they ever had.  They were
handsy as all hell and grinding on each other like crazy.

   Val was on fire when she finally fell back on Ash's bed.  She was glad
it was his, for some reason.  Maybe the faint smell of him on the sheets.
It made her head swim.

   "Are you-" Val started.

   She didn't get anywhere with her question.  Ash didn't waste more than a
second or two admiring her before pushing her legs open and diving between
them.

   Val was absolutely soaked.  Ash got the scent of her just before
sticking out his tongue and going right for her.  Between it and the sexy
taste of her, he was immediately hooked.

   "Ooh, not much for subtlety, huh?" Val said, trying to joke.

   She couldn't think of much else to say, though.  His tongue was such
sweet pleasure on her swollen and flooded pussy.  Even if she could have,
it really wouldn't make sense to tease someone lapping so frantically and
enthusiastically at her.  That sort of thing shouldn't be discouraged.

   "That's nice," Val breathed, relaxing into her brother's fierce oral
ministrations.

   He just kept licking.

   "You could slow down a little if you wanted."

   Ash ignored her.

   "Or don't."

   Lick lick lick.

   "Mmm, maybe just a little on my clit.  Just a little though."

   There was a hitch in Ash's rhythm.  He carefully flicked his tongue over
Val's clit in between continued aggressive licks of her sloppy wet slit.

   "That's nice.  Just a few like that," Val purred.

   Lick lick lick.

   "So goooddd."

   Val scratched Ash's head like a pet.

   "You'll probably make me cum like this."

   Lick lick lick.

   "Don't go any faster."

   Lick lick lick?

   "Just like that.  Tad more on my clit.  Little higher actually.  There.
Perfect."

   Lick lick lick.

   "Mmm, yeah, Ash.  Fuck yeah.  Right there.  More.  More more more.  Not
harder though.  Just more.  Mmm, that's good."

   Val guided Ash a little further, the abruptly couldn't any longer as she
came all over his tongue.  His amazing tongue.

   She moaned and arched and wriggled, both trying to dislodge him, and let
him keep going.  She couldn't quite decide which.  She rode the pleasure
without ever quite trying to jump off.  It filled her electrically, nearly
painful when he kept going at her clit, but even that small pain was so
damn good.

   Ash lifted his face grinning from ear to ear when Val finally pushed him
away for real.

   "That make up for taking your turn?" he asked a tad smugly.

   Val looked at him through heavily lidded eyes.  "You've got pussy all
over your face."

   "You didn't answer my question."

   "Mmm, I accept your apology."

   "Oh good."

   "Next time you're damn well gonna let me do my thing."

   "I'd better with you looking so threatening."

   Val, in fact, looked about as relaxed and pacified as was possible.  She
rolled her hips, laying one leg on the other and hiding her pussy away. 
She stretched her arms and upper body, then relaxed again and watched Ash
through one opened eye.

   "I'll admit it," she said quietly.  "Once you started, I was gonna need
to cum."

   "Ah.  So that's what does it for you."

   "Honestly?  More than fucking, usually.  'Specially if you're gonna eat
me like that.  Like you're starving.  Or dehydrating.  Or whatever makes
the analogy work better."

   "Duly noted."

   "Downside for you is now I just don't feel like I wanna suck you off
properly."

   "That's ok."

   "Is it?"

   "Well..." Ash crawled up Val's body, laying a few sporadic kisses as he
went.  He reached down and pulled her legs open again.  "You feel like...
something else?"

   "You wanna get in my pussy again?"

   "That ok?"

   "Very.  Go slow to start.  I'll get worked up again in a bit."

   "I didn't really wear you out that badly did I?"

   "Dude, you made me cum hard just now.  Like, super hard.  I don't cum
hard easily."

   "Again, duly noted."

   "Don't smirk at me like that.  You won't do so well next time, then
you're gonna be all disappointed."

   "We'll see." Ash rubbed his cock against Val's thigh, gradually
adjusting until it was running straight up and down her slit.  "You ready?"

   Val nodded.  "Slow," she reminded him.

   "Mmhm."

   Ash guided himself in.  Val was still soaked, albeit not quite as
overtly horny as before.  She took him easily, sighing contentedly at the
feeling of being filled by her brother.  It was nice, even after just
cumming so hard.

   Ash was really quite gentle with her.  They both just enjoyed being
together, being joined, and the slow back and forth, in and out motion.

   "You'll have to go a little faster than that," Val murmured.

   "I don't think you know how turned on I am.  It's actually kinda good to
have to go slow, or I'd just cum inside you."

   "You're going to anyway, aren't you?"

   "Yeah, but I wanna enjoy this for a while."

   "A while?" Val shook her head.  "How 'bout you just cum?"

   "S'that what you want?"

   "Honestly, I think it'd be pretty great.  All relaxed, your cum in me.
Maybe you still in me.  Cuddling like this morning except we don't have to
go anywhere."

   "Alright.  You sold me."

   Ash sped up a little while still savouring every moment.  He could
basically cum at any time.  He'd felt it the very instant he'd slipped
inside Val's pussy.  He was in that space between desperately wanting to
cum, and wanting very badly not to for a while.

   But she was right.  Just cumming and getting to enjoy the cuddles after
did sound nice.

   Ash let himself go, let his small amount of control slip, and felt his
orgasm break free.

   "Ooh, there it is," Val cooed.

   Ash grunted and felt his body pulse, huge pleasurable shocks hitting him
in a slow, brief rhythm.  So much cum from his day of fantasizing about his
sister was now free to be unleashed, and her soaked pussy was made even
more a sloppy, sexy mess.

   "So much cum," Val murmured.  "More than this morning?  Or does it just
feel that way?"

   Ash grunted.  "Really couldn't say."

   "Mmm, guess not." Val sighed and held Ash tighter as he finished up
inside her.  "Stay on top for a bit?"

   "I'm not squishing you?"

   "Nah.  It's nice.  Might need you to roll eventually.  But it's nice
right now.  Snug.  Secure."

   "Ok."

   Val reached out and made a half-assed attempt to pull some covers over
them.  It only kind of worked.

   "Don't fall asleep on me," she said.

   "Don't plan on it," Ash mumbled, though admittedly he was already closer
to sleep than he would have thought possibly.  "Your boobs are comfy."

   Val giggled.  "Glad to hear it." She swept her fingers through Ash's
hair.  "Your everything's comfy."

   "Glad t'hear it."

   Val giggled again, softer.  "Seriously don't fall asleep."

   "M'not."

   "Good." Val let her eyes close.  "I love this," she said quietly but
seriously.  "This in particular.  But everything, too."

   "Hm?"

   "Nothin'.  Just, what you were worrying about before.  I'm not worried
about it.  I feel so damn good about it."

   Ash lifted his head enough to flash Val a crooked smile before nuzzling
back up to her.  "S'nice," he agreed.

   "You're too out of it to really think about anything, huh?"

   "Maybe kinda."

   Val kissed him softly where her lips landed on his head, just below his
hairline.  "We get to do this again tomorrow," she whispered.

   "Every day."

   "Yeah." Val smiled.  "That's true, isn't it?"

   She tugged at the covers again, but didn't get any further.  She
squirmed a bit, snuggling just a tiny bit deeper with him.  Despite her
warning, she was pretty sure Ash was about to fall asleep on her.  She'd
let him drift off for a bit, but would have to shift him eventually.

   For now, she'd just enjoy it.


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