Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Two small children stood in front of an old and seemingly abandoned hut, leaning to one side as the wooden walls seemed to have warped and frayed, with chunks of the thatched roof coming apart and the windows boarded up, the white paint flickering off to reveal an oozing red sap from the wood. Surrounded by all manner of flowers neither had seen anywhere else, their eyes trailed to the door, open just a crack, moving ever so slightly in the wind but stubbornly refusing to be thrown open fully and let them peak inside.

The flowers that gathered around this disturbing place, they were unlike anything either child had ever seen before, so many coloured that it made their heads spin, it was like they were gazing through a kaleidoscope, for all the shapes and coloured seemed to blend into an abstract approximation of a garden. Admits the flowers, a thin red liquid was slathered across the flower, tinting them crimson.

“What are you waiting for?” the little girl asked, staring at the flowers in awe. “Didn’t you say you wanted to find out where she went, well here’s your answer! She’s obviously gone to hide in this shack. Lousy Wench keeping this whole place a secret all to herself” the girl crossed her arms, face scrunched up in anger as she began stomping through the flowers. “Teach her to keep such a cool spot hidden!”

“Stop it! Leyley don’t do that! We don’t know if anyone is living here!” the little boy protested, his eyes moving to the door, he could swear he heard something from within, a laugh? Or maybe more of a cackle? It was hard to say but the sound made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. “And we should at least make sure she’s here. We don’t want her to tell on us, right? If that happens, we might get sent to separate boarding schools” the thought scared him, being separated from her, that would be the worst possible outcome, being separated from the one person he could trust not to have to hide who he was. His eyes shifted uncertain to the door “Come on Leyley, lets-.”

“NO! You’re the one obsessed with checking on her, if you care so much you can go alone!” she huffed sitting in the flower patch, ripping them up and angrily throwing them at him. Glaring angrily, her face full of wroth, her face a mirror to her feelings she could not put into words. “If you’re such a worry wart, you go into that old rotting whore house by yourself. You care about her more than me after all! So, you go off and find your precious friend I’ll be here when you get back Andy” her anger was a veil to hide the deep sadness which threatened to come forth as she watched as he turned away from her, eyes to the door.

“I’m doing this because I care about you” he said in an annoyed voice, before looking away and again that cackling, he gulped, breathing slowed and heart raced. He crept closer and closer, each step seemed to stretch on longer than the last, till eventually he came to the door. His hand reached out to touch it, to push it aside, to allow himself to see what was within, bracing himself for what he might see.

His hand never did reach the door, for there was a clatter and clank, as the sound of many jars falling gave him a fright, before he could turn and flee, a hand, much to large for a human, with fingers too long, with too many joints, covered in brown spots and tipped with fingernails of rusted iron, withered and aged, the hand snatch his arm and without the time to scream he was pulled in.

The door slammed behind him, with a mighty thud, as he was dragged into the hut, the light was dim, with only feint streaks of sun able to peak through the boards. There he saw it, the horror which lounged and lolloped, spread from one end of the hut to the other, arms far too long, capable of reaching from one end to the other, with enough joints to fold in like an accordion.

Their hair, long and untamed, a matted mess covered in dirt and grime, white as bone, it fell over their form like a dress, peeking out from below it all he could see was sickly orange eyes. It laid out atop a stove, one that spreads out across the entire back wall, bellowing out black smoke not seen from outside, the smell that came from within, it made his stomach rumble and grumble, yet made his hairs stand on end as if it knew something dreadful lay within.

As the hand that had grabbed him, large enough to crush a baby elephant, retracted, the limbs folding in, the orange eyes landed upon him, eyes that judged, mired with interest, the creature rose “Not many a child would so willingly come to my door, not in many a decade has one been so foolish or so arrogant” the voice, it was that of an old women, one which had spent her life smoking a pipe, her lungs a mass of tar of which they spat, a gravely tone which grinded against his ears and made him shiver. “Ah I see, I see, you come in search of the girl you did trap, the one you left to cry and plead for release, the one whom I took, yes, I did. But you come far too late, you can’t have her back anymore. For you see, her cries, my appetite they did wet and with her already so cleanly presented, I simply took what was left”

Andy backed away to the door, turning as he did, legs moving to run but he did not get far, the rug that was at his feet, whipped and waggled as it pulled itself from beneath his stride, tumble he did as the rug wrapped around him, binding him tight in the cloth. He opened his mouth to scream “LEY-“ but it was smothered by cloth, the tassel of the soft cloth forced into his mouth as he was held in the rug’s tight embrace.

He struggled, wiggling and jiggling, dinner plates for eyes he stared at the monster as it rose up, it’s towering form, lacking leg, it suspended itself upon the thin, bone arms, like an ape with no hind half. It moved towards him as his eyes grew wider still, his face hurt from the stretching of his eye lids. The hair of the monster parted, to reveal skin aged and withered, wrinkled and marred, covered in symbols he did not know the meaning of.

The creature it came to a halt, staring into the eyes of the boy “A heart filled with lies and deceit, a blade with double the edge, a soul that is grime, the one the Unknown seeks. What a poor little creature, but when we next meet, I shall take that liar’s tongue for my own, aged and matured it will serve well for me and you shall be free to speak as yourself, not a drop of shame or regret to hold you back. So go now child, go and mature, wither and rot, decay from within and hide from the light. Suffer and fear, love that you should not”

Andy didn’t understand what the monster was going on about, what did it mean by his soul being grime? Liar’s tongue? Was it going to take his tongue!? When they met again!? He NEVER wanted to see it again! He swung his legs, shaking his head as he tried to break free once again, it was for naught as the creature cackled, a sound which pierced into his mind, a virus spread without pause, infecting his thoughts, his heart and his soul.

“Know not the peace of love, fear yourself and the world that shall see, rot and decay till only tar shall remain, a mass of darkness so deep and so dreadful, become not as man or as beast, become as I as am you, become as vile as we be. A mask you shall wear, to hide it all away, even from yourself, a lid to cover and hide, till we shall meet again when you’re ripe. Only shall she see it through, because together you shall be forever together never apart. Mature as you are, mature to far, become unwavering, bend not to her or to him” it’s voice was almost melancholic as it spoke.

Andy, he struggle and scream, the tassel however, it did not budge, it did not allow a single speck of sound to leave his mouth, his eyes searched for an escape, hope was all he had, hope that Leyley would notice his absence, that she would be his salvation, a foolish hope, she did not care, not truly, not when she was in such a mood as to let him venture alone.

His heart filled with a deep fear, as his eyes fell upon the bones, stripped of flesh and blood, not a scrap of muscle left, all that could identify these remains, was the small little purple top of which he knew. This is where she had gone, where she had been taken, he knew it all too well, even with the monsters words he had hoped it to be lies, but now as he stared, he felt his blood turn to ice and knew it was his fault, he had been the one to offer her up on a plate of wood, a boxed lunch for the monster to take. His stomach turned and bile threatened to erupt from his throat. He felt not sadness or grief, those things were far from his mind, no it was fear, fear for himself and fear for the girl who was bad yet good.

The creature it stared, before it turned its head, it’s eyes scan, searching for something amongst the tatters, it’s arm stretch across, so it might pluck up a strand of something unknowable, to bring it to him, his eyes couldn’t see it, his mind couldn’t recognize it, only when the tassel move freeing his mouth did he know it’s intent, whatever it was holding was shoved down his neck, it writhed and it shuddered as it went down inside him, dissolved into his gut. A thing which was once something else was now a piece of Them he could feel it, something was changing, They knew not what, only that for now Their head felt heavy and Their vision frayed, darkening as the rug slumped animated no longer, releasing Them, yet not a muscle was moved for Their body couldn’t, Their eyes they lingered on the creature as it cackled, lowering itself to stare.

“Till we meet again Dearie, know that I shall we watching, my birds and my flock, my sun and my night, the noon shall all watch you grow. Disappoint us you shall not, for now you are under my spell and break it you cannot, know it you shan’t. Now go now and forget, need not remember for now till then. Your heart will be hers, yet she will not see it, control her you must lest she destroy it” Their eyes began to close, so softly, so easily, Their mind fled.

Why were They here? Where was here? Were They asleep or awake? They couldn’t tell, it seemed as if it was all the same. Their world it turned dark, wondered if this was death, They deserved it that they knew, knew not the reason but knew it to be true, They was bad, terrible, a bad thing, but that did not bother Them, there was nothing wrong with be a bad person, bad people existed and thus They were fine, They just needed to not let anyone see it, hide it, make sure no one sees, no one but her, the one who knew Them, the one who was Their world, Their everything and yet They could not tell her for she was too much, she needed too much it was never enough, not as They were now, They could not fill it that void, the best that could be done was stem the flow with twigs, a feeble barrier, if They used everything, the logs and the lumber it would only widen the gap, a foundation need to be laid before they could be placed. With that thought settled, Their eyes closed.

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“Andy!... ANDY! PLEASE WAKE UP! I’M SORRY! I’M SORRY! PLEASE DON’T LEAVE ME! I’LL BE GOOD FROM NOW ON, I PROMISE I WILL! I’LL NEVER LET YOU GO OFF ON YOUR OWN AGAIN, I’LL DO AS YOU SAY!” her voice it echoed, filling Their brain as They awaken. It was an amusing thought, her being good and listen to Them? Oh what a foolish thought that was, she already did that, she just did not know it, she thought herself a mighty lion, when really she was a kitten, small and easily pulled one way or another, within Their grasp she sat, although They wouldn’t admit it, They could not tell her, for she was Their out, the thing They could blame, the one who stood ready to receive all that was bad, so They might stay good, but if she meant what she said, that she’d do as They said without manipulation or trick, that would be wonderful.

“Really?” Their eyes opened looking into hers, tears were falling crying as they did, her little arms hugging Them for fear They might leave her should she not. Their mind was foggy as Their eyes glance about, the old shack, They remembered entering but not how it ended up like this. They looked at her, she was sobbing incoherently, Their arms wrapped around her tightly, holding her close as They whispered soothing words. “Hey, what’s got you so spooked?” Their voice was calm, yet tinged with concern, Their fingers stroked through her hair, a river of black, her eyes looked at Them, pink orbs that had sprung a terrible leak.

“I thought you were dead you jerk! Yo-you didn’t come out! Th-then I came in and you were on the floor!” she clutched Them so tight, They could feel her nails dig in, like she wanted to tare open Their chest and climb on inside, to never be separated, never again. They winced, Their hand that was not in her hair, rested upon hers, easing her off.

“You didn’t wake up! I kept yelling and screaming and you didn’t wake up! I was so scared! I thought you were gone, I thought I had killed you I didn’t want you to-!” Their forehead touched hers, her words failed as their head they pressed gentle together. They gave her a smile, one that did not show all that They had, but rather it was one to calm and relax her. “Promise! Promise you won’t ever leave me! That you’ll always be here, forever and ever!”

It was a promise, one They had made time and again, it was a lie, one They wished to be real, yet knew it couldn’t be, yet still They want it, perhaps if They tried, no if she would work with Them than maybe… “If your good and behave” They could already feel the tantrum that was rising, her body stiffened and her throat tighten, her eyes narrowed. Before and after They might bend, They might wither and give into her writhing and chattering, but not now, no in this moment They felt strong as oak and with thorns a plenty, They pressed a finger to her lips before she could cry, a thing which shocked her and Them, never before had They cut her off so neatly. Their eyes narrowed, fierce was the storm which raged on within, and as They opened Their mouth thunder rumbled.

“No, Leyley you’re going to be good, or We’ll leave” it was a pointless gest, They knew, They would never leave her but she didn’t need to know that, not now at least, in time she would learn They’d stay even when she was bad, but for now They needed her humbled, They needed her cowled so she wouldn’t lash out and get Them in trouble.

They saw her little eyes widen “So if I’m, good, whatever that means, you’ll stay? You’ll really stay?!” her excitement was palpable, so pure and so innocent, it felt so cruel to turn it to rumble, to build it up only to bring it to ruin, perhaps maybe together they could be together forever, a foolish thought, yet They clung to it as They nodded. “Okay! I’ll be the goodest thing ever!” They laughed despite Themselves, something infectious in the sound brought her along too, their laugh it filled the air around them, over and over it was as if neither could stop while the other continued, not till they ran out of breath and Leyley slumped into Them. “I mean it, I’ll be good as long as you stay with me always”

They rolled Their eyes, picking Themselves up and offered her a hand, she took it with gusto “We’ll be with you as much as we can, we can’t exactly join you for classes” her face turned into a pout, They clenched her hand just a little tighter. “You will be good in class, won’t you?” her eyes widened, she looked at Them with betrayal, a smile spread out across Their face. “You didn’t think we only meant when we’re around did you? No, we expect you be good with us or without. Misbehave and well we will see what you get”

“You cheater! You didn’t tell me I had to be good for those wretched teachers! They hate me! Hate me I tell you! There so mean and so cruel, why do I have to be good for them?!” she shouted and yelled, her face scrunched up in anger as she halted her tread, her eyes filled with anger and tears “It’s not fair! If it’s you-for you I will be good but not for them! Not for anyone else! It’s always just us! Andy and Leyley and no one else, never ever!” she looked at Them pleading, her voice it is cracking, her emotions were overflowing and Their heart wavered, yet Their face hardened as They turned to her fully, hidden was Their hurt and sharp was Their tongue as They spoke with narrowed eyes.

“Why do they hate you? What did you do?” Their eyes searching for answers inside of hers, firm yet concerned, Their tongue sharpened ready to retort.

“I don’t do anything! They yell, it hurts my head, when I say so they just yell more! They write too quickly and when I ask a question all they do is tell me I should be paying attention! And then when I tell them that I was, they yell more and say I wasn’t, call me a liar. So, I yell back and then they send me outside, as if I’m the problem! There supposed to teach yet I can’t learn anything from them! They hate me! They all hate me, everyone hates me, even yo-.” Bonk, she winced as Their hand came down with a thud atop her head, she peeked up to see Their eyes narrowed in anger before They took her into Their arms.

“We don’t hate you; We told you, didn’t We? You’re the only one We like” the only one in Their heart, They weren’t sure if it was love, love wasn’t something They understood, it was this thing They was taught about but could not comprehend it, did They love her? It was impossible to say, but They enjoyed her presence that much was true. “That’s why We want you to be good, if your good We can stay with you, if your good we can be together forever. We don’t want to get to know anyone else, We don’t want anyone else to understand us, We told you that didn’t We? Why don’t you trust Us?”

“Because you’re a liar” those word struck true, a liar was who They were, Their eyes widened, she knew Them so well and yet she could not see that Their lies were piled upon one another, lies so deep even They couldn’t see the bottom, a mask They wore, a mask of lies to hide further lies. “You’re a big stinky liar, you hate me, and I know it! I know! I know it! That’s why you came here looking for her, because you want to replace me and-“ crack, her eyes widened, her hand moved to her cheek, the silence which fell was deafening entirely, Andy stood frozen, Their own eyes filled with disbelief, what was happening to Them, they did not understand, why had They struck her so harshly? They saw her eyes well up with tears and yet did not comfort her, not bend over backwards, even as Their heart shuddered in grief, lies pile upon lies, as Their cracked heart is smothered from within by Tar.

“We won’t have it, We won’t let you say that stuff” Their voice was harsh and yet They meant no harm, taking her hand and pulling her along. Her face was frozen, unable to process what just happened, it did not compute, how could this be? Andy was her safe space, They kept her from harm, so what did it mean when They hit her so hard? “Be good, be a good girl and We’ll hug you and praise you, fill you up with all of Our attention. But be bad and We’ll punish you. It’s for your own good” how They hated to say it, those lies on Their tongue felt like venom which They spat out at her. Seeing her eyes fall, tears of pain and confusion, she did not understand, how could she when even They didn’t? Their eyes clenched, their heart wept but it couldn’t be shown, not even fully to her, not yet, not till the damn had its foundations.

Entering the street, They heard her sniffle, Their eyes dared to glance back and regretted it immediately, she seemed even smaller, sinking in on herself. Biting Their lip hard, hard enough for it to bled crimson. “I promise, I’ll be good” her promises, they both knew were worth just as much as dirt, yet how They wanted those lies to be true. They held her hand tighter, a feint comforted, as they approached there home, their mother was waiting, her eyes narrowed, locked on Leyley’s cheek, her fury was swift and decisive, not waiting for reason or explanation, her hand cracked like a whip and Andy did tumble. Had this been after or before, They’d look down in shame, filled to the brim with nothing but hate, but not today, today They did drown in deceit, a smile They placed upon Their lips, taking Leyley’s hand leading her inside their room, Their hate smothered in falsities only Leyley could see, apologies fake and lies weaved, Their shame hidden away beneath a mask that was cast in iron and forged to Their face, something to trick the demon matron of the house.

Inside their bedrooms, They sat her down, she looked worried, worried They would yell and complain, that They’d blame her for their mother’s response, instead reaching down into her rucksack They plucked out a book, it was a book she was supposed to read, one which her teacher had shoved into her hand and said she needed to read it by Monday, telling her that her parents will help, but that was a lie, neither Renee nor Douglas had the time for such things, not for Andy and certainly not for her.

She had forgotten it. “What are you going to do with that?” she liked it when Andy told her stories, They really seemed to have a flare for it and told them so well, They seemed so happy to get lost in a land that wasn’t here. “Are you going to read it too me?” she bounced, her excitement was palpable, yet They shook Their head.

“No, you’re going too”

“But I can’t”

“But you will”

“But I CAN’T!” she all but screamed, couldn’t They see? She couldn’t do it, no siree, her face scrunched up, only for Them to pull it back down as They pulled her to Their side, the book open, sitting upon their laps.

“But you WILL” Their voice came out sharp, commanding yet with softened eyes “Because you’re a good girl for us aren’t you, so you will read this, and We’ll help you. Because We’re always going to be beside you” her eyes heart thumped, never before had They or anyone else offered to help her when she did struggle, the task was simply taken from her and done by another. She looked at Them confused, Their finger came upon the first one of the book, looking at her expectantly, she looked to the word and to Them she did tilt her head, wondering what happened when did her brother become someone else?

Or was this always who They were? She could see Their lies and yet she was still confused, who were They now, had They lost what made Them sane? She knocked the book aside “Leyle-!” They began.

“Nice try Andy, but I’m in charge here and-.” Her words they were unfinished as They got up retrieving the book. “Hey! I told you I’m not-!” They set it down in front of her, eyes narrowed, hardened into stone, this wasn’t Andy, no it was not, Andy had no spine nor ability to stand up to her. She clutched at her hair, no sense, it made no sense at all! “Stop it! STOP IT! DO AS YOUR TOLD! STOP! WAAAH!” she began to scream and scream loud, their mother bounded into their room, face filled with wroth, words on the tip of her tongue, Andy’s eyes on Leyley as They set down the book in front of her.

Renee’s voice rose in volume to over-take the crying of her daughter that wouldn’t end, Andy took hold of Leyley, Their teeth were bared threateningly at their mother who was stunned. Never had They showed aggression towards her. Andy ran fingers through her hair, an act that should have been performed by adult several times Their age, soothing her. “Why ‘sniff’ why are you acting so different, why won’t you listen to me!?” Renee’s voice it boomed, yelling at him to just do as Leyley said, but Their spine, crooked and cracked did not snap.

“Because, to take care of you, to always be at your side, We cannot always do as you ask. To protect you as a big brother should, We need you to listen to Us now. We can still play and have fun, but We need you to be good” that way They could be bad, so bad, for her and for Them, They’d be terrible enough for them both. They picked up the book “So please, do try” Renee, seeing her words did not reach them, her fury boil and simmer as she rose her hand to strike them down, HIS shadow did clamp her mouth shut, leaving her stomping out in rage, slammed the door shut behind her.

Leyley’s eyes met theirs as They wiped away the tears. “You promised you’d be good” her head fell, only to have Them lift it up again, Their eyes filled with a challenge. “It will be hard, but We know you can do it, because you are Our sister, and you can be a very good girl when you want to be” They held her tight, willing Their lies to part, to allow Their feelings to reach her, something They knew would not be possible, lies and deceit fears and shame will keep Them bound, but this, this They could manage, could create a web of half-truths and misdirects strong enough to support them for now, to keep her with Them.

As they sat, Leyley leaning against Them, Their eyes closed as They wondered why They had changed, why when it was just her didn’t, They need to hide as much, why now did They want to keep her with Them by any means necessary? Was this what they called love? They still did not know, but They knew they couldn’t stand the idea of her being away, so They’d chain her and bind her to Them so tight that they wouldn’t even be able to be separated should one of them die, their bodies and souls intertwined so beautifully.

Their eyes open only to lingered on her, confusion setting in, but They washed it away, a good brother They’ll be, a good brother protects and disciplines, but only when needed and she needed it a lot, she was so naughty but They didn’t worry after all they knew they could set her right, right as They could being so crooked. She’d be tar and They’d be worse, bound together ever so tight. “Hey Leyley” They said softly as they neared the end of the first page, a mountainous task, taking many an hour, Their mouth curled up into a smile, one which was pure and radiant, so bright it entrapped her “Do you ever wonder if you could choke an insect?”

They watched her face light up, her mind was a marvel, messed up and stupid as it was, it was something of a fascinating to play around and see what she came out with, her ruthlessness, her wit, plucking at it was so fun “I bet they would squeak and squeal! Or maybe their heads would just pop” she giggled so brightly, Their heart sang, smile stretching “What do you think?” a question, she normally didn’t ask Them, normally she’d go on and on for time without end about her own thoughts till eventually she’d yell at Them for not paying attention, she really was trying to be good.

“We bet you’d squeeze too hard, so their head would pop off before they could get a single squeal out” They teased cheerfully

“WHA!? I can be gentle! I’m a lady after all!” Their eyebrow raised and she thumped Them, with her tiny fists “Your big meanie! Don’t look at me like that your big jerk!” Their eyes rolled around, grabbing her, arms feeling so very strong, stronger than ever and ever before. They scooped her up, arms around her waist, she felt lighter than air, a surprise to be sure, her mouth fell open as he lifted her high, she yelped and she laughed as They stood up and ran, her arms spread out wide, the sound of an air plane juddered from her lips, as laughter echoed, till Their arms began to ache so They laid her down on the bed, They grinned ear to ear.

“You’re the best thing every Andy, please don’t leave me. I’ll be good” They could see it in her eyes, the little snake was biting, trying it’s best to dig into Them, but not this time, no never again would her venom sink in, They’d let her pretend from time to time but really, They were the cobra waiting to strike. Arms bound her up tight, held against Their chest without an escape, she was all that They had, Their world and Their heart. They didn’t know it but this was the beginning of something that should not be.

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Andy looked towards Leyley as she sat on her bed across from Them, her eyes unable to meet Theirs, her body scrunched up small, trying and failing to avoid Their gaze, arms crossed over Their chest waiting for answers she wasn’t willing to give. Shaking Their head a sigh left Their lips “So one week is your max” indeed, one week since her declaration it happened, she threw a rubber (eraser) at another child’s face, she looked ready to protest but a finger pressed firm to her lips, she looked ready to erupt but a hand grabbed her wrist and pulled her over Their lap. “We told you, didn’t We? If you misbehave, you’ll be punished” They held her head down with one hand, tightly bound up in her hair. “Do you understand what We’re saying? We need you to be good for Us or you’ll get disciplined" They raised a hand high and then crack, her body jerk as she cried out.

“Owww! I told you it wasn’t my fault! They kept pulling my hair!” she whined, only to have her head pushed back into the bed as another crack was heard, her body recoiled, a whimper leaving her mouth. Andy sighed softly, pulling her head up to look at her with those big eyes of his, tears staining her face, it was a sight that They took to memory, saved forever and ever. “I’m sorr-!” back into the bed, face pushed down hard as yet another stroke, a repetition that rang out in the silence of their room, for each of her cries were swallowed by pillows.

Only when her cries turned to whimper and her body went limp did They relent pulling her head up, face stained in tears. Reaching for the cream, soothing and cool against her warm thighs, so red and so hot, she sighed and flopped, his hands felt smooth and warm yet so very gentle. “I’m sorry” she said between whimpers, pausing Their gentle dabbing, only to plant a soft kiss atop her head, the confusion of the act caused her to glance back at Them over her shoulder.

“We’re not expecting you to be perfect Leyley, We don’t even want you to be. We just don’t want you getting into trouble and you’ll only learn if someone takes the time to correct you” a soft sigh left Their lips, why was this Their job? Because no one else cared, no one cared for her like They did, for she was Theirs and They were all she had, all she would ever have if They got to choose. They ruffled her hair, something that brought out a playful yelp from her as she hopped up and tackled, pinning Them to the bed, only now did she note just how much They had grown, no longer were They tiny like her, when did it happen, she didn’t know. They looked at her straddling Their waist, her hands pressed against Their wrists, but without so much as a bother They lifted Themself up and reversed their grip, pushing her back so far she might fall before bringing her into Their chest, flattening her up into it.

She sat there for several minutes “Hey…. Can you kiss it better now?” she looked at Them pleading, eyes wide, her lip quivering cutely, Their expression hardened for a moment, her play for power was obvious, painfully so and yet this time They’d let it go. Without a complaint They laid her down on the bed, her thighs lifted so he could kiss them, pressed into her chest, she giggled so softly, what a kid she was still needing her big brother to kiss her all better. “Maybe this makes it all worth it” a glare at her face made her regret speaking, only to giggle softly as Their kissed a soft part of her thigh, “I mean who else can say they got you to kiss them all better?” Their teeth they graced her thigh, a threat that was clear, yet still made her smile.

“Misbehave and it won’t be Our hand you get, it will be Our teeth and nails” it was a threat, one which had not come to pass, many a time it had been close, yet never had Their teeth tasted her flesh, never had her blood been spilt for Them and Them alone, never had Their tongue tasted her skin nor had Their claws sunken into her skin, but there was time, so much more time.

Till that time came, her punishments continued much the same, a little game it became between the two of them, hidden from view. Leyley did her best to be good, but when she needed that bit of special attention, she knew her brother would punish her good and then They’d ignore her only to come back for her later with all the praise and hugs, she’d be flattered and worshipped only to be told to be better, the hypocrisy need not be stated, for they both saw it through, yet still she tried for Them because the good made all the bad that much nicer.

This was all just the act of a good brother, a brother who need not be questioned on why They do what They do, even They could understand this was odd, yet for hem it worked as neither of them was normal at all. Andy would try to be so, but only in the eyes of those that weren’t Leyley, to her They could be as strange and odd as he liked, because she was the same. And if anyone asked, it was just an act of discipline to make sure she grew up right, not a crooked thing like Them. Unseen to HIM or to her, HIS shadow did move all on its own, it sat atop Leyley’s looking down on her, HIS hands rested atop her neck, an act of dominance that neither noticed and yet both felt for sure, as Leyley did blush and Andy shook Their head, as the shadow was fled.

########################################################################################################################

Andrew sat with Their back against the wired fence, They’d begun telling Leyley to call Them that after entering secondary school, she’d groaned and complained, moaned and been bitter, she’d been so very bad, but a day of silence had soon silenced her mouth. Pressed up against Their back, the other side of the fence she sat, their hands interlocked between the gaps.

Being in separate schools was harsh, thankfully they were only next door, yet the wired fence felt like a wall of stone between them, even now as they sat like this. It was clear the two had grown ever closer by the day, since that moment three years ago. Leyley still tried to bite him, to tare out chunks, yet her venom was dry, even she seemed to realize this and many a night she’d cry and need comfort and when she finally found slumber, They’d write out Their rage, Their hate and Their spite at the women who’d hurt her, mother of theirs, teachers without names, students who did not understand. She was so fragile, so lonely, she needed Them almost as much as They needed her, it was cruel and yet comforting.

As eyes landed upon them, whispers were said, They fought to keep Themself bound to her hand, Their fear it did mount, fear of what others would see in Their brotherly comfort, stomach twisted as They heard one person ask if they were together, the fool got Their teeth bared at them, fangs and all. The fear on those faces, a good thing, whatever they saw in Their expression it sent them away.

Her hand squeezed Theirs “You’re acting like a brute again; do you want to get in trouble? I thought I was supposed to be the one being kept in check?” Her voice was teasing and biting, yet held a genuine note of concern, They’d been doing that a lot lately, mainly whenever anyone looked at them with a look considered distasteful, was it Their pride? Did They feel so deeply that They couldn’t even bare to have someone judge them? “Should I put a leash on you or something?”

“HA! If anyone’s getting a leash put on them it’s you, We can’t have you running off and causing mischief” she let out a gasp, one filled with mock offense, but even without looking They could tell a grin spread across her face. They squeezed her hand tightly, only to hear a voice most unwelcome.

“HA! Still need to hang out with your brother, because no one else wants you huh Ashley?” the voice it was biting, it was cold, and it was too high pitched to be comfortable for anyone forced to hear it. Andrew’s teeth bit down upon Their lip to keep Them from writhing and raging, from ripping and taring, rending the flesh of the vile maggot that spoke to Their Leyley.

“At least my brother wants to spend time with me, I heard yours ditched you” Leyley responded, her tongue sharper than steel, and her eyes a light with fury. “I also heard your older sister got knocked up, was it your by your brother by any cha-“ the sound of something whizzing through the air, before a crack and a scream was torn from Leyley’s mouth, Their heart darken as her grip it left Theirs and soon it all came out, lies became a noose that’s bound around Their neck as They jumped to Their feet, head turns before the rest of Them, a visage of nightmares as Their head became unbound for a moment before HIS shadow snatches it back as Their body twists to catch up.

There Leyley rest her head, blood pooling from her maw, a nasty splatter across the floor, Their eyes they did hollow, fear became real, the world narrowed till all They could see was her, the fence was no bother. Fingers dug into it and clambered up They did. The monster that had swung stood frozen in horror, in her hand she clasped a metal lunch box, now splattered with red.

As her eyes looked up, to see the body move with such gusto, They sprung and they sprang over the fence, Their limbs they did stretch, before They dropped from over 10 meters to land at Leyley’s side. They lifted her up cradled to Their chest and gave a glare so dreadful it stole the very light from the monsters’ eyes, she clattered to the ground, as HIS shadow grabbed her’s neck and slammed it into the floor over and over. As teachers came running, shouting and screaming. Their mouth it did stretch into such a smile, one which did everything it could to hide the evil within Them.

“Hey! Put her down, you shouldn’t be here! We’ll take care of-!”

“Like you’ve been taking care of her this whole time? Like how you let this happen?” Their voice it was smooth, it was calm and yet there was no doubt of the threat, half their age or less there was no mistaking the danger. With teeth gritted, ready to erupt only for Leyley grabbed at Their chest, her vision blurred yet the tears were evident. Their rage was soothed for the moment “We’re taking her to the nurses office and since We KNOW you don’t have a full-time nurse, We’ll see that she’s patched up”

Neither teacher nor student dared to impede Them, as HIS shadow did choke out the school, any who would utter a word found their throats bound tightly as HIS shadow did grab and strangle them, unseen and unheard a monstrous thing. His hair dripped into Ashley’s blood, tinting Their hair red, a mix that would stain forevermore. In the nurse’s office, They laid her gently down on the small sofa, fetching the first aid kit setting it down beside her.

“You didn’t have to do that” she said, wincing as she did so. “I could have taken that stupid bitch”

“And let you get into trouble after you’ve been so good? We don’t think so” They responded, taking a wipe to her face, she winced “Oh come on, don’t be like that you big baby”

“Fuck you, you try getting hit in the face with a heavy metal tin and tell me how much you like it! In fact, I’ll even help you gain the experience, wouldn’t that be nice, we could both have fucked up faces than” she tried to sneer only to whimper, the pain in her jaw was greater than she expected. “Well, at least now you can’t leave me to go back to class”

“Idiot” They said

“Boo! I’m all injured and all you can do is insult me!”

“You’ll be fine, you wouldn’t be talking if you were seriously hurt” Their response was snippy and yet Their touch was so gentle, even if They were no longer susceptible to her bite, Their heart wane whenever she whimpered. They glared down at her for a moment, noting the way her mouth formed into a cheeky grin despite the obvious pain “If you even think about getting yourself hurt so that We have to take care of you, We’ll be so angry”

“Angry enough to not take care of me?”

It was a stupid question, one of which the answer was clear, yet still she asked it just to watch Their face glow and glow it did before letting out a huffed “No, We’d still take care of you, but” kneeling down to kiss her cheek, something that caused her to turn red. “We won’t kiss any of your booboos better” Her mouth opened and closed several times as Their eyes turn mischievous “What’s the matter? You’re looking a little warm, don’t tell me Leyley is already too old to have her big brother kissing her badies” Their laughed, voice crackling with humour, a thing which filled up the room and caused Leyley to pout, but even then, her face shifted to a big open grin.

“Kiss it! Kiss it better! I need way more kisses to feel all good!” Their eyes rolled, but indulge her he did all the same, kissing her cheek, Their lips so soft and so tender, careful not to harm the tender skin, Leyley giggled in glee, her face bursting with a child-like joy. Andrew listened to the sound, it pleased Them in ways They could not describe yet all the same They never wanted it to stop, but alas eventually all good things must end and soon They pulled away, Leyley’s face bright pink but also so happy. “Hehehhe you kiss me! You kissed me, like a real man!”

They rolled Their eyes “Sure we did, that was just an older brother taking care of Their little sister” ruffling her hair, drawing out a squeak as Their eyes glanced towards the clock, lunch time was over by at least 10 minutes, They’d be late to class now but They’d still make most of it. Her eyes follow and back to Them, her face scrunched up, indignant, soured. They shook his head and stood to Their full height, towering over her. “We’ll come get you from school later, right now I have to go back to class”

“Fine, but you better come back or else! I’ll be bad, so bad you’ll never-.” They took her chin in Their grasp, bound between his thumb and index finger, eyes like daggers that pierced into her soul, her heart raced.

“We’ll be back, and you’ll be good, unless you want to get punished” then They shocked her by biting her left ear, it wasn’t harsh or painful, it was a sensation that left her in awe, eyes blown wide and mouth hanging. They did not wait to see how she reacted, They did not feel like They’d be to please to receive a bite of Their own, nor did They trust her to show restraint. Leyley sat there, her face bright red as she touched her ear, the sensation remained, it made her heart race and cheeks flush.

What did that mean? She couldn’t grasp it, the sensation in her chest, it was warm and gooey, sickly sweet and yet tart, it was a feeling that made her chest ache in Their absence, a different kind of ache to the one that came from just not having Them around, this one was somehow less painful and yet seemed to have an even greater pull to see Them, to just hear Their voice, it confused her and yet she clung to that feeling, the warmth in her chest, never wanting it to leave her, now she just needed to understand where it came from.

Chapter Text

Leyley looked up from her homework, she’d been doing a lot better in class since Andrew started helping her, or at least she wasn’t getting kicked out of her classes as much because if she did They would punish her harshly, spanking was the usual method of punishment, although sometimes it would be exchanged for having her feet tickled for an extended period of time leaving her breathless and exhausted, or being forced to act as a seat but none of that was quite as bad as when Andrew ignored her, They didn’t do it often reserving it for when she did something really bad. Her head turned around to see Them enter their shared bedroom, holding two cans of toxisoda. They strolled over and plopped one down on her desk before peering down at her homework “Maths huh. Hmmm you should show your working out more” They grabbed Their own chair and sat down beside her, opening Their own can to take a sip. Leyley huffed, teachers always said that, but what was the point if she did it in her head. As if reading her mind They responded “It’s to prove you know the method, otherwise they don’t know if your taking in what they are teaching you or if your just making an estimated guess”

“How what I even do that!? If I didn’t know how to do it shouldn’t I be way off!?” They shrugged, it wasn’t as if They understood the reasoning either. Sitting beside Her They took out Their own homework and set it on the desk, flipping it open. Leyley gazed over “Urg! You still have to do math even in secondary school!?” Andrew nodded taking out a pencil and getting to work. Leyley frowned “That’s dumb, why do you have to learn all this stupid junk!? Who needs to know how to turn fractions into percentages! It’s pointless!” she threw her arms up into the air grabbing her own can and taking a large gulp, before she remembered what she wanted to take to Them about. “Hey! Hey Andy” Their eyes darted to her, narrowing at the slip of the tongue, she grinned impishly “Remember that cunt who hit me last week?” Their face scrunched up, how could They forget? Stupid little wretch, the things They wanted to do to her, to make her suffer was a list far too long. “She’s dead! Apparently, she cracked her skull when she passed out”

Andrew felt like there should have been some kind of emotional response to that other than amusement “Guess her head wasn’t that good after all” Leyley stared for a long moment before her mouth stretched out into a big grin, Their mouth turned upwards as They relaxed back into the chair “So you think there is a special place in hell for people like her? You know, underaged sex workers who double as abusers?”

“The fuck? That’s so messed up” despite saying that she couldn’t resist snigger “Obviously she went to the same place as all the kidy fiddlers”

“Is that really hell for her though?” they both laughed at the morbidity of it all, a 10 year old just died and they were laughing about it, neither one of them were good no matter how hard they both tried to be, sometimes more than others. Andrew flipped to the next page Their own homework groaning as They saw the fractions “I Hate math” willing it to burst into flame, alas Their stare did nothing but cause Leyley to giggle “Laugh it up, you’re going to have to do this eventually too”

“Yeah, but you’ll be their to help me” grumbling as They stared down at the paper. Leyley shifted in her seat watching Them. “Um Andy-“ fast as lighting a hand came to grasp her chin, They didn’t even look at her, the point was crystal clear, she stared down at the hand as it slowly left her face, she wondered why she missed it. “As I was SAYING” she hissed, still They didn’t look at her “My 10th birthday is coming up so-“ Their eyes turned to her and she found herself lost in them, those pools of liquid emerald, her train of thought completely gone. Their eye brow raised watching as she just stared at Them before snapping Their fingers in front of her face “UWHA!? Don’t do that!”

“We’re not the ones staring into space” They responded causing her cheeks to redden unexpectedly, why was she staring so hard? She saw Their eyes every day, so why was it that over the last week she found herself getting lost in them. “Anyway, about your birthday, we already have something planned for you” her mouth fell open, eyes likes saucers.

She grabbed Their arm “What is it!? What is it!?” she asked bouncing up and down with excitement, They laughed as they gently pried her off, tapping the pencil against the desk before writing something down on Their homework. Leyley stared for a moment before puffing out her cheeks “ANNNNDDDDDYYYY!” she whined and just like that, They were out of Their chair, staring down at her. Her face went pale before she put on a strong front “Come on! Just tell meeeee!” They closed their Homework book and moved to the bed, she followed, she knew if she didn’t, They would only be madder. She sat down beside Them waiting to see what her punishment would be. They patted Their lap and she winced knowing what was coming as she laid over them, Their was a crack as she yelped, her butt stung. “I just wanted to kn-OWW!” another crack of Their hand against her butt.

“We gave you one free, one with a warning and now your getting punished” Their hand struck with the force of Thors hammer making her yelp. “Be quite otherwise mom will hear you”

“It hurts jacka-UHHHUH!?” his fingers shoved into her mouth, muffling her words, rolling around her tongue, she looked back at Them, there eyes hardened, before another crack of Their palm on her butt, she tried to scream only to have Their fingers, playing with her tongue and invading her throat, gagging her sufficiently, she tried to clamp down but her jaw was spread too wide close properly. Her eyes water as her tongue flailed weakly against it’s oppressor. Three more quick strikes left her sobbing and shivering. They looked down at her quivering form, be taking a breath to calm Their mind, thoughts they should not have begun to emerge, this was just brotherly discipline, a necessary part of her education to grow up right. They stockings and pulled them down along with her panties, before planting a swift kiss to each redden cheek, a soothing gestured that made her sigh in contentment, then pulling them up as she continued to lay on top of them.
“Your going to be 10 soon, you need to start behaving, or We’ll have to up the punishment” They said pulling their fingers from her mouth, covered in her spit, They stared at them a moment a curious thought crossing Their mind before they licked Their own fingers, it was a surprisingly pleasant taste, her own unique flavour mixed in with cherry soda. “Do you want us to up your punishments?” eyes narrowed, she huffed.

“I think you just like hurting me at this point”

“Don’t act like you don’t ask for it sometimes, We always give you amply chances to change your behaviour before you get punished. We’re not that cruel” They reached over to the desk to grab the portable cd player, holding out one of the headphones to her, she placed it into her ear while They put the other one in and pressed play, as the music played They looked down at her, softly running Their finger’s through her hair, she let out a hum of appreciation. “What do you want for Dinner, since Mom’s going to be at work till late?” Leyley hummed thoughtfully, before glancing back and grinning “No we can’t order in food, We don’t have the money” her smile immediately dropped

“Boo! Why are you such a dead beat!?”

“Because We can’t get a job till We turned 13 you dolt” They shot back. “Your choices are chicken nuggets or fish, make up your mind before We do” she huffed, kicking her legs back and forth as she closed her eyes and listened to the music, what did she want for dinner? With only two options it wasn’t much of a choice and Andrew seemed ready to just get up and get on with it.

“Chicken nuggets” They nodded there head and relaxed “Wanna make paper air planes and throw them from the balcony?”

“Sure, why not, bet Ours goes further”

“As if, you suck at making them!” she scrambled off of Their lap running to her desk to grab paper and shove it into Their chest “Come on! Come on! Don’t just sit there or are you giving up before even trying!?” rolling Their eyes they snagged a piece of paper and got to folding, sure enough Leyley was right, Their plane ended up lop sided. “Haha! You suck at this!”

“We’ll see about that!” running out of their room and out to the balcony, both children jumped at the harsh wind “O-Oh it’s kinda cold out here” Andrew looked down at the ground, the wind was blowing harshly. Leyley rolled her eyes and lifted her hand before throwing her little paper plane, it zoomed through the air, caught by the wind which carried it far, with great speed it flew through the air, right until a bird plucked it out of the air.

“HEY! No fair!” They laughed loudly drawing back an arm before letting Their own plane fly, it spiralled wildly to one side, heading straight towards the ground “Ha! You suck!” but sure enough, a powerful gust caught it before it hit the ground dragging it along “Huh!?” grinning ear to ear They turned to her, she stared on in shock before stomping her foot “No fair! No fair! Mine would have totally gone further if not for that stupid bird!” she hissed in rage, They shrugged but their grin remained plastered on there face. “Grrr knock it off with that look, we both know mine was better! Yours did a complete nose dive till the wind took it!” ruffling her hair, she yelped and growled swatting it away “Best two out of three!”

Laughing they headed back inside, grabbing another sheet “Fine, but what do We get if We win?” Leyley looked at them, her face scrunched up.

“My attention?” They let out a snort “HEY! I’m just as broke as you are!” she hissed

“Okay fine, how about if We win” a grin spread across Their face “You have to learn one of Our poems and recite it back to Us”

Leyley’s face scrunched up “Eww gross! Stupid poems don’t make any sense anyway! All those extra words and nonsense. Why do you like that stuff so much!? Drawing is WAY better!”

“Humph, We shouldn’t expect you to understand the power of words” They huffed crossing Their arms “Maybe if you paid half as much attention to how We say stuff and not just what We say you might not be so worried about Us ditching you all the time” They began folding a paper airplane only to get a pillow to the face, as it fell from Their face, Their eyes narrowed at her as she stood firm, fingers clenched tightly into fists as she glared at Them harshly.

“YOU KNOW I CAN’T HELP IT! YOUR SUCH A JERK SOMETIMES! I WANT TO BELIEVE YOU! I REALLY DO!” her foot stomped as her eyes sprung a leak, her face flushing red. She grabbed another pillow and swung it “WHY DON’T YOU GET IT! I CAN’T! I CAN’T HELP IT! YOUR GOING TO LEAVE ME, I KNOW YOU ARE AND MY HEAD WON’T STOP SAYING IT OVER AND OVER. ONE DAY YOU’LL FIND SOMEONE ELSE AND I’LL BE ALL ALONE AND AND AND-WAAAAH!” Leyley’s emotions, they weren’t always volatile, she did her best to keep a lid on them, to be the good girl her brother wanted, but it always built up, all those thoughts and feelings, those unresolved issues, the things that buried down inside her, all that not good and then it would erupt. Andy would beg her to stop, he’d plead and he’d yell, but Andrew didn’t do any of that, They walked over and scooped her up, the difference three years had made between them physically couldn’t be understated, she was only 3’7” below average height for her age while They stood 5’5” tall for Their age, arms held her cradled to Their chest, gently swaying her, strength born of countless hours of carrying shopping bags and her .

They let her sob into Their chest, little hands bound up in Their cloth, They sat on the sofa bundling her up with blankets forming a shield from the hurt of the outside world. Never, not ever would They tell her to stop or to bottle it up, she did that enough all on her own, They wished she wouldn’t, that she’d be okay to let it out whenever, to let them know when she needs it, but she just like Them was someone not capable of that, so the best They could do was be here for her when she needed it most, soothingly rocking her just like a babe. HIS shadow, it held her so tight “I’m here” her heart felt lighter all of a sudden hearing Him say that, as His shadow kissed her shadow’s forehead, she blushed feeling so warm, as His shadow returned, They rested Their forehead against hers, just letting her melt into Them. Andrew felt Their heart quake, a pain so great it almost made Them cry yet biting Their lip They kept it together for her sake. She stayed in Their arms for a long time, not wanting to leave the warmth or the safety and They weren’t in a hurry to let her go either, relaxing on the sofa together. As eventually she calmed down, looking up to at Them, taking note of it, They smiled, kissing her forehead “We’re sorry, we shouldn’t have said that We know your trying so hard and We appreciate it. We’re just…… sometimes….” They stumbled trying to find the words, especially when Their feelings were so used to being intermingled with lies, they couldn’t even see straight anymore. They took a deep breath and exhaled slowly ‘It’s all for the sake of being a good brother, nothing else, a good brother comforts their sister, a good brother listens to their problems, a good brother makes sure there okay…… and a good brother admits when Their wrong’ that was the hardest part, admitting to being wrong, of opening Themselves up to being hurt, but looking down into those eyes, those big beautiful eyes They felt that same pleasant Warmth in their chest. “We’re not good at recognizing what to us feels harmless might be incredible painful for you, We’re just too selfish for it”

She held Their face in her tiny little hands “No, your just as broken as I am, but in a different way and that’s why I never want you to leave me, because when we’re together we make one not so broken person”

“Not a fixed person?”

“Ha! As if! You suck too much and I’m too bad for that!” bopping her nose with Theirs, a smile grew as the two began to battle nose to nose all the while laughing. “HEY! Come on! Lets go throw our planes, I’ll beat you for sure this time!”

“Humph you can try!” scrambling off the sofa they both dog piled on the stack of paper, folding papers as they each tried to construct Their own perfect flying device out of scrap. “Hmmm you never said what you want if you win” Leyley perked up, she’d forgotten about that! A big grin grew on her face, her cheeks turning slightly red as she thought about what she wanted from Them if she won. “It better not be too expensive, like you said we’re broke”

“Ha I know hmmm! I know! I know!” she bounced, grinning ear to ear “You will have to kiss me!” her heart was beating a thousand times a second as her mouth clamped shut, hands over it, she hadn’t really meant to say that! She was going to tell Them to buy her this cute necklace she had seen in the store, it had a bunny on it, not tell Them to lock lips with her! Why did she feel so excited by the idea and why was she so worried?! WHY HADN’T THEY RESPONSED YET!?

Their eyes widened before smiling “Don’t We kiss you enough already?” They did in fact kiss her a lot, on the forehead, on her cheek, on her thighs and her poor bum after she received her punishment.

“No! On the lips!” she puckered her lips “Like a real kiss! Like the ones in the movie!” His heart thumped as HIS shadow clutched it’s chest, falling backwards from a fake heart attack before snapping back into place. Their face turned crimson, why did she want THAT!? Why did it make Them so HAPPY!? Normal people didn’t kiss their sister on the lips, did they?! No! But They weren’t normal, neither of them was and it wasn’t like anyone could see them, but what if someone did? Wouldn’t they get separated? Wouldn’t they get into trouble, Their mind raced with panic and fear, all the while Their heart screamed at them from beneath the rot and the lies which buried it. She looked to the floor “Is that too much?” she was making a play, trying to guilt Them, They could see it in the way her face shifted and her eyes looked down, They couldn’t have THAT!

They used their hand to grab her by the back of the neck and pull her towards Them, her face so close their breathing melded together, both of them froze staring into the other’s eyes not sure what to do or where this feeling was coming from, neither one was sure which of them moved first, lips touched and fire works exploded inside of their heads, only the briefest touch, before they both pulled back, cheeks burning “hehehe! Now you’ve done it!”

“You made me” His shadow pounced on hers pinning it down and kissing her over and over again. His eyes stared into hers “This is wrong”

“I don’t care” she leaned in and pressed her lips against his, her hands in his hair, falling backwards against the sofa.

‘Ah fuck it’ he thought, arms reaching around her pulling her in close as there lips met ‘If no one see us, it should be fine, just another coffin to bury’ As His shadow ravaged hers his lips gentle kissed her lips and moved down her neck as their bodies burned, his hands went up her back, up her shirt to rub against her silky skin. She whimpered before sniffling, the Shadows instantly snapped back to place as Their eyes looked at her with concern. “What’s the matter?”

“I feel all gross” her eyes water, she looked up at him. “I don’t want to just be some whore, bu-but I really liked it and” Their eyes softened, kissing her gently on the nose.

“Your not gross” voice firm and filled with conviction. “Our precious Little Ley”

“Ley?”

“We don’t really think We can keep calling you that childish nickname after THAT” both their cheeks burned in embarrassment. “You know we can’t let anyone know about this right?” she nodded slowly “We’re serious Ley, no one can ever know that we are going this”

“Okay, I get it….. So what are we?”

They both looked to the other hoping that they would have an answer to the awkward question, their feelings were a mess, heads resting together “How do you feel inside?”

“Weird, I’ve been feeling strange for a while, but now? Now it’s like that feeling is bubbling over and all I want is for you to hold me, to smile, to be happy, it’s this overwhelming feeling. I’m scared; I don’t want this but it’s nice and yet terrifying. What about you?” her voice was so small, as she leaned into Them, Their eyes closed, searching deep, what did They feel about all this? It was hard to say, it was all so twisted.

“We can’t describe it, it’s like……….. like there is this pull to you, We want to be close to you, to Hold you, to listen to your laughter, to see you smile, to listen to you go on and on for hours about some crazy thing, to debate and to laugh, but…. But” biting Their lip hard enough to break skin as they fought to keep their demons in check. “We want to have you all to ourselves, your smile is just ours, your laughter belongs to us, We want your anger, your joy, your sadness, all of you. We want to swallow it up entirely. We never want you to leave. We want to smother everything you are with us till We’re everything you want and need” the ache was great, this possessive need to have her everything, mind, body and spirit.

Ley giggled softly “Hehehe and what if that’s what I want too? To give you my everything tills nothing remains. To be made into who you need and want more than anything, to become your perfect good girl” they melted into each other, two children who couldn’t even comprehend what either one was truly meaning, all their feelings mixed in together, harmful and loving. “What are we?”

“Two horrible messed up people, bound together through a fucked-up fate. Damnit Ley, We’re loosing Our mind here. Can we have a relationship beyond siblings? What does that even look like for us? Aren’t we too young to be thinking this!? What if someone finds out, we’ll be separated and-“ she bit Their cheek “HEY!” they shoved her back slightly.

“You’re being a dork! We both want this, we…… we want each other, right? So, what’s the problem?”

“So much, there is so much that’s a problem with this, it’s so fucking wrong” despite that they looked into her eyes with feelings neither of them could determine, was this love? Obsession? Both? Who knew “Anyway, you got your reward for winning, so will you give us our reward?” she blinked, remembering what They wanted, her shoulders slumped as she groans “now, now, none of that! Your Our beautiful, smart, wonderful girl aren’t you; you can memorize a small poem. Oh and don’t think just because, we’re now in this….. relationship” both of them looked awkwardly away from the other while glancing back. “That We’ll suddenly stop punishing you for being bad”

She pouted “Awww not even if I smooch your dick?” They jumped like a scared rabbit onto the sofa and away from her as she laughed. “Awww what’s the matter? Lips are okay but that’s-“

“YOUR NOT EVEN TEN!” They screamed face flushing

“So? I know how sex works, we learnt about it in class over a month ag-“

“NOT THE PROBLEM!”

“I don’t want your lustful eyes wandering to any hussies!”

They let out a groan “Trust Us, after what just happened between you and Us, no one else could ever compare, so don’t push yourself to do things your not comfortable with just because you think it’s gonna keep me around. If anything, We’ll be upset if you do and We’ll have to punish you severely”

“W-what if I…. I mean I don’t really understand why anyone would want too…. Would you-“ They gave her a chased kiss on the lips.

“Did you like that?” she silently nodded “Than maybe in the future you’ll like other stuff too, or maybe you won’t, that’s fine. Because you deserve to enjoy yourself, enjoy your body and what it has to offer”

“You mean be a whore” he pinched her cheek “Owwwie! Owwie!”

“Don’t call yourself that” They held her face between Their hands and gentle tilted her head back to kiss her chin “Your beautiful and amazing, a vicious little monster who is all mine”

“Hehehe, I thought I was the possessive one”

Smirking as They kissed her nose “We’re just better at hiding it in public, like how everyone can see you because your obvious, we’re good at lying, too good you might say”

“Yeah? Am I your scapegoat?”

“Look at you using big words”

“Andrew!”

“Yes, yes you are, you’re the person We can put all the blame on, say it’s always you, We do it all for you”

“Your lucky I don’t mind”

“And that’s why We do it, because you let Us”

“So, if I didn’t let you, you wouldn’t?”

“We’d probably need a lot of time to get Our head on straight” They admitted, “We don’t even know if it would be possible to stop, We’ve done it so long. Who even are We if We’re not being a little bit of a coward, Who are We under everything” They leaned back resting Their head on the sofa staring up at the ceiling “We’re not sure what We are more afraid of, what We might do to you if We truly accepted how bad We can be or if you wouldn’t like Us if We di-“ THWACK! His shadow jumped away in shock as He looked back at her from the corner of his eyes.

“Don’t say that! Don’t you dare! I will…… I like you no matter what! Even if you’re the worst person ever to me, to me the sun will always shine out of your ass!” she drew back her hand to slap him again as His shadow jumped back into place. They grabbed her wrist and lifted her up before pinning her to the sofa, arms held high as her tiny body was pressed beneath Their weight, his teeth on her shoulder.

“Then let ME give you a taste” monster maw chomped down on her shoulder, piercing the skin and suckling her life-giving nectar. Her eyes were blown wide, her mouth opened yet no scream came out, his shadow it grabbed hers by the hair and dragged it along throwing it to the floor as it pounced, pinning its legs to its stomach as it began to bite and to tare and to consume her whole. Ley’s body thrashed and wailed with sensation a new, like it was alive again for the first time. As her blood filled his mouth, his tongue ran over her, his hands clamped down on her neck, squeezing it tight, her breathing hitched as her heart thundered.

He felt as her breathing slowed down, her hands in his hair slowly going limp as her vision darkened, till he removed his hands and stared down into her, blood dripping from his teeth, she stared into his eyes, his mouth slammed into hers hungry and possessive, as they pressed together so tight, only separating when they needed to breath. He stared down into her eyes, their shadows in the throws of passion “Don’t let me just take you” he growled

Her face crimson, her heart beating and her body quivering “W-what if I want you to?”

“Then tell me, tell me but only when your certain” he pulled himself up, shadow snapping back into place, leaving them both with a shiver. “Till then, lets take it slow and explore. We have time” They stood up fully “Let us go make you those chicken nuggets”

“Let me help! It’s a women’s job after all!”

Ruffling her hair “Yeah and it’s the older sibling’s job to take care of the younger one” They responded.

“BOO! Shove off! You just don’t trust me to not screw up”

“Yeah, that’s part of it”
She kicked Them in the shin, only to get hip bumped onto the floor, causing Them to snigger “Sorry We didn’t see you down their” she threw a piece of bawled up paper at them, hitting them square in the eye “oh that does it!” Their food went ignored for several more hours as they got into a childish fight throwing balls up pieces of paper, pens and anything else small enough to be launched across the room, Andrew hid behind the kitchen table while Ley dived by the sofa, many a laughter was had.
################################################################################################################################

The last week and a half leading up to Ley’s 10th birthday had been a whirlwind for both her and Andrew as they struggled to find each other’s limits or in a lot of cases, a disturbing lack of them, Ley was willing to do just about anything for Andrew and to an extent the same was true of Them for her, the distinctive difference being what the they each wanted the other to be. Ley longed for control of their lives, to have Andrew listen to her and do as she said, while Andrew was in charge.

She wanted Them to take responsibility for setting the general direction of their relationship, making the key decisions and taking on the risks, while she pushed and pulled in on direction or the other like the brat she was. Andrew wanted to both be in charge and at times take control from her; to remind her she only had the control They let her have. This difference in wants had caused more than one fight, usually resulting in tears, apologies, more arguments and attempts at resolution as best a liar and a brat could manage.

The worst fight they had so far, over something as trivial as Andrew being invited to a party with an over-night stay, things had spiralled wildly out of control, with yelling, accusations and threats being thrown left and right, emotional manipulation and physical abuse being slung about as they literally tore their bedroom apart and broke several things in the process.

When Andrew had tried to leave, Ley had tackled Them and screamed into Their face. Only to have Andrew reverse the hold and pin her to the bed, arms on her shoulders, mouth opened to scream back at her, but seeing her tearful, frightened face just took the wind out of Their sails, They slumped down on top of her. They both just laid like that for a long time, Their head buried in her neck and her arms wrapped around them. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry please don’t leave me” Ley whimpered desperately and again Andrew felt Their resentment grow, not for Ley, not for the poor broken girl, but for her fears and for there cause, their parents, the teachers even Themselves.

“We’re not going anywhere” it was the same old thing, said a thousand different ways at a thousand different times yet it was never enough, They knew it wouldn’t be, They were a liar Their words didn’t mean anything, only Their actions could prove it and even than Their actions in public were just as much a façade as Their words, only here in private were They able to show a bit of who They really were. Toxicity was at the core of their relationship, a codependency so vital each of their beings that neither were quite sure how to unravel it, bound up so tightly in each other and fearing should they try everything would come undone, that the other might leave them so manipulation and threat, punishment and pain were quite common. Yet as Andrew felt her heartbeat line up with Theirs, They genuinely wanted to love her, if only They had any idea how. Eventually They lifted Themselves off her and rolled to the side, holding her hand, she snuggled up Their side like a cat.

“Hey, what would you do if I started a hobby without you?” Andrew stiffened up at her question, what would They do? They’d like to say They would encourage whatever pursuits she had and that as long as it made her happy. But They could feel Their insides twist at the idea of her leaving them. She snuggled deeper into Their chest “I was just thinking, I really want to improve my art and there is this club after school” Ley shifted uncomfortably on top of Them. “I don’t know if I want to give up our time together and I don’t want you being lonely and-.” They kissed the top of her forehead gently.

“We’d…… deal with it” They gave a defeated sigh “Probably wouldn’t last long before We decided you didn’t need something like that to be a great artist”

“You mean you’d get jealous” she teased, They didn’t respond, just holding her noticeably tighter, making her giggle “But seriously…. Could we try?” her voice was low, like she was afraid to break the comfortable atmosphere they had just formed with her words.

Andrew again took a deep breath “We would let you do it, you know We can’t let others see how We really feel, only you get to glimpse Us. But the moment we’re alone, the moment it’s just Us, you won’t have a moment apart” A deep rumbling growl, like some kind of beast rose up in Their chest, reverberating comfortably throughout her body. “They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, but We think it makes our heart rabid. But what about you? What if We decided to join some club that saw Us spending more time away from you how-“

“You already know” she hissed, her little teeth gracing Their neck, seems she had started to pick up some of Their habits on how they showed Their displeasure. “If you did that, I’d scream and I’d shout, throw such a tantrum and be so bad you’d have no choice but to come back to me if only so you could punish me” she fluttered her eyes at them. “I’d scare off anyone who dared to try getting close to you, even if I had to get violent! If that didn’t work, I’d cuff you to the bed so you could never leave it and-!” suddenly she was lifted, a yelp leaving her mouth as she was suddenly pinned against the wall, her body tiny compared to Their was being crushed by the weight.

“So, it’s fine for you to do it but not Us?” They voice was a growl, a monstrous thing, His shadow becoming detached as it grabbed hers and dragged it away to somewhere far out of sight. His eyes bore into hers as he kissed her hard on the lips, completely dominating her mouth, as his tongue sort to taste all of her. Her eyes flew open, as his tongue rolled over hers, willing it into motion, as she tentatively moved, only to find his tongue stretching and wrapping around her own, milking it gently before retracting to run up the length and into her throat, stroking the back of it making her gag but unable to back away as his tongue stroked her throat, exploring it in depth, her eyes watered as she felt him gagging her and exploring her insides in a way they were never supposed to be explored, stimulating every single little nerve making her throat constrict, but staring into his beautiful emerald eyes, the part of her brain that should have been sending all the panic signals to get her body to throw up or bite down or do something just seemed to shut off.

His tongue slowly trailed up her neck, taking a agonizingly slow time to stroke along it, before reaching back to her mouth, to taste her tongue, the poor thing jumped as she moaned into the kiss, before their lips parted just enough for him to speak “You think you’re the only one who can’t stand the thought of us being apart?” His teeth bit down on her throat, slowly as the skin so soft and so tender, gave way as her breath hitched, his teeth growing long and sharp, her body quaked as she experienced unyielding pleasure. The scent driving him mad as retracted his teeth, slamming his hips against hers as her body was pushed down lower, her legs held up over her shoulders. His eyes locked onto her, so small and so terrified and yet so willing, his hips rusted against her in need before he took a long breath and slowly exhale. With his mind fraying at the seams He pulled her away from the wall, pressing her to his chest he carried her into the bathroom, her eyes grew wide as he did so, but before she could speak, he pressed her up against the wall and turned on the shower, the cold water smothering them as she yelped.

“WHY!?” she howled

“Because I needed something to stop me from fucking you!” he growled eyes turning dark. “Ever single solitary thought right now is telling me to put a fucking baby in you, fuck the consequences I want to breed you, take your innocence and use you like a toy” his voice cracked as he spoke, staring down into her eyes as she looked up at him in shock before leaning in against her “Fucking hormones” Ley let out a small laugh upon hearing that, something which caused him to laugh as well.

“Well, at least you didn’t do that, I’d rather not beat our cunt of a mother’s record for early childbirth” he blushed, looking down at her neck, there was a very noticeable bite mark there, he gentle ran his tongue over it, making her moan. “S-Stop it, your making me feel like a whore here, fuck I already feel all gross because of you”

“You have too many bad influences” he slowly let her down onto the floor “Sex is supposed to be enjoyed by both parties, not just the man, only selfish people only care about their own pleasure”

“You’re a very selfish person”

“Yeah, I selfishly want you to scream my name while cumming your brain out” he snhot back

“EWWW! EWWW! EWWW! How can you say that!?” she laughed grabbing the hose and pointing it directly at his face.

“GAH! Knock it off!” he shouted grabbing it and shoving it into her mouth.

“BLEH!” she spat the water out as he turned the shower off and began to undress, she stared at him for a long moment before removing her own clothes, he gulped slightly before grabbing a hold of a towel and beginning to dry off. “Think we should shower together from now on?” she asked grinning.

“I thought you didn’t want to beat mom’s record, because that’s what will happen”

“Oh ho, your so hungry for me aren’t you Andy” that was it, he grabbed her hair and gave it a tug “Ow! Ow! Okay okay! Sheesh take a joke asshole!”

“Learn to make a joke bitch!” he tossed a towel at her face, as there shadows returned, his dragging hers by the hair as it crawled along on all fours, exhausted from unseen activities. As His shadow returned, They dried themselves down and sighed “Waiting till your 18 is going to be hell”

“Oh, you’ve already chosen when you’re punching my V-Card?” she grinned as she dried off her hair.

“More like a general idea, although screwing you the moment you officially become an adult does have an appeal”

“So let me get this straight, your going to blue ball yourself and more importantly ME for 8 whole YEARS!?” They wisely chose not to comment on how she was the one previously complaining about feeling like a whore for feeling good not 5 minutes ago. She looked more angry than she’d ever been! Her foot stomped angrily “No way! No how! I’m not waiting that long to state my claim to you! No way our any hussies going to be able to catch your eye while your face is stuff into my coochie! Your dick is mine!”

“Trust Us, if We could skip all the infuriating waiting We would. But we both need to physically mature and lets be real here, mentally mature before we even consider this. We don’t want to be our parents and” They took a deep breath; this was so difficult “We…. That is urg”

“What is it? Spit it out before I hit you”

“We want to fall in love with you” Their shoulder’s slumped as Ley frowned.

“You mean you don’t love me now?”

“We… We don’t know” she went to run only for them to grab her by the waist “Wait! Wait! Let Us expla-“

“NO! YOU ASSHOLE! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT AFTER-“

“BECAUSE WE DON’T KNOW HOW!” she jumped hearing Them yell at her. Their arms quivered slightly “We don’t know how to love you, or even if We already do, everything’s so messed up between us, we’re two people cut up and thrown into a stew together. We can’t leave you, ever but is that love or just obsession? We want to love you, to love you with everything that We have. Please, Please, We know……..” His shadow stretched up it’s hands, tightening around his neck trying to silence him “I” his voice croaked, choking under the hold as she stared back at him. “I know it will be hard, but please try and trust me and I will do the same” The shadow snapped back into place, as They sighed deeply, it had felt like Their head was about to split open with how painful it felt after saying that and Their chest felt like it would explode.

“Okay….. I will try, but no promises” They nodded, taking her towel and bundling her up and carrying her back through the apartment to their room, she giggled softly as They set her down on the bed. “Your not actually going to join any clubs are you?” she asked softly.

They sighed “You know we’re a coward, we’ll need something to shield us from suspicion. An after-school club, even if just one day a week” They gripped the door handle so tight it might break. “Please, bear with us”

She grumbled “Fine, I’ll find some stupid club to join while your doing whatever you need to hide the fact you’re a freak who wants to screw his sister”

“Thank you, your too kind, truly a marvel!”

“More, praise me more” she preened

“A soul more dazzling the stars, patience so boundless time can not compare, with skin of silk, eyes to get lost in for hours and lips more cracked than mud in the summer” she was glowing pink right up until the end.

“HEY! It’s not my fault! No matter how much I drink my lips are always blistered and cracked!”

“Stop shoving your face out the car window and in front of the fan, and stop bloody biting them”

“Oh, because that’s your job now?”

“We’ll do more than bite your lip…. By the way how was your first time properly making out?”

“It was your first too….. right?” her eyes narrowed

“Of course it was, who do you think We’re kissing? Mom? First off even more wrong than Us kissing you and second off EWWWW!”

Ley snorted before thinking “It felt…… like you were licking me all over inside, like you were tongue fucking my throat and making me just take it, I might not like being a whore, but for you…. For you maybe if it’s like that it’s different?” she said softly, They blinked “No! No forget it! Forget I said anything, stupid stupid”

They let go of the door handle and walked over to where she buried her head into the pillow, stroking her hair “We told you already, you aren’t a whore and you never will be, not for Us and We won’t let anyone else have you, not now, not ever. Even if by some miracle we untangle this whole mess, this screwed up twisted reliance we have on one another, We will still want you, that is one thing We are certain about our feelings”

“Humph, my body you mean” she said mirthfully

“HA! Yeah well you have to stop living off toxisoda and sweet otherwise you’ll get fat”

“How dare you! How can you say that to me!?” she squealed

“Just stating facts, maybe We should start adding physical exercise into your punishments”

“Oh come on, isn’t being your fucking chair bad enough?!”

Rolling Their eyes They stood up “We’ll go put a pizza in the oven and then you should get an early night, tomorrows your big day and I have a lot planned. So you better be ready”

“Still no hint?”

“Nope!” They then left her behind to pout at the door.
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Ley woke up excitedly, ready to pounce on Andrew and demand that They show her what They had been planning, but she was shocked to see Them not in bed with her nor in Their own bed, she looked around for any sign of Them, a note or a sign, but there was nothing. Scrambling out of her bed dressed in an oversized t-shirt, one that belonged to Andrew before she confiscated it as nightwear. She headed out into the living/kitchen and was surprised and delighted to see Andrew stood at the counter, the smell of pancakes wafting through the air. Ley’s favourite food, freshly made pancakes, they were the first thing Andrew ever made for her that They were actually proud of, the way They had smiled while nervously waiting for her verdict had immediately hooked her onto the sweet treat. It was a rare delicacy for her, mainly because Andrew didn’t yet have a job and their parents sucked. She could feel her mouth water as she sneakily navigated her way to the kitchen table and sat down, just to observe Them.

They hummed softly as they flipped the delicious delights before sliding them onto a stack that was already looking quite large, Ley felt her mouth drawl at the sight, before her eyes noticed a small pack of lemon muffins on the counter ‘Still can’t afford a cake’ she thought bitterly, only to stare down at the table, it wasn’t Their fault Their parents sucked, that they didn’t give her pocket money like they did Andrew, or throw her parties like they did for Them or-or do a lot of things for Them that they didn’t do for her, no she wasn’t jealous, okay maybe a smidgin, okay maybe more than THAT but she couldn’t help it! Seeing the packet of lemon muffins and not a proper cake really stung, also no decorations or friends or anything, just Andrew………. Always just Them. She fought to force the thought back into her mind, it wasn’t Their fault, they tried and they tried, but They were just too scared to truly stand up to Their mother, she didn’t blame Them, she had seen the beatings They’d gotten for her mistakes, what that bitch would do to Them if They actually stepped out of line made even her scared.

Andrew, suddenly paused in the midst of Their cooking, Their chest suddenly felt a dreadful weight, like someone just dropped a compressed ton of depression onto it, but at the same time it wasn’t Theirs. Turning around They spotted her, eyes down cast and immediately They sprang into action, opening the freezer they plucked out the precious tub of strawberry ice-cream, opening it up they scowled as They saw that their parents had already eaten half of it despite Andrew paying for it out of Their own pocket, two scoops finished it off, onto Ley’s plate they went, even as They paused to look at it, Their own stomach grumbling. They walked over, careful not to spook her, putting the plate down as she looked up, only to have it slid in front of her with a spoon. They couldn’t know what exactly was going on in her head, but she certainly seemed happier as she brought it in close. “Happy Birthday” They said planting a soft kiss atop her head. “Do you want your gift now or-?” They never got to finish as Ley leapt from her seat.

“YOU GOT ME A GIFT!? GIMMIE! GIMME!” no one, not even Andrew had gotten her a gift before, well not one that she couldn’t eat. Andrew smiled at her excitement before they quickly hurried into their shared room, coming back not a minute later with a small box wrapped in shiny pink wrapping paper and tied up neatly with a bright green bow.

They stood waiting patiently, drinking in her awe as she slowly unbound the ribbon and careful withdrew the little carboard box, it was decorated with crudely drawn images of a pink and green bunny holding hands. She looked at it and too Them, Their cheeks burning “And you make fun of MY artistic talents?” despite saying that, her heart melted just seeing the little details They managed to stuff into it, she could also see clearly They had erased it many times only to redraw it, if it was just the box, just the drawings it would have been the single most valuable thing she owned, she began to sniffle as Their hands rested on her shoulders.

“Open it” They whispered into her ear. With reverence and delicacy, one would expect of someone holding a sacred relic, she went to peer inside till Their hands covered her eyes “Nope, no peeking. Take it out” she reached in, taking it out, it was long and silky in her hands, sturdy yet soft. Andrew slowly removed Their hands so she could see “We hope you like it; We spent a lot of time making it”

It was a necklace, a simple black cord nothing special, the sort of thing you could probably by at any store, yet hanging from it, was a piece of wood, carved into the shape of a bunny’s head, it was slightly bigger than her palm. It was sanded smooth and then given a layer of varnish, the little knicks in the wood, the uneven length of the ears and the uneven smoothness of it told her without a shadow of a doubt this was made by Their hands. “Your crying” Andrew said surprised.

“I’m just…” she struggled to find the words to describe what she was feeling, staring at it, her world which till now had been all blacks and greys the only thing with colour had been Andrew’s eyes and yet now, now everything seemed so much more vibrant, she could smell the flowers in the vase for the first time, heard the birds singing at last, smell the pancakes, with this singular gift, he had given her the world “Fuck happy doesn’t even come close to describing how I am feeling right now!” she turned to Them, her smile so brilliant and radiant.

“I’ve always been happy with every gift you’ve ever given me, every ounce of attention and affection, but some reason this…. This it’s, urg I’m just so happy!” she positively vibrated in her seat “Put it on me?” They smiled and nodded, picking it up and slowly slipping the necklace over her head, the cord was thankfully long enough for that, it rested right over her heart. They looked at her trying to save every aspect of this moment to memory, to replay it in their minds over and over without pause.

She threw her arms around them hugging them tightly as They returned the hug “We’re glad you liked it” They leaned forwards gently tapping her nose with Theirs “You want to go to the park and play?”

“Yes! Yes! Let’s go, I want to show off my new necklace! Show everyone my brother loves me the most!”

“Wait a sec Ley” They planned a hand on her shoulder, looking into her eyes “We don’t want you to tell anyone where you got that necklace, We can’t have anyone know, you know”

“Boo! Come on, what’s the harm, your just being a good brother getting your little sister a gift right?” she grinned at Them as she leaned forwards kissing Their nose “I promise I’ll be good, trust me okay?”

They sighed “Please don’t make us regret this” she cheered “We’re serious Ley, if anyone found out…… We won’t ever be able to be close with you again”

“H-huh!?”

“Think about it, even if we don’t immediately get separated by force, the seed would have been planted, we’d be dancing on a knife edge. We’d have to keep Our distance from you in order to assure there is no chance anyone figuring it out. We don’t want to lose you forever” They held her tightly in Their embrace, “So please do keep your word” because if she didn’t, if someone tried to separate them, They didn’t know what they would do, no that was a lie, deep down, deep, deep down they knew the type of monster They could be for her but They would rather not acknowledge that gnawing beast. “So, what do you want to play?” They asked while nudging for her to finish her special breakfast before the ice cream melted.

“Hide and seek! And no cheating like you always do!”

“Do not!”

“Do two!”

“Slander!”

“Only if it wasn’t true!” she stuck her tongue out at Them as They huffed before kneeling down and grabbing her from her seat and lifting her up “WAAAH!” lifting her up onto Their shoulders, taking hold of her little hands with Their own. “WWWEEEEEIIIII!” she cried as he began to run around the room before dropping her down on the sofa “h-huh!?”

“We need to get dressed first, your still in my top” her cheeks warmed, she’d forgotten about that! “Come on, hurry up we’re burning day light”

“But you can’t burn light”

“It’s an express-!” They saw her smug grin. “Your lucky it’s your birthday” she stuck out her tongue and headed into the other room to get dressed as They grabbed both pairs of shoes from near the front door. By the time Ley was done getting dressed Andrew had managed to pack up a small picknick basket with some sandwiches, the lemon muffins of course and several cans of toxisoda, it wasn’t much but then again there really wasn’t much in the house that They could nab, the house seemed to deliberately not have much in the way of excess food. The pair practically skipped down the sidewalk, with Andrew holding the basket in one hand and Ley clinging to the other, her radiant smile beaming even brighter than the sun which fell down upon them.

Upon getting to the park, Andrew set down the picknick basket “We’ll count, you go hide, okay?” Ley nodded her head, giggling gleefully as she headed off into the park, darting between trees and bushes in search of a place to hide, unaware of a pair of inhuman eyes on her, tracking her every movement as she moved further and further from Andrew. The sly creature moved along the ground, tracing her path yet remaining just out of sight. As Ley came to a stop, believing herself to be far enough away to find a good hiding spot, she turned and came face to face with the creature, her scream bellowed outwards as it pounced on her, claws and teeth already in use.