"But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura
He jogged up to her with a smile, draping a wing over her and pulling her in for a hug as he always did. Lately, he’d spent a lot of time at Mother’s side, calming her nightmares and eager for the baby to be born. It would be any day now, he was sure, and he didn’t dare miss it. He’d promised Kali he’d be there, and even Kylin knew he kept his promises. He made so few of them, after all. So, he may as well mean them.
He bowed his head to nuzzle the whorl of hair on his forehead into her neck, nudging her playfully with his nose. Even though they’d both gotten bigger, she seemed just the same size as always, growing in equal measure together. Always, together. Though he was a little thicker, more muscled, and she was more rounded as a young woman should be. As teenagers, they were still a bit slender and lanky, but much less so than they had been as younger children.
With a light kiss to her cheek, he turned away towards the trees of Ischia’s jungle. ”Come on. I wanna show you something,” he said over his shoulder and gestured for her to follow. He led them through the dense forestry, keeping his wings pinned tight to his ribs. The determined rays of sunlight filtering through the canopies reflected off his shiny, metal necklace, the engraved medallion settled squarely against his chest. A gift from Father. He loved the way it drummed against his chest when he ran, like an echo of his heartbeat. Today, it was as quiet as his steps as he led them to one of the natural springs scattered across the island.
He didn’t stop when he got there, and walked right across the surface a ways where it would be deeper. Then his knees bent and he slid into the spring, sinking down and standing solidly at the bottom. The water inched up his sides, almost covering his back as he turned to face her with a warm smile.
”Come on, he said with a smooth laugh, jerking his nose to the side in invitation. ”Nobody comes to this one. It can be just ours.” Most the scents here were stale and blown away. Except his, and now hers.
She followed him out to the water, dipped her legs to sink in too. He couldn’t help but watch her as the water slowly made its way up her sides, licked the smooth curve of her ribs. It darkened the purple on her skin, melted the white patches down to a molten silver-gray. Almost metallic, like their father. So beautiful. So attractive. Quiet ripples bowed away from her hip, and he was suddenly so still and quiet. Mesmerized and intent as he soaked in every detail.
A drop fell to his cheek and woke him from staring too hard. He blinked, then glanced up at the clouds, smiling again. He glided closer to her and stretched his wings forward and over them, trying to umbrella them with a bubbling laugh as he watched through the opening between the elbows of their makeshift shelter that he couldn’t quite close. Like a skylight through an overturned boat, they were walled off and mostly covered, rain dropping onto his wings instead and falling through the gap between them to splash into the water before their noses.
His silver-gray gaze slid back down to peer at her through the darkness he’d created, glittering with mirth. He’d been about to apologize for not realizing it would rain and getting them trapped in it. But the smile on her face and the light in her eyes startled him from his thoughts, softened him, and he leaned forward. His lips met hers in a soft kiss, briefly, and then he pulled back with a shy half-smile though his eyes were confident, and watched her with a quietly racing heart.
”Do you like it?” he asked softly, deliberately vague on what he spoke of.
Who was she to deny him something? She never took her time with him for granted and enjoyed every second of it. He was one of the few who hasn’t turned his back on her, like Mother and Father occasionally did, and she trusted him to not leave her. That didn’t make her any less grateful for the time they could spend together. ”Kha.” Kylin gladly snuggles up to his side, her muzzle touching his cheek gently to kiss it. Soft laugher is heard and she playfully nips at his chest in return.
When he leads her into the jungle, her eyes are on his form. She never paid much attention on how time changed her appearance, but she loved to watch Kharon. He grew more and more handsome by the day, which flued her worry that someone would steal him away from her side. ”Where are we going?” she asks him sweetly, to distract her thoughts. And perhaps she was also a tad bit curious to learn what he wanted to show her. Her muzzle lightly touches his bum, itching from some skin to skin contact as she could not walk side by side, his wing over her back.
They end up at one of the few fresh water springs on the isle and she turns to look at him questioningly. Why had he brought her here? Naturally Kylin follows him on to the water, not having to think twice about it. Walking on water was as natural and normal to the twins as walking on land. ”Kharon?” she asks unsure, watching him go down as a frown appears between her brows. His almost drowning experience still fresh on her mind. She felt much more comfortable on the water than in it.
His sweet smile and promise of something that is theírs is enough encouragement. And deep down she knows he wouldn’t never bring her into danger on purpose. As she stands next to him in the water, water pooling over her back, Kylin leans in to press her muzzle against his shoulder. ”I like that. Ours.”Mine. Not the spring, not this place, but Kharon. No. She would not just let someone take him from her.
Her laugher joins his and she presses herself closer against his side. One could say it was because of rain and his offered umbrella, but it was also a good excuse to be close to him. His stare from before head flustered her, Kylin had líked the way he had looked at her. Wanted him to only look at her. Though the rain did not bother her – after all, they were children of the water – she was glad for it. And it showed upon her features.
The smile grew wider as their lips touch and together with a content sigh she relaxes. Whatever he had planned for them, she would accept all of it. Her muzzle lightly trails across the corner of his lips, to his cheek and down again. ”I love it” she tells him softly, equally as vague as her brother. Heath pools in her stomach as she looks at him, her hazel eyes not at all hiding how much she enjoyed this. The small pond, the makeshift umbrella, him, them. Everything. Thank you.
”I love it,” she told him quietly, brushing her mouth in the corner of his and to his cheek before dropping away to look at him.
His heart raced. At her touch, at her words, at that look in her eyes. At this thing they were doing. He knew it was wrong. He could feel it deep in his tummy like a hard knot or an apple gone sour, and a tightness in his chest that made it hard to breathe. Once, when he was much smaller, Father had told him to trust that feeling if ever he wasn't sure if something was wrong or right. That it would guide him. He didn't want to trust it, not today. Not now, here with her.
So he scooted a little closer and smiled wider when he heard her thoughts. Thank you. He didn't reply but only placed a sweet kiss to her cheek then rubbed his forehead into her neck, breathing in her scent.
Somehow, that wasn't enough. Not when his heart raced so wonderfully in this way that felt exciting. Adrenaline pumped through him and he had to constantly fight the urge to look around and make sure no one was coming, that no one saw them. It helped that he had his wings to wall them off and hide them, settled his anxious nerves just a little. It definitely helped that they blocked them from view as he pulled back a little and stared intently into her eyes, gauging her reaction to the things he did.
”How did you find it?” she asked.
He placed a careful kiss to the corner of her lips, his gray eyes never leaving hers. Then another, softly, to the side of her nose, then again to her cheek. Exploring, he answered in her mind. Like what he was doing now. He'd explored the island a little, now exploring her a little, her body. Just a little. He had only been curious, wanted to see how a kiss felt. Good, it felt good. So soft and sweet. Now he just wanted to test this strange feeling in him, the one that made everything feel so tight and constricted, feel so right and wrong at once. Then he'd stop, of course. Just a brief little experiment with her.
His mouth drifted to her jaw with yet another soft kiss, finally breaking eye contact as he progressed further. Just a little, then he'd stop. Don't be afraid, he whispered silently, drawing parted lips so slowly down the curve of her neck. Because she must be afraid or uncertain, just as he was. Must feel the wrongness of this and worry on it. It was wrong, wasn't it? He should stop, not be so curious. Okay, he would do that. That was enough maybe.
He stepped back and retracted his wings completely, leaving them both open to get drizzled on by the sprinkle of rain. With a dunk of his head underwater, he tried to wash away all the strange things he was feeling, coming up to flick his nose playfully and send a little splash at her. He grinned wide and laughed, eyes glittering with joy and dancing to the side a little as he dipped his head again to send a bigger splash. She looked like silver when she was wet.
I love you. That was probably what she had meant to say. What she wanted to say. But she wouldn’t. Not yet at least. Though Kylin would have to admit that he made it pretty – tempting – to admit it. Simply because her head tells her no, that it isn’t the right time, so she locks it in her heart.
First – her heart skips a beat.
Second – the heat in her stomach burns up.
Third – a soft gasp.
Their gazes meet and hold, until his lips kiss her cheek. With a shudder her hazel eyes fall closed. A soft sigh and Kylin gives herself to him. Oh there is surely some tension left, but the good type. The excited type. The one that waits for what comes next with high anticipation. Continue, please, she thinks, asks, hoping that he would pick the thought out of her mind like he had spoken directly into hers.
How could she be? She was turning into a puddle under his touch, her lips parted in silent gasps. ”I’m not” she tells him, softly but not as silent as he was able to speak. As Kharon continues his exploring she leans in, her neck bending a little as she shifts her weight. She had him all to herself and finally, finally he was giving her some proper attention. And the only thought on her mind was that she wanted him to continue.
Gone. He’s gone.
Little droplets of water now touch her skin again. One after another. The rain she hadn’t mind before, now perfectly complements her crying heart. Why did he pull back? Was he disappointed with what his exploring lead to? Was she not good enough? For a moment Kylin keeps her eyes closed, clearing her mind of all thoughts to simply focus on her breathing.
The splash of water has her opening her eyes, her body shivering at the contact. For a moment she stares at him blankly, then a grin breaks curls up the corners of her lips. ”You’ll regret that” she tells him. Her nose slides through the water, sending a big splash of water in his direction. Too late, he’s already sending his next one. Easy as always she lifts her body up from the water, but this time not with the intention to stand upon it.
Her whole weight crashes back onto the surface, sending a big splash in Kharon’s direction. Playful grin on her lips, both of them completely soaked.
Continue, please, he heard her plead in her thoughts. And he did, he continued. He swept his lips so slowly across her, further down her neck. He could nearly taste her scent. Her request thrilled him, zipped and tingled down his spine and threatened to steal his breath. The knot twisting in his gut still told him this was wrong somehow, but that fear also added to the adrenaline spiking his pulse.
She promised she wasn't afraid, and he felt a pang of guilt that he was. He was afraid. What if they were caught? He couldn't throw himself in this as fearlessly as she could. Maybe it was because he was her brother, meant to take care of her and protect her. He was meant to know what was right and wrong for her, and here, with this, he wasn't sure what that was. He needed to always be sure. For her sake.
He swallowed and retreated, pulling his wings back to his sides and masking his uncertainty with a smile. A smile she didn't see because her eyes were still closed. His head dipped and he threw water at her with a laugh, waking her from her quiet state. She looked at him blankly at first, then broke out in a smile too.
"You'll regret that," she warned him, dipping her nose to send a splash back at him. He turned his head to avoid most of it, feeling the cool water drench his shoulder. His next toss got swallowed by hers as she lifted herself from the pond, crashing back down with a big wave. It soaked his wing through and through, and washed over his back. She was met with a wicked grin next just before he dove underwater and clipped his teeth at her back leg.
He went further, diving under her belly and lifting to try and knock her off balance and down into the water. Then without looking, he pushed to the shore and climbed out, shaking out his coat and feathers before grinning over his shoulder at her. "Think you can catch me?" he challenged. The ground was slick from the rain, so he'd have to be careful under the extra weight of his damp wings, but he thought maybe he could outrun her at least for a little bit.
Something that felt this right couldn’t be wrong. How could it be? They had come into this world together and even before that they had already been close. It had always been him ánd her. They were destined to be together. Always.
And more importantly, Kylin wanted to. He was her world, her solid anchor. Through good and bad times. Sometimes good situations would gradually turn into something bad, but it was up to them to make the best of it, to make it good again. Just as they were doing now.
A big satisfied grin grew on her lips seeing those wings – wings that she loved very much – now all soaked. If that wouldn’t slow him down a bit, then she wouldn’t know how to beat him. With a shake of her head Kylin sends some droplets flying, but they both are soaked already anyway. Her attention wavered for a second and by the time she turns to look at him with a smile, he’s gone.
His little tease has her bending her legs, almost as if she was going to lie down, unable to resist mother nature. But before she could go too derp – or correct her mistake – he was underneath her. Kylin’s eyes widened and in half panic she tried to sidestep, turning her soaked lavender and white body around to avoid him. Too late. ”Kharon!” she exclaims, with a laugh in her voice, again sidestepping to find her balance again. By the time she has he’s out of the water already. ”Better watch your back!”
Like she had seen Father do before, she climbs back up on the water. With each step she rose further out of the water and by the time she reaches the shore she’s already facing him. The little droplets that fall into the water isn’t only the rain, but the water rolling down her skin. She wouldn’t let him get away after his little trick from before. Sweet Kylin decided to not offer victory to him today. The drenched wings would slow him down, adding more weight to his and giving her more advantage with her sleek form. ”I’m gonna get ya!”
As she launches herself forward she kicks some water up behind her. Then her hooves find solid ground, though slippery due to the rain. But who were they if a bit of water would hold them back? Kylin’s head dips a little to the ground as she chases Kharon, slipping through and past the dense vegetation with ease, though, perhaps she would also leave one ruined foliage or two.
Maybe he shouldn't have glanced over his shoulder. Now he could see her, see every droplet clinging to her skin, every bead gliding down the attractive lines of her body. He was fixated before he knew it, his eyes hungrily drinking in every detail. He should stop though, right? Because this sort of felt wrong. Even if the wrong heightened everything else, and felt so good. Made him feel it stronger. Electrifying.
”I’m gonna get ya!”
He broke from his stupor and bolted, running blindly a few steps before refocusing on the world around him. Damn, he really needed to figure this out.
His wings splayed out at his sides, drenched and heavy. Already, he could feel his muscles would wear out quickly from the added weight, but maybe that was a good thing. Maybe it would build his strength and he could teach himself to fly. Maybe. One day. For now, they stretched and pulled, flexing and throwing droplets as he ran, only to soak in more rain drizzling down all over them. The ground was slick, and holding them out helped him keep balance. Every now and then, his feet almost lost purchase, though, and he kept having to slow down a little.
Until, finally, he was falling to the ground with a surprised grunt. Mud painted his knees as he landed roughly, slipping to his shoulder as he flapped his wings, clumsily trying to right himself again. The muck drew up over his side, clinging in a sticky mess to every hollow it could find. He grimaced, looking over himself. Yuck. Oh, ew, on his hip too. Maybe they should go back to the water. He definitely shouldn’t go home looking like this. His eyes lifted to find Kylin, still a little grossed out with his current predicament.
html code by Toli, design idea based on "Dovev" by Laura
He tells her "ooh love".
Unlike him she does not slow down as their gazes meet. It only made her more willing to catch up with him. And that wasn’t only because she had the strange desire to beat him in something, for once. Even in his soaked state he looked gorgeous to her. She wanted him, now more than ever.
For a moment Kylin regrets calling out to him, seeing him bolting from her again. Her lips curl up and without thinking twice she pushes herself forward too. Sand, or is it mud, gets kicked up both before and behind her. If the trail of sand wasn’t clear enough for her to follow, then the trail of water would be. No, Kharon wouldn’t be able to get away from her this time. And she’s proven right as he goes down.
Her face doesn’t show anything as she slows down to a trot and then walks the last distance with calm steps. She reaches down, nipping his withers playfully, before sliding her muzzle up his neck towards his ear. ”I’ve got you” she says, nothing special in her voice. Kylin kisses his cheek before stepping away. ”Did you hurt yourself?” she then asks worriedly, her hazel eyes showing concern.
And, far as his mud covered state was an issue, she pretty looked like a lavender pintaloosa too. Her coat spotted with little bit of mud and other dirt that she had caught during their race, her legs and underside of her belly having had it the worst. ”I guess it’s time for another bath.”
OOC: I love it I love it I love it. Thaaaank you sooooooo much <3
Oh gross, it was thick and slimy and completely stuck to him. Mud was pretty much everywhere, ruining his beautiful coat. Why had he thought this was a fun idea? He knew it would be slippery.
His eyes lifted to her as she slowed to a walk and approached him. She had splatters of mud too, but somehow it didn't look as bad on her. Still beautiful. He grunted with a smile as she nipped at his shoulder. She was always doing that; touching him in some way. Affection came so naturally to the both of them, as though it were more strange to not touch each other. He liked that.
"I've got you," she said, her muzzle sending tingling ripples through him as she dragged up his neck to his ear. His eyes closed with a hum of pleasure, a soft smirk firmly in place in the corner of his mouth. She kissed him lightly on the cheek before pulling away. "Did you hurt yourself?" she asked, the worry clear in the strain in her voice. His smile grew, a mischievous glint sparkling brightly in his eyes when he answered her.
"If I did," he eased quietly closer with a whisper, watching her eyes as he brushed his lips slowly along her jaw, "are you gonna kiss it and make it better?"
His heart raced and it was suddenly harder to breathe. He thought he might be torturing himself in the ways that he teased her. It must be worse on him to feel this aching tightness and this sharp grip around his frantic heart. There was something electrifying in being this way with her, the constant fear of getting caught doing the wrong thing. It was almost addicting, like the adrenaline rush for an extreme sports junkie.
He shook himself and rose to his feet as she spoke again, suggesting they bathe. They definitely should clean up before they return home, and he nodded his silent agreement before turning to guide them back to their secret oasis. He was careful not to touch her this time, not with the direction his thoughts were headed just then, and when they were back beneath the cover of trees and standing at the edge of the pool, he gestured for her to go ahead.
"I'll, um, wash after." He definitely shouldn't go in there with her. He'd just wait until she was done first. And, yeah, most certainly shouldn't watch her either, and he moved to turn his back, dipping his nose to prod at sticks and bushes as though they were suddenly so important.
html code by Toli, design idea based on "Dovev" by Laura
He tells her "ooh love".
Well of course it came natural for them to touch, to linger in each other’s presence, never far away. It was as they had entered the world: together. And if it was up to her, that wouldn’t change during the rest of their lives. It just felt so right to feel him underneath her touch. The way his neck curved, the agreeing hum. But most of al Kylin likes how his eyes close, almost as if he is giving in to her.
Their gazes meet once she pulls back, concern – now the triumph is gone – shows. She does not pull away as Kharon’s lips touch her. He leaves a hot trail, one that makes her heart skip a beat and sends a shiver down her two toned spine. A soft sigh escapes past her lips before she even realises it. This time her eyes close, as she enjoys the moment a little longer.
”I would do anything for you.”
Her soft voice is barely a whisper, so soft, only meant for his ears. Even if nobody was near, even if nobody would hear her, those magical words were only meant to whisper. As if Kylin made a promise, devoted herself to her brother. Her life, her world, her everything. Hers only.
Kylin’s gaze holds his, only love and trust in her gaze. Taking a small step backwards she gives him space to stand up, but before he can turn away and lead her back to their spring, she reaches out to lightly press her touch upon his shoulder. He walks in front of her, but she’s right on his heels, her breath ghosting over his skin.
Upon seeing the water she steps in. She sinks into it right away, letting the fresh water engulf her body, nose dipping towards it to lightly touch is. For a moment she enjoys her privilege, eyes closed and sighing softly. Her neck curved and muscles slightly tensed at the coldness. ”Come,” she asks of him, slowly turning to look at him.
”Join me, please?” Kylin wanted her brother near. She wanted his help, to wash the mud of her body. Just as much as she wanted to clean his body. Together. Always together.
