Kiriai blinked her eyes open, confused about where she was. What time is it? It was dark, darker than it ever was in her room since the light outside always came in through the window. Further, the blankets weren't hers- much fluffier and softer, rather than smooth sheets- and there was a… familiar smell.

Then, Kiya shifted, and she realized the dark shape in front of her wasn't a mount of blankets, but her sister, and she suddenly remembered where she was. She breathed in sharply, suddenly realizing the warm feeling against her was her sister’s arms curled around her, one holding onto her hips and the other outstretched under her neck.

T-too close! Now that she was aware of how close they were, it became increasingly obvious; The warm breeze on her cheek wasn't from a heater, but Kiya breathing steadily. And the smell… She didn’t know how she still knew her scent. What was she, some kind of human bloodhound..?

Kiriai slowly breathed out again, trying to ease her nerves. She’s breathing slowly and steadily, she’s clearly still asleep… She must have rolled over in her sleep. Kiriai reasoned Kiriai couldn’t move without risking waking Kiya up, so she just tried to calm her nerves and get comfortable, controlling her breathing- though she couldn't control how her heart rate had jumped.

Slowly, Kiriai adjusted to the situation. As her heart rate slowed back to normal and breathing became slower, she found herself synchronizing her breaths with Kiya’s. When’s the last time I was this close to anyone..? It had definitely been at least as long as when their parents had split them up, and it was probably with Kiya then, too.

As close as she was, the proximity to Kiya was the only thing she could feel, with no sound other than Kiya’s breathing and nothing to see. Augh, this is way too much! If I got caught like this at home, I think I’d just about die of embarrassment! But she wasn’t back at home, where their parents had told them years ago it was inappropriate for them to sleep together anymore. She was here, where there was nothing to worry about, where it was just the two of them there and nobody else.

All that thinking only made her feel more flushed, and she squirmed a little down under the covers, as if hiding her face. As soon as she did she regretted it, because the movement caused Kiya to stir from their sleep, rolling over even closer and making a soft, tired sound almost like humming.

“H-huh? Kiri?” Kiya murmured, sleepily blinking their eyes, not fully cognizant.

Kiriai’s eyes shot open in alarm. “I-I wasn't… I didn’t, I just woke up like this!” Kiriai stammered out.

Kiya blinked again before looking down and realizing how close they were and giggling a little. “Oh my, someone got clingy in a hurry-” She teased.

Kiriai blushed more and hastily pulled away, retreating to the other side of the bed. “I-I’m sorry, I wasn't… We were just like that when I woke up!” Why am I panicking so much? Nobody is here to get you in trouble. Despite this, she couldn't help but cower under the blankets, as if hiding. But Mom must have had a good reason for splitting us up, right?

“Don’t worry, Kiri, I’m not upset with you.” Kiya murmured assuringly and gently reached over to ruffle Kiriai’s hair. “I must have rolled over in my sleep, I’m sorry if I embarrassed you.”

Kiriai peaked out from the blankets. Of course she’s not upset. So why am I so nervous? In years prior, this wouldn't have been that unusual to her, but that seemed like a world apart, now. She’d barely even spoken to Kiya in months before coming here, honestly. And now they were so close, it just seemed like…

“Too much…” Kiriai breathed out, though on some deeper level she wasn't sure if she actually meant that. Just why am I so embarrassed?

“I know, don’t worry Kiri. I promise to give you more space.” Kiya replied, both soothingly and maybe a little embarrassed themself. Kiriai shut her eyes tightly, not knowing what to think. Was that a good thing? Was that bad? Did she want to be given more space..?

“I’m sorry for waking you up.” Was all that Kiriai actually replied, keeping the rest of her thoughts inside. “You should have let me just sleep on the couch, so I couldn't disturb you.”

Kiya sighed loudly. “I’m sorry for disturbing you, you mean. You need your rest for college. I’ll be fine at work even if I get no sleep at all.” Kiya sighed as she rolled over and scooted back to her edge of the bed. “I’ll do my best to keep to my side of the bed, so please just try to relax…”

Kiriai blinked. Was it just her, or was there a hint of nervousness in Kiya’s voice? Silently, she wished she knew what her twin was thinking. There was a time when you would have. The thought came, unbidden, and only intensified the strange mixture of feelings in her gut.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

“I’ll go see what time it is. If it's late enough I’ll just get up now.” Kiriai murmured, swinging her legs off the bed and standing up. She could barely see her sister in the darkness, but she could somehow feel the intense way she was staring up at her, just as she could somehow feel a sense of guilt emanating from her too.

[...]

Kiya frowned as she watched Kiriai stand up and walk away. She just needs some distance. Don’t push her too hard. She kept her sigh inside of her chest as the silhouette went over to the door, letting light from the kitchen into the room as they opened the door and stepped through it, and she could see the uncertainty on Kiriai’s features as she left.

As soon as they were out of her vision, Kiya rolled over so her face was down into her pillow and let out a muffled sound almost like a scream- only, a scream that was nearly silent because she didn’t want her sister to hear. Stupid, Stupid! She’d just wanted to make Kiriai comfortable in their home together, but instead she had the opposite effect. Now what do I do? I’ll only make her feel worse if I go and sleep on the couch now, and she won't let me buy her a bed. I can’t just make her sleep on the couch in our own home. She hugged the pillow tightly and curled her legs around it. Dammit all… She sighed loudly. She couldn’t just get up now- it would only make Kiriai feel more guilty that she couldn't sleep. So she just rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling.

It was seven o’clock and Kiriai was bent over the stove cooking- still as conflicted as before, though the thoughts had calmed down. As the door to Kiya’s room opened, she looked up and suppressed a sense of embarrassment that came to the surface, willing herself to smile at Kiya cheerily as she sleepily stumbled out of her room. “Hey, Kiya! I ran down to the corner store after I got up. Hashbrowns and eggs for breakfast.” I hope that makes up for ruining your sleep.

Kiya gave her a weary smile, though Kiriai could feel the concern in her eyes. “I’m sure it’ll be delicious. Thanks alot, sis.” She offered as she sat down. “You’re going to have time to catch the bus, right?”

Kiriai nodded, glancing back at the clock. “Yeah, the city bus pulls up a couple blocks from here at 7:40. Plenty of time to finish cooking and eating.” She flips the mass of potato in the skillet and takes it off. “And incidentally, it's just about done! No ketchup though, sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ll pick some up on the way back from work.” Kiya breathes in deeply and smiles at Kiriai. “Smells great.” She goes and grabs herself a plate and a spatula to serve herself half the dish before walking back to the living room and sitting down at the hexagonal table, drumming on the glass while waiting.

After a long moment she got up and went back to the kitchen, leaning against the doorframe. “Kiriai. What's taking you?”

Kiriai looked up from her food, which she had already started eating, sitting at the counter. “Huh?”

Kiya sighed and went over to her. “C’mon, it's nicer in the living room, and we can sit across from one another.”

Kiriai blinked. Kiya wondered what was going on inside her head that she was taking so long to reply, but eventually she stood up, taking her food. “Alright, if you insist.”

Kiya walked back to their food and sat down, glancing backwards to make sure Kiriai was following. She tries not to stare at her as she starts eating, not wanting to make her self-conscious, but still glances up at her surreptitiously to see how she is feeling.

Despite the cheery attitude Kiriai had shown before when Kiya had stepped into the room, she was back to being reserved and quiet now that she didn't think she was being looked at. Kiya groans in frustration. Exactly as I feared. I hope this doesn't cause more problems.

“Huh? What is it?” Kiriai asked, perking up as Kiya groaned.

“O-oh, nothing, just not happy to be going back to work is all.” Kiya flashed a smile as she fibbed on the spot.

“Oh, I see.” Kiriai replied shortly, idly stirring the cup of tea they were drinking, before cautiously taking a bite of their food.

Kiya made a face at them, pointing at the food. “You’d better eat up, sis, or you’re gonna have no energy for school.” She herself had a bit longer; She wouldn't have to leave for another twenty or thirty minutes after Kiriai did.

“Alright, alright.” Kiriai laughed a little. “Gosh, you’re such a worrywort-” She takes another bite of her food, while Kiya silently watched, feeling increasingly awkward.

At some length, she cleared her throat to get Kiriai’s attention and leaned forward, clasping her hands under her chin. “So, what are you learning about in school?”

Kiriai swallowed before sitting up straight and at attention to respond. “We’ve just been going over electron configurations of different elements. It's been mostly pretty basic stuff so far, just learning about the orbitals and what the different shells are called.”

Kiya nods. “Uh..huh.” She didn’t really have any idea what Kiriai was talking about, she’d gone straight into the workforce after school and hadnt ever taken a chemistry class after middle school. Silently, she vowed to herself to catch up with Kiriai sometime. “You’ll have to tell me about it sometime later. For now, I think you gotta get yourself to the bus. You haven't gone to school from here before so you might wanna give yourself a bit more wiggle room to get there on time.”

Kiriai glanced over at the clock and, shoveling another bite into her mouth, stood up, chewing and swallowing before looking at Kiya. “You’re right, I’d best be off. And um, I’m sorry for waking you up this morning-”

Kiya huffed in annoyance- not at being woken up, of course, but out of frustration with herself for not being able to help Kiriai relax. She could tell she was still somewhat tense. “Have a good day at school, Kiri, I’ll see you tonight.” Kiya made herself smile and wave as Kiriai went out the door.

Kiya sighed loudly once she was sure Kiriai was out of earshot and leaned over backward in her chair, so that her hair fell down away from her head. While she was concerned, she had her own work to do, too.

She slouched over, sighing, and glancing at the clock. She couldn't think of many things she’d be less keen to do than go stand around flagging cars all day, but it was what it was. Price of independence, I guess.