Note: Written for the Boys challenge at the yuridrabbles livejournal community.

Pairings: AndrewxSirene, ClaudinexSirene

Warning: Spoilers for all but the end of Claudine.

Disclaimer: Claudine is copyright Ikeda Riyoko and Shuueisha. I am using the characters for non-profit entertainment purposes only. The title of this drabble comes from "The Waste Land" by T.S. Eliot.

"There's... something I have to tell you." Because her head was bowed, her hair hung down, obscuring her face, but the tremor in her voice let slip her discomposure.

"All right." I knelt in front of her chair, took her hands in my own. Squeezed gently, the tiny hands so fine and frangible in my larger ones.

"I-" she choked out. "I- I was-" Her shoulders began to shake. "I- We- We were-"

I remained static, not moving to prompt or reassure her. It was not out of any sort of cruelty or indifference; Rather, it was an assertion of belief in her capability. I did not give my heart foolishly, and I knew that any woman deserving of such, as I believed Sirene to be, would be in possession of the sort of strength capable of overcoming the greatest strife. If she managed this on her own, it would serve to validate my choice of her as a bridal candidate. Depending, of course, on the nature of her revelation.

"C- Claudine," she finally managed. "Claudine and I- we were- we l- loved each other."

Ah. I had suspected, when Claudine brought her home, that their association had not been confined to mere friendship. It seemed the whole mess with that maid several years past had not been sufficient deterrence for her aberrant tendencies.

My sister had always been, shall we say, queer. To be frank, she was a deviant of the worst sort. I blamed my father; He was far too lax and indulgent with her, had even encouraged her deviant behavior on occasion. People may have looked the other way when she was a child gallivanting around with the town boys, but her abnormalities had grown more dangerous as she aged. I feared for her sanity.

Sirene continued to speak of her sin, weaving the tale from their first meeting to their eventual cohabitation and physical relationship. Her eyes avoided mine throughout the entire interval, her hands trembling. When she finished, she remained thus, awaiting my condemnation with downcast eyes.

It did not come, for I was a magnanimous man. I understood that while some of women's folly required a firm chastening, at times it was best to be understanding of their weaknesses and deficiencies. After all, they were not to blame for their inferiority, now were they? They were simply built that way, by the Creator. They were deserving of our pity and our compassion, though their folly might have been wearying at times.

I raised my hand to her cheek, tilting her head up and waiting until her eyes lifted to meet my own.

"My dear Sirene," I said. "Do not worry yourself so over such a matter. You have my forgiveness, naturally."

Her eyes widened, her tears forgotten in her shock. "You're not angry?"

"No, my dear. It was, shall we say, not wholly unexpected."

"You knew." Her tone, a melange of surprise and accusation, was firmer now.

"Do not presume you have any secrets from me, Sirene. A man is ever conscious of women's folly."

"Yes, Andrew." She bowed her head again, in submission this time.

If only Claudine had learned some semblance of appropriate behavior from her, rather than encouraging her to deviance. My sister would need to learn her place someday, and I feared it would be a painful lesson. I prayed I would not be the one forced to teach it to her.