a/n: I am finally updating this! I was going to do this as a oneshot, but then I got to thinking... It fits here. So, I hope you all like it?

(1)

"Justin, can you get the laundry?"

Nineteen-year-old Justin Russo sighs and walks out of the apartment letting the door shut behind him. He leans with his back against the closed door. Anything to get out of that room. With Alex. Even if it is his mother's orders. Just get the fuck out of there.

Justin's not really sure what's going on with his sister anymore. She doesn't act like she used to. She's closed off and reserved, and that's not like her at all. He's worried, but… Don't go there.

Laundry, he thinks, is mindless. And he needs something like that, something to take his mind off of Alex everything.

Alex's shirt.

Dad's pants.

Max's lone sock.

Alex's bra.

Damn. Way to stop thinking about her.

(2)

Alex seems to be falling away. She is, actually. She's always conflicted—love, confusion, he's your brother, love…

It is a vicious cycle.

So she writes more, sings less; talks less, tears people down more to protect her secrets.

Her mother asks if Justin can switch the laundry and he leaves quickly. Alex is flipping through Seventeen magazine. She's been through it twice and so far it's told her every single time that she is in love with Justin.

But that's not real. It's stupid. She should her where to put her trust. Except... with this. She has to keep it locked away. He doesn't love her back. Because why would he?

(3)

It starts when Alex has got to memorize a scene in Romeo and Juliet for English. "Dammit, Justin, I can't do this!" She slams her copy of the play down on the table.

Justin looks up and clears his throat. "What, Alex?" He sounds tired, like he hasn't slept in days. Which is true.

"I've got to memorize this stupid scene and I have no idea what any of this means!"

"Calm down. What's the play?"

"Romeo and Juliet. Forbidden love, and all that." For a second, their eyes meet and they both blush.

"What scene?"

"When they meet. Ugh, it's so long!"

Justin pauses. "I remember it…

'If I profane with my unworthiest hand
This holy shrine, the gentle fine is this:
My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand
To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss.'"

Alex looks from the lies and up at him again. "How the hell did you do that?"

Justin smirks. "I memorized it."

"Dork." She pauses, trying to find her place.

'Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much,
Which mannerly devotion shows in this;
For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch,
And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.'"

And they go on.

Alex's eyes widen. "Then… they kiss…" She flushes. He's staring straight at her.

"Yeah… Do you—? I mean… stage kissing is… awkward. Should we…?"

She's trembling. "I— yeah. We should. Practice. Yes. Stage kissing. Practice. Her voice shakes.

She stands up and goes over to the couch. "Um, here?"

"Yeah. Sure. I mean… whatever you want." He walks over, his mouth dry. He sits next to her.

"And so I'll lean in, and you… you'll, um, do whatever you do…"

They both lean in, and their lips melt into each other. Somehow, tongues fight for dominance. Her eyes are closed, but she opens them, and his eyes are dancing with a sort of fire she's never seen. They break apart, breathing heavily.

"I don't think Romeo and Juliet did it like that."

So... Not as good as the original, but... I don't know.

Review?