Disclaimer I do not own Sofia the First
Queen Amber stood upon the castle's steps. Watching with pride as the procession of knights made their way into her view.
A gentle smile alighted upon her face as their leader, her first and most loyal knight, approached her.
"Queen Amber," he bowed
"Sir James," she curtsied.
He grinned widely, rushing up the steps to engulf her in a hug. All pretense of formality forgotten.
"Oh! James!" she cried out as he lifted her into the air.
"Sorry," he laughed, putting her back down. "But after not seeing you for months you didn't really think I was just going to settle for a greeting like that, did you?"
She smirked at him, then turned to the crowd below.
"Everyone!" she announce, "I'd like to formally thank all of you for subduing the great sea monster that was terrorizing the village of Covepoint; and helping to restore the shops and houses that had been damaged after the flood it caused. To show my, and the rest of the kingdom's gratitude, tonight there will be a ball in your honor!"
The knights cheered. Amber pleased with their jubilation as she beckoned them to follow her inside.
The party was a great success in Amber's eyes. Along with the knights, her guests of honor had also included the Covepoint villagers. Happy to celebrate the restoration of their beloved sea side town.
Still, even a social butterfly like herself could grow weary. So after confirming with her steward that everything was in order, she grabbed a drink and retired to the balcony for some fresh air.
Taking a sip from her glass, she gazed up in into the sky. Twinkling with stars in the clear, calm night.
"Found you"
She smirked at the voice. James coming to stand alongside her.
"You really went all out on this party," Looking back through the window. Where everyone could be seen enjoying the festivities.
She shrugged, not even flinching as he inched ever closer beside her. After all, no one would suspect...
"It's the least I could do. Especially after the people such a hard time," she said simply.
He grinned playfully, "Who knew you could be so generous."
She rolled her eyes, "Oh James, I've always been generous. You've just not always been a recipient of my generosity." Pressing her finger to his forehead with a grin.
"How 'bout now?" he ventured. Capturing her hand and placing a kiss on the delicate fingers.
A warmth shot through her core, at his touch. One that kept enticing her more and more each moment they spent in each others company.
"Will you be staying home?..." she asked her voice soft.
He shrugged, "If that's what my Queen wants of me."
"I would like that..." she admitted, "very much..."
"Then I'll stay by your side," he stated confidently "Until you get sick of me, at least."
"Oh James," she rolled her eyes. Smiling when he chuckled in that way that made her heart flutter.
It was a dangerous game they were playing. Switching between these contrasting feelings for one another.
It had all started, it seemed so long ago now. When a lonely anxious night had driven her to his bedroom.
She hesitated outside his door for a moment. Unconsciously primping herself to calm her nerves, before opening the door to let herself in without ceremony.
He was in his bed, sound asleep in a way that made her almost envious.
Tiptoeing quietly she approached the side of his bed.
"James!" she whispered, shaking him. When he failed to wake, she tried a little louder "James!"
"Huh... what?" he started. Blinking his eyes to see a dark figure over his bed "Ahh!..."
"Shh!" she admonished, covering his mouth with her hand. "Do you want to wake up the whole castle!?"
Now recognizing his intruder, he quipped back incredulously. "Well, what do you expect me to do when some one barges into my room in the middle of the night?"
She rolled her eyes, and huffed before sitting on his bed. James reaching over to turn his light on.
"What are you doing in here anyway?" he asked, rubbing his eyes.
"I couldn't sleep..."
That much was obvious, "How come?"
She didn't answer at first. Letting the silence linger between them.
"I'm going back to school tommorow..." she finally said. "We'll be separated again..."
He paused. Remembering that last year had been their first one at their secondary schools; and also the first time he and Amber had experienced any long term separation.
"I know... I really missed you too," he admitted. "But, Sofia will be with you," he tried to assure her.
"It's not the same!" she pouted. "I mean," her expression softenining "I love Sofia, we're true sisters. But... you and I... were something...more..." her amber eyes meeting his own.
"Amber?..." his brow furrowed.
She looked at him a moment longer, then turned away wringing her hands, "Sorry, just... just forget I said anything." Besides, how could she ever put words to these strange feelings even she couldn't define.
"Hey," he said softly, taking her hand until her gaze me his again. "It's okay,"
"James..." she whispered, as he reached up to stroke the golden hairs of her head.
In the quiet night, they sat there. Their faces coming ever closer. Until Amber at last closed the distance by capturing her brother's lips with her own.
It was simple kiss. Just barely grazing this newfound desire they'd opened themselves up to. But oh, what a fire it would kindle.
They pulled back. Eyes widening in horror and realization.
"I... We shouldn't have done that!" she murmured, blushing.
"Yeah..."
"I... I think I'll go back to bed!" she announced. Rising to her feet.
"Wait!" grabbing her hand and stopping her. She turned back to look at him again. "Would you stay a bit longer?..."
Her eyes widened surprised, before giving a single nod.
She lay down beside him on top of the covers. Their faces towards each other, and trying to calm their racing hearts.
He reached forward, clasping her hands in his. The touch seeming to both calm and excite her.
"Good night, Amber" he whispered. "I love you,"
"I love you, too" she answered. Knowing those words now held a different meaning than before.
They stayed like that as the night passed. Until the early signs of dawn, and fear of being caught, compelled her to return to her own room...
It was a night burned into her memory. When they'd first crossed the threshold with a kiss. Dipping their toes ever so slightly into these new feelings of affection and desire for one another.
Since then it'd been a constant balancing act between their familial and romantic feelings. Neither of them willing to commit to either side of the spectrum.
True, they knew logically the best decision would be to just forget that night ever happened. To return back fully to their sibling love for one another... But to do so would kill these new feelings before they'd even had a chance to blossom; and some how, that just seemed too sad.
Yet neither could they bring themselves to fully cross that line. Their stolen moments consisting of sweet kisses neither of them dared to tread beyond, despite their mutual desire. Knowing that if they did so, they'd never be able to turn back again to that pure love they shared as children. Not to mention the scandal there would be, should their illicit affair ever be discovered.
So there they remain halted between the two. Not quite lovers, and no longer just twins. Their secret kept safe by the fact that no one would suspect an embrace between them, or the way they stood beside each other, or the kisses he placed upon her forehead and hand. Seeing in them only the tokens of devotion of a knight for his queen, or the affection of siblings. Not once considering there could be something more to those gestures.
They knew though, and it both thrilled and frightened them...
"Would you like to dance?" he offered.
She smiled, taking his hand. Allowing herself a moment of bliss as he led her in a waltz. A much safer dance than the one they constantly shared on the edge of that metaphorical cliff. Ever beckoning them to fall into one pit, or the other.
And at this point, it was no longer a matter of if, but when.
A/N: Took some inspiration from the vocaloid song 'Adolescence' by Signal-P and Orange