"What's wrong?" Lin rubbed his tired eyes and pushed himself up in his bed. It wasn't like Gene or Naru to come this late at night, but he knew it had to be one of them. The house staff had long since left, and their parents were staying at the lab. He was still trying to shake off the drowsiness as the teen climbed onto his bed, crawling up so he could sit beside him against the padded headboard. Lin looked at his new companion with soft brown eyes. He wasn't surprised to find it was the older twin. "Gene." Gene looked sheepish as he crossed his legs and turned his head. He was wearing a simple black top and tracksuit bottoms, as he usually did for bed.
"I couldn't sleep." His feet twitched as he huddled beside him for warmth. Lin was only wearing his tight boxers beneath the duvet, though it didn't bother him. He was used to the twins being in his personal space. He more or less raised them since their parents were always at the lab. He smiled and petted his head as Gene leaned closer, resting his shoulder against his bare arm. His hair almost tickled as he nuzzled. "It's hard without Noll…" Lin nodded his understanding. Naru had started his heats almost a year ago, so every month he slept in a separate room. The twins were used to being together, not in the same bed, but sharing the same space.
"You'll get used to it…Maybe it would be easier if we made it a little more permanent." They were getting to that age now. They were no longer children and with their hormones raging, a little space might do them both good. He'd already noticed that Naru's temper was getting shorter, and he was having more trouble controlling his powers. Gene was changing a little, too. He was sometimes quieter and more withdrawn, easy to stress. It would likely be difficult. They were identical twins and had been inseparable since birth, but with Naru being an omega, he really should have his own space.
"You mean sleep in separate rooms?" Gene clearly found the very thought of it offensive. Lin gave him a warm look as he turned his head. He often forgot how young they were. Being an alpha, Gene likely didn't grasp how delicate this time was for Naru and all the changes he was going through. Omegas generally started puberty a little earlier than alphas. Gene looked up at him with wide blue eyes, looking far more innocent than his brother had ever managed. Not that Noll's ever wanted to look like this. Lin couldn't imagine the stoic boy ever pulling such a face.
"It's not so unusual…You'll both want your own space as you get older." Gene pouted at the suggestion before an almost impish smile tugged his lips. Lin leaned back against the headboard as Gene got to his knees and crawled onto his thighs, straddling his hips like he was some sort of rodeo horse. He chuckled as innocent hands came to rest on his larger shoulders and he leaned a little closer. He rested his own hands on Gene's hips for support. It wasn't unusual for him to be affectionate. He'd often sit on his lap, despite his increasing age. Lin found it hard to believe he was fourteen now. He still seemed so young. So innocent.
"Then can I sleep in your room?" Gene asked, leaning into the hand that ruffled his hair.
"Then you'll be in my space! The idea is for you to have your own room so that you can-" Lin was cut off. His heart stuttered in shock. His dark eyes were almost owlish as he blinked in disbelief. He couldn't form a single coherent thought. The hand in Gene's hair frozen as he gripped his shoulders and pressed their lips together. His blue eyes were scrunched shut as he clumsily kissed his stunned lips. Lin finally snapped out of it, humming in objection and pushing him back with firm hands. They both gasped for breath. Lin wiped his mouth, trembling with shock and recoiling at what had just happened. "Gene! That-you can't-it's not…" He trailed off, unable to meet Gene's desperate gaze.
"Jo, please…Please…" Lin hushed him as he eased him back, though he didn't push him away. He coughed a little as he ordered his thoughts, trying to think of something that didn't sound like a reproach. Gene did as he was urged and scooted back, unease and insecurity rolling off him in waves. He remained on his knees, giving him a big eyed look that pleaded for acceptance. Lin sighed and massaged his temples. He's confused…Of course he is. His brother's in heat, he's feeling vulnerable, and he has no one else to turn to at a time like this.
"Gene, I know you're going through some changes…Being an alpha isn't easy, especially with an omega so close by…but this…You and Noll are like brothers to me. I'm twenty-five, Gene! Even if we weren't so close, I'm still far too old for you, and on top of all that, we're both alphas." He tried to be gentle while still maintaining his usual affection. He didn't want to hurt Gene, though he knew it was a necessity. Leading him on and allowing him to think there could be more was cruel. He had to nip this in the bud as quickly and painlessly as possible. The sooner he accepted the rejection, the sooner he'd get over it and things could go back to the way they were. He let out a little of his spiced scent, hoping it would reassure him, but Gene's alpha bristled at both the scent and his closeness. He growled low in his throat, cheeks flushing in shame as he realised what he'd done. "Gene, wait!" Lin called as he sprang to his feet and ran for the door.
He didn't stop or respond. The door shut behind him with a loud bang. It wouldn't disturb anyone else. No one was home besides Naru, and he was likely busy taking care of himself at this point in his heat. It wasn't the slamming door that got to him. It was the desperately sad sting of rejection and loneliness that he could still scent in the air long after Gene had gone. He sighed guiltily as he leaned back, fingers brushing his lips as he recalled the soft but insistent press of Gene's mouth against his. It's disgusting! He's a child! He's like a brother to me! Despite the insistent thoughts, something in his chest leapt at the memory of the sharp scent of Gene's alpha that was so at odds with his gentle touches. He sighed and ran a hand over his face. It was Naru's heat. It had to be. Although he was in his heat room now, the build-up to his heat left a lingering citrus tart scent throughout the house. It was no surprise the sweetness of an omega in heat had twisted their senses. All alphas were susceptible to the scent of a heat, though since they were siblings, Gene would never mount Naru himself.
Lin himself was well versed in physical relations, with both genders. Voluntary and involuntary. He still shuddered at some memories. I'd be no better than them if I allowed this to happen. He tried not to think about it. He could still smell the damp of the dingy room. The stale scent of sweat and semen. With the scent came the memories of pain. Nails on his skin. Tears in his rectum. Strain in his joints and muscles. He shuddered as he thought of the screams and cries that had fled his lips. He smiled softly as a light tickle brushed his cheek.
"I'm alright, thank you." His Shiki were always attuned to his moods. He opened his eyes to find the small balls of energy circling him in agitation as his emotions crashed and rolled like waves. He knew he should regret what he'd done, and the contract he'd made, but he couldn't. Those people got what they deserved, and if his soul was forfeit as a price, then so be it. No one else would have to grow up as he had. At least, not in that place. Despite the grim contract he'd made, the Shiki had always been dutiful companions, and he'd built a bond of trust, almost love, with them. He held a hand out and smiled as one of the balls of light came to rest above his palm, bobbing and twinkling in concern. He huffed softly, raising his hand to bat the small light higher. It bounced and flitted around his head before disappearing.
His thoughts returned to Gene and his current predicament. He really hadn't seen it coming. How had he missed it? Was he so out of touch with such gentle feelings he couldn't recognise it? Had Gene hidden it until the last moment? Did Noll know? Had anyone else picked up on it? He doubted that last one. Had Gene's parents known, they likely would have separated him from them. Considering what had just happened, perhaps that would have been for the best. He was now in the unfortunate position where one of his brothers had developed a crush on him. He couldn't even fathom it. When did his feelings make the transition from brother to something more? I've certainly never given either of them the impression that I feel that way. He didn't feel that way. He loved them both, of course, but being romantic with them? He was a decade older!
That wouldn't matter to Gene, of course. He was young. The forbidden aspect may even make it even more appealing. It likely added a level of excitement that he wouldn't gain from those his own age. Being only fourteen, it was likely that those his own age were also only just becoming aware of and interested in such connections. Gene had always been an old soul. He was affectionate and gentle, of course, but with underlying maturity. He was innocent, but wise beyond his years. That likely came from all the interactions he'd had with spirits over the years.
He'd shared his body and given himself over to multiple spirits to help them settle their business. It inevitably took a toll on his mental state, forcing him to grow up sooner than his peers, but had it really encouraged such desires so soon? It seems like just yesterday that he and Naru used to sneak in here after nightmares…Naru used to make the whole room shake. One of the few things that had calmed him was curling up beneath the covers with him and Gene. Their warmth and comforting scents had soon lulled him back to sleep and calmed his fears. Did Gene have such thoughts even then? He couldn't have. They were just children. They were still children in his eyes.
Lin settled down again, though he wasn't sure he'd be able to sleep. The scent of Gene's distress still lingered heavy in the air, along with the memory of his uncertain lips. He groaned as he rested a hand over his face. How was he going to face him tomorrow? How was he going to address it in the future? Did he need to? Should he just pretend it never happened? Would Gene let it rest? Had their relationship been damaged beyond repair? I hope not…He loved him very much. Both of them. He couldn't imagine life without them in it. He sighed as he tugged the duvet over his head. He was definitely not sleeping again that night.