just for a second (stand and say something)

“You were reckless today.”

He could feel her irritation, an unsaid, ‘are you really lecturing me now,’ in her tense form. Sonon spread his hand across her abdomen, the jacket much too small on her now as he mapped out the newest injuries. She hissed when he thumbed over split skin beneath her ribcage, the flesh still tender and sensitive. 

“I don’t see the point in wearing this if I’m just gonna take it—ouch!” She glared down at him, and he lifted his thumb off the wound.

“I wouldn’t want you getting cold,” he responded idly, moving his thumb between her breasts, the scratch from last week already scabbed over. He pressed his lips to the skin, settling his hands on her hips as she inhaled deeply, her heart a pleasant thrum. “It’s only natural that brothers look out for their little sisters,” he stared up at her, tightening his grip on her hips. “Right?”

She seemed to shrink in on herself a bit, and he smiled against her skin.

(How generous of his boss to play along and indulge a fool.)

“B... Brother…”

Sonon admired the way the jacket still managed to cover her nipples and lifted one hand to nudge at a nub through the fabric, delighting in the way she arched her back into his touch, a keen whine falling from her lips. He pinched and rolled it between his thumb and forefinger, eliciting more sounds to spill from her mouth. Sonon lifted his other hand to the neglected nipple and continued the same treatment; movements mirrored as he tugged them.

Her nails dug into his shoulders, face a dizzying red. He could see it in the way her teeth dug into her lip that she was trying to keep herself collected. Whether for her pride or the role, it made no difference in her mind.

It made Sonon chuckle, and he let go, sliding his hands down to her legs. “Yes,” he rocked up against her, blood pounding loudly in his ears as he squeezed her thighs. “Brother’s here.”

She winced, whimpering quietly.

His heart soared, and he relaxed his grip on her left thigh. “It still hurts, doesn’t it?” He asked softly, tracing circles on her skin with his thumb as if it would make the pain fly away. “What would have happened if brother wasn’t there?” A barely hidden quiver trembled through his words. 

(Ah, there was that look in her eyes, again. He could never tell if it was fear or pity, but Sonon found that he didn’t mind so long as he was allowed to stay by her side.)

She wrapped her arms around his neck slowly. “But you are here,” She melded her body to his and held him close, Sonon able to feel the life beat beneath her torn and scarred flesh, “Right, brother?” She nuzzled her face against his cheek, and as Sonon returned the gesture, he wondered when it was that he became so dependent on the child that offered him salvation so long ago. “You’ll always be here for me,” her eyelashes tickled his skin, a breathless sigh leaving her as she rocked her hips forward, “Right?”

“Yes,” he rasped out as he rocked up against her, “Yes, brother’s here. I’m here.” She squirmed in his grasp, and fear seized his heart momentarily, so he tightened his grip. She whimpered, and he peppered kisses along her face fervently, resuming his grinding. “Brother’s here, brother’s here, don’t leave me, brother’s here I’m here, I’m here.” 

Her body quivered as he mapped out the grooves of the day’s battle on her skin, her heart beating louder and louder against him. 

“S... Sono—”

In a swift motion, he pressed a bruising kiss to her lips, filling her mouth with his tongue. He looked over her face through lidded eyes as she struggled to keep up with him.

(There were too many differences if he thought about it.)

She broke the kiss, gasping for air, legs trembling at his sides as the friction between them began to overwhelm her. Sonon brushed her bangs back and smiled.

(The revelation was less bitter each time.)

“Don’t worry, Melphie, brother’s here.”