A Roc in Space

"Jake? Is everything alright with you and Steph?"

I swallowed uncomfortably, trying to figure out what to say.

"I- uh. It's not what it, uh-"

"Jeez," she said. "When you act that flustered, you actually make it look like I caught you having sex with your little sister. I was just wondering if you two finally made up."

My face must have been red as a beet, but I quickly shook off my stupor.

"Yeah; we talked, and uh... everything is fine," I said.

I mean, I wasn't exactly lying, right?

We

did

talk.

And everything would definitely be much better between us now... notwithstanding the hows and the whys of our reconciliation.

"About time," Aleisha said, putting her hand on her hip. "You two have been so weird around each other since I got back here. Not that either of you would ever talk to me about it."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked, but as a complaint sounded from down the corridor, from the direction of our parents' room, I gestured towards her door, and she quickly nodded.

I ducked into the dark room, and she switched on the light, before easing the door shut behind us.

"Jeez. Almost getting yelled at by my mom and dad for talking to my baby brother in the hallway. What year is this, even?" she whined.

"Those days were the best," I countered, smiling a little, and Aleisha smiled back, despite herself.

"So, did you and Steph really make up? I was beginning to think you never would," she said.

"We always make up; don't we?"

She shook her head at me.

"You two have been at it since you were teenagers," Aleisha countered, and I chuckled a little.

"We're still teenagers, Leash."

I mean, Steph was eighteen.

And I would be nineteen for at least another four months.

"You're adults, Jake. A-D-U-L-T-S. Just because mom and dad treat you like kids, doesn't mean you are."

"Treat us like kids?" I asked, and she nodded.

"I mean, yeah. You two still live at home with mom and dad."

I shook my head at her.

"Leashy... don't you still live at home with mom and dad?"

"Wha-? This is

different

. I'm a hundred 'k' in debt, and- ugh, God!"

There were tears in her eyes as she turned away from me, massaging her forehead agitatedly as she moved across the room to the window, and I quickly followed her, wrapping my arms around her as I did.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean that," I said, and she shook her head.

"You don't have to apologize. I'm a... fucking loser and I know it, whether someone reminds me or not."

"You're not a loser, Leash. You're the best one of us. I'm not getting into any colleges, and I don't think Steph plans to either; but you did it, and that certificate hanging on the wall kind of says you did it with first class honors too," I said. "You're amazing, and my hero; you know that, right?"

She wiped at her eyes a little, adjusting herself to properly receive my hug.

"You're just saying that," she said, and I nuzzled her neck, shaking my head as I did.

"I'm not. You're one of the most amazing people I know," I said, and she laughed, a bitter laugh that sounded half like a scoff.

"I don't feel amazing Jake. I work for my fucking parents and I live in a room next to my teenage siblings."

"Hey; adult siblings," I reminded her, and she laughed a little, despite her tears.

"Why were you and Steph always so close?" she suddenly asked, and I shrugged.

"I dunno. Maybe the age similarity?" I offered, and she frowned.

"You two always made me feel like an outsider. Jeez, I was a failure of a sister too, wasn't I?"

"Of course not. Leash... what the hell's gotten into you?" I asked.

I pulled her close, nuzzling her neck again, and I felt her relax, melting into me almost as I held her.

"I dunno Jake. I feel like my life is falling apart. I'm working for my parents; I have more debt than I know what to do with. And my love life is shit. I just don't know what to do anymore."

I took her hand into mine, and gave it a squeeze.

"Well, I can't really help with your love life; but even if you want to move, I'm sure we could help you manage it."

"I don't wanna move... I just. God. I owe mom and dad so much, and this would just be another thing. And I'm really thankful that they've even gotten me that job, but sometimes I feel like if I have to work another day in that place, I'll go crazy."

She wiped away a tear, and I let my lips brush against her neck.

"Then quit," I said. "I know how our parents can be; and now that I think about it, they have been laying on the guilt trip pretty thick."

"Jake, it's not that simple. I have payments to make every month."

"Then I'll cover them," I said, and she turned her head, a look of shock on her face as she studied me over her shoulder.

"Jake, you can't-"

"Why not? I'm not paying rent; and my job is pretty stable and paying pretty well too."

"Because, it's not right."

"So what? I don't care. You aren't happy working there, or living here either. Let's fix something."

"Jake..."

"Don't do that. I love you, Leash. So, let me help you. Please?"

She let out a sigh.

"So, quit? Then do what?"

I shrugged, as I ran my hand comfortingly along the length of her arm.

"Do whatever will make you happy? Write a blog, bake cakes; hell, lay around in your room all day and do nothing for all I care."

Aleisha laughed, and I smiled at the response.

"Little brothers should be able to spoil their big sisters from time to time, right? Besides, that job with mom and dad isn't going anywhere."

Aleisha let out a long sigh.

"What am I supposed to even tell them?" she asked, and I shrugged.

"Tell them you're working for me? If it makes you feel any better, I'll even make you dress up like a slutty French maid and clean my room twice a week," I said, and Aleisha's jaw dropped at that.

"Really, Jake? What could you even get out of seeing your big sister in a sexy outfit?" she asked derisively, and I grinned.

"Have you never seen yourself in a mirror? You're a babe. Sister or not, you're lucky I can keep my hands to myself," I said, and Aleisha giggled.

"All talk and no action. Besides, I do know that you have a sister fetish, but I'm the wrong sister."

I chuckled a little.

"You know, when you say it like that it almost sounds like if you're jealous," I teased, and Aleisha let out a groan.

"Well, would it kill you to spend a little time with me? Jeez," she whined.

"Maybe I would if you were my sexy maid?" I countered suggestively, and Aleisha bit her lip a little.

"You're such a flirt," she said, but as her smile faded and her face took on a slightly despondent tone, I frowned.

"If it bothers you that much, I'll stop," I said, but as I moved to disengage from her, she held onto my hand.

"No; don't go. Not yet. This might be the most pathetic thing I'll ever say in my life, but it feels kind of nice being held like this... even if the person holding me is my little brother."

"Why does that feel pathetic?" I asked.

"Because you're my brother," she said, as if it were obvious. "Don't you think I'm pathetic for wanting validation so badly?"

"Guess I can't speak for how you feel, but... there's no woman on earth I'd rather be holding in my arms right now more than you," I said, and she froze, her face suddenly going red.

"Jeez. Can you ease up on the flattery? I know you don't mean it," she said, and I shook my head, nuzzling her neck again as I did.

"That's not flattery," I said.

"It is. What about that girlfriend of yours?"

"Who, Jamie?"

"Yeah."

"She's not my girlfriend," I countered.

"Yeah, but you want her to be. Don't you?"

I nodded.

"I do... but she apparently does not feel the same way," I said. "Even so; I wouldn't trade this moment with you for anything with her."

"Bullshit," Aleisha said. "What if she was letting you feel her up?"

"Even if she did, I still wouldn't make the trade."

Aleisha scoffed.

"Bullshit. I'm not even your favorite sister. Am I really supposed to believe that hugging me right now is the single greatest thing you could be doing?" she asked, and I chuckled a little.

"Well, maybe not the single greatest thing. I mean... I could be feeling

you

up."

Aleisha scoffed again.

"Bull. Shit! And if you keep that flirting up, I

will

call your bluff," she declared, and I smirked.

I moved one hand down her side, coming to the hem of her nightshirt, and as I slipped my fingers beneath the hem, teasing the naked skin just at her side, she froze.

"Call it," I said, daring her.

"You wouldn't," she said, holding firm, but her breathing seemed to go tense as I let my hand slip around to her flat stomach.

"Call it," I said again, whispering the words into her ear, and she shuddered a little in my arms.

"You wouldn't do a thing," she said, her voice shaky, and a little less certain now; but that was all I needed to hear, as I ran my palm up her front, moving to the side, just where I could feel that outer swell of her breast, and as I cupped the mound in my hand, I planted a soft kiss on the underside of her neck, below her ear.

She moaned, involuntarily almost, and I whispered into her ear.

"I don't think you sound so sure anymore," I said, and she bit her lip.

"Maybe you're just playing into my hand?" she suggested, and I smiled, as I slid my palm up, and cupped her breast in earnest.

"Or into my hand," I said, kissing her just below her ear again.

She moaned, her free hand moving to my side just around my waist, and her neck turned upward almost involuntarily.

"Jesus. I must really be desperate," she moaned, clearing her throat as her voice got a little husky and low.

"Because you're letting your little brother feel you up?" I asked, and she shook her head, turning her face in my direction.

"No; because I'm enjoying it so fucking much."

My nose brushed her cheek as she turned, and as I released her neck and moved to meet her face, our lips brushed before pressing gently together, all while I continued to caress the breast in my palm.

I kissed her, and she moaned a little into my mouth, before pressing her lips to mine, and I moaned a little in response.

Her lips were full and supple and soft, and I felt like if I could remain pressed against them for an eternity without ever tiring of it.

"Mmh," she moaned, breaking from the kiss, and biting her lip. "Siblings can't kiss like that," she said, and I smirked.

"Maybe, but if I knew kissing you would have been this good, I would have started sneaking into your room ages ago."

"You're so bad. You're still feeling me up. Me. Your sister."

"I mean... you haven't stopped me yet, sis. Maybe you're just as rotten as I am?"

She let out a soft, whining sound.

"I don't want you to stop... I want you to drag me to bed, tear my clothes off, and... plant those dirty lips of yours all over my body."

"But we aren't doing that, are we?" I asked, and as she timidly shook her head, I brought my hand out from inside her t-shirt, and she turned to face me, biting her lip as she did.

"I'm sorry. I got you all worked up... but I'd be a shitbag of a big sister if I let my little brother do something potentially life ruining like that just because I felt horny, desperate, and a little lonely on one random night."

I rested my hand against her cheek.

"You shouldn't have to feel like this. Not when someone who loves you is literally ten feet away. If you need me, my door is open to you, okay? No matter what time, or whatever it is that you need," I said, and she nodded.

She moved in and kissed me on the cheek.

"Goodnight, Jake."

"Goodnight," I said.

She nuzzled my hand as I rested it against her cheek again, and as she released me, I turned and slipped out of the room.

I leaned against the door and took a deep breath in, trying to steady my heartrate a bit, but Lucy was shooting me a mischievous look.

"You know, if you pushed her down on the bed and just started kissing her, she wouldn't have stopped you," she said, as I moved off of Aleisha's door and returned to my room.

"I love my sister too much to settle for 'wouldn't have stopped me'," I said, and Lucy studied me.

"But you wanted her. She's pretty; she has a body far beyond what my data banks indicate to be the statistical average for human desirability, and you two share a mutual bond of affection. I see no reason to hesitate," Lucy said, and I shrugged.

"It doesn't matter. I just didn't want it to happen like that, okay?"

I plopped down onto my bed, then grabbing a pillow, I turned over to look at Lucy, whose curves were spilling out from my sweatshirt in all the right places.

"You're allowed to offer me 'companionship' aren't you?" I asked, and Lucy shot me a teasing smile.

"This form does indeed excel at such activities," she replied. "But you won't be using me tonight."

I let out a groan, as Aleisha did get me quite worked up.

"Don't be like that, Jake. I'm certain you'll find the release you crave this very night," she said, and I eyed her.

"What do you mean?"

"By my revised calculations, Aleisha will be here within one hour."

"Ugh. No, she won't," I replied.

"She will," Lucy countered. "She is presently, what you refer to as 'worked up' and going quite crazy over it as we speak."

"Yeah? And she'll probably masturbate then go to bed like a normal person," I explained, turning on my side, but as I got up and switched the lights off, my phone went off, and I turned at the unexpected sound.

"Here we go," Lucy said excitedly, and I frowned, as I retrieved the device and saw the notification, 'Message from Aleisha (Big Sis)' on the screen.

I avoided Lucy's prying gaze as I opened up the message.

Jake? You still awake?

Yeah. What's up?

I replied.

I can't sleep,

she replied, followed by a bunch of cranky looking emojis.

"Ohh, this is getting interesting!" Lucy said, and I jumped, as she seemed to have teleported over my shoulder while I read the message.

"Jesus," I breathed, shooting her a disapproving look.

*ding.

Another message from Aleisha:

What're you still doing up?

she asked.

"Oh, give me!" Lucy exclaimed, and I groaned as she took my phone.

She quickly swiped through some apps on my phone then returned it to me with a message prepared but not yet sent.

I eyed her warily, and she nodded.

"Trust me, it'll work," she said, and I sighed.

On the screen was an image of a very sexy French maid outfit, with the caption 'order placed' across the bottom, and a caption which read, '

Was just picking out your new work outfit

', with a winking emoji attached.

I thought about it for a sec, then hit send; then held my breath as I waited for her reply.

Ding*

I opened up the message to:

OMG. You are

not

serious about that!

She sent a bunch of angry, blushing and laughing emoji's in quick succession, and Lucy shot me a prideful look.

"What can I say? There are no flaws in my algorithm," she boasted, and I rolled my eyes.

I opened up my messaging app, and began to text a reply:

I'm very serious. You better send in your resignation tomorrow. Just be warned, I like to be naked while my room is being cleaned.

GOD. Did I get my bachelor's degree just to be my little brother's maid?

she asked, and I replied with a frowning emoji.

Cleaning is optional. We could just cuddle... or talk.

And the outfit??

she asked, and I sent a devil face wickedly grinning emoji.

That one is non-negotiable

, I replied.

She didn't message for a while, and I began to wonder if she'd actually gone to sleep, when another ding* alerted me to a new message.

Is this how you and Steph talk?

She asked, and I chuckled.

Are you asking me if I flirt with my little sister?

She sent an eyerolling emoji in response.

No, I just mean... are the two of you close that you message like this and talk often and stuff? Flirting aside, this is kinda nice. Just makes me feel left out again.

I bit my lip, as I thought about how to respond.

We talk. Maybe not as flirty as this, but... I'm sorry. I guess I've been neglecting you.

I sent a sad emoji, and Aleisha quickly replied:

I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I just. I feel like if this is something maybe I needed in my life, you know? Maybe not even as a sibling thing... just in general?

I see,

I replied.

She quickly texted again:

Can I really come over? Like... if I feel lonely?

she asked.

Of course. And I'll behave, I promise.

I sent the reply, then waited until a little knock sounded at my door.

"It's open," I said, shooting Lucy a look that said 'behave', and she raised her hands in surrender, as she plopped down on my plush chair.

Aleisha poked her head in, then slipped wordlessly into the room.

"Jesus, it's cold in here," she said.

I momentarily glanced over at my door, looking for my sweatshirt, but I quickly remembered which invisible guest of mine was currently wearing it.

"Uh..."

"Can I just come under the covers?" she asked, and I quickly nodded.

I rolled over, pulling the covers out from under me, and scooting over to the side, I made room for Aleisha on my bed.

She climbed in beside me, but as she looked up at me, I sensed a serious awkwardness growing between us.

I looked away, trying to figure out how I should act, when Aleisha let out a soft whine.

"Ugh. If this is what behaving means, then stop," she complained. "Or at least, come hug me a little or something."

She turned around, allowing me to move closer to her and spoon her a bit, and she made a satisfied sound as our bodies came into contact.

"This feels a bit weirder when we're in bed together," I said, and she frowned.

"Or maybe, fondling me was just another bluff," she countered, and I chuckled a little.

Jake! Don't panic; I'm speaking into your head,

Lucy said, and as I turned slightly, Aleisha shot me a curious look, and I quickly shook off the distracted look on my face.

Fucking hell; could you play it a little cooler?

Lucy asked, and I suppressed a groan as she continued:

Aleisha is experiencing right now what your kind refers to as 'sexual frustration',

Lucy explained.

She was never very comfortable with experiencing intimacy by herself. You should help her...

I swallowed uncomfortably as I processed the information.

Was it true?

I'd very rarely ever thought of my sister in a sexual way, although objectively, I did always think she was the hottest girl in our town.

Now that I think about it though, I have no idea why that translated into 'comfortable with her sexuality'... but apparently, I was wrong.

I looked down at her, and sure enough, her breath seemed caught in her throat, and as I wrapped a hand around her body, she took my hand into hers and gave it an almost pleading squeeze.

She turned and looked up at me, and I nodded.

"No more teasing," I promised. "If you want me to just hold you, I can. But if you wanted something else... I'm more than just a little willing."

She stared at me, then looked away, her expression hesitant.

"I'd feel like a failure of a human if I snuck into my brother's room in the middle of the night and begged him to feel me up."

I adjusted myself a bit, and Aleisha lifted her head so I could get my hand under her neck, but as we settled back down, I gave her a squeeze, pulling her close.

"You're thinking about this all wrong, Leash. As far as I'm concerned, the hottest girl I've ever had the pleasure of knowing is in my bed and it's taking every ounce of restraint I have to keep my hands off of her body," I said. "I'm your brother, but I love you very much. And there isn't a single thing I wouldn't do for you."