Chapter 320: Big Sister [2]
"...Finally. Finally, I can be your sister."
Her words rang with such pure satisfaction that Brandon almost pitied her.
He sighed softly, resting his chin atop her head, trying to ground her emotions before they spiraled again.
"Kael..." she whispered against his neck, "More... I want more."
Before he could ask what she meant, she pulled back suddenly, her blue eyes gleaming with that feverish devotion.
With that, she reached for the clasp of her blouse.
Brandon’s jaw dropped "Wait- Charlotte don’t-!"
The soft rustle of fabric filled the air as she stripped the blouse from her shoulders and tossed it aside without hesitation, leaving only the delicate fabric of her blue bra hugging her body.
Her pale skin glowed in the low light, her collarbones rising and falling with her quickened breath.
Brandon’s face went red instantly, his hands shooting up to stop her. "S-Sister! This is... too much! Put that back on!"
But she only smiled and leaned into him. "No. This is what sisters do when they want to be close. More skinship. You said gently... I can be gentle, Kael. Let me show you."
Before he could stop her, her arms looped around his head again, pulling him flush against her breasts.
His face was smothered against her breasts, and the soft scent of her skin filled his senses.
"Ch-Charlotte!" His muffled voice carried panic and embarrassment, his hands pressing against her waist to try and push her back.
"Don’t resist me!" she cried, her voice cracking with desperate affection.
"Don’t push me away, little brother... I’ve dreamed of this for so long. I can’t let go!"
Her hair brushed across his cheek as she buried his face deeper against her breasts, sighing in bliss.
Brandon body stiffened with embarrassment. "Charlotte, please... you don’t need to-"
"Yes, I do!" she cut in, shaking him again. "Because you’ll leave me otherwise. They’ll steal you again. That Eira and Jiyeon will steal you. But here... in my arms... you’re mine. Just mine."
Brandon exhaled shakily, his hands still braced against her trembling back. "Sister... you’re overwhelming me."
Her grip loosened just slightly, but she refused to release him.
She pulled back only enough to meet his eyes, "Let me drown you in me until you never forget who your sister is."
Before he could answer, she hugged his head tightly again, pressing his face deeper into her breasts.
"Kael, Kael, Kael! You’ll never escape me now... never..."
Brandon sighed in his heart, realizing that there is no way to get out of this’ If I fight harder, she’ll only grow more desperate.’
His lips curved in a faint, helpless smile ’I guess... I should make the most of it while it lasts. Though... when the real Charlotte comes back, I’m sure she’ll be furious with me.’
Slowly, he relaxed his body, his cheek brushing against the silky warmth of her skin, until his nose and lips pressed more fully into the soft swell of her breasts.
Her arms tightened immediately, locking around him "Yes, dear!"
She hugged him so fiercely that her heartbeat pounded against his ear, frantic and uneven, like a bird thrashing in a cage. Her fingers threaded into his hair, clutching desperately as if afraid he’d vanish the moment she loosened her grip.
He rubbed his face lightly against the softness of her breasts, half to appease her, half because some part of him wanted to calm her down this way.
"Little brother..." she whispered, her blue eyes shimmering with obsession. "So warm... so real... I can’t believe you’re mine."
Her fingers traced over his chest before sliding down his arm and then she tilted her head curiously. "Is my bra in the way? Do you want to cuddle with your sister bare-"
"Eh?!" Brandon’s entire body stiffened and he shook his head "N-No, Sister, this is good enough! Really, it’s fine like this."
For a moment, she pouted, her lips curving downward in disappointment.
But just as quickly, she softened, leaning down to press a gentle kiss on the crown of his head "So shy... but that’s why I adore you."
And then her expression changed as a thought flickered in her eyes, "Kael... show me your scar."
He blinked in confusion, taken aback. "...My scar?"
"Yes," she insisted, her hands suddenly tightening on his shoulders. "The one on your back. Please... let me see it."
Brandon turned his head slightly, "Why all of a sudden-"
"Please." Her voice quivered, desperation seeping through. "I need to."
Seeing the intensity in her expression, he gave a faint sigh. "...Alright."
Slowly, he reached for the hem of his t-shirt, pulling it upward and in one smooth motion, he pulled the shirt off, tossing it to the side.
As he turned his back to her and Charlotte’s breath hitched the moment her eyes landed on it.
Her hand rose instinctively before finally brushing against the roughened skin as she whispered "...The only time I failed to protect you."
Brandon turned his head, glancing at her over his shoulder with a small, questioning smile. "Why did you want to see that suddenly?"
She shook her head quickly, strands of hair falling over her face "It’s nothing."
But her hand didn’t leave his back.
And then, without warning, she leaned forward and her lips pressed softly against the scar.
Brandon froze, startled by the intimate gesture. Huh?
She kissed it again. And again.
Her breath shivered against his back as she whispered between kisses, "If I had been stronger... if I had been better... you wouldn’t have gotten hurt. That mark... it’s my failure. My shame."
Her tears spilled quietly, soaking into his skin as she continued "Every time I remember it, I hate myself. But if I can hold you like this... if I can love you enough... maybe I can make up for it."
Brandon’s eyes condensed ’So that’s it... she still has that regret of not saving me back then. That scar isn’t just mine... It’s hers too.’
’Maybe her obsession to protect me was born during that incident?’
’Well, I was a reckless kid back then, wanting to protect my dear Big Sister. I guess in a way, I was also obsessed with her.’
’I was desperate for her love and attention back when she was in high school, because at that time, she really hated me.. because I was a burden to her big sister, Elize.’
Her arms suddenly wrapped around him from behind, hugging his bare torso tightly.
She pressed her cheek to his back, "I’ll never let anything hurt you again. Even if it costs me everything."
Brandon placed his hand gently over hers, steadying her trembling fingers. "...Charlotte. You don’t have to punish yourself over this. That scar... it doesn’t hurt me anymore."
He glanced back at her with a faint smile "But if you really feel guilty... then just stay with me. That’s enough."
Her grip only tightened, her lips pressing harder to the scar "I’ll love you until it fades. And even then... I’ll love you more."
Brandon slowly turned around and saw her tear-streaked face.
For a moment, his heart clenched.
Reaching up, he cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears trailing down her skin. "Sister... You don’t have to cry for me anymore."
Her lips quivered, "Kael... I just-"
"Hush." He leaned forward slightly, resting his forehead against hers.
His breath fanned warmly across her face. "I told you before, didn’t I? Whether it’s you, or... them, in the end you’re still Charlotte. My sister. And I love you."
Her wide blue eyes shimmered and the intensity in them slowly softened.
Bit by bit, the sharp obsession melted into something gentler and familiar.
Green began bleeding back into her irises, chasing away the consuming blue glow.
Her body slackened and her hold loosened until she finally leaned into him like she used to. Just Charlotte. His Charlotte.
"...You’re too good to me," she murmured in a softer voice, almost embarrassed.
She tucked her head against his chest, clutching lightly at his hand where it still cradled her cheek. "Even after all that."
Brandon smiled faintly, stroking her hair.
He tilted her chin up just enough to meet her gaze again. "No matter which side of you shows up, I’ll always remind you of this. That you don’t need to fight for my love... you already have it."
Charlotte’s face warmed and a blush crept across her cheeks as her green eyes trembled. "...Dummy," she muttered in a small voice.
Brandon chuckled quietly, pulling her into a gentler hug.
The two of them sat there like that, close yet calm, hugging each other.
*creak*
At this time, the door opened "Kael, Char-"
Elize’s voice stopped as she looked at Charlotte hugging Brandon while wearing only a bra and Brandon was also half-naked on the bed.
She blinked two times "...Ok."