Fan Fiction ❯ No Regrets ❯ Thank's, that was fun ( Chapter 1 )

Title: No Regrets

Author: I_nv_u50

Warnings: Slash! Not yet, but eventual! Don't read if you don't like!

Pairings: Have to wait and see, don't you =P

Disclaimer: The plot is mine, all characters are mine (Arical and Devika are my babies ^^;;) and .. Well, if you want to use them, ask ^^

Chapter Rating: PG13

Author's Notes: This is a different style than my usual one. If I say any more, it'll ruin the story. So there's more at the bottom, if you actually care to read it ^^

Enjoy, and please review!! ^^

Names: Just in case … Arical is pronounced: Aa-rihk-ihl

And Devika is pronounced: Deh-vee-kah

Other than that, I doubt any difficulties will arise ^^;;

When I was seventeen hundred years old, I got branded. Of course, there were some other things that happened that year, but being branded is one of the most important because it led to all the other situations.

It was all a serious misjudgment on my part. I didn't know he felt that deeply, or that she would enact such revenge. Of course, it was partly their fault as well, but the king blamed me, so, naturally, the court did as well.

I couldn't help thinking that both of them were pleased with my sentence. He might have felt some twinges of guilt, but when did the royal consort give in to his feelings?

I can still remember the paralyzing fear as the king's army men held me down, flat on my stomach, spreading my wings to their fullest length so that I couldn't even protect myself. One of them grunted, and pushed my head into the ground, and I was all too aware that there was a pebble sticking into my face far too close to my eye. There was a burning, white-hot smoldering between my shoulder blades and wing roots.

I know I screamed, on and on in the flaring pain that lasted forever, before my vision clouded, and the world went black.

When I woke up, I was in a human bed, clothed to the waist in comfortable, if slightly scratchy, loose pants, with my face buried in the pillow.

There was a throbbing ache that spanned the entire distance in between my shoulder blades.

I couldn't feel my wings. It was surreal. I had never been without my wings before now, and flight was one of my greatest joys.

To have that taken from me was more torturous than a thousand brandings could ever be. Perhaps they knew that when they had taken my wings. I wouldn't have put it past them.

I didn't dare roll over; fearing the ache in my back would worsen if I did, even if I knew there was someone else in the room.

"Cal! Cal, I've been so worried! What in seven hells did you do to deserve it, Cal? I knew I shouldn't have let you go, but you always were headstrong. Really Cal!"

It was a female voice, and I grunted acknowledgement automatically before I could wonder how she knew my name. It was an unfamiliar voice, and an even stranger, mortal aura. It was disturbing, I had only known a few mortals before this, special ones who were taken into our city as presents.

She stepped closer, and gentle hands began to massage my middle back, pressing and easing the knotted muscles there. It felt … good. Whenever Cerise had massaged me she had always expected something afterwards.

I doubted this mortal would.

"I was so worried," she went on, "when Kael found you."

"Who's that?" I turned my face out of the pillow so I could breathe easier, and looked up at her from the corner of my eye.

She had rich dark brown hair and a pretty face that looked familiar somehow, even though I knew I had never laid eyes on her before. Big blue eyes stared down at me in horror.

"Cal!" she cried in disapproving tones. "He's been your best friend since grade six, how could you ask that?"

I blinked and shrugged, wincing at the pain that small action had brought. She clucked at me chidingly, and pushed my head deeper into the pillows. I had to resist the urge to fight back; it felt too much like strong, calloused hands had.

"Sleep." She told me. "I need to go make some calls, I'll be back in a while. Your brother will probably want to see you soon as well."

I didn't remember anything about me having a brother, but I obeyed, forbearing to ask her about this brother she thought I had. I tried to sleep, but the door opened before I could fitfully doze off, and a young man that looked astonishingly like me strode in, looking at me with something akin to worry and relief on his face. He darted over, and threw himself down beside me on the bed, studiously careful to avoid touching my back.

"'Rica! I was so worried!" He paused and looked at me urgently. "There's something that happened, 'Rica."

I could only watch him, marveling at his astonishing likeness to me. His hair was black, like mine, except, where mine was long; his was short, and messy, from too much fiddling. His eyes were as green as mine had ever been. He wasn't that bad looking, all in all. I wouldn't have minded him as a bed partner, but even as I contemplated it, there was some part in me that was repulsed by it. I couldn't understand why then.

"'Rica?" He was watching me, his eyes calculating and searching. "Tell me what happened to you. Please 'Rika. We were all so worried when Kael brought you here with that …" he faltered. "That abominable thing on your back. Who did it to you, 'Rica?"

I felt an almost overwhelming urge to comfort him, a wish that had, for once, no inclination of sex at all. It was astonishing, and I was beginning to get an idea of what the king had had my sentence changed to.

"'Vika, it's ok. I can't really remember what happened, but … are you ok?"

He smiled hesitantly; I had the sudden feeling that he didn't often smile without me there. "I'm ok. Just some backlash, I'll be fine." He hugged me suddenly, still considerately refraining from touching too far up my back.

Where before, in my court life, where hugs were nothing but preludes to invitations of sex, this hug was something entirely different, and I accepted it at face value, hugging him back as hard as I could before my muscles began to burn.

We both hissed in pain, and he gave me a sympathetic look. "I know Keri already gave you some pain medicine, but would you like some more? You're hurting pretty bad."

I smiled at him in what I hoped was a pathetically pleading way, and his eyes gave a rare twinkle. "Don't give me that look, 'Rica. You know it doesn't work with me."

"Hmph." I teased. "Of course it does. Otherwise you would never be offering those pain killers!"

He flashed a quick smile, and got up, as the door opened again, and the girl, Keri, came in again, to give my twin a mock despairing glance. He gave her a half smile, and left quickly.

Keri sighed. "Poor Dev. He was most worried about you, you know. Of course you know." She added quickly. "Who better? Cal, I'm inviting a friend here later, he'll want to meet you. And Dev. I'll let Dev alone, he'll want to deceive me. Just don't take too many painkillers, ok, Cal? You've already had a lot."

"Really?" I quipped. "They don't appear to be working."

Her face softened, and she came to press a quick, sisterly kiss against my forehead. "I'm sorry Cal. Of course. Just don't appear druggish to my friend, you need to be alert to meet him. Need to make a big impact."

Keri trailed of, and 'Vika strode in again, a cool, expressionless mask on. He nodded to her just once, and she smiled at him and left.

I had the distinct impression that, had she dared, she would have ruffled his hair. The second the door had closed behind her, he rushed forward, worry and relief again on his face as he handed the drugs to me.

"What's got Keri so nervous?" I asked while waiting for the drugs to take effect.

"She has to go to college, remember? She can't take us with her, and we can't stay on our own, we're too young. We have to stay at her friend's house for a while, at least until she can find better arrangements."

I scowled, and he lay down beside me again, hugging me and sighing. "It wont be too bad, will it, 'Rika? I mean, I'll have you, and you'll have me, and that's all we need, right?"

I felt like kicking myself, bringing worry to him like that. He was very insecure, being too artistic and clever to ensure welcome amongst normal people. I knew he was a genius, but people thought that was just a result of my being his twin. He wasn't perfect, far from it. He looked down on people who weren't as clever as he was, and couldn't understand how some people could be so stupid and slow. This didn't help matters much, and he was really quite lonely. I was the best friend he had, and as long as he had me, he would be happy.

"Of course, 'Vika. You're all I need."

He beamed at me, worries eased for the time being, and we talked a bit about things of no great importance until the pain killers took effect and I fell asleep.

In case you don't understand, let me explain. I had been a noble in my world, and had committed a serious crime, which wasn't altogether my fault alone, which led to me being branded. Apparently, the king couldn't leave well alone, and he furthered the punishment, sending me down to earth to live a mortal life. My unconsciousness that had fallen on me when the brand had been laid lasted fifteen years of my mortal life, and so I woke up after the branding with the brand still fresh on my back, and a twin. I didn't understand much more until much later, several lifetimes further on, but I will leave it at that. That's all you need to know, really. The wound was fresh, and hurt a lot, and I had been found by my best friend, wandering vaguely towards his house with a fever. But I jump ahead of myself now. I followed my instincts with the people I already knew, and they couldn't tell the difference that had taken the Cal they knew.

When I woke up, Keri was talking quietly to 'Vika, trying to persuade him to wake him up. He had that inscrutable mask of his on, and I knew she doubted she would get him to agree.

I opened my eyes slowly, the slow pulse of my blood was throbbing through the fresh scab was a prominent sensation, although the tightening of my brother's arms let me know he knew I was awake.

"Keri, leave us be. We'll be out to meet your friend in ten minutes. Go away!"

She glared, and huffed, but she left the darkened room, and I heard her talking softly to someone who was waiting in the hall.

"Dev!" She called into the room, and 'Vika just looked at me, rolling his eyes. I grinned back at him, pleased with the open display. "We'll be in the living room!" Keri continued, and the voices faded away.

"Feeling better now, 'Rica?" There was a tinge of concern in the quiet voice.

"Yea." I stifled a yawn, and reluctantly let go of him. It was unspeakably comforting just to be in his presence. I would have been quite happy to just stay there, and he didn't seem to be too unhappy with that arrangement either, but we both knew it was impossible.

"Don't ever to that to me again, 'Rica."

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Hmph." He gave a semblance of a pout, and I grinned, and pushed him away so I could get up.

He had to help me down the hall, but I finally stumbled into the living room on weak legs, that were beginning to buckle. My fever had obviously been more serious than I thought; I was leaning on my twin more than I cared to admit.

Keri made a distressed cry, and rushed to help me to an empty couch, 'Vika moving stiffly beside me. I got laid on my stomach on the couch, and 'Vika sat on the armrest by my head, guardedly examining the stranger on the opposite couch where Keri had passed into the kitchen.

"Would you like something to drink? Cal? Dev? Nic?"

'Vika answered for me, not moving his eyes from the figure who was, in turn, watching him unabashedly.

He had light brown hair, streaked with maybe natural, maybe not, blonde highlights. His eyes were dark, maybe black, maybe dark chocolate colored. He didn't appear to be too badly built, and, knowing Keri as I did, I wondered if he had once been more than a friend. I couldn't remember seeing him before, but she didn't introduce us to all her new boyfriends, and we didn't expect her to. We didn't really want her to. The man was about Keri's age, roughly 21 or thereabouts. He was beautiful. He was sneering at 'Vika. I didn't like him.

Keri came back in with a small tray, carrying all the drinks and a plate of assorted biscuits. She carefully put the tray down on the table, and 'Vika got up to fetch our drinks, putting mine on the floor where my hand was hanging over the edge.

Keri looked at all of us. "Nikolai, this is Arical, and Devika. Boys, this is Nikolai. He has agreed to look after you until I can find somewhere else for you to stay."

I gave a hurt look, only half put on. "You don't want us anymore." I wailed, and she immediately looked apologizing.

"Oh no, Cal, that's not it! I just cant take you to college with me, there's no space, and you need to be older than 16 to book a room there!"

I kept the hurt look until 'Vika's shoulder trembled with suppressed laughter, and Keri's face assumed an expression of mock outrage.

"Cal! Oh, you idiotic boy! Why do I always fall to believe you so easily?"

"Because you love me." I batted my eyes at her, and she swallowed laughter.

"Yes, well, be that as it may, you must leave with Nic tonight."

I could feel 'Vika's shock, it strongly reminded me of my own.

"Tonight?" It was the first word 'Vika had spoken besides the request for drinks. His alarm was subtle under the calm, and I doubt they heard it.

"Yes, tonight. I've already packed your things, all you have to do is get into the car."

'Vika fell silent, and I lifted my hand so it rested on his knee, offering comfort.

"Alright." I watched Nicolai, he stared straight back. "I hope you have plenty of pain killers. I fear I'm still in desperate need of them."

"Yes. I know." His voice was quiet, deep, and it drew me to him, despite my dislike of him.

He confused me. I ignored him after that, and 'Vika gently helped me back to my room, and offered me one of his shirts.

His shirts were pretty, and warm, button up.

I looked at him incredulously. "How am I supposed to wear that?"

He grinned at me, and showed me the back of the shirt. "See, I cut the label off. Hold out your arms."

I obeyed, and was sure that it would hurt. I should have known better than that. It had a little twinge of pain, but he slid the shirt onto me backwards, doing up the buttons until my mid back. Then he dug into one of his jeans' pockets and pulled out two clips, which he clipped back the collar with.

"Turn around."

I obeyed, and he folded down the back of the collar, which was under my chin.

Then he grinned. "All better?"

I smiled back. "Much. You're amazing."

He beamed at me, and I grinned back.

'Vika was doing up the cuffs so that they didn't flap when Keri came in. The sparkle left his eyes, and I mentally shook my head. He was far too apprehensive in company other than mine.

"Good idea, Dev. Are you warm enough Cal? I have some more shirts for you if you need some." There was honest concern in her voice. I thought about her shirts, pink and pale blue monstrosities, girl clothes. 'Vika smiled at me with his eyes.

"No, no that's alright. I'm fine." I spoke hastily, and a real laugh entered Keri's eyes as well.

"Pity. You'd look so good in this emerald blouse I bought on Saturday."

I laughed and assured her that it was all right, and she helped me out, flanked again by 'Vika.

She hugged me gently, ever mindful of the wound between my shoulders, and helped me into the car. 'Vika was just about to slide in next to me, when she caught him up in a sudden hug as well. He stiffened and flushed, but I caught her eyes over his head and gave her a grateful smile. She winked and smiled back.

Nicolai was in the driver's seat already, the car was started, and 'Vika stumbled back from Keri the moment she let him go. She refrained from giving him a goodbye kiss on the cheek, a wise move, I was sure, and he slid in next to me, buckling in his seatbelt while avoiding my eyes.

Keri spoke a few more quiet words to Nicolai, and stepped back, waving as Nicolai drove off.

He told us early on that it was a long ride, in the next city, and we wouldn't be stopping unless it was for gas. I agreed for both my brother and myself, and lay down on my stomach, as leaning against the car seat was too sore.

After about half an hour of silence, Nicolai turned on the radio, and rock and roll started to softly play, the speakers turned down enough for it to be background noise, just audible of the car engine that was thrumming through my head, giving me a headache. I hated car rides.

'Vika sensed this, and tugged me up so my head was in his lap, where he began to massage the nape of my neck. It eased me to sleep, the lulling movements of the car, and the soothing motions of his tentative fingertips, and the car ride as a whole is something I can never remember.

I woke up when a car door closed gently. My twin's fingers were resting heavily on my neck, and he was breathing evenly, fast asleep. His door opened slowly, carefully, and Nicolai looked in.

I drowsily opened my eyes and looked at him, craning my head as much as was possible without waking my brother and he smiled at me.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was quiet and soft; I had never heard it like that before.

I mouthed 'Fine' and shook 'Vika's leg to wake him up. He woke up slowly, like he always did, unaware of any company except mine. I looked up at him as much as I was able, and smiled, and he smiled back, a sleepy, happy smile that only I ever saw. I thought it a damned shame.

Nicolai held out a hand to help us out, and the smile snapped off, his eyes regarding mine reproachfully, as I struggled onto my hands and knees. He slid out from under me, and Nicolai sympathetically helped me out the car and then up to the main door.

It was a block of flats, with a doorman who held the door open for us politely, and Nicolai walked both of us to the elevator.

"I live on the eighth floor, room 827. There's always a spare key with the doorman, and if you're really in trouble, you can go to my neighbor. He'll probably help you out. Room 825. I'm afraid I only have one spare room. It's only got one bed now, but I can order another one to be brought in."

I looked up at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

He smiled at me. "These apartments are for … students, I guess. They have spare furniture, all you have to do is ask."

"Oh."

The elevator pinged, and the doors opened. Nicolai led the way, I managed to stumble along behind, 'Vika helping me whenever necessary.

The apartment wasn't small, but it wasn't big. It was comfortable for one, or maybe two people, but three people might have been pushing it. I was, however, willing to give it a try.

You came in the door, with a reasonably sized kitchen on the right. The dining room was right in front of the small entrance space, and opened into the living room. A small staircase that you could look down onto if you looked left from the entrance led down. At the bottom, if you turned left, directly in front of you was a small bathroom. Coming out of the bathroom, if you turned right, there was the master bedroom, with another small bathroom attached. If you turned left, there was a study that opened into another bedroom. This was to be our home for at least a year.

After a quick tour, Nicolai brought up a blanket and laid it on the couch, telling me quietly to lie down. 'Vika sat opposite me, eyeing the view out the window, his gaze kept returning to me. Nicolai went to make some late snacks before we went to bed.

'Vika came to sit on the floor by my head, peering into my face in concern.

"'Rica, is it going to be alright? Will we be all right here? Will you be alright here?"

"Shush, 'Vika. We'll be fine. I didn't like him before, but now. Now I don't think he's too bad."

"Hmph." He gazed at me, a teasing glint. "You just think he's cute, I know."

"Too true! You do too, you know."

He leaned closer, teasing. . "Maybe. But you're the only one in this world for me, Arical. You know that."

I laughed. "Silly boy!"

He grinned and leaned forward, placing a loud, smacking kiss on my cheek, and I laughed again, waving him away weakly.

A soft cough from the kitchen doorway made 'Vika shut off the grin, and a cool expression entered his eyes as he got up to help Nicolai bring in the food and drinks.

Nicolai simply looked at us and smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. I caught and held his gaze, and he broke it first, clearing his throat and pouring some soda into a glass from the can. 'Vika took it abruptly and handed it to me. I propped myself on my elbows and drank slowly.

"How do you know Keri?" I asked Nicolai, he paused in drinking his glass and looked at me, considering.

"We're old friends." He finally answered.

"How old?"

"Old enough."

"Old enough to be lovers?"

I caught him off guard. He stared at me. "Impudent bugger, aren't you?"

I grinned at him as sassy as I could be, and finally pulled a reluctant answering smile from him.

"How old are you, Arical?"

"Fifteen. So's 'Vika."

"I guessed." Nicolai replied dryly.

'Vika had his eyes down, studying his drink in the crystal glass.

"So, were you?"

"Was I what?"

I rolled my eyes, impatient. "Keri's lover!"

Nicolai was silent a while, and 'Vika cast me an annoyed glance.

"Yes." Nicolai's voice was subdued, and had an undertone to it that I couldn't immediately place.

"Is that why you took us in?"

When he looked up at me again, Nicolai's eyes were irritated. "Yes."

I let the subject go, and asked him about what he did.

He was majoring in art and music. He was a creative person, maybe even a little more artistic than my brother, but whereas 'Vika centered mainly on writing, Nicolai appeared to go for beauty, art and music the most prominent.

We talked quietly late into the night, until 'Vika was dozing with his head back against the couch I was still lying on.

Nicolai eventually looked at him. "Come, I'll show you to your bed. You can have the main bathroom, I have my own."

I nodded sleepily, and tugged on 'Vika's hair. "C'mon sleepyhead, let's go."

"Where?" he mumbled, and I grinned at Nicolai, who was waiting at the head of the stairs.

"To bed, silly."

"Silly yourself." 'Vika yawned, and got up, stretching before he helped me up.

I hissed in pain as he pulled on my arm too hard, and his face immediately grew concerned. "Are you ok? I'm sorry 'Rica." He sounded so sorrowful.

"Shut up, 'Vika. It's just a little stiff now. What did you give me earlier? They're working rather well."

He just shrugged, and we were helped down the steep stairs by Nicolai, who showed us into the study-bedroom where 'Vika immediately pulled back the thick, heavy blanket, leaving only the thinner sheet. He got hot easily.

Nicolai didn't say anything, just helped me onto the bed. "Goodnight. I need to step out for a while, there's a radio through there if you want to listen to some music while you fall asleep. I'll put some painkillers over here in case you need them later, ok Arical?" he gestured to a bedside table as he spoke, and I nodded, turning on my knees to face away from my brother as he carefully undid the buttons.

Nicolai stayed for a second, watching, then smiled. I could see his reflection in a mirror opposite him on the wall.

"Goodnight."

"G'night." I mumbled, and nudged 'Vika.

"'Night." He grumbled, and I grinned again at the typical reaction. 'Vika clouted my head, and Nicolai laughed and left.

"Where do you think he's going, 'Rica?"

"Dunno." I yawned. "What say we sleep, 'Vika? I'm tired."

"'Course you are." He sounded put out, and I caught his eye in the mirror. He looked almost angry.

"What's wrong 'Vika?"

"You shouldn't have asked him that stuff."

"Why? Weren't you curious?"

"Well … Maybe a little. But," he added quickly, "that's no reason to be so nosy."

"Nosy, am I?"

He grinned. "Undoubtedly."

"Hmph. You can expect some ice blocks down your shirt for that one."

"Don't you dare." He warned me, and pushed me down, pulling the sheet up until it covered my hips. Then he pulled a second sheet up until his arms and rolled onto his side to face me. I turned my head to face him.

"What about you, 'Vika? Do you like him?"

"I … I don't know. Maybe."

"He's cute, isn't he?" I hid a grin.

He glanced up at me, shy. "A … a little …"

I snorted, and he flushed. "Good night 'Vika. Sleep well."

"'Night 'Rica. Don't forget the pills if you hurt."

I smirked at him sleepily. "If I do, you'll remind me soon enough."

He yawned. "Too true."

We fell asleep.

I don't know when Nicolai came back, but, true to his word, he left a glass of water and pills on the bedside table. He left again afterwards. I needed them.

I was screaming, and thrashing, locked in pain, remembering the feel of rough hands holding me down, holding my beloved wings apart, and the brand, hissing as it met my bared skin.

Then a shock of cold woke me up, and I stared into the frightened, pained face of my brother, who was holding the empty glass of water. I shuddered, and he pulled me into a hug as I cried, crying with me. Nicolai skidded into the room, with a strange man just behind him.

The lights flashed on, and 'Vika stiffened, but still held me, and the soothing comfort of his presence filtered through my hazy mind until I recalled where we were, where I was, and who we were with. I pulled back slowly, but kept my arms around him, he still needed comfort.

I looked up into Nicolai's eyes; he was staring at me directly, worry and concern etched into his face.

"Are you alright?" he asked softly. The man with him just watched us.

I sniffed and gave a shaky smile. "Just a nightmare. We'll be fine." 'Vika's trembling eased up a little. There was a fiery sting between my shoulder blades. I took the glass from 'Vika's shaking hand and held it towards Nicolai.

"Can you get us some water please?"

"Of course." He murmured, and left to go fill the glass. The other man stayed behind.

"Who are you?" I asked, and 'Vika straightened up a little, sniffing and wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

"I'm Alexes, your new neighbor. You must be … Devika?"

"No, I'm Arical."

"Ah, so that must be Devika. Did he have the nightmare?"

"No, I did."

"Then why is he crying?"

"He's my twin. He feels what I do."

"Oh."

There was a surprising amount of understanding in his voice, but when I gave him a calculating look, he just smiled back at me, a deceptively innocent smile. His eyes remained on 'Vika.

Nicolai came back and gave me the glass, and I pulled away fully, ignoring them for the time being.

"'Vika?" I kept my voice soft and gentle, he was always more receptive to tone than I was. "Want some pain killers?"

I shook my head warningly at Nicolai before he could protest, and 'Vika nodded slowly, his eyes still down. I reached over for one of the three pills and put it, and the glass in his hand.

"Drink it, 'Vika. Come on."

He complied, and slowly lay down on his stomach. I swallowed the remaining pills, and placed the glass on the table.

Nicolai and Alexes continued to watch us. Lying down on my stomach beside 'Vika, I rested a careful arm over the small of his back, being sure it didn't touch anywhere near the area where the raw and tender pain was throbbing in my own back.

Alexes suddenly understood, and he pulled Nicolai away, whispering goodnight to us as he turned out the lights. We were asleep before the front door shut.

I woke up first, and got out of bed slowly so as to not wake up my brother. It was hard. He was a light sleeper at the best of times, and now, in my pain, he should have been easier to wake up.

I got upstairs, stumbling only a little, with the help of the stair railing, and quietly turned on the TV. There was nothing very interesting on so early, and I was skipping through channels when an art program caught my eye.

It was very interesting. It was a professional artist teaching you how to paint in half an hour, showing you what to do, and with what brushes and paints. It was so interesting that I missed the front door close.

"It's a good show, isn't it?" Nicolai's voice startled me, and I gave an undignified yelp. "Sorry." He went on, grinning, not sorry at all. "I love that guy. He's very good at explaining, isn't he?"

I nodded cautiously.

He eyed me. "Want something to eat?" he eventually asked.

I nodded again, more enthusiastically.

"Come on then, give me a hand in the kitchen."

I didn't really want to leave the show, but I was hungry enough to, and followed him hesitantly into the kitchen.

He smiled at me, opening the fridge. "Does Devika like bacon and eggs? Shall we make him some?"

I grinned, happy that he was being so considerate of my reclusive twin. He smiled back slowly, and I suddenly realized that his eyes were black, deep, dark and secretive.

I looked away, and felt a slow heat in my cheeks.

Nicolai ignored it, and pointed out the correct drawers for the things we needed. I collected the things, and soon there was bacon sizzling in one pan and eggs frying in another.

Nicolai smiled at me. "Think he wants some sausages as well?"

I grinned at him. "If he doesn't, I do."

He just looked at me.

My grin faded. "What?"

His eyes turned almost brown, and he stepped closer. "Arical …"

I hadn't heard my name said like that since before my branding. A wave of heat surged through me, then icy coolness.

"Nicolai?" My voice wobbled.

He stepped closer, and I stepped back, until I was trapped against the counter. He trapped me there, one hand on either side of my hips, not touching, but close enough. Too close. Like his eyes.

"Nicolai …!" My voice was strangled, choked in my throat.

"Stop." It was a new, familiar voice that spoke, yet it sounded somewhat like mine, and Nicolai looked up before backing away and smiling at 'Vika, who was standing in the doorway.

"Ah, good morning. We were just preparing breakfast. I hope you like sausages? Excuse me, Arical." I scrambled out of the way, going to stand next to my brother, and Nicolai reached up and opened a cupboard that had been behind my head. Had that been the reason he had followed me?

Nicolai pulled out a saltshaker, and a peppershaker, and, smiling innocently, set them on the counter.

"The plates are in there, the knives and forks are in there, could you go lay the table please? And Arical, could you cut and butter some bread for us please?"

I nodded, and gave my reluctant twin a nudge; he took the hint and collected enough plates and cutlery for all of us. I went to the bread bin, where there was already a knife and sliced enough bread for us.

It was a quiet meal, where 'Vika stared at Nicolai suspiciously and Nicolai and I made some somewhat forced conversation. It was with relief that Nicolai greeted Alexes when he came in.

"Good morning boys." Alexes greeted us cheerfully. "Want to come with us to the zoo? We're going to be sketching some animals."

I stared at him. "Huh?"

He chuckled and ruffled my hair. "We're in art classes, right? So, our professor is taking us to the zoo today to sketch some living creatures."

"Oh." I turned to look at 'Vika. "Wanna go?"

He nodded silently, and I grinned at Alexes, neatly ignoring Nicolai. "Ok!"

Nicolai spoke up. "Be ready to leave in thirty minutes then, it takes an half an hour to get to the university."

I turned to him and grinned again, innocently. "Ok!"

He eyed me, but refrained from saying anything.

We finished the meal in light banter, and I followed 'Vika downstairs to have a short argument about who got to use the shower first. He won, and I showered.

I couldn't fight him for too long, he knew all the right buttons to push.

I had dressed in one of my one altered shirts and waited for him until he was finished before climbing up the stairs to meet with Nicolai and Alexes by the door.

"Ready?" Nicolai asked, looking us over and smiling in approval.

"Yep!" I answered; happy because my brother was happy, excited to go to the zoo.

It would be the perfect day.

Author's Notes: Well, whatcha think? A note, this isn't an incest fic, so don't worry about that. They're just very close, future chapters, if there are any, will reveal why they are so close. Other than that though, I can't think of any problems. Any questions, let me know. And please, please review!! ^^;;