Twin fates

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"Yeah, come on, do your worst," he winked and turned his side to Nicola who glanced at his wound critically and sighed.

"Why can't you be more like other guys, eh?" she joked. "You're always getting hurt, cut, bruised. And then I have to patch you up. Brace yourself, this will sting," Nicola warned as she cleaned the wound and applied the antiseptic.

Gabriel frowned when he felt liquid fire poured into the gash in his skin but clenched his teeth and didn't even hiss, although sweat beaded on his forehead. "What can I say?" he panted "I'm me, right?"

"I guess, okay, I'll bandage it now. Sorry if it hurt. Hey, you okay? You look kinda pale?" Nicola asked worriedly.

"I'm fine, carry on, sis," he ushered her on and she started wrapping his arm in a bandage. "Tighter," he mumbled.

"It'll hurt ya, Gabe," she warned.

"Yeah, for a moment. But if it's too loose it might slip overnight. I don't want to bleed all over the bed. Someone might think I practice voodoo or somesuch," Gabriel joked although he felt as if her were going to collapse.

"There, all done for ya and tax free," Nicola chirped and clasped her hands, proud of her neat work.

"Thanks, I ope you don't mind that I'll faint now," he muttered as his vision filled with blurred noise and unconscious he fell right on his sister.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola let out a short shriek as Gabe suddenly fell toward her. She tried to keep him up, but his weight combined with her surprise sent them falling to the floor. She braced herself, wrapping her arms around him as they went down to cushion his fall. With a great THUD, she lay there, blinking back stars as she cracked her head back on the tile and trying to catch her breath. "Gabe..." She wheezed, "Gabriel!"

Sprawled out on the floor, she her legs cradled his body and his face was nestled against her chest. Craning her neck so that she could look at him, Nicola struggled to try and turn his face up to hers. "GABE!" She hollered, gently patting his cheeks. He moaned into her breast bone, his hot breath warming the skin under her soft cotton shirt.

Her stomach did a funny dip and she knew something was up...trouble was just around the corner. It made the air thick around them...thick and sweet. "Gabe?"

He sighed and wrapped his arms her around hips, bringing her closer as his face nuzzled a pump breast. She gasped and tried to shove him away. "Hey!"

"Shhhh...Nicolas." He whispered.

"NO! I'm Nicola!! Gabriel! Hear me!" She pleaded, trying to wiggle away, but her movements were futile and a strange warmth was seeping deep into her body, making her wet and needy.

"Missed you...missed you." He murmured, looking up into her face. His eyes were glazed, but a brilliant smile lit his handsome face.

Her insides melted and a sudden hot surge took her breath away. "Oh no..." She moaned out just before his lips met hers.

"Gabrielle!" She moaned as mouths opened and tongues met for a deep sweet kiss...

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabriel was shocked at the turn of events. This wasn't exactly one of the faintings he had ever experienced. When he fell, in a way he was still conscious and aware only unable to move his body. With utter horror he experienced the breathtaking kiss on the floor of the bathroom, his and Nicola's bodies so very close, embraced. But had no way of stopping what was happening, moreover, his body would not obey him. It was as if suddenly some powerful presence had overtaken him and pushed him off the seat of control. He could still feel everything, though, each slide of his tongue against Nicola's, each bite on his lips, her firm and gentle touch on his back, her legs wrapping around his hips, his erection gaining size.

"NO!" he wanted to shout and push away from his sister but he wasn't allowed to do so and suddenly he blacked out - lost his sight and hearing. He could only rely on his smell and touch now and he was terrified to feel his hand creep under Nicola's t-shirt, inching over her smooth skin towards her breast. However, no matter how much he would struggle to regain control, he was still as helpless as a child. On his tongue he felt Nicola's content purr as his left hand rested on her breast and squeezed it.

"Stop it, fool," he heard some voice somewhere but it wasn't outside but rather inside his head. You can do nothing. You cannot fight it, our vow is more powerful."

"I don't fucking care!" he cried inside his mind. "Show yourself, bitch!"

"Bitch, is it?" The disembodied voice laughed menacingly. He felt Nicola's fingernails scratch his back as his lips move down her neck while his thumb circled her nipple. In front of his eyes, in the total darkness a faint silhouette of a woman materialised, gaining dimenstions and texture.

"I know it was you, you hag! Stop it right now and tell that other bastard to stop it too!"

"Oh? Why don't you make us, you silly boy?" Gabrielle giggled but there was no merriment in her voice, only ice-cold malice. He felt Nicola's hands slip under his pjs, her nails biting into his bottom as his teeth pulled on her nipple over the t-shirt.

"You're so damned stupid you don't even understand what you are doing! You damned, dead wench! If someone ever finds out what happened they will separate us and do you know what that means? DO. YOU. FUCKING. KNOW?"

"What are you implying, host?" Gabrielle's voice turned curious and careful but she wasn't stopping his body and it seemed neither was Nicolas who had taken over his sister, her hands slowly sliding over his hips, reaching for his hardness. His own hands had long since pushed Nicola's t-shirt up to her neck, his mouth hungrily sucking and licking her breasts, Nicola's body arching underneath.

"I'm saying that if anyone ever finds out what you are making us do you will never be together, not in these here bodies! You'll have to wait another generation but next time you might not be so lucky to be reborn within twins!" His mental hands closed on Gabrielle's throat, choking her, trying to wrest control over his body from her. As his fingers clasped around her neck, Nicola's hand grabbed his cock, making his whole body jerk with surprise and sudden pleasure.

"You're liking that, naughty boy," Gabrielle growled through her constricted neck and tried laughing but only coughed when he tightened his grip. His lips were slowly travelling down Nicola's flat stomach, trailing a wet line towards her navel.

"I swear I'll find a way to get you out of my head. And you tell that bastard bookworm of yours that if the two of you try to hurt my sister I swear I will kill myself so you two will never be together again! NEVER!" he spat the last word in Gabrielle's face and saw her image shatter into a thousand ice shards. He regained his vision and control but wasn't sure where he was or what was going on anymore.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola was fighting her own demons. She had full sight, consciousness and can feel every little touch and caress he placed on her body. Only each touch sent pleasure 10 fold through her body. They hadn't even gotten to the main course yet and she was panting and moaning with each kiss of his lips and stroke over his hands. It was unreal. Her mind swirled as she tried to control her hands, but it was like they had a mind of their own. Somewhere, deep in the recesses of her mind she heard Nicolas. His voice was soft, but commanding, making her want and need...making her body sing. Silent tears slipped from her eyes as she gasped and arched against Gabe's skilled fingers and hands. Oh God! Her own brother...she was about to make love with her brother!

With fingers wrapped around his God, she stroked him, from base to tip. His body jerked and a deep growl vibrated within his chest, his teeth sinking into her flesh, eliciting a whimper from her lips. "Please...please please please..." She whispered. Unsure if she wanted him to continue, wanting to relieve the wet, hot throbbing flesh between her legs or get him to stop.

Everything was moving too fast. Too fast, too soon...this wasn't how she had planned her first time. The swirl of his tongue around her navel pulled her spine off the floor and her hands fell away, unable to really reach more than his shoulders anymore. Delving her fingers through his hair, she held on tight, panting and mewling. So hot...she was so hot!

Then something changed. She lay there, staring up at the ceiling of their bathroom. Gabe stopped moving, his face still pressed against her soft, flat belly. The trance was broken, turning her body ever so suddenly cold. Swallowing, she untangled trembling fingers from Gabe's hair and carefully slid them up to pull her t-shirt down. "Gabriel?" She whispered, her voice soft and trembling. "Gabe?"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabriel was slowly regaining the grasp of reality around him. With his cheek pressed to Nicola's stomach he blinked a few times trying to guess where he was and why he was on the floor. The soft cushion moved underneath and spoke his name and he jerked back to kneeling position as if she'd burned him. He looked around in confusion, it was their bathroom alright but what was Nicola doing on the floor, her pjs strangely messed up, her eyes staring at him with trails of tears on her temples. He swallowed hard and pressed a hand to his forehead, feeling the cold sweat that had appeared there a while ago, before he had fainted.

His memory was a blur and he could sense a similar confusion from Nicola, who was still just looking at him. He felt fear, his own and hers that suddenly appeared. God, have they actually done it? He breathed a sigh of relief, realising they couldn't have and took Nicola's hand and pulled her up and pulled her close.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry," he muttered an apology. "I don't know what to say, I don't know what to do anymore... Please forgive me, Nicola..."

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola hugged him back fiercely, trying to hold back a sob that choked her and failing. She sniffled and buried her face against his shoulder, holding onto him for dear life. Gently he rocked them back and forth, whispering his apologies. "It's not your fault." She whispered back, "It's them Gabriel, both of them. I don't know what to do either."

Gently pulling back from each other and rising, they stood on unsteady legs and regarded one another awkwardly.Although cold, her body still held the frustration of no release. "What happened?" Nicola asked softly, gazing up at him, "I felt something at the end, like a chain being broken for an instance. What did you see?"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabriel scrached his neck and looked at the floor. Somehow he couldn't meet Nicola's gaze. No he was aware that it wasn't really the two of them that tried to get in bed together but rather Gabrielle and Nicolas, who resided inside their heads, or hearts perhaps. He hoped that for a while he had managed to calm them down, give them something to think about and reconsider their actions. But then again what could thaty care for the twins who were their hosts as Gabrielle had put it. They could just as well lead them to make love and then abandon them, destroying their lives.

"When I fainted," he started "only it wasn't real fainting, you know. I understood later that I simply lost control of my body and even though I was fighting it, it just wouldn't obey and all that happened... it wasn't me, it was Gabrielle. She talked to me, inside my head, she mocked me and laughed at me but I managed to drive her away. And I guess Nicolas followed."

"How did you do that? I mean, why would she even consider speaking with you?"

"She ordered me to stop struggling, as if she could order me around. But it's not the point. I told her that they don't realise what they're doing and if they follow like this someone's bound to know and then they'd do something to make sure it doesn't happen again." Gabriel wasn't going to tell her about possible separation because that would have killed them both.

"But they might strike again when we're in some secluded place, Gabe. What then?" Nicola asked once again.

"I don't think they will make any moves for a while. Not with the ultimatum I put forward."

"Huh? What ultimatum? What are you talking about?"

Gabriel sighed, he really didn't want to share this particular information with her but they were in this together so he had no other choice. "I told her that I'd kill myself if she ever made me hurt you."

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

"What?!" She gasped in horror, looking completely shocked. "Y-you can't do that!"

"That's only if things get out of hand, Nicola." He tried to assure her, but she was already shaking her head.

"NO! I don't care! You can't Gabe, you can't do that!"

He sighed in frustration, rubbing the back of his neck and tugged at his hair. "Well what do you suggest then!? I couldn't stand to hurt you!"

"Gabe..." She began, biting her lip and squeezing her eyes shut. "Sex isn't going to hurt me...I mean...you know, maybe at first but..." She flushed and dropped her head down. "What I'm trying to say is that even...even if we, you know...can't stop them and we have no control, it's not going to hurt me. I'm not going to be paralyzed or crippled or in physical pain. It's just...wrong, that's all. It goes against moral codes."

"What if they keep making us do it, Nicola?" He asked bluntly.

She felt numb. What could she say? She would deal with it? Having sex with him might not be that bad? They could learn to enjoy it? "I don't know..." She said softly, "I just don't know. But you can't...you CANNOT kill yourself."

With tear filled eyes she looked back up at him and forced his gaze to hers. "No matter what, Gabe, I'm still here. I'd still love you. But I couldn't live without you...if you go, I go."

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"I know, sis. I love you, too, that's why. And I didn't mean just hurting you physically but mentally as well. We're already on the threshold, one more step and we'll go too far you know. And who knows what that could do to us, how it would make us feel?" he asked bitterly, completely at a loss and confused.

"I'd never hate you, Gabe, never. No matter what. I have only you and losing you..." sniffing, Nicola voiced his own concerns and wiped her face from tears.

"I know... it's just that this is so weird and now we know that these aren't just dreams and visions... They are directly taking control over us, over our bodies and feelings and I can't stand not being to control myself like I should. This is wrong!"

"I think you're right... It's like we're," Nicola hesitated over the last word. "...possessed."

"I'll never let that bitch have her way again," Gabe growled and balled his fist. "And I won't let her hurt you because she wants to screw around with her loverboy. I don't care! All I want is for you to be safe and I don't even want to think that we might, just for a second,... have sex because they want it."

He shook his head and growled, he was angry and afraid and the only way he knew of getting rid of those feelings was to kick someone's ass real hard. And soon too.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola sniffled and took a deep steadying breath. "I don't know what to do, but I guess for now, we can take little steps to help...maybe stay in the public eye as much as possible...or around SOMEONE. I don't know what to do when we're home...seems silly to lock ourselves up in our own rooms and such, but I guess it could be done...I don't know..." She gave him a miserable look. "I just don't want to not be around you like we already tried. That was horrible just for one day."

Gabriel nodded in agreement, looking just as frustrated and miserable as herself...and angry. She gently touched his arm, running her hand down to clasp a clenched fist. "We'll make it...maybe when we get to Aunt Sarah's we can figure something out. For now we just have to just take it one day at a time and get school over with so we can get out of here."

Letting him go, she hugged herself and smiled bravely. "I'm going to go to bed...I'll see you tomorrow, OK? And Gabe...stay in. I know you're angry, but please...?"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"Yeah, alright," Gabriel nodded in agreement without giving it much thought.

"I mean it, Gabe. I don't want anyone to get hurt and least of all you. Promise me you won't go out, please..." Nicola asked him and he sensed real sincerety in her voice.

"I won't go out. Cross my heart..." he assured her.

"And hope to die?" Nicola drilled with a glint of mischief in her eye.

"Stick a needle in my eye and I'll throw a pizza in," Gabriel joked and they gave each other a loving hug.

"I'm not so easily placated," Nicola said with a faint smile as she made for the door to her room.

"With pizza you are," Gabe quipped and turned the bathroom light off. In the almost complete darkness he thought he saw something move in the mirror but when he took a closer look he only noticed a dark outline of his frame. But still some disturbing presence loomed somewhere out of sight. Not bothering with tying his hair he went to his own room and closed the door behind him. He turned his computer on to check his mail and then it came to him that video games were a good way to work stress out too.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

All joking aside, Nicola still felt the heavy weight of worry burden her mind. She didn't like the idea of Gabriel thinking such things as taking his own life to spare her any pain. Part of her was angry that he would even think to do such a thing and leave her behind...having no Gabriel in her life just didn't settle at all.

Sighing, she tossed around in bed for a while and finally picked up a doodle pad by her bed side table where she sometimes jotted down notes and did small sketches to pass the time. Propped up on a pillow, she swirled her pencil around until sleep finally took over.

The rest of the week turned out to be uneventful, although both Nicola and Gabe had the uneasy feeling that things were just calm before the storm. Still, Nicola plunged herself back into her studies and Gabe went back to work until one week turned into two and he returned to school as well for the finals and then their graduation ceremony. Miraculously, he put forth great effort to steer clear of the Stooges until they were in the clear and standing outside their high school in caps and gowns.

Nicola grinned up at Gabriel who was fighting the urge to rip the silly cloth off his body and toss away the hat. Their mother hovered, trying to play the part of the proud parent as their father took pictures. "Smile kids! Come on Gabriel!" his mother coaxed until Nicola finally wrapped an arm around his waist and tickled him.

"SMILE." She ordered with a giggle until he finally broke into a reluctant grin. "Free at last!" She hollered, making her mother cringed.

"Nicola...ladies don't shout."

Nicola shrugged and laughed, "Yeah, Mom. Sorry. Now can Gabe and I go? We have to pack!"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabe really wasn't feeling like smiling. His body ached all over from the terrible workout the work at Thelma's had given him. His muscles were sore, his bones ached and he could barely move his arms without wincing. He was making least movements possible in order to spare himself unnecessary pain. Therefore the smile he gave to the camera looked more like a scowl since he barred his teeth in pain of Nicola's hand running over his side. He was sharing her enthusiasm though and her chirpy mood had its effect on him as well. But first of all he felt relieved to be out of this damned school where everyone was getting on his nerves. When his suspension period had ended immediately Nina tried to get in touch with him but he only laughed in her face seeing the lovely black eye Nicola had given her. He couldn't care less about her and ignored her each time she tried approaching him.

Now, walking back home he was feeling a sort of elation that not only school was over but he and Nicola would be going away from home for a while which might take quite long, because knowing thei Aunt Sarah's habits, she was capable of leaving her flat for extended periods of time. He was already making a list of things to take,excited beyond measure. Luckliy he would have no problem deciding what clothes to take -- a larger part of his wadrobe consisted of jeans and white shirts. Of course he would take his cargos and t-shirts for times of pissy mood too. The guitar of course was one of the first on his priority list because he had had little time to practice recently with his arms aching so much. In a week or so his muscles would go back to normal.

"Hey, walk slower, silly!" he scolded Nicola who's excitement was taking the better of her and she walked at a brisk pace. "I'm aching all over and the bus leaves in three hours."

"I know, I know. But I'm afraid I may forget to take something or won't be able to decide what to take and what to leave," Nicola spoke quickly but slowed down to suit him.

Gabriel sighed and shook his head.

"You know, I missed this smile of yours. You haven't smiled like this in a while?"

"Huh? Whatcha mean, Gabe?"

"Well, happy..."

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola jammed her hands into her jeans and smiled up at Gabe as they ambled home slowly. "Sorry...I guess we've just both been under some stress and now I feel like it's being lifted off of us. No more school means no more jerks trying to piss us off or harass us. Ha! Nina has been fuming for the last week and I have to say, I'm kind of proud of the eye."

Gabe chuckled as she beamed up at him with mischief twinkling in her eyes. "Watch out world! Nicola is now a rebel!"

She laughed and shook her head, "No, but the bitch deserved it. It felt kind of good to get it out of my system, but it hurt too much for me to just keep punching people."

He watched her as she flexed a slender hand and giggled, then shoved it back into her pocket. "Seriously...I'm just glad we get to leave this place for a while. Maybe the time away will really do us some good." Reaching their home, she opened the front door and spread her arms out. "Now! Time to finish packing!"

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Packing his things took him twenty-five minutes and he spent the next five double-checking if he had taken everything he though necessary. In his stomach Gabriel felt the excited buzzing connected with the trip and their stay away from home, all by themselves in the big city. He checked the strings of his guitar and decided to take spares too, of course he could by them in the city but this way he was sparing himself the unnecessary trouble of searching for musical intruments' shop on the spot. All in all he managed to gather all his things in just one bag.

Nicola was probably still packing her own stuff so Gabe went downstairs to the kitchen and prepared them something simple to eat and some sandwiches for the trip which was going to take good five hours. Gabriel didn't mind though, as long as he had enough space for his legs he was comfortable and Nicola, slimmer and smaller than he was would have even less trouble fitting in the seat. He packed their travel food and took Nicola's plate upstairs.

He opened her door and grinned when he saw his sister stainding in the open doors of her wardrobe with a concentrated look on her face as she was thinking what to take and what to leave behind. "Your lunch, Mistress," he announced and put the plate on her desk.

"Thanks, I'll eat in a moment. Here, Gabe, help me decide. Which dress should I take?" Nicola asked him as she took two hangers and put the garments to her front. He raised one eyebrow and contained an amused smile that was forcing itself on his lips.

"Take both of them. They won't be taking much space by their looks. You sure you'll have enough courage to put them on? I mean, they'd be showing a lot!"

"Hmmm, I dunno. Perhaps a prince charming will invite me to dinner? I need something stylish and elegant, don't you think, brother dear?"

"Yeah, sure. Now pack 'em up, have a snack and hurry up. I hope your baggage will be lighter than your school bag," he joked as he leaned on the doorframe and watched her pack.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola threw the rest of her clothes together, trying to neatly fold everything for maximum storage. One suitcase contained her clothing, while the other she packed actually stored all her art supplies, some books, CDs and toiletries. "OK...I think I'm done. I managed to keep it to two bags. Hopefully that'll be enough."

Gabe let out a little snort and grinned. "Yeah...for a week." He teased, walking over to her bed to sit down while she sat at her desk and ate hungrily.

"Hush you!" she mumbled over a mouthful.

"That was attractive." He grinned, "In any case, you know that there are clothes we left behind last time."

"More than likely too small." She pointed out.

Gabe rolled his eyes and reclined on his elbows. "Come on, come on...eat up, I want to go already!"

Nicola giggled and grabbed a handful of chips. "OK OK...sheesh!! Some prince YOU are! Since you're in such a hurry, you carry my bags and I'll eat on the way down."

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

"Might as well..." Gabriel mumbled and fetched his own bag and guitar from his room and lugged all their baggages downstairs. It really felt good to be leaving home, the familiar anticipation of the unknown tugging at him, promising all those new possibilities that were opening themselves before them in the near future.

"Hey, Gabe, call Aunt Sarah that we'll be leaving soon!" Nicola shouted from upstairs.

"I was just about to do that, chill out and enjoy your last meal at home!" he called back and gave Sarah a call to inform her that they would be dropping by in the early morning. She wished them a nice trip. Then Gabriel called for a taxi to pick them up because as usual they couldn't count on their parents' help in this matter. "You have 10 minutes, Nicola! Better hurry up."

"Alright, alright already! I want to leave too so just keep your pants on," Nicola replied as she was walking downstairs with the plate in hand. "Geez, Gabe, I swear, despite the don't-approach-me-or-I'll-break-your-legs attitude you can be such a child sometimes!"

"Child, eh, just your wait!" he followed her into the kitchen and waited for her to put the plate down, Then he sneaked up on her and ran his fingers over her ribs. Nicola jerked, jumped up and squirmed as he continued his torture.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

"GABRIEL!" She shrieked between fits of bubbly giggles, "NO! STOP IT!" He laughed, pulling her closer and holding her with one arm as he tickled with the other. She gasped and laughed until tears began to streak down her face. "GAAABE!"

Gabriel tickled her until she couldn't fight anymore and gasped for breaths, limply leaning into his body. "You promised..." she whined between panting breaths, "Now I have to get you back."

He grinned despite that thought of his sister's plotting and hugged her close from behind, smacking a kiss against her cheek. "Yeah yeah...I'm soooo scared." He teased and propped her up against a counter.

She stood on wobbly legs and smiled, "You're so mean to me! Damn it! I could have peed myself and you wouldn't have cared. Men!" She huffed, smoothing down her hair and clothes.

A honk from outside drew her attention. "Hey, Taxi just pulled up!!" Rushing into the hall, she grabbed one bag with Gabriel right behind her.

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Two hours later they were in their seats inside the bus (Nicola next to the window of course) and eagerly awaiting its departure. At the station Gabriel had bought them a few magazines to read in order to kill time and now he was browsing, checking the articles and photos. Time for reading would come later. Nicola was watching people outside and wiggling restlessly in her seat.

"Stop that or I'll tickle you again!" he warned.

"Just go ahead and try. I'll scream and everyone will stare at you," his sister replied and stuck her tongue out at him.

"Uh-huh, you'd just be giggling and gasping for air as usual," Gabe muttered as he turned the page and unfolded the spread with a bikini-clad blonde girl sitting on the hood of an expensive sports car. "Hot damn!" he whistled and turned his head to see better.

"Watcha got there?" Nicola peeked over his shoulder and when she saw what he was looking at she punched him in the ribs. "Pervert!"

"Ouch!" he cringed. "Why did you do that?!"

"You shouldn't be staring at naked chicks in public places!" she scolded him in whisper.

"Aw, shut up, you puritan! I was checking the car out."

"Yeah, right, the bumpers more like it. Come on, Gabe. You could at least wait until the night when the people around are asleep."

Gabriel just watched her, blinking in astonishment at what she was saying. She looked serious and her voice was serious... was she really serious about this stuff.

"Tell me you're joking right now because I am genuinely scared that mom's slipped something into your morning tea."

Nicola eyed him for a moment and then turned to the window leaving him confused but after a few second he noticed her shoulder trembling and sensed a wave of barely controlled amusement from her. Frowning he poked her ribs, making her jump and fall on him, her hands flailing and swatting at him.

"I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!" she repeated over and over, huffing and puffing, her face flushed, anger mixing with fun.

"Bullshit," Gabriel grinned when she finally settled down. "You love me and I know it. Now look what you did!" He untied the ribbon from his ponytail and shook his head to loosen his hair up. "Might as well leave it like this," he said and tied the ribbon around his wrist.

"I'm not talking to you, meanie!"

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Once the bus was finally fully crammed with people it began to move. Nicola practically jumped for joy, pressing her nose against the window like an eager child as she watched them slowly gain speed. Houses passed by, people, pets...and she watched everything with interested for a while before sighing contently and sitting back in her seat. "It's about time...I can't wait to get there! Oh and look! I'm going to get myself a tan this time! Right by the pool!" She said excitedly and began going through the one oversized purse she had grabbed on the way out.

Gabriel let out a grunt, but didn't look up until she plopped something unceremoniously on his lap. "What the...?" He began and picked up two small pieces of material. The two triangles and bottom piece could hardly cover her up. He cleared his throat and tossed it back to her, trying to chuckled over the thought of his sister clad in that string bikini, but found it hard. "No way...you can't wear that!"

"What? Yeah, I can! Aunt Sarah's pool is private. No one will see me but you! I'm tired of being paler than you...it sucks. I want to have some sun! That's what summer is for!" She told him and stuffed it back into her bag.

"You don't even like wearing short skirts, Nicola. What makes you think you can wear THAT thing?"

She sniffed and looked away, "Maybe I think I need a change...besides, like I said, only YOU will see me and you've seen me in my underwear before and you've..." She faltered and blushed, "Never mind. But I AM going to wear it!" She added stubbornly and lost herself again in watched the world pass them by...

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabe wondered what Nicola wanted to say but let it drop, realising that going that way wasn't perhaps the best of ideas. But the thought of Nicola wearing that was at the same time amusing and disquieting. What did she mean by needing a change? Gabriel hated changes, he felt comfortable when everything around was ordered and in the right place and nothing ever changed. He couldn't decide if he should be around Nicola more from now on or to the contrary. But if she wanted a change it probably meant that another change in him would have to follow. His frame of mind was hard to mould.

With Nicola busy humming to herself as she watched the landscape pass by the window he produced a notebook and a pen and began scribbling the song that had been going around in his head recently. He always had trouble with lyrics, though, and the few songs he thought were fine somehow had sent Nicola into fits of crazy laughter which in turn made him sulk. Finding the right chords later on was never a problem but getting the words to flow nicely.

As he wrote "I've been waiting for a short while and already I can feel eternity stand beside me" an image came up in his mind. The girl in the skimpy bikini at the car only it wasn't the girl from the photo but Nicola in her new outfit. He grinned and shook his head, clearing it from the distraction. Well, he would tease her mercilessly about it in the days to come because with the short, sexy dresses she had packed and now this bikini he was in for a world of changes from the Nicola who was wearing baggy clothes.

Grunting irritably he concentrated on the piece of paper in his lap and continued scribbling, erasing, crossing out, cursing and mumbling to himself, counting syllables on his fingers and thinking of proper rhymes.

"Counting minutes on my fingers but you still aren't coming." The second versed formed itself. Again he was distracted by the blasted bikini. This time, however, he realised that Gabrielle might try to force him once again if she ever gets to see Nicola dressed so provocatively. "Shit!" he cursed and tore the page off, rewriting the two lines on a new sheet.

"Whatcha doin', Gabe?" Nicola turned to him when she felt him stir and get angry.

"Your new blasted outfit is stopping my creative juices from flowing. I'm trying to get it out of my head, that's what I'm doing."

"Don't tell me you're trying to write another song..." Nicola frowned at him and giggled. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't be laughing. I don't want you to sulk and not talk to me."

"You're not helping, Nicola," he growled at her and bit the top of his pen. "Damn, how come whatever you write flown naturally and nicely but whenever I try to write something it always comes out crappy." Angrily he shut the notepad close and stuffed it into the net pocket of the seat in front of him.

"I dunno. I was just given other talents I guess. I like to read so writing comes easier to me and you... well... you're good at beating people up," she joked and instantly regretted saying it when a hurt look flashed in his eyes. He wasn't fast enough to cover it up.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Shit! She mentally cursed and wrapped a loving arm around his shoulders. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean it like it came out. I was just teasing." His gaze flickered away to stare in front of him and Nicola felt a pang of guilt. Why did she say that?! Leaning her cheek on his shoulder, she tilted her head up and kissed the side of his neck. "Hey...there are a lot of things that you're good at. You play an instrument, I don't even know where to begin. You've always been more athletic than me, stronger, braver, more forward...I wish I could be all those things sometimes. I'm just a wuss." She felt his shoulders relax a little and his body lean into hers a bit and smiled. "I'm a dumbass, OK? I'm sorry. You're good at lots of other things, Gabe. Things I can't even wrap my mind around...I just have the artsy side...and you see things more as they are. You're my other half, you know that."

"Yeah yeah..." He mumbled, "Still pisses me off that I can't get what's in my head out the way I want it to be."

"Sorry...I didn't think my bikini would be such a distraction. I haven't even worn it yet." She playfully pocked his side and then got serious again. "Just don't force it. It'll come out when it's ready...that's how it works for me."

Gabriel nodded and sighed, glancing back at her with a little smile. "Sure thing, sis."

She smiled sweetly, "I bet this trip is going to be SO much fun. I can't wait to get there. No Mom and Dad constantly using us for things...just you and me. No idiots at school harassing both of us...no rumors or stupid talk around the school..."

"Who was harassing you?" He asked after a moment of silence.

"Huh?" She looked blank a moment and then frowned, "Well, Nina, you know that. And well..." She nibbled on her bottom lip and studied her fingernails with great interest for a moment, "When you were suspended, Curly decided to pay me a few visits. It's ok though, I'm ok...it's over with for good now..."

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

Gabriel shifted slightly in his seat and looked around, hoping to see Curly in one of the other seats so he could beat him to a bloody pulp on the nearest stop. He was nowhere in sight of course and Gabe was a little disappointed. Thanks to the workout Burt had given him he didn't need to fight so much to relieve stress but now, with the work already done his old habits were returning and his fists involuntarily clenched.

"I'll kill the fucker next time I see him," he growled for his own benefit, as if it were a sort of charm.

"I told you it's fine, Gabe. Don't think about it now. Don't taint our free time by thinking of things you have no influence over," Nicola tried calming him down. "For the time being," she added quickly.

"I guess I didn't kick his nuts hard enough," Gabriel sighed and let the matter rest... for the time being. When they return home he would settle this score.

Nicola resumed her position by the window after giving his shoulder one final reassuring squeeze. He glanced at her and wondered how much hils life would have sucked if they hadn't been born as twins. He leaned in a kissed her cheek.

"Hey, what was that for?" she eyed him suspiciously.

"Thanks for being my sister," he said with a warm smile.

 

[EklectikChik]

Nicola

Nicola smiled softly, feeling warmth spread through her chest at his sweet words. Saying 'you're welcome' just didn't sound right, so she just nodded and linked their hands together.

Relaxing back into their seats, Nicola felt a strange feeling of peace come over her. People chatted all around to their partners and friends, but still her eyes drifted closed and she relaxed. The warmth of Gabriel's body next to hers and hand eased her tension and excitement.

It had been a long day already...graduation, the beginning of their trip and hopefully a great summer ahead. She hoped! Yawning, she stretched her legs out and wiggled her toes in her shoes, then snuggled up to Gabriel's side. "Do you mind?" She mumbled.

"Nah." He replied, ruffling her hair gently as her eyes drifted back shut. Moments later, her rhythmic breathing told him she was sleeping. An older lady glanced their way and smiled, commenting on what a cute couple they made. Gabriel didn't bother correcting her. He wasn't in the mood to talk to any new people, let alone people in the bus.

Giving the woman a curt node, he focused his attention out the window for a while, gently rubbing his thumb over the back of Nicola's hand. She mumbled and rubbed her face against his shirt, her breath warm as it passed through the material and hit his skin.

 

[Poganin]

Gabriel

With Nicola fast asleep on his shoulder, Gabriel took one of the magazines he had bought and started reading it to kill time. He wasn't really interested in politics or econony but reading the articles and commenting on them inside his head was a good way to kill time. From his pocket he fished out a set of small headphones and connected them to the walkman in his breast pocket. Setting the music on he continued reading not needing to worry he would miss something Nicola said. When she moved and clasped his hand in both her hands he rubbed his cheek on the top of her head and flipped the page, paying attention to mind the distracting spread in the middle.

Two hours later, just as he was finishing his reading session, Nicola stirred at sat up rubbing her eyes. She glanced at him, pulled a headphone from his ear and put it in hers, listened for a moment and resumed her napping position on his shoulder. Gabriel chuckled and rested his head on top of Nicola's and closed his eyes too. It wasn't the most comfortable of positions to sleep but sleep he needed after the early rising for school or work at Thelma's. He promised himself to sleep a lot once they get to Aunt Sarah's. Gabe toed his shoes off to let his feet breathe and stretched his legs, letting the right on dangle in the corridor between the seats. He yawned furiously, blinked twice, got comfortable and was asleep leaning into Nicola a few minutes later.