011: This isn't over

~~RAPHAEL~~

Her eyes widen as she scrambles to cover herself. Her tilts jiggle as she hits the counter; she crosses her legs over the other, hiding her pussy like a child caught doing something forbidden.

But Axel doesn't bother to turn. He sighs and pulls up his underwear.

"Way to go, brother, the mood killer."

"Ah, don't mind me." I wave dismissively. "I love a good p**n."

"Seriously." She eyes me like she's disgusted, and without another word, she grabs her shorts and slips them on, coming towards the door.

She bumps into me, and my fingers close around her arms, stopping her flight.

"You've got some serious guts screwing your brother-in-law with your husband just outside the door."

Her body goes rigid. She twists her lips.

"Don't worry," I lean in closer. "I steer him away."

A low sigh escapes her, barely audible. She tries to yank her arm free, but I hold firm, pulling her back.

"You don't have to feel guilty; it's not your fault you can't resist Axel's animalistic pull. He's just got that effect on women," I add, and she finally turns to me, her gaze sharp enough to bore a hole through my skull.

She wrenches free and bolts out the door.

I wait for the slam to echo, then I reach for the knob, twisting the lock with a click.

"You're dripping." I say as I turn, gesturing to his underpants that are tiny inches below his waist.

He looks down and back up with eyes that want to murder me.

"Did you really have to tell me?"

I don't answer.

And he sighs, leaning on the counter like this is just a perfectly normal Tuesday afternoon.

"So what's this about?"

I cross my arms. "This isn't just another fling, is it?"

He laughs, like really laughs, when I am being serious. He's growing some wings now. Great.

I don't speak. With one stride, I am already at him. My hand shoots out, grabbing his chin, pulling him close.

Axel grunts, shutting his eyes, exasperated.

"Okay, now you're taking the aggressive route."

"'Cause you aren't taking me seriously," I counter, my grip tightening.

"You usually don't give a crap about my business unless it affects you," Axel rasps, trying to pull his chin from my grip. "And I'm damn sure this doesn't."

"Doesn't affect me?" I squeeze harder. "Hell yes, it affects me, Axel. Because when this blows up—and it will blow up—I'm the one who's gonna be left to clean up the mess. She's married to our brother. This isn't just some random hookup. This is family."

I shove his chin away, and he stumbles back a step.

"You've done a lot of stupid things. This one's new... and the dumbest. You don't even fuck the same woman twice, so why her?"

Axel rubs his chin and just shrugs.

He's not taking me seriously again. He doesn't respond; he looks me dead in the eye with the same rebellious spirit I've had to put up with all these years.

He's still silent.

"Alright." I nod, walk up to the door, shove my hand into my pocket, and pull out a key.

"Wanna lock us both in here?" he says, finally pushing himself off the counter.

I don't answer and slide the key into the lock and twist it.

"Fine." He grunts. "You wanna know why I cling to her?"

I turn. "Go ahead."

"'Cause I don't give a fuck." He fakes a smile. "Is that good enough for you?"

I shake my head, disproving, and stand still.

He smacks his head and shoots daggers at me. "God, I hate you."

I shrug, giving him a taste of his own attitude.

He sighs heavily. Oh, maybe now he's ready to talk 'cause heck, I'm not leaving here without an explanation. Call me bossy, but I'm just trying to protect myself here. I'm tired of his shit. I'm so ashamed we even look identical.

"She's pretty okay... damn gorgeous," he says.

I chuckle. "I don't buy it... she isn't the prettiest thing I've seen."

"Oh God, what is it with you? Why do you even wanna know?" he snaps.

"For damage control," I reply flatly, still waiting. I can do this all day.

Axel sighs, and I notice how his eyes change, losing their defiant spark and settling into a guarded, almost distant look.

I know that look. There's definitely a reason for wanting that girl. Axel doesn't cling. He uses and dumps not just women but everything... well, except family; I’ll give him that.

I wonder why the change. Is it..... oh, I get it now.

"Is it about the six years ago—"

"Oh please." He cuts me off fast. "Why would I wanna cling to something from that incident?"

"'Cause that sounds like you."

Axel's face twists. "Will you just...."

"What the hell is going on in there?"

We both turn just as the doorknob rattles.

It's Odin. The ever-so-nosy brother who always appears at the worst possible moment.

"Oh thank you, sweet Jesus," Axel mutters, sighing in relief.

Not so fast.

I holler, but not too loud. "I'm naked."

Axel's brow furrows. "What the hell, Rap?" Then he turns to the door. "Nobody's naked."

"Naked or not, mom's waiting at the table for both of you," Odin's voice comes again. "She's got dinner ready, and you know she won't touch it until we're all at the table."

I glare at Axel, twisting the lock open. "This isn't over."