As stated already, this is a twincest story. If you don't like that or can't handle it, then you probably shouldn't read it. It will most likely get graphic and a wee bit twisted, so you have been warned. For those that read it, feedback would be greatly appreciated.

1983

"Look at him go!" Tate said in awe. The 6 year olds black eyes were glued to the small TV screen, his twin sister sitting beside him and just as fascinated. They were fraternal twins, and this had worried their mother in the very beginning. She had been afraid that Tate would steal away all the beauty she had finally managed to pass into her children, but Charlotte had grown into a perfect little angel…in looks at least. Their height and general shapes were similar, they certainly looked like twins. Both had blond curls, though Lottie's went down her back in bouncing pigtails. Their eyes seemed to be their only real difference. Lottie's eyes were lighter than her brother's, more chocolate then black, though they were both dark.

The little girl was always with her twin, they played together and each watched over the other like sentries. Constance might have been happy with this if it hadn't meant her little girl was becoming such a tomboy. She hated dresses, and no matter the dirt or stink of whatever Tate found himself involved in, Lottie was right there with him.

Today it was a nature show on lions. The twins were fascinated by the giant predators, though Constance thought nothing of it until the jeering started. The twins cheered on the attacking pride of lions as they hunted, squealing and laughing when they caught their prey, and Constance sighed. When she switched off the TV, there was the expected whining, but she sent them outside and that was that.

It was hot outside in California during the summer, something their mother didn't mind, but made them sluggish. They had learned to busy themselves regardless because when Constance kicked them out of the house, they weren't allowed back until dinner. Tate climbed up onto the bench that swung behind their porch and placed his little hands on his hips, holding his chin high.

"I'm the king of the lions." He proclaimed to Lottie's clapping and cheers. "You can be in my pride too, but I'm the leader."

"You're always the leader." Lottie complained, pushing the swing and watching him tumble off onto the porch with a thud. She giggled at this and Tate climbed back up to his feet, pudgy face scrunching up in irritation. The boy gave a cry, what he could pass for a roar, and leapt at her. The twins tumbled off the porch in a frenzy of struggling and cries, landing in the dirt. Tate climbed on top of his sister, holding her down with a big smile.

"I caught you, so now you're my mate."

"Nuh-uh!" Lottie cried, not one to be told what to do, but her brother kept her pinned to the ground.

"Well who else can be?" he asked, "The lioness queen is the strongest one in the pride. Besides, you're the only girl. You gotta be my mate."

The girl thought about this for a moment before she smiled a little. "The lioness gets to do the hunting, cuz she's strong too, just like the king lion."

"Uh-huh." Tate nodded, then leaned down to look at his twin, "So are ya gunna be my mate then?"

Lottie rolled her eyes, something she was beginning to get good at and sighed, as if she hadn't already decided to play anyway. "I guess."

"Good." Tate nodded and climbed off of her, helping her back to her feet and brushing the dust off the dress their mother had insisted she wear that day. It was ruined now, like all of the others. Eventually the woman would learn. The boy grabbed her hand and they headed toward the back of the property, toward the trees.

"Now we gotta go hunting." He smiled back at her, "Since it's just us for now, we can do it together."

"Okay." Lottie grinned and they disappeared into the brush.

1994

I'd woken up that night after fitful sleep. It was getting harder and harder to nod off nowadays, as if Tate had passed his insomnia off on me. I'd decided to go downstairs for some tea in hopes that the warmth would sooth me into slumber. As I made my way to the kitchen, the only sounds I heard were that of snores when passing Constance's room with Lawrence sawing away and my own creaking footsteps. I gagged at the thought of that scrawny bastard in there with my mother, not that I thought she deserved any better, just that of all the people it had to be him. Then again, Constance loved this house more than anything. She would do anything, or anyone to keep it.

Now both exhausted and irritated, I rummaged through the cabinets and found my special sleepy time tea, putting on a kettle and sitting at the island barstool. I tapped my fingers on the marble countertop until the water boiled and hurriedly grabbed a mug. I'd just set down the mug to let the tea steep when I felt an arm snake around my waist and drag me backwards. Another slipped over my mouth as I was pulled into the hallway and pushed back against the wall. I didn't scream or struggle though, I knew who it was.

"I didn't know you were up," Tate grinned, half his face hidden in the shadows of the dark hallway, and leaned in to kiss the shoulder bared by my dark blue tank top. I didn't move, letting his tongue and teeth find their way to my throat and then the lobe of my ear. He caught it between his teeth a moment, and chuckled softly.

"Wanna play lions?" He murmured into my ear.

I shivered, searching his face and grinning beneath his hand. When he finally uncovered it, my hands went up to the back of his neck and I pulled him into a kiss. We lost ourselves a long moment and his hand slipped up under the tight material of my shirt, cupping my breast and kneading it slowly. I nipped his lower lip, my own hands finding their way under his shirt to explore the tight expanse of flesh beneath it and rake my nails down to the line of his jeans.

Tate shivered at this, letting out a slow breath and he smiled again, wicked and inviting before his arms went down to my thighs and he scooped me up, holding my legs up around his waist. I giggled and kept myself steady by gripping his shoulders, letting him carry me over to the island counter and set me down on the edge. One arm swept away all the various things that had been sitting there and sent them crashing to the floor. He wasn't worried about Constance, she could sleep through anything after a bottle of vodka, and Lawrence could be dealt with if necessary.

"Were you having trouble sleeping again?" Tate asked as he grabbed my shorts and tugged them down my legs. I giggled, adjusting to make it easier and nodded.

"It's getting worse. My dreams are…they don't help."

My twin nodded, leaning in to kiss my forehead tenderly, "I know, Lottie." Of course he understood. Tate understood everything I was going through, because he suffered with the same. A slick wet darkness that coiled in our chest, haunting our dreams with bodies and blood. We often joked that eventually the only thing to do would be to enact the horrors in hopes of satisfying the darkness. Maybe then we would both get a little sleep.

"Will you distract me?" I asked as he laid me back on the counter and limbed up to join me there. Tate nodded, kissing me again and smiling down at me with mischief gleaming in his black eyes.

"I'll do you one better," he smirked, "I'll help you get some sleep."

"Oh yeah?" I asked skeptically, but he bent down again, his lips on my throat and my chest and heading south quickly.

"I'll wear you out like I always do and you'll sleep like a baby."

I laughed at this, rolling my eyes. "What makes you think I won't wear you out?"

Above me, Tate shrugged, "I guess we'll find out, then won't we."

"Bring it on." I challenged, grabbing his shirt in my fist and dragging him back to kiss me. The moment he did my hands were on his jeans, popping open the button and tugging down the zipper. I had gotten so quick with it now that it hardly took a moment before I'd pushed them down enough to grasp my hand around his cock. He sucked in a breath against my lips and I smiled wickedly.

In the end it was Tate who had been right. When he finally carried me back to my room and laid down beside me I had drifted off in moments, and slept the rest of the night in his arms, just like a baby.

Gotta thank James Nesnit's Mr Hyde for the line "Wanna play lions." Without it, this chapter would have never been born. I just imagine anything more perfect than that after the thought struck me, and had to go with it. We'll get to the hunting later, but for now just imagine "In The Jungle" playing across the background.