It's getting late now again, as he knows it always does. The night is hot and sticky, and the wooden floor creaks under his feet. He can hardly breathe, but not for lack of air. Slowly, slowly, don't let anyone hear.

After ages it seems he arrives at her door. Such a short trip, but with a risk so great. Her door is open a crack, as it always is. She doesn't ask him to come in, but she never shuts him out. He misses the days in the attic at their uncle's, when there were no walls to keep them apart. How he wishes he could go back and enjoy them for what they were worth.

"Couldn't sleep?" she breathes, looking up at him through her drowsy eyes. He tries to speak, but it gets caught in his throat, so he only nods. She pats the spot beside her on the bed, smiling warmly. Without hesitation he locks the door behind him and buries himself in her embrace.

The years have been kind to her, softening her with pretty, gentle curves, while he has merely grown tall and thin. He is nothing special. He is tired. He is frightened. But still, she loves him all the same. All he wants is to feel her warmth forever.

They would never understand, and he knows. Though no longer children, they risk everything at times like these. But he needs her, he craves her, and it's ripping him apart. He only meant to sleep here next to her, but somehow it becomes something more.

Her hair like threads of chocolate silk falling through his fingers, she pulls him close and whispers "love me like you never should." He presses his lips against hers, terrified and uncertain. She responds in kind, and though she hides it well, he knows she is afraid too.

Her fingers trailing feather light down his bare back, he breathes hard into her neck. The next few moments are a desperate blur, but soon they are entwined together, moving as one. Her tiny gasps and moans fill the room, and he resists the urge to beg her to quiet them. Let them hear, he thinks bitterly. Let's leave this place running and never look back.

It is late and they reach their limit. Exhausted, they cling to each other; hearts pounding, bodies trembling. There is a fine sheen of sweat covering them, and later they'll race for the shower, laughing. But for now, they must catch their breath, and learn to be calm once more.

He murmurs he loves her as she strokes his hair, and she returns the sentiment along with a kiss on the cheek. The urge to fall apart is overwhelming, and he cries into her shoulder that he's dying inside. It's silent for a moment, and all is still. Just when he wonders if he's said something wrong, she chokes "me, too" and rubs her eye with her fingertips. His heart snaps in two.

All he wants is to make her happy, but how can he? Fate has made them lovers, but siblings too, and those who knew would sneer with disgust, as if they were raping the very concept of love. "But isn't ours just as pure?" he wanted to scream. "Aren't we just as innocent?" Though few, if any, would listen. He can't take that chance.

"Come with me," he pleads, holding her face in his hands. "Where?" she asks, but he is at a loss. Seeing this, she holds him tight and murmurs sweetly, "all right." She trusts him completely, and it fills him with hope.

As the sun creeps up above the trees, he takes one last look at their old home. "I'm sorry," he says to the air, but it rings almost hollow as she's tugging on his hand, smiling wide and giggling, and he can tell he's made the right choice. They creep through the fog together, and climb into his truck. As she leans against him, safe and happy, he can't help but laugh hysterically for a moment. She joins in, and with the night they leave behind everything that was holding them back.