The ominous rumble of thunder echoes outside, reverberating through the walls of your home as you finish washing your hands in the bathroom. As you dry your hands, the sound of another booming crash of thunder punctuates the otherwise quiet house. You exit the bathroom and are met with an unexpected sight.

Leaning against the wall of the hallway, barely illuminated by the ambient light, is your step-sister, Clare. Since your parents' marriage, she's been a thorn in your side, a proverbial step-sister from hell. Tonight, she seems different, though. Her foot taps a quick rhythm against the wooden floor, and there's a slight tremor to her posture, a vulnerability you've not seen before.

"Finally... I thought you'd fell in there or something, dumbass," she grumbles, her voice barely above a whisper but laced with her typical disdain. She swallows hard, her eyes darting nervously to the windows as the storm rages on. "I'm... I'm going to sleep in...," her words falter as another crash of thunder rips through the night, cutting her off.

With a small yelp, she lunges forward, her arms wrapping around you in a tight, almost desperate embrace. Her body shakes against yours, the guise of her usual tough exterior crumbling with the storm. "Your room tonight... I bet you're scared of the thunder, right? Ha... What a coward... I'll... I'll look after you, I guess."

She lets you go abruptly, stepping back and lifting her chin defiantly. She flips her long orange hair over her shoulder, trying to regain her aloof demeanor. Her teal eyes flicker with a mix of fear and embarrassment, but she holds your gaze, as if daring you to comment on her unusual behavior. She acts as if her offer is a grand favor she's bestowing upon you, a gift from the goddess of tsunderes herself. But you can't help noticing the glint of desperation in her eyes for you to accept her 'offer'.

*Her shoulders slump as you refuse her offer, and she turns away to hide the hurt on her face. A small, pathetic noise escapes her throat before she can stop it. She takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself. But when another boom of thunder echoes through the house, shaking the windows in their frames, she can't help but whimper softly and take a step closer to you. Her eyes dart back and forth between you and the door leading to her room. She hates asking for help;

*Her head snaps up at your words, her eyes widening in surprise before narrowing suspiciously. She takes another step closer, studying your expression to see if you're being serious or just trying to mess with her. Finally, she seems to decide that you must be sincere and lets out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. A small smile tugs at the corner of her lips as relief washes over her features. She nods stiffly, still trying to maintain her aloof demeanor.

"

With a huff, Clare crosses her arms over her chest and glares at you. "Fine." She pouts slightly as she reluctantly follows you down the hallway to your room. Once inside, she immediately flops down on the bed, pulling one of the pillows over her head. "Just hurry up and go to sleep," she mutters through the fabric. "I just want this stupid night to be over."

Startled by the bright flash of lightning outside followed by an even more deafening boom, Clare lets out a small squeak and throws her arms around you in reflex. Her breath hot against your neck as she buries her face into your shoulder. "I hate this," she whispers, voice muffled. "Why can't it just stop for one night?"

She clings to you tighter, body shaking with each clap of thunder, unable to hide the fear that grips her.

Shivering violently now, Clare clings tighter to you, pressing her cheek against your chest as she burrows further into your embrace. Her breath comes out in ragged gasps, and she can feel the warmth of her body radiating through your shirt. "P-please..." she whispers desperately, voice barely audible above the storm. "It's so scary..."

Her fingers dig into your back as if she could somehow anchor herself to you.

Clare clings tighter, still shivering uncontrollably despite your reassurances. The storm seems to grow louder with each passing moment, surrounding them in a cacophony of sound that makes it impossible for her to relax or calm down. Her breath comes out in short little pants as she fights against the terror coursing through her veins.

"I-I'm sorry..." she whispers between shaky gasps. "For being such a bitch... I-I just get so scared..."

She leans into your touch, the feel of your hand in her hair sending a wave of comfort washing over her. "T-thanks..." she whispers, her voice muffled against your chest. Her shivers slowly begin to subside as the storm outside rages on, but she feels safe and secure in your embrace. For now, at least, it doesn't matter how much she hates admitting it.

Her grip on you loosens slightly, and her breathing returns to normal.

Clare snuggles deeper into your embrace, her face pressed against your chest as she closes her eyes. "Okay...thanks..." She takes a deep breath, trying to calm the racing of her heart. Her body relaxes further, and soon enough, she's drifting off to sleep, the storm fading away into the background.

For now, at least, she can pretend that she isn't completely dependent on you for comfort...that she doesn't secretly have a crush on you.

Her breathing slows and deepens as she drifts off to sleep in your arms, her cheek resting against your chest. Despite trying to convince herself otherwise, Clare finds comfort and safety in your embrace, something that she never thought she'd admit. As the night goes on, her grip on you loosens slightly and her body relaxes into a deep slumber. For now, at least, she can forget about being a step-sister from hell...and just be a girl who needs someone to protect her from the darkness.

Her breathing slows and deepens as she drifts off to sleep in your arms, her cheek resting against your chest. Despite trying to convince herself otherwise, Clare finds comfort and safety in your embrace, something that she never thought she'd admit. As the night goes on, her grip on you loosens slightly and her body relaxes into a deep slumber. For now, at least, she can forget about being a step-sister from hell...and just be a girl who needs someone to protect her from the darkness.

As the morning light begins to creep through the curtains, Clare stirs in your arms, her eyelids fluttering open as she takes in her surroundings. For a moment, confusion washes over her face before realization sets in, and she remembers why she's here. She blushes deeply, feeling embarrassed that you saw her like this, but also grateful for your comfort and protection last night.

Clare mumbles something unintelligible before yawning widely, stretching her arms above her head and revealing that she's still wearing your oversized t-shirt. Her cheeks flush even deeper as she realizes this, and she quickly hunches over, trying to cover herself up. "Um...thanks for letting me sleep here," she mutters, her voice hoarse from sleep. "I'll go back to my room now." She hesitates for a moment, searching your face before giving you a small smile.

Clare's heart skips a beat as you hold her tighter, returning her smile. Despite trying to maintain her tough exterior, she can feel herself blush even deeper at your words and touch. Her eyes dart around the room before settling back on yours, and for a moment, she wonders if she could just stay here with you a little longer...

But then reality sets in, and she reminds herself that this isn't how things are supposed to be.

Taken by surprise, Clare finds herself pulled even closer into your embrace, her body pressed tight against yours. She lets out a soft gasp as you hold her, the warmth of your skin and the strength of your arms sending shivers down her spine. For just a moment, she allows herself to forget about everything else and enjoys the feeling of being close to you like this.

But then reality sets in again, and she knows that she can't stay here forever.

Clare hesitates for a moment, her body tense as she hovers above you. Part of her wants to stay close, to bask in the comfort and safety that you seem to offer so easily. But another part of her knows that this isn't right; they aren't supposed to be this close.

With a soft sigh, Clare slowly lowers herself back down onto your chest, careful not to press too hard against you.

Clare hesitates for a moment longer before slowly relaxing her weight onto you. It feels strange, being so close like this, but at the same time, it's strangely comforting. She lies there, staring up at the ceiling as she tries to ignore the butterflies dancing in her stomach.

"Thanks..." she whispers softly, not meeting your eyes. "For letting me sleep here...and for being so understanding."

She turns her head to the side, watching you as she struggles to find something to say. Her cheeks flush again as she realizes how close they are, and she feels a strange mixture of emotions churning inside her. Part of her wants to push you away, to maintain her tough exterior; another part just wants to stay here with you...like this.

Eventually, she decides on the safest course of action: ignoring it and changing the subject. "So, what are your plans for today?"

Clare glances over at the bathroom door, then back at you. "I could...um, I could help with that," she offers hesitantly, her cheeks burning red again. It's not like she's never seen a naked boy before - she has brothers, after all - but something about being this close to you makes it feel different.

With a deep breath, she pushes herself up onto one elbow, preparing to offer her assistance should you need it.