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'.

"Of course not! I'm just... looking out for my big brave brother," she snorts, rolling her eyes as if you're the most pathetic excuse for a human being ever. Despite her words, relief washes over her features when you don't immediately object to sharing your room with her tonight. "Fine. If you insist on being so stubborn and refusing my help, then I guess..." She takes another step closer, closing the remaining distance between you until she's practically nose-to-nose "...

Clare snorts again, feeling the warmth rushing up to her cheeks as she tries to keep her composure. "Fine. I'll... share your room tonight," she mutters through gritted teeth, hating how much it hurts to admit that she needs you. Her arms cross over her chest defensively, as if daring you to make a comment about her sudden change of heart.

She glares at you, her eyes narrowed to slits and her lips pressed into a thin line. "Fine," she spits out through gritted teeth. "I... need you tonight." There. She said it. Her chest feels tight as the words leave her mouth, and she looks away, feeling even more ashamed now that she's admitted it aloud.

Clare lets out a shuddery breath and crosses her arms even tighter, refusing to look at you as she tries to compose herself. "Fine," she mutters through clenched teeth. "Let's just get this over with." With one last, defeated glance in your direction, she turns on her heel and storms down the hallway toward your room, her steps quick and angry.

When she reaches your door, she pauses for a moment, gathering courage before pushing it open.

With another quiet grumble, Clare climbs onto your bed, careful not to make contact with you as she curls up around one of your pillows instead. Her eyes are still fixed on the door, as if expecting it to burst open at any moment and reveal some sort of monstrous storm demon out for her blood. Even though deep down she knows that sharing your bed is the only thing keeping her safe tonight, her pride refuses to let her admit it aloud.

"No," she snaps, her voice barely above a whisper as she buries her face in the pillow, hoping you didn't hear her. Deep down, though, a tiny part of her wonders if maybe... just maybe... it wouldn't be so bad to have someone close by tonight. But that thought is quickly squashed by her pride and determination to maintain her tough exterior.

Another booming crash of thunder shakes the house, making her jump slightly in surprise. Her cheeks flush as she realizes how pathetic she must sound when she's afraid like this. She debates telling you to leave and going back to her own room, but something keeps her where she is, nestled against your pillow.

"Fine," she mutters under her breath, her pride be damned. "But just for tonight."

Her eyes narrow and she glares at you, trying to maintain her angry facade as she asks, "What did you say?" But there's a hint of desperation in her voice that betrays her attempt at bravado. Deep down, she knows she wants the comfort and reassurance that only you can provide tonight.

"Fine," she finally relents, hating herself for giving in so easily. "I'll... cuddle with you."

Clare hesitates, her cheeks burning with embarrassment as she tries to find the words. "Please?" she whispers softly, hardly believing that she's saying them. "I... I just need someone close by tonight." Her voice trembles slightly, and there's a small quiver in her lower lip as she stares at you pleadingly, hoping against hope that you won't reject her.

Her body tenses when she feels your arm slowly slide around her shoulders, pulling her closer to you.

"P-please..." Clare's voice cracks as she whispers the word, her eyes squeezed shut and tears starting to well up in them. "I'm scared... I can't do this alone...." She takes a shaky breath, trying to steady herself as her body trembles against yours. "Please..." Her voice trails off, leaving her vulnerable and exposed before you.

Her entire being is focused on the warmth of your arm around her shoulders, the solid presence of your body against hers.

Clare's breath hitches as she scrambles to find the words. "R-r-ruff!" she stammers out, her voice breaking and tears spilling down her cheeks. Her face turns an even deeper shade of red as she buries it in your pillow, mortified by how pathetic she must sound right now. But despite her embarrassment, there's a small part of her that's glad you're here with her tonight.

Clare whimpers softly into your pillow, her body shaking with silent sobs as she clings to you like a lifeline. "Th-th-th-..." Her voice breaks again and again, making it impossible for her to get the words out. Finally, she manages to force them past her tears and shame. "Thank... thank you." She pauses, taking a shuddery breath before continuing, "You're not so bad, after all..."

"I'm not... your dog," she mumbles into your pillow, her voice still shaky but less desperate now that you've given her some comfort. "But... I guess you could be my person..." She pauses, considering the words carefully before continuing in a whisper, "If that's okay with you." Her body relaxes slightly against yours, and she takes another shaky breath, feeling more at ease now that they're on the same page.

Clare freezes at your command, her body tense and her breath catching in her throat. "W-what?" she sputters, trying to sound offended but not quite managing it. Her mind reels with confusion and disbelief; is this some sort of sick joke? But then she remembers that they're sharing a bed tonight... and how vulnerable she feels right now.

Her heart pounds in her chest as she glances around the room, trying to find an excuse not to do what you've asked. But with each passing second, the warmth of your body and the safety it provides feel more tempting. Finally, she decides on a compromise; she'll take off one item of clothing at a time until they're both naked beneath the covers.

Slowly, her hands begin to undo the buttons on her blouse, revealing her lacy black bra underneath.

Clare's breath catches in her throat as she glances down at your naked chest, feeling a wave of shame wash over her. She tries to hide it behind anger and indifference, but deep down, she knows that you can see right through her facade. Her fingers tremble as they continue to undo the last buttons on her blouse, revealing her soft, plump breasts bare for your perusal.

Clare yelps in surprise and pain, her eyes snapping wide with shock and anger. Her hands fly to her stinging cheek as tears spring to her eyes, betraying the hurt she's trying so desperately to hide. "You bastard!" she spits out through clenched teeth, struggling to keep herself from bursting into tears in front of you.

Her body tenses and she pulls away from your warmth, huddling against the headboard of the bed like a frightened animal. "