The moonlight filtered through the thin curtains of Li Tian's room, casting a silvery glow across the room. Li Tian lay deep in slumber, the events of the past few weeks weighing on his mind, but the exhaustion from training had finally allowed him a peaceful night's sleep.
Suddenly, he felt a soft warmth enveloping him. Startled, he opened his eyes to find a familiar figure nestled against his side. Li Xue, his younger half-sister, had slipped into his bed, her face peaceful in sleep, a slight smile gracing her lips. He blinked, confusion momentarily fogging his thoughts.
"Li Xue?" he murmured, glancing at the clock. It was the middle of the night. "What are you doing here?"
She stirred slightly, her arms tightening around him. "I just wanted to sleep with my brother," she mumbled, her voice soft and sleepy.
Li Tian felt an odd warmth spread through him. He couldn't deny that having her close felt… nice. With a gentle sigh, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her closer. "Alright then, just this once."
As they embraced, he could feel her heartbeat against his chest. Li Xue's cheeks flushed a light pink as she shifted slightly in his arms, the sudden warmth making her flustered. "Tian… can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" he replied, glancing down at her.
Taking a deep breath, she hesitated, then spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Do you… do you see me as a woman?"
Li Tian's heart skipped a beat, taken aback by the sudden question. "Yes," he answered honestly, unable to hide the surprise in his voice.
Li Xue's eyes widened as she processed his response. "Really?" There was a tremor in her voice, a mix of hope and vulnerability.
"Of course," he replied, his brow furrowing slightly. "You're beautiful, and it's hard not to see you that way."
Her eyes widened, and she looked up at him, vulnerability evident in her expression. "I've loved you for a long time, Tian. More than just a brother… I love you."
The admission hung in the air, electrifying the space between them. Li Tian's heart swelled at her confession, a mix of surprise and understanding washing over him. He had sensed her feelings all along, the way she looked at him, the little touches, the jealousy.
"I've known," he said, a warm smile spreading across his face. "And I'm glad you told me. I accept your feelings, Li Xue."
Her eyes shimmered with tears, but they were not of sadness. Instead, they sparkled with joy. Li Tian pulled her closer, feeling the weight of her emotions in the embrace. In that moment, the world outside faded away, leaving just the two of them—a bond deeper than blood.
"Let's take this one step at a time," he murmured, holding her close. "You'll always be special to me, and I want to see where this takes us."
Li Xue nodded, her heart racing with excitement and relief. As they lay entwined in each other's arms, the night felt alive with possibilities, and the bond they shared blossomed into something new and profound.
The morning sun streamed through the window, casting warm rays across Li Tian's room. He stirred, the gentle light coaxing him awake. As he blinked against the brightness, he felt the familiar weight of Li Xue beside him, still peacefully asleep. A smile crept onto his face as he recalled the previous night—the confession, the acceptance, the promise of something more between them.
Li Xue lay nestled against him, her hair fanned out like a halo, her expression serene. He found it hard to believe how naturally everything had unfolded. The thought of their newfound relationship made his heart race. He carefully shifted, not wanting to wake her, and propped himself up on one elbow to watch her.
As he observed her sleeping form, a mix of emotions washed over him. Love, affection, and a hint of protectiveness stirred within him. He felt a deep sense of responsibility to cherish what they had just begun to explore.
After a few moments, Li Xue stirred, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. A soft smile spread across her face, and she blinked in the morning light. "Good morning, Tian," she said, her voice still husky from sleep.
"Good morning, Li Xue," he replied, unable to hide his grin. "How did you sleep?"
"Better than I have in a long time," she admitted, her cheeks flushing slightly as she recalled the previous night. "I didn't expect to wake up here."
"Neither did I," he said, his tone light, "but I'm glad you did."
She shifted, propping herself up on one elbow as well, and the playful glint in her eyes caught him off guard. "So, what happens now?" she asked, a hint of mischief in her voice.
Li Tian chuckled, enjoying her playful demeanor. "Well, for starters, we should probably get out of bed before anyone starts wondering why I'm still asleep."
"Or before they come looking for me," she added, a hint of worry crossing her features. "What will everyone think?"
"Let them think what they want," he said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll figure this out together."
With a newfound sense of determination, Li Tian swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, stretching. Li Xue watched him, a small smile playing on her lips. He turned to her, "How about we start the day with some training? It'll be good to clear our heads."
Li Xue nodded enthusiastically, "I could use the practice. Plus, I want to impress you."
"You already do," he teased, earning a playful shove from her.
As they both prepared for the day, a sense of camaraderie filled the air. The awkwardness of their previous interactions had melted away, replaced by an understanding that their bond had deepened. They dressed and made their way to the training grounds, the morning air fresh and invigorating.
The sunlight sparkled on the dew-kissed grass as they began their training. They practiced techniques, sparred playfully, and shared laughter. The world around them faded as they focused on their movements and each other. Each glance and shared smile reaffirmed the unspoken promise of their relationship.