Declaration
Alice panted harshly, her body still quaking with aftershocks. She glanced at Zed sprawled beside them, looking equally wrecked. Then she turned to check on Betty.
She noticed Betty had shifted closer to Zed. Panic rose in Alice's chest.
-Betty, sweetheart, wake up honey, Alice urged softly. Come on now, open your pretty eyes for me.
-Let her sleep hon, Zed mumbled gently.
Betty found his hip in the dark and used it like a pillow.
Alice narrowed her eyes at Zed.
-Don't tell me what to do, she snapped quietly, not wanting to disturb Betty but put off by his dismissive attitude. She needs to understand what happened here, not just zone out in fucking la-la land.
-I know what happened Al, Betty murmured.
She held onto Zed's leg and snuggled against his hip.
Alice jumped, startled by the sudden murmur. She turned to face her sister fully.
-Betty, you... you realize what you just did? What we all just...
Betty opened her eyes halfway to look up at Alice.
-I know sis. Isn't it beautiful?
Alice felt her stomach drop at the dreamy, unfazed response. How could she be so casual about this? Anger flared, mixing uncomfortably with the lingering lust and guilt.
-Beautiful? Bette, you can't just... we can't just...
Alice gestured helplessly, at a loss.
-That wasn't some romantic interlude. It was messy, complicated, wrong!
Her voice rising, she glanced anxiously at Betty's peaceful face pillowed on Zed's hip.
-Alice babe, Zed whispered.
He scooted up to caress and comfort her.
Alice flinched at his touch, still hyper-sensitive and raw. She jerked away slightly, glaring at him with a mixture of accusation and lingering lust.
-Don't 'babe' me, she hissed. You think you can just pet me and make this okay?
She glanced again at Betty.
-I do, Zed said pointedly, before gently kissing her lips.
Alice kissed him back fiercely for a moment before breaking away, breathless and flushed. Her heart raced, torn between anger, lust, and the unsettling ache in her chest.
-Dammit Zed, she growled softly. You're impossible.
She sighed heavily, glancing once more at Betty's tranquil, unresponsive form draped over Zed's hips.
-This whole thing is, Zed answered before kissing her again.
Alice pushed at his chest, putting space between them. She looked away and shivered slightly, though whether from the cold, lingering arousal, or emotional turmoil was unclear.
-We need to get Betty somewhere safe and dry, Alice said.
-The clouds have cleared out and the night air can be good for her, Zed reasoned, running his fingers through Betty's hair.
Alice tensed, feeling trapped and agitated. She stood abruptly, needing distance from both Zed and the compromising position they were in.
-No, absolutely not. We are not sitting around under the stars like this was some kind of kumbaya campfire moment!
Her voice shaking slightly, she reached down to grab her discarded shirt, hastily covering herself.
-Fine girl, Zed said in resignation.
He carefully pulled Betty off his hip. He squatted next to her and gently picked her up in his arms without waking her.
Alice watched tensely as he lifted Betty's limp form effortlessly, cradling her close. She quickly averted her gaze, wrapping her shirt around herself like armor.
-Just be careful with her, Alice muttered gruffly, turning away to hide the uncharacteristic vulnerability in her eyes. Don't go dropping my sister because you're distracted by your own ego.
-My hero, Betty whispered into Zed's ear.
She wrapped her arm around his neck as he followed Alice back indoors.
Alice whirled around, her eyes indignant and hurt. She stalked towards them, jabbing a finger at Betty's oblivious face.
-Hey! Sleeping Beauty! This ain't no fairytale, capiche? He's not your white knight, she sneered bitterly, gesturing accusingly at Zed. And you sure as hell better not go catching feelings for the guy who just... who we just...
She trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
-Don't be mean Alice. Betty is a dreamer, let her dream, Zed said as they made their way up the stairs.
Alice scoffed incredulously, stomping up the stairs ahead of them with agitation in every line of her body.
-Dream? Honey, this isn't a Disney movie. People don't just... fall in love at first sight or whatever bullshit you've got spinning in that romantical head of yours.
-I feel like I have, Zed said to Alice, genuinely.
He stepped into the master bedroom, carefully placing Betty into the bed and covering her up with a comforter.
Alice stopped short at the foot of the bed, stunned by the confession. She stared at him searchingly, unsure if he was serious or merely mocking her. After a beat, she scoffed, shaking her head in disbelief.
-Oh please, spare me the cheesy lines. You're telling me you fell in love... with us? Just like that?
-It's not easy to say, Zed whispered, turning to Alice to hold her.
Alice stiffened as he turned towards her, holding her arms crossed defensively across her chest.
-Can I trust you with a late night confession? Zed whispered.
Alice raised an eyebrow skeptically at the whispered request, her guard still firmly up.
-A confession? From you? Now? She let out a laugh. Some nerve, buddy. Especially given our current predicament.
She jerked her head towards the bed where Betty lay curled up, fast asleep and seemingly untroubled by recent events.
-Not that I'm sure either of us are thinking straight at the moment. But fine, lay it on me, Romeo. Let's hear this grand declaration.
-I'm gonna marry one of you, he said.
He locked Alice's lips in a kiss before she had a chance to respond.
Alice gasped sharply into the kiss, her eyes flying wide open in shock. For a moment she was frozen, her brain struggling to process the bold claim. Then, as the implications sank in, she jerked back, breaking the liplock. Her eyes narrowed, flashing with a mix of suspicion and reluctant intrigue.
-Marry? One of us? How many girls will it be before it’s over?
Zed put his finger to his lips. After they undressed, he lifted the comforter to let himself and Alice into the bed.
Part of her wanted nothing more than to accept, to lose herself in the warm promise of his embrace.
-You need your beauty rest, Zed cooed as he helped her get in.
She slipped under the covers beside Betty.
-Fine, I'll play along with this little game.
-That's all I ask, Zed whispered into her ear. He wrapped his arms around her waist and started to fall asleep again.
Alice lay stiffly in his embrace, acutely aware of every point of contact. His arms around her waist felt solid, reassuring even, which irritated her immensely. She wasn't supposed to feel safe, protected, not by him. Not after everything that had happened.
Betty stirred softly in her sleep. She nestled back against Zed, pressing her rear into his groin as she instinctively sought his warmth. Her hand came to rest on Alice's thigh, squeezing gently.
-Hmmn... Alice...
Alice stared down at her sister's sleeping face, illuminated by the faint moonlight streaming through the window.
Betty looked so peaceful, so innocent.
Alice finally closed her eyes, letting exhaustion claim her.