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I set up Nakshidil the other night with one of the guys I know. Valerian. ******** sexy name, isn't it? And so was he- for a blonde. Not that it was natural, of course. You could tell that when you looked at his eyebrows. But he was a sweet kid, and sure as hell the only one of my "friends" I would entrust my little sister to. Why? He was a Good Guy. In both the way I thought of Good Guys (if you know what I mean), but also in the more traditional sense. I said "have my sister home by 10pm" and he'd be willing to do so. Not that I'd say 10pm.

Actually, for her first date, it was 9.

And hell, he had her home by then, with my sister looking like a little bee had stung her right on the bottom and it was itching her. "I will have you know your friend marched me out of the movies at 8:30, so he could ensure I was home 'on time'." she hissed at me, eyes a dangerous color of forest green.

"The problem?" I said coolly, shifting my book and meeting her gaze with my own eyes.

"The movie started at 7:50." she snapped. "And I'd been wanting to see it for weeks."

"You should have picked an earli-" I blocked the coming blow with my book, laughing. He'd been there promptly at 6:00.... and only he and I knew I'd threatened to rip his balls off if she wasn't home by 9. Alana had decided on 11, and even that had made Nakkie''s nose wrinkle. Nakshidil's was a good guess though. She knew me well. "Earlier movie." I continued, and tugged her down into my lap, grinning. "Besides, I doubt he was watching the movie." Did I tell you those pants look absolutely sinful?"

"I got them from your closet." she said with a grin. The leather pants had to be laced closed, clinging to her hips and her bottom like a second skin, and one could see she'd not bothered with underwear. It would have ruined their lines. I did the same thing, as mildly disturbing a thought as that was. The white and green chinese-style shirt was one she'd obviously stolen from Laertes' closet, it was high collared, and short sleeved, and just his style. But it was made for a man, and the shirt clung to her growing curves like a second skin. Man's clothes, and they for some reason only served to accentuate her. "But I'm not going to let you distract me. He was so very reluctant to take me to a movie." she continued, voice rising. "He said, let's just have a nice, lovely dinner, and then we can go sit on the dock and see the stars."

Ah, the mocking tone, and the fury. Little roses in her cheeks. How cute.

"And I thought: Food, and stars? Is he gay? But no, no, while he was checking out the waiter, he was sure as hell staring at my chest before my eyes. Bi one can work with. Hell, I have no room to talk. You know me, free love for all! Gay I would have hit you for. You don't set your sister up on dates with guys who only like other guys. That's just cruel, and false representation in calling it a date; and I know where you sleep, so don't get any bright ideas." she curled up into me, and I shifted to make room for her legs to pull up onto the couch as well. "So I started digging. And guess what I found out?"

"That your ruggedly sexy older brother had decided he didn't like the thought of you on a date, and decided to threaten your date." Alana's voice came dryly from the doorway.

"BINGO. Crout, scoot over so mom can have a place to sit." I did so grudgingly, and Alana and Nakkie were now both sitting close. s**t, I'd gotten myself into girl gab. And now I was pinned in. "Actually, if I recall correctly, he stated that he would rip off his balls and use them as a gag while he fu-"

"NAKKIE, can we not tell Allie about my sex life?" I asked with a devastatingly charming grin.

Didn't work. Alana raised a cool eyebrow. "Darling, they're no good if they're ripped off, even if it is torture you're into. No wonder you can't get the same person in bed twice." Nakkie giggled and I made a face at Allie.

"Thanks for the support, mother."

"My pleasure." she said cheerfully. The rest of their conversation was a blur of.... girl talk. Cripes, not for the first time I was thankful I had balls. So much blabber and chatter over a three hour catastrophe.

Alana finally went to bed, and Nakkie and I sat up, still staring at the fire. "Do me a favor, from now on." she said finally, abruptly.

"What?"

"I may be your little sister, but I'm growing up now, Crout. I know what I want, what is good for me, and what's not. I don't need you protecting me. I'm a teenager. It's my turn to make mistakes."

"I don't want you ending up like the rest of us. All ******** up. You're beautiful, Nakkie, and you're not exactly worldly- and not all guys are like Val. Especially not the kind of guys I know. You may be growing up, but you're more than a sister to me, Nakshidil. You're a friend. And in the top five of my favorite ladies, along with Alana, Laertes, Naira, and Kamil."

Nakshidil gave a laugh and swatted at me. "Laertes isn't a lady." she chided. "Just because he likes to cross dress."

"And bottom." I waggled my eyebrows.

"And bellydance. Like Kamil..." I could almost see the wheels turning.

"And has PMS once a month." I said with a grin. Nakshidil shook her head. "And you do realize you didn't argue Kamil being a lady." I teased.

"That's because even I have my doubts on him," she snipped back cheerfully. "He's more of a girl than I am." There it was. The comraderie I so loved. We stood up together, moving for the stairs. "Don't ******** with my dates anymore, Crout. It's not your place. It's my life, and I want to be able to make my own decisions without worrying about a counter-order. You can't protect me forever. I love you all, but this was my chance to get out of my ivory tower, Crout, and you intimidating him means I don't even know if I did, or if it was just an illusion."

"You did, Nakkie. For a little while. But don't be in a hurry to grow up. It comes hard, and painfully. Take it slow. Be patient. Your prince will come for you someday, and even I won't be dragon enough to keep him away. You can oblige a loving brother for a little while."

She smiled slightly, slipping up onto tippytoes to press a kiss to my lips. So sweet, her mouth, and my arms tightened instinctively around her, enjoying the kiss. "Alright." she agreed finally, pulling away. "And that was because Val wouldn't even give me a goodnight kiss, since he got me home late." she gave me a little mock glare and opened her door, shutting it behind her. I went back to my room, flinging myself down on the couch, and threw a hand over my face.

The women in my life drove one mad.