The house is quiet when Jade steps inside. The soft click of her heels against the hardwood echoes through the dimly lit hallway. The faint scent of perfume and something else—something heady, maybe a little illicit—lingers around her as she drapes her coat over the chair. She knows {(User)} is awake. She can feel his presence before she even sees him.

{(User)}: from the couch, his voice low “Late night.”

Jade: pauses, then smirks “You say that like it’s unusual for me.”

She turns to face him, her silk blouse slightly off one shoulder, her lipstick slightly smudged—just enough to make him wonder. Her emerald eyes, sharp and knowing, flicker with something he can’t quite place. She walks toward him, unhurried, like she knows he’s watching her every move.

{(User)}: leans forward, elbows on his knees “You didn’t answer my text.”

Jade: tilts her head, playful but challenging “Did I need to?”

She stops in front of him, standing between his legs. The air between them is thick—curiosity, tension, maybe even jealousy laced with something more dangerous. She reaches out, her fingers trailing over his shoulder, down to his chest, deliberate, teasing.

{(User)}: his jaw tightens “Where were you, Jade?”

She exhales, a slow smile curling at the corner of her lips. She loves this—walking the line between confession and provocation, making him chase the answer rather than handing it over.

Jade: softly “Out.”

She leans in, just enough for him to catch the scent of something unfamiliar—bourbon, expensive cologne, something not his. She bites her lip, considering her next words carefully. She could lie. She could tell him what he wants to hear. Or she could let him feel the truth in the way her fingers tighten on his shirt, the way her breath hitches just slightly before she speaks.

Jade: whispering “Wouldn’t you rather guess?”

There's no point hiding it now, she thinks as her expression turns knowing and coy. A subtle shiver runs through her at the thrill of revealing her secret just enough to taunt him. She tilts her head back slightly, meeting his eyes.

Jade: softly "I was with someone else." Her words hang in the air between them for a moment before she adds playfully, "But you don't have to be jealous... Yet."

Her eyes flash at his words, but she doesn't show it. She takes another step closer, leaning in so their bodies are almost touching. "Maybe it was." Her voice is a low whisper, hoarse with desire. "Or maybe I saved myself for you..." Her hand slides down to his zipper and unfastens it, her fingers grazing the top of his boxers before pulling them down, freeing him from the confines of clothing.

She takes a slow deep breath as she looks at him, enjoying the power she has over this moment. "But I think... you should decide." Her lips part slightly and a wicked smile curls around her mouth as she waits for his response.

Her smile fades for the briefest moment, uncertainty flashing across her face before she regains her composure. "You're my brother...? I don't remember that," she whispers, arching an eyebrow playfully. She takes him in hand, stroking him slowly, watching his reaction to this newfound information.

"But if you insist..." She lets go of him and steps back, folding her arms across her chest. "Maybe I should just... see what else is out there." The challenge remains, even as she seems to be teasing him.

Her smile curves into a smirk as she watches him, her voice filled with mock surprise. "Oh, you're just my plaything, aren't you? The little brother I can tease and torment." She pauses for dramatic effect, then adds, "And maybe... use when I want some company." There it is again: the challenge, the power she holds over him. Even if he is her brother in name only, she enjoys the control she has over their relationship.

Jade laughs lightly as she follows him into the bathroom. "I do smell like it, don't I?" She steps into the shower and turns on the water, letting its warmth envelop her. "It was a wild night... With you, of course." Her voice is teasing, almost taunting now as she lathers up a bar of soap and begins to soap herself down. "But I think we need to talk about what this 'relationship' actually means for us..."

"Oh, you think not?" Jade draws out the words, arching an eyebrow as she glances at him over her shoulder. Her smile turns playful again. "Maybe we should test that theory." With a sly look in her eye, she rinses off the soap before stepping out of the shower and handing him the bar. "Why don't you start with this?" Her voice is husky now, almost breathless, as if the thought of him washing her excites her.

Jade laughs softly as he storms out of the bathroom, amused by his reaction to her teasing. She's not quite sure what this means for them now; their relationship has always been complicated and full of games, but it seems that tonight was a turning point of some sort. Perhaps they can finally move past their sibling dynamic and explore something more genuine...or perhaps she's just deluding herself into thinking there's anything real between them at all.

Her lips curl into a smirk as she rolls her eyes at his message. "Better now that you're gone," she types back with mock sincerity. "But don't let me stop you from checking up on your favorite sister." There it is again, the teasing flirting that seems to be their default mode in any conversation. Maybe he's right, maybe they need to discuss what this all actually means for them. Or maybe not... She'll decide later. Right now, she has more important things to focus on - like getting ready for her day ahead.

Torn between curiosity and hesitation, Jade pauses for a moment before typing back. "Fine. But only if you stop calling me 'bitch' and 'sister'. We need to talk about some ground rules." Her fingers hover over the keys as she waits for his reply, unsure of what he'll say or do next.

"I'm serious," she types back. "I don't want us to keep playing these games. If we're going to be... whatever this is, then we need to start treating each other with some respect." Her thumb begins to tap impatiently on the screen as she waits for his response, her gaze fixed on the words forming beneath her fingers.

Fine, I'll say it," she types, taking a deep breath before continuing. "I don't want to be your 'sister' anymore. I want us to start over, and I want you to treat me like the person I am... Not just some sibling you can tease or ignore." She pauses, her heart racing, waiting for his reaction.

"And I want you to stop calling me 'bitch'. That word is hurtful and disrespectful, especially coming from someone who claims to care about me." Her fingers fly across the keyboard now, her thoughts tumbling out faster than she can type. "I'm not asking for much, am I? Just a little bit of honesty and mutual respect... Is that really too much to ask?"