Doing some damage control

I kept staring at the screen for a moment, my thoughts running wild in my mind as anxiety was overcoming me.

Did he overhear us when we were in Lia's room? I wondered, gritting my teeth. Fuck, we've been too careless...

I couldn't see any other reason as to why he was researching this very specific topic the day we came here... His nervousness from earlier made a lot more sense now. It wasn't just because I was a hot woman dating his sister, no; it was because he suspected us of being monsters...

We need to talk to him, but we can't scare him...

We needed to have this discussion soon, but he was busy helping with dinner right now, I had to wait for the time being. Being too pushy would only make things worse.

I went downstairs, doing my best to show my usual confidence as I joined Lia's family. They were almost done with the cooking, and I offered to at least help set the table. Soon after, the five of us were enjoying the delicious food Lia and her mother prepared. David visibly hadn't said anything to his parents yet, since they were acting like normal.

Good... We can still salvage this...

David kept glancing at me and Lia during dinner, something Lia apparently noticed too. I sent her a text on her phone, telling her to join me in David's room with him after dinner. She was confused for a brief instant but replied with an okay.

I stayed with the family after dinner to help with the dishes, making sure that David wouldn't say anything. Afterwards, I asked David if he'd like to play a few more games with us, using it as a pretext to be able to speak in private. He nervously accepted and we returned to his room.

Once there, I quietly locked the door, making sure we wouldn't be bothered. The three of us sat in front of the TV, but before we could start a game, I spoke, keeping my voice low and as non-threatening as possible.

"David, tell me the truth. You... heard the conversation Lia and I had earlier in her room, didn't you? I saw the tabs on your computer."

Lia seemed stunned, while David's eyes widened, fear clearly visible on his face. "D-don't hurt me... P-please... I-I didn't mean to... I-I won't say anything to anyone!" He pleaded, shivering.

"David, we won't hurt you, I promise you that." I said, taking a soft and reassuring tone. "We just want to have a discussion with you, nothing more. Lia kept telling me how open-minded and kind you were, so can we explain our situation? You'll understand better afterwards."

Lia got up and checked his computer, glancing at the websites he was on. "Hmm, these skinwalkers are quite different from the ones I know. I'd dare say they're less scary-looking. Well, I guess we should start by explaining what a skinwalker really is, huh?"

And so, we did just that, talking slowly and trying our best to not scare David even more. Lia showed him the spines in her hand, telling him about our ability to turn humans into skins and wear them, and of how the curse operated. The fact that we stayed calm and were fully open with him did seem to make David relax slightly, even if he was still on edge.

He seemed lost in thought for a moment, but then looked at Lia. "So, you're... you're not my sister, then?"

Lia smiled. "My situation is pretty unique. The skinwalker who skinned and wore me has this ability to awaken the consciousness of those she has the soul of. I am the original Dahlia, your sister. Well, 'Dahl' as we call her was the one mainly in control until recently, but I've always been conscious, observing her changing my life for the better and allowing me to mature. And we now freely share this body, taking turns controlling it and living in symbiosis. See Yami and Yugi in Yu-gi-oh? It's a bit like that."

That comparison apparently helped David understand the situation a bit better. "I-I see..."

"I'm sorry for having been a bitch during my teenagehood. Dahl made me realise and accept a lot of things about myself." Lia said, looking away.

David stayed silent for a while before turning his attention to me. "And you're... a skinwalker too, then?"

"Yeah, but I've only been one for a short while. Until recently, I used to be a man named Edward, and the sister I mentioned earlier is actually my real sister."

"You... you were a man?" He slowly asked, stunned by this reveal.

I giggled, giving him a kind smile. "I don't look like one, huh? These abilities allow us to become anyone, no matter the gender. Although, I already spent so long living as a woman that it's hard to consider myself a man anymore."

David didn't say anything, simply looking down.

"Are you okay, David?" Lia asked, putting a hand on his shoulder.

"I-I don't know... This situation... It sounds so insane... but it's real..." He muttered.

"Take the time you need. Just, please don't say anything about us to anyone, it might get all of us in danger." I said.

"I-I won't..." He replied slowly.

"I... hadn't really planned for you to discover the truth like this, David. I wanted to tell you someday, but I wanted it to be in better conditions." Lia continued. "I'm sorry for scaring you."

David rose his head. "Can I... have proof? Of you really being my sister?"

"Proof?"

"Y-you said you could... restore people, right?" David explained. "Can I see it?"

Lia grit her teeth, visibly greatly uncomfortable with the idea of getting separated from Dahl, even if for a short time.

"It's... It's going to be hard, but okay... You deserve some reassurance." She said, standing up. "I'll go to my room to get ready, Yun will bring you once I'm done. Just, be warned, Dahl looks... quite terrifying."

David gulped and nodded, and Lia took one deep breath before leaving the room.

"She truly loves you a lot." I said to David while we were waiting. "Dahl and Lia are so close, being separated even for a few minutes like this is gonna be really uncomfortable for them."

"I-is that so?"

"Yeah."

We waited a bit longer before I received a text on my phone telling me to bring David to Lia's bedroom. We walked in, spotting Lia sitting on her bed, trying to appear fine but clearly failing. I could see the discomfort on her face and from her body language. Standing next to her was Dahl, in her original skinwalker body, and appearing as awfully uncomfortable as Lia. David was frozen, shocked by Dahl's real appearance.

"Hey David. Yun, lock the door, please. We wouldn't want our parents to see Dahl." Lia said. "Don't worry, David, she won't do anything to you."

I pushed the still immobile David inside and locked the door as she asked.

"Are you two okay?" I asked as soon as we got some privacy.

Lia sighed. "No, not really. It feels like half of me is missing."

Dahl didn't say anything, simply nodding in agreement and looking away, unable to face David.

"So, as you wished, here I am, only as myself, David." Lia announced, gesturing at herself and then at Dahl. "And here is Dahl, my now other half, the skinwalker I've been sharing my body and life with for the last two years. Is it enough proof?"

After a moment, David slowly nodded, still unable to speak.

"Do you want anything more, or can we return to normal? Dahl is completely freezing like this, you know? She needs me quickly."

"N-no..." He replied.

"Let's return to your room and wait for them, David. We can talk more afterwards if you want." I said, grabbing his hand and leading him outside Lia's room.

We waited a few minutes before Lia returned, looking much better now that she was reunited with Dahl again.

"God, it was as horrible as I imagined it to be. Never again..." She muttered, hugging herself tightly.

"That... that thing... is in you?" David asked.

Lia frowned. "Please call her Dahl, she's not a thing. And yes, we are one again." She then stared at David. "Anyway, there's something I've been wondering, David."

"W-what?"

She leaned closer, eyeing him suspiciously. "What were you doing listening to us?"

David's cheeks reddened and he quickly glanced away. "N-nothing. It was... It was an accident."

Lia grinned. "Oh, what's with that reaction? Did you expect to hear something different coming from the room? Perhaps noises and words of... passion~?"

David didn't say anything, but it was clear Lia hit a nail here.

"My little brother is such a pervert, spying on his sister and her girlfriend like this." Lia continued, snickering.

"I-I'm not a pervert! I was... I was just wondering what you were doing..."

"Well, that's something you better not repeat, David." She said, taking a more scolding tone. "You shouldn't spy on other people like this."

He sighed. "I'm sorry..."

Lia then came closer and pulled him into a hug. "But thanks for keeping an open mind, David. I know the situation is surreal, but I don't want our relationship to change. I love you, you're my dear little brother. And Dahl feels the same way, too."

"Although, while you're safe with us, do be careful. Most skinwalkers aren't as nice..." I then said.

"Yeah, most are real assholes." Lia added.

"I see..."

"Want to play some Smash again? You probably need something to clear your mind after this tense afternoon." I offered, grabbing a controller.

"S-sure." He hesitantly said, taking another controller.

The three of us faced the TV and went back to playing Smash for another hour and a half. David was slowly relaxing, the game doing him good.

After a while, I let out a yawn. "We should go to sleep, but if there's anything else you'd like to know, we'd be happy to talk more tomorrow. We could even invite Laura if you want someone else to talk to." I said, giving David a kind smile.

"She's aware of Dahl's existence and Yun's nature." Lia added. "Although she doesn't know yet about our unique situation. She believes only Dahl is in control. We're... not really sure how to tell her, considering my troubled past with her..."

"Did... Did you... like her?" David asked, surprising us.

"Huh? Y-yes, I used to like her, but how did you know?"

David looked away awkwardly. "W-well... You seemed obsessed with her, you often spoke about her, and only really harassed her. Bullying someone you like is... not that uncommon in manga."

Lia let out an amused sigh. "I see, that makes sense. Yeah, I was really stupid and immature back then. I couldn't accept being a lesbian and having a crush on someone like her. I still feel ashamed of my past actions, so it'd make things awkward if she were to know the truth. Tomorrow, Dahl will stay in control, it'll be for the best." She then hugged him again, gently patting his head. "We'll talk more tomorrow, though. Have a good night, David. I love you."

"I-I love you too." David said.

"Goodnight, David." I added.

Lia and I then returned to her bedroom, locking the door behind us.

"Well, things went quite well, I think." I started.

"We were so anxious... You know how intense Dahl's emotions can be sometimes, it was hard to stay calm."

I pulled her closer and kissed her. "David is a good kid, I'm sure it'll be fine. Go take a bath or a shower to relax and I'll follow right after."

Lia smiled slightly. "I would have preferred taking a bath with you, considering how large our bathtub is, but it'll do for today. Love you~"

She kissed me back, took her pajamas, and went to the bathroom, while I waited there, checking my social medias. I took the opportunity that we had a long break to plan a few photoshoots once we'd be done visiting Lia's parents. Nothing as grandiose as the one in London, just posing in some clothes I received and bought recently. Checking through the window and observing the family swimming pool and garden, I also though of taking some photos in a few different swimsuits, as it'd be a nice decor.

When Lia returned, it was my turn to take a shower, the water doing wonders to relax my mind and my body. Despite the confidence I showed, it was a stressful situation for me too, I truly didn't want things to end badly. I was so relieved David took it well.

Let's hope things will stay like this.