TLC

"It's fine."

Have you noticed no one says it's fine when it's actually fine? They'll say basically anything else, but they'll only use those words when it's absolutely not fine. It's like some kind of universal reverse psychology.

I snuggle closer to Poppy's back as we lay in bed, Rosie elected to stay in Marie's room after we finished, no surprise there, so I offered for our youngest sister to stay in my room, it just seemed gentlemanly. "I just don't want you feeling left out... Or pent-up." I explain, stroking her hair.

"I'm not, don't get me wrong, it's frustrating... But maybe that's good? You know? Maybe it'll push me to... Be more open." She whispers, as if concerned that someone might overhear. "Sometimes, I wish I could be like Rosie and Marie." She admits.

That could have multiple meanings. "As in, bisexual?" I try to confirm curiously.

"No chance!" Poppy snorts. "I mean, they don't worry about getting what they want, they don't let fear hold them back. Marie wants sex, she goes for it, Rosie wants dirty talk, she just does it. They're so strong." She ponders enviously.

"You're strong too, you know?" I reassure her. "Knowing your boundaries and not letting others cross them means just as much. Like when Rosie joked about Marie doing anal, she shut it down immediately because she didn't want it. Maybe someday she will, but the point is, making the choice matters too."

Poppy rolls over to face me. "Thank you." She smiles, as she pecks me on the lips. "That aside, maybe the bisexual thing isn't so bad, they looked skilled!" She jokes, unable to keep a straight face.

"Oh, I see how it is, come to me for reassurance, then hop next door for the real fun?" I smirk, which is only answered by a shrug from Poppy. I decide she needs punishment, and opt for the tried and true tickle strategy, which quickly has her begging me to stop.

Tickling turned to kissing, but soon, kissing turned to sleep. I can't let Poppy feel isolated. She's too important. She's precious.

*

I awake to a loud hubbub downstairs, it doesn't take me long to recognise the culprits' voices, sounds like Sienna's joined us for breakfast this morning. Shit, thinking on it, I never did contact her with an answer... Guess she decided to take matters into her own hands. I gingerly make my way down the stairs, listening to the conversation as I approach.

"No way, if anyone should, it should be her big sister." I hear Rosie argue.

"You can call me 'Big Sis' if you like, sweetie, in fact, I kinda like that idea." Sienna's voice counters, causing an uproar of giggles.

I enter the kitchen to see Marie preparing breakfast, while Rosie, Sienna, and Poppy wait at the table, with Poppy in particular looking red in the face. "I feel like I've missed a conversation." I announce as head towards the table.

"We were just discussing who gets to sleep with Poppy when she's ready." Rosie explains. "After you, obviously."

"Don't suppose you've bothered to ask? Or remember she's straight?" I point out mockingly. Okay, maybe the idea of her having sex with another girl is pretty hot, but it's not like I'd ever push that fantasy on her, it's just disrespectful.

Sienna smirks at my indignation. "She wouldn't be the first girl that's said the same until I got my hands on them." She brags, before turning her attention to me. "That reminds me, you left me waiting, mister!"

I cringe at the reminder, it was a bit harsh, but I had other things on my mind... And face. "Well, the good news is, everyone agrees, we want you on board!" I offer meekly.

"Yeah, the girls told me, I believe the phrase was 'replace every chair in the house with my face?' or something to that effect?" Sienna chuckles. "Not that I'd object to that, of course." She adds, with a wink to Rosie.

Marie's voice cuts through the flirting. "We said no sex until after breakfast, you two calm down." She insists. Smart rule, otherwise there's no chance we'd take breaks. Honestly, who wants to be known as the people who starved to **** because of too much fucking? Not me.

"I'd want it to be Rosie, by the way." Poppy finally chimes in. "Hypothetically, I mean. If I had to pick." She continues, getting quieter and redder as she speaks.

"Aww, this is why you're my favourite sibling, Pops." Rosie gushes. I should be offended, but it's too adorable and weirdly sexy to get hung up on. "So... I've been thinking... With so many of us involved now... Maybe we should start discussing some limits? I mean, the last thing we want is someone being **** to do something they aren't into." She decides, changing the topic.

Sienna almost chokes on her water. "Wait, you guys didn't do that already?" She stammers, shocked at our amateurishness. "You gotta set boundaries, what's the phrase? Safe, sane and consensual?" She states.

"Pretty sure that's BDSM." I point out.

"Pretty sure whips and chains are less weird than an incestuous orgy." Sienna snaps back. Alright, valid point. "For example, I love rough sex, but there's a limit, so I always use a safe word."

Guess that explains why she knows the BDSM motto then, still it's not a bad idea, the last thing I want is to take something too far. "I guess, excrement is my hardest no." Rosie considers. "And any age stuff, just grosses me out."

Sienna shudders at the thought. "Agreed, what about you, Marie?" She asks.

"I guess, nothing larger than a finger in my arse until I'm used to it..." She clarifies. "And even then, warn me first." She adds, irritably.

Rosie's face creases at the mention. "Again, I'm really sorry." She replies sheepishly. "In my defence, I did kiss it better. A lot."

Sienna snorts at my sister's words. "See, that's why you have this conversation, honestly, what did you do without me?" She laughs. "How about you, Popsicle? Any rules?"

Poppy seems surprised to be included in the conversation. "Oh... Well, I haven't really joined in yet, but... I guess... None?" She answers meekly. It's definitely not the answer any of us were expecting from the usually restrained member of our group. "I mean, I'll tell you when I'm ready to really do stuff, so..."

"You are so cute when you're flustered." Sienna groans. "I want to have you now... But good things come to those who wait." She decides.

"Speaking of which." Marie interrupts, placing plates down in front of each of us before joining the table. "Eat up, you'll need your strength."

Today's gonna be a long day.