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It’s okay for young siblings to share a bed with each other.
They are innocent children who will eventually grow up and learn to be independent, including sleeping alone. But for now, night is dark and monsters hide under the bed.
When you live in the sewers, there are also bugs that creepily crawl all over the walls.
So even when you have your own bed, it’s okay to borrow your brother’s bed when his room doesn’t have nearly as many cockroaches—you know, you’ve counted and checked!
Especially when he gets cold easily.
Because the sewers are not only dark, they are damp.
You’re the strongest in the family, so it’s your job to protect your brothers. But… it’s okay if your only older brother protects you too. Sometimes.
Obviously, his room is too cold for the bugs. That’s why they sneak into your room. So now he has to protect you from the bugs while you protect him from the cold.
It’s okay, because you would do the same for all of your brothers!
The only reason you slip out every morning is because of your pride.
Your father tells you that you both are too old to share a small bed.
Your younger brothers understand even less, they’d tease you for being scared.
Your older brother doesn’t need to know either; he has his pride too after all!
That’s all. No one would say anything else, because you’re not doing anything wrong…
It’s a comfortable routine, one that occasionally gets disrupted by a fight or someone coming down with a cold and being checked on often.
When that happens, it only feels not okay because you hate the bugs that come out at night in your room.
You also hate the thought of your brother being cold. He’s probably laying awake wondering why his blankets aren’t as warm as usual and, since his room is so quiet without as many bugs scurrying around his room, his thoughts are probably too loud.
You don’t snore! But if you did, it probably helps him sleep at night knowing you’re there to protect him…
But things will get back to normal and, once again, you’ll rest content knowing it’s okay.
And if, one night after having the flu for a week, you slip into your brother’s room only for him to cuddle you closer—it’s okay.
And if, one day you try to slip out early in the cool morning only to be pulled back into the warm blankets—it’s okay.
Even if you wake up alone in a bed not your own.
It’s okay.
Nothing’s wrong because nothing’s said.
It’s okay!
Human furniture isn’t made for turtle shells, all the more reason cuddling closer is even more comfortable. Turtle bodies fitting together perfectly, nestled closely like spoons…
It’s okay…
There’s nothing wrong when your brother settles in besides you, absorbing your heat until he’s so content he sighs deeply as he practically melts into your arms…
This all began with a fever, so whenever you worry about him getting sick you decide that it’s best to be sure… The thermometer is far away, yet you saw on television someone checked their child’s temperature with their lips on their forehead. It’s simple and easy, not an exact science maybe but it seemed to work. It’s okay.
Nothing wrong with trying a second time, just to be sure. Better safe than sorry.
You rest easy knowing your brother is well and fever free, so you get into the habit of checking his temperature. Just a brief moment of your lips on his forehead. It’s okay, there’s nothing wrong…
One night somehow your lips slip, accidently landing on his lips.
It’s okay!
You were just being protective. Besides, in some cultures family members kiss each other on the lips—you saw that on television too. It’s okay, there’s nothing wrong!
If one day your older brother is the one to kiss you on the forehead then on the lips, well… he’s also being protective of you. It’s okay, there’s nothing wrong!
Besides… he’s the oldest and the leader. So, technically, you’re just following orders. Which is literally what you’re supposed to do!
So not only is nothing wrong, but everything is right—and that’s okay!
It’s okay the way his lips feel perfectly right on yours…
It’s okay to keep following his lead, tasting his lips and allowing his tongue to explore your mouth…
It’s okay, just two brothers who love and protect each other every night of their lives…
Nothing wrong and everything right makes the world finally feel it’s okay.
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