This story was for a contest on Gaia, which is still going. XD It's has 8 rounds, with 8 different prompts. This one was about 'high tensions'. Be warned, there's incestual tones.

Relative Tension

The air in the dining room was warm with scents, and full of chatter. Bowls steamed, all containing delicious side dishes to accompany the main course, and the clinking of metal against ceramic tinted the conversations going on with a staccato beat. It wasn't just another dinner in the Monro household, thought, it was the annual family reunion dinner. Where all the generations of the family could sit around a long dining table, chatting about how much had changed in their life since the last time they spoke with Uncle George, or Auntie Maude. It was a time where older generations could share embarrassing tales about their younger relatives, who could only blush in humiliation.

Everyone was chatting with at least one other person, the more experienced chatterboxes participating in up to three different conversations, except for two siblings. Both were sitting by each other, thanks to the traditional seating arrangement, and neither had the guts to tell their mother they were uncomfortable with it. Apparently, they both found their plates much more entertaining than Cousin Bob's foot fungus, or their own brother's engagement story.

Their silence didn't last long once a few of the more considerate family members realized the two were being left out of every conversation. Leaning over the table, Uncle Larry grinned at Lukas, despite the young man being unable to see such a shimmering smile, and boomed, "So, Lukas. How old are you now? Heard you got a job at a big corporation! How's that treating you?"

"I'm twenty-seven now, uncle. Uhm, i-it's going well." Lukas looked up, uncertainly, into his uncle's big red face, and forced up a smile of his own, "We just recently celebrated our mid-annual profit range exceeding last year's total profit."

At the memory of that night came to the surface, Lukas vainly fought down the blush that was creeping into his cheeks. However, as soon as his flesh started to tingle unpleasantly, he knew his blush had won the battle. Feeling a knot in his stomach start to form, he hoped that his family assumed his sudden redness was simply because of the humidity in the room. As the memories did come to light, though, his eyes involuntarily glanced at his sister, who was still staring at her plate.

He couldn't help the smug feeling that swelled in his heart at the sight of her blushing deeply. Apparently, Lily's mind was being as treacherous as his own and replaying that night against her will. Yet, as quickly as he stole the glance, he looked back around the table, settling his eyes on his walrus-like Uncle Larry.

"Oh," grinned Uncle Larry, knowingly as he winked at his nephew, "Celebration, eh? Did a pretty co-worker follow you home, because she was too tipsy to drive?"

Just as Lukas opened his mouth to answer, his mother had popped into the conversation, exclaiming, "I hope not! Lily would have been kept up with all the racket. She can't afford being tired with her new job."

"What are you going to do to stop him, ma? Castrate him?" teased Brad, who was two years Lukas's senior. He was grinning broadly, in a fashion that Lukas had come to known as "The Pervert" look. It was a grin Brad and their father would share when watching cheerleaders during football games, or when spotting a quite well-endowed woman walk by. Yet, Lukas couldn't help but notice the woman who sat by Brad had the same grin on her face, as she giggled. Apparently, he'd been wrong in assuming that only men could convey "The Pervert".

Lukas rolled his eyes, while stating, "I didn't bring anyone home, ma. We're not allowed to date co-workers in my building, so don't worry." Yet, the mental voice Lukas could never control piped up, 'Lily still didn't get much rest that night, though.'

At that thought, Lukas couldn't help the memories that started to flood into his conscience. The foggy scenes of that night slowly rolled by his mind.

The party had gone by in a haze, and Lukas hadn't had any interest in any of the proceedings. Most of his co-workers were going to wake up the next morning, either hungover or in bed with a random naked person. He had left early, because of those particular resolutions that may have befallen him if he had gotten any more drunk. The excitement, though, didn't have a chance to leave his body, and he had burst into the apartment.

At the sound of the door slammed open, Lily had run in, bat in hand. He grinned at her paranoia of thieves, and embracing her tightly, even going as far as spinning around with her in his arms. Then, seeming to lose all control from excitement, he cupped Lily's face in his hands and kissed her. He felt her tense under his arms, and she dropped the bat in surprise. Lukas remembered the alarm in the back of his mind going off, but it had been forced into dumbfounded silence when she kissed back.

"That's good. Don't want you to get your mind off of work, now do we, Lukas?" goaded his mother, smiling. Yet, behind that smile, her eyes held a hard glint to them, as if she was scolding. Merely nodding his head, Lukas sighed, and muttered an agreement, while under the table his fingers were crossed.

Realization started to slowly seep into Lukas's body, as the heavy tension between him and Lily weighed down more. She was still silent, and idly pushing some peas back and forth on her plate. He didn't even glance at her, since he knew as soon as he did, he'd feel a wave of guilt fall over them.

He did this to Lily, made her feel doubtful, and made her so uncomfortable around the family. Usually, she was arguing about moral issues with their mom, or talking about something abstract with their father. Yet, she hadn't said a word all through this dinner. Lukas had hoped their conversation back at the apartment, to forget everything that had happened between them, would have instilled a sense of normality between the two.

Yet, just by the knot that was worsening in his stomach, Lukas could feel the air between him and Lily crackle with tension. If some poor soul decided to step between the two of them, Lukas was willing to bet the person would be crushed under the heavy emotions in the air. Well, at least the air between him and his little sister. Mentally, he cursed himself so colorfully, he was amazed that his lips hadn't turned into a neon rainbow.

"So, Lily, I've noticed you're unexceptionably quiet." stated their mother, eyeing her daughter in suspicion and concern, "Is something the matter?"

Lukas took a drink of his soda as the question left his mouth dry. He praised whoever invented the carbonated nectar that simultaneously cooled his temperature and quenched his parched tongue.

Lily glanced slowly up at her mother, opening her mouth to say something as she did, but she closed it in uncertainty. Gnawing on the inside of her cheek, the twenty-four year old woman wasn't sure what to tell her mother. She knew she had been acting strange, but couldn't help it. Being seated by her brother, who shared the same secret with herself, was too much for her to bear easily. It was just made worse by the fact she was stuck in a family affair, feeling as if she was lying or keeping a tragic secret from those she had a close bond with.

Unable to meet her mother's gaze, Lily merely replied, "I'm just not feeling well, mom. That's all."

"I thought you were looking a bit under the weather. You really should get more sleep," Started the old woman, in a wise yet contemptuous manner. Beside Lily, Lukas choked on his drink, and slapped a hand over his mouth, while their mother glanced suspiciously at him. She went on to say, "I don't think it's healthy for a young woman like yourself to be up so late, watching the television or on the Internet. Heaven forbid who you're talking to on that contraption."

Vaguely, Lily nodded as her mother went on into her stereotypical speech about online predators, with an aunt throwing in a horrific story about a young girl who was found raped and dead in a back alley. However, Lily's eyes had glanced over at Lukas, who was wiping some pop from his lips with a napkin. In that quick glance, both siblings caught each other's eye, and looked away immediately.

Looking for a conversation to immerse himself in, which would grant him leave from all the curious stares that a few relatives where giving him, Lukas sought refuge with his jolly Uncle Larry. Soon, the old, walrus-like man was caught up in telling Lukas his tales of being in the police force. Lukas listened, eager to hear stories of those even more morally corrupt than himself. 'I have to take solace somewhere', thought Lukas guiltily.

"Maddie, stop scolding her." Laughed Lily and Lukas's father, Richard, from beside his wife, "She's a grown woman, I'm sure she can take care of herself." Gingerly, he patted his wife on the shoulder, smiling broadly as he added, "She also has Lukas to look after her."

"I know, I know." sighed the elderly woman, shaking her head, but smiling in a reminiscence, "He has always been so protective of her. Almost none of her boyfriends ever set foot in the house from fear of Lukas."

A few strings of laughter rolled around the table, and Lukas glanced up at the mention of his name. Larry had finished a fine tale about a transgender drug dealer, and had also found his attention drawn to his sister-in-law and brother. Lily snorted, and rolled her eyes as she remembered the threats her brother would deliver to her old boyfriends. In the end, Lukas had always been right. All the guys she had ever dated were scum, and hadn't deserved her. Yet, looking back on those memories, Lily couldn't help but wonder if Lukas had simply been jealous the whole time.

"When she was young, she'd always climb into bed with Lukas, too, whenever she was afraid." contributed Richard, grinning as he winked at his wife, "Saved us from some awkward walk-ins during intimiate nights, huh?"

Another string of snickers surfaced as Lily covered her eyes with her hand, and sighed as she lowered it off her face. Lukas groaned, and put his head in his hands, attempting to erase the mental images that were taking place. Again, the voice in his mind, that tempted him to say shocking things, twittered, 'Now we're the ones up for awkward walk-ins, if you get my drift.'

"Oh Richard!" Gasped Maddie, coloring in embarrassment. But, that emotion quickly passed over as she went on to say, "They were so inseperable. They took baths together until Lily was ten!" exclaimed their mother, in all good cheer. A few coos resounded around the table, along with a few gags from the youngest generations. Slamming into her, a wave of embarrassment accompanied by a flush fell over Lily.

She couldn't help but think, 'Yeah, I don't take baths with him anymore, mom. We've upgraded to steamy showers.' The idea of the scene that would follow that confession, however, was too much for Lily to even think about imagining. Yet, the thought of those showers reared the fact of how those daily showers with Lukas had started. Which was also the reason why her heart and lungs felt so knotted up with socially immoral guilt.

Again, she looked over at her brother, who promptly ignored her as he glared at their parents. They were still blabbing on about their embarrassing pasts. Lily noted Lukas's cheeks were a deep shade of red, and he had a look in his eyes that conveyed hidden thoughts. She had learned well enough that her brother had a strong discipline over what he said, but he always wanted to say everything on his mind. Everything on his mind, however, wasn't usually fit to say to family, friends, or bosses.

'Staying bottled up about so much must be so hard for him', thought Lily as she stared at him. She remembered how long it took for him to just be himself around her, saying whatever he wanted and knowing she wouldn't hold it against him. Lukas, sensing the eyes on him, glanced over at Lily, who looked away as soon as he turned.

Absentmindedly, she clutched at the napkin in her lap, twisting it in her hands. Lukas was being quiet about their relationship, even though, more than anything, he wanted to shock everyone at the table with the truth. He was the type who loved reactions.

Curses and self-degrading thoughts started to swirl around Lily's mind as she realized how much strain she was probably putting on Lukas. She had let the situation happen, which lead to this awkward, and uneasy feeling between herself and her brother. Lily could have slapped herself for allowing such things to happen between herself and her brother. Since she had allowed the activities of that night to escalate, she had condemned herself and her brother to this consequence.

Memories of the night started to piece together, raggedly, in the back of her mind. How he had held her so tightly, and swung her around. Then how his lips had pressed up against her own. Lily felt her heart start to beat faster, while at the same time being constrained by guilt, as the memories became her mind's center focus.

She had returned the kiss, eagerly. Later, she wondered if it was from excitement, or some unknown desire. But, she couldn't deny she had returned it. Lukas must have been spurred on by the fact she wasn't pulling away or screaming, for the next thing she knew, she was pushed up against a wall. Her hands were gripping at her older brother's shoulders, pulling him closer. Lukas's hands were roaming, sending an instant blush to her cheeks that caused her cheeks to tingle hotly.

Too soon, it seemed, they had to break from the kiss and catch their breath. Embarrassed, unsure, and doubtfully they stared at each other. Both knowing that they'd eventually regret whatever would happen tonight; both wondering how much the other would care. It hadn't taken long to come to a conclusion, which was to stagger into Lukas's bedroom, while desperately attempting to stay locked in a kiss as clothes accumulated on the floor.

Quickly getting to her feet, Lily excused herself and bolted from the room. She couldn't just sit there anymore; it was too hard on her to act as if nothing was happening. Just to erase all that time she had spent with Lukas, and pretend it never happened. Even if it was just until the end of this dinner, but one dinner would lead to another. Lily would feel trapped each year, at each family gathering.

The napkin was still clutched in her left hand as she ran upstairs, taking refuge in the bathroom. Once she stepped into the bathroom, Lily leaned against the locked door and sank down to the floor. The cold tiles on the floor chilled her sock covered feet; the chill felt good as it seeped into her warm skin, cooling down the flushed woman. Crossing her arms, she attempted to stop her hands from trembling, but her nerves felt to jittery comply with her request. Sighing, Lily looked up at the cieling before closing her eyes and trying to sear all these recent memories from her squalling thoughts.

Back downstairs, a few people had glanced worriedly at the doorway to the dining room, through which Lily had disappeared. A couple questioned whether she was okay, some continued to eat, figuring she'd be fine. Lukas was staring at the door, opening his mouth a few times to answer a question his father had asked him. His mind was intensely concentrated on Lily, though. Worried thoughts, coupled with guilt, distracted him enough to lose his train of thought, and his next sentence.

Realizing his father was waiting for an answer, Lukas shook his head, and smiled weakly at him, "I'm sorry, dad, I'm just a bit worried about Lily. Uhm, what did you ask again?"

Lukas's father stared at him for a moment, pinning a confused Lukas to the chair with that gaze. Lukas could feel his blood racing through his viens in fear as his father eyed him in suspicion. Whenever the older man got such a look in his eyes, he knew something was wrong. Lukas couldn't even swallow from close-throated fear.

Richard had a horribly excellent intuition. It was hard to keep anything a secret from the old man. Remembering all those times he had gotten caught doing something wrong, and his father finding out, caused Lukas's thoughts to swarm in overdrive. All the questions screamed, and screeched in his mind: Does he know about me and Lily? What gave it away? Does he know? What will he do? How did he figure it out?!

"I think," said the father, leaning closer to Lukas as he spoke, "You should go and check on your sister, Lukas. You two are close, after all."

The young man's eyes widened at the emphasis on 'close', but Lukas nodded numbly. Slowly, he got up from his seat, excusing himself to his relatives while plastering a false smile on his lips. As he left the dining room, his father leaned back in his chair, letting himself get lost in his thoughts as he heard Lukas ascend up the stairs. He had noticed the odd silence between Lukas and Lily, and the blushes that were surfacing. The glare that his son gave him, which was ignored but not noted, gave away what was going on. Not to mention their years of sharing a bond that was much more closer than those usually between a sister and a brother.

Closing his eyes, since everyone was gratefully ignoring him, the old man tried to hide his knowing grin. He tuned out the raucous chatter around him, and listened for Lukas upstairs. When he was able to decipher his son's voice, barely, he could hear Lukas pleading with Lily to open the door.

It had been apparent that the two siblings fancied each other ever since their hormones kicked in. At least, it had been apparent to Richard for ages.'It's strange how some people could blatantly ignore such particular signs', thought Richard in slight amusement. He couldn't say he agreed with the relationship entirely, yet he wasn't about to dash whatever happiness his children had found. Even if it was in each other's arms. Then again, maybe he was jumping to conclusions. Sighing, he resigned to the fact that it would probably all be revealed in due time.