Editor's note: this story contains scenes of incest or incest content.
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Charlie yawned as he opened his eyes slowly, swearing to himself because he knew needed to get up soon. The bedroom was dark; the curtains were drawn, however some morning light managed to pierce through fabric.
Charlie groaned, turning onto his side, trying to shield his face from the persistent rays. He was now flat on his stomach; his body almost completely covered by the blankets save for half his face. He could see with one eye his clock on the bedside table.
Fuck...I have that meeting at 9am...
Charlie internally whined as he turned over onto his back to stare up at the ceiling.
Charlie Blake was an assistant professor at the private university in the city. Besides work, Charlie spent time with a group of other academics at a local pub on the weekends and sometimes during the week. It wouldn't be too much of a shocker to note that Charlie didn't really have time to date, or the will power, really. Something about the dating scene was too intimidating and it was often difficult trying to connect with someone who didn't appreciate his ever-evolving schedule that consisted of never-ending research and teaching undergraduate students.
Charlie mumbled to himself, complaining about the fact that the faculty in his program had already met that month. He closed his eyes as he turned onto his back once more, hating himself for agreeing with the time for the meeting when he needed most of the day to finish grading.
Besides dating, Charlie felt like he had everything figured out. He enjoyed his work and it helped having the resources and funding associated with working at a prestigious university. He had his colleagues and friends who gave him a necessary social outlet whenever he isolated himself in his apartment, office, or library.
Yet, Charlie felt like a piece of him was missing. It wasn't until a few years ago, when Charlie reassessed his life after turning thirty, that he realized that something was missing from his life. He dated and reaffirmed his friendships, but nothing ever felt right. He never felt right. It was as if a major body part was missing, but Charlie wouldn't have been able to describe the missing body part or why he needed it.
He just knew that something was missing in his life, and he wasn't happy. And after turning thirty, Charlie realized that he had always felt this way.
Charlie groaned. He took one of the pillows on the bed to cover his face. He screamed to himself, wishing he had a few more minutes before getting ready to leave for the university. But really, as screaming in a pillow became more of a ritual of late, Charlie was distraught as it pertained to his life. He knew he needed to make a change, but he wasn't sure what or if he could.
Charlie sprawled out on the bed with his limbs reaching out as far as they could. He laid there until the snooze alarm reminded him of the meeting again. Charlie pushed himself out of the bed with a loud groan, letting his legs swing off to the side before standing.
He took his time entering the bathroom, remarking himself that he just needed to get through the day.
Later that afternoon....
Charlie was standing in the fiction section of the bookstore. He typically frequented this particular bookstore as it was the only privately owned bookstore within a fifty-mile radius of the university. Charlie ran his fingers along the spines of the books, musing to himself about finally getting the time to sit down and read a book that had absolutely nothing to do with either his research or class prep.
He found one book that sounded intriguing based on the cover art and the description on the back. Charlie flipped through the pages, skimming the work before ultimately deciding on purchasing the book.
Charlie closed the book as he looked at the surrounding books left on the shelf. He then turned around to leave the section, walking to the end until something out of the corner of his eye caught his attention. Charlie looked up to see someone standing in the art section. He stared but couldn't see the man's face. The man was standing with his back toward him, holding a table coffee book.
Charlie stepped back to the shelf as he watched the man from afar. Charlie hugged his body up against the shelf. Something about the man felt familiar and strange at the same time, but Charlie wasn't sure what to make of it. However, as he continued to watch the man, the sinking feeling he had always experienced began to dissipate. At that moment, Charlie felt the happiest he had ever felt, and he had trouble understanding why.
Suddenly, the stranger from across the way made a move to turn around. Charlie swore to himself as he hid behind the bookshelf, turning his back so that the man wouldn't see his face. Yet in doing so, Charlie missed the stranger's face.
Charlie waited before looking behind the bookshelf. He could now see the stranger paying for the book at the front counter. The man bade goodbye to the bookstore owner before briskly exiting the store. Charlie felt compelled to follow the man but stopped himself. He could feel his heart flutter with anticipation, but the lingering sick feeling returned, causing Charlie to realize that for a few seconds he had been freed from his constant sense of dread.
"Sir?"
Charlie yelped as he heard a voice from behind.
"Do you need some help finding anything?" Charlie turned around to see one of the bookstore owners smiling at him.
"Uh," Charlie told himself to chill as he settled from the unexpected interruption, "I'm fine thank you."
The bookstore owner smiled at him before turning around to walk past Charlie toward the front counter. Charlie looked down at the book in his hands before walking to the art section. He looked around to make sure no one was near him before scanning the shelves to see if he could surmise anything from the books that would give him a clue about the mysterious man.
His head bobbed up and down the shelf until he spotted something on one of the shelves. There was a nice black art pen perched on the shelf in the empty space that might have belonged to the book the man had purchased. Charlie looked around once more before taking the pen. He thought about giving it to the bookstore owners in case the man returned.
However, as Charlie reached the front counter, the pen landed in his coat pocket instead. Charlie paid for his book before exiting the bookstore, thinking about the man as he walked home.
That weekend...
Charlie hummed to himself as he took his time examining the fruit in front of him. He was doing some grocery shopping, looking forward to the free time he sorely needed after endless meetings and classes.
Charlie reached for an apple, turning it over a few times before placing it into his tote bag. He turned to reach for another but before he could grab another apple, he bumped hands with someone else.
"Oh!" Charlie retracted his hand quickly before turning to face the other shopper.
"I'm sorry..." But as he tried to apologize, Charlie felt like had entered a different dimension all together.
There standing in front of him was a man who looked familiar, so familiar that Charlie was sure he was seeing things.
"Uh..." Charlie couldn't believe what he was seeing. The man was slightly taller than him, but his facial features reminded Charlie of his own.
"I, uh..." Charlie babbled as the man smiled at him.
"Has anyone told you...you look like someone else?" The man asked softly
Charlie blinked a few times, not really sure if he should just leave the store because he was sure he was close to making a scene.
