Okay, so this is a rather spontaneous thing here that came into my mind and I just had to write it down. I'm a bit late with a Bioshock fanfic, I know that, but since I have only recently even discovered the games - shame on me - I couldn't write anything about it any sooner. ;)

Actually, this is supposed to be a oneshot only but I don't know if I am really done with it because there is something else that's on my mind here - possibly more from Rosalind's POV - so I'm leaving this open right now.

Nevertheless, enjoy reading it and perhaps (pretty please xD) leave behind a short Review about whether you have like it or not! :)

There are many rules in Columbia; the ones that have been imposed on its citizens by Comstock himself and are therefore part of the Columbian law and those that have been made by people in private. The latter may or may not be obeyed while the former have and will have to be obeyed.

One of said rules is that on Sundays, being the last day of the week, people are officially not allowed to work.

Rosalind Lutece, physicist extraordinaire and mother of Columbia, however, has long ago decided that she has her own set of rules and quitting work on a Sunday is not one of them. She is bent over a ridiculously high pile of papers, taking notes or drawing new graphs concerning their latest discoveries while her brother is watching her with an amused glint in his eyes from the couch they have bought recently – after Robert stating that a comfortable seating device other than the red armchair might be good to prevent one of them having to sit at the desk when reading a book.

"Are you sure you don't want to take a break?" He asks, a glass of Brandy in his hand. "It has, after all, been a terribly long week."

Rosalind looks up from her current task and gives him an angry glare. "No, because there are still too many things that have yet to be done," she snaps. "And unlike you, brother dearest, I am not neglecting my work. You could quit being lazy and actually be of help here, but as I see it, you aren't going to lend me a hand with this."

Robert can't prevent the smile that is tugging at his lips which slightly annoys her even further. He always finds her utterly adorable when she is angry or frustrated but he keeps that thought to himself.

"I'm not being lazy, sister," he replies politely. "I am merely putting my mind to rest. You should give it a try as well, Rosalind. A small glass of Brandy and a well written book can work wonders."

She simply scoffs and turns her attention back to work. Robert shakes his head and takes another sip of Brandy, the liquor burning slightly in his throat.

He likes to watch her sometimes, more often than not as of lately which still confuses him a little but he can't help it. Rosalind doesn't know she is beautiful, at least he thinks she doesn't as all his compliments are always turned down by an arched eyebrow or a dismissive gesture of her hand. Robert won't stop complimenting her though, giving hints of it every so often but she wouldn't accept them. He hates to think of her as his sister but as a separate human being because that's what she is really. They are not siblings, they are not even related in any way – they simply have the same parents in different realities and all that separates them is a single chromosome.

"It is getting rather late," Robert tries again. "Maybe you should retire for the day and finish this tomorrow."

When she doesn't react, he sighs and empties the glass. Rosalind can be stubborn sometimes. Too stubborn for her own good, he thinks as he puts away the book he's been reading all evening and goes over to the kitchen to place his glass on the counter before returning to his sister.

"Come on now, Rosalind." He stands behind her, hands put firmly on her shoulders. "Take a break, it's getting late."

Rosalind stiffens underneath his touch. "This is quite important and I-"

"Everything we do is important," Robert interrupts. "That doesn't mean we should spend the rest of our lives without even a minute of sleep or rest. You've been staying up way too long lately, do not think I don't know that."

He means to chide her but fails miserably.

His hands loosen their grip slightly as Robert begins to massage her neck and shoulders, trying to convince her to comply. He can feel her relax underneath him and knows he has won this battle. It's always the same; they have an argument or difference in opinion and even though Rosalind stubbornly tries to keep the upper hand, Robert always knows how to get her to surrender. It's a game they've been playing ever since he stepped foot into her reality. He knows which buttons to press which does not mean that he is wearing the pants in their complex relationship, as Fink would put it. Robert clenches his jaw, thinking of the man who constantly tries to get the ownership of their patents.

"Fine," Rosalind snaps again and puts away her pen.

She is not happy about losing tonight, he can tell but she would not dare come back later when he is asleep, that he knows.

They turn out the lights and make their way upstairs where their bedroom is located, both of them preparing for the night.

Of course, Robert is finished long before his sister. Another thing he has come accustomed to over the three years he has been in Columbia with her. It takes Rosalind exactly thirty-three minutes to get ready for bed, not that he is counting.

Robert always enjoys watching her undo her hair and brushing it afterwards. He can't help but wonder how soft it must feel between his fingers but is too afraid of the reaction he might get from her to even ask her.

When she is done, she settles down next to him and he blows out the last of the remaining candles.

Rosalind has her back turned towards him, her red hair shimmering in the silvery light of the moon and this time Robert cannot restrain his hands from sliding through it, letting it glide between his fingers. It's as soft as silk and Robert smiles, happy that his theory is proven right this time.

"Brother," Rosalind mumbles, though her voice is clear in the complete silence of their home. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing," Robert answers and for a moment he is unsure of whether it has been the right decision to give into his urges. "I am just proving a theory, that's all."

She turns around and arches an eyebrow at him, her blue eyes watching him coolly. "And which theory might that be?"

"That your hair is as smooth as it looks like." That's all he says before she turns around again, facing away from him. "Looks like I was proven right this time."

A quiet "Hmpf" was all Robert received from his sister.

That's it for now. It's a bit short, roughly around 1.1K words but as I mentioned before it was originally meant to be a oneshot (with a possible sequel lol). :)

Thanks for reading, guys! ;)