So you and your double from a parallel universe want to get it on. Thanks to the recent rise in multiversal travel, this is becoming a much more common — and more attainable — fantasy. But how can you make it happen? Here at Cosmo-Galactic Magazine HQ, we spoke with theoretical-physicist-turned-sex-therapist Dr. Amy Grande for the lowdown on being a good doppelbänger.
Communicate
Yes, communication should always be a part of sex, even if you’re doing it with another version of yourself. “In doppel porn, there’s a big emphasis on how the two performers are so similar they effortlessly know each other’s desires and can please each other like no one else can — but that’s not how things work in real life,” explains Amy. The truth is, even if you have virtually identical anatomy, your desires (and your boundaries) are shaped by your life experiences, your day-to-day thoughts and emotions, the kinds of sex toys available in your particular branch of the multiverse, and more. Let go of the idea that sex with your double should be as intuitive as masturbation. Think of it more as sex with someone who already knows a bit about what you’re into — and now the joy is teaching each other the rest.
Focus on All Forms of Self Love
Nowadays, “self love” is mostly a euphemism for doppel sex, but here we’re also using it in the older sense of having a good relationship with yourself. “My clients are often surprised at how many negative emotions come up for them when they see their double undress for the first time,” says Amy. Seeing another version of yourself can trigger complicated feelings about body image, ageing, gender, and more. And the sex itself can bring up further insecurities around bedroom performance. Amy recommends re-framing those thoughts to focus on what you can learn from your doppelgänger about how to love yourself more. Is there a way they carry themself that makes you see new beauty in your body? Does touching them help you appreciate body parts you have complicated feelings about? And remember, you’re likely to be pretty similar people — if you’re having these feelings, they might be, too. Talk about it!
Know The Law
This tip is less sexy, but still important. Depending on where you live, sex with your doppelgänger could be interpreted to fall under laws around masturbation, homosexuality, or even incest. And with so much up for interpretation — and conservative lawmakers in many jurisdictions scrambling to restrict the new sexual possibilities opened up by multiversal travel — it’s possible some courts will see your fun fling or burgeoning relationship as a serious criminal act. Your best bet is sticking to jurisdictions where there are legal protections in place for you and your double. If that’s not feasible? “Find a supportive community, be aware of the risks, and have a plan for if you’re caught,” says Amy.
Be Prepared for Roleplay to Get…Complicated
“The number one fantasy people have about doppel sex is the idea of an ‘evil twin’ or ‘dark mirror,’” says Amy. Blame cheesy 20th-century science fiction or far older ideas about the duality of man, but the fact is, a lot of people like the idea of being dominated by a darker version of themself — or of having a more innocent version of themself at their mercy. As long as you’re both on board — and as long as neither of you is actually from a Corrupted branch of the multiverse — Amy says go for it! But keep your expectations realistic: “The main issue I’ve seen clients running into here is that you and your double probably have similar preferences in terms of topping and bottoming, so unless you both love to switch, one of you is going to end up a little unsatisfied.” That’s right — if your big fantasy is for your “evil” double to overpower you, chances are your double wants to be overpowered as well, and you’ll just have to learn to take turns.
Don’t Overthink It
Finally, remember: at the end of the day, your doppelgänger is just another person you’re attracted to, and sex with them won’t be all that different to sex with someone else. “That isn’t to say it can’t be special, especially if you’re fulfilling a specific fantasy or making a specific connection,” says Amy. “But if you’re feeling nervous, try not to build it up in your head as a radically different experience from other sex you’ve had.” In other words: don’t overthink it. Just get out there and have (double the) fun!
Alice Gauntley (she/her) is a writer caught between hope and despair. She is the winner of the 2023 Toronto Star Short Story Contest, and her short stories have previously appeared in Dread Machine, Drabblecast, and Best Canadian Stories 2021, among other publications. She lives with a wonderful partner and a terrible cat in Toronto, Canada, on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabe, the Wendat, and the Mississaugas of the Credit. She dreams of the day when she’s swept off her feet by her evil doppelgänger from a parallel universe. Find her at alicegauntley.com
We’re thankful for our Patreon supporters.
