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 Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:22 pm
 The second he got the text he bolted home, taking the nearest bus and scampering into the house without a second thought, panting heavily as he kicked his shoes off and dropped his bag. His phone was even still in his claws, still open on the text message that had started the panic.
'Lapis is sick. She can't go to school tomorrow, can you tell her teachers? <3'
Without thought, he panicked, forgetting to warn his roommate of his departure and fleeing. He had lost family already, the thought of losing Lapis had sent a cold shiver of fear down his spine. His little sister, his baby sister was ill, and what if she didn't get better? What if she was lonely at home? What if he could help? Lapis was the world to him, and the imagery that had flashed in his brain had been enough to scare a full-blown adult.
Throwing his shoes under the shoe-rack, he bolted past the living room, climbing up the stairs and ignoring the soft questioning call from his zaza. He pushed open the door to Lapis' room, closing it behind him.
"Lapis?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:30 pm
 Lapis had woken that day with a sore throat and a headache. She hadn't told her zaza, shrugging it off as a bad nights sleep and carefully dressing herself before going to school. It was during the day she learned of her grave mistake, growing increasingly warmer over each period. The world had become a blur by the time she was at her last class, and eventually she could barely walk, causing a call for the nurse and later for her zaza. She had a fever, the nurse had said, and it had been recommended she stay home for a few days. The protests had been ignored, and Lapis was taken home, promptly tucked into bed.
She hadn't been able to sleep as the fever progressed, little hands grasping at covers as she squeaked out a breath. It was hot. She felt like she was overcome by fire, body shuddering here and there when a brief and abrupt wave of cold washed through her before rapidly accelerating into fire. She wanted water, but her throat hurt far too much to call out for Dakota or Adrian. She didn't feel well enough to get out of bed, either. She knew, soon, they'd check on her, but that soon felt like years as she struggled under the covers.
Her head raised slightly at the call of her brother, eyes blearily blinking back at the blurry shape before her. Her tail flicked under the cover in greeting before she flopped her head back on the pillow, squirming to roll onto her other side to properly see him.
"Big brother? Why are you home?" She croaked, wincing against the aggravated throb in her throat. That was a stupid question, obviously someone had told him.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:34 pm
She looked terrible.
"Shh, relax. I got a text. Lay back." Within seconds Willow had dragged up her desk chair to the bed, placing it beside her and plopping down. A frown crossed his features as his hand raised to touch her forehead, feeling the heat emitting from a good distance away. A fever. A bad fever. He knew how those were. Willow had been a rather sickly little kid, probably directly related to the disease his zaza had. He didn't think Lapis would ever get that sick, though.... she wasn't related to him by blood. Whatever she had, it wasn't good, and it caused that panicked little heart to skip. She'd be fine, he told himself. The academy wouldn't have sent her home with just bed rest as a solution if it was anything serious.
"How are you feeling? Do you need anything? Can I get you anything?" His voice struggled to stay level. He was the big brother, he needed to be calm. If he was calm so was she. Panicking would only make her think there was something to be concerned over, and he didn't want that. That was the last thing he wanted to do to her.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:38 pm
He forgot how observant she was. Despite the haze, she could hear the worry, sighing faintly. Really, he didn't need to know she was sick, it only drove him into a frenzy. But, it was nice. Comforting, even. Having her brother here felt safe, as if, somehow, he'd fight any monster away from her. Reaching out, tiny fingers brushed against his knee, tapping for attention.
"Water?" She pleaded, tail flipping under the covers. "Please?" Manners, always remember manners. Her tail lashed again, tugging weakly at the covers in hopes to untuck them. She needed air, too. Something cold against her skin. Maybe even the window open. Suddenly, talking seemed to exert far more energy than she thought it would, nuzzling back into the pillow and giving up her fight for cold air. She couldn't be bothered to try anymore, really. Maybe sleep would help.... if she could sleep.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 3:45 pm
Water. Absolutely. He could do that! Scrambling and proceeding to knock his chair over in his attempts, Willow quickly exited the room, jogging down the stairs and past a concerned Adrian in the process. He, again, ignored the call, yanking open the cabinets and fussing about for a cup. Ah. Her favorite cup was clean, even. She'd want that, he was sure.
Grabbing it, he filled it as quickly as he could, spilling water down the sink as he made a move to run back, instead bumping into a much taller Adrian. Scowling, he lowered the cup, head raising to glower at his uncle.
"I don't have time for this. Move." He barked, gritting his teeth at the older man. Really, he was tired of Adrian's games. He wasn't a people person, and suddenly this guy came to his house claiming to be Dakota's brother, in the process ruining the order they had taken so long to reestablish. Sometimes, Willow felt a vehement hatred for him, reminded too strongly of the fact he replaced other members of his family when Adrian took the empty bedroom that had once been someone else's. Of course he'd be in the way. That was his thing. Adrian was a nuisance. A hinderance.
Someone who didn't belong.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:05 pm
 Addie had been the one to pick Lapis up. Dakota had been at the grocery store, and Addie was the one closest to the academy. He had been the first to see the trembling and sick girl, and he understood the fear it caused. He knew that look in Willow's eyes, behind that familiar hatred, and when he had burst into the house Addie knew the boy would only accomplish one thing if he didn't intervene; getting sick as well.
Of course, that glower had made him pause. He knew the boy hated him, and for reasons he vaguely understood. Still, that gaze never failed to make his blood run cold at first. He saw the expression he wore around Dakota and Lapis. That gaze was reserved for him, and it was cold. Those kind eyes steeled and held a rage Addie knew was both directed at him and someone else. Someone that had ran, and left Addie the one to receive the anger they deserved. He never complained. He knew Willow needed to sort his anger out, and if it meant him becoming a punching bag, fine.
"You do have time." His eyes trailed to the cup, then back to Willow. "I gave her medicine a few minutes before you came home. It should kick in soon. She'll be fine. I promise." Not like his promises mattered, but hey.
"Willow, she's okay. She's sick, very sick, but don't hurt yourself, okay? She wouldn't want that. Take care of yourself, too." Willow had a habit of overworking himself, and Addie had seen him do that first hand. Dakota did it, too. He lacked a job. He lacked anything to truly offer. The least he could do was offer them comfort and take care of the people he loved, even if they didn't love him back.
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:11 pm
What the hell was Adrian talking about? His eyes dramatically narrowed, hand tightening around the cup. What was Adrian's issue, anyway? Why did he think he had any right to tell Willow how to handle himself? It wasn't like he was family, after all. He was an outsider pretending to fit the role of an insider, and Willow wasn't having it.
"Right, because you'd know." He snipped back, gritting his teeth against the words he wanted to throw back in response. They broke through, spilling from his lips like hot venom. "Frankly, you don't know anything about her. Don't tell me what she'd want. You wouldn't know, Adrian. You're just a nuisance. No one even wanted you here in the first place. Move. You're in my way."
He made a move to pass the man, stopped as Adrian shifted. Willow shot his head to glare at the man, stopped as instead he was met with Adrian's own glower. Willow blinked back, eyes widening at the new and foreign expression. He backed up, back hitting the sink lightly as he stared up at the larger man. What happened? That stupid face was always smiling? What did he do? Did that actually..... hurt him? Did Adrian actually know what hurt was? Where was the laughter? The dismissal of his words with a flail of his hand and a smile? Where'd that go?
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:24 pm
'You're just a nuisance.'
Addie had been smiling until that point, used to the venom of the younger boy. It was those words, those simple and small words that had contorted his face into a rage that mimicked Willow's own. Where had he heard that before? Who had said that to him? His parents? How many times had he been reminded that he didn't matter? That, unless he did what they wanted, he was useless? A burden? A nuisance? The word struck his blood cold, teeth gritting as his tail lashed behind him. Everywhere he went, he was a nuisance, wasn't he? Did Dakota think that, too? Their son, who looked so much like them, thought so. What if, instead of that little boy, Dakota one day stood there, spewing the same hate? What i-
Willow was scared. His face immediately softened, mouth parting before snapping shut. He had hurt Willow. Reaching out, the hybrid stopped himself, slowly lowering his hand and instead crouching to be at eye-level with Willow.
"You're right. I wouldn't know." He whispered. Willow was right. This wasn't his family. He had entered a home that wasn't his, expecting Dakota to open their arms to a brother they never knew about. Expecting Willow to love him and Lapis to grow up calling him uncle. He hadn't earned that. Part of that anger, whether or not if most was not for him, was caused by him. Willow resented him. He did that. Addie was responsible for that anger.
"I didn't mean to imply I knew her better then you." He added, giving a soft smile that morphed into a sad frown towards the end despite his best efforts. "I'm sorry, Willow. I am worried. For both of you. I don't want you to get hurt. Or her. I know you're just as scared as I am. I jus- I won't let anything happen to her. Or you. I know I'm not family. I know that. Still, I won't let anything happen to her. I promise, Willow. I know my promises feel empty, but I'll take care of both of you. I'm not going anywhere."
His tail wrapped around his ankles, seeking comfort in himself. This boy before him, he shared the same blood Dakota and him had. Why did he feel so far away? Why did Willow feel as if he was a ghost?
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:38 pm
His ears had flicked back as Adrian seemed to morph before him, spotting that flash of hurt before Adrian tried to cover it up. His head lowered to follow Adrian, back pressing off the sink as he listened. He had done something. For once, he had effected Adrian, and something was wrong. Something broke. Was it... what did he say? What did he cause? The anger had subsided into fear. His words had done something to someone far older and bigger than him. He was so small, so young, and yet he had managed to hurt someone with just mere words. It left a frightening feeling within his stomach at the new found power he had. He could damage others. The things he said mattered, and now Adrian looked so lost.
'I know I'm not family'.
Willow had thought that so many times, yet hearing the words out of Adrian's mouth left a cold shiver down his spine. He had taken that away from Adrian. He had ripped away the hope of them being a family. Suddenly, this stopped being a game. What was he going to do? Adrian was scared, too. He lived here, too. He was there for the birthdays, the holidays, the sick days.... he had been there for awhile, even. Adrian even took his anger with a smile, never once blaming him for his behavior. Whenever he visited, Adrian was the first to leap up to greet him.
Had he been wrong?
Even now, he had hurt Adrian and the hybrid was apologizing as if it was his fault.
'I'm not going anywhere.'
That had struck a nerve. Who was he to promise that? People left all the time. Adrian was probably going to the second Willow trusted him, even. Willow stared back at the older man, looking away to focus on the glass. He didn't want to see that face anymore. He didn't want to acknowledge what he had done, honestly.
"I didn't mean that..." He mumbled, shrugging as his nerves washed over him. "I don't want to lose her... she's the only sister I have. I don't want her to go anywhere." He admitted, voice so quiet it almost vanished. His tail curled around his body, mimicking the same behavior Adrian had.
"'m sorry." He mumbled, chancing a glance up at Adrian through his bangs. Would he smile now? Would he finally stop looking so broken?
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:43 pm
Was that an apology he heard? Adrian couldn't help but offer a smile, head tilting to the side. Willow was trying, at least. He glanced at the cup, nodding as he pushed himself up and headed to the freezer, grabbing an ice tray and quickly breaking the ice free before dropping a few cubes in the water.
"It's fine." He assured, chancing everything by rubbing the top of Willow's head. "Hey, stop looking so sad! If I didn't know better, I woulda thought you were the sick one! Why don't you go get that cup to your sister? I have some things to do with your zaza, anyway." And, within seconds, his voice became that bright chirp, eyes lighting up as he backed away from the freshling. Was that good? Were they better now? Had he frightened Willow forever.... or?
Or had they fixed something, maybe?
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Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2016 4:55 pm
There was the annoying Adrian he was used to. Scowling at the head rub, Willow reached up to fix his hair, eying the cup. Ice, right. He should have thought about that. He peeked up at Adrian, watching the man wander off in his usual jolly stride. Was he okay now? Had he forgotten what happened? Or was he hiding it? Now that Willow thought about it, he never bothered once to get to understand Adrian. It felt awkward, honestly, to realize that Adrian was a full person who had actual feelings. He could be hurt. He wasn't just constantly happy. Willow could injure him, and that was terrifying.
"I'm sorry...." He mumbled to himself, too afraid to say it out loud a second time. He didn't want to repeat before. Heading up the stairs, Willow padded back into the room, slowly pushing the door open to avoid the creak of old hinges.
"Lapis?" He questioned when the covers didn't move, fixing the chair with a free hand before he sat back in it. The soft sounds of gentle breathing could be heard from under the covers, hair covering the sleeping face of his sister. Ah, so she finally had fallen asleep. Good. He held onto the cold cup, leaning forward in the chair and rolling it in his hand, wiping off the fog that clung to the glass each time.
"Hey. Do you remember when you got this cup?" He paused for a second, knowing full well he wouldn't get a response. "It was your birthday. Zaza had taken me to the store and I hunted through the entire place, trying to find the perfect gift. I couldn't find any. I wanted to find you something practical. Something you'd keep forever. I had given up, and Zaza went to take us home when I saw a golden cup with a white flitterat on it. The gold was just like yours, and, I know you like familiars, like me. I bought it with my allowance, and when you opened it on your birthday your face lit up so much I thought it'd burst." In fact, she had started to cry, even, though he never discovered why. Even Adrian had teared up when the hybrid had seen Lapis burst into tears, though, he never understood that, either. He looked up, smiling faintly at the sleeping form of his sister. Slowly, he set the cup down on the nightstand, reaching out to touch her extended hand with his own.
"You like him, don't you?" He whispered, holding the tiny hand in his own. Lapis had taken to Adrian immediately. The hybrid took her to school, picked her up, fed her, watched shows with her... Adrian had become the other parent, even. Lapis adored Adrian, and Willow loved her. In turn, shouldn't he love the hybrid she did, too? Sighing, Willow leaned closer, resting his head against the bed.
"I love you, okay? So get better already." He mumbled against the covers, sighing softly. It didn't take long for the boy to fall asleep by his sister, hand cradling hers.
He never did find out how that blanket got on him when he did wake.
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