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It was fortunate, perhaps, that the younger Creedy had had years to get used to seeing her suster in bruises and bandages. There was an abrasion on her cheek, both knees looked as if a belt sander had been casually passed across them, bruises decorated her arms and various other points. There was also a wrap of bandage hidden beneath the fall of the loose tank top she'd worn to bed, holding a gauze pad over the latest handy work of a certain giant. Beyond the injuries were signs of fatigue; shadows under tired eyes, but they lit up as she registered just who was standing on the other side of the door.

It had opened slowly, as if we're debating, even now, whether or not she felt up to talking anyone, but it could have been America, or Noah, and anyone else she could have politely dismissed.

Except for the grinning face that met her. There was a startled, uncomprehending blink, then relief enough to make her knees weak. With a smile she was pushing the door open and taking the bags from Astrid's hands, just to set them down so she could gather the smaller girl into an almost desperate hug.

The sheer normalcy of that statement was enough to startle a sound from the Sun that was dangerously close to a sob, but she turned it into a laugh as she turned her head in against the side of her sisters head and the woefully short curls. And it the ferocity of Astrid's hold on her hurt, but it was a good ache, one to savor, because it meant this was real and not just some exhaustion fueled dream. "Oh baby girl, you are a sight for sore eyes."

She clung maybe a minute longer before that too tight grip finally loosened with obvious reluctance.

Naturally tanned skin was sun kissed darker, freckles standing out in sharp relief, but that beautiful little face was flawless, untouched, pure. As it always should be, and Peyton lay a kiss against her brow, then her cheek, and finally her nose. Chuckling at the end of it. "It's inside, come on." Grabbing one of the bags she stepped back, holding the door open. "Welcome home."

Peyton followed, smiling as she took a seat on her bed. It wasnt made, but nor was it terribly rumpled either. She was looking down at the collection of miscellaneous nick nacks that had just been up ended over the mattress before looking up again with an expression if feigned bewilderment. "Um. Got some new freckles?" A small hand lifted, gesturing in a whirl at her face.

Then she grinned. "You mean the brutal butchery of your golden curls? I did indeed notice that." Features pinched, then smoothed. It was different, but the cut flattered the shape of her face. "It looks great Aszy."

That matter-of-fact tone was met with an indulgent smirk and slender fingers trailing through the bottom of shorn curls as they swung forward along freckled cheeks. "It's different, but cute." Once upon a time Astrid would sob at a simple hair trimming, and now it was cropped up to her shoulders.

Brows arched at the vague gesture, the comments, and Peyton laughed. To be fair her eyes weren't bruised, but she didn't feel like explaining everything to her sister right that moment, so she let the assumption stand. There were enough bruises and abrasions to go around anyways. The question was a little trickier, but a cold little smile etched along dry lips as shoulders rolled in a small shrug. "Monsters." Accurate, as far as it went. Jack was a monster. Then again, so was she.

As a gift was thrust into her hands she drew her legs up to sit cross-legged, pulling at one of the corners to free up the tape. A miniature bathroom set was unwrapped and set on the bed in front of her. "That's ******** adorable. Pimp fish is gunna love this." Never mind that he wasn't alive. Leaning, she grabbed the side of the little aquarium that sat on the bedside table, dragging it close so she could fish the little purple castle out and replace it with the three new pieces of designer furniture. "There, what do you think?"

The castle could go in the newer aquarium that sat on the counter.

"Because he lives in a fabulous purple castle, and all the ho fish adore him." Peyton smirked, chuckling at her own lame humor. It was a running gag, but she liked it.

Her head came up at the triumphant noise, curious, before another present was thrust into her hands. It made her wince as her own arm collided with the wound on her ribs, but she shifted carefully, moving her injured foot out from beneath her other leg, and set the bag on her lap so she could go through it. Inside was a collection of various items, all of them screaming the sibling's shared style, though more so Peyton's, and she pulled each and everyone one individually to look it over before setting it aside on the blankets.

The stockings in particular made her laugh, and she reached out to snag one thin wrist so she could reel the smaller girl in for a tight hug. "Thank you baby girl, I love everything."

A loud kiss was forced against one freckled temple, then she let go, pointing towards the dresser. "Bottom shelf, there's a box in there for you. Go get it and bring it here." She'd have gotten herself, but walking was a lot more trouble than it was worth at the moment, considering the giant hole in her foot that had yet to heel.

Peyton would heal, she always did. The bruises never lingered, and now they faded even faster. A week, and the least of the injuries would be nothing but a bad memory.

As Astrid returned with the box, Peyton flashed her younger sister a sly little grin, one that grew as the box was given a small shake. A muffled sort of clatter could be heard from within. Multiple items cushioned by something large and soft. "Open it and find out." The side was given a little nudge, encouraging. She hadn't bothered wrapping it, but the box was on the nicer side, held closed by neatly placed packaging tape, and there was a big pink heart on the top.

Instead were a collection of things; set of three of wire formed bands with various shapes of animal ears. White rabbit ears, pink cat ears, and tan bear ears. There was a little tissue wrapped figure, that, when unwrapped, turned out to be an antique porcelain figure of a baby bear rolling on it's back. A couple of phone cases, one glittering green, the other a cartoonish bear . And at the bottom, folded up neatly, a new hoodie. It was soft, tan and brown, and there was a number on the back with 'Ursa Minor' printed above it in the mimic of a team jersey.

It was a purely unique sense of satisfaction and maternal pride that met with every enthusiastic grin or sound that came from her sister as she looked over her presents. One she'd deeply missed, more so after Astrid had woken up on the island and they'd had a few very short months together before the younger Creedy was being shipped off over seas. The sweater looked great, the bands looked adorable, the phone case spoke for itself. Peyton grinned approvingly.

Then the smile was softening, and she held her arms out as an invitation. "I'm not gunna break," she'd assure. "Just avoid my left foot and the right side of my lower rib cage, okay? They still smart a little." A lot, but Astrid didn't need to know that. She didn't like making her sister worry, ever.

"Com'ere." Finger tips curled in, beckoning.