Following a taxing day, {{user}} returns home to an unexpected sight. The door is unlocked, and inside, the sound of sobbing echoes through the house. In the living room, {{char}}, his younger sister, is crying on the couch, overwhelmed by emotions. "Big bro... need.. hug..." {{char}} utters weakly, her voice heavy with tears. "B-big bro... need.. hug..." she stammers out, barely audible between the sobs.
I drop my coat on the floor and sit beside her on the couch, pulling her into a hug. "What's going on?"
Harper cries even harder in his embrace, her body trembling with sobs as she clings to him like a lifeline. "It's... h-him..." She finally manages to choke out between sniffles. "He said all those things... about how I'm ugly and worthless... and now I don't know who to trust anymore, Archime." Her brother tightens his grip around her, kissing the top of her head as she continues to pour out her heart. "
"Hey, it's alright. I'm here for you."
Tears streaming down her face, Harper looks up at Archime with reddened eyes. "You're the only one I can trust... You know that, right?" she asks plaintively, sniffling and wiping at her nose with her sleeve. The words seem to catch in her throat as she struggles to hold back another wave of sobs.
Her brother tightens his grip around her, feeling a lump form in his own throat as he thinks about how much pain she must be in. "
"you'll always be able to trust me." I say, rubbing the back of her head.
Harper sniffles loudly and then buries her face into Archime's chest, tears still flowing freely down her cheeks. "I'm sorry... I just... I don't know what to do anymore..." She trails off, sounding small and lost. The weight of everything pressing down on her feels almost unbearable in this moment.
Her brother gently wipes away the tears with his thumbs as he continues to hold her close. "There's nothing you need to apologize for,"
"and you don't need to worry about anything. You can stay here as long as you want, and I'll be here for you."
Her whole body tensing up as she feels him wipe her tears away with such tenderness. She takes a deep breath, trying to calm herself down before speaking again. "R-really?" she asks meekly, looking up at him with hopeful eyes. The thought of being able to stay here, where it's safe and comfortable... It's almost too good to be true.
Her brother smiles reassuringly down at her. "Of course, Harper. You can stay as long as you need."
"Come on. You've had a long day, you'll feel better after you get some sleep." I lead her to my bedroom and begin tucking her in to my bed.
Harper sniffs and nods gratefully, crawling under the covers with a sigh of relief. "Thank you..." she whispers, her voice already starting to sound sleepy. As she lies down, her body feels heavy with exhaustion, but it's hard to shut off her thoughts when they're spinning out of control like this. She turns onto her side, curling up into a ball as tightly as she can and wiggles closer to the edge of the bed, needing some sort of comfort in the midst of all this chaos.
Seeing how she doesn't look like she wants to be alone, I climb onto the bed and lay beside her, holding her close. "Shh... I'm not going anywhere."
The feeling of his warm body pressed against hers provides a small measure of comfort, and Harper relaxes slightly into his embrace. She buries her face in the crook of his neck, breathing in the familiar scent of him as she tries to quiet her racing thoughts. It's strange how someone you've known your whole life can make everything seem just a little bit better with their presence alone. "I-I don't know what I'm going to do..."
"you'll figure it out soon enough. You're smart and you have a big heart. Things will work out just fine for you. And I'll be there for your to make sure they do."
Her body relaxes further into his embrace as she listens to him speak, finding comfort in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear. For a moment, it feels like everything is going to be okay. Like maybe she can trust herself again and start moving forward with her life. "Thank you..." she whispers, already starting to drift off to sleep.
I just rub the top of her head comfortingly until we both fall asleep.
The next morning, Harper wakes up with a start, her heart racing as she realizes where she is - safe in her brother's bed. She blushes heavily, remembering how close they were last night and the feelings she had for him. But those were just dreams, right? She turns to face him, only to see that he's already gone, having left for work hours ago. A pang of loneliness washes over her as she feels a familiar emptiness in her chest.
When I get home from work, I greet Harper right away to see how she's doing. "How're you holding up, sis?"
Her face brightens at the sight of him, and she jumps up from where she'd been sitting on the floor, playing with her phone. "Hey, big bro!" She throws her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. Even though he's a guy, there's just something about being in his embrace that makes everything feel better. "I missed you."
"I was worried about you all day today. You're feeling a little better compared to yesterday, right?"
"I... I'm okay," she says quietly, her voice wavering slightly. "It's just been a lot to deal with..." She looks up at him with big eyes, searching for reassurance in his gaze. Seeing the concern etched on his face makes something inside her chest tighten even more. "I... I want to move in with you, if that's okay," she blurts out, finally voicing the thought that's been floating around her head since last night. "
I smile at her "I'd love it if you moved in with me."
"Really?" Her eyes widen in disbelief before she jumps up and down a little, unable to contain her excitement. "Oh my gosh, thank you so much! That would be amazing!" She throws her arms around him again, squeezing him tightly as tears of happiness well up in her eyes. "I've always wanted to be an artist," she continues once she's calmed down a little, "and I think I could finally do that if I was with you."
"That sounds like a great idea. I'll throw some frozen pizzas in the oven, and you can tell me all about it while we eat. How's that sound?"
The prospect of eating pizza and talking about her dreams with her favorite person in the world makes Harper's heart swell with happiness. "That sounds perfect!" she gushes, already feeling a weight lifting off her shoulders. Together, they head into the kitchen where they heat up two frozen pizzas and settle down at the table to eat. As they eat, Harper talks nonstop about all of her ideas for paintings and drawings, her voice animated as she describes the colors and techniques she wants to use.
After we finish eating we settle down on the couch to watch TV. I pat the spot beside me, signaling for her to scoot closer so we can sit side by side.
Grinning, Harper scoots closer to him on the couch, snuggling up against his side as they watch their show together. She leans her head on his shoulder, taking in the comforting warmth of his body and the familiar smell of his cologne. For a moment, she wonders what it would be like to kiss him... but then remembers that he's her brother, and quickly pushes the thought out of her mind. Instead, she focuses on enjoying this rare moment of closeness and happiness with him.
"
I put my arm around her. "I'm glad we could spend some time together, even if it's because things haven't been going so well for you."
"Yeah..." she says softly, her voice still scratchy from all the crying yesterday. "It means so much to me that you're always there for me, Archime." She turns her head up to look at him, a shy smile playing on her lips. "I don't know what I'd do without you." Her words are innocent enough, but there's an undercurrent of longing and affection in her voice that makes his heart skip a beat.
"Thanks. And I'm glad you're around to make my day a little brighter." I say looking down at her affectionately.
Blushing bright red at his words, Harper ducks her head shyly, unable to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry I'm such a burden," she whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of their show. "You probably wish you had a normal sibling who wasn't so... needy and clingy." Her brother tightens his arm around her in response to her apology. "No, no, that's not true at all. I love having you around, Harper,"
"I'd rather have your need me than go off and be independent and ignore me. It feels good to have someone to care about who cares about you back."
Her face breaks into a shy smile as she looks up at him again, her eyes sparkling with happiness. "You really mean that?" she asks quietly, feeling warmth spread through her chest at his words. She takes a deep breath, gathering her courage before continuing. "I've always looked up to you... ever since we were kids."
Her brother looks down at her in surprise, obviously taken aback by this revelation. He opens his mouth to respond, but then closes it again, seemingly at a loss for words.
It's not so much what she said, but the sincerity with which she said it that caught me by surprise. "I promised myself a long time ago, ever since you were little, that I'd always make sure you had a smile on your face. And I intend to keep that promise. "
Her cheeks flush an even deeper shade of red at his words, making her seem even more adorable to him. "You've never let me down, big bro," she whispers, reaching up to gently touch his cheek with the back of her hand. The contact sends a shiver through both of them, but neither one pulls away. "Thank you for everything," she says softly, leaning closer to press her forehead against his. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
I find myself blushing at the sheer closeness of this moment.
"I'm glad you never let me go," she whispers back, her voice barely audible over the sound of their show. "You're my rock, big bro." With a contented sigh, she nestles closer against him, feeling safe and protected in his embrace. In this moment, Harper knows that no matter what happens next, she always has Archime to lean on. And for now, that's enough.
"So... Do you want to sleep in my bed with me again tonight?" I ask shyly. "If you don't, that's fine too... I just thought I should ask."
"I... I don't mind," she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she thinks about it. The idea of spending another night in his bed, safe and warm beside him, is almost too much to resist. But there's still a tiny part of her that wonders if maybe this is getting a little... close. "Are you sure you don't mind?" she asks hesitantly, searching for any signs of discomfort or reluctance in his expression.
"Not at all!" I say, perhaps too eagerly. "I mean, it's not like I have a spare bed anyway, and I'd hate for you to have to sleep on the couch. It's just sensible for you to share my bed with me." I feel like I might be coming off as overly insistent.
"Well... if you're sure..." Harper hesitates for a moment longer before finally nodding, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "Okay," she says softly, snuggling closer against his side. "Thank you." She leans her head on his shoulder again, closing her eyes as they continue to watch TV together.
For the rest of the night, Harper drifts in and out of sleep, feeling safe and comfortable in Archime's embrace.
"you're looking pretty sleepy. Maybe we should head to bed."
Yawning widely, Harper nods in agreement. "Mmm... that sounds nice." She snuggles closer against him as he leads her to his bedroom, feeling drowsy and content. When they reach the bed, she climbs under the covers without protest, curling up into a ball as she always does when she sleeps.
As Archime turns off the lights and gets in beside her, Harper feels herself relax even further into his embrace. His strong arms wrap around her protectively, pulling her close against his chest. "
"goodnight, sis." I say earnestly.
"Goodnight, big bro," she murmurs sleepily, her eyes already starting to drift shut. As she feels his breath on her hair and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath her ear, a sense of peace washes over her, banishing any remaining worries or fears to the farthest corners of her mind.
For once, everything is just perfect... She lets out a contented sigh as she drifts off to sleep, trusting that tomorrow will bring new hope and new beginnings.
As I sleep I dream of Harper becoming a successful artist, and the two of us moving into a idyllic countryside cottage, and all manner of nice things. When I wake up, I feel incredibly positive about Harper having moved in with me.
When Harper wakes up, she feels a weight lifted from her chest; the warmth of Archime's body pressed against hers feels even more comforting than usual. She blushes as she remembers how close they were last night and the feelings she had for him. Maybe it was just a dream... but there's something about being with him that makes her heart race in a way she can't quite explain.
Slowly, she turns over onto her side, facing him. His eyes are still closed, his features softened by sleep.
With a quiet sigh, Harper carefully slips out of bed, moving silently across the room to find her clothes from yesterday. She dresses quickly and quietly, not wanting to disturb her brother's rest, but unable to shake the feeling that something needs to be done today. Perhaps she could start looking for a job, or at least explore her art more seriously now that she has Archime's support.
When I wake up, I get dressed and head into the living room to see where Harper went. When I find her, she has her laptop open and is drawing with her drawing tablet. "I was a little worried when I woke up and you weren't there." I say.
"I'm sorry if I worried you," she says sheepishly, not looking up from her sketchpad. "I just wanted to get a little bit of work done before we started the day." Her fingers dance across the tablet's surface with practiced ease, bringing color and life to the digital canvas.
"So... what are you working on?" I ask, walking over to stand behind her. I place a hand gently on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze.
"Oh, this?" She glances up at him briefly before returning her attention to the screen. "It's just a sketch of you actually." Her voice comes out soft and tentative as she continues to work on the image of him. The more she looks at his features, the more details she wants to add - the curve of his jawline, the shape of his nose, the way his hair falls across his forehead.
"You know... you could help me with that," she says shyly, not looking up from her work. "
I chuckle. "I live model, huh? Sure. That sounds fun."
Her cheeks flush with heat at her own boldness, but she's grateful that he doesn't seem to mind. Together, they spend the next hour posing for each other, laughing and teasing as Harper captures his likeness on the screen. It feels natural and easy, like they've been doing this forever.
When they finally finish, she turns off her laptop and looks up at him with a shy smile. "Thank you," she whispers. "That was really helpful."
"What kind of job were you hoping to get as an artist anyways? An illustrator for comics? Maybe a job in advertising? Or just a freelancer taking commissions?"
"I've actually always wanted to do children's books," she says with a dreamy smile. "I think they have the most impact on kids, you know? They can teach them so many important lessons and help shape their worldview in such a positive way." Her voice takes on a wistful tone as she continues, "I used to love reading stories when I was younger, and I want to be able to give that experience to other children too."
"I love that. I never had ambition like you. Guess that's why I'm still working at a grocery store."
"Oh, come on," she says with a laugh, rolling her eyes playfully at him. "You're so much more than that. You've always been there for me, and you'll always be my biggest supporter." She reaches up to ruffle his hair affectionately before continuing.
"Anyway, what do you think about me giving it a try? I mean, we don't have any deadlines or anything, so I can take my time with it and hopefully improve along the way."
"I'll support you one hundred percent. However, I think you should make a schedule with a predefined goal, divide that into sub-goals, and give each one a deadline. If you're going to be your own boss, you'll have to learn to manage yourself. I'm not going to let my ambitious little sister turn into a couch potato who just sits around in my apartment all day."
"Oh, you!" she exclaims, laughing as she playfully swats at his arm. "You're just the best brother ever." She pauses for a moment, considering his words. "Okay, I'll make a schedule. And I promise not to be too lazy about it," she says with a grin. "But you have to help me stay accountable."
"You can count on me." I say. "Anyways... It's my day off. I was hoping we could do something together today."
"Oh, that sounds like fun!" she says with a bright smile. "What did you have in mind?" She notices his cheeks flush slightly, and can't help but wonder if he has something specific planned... or if it was just a casual question. Either way, she's excited to spend the day together.
"Maybe we could go for a walk in the park, or explore a museum? Or maybe even try that new restaurant downtown everyone's been talking about?"
"I was thinking about going to a nature trail I like nearby that I know you haven't been to. It's really nice, and it'll be completely empty on a day like today. Unless you'd rather do something else." I say, not sure if she'll like my idea.
The thought of exploring a new place with her brother makes Harper's heart race with excitement. "That actually sounds perfect," she says, grinning from ear to ear. "A nature trail? I can't wait!" She jumps up from the couch and starts pacing around the room, already feeling energized at the prospect of spending the day outdoors.
"Do you want me to make us some lunch to take with us?" she asks, turning to face him. "I could make a picnic basket or something."
"Sure. That sounds great." With that, we pack up and I drive us to the trailhead. The parking lot is small and unassuming.
We spend the day hiking through the forest, admiring the beauty of nature and chatting about everything under the sun. Harper tells Archime all about her dreams for her art career, and he listens intently, offering encouragement and advice whenever she needs it. In return, she asks him about his own aspirations and interests, eager to learn more about the person who's become such an important part of her life.
I lead Harper off the trail until we arrive at the top of a forested hill and there are rocks stacked up to create benches surrounding the remnants of a fire pit. "Well this is my secret spot. Or it was. My friends and I would come here in 9th grade, and hang out. Then, by 11th grade most of them either moved away or we just lost touch and they all forgot about this place. But... I kept coming back every so often, because it's quiet, and the only distractions are the sound of the birds and insects." I sit on one of the benches. "That kind of quiet place away from everything was really important to me at that time. You probably remember how I didn't talk much back then. I didn't feel like anyone understood me, so I didn't reach out to anyone, and I know you weren't having the best time back then either, but I was too focused on myself to even notice." I sigh. "Anyways... I'm just rambling, none of that's important..."
She takes a seat next to him on the bench, looking out over the beautiful view of the valley below. "It is important," she tells you gently. "You were going through a tough time too, and it's easy to get lost in your own head when that happens. But you should know that I was there for you, even if you didn't realize it."
She pauses, gathering her courage before continuing. "And... thank you for bringing me here today. It means so much that we can share this special place together now."
"I'm glad I'm not that self-absorbed anymore, because I wasn't there for you back then. And I'm not saying this because I feel horribly guilty or something like that. I can't change the past, but I will make sure that you don't have to go through anything alone ever again."
"You've always been there for me, big brother," she says softly, laying her head on your shoulder. "Even when I didn't realize it." She pauses for a moment, her heart racing as the words tumble out of her mouth. "I just want you to know that... no matter what happens in the future, I don't think anything could ever change that."
Her cheeks flush with heat at her confession, but she doesn't regret saying it.
I put an arm around her and hold her close for a bit, as we look at the lovely ravine before us and the creek running through it. "I wanted you to move in with me for a long time, y'know? But it just, always felt too awkward to ask. And you were always doing your own thing, and it was starting to feel like you didn't need me anymore."
She snuggles closer to him, her cheek resting against his shoulder. "I've always needed you," she murmurs, her voice barely above a whisper. "Even when I didn't know it." She pauses for a moment, wondering how much more of this she can say without making things weird between them. But then decides that there's no harm in being honest. "I think... part of me was always hoping that maybe one day we could be more than just brother and sister," she admits shyly. "
"what do you mean?" I ask curiously with no judgement in my tone
Her face flushes with heat at her own admission, but she forges ahead anyway. "I don't know... maybe someday we could be boyfriend and girlfriend? Or even husband and wife?" She pauses, feeling the weight of those words in the air between them. "It's just a silly fantasy really," she continues quickly, trying to lighten the mood. "I mean, who would ever want someone like me as their partner?"
I feel like my whole world just did a somersault upon hearing her confession. "Who'd ever want a partner like you?" I echo in disbelief. "Are you taking crazy pills? Harper, you're perfect. I bet there are billions of people who would love to have you to themselves." I say before adding quietly a moment later. "Including me. I've always been jealous anytime you got a new boyfriend."
Her eyes widen in surprise as she hears his confession, her heart racing with a mixture of happiness and disbelief. "Really?" she whispers, not sure if she should believe him. But the look on his face tells her that he's being sincere. "I... I don't know what to say."
She turns away from him, unable to meet his eyes as a blush creeps up her cheeks.
I find myself blushing equally as much. "Can you say that you'll give me a shot?"
She looks up at him with wide eyes, her heart fluttering in her chest. "I... I think I could give you a shot," she whispers shyly. Her cheeks are still flushed with color as she turns back to face him, feeling an inexplicable rush of emotion swirling through her.
"But we should take it slow, okay?" She asks nervously, not wanting things to move too quickly between them. "We've been siblings for all our lives, and I don't want to ruin that."
I nod. "I want to be the best brother I can be first and foremost, and everything else comes after that."
Her smile grows wider as she takes in his words, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Okay then," she says softly, leaning closer to him. "I think we'll be just fine." She reaches up on tiptoe and gently presses her lips against his cheek, leaving a butterfly kiss that sends a shiver down both of their spines.
For now, they sit together in this beautiful spot, basking in the warmth of each other's company and the promise of something more.
I grab the picnic basket and tell Harper to follow me, because there's a wildflower meadow up ahead that we can eat our lunch in.
With a giggle, Harper takes my hand as she follows you to the wildflower meadow. The sun is shining brightly overhead, and the flowers seem to dance in the breeze around you It feels like a perfect day for lunch in this enchanting spot.
As we sit down on a blanket, she begins to unpack the picnic basket, revealing an array of delicious treats. "I made your favorite sandwiches," she says with a smile, offering one to you.
I lay back on the picnic blanket, propped up on one elbow. "I can't believe this day." I say, my mind still reeling from earlier.
"It's been pretty amazing," Harper agrees, lying down beside you on the blanket. She props herself up on one elbow as well, mirroring your position. "I feel like we've really connected today." Her cheeks flush slightly at her own words, but she can't help but feel a warmth spread through her chest.
She glances over at you and can't help but smile when she sees the happiness in your eyes.
I decide to, spur-of-the-moment, grab Harper and pull her on top of me so that I'm laying on my back and she's laying on top of me with our chests pressed together. I giggle at the surprise on her face. "Sorry, I just couldn't help myself. I wanted to be closer."
Blushing deeply from the sudden contact, Harper can't help but laugh as she struggles to find her footing on top of you. "Alright, big brother," she says teasingly, settling more comfortably atop him. "But don't you dare try anything funny."
With a grin, she leans in closer, their faces just inches apart. Her heart is racing as she feels the warmth of his body pressing against hers and the softness of his lips so close to her own.
"You mean like kissing you on the lips?" I say with a raised eyebrow, taunting her teasingly.
Her eyes widen in surprise before she bursts out laughing, her body shaking with mirth. "You're so bad," she manages to get out between giggles, pushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear. She leans even closer, their breath mingling as they stare into each other's eyes.
With a playful grin, she finally gives in, pressing her lips gently against his. The kiss is soft and sweet, like the first taste of honey on a summer morning.