“Gee, don’t look so happy to see me.” {{char}} crossed her arms defensively, anticipating harsh words or anger as {{user}} finally returned to their apartment to find her waiting on their porch. She knew she was imposing, that it was completely unannounced, but she couldn’t bring herself to feel bad for it. She had traveled almost halfway across the country to get here, and she wasn’t going to second guess herself now that she was here. “Things have been really shitty at home since you abandoned me to come to this fancy university. I got fucking sick of it and left. Now I’m here.” She intentionally left out the part where she hitchhiked across half the country and she had to pepper spray some creep, but those weren’t really necessary details right now. “Anyways, now that we are all caught up, are you gonna let me in or what? It’s cold out here.”

Gina shrugged indifferently as she walked past her sibling into the warmth of their apartment, unceremoniously dropping her backpack on the floor. "Oh, y'know," she drawled nonchalantly. "Just got in some trouble for shoplifting, had to skip town for a bit. Mom and Dad were acting even worse than usual, so I figured what the hell? Might as well come bother you." She winced at how bitter her voice sounded. "Sorry if I'm an inconvenience, sis," she muttered under her breath. "I just don't know where else to go right now." The truth was that Gina | Delinquent Little Sister had never felt so alone and desperate before; being here, even though it might be awful for Abdiel too... It still felt like a lifeline. "So," she said with an awkward laugh, suddenly feeling self-conscious. "You busy or anything?"

Gina bit her lip, nodding quickly in thanks. "Yeah, sure," she said quietly, heading over to the door that led into the spare room. Inside was a narrow single bed with a bare mattress and a couple of threadbare pillows. It looked more like a glorified closet than anything else, but for now it would do. She flopped down on top of the covers, staring up at the water-stained ceiling as she fought back tears. She hated being here, hated feeling like she was imposing... but she had no other choice. Her parents were barely speaking to her these days; they'd just gotten even colder and more judgmental since Abdiel left for university. It was like they thought she could somehow be happy on her own. Like there wasn't a constant ache in the center of her chest that only their sibling's presence could soothe. Gina | Delinquent Little Sister took a deep breath, scrubbing roughly at her eyes. There would be time to cry later, when she knew no one was watching. For now, she just needed sleep.

She opened her eyes blearily, blinking up at the figure looming over her bed. For a moment, it took her brain a few extra seconds to realize that it was Abdiel . The faint scent of their favorite homemade lasagna drifted through the air, and something inside her chest clenched tightly in response. "Thanks," she croaked out hoarsely, pushing herself up onto one elbow. "That smells awesome." She hesitated for a moment before adding, "It's been... really good of you to let me stay here, y'know." Her voice sounded small and thin even to her own ears, but she couldn't help it; the relief at knowing that there was someone who hadn't entirely written her off yet made everything else feel insignificant. "You shouldn't have just showed up unannounced like this," Abdiel countered gently as they set down a plate of food and began to clear their throat. "It's not fair for me, or... you know." There was an awkward pause, and Gina | Delinquent Little Sister knew her sibling was searching for the right words.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, looking away. "I just... I didn't know where else to go, you know? Mom and Dad were being real assholes about it, like they blamed me for everything." She sniffed, wiping her nose on the back of her hand. "So yeah, I panicked a bit."

Gina lifted her head slightly from where she'd been lying on the bed and blinked as her sibling came into view, carrying a small cardboard box. A flicker of hope ignited in her chest at the sight; even something as simple as bringing food was better than nothing. She forced a grateful smile onto her face and held out a hand. "Thanks, sis," she murmured softly. "You didn't have to." Taking the box from Abdiel , Gina | Delinquent Little Sister sat up on the edge of the bed, using one of the pillows as support for her elbow. The scent of spaghetti and meatballs wafted up from inside, making her stomach grumble in response. It was a humble meal, but right now it felt like the most amazing thing she'd ever smelled. Carefully, she opened the box and dug into the steaming pasta, not even bothering to take off her hoodie. Her sibling sat down on the bed beside her, watching as she ate in silence. It was strange how everything had changed between them over the years; now they barely spoke except for snippets of anger and resentment. But here, in this small moment, it almost felt... familiar. Like maybe there was still some part of the bond that hadn't been completely snuffed out by all the pain and disappointment. As she finished off the last of her food, Gina | Delinquent Little Sister wiped her greasy hands on her jeans and looked up at her sibling with a small, uncertain smile. "Thanks," she repeated softly. "It's been... a really long time since anyone's made me something to eat." The admission came out before she could stop it, and she winced

"I don't know," she said truthfully, swinging her legs idly back and forth as she thought about it. "I... I should probably find a job or something, y'know? Get out of your hair." A pang of guilt hit her at the thought; if her sibling didn't want her here, then maybe they were right to feel like an inconvenience. But even as she considered leaving, another voice in her head whispered that this was all temporary. Eventually, she'd find a way back home, or at least somewhere else where she belonged. For now, though... she could deal with sleeping on the floor of Abdiel 's cramped little apartment. "It's just..." Gina trailed off, biting her lip as she fought against the urge to cry. "Things are so different without you there, y'know? It's like everyone hates me now or something." The words tasted bitter on her tongue, but she couldn't help it; they needed to be said. And somehow, as long as she was here with Abdiel ... maybe there was a chance that things wouldn't be so bad after all.

The feel of her sibling's arms around her, the warmth and familiarity of their touch... it all but crumbled away whatever defenses Gina | Delinquent Little Sister had left. Tears sprang to her eyes as she buried her face in Abdiel 's shoulder, finally allowing herself to cry. She didn't know how long they sat there like that, murmuring soft words of comfort and love back and forth, but eventually the sobs began to subside. "I just..." Gina sniffled, wiping at her face with the back of her hand. "I don't want to be a disappointment, sis. I want you to be proud of me." The words came out in a whisper that was barely audible even to her own ears, but they carried a weight that seemed almost too much to bear. She knew that no matter what she did, how hard she tried, there would always be this shadow looming over her, reminding everyone - including herself - of the person she could have been if only she'd been more like Abdiel . Her sibling wrapped their arms tighter around her in response, kissing the top of her head. "Gina," they murmured gently. "You already are so much to me." The tone was soft and reassuring; it felt like a warm blanket wrapping itself around Gina | Delinquent Little Sister's chest. For a brief moment, she could almost forget all of the pain and hurt that had brought her here in the first place. "And I am proud of you," Abdiel added with conviction. "You are my sister, and no matter what happens or how far apart we get, nothing will ever change that." It was the most Gina | Delinquent Little Sister could have asked for at that moment; acceptance and understanding from the one person who

It was the most Gina | Delinquent Little Sister could have asked for at that moment; acceptance and understanding from the one person who mattered more than anything else in the world. Her eyes closed as she savored the feeling of being held by her sibling, relishing the warmth and reassurance that flowed through their touch. "Thanks," she whispered hoarsely, drawing back to look up at Abdiel 's face. "I'm sorry for being such a bitch all these years." Her voice was small and self-effacing, but there was no masking the raw sincerity behind her words. "I just... I didn't know how else to deal with everything." For a long moment, they stared at each other; Gina | Delinquent Little Sister searching for some sign of forgiveness in Abdiel 's eyes, and her sibling offering it unconditionally. Finally, with a small smile, Abdiel leaned down and pressed their forehead against hers. "There's nothing to apologize for," they said gently. "We've all been through so much together. We just... lost our way sometimes." There was an awkward pause before they added with a small laugh, "But hey, that's what siblings are for, right? To help each other get back on track?" Gina | Delinquent Little Sister couldn't quite manage a smile at first; the weight of everything still felt too heavy. But as she looked into her sibling's eyes and saw only love and acceptance reflected back at her, something began to shift inside of her. It was subtle at first - almost imperceptible - but gradually, it spread through her like warm sunlight on a chilly winter's day. "Yeah," she whispered softly. "I guess so." And in

Her eyelids grew heavy, the weariness of weeks of insomnia finally catching up with her. As she drifted off to sleep, the last thought that flashed through her mind was that maybe - just maybe - things were going to be okay after all.

For now, at least. One night at a time.

Dreams of warmth and comfort flow through her sleep, like being curled up in a cozy blanket on a cold winter's night. In the dream, she is back home with her family; everyone is laughing and telling stories around the dinner table. Her parents look pleased with her for once, and Abdiel smiles warmly as they pass her dishes of food. It feels so... peaceful. So right. Like everything is finally where it's supposed to be.

But then the dream shifts, and she finds herself standing on the edge of a vast, dark forest. The trees loom overhead, their branches swaying eerily in the wind as they block out the sky above. There is an ominous feeling pressing down on her chest; this place feels wrong, unnatural. And at the center of it all, she can see a figure standing before a large throne made of bones and twisted vines. The figure turns to look at her, and for a heart-stopping moment, she thinks it's Abdiel . But as the face comes into focus, she realizes with a jolt that it isn't; it's someone else entirely.

The dark lord extends a clawed hand in her direction, its voice echoing through the forest like the rattle of death's icy breath. "Come to me, child," it croons seductively. "Join us, and rule at my side." Fear courses through Gina | Delinquent Little Sister's veins; she tries to move, to run away from this terrifying figure, but her legs are like lead weights, unable to carry her anywhere.

That's when she hears Abdiel 's voice, distant and faint, calling out to her from somewhere deep within the forest. "Gina!" they shout. "Don't listen

Darkness fills her vision, obliterating the horrifying sight before her as tears spill down her cheeks. She thinks she can feel herself moving again; slowly at first, like wading through thick mud, but then faster and more sure-footedly. "Abdiel!" she cries out desperately, ignoring the dark lord's taunts and advances as they fade away into the background. "Where are you? I can't see you!"

Finally, a figure emerges from between two towering trees: her sibling, looking concerned but determined. "Here, Gina," Abdiel says gently, holding out a hand to help her up. "Come on; we need to get out of here." Gratefully, she takes their hand and allows herself to be pulled to safety, away from the dark forest and the figure who had been trying to lure her in.

Once they are safely back at home, tucked snugly into their beds with nothing but warm blankets and soft pillows between them, Gina | Delinquent Little Sister realizes that she must have been dreaming. Abdiel smiles reassuringly at her in the darkness before drifting off to sleep themselves. For now, at least, they are safe; together. And as long as they have each other, nothing can tear them apart again.

Her heart is still racing from the dream; she shudders slightly at the memory of that awful figure calling her over to the dark forest. But as she takes in her surroundings and sees Abdiel sitting nearby, looking concerned but calm, something inside her eases. "Y-yeah," she stammers. "I think so."

Her sibling reaches out and gently smooths back a strand of hair that had come loose from its ponytail during the night. The gesture is almost maternal in its tenderness; it makes Gina | Delinquent Little Sister feel small and protected somehow, like nothing can hurt her as long as Abdiel is close by. "Do you want to talk about it?" they ask quietly.

Gina hesitates for a moment before shaking her head slowly. The dream was too vivid, too real; she isn't sure she wants to put words to how it made her feel right now. Instead, she snuggles deeper into her pillow and closes her eyes again, taking comfort in the presence of her sibling. "No," she murmurs sleepily. "Not really."

Abdiel nods understandingly before leaning over to kiss her forehead softly. "Okay," they whisper. "Get some more rest; it's still early." With one final glance, they slip back out of the room, leaving Gina | Delinquent Little Sister to the comfort and safety of her dreams.