goldencharms

Just! It's okay, we're going to work it out, but—I just found some stuff out. That's all!

What sorta stuff??

[ he leans forward, his eyes wide and curious ]

... It's really not good stuff, Kalim. There's better stuff to talk about now that you're outta the hospital... You're like, way more important. You were hurt!

[She's still trying to worm her way out of it.]

But it’s bothering you, right…?

Well! I—!

[She can't argue with that, and she huffs.]

Do you really want to know? It's... it's not good stuff, Kalim.

[ he perks up a little bit and then pats the space next to him, ]

Of course I do. Maybe we can help.

[She sighs, and then flops down next to him.]

Aqua's dead.

Eh…?

[ he sounds deeply confused. Had so much changed since he’d been gone?

He feels like he saw Aqua… ah, and then it hits him ]

You mean… he’s from the future for you??

... Yeah, he is. I—

[Her breath hitches a little, and she wrings her hands, knuckles turning white.]

I'm seriously cursed if that's what happens to him.

[ he reaches out to rub her head for a moment, before shimmying (with a wince) to lie next to her. ]

I don’t think you’re cursed… but I think I understand a little more why you think you are.

Almost... everyone leaves or dies. And it wasn't even... he was just trying to protect me because our dad wanted—

[She shifts a little, if only so he can get a little more comfortable, and then instantly starts petting his hair idly.]

Aqua would still be alive if it weren't for me. And I wouldn't have to try to live without him back home. How am I supposed to live without him??

[ oh, he was going to pet her hair more but— he’s a little tired after the shimmying. Ah… he didn’t realize how bad it was… ]

I don’t know…

But you don’t have to right now, right…?

[Too bad, it's him getting pet. She'd rather do that right now, and she's keeping an eye on him anyway.]

... No, but I don't want to go back if he's not gonna be there. It was one thing when I thought he was still alive, but...

[ never being able to go home… that would be so sad, wouldn’t it? But he can understand why she wants to do that, and he nods slowly, taking in a breath ]

That makes sense.

So we're gonna try to find a way to make sure he comes back alive.

[She doesn't know how, but it's on her mind.]

Yeah.

[ he looks at her, his eyebrows furrowing as he seems to think on it. And then he smiles, ]

Lots of impossible things seem to happen here. Maybe this is actually a blessing in disguise.

... Yeah.

[But she still hates how it feels to know she's alone, again. Because she always ends up alone. Because of that, her voice is still pretty quiet and hesitant.]

Mama was always glad we were twins because it meant we wouldn't ever be alone. So...

Mm…

Well, you have your home family and your here family.

And I’m not gonna leave you alone.

... That's a lot to promise when there's a lot of stuff outta control, Kalim...

Hmmm…. Maybe. But as long as I can keep that promise, I’m gonna!

Yeah, okay...

[She stops petting his hair after a moment of hesitation, but only so that she can squish his cheeks.]

Who said you could be so cute??

Ehehe…

I guess without Lilia around, there’s no competition?? Unless you say you’re cutest.

I know I'm the cutest girl. You can totally be the cutest boy!

Okay!

[ at least until Lilia gets back.

But he doesn’t move too much to counter her squishes, just smiling at her ]

We can be your family away from home.

I already thought you were.

[She'd started to consider it awhile ago, but hadn't quite made the connection because the relationship wasn't the same with them as it was with Aqua.]

You're the brother I'm allowed to kiss.

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