𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐊

𝟐𝟕 | 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐈 𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃

"𝐀𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐒 𝐈'𝐌 FINE," 𝐈 huff, slapping his hands away.

My little brother scowls as he drops the rag he was using to clean up my face in the sink and flicks on the faucet. Red runs in currents until it melts into pink and disappears down the drain while I hop off the sink counter and turn around, facing the mirror. A bruise mars my left orbital bone, a few cuts line my lips, and a single laceration crosses my nose.

I wince as I drag my fingertips over them.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Aeris asks me for the millionth time.

"Yes," I reply, not looking at him, "Stop asking."

"I just have to make sure."

I shoot him a coy look, intending to sass him for his constant harassment, but when all I see glaring back at me is a dejection I can quite pin, I drop my expression. I turn around and hold the sink with backward hands and give my brother all my attention.

Aeris notices the increase in my perception and bows his head, his black hair falling in waves down his forehead as he hides. I sigh and gently put a finger to the base of his chin. I duck my face, catching his eyes at the same time I try to lift him toward me.

"What is it, Aeris?"

"It's nothing," he says, but I can hear the quake in his voice.

"Tell me," I demand, "You can tell me anything."           

"It's just ..." he moves away from me, from my touch, and steps deeper into the bathroom, "I was your Maid of Honor today. I was the one closest to you. And yet, I did nothing to interfere with what transpired today, I did nothing to help you or protect you," he shakes his head, "Aemon was locked in the basement, not invited, and he still managed to save you when it counted."

"Aeris .."

"It should've been me," he responds firmly, "You made it clear that I'm the only person you wanted standing next to you on this important day, and I failed you. I should've been the one to realize what was going on, and what you felt toward Liam. I should've noticed the kind of person he was underneath his guise. Instead, I'm just your foolish, kid brother—I can't do anything right, not even be there for you when you need me."

Aeris's voice trails off at the end as he makes his way to the edge of the tub and takes a seat. A train of black falls into his palms as he cups his head with his hands.

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth and ponder his words.

I don't blame him for not knowing the truth about Liam, nor do I blame him for falling for the same routine I did in those first few weeks. So, I peel myself from the counter and I walk over to where he's sat, and I crouch between his separated knees. I place a hand on either one of them, steadying the both of us, but I don't beckon him to look at me.