“I’m ready– I’m actually really excited.” Usually going out was not her forte, but anything with her big brother was always better than all else.
“Good! I want to make your birthday really special.” all those wasted years would no longer be wasted, Leo was going to give her an awesome birthday this time. No more sickness getting in the way.
As soon as a knock was heard, little Sparky would immediately start to bark at the front door. With a sigh, she’d bend down to pet the pup before turning the knob to see the other sign. A flash of fur would run out the doorway to greet the large male. He may have not been a dog-man, but Sparky would love anyone whom Scorpio admired.
“Of course– Come on in.”
Letting Lance enter, she’d go outside herself to grab the pesky pet to bring him back in, shutting the door behind her. With a gesture to the couch, a small grin would finally be shown. It was exciting to teach someone else how to sing, especially if you, yourself, were self-taught. It feel accomplishing.
Hearing the little dog’s barks was quite amusing – albeit a little annoying but still cute. Once the door bolted open, the furry creature ran right up to the him, excited and wagging his tail in joy. With a grin forming Lance crouches down, extending his hand out and petting the dog. He was growing on him one day at a time.
Entering her home, the lion noticed the girl’s gesture to the couch and sat down on it, returning the small she gave to him. He was nervous, but was unsure if she could spot this minor detail or not. Leo didn’t want to make a fool of himself, if he end up not singing well.
“So, how does singing work? Like I’ve sang a few times but not really s-seriously..”
Suffered? He spoke about an inability to save her. The memory was a bit hazy, all that could be gathered was an older brother who sought to protect her, raise her, and be the best sibling he could possibly be. Lack of fragments left her baffled by his utterance of not saving her.
“I don’t understand. What do you mean you couldn’t save me? I’m right here.”
In an unintentional denial. This situation left her unaware, almost clueless to what really occurred back then.
Quickly he whips away any excess tears from his eyes, cheeks and face warm due to the tears. She was right, she was alive here and now. Life gave him another chance to do thing’s correctly. This time, his wrongs will turn to rights. Shaking his head, the blonde looks down at the girl in his arms.
“No, i-its nothing. You’re here and that’s all that matters..”
With a heavy heart, a deep regret, and a brain scattered with memories of a lake, she only smiled. Tears were present, of course, but she was grateful to have such a moment. To relive what she knew she yearned for in this life. A brother, a sibling who taught her all she needed, was there for her through thick and thin. He was back. It made her emotional, a sight hardly ever seen.
After his apology, it did catch up to her, the tears anyway. Her hand covered her mouth to hide her embarrassment. It had been so long. Too long.
“Y-You don’t have to be sorry…”
Everything felt so heavy weighing against him. To know that a sibling was present in his life, and his memory grew foggy. However, the scene in his head was crystal clear. His failure to protect costed him a little sister, his once perfect eyesight, and the peaceful life they once lived.
“Yeah, I do. I couldn’t save you, that must of been horrible..” He couldn’t imagine going through such a tragic experience. “You suffered and I, I couldn’t–”
So weak, what kind person are you? Even the events from that horrible day were unfolding again. It only hurt him more.
His aura left her petrified. In a state of being curious yet scared of his shift in emotion. Somehow her saying her real name triggered a memory of his. Perhaps she didn’t get the correct hint herself, but she felt as if she needed to go along with it. Then the silent utterance of her name being spoken once again by him caused a memory relapse.
“Lance– big… brother?”
Her emotions kept her questioning her existence. With the silence growing between the two siblings, optics gazed at the ground. Memories brought her back to a nice house, a river, and a grand piano.
Through glossy eyes the tears are no longer contained. Tears stream down his face, and drop onto the floor with a splat. No words, silence only grew. Rarely did he ever cry, in the lion’s mind it was weakness to do so. Leo was a leader, and felt like he wanted to protect save everyone. Failing her, means that he has failed. That hurt like a knife stabbed into your chest, the pain slowly oozing out.
“I’m s-so sorry Serah..”
He whispers, tone full of sorrow and sympathy. Arms wrap around her smaller form, pulling her into a hug. At this point, they (he) needed this.
“Is it a hard song, big brother? I want to be able to play really well.” It was a goal to learn various instruments, and perhaps learning one could make others fairly easy as well.
“It’s a pretty short song. If you think its too hard though, I can teach you an easier one.” He was glad she had developed a love for music, so he wanted to make the experience enjoyable, not difficult.
“Like this?” Sadly, she pressed the wrong keys in a completely wrong order, but to her, it sounded nice. “I did it, right?”
“You’re doing great!” He didn’t want to discourage, but, she was improving little by little. “You’ve got the keys right, just not in the correct order. I struggled with this song when I first learned it.”
“I know it does, but I want to be as good as you.” Boost his ego, maybe he’ll teach her quickly. “I don’t know what notes are which keys…”
“Hmm, alright, um..” Lance didn’t really how to teach all that well. “Okay! I’ll play keys, then I want you to play after me.” Slowly, he presses the keys B, A, and G.
“But how can he be great if he doesn’t teach his little sister to play piano?” The sass, as well as she looked up to him. Yes, it was fun to mess around, but it’s been weeks. Too impatient now.
“I’m trying! It takes patience and time to be good at this! So, you’ve got to be willing to take things slow.” He explains, placing the sheet music back on the piano. “This one is for beginners, want to try together?”
“That’s because you love me!” She was so devious, only because he thought he was better than her and everyone else.
“Of course I do.” He grins, before ruffling her pink locks playfully. “You’ve got the greatest big brother ever, and he’ll always be there to love and protect you!”
