You Brethe In The Smoke
You Inhale It In Your Lungs
You Can't Let It Out
It was almost a week since Robin was let go from the hospital. You had just taken a shower when you heard a panicked knock at your door. After wrapping a towel around your waist, you hurried over and cracked the door open just enough to see who it was.
Scarlet looked up enough to see you and immediately walked towards the door. You opened it without thinking and she entered your apartment.
Scarlet: I'm sorry to bother you right now but I need some advice and you seem to be the only person I can talk to about.....
She stopped when she saw your lack of attire. She found herself staring with wide eyes that wondered your body on their own. You couldn't help but smirk.
Y/N: See something you like?
Scarlet was at a loss for words. She couldn't deny that she had wondered what you looked like underneath that dark clothing you wore. Your hair was recently dried, but still a bit damped.
Scarlet: I...I'm sorry. I thought...I didn't know that.....
You quickly silenced her when you apporched her. Her back hit the wall and you trapped her by placing a hand by her head.
Y/N: I know damn well that you can hear my shower from your apartment. You knew what you were doing.
Scarlet: What? N-No I....
Y/N: And you're still going to lie about it? Seems like someone is just begging to be punished.
Scarlet found her cheeks suddenly getting much hotter. She couldn't help but begin to close her eyes when you started to lean down towards her. Your lips began to brush which jolted Scarlet awake.
She sat up quickly and looked around the dark bedroom. Her heartbeat was quick and she felt like her entire body was on fire. She placed a hand onto her head, pushing some hair out of her eyes. She looked to her left to where her mother was sleeping.
She didn't know why she had such a dream, but she didn't quite hate it. She did lay back down, but she couldn't go back to sleep now. She was too worked up. Why did she have to have such a vivid dream? And why did it have to be of you?
She wouldn't be able to sleep for the rest of the night. But, luckily for her, it wasn't too early. It was around 6 when she woke up. Her mother would be awake soon and be getting ready to leave for the entire day once again. Until then, Scarlet was left alone with her thoughts.
Even after her mother left, Scarlet found herself doing what she could to take her mind off of the dream. The dishes that she had left the night before. Making breakfast that her sisters might enjoy. Checking in on Robin to make sure she was okay. Even watching a show on TV for the first time in ages.
Usually when she was in a state of mind she needed to get out, she would go to your apartment and immediately find herself at ease. However, seeing as the dream was about that very thing, she decided against it. She couldn't decide how she felt.
Was it happiness? Being able to have someone she was so close to that she could dream about them in such a way? Someone who was kind, sweet, handsome, and seemed to like her sisters like an extended family. Someone who had saved her sister from being hurt further.
Or was it fear? The fear of losing that all with some silly little crush.
She didn't know. Her heart was a flutter after the dream and she couldn't help but wonder what you really looked like under it all. She knew you had at least two tattoos. The one she sometimes saw on your wrist and the one that peeked out of the collar of your shirt. How many more did you have?
She found herself wondering if they had scared. If she was to run her fingers across them, would she feel the bumps? If she explored more, would she find scared hidden behind fabric? She would wonder how you got them. What story each mark had behind it.
Her thoughts began to travel to dangerous territory. What did you lips feel like? Would you be rough and border on hurting her, or would you be gentle and treat her like a delicate thing? Would your hands trail down her body? Would they move up?
What kind of lover were you? In the morning, would you be holding her? Would you be gone? Would you be creasing her face? Playing with her hair? Telling her that she was beautiful. Telling her that you love her.
Scarlet didn't even notice that her sister had begun to wake up and get ready for school. She finally snapped out of her deepening thoughts when Ginger poked her head out from around the corner.
Ginger: Yo, Scarlet. Robin needs your help to get out of bed.
While Scarlet attended to her sisterly duties, you were barely waking up. It was a restless night, hut you did get an hour or so of sleep in. It'll have to do. You had things you needed to get done today.
You sat up and pushed your hair back with one hand while the other dangled off your knee. Your bare upper body wasn't as sweaty as it had been your first few nights here. It seemed odd to you, but you had seemed to have found some kind of peace here. Though, the new scar on your shoulder told a different story.
You had started a routine of checking in on Robin at least once a day. Sometimes Scarlet would trust you to look over her young sister while she ran errands. You didn't mind it, of course, and Robin seemed to enjoy getting out of her apartment. Or, at least away from her sisters.
You took a quick shower to wash yourself off before getting dressed. You pulled your jacket on just as you heard a knock at your door. You walked over and opened it to find Ruby standing there.
This was a bit odd, seeing as Ruby was indifferent towards you on a good day. She also never came to your apartment unless everyone else was there. And with your bitterness towards her friend, you figured she wasn't your biggest fan.
Y/N: Uh, morning.
Ruby: Hm.
Not a morning person, it seemed.
Y/N: Did you need something?
Ruby: Yeah. Uh, I left my math book here the last time I was over.
You didn't recall seeing one, but you opened the door and allowed her inside to look for it. You watched as she walked over to the couch and began to look around. She finally reached under your coffee table and grabbed her book.
Ruby: I wish I didn't need this. I hate school.
While it might have been something that she would normally say, you could hear a slight anger. She was being serious. You rubbed the back of your head and thought back to your school days.
Y/N: Yeah. I don't blame you. I wasn't the best student growing up. I actually dropped out.
Ruby seemed surpised by this news. She then looked around your apartment.
Ruby: How do you afford all this stuff? Do you even have a job?
You just shrugged. Honestly, it was a long and complicated story. One that you weren't too fond of telling at the moment.
Y/N: Good timed investments.
Ruby didn't believe you, but she also knew that you wouldn't break if she pushed it. So, she just got her book and headed out.
Ruby: Thanks.
Once she was gone, you were alone in your apartment. You took a breath and slowly let it out. You closed your eyes, but when you did, you saw someone you weren't expecting.
You saw Scarlet. You saw her smile.
You opened your eyes, baffled by the odd happening. That hasn't happened before. You shook your head. Maybe you were more tired than you thought. You decided to take a nap when you got back. Well, maybe.
Your plans may actually prevent that.
But first, you needed to get those plans done. So, you grabbed your keys and headed out.
Your destination wasn't actually far. Only a 15 minute drive into town. You were soon surrounded by a row of kennels that held various dogs. Mostly mutts. The shelter had few pups. Even fewer kittens. But you didn't want a young animal. Too much to take care of.
You were here for a purpose. That purpose was soon staring at you when you walked by. You stopped and looked at the dog. You then kneeled down to get a better look at it. It was a male. He looked like a border collie mixed with something else. You smiled slightly and held a hand out. The dog sniffed it for a second before you reached through the bars and began to pet him.
In an hour, you were walking him back to your car. He already even had a name. Mizuno. He seemed gentle. Maybe a bit shy, but definitely not hostile. Perfect for what you had planned.
You arrived back at your apartment after getting what you would need for a dog. You poured him a bowl of food and watched as he ate. Just has you had guessed, Mizuno was calm and very friendly. When you sat down, he immediately jumped up and laid his head on your lap.
It was around 4 or so when you heard the girls get back from school. You heard them talking, but you didn't get up. They probably had homework or some other school things to attend to. Besides, you wanted to spend a bit more time with Mizuno alone.
He even slept in his dog bed that you got him when you turned in for the night. The next morning, you woke up bright and early to take him for a jog down a path you had found along the woods. You even played fetch with him.
He was a smart dog. You began to wonder why someone would leave him behind. He was super sweet, to.
When you were walking him back to your apartment, you found Scarlet stepping out of her own. You stopped when she spotted Mizuno. He didn't bark or move towards her. He just sat by you side.
Y/N: Morning.
Scarlet: H-Hey. Did you get a dog?
You nodded and looked down at you new pet.
Y/N: Yeah. His name is Mizuno. I...I was hoping Robin could meet him.
Scarlet looked at you like you were insane. You understood why. Robin was in a wheelchair until she recovered thanks to a dog.
But that was exactly why you wanted this to happen.
Y/N: Not all dogs are dangerous.
Scarlet thought you were insane. But, at the same time, you hadn't been wrong yet. You had always had other's best interests in mind. Why would now be any different?
When Robin wheeled herself into the living room a bit later, she found her sisters all playing with Mizuno while you kept a close eye on the situation. You looked over to Robin who seemed a bit scared. To help, you walked over and kneeled down by her.
Y/N: It's alright. He's a good dog.
Robin was still hesitant, but you called Mizuno over and had him sit. You then petted him and looked to Robin. You motioned for her to do the same. Her sisters all watched as she hesitated. But, seeing you so calm around the dog after your own attack, Robin found a small bit of courage in herself.
She reached out, and gently placed her hand on the dog's head. He did not bite. He did not growl. He didn't even bark. He just sat there and allowed the young girl to touch him.
Robin smiled widely and began to pet him even more, which he seemed to enjoy. Robin giggled and began to play with Mizuno while Ginger and Rose joined in. You stayed kneeling, but you were smiling.
You looked back and locked eyes with Scarlet. You both shared an unspoken celebration. But, that wasn't all.
There was something else there. Something that neither of you really understood.
But, it felt nice.
It felt peaceful.
It Has Been Some Time
My Darling Older Brother
I Have Missed You So