Shadewood let not light see my black and deep desires

he felt desperation build up. the brother still wouldn't reveal himself, as if not seeing her would give him sternness and courage.

"but-... but-..." yonder whimpered. 

was he really that spineless? incapable of flying free of his sister? no!

"i... i'm going to stay." 

goddamnit!

"but not with you."

there we go.

some of that much-needed hardness crept into his voice. "i'm an adult. i can live on my own, but i want to be sure my sibling - whom i love and care about - lives too."

a steadying breath.

"i'm going to stay, but every month or two, i want you back here - on the exact date - to tell me how you're doing."

he raked his brain for more demands, but realized that, truly, this was all he wanted.

"that's... that's all."