Chapter 46: Sibling Reunion

Nera PoV

[Earlier in the day]

I kept cleaning and even baked some snacks for Elira. The girl was still in deep sleep. I wondered if she would ever wake.

As if answering my prayers, Elira's eyes fluttered open. She blinked against the bright light of the afternoon. Her gaze settled on me, and her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Nera? Where are Mom and Dad?" she asked, her voice laced with sleep and surprise.

I took a deep breath, ready to explain. "Your parents had to leave on an urgent mission. They didn't want to disturb you, so they asked me to look after you," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

She looked around the place. "And my brother?"

"He's at the Titanos military base, but he should be back soon. In the meantime, I'll be taking care of you," I reassured her, offering a comforting smile.

Elira sat up, taking in her surroundings with a wary eye. "I didn't expect to wake up to an empty house... well, except for you," she said, a small smile finally breaking through.

I nodded, understanding her unease. "It's a lot to take in, but I'll be here until they return. How about some snacks to start the day?" I suggested, gesturing to the tray of treats I had prepared.

Elira smiled slightly and popped a cookie in her mouth. She was a lot like her father, not very emotive. Thinking of how she might not see her parents again for months made her slight smile a bittersweet sight.

"You baked these?" she asked, her voice still hoarse from sleep.

I nodded, "Yes, I thought you might like something homemade when you woke up."

She took another bite, her eyes closing briefly in appreciation. "They're good, thank you," she said, and for a moment, there was a softness in her that mirrored her brother's gentle spirit.

I watched her for a while, her every movement, every expression. She was indeed her father's daughter, strong and stoic, even in the face of uncertainty. But beneath that, there was a resilience that was uniquely hers.

"Your parents left a message," I said, breaking the silence. "They said they're proud of you and Goerld, and they'll be back as soon as they can."

Elira's gaze met mine, searching for reassurance. "And you'll stay with me until then?"

"Of course," I replied firmly. "You're not alone, Elira. We're family, in all the ways that count."

She blinked. "Family? Aren't you just the neighbor's oldest kid?" A mischievous smile popped on his lips. "Or are ya my brother's wife?"

My face reddened. "N-no, I'm not." I fidgetted. "Well, n-not yet, at least."

She popped another cookie into her mouth and giggled. "You've liked him for a while now, huh?"

My cheeks burned with a heat that could rival the afternoon sun. Elira's giggle, light and carefree, filled the room, easing the tension that had knotted in my shoulders. Her teasing words echoed in my mind, a playful reminder of the secret I had harbored for so long.

"Yes, I've... admired him," I admitted, choosing my words carefully. "But that's not important right now. What matters is that you're awake and well."

Elira's expression softened, her earlier mischief giving way to a thoughtful look. "Nera, you've always been there for us, even when you didn't have to be. That's more than just being a neighbor."

I smiled, touched by her words. "I care about your family, Elira. You've all been a part of my life for as long as I can remember."

She nodded, her eyes reflecting a depth of understanding beyond her years. "I know. And I'm grateful for that. But tell me, what's it like... liking someone that way?"

The question caught me off guard, and for a moment, I was at a loss for words. How could I explain the fluttering in my stomach, the way my heart raced at the mere thought of Goerld?

"It's like... like when you see the first star appear at twilight," I began, finding my voice. "There's a sense of wonder, a hope for something more. It's both terrifying and exhilarating."

Elira listened intently, her gaze never leaving mine. "And you feel that way about my brother?"

I nodded, feeling a vulnerability I hadn't expected. "Yes, I do."

She reached out, taking another cookie from the tray. "Well, I think he'd be lucky to have someone like you care about him. And who knows? Maybe when he comes back, you'll tell him."

I laughed nervously. "I, uh, already did."

Her red eyes widened. "And what did Big Bro say?"

I giggled as I looked down at the floor. "Well," I began, my voice a mix of nerves and excitement, "he was surprised, to say the least."

Elira leaned forward, her interest piqued. "Surprised good or surprised bad?"

I couldn't help but smile at her eagerness. "Surprised good. He... he said he felt the same way."

Her eyes lit up, and she clapped her hands together. "That's wonderful! So, what happens now?"

I shrugged, a sense of contentment washing over me. "We haven't really figured that out yet. With him at the base and everything going on, it's complicated."

Elira nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. "But at least you know, right? That's got to mean something."

"It does," I agreed, feeling a warmth in my heart that had nothing to do with the sun streaming through the window. 

Suddenly, the door opened. We turned and saw Goerld. He was all sweaty from training at the base.

"Goerld!"

"Lyra!" Goerld said, smiling.

Lyra smiled at her big brother and ran over to give him a hug but stopped. "Wait, shower first! You stink."

He laughed nervously. "Oh, okay."

After Goerld had taken a shower and changed into fresh clothes, he joined us back in the living room. Elira was still munching on the cookies I had baked, and I couldn't help but smile at the domestic scene. It felt like a moment of peace amidst all the chaos.

Goerld glanced at the half-eaten cookies, raising an eyebrow. "Did you make these, Nera?" he asked, grinning as he took a cookie.

I nodded, feeling my cheeks flush. "Yes, I thought Elira might like something homemade when she woke up."

He took a bite, his eyes lighting up. "They're delicious, as always," he complimented, making me blush even more.

Seeing my reaction, Elira giggled, her eyes sparkling with mischief. She leaned in closer to me, her voice dropping to a whisper. "I told you he'd be lucky to have you."

I smiled, touched by her words. Despite everything we were going through, these small moments of normalcy were a source of comfort.

The rest of the day passed in a similar manner. We talked, laughed and shared stories. Even in the face of uncertainty, we found joy in each other's company. Elira's questions about love and my relationship with Goerld became a recurring topic, making both of us blush more times than we cared to admit.

The evening settled in, and we decided to make dinner together. The kitchen was filled with the sounds of chopping and the smell of spices as we worked side by side. Lyra took charge of setting the table, her enthusiasm making the task seem like the most important job in the world.

As we sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily. We shared stories of our day, talked about Goerld's training, and made plans for the coming weeks. It was simple, it was ordinary, and it was perfect.

After dinner, we cleaned up together, and Lyra declared it was time for her favorite movie. We gathered in the living room, the soft glow of the television casting a cozy light over us. Lyra snuggled between Goerld and me, her head resting on my shoulder as the opening credits rolled.

By the time the sun began to set, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, we had somehow managed to turn a day filled with worry into one filled with warmth.

Elira poked her head into her brother's room as we settled down to sleep. "Big brother! You can't have your girlfriend in your room! You ain't married yet."

Goelrd gulped. "W-wait, Lyra! Don't misunderstand. We aren't doing anything wrong."

"Uh, huh. Two teens in love sleeping together and not doing anything sure is believable."

Goerld sighed. "Lyra, how do you even know about such stuff?"

"Mommy told me."

Goerld's expression was a mix of confusion, amusement, and exasperation as he looked at his younger sister. "Mom really told you that?" he asked, his tone skeptical.

Elira, or Lyra as she was affectionately known, nodded vigorously. "Yep! She said it's important to know about these things. She also said that love is a beautiful thing, but it comes with responsibilities."

I watched the siblings, a smile playing on my lips. It was heartwarming to see them interact, their bond evident in every word and gesture.

Goerld ruffled Lyra's hair affectionately. "Well, she's not wrong," he conceded. "But you don't have to worry about Nera and me. We're taking things slow, right?"

I nodded, my heart fluttering at the inclusion of 'we' in his statement. "Right," I echoed, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks once more.

Lyra beamed at us, clearly pleased with herself. "Good! Because I'm not ready to be an aunt yet!"

The room erupted in laughter, the sound filling the house with a sense of life and joy that had been missing for too long. As the laughter died down, Goerld's gaze met mine, and there was a silent promise in his eyes—a promise of a future where we could explore what it meant to be together.

Lyra yawned and climbed into her brother's bed.

"Hey! Who said you can sleep here?" Goerld asked.

"I did," she responded.

Goerld crossed his arms, trying to look stern, but the twinkle in his eye betrayed his amusement. "This is my bed, Lyra. You have your own room."

Lyra pouted, pulling the blanket up to her chin. "But it's scary all alone, and you're only here for a little while. I want to spend time with you."

I couldn't help but interject, "She has a point, Goerld. It's your first time together in months."

He looked at me, then back at Lyra, his feigned resolve crumbling. "Alright, alright. You can stay, but only for tonight."

Lyra's face lit up with a victorious smile. "Promise?"

"Promise," Goerld confirmed, sitting on the edge of the bed. "But no kicking in your sleep!"

Lyra giggled, snuggling down into the bed. "No promises there!"

As they settled in, I found a comfortable spot on the floor, leaning against the wall.

"Wait, I'll sleep on the floor," Goerld said. "You can sleep on the bed with Lyra."

"No, that's not fair to you," I protested, but Goerld was already gathering a pillow and a blanket for himself.

"It's settled then," he said with a finality that brooked no argument. "You've been taking care of Lyra all day. You deserve a good night's rest."

Lyra watched the exchange with sleepy eyes, her earlier triumph giving way to a yawn. "You're both silly," she mumbled. "Just sleep on the bed. It's big enough."

Goerld and I exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between us. He nodded slightly, and I knew he was right. It was just one night, and Lyra's comfort was what mattered most.

So, with a resigned sigh, I climbed onto the bed, careful to keep a respectful distance. Goerld lay down on the other side of Lyra, who was already drifting off to sleep.

The room was quiet, save for the soft sound of breathing and the occasional rustle of blankets. I lay there, my mind a whirl of thoughts. The closeness of Goerld, the warmth of Lyra beside me, and the gentle rhythm of the night created a sense of peace I hadn't felt in a long time.