John pov~

Alex walked away with Lafayette after having said goodbye. He'd been acting a little odd throughout the day, but being sick does that to people.

Once I got home I went to Martha's room, because she'd been acting weird but I didn't want to confront her at school. I knocked and she grumbled an inaudible reply.

Not really caring wether the reply was a yes or a no, I pushed open the door. Martha was shoving something into her bag hastily, but when she saw me she smiled and sat down on her bed, legs crossed under her.

"Hey!" She waved. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

I rolled my eyes and sat down at the foot of her bed. I was in a pretty good mood, and she seemed to also be, so this conversation might not go to badly.

"All good? You were acting a little strange earlier."

"I was just asking a question, you're the one who got all snappy." She replied, shrugging. "But all feelings aside, how's your boyfriend?"

She asked it sincerely and I sighed. "He seemed really sick."

She rolled her eyes. "Well duh. Even I noticed that."

I chuckled a little. The way she'd said it wasn't rude, it was playful and friendly. That's progress!

"Also, the excess of rage and pent up emotion that he uses to fuel himself seems to have drained by about half." I commented, and interest graced Martha's features.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"I dunno, it just seemed like he was less energetic and..." I trailed off, not sure how to explain it. "Whatever, it's the first time we've seen him sick, and he isn't a human, so it's probably just that."

Something flashed across my sister's face but was gone so fast I thought I'd imagined it.

"I miss this." She sighed after a pause.

I cocked my head at her.

"I miss talking to you about the most random things and finding them interesting, and not arguing every chance we get. I know we have differing opinions, but that's never stopped us before. Can we try again, please?"

I blinked in surprise at what she'd said.

"I won't openly judge Alex and you anymore, I promise. I can't change how I think, but I can choose to keep it in my head. He can stay over whenever and I won't bother you. I just... miss having an older brother, ya know?" She looked down and fiddled with the blanket. "Please, I want you to be happy, and I know I'm a wrench in the gears of you obtaining that. But I want to try and fix that."

I smiled and hugged my sister close, and she wrapped her arms around me. Martha leaned into he hug and I sighed happiness . It was the first time since Alex and I had started going out— scratch that — since the start of last school year, that we'd actually had a nice moment together.

"So," I started. "What do you wanna do?"

Martha smiled in a playfully evil way and dragged me out of her room.

—~•~—

"Martha what the h–" My shriek was cut off by my sister placing her hand over my mouth.

"C'mon! Let's have some fun!" She tugged next behind her towards the fair.

We stopped in front of the gates and I let out a breath. Mostly because she'd insisted on running here from the nearest parking lot, which wasn't near at all, but also a little bit because I was surprised.

"It's been so long since we last came here, I assumed it'd be completely run down."

"It held up pretty well." Martha shrugged.

"Now what...?" I asked, looking at the blocked off entrance.

"Have you lost your flair for adventure?" Martha teased. "Were going in!"

"...Are you sure?" I asked, concerned.

"Yes! Do you not remember coming here? It was closed back then too, and in we went. Let's go!" Martha grabbed me by the wrist and we scrambled into the park.

I looked around the abandoned fair and smiled, memories of sneaking in when Martha and I were still young were flooding in. I smiled as my sister ran ahead.

—~•~—

I leaned back in the driver's seat and grinned at Martha.

"That was fun." I said.

"Wasn't it?" Martha smiled excitedly. "Let's do that again some time!"

"Sounds good. Where to now?"

"I dunno, how about we go back home?"

"Sure. Let's go." I pulled out of the parking lot and headed home.

The silence in the car was comfortable and friendly, and I was glad Martha and I had more or less fixed our relationship. I parked the car and got out with my sister.

Martha tugged me upstairs and into her room, shutting the door behind us.

"Can I play with your hair?" She asked, tilting her head to the side.

I shrugged and sat down on the carpet in front of the bed as Martha sat on the mattress itself. I felt her take my hair in her hands and run a brush (I don't know how she has time to grab that) through it.

"Your hair is pretty." Martha stated. "It looks like mom's."

I let out a sigh and tugged a strand of my blonde hair into my line of sight. I'd inherited our mother's blonde hair and blue eyes, whereas Martha looks echoed those of our dad.

There was a pause.

"Hey, John?"

"Yes?"

"Thanks. I had fun today. Can we hang out again some time?"

"I'm sure I could manage that." I smiled, relishing the feeling of genuine happiness I shared with my sister.

"I'm sure I can too." She grinned.