I winced slightly as the Nurse wrapped a bandage around my leg. " Okay Miss Mia. You're gonna need to stay here for a few hours, so I called your family."

The color drained from my face. " Y.. you mean Red?"

The nurse nodded, confused. " Yes. Why? He is your brother, right?"

" He is, but .... You didn't need to call him."

" And why's that?"

I looked away at the Nurse that looked very close to Leaf. " Because he has training."

" But that's not as important as you, Mia."

I froze, and turned to the door.

Red and Blue were standing there.

" See, I told you." The nurse hissed.

I blinked. " Told him... What?"

Blue grinned. " Okay Leaf you can drop the act."

I froze as Blue's words sank in. "Wait... Leaf?! You’re the nurse?"

Leaf smirked, pulling off her nurse hat with a dramatic flourish. "Guilty as charged. I had to make sure you weren’t trying to run away before Red got here."

"Run away?!" I spluttered. "I wasn’t going to—"

Red cleared his throat, stepping forward, his presence making my words die in my throat. His intense gaze locked on me, and for the first time in ages, he spoke.

"Mia," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "Where did you get these ideas?"

I stared at him, stunned. It wasn’t just that he was speaking; it was what he was saying.

"I... what do you mean?" I managed to whisper, my face heating up under his gaze.

Red sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. "You think I don’t care about you. That I’d rather train than be here. That I’d hurt you. Why, Mia? Where did you get these ideas?"

My chest tightened as his words hit me. I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "I just... I don’t know. You’re always so quiet, and I feel like... like I’m just a burden to you."

Red crouched down in front of me, his serious expression softening. "Mia." His voice was calm but firm, and hearing him say my name like that made my heart ache. "That’s not true. I love you."

I blinked, my eyes wide. "W-what?"

"I love you," he repeated, his tone unwavering. "You’re my little sister. Nothing is more important to me than you."

Tears welled up in my eyes as I stared at him, struggling to process his words. "But... you’re always busy with training and—"

Red cut me off with a gentle shake of his head. "Training is important, but it’s not more important than you. I just... I’m not good with words. I thought you knew how much I care about you, even if I don’t say it."

Blue, who had been silently watching, crossed his arms and smirked. "Told you he cared, kiddo."

"Shut up, Blue," I muttered, wiping at my eyes.

Red’s lips quirked up in a small smile, and he reached out, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I know I’m not perfect, Mia. But I’ll always be here for you. No matter what."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. I still had doubts, fears that would take time to heal, but in that moment, hearing Red’s words, I felt something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope.

"Thanks, Red," I whispered, my voice cracking.

He didn’t say anything, just gave me a rare, genuine smile and pulled me into a hug. For once, I didn’t feel shy or hesitant. I hugged him back, holding onto the brother I thought I’d lost.

Leaf grinned, watching the scene. "Well, my job here is done."

Blue rolled his eyes. "You’re so dramatic."

"Look who’s talking," Leaf shot back with a smirk.

As the two bickered, Red and I stayed like that for a moment longer, and for the first time in a long while, I felt like everything was going to be okay.

“I’m... I’m so sorry, Red,” I stammered, my words tumbling over each other in a panic. “I didn’t mean to—please, just don’t kill me! I swear, I didn’t mean to break my leg! Just don’t—”

The words caught in my throat as the room froze. Leaf, Blue, and even Pikachu stared at me with wide eyes, the gravity of what I’d just said hitting them like a freight train. But it was Red’s reaction that startled me the most.

His expression shattered into something raw and pained, his normally stoic demeanor gone. He crossed the room in two long strides, and before I could pull away, he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest.

The world seemed to pause as I felt his heart pounding against mine, his embrace tight and unwavering. “Mia,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion, “why would you think that? Why would you ever believe I’d hurt you?”

I couldn’t respond. Tears welled up in my eyes as his words washed over me. For so long, I’d been haunted by this fear—this irrational, overwhelming dread that my brother, the person I once looked up to more than anyone, would turn against me.

“I-I don’t know,” I finally whispered, my voice trembling. “I just… I thought you hated me. I thought I made you angry. I thought...”

Red pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his hands gently holding my shoulders. His face was etched with an intensity I’d never seen before. “Mia, listen to me. I could never hate you. Never. You’re my little sister, and I love you more than anything. Nothing you do—nothing—could ever change that.”

Tears spilled down my cheeks as his words sunk in. The fear that had gripped me for so long began to crack, tiny fractures forming in the walls I’d built around my heart. “But... I thought... I thought you’d be mad at me for breaking my leg, for messing up...”

Red shook his head, a faint, sad smile crossing his face. “Mia, accidents happen. I’m not mad, not even a little. I just want to make sure you’re okay.”

Leaf stepped closer, her usual playful demeanor replaced with quiet understanding. “Mia, Red’s been worried sick about you. The moment I called him, he dropped everything to come here. He didn’t even hesitate.”

Blue crossed his arms, nodding. “Yeah, Mia. You’re a lot of things, but someone Red could hate? Not even close.”

I looked at them all, then back at Red, who still held me gently, his eyes filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache. “I’m sorry,” I whispered again, my voice barely audible. “I didn’t mean to think that about you.”

Red pulled me back into his arms, holding me like he was afraid to let go. “You don’t have to apologize. Just... don’t ever think I don’t love you, okay? You’re my sister, Mia. You’ll always matter to me.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself relax in his embrace. The fear wasn’t gone—it would take time for that—but for now, I let myself believe his words. I let myself believe that maybe, just maybe, my brother really did love me.

The nurse—who was apparently Leaf in disguise—sighed and pulled off her cap, revealing her familiar long, brown hair. "Alright, alright. I couldn’t resist. But seriously, Mia, you’re overthinking this," she said with a soft smile.

Before I could respond, Red stepped into the room. I tensed immediately, my heart pounding in my chest as if it wanted to escape. Blue, however, looked amused. "Told you, Red. She’s always so worried about what you think."

Red’s gaze shifted to me, his usually calm expression clouded with concern. He walked closer, his presence overwhelming. I tried to shrink back, but the bed made that impossible. My voice wavered as I blurted out, "I’m sorry, Red! I didn’t mean to! Please don’t kill me—I swear I didn’t mean to break my leg!"

The room fell completely silent. Leaf froze mid-step, her eyes wide with shock. Blue’s grin vanished instantly, replaced by a confused frown. Even Pikachu, who had been sitting quietly on the bedside table, let out a surprised "Pika?"

Red stopped in his tracks, his eyes widening. For a long moment, he didn’t say anything, and the silence became unbearable. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he spoke.

"Mia... Where did you get these ideas?" His voice was soft but steady, tinged with hurt and confusion.

I didn’t know how to answer. My hands trembled as I looked down at the floor, unable to meet his gaze. "I... I don’t know. I just thought... I thought you hated me. And... and if I messed up, you’d... you’d..." My voice broke, and tears spilled down my cheeks.

Suddenly, I felt strong arms wrap around me. Red pulled me into a hug, holding me tightly against his chest. I could feel the steady beat of his heart, and it was so... calming. I didn’t expect that.

"Mia," he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "I love you. I would never hurt you. Never. I don’t know where you got these ideas, but they’re not true."

I froze, my mind struggling to process his words. He... loved me?

"You’re my little sister," he continued, his hand gently brushing the back of my head. "You’re more important to me than anything. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel like I didn’t care, but I do. I care so much."

The tears came harder now, but for a different reason. Relief and guilt warred inside me as I clung to him, my sobs muffled against his jacket. "I’m sorry," I whispered. "I’m so sorry, Red. I just... I didn’t know."

Blue stepped closer, breaking the heavy silence. "Geez, Mia. Red’s like the last person who’d ever do something like that. You’ve been imagining things this whole time, haven’t you?"

Leaf shot him a glare. "Blue, not helping."

Red didn’t seem to hear him. He just held me tighter, his warmth chasing away the fear that had gripped me for so long. "You don’t have to be scared of me," he said. "I’m here for you, Mia. Always."

For the first time in what felt like forever, I believed him.

The nurse—no, Leaf—sighed and threw her hands up. "Alright, fine. You caught me. But I still maintain I did the right thing by calling Red." She shot me a quick glance. "He deserves to know when his sister's hurt."

I stiffened as Red stepped forward, his gaze immediately locking onto my bandaged leg. His expression was unreadable, but the weight of his presence alone made my chest tighten.

"R-Red..." My voice cracked, and I quickly looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

"Mia," he said softly, his voice surprisingly gentle. "What happened?"

It wasn't like him to speak. Red never needed words. But now, hearing his voice, I felt a rush of emotions—fear, shame, and something I couldn't quite place.

"I... I fell," I stammered, my hands clenching the edge of the bed. "It was stupid, really. I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry, Red. Please don’t be mad. Please don’t—"

The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and the room fell deathly silent. My heart pounded as I dared to glance up. Everyone was staring—Leaf, Blue, even Red. Their expressions were a mix of shock and concern.

Red’s eyes widened, and he took another step closer. "Mia..." His voice wavered slightly.

I panicked, scrambling to explain myself. "I didn’t mean to break my leg! I wasn’t trying to cause trouble, I swear! Just... don’t kill me, Red. Please. Don’t kill me!"

The room froze. Even the air seemed to still.

Blue was the first to break the silence. "Mia, what are you talking about? Red would never—"

But Red raised a hand, cutting him off. His gaze never left me as he knelt beside the bed, his movements slow and deliberate. "Mia," he said softly, his voice steady but filled with something I couldn’t quite identify. "Where did you get these ideas?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shook my head. "I... I don’t know. I just... I thought—"

"You thought I’d hurt you?" His voice cracked, and for the first time, I heard real pain in his tone. "Mia, I would never... I could never... Why would you think that?"

I couldn’t answer. The words were stuck in my throat, and all I could do was stare at him, trembling.

Red reached out slowly, as if afraid I’d flinch, and placed a hand on my shoulder. His grip was firm but reassuring, grounding me in the moment. "Listen to me," he said, his voice low but unwavering. "I love you. Do you understand that? I love you more than anything in this world. I would never hurt you."

His words broke something inside me. The walls I’d built around my fears, my insecurities, began to crumble. "But... I thought... I mean, I was scared that if I messed up, you’d..." My voice cracked, and I couldn’t finish the sentence.

Red shook his head, his expression anguished. "You’re my sister, Mia. There’s nothing you could ever do to make me stop loving you. Nothing." He hesitated, then leaned forward, wrapping his arms around me in a tight embrace. His heart beat strong and steady against my ear, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I felt safe.

I clung to him, my tears soaking into his jacket. "I’m sorry," I whispered. "I’m so sorry."

"You don’t have to be sorry," he murmured, his voice soft but firm. "Not for this. Not ever."

The room remained silent, the weight of the moment settling over everyone. Blue finally cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Well, I think that’s enough drama for one day," he said, his voice lighter but still tinged with concern.

Leaf nodded, her expression softening. "Mia, you’re lucky to have a brother like him."

I sniffled, glancing up at Red’s face. His usual stoic expression was gone, replaced with something raw and unguarded. For the first time, I believed him. Maybe healing would take time, but at least I wasn’t alone.

Red pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his hands still resting on my shoulders. "You’re going to be okay," he said firmly, as if willing me to believe it.

And for the first time, I thought maybe he was right.

Blue smirked, folding his arms. "Okay, Leaf, you can drop the act."

The nurse chuckled softly, and in a flash, she pulled off her wig and cap, revealing the familiar brown hair underneath. "You always catch me, don’t you?" she teased.

"Wait," I stammered, looking between Leaf and Blue. "You were pretending to be the nurse?"

"Had to make sure you didn’t run off before Red got here," Leaf said with a wink.

I didn’t have time to process her words because Red was walking toward me, his brown eyes locked on mine. My hands gripped the edge of the bed, trembling.

"I... I’m so sorry, Red!" I blurted, my voice cracking. "Just please, please don’t kill me!"

The room went dead silent.

Leaf froze mid-laugh. Blue’s jaw dropped, his usual cocky grin vanishing in an instant. And Red... Red stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with shock.

"What did you just say?" Blue asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

I couldn’t look at anyone. Tears stung my eyes as I stared down at my hands. "I-I didn’t mean to break my leg," I whispered, my voice shaking. "I swear I’ll never mess up again. Just... don’t hurt me. Please."

"Mia."

Red’s voice. Low, steady, but with a softness I wasn’t expecting. My head snapped up in surprise, and I found him kneeling in front of me, his face a mix of concern and something else—pain?

"Mia," he said again, his voice stronger this time. "Where did you get these ideas?"

I blinked, stunned. Red rarely spoke, and hearing him talk now felt... surreal.

He reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently placing his hands on my trembling ones. "I would never hurt you," he said firmly. "Not ever."

"But—" I tried to protest, but he cut me off, his voice softening again.

"I love you, Mia," he said, his brown eyes locking onto mine. "You’re my little sister. Nothing you do could ever change that."

My tears spilled over, and I choked on a sob. "But I thought... I thought if I wasn’t good enough, you’d hate me. I thought—"

Red didn’t let me finish. He pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. His embrace was firm but gentle, his hand cradling the back of my head.

I could feel his heartbeat—strong, steady, calming.

"You’re enough, Mia," he whispered. "Just the way you are."

I clung to him, my tears soaking into his jacket. "I’m sorry," I whimpered.

"You don’t have to be," he said softly, his voice full of warmth. "I’ve got you."

Leaf and Blue stood silently, watching the scene unfold. Blue finally broke the silence, his voice low. "Guess you were right, Leaf. She really needed to hear it."

Leaf nodded, wiping her own eyes discreetly.

I stayed in Red’s arms for what felt like forever, his steady heartbeat slowly calming the storm inside me. For the first time in a long time, I felt safe. Safe, and loved.

The room fell silent as Red stepped closer. My heart pounded in my chest, not just from the pain in my leg but from the overwhelming fear twisting in my stomach. Blue and Leaf exchanged uneasy glances as they noticed my expression.

Red’s brown eyes softened when he saw my trembling form. “Mia…” His voice was quiet, steady, but hearing him speak startled me. I shrank back on the hospital bed, my hands clutching the sheets tightly.

“I’m sorry, Red!” I blurted, my voice cracking. “I’m so sorry! Please don’t kill me! I didn’t mean to break my leg! I’ll do better—I’ll be better, I promise! Just… please don’t hate me!” Tears streamed down my face as I curled into myself, unable to meet his eyes. My chest felt like it would burst from the fear and shame I carried.

The room was frozen. Leaf covered her mouth in shock. Blue’s usual grin vanished, replaced with a serious, almost angry expression as he looked between me and Red.

And Red’s breath hitched, his eyes wide with disbelief. “Mia…” His voice broke slightly, and I risked a glance at him. His expression wasn’t angry or cold like I feared. It was hurt—deeply hurt. His hands trembled as he reached out to me. “Mia, where… where did you get these ideas?”

I sniffled, looking away again. “B-Because I mess everything up,” I mumbled. “I’m a burden to you. You’re so amazing, and I… I’m nothing. You hate me, don’t you?”

Red knelt in front of the bed so we were at eye level, his movements careful and deliberate. “No,” he said firmly, his voice steady but filled with emotion. “Mia, I don’t hate you. I never have. I love you.”

I blinked, my tears momentarily forgotten. “Y-You… do?”

Red nodded, his brown eyes locking onto mine. “You’re my sister, Mia. I would never hurt you. Never. I don’t care if you make mistakes, if you break your leg, or if you mess up a hundred times. You’re not a burden to me. You’re important to me.”

I stared at him, unsure if I could believe it. My heart wanted to, but my mind fought back, whispering all the terrible thoughts that had haunted me for so long. “But… I thought…” I trailed off, my voice trembling.

Red didn’t wait for me to finish. He stood and gently wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug. My head rested against his chest, and I could feel his steady heartbeat—calm, reassuring, and so very real. “You don’t have to be perfect, Mia,” he said softly, his hand brushing my hair. “I’m proud of you just the way you are. You don’t have to be scared of me. I’d never hurt you.”

His words broke something inside me. I buried my face in his chest and sobbed, clinging to his jacket like it was a lifeline. “I’m sorry,” I whispered between sobs. “I’m sorry for thinking you hated me…”

Red tightened his embrace, resting his chin on the top of my head. “You don’t have to apologize for that,” he murmured. “I’m sorry I didn’t notice sooner. I should have told you how much I care about you.”

Blue, still standing by the door, crossed his arms and smirked faintly, though his eyes were soft. “Well, that’s one way to handle it,” he muttered under his breath. Leaf elbowed him gently, though she was smiling too.

As the fear and doubt slowly ebbed away, replaced by the warmth of Red’s hug and his steady heartbeat, I realized something I hadn’t before. I was safe. My brother loved me, and no matter what, he would always be there for me.

The bandage was tighter than I expected, and I winced slightly, drawing the nurse’s attention. She smiled apologetically, adjusting the wrap around my leg.

“Alright, Miss Mia,” she said kindly. “You’re all set. You’ll need to stay here for a few hours to let the swelling go down, so I called your family.”

The words sent a jolt of panic through me. “Y-You mean Red?”

The nurse paused, her head tilting slightly. “Yes. Why? He is your brother, isn’t he?”

I swallowed hard, my palms damp as I gripped the edge of the bed. “He is,” I whispered, my voice trembling. “But... but you didn’t need to call him.”

The nurse frowned. “And why’s that, Mia?”

I looked away, avoiding her curious gaze. “Because... because he has training, and he’s busy.”

Her expression softened. “Mia, training isn’t as important as you.”

My heart skipped a beat at the sound of a familiar voice, low and steady.

“Exactly.”

I froze. Slowly, I turned toward the door.

Red and Blue stood there, Red’s brown eyes locked on me, his expression unreadable. Blue leaned casually against the doorframe, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

" Okay, Leaf. Drop the act." Blue said.

The nurse let out a sigh and dropped the pretense. “Okay, fine, you caught me,” she said, pulling her hair out of its neat bun. “You really can’t get anything past him, can you?”

My eyes widened. “L-Leaf?”

She shrugged with a grin. “Surprise!”

But I wasn’t paying attention to her anymore. My gaze was glued to Red, who was walking toward me with slow, deliberate steps. My chest tightened with fear, and I pressed back into the bed, my mind racing.

He’s going to be mad. He’s going to yell at me for getting hurt. Or worse...

“Red, I’m sorry!” I blurted out, my voice shaking. “I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to break my leg! Please don’t be mad! Please don’t... don’t hurt me!”

The room fell deathly silent.

Red froze mid-step, his eyes widening slightly. Blue straightened, his usual grin replaced with a look of disbelief. Leaf covered her mouth, her expression stricken.

“Mia...” Red’s voice was soft, almost hesitant, but it still sent a shiver through me.

I flinched, pulling my knees up as best as I could with the bandage restricting my movement. “I’ll do better, Red, I promise! Just don’t... just don’t hate me, please!”

“Mia,” he said again, this time more firmly, and I felt the bed dip slightly as he sat down beside me.

I didn’t dare look at him. My heart was pounding so loudly, I barely registered the gentle touch of his hand on mine.

“Where did you get these ideas?” His voice cracked slightly, and when I finally glanced up, I saw an unfamiliar expression on his face—pain. “Why would you think I’d ever hurt you?”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shook my head. “Because... because I mess up all the time, and you never smile at me, and you never say anything, and I thought...” My voice broke. “I thought you hated me.”

Red didn’t say anything at first. Instead, he reached out and pulled me into his arms, holding me tightly against his chest. I could feel his heartbeat—strong and steady, but a little faster than usual.

“I don’t hate you,” he said, his voice low but firm. “I never have. I never will. You’re my sister, Mia. I love you.”

I froze, my tears spilling over as his words sank in. “Y-You do?”

Red nodded, resting his chin lightly on the top of my head. “Of course I do. And I’m sorry if I made you think otherwise. That’s on me, not you.”

I clung to him, my hands clutching his jacket as I sobbed into his chest. “I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I’m sorry for thinking that.”

Red’s arms tightened around me, and I could feel the warmth of his breath as he whispered, “You don’t have to apologize for that, Mia. Just... just don’t ever think I don’t care about you, okay? You mean the world to me.”

I nodded against him, my tears soaking into his jacket. For the first time in what felt like forever, the fear that had weighed me down for so long began to lift. Red didn’t hate me. He loved me. And in his arms, I felt safe.

The nurse—Leaf, apparently—sighed, her cover blown. “Okay, fine, you caught me,” she muttered, pulling off her nurse's hat. She crossed her arms and leaned against the counter. “But, seriously, Mia, what’s with you and thinking you need to hide everything from Red?”

I stiffened as Red stepped forward, his brown eyes locked on me. His expression wasn’t angry, but that didn’t matter. My heart raced as I stared at the ground, unable to meet his gaze.

“Mia,” Red said, his voice quiet but firm.

I froze. Red never spoke. Hearing my name in his voice made my stomach twist with both fear and... something else I couldn’t place.

“... Where did you get these ideas?” he asked, his voice soft but laced with concern. “ Why would you think training is more important than you?"

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The words tumbled out before I could stop them. “I’m sorry, Red! I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to break my leg, I swear! I know it’s stupid, and I know you’re mad, but please don’t kill me! Please don’t hate me!”

The room fell silent. Leaf’s eyes widened in shock, and Blue, for once, looked completely serious. But it was Red’s reaction that terrified me the most. He froze, his eyes widening slightly, and for a moment, he just stood there, staring at me.

Then, without a word, he crossed the room in three long strides. I flinched, closing my eyes and bracing myself for the anger I was sure was coming. But instead of yelling, or hitting, or anything I had imagined, Red did something I didn’t expect at all.

He pulled me into a hug.

I blinked in surprise as he wrapped his arms around me tightly, pressing me against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat—steady, strong, and calm. It was nothing like the anger I’d been expecting.

“Mia,” he said again, his voice soft but steady. “I don’t know where you got those ideas, but listen to me. I love you. I always have. And I’d never, ever hurt you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shook my head against his chest. “But... but I mess up so much, and I’m not good enough, and I... I thought...”

Red pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his hands gently resting on my shoulders. “You’re my little sister,” he said firmly, his brown eyes full of an emotion I couldn’t quite name. “That’s enough. You don’t have to be perfect, Mia. You don’t have to be anything other than who you are.”

I stared at him, tears streaming down my face. “Really?” I whispered.

Red nodded, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Really.”

I couldn’t hold back anymore. I threw my arms around his neck, clinging to him as I sobbed into his jacket. He hugged me just as tightly, his hand gently patting my back. “It’s okay,” he murmured. “You’re safe, Mia. I’ve got you.”

Leaf wiped at her eyes, muttering something about allergies, while Blue leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, a small smile on his face. “Told you he’d fix it,” Blue said quietly to Leaf.

“Shut up, Blue,” Leaf whispered back, though her voice was soft.

As I clung to Red, feeling his steady heartbeat against my cheek, I realized something. All the fears I’d been holding onto, all the worries that had kept me up at night—they weren’t real. Red didn’t hate me. He never had. And in that moment, for the first time in a long time, I felt safe.

The nurse—who now seemed suspiciously like Leaf—sighed and crossed her arms, turning to the boys at the door. “Well, I tried to ease her nerves before you got here, but someone’s a little stubborn.” She smirked at me, but I didn’t return it. My heart was pounding, and I gripped the edges of the hospital bed so hard my knuckles turned white.

Blue chuckled as he leaned casually against the doorframe. “You didn’t fool her for long, Leaf. She knows you too well.”

I stared at the two of them, my eyes wide. “W-Wait... Leaf?! That was you this whole time?”

Leaf grinned and winked. “Guilty as charged.”

My eyes darted to Red, who stood silently behind Blue. His brown eyes locked onto mine, and my stomach twisted in knots. The look wasn’t angry or cold—just calm and steady—but I couldn’t stop the wave of fear that washed over me.

Before I could think twice, words started tumbling out of my mouth in a panicked rush. “I’m so sorry, Red! I didn’t mean to break my leg, I swear! Please, don’t be mad at me! I promise I’ll do better, just don’t—don’t hurt me! Please don’t hate me!”

The room fell silent. Blue’s usual grin faded, replaced with a look of shock. Leaf’s smirk vanished entirely, her eyes wide with concern. Even Red froze, his expression unreadable as he stared at me.

“Mia...” Blue began, his voice soft, but Red raised a hand to stop him. Slowly, he stepped forward, his boots barely making a sound against the floor.

I flinched and scrambled back against the bed’s headboard, my heart racing. “I’m sorry, Red! I didn’t mean it! Please don’t kill me!”

Red stopped in his tracks, his face etched with a mix of confusion and hurt. He knelt by the bed, his movements slow and deliberate, as if he were approaching a frightened Pokémon.

“Mia,” he said softly, his voice calm and steady. “Where did you get these ideas?”

I blinked, my fear momentarily giving way to surprise. “W-What?”

Red’s brown eyes softened as he placed a gentle hand on the bed, just inches from mine. “Why would you think I’d ever hurt you? Or hate you?”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shook my head, my voice trembling. “Because... because I mess everything up! I’m not good enough, and I make mistakes, and you’re always so quiet... I thought... I thought you didn’t like me.”

Red’s expression didn’t change, but something in his eyes shifted—an emotion I couldn’t quite place. Without saying a word, he reached out and pulled me into a tight hug, his arms wrapping around me securely. My head pressed against his chest, and I could hear his heart, steady and strong, thumping in a calming rhythm.

“Mia,” he said, his voice low but firm. “I love you. You’re my little sister, and nothing you do will ever change that.”

I froze, my tears spilling over as I clutched his jacket. “You... you do?”

He nodded, resting his chin on top of my head. “Of course I do. You’re more important to me than anything. I’m sorry if I ever made you feel otherwise.”

I sobbed into his chest, my fear and guilt pouring out all at once. “I thought... I thought you’d hate me for getting hurt...”

Red pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his hands resting on my shoulders. “Mia, listen to me. I will never hate you. Ever. You’re my sister, and I’ll always be here for you.”

Blue cleared his throat from across the room, his grin returning. “Well, I think that settles it. Red finally said something, and it wasn’t half bad.”

Leaf rolled her eyes but smiled. “About time.”

Red ignored them, his focus entirely on me. He gently wiped away my tears with his thumb and smiled—a small, genuine smile that made my chest ache in a good way.

For the first time in a long time, the fear in my heart began to fade, replaced by something warm and safe. Red didn’t hate me. He never had.

And now, I finally believed it.

The nurse—Leaf, apparently—sighed and gave a wry smile as she stepped back. “Alright, the jig’s up,” she muttered, crossing her arms. “But you know, Mia, I wasn’t lying about one thing: your brother cares about you more than anything else.”

I didn’t respond. My heart was hammering in my chest, my eyes glued to the floor as Red and Blue stepped into the room. Red’s brown eyes were locked on me, soft but intense, and I couldn’t bring myself to meet them.

Blue, as usual, broke the silence first. “Mia, you really need to stop thinking you’re some kind of burden,” he said lightly, though his expression betrayed his concern. “Red would drop anything for you. And trust me, he did. Literally left training the second Leaf called.”

Red nodded, his expression calm but his eyes serious. “Mia...” His voice was quiet, but it was enough to make me freeze. He rarely spoke, and when he did, it always carried weight.

I shrank back slightly, my mind spiraling. He’s mad. He’s going to yell at me. What if I’ve messed up too much this time? My breathing quickened, and I barely managed to stammer out, “I... I didn’t mean to... I didn’t want to bother you...”

Red took a step forward, and my fear took over. “I’m so sorry, Red! Please don’t kill me!” The words tumbled out before I could stop them, my voice shaking as I bolted off the bed, darting past everyone in the room.

“Mia!” Blue’s voice called after me, but I didn’t stop. I didn’t dare look back as I dashed out the door and into the forest, ignoring the pain in my bandaged leg. Tears blurred my vision, but I didn’t care. I had to get away. I couldn’t face him.

I climbed up the nearest tree, my shaky hands gripping the rough bark as I pulled myself onto a sturdy branch. Curling up, I hugged my knees to my chest, trying to steady my frantic breathing. My mind raced with all the worst possibilities. He’s furious. He’ll hate me for this. He’ll—

“Mia.”

The voice made me flinch. I looked down to see Red standing at the base of the tree, looking up at me with those calm, steady eyes. My breath caught in my throat.

“I’m not mad,” he said softly, his tone gentle but firm. “Please come down.”

I hesitated, my grip tightening on the branch. “You’re lying...” I whispered, my voice trembling. “You’re mad... You’re going to hurt me...”

Red’s expression softened, and he stepped closer, placing a hand on the tree trunk. “Mia,” he said, his voice more tender now, “where did you get these ideas? I love you. I’d never hurt you.”

Tears welled up in my eyes again, and I shook my head. “You’re just saying that... I-I broke my leg, and now I’ve ruined everything...”

Red sighed, then began climbing the tree with ease. Within moments, he was sitting on the branch beside me. I tried to scoot away, but he reached out and gently pulled me into his arms. “Mia,” he said quietly, his voice steady but full of emotion, “you could never ruin anything. And you could never make me stop loving you.”

I stiffened in his embrace, my face buried in his jacket as his words sank in. His heartbeat was steady against my ear, a comforting rhythm that began to calm me. “But... I thought...” I hiccupped. “I thought if I messed up, you’d... you’d hate me...”

Red hugged me tighter, his hand gently running over my hair. “I could never hate you,” he murmured. “You’re my little sister. Nothing you do will ever change that.”

I clung to him, my tears soaking into his jacket. “I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “I’m sorry for running away... I just... I was so scared...”

Red pressed his chin lightly to the top of my head. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “You don’t have to be scared anymore. I’ve got you.”

For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself believe him. I let myself relax in his arms, his steady heartbeat lulling me into a sense of safety I hadn’t felt in years.

Red stayed with me in the tree, holding me until the sun began to dip below the horizon.

And even then, he didn’t let go.

The nurse—who, I now realized, was Leaf in disguise—sighed dramatically and pulled off her hat. "Well, looks like the jig is up." She tossed the hat onto the counter and smirked at Blue. "You were right. She really didn’t want Red called."

I froze as Leaf’s words registered, and my eyes darted to the doorway where Red stood with Blue beside him. Red’s familiar brown eyes locked onto mine, and my stomach dropped.

"See? Told you," Blue said smugly, crossing his arms.

Red’s gaze softened as he stepped closer, his lips parting as if he was about to speak. My heart pounded in my chest, and panic bubbled up inside me.

"I’m... I’m so sorry, Red!" I blurted out, my voice trembling. "I didn’t mean to break my leg—I swear! Please don’t kill me!"

The room went silent. Blue and Leaf froze, their faces painted with shock. Even Red stopped mid-step, his expression shifting from confusion to something that looked like heartbreak.

"What?" Red finally spoke, his voice quiet but steady.

I flinched at the sound of his voice and bolted out of the room, ignoring Leaf and Blue calling after me. My mind raced as I sprinted through the hospital hallway, my bandaged leg throbbing with every step. I didn’t care. I just needed to get away.

I pushed open the exit door and ran into the nearby forest, my tears blurring my vision. Finding a tall tree, I scrambled up as high as I could, clutching a branch tightly as I tried to steady my breathing.

Why had I said that? Why couldn’t I just keep my mouth shut? Red probably hated me now. I buried my face in my hands, my tears soaking into my palms.

A few minutes passed before I heard footsteps below.

"Mia."

I froze. It was Red.

"Mia, come down," he said gently. His voice was calm, not angry, but I couldn’t bring myself to move.

"I... I’m sorry, Red," I whispered, my voice shaking. "Please don’t hate me."

Red sighed, and I heard him climbing the tree. My heart raced as he pulled himself up onto the branch next to me, his brown eyes meeting mine.

"Mia," he said softly, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Where did you get these ideas?"

I avoided his gaze, my hands gripping the branch tightly. "I don’t know," I mumbled. "I just thought... if I messed up, you’d be mad. And if you were mad, you’d... you’d..."

"Beat you? Starve you?" Red finished, his voice cracking slightly.

I nodded, my tears streaming down my face.

Red’s expression crumbled, and before I knew it, he had pulled me into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around me securely, and I pressed my head against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath his shirt.

"I love you, Mia," he said quietly, his voice trembling. "I could never hurt you. Never."

My breath hitched, and I clutched his jacket tightly. "You mean it?"

Red pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, his hands resting on my shoulders. "Of course, I mean it. You’re my little sister. Nothing you do will ever change that."

Tears spilled down my cheeks, but this time, they weren’t from fear. I buried my face in his chest again, clinging to him as his steady heartbeat calmed my racing thoughts.

"You’re more important to me than anything, Mia," Red said softly, his voice firm with conviction. "I’ll always take care of you. Always."

For the first time, I believed him. My fear melted away as I stayed in his arms, feeling safe and loved.

The Nurse—who was clearly Leaf, though she wasn’t doing a great job hiding it—shot Blue a glare as he called her out. “Thanks, Blue. Way to ruin it,” she grumbled, dropping the act and crossing her arms.

Red, standing silently beside her, turned his deep brown eyes to me. His gaze wasn’t harsh or judgmental, but it made me nervous all the same. My hands gripped the edge of the examination table, and I looked away, unable to meet his eyes.

Blue smirked. “Yeah, Leaf, your cover was never gonna fool her.”

Leaf huffed. “Whatever.” She turned to Red. “Well, this is your chance. Talk to her.”

“... ...” Red’s brow furrowed as he glanced at her, then back at me.

I froze when I saw him take a step forward. My pulse quickened, and I barely managed to get the words out. “I-I’m sorry, Red,” I stammered, my voice trembling. “I didn’t mean to bother you. I know you’re busy with training, and I—”

Red shook his head, his lips parting slightly. Then, to everyone’s surprise, he spoke.

“Mia, where did you get these ideas?” His voice was calm but firm, laced with concern. “I love you. Training doesn’t matter compared to you.”

My breath hitched. Red almost never spoke aloud, preferring to communicate through gestures or telepathy. Hearing him now felt surreal, but his words weren’t enough to calm the storm of fear in my chest.

I tried to swallow the lump in my throat, but the panic took over. “I’m sorry!” I burst out, shaking my head and sliding off the table. “I didn’t mean to break my leg! Just please don’t kill me!”

The room went dead silent. Blue’s grin vanished, replaced by shock. Leaf’s eyes widened as she froze mid-step.

Red’s expression darkened, but not with anger—his eyes filled with hurt and confusion. He reached out a hand toward me. “Mia—”

I didn’t wait for him to finish. My body acted on instinct, and before anyone could stop me, I bolted out the door. The tears blurred my vision as I ran into the forest, my leg aching with every step. My heart pounded in my chest, but all I could think about was getting away.

I found a tree with low-hanging branches and climbed up, ignoring the pain in my leg. Once I was high enough, I curled up against the trunk, hugging my knees to my chest. I tried to steady my breathing, but it came in shaky gasps.

Why did I say that? Why did I run? Red’s not like that... but what if he is? What if he’s angry?

I barely noticed the sound of footsteps below until a soft voice called out.

“Mia?”

I stiffened. It was Red.

“Mia, I’m not mad,” he said, his voice gentle. “Please come down. I just want to talk.”

I pressed myself closer to the tree trunk, my heart racing. “I-I’m fine up here,” I called back, trying to sound brave.

There was a pause, and then I heard the rustle of leaves. I looked down to see Red climbing the tree with ease. Within moments, he was sitting on the branch next to me.

I flinched, my breath catching. “Red, I—”

Before I could say anything else, he pulled me into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around me securely, and I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my ear.

“I’m not going to hurt you, Mia,” he said softly, his voice steady and warm. “I would never hurt you. You’re my little sister, and I love you more than anything.”

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I clung to his jacket. “But... but what if I mess up? What if I’m not good enough?”

Red pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes. “Mia, you don’t have to be perfect,” he said firmly. “I love you for who you are, not for what you do. Nothing you could ever do would make me stop loving you.”

I stared at him, his words sinking in. For the first time, I saw the sincerity in his eyes. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t disappointed. He was just... worried.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, the tears spilling over.

Red smiled faintly and wiped a tear from my cheek. “You don’t have to apologize. Just... don’t run from me, okay? If something’s wrong, tell me. I’m here for you.”

I nodded, leaning back into his chest. His heartbeat was steady and comforting, and for the first time, I believed him. Red wasn’t going to hurt me. He wasn’t going to leave me. He loved me, and that was enough.