I was sitting on the cool stone floor of the cave, my back against the damp wall as I stared into the glimmering glow of the moonstones. My mind was a whirlwind—thoughts of betrayal, anger, and confusion flooding me. I didn’t want to care about anything or anyone, especially not Red or Blue. I was done. I didn’t need anyone.

But then I felt it.

A warm, familiar touch on my shoulder.

I froze. The weight of the hand on my back felt like it grounded me, pulling me back to reality. Slowly, I turned my head to look over my shoulder.

There, standing just a few feet away, was Red.

He stood still, looking at me with those wide, concerned eyes of his, not saying a word. It was just him, silent but loud in the way he was present. I opened my mouth to yell at him—tell him to go away, that he didn’t belong here. I was better off without anyone. But when I opened my mouth, all that came out was a shaky breath, and the words I tried to say were lost in the knot in my throat.

Then, before I could even move, Red did something I never expected.

He stepped forward, wrapped his arms around me, and hugged me.

He held me so tightly that I couldn’t breathe at first, but then... then it felt like all the weight I was carrying, the anger, the bitterness, the hurt, started to melt away just a little. He didn’t speak, not a single word. Just held me, his arms strong but gentle, as if he knew that’s what I needed, even if I couldn’t admit it.

For the longest time, neither of us said anything.

I finally, hesitantly, raised my arms and hugged him back. The moment I did, I felt the tears start to fall. My eyes burned, my heart ached, and I realized how much I had been holding in. But Red was there, not judging me, not rushing me to stop crying. He just held me, just like he used to when we were kids and I’d get upset over something silly.

I pulled away slightly, sniffling. “You... you’re not gonna just leave again, right?” I whispered.

Red didn’t respond with words. He didn’t need to. Instead, he squeezed me tighter and rested his cheek on my head. The gesture was more comforting than anything he could’ve said. I felt the warmth of his presence, the feeling of being cared for, even when I didn’t deserve it.

I closed my eyes and sighed, my shoulders trembling as I allowed myself to finally break down.

"I... I'm sorry," I muttered through my tears. "I didn’t mean to push everyone away, I... I just got so mad."

Red didn’t let go, not even when I said those words. He just stayed there, his silent support wrapping around me like a safety net.

I pulled away slightly again, wiping at my eyes with the back of my hand. “Red, I... I didn’t mean to scream at you. I just—”

He placed a finger gently on my lips, stopping me. He gave a small, almost sad smile as he shook his head.

I stared at him for a moment, confused. Then I realized.

“You’re not mad at me?” I asked in disbelief.

Red shook his head again. His expression softened as he lowered his hand from my lips and placed it gently on my shoulder.

I swallowed hard, my mind still swirling with emotions. “You’re still my brother, right? Even after everything?”

Red nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving mine.

And it was in that moment, standing there with him, holding me like he used to when we were kids, that I finally understood. Red wasn’t going anywhere. Even if I was angry, even if I was broken, he would always be there.

I sighed, feeling a weight lift off my chest.

“Thanks, Red,” I whispered, my voice trembling.

He didn’t respond with words, but his arms tightened around me again, and that was enough. It was more than enough.