Red gently sat on the bed and lifted the covers of my blanket.

I looked up at him with glittery eyes.

He gently lay down and opened his arms, and I scoot into them, pressing my head to his chest where I could hear ( and feel) his heart, thumping calmly. That helped my calm down, and soon I drifted to sleep in Red's arms.

" We need to talk."

Red jumped slightly. Then, making sure I didn't wake up, he turned to see who it was.

Blue and Leaf were standing there, arms crossed.

Red raised a brow.

" It's about her." Blue said, motioning to my sleeping body.

Red nodded, but put his finger to his lip and pointed at me.

" Keep quiet?" Leaf guessed.

Red nodded.

Blue and Leaf sat on the couch while Red stood up,. keeping in mind not to wake me up.

" Red, we think you should start to go all therapist on Mia." Leaf said. " We think it would do her good."

" She trusts you and only you to confess these things." Blue added

Red tilted his head. Why?

Blue and Leaf exchanged glances, then sighed.

"Because, Red," Blue started, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, "she thinks you hate her."

Red's brows furrowed deeply, his hands clenching into fists by his sides. He shook his head firmly, a spark of frustration flashing across his face.

Leaf raised her hands as if to calm him. "We know you don't, Red. But she doesn't know that. She's convinced herself that you look down on her or don't want her around. And honestly, it's breaking her."

Red's expression softened slightly, but his hands stayed clenched. He turned to look at me, still sound asleep in the bed, my chest rising and falling steadily as I nestled into the pillow. He sighed through his nose, running a hand through his messy hair, and sat down on the edge of the couch across from Blue and Leaf.

"She doesn't just need your hugs or quiet reassurances," Blue continued, his voice unusually serious. "She needs to hear it from you-needs to know without a doubt how much you care about her."

"Red," Leaf said softly, leaning forward, "she's carrying all this fear and self-doubt because of something she's built up in her head. And the only person who can fix that is you."

Red looked down at the floor, his fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee as he processed their words. He glanced back at me, the tiniest frown tugging at his lips. Finally, he nodded once, a look of determination crossing his face.

"Good," Blue said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "But don't wait too long, alright? She's getting worse."

Red gave him a sharp look, then stood, his movement silent and deliberate. He walked back to the bed and sat down on the edge, carefully brushing a strand of hair away from my face. I stirred slightly, mumbling something incoherent, but didn't wake. He watched me for a moment longer before turning back to Blue and Leaf and nodding toward the door.

They got the message and stood, quietly leaving the room. As the door clicked shut, Red sighed again and leaned back against the headboard, looking down at me with a mix of tenderness and worry.

----
The next morning, I woke up to the soft sound of Red's heartbeat under my ear. For a moment, I forgot everything-forgot my doubts, my fears, my insecurities. I was just happy to be in my big brother's arms. But then the memories rushed back, and I stiffened slightly.

Red noticed immediately. He shifted, sitting up and placing me gently on the bed beside him. His hands rested on my shoulders, steady and warm. He looked at me intently, his gaze asking questions I didn't want to answer.

"... ...?"

I hesitated, avoiding his eyes. "I'm fine, Red."

He shook his head, clearly not buying it. He tapped my chin gently, forcing me to look up at him.

"... ... .... ... ..."

I blinked. "Why do I think you hate me?" I repeated his unspoken question, my voice barely a whisper. My throat tightened, but I forced myself to continue. "Because... because you're amazing, Red. You're a hero. Everyone loves you, and I'm just... me. I'm just the annoying little sister who gets in the way."

Red's eyes widened slightly, and he shook his head vehemently. He placed a hand over his heart, then pointed at me, his expression firm.

"You... you love me?" I asked, my voice cracking. "Even when I mess up? Even when I'm not good enough?"

He nodded without hesitation, then pulled me into a tight hug. His arms wrapped around me like a shield, and I felt tears streaming down my face before I could stop them.

"I just thought... I thought you didn't want me around anymore," I admitted, my voice muffled against his chest. "I thought I wasn't good enough for you."

Red pulled back slightly, his hands gripping my shoulders as he stared directly into my eyes. "... .... .... ....," he said softly, his voice steady and reassuring.

"You're proud of me?" I whispered, my tears falling even harder. "You really are?"

He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. He wiped away my tears with his thumb, then pulled me back into his arms, resting his chin on top of my head.

Red sighed softly, his brown eyes flickering between Blue and Leaf as he stood silently in the dimly lit room. He glanced at me curled up under the blankets, my soft breathing the only sound in the otherwise quiet space. He adjusted the covers around me carefully, then turned back to face them, his expression unreadable.

"You're the only one she lets in, Red," Blue started, his tone unusually serious. "The way she talks to you, clings to you-it's different. She doesn't trust anyone else the way she trusts you."

Red tilted his head, gesturing with his hands, as if to say, What does that have to do with anything?

Leaf leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. "Mia thinks you hate her, Red," she said bluntly. "She's convinced herself that no matter what she does, she'll never be good enough for you."

Red's eyes widened slightly, a flicker of shock crossing his face. He shook his head firmly, his hands moving quickly to sign, That's not true.

"We know that," Blue said, leaning back against the couch. "But she doesn't. And she won't unless you tell her. You need to talk to her, Red. Make her understand that you care about her."

Red crossed his arms, his gaze flickering to me again. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, he seemed lost in thought.

"You don't have to say much," Leaf added gently. "Just enough to get through to her. She's not going to figure it out on her own."

Red exhaled quietly, his shoulders relaxing as he nodded. He understood now, even if the idea of confronting the situation made him uneasy. He wasn't much for words, but for me, he'd make the effort.
---
The next morning, I woke up to find Red sitting at the edge of my bed, his calm, steady presence grounding me immediately. I sat up, rubbing my eyes.

"Red? What's wrong?" I asked, my voice groggy.

He shook his head and gave me a soft smile, reaching out to gently ruffle my hair. Then, he patted the spot next to him, silently asking me to sit beside him.

I hesitated, but his warm, reassuring gaze made me comply. I sat down, my hands nervously fidgeting with the hem of my pajama shirt.

"What is it?" I asked again.

Red turned to face me fully, his expression more serious now. He placed a hand on my shoulder and signed slowly, We need to talk.

"About what?"

You think I hate you.

My heart sank. I looked away, my hands trembling slightly. "Who told you that?"

Red tilted his head, his expression soft but firm, as if to say, Does it matter?

"I..." I swallowed hard, feeling tears well up in my eyes. "I just thought... You're always so quiet, and you never hug me back unless I force you to, and you look at me like I'm just... annoying."

Red's brow furrowed deeply, and he quickly signed, That's not true.

"But it feels true!" I burst out, my voice cracking. "I've always been the screw-up, the one who makes things harder for you. I thought... maybe you didn't want me around anymore."

Red reached out and gently cupped my face in his hands, forcing me to look at him. His deep brown eyes were intense, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place. He signed slowly, deliberately, You're my sister. I love you.

Tears spilled over as I shook my head. "You don't mean that."

Red sighed softly, then did something he rarely did-he spoke. His voice was quiet, a little rough from disuse, but it carried the weight of his emotions. "I do."

My eyes widened, and I froze, staring at him in shock.

"I love you, Mia," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're not a screw-up. You're not annoying. You're my little sister, and I'll always want you around."

I couldn't hold back the sob that escaped me. I threw myself into his arms, clinging to him as if my life depended on it. "I'm sorry," I cried. "I'm so sorry for thinking that."

Red held me tightly, his hand gently rubbing my back. He didn't say anything else, but he didn't need to. His actions spoke louder than any words ever could.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I truly believed him. Red didn't hate me. He never had. And as I clung to him, I realized I didn't need to be perfect to earn his love-I'd had it all along.

Red crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he considered Blue and Leaf's suggestion. His eyes flicked between the two of them, silently questioning what they meant. Why now? Why this?

Blue sighed, raking a hand through his hair. "Red, don't give me that look. You know what we're talking about. Mia's got it in her head that you hate her. And no, don't try to deny it with those '...' looks of yours. We've seen how she acts around you. She's terrified of disappointing you, and it's eating her up."

Leaf nodded in agreement. "She worships you, Red. You're her big brother, her hero. But something's got her convinced that she's not good enough for you. She doesn't say it outright, but it's there. You need to help her get past it."

Red tilted his head slightly, his expression softening as he glanced back at the bed where I lay, my small figure curled up under the blanket. My breathing was steady, my head still nestled in the spot where his heart had been moments ago.

He exhaled silently through his nose and motioned for Blue and Leaf to continue.

"Look, we know you're not the kind of guy who spills his emotions," Blue said, gesturing animatedly. "But you don't have to give some big speech or anything. Just... talk to her. Let her know you care. Do that Red thing you do, you know? She'll listen to you."

"Exactly," Leaf added. "She trusts you more than anyone. You're the only one she'll open up to. If you don't help her get this fear out of her head, it's just going to get worse."

Red frowned slightly, his gaze fixed on the floor. He remembered the way I'd clung to him earlier, the tears in my eyes as I looked up at him, unsure and scared. The memory made his chest tighten. He had never hated me-not even close. But somehow, I had convinced myself he did, and the thought of it made his heart ache.

Finally, Red nodded once, a silent promise to do what he could.

Blue grinned, relieved. "Good. Now's the perfect time, you know. She's already asleep, so when she wakes up, just... start small. Make sure she knows she can talk to you."

Leaf smiled gently. "You'll do great, Red. We believe in you."

Red gave them a small, grateful smile before walking back to the bed. He sat down carefully, not wanting to wake me, and leaned against the headboard. His hand rested lightly on the blanket, close enough to feel the rise and fall of my breathing.

___

I stirred a little, my eyes fluttering open as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the window. I blinked, my vision blurry, until I saw Red sitting beside me.

"Red?" I mumbled sleepily, rubbing my eyes. "What's going on?"

He smiled softly and motioned for me to sit up. Confused, but too groggy to question him, I sat cross-legged on the bed, facing him.

He hesitated for a moment, then reached out and gently placed his hand on my shoulder. "... ... ...."

I tilted my head, confused. "What do you mean?"

He tapped his chest, then pointed at me, his eyes full of sincerity. "... ..."

I stared at him, my heart pounding. "You... you don't hate me?"

He shook his head firmly, his expression serious. Then he pointed at his heart, then at me again. ".... .... ...."

I felt tears welling up in my eyes. "You mean... you love me? Really?"

Red nodded, his eyes softening. He reached out and pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me tightly. I buried my face in his chest, the tears streaming down my face. "I-I thought... I thought you didn't want me around..."

He pulled back just enough to look me in the eyes, shaking his head. Then, slowly, he signed, "You're my little sister. You'll always be important to me."

I stared at him, my lip trembling. "R-Red... I'm sorry for thinking that... I just... I wanted to make you proud."

He smiled softly and ruffled my hair, his way of telling me I already had.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, the fear that my brother hated me began to fade.

ChatGPT
Red sighed softly, glancing down at my sleeping figure. My small form seemed so peaceful, clutching tightly onto the blanket, but he knew better. He'd seen the fear and self-doubt in my eyes too many times.

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed as Blue and Leaf continued.

"Mia's got it in her head that you hate her," Blue said bluntly, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "She thinks everything she does is a failure in your eyes."

Red's brows furrowed, and he shook his head, mouthing a firm, "No."

Leaf sighed, running a hand through her hair. "We know you don't, Red. But she doesn't believe that. Every time she messes up, she spirals into this... this pit where she thinks she's not good enough for you. She won't listen to anyone but you."

Red looked at them both, his crimson eyes hardening. He gestured sharply at me, then to himself, and then placed a hand over his heart.

Leaf smiled softly. "We know you love her, Red. But she doesn't know it. You need to tell her, show her, in a way she'll understand."

Blue leaned forward, elbows on his knees. "You don't have to say much-heck, you barely talk anyway. But Mia? She looks up to you. You're her world. If you don't tell her how much she means to you, she's gonna keep thinking she's a burden."

Red tilted his head, his gaze softening as he watched me stir slightly in my sleep. My small hand clutched the edge of his jacket, even in slumber, as if afraid he'd leave.

He nodded once.

"Good," Blue said, standing up. "Because if you don't fix this, Red, I will, and you know I'm not as patient as you are."

Red smirked faintly, a rare expression, before motioning for them to leave. Blue and Leaf quietly exited the room, leaving Red alone with me.

____

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of soft rustling. I blinked groggily, rubbing my eyes, only to see Red sitting on the edge of the bed, flipping through an old photo album.

"Red?" I mumbled, my voice thick with sleep.

He turned to me, his eyes warm as he patted the space beside him. I shuffled over, still holding onto the blanket, and peeked at the album.

It was filled with pictures of us-me as a baby, Red holding me awkwardly; me toddling after him with a wide grin; the two of us playing in the snow. Each picture told a story of how much he cared for me, even if he rarely said it out loud.

Red tapped on one picture of us at a Pokémon Center, me proudly holding a Pokéball while he smiled faintly in the background.

"... .... .... ...."

I frowned, trying to decipher his words. "You're... proud of me?"

He nodded firmly, then pointed to another picture of us camping.

".... .... ...."

I tilted my head. "You think I'm brave?"

Another nod.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I clutched the blanket tighter. "But... but I'm not. I mess up all the time, Red. I'm not like you. I'm not strong or smart or..."

Before I could finish, Red placed a hand on my shoulder and gently turned me to face him. His brown eyes bore into mine, filled with an intensity that made my breath catch.

He placed his hand over his heart, then over mine, before mouthing slowly, "You matter to me."

My lip quivered, and I couldn't stop the tears from falling. "You... you mean it?"

Red nodded, pulling me into a tight embrace. His arms were strong and steady, a silent promise that he'd always be there for me, no matter what.

I buried my face in his chest, clutching his jacket. "I thought... I thought you hated me."

He pulled back just enough to look at me, shaking his head firmly. Then, he pointed to the photo album, to all the memories we'd shared, and tapped the side of my head gently.

"... .... .... ...."

Blue's voice echoed in my mind. "He's saying it's all in your head, Mia."

I sniffled, wiping my eyes. "But why do I think that? Why do I always think you don't care?"

Red hesitated, then gestured to me, then his own head, and then made a circular motion with his finger.

I frowned. "I don't understand..."

The door opened, and Blue poked his head in. "He means your delusions, Mia. Your mind plays tricks on you sometimes. It's like when we were kids, remember? You thought he hated you back then, too."

I blinked. "I... I don't remember."

Blue stepped in, sitting on the edge of the bed. "That's because you were four. But Red remembers. He's always remembered."

I looked up at my brother, who nodded. He gently wiped a tear from my cheek and pressed his forehead to mine, a silent way of saying he'd always take care of me.

In that moment, I realized something: no matter what my mind told me, no matter how much doubt I felt, Red would always be there to remind me of the truth.

And that truth was simple.

I was loved.

He blinked at Blue and Leaf's suggestion, tilting his head in confusion. Therapist? Why? His eyes glanced to my sleeping form, curled up where he had left me, my small figure tucked under the blanket. He crossed his arms and waited for them to elaborate.

Leaf leaned forward, clasping her hands together. "Red, you've seen how Mia is. She's been carrying this fear around for who knows how long-that you hate her. That she's not good enough for you. And no matter what anyone says, it won't go away unless she hears it from you."

Blue nodded, leaning back into the couch with a frown. "You're the only person she fully trusts. If you don't step in and help her sort this out, it's just gonna keep eating away at her. And that's not fair, especially since none of it's true."

Red frowned, his brows knitting together. He looked back at me again, his expression softening. He hadn't realized just how deeply I'd been affected, but hearing it laid out like this made his chest tighten.

Leaf stood up, placing a hand on Red's shoulder. "You've got to talk to her. Get her to open up about why she feels this way and help her see that you love her. You do love her, right?"

Red's eyes widened in disbelief at the question, and he nodded emphatically. Of course, he did. I was his little sister. There wasn't a thing in the world he wouldn't do for me.

Blue smirked faintly. "Well, then prove it, Red. And don't just pat her on the head and move on like you usually do. She needs words. She needs to hear it from you."

Red hesitated, looking at his hands. Words weren't exactly his strong suit. He'd always relied on actions to convey how he felt, but this time... he could see that actions wouldn't be enough.

Leaf gave him an encouraging smile. "You can do this, Red. She's your sister. Just be honest with her."

After a long moment, Red nodded. He walked back to the bed, careful not to wake me, and gently sat down on the edge. He reached out to brush a strand of hair from my face, his touch featherlight.

Blue and Leaf stayed silent, watching as Red seemed to make up his mind.

The next morning, I stirred awake, blinking sleepily. My head was still resting against Red's chest, and his arm was draped protectively around me. For a moment, I felt safe and warm. But then the doubts crept back in.

I shifted slightly, pulling away. "Morning," I mumbled, not quite meeting his eyes.

Red sat up and caught my wrist gently, stopping me. "... ...." he began, his voice soft.

I tilted my head. "What?"

He hesitated, his hand tightening just slightly around mine. Then, with a deep breath, he began to sign. "Mia... we need to talk."

I blinked, confused. "About what?"

Red looked me in the eye, his expression serious but kind. "Why do you think I hate you?"

My breath hitched, and I pulled my hand away. "I... I don't..."

"Don't lie to me," Red signed, his movements firm but not harsh. "I know you've been thinking that. Why?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I looked away. "Because... because I'm not like you, okay? You're amazing, Red. Everyone knows it. And I'm just... I'm just me. I mess up, I get scared, I slow you down. Why wouldn't you hate me?"

Red's heart ached at my words, and he reached out to cup my cheek, gently guiding my gaze back to him. His eyes were full of emotion as he signed, "I could never hate you."

"But-"

"Never," he interrupted firmly. "You're my sister, Mia. You're part of me. And I'm proud of you."

I stared at him, stunned. "You... you are?"

Red nodded, his expression softening. "You don't have to be like me, Mia. You're amazing just the way you are. And I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

Tears spilled down my cheeks, but this time, they weren't from sadness. I threw my arms around Red, burying my face in his chest. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry for thinking you hated me."

Red hugged me tightly, resting his chin on top of my head. "You don't have to apologize," he signed over my shoulder. "I just want you to know how much I care about you."

Blue and Leaf watched from the doorway, smiling softly. They didn't say a word, knowing that this was a moment between siblings. And as Red held me close, I finally started to believe him.

Red crossed his arms, leaning against the wall as he stared at Blue and Leaf. His brown eyes were calm yet sharp, silently asking them to explain further. Blue ran a hand through his hair, sighing.

"Look, Red, it's obvious Mia has this... thing where she's scared you don't like her," Blue began. "She's shy around you, she barely speaks when you're in the room, and when she does, it's like she's walking on eggshells. You really didn't notice?"

Red blinked, his brows furrowing slightly. He glanced toward the bed where I was still sound asleep, curled up under the blankets.

"I know you're not great at picking up on feelings," Leaf added gently, "but this isn't just shyness. She's terrified of disappointing you."

Red's lips pressed into a thin line. He gestured toward me, then to himself, a silent way of asking, Why me?

Blue huffed. "Because you're you, Red. The unbeatable Champion. Her amazing big brother. You're everything she wants to be, and she's scared she'll never measure up."

Red's shoulders tensed slightly at that. He shifted uncomfortably, glancing back at me. The peaceful look on my face while I slept tugged at something deep inside him.

"Red, you need to talk to her," Leaf insisted, her voice soft but firm. "She needs to hear from you that you don't hate her. That you're proud of her."

Red tilted his head, his brown eyes narrowing slightly. He motioned to the two of them, then to the door, clearly telling them to leave.

Blue smirked. "What, you're going to do it now? Fine, we'll leave you to it."

Leaf smiled, standing up. "Be patient with her, Red. She's more fragile than she looks."

_____
Someone nudged me.

I stirred slightly, blinking up at him with sleepy, glittering eyes. "Red? Did I wake you up?"

He shook his head, giving me a soft smile before patting the spot beside him. Hesitantly, I scooted closer, leaning my head on his shoulder. His calm, steady presence always made me feel safe, but I couldn't shake the nagging fear in the back of my mind.

".... .... ...." Red's voice was quiet as he looked down at me.

"What did you say?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He paused, then pointed to me, then to his chest, before giving me a thumbs-up. I blinked, confused. "You're... proud of me?"

Red nodded firmly, his brown eyes softening as he reached out to ruffle my hair. My heart tightened, and I looked away.

"You don't have to say that just to make me feel better," I muttered. "I know I'm not as good as you."

Red frowned, gently turning my face toward him. He shook his head, then placed his hand over his heart, his expression serious.

"What...?" I started, but he interrupted by pointing at me again, then placing his hand on his chest and nodding.

"You... really mean it?" I asked, my voice trembling.

He nodded, his gaze steady and unwavering. I felt tears well up in my eyes as I leaned into his arms again. "I thought... I thought you hated me," I whispered. "I thought I was just a burden to you."

Red's arms tightened around me, and he shook his head vehemently. He pointed to himself, then made a small heart shape with his hands before pointing to me.

"You... love me?" I asked, my voice cracking.

He nodded, brushing a stray tear from my cheek. My shoulders shook as I clung to him, burying my face in his chest. "I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry I thought that... I'm sorry I wasn't good enough..."

Red gently tilted my chin up, his brown eyes full of an emotion I couldn't quite describe. He shook his head again, then pointed to me and gave me another thumbs-up.

"You're saying... I'm enough?" I asked hesitantly.

Red nodded, giving me a small smile. For the first time in a long time, I felt a weight lift off my chest. I leaned into his embrace, letting his calm heartbeat soothe me.

"Thank you, Red," I whispered. "I'll try to believe you... but it's hard."

Red frowned slightly, his brown eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and concern. He glanced back at me, still curled up peacefully under the blanket, clutching a tiny Pikachu plush to my chest. Then, he turned back to Blue and Leaf, his expression clearly asking, Why does she think that?

Blue sighed, leaning back on the couch. "Look, Red, Mia's always been... well, shy around you. It's pretty obvious to everyone but you, apparently."

Leaf nodded. "She's scared to say it outright, but she's convinced herself that you don't like her."

Red's brow furrowed deeper. He gestured to himself and then to me, his expression asking, Why would she think that?

Blue groaned. "Because she overthinks everything! She's terrified she's not good enough for you, Red. She thinks you're this perfect, untouchable hero and she's just... her."

Red looked genuinely taken aback, his lips parting slightly in surprise. He turned to glance at me again, sleeping soundly and oblivious to the conversation.

"She idolizes you," Leaf added gently. "But that idolization has turned into this fear that she can't live up to your expectations. She thinks you're disappointed in her, and it's messing with her head."

Red blinked slowly, processing their words. His hands clenched at his sides briefly before relaxing. His face softened, and he looked at me with a mixture of guilt and determination. He nodded to himself, as if silently deciding on something.

"Are you going to talk to her about it?" Leaf asked, tilting her head.

Red hesitated, then nodded firmly. He placed a finger to his lips again, signaling for them to leave quietly so he could think about how to approach this. Blue and Leaf exchanged glances but didn't argue, quietly slipping out of the room.

Once they were gone, Red sat back down on the edge of the bed, careful not to wake me. He watched me for a moment, his brown eyes soft and full of regret. He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his movements gentle and deliberate.

".... Mia..." he murmured softly, his voice breaking the silence.

It was rare for Red to speak, but this time, he needed to. He couldn't let me keep believing such a terrible thing. His voice was quiet, as if testing whether I'd stir.

I didn't.

Red sighed softly and leaned back, waiting for the morning.

____

The next morning, I woke up to find Red sitting on the edge of the bed, looking at me with an unusually serious expression. My cheeks burned, and I quickly sat up, clutching the blanket nervously. "R-Red?" I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his brown eyes locked onto mine. Then, to my surprise, he spoke again, his voice steady but kind. "Mia... why do you think I don't like you?"

I froze, my heart skipping a beat. "I... I don't know what you mean," I lied, looking away.

Red reached out and gently placed a hand on my shoulder, making me look at him. "You think I hate you," he said softly, his words a little halting but clear.

I felt tears welling up in my eyes, and I shook my head quickly. "N-no, I don't!"

Red's gaze didn't waver. "Mia," he said firmly. "You do."

I bit my lip, my hands gripping the blanket tightly. "I just... I just thought you were mad at me," I whispered, my voice cracking. "You're always so quiet, and you never hug me back, and... and I just thought maybe you didn't want me around."

Red's eyes widened slightly, and he quickly shook his head. "Not true," he said, his voice soft but insistent. "Never true."

I blinked up at him, startled by the emotion in his tone. "R-Really?"

Red nodded, his hands moving to grip mine gently. "You're my sister," he said, his voice quiet but filled with conviction. "I'm proud of you. Always."

The tears spilled over, and I couldn't hold back anymore. I threw myself into Red's arms, sobbing into his chest. "I-I'm sorry," I choked out. "I didn't mean to think that. I just... I didn't know."

Red wrapped his arms around me tightly, holding me close. "It's okay," he murmured, his voice steady and calming. "I'll remind you as many times as you need."

For the first time, I felt completely safe. Red didn't hate me. He never did. And as I clung to him, I knew that no matter what, he always cared. I just needed to believe it.

Red stood silently, his brown eyes flickering between Blue and Leaf. His expression was calm, but there was a subtle furrow in his brow that only someone who knew him well could notice. He crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly, silently asking for more explanation.

Blue leaned back on the couch. "Look, Red, it's obvious Mia's got this idea stuck in her head. She thinks you hate her. And it's messing her up."

Leaf nodded. "She's always so shy around you, Red. Everyone sees it. She looks at you like she wants your approval more than anything, but she's too scared to ask for it."

Red frowned, his lips pressing into a thin line. He glanced toward the bed, where I lay sleeping peacefully, my head still resting on the pillow where his warmth lingered.

"... .... ....?" Red gestured, his hands moving slowly.

"Why does she think you hate her?" Blue translated with a sigh. "Honestly, I don't know, man. But you need to talk to her. Like, really talk to her."

Red stared at Blue, clearly unimpressed. He tapped his throat, then his lips, reminding Blue of the obvious: I don't talk.

Leaf spoke up. "You made an exception once, right? You can do it again. For her."

Red looked away, his jaw tightening slightly. He didn't argue, but he didn't agree either. His silence filled the room, heavy with thought.

"Red." Blue's voice softened. "She's your sister. She thinks the world of you, even if she doesn't say it out loud. You've got to let her know you feel the same way."

Red's brown eyes shifted back to me. I was still fast asleep, curled up under the covers, my breathing soft and even. He sighed quietly, as if the weight of the conversation had finally settled on him.
____

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of soft rustling. My eyes fluttered open to find Red sitting on the edge of the bed, watching me with a calm, steady gaze. For a moment, I froze, unsure of what to do.

"... ...." he signed, gesturing for me to sit up.

I hesitated, my hands gripping the blanket. "Is... is something wrong?" My voice was barely a whisper.

Red shook his head, then patted the space beside him. Slowly, I moved to sit next to him, still clutching the blanket like a shield.

He turned to face me, his brown eyes soft but serious. "Mia," he began quietly, his voice low and steady. I froze. It wasn't often Red spoke-he almost never did-but when he did, it meant something important.

"I don't hate you." His words were simple, but they hit me like a tidal wave.

Tears welled up in my eyes before I could stop them. "But... but you're always so quiet. You don't hug me back, and... and you're always looking at me like you're mad."

Red shook his head, his expression almost pained. "I'm not mad. I've never been mad at you, Mia." His voice softened even further, like he was trying to coax the truth out of me. "Why do you think I hate you?"

I bit my lip, staring down at my hands. "Because... I'm not like you. I mess up a lot, and I'm not strong or brave like you. You're this amazing Trainer, and I'm just... me."

Red's hand gently rested on my shoulder, surprising me. "You're my sister. That's enough." He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "I don't need you to be like me. I like you the way you are."

Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I looked up at him, my voice breaking. "Really?"

Red nodded firmly. "Really."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his chest. For a moment, I expected him to tense up or push me away. But instead, he wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly.

"You don't have to be scared, Mia," he said quietly. "I'll always be here for you."

In that moment, all my doubts and fears melted away. Red didn't hate me. He never had. And now, I knew that for sure.

Red tilted his head, his brown eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. He crossed his arms and glanced between Blue and Leaf.

"Because," Leaf began, her voice quiet to avoid waking me, "she's scared, Red. Scared that you hate her."

Red's eyes widened slightly. He opened his mouth as if to argue, but Blue held up a hand to stop him.

"Don't try to deny it, Red. You might not feel that way, but that's what Mia thinks. She's been carrying this around for who knows how long."

Red furrowed his brows, glancing over at me. My small frame was curled up under the blankets, my breathing steady and calm for the first time in a while. He ran a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated with himself.

"She's shy around you, Red," Leaf added softly. "You haven't noticed?"

Red shook his head, a flicker of guilt crossing his face.

"It's obvious to everyone else," Blue said. "You're her big brother, the person she looks up to the most. But she's scared she'll never live up to your expectations, that she'll disappoint you."

Red's jaw tightened, and he looked at me again. His gaze softened as he took in how peaceful I looked in my sleep, completely unaware of the conversation happening about me. Slowly, Red nodded, his expression resolute.

"That's why you have to talk to her," Leaf said. "Really talk to her. She trusts you, Red. More than anyone else."

Red nodded again, this time more firmly. He raised a hand and motioned for Blue and Leaf to leave.

"Don't mess this up," Blue said quietly as he stood. "She needs you."

With that, Blue and Leaf slipped out of the room, leaving Red alone with me. He sighed and sat back down on the bed, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from my face.

The next morning, I woke up to find Red sitting at the edge of the bed, watching me with his usual calm expression. I blinked sleepily and rubbed my eyes.

"Red?" I mumbled.

He turned to look at me fully, his brown eyes soft. He motioned for me to sit up, and I hesitantly did, clutching the blanket to my chest.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Red reached over and placed a hand on my shoulder, his touch light and reassuring. Then, to my surprise, he spoke.

"Mia," he said, his voice quiet but steady. "We need to talk."

My eyes widened. Red rarely spoke, and when he did, it was never casual. Hearing him say my name sent a mix of emotions through me-confusion, fear, and a faint flicker of hope.

"What... what about?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.

He met my gaze, his expression serious but kind. "You think I hate you," he said simply.

I froze, my hands tightening on the blanket. "I... I don't..."

"You do," he interrupted gently. "I can tell. And I want you to know that you're wrong."

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I quickly looked down, refusing to let them fall. "But... but you're always mad at me. You never hug me back. And... and you're amazing, Red. I'll never be as good as you."

Red sighed and scooted closer, his hand moving from my shoulder to gently tilt my chin up so I had to look at him. "Mia, listen to me," he said, his voice firmer now. "You're my sister. I don't care if you're good at battling or if you make mistakes. I don't care if you're scared or shy or anything else. I don't want you to be me. I want you to be you."

I stared at him, my vision blurry with tears. "You... you really mean that?"

Red nodded, his brown eyes earnest. "You don't have to earn my love, Mia. You've always had it."

That was all it took. I burst into tears, and before I could stop myself, I threw my arms around him. For a moment, I was terrified he would push me away. But instead, Red wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly.

"I'm sorry," I sobbed into his jacket. "I'm sorry I thought you hated me."

Red shook his head and rested his chin on top of my head. "You don't have to apologize. I should've told you sooner."

For the first time in years, I felt like the weight on my chest was finally gone. Red didn't hate me. He never had. And in that moment, wrapped in his arms, I knew I'd never doubt him again.

He frowned slightly, his brown eyes glinting with curiosity and concern. He glanced over at me, still sound asleep, curled up with my head resting on the spot where he had been moments ago. Then he turned back to Blue and Leaf, tilting his head slightly, silently asking for more clarification.

Blue leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Look, we've all noticed it. Mia's... different around you. She's shy, Red. Not just normal shy, either-she's scared."

Red's brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face. He crossed his arms, waiting for Blue to continue.

"It's not that she doesn't love you," Leaf interjected softly. "She does. A lot. But she's got this idea in her head that you hate her."

Red's arms dropped, and his face shifted to shock. He glanced back at me again, as if trying to process what he'd just heard. Then he turned back to Blue and Leaf, his hands moving in rapid, sharp gestures.

"Why would she think that?"

Leaf sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We don't know. But it's something that's been building up for a while now. You know how Mia is-she keeps everything inside, especially around you. She's terrified of disappointing you."

Red stared at them for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, he moved to the couch, sitting beside them. His hands formed slow, deliberate signs as his brown eyes softened.

"She's my little sister. I don't hate her. I could never hate her."

Blue shrugged. "Yeah, we know that. But she doesn't. And that's the problem."

Red glanced down at his hands, his mind clearly racing. For someone who rarely spoke-literally-he always found a way to communicate. But now, he felt like words-signed or spoken-might not be enough. Still, he needed to try.

Leaf leaned forward. "Red, you need to talk to her. Not just gestures, not just pats on the head. Actually talk to her. She's been carrying this fear for so long that it's eating her up inside."

Red's jaw tightened, and he looked down at his lap. He hated speaking-it wasn't that he couldn't, but it never felt right. Yet, for me... maybe he could make an exception. He nodded slowly.

Blue clapped him on the back. "Good. Because if anyone can get through to her, it's you."

____

Later that night, after Blue and Leaf had left, Red sat back on the bed, watching me sleep peacefully. He sighed silently, brushing a strand of hair from my face. Slowly, I stirred, blinking up at him with tired, glittery eyes.

"Red...?" I mumbled, my voice small and uncertain.

He nodded, smiling softly, and patted his chest, inviting me to scoot closer. I hesitated for a moment, my shyness creeping in, but then I moved, pressing my head to his chest. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat calmed me instantly.

But then, Red did something unexpected.

"Mia."

I froze. His voice was soft, quiet, and warm-but it was still his voice. I sat up slightly, staring at him with wide eyes.

"Red...?"

He nodded, his expression serious. "We need to talk."

I blinked, confusion and nervousness washing over me. "A... about what?"

He gently pulled me closer, holding me in his arms as he looked into my eyes. "You think I hate you."

My breath hitched. "I... I don't-"

He shook his head, cutting me off. "Don't lie. I know you do."

I bit my lip, tears welling up in my eyes. "I just... I don't want to disappoint you. You're so amazing, Red. Everyone loves you. And I'm just... me. I'm not special. And... and I'm scared that if I mess up, you won't want me around anymore."

Red's brown eyes softened, and he reached up to wipe away the tears streaming down my face. "Mia," he said softly, his voice steady but full of emotion, "you're my sister. You don't have to be special or perfect for me to love you. I already do. Always."

I stared at him, my tears falling harder now. "But... I'm always in trouble. I make things harder for you. And... and you never hug me back, so I thought..."

He gently pulled me into a tight hug, resting his chin on my head. "I didn't know you felt like that. I'm sorry. I'll do better, Mia. But you need to know something."

I sniffled, clutching his jacket tightly. "What?"

He leaned back slightly to look at me, his eyes firm. "You don't have to earn my love. You already have it. And you always will."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I burst into tears, burying my face in his chest as I clung to him. "I'm sorry, Red! I'm sorry I thought that!"

He just held me, his strong arms wrapping around me protectively. "It's okay. I'm here now. And I'll always be here."

For the first time in a long time, I truly believed him. And in that moment, I knew I didn't have to be scared anymore.

Red's brown eyes softened as he processed Blue and Leaf's suggestion. He glanced over at me, curled up under the blanket where I had fallen asleep after crying earlier. My small figure seemed so vulnerable, and for a moment, he felt his chest tighten.

"Red," Leaf said gently, breaking his thoughts. "We're worried about Mia. She's carrying this fear that you hate her. It's... unhealthy. She's shy around you, she second-guesses every little thing she does, and you're the only one she trusts enough to even try talking about this. You've noticed how she clings to you, haven't you?"

Red furrowed his brows, tilting his head in confusion. He looked between Leaf and Blue, his expression silently asking, What do you mean?

Blue sighed, leaning back on the couch. "You're good at keeping calm, Red, but I think you missed the signs. Mia's shy around you because she's scared. Not just nervous-scared. Like, she thinks if she messes up, you're going to abandon her or something. And that's not something a kid her age should be thinking about her big brother."

Red's eyes widened in shock. He turned back to look at me, the corners of his mouth slightly downturned as if the idea of me fearing him was too absurd to comprehend. Slowly, he turned back to Blue and Leaf and crossed his arms, his expression firm as if saying, She knows I'd never do that.

But Leaf shook her head. "No, Red, she doesn't. In her head, she's convinced herself that you'll stop loving her if she does something wrong. It's probably tied to that delusional disorder thing Blue told me about-something she can't fully control. And it's not her fault. But you're the one person who can pull her out of this spiral."

Red lowered his head, processing everything. He thought back to the times I'd hesitated to speak to him, the way I avoided looking directly into his eyes unless I absolutely had to, and how often I clung to him like he was the only safe place in the world. It was true-I wasn't just shy. I was terrified of disappointing him. And it hurt him more than he'd ever admit.

"Look, we're not saying you're doing anything wrong," Blue added, his tone gentler now. "You're a good brother, Red. But she doesn't know that the way you think she does. You've gotta show her. Talk to her. Let her know it's okay to make mistakes."

Red nodded slowly, determination flickering in his brown eyes. He knew what he had to do.

----

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of soft breathing. My head was still resting against Red's chest, his steady heartbeat lulling me into a rare sense of calm. When I stirred, he gently ran a hand through my hair, something he rarely did, but it made me feel safe.

"Good morning," I mumbled shyly, not meeting his gaze.

Red tilted his head slightly, as if asking, Did you sleep well?

I nodded, clutching the blanket close to me. But even as I tried to act normal, the familiar fear started creeping back in. What if I'd done something wrong yesterday? What if I'd annoyed him? What if he finally decided he didn't want me around anymore?

Red must've noticed the way my shoulders tensed because he sat up and gently tapped my hand, motioning for me to look at him. Hesitantly, I glanced up into his warm brown eyes.

He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his notepad, quickly scribbling something down before showing it to me:
We need to talk.

My heart sank. That phrase never led to anything good, right? My hands started to tremble, and I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. "Did I... did I do something wrong?" I whispered.

Red's eyes widened, and he immediately shook his head, waving his hands to reassure me. He scribbled again:
No. You didn't do anything wrong.

I blinked up at him, confused. "Then... what is it?"

Instead of writing, Red did something he rarely ever did: he spoke. His voice was soft, almost shy, but it was steady. "Mia."

I froze. Red never spoke. The fact that he'd broken his silence for me made my chest tighten, but I couldn't tell if it was from fear or something else.

"You're scared of me," he said slowly, his words careful and deliberate. "Why?"

Tears spilled over as I looked down, unable to face him. "I don't know," I mumbled. "I just... I always feel like if I mess up, you're going to hate me. That you'll stop feeding me or-" My voice cracked. "Or give me up for adoption."

Red's breath hitched, and before I could say anything else, he pulled me into a tight hug. He didn't let go, even as I cried into his chest. "Never," he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. "Mia, I would never do that to you. Never."

I clung to him, my small hands gripping his jacket like it was a lifeline. "But what if I'm not good enough?" I choked out.

"You are," he said firmly, pulling back just enough to look me in the eyes. "You're my sister. That's enough."

For the first time in years, I believed him. And in that moment, the fear that had been suffocating me started to loosen its grip. Red's words weren't just comforting-they were a promise.

A promise that I wasn't alone.

Red glanced back at me, my small figure curled up under the covers, my breathing soft and even as I clung to his pillow in my sleep. His brown eyes darkened with concern. He gave a short nod, signaling Blue and Leaf to continue.

Blue leaned forward, his arms resting on his knees. "She's got it in her head that you hate her, Red. That if she messes up, you'll... I don't know, abandon her or something. It's not healthy. And you, of all people, can fix it."

Leaf nodded in agreement, her green eyes filled with worry. "Mia's shy around you, Red. Everyone can see it. She flinches when you're around, like she's scared of disappointing you. It's heartbreaking."

Red furrowed his brow and shook his head, confused. "... .... ...."

Blue translated the unspoken words as if they were second nature. "You didn't know? Seriously?" He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Of course you didn't."

Red crossed his arms, his gaze flicking back to me, still sound asleep, my hand clutching his jacket that he'd draped over me earlier. His expression softened, but his jaw tightened as guilt crept in.

Leaf placed a hand on Red's arm, her voice soft but firm. "She idolizes you, Red. You're her world. But somewhere along the way, she got this idea in her head that if she's not perfect, you'll stop caring about her."

Red's eyes widened slightly, his lips parting in surprise. He looked at me again, his gaze lingering as if trying to piece together how he'd missed this.

"Look," Blue said, sitting back with a sigh. "You've always been quiet, but to Mia, that silence probably feels like judgment. You don't say anything, so her mind fills in the gaps-and it's filling them with the worst-case scenarios."

Leaf nodded. "You're going to have to say something, Red. You need to tell her, out loud, that you love her, that you'd never hurt her. Otherwise, she's just going to keep believing the lies her head's telling her."

Red's jaw tightened again, and he gave a single nod, determination flickering in his brown eyes. He walked back to the bed and knelt beside it, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair from my face. His touch was so careful, it barely disturbed me.

"... ... ...." His voice was barely audible, but Blue and Leaf caught the words.

Blue smiled faintly. "Good. Start with that."

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. Blinking sleepily, I noticed Red sitting in the chair beside the bed, his arms crossed as he watched me.

I hesitated, shyly pulling the blanket up to my chin. "Good morning," I mumbled, my voice barely audible.

Red smiled faintly and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Mia..." His voice was soft but firm.

My eyes widened in shock. Red almost never spoke, and hearing my name come from him felt... different. Special. "Y-Yes?" I stammered, my fingers clutching the blanket nervously.

Red took a deep breath and met my gaze, his brown eyes warm and steady. "You're my sister," he began, his voice quiet but steady. "I'll always love you. No matter what."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I shook my head. "But... but what if I mess up? What if I'm not good enough? What if-"

Red reached out and took my hand, cutting me off. "No matter what," he repeated firmly. "I'll never hate you. I'll never leave you. And I'll never stop taking care of you."

The tears spilled over, and I covered my face with my hands. "But I thought... I thought you didn't like me..."

Red gently pulled my hands away and squeezed them. "I've never hated you, Mia," he said, his voice softening. "I'm sorry if I ever made you feel that way."

I looked up at him, my vision blurry with tears. "Really?"

Red nodded and gave me a small, reassuring smile. "Really."

I couldn't hold back anymore. I launched myself into his arms, clutching him tightly as I sobbed into his chest. "I'm sorry," I cried. "I'm sorry for thinking that. I just... I didn't know..."

Red hugged me back just as tightly, his hand gently patting my back. "You don't have to be perfect, Mia. You're my little sister, and that's enough."

For the first time in a long time, I felt the weight lift from my chest. I clung to Red, my tears soaking into his jacket, but I didn't care. He didn't care. All that mattered was that I finally knew the truth. My brother loved me. And he always would.

Red sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, glancing at my small, sleeping form nestled in the bed. His usually calm expression carried a hint of worry as he thought about what Blue and Leaf had said. He wasn't one to show emotions outwardly, but the subtle crease in his brow and the way his eyes softened whenever he looked at me gave away more than he probably realized.

Blue leaned forward on the couch, resting his elbows on his knees. "Listen, Red. It's obvious she's got it in her head that you hate her. She's afraid of you. And, honestly, she's terrified you're going to do something like—"

"—throw her away," Leaf finished softly, glancing at me. "She thinks she's not good enough for you."

Red's brown eyes widened slightly. He immediately shook his head, raising his hands in frustration as if to say, How could she think that?

"She's got this idea," Blue said, leaning back. "Something happened in her head. Maybe she misunderstood something you did, or maybe it's just her own fears getting to her. Either way, she won't let it go unless you talk to her."

Red crossed his arms, tilting his head slightly. But what do I say? his expression seemed to ask.

Leaf sighed, brushing her bangs out of her face. "You don't have to say much. You don't even have to say anything if you don't want to. But you need to show her, Red. Show her that you love her, that you're proud of her, that there's nothing she could do to make you stop caring."

Red's eyes softened again, and he glanced at me. I shifted slightly in my sleep, clutching the edge of the blanket. His lips pressed into a thin line as he thought about what they said.

"You're the only one she really opens up to, Red," Blue added. "She's shy around you, yeah, but it's because she's so scared of disappointing you. She needs you to be the one to tell her she's enough."

Red nodded slowly. He ran a hand through his hair, then motioned toward the door, signaling that he'd handle it.

Blue and Leaf exchanged a glance before getting up and quietly leaving the room.

When I woke up the next morning, sunlight was streaming through the window. I blinked groggily, realizing I was still in bed—and Red was sitting on the edge of it, watching me with a small, patient smile.

"Morning," I mumbled shyly, pulling the blanket closer to my chin.

Red nodded, then reached over and gently patted my head. His touch was soft, comforting, and it made my heart ache with emotions I couldn't quite explain.

He motioned for me to sit up, and I hesitated before obeying. Once I was upright, he scooted closer, his brown eyes locking onto mine.

".... ....," he began, his voice soft.

I froze, staring at him. He rarely spoke. Hearing his voice—calm, deliberate, and filled with an emotion I couldn't place—made my chest tighten. "Y-you're talking to me?" I whispered.

Red nodded. He reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes serious but kind. "Mia..." His voice was steady, though slightly hesitant. "You... mean everything to me."

My eyes widened, and my mouth opened slightly, but no words came out.

He looked down briefly, as if searching for the right words. "I don't hate you," he said, his voice firmer this time. "Never have. Never will."

Tears started to well up in my eyes, but I shook my head. "But... but I'm always messing up. I'm not like you. I'll never be like you. And... and I thought if I did something wrong, you'd... you'd stop feeding me or..." My voice broke. "Or give me up."

Red's eyes widened in shock, and he immediately pulled me into a hug. His grip was firm but gentle, as if he was trying to protect me from my own thoughts.

"..... .... ...."

I sniffled. "What did you say?"

Red pulled back just enough to look at me. His brown eyes were filled with an intensity I'd never seen before. "I'm your brother. I'll never give you up. Never stop feeding you. Never stop loving you."

Tears spilled down my cheeks, and I buried my face in his chest, clutching his jacket. "I-I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry for thinking that."

Red shook his head, gently patting my back. He pulled out a notepad from his pocket and scribbled something down, then handed it to me.

The note read: It's not your fault. You're enough, Mia. Always have been.

I stared at the words, my vision blurred by tears. Then I looked up at him, my voice trembling. "Do you really mean that?"

Red nodded, his expression softening. He held up his pinky, silently asking for a promise.

I hooked my pinky around his, feeling a small smile break through the tears. "Okay. I'll try to believe you."

Red gave me one of his rare, small smiles and pulled me into another hug. For the first time in a long time, I felt like everything might just be okay.