" Come on, Jay. I've got you." Kai coaxed, extending his arm under Jay's bed.

The figure under shrank further. Kai sighed.

" Jay, please come out. I promise I won't hurt you."

Jay still didn't move.

" Jay, look at me." Kai said in a firm yet soft voice only he could have.

Jay turned slightly, his eyes widened.

" Look, buddy. I would never hurt you. You know that, don't you?"

No response.

" Jay?"

Jay gave a small nod, and Kai's heart sank.

He still thought Kai would hurt him one day.

Kai sighed and put his head to the ground. He rested his chin on the floor before speaking, the wood of the floor pushing against his chin.

" Jay, I'm your brother. Right!"

" Mmm."

" And I'm always there for you, right?"

" Yeah."

" So why do you think I would want to hurt you?"

No response.

Kai slowly extended his arm and placed it on Jay's shoulders. Jay's hand found his, and Kai squeezed it.

" Why don't you come out and then we talk?" Kai whispered, rubbing his hand.

Jay hesitated before scooting closer to Kai. Kai smiled. " That's it. Easy does it."

When Jay was finally out, Kai guided him to his bed, sat him down, and sat in front of him on the ground, kneeling. " Jay, talk to me."

Jay avoided his face, looking at his hand. Kai took it in his hand. Another hand went on Jay's bouncing foot.

" Jay, look at me."

Jay didn't. Kai sighed. He needed another approach.

He took a deep breath, trying to think of a different way to reach Jay. He knew his brother needed reassurance, but Jay was shutting down, lost in whatever fear or anxiety was clouding his mind. Kai gave his hand another gentle squeeze, keeping his voice soft but firm.

"Hey, remember when we first met, and a few weeks later you told me how you didn't like the storm? That day a thunderstorm struck, and you hid in the closet every time it thundered," Kai said with a small chuckle, hoping to lighten the mood. "But I came to find you, right? I sat with you, and we’d talk until the storm passed."

Jay’s shoulders relaxed slightly, though he still wasn’t looking up. Kai took it as a small victory and continued.

"And I told you that no matter how loud it got, no matter how scary it seemed, the storm would always end. Right?"

Jay gave the tiniest of nods, still staring at his hand in Kai’s.

" And I told you lightning was your element, so it would obey you?"

Another nod.

Kai shifted, sitting down fully on the floor, crossing his legs. "This… this thing you’re feeling right now? It’s just like that storm, Jay. It’s big, it’s loud, and it’s scary—but I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. We’re gonna ride this out together, okay?"

Jay swallowed hard, his lip trembling. Kai could see him struggling, torn between his fears and his desire to trust his brother.

"Why do you even care?" Jay mumbled, his voice barely audible.

Kai’s eyes softened. "Because you’re my brother. Because I love you, Jay. And because there’s nothing in this world that could ever make me want to hurt you."

Jay blinked rapidly, a few tears escaping his eyes. "I don’t know why I’m like this… I just—I get scared that one day everyone will hate me, or leave me, or… or worse."

Kai sat on the bed and scooted closer, now sitting directly in front of Jay, keeping his hands on him, his legs under him. "Listen to me, Jay. No one is leaving you. No one is hating you. You are so important to all of us. Do you know how many times you’ve saved us? Saved me?"

Jay sniffled, finally glancing up at Kai for a second before looking down again. "But I mess things up all the time, Kai. I’m not like you. I’m not strong, or brave… I’m just the guy who jokes around and makes everything awkward."

Kai shook his head, his voice growing more determined. "That’s not true, Jay. You’re one of the bravest people I know. You face things that most people would run from, and you do it with a smile on your face. And the joking? That’s just who you are. It’s what makes you YOU. And we wouldn’t be the team we are without you."

Jay’s lip quivered again, but this time he didn’t pull away. He let Kai’s words sink in, let himself believe them—just a little.

Kai smiled softly, wiping away one of Jay’s tears with his thumb. "We need you, Jay. I need you. And I’m always going to be here for you, no matter what. You don’t have to be scared."

For the first time, Jay looked Kai in the eyes. He was still trembling, still unsure, but there was a flicker of trust in his gaze.

"You really mean that?" Jay whispered, his voice fragile.

Kai nodded. "I mean it. You’re my brother, and nothing’s going to change that."

Jay stared at him for a long moment before he finally broke, leaning forward and burying his face in Kai’s chest. Kai wrapped his arms around him, holding him tight, feeling Jay’s shaky breaths as he cried softly.

"It’s okay," Kai murmured, rubbing his back gently. "You’re okay. We’re gonna get through this. I’ve got you."

And for the first time in what felt like ages, Jay let himself believe it.