Survivor

23 (part 1) > 'If it's still on your mind, it's worth taking the risk.'

"I'm starting to think this is becoming a habit." I complained to Ales, who just let out a small laugh at my grumbling.

I was once again in the hospital wing of the house, due to the whole 'kidnapping incident' earlier. Turns out I had cut my finger deeper than I thought and Ales was tasked with the job of patching me up.

The corner of Ales' eyes crinkled up and he grimaced when took a good look at the cut. I could already tell what was coming. Stitches.

"Yo-" Ales was cut off from speaking by a knock on the door. The door was slowly pushed open and head peeked through, a mop of dirty blonde hair combed back neatly sat on top of his head.

"Ange, come in," Ales waved him over. The boy or young man rather, who I assumed happened to another one of my many male cousins, looked to be around the same age as Ales. They had the same soft look and shared the same comforting aura. They were around the same height and had more or less the same build.

"Bolt this is Angelo, Angelo this is Giovanna," Ales spoke introducing us, sticking to the rather ridiculous nickname he gave me.

"Hey kiddo, I'm Angelo. I'm the same age as Ales over here, and we both majored in the same field." He flashed me a sweet smile when he completed his introduction.

"It's nice to meet you Angelo," I replied my left hand wringing my right wrist, trying to soothe the stinging ache on my ring finger. This attracted the attention of Angelo who grimaced at the sight.

"That's gonna need stitches." He told me, seemingly in pain already because of that information.

"Yeah," I sighed out. "How quick can you stitch me up, Doc?" I turned to Ales, directing the question at him.

"Fairly quickly considering you only need about 4 to 5 stitches but," he paused.

"But?" I prompted him on.

"We ran out of numbing gel. I was supposed to restock earlier this week but it totally slipped my mind because we've been really busy at the office so I didn't get the chance." He sighed sounding frustrated with himself.

"So just stitch me up without it." I shrugged like it was no big deal.

"Without, the numbing gel?" Angelo asked really slowly, from beside Ales.

"We can always-" Ales began suggesting an alternative but I quickly cut him off.

"Stitch me up without it." I completed his sentence for him.

"That's not what I was gonna say," he told me, sending a disapproving look my way.

"Sorry," I muttered quietly. I did feel bad for interrupting him, especially when he was just trying to make this whole situation as painless as possible for me.

"You know," I started off quickly before he could suggest another alternative, "this isn't the first time I'm getting stitches, without a numbing gel or a lidocaine injection for that matter."

"And plus it's just like 5 stitches. So you really don't have to go through all that trouble just for a numbing gel." I continued.

"I won't cry," I told him cheekily.

"I promise," I added on and then held my left hand out towards him, my pinkie extended. He studied me carefully before linking his pinkie with my own and sealing the promise.

Behind Ales, Angelo had already begun gathering and sterilizing everything that would be used. He picked up a rather sharp looking needle and made his way over to the hospital bed I was seated on and carefully took my arm in his, rolling my long sleeves upto my elbow.

I felt a warm hand encase mine, and I looked down to see Ales entwining our finger together. He gaze my hand a soft squeeze, which served as a gentle reminder that he was there for me. It was a gesture I would always be grateful for.

The stitching went smoothly, Ales having stayed by my side throughout the whole process. Not once did he loosen his grip on my hand and in no time, I was back on my feet thanking Angelo.

"No problem, donnina." (Little woman). He gave me a wink before making his way towards the door, "I'll see you downstairs just now."

I have him a nod in reply and turned to face Ales who tugged my hand to get my attention.

"You really did mean what you said earlier, about getting stitches without anything to numb the pain, before?"

I cursed myself for having opened my mouth, not because I might have said too much but due to the worried look on his face. It occurred to me that nearly everything I had said so far, every word I have spoken since arriving here, worried him.

Ales has shown me nothing but love and in the process, become a huge part of my life. Like our morning runs which took place no matter how tired he was after the previous day of work, or how he checked in on me every night, making sure my homework was complete and made sure that before he left the room, I knew that I could go to him for anything.

Or how he started leaving the house a little later every morning, just so that he could sit next to me and make sure I had breakfast. How he complimented my outfit choice everytime I added more colour to it, other than the usual plain old black.

And I love him for it.

These things may seem small to others, but they are consistent. His smile is consistent, his good advice, his warm hugs and those gentle kisses on the forehead. They've slowly helped me along, helped me to feel a bit more whole as a person, help me to rid myself of old bad habits and most importantly, it gave me hope.

Hope that if I did open up, I wouldn't regret it. Hope that I could live a good life if I tried, if I extended an olive branch. Hope that I have finally found a place where I belong, a home.

"I'm a strong girl," I replied squeezing his hand to provide him with whatever reassurance I could. He pulled me into a warm hug, embracing me with his heart and cocooning me in his love.

"I know, and that's what worries me." Hic chin rested on the top of my head as his spoke. "You know you can call me for anything right?" He pulled back looking me in the eye, "even if it's just a hug."

"Yes, I do."

"Good, now let's get you downstairs so that you can meet the rest of this bizarre family." He said, standing up and stretching.

"Ales," I called out causing him to stop in his tracks and turn to face me again. I couldn't help it, now that I had come to the realisation, I just had to let him know.

"I love you." I told him honestly.

If I could have said those 3 words to my older brother for the first time all over again, I would grab the chance with both hands, because the smile on his face right then, it was worth every risk you take in loving someone.

And I was ready to risk it all.
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Hey guys
I know this chapter is ridiculously short, but I will be posting a part two for it.

I just felt like this small chapter should be left how it is, because I honestly just love this whole interaction and how open Giovanna was with her feelings.

I will post part 2 slightly later today.
Catch you guys there.

Thanks for reading
-Rain🖋