CH Oneshots

Siblings and Secrets

This used to be named "Turtle oneshot" but I rewrote it now, Hope you all enjoy it!

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(Michigan POV)

It was my wing that woke me up, prickles of discomfort stretching from the old wound. Trying to ignore it, I shifted in bed, hoping i'd manage to get comfortable and fall back asleep. None of it was working.

My eyes adjusted to the darkness, and upon looking over at the alarm clock, I groaned. Five thirty AM, Being awake this early was rarely worth the exhaustion it caused once the lack of sleep built up too much.

Burying my face back into my pillow, I tried to forget the discomfort and pain, hoping it might help.

I was close to falling asleep again when I heard a noise from next door, Illinois' room.

Strange, when did he get here? I thought he had plans.

I sat up, listening through the darkness, I could hear him talking through the wall. It was always quietest at dad's house at night, but usually someone downstairs was loud enough to drown out whispers. But not today.

It was more than a bit eerie to have the house so silent. Didn't feel natural somehow.

I sighed and got up, it didn't feel right to eavesdrop. The chances of falling asleep again now were low, better to make sure my brother was alright rather than stare at the ceiling for another few hours.

A faint light was creeping out from under the door that connected our two rooms. after knocking, Illinois' faint talking stopped.

a second or two later, he opened the door.

"Michi?" he said, his expression seemed blank, like he was still processing something. "I didn't know you were around."

I smiled weakly, and shrugged "Was going to stay at the camp but a storm hit. its cold, I don't have to pay for warmth here. Mind if I come in? I thought you said you were going somewhere."

He smiled faintly, "Sure. Wasn't really doing anything anyway." he walked back over to his pet's tank, to which the little shelled reptile swam back up to the surface, begging for food it definitely didn't need, "and the trip finished early."

"Ah too bad," I thought for a moment, then looked at him, vaguely amused "But you talk to the turtle first, and not me? I'm hurt. I thought you liked me more than that."

"you heard me?" he said, a flicker of fear in his voice.

"A bit."

He let out a dry, shaky laugh, "Damn, I always forget how good your hearing is. I thought I was being sneaky."

"No worries it wasn't much, Just something about how that thing," I motioned toward the turtle's tank on his desk, "Is the, and I quote, "Only one who understands you.'"

Illinois gasped, exaggerating his reaction, and put his hand on the glass, like he was protecting it from my words, "How dare you call her a thing, I'm insulted on her behalf! I'll have you know that she is a very good listener. Lot better than some people I know at least." he said pointedly.

"Hey I listen! The issue is you don't talk." 

He rolled his eyes and turned his back to me, "So, what are you doing up?"

I smiled sheepishly and raised the amputated wing, "Wasn't feeling right, its fine though."

"I think I have a heatpad- somewhere, those help, right?" His voice sounded a bit too focused on me, I noted that he was shaking slightly as well. 

"No I'm good," I sighed and moved to sit down at his chair, "But you seem a little pale. Something troubling you?"

The anxiety and tension hidden in his smile was obvious when he turned to look at me, "No! everything's great. Couldn't be better."

my heart sank a little at that. He could be a horrible liar.

"You sure? I can stay and talk with you if you wan-"

"No!" he said sharply, "Nope! I'm good. Thanks anyway though." 

I reached for a pillow nearby on the floor, then threw it at him, more than a bit annoyed. "I might be tired but I can still tell when you're lying"

Dodging it, he sat down on his bed, across from me, "I doubt that."

"Oh really I-" my ear caught a sudden sharp noise, causing me to flinch, "What was that?"

"What was what?" Illinois asked, suddenly alert, A lot more awake than he had been a few seconds ago.

I frowned slightly, "I swear I heard something. But it's gone."

Illinois looked nervous, rubbing one of his hands slightly, "What was it like?"

"A little beep. You know- like a watch or something. But smaller?" I said after a while, I closed my eyes, trying to focus on where it might have come from, but the only audible noise now was the turtle and equipment.

"Must've been the smoke alarm." Illinois decided quickly, but still seemed uncomfortable.

"Hmm. Maybe. I don't think they're supposed to do that thoug-" he cut me off.

"I'll check it tomorrow, Its fine for tonight. You should really get back to your room."

I smiled slightly, deciding then that I'd have to take him for a proper break sometime soon, camping always seemed to cheer him up a little, "Aw! but I'm having such a nice conversation? You really want me to leave now?" 

The tension seemed to dissipate a little and the first genuine smile that night appeared on his face, "Mitch, I appreciate it, But I'd like to be alone right now. You don't need to be so worried, I can handle myself."

"You're my little brother, I'm always worried-"

"Always, always?" he asked, raising an eyebrow skeptically

"Okay maybe not so much when your being a little shit." I admitted, standing up and heading back towards my room, "But other than that- yeah. I hear you pacing your room sometimes, Its not fun you know, I'm here when you need me." 

I wish you'd talk to me now, I wanted to say, but kept that part quiet.

"Again, thank you. but goodnight." he said, closing the door on me, cutting off the light from his room.

a second later I heard the sharp, distinctive click of the door locking, and a heavy sigh of relief. My heart sank a little lower at that.

Feeling discouraged I settled back on my bed, wrapped a quilt over myself. Illinois was hiding something, I could tell that much. I wished I could just go out and ask what was happening, why he'd been so scared and nervous lately. His habit of distancing himself was scary, and it hurt. 

What happened to him to make him change so much? I wished I could have the old person I knew back, and not this hollowed out shell that I saw now.

Closing my eyes I tried to block out the new worries and fear. but one thing was for sure, I definitely wasn't going to get any more sleep tonight.