Pinky Swear

Chapter 4

There's a knock on your room door at two in the morning.

You're up late toiling away at your desk, trying to complete the previous day's assignments before heading to sleep. The Collector had kept you on your toes the entire afternoon, and not a single page of homework was completed in the end.

When you hear the knocking you instinctively move to shuffle your homework back into your folder.

"H-Hold on!"

Before you can hide your uncompleted work, your room door creaks open and your older brother peeks his head in. "Why are you still awake?" He asks groggily, one hand rubbing the sleep out of his vision and the other holding a candle tray to light his path.

"Uh..." You resist the urge to glance down at your open folder, not wanting to draw your brother's attention to the papers— hastily shoved in without any order.

But he catches on quickly, and once he assesses whats in-front of him, he sighs. Your brother lets himself into your room, approaching your desk and setting the candle down onto the table so that he can have a better look. You scooch your chair back shamefully, giving him room.

"You're procrastinating again? I thought we broke that habit, (Y/N)." His tone is light-hearted and genuine, but you can still sense the disappointment behind it.

"Sorry." Is your reflexive response. He sighs again.

"You have nothing to be sorry for." (B/N) briefly glances down at the homework then back at you, "Do you need help? We can get it done faster if we work together. Then you can get to sleep."

But you shake your head, "I'm good, thank you though."

His brows furrow in concern, "Are you sure? I don't want Principal Bump to call me in the middle of work again to tell me that you've started falling asleep in class for the umpteenth time."

It's just been you and (B/N) for as long as you can remember. As someone who's had to act as your parent and older Brother, you look up to him immensely. He gave up a lot and works hard to give you the best life possible. So whenever you disappoint him or make him worry, you can't help but feel guilty.

You want to be able to provide for him too. That's why you've devoted yourself to working towards the position of Head of the Healing Coven. It's an impactful role with high status in the Boiling Isles. It pays well. With an occupation like that, (B/N) wouldn't have to worry about bills, the cost of food, or anything so troublesome ever again. You could help build a better life— for the both of you.

You want to pay him back for everything he's done for you.

"I'll be fine." You give him a confident, reassuring grin. This paper is important for your internship. For your future. "I just need to finish this report from today's infirmary visit."

He raises a brow, "Then you'll go to sleep?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Like, one hundred percent sure?"

"Yep."

"One hundred and one percent sure?"

"(B/N)."

He laughs at your response, satisfied with your answer. "Alright, I'll believe you." Your brother ruffles your hair, before grabbing his candle and heading out back to his room, "Goodnight, (Y/N). Love you."

"Love you too!"

He smiles before shutting the door, and you're left alone with nothing but silence and the flickering flame of your table lamp.