BRANCE + RINNEY

finn-centric chapter !

Tears stained the satin-pillow sheet, wine-colored blood mixing in with it to form a lighter shade of red in the fabricated object. Though the boy in the bed was hurting, he still kept his voice muffled.

Finn's phone pinged on his bedside table, vibrating ever so slightly but enough to make it move an inch or two on the wooden surface. He didn't move to grab it, half too tired to and half non-willing to.

Finn's breath stilled as his bedroom door opened and shut, signaling that someone had come in and was now standing in front of the closed door. He closed his eyes, not too tight as to make it not obvious he was still awake. There was silence for a moment, which Finn took the opportunity to let out a shaken breath during. The other person in the room took a step forward, seemingly hesitant as it was light and slow.

"Finney."

Finn let out another breath, relieved more than anything else. He forced himself to sit up, back hitting the cold headboard behind him as he faced his younger sister. "Hey, Gwenny." The girl cringed at the nickname, though a smile played on her lips despite the mental nausea. "Does it still-, are you-," Gwen's eyes met the floor as she fumbled on her words, obviously aware that her brother was not okay but still wanting to check on him nonetheless. Finn looked towards his pillow, grimacing for only a moment, before he returned his gaze to the girl in front of him.

"I'll be alright." Finn's voice wobbled for just a second, though it still caught the attention of Gwen. The girl looked towards her brother, instantly moving towards him when the boy opened his arms for her.

"I'm sorry." The siblings' words mixed together, breathing in sync as the older of the two held the younger close to his chest.

"One of these days I'll get us out of here. I promise you."

Finn's eyes burned as sunlight poured over the encrusted tears in them. Blinking slowly, he sat up once again. Though this time, his sister wasn't in his room with him.

Finn reached to grab his phone, though fought against it at the last second. He could deal with his friends at school. He could deal with Robin at school.

Finn stretched his legs out and swung them over his sheets. He looked down towards his pillow as he stood from his bed, making a quick decision to take the case of it off and throw it in the laundry bin sat in the corner of his room. He'd wash it later that afternoon.

A yawn escaped Finn's mouth as he trudged over to his closet, eyes half lidded as he looked through the clothing pile in front of the doors of the small space. After a few minutes, he emerged from his slouched position with a pair of navy-blue baggy jeans, a grey crew neck, and a pair of fuzzy cartoon socks. It'd have to do.

After getting dressed, Finn grabbed his bag filled with school supplies and a first-aid kit, along with his phone and charger, and made his way out of the bedroom. Gwen, who had been eating bits of cereal from the bowl placed in front of her, smiled at her brother as he appeared out of the hall.

Finn furrowed his eyebrows, smiling slightly as his sister shook her head. Their father wasn't home. Finn placed his things beside the table and left to the bathroom, where he'd wash the leftover tears and blood from his face and brush his teeth.

When he returned, Gwen was no longer eating but was now standing by the door. She turned to Finn, a small smile on her face as she nodded towards the door.