𝖑𝖊𝖌𝖆𝖈𝖎𝖊𝖘||𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖔𝖘

0.2

Nakia Hargreeves was practicing her pirouettes in perfect form.

The day had started in Vanya's room watching her practice her violin. Sprawled out on Vanya's bed Nakia suddenly grew bored, so she went to her room, and returned with a book on basic ballet skills. It was a gift from Five who had snuck out of the house and stumbled across books on balance and ballet. Since his sister was covering for him, Five felt a need to repay her somehow.

She had lost control that particular morning and had 'accidentally' set her father's office on fire. That ended her in the basement for the rest of the day. When she returned to her room that night, she found Five sitting in her room with five books in her hand.

"Hey," she whispered.

"Hey," he answered. "Found these. For you."

"How did you-" she started to ask.

"Well, Father was pretty busy with your accident," he cut her off. "So, I snuck out. On my little venture, I found these. Thought it might be a way to stop getting you in trouble. Read them if you want." He set the books on the bed and got ready to teleport out.

Suddenly he felt an arm on his shoulder and he was quickly locked in a hug. He wrapped his arms around Nakia and pulled her closer. She opened her mouth to thank him, but he beat her to it.

"You're welcome," he whispered before he let go.

The books were meant to help her learn to keep herself in check. Control her own emotions and keep herself calm. And it seemed to be doing the trick. With Luther and Allison ignoring her, Diego and Klaus's pranks, Five's gifts, and being with Ben and Vanya almost every moment of the day, she was extremely calm. Pogo's serene nature and his breathing exercises helped as well.

It was bewildering. Her own brother had found a way to keep her levelheaded better than her own father did.

"You're good at that," Vanya commented, setting her violin down.

"Thanks," she said as she stopped twirling. "You're pretty good yourself." She pointed to the violin.

"Why thank you," Vanya said, doing a curtsy.

Nakia laughed. "You got the build for ballet," She told her. "Well, at least that's what the book says. Try it."

"Why so I could fall on my butt?" Vanya retorted. "No thank you."

"Come on," Nakia pleaded. "It'll be fun! Please?"

She held out her arm, which Vanya hesitantly grabbed. She put her hands around Vanya's waist and got her in position.

"First you have to keep your ribs closed."

"Ribs closed," Vanya repeated."Wait how do you do that?"

"Just keep your shoulders straight" Nakia replied.

Vanya straightened up, and Nakia told her to bend her knee. After a while, Nakia started to spin Vanya around by her waist. She started to laugh, which then prompted Vanya's laughter to follow. There was a warmth her brown hair brought to her features, a simple frame for that smile and eyes that held more love than she would ever admit to. The hue altered as the strands curled and moved, as free as autumn leaves playing in the sunshine. Her smile reminded Nakia of the glow of the sun.

Suddenly, Vanya tripped over her feet mid-twirl and went tumbling to the ground falling on her butt. Nakia snickered to herself then held out her arm to a glaring Vanya.

"You're so light on feet," Nakia told the other ten-year-old.

"Right." Vanya rolled her eyes, pouting.