Reunited

Chapter 4

Third Person POV

"A-a-are you okay?" she asked softly, trying to get his attention.

He turned to her, his eyes red-rimmed and tired. "I'm fine," he muttered, his voice rough.

Athena didn't believe him. She knew him too well. "You're n-n-not fine," she said, her own voice shaking slightly.

Vittorio sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Just leave me alone, Athena."

Athena reached out and took his hand, her touch gentle. "I'm not going anywhere, and I'm not going to l-l-leave you alone. You n-n-need someone to t-t-talk to."

Vittorio looked at her, his eyes searching hers. "Why do you care so much?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Athena's grip on his hand tightened. "B-b-because I'm your s-s-sister," she said simply. "And I know what it's like to be t-t-trapped in your own h-h-head. I know what it's like to feel s-s-stuck."

"A-a-and I know what it's like to f-f-feel like you're l-l-lost," she continued, her words tumbling out in a rush.

"P-p-please," she said, her voice softening further. "C-c-try to g-g-get out m-m-more. M-m-make some f-f-friends, d-d-do s-s-something y-y-you e-e-enjoy. Y-y-you n-n-need that, t-t-too."

For a long moment, Vittorio just stared at her, then finally nodded. "O-okay," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Athena smiled, her heart swelling with pride and relief. "G-g-good," she said. "I'll h-h-help you."

"I-I-I'm s-s-sorry, I d-d-didn't c-c-catch your n-n-name," she says, still stutering.

"My name is Vittorio, il mio dolce amato." (my precious darling).

"O-o-oh, w-w-well i-i-in t-t-that c-c-case, I-I-I'll c-c-call y-y-you V-v-vitty b-b-bubba!" She said with a shy smile, her stutter evident in her words.

Third persons POV

Athena's eyes widened in horror as she felt the warmth spread down her legs. She had been so focused on trying to have a normal conversation with Vittorio that she hadn't even realized what was happening until it was too late. Now, she was mortified.

She felt her face burning with embarrassment as Vittorio's eyes met hers, his expression softening in concern. "Athena, what's wrong?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Athena's voice caught in her throat as she tried to speak, but all that came out was a pathetic little whimper. She felt herself getting choked up, her eyes pricking with tears.

Vittorio's expression changed from concern to alarm as he quickly got up from the couch and rushed over to her. "Athena, oh no, Athena!" he exclaimed, scooping her up in his arms.

Athena buried her face in his chest, feeling like she was going to die from shame. Vittorio carried her quickly out of the room, not saying a word as he made his way to her pink sparkly bedroom.

He gently set her down on the bed and went to get a diaper from the changing table. Athena felt like she was going to collapse from embarrassment as he came back over to her and began to change her.

"Aww, my poor baby," Vittorio cooed, his voice full of kindness and understanding. "It's okay, Athena. Accidents happen."

Athena couldn't bear the shame anymore and began to sob uncontrollably, her body shaking with sobs. Vittorio held her close, stroking her hair and talking softly to her until she finally calmed down.

When she looked up at him through tear-stained eyes, he was smiling at her with a gentle smile. "You're safe now, Athena," he said. "I've got you."

Vittorio finished changing her diaper and tucked the clean one into place, making sure everything was snug and secure. Then he lifted her into his arms again and cradled her like a baby.

"Feel better?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Athena nodded, still sniffling a bit. Vittorio smiled and gave her a gentle kiss on the forehead before settling in beside her on the bed.

"You know, Athena," he said, "accidents are just that – accidents. They don't define who you are or what you're capable of. You're still the same amazing sister I love and admire."

She smiled knowing she had changed him.

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