Always There, Whenever You Need (one shot)

Always There, Whenever You Need

I'm technically supposed to be working on my Darry fic, buuuuut my siblings were watching The Thundermans and this popped into my head and I couldn't resist. It's probably really bad honestly (like all my writing 😝) also I write depressing stuff better than fluff. (it's a curse) Time line is basically nonexistent, so bear with me. 😭 Anyways, enjoy if you can!

Today had been a good day. I had defeated another villain, Max finally seemed to be getting over Allison, and Cherry hadn't missed the front step when she came over today.

I was walking up the stairs to the bathroom when I heard it. It was so quiet I barely even registered it, but it was there. A small noise, almost like stifled cry. It seemed to be coming from behind me, but it can't be. The only thing behind me is... Max's lair?

That's impossible! Why would Max be crying? Sure he had been like a depressed, hormonal teenager when Allison broke up with him, but, ohhhh.

He had been unhappy and gorged himself on as much pizza as his bank account could hold, which was a surprising amount, but he'd never let himself cry, at least, not where I could see or hear. When Link had moved away, I had sobbed for three whole days. I'd just assumed he was too tough for that.

"Sometime the people who appear the toughest are the ones who are the most sensitive."

A quote my mom had told me once streaked through my mind. It hadn't clicked at the time, but it really was true. Max had been really upset when I hadn't gone to his gig.

All that isn't important right now. What is important was I'm going to do! Should I go in and comfort him? Or should I let him get it out on his own, I mean, I'm his least favorite person on earth! I'm supposed to be the closest, the most important, person to him but, somehow, I'm not.

"But you ARE important to him." A little voice in my head said. "Why else would he have tried so hard to save you when you were turned evil? Why else would he have kept your clone as safe as he possibly could?

"But we never get along!" I fought back mentally. "Siblings are supposed to be good friends, especially twins, but me and Max fight all the time!"

"All siblings fight! Some more than others, but when it really counts, they're always there for each other, no matter the cost, whenever or whatever you need. He's there for you all the time. You're there for him all the time. He was there when Link had to leave for Hong Kong, now it's your turn!"

I remembered the day Link left.

I had been inconsolable. I had sobbed in my room for two whole days. I hadn't left the whole time. Finally, at 11 o clock pm on the third day, I heard the door creak open. Max had crept in and, after a seconds hesitation, scooted onto the bed and hugged me from behind. Somehow he was able to get me to stop crying, stop feeling bad for myself, and get rid of all that "unhappy teenage girl whose boyfriends just broke up with her" drama. Mom had been trying all day, tired of me being sad, but somehow, Max did it.

That was the deciding factor. I crept back down the stairs, around the fireplace to the door. I walked down the stairs as silently as possible.

Max was curled up in a ball around a pillow in the middle of his bed. The green glow from the lights around the slide entrance giving him a slightly sickly look.

I approached the bed and climbed onto the bed. I gingerly put my hand on his shoulder. I expected it to be shrugged off and Max to start screaming at me to get out of his "lair", instead he jumped and then, without looking behind himself, leaned into it, probably assuming I was Mom.

I lay down on the bed, and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him to my chest.

He turned around to hide his face in my shirt and realized who I was.

"Wha-" he said. I pulled him close.

"Not now." I replied, getting deja vu from when this was the other way around. He seemed to be trying to stop sobbing long enough so that he could form a proper sentence. "Just let it all out."

With a sob, he gave in and let himself be comforted.

I rubbed his back and whispered sweet nothings such as "I got you." And "you're safe." And "I'm right here, I'm not leaving"

After what seemed like hours, Max's sobs slowly died away, leaving only little whimpers in their place. His chest stopped heaving and started quivering with his shaky breaths. I wondered whether I should stay and talk about it with him, or leave and never bring it up again. Before I could decide, Max's breath got heavier and heavier. It wasn't long before he fell asleep.

I decided to stay the night. I'd probably get yelled at in the morning, but I couldn't bring myself to care. All I wanted right now was to be close to my twin and make sure he knew he was safe with me.