Sibling spotlight - billie and Finneas story

Finding Rhythm again

Chapter: Finding the Rhythm Again

The room was quiet, save for the soft strumming of Y/N’s guitar. She hadn’t played in front of Billie and Finneas like this in a long time. Sure, there had been casual moments before, like the night before when they’d stumbled upon that new melody. But now, she was playing something personal, something that felt like it came from deep inside her.

Her fingers moved smoothly over the strings, the chords warm and familiar. Y/N started to hum softly, letting the notes wrap around her like a blanket. She hadn’t planned on singing, but the music just flowed out of her, like it had been waiting for the right moment to be heard.

The lyrics weren’t polished—she didn’t even have all the words yet—but they didn’t need to be. They were raw, vulnerable, and real. She sang about feeling lost, about the weight of expectations, but also about finding her way back, slowly, through the music. There were no cameras, no comments, no prying eyes. Just her, her siblings, and the music.

Billie sat next to her, listening quietly at first, her eyes soft with understanding. Then, without a word, she began to harmonize, her voice blending effortlessly with Y/N’s. It was gentle, subtle, but it added a depth to the song that made Y/N’s heart swell.

Finneas was across from them, his eyes closed, nodding along to the rhythm. His fingers tapped lightly on his leg, following the beat of Y/N’s strumming. He wasn’t playing any instruments or singing—just vibing, completely immersed in the sound they were creating together. Every now and then, he would hum a low note or two, adding to the atmosphere without breaking the flow.

Y/N could feel the tension that had been knotted inside her slowly unravel. The pressure that had weighed her down for so long, the fear of judgment, of not being good enough—it wasn’t there in this moment. For the first time in what felt like forever, she was playing music without any bad thoughts creeping in, without feeling like she had to prove herself.

It was just them, like it had always been. She could feel Billie’s voice lifting her up, supporting her through every note, and Finneas’s quiet presence grounding her. They weren’t pushing her, weren’t expecting anything. They were just there, sharing the moment with her.

When she finished the song, Y/N let the last chord ring out, the sound lingering in the air before fading into the quiet of the room. She took a deep breath, feeling the peace settle over her like a warm blanket.

For a moment, no one said anything. Billie and Finneas just looked at her, both of them with the same quiet, proud smiles.

“That was beautiful,” Billie finally whispered, her voice soft but full of emotion. “I missed hearing you sing like that.”

Y/N smiled, a small but genuine one, as she looked down at the guitar in her lap. “I missed it too,” she admitted quietly.

Finneas opened his eyes, the relaxed expression on his face reflecting how much he had been vibing with the music. “You sounded incredible,” he said, his voice calm and steady, as always. “You know, this is the first time in a long time that I’ve seen you play without… without worrying.”

Y/N looked up at him, her smile fading just a little. “Yeah… I guess I didn’t think about it this time. It just… felt good.”

Billie shifted closer, her hand resting on Y/N’s shoulder. “That’s what it’s supposed to feel like. Music isn’t about all the other stuff. It’s about this,” she said, motioning to the space around them. “Just us, making something together. No pressure, no expectations. Just… feeling it.”

Y/N nodded, the weight of Billie’s words sinking in. For the first time in what felt like forever, she realized that this was what she had been missing. The freedom to just be, to create without overthinking, without letting the outside world intrude. And Billie was right—this was how it was supposed to be.

Finneas stood up, stretching before plopping down next to Y/N and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You don’t have to rush anything, Y/N,” he said softly, his voice full of care. “We’re just glad you’re playing again. Take your time, and when you’re ready, we’ll be right here.”

Y/N leaned into his side, feeling the warmth of his embrace. She closed her eyes for a moment, taking it all in. Billie’s hand was still on her shoulder, and Finneas’s arm was wrapped around her, and for the first time in a long time, Y/N felt like she wasn’t carrying everything on her own.

Billie’s voice interrupted her thoughts, gentle but filled with curiosity. “So… you gonna let us work on this song with you?”

Y/N opened her eyes, looking up at her sister with a small, shy grin. “Maybe. If you’re lucky.”

Billie laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners. “Oh, we’re definitely lucky.”

Finneas chuckled, giving Y/N’s shoulder a squeeze. “Lucky and honored.”

Y/N’s heart felt lighter, and for once, the world outside their little bubble didn’t seem so daunting. The music, the connection, the love they shared—it was enough to remind her that, no matter what, she didn’t have to face it all alone.

And in that moment, Y/N realized that maybe, just maybe, she could find her way back to the music she loved—on her own terms.