Sibling spotlight - billie and Finneas story

Quite conversations

Chapter: Quiet Conversations

After their impromptu jam session, Y/N stretched her arms out and let out a yawn. The music had left her feeling calm but exhausted, the kind of tired that sinks into your bones after a day full of emotions. She set her guitar aside and gave both Billie and Finneas a soft smile.

“I think I’m gonna take a nap,” Y/N murmured, standing up slowly.

Billie gave her a warm look, her voice soft. “Go rest, sis. You’ve earned it.”

Finneas nodded in agreement. “Yeah, recharge. We’ll be here when you wake up.”

Y/N gave them a small nod before heading up to her room, her feet dragging slightly. She was tired, but for the first time in a while, it wasn’t the kind of tired that came from emotional exhaustion. It was the kind that came from feeling safe and connected. As she slipped into bed and pulled the covers up, she closed her eyes, falling asleep almost instantly.

Downstairs, the living room was quiet. Billie leaned back against the couch, her arms resting behind her head. Finneas was sitting across from her, his expression thoughtful as he stared at the remnants of their blanket fort.

The silence stretched between them for a few moments before Billie spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. “She’s getting better, right?”

Finneas sighed, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “I think so. It’s been slow, but today was the first time I’ve seen her play like that in a long time. No pressure, no second-guessing. Just… Y/N being herself.”

Billie nodded, her lips pursed in thought. “Yeah, I noticed that too. She wasn’t thinking about what other people might say. It was just about the music again. That’s a good sign.”

Finneas tilted his head, his brows furrowing. “But it’s still hard, you know? One good day doesn’t mean everything’s fixed. It’s going to take time.”

“I know,” Billie said softly, her gaze drifting toward the window. “But it’s progress. And I’m proud of her for even getting this far. After everything… I wasn’t sure if she’d ever feel comfortable making music again.”

There was a pause as Billie’s thoughts wandered, her expression growing more serious. “I’ve been thinking a lot, though. I’ve barely written anything lately. Every time I sit down to work on a new song, I get distracted, or I just don’t feel it. I can’t focus.”

Finneas leaned back, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You’ve been worried about Y/N. That’s why.”

Billie sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. “Yeah, but that’s not an excuse. I mean, the fans have been waiting for new stuff, and I’ve just been… I don’t know, neglecting it.”

“Helping Y/N isn’t neglecting your work, Billie,” Finneas said, his tone firm but gentle. “We’ve both been trying to help her through this. It’s been hard on all of us. It’s not something you can just ignore and push through.”

Billie shook her head, her voice laced with frustration. “But I need to get back to it. I feel like I’m letting people down. The pressure’s been building, and I don’t know how to balance it. Every time I think about writing, my mind just goes back to Y/N. It’s like… I can’t focus on anything else.”

Finneas looked at her, his expression softening. “Billie, no one’s asking you to choose. Y/N is family, and family comes first. But you don’t have to sacrifice your music forever to take care of her. She’s healing. We’ve both been here for her, and she knows that. Maybe it’s time you give yourself permission to write again.”

Billie sighed, her fingers drumming softly on her leg. “It’s not just about permission, though. It’s hard to find the energy when I’m constantly worrying about her. She’s only sixteen, Finneas. She shouldn’t have to deal with any of this.”

“I know,” Finneas said, his voice thick with emotion. “But we can’t carry all of it for her. She’s finding her way, even if it’s slow. And you’ll find yours too.”

Billie was quiet for a moment, her eyes distant as she thought about everything—about Y/N’s struggles, about the music she hadn’t been able to write, about the expectations she felt piling up. “I’ve been thinking about what to write lately,” she admitted after a pause. “Maybe something more personal, more raw. I don’t know. But I want it to be real, something that reflects everything we’ve been through.”

Finneas smiled softly. “That sounds like exactly what the world needs from you right now. You’ve always been at your best when you’re honest in your music.”

Billie gave a small nod, her shoulders relaxing a little. “Yeah, I just need to figure out how to start. It feels like I’ve been stuck.”

“You’re not stuck,” Finneas said reassuringly. “You’ve just been focused on something else for a while. You’ll get back to it, and when you do, it’ll be amazing. It always is.”

Billie smiled at him, grateful for his steady presence. “Thanks. I guess I just needed to hear that.”

Finneas shrugged, grinning. “That’s what brothers are for. Besides, we’re in this together, right? Helping Y/N, making music, living life. We’ll figure it all out.”

Billie looked toward the stairs, where Y/N was sleeping peacefully. “Yeah. Together.”

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air. There was still so much to navigate—helping Y/N, getting back to their own work, finding the balance. But in that moment, Billie and Finneas knew they would find a way, because they had each other.

And soon, Y/N would be right there with them again.