Sibling spotlight - billie and Finneas story

Fragile

Chapter: fragile

The next morning came quietly, with the soft sounds of birds outside and the sunlight creeping through the curtains. Y/N woke up feeling more rested than she had in a while, but there was still a fragility lingering beneath the surface. She felt better, yes, but the weight of everything she had been carrying hadn’t disappeared entirely. It was just… manageable today.

She moved slowly, taking her time getting dressed and heading downstairs. The house felt calm, almost like the quiet after a storm, but there was a slight edge to everything—like it could shift again if she wasn’t careful.

In the kitchen, Billie and Finneas were already there, their quiet conversation stopping when Y/N walked in. They looked up at her, both smiling softly, trying not to overdo it but clearly relieved to see her looking a little brighter.

“Morning,” Billie greeted, handing her a plate of breakfast. “Thought we’d start the day off right.”

Y/N smiled back, though it didn’t reach her eyes fully. “Thanks.” She sat down and began eating, the food comforting but not overwhelming. She was grateful that neither of them was pushing her too hard, not bombarding her with questions about how she was feeling. They were just letting her be, and that was what she needed.

Finneas watched her carefully, trying to gauge her mood. “Any plans for today?” he asked lightly, his tone casual.

Y/N shrugged, poking at her eggs with her fork. “I dunno. I was thinking of maybe… writing a bit. Nothing serious, just messing around.”

Billie’s face brightened, though she kept her enthusiasm in check. “That sounds like a good idea. No pressure, just see what comes.”

Y/N nodded, appreciating how gentle they were with her. There was no expectation, no rush. Just support.

The rest of the morning passed quietly. Y/N went to her room, picking up her guitar and playing a few soft chords. Her mind drifted to lyrics, but every time she tried to form a full thought, she hesitated, imagining the outside world’s response. The voices of online comments and criticism still echoed in the back of her mind, but they weren’t as loud as before.

She played aimlessly for a while, letting the music guide her without thinking too much. It was a fragile kind of peace, but it was there. And for now, that was enough.

By the afternoon, Y/N wandered back downstairs, finding Billie on the couch with her own guitar and Finneas sitting nearby with his laptop. They were working on something, but the energy was light, no stress hanging in the air. Y/N sat down beside them, watching quietly as Billie strummed a new melody.

“Wanna join?” Billie asked after a few moments, her tone easy and nonchalant, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Y/N hesitated, glancing at her guitar sitting nearby. She wasn’t sure if she was ready for something real, for creating again. But the way Billie asked—like there was no pressure, just an open invitation—made it feel a little safer.

“Maybe,” Y/N said softly, reaching for her guitar. She began to play, her fingers shaky at first but finding their rhythm soon enough. The melody was soft, almost hesitant, but it was hers. Finneas listened intently, his eyes flicking between his sisters as the music flowed.

Billie joined in after a while, her voice blending with the chords Y/N played. They weren’t working toward anything in particular, just playing together, letting the music fill the space between them. It felt like a fragile kind of healing—small steps forward, but steps nonetheless.

As the afternoon wore on, they eventually stopped, the room falling into a comfortable silence. Y/N set her guitar aside, her fingers a little sore but her heart lighter than it had been in weeks. She leaned back against the couch, closing her eyes for a moment, letting the feeling settle in.

“You did good,” Billie said softly, watching her sister with careful eyes. “It’s nice hearing you play again.”

Y/N opened her eyes, meeting Billie’s gaze. “Thanks… It felt good. I mean, it’s still hard sometimes, but today wasn’t as bad.”

Finneas smiled, his voice gentle. “That’s all we can ask for. One step at a time, right?”

Y/N nodded, though there was still a fragility in her expression. She wasn’t completely healed, and they all knew that. But there was progress, and that was something.

Later in the day, as the sun began to set, the house fell into its usual evening routine. Y/N was quieter than earlier, her energy starting to fade, but she wasn’t retreating into herself like she had before. Instead, she stayed close to Billie and Finneas, sitting with them in the living room as they watched TV.

Billie glanced over at Y/N every now and then, noting the slightly distant look in her eyes. She could tell that Y/N was still fragile, still carrying the weight of everything, but she was holding on.

When the show ended, Finneas stretched and stood up. “I think I’m gonna make some tea. You guys want any?”

Y/N shook her head, her voice soft. “No, I’m good.”

Billie waved him off. “I’m alright, thanks.”

As Finneas left the room, Billie turned to Y/N, her expression softening. “You’re doing better, you know. I can see it.”

Y/N gave a small, tired smile. “Yeah… I feel better. But it’s still hard.”

“I know,” Billie said, her voice gentle. “And it’s okay to feel that way. You don’t have to be perfect. We’re not expecting you to bounce back overnight.”

Y/N nodded, her fingers playing with the edge of her sweater. “I just don’t want to let you guys down.”

Billie’s eyes softened even more. “You could never let us down, Y/N. We love you, no matter what.”

There was a moment of silence before Y/N leaned over, resting her head on Billie’s shoulder. “Thanks… I love you guys too.”

Billie wrapped an arm around her, holding her close, as they sat together in the fading light of the evening. There was still a fragility in Y/N, but it was balanced by the strength she was slowly regaining. And with Billie and Finneas beside her, Y/N knew she wasn’t facing this alone.

They didn’t have all the answers, and there would still be hard days ahead, but in this moment, there was hope. And for now, that was enough.