Sibling spotlight - billie and Finneas story

Threads of hope

Chapter: Threads of Hope

The days rolled into a blur, with each moment feeling heavier than the last. Y/N spent most of her time curled up in the living room, lost in her thoughts or dozing off. It was like a dark cloud hung over her, casting shadows that never seemed to lift. Billie and Finneas tried to fill the silence with music and laughter, but Y/N remained distant, floating somewhere just out of reach.

One rainy afternoon, as the soft patter of droplets hit the window, Y/N sat cross-legged on the couch, staring blankly at the wall. The sound of Billie humming softly to herself in the kitchen was a faint comfort, but it felt too far away to penetrate the bubble of despair that surrounded her.

Finneas walked into the room, his heart aching at the sight of his little sister so lost. He glanced over at her, contemplating whether to say something or let her be. But something inside him stirred—a need to try, to reach out.

“Hey, Y/N,” he said gently, hoping to catch her attention. “I was thinking about making some cookies. Want to help?”

Y/N didn’t respond immediately, her gaze still fixed on the wall. Finneas felt his heart sink, but he refused to give up. “We could make your favorite—chocolate chip. You know, the ones with the extra chocolate?”

After a long moment, Y/N’s gaze finally flickered to him, a hint of curiosity breaking through her fog. “I don’t know if I can.”

“You can,” he insisted, taking a step closer. “It’ll be fun. Just like old times. We’ll crank up some music and make a mess in the kitchen. What do you say?”

Y/N hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes. “But what if… what if I mess up?”

Finneas knelt beside her, meeting her gaze with earnestness. “It doesn’t matter if you mess up. That’s the best part! It’s all about having fun together. Besides, I’ll be right there to help. You won’t be alone, I promise.”

For the first time in days, a small spark of hope flickered in Y/N’s chest. She couldn’t remember the last time she had enjoyed something as simple as baking cookies, but the thought of doing it with Finneas made her feel a little lighter. “Okay,” she whispered, a tiny smile tugging at her lips.

As they made their way to the kitchen, Billie appeared at the doorway, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her siblings. “What’s this? Baking party?”

“Just trying to coax Y/N out of her shell,” Finneas replied, glancing back at Y/N, who was still tentatively following him. “You can join us if you want!”

Billie’s face broke into a warm smile, and she rushed over to them. “Of course! I’ll be the official taste tester.”

As they began gathering ingredients, the kitchen slowly filled with laughter and the familiar rhythm of their banter. Y/N’s heart began to ease a little, the warmth of their love wrapping around her like a soft blanket.

But just as they were starting to mix the dough, a wave of anxiety crashed over Y/N. She felt the all-too-familiar grip of fear tightening in her chest. “What if it’s not good enough?” she blurted out, her voice quivering.

Finneas paused, his heart aching at the sight of her distress. “Y/N, it’s not about being perfect. It’s about enjoying the time we spend together. That’s what matters.”

Billie nodded, gently placing a reassuring hand on Y/N’s back. “Exactly. Remember that time we tried to make pancakes, and they turned out like blobs? We ended up having a food fight instead! It was one of the best mornings ever!”

Y/N couldn’t help but chuckle at the memory, her tension easing slightly. “Yeah, I remember. I was so mad at you both for ruining breakfast.”

“Only for you to end up laughing and throwing flour everywhere,” Finneas added, grinning. “See? That’s what it’s all about—making memories, even if they’re a little messy.”

With a deep breath, Y/N allowed herself to relax a little. They moved through the motions of baking, laughter bubbling up in the air. For a moment, it felt like they were a normal family again, without the weight of trauma bearing down on them.

As the cookies baked, the sweet aroma filled the house, wrapping around them like a warm hug. Finneas and Billie worked side by side, playfully shoving each other as they fought for counter space, while Y/N stood by, stirring the batter with a small smile on her face.

When the cookies were finally ready, they pulled them from the oven, golden and gooey. Billie grabbed a plate, and they all gathered around the table, the warmth of their presence soothing the remnants of Y/N’s anxiety.

“Okay, who gets the first bite?” Finneas asked, holding out a cookie toward Y/N with a teasing grin. “You know the rules—it’s the best one.”

Y/N laughed, a sound that felt foreign but welcomed. “You’re just trying to bribe me into liking your cooking!”

“I mean, it’s working, isn’t it?” he shot back, and with a push, Y/N grabbed the cookie, taking a tentative bite.

The moment the chocolate melted in her mouth, she closed her eyes, letting the flavor wash over her. It was warm and comforting, filling the empty spaces inside her with sweetness. She smiled, a real smile that lit up her eyes.

Billie and Finneas exchanged glances, their hearts swelling with hope. “See? It’s not so bad being back in the kitchen,” Billie said, leaning in closer.

“More like the best thing ever,” Y/N replied, her smile lingering as she took another bite.

But just as Y/N began to feel a sense of normalcy creeping back in, a dark thought invaded her mind, dragging her back to the memories she desperately wanted to escape. The fear came rushing back, and she instinctively pulled her knees to her chest, her joy dissipating like mist.

Seeing the shift in her demeanor, Finneas quickly set his cookie down, concern etched on his face. “Y/N?”

“I—” she stammered, her voice barely a whisper. “I don’t want to feel like this. I just want to be happy.”

Billie reached for her hand, squeezing it tightly. “You will be, Y/N. It’s okay to have these feelings, but you don’t have to face them alone. We’re right here with you.”

Tears welled up in Y/N’s eyes, the dam breaking as she fought against the tidal wave of emotions. “I don’t want to be broken. I don’t want you to see me like this.”

Finneas knelt beside her, his heart breaking for her. “You’re not broken, Y/N. You’re healing. It’s going to take time, and it’s going to hurt sometimes. But we’re here for the good and the bad.”

Y/N buried her face in her hands, the weight of everything crashing down on her. “I’m so scared,” she admitted, her voice muffled. “I’m scared of everything—of you, of Dad, of the world. I don’t know how to make it stop.”

Billie moved closer, wrapping her arms around Y/N, holding her tight. “It’s okay to be scared. But you’re safe here, with us. We love you no matter what, and we’ll help you face those fears.”

Finneas joined in, wrapping his arms around both of them, forming a protective cocoon. “You’re never alone, Y/N. We’ll fight through this together. We won’t let you go through it alone. We promise.”

As Y/N leaned into their embrace, tears streaming down her face, the warmth of their love wrapped around her, reminding her that even in her darkest moments, there was still a glimmer of hope. And in that moment, amid the sadness and the pain, she realized that maybe, just maybe, she could find her way back to the light.