Days had passed since Flora had started to open up to her friends about her struggles. The support from Bloom, Layla, and the others had been unwavering, and Flora was starting to realize that it wasn't a sign of weakness to ask for help—it was a sign of strength to allow others to care for her when she needed it most. Yet, there was one person who had begun to play a more prominent role in her life, someone who had always been there for her but now seemed to be taking on a more hands-on approach: Sky.Flora had always admired Sky. As a leader of the specialists, he was calm, reliable, and always had a way of making others feel at ease. But recently, Flora had noticed something different about him—something she hadn't really thought about before. He was always checking on her, making sure she was okay, helping with simple tasks when she couldn't manage on her own. He was there when she needed him, even if she didn't ask.It started with little things. When Flora had trouble getting out of bed one morning, Sky was there, offering his hand to help her up. He would sometimes offer to walk with her to the kitchen or help her with getting dressed when she was feeling overwhelmed by the simplest tasks. He never made a big deal about it, and Flora didn't want to feel like a burden, so she never questioned it. It felt natural, almost like an instinct for him to help her, and Flora was starting to appreciate the comfort of his presence.This afternoon, Sky was sitting beside Flora in the living room, as she struggled to tie her shoes. It was a small thing, but Flora had been having trouble with fine motor skills lately, and tasks that were once second nature were now an effort. She glanced up, embarrassed, only to see Sky's reassuring smile."Let me help you with that," Sky said gently, noticing the hesitation in Flora's eyes.Flora felt a flush of warmth spread across her cheeks, a mix of gratitude and guilt. She had grown accustomed to doing things on her own, but lately, it seemed that even small tasks were beyond her."Thanks, Sky," Flora murmured, holding her shoe still as he tied the laces for her.Sky's hands were steady, his movements fluid. There was something calming about the way he worked, a quiet determination to make sure Flora felt at ease. When he finished, he smiled at her."All done. How are you feeling?" Sky asked, sitting back down beside her.Flora hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. "Better," she said quietly, not wanting to admit how much she had been struggling. "It's just... everything's harder than it used to be."Sky nodded, his expression softening. "I know, Flora. But you don't have to do it alone. We're all here for you. Especially me."Flora's heart fluttered slightly at his words. She had always known that Sky was a reliable friend, but now he seemed to be taking on an even more significant role in her life. It wasn't just about the physical help—it was the emotional support he was offering, the way he made her feel safe and understood.It was then that Bloom, Stella, and Layla walked into the room. They had been talking in the kitchen and had noticed Flora and Sky together, with Sky helping Flora with her shoes. The trio exchanged knowing glances before walking over."Sky, you've been helping Flora a lot lately," Bloom said, a playful smile on her face. "Is there something we should know?"Flora's face immediately flushed, and she nervously fidgeted with the hem of her shirt. She hadn't realized how much attention they'd been paying to the way Sky was helping her. It wasn't that she minded—it just felt so personal, so intimate, that it hadn't occurred to her that others might notice.Sky looked up at them with a knowing smile. "I'm just doing what any friend would do. Flora's been going through a lot lately, and I'm happy to help however I can."Stella raised an eyebrow, her expression playful but also filled with curiosity. "That's sweet, Sky. But it seems like you're helping her with everything these days. Are you two getting closer, or is something else going on?"Flora's face turned even redder. She had never been good at talking about her personal feelings, especially in front of others. Sky had always been a friend, but this new dynamic—his constant help and attention—was starting to feel different. She didn't know how to explain it, and part of her wasn't sure she even wanted to.Sky seemed to notice Flora's discomfort and quickly added, "It's not like that, Stella. Flora's just been having a tough time, and I'm making sure she gets the help she needs. We've been through a lot together, and I'm always going to have her back."There was a brief silence, and then Layla spoke, her voice filled with understanding. "We get it, Sky. We just wanted to make sure you were both okay. Helping Flora through this is really important, and if you need support, we're all here for you."Bloom nodded, her smile warm and reassuring. "Absolutely. You're not alone in this, Flora. We're all here for you."Flora felt a sense of relief wash over her as the weight of the conversation seemed to lighten. Her friends weren't judging her, nor were they questioning her relationship with Sky. They were simply concerned and wanted to make sure she was okay. And that meant more to her than anything."It's just been a little hard," Flora admitted quietly. "I never realized how much I relied on my independence until I couldn't do the things I used to do. Sky's been there for me in ways I didn't even realize I needed."Sky gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I'm just happy to help. You don't have to do this alone, Flora. And neither do you, Bloom. Layla. All of you. We're all family."The group sat in a comfortable silence for a moment, letting Sky's words sink in. The support, the understanding, and the care they shared for one another was palpable. It was a reminder that no matter how difficult things got, Flora wasn't truly alone.---That evening, as Flora sat in her room, she couldn't help but reflect on the day's events. She had felt both overwhelmed and deeply grateful for the help she had received. Sky had been there for her, in a way that was starting to feel not just supportive, but almost protective. Flora wasn't sure what to make of it—was it just friendship? Or was there something more?She sighed softly, not quite ready to face that question just yet. For now, she was content with the thought that she had people in her life who truly cared for her. And that was enough—for now.---### **The Twist: A Surprising Revelation**Later that evening, as the group gathered for dinner, the conversation took a different turn. After they had finished eating, Flora leaned over to Sky, her voice soft."Sky," she began, a little hesitantly, "I've been thinking... I know you've been helping me a lot lately, but I want you to know that you don't have to do this all the time. I'm not expecting anything from you."Sky looked at her, his smile warm. "Flora, you're not a burden. I'm happy to help. In fact, there's something I've been meaning to tell you... something I don't think anyone knows."Flora raised an eyebrow in curiosity. "What is it?"Sky hesitated for a moment, before leaning in and speaking softly, as if the revelation needed to be kept between them. "Flora... the truth is, I'm not just your friend. I'm your brother."The room fell silent for a beat.Flora's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean, your brother?"Sky smiled gently. "I didn't want to overwhelm you with this, but after everything that's happened, I thought it was time to tell you. I'm your half-brother, Flora. Our parents... they kept it a secret for a long time, but I thought it might explain why I've always felt so close to you."Flora blinked in disbelief. "Sky... why didn't you tell me before?"Sky shrugged, a little sheepish. "I wasn't sure how you'd react. But now, with everything going on, I just felt like you deserved to know."Flora took a deep breath, her mind racing. So much had changed, and now this unexpected twist felt like another layer to their already complicated situation. But somehow, knowing that Sky was more than just a close friend—that he was, in fact, her brother—brought a sense of clarity."Sky..." Flora began, her voice shaky, "Thank you for always being there for me. Even if I didn't know you were my brother, you've always made me feel like I wasn't alone."Sky smiled at her, his eyes filled with affection. "I've always been here for you, Flora. Nothing's going to change that."---
