Chapter 9: Family Ties

In a matter of seconds, Evan was already hugging Lauren tightly. His breathing was rough, heartbeat thundering, arms wrapped fiercely around her shoulders, his face pressed to the top of her head, silent for a long time. The scent of his cologne and her shampoo mingled in the air.

He held her as if afraid she might disappear, his hands shaking slightly.

Lauren hugged him back.

She rubbed his back, murmuring soothing words into his ear. She pressed her cheek to his chest, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won’t do it again."

"Sorry, Evan. I know it was wrong." Knowing how frightened you get, and still going out alone—she knew she was in the wrong.

She pressed her cheek to his chest, her voice barely above a whisper. "I won’t do it again."

"But I want you to know, you can’t trap me. If I want to leave, you can’t stop me." No matter what kind of restraint—chains or prison.

She pulled back slightly, meeting his eyes. "You have to trust me."

But...

She hesitated, searching his face for understanding.

"But don’t be afraid. I won’t leave you." Don’t worry, she wouldn’t go. "I won’t leave—because I don’t want to."

She smiled softly, brushing his hair back from his forehead. The gesture was gentle, full of reassurance.

Evan couldn’t keep her, but he could.

He nodded, his eyes shining with gratitude and relief. He pressed his forehead to hers, breathing her in.

She could break free from any restraint, but she was willing to stay.

She squeezed his hand, her thumb tracing gentle circles on his skin. The warmth of his palm was grounding.

Lauren gently patted his back, over and over, patiently soothing him. She hummed a soft tune, rocking him gently as if he were a child in need of comfort.

...

After a long while, Evan let go, standing with his hands at his sides, looking especially obedient. He wiped his eyes on his sleeve, embarrassed by his own vulnerability.

Lauren looked up—his nose was red, moisture at the corners of his eyes. She smiled softly, brushing away the last traces of tears with her thumb.

...Her little Evan had almost cried from worry when he couldn’t find his sister.

The realization made her heart ache with love and guilt. She pressed a kiss to his forehead, her tone playful but gentle.

"Why are you crying?" She touched his nape, tiptoed closer. "Still such a child...don’t cry, okay?"

She kissed his forehead, her patience endless, as if coaxing a child denied his candy. She smoothed his hair, her touch slow and deliberate.

She kissed his reddened nose, then his cheeks, slowly kissing away the tears at the corners of his eyes. She whispered soothing words, her breath warm against his skin.

Evan was docile, dazedly letting her kiss him, his emotions settling. He closed his eyes, letting himself be comforted, the storm inside him finally quieting.

She pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth, smiling, eyes curved like crescents. She lingered there, her smile infectious, her love unmistakable.

"It’s my fault. Can you forgive your sister?"

She looked up at him, her eyes wide and earnest. He hesitated, then nodded, a shy smile breaking through.

Evan still didn’t speak, and Lauren didn’t dare guess if he forgave her or not. She just smiled, her hand quietly stroking his hair. She let the silence stretch, trusting that his answer would come in time.

Then, a strong arm wrapped around her waist, and she was lifted up, startled, instinctively clinging to his neck. She let out a surprised laugh, wrapping her legs around his waist for balance.

He set her down on the study desk, knocking things to the floor with a series of soft and sharp noises. Pens and papers scattered, a mug rolled off the edge and landed with a thud. Neither of them cared.

Sitting on the desk, she was now a little taller than Evan. The sensation of her feet dangling unsettled her, and she wanted to get down, but his legs pressed against hers, one hand holding her waist securely.

He leaned in, his breath warm against her cheek. "Stay."

She looked down and saw his Adam’s apple bob, emotions surging in his eyes. His lips were hot, making her shiver, her hands curling unconsciously on the desk.

She clutched the edge of the desk, her knuckles white with anticipation.

Evan stepped forward, fitting himself between her knees, and during the kiss, looked up at her. The tears were gone, but the corners of his eyes were still red.

He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs brushing her cheeks as he kissed her deeply. The taste of her lips, the sound of their uneven breathing, and the press of his hands against her skin made the world fall away.

Perhaps uncomfortable from looking up, he unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt, sweat sliding from his forehead down his neck and collarbone, disappearing into his chest. The sight made her breath catch, her pulse racing. She traced a finger along the line of his collarbone, marveling at the warmth of his skin.

The kiss lasted a long time. When it ended, Lauren was breathless, leaning against him, and Evan was breathing unevenly. She rested her forehead against his, both of them lost in the aftermath of the moment.

"I thought you were going to leave again," he said.

His voice was raw, the words barely more than a whisper.

"No, I won’t leave you again."

She cupped his face, her eyes shining with conviction. She pressed her lips to his temple, a silent promise.

"Sis won’t leave again, right?"

His question was plaintive, almost childlike in its vulnerability. His hands trembled as he held her.

Lauren was silent, not answering. The hand at her waist tightened. She hesitated, searching for the right words.

"...Sis?"

He looked at her, his eyes pleading. She brushed his cheek with her thumb, her gaze steady.

Her voice was barely above a whisper, close to his ear. She leaned in, her breath warm against his skin.

"Evan, before I met you, I’d already traveled through many, many worlds. Remember when we went to the amusement park for your birthday? I was on the carousel, you were watching me, I was so happy that day. That was the moment I hesitated most."

She smiled at the memory, her eyes distant. She pictured the boardwalk at Coney Island, the smell of popcorn and cotton candy in the air.

"Aside from the darkness, every world has its beauty—the mountains, the rivers, the people. Sometimes time passed so slowly, the sun was so bright, I thought, maybe it’s nice to just stand here, always looking into the distance."