i can hear them whisper as they pass by

Koa

Don't take this the wrong way
You knew who I was with every step that I ran to you

She breaks apart like a porcelain mask, wrapping her arms around his middle and burrowing into the spot in his chest that only she could ever occupy. Koa feels himself shift and move, the fear and anger he's carried so close sliding away to make space for his sister. He holds her like she belongs against him, like Atlas holding up the sky, like a like a ribcage expanding to contain both their fragile, damaged hearts.

"It's okay. You're okay. I've got you." It's murmured gently against her hair, his lips resting there as he kisses her crown. Koa rubs soothing circles over his sister's back. When she finally speaks it's in a tone that threatens to break him again; instead he tightens his grip upon her, squeezing briefly before easing back. "You did nothing wrong," Koa tells her fiercely, his copper eyes glinting as he glares out at the sea. "You are good, and kind, and clever, and they saw that. Took advantage of it. And I..."

He swallows, forcing himself to breath around the lump in his throat. "I should have been there to protect you. I'm so, so sorry, No."

Only blue or black days
Electing strange perfections in any stranger I choose