Steven was seated next to his younger sister on the forefront of her bed - wholly light pink in sheet and pillows.
With sincere worry lining his features, Steven stared directly at the cross-legged-sitting Misty, while she gazed off somewhere to the left; frowning whilst sporting narrowed eyes.
"I'm sorry for the way Selena acted earlier," Steven softly spoke.
"And you know she didn't really mean what she said. She only has your best interest at heart, but," he said, donning a smile,
"I agree that she can be a real fucking bitch sometimes."
Misty lightly chuckled; but even so, only a hint of mirth had been ejected.
"Hey, Sis."
He placed a hand on one of her legs, compelling her to slightly tense and go red in the face.
"I heard you swear for the first time today. There's something more to this than Selena's words. What's going on?"
"I... I..."
"C'mon, Misty, I'm your big bro. Remember the times in each Summer, the fun we had just chilling, playing video games, talking about our hopes and dreams-"
He grinned as he finished,
"needlessly boosting each other's egos with way too many compliments?"
She gave a small smile at that.
"Misty, just talk to me. I'll really listen, and promise not to judge."
Pensively, she pursed her lips, appearing much cuter than usual while sending her eyes to his face.
"Promise?"
He held out his pinky. She stared at it before momentarily locking her pinky with his.
"Pinky promise," Steven said.
They both retracted their fingers.
Silence filled the air.
Puffing out and closing her eyes for two seconds, Misty confessed,
"Steven, I've been... suicidal lately."
Steven paled, swallowing saliva, lightly squeezing her leg,
"Misty... why? Wha-?"
"I know you do, but I can't help but feel like..."
Her next words came out a heartbreaking whisper.
"like no one believes in me."
Steven's eyes grew slick with water, frantically moving within his skull. He loved his little sister dearly, and so was entirely at a loss for words. But, more than anything: hurt. Her words made him feel nauseous, and his heart as if a knife was plunged inside.
"Misty..."
"In my head, deeply rooted, I feel like no one believes in my success with school, a future career as a hero, or even in law enforcement; or the ability to do anything... a single thing without somehow messing up like a fool."
At that point, tears were streaming down her countenance. Steven's tears flowed as well, his heart hammering and aching.
"I don't even believe in myself anymore, Steven. Sometimes I lie awake at night with open arms; hoping against hope that death would finally put me in a hug and end my suffering."
"Please don't ever do that again."
His words had woefully rolled out with the cracking of his voice.
Steven embraced his sister, softly speaking into her ear,
"I love and have all the faith in you. And even though our sisters don't show it, they do, too. Selena just doesn't want you to die or get hurt in battle - the risk is too high with grades of abilities like yours, or so she thinks.
And Elaine is... you know how Elaine is with heroes and law enforcement. Our sisters know you can do it if you put your mind to it. But they won't ever encourage you, so I say fuck 'em both."
He leaned back, wiping away his tears to see his sister sniffling and doing the same.
"Fuck school, too," Steven said.
"You don't need it for what you wanna be. Aim for the stars. Be a hero like you've always dreamed, Little Sis. You're my precious sister. You've been my rock, a shoulder to lean on a lot of times when I felt useless about being ability-less. You'll definitely be an awesome inspiration for others if you choose to follow your heart and work hard. I believe that without a shadow of doubt, Misty."
Out of the blue, Misty pressed her lips to Steven's. His eyes widened, but he regained his cool and kissed her back.
She pulled away from him, cheeks flushed.
"I-I'm... surprised you feel the same way, Steven. I... I have feelings for you."
