a sisters concern (jay)

As a sort of treat after the fight, once we got back to Nebula's Rise it was decided we should all have a movie and a takeaway. And since Tiana brought up needing to watch all the Disney MCU movies, Ironman was the decided movie. I'd read a lot of marvel comics growing up but I don't think I'd ever seen a movie of it before. While it was going on, Tina was explaining how Disney's first ever marvel movie had skyrocketed so much that they decided to keep going with them (and while watching it I could see why) but I could tell she was put off by something.

Not wanting to spoil the movie, I decided not to bring it up but once it was done and the credits rolled, she slipped away, so I followed her. Thia always preferred to stay for credits – she liked to listen to the music – so it was just the two of us. I found her hovering just inside the lounge, her back to the door.

"Tana?"

She turned on the spot. "Doesn't any of this scare you?"

Knowing I didn't have to ask what she meant, I just huffed. "Ya'know, Thias already asked me that once."

"She didn't seem scared."

"Well, she used to be. Maybe she's not so much anymore."

This was the first time Tiana had seen a fight. Had seen first hand what it was we were up against. And those aren't even the worst of them. I supposed it made sense for her to be in a bit of shock about it.

"And you? Aren't you scared?"

I sighed. In truth I was tired of explaining that no, I'm not scared and here's why.

"You should be."

"Why?"

Slowly, she shook her head. "You're in over your head, Jay. They just show up and your first instinct is to throw stones at them." Her voice was starting to rise.

I shrugged. "I gotta use what I can get hold of. What, were you expecting me to just run away screaming?"

"Or maybe just find a good hiding place. Help was on its way, you must've realised that."

My voice began to rise in turn. "I'm not just gonna sit by hiding while someone else is out there fighting."

"It's not your fight." She pointed towards the door. "If there was an army of them right by the entrance, what would you do?"

"I'd fight them!" I rounded on her.

"You'd lose." She poked my chest with both words.

"I can help!"

"You can't even help yourself." She pushed me back…then hugged me.

I stood there, stunned into an awkward silence. At times I could forget Tiana was my sister too.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't fight. Just please…" her arms around me loosened. "Think about your own safety for a change. Think about those of us who care for you." She pulled away enough for me to see her face. "We don't wanna see you hurt."

For once, I wasn't quite sure what to say.

Thankfully, I was spared saying anything by the others coming to join us. I saw Thia looking at us there and became self-consciously aware of Tiana still holding on to me.

"If you wanted a moment, you could've just said." She said with a smile. "You missed an end credit scene by the way."

"Oh." Tina said. I got the feeling she too was glad for the change of subject. "Well never mind. I'm gonna have to watch it again anyway."

"How'd you like it?" I asked, knowing Thia hadn't really seen a lot of Marvel before. "Did you find it scary at all?"

"Scary? No. Maybe a little…what's the word…anticipating?"

"So, you thought it was exciting."

"Yeah, I thought it was exciting."

Tana smiled as she shook her head. "You really are extraordinary aren't you."

She grinned, shyly. "Not just me."

"We are extraordinary." Sam corrected.

"We are incredible." Noaba added.

Still with one arm around Tana, I raised the other into the air. "We are legendary."

"Hell, yeah." Thia agreed.

Tana beckoned her over. "Bring it in, little sis."

So, she did. Jumping up and putting an arm around each of us.

Only a second after, I felt someone come at me from behind. I twisted with a "Gah" but it was only Noaba. "Group hug!" she called, opening her arm to Sam who joined between her and Thia. We stayed like that, in an awkward, wobbly huddle, until it lost its balance and we all fell to the floor, laughing.

Tiana still had hold of Thia. Looking at them there, with their arms around each other, smiling and laughing, it looked so natural and happy. Like they were meant to be together.

And as soon as that thought crossed my mind, I heard Tana proclaim. "I could stay here all summer."