The compliance of Miranda’s head was slow yet understanding. “At least you have the ability to admit it. Some boys just like holding on, and in the end, it drags both down.” It sounded like experience, and with so many years of life behind her, it probably was. “I mean take a look at your father.” With the added bit of information, jokingly held against her smiling lips, she earned a look of incredulity from John and buried her laughter in a glass of water. Valeria had always thought of their marriage as beautiful, understanding on both sides and an inspiration to what she dreamed of herself one day. But with Cayn’s looming shadow now at the forefront of her brain she fretted no suitor would ever be deemed ‘acceptable’. At least the suitors who did not have a mane of scruffy black hair and could brag they stole her first blood.<br/><br/>It was a large relief when the parents finally dropped the subject and she could breath easier. The dark glare of anger she had seen building up in her brother’s eyes had been extinguished, replaced by the warmer gaze of the boy she was much more familiar with. He tried to hide it, but Valeria was observant when it came to Cayn. He’d eased up in coalition to her praise. Perhaps there was some leeway to him that she was slowly picking apart, and for a second of realization, she blatantly thought of him as a dog.<br/><br/>He desired affection and praise, the bone thrown his way turning him into someone a lot more agreeable - more willing to please. But at his worse he snapped back, notoriously unkind when it came to rejection. Valeria was suffering from those bruises still.<br/><br/>“Oh, how generous of you. Never failing to look after your sister, Cayn.” Miranda noted, pleased with how her son always took the steps to ensure Valeria was taken care of dutifully. Portion sizes out of the way, of course - that in which she always turned a blind eye to. Her daughter had a passion for the saccharine sweetness of sugar so why not let her indulge every now and then?<br/><br/>She had no qualms with what Cayn presented to her, and despite the lack of hunger, partook in the confections with eagerness. It was simple to trick herself into thinking all was normal with the family’s banter a pleasant murmur in the background. Father spoke about his work, mother piped up on the state of affairs in the Orville household, and it was like she could pretend half of the earlier day hadn’t happened.<br/><br/>It was the ideal evening until the curtain of sun started coming to a close. John and Miranda retired early, and woke up early, so it was no surprise when the patriarch of the house rose first to head off to the master bedroom. Miranda was soon in tow, finding no other reason to not turn in for the night other than to kiss her children before departing from the kitchen.<br/><br/>Valeria had excused herself as soon as mother was out of the frame, slow steps to the sink to wash the used silverware with brother as a shadow. He ultimately reminded her of the promise she had half-heartedly made and in return she awarded his handsome features a sidelong stare. “It better not be any horror movies.” She wasn’t picky with media, but horror had always left nightmares in the back of her mind; just one of the many reasons Cayn’s bed was sanctuary. It was a discomfort she had never grown out of from childhood and made sure, considering her brother’s taste in the macabre and action genres, to draw the line.<br/><br/>Though dreading the aspect of confining herself in his room, she was not one to break promises nor desire to entice his wrath, and let him lay a kiss on her cheek before parting ways. There was only this time to herself. The rest of the night was most likely to be spent ensnared in his lair and she needed to steel her will first.<br/><br/>With the time she had Valeria went back to her own chambers to hide away any suspicion unwanted eyes could find. She stashed the tatters of her dress, stripped down the stained bed and threw the sheets into the hamper for later. When the evidence was out of the way, sleepwear was sought out and worn, and when she finally made an appearance, hesitant and quiet, she was garbed in a long sleep shirt and dark shorts.<br/><br/>The summer months both saw them wearing less clothing, cooling off in the heat like they had done as young adolescents, but seeing her brother in the bare necessities now littered her head with bad memories. Every perspective of him was irreversibly twisted. Because of that she did not completely bid him hello upon entry, and ghosted to where he lay sprawled across his bed. To clamber up onto the mattress sent pain from where the contusions rested.<br/><br/>When she was more or less comfortable, as best as she could be, she settled her back against the headboard; resigned in her fate to sit nestled beside Cayn. Valeria kept her knees pressed to her chest, locked in place with the arms wrapped about the drawn legs. Her face, highlighted by the glow of the computer, cast an uneasy glance.