Drabbles: Pilot.

"He's my brother." She utters the words softly, her heart breaking as she sees her little brother lying in the hospital bed, bandages around his wrist, as she can't help but think that this is her fault. Serena resolves not to be like that anymore; the whole "partying" aspect is thrown out of the window as she looks at Erik, her favourite person in the world. Nothing seems to matter anymore; except the fact that he gets well. As long as he'll be okay, she'll be okay.

The nurse comes up beside Serena. "He's okay," she assures her. "He's just sleeping. You should be flattered though; you're all he's been asking for."

Serena agrees. "He's the only thing I want right now too."

The nurse goes for a minute and when she returns, passes a blanket to Serena. "Feel free to crash on the chair tonight. You look exhausted."

Serena sighs, nodding. "Thanks."

The nurse goes to her desk, and Serena goes in, taking hold of one of Erik's hands, squeezing it gently. There is no response. He's always been a sound sleeper, she thinks fondly to herself, allowing herself to smile briefly, and getting as comfortable as she possibly can on the chair. He'll be here tomorrow, and she'll be here too, vowing to be by his side no matter what. She won't leave again.

****

Erik comes out:

"How dare you?" Serena hisses to her, throwing her napkin on the table and getting up from it, preparing to go and see Erik. She comes back though a minute later, gaining confidence.

"Leave. NOW." Serena's surprised at the rage in her voice. "Get out of our house."

Lily raises her eyebrow but doesn't object.

Georgina smirks, gets up, and leaves. Serena sighs, and looks at Lily.

"He needs us right now, Mom. Don't you see?"

Lily nods; she does. A little bit. She's also very overwhelmed.

"It's just such a shock," she says to Serena.

"And it's not in your best interest to judge, mother. We love him, no matter what."

Lily nods again, not disagreeing.
"Are you coming with me to see him?" Serena presses. When Lily doesn't respond, she rolls her eyes.

"Fine, I'll go alone. You'd better come to your senses though, or you'll regret it."

Serena hurries to go see her brother, wondering what he's feeling. She's surprised too, but it doesn't matter. He's her brother. He'll always be her little brother, who she adores. It doesn't matter who he likes, what gender he likes. She hopes he won't get hurt though, and will do whatever in her power to protect him- and that includes getting rid of Georgina.

****

At Bart's funeral.

"You're not my brother." Chuck says icily to Erik, who is standing next to Serena.

Serena's heart breaks for Chuck. For Erik. For their family and all that has changed. She couldn't imagine what Chuck is going through, but also can't imagine what Erik is going through as well. They'd established a close bond throughout the months that they had become a family; and Serena knows Chuck doesn't mean what he says.

Serena brings Erik to her and gives him a hug. "He doesn't mean it," she says. "He's just upset."

Erik's face looks crestfallen. "I can't believe he'd say something like that. I understand he's upset, but how can you just get rid of family so easily?"

"You'll always be his brother, and he'll always be yours. Circumstances may change, but he'll come around eventually. I promise." she reassures him, pretending that everything's okay. That's what she does, protect her brother at every cost. She hopes he'll come around. He's her brother, too.