Len never really knew about his sister. Their parents had divorced when they were five years old, and he had stayed with their mom while their dad took her up north. All he could remember of her is that she never ate very much and defended him every chance she got.

That is, until two days ago.

Two days ago, his dad had called them, explaining something that Len was never told. All he was told was that his sister would be living with them, more than likely temporarily. So here he and his mom were, at the airport, waiting on someone they hadn't seen in twelve years. His mom was chattering nervously, talking herself into a circle, and all he could think was he's glad Rin would be easy to recognize. He felt clammy and uncomfortable when the flight from Seattle began deboarding—how the hell was he supposed to interact with her? "Hey sis, glad that your dad finally came around to letting you see us"? No, their dad. He couldn't even think of calling her "sister" or anything along those lines; it was too weird, too unfamiliar. However, he didn't have much time to dwell on it, as his mom let out a squeal and threw her arms around someone.

She stepped back, and Len was able to see a small girl standing there, looking a little scared herself. She really was a spitting image of him; considering she had her hair tied back, he was only able to tell he wasn't looking into a mirror because of her figure. Rin smiled at him, and he gave a quick nod in greeting. His mom—no, their mom, he reminded himself—was still chattering, which saved him from having to talk to her. The three made their way out of the airport, and it soon made itself apparent that Rin was very soft-spoken and not one to talk unless she had to. She gave one-word answers and nods whenever she was asked anything, although their mom seemed to be too focused on her own words to notice.

Len found himself wondering why she was with them in the first place. Surely, she wasn't too much for her dad—fuck, their dad—to handle. Was he short on money? ...That'd probably be rude to ask. Besides, from what he understood, Rin had had a job so she could pay for her own things, so that shouldn't have been an issue. He was pulled out of his thoughts when they reached the house. He helped her carry her things inside, and their mom started with her questions again.

"Well, there we are! Do you need to shower? Are you hungry? I'm sure Stephan still doesn't make breakfast, regardless of whether or not you want it. I can start on dinner now, if you're hungry!" The older woman looked at Rin expectantly, a smile still on her face. Rin shook her head sheepishly, "Would it be alright if I just took a nap? I'm still feeling a little sick from the plane..."

"Of course! We haven't quite finished cleaning up the guest room, but we can probably finish that while you're asleep. Len, let her sleep in your room so she doesn't have to nap on the couch."

"Uh, yeah, of course. Let me pick up a bit." He went to his room, Rin trailing behind him. He tossed the clothes on the floor into a more or less pile in the corner before he faced her in the doorway.

"Should be fine. Uh..." he rubbed the back of his neck, feeling ridiculous as any words he had flew out of his mind. However, Rin smiled at him again, seeming to be at least a little more comfortable around him.

"Thanks, Len. I promise I won't take over your room—if you're told to sleep on the couch, we'll trade back after she goes to sleep." He grinned and nodded, excusing himself out of the room.

Maybe living with her wouldn't be as bad as he thought.

The smell of food woke Len up the next morning. He dragged himself out of his bed and to the bathroom, getting a shower before going to the kitchen. Rin was leaning against the counter and watching the timer on the microwave count down. She jumped slightly when he walked in front of her to get the food sealed in tupperware, but quickly recomposed herself and smiled. "Morning. ...Where's Mom at?"

The use of the word "mom" startled him, but he brushed it off and got a plate out of the cabinet. "She goes to work really early. Makes breakfast before she goes, though."

"Oh," was all she said and went to get her food out of the microwave. An amused expression came to Len's face when he saw how sleepy she still looked—probably jetlag. She stepped back when he went to heat up his food, and he realized she was staring at him.

"...Yes?"

"Oh! Um, I'm sorry. It's just, I dunno, it's weird. I haven't seen you in, what, ten years? And—"

"Twelve."

"Right, right, twelve. It's weird. And you're taller than I am. Um." Her face flushed red when she realized how much she had said, and she mumbled an apology, looking away from him. Len chuckled and shook his head.

"It's fine, really. No need to apologize for talking."

A shaky smile was the response to his words before she started nibbling on her biscuit. He moved to the table with his food, and a comfortable silence settled between the two as they ate.

"Ah... Do you have a job or anything you have to go to today?"

"No, I don't. Do you want to do something?" He took her plate and put it in the dishwasher with his. "We don't have to stay home all day if you don't want to."

"Would you mind showing me around? O-of course, I'm fine with staying here if that's what you want to do."

"...You don't have to be so nervous, you know. Of course I'll show you around. We can get lunch while we're out, too, since Mom won't be home until after dinner."

"...That's an awfully long shift, isn't it?"

"She loves her job, so she offers to work overtime," he shrugged. "When do you want to leave?"

"I'll be ready right after I shower! Is it okay if I play music while I'm in there?"

"Yes, completely fine," Len laughed, and she darted off to get ready. Twenty minutes later, the twins were walking down the street to see the small town. It seemed odd to him, the fact that he was right next to the girl who had been his best friend the first five years of his life, and he knew next to nothing about her. She didn't seem to be too bothered by it, humming quietly as she walked beside him. As far as he could tell, she was coming out of her shell bit by bit around him, which was nice to see.

"—around here?"

Len stared at her blankly, and it took several moments for him to realize she had asked a question. "…I'm sorry, what?"

"Someone was off in space," she chuckled, surprising him. "I asked if you had any friends or anything around here."

"Not really, no. …Well, that sounds bad. There's nobody that I particularly enjoy talking to, so I just don't."

"As if that sounds better? I see what you mean, though. …Sort of."

"You don't have to force yourself," he grinned. "If you don't mind me asking, why are you here, anyways? I was never told that part."

"You weren't? I guess Mom didn't want you knowing…" She gave him a questioning look, to which he just shrugged. "Well, my aunt—crap, our aunt, I'm sorry—is a little…out there? I don't think she's completely…there, mentally. And she would lose her temper a lot, which always ended up with either Dad or me receiving the majority of the blow. Dad just got worried when she got pretty physical the last time, so he wanted me away from her until they could get things straightened out a bit. …I think he overreacted, but…" Rin shrugged and rubbed her side. "I suppose he'll do whatever he thinks is necessary. He wants to see you again, for us to have a big family gathering."

"I doubt that's a good idea. Mom still isn't happy with him, as far as I can tell."

"…Do you know why they split in the first place? Dad never talks about her." Just from her voice, Len could tell that she was curling back into her shell. He felt slightly awkward again, not knowing how to help her.

"There's a good diner on this street. Why don't we talk while we eat?"

"Yeah, okay," she nodded, "That'd be fine."

Len led Rin to the diner and they slid into a booth. After ordering their food (the chef's choice), Len turned his attention to his sister, who was nervously playing with silverware. "...Do you still want to know?"

"Know what?"

"Why Mom and Dad split." She eyed him nervously before nodding. "Yes, I do." Her slouched shoulders straightened as he cleated his throat, and a spark returned to her eye. "Please."

"...From what I understand, Dad's family didn't treat Mom right. Dad never stood up for her—defended them instead. Of course Mom would get sick of it. A husband should stand up for his wife, even if it's against his own family."

Rin sat quietly and stared at him. After a few minutes, she shook her head and glanced down. "There's always two lies to one truth. I'm sure it was more than that..."

"Believe what you want to believe. I'm believing Mom." At this, she looked sharply up at him with a frown. "…What? We don't have a story from Dad. What am I supposed to believe?"

"Give the man a chance, at least."

"Rin, I never said I wouldn't. I'm only saying that I believe Mom as to why they split. I don't think it was anything more. …Food's here." Their conversation ended after the food arrived, and, just as he remembered from their childhood, Rin barely ate.

a/n hello hello! thank you for reading this so far! this turned into being a bit of a vent fic for me, so I apologize if it's not to your taste. I hope you enjoy chapter two!